WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Washington

By species reported, the top birding spots in Washington are Neah Bay, Discovery Park, and Point No Point. Neah Bay has the longest list (249 species), and its best season is fall.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Neah BayClallam County2491,786131158144221
Discovery ParkKing County2489,033133188164208
Point No PointKitsap County2174,564124181134168
Union Bay Natural AreaKing County21520,611122179153179
Nisqually FlatsThurston County2158,491142180159187
Carkeek ParkKing County2106,405113160139162
Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance ParkPierce County2064,257105147112170
Meadowbrook CreekClallam County2033,705129167135159
PotholesGrant County2021,58267146133166
Skagit-Snoqualmie Wildlife Area ComplexSkagit County1987,176131157136167
Bateman IslandBenton County1971,967105151138156
Fir Island FarmSkagit County1955,60490131133157
Whatcom County Parks & RecreationWhatcom County1942,753117144125161
Deer LagoonIsland County1942,164125160144151
Mcnary National Wildlife Refuge (south)Walla Walla County1941,02467163129133
Marymoor ParkKing County1925,377112163128136
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife RefugeClark County1922,714112171137137
Quigley LakeClark County1916,702136166135152
Mill Creek LakeWalla Walla County1881,72583141131155
Magnuson ParkKing County18510,249118162114141
Bottle BeachGrays Harbor County1852,69983148134151
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife RefugeThurston County1832,692117152125147
Tulalip BaySnohomish County1812,147119139112142
Lake SammamishKing County1802,99399142119140
Bear CreekClallam County1801,0377811682151
Lynch CoveMason County1793,192113147122135
Wenatchee ConfluenceChelan County1791,92796139109123
Walla Walla Point ParkChelan County1782,88980125119130
Buckmire SloughClark County1781,347110159127136
Sandy PointWhatcom County1761,685117125106141

By county