This is my first trip report I'm writing! We decided it was time for our first hike of the year and thought this one would be great for the whole family. We weren't disappointed! Trail is well maintained and great for even strollers and wheelchairs. The visitor center was easy to find right when we got there. It's a $3 fee for every 4 adults (age 16+) and kids 15 and under are free. There was plenty of parking. If you have little ones with you, we recommend asking the front desk person (or Ranger) about participating in their Junior Refuge Manager program. It's fun, informative, and the kids get a little certificate and Badge once they've completed it! We do this for our kids at all the National and State parks that have this program, and we find that most parks do. Walk all the way down the boardwalk and see different wildlife depending on the tides. We were lucky enough to catch glimpses of a few Bald Eagles and hawks. After we reached the end of the boardwalk, we headed back the way we came. There's a little grove in front of the Twin Barns with several picnic tables perfect for eating lunch! The Twin Barns housed several bird houses and there were TONS of birds flying overhead! My whole family had a wonderful time and we'll enjoy coming back here in the future!

I've been hooked on Nisqually for about 2 years now. The birding has started cutting into my hiking time. But i LOVE it! It's a chance to really slow down and listen and identify all those sounds i heard while hiking by, not stopping to look and wonder what it is.. now i'm enjoying finding out what bird calls are, mating habits, nesting, etc. In one year of going to Nisqually twice a week , just about, i feel "at home" like one of the locals... Anyway... back to the report... Now is one of the best times go it's nesting time, babies are starting to come out. Eggs are hatched mom's are busy feeding. Over the next month the flowers will bloom and attract new species. My tips for Nisqually are: check tide chart if you can, good times to see more birds is 2 hours before or after low tide. High Tides are also cool for seeing diving birds. April & May are really fun and full of activies.The volunteers and staff are amazing full of knowledge and ready to share. My other tip is don't rush by the observation decks. They are there for a reason, if you wait patiently 10-15 mins and listen, you will be suprised what can come out of the reeds if your quiet and just sit and listen. For flies by, or flies in, be patient. There's alot more to see than birds too. Mink, Otter, Turtles, Fish, Rabbits, Deer, Coyotes, etc.

I woke up early saturday and was on the boardwalk by 7:30, hardly anyone here, best time to see birds! I started at the humming bird nest, the only one i know where it is.. there are several right now. Watched for mom to feed her two babies. So fun! Saw 2 pairs of Wood Ducks they are one of my fav, lots of common yellowthroat, yellow rumped warblers, deer, turtles, black birds, baby gosling, my first Sora 15 mins swimming around in front of me for 10 mins & common loon (eating fish). Just special moments! To me anyway...the sora are really shy birds. The humming birds are really busy right now and you can hear them in the forest side everywhere. I've never had a bad time here. Sometimes I come 3 times a week! I'm meeting great people who are becoming friends. Nisqually is a wonderful place that everyone should check out at least once.

I love going to Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. This is one of my monthly hikes that I go just to watch the changing of the seasons. This time out I did not see a lot of wildlife but I did see many flowers and plants in bloom. This is a place where I have even seen those in wheel chairs out on the trails.