Bonnie Wood – 2/10/21
Map: Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve; eBird: Theler Wetlands; Twonah State Park
Theler Wetlands is a great place to explore even if there aren’t a lot of birds. On Hood Canal, its three and one half miles of well-signed level paths offer diverse habitats. There is a long boardwalk over a salt marsh and grand views to the Olympics on a clear day. Other paths form tunnels through willow and cedar scrub along estuarine shore. Benches provide resting and viewing spots. There are picnic tables at the far end of the River Estuary Trail.
I heard last year from a birding colleague that on a field trip with Tahoma Audubon, during migration time, they saw or heard 80 different species. We were not so lucky in mid-February. Still, winter resident birds were abundant: Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, juncoes, Black-capped Chickadees, and Golden-crowned Kinglets foraged in the scrub. On the water, many, many Mallards, Bufflehead, Common Mergansers, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Double-crested Cormorant, gulls, and scaups drifted. We spotted one Killdeer, one Belted Kingfisher, three Canada Geese, and two Great Blue Herons. Bewick’s Wren, House Finches, and crows chattered inland. Marsh Wrens bickered in the reeds. We greeted the Rock Doves that hang out on one River Estuary Trail bridge most days and don’t mind the humans passing by.
A scope would be a handy thing to have to identify birds far out on the water.
The bathrooms at the start and far end of paths are currently closed, thanks to coronavirus. All the paths are handicap-accessible and level, either boardwalk or gravel, except for a short hill at the start of the paths, coming down from the parking lot.
Directions: From Olympia, take Route 101 to Route 3 through Shelton, past Oakland Bay (stop at the Bayshore Preserve perhaps!) to Belfair. Theler Wetlands, well-signed, will be on the left. A slightly longer alternate route is to take Route 101 to Route 106 and drive along Hood Canal to Belfair. On this route, stop and check out Twonah State Park (Discovery Pass required).
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.
