I mean, 5/5 stars. This might be my favorite place in all of Puget Sound, so I could be biased. I'm trying to visit here every season--when we visited last summer it was just as enjoyable with a totally different crop of birds (plus, ducklings everywhere so...). Sharing a few photos and the list of birds we saw below. I've more photos on my blog: https://www.thegreennaturalist.com/post/heaven-on-earth-billy-frank-jr-nisqually-national-wildlife-refuge

Ring-necked Duck
Downy Woodpecker
Mallard
Bufflehead
Marsh Wren
Bushtit
Yellow-crowned Kinglet
American Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Spotted Towhee
Brown Creeper
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Flicker
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Green-winged Teal
American Crow
Glaoucous-winged Gull
Ring-billed gull
Northern Harrier

I mean, 5/5 stars. This might be my favorite place in all of Puget Sound, so I could be biased. I'm trying to visit here every season--when we visited last summer it was just as enjoyable with a totally different crop of birds (plus, ducklings everywhere so...). Sharing a few photos and the list of birds we saw below. I've more photos on my blog: https://www.thegreennaturalist.com/post/heaven-on-earth-billy-frank-jr-nisqually-national-wildlife-refuge

Ring-necked Duck
Downy Woodpecker
Mallard
Bufflehead
Marsh Wren
Bushtit
Yellow-crowned Kinglet
American Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Spotted Towhee
Brown Creeper
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Flicker
American Widgeon
Eurasian Widgeon
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Green-winged Teal
American Crow
Glaoucous-winged Gull
Ring-billed gull
Northern Harrier

A terrific early spring hike for the entire family. An easy 4.0 mile round trip if you hike to the end of the boardwalk from the parking lot. The visitor center was closed but the restrooms were open. Many migrating birds were present  along the dike path and throughout the area but especially in the flooded grasslands. February is the start of the great blue heron breeding season and several pairs were observed. Try to time your visit during an incoming or high tide during the early part of the day to see the variety of waterfowl and shorebirds close to shore. On our visit there were numerous seals basking on the small islands near the end of the walking… Don’t forget your binoculars and a bird identification guide ! 

Boardwalks are in good condition, and I was so glad to see the restrooms are currently open. Last time I was here there were only portapotties. Arrived at 8 and plenty of parking was available and it was nearly full when leaving around 10:30. This is a great flat place to get in a few miles and take in a unique landscape. Wish I had the patience to stick around to see more birds.