We saw thirty species here this morning in just a few hours! This is an excellent area to see birds - pretty crowded as it was the weekend, but everyone is respectful (no jogging allowed). The rangers were very helpful in pointing out birds or helping to ID one. The trails and boardwalks are in great shape, but can be slippery and there are some exposed areas, so I recommend shoes with good tread and layers. Happy birding!

This is always my "go to" during the week when i only have a couple hours to get out and see something cool. Today was no excpetion. I go so often, i'm getting to know the locals and they know where the birds are! I'm still learning. This was my first barred owl experience and it was cool! He moved to a few different areas and was very fun to watch. Lots of snow geese in the area and ducks are coming back. Fall leaves are gorgeous and falling fast.

Walked all the trails in the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Sunday morning. At first it was a bit disappointing the fog had not cleared - but it kept the noise level very low and gave the whole estuary an almost surreal movie set look. Total trail distance around the forest and twin barn loop then out and back along the estuary boardwalk is just a bit over 3 miles and completely flat - a comfortable walk. The big draw is walking way out into the estuary on the boardwalk and the birds and other animals. There were heron all over, all sorts of gulls and geese, raven, dozens of forest birds, jelly fish, etc plus even a couple of seals coming close into the shore along the boardwalk. If you are a bird watcher and have not been, you need to go here at least once. The new Norm Dicks visitor center is very nice as well. Parking is plentiful, though nearly full as we left at about 11:00. There is a $3 per car (driver +3 passenger) fee, (worth every penny.)

This is such a uniquely beautiful place! The people at the visitors center were very helpful. We borrowed some binoculars, got a map for easy directions and began our journey. We immediately started finding things to look at. From frogs and toads (in every little body of water! But they are chameflouged so look carefully), a gardner snake, musk rat, a weasel, caterpillars, ducks, geese, herons, sea gulls, and a hawk. There was something around every corner! I recommend not rushing through this hike and stopping to smell the flowers, so to speak. The boardwalk portion of the hike is long and unshaded, so be sure to wear sunscreen and bring lots of water. The prize at the end of the boardwalk is absolutely beautiful!