The Word on the Bird

Birding in Seattle & Beyond

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

If you’re interested in birding in Seattle and the surrounding area, you’re in good company.

The region is full of avid birders, who are drawn to the fascinating array of local species such as Bald Eagles, herons, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds, as well as migrating flocks that fill the skies in the spring and fall. Spotting them is a meditative, relaxing activity that’s gained popularity with people of all ages, providing a relief from screen-time and a game-like appeal.

Pictured: No matter the season, there are always birds to spot on the Des Moines Creek Trail.
When to Go Birding
Where to Go Birding
What Birds You Can See
Birding Gear
Get Started

Many local birders gather, learn, and swap tips through official groups such as Rainier Audubon, which serves a large area that includes the Seattle Southside cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines. The group maintains an informative website that overviews local parks and trails, which you can use to learn about birding hotspots.

One of their members, birding expert Barbara Petersen, took our team at Explore Seattle Southside on a birding walk in April at Des Moines Beach Park. An avid birder since 1985, Barbara regularly leads free, guided bird walks throughout the area. You can see upcoming walks on the website of the Burien store, Wild Birds Unlimited.

Barbara gave us a quick primer on birding while pointing out feathered friends on the sea and in the trail. Read on to get her tips on what gear you need to get started birding, where to go birding in the Seattle area, and a sample of the many thrilling species you can spy in Seattle Southside.

A woman bird watching along Puget Sound at Des Moines Beach Park.
Des Moines Beach Park, located right on Puget Sound, offers glimpses of dozens of local and migrating sea birds. A scope can make it easier to spot them.

The Best Time to Go Birding in Seattle

Bird enthusiasts will find something to get excited about at any time of year. From late fall to early spring, thousands of migrating birds make their way through the region. In the winter, Barbara typically counts about 30-40 species on her bird walks. In summer, that number tends to be closer to 25. However, some of the most exciting species to see are active in the warmer months. Ultimately, there’s no bad time to bird, and there are some fantastic online resources, such as eBird, that provide detailed information on which birds can be seen and where.

Remember…time of day matters! No matter what the season, it’s always good to get an early start. The closer to sunrise it is, the more active the birds will likely be.

Where to Go Birding Near Seattle

Several qualities make Des Moines Beach Park a prime destination for birding. The Puget Sound shoreline gives you access to local and migrating seabirds, while tall trees behind attract birds of prey, and the Des Moines Creek Trail that winds behind the beach is a haven for woodpeckers, sparrows, and many other species.

Saltwater State Park in Des Moines is a rugged park along Puget Sound, with wooded trails and a sizable beach. There, you can see many of the same species you can see at Des Moines Beach Park. (Note: You need a Discover Pass to park).

The banks of the Duwamish River in Tukwila include several places to bird, such as Codiga Park, a restored tidal wetland where ospreys, great blue herons, and bald eagles hang out. Take a self-guided tour.

The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden in SeaTac attracts many small, cute birds who post up on the branches and in the flower beds. See what people have spotted there.

What Birds You Can See in Seattle Southside

On our visit, we started at the marina next to the park, where birds such as Black turnstones and cormorants often rest on a rock jetty and on a long gravel bar off the beach that forms an island at high tide. First, we spotted a pigeon guillemot, a diving seabird with striking black-and-white coloring. These are fairly common sights in winter. Other birds you can spot in the sea include:

On the Puget Sound Shoreline

Violet-green Swallows: Small, vibrant birds with white bellies and emerald green backs that can be seen swooping over the shore. They’re especially active during the summer.

Belted Kingfishers: Multi-colored cuties with spiky feathers on their heads that give them a bit of a punk rock look. They’re local to the region and can be seen year-round, particularly in summer.

Caspian Terns: White birds with black heads that often hang out on the gravel bar near the beach. They’re active from spring through fall.

Bald Eagles & Raptors: Be sure to check the sky above the gravel bar and the tall Evergreens just behind the beach for large birds circling for their next meal. You can see them year-round, but they’re especially active during salmon season.

Western Grebes: Elegant, black-and-white water birds with long, slender necks. They migrate inland to breed, but spend time in the Sound during winter.

Ducks of all kinds: From the Common goldeneye to the flamboyant Harlequin, Puget Sound is Duck Central from fall to early spring, when dozens of species migrate south from Alaska and Canada.

Pictured: Don't forget to look up to see Bald Eagles and other birds of prey swooping overhead on the lookout for fish to hunt.

Belted Kingfisher

Caspian Tern

Harlequin Duck

On the Des Moines Creek Trail

After we’d scanned the sea, we headed back into the Des Moines Creek Trail to see more. Here are some of the species we saw:

Warblers: From the Orange Crown Warbler to the Yellow Lumped Warbler, these vocal birdies fill the air with their sweet birdsong. Peak migration is April through June, but you can see them through the summer.

Sparrows: Song Sparrows love hanging out in creeks, where they (adorably) like to wash themselves. They’re extra vocal in spring, but live in the region year-round.

Woodpeckers: Pileated woodpeckers are fairly common along the trail. You’ll likely hear their famous tapping before you see them.

Hummingbirds: Some species, such as Anna's Hummingbird, can be seen year-round, while Rufus Hummingbirds arrive in March.

Red-breasted Sapsuckers: A year-round sight, these little guys are known for their bright red heads.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Pileated Woodpecker

Birding Gear: What You Need to Get Started

Binoculars: At minimum, you’ll need a good pair of binoculars to be able to spot many species and appreciate their different colorings and features. Barbara suggests investing in the most expensive pair you can afford.

Scope: As you become more advanced, you may want to level up to a scope, which you can set up along the shore or in a field where you’re likely to see many species. It takes a minute to set up, but it will give you crystal-clear views of faraway birds, especially at sea.

Birding App: Apps like Merlin make it easy to identify species by sound and features. Many birders also like to track what they see on eBird, which provides helpful data to researchers.

All-Weather Clothing: While not required, Barbara wears a heated vest to stay cozy during long winter birding sessions.

Many kinds of migrating birds pass through Puget Sound as they fly south from Canada and Alaska in the winter and early spring.

How to Get Started Birding

As a quick review, here are some basic steps to get started birding.

1. Buy a good pair of binoculars.

2. Identify a local Audubon group or free bird walk (like Bird Walks with Barbara).

3. Download an app such as Merlin or eBird.

4. Pick a beach, park, or trail.

Set your alarm for early morning!

After that, the best thing you can do to advance in your birding skills is to just keep doing it. Happy birding!

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Annie Atherton

Author

Annie Atherton

Senior Content Writer

Annie Atherton is the Senior Content Writer at Explore Seattle Southside. As a (mostly) lifelong resident of the Seattle area, she is very proud to call the region home and to talk it up to all who will listen.

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