Birding near Seattle, WA
Seattle wraps around Puget Sound, so its birding is defined by water — wintering loons, grebes, and sea ducks — backed by lush lowland forest and rich wetlands. This guide covers the top hotspots, the birds by season, and when to go.
Practice the birds around Seattle before you head out →
Top hotspots near Seattle
Each spot links to a quiz on its birds and to its eBird page for full lists and recent sightings. (Exact species counts and a live activity score are filled in automatically per hotspot.)
1. Union Bay Natural Area (Montlake Fill)
A city wetland famous for migrants, waterfowl, and an ever-growing city list.
2. Discovery Park
Bluff, forest, and beach on Puget Sound — raptors, alcids, and migrants.
3. Marymoor Park
Riverside and field habitat that's a magnet for migrants and vagrants.
4. Nisqually NWR (Billy Frank Jr.)
A superb estuary south of the city for shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors.
Birds year-round vs. by season
Around all year
The Pacific Northwest lowlands hold a strong resident cast year-round:
- Resident forest birds — Spotted Towhee, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, chickadees, Anna's Hummingbird.
- Puget Sound residents — Pigeon Guillemot, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle.
- Steller's Jay, Northern Flicker, and Song Sparrow throughout.
Explore all species on eBird ↗.
Specialties by season
- Winter (Nov–Feb) — the peak on the water — loons, grebes, scoters, Long-tailed Duck, and gulls on the Sound.
- Spring (Apr–May) — migration brings warblers, vireos, and returning breeders.
- Summer (Jun–Aug) — breeding forest birds and the driest, easiest weather.
- Fall (Sep–Oct) — migration and returning waterbirds; vagrant season at spots like Marymoor.
When to go
- November–March is superb for Puget Sound waterbirds.
- April–May and dry summer mornings are best for forest breeders.
Nearby & for a bigger trip
- Head south to birding near Portland for a Pacific Northwest pairing.
- How-to: How to identify birds · all birding guides
Prepare before you go
Winter waterbirds on the Sound are distant and look-alike — three scoter species, tricky loons and grebes. Prep on those first and a gray winter day turns rewarding.