Beautiful day and saw lots of wildlife. Frogs, harbor seals (a group of at least 30 of them!), birds galore (terns diving for fish, squabbling seagulls, bald eagles, herons, warblers, red wing black birds, swifts, variety of ducks, cormorants, hummingbird, and other smaller brown birds). Even spotted a turtle, a deer, and some tiny crabs. It was amazing!! Arrived as the tide was coming in.

Overcast skies changed our plans from a "view" hike today to a South Sound ramble amid the birds (and beasts) of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. We arrived at 10:45 AM (on a Wednesday) to get the last parking spot in the main lot (!), noticing three school buses and a number of small groups milling about. It's clearly school field trip season around here.

The weather was pleasant, and most school groups we saw were passing us on the way back to the buses (lunch), so it was a bit calmer and more enjoyable than anticipated. I "cheated", using the Merlin app to generate sonograms and identify the birds we were surrounded by but couldn't find. Birdsong was nearly constant in the marsh area and on through the meadows, fading away only once we reached the raised estuary boardwalk.

The estuary walk provide wide, impressive views, especially at low tide. We passed a few groups of bird spotters with serious cameras (we see you there, Nisqually Walkers!), from who we could confirm a few identities (cedar waxwing, check, cormorant, check). On the way back, we paused to watch a group of herons that had flown across McAllister Creek to feed on what looked like small surf perch hanging out in foot-deep water on our side of the channel. They were joined by two feeding seals, which seemed to make them a bit nervous. A bird-watcher reported that, moments earlier, one of the seals had taken down a cormorant, which caused a bit of ruckus in the water, so that tracks.

Nisqually is a place you never tire of, especially when you need to reset, to push back horizons, to simply soak in the REALLY great outdoors. Can't promise you'll see seal vs cormorant, but then again, you never know.

Great leg stretcher with the kids, we completed the boardwalk trail to the end of the Nisqually Estuary and walked around the boardwalks by the wetland. Bring some binoculars for the kids and you can engage them in birding, and spotting the many animals in the refuge. There are multiple points to take a break along the trail and great options for a picnic. This is also a good area to learn about estuary research and engage with scientists with older kids. No beach access disappointed my youngest so you could combine this hike with a beach stop if needing more trail time.

Great

Oftentimes we hike from A to B and enjoy the scenery while doing so. This trip is meant to enjoy the scenery while getting from A to B. 

On flat surface like this I usually do 3.5 - 4 miles an hour, this trip took me 3 hours for a bit under 5 miles- walk, stop, listen, watch. Repeat.

The refuge is teeming with wildlife, birds were flying from right to left and left to right, others were wading in the marshes or just chirping along in the woods, there was constant action. I was early enough to beat the crowds, that might have helped- a few cars in the parking lot when I arrived on a Sunday shortly before 9am. The refuge has 97 parking spots and they were all taken when I returned around noon. 

Restroom was well stocked and very clean; trails are suitable for all sensible shoes. Informative signs along the way provide helpful information. It was quite windy along the wetland boardwalk, so a rain jacket or windbreaker is recommended. Parking fee is $3 and is to be left in cash in an envelope. They accept "America the Beautiful" and a few other passes (they do NOT accept the Northwest Forest or Discovery Pass). 

Binoculars are a must- they make the difference between white dots bouncing up and down in the distance - or watching birds diving in and out of the water; or help distinguish a brown bump in the meadow from a deer. They also help to really admire the beautiful plumage of birds that are relatively close. You will regret not bringing them. 

Definitely a nice change from my usual alpine and forest adventures.