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21 · Everett

Spencer Island

Dike loop, freshwater and tidal marsh

A working estuary in the Snohomish delta: dikes, sloughs, and a lot of sky. Raptor density in winter is the best in the county — harriers low over the grass, eagles by the dozen, and a decent chance at a shrike.

Effort Moderate · 3.4 mi dike loop Flat, exposed grass-and-gravel dike; 6.6 mi round trip from the lot via the Langus riverfront trail and the 1914 Jackknife Bridge. No shade, no water.
When to go Fall and winter. Bring a scope and something windproof.
Access Free gravel lot at Langus Riverfront Park; walk in along the river. No dogs on the south (county) half. Directions eBird hotspot

Birds by season

Curated highlights · the current season is marked

Spring

  • Yellow-headed Blackbird
  • American Bittern
  • Cinnamon Teal
  • Sora

Bitterns boom from the sloughs; teal pair off.

Summer

  • Virginia Rail
  • Marsh Wren
  • Purple Martin
  • Green Heron

Rails and wrens everywhere in the tidal marsh.

Fall

  • Wilson’s Snipe
  • Greater Yellowlegs
  • Merlin
  • American Pipit

Snipe and yellowlegs work the drawdown.

Winter

  • Northern Harrier
  • Rough-legged Hawk
  • Northern Shrike
  • Short-eared Owl

Raptor density peaks — harriers, rough-legs, shrikes.

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