Bonnie Wood – May 20, 2021
Map: Chehalis Western Trail; eBird: Chehalis Western Trail
Directions: The Chambers Lake Trailhead’s official address is 3725 14th Avenue SE Olympia 98501. The trail is paved and level for is entire length. There are bathrooms at the Chambers Lake Trailhead. It is very accessible for mobility scooters.
The Chehalis Western Trail runs over 20 miles on an old rail bed from Woodard Bay to Yelm and Tenino. It traverses diverse habitats, from thick older-growth woods with both conifer and deciduous trees to open meadow and farmland. For birding, one of my favorite sections of the Chehalis Western Trail is the roughly two and one half miles between the Chambers Lake parking lot and 45th Street in Lacey.
This suburban section of trail is extremely popular. It is less populated on a weekday morning than weekend but at any time of day, whether you walk or bicycle, watch out for other walkers, bicyclists, skaters, skateboarders, families with errant children, and dogs (!).
This suburban section of trail can also be broken up into smaller pieces. There are parking lots at Chambers Lake trailhead, along the road at 37th Avenue (Herman Road S.E.), and just off a trail entrance at 45th Street in Lacey.
When you begin at the Chambers Lake Trailhead, take a good bit of time to bird the parking lot and rushes along the edge of Chambers Lake. Normal resident birds like chickadees, crows, starlings, doves, Song Sparrows, and Red-Breasted Nuthatch are there, but this time of year one also finds Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s Warbler, Violet-Green Swallows, Black-Headed Grosbeak, and, of course, Red-Winged Blackbirds galore. Strangely, there were no Yellow-Rumped Warblers at the lake’s edge on this day; usually, they are active and easily seen.
On the path itself, head south towards Yelm and Tenino. On your left, an open meadow offers sparrows, swallows, and finches. Spotted Towhees are thick. It’s easy to spot Anna’s Hummingbirds here. As one approaches 21st Street and passes some big old Douglas Fir trees, Stellar’s and Western Scrub Jays may dart across the path.
After 21st Street, the eastern half of Chambers Lake appears on the left. As summer nears, this lake becomes essentially a lily-pad mire and few waterfowl are interested. On the right, however, the open marsh with open flying room and numerous dead snags attracts many birds. Yellow Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, flycatchers, and woodpeckers are always possibilities during late spring and summer. Marsh Wrens chitter and jump around in the rushes beneath a viewing platform overlooking Chambers Lake.
There is a large open property on the right after the viewing platform as you approach 37th Avenue/Herman Road. This property has several bluebird and other nesting boxes posted. Although I have never been lucky enough to see bluebirds here, there were two families of Canada Geese on the lawn with healthy fat goslings.
One can park along 37th Avenue at the entrance to the trail if desired. Heading further south toward 45th Street, willows, old cherry trees, and other flowering, berry-bearing shrubs in which sparrows, warblers, and hummingbirds love to forage line the trail. Look for raptors in the open farm meadow on the right. On the left, newer developments’ drainage ponds attract geese, Mallards, an occasional Pie-Billed Grebe (and occasional other ducks at wetter times of year). A Wood Duck pair rested in the sun in the pond at 45th Street when I was there. A Northern Flicker hammered in a tree above the pond. From the dense forest to the right along this stretch of trail, Pacific Wrens and Swainson’s Thrushes sang.
BEFORE YOU GO:
Before heading off for a birding adventure, here are some things to consider –
1. It’s always best to have a partner with you – both to maximize the joy and to minimize the risks. BHAS cannot ensure that these locations are totally safe.
2. Don’t forget to bring your mask and hand sanitizer. Have your mask handy and put it on when passing another person not in your party.
3. Leave valuables at home.
4. Check the weather and the bird reports before heading out. An easy way to check what birds have been seen is through Birder’s Dashboard http://birdingwashington.info/dashboard/. It is a simple way to research a species, place, or checklist.
