Birders' top spots: Jetty Island in Everett

DAVE MENKE / U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Short-billed dowitchers are among the 45 species seen at Jetty Island, which is accessible by free ferry rides Wednesday-Sunday through Labor Day.

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Location: Everett.

Habitat: Municipal marine/estuarine park with island half-mile wide by 2 miles long.

Best season for birding: Summer.

Birds likely to be seen: Jetty Island hosts 45 species, highlighted by nesting pairs of Caspian tern and glaucous-winged gull. Others include pigeon guillemot, greater and lesser yellowlegs, black — bellied and semipalmated plover, short — billed dowitcher, killdeer; and spotted, western and least sandpiper.

Viewing tips: Jetty Island is reached by a free, 10-minute public ferry ride Wednesdays-Sundays July 4 through Labor Day. Rangers give guided walks. Best birding locations are sand beach on west side of island, and island's middle tidal lagoon. (The island is open in the offseason, though Everett Parks does not staff it, restrooms are closed and the ferry does not operate.)

Getting there: From northbound Interstate 5, take Exit 195 (Marine View Drive/Port of Everett). Turn left (west) onto East Marine View Drive. Drive 3.3 miles. Turn right (west) onto 10th Street. Drive 0.4 mile to end of parking lot. Ferry leaves from kiosk in Marine Park approximately every half-hour 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sundays.

More information: 425-257-8300.

Source: Audubon Washington. For free maps of Washington birding sites, call 866-922-4737 and ask for Great Washington State Birding Trail maps ("Cascade Loop" or "Coulee Corridor") or request online at www.wa.audubon.org.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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