View of Mount Rainier from Weir Prairie. The Fort Lewis Prairies offer knockout views of Mt. Rainier, native prairie plants, and mixed forest woodlands. These prairies peak in May. Wildflowers fill the meadows; camas, shooting star, chocolate lilly, and the Aster curtus. Note: To go on Ft. Lewis (JBLM) property, you must have an access permit from the Fort Lewis Area Access Office at the Main Gate.

Directions Numerous Fort Lewis training areas are open to the public when not in use. However, you must have an access permit from the Fort Lewis Area Access Office. To get the permit, go through the Fort Main Gate (I-5 exit #120). Ask for the visitor's pass and directions at the M.P. station. You will need a driver's license and vehicle registration. Get directions from the MPs for Range Control for the pass.

Bird Watching Notes On the Fort Lewis prairies, you might see: Bobwhite, Mourning Dove, Ruffed Grouse, Western Tanager, Hammond's Flycatchers, Western Wood Peewee, Vesper Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows. Clay-colored Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Lark Bunting, Horned Lark, and Least Flycatchers have also been seen the Fort Lewis areas. In addition, there are over 100 nesting pairs of Western Bluebirds due to a nest box program started in the 1980s.

Peepers | Black Hills Audubon Society Send comments about our web site to Greg Pelletier: pelican@vei.net Thanks to Bob Morse for his descriptions of the birding sites! Others who also contributed to this web site are: Michael Clegg, Woody Franzen, Larry Goldstein, Sheila McCartan, Nikki McClure, Tammy Pelletier, Brian Price, Scott Richardson, Bill Shelmerdine, Ruth Sullivan, Bill Ward, Cedar Wells, and the City of Olympia Water Resources Program