BHAS Field Trip: Woodard Bay for Beginning and Intermediate Birders

Leaders: Sam Merrill and Tracey Scalici

This walk is designed primarily for beginning and intermediate birders. We will look and listen for woodland birds such as Swainson’s Thrushes, Pacific Wrens, Brown Creepers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and Pileated Woodpeckers as we walk through the deep forest of cedars and Douglas fir and approach Henderson Inlet, where we may see Cormorants, Purple Martins, Great Blue Herons, sea ducks, and seals and seal pups basking in the sun, among other birds and animals.

We will explore the approximately 2-mile loop, which includes an easy forest trail with boardwalk sections, returning by a pedestrian-only road. The Department of Fish and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy have been hard at work restoring Woodard Bay’s shoreline, tidal flats, and viewing areas this winter – it will be interesting to see their completed work. Bring water, snacks, and binoculars.

To reach the Woodard Bay Natural Resource Conservation Area from Olympia, take Boston Harbor Road north. Turn right on Woodard Bay Road, crossing Libby Road. There is a small parking area on the left just before crossing the bridge over Woodard Bay.  A Discover Pass is required for this parking lot. Or, drive over the bridge and up the hill. At the top of the hill is a county parking lot which does not require a Discover Pass. It’s an easy walk back down to the lower parking lot.
(Attention bicyclists: The Chehalis-Western Bike Trail’s northern span spits you out into the upper parking lot. Coast down the hill to the Woodard Bay parking lot. There is a bike rack a little ways up the pedestrian-only road as you enter the preserve where you can lock up your bicycle.)

Pre-registration required.  Limit 15 persons.  Call the BHAS line at 360-352-7299 to sign up.