Every state in the United States boasts some unique bird-watching excursions, and Washington State is no exception.

Whether you are out to see Bald Eagles, Laysan Albatross, Hermit Warblers, or Spotted Owls, Washington has some breathtaking locations for spotting birds. 

Some of the top locations include: Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Olympic National Park, Ocean Shores, Westport, Sequim, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, and the San Juan Islands. 

On a good day you can expect to see cormorants, all species of North American waterfowl, Peregrine Falcons; Bald Eagles, Black Oystercatchers, Wandering Tattlers, and Surfbirds, a dozen species of gulls, Rufous Hummingbirds, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Hutton's Vireos, Varied Thrush, Townsend's Warblers, "Sooty" Fox Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Red Crossbills.

Whether you want to take guided trips, or venture out on your own, here are some possible bird watching excursions to try out.

San Juan Islands

In this region you can expect to see Sooty Shearwaters, Cassin's Auklets, and Black-legged Kittiwake, Golden Eagle, Blue Grouse, Spotted Owl, Rock Sandpiper, Hermit Warbler, and Hutton's Vireo.

Birding professionals Mark Lewis and Fred Sharpe offer a variety of guided trips.  The trips range from $129 for a five hour trip for one or two people, to $209 per person for a three day bird watching trip.  Also you can design your own trip. For information or to schedule a trip visit the Website at www.sea-quest-kayak.com/bird-watching-washington-birding/bird-watching-washington-birding.

Tahoma Audubon Society

The TAS offers bird watching field trips on a weekly basis.  Some of these excursions include a Bird Walk at Point Defiance Park on the third Sunday morning of each month, a Bird Walk at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every Wednesday morning, a Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Audubon Center from Noon-1pm on the second Monday of each month, a Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Audubon Center from Noon-1pm on the third Monday of each month.  To check out the field trips or view the calendar for scheduled trips, visit the Web site at: www.tahomaaudubon.org.

Looking to go birding without a guide, here are some local hotspots to check out:

Asahel Curtis Area

A Northwest Forest Pass is required to use this forest trail. No bikes are allowed.  Read information on what to do if you encounter a bear while bird watching.

Bellevue Botanical Gardens

This 36 acre park is near downtown Bellevue, and contains a Japanese garden, wooded wetlands, a glen of rhododendrons, a fuchsia garden, an alpine rock garden, perennial beds and a demonstration garden.  While here you can expect to spot Robins, Towees, Juncos, Song Sparrows, Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Rufous Hummingbird, and waterfowl.  For more information visit the Web site at www.bellevuebotanical.org.

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Located in southern Puget Sound this refuge was established in 1974 for the protection of migratory birds. Containing 3,000 acres of salt and freshwater marshes, grasslands, and mixed forest habitats, the refuge provides resting and nesting areas for more than 300 species of birds. For more information visit the Web site at www.fws.gov/nisqually.

Other Web sites to check out:  

Seattle Audubon Society www.seattleaudubon.org.

Vashon/Maury Island Audubon www.vashonaudubon.org.

Audubon Washington wa.audubon.org 

www.aba.org/festivals/

www.camacdonald.com/birding/uswashington.htm#Rare Bird