Birding is a great way to get out explore nature and find new and different things to see. Birding in Olympia, offers a diverse experience for enthusiasts of all levels. Because of our location, Olympia provides a variety of habitats, from wetlands and tidal flats to dense forests and open meadows. The region is a prime location for spotting both migratory and resident species. Local hotspots include the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, where birders can encounter everything from the elusive great horned owl to vibrant flocks of swallows, and often a great number of bald eagles. Additionally, the nearby Capitol State Forest and Woodland Trail offer excellent opportunities to see woodpeckers, warblers, and the occasional peregrine falcon. We also have the prairie lands at Mima Mounds to offer another area with migratory birds. Or, you can just sit back and relax in one of our adirondac chairs at the inn and take in our local birdlife. We are a certified wildlife habitat and until recently I had no idea how many bird varieties visited our property. A guest recently suggested I use the Merlin Bird app from Cornell Labs, and within a few minutes of sitting outside and recording the birds it identified nearly 20 birds by their sound and then I could visually confirm them. This includes some Anna’s Hummingbirds, Red-Tailed Hawk, Cedar Waxwing, three varieties of Sparrow, and the Washington state bird, the Goldfinch. Also we were out late one evening watching the bats, and an owl swooped over our heads, scaring all three of us! We really are a great spot for bird lovers!
