Birding Snohomish County (Washington)

I grew up in the quiet unincorporated suburbs near Everett so Snohomish County is my home and where I worked as a wildlife Biologist at Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest until 2024. As a kid I ran through the forests, up the mountains, and swam through the questionable waters of Silver Lake. Now that I'm older I see that landscape in different terms, mostly with ghe question: where are the birds at? Even though a lot has changed in this county over the past few decades, the natural beauty of the region still tries to hang on and the birds are excellent. In this post I will share with some of you the best places to birdwatch in this suburban county where I grew up. It ranges from coastal puget sound up to the stunning cascades, there is so much to explore.

Spencer Island and the water treatment plant

The first place a birder must go is the sewage plant.. yeah just want you want to hear right? Well this area is a haven for ducks and many passing migrants. While the smell isn't the best and the views are mostly through chainlink fence, I still routinely visit the area as the only reliable spot for ruddy duck in Snohomish County. Scan and scan though because you find lots of different species of birds including shorebirds along the edges like dunlin or western sandpiper. Walk east to the end of the dirt road, or drive (if you have your state park pass) towards Spencer island to find a whole host of wetland birds. I've picked up a few county rarities here including an eastern kingbird (2016), and yellow-breasted chat (2020). If you don't have a state park pass, park at the Lagnus river waterfront and walk along the river for a nice path that loops around to the entrance of Spencer island. It's a wonderful walk and very birdy.

Edmonds Waterfront

No birding trip to Snohomish can be complete without exploring the Puget Sound. While there are multiple parks dotting the coastline, the Edmonds waterfront is the most easily accessible spot and full of many pelagic species. Pelagic and double crested cormorants line the ferry terminal and the short jetty to the north is literally THE birder spot in edmonds. Here you can gaze out and pick up many great species year round. In the winter keep an eye out for boreal (bonaparte's) gull. rhinoceros auklet, Loons, marbled murrelet and almost every species of coastal Wa. scoter. This area is known for rarities so be sure to scan well and far to possibly pick up a migrating long-tailed or parasitic jaeger (fall) and maybe even a nazca booby on the front of a shipping boat. Before leaving the area be sure to stop over at the small but quaint Edmonds marsh to look for sandpipers and other visiting shorebirds on the move. Extend your journey by walking out onto the Fishermans dock and keep an eye out in the winter for surfbirds along the rocks.

For a longer hike to the coast with a little more solitude check out meadow dale county park (2.5 mile return) just to the north. Mukilteo waterfront would be the next best place for birdwatching the coast.

Mountain Loop Highway

If you want to get away from the city, best head up the mountain loop highway where the beautiful cascades give off some of their best views for hikers eager to get into the mountains. The road itself only has a few good looks, but jump off the road and get walking. Lake 22 is a local hiker hotspot, and can get pretty busy on weekends. It's a great forest walk up to a gorgeous lake surrounded by massive granite peaks. Another great spot is the Big Four Ice-caves, a classic northwest hike and fairly accessible even to wheelchairs. It's a short hike through the woods, along a stream and up to the ice fields. The parking lot area itself has great wetlands, a common place to see vaux's swift and American redstart. Finally, if you want a challenge, make your way up to mount Pugh for even more gorgeous views and some higher elevation species like macgillvray's warbler, American pipit and horned lark. If you decide to keep driving, continue up the highway and loop around through Darrington and back to I-5. There is a 20 mile section of gravel, but it's well maintained and has a beautiful river to pull off and enjoy a mid-days snack. 

Eide Road, Leque Island

I really should go here more often, especially with the upgrades in recent years, but it often a bit out of my way. I was drawn to this spot for the first time by word of a long-eared owl which was hunkered down in some brush. The owl became a hot topic and was controversially found dead a few days later. That being said this place is a magnet for birders and birds. In the winter it is hot with short-eared owls and a great spot for shorebirds. In the spring all sorts of waterbirds and shorebirds show up, it's a must stop spot if you want to get your list up in the county. I will bird here more in the future!A

Hierman Wildlife Preserve

This place is a bit strange and not a big hotspot, but I've had great birding experiences at Hierman. The parking lot is small and there are not many signs explaining the place. I typically head straight down the hill and towards the Snohomish river. Be sure to stop and take a look in the lakes for grebes or ducks (maybe a swan too). Once you reach the river take a left and follow it for awhile till you get bored and want to turn back. There are clusters of cottonwoods and aspens along the river, great for warblers in the spring. The riverfront can reward birders with common merganser and even bank swallows collecting material from the riverside. While this place may seem strange, that's what I like about it and there usually are not many crowds besides fisherman.

Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary

This small park gets a nod because of its accessibility and simplicity. Located next to one of the largest buildings in the world, the nature park is full of native tree's, a boardwalk and great birds. This is my go to spot for red-breasted sapsucker, which breeds just off the southwest side of the trail occasionally. I love coming here for a quick afternoon walk, where I've seen many wetland species like huttons vireo, orange-crowned warbler and plenty of duck species. If you want a quiet, short walk in some beautiful nature, this is your spot. 

Other Notable Areas:

Crescent lake - While it might be one of the smaller spots, it's great for a spring migrants

Wallace Falls State Park - Off highway 2, this is a great spot for hiking and is full of nature. The river most likely has an American dipper and harlequin ducks are even a possibility.

Snohomish Valley - While skagit valley gets most the hype for winter birding, Snohomish valley also attracts many good winter visitors like the occasional Gyrfalcon and Whooper Swan. Trumpeter swans and snow geese both are common in the winter months. In spring is a great spot to pick up least flycatcher and a few other rarities.