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 and field guides. Be sure that your smartphone or tablet has the Merlin App, we'll use it to practice identifying species.
- Fri, May 14, 2021
- Seattle Naturalists Committee
- Naturalist
- Adults
- Easy
- For Beginners (Getting Started Series)
- Mileage: 4.0 mi
- 5 (6 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Meet 7:00am 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, field guides, and bird books may be helpful in identifying bird species.
Birds usually seen in most neighborhood parks around the Puget Sound area are listed below. Thanks for the data to Study Group Members Monya Noelke and Nancy Kirkner.
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
Cliff 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
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.