Trip Report
Naturalist - Magnuson Park
My dog and I enjoyed 33 bird species and a spectacular sunrise over Magnuson Park this morning.
Courtenay Schurman
- Sat, Apr 5, 2025
- Magnuson Park
- Day Hiking & Naturalist
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Most of the park's concrete trails are in great shape. Once we meandered off the cement around the wetland area, we found some muddy trails in places as well as what looked like some oil spills (!!).
Early in the morning, people have gotten lax with their dogs being off-leash; if that's a problem for you, you may want to consider other parks. I kept mine on until we got to the off-leash dog park where Ajax could enjoy some freedom.
Ajax and I enjoyed 33 bird species and a gorgeous sunrise over Lake Washington from Magnuson Park's waterfront. We started at 6:40 and meandered north on a cold, crisp, clear morning toward the off-leash dog park, listening to the Canada geese, American wigeons, western grebes, and mallards.
A man with a big birding lens said he'd spotted an otter, but we weren't so fortunate. We also saw a bunch of people in wetsuits about to go swimming. Brrr.
Our best birds: a Belted kingfisher, a ruby-crowned kinglet, a few buffleheads, two ring-necked ducks, and a pair of common mergansers. Lovely morning beating most of the crowds I'm sure will be out this weekend.