While birding can be done at home, in local parks or even parking lots, some locations offer a variety of habitats in one stop, thereby attracting a wider variety of species. Check out the following birding spots on your own or on a future Rainier Audubon field trip.
Boeing Ponds
![Boeing Ponds](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Boeing-Ponds.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
The ponds are part of the Green River Natural Resource Area.
Clark Lake Park
![Clark Lake Park](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Clark-Lake-Park-1.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
A total 187 species of raptors, waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, and songbirds have been documented in the park.
Dash Point State Park
![Sour Scoter](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/sour-scoter.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
Home to shorebirds and raptors.
Dumas Bay
![Dumas Bay Sanctuary](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/dumas-bay-1.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
Dumas Bay, located in Federal Way, is a Nature preserve on Puget Sound which has small beach and provides plentiful wildlife & bird watching.
Flaming Geyser
![Flaming Geyser State Park](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Flaming-Geyser-State-Park.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
Flaming Geyser is a good place to see Dippers.
Interurban Trail
![](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/interurbantrailpic.jpg?resize=315%2C254&ssl=1)
Drainage ditches account for natural habitat next to the trail and provide nesting for ducks and marsh birds.
Lake Wilderness Park
![Lake Wilderness Park](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Lake-Wilderness-Park-1.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
Osprey, Ring-necked Duck, and American Wigeon. Mixed woodlands and the adjacent 40-acre South King County Arboretum offer Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Flicker, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin.
Saltwater State Park
![Saltwater State Park](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Youth-Audubon-Saltwater-State-Park.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
Check out the campground area for woodland birds. In summer, Pigeon Guillemots nest in the sandy cliffs slightly north of the park boundary.
Soos Creek Trail
![Soos Creek Botanical Garden](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Soos-Creek-Botanical-Garden.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
There is a great diversity of plant life where birds such as kingfishers, herons, Virginia Rail, a variety of ducks in winter, and an occasional snipe can be found.
Tukwila Pond Park
![Tukwila Pond](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Tukwila-Pond.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1)
Birds at the park include Yellow-Rumped Warblers in fall and spring. Duck species, including the Hooded Merganser and the Northern Shoveler, can be seen from fall to spring. Red-Tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks are in the area from fall to spring. Swallows and ospreys can be seen in spring and summer.
West Hylebos Wetlands Park
![West Hylebos Wetlands Park](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/west_hylebos-map-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C600&ssl=1)
Look and listen for Varied and Swainson’s Thrushes; Winter, Marsh, and Bewick’s Wrens; Hutton’s Vireo; and Red-tailed Hawks.
Soos Creek Botanical Gardens
![](https://i0.wp.com/rainieraudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SCBG-RAS-1-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
Soos Creek Botanical Gardens – by Jay Galvin
A 22 acre semi-private limited access heritage landscape where you can experience the birds and the bees through all your lenses.