Field Trip 2 - Seattle Naturalists Intro Natural World Course

Field trip: Introduction to the Natural World Course

Field Trip 2 - Seattle Naturalists Intro Natural World Course - Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

We will be looking and listening for both migratory and resident birds in breeding plumage as they seek potential mates and set up territories for nesting. Bring binoculars; field guides are optional. Bring your smartphone or tablet with the Merlin App and use it to practice identifying species.

  • Easy
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 4.0 mi

Meet 0700am by the visitor center. Please pay the $3.00 entrance fee.

Expect to spend 2-3 hours wandering the trails, looking for birds and listening to their calls. We will practice looking at key characteristics like shape, size, color patterns, and behaviors. The merlin app may be helpful in identifying species and a bird book either hard copy or as an app will give more information. 

 Canada Goose 

Gadwall 

Mallard 

Pied-billed Grebe 

Double-crested Cormorant 

Great Blue Heron 

Bald Eagle 

Killdeer 

Glaucous-winged Gull (incl. hybrids) 

Anna’s Hummingbird 

Belted Kingfisher 

Steller’s Jay 

American Crow 

Barn Swallow 

Tree Swallow 

Black-capped Chickadee 

Bushtit 

Bewick’s Wren 

American Robin 

European Starling 

Golden-crowned Kinglet 

Dark-eyed Junco 

Spotted Towhee 

Red-winged Blackbird 

Orange-crowned Warbler 

Yellow-rumpled Warbler 

Wilson’s Warbler 

Robin 

Osprey 

American Goldfinch 

House Finch 

House Sparrow 

White-crown Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 

Wood Duck 

Common Yellow Throat 

Northern Flicker 

 

 

Route/Place

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Bring binoculars. Bring your smartphone or tablet with the Merlin App and have the Pacific Bird Pack loaded. 

If you don't have binoculars, email the trip leader to see if they might be able to bring an extra pair.

If you have a spotting scope please bring it.

Trip Reports