Skagit Wildlife Area #37
On Friday night I asked my daughter if we should go hiking on Sabbath, because I couldn't make up mind; she said yes. (I am so thankful that she loves to hike.)
Today we headed to the Skagit Wildlife Area. I have been there before and wanted to take the kids to see and hear the birds and knew it was an easy 2.4 miles round trip hike. So we headed out to enjoy one more hike before the summer weather was gone.
To get to the Skagit Wildlife Area take I-5 north or south bound and take exit 221 to Lake McMurray, head west onto Pioneer Highway to the round about and take the 2nd exit (Fir Island Rd). Follow the road until you need to make a left onto Wylie Road. Follow Wylie road until you come to a gravel road and a Washington Fish and Wildlife sign. Don't follow the curve and go left, you will have passed the Wild life area.
The parking lot is very large and has a covered picnic area and a pit toilet bathroom.
As we were leaving the parking area the kids of course had to throw rocks into the stream. There is something very satisfying about throwing rocks into water when you are a kid, am I right?
We then went right and took the trail out to the estuary, if you go left it takes you to the boat launch. Walking on the trail you could see that the tide was coming in and that it was moving pretty fast because we stood and watched some of the sticks and woody debris float in.
The birds were out in full force singing away, we saw an eagles nest, 3 great blue herons and some shore birds and mallards. No red wing blackbirds this time.
Walking further along on the trail we came upon this dead bird. I was really surprised because the dog showed no interest in the dead bird at all, but that could be because shortly before we heard a gun shot. I totally forgot it is duck season, and in the cattails there were blinds.
Today we headed to the Skagit Wildlife Area. I have been there before and wanted to take the kids to see and hear the birds and knew it was an easy 2.4 miles round trip hike. So we headed out to enjoy one more hike before the summer weather was gone.
To get to the Skagit Wildlife Area take I-5 north or south bound and take exit 221 to Lake McMurray, head west onto Pioneer Highway to the round about and take the 2nd exit (Fir Island Rd). Follow the road until you need to make a left onto Wylie Road. Follow Wylie road until you come to a gravel road and a Washington Fish and Wildlife sign. Don't follow the curve and go left, you will have passed the Wild life area.
The parking lot is very large and has a covered picnic area and a pit toilet bathroom.
We then went right and took the trail out to the estuary, if you go left it takes you to the boat launch. Walking on the trail you could see that the tide was coming in and that it was moving pretty fast because we stood and watched some of the sticks and woody debris float in.
The birds were out in full force singing away, we saw an eagles nest, 3 great blue herons and some shore birds and mallards. No red wing blackbirds this time.
You don't go down very far when you come upon this blind that is for wild life viewing, continue down a little farther and you come to another blind and a bridge that allows you to go left or right. We stayed to the left.
I love wetlands and estuaries and the views that go along with them.
Walking further along on the trail we came upon this dead bird. I was really surprised because the dog showed no interest in the dead bird at all, but that could be because shortly before we heard a gun shot. I totally forgot it is duck season, and in the cattails there were blinds.
We ended the trail here, even though you can go further, but the trail ends in the cattails and we really didn't want to go into them with hunters there, plus we were rather warm. As you can see we kinda over dressed. So we turned around and headed back to the car.
This is a lovely trail to experience and explore just to see and hear the birds, and it is a great beginner trail. So go out and have a good time!
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