Located on the southern edge of Puget Sound, the Nisqually NWR is home to the largest estuary restoration project in the Pacific Northwest.  The four-mile (round trip) estuary trail traversing a large part of the river delta is a first-class board walk that accommodates people of all ages and physical abilities.  

Birding was slow during our inaugural visit, but the weather and tides made for a spectacular visit.  We recommend consulting tide charts available at this link before popping in for a visit as we did: http://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147491839   

The only birding-surprise for us was the sound we initially interpreted to be cats (gutural) calling-out in defense of their territory, which turned out to be two tern locked in a series of tight aerial maneuvers high above the delta.

We usually put birds at the front of our posts, but in this case we think it is appropriated to showcase the delta because of the important contribution its restoration is making to reverse decades-long loss of estuarine habitat.  

The view from the visitor center looking w. n.w towards the Olympic Mountain Range

Greater Yellowlegs

American Pipit

Belted Kingfisher

Tree Swallow

Tern (we would love to hear from anyone with an idea of which species of tern we are seeing below)

Interactive map of the area below:

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