by Heather Gibson

RAS territory includes some great opportunities to check the Pacific shoreline for birds like terns, gulls, cormorants, loons, various ducks, sometimes even murre/murrelets or auklets.

(A Discover Pass will be needed to visit the state parks listed here)

Saltwater State Park

This popular park is close to an urban area, but it has plenty of shoreline and forest area to explore.
Google Maps “Saltwater State Park
eBird – “Saltwater State Park”

Dumas Bay

You’ll want to check out the upper and lower parts of this park. Near the parking area up top, there are woodland birds like wrens, flycatchers, woodpeckers, thrush, finches. A trail leads down from the bluff to deposit you at the water’s edge to check out the shorebirds.
Google Maps – “Dumas Bay”
eBird – “Dumas Bay”

Dash Point State Park

The park provides access to 398 acres of mixed forest along with a half-mile of saltwater shore.
Google Maps – “Dash Point State Park”
eBird – “Dash Point State Park”

Brown’s Point

This spot on Commencement Bay has a lighthouse and is popular for picnicking. It also provides good views of shorebirds.
Google Maps – “Brown’s Point”
eBird – “Brown’s Point”