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04 · West Seattle

Constellation Park

Rocky shoreline, tide pools

A short strip of rocky shoreline south of the Alki Point lighthouse where the birds work at close range: oystercatchers, turnstones, and Harlequin Ducks on the rocks at low tide, with harbor seals hauled out beyond them. Some of the closest looks at rock-loving shorebirds anywhere in the city.

Effort Easy · shoreline stroll Flat sidewalk along Beach Drive; the birds are on the rocks below the seawall.
When to go Go at low tide, fall through spring. Minutes from Lincoln Park, so the two make one easy morning.
Access Free street parking on Beach Dr SW, south of Alki Point. Directions eBird hotspot

Birds by season

Curated highlights · the current season is marked

Spring

  • Black Turnstone
  • Brant
  • Caspian Tern
  • Harlequin Duck

Turnstones linger into April; Brant offshore.

Summer

  • Black Oystercatcher
  • Pigeon Guillemot
  • Heermann's Gull
  • Osprey

Oystercatchers pipe along the tideline.

Fall

  • Black Turnstone
  • Surfbird
  • Common Murre
  • Red-necked Grebe

The rock specialists return with the first storms.

Winter

  • Harlequin Duck
  • Surfbird
  • Barrow's Goldeneye
  • Long-tailed Duck (some years)

Peak season on the rocks and the water.

Reported here in the last 30 days

● Live from eBird

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Sources

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Live sighting data from eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology · Location research: Washington Trails Association, Eastside Audubon, Birds Connect Seattle, Washington Ornithological Society, Birdful · Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors