Birders’ Top Spots

Penrose Point State Park, Site 26 from the “Puget Sound Loop” of Audubon Washington’s Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Location: On quiet Key Peninsula, near Lakebay, Pierce County

Habitat: 152 acres of mixed shrubs, woods; 2-mile saltwater shore.

Best seasons for birding: Autumn through spring

Birds commonly seen: Harlequin ducks, Pacific loons; common and Barrow’s goldeneyes; hooded mergansers. Forest sustains black-capped and chestnut-backed chickadees; brown creepers; Bewick’s and Pacific wrens.

Viewing tips: Walk 0.2-mile Touch of Nature interpretive trail; 1.0-mile Penrose Point loop; half-mile sand spit at low tide. Explore 2.5 miles of woodland trails. Bonus: harbor seals.

Getting there: From Highway 16 take Purdy/Highway 302 West/Key Center exit. Drive 1.1 miles. Turn west onto Highway 302/Key Peninsula Highway. Drive 5.3 miles. Veer left onto Key Peninsula Highway/Gig Harbor Longbranch Road. Drive 9 miles. Turn left onto Cornwall Road. Drive 0.4 mile. Turn right onto Delano Road. Drive 0.8 mile. Turn left onto 158th Avenue. Drive a half-mile. At T, turn right. Drive 0.1 mile. Park at interpretive trail. Discover Pass required.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps. See maps online (or order hard copies, $4.95, or apps, $2.99) at wa.audubon.org.