Birds to see at Quillayute River Estuary

Location: Clallam County, on Olympic Peninsula coast near La Push.

Habitat: Quileute Tribe's tidally influenced river and estuary.

Best season for birding: Good year-round.

Birds commonly seen: Double-crested cormorants spread wings to dry. Find buffleheads, common goldeneyes, common and red-breasted mergansers on river, bald eagles in cottonwoods. Forest edges support varied thrushes, red crossbills.

Viewing: At overlook, scan river, foliage. Bonus: seals in estuary.

Getting there: From Highway 101 at Milepost 193.1, turn west onto Highway 110/La Push Road. Drive 7.8 miles. At Y intersection, turn right (north) onto Highway 110 Spur/Mora Road. Drive 4.4 miles to river overlook with Quileute tribal interpretive panel.

More birding

Rialto Beach — From overlook, continue west .2 mile to Olympic National Park day-use parking (fee-free area). Take short ADA interpretive path, or trails to beach.

Birding by boat — From Y intersection on La Push Road, go right (north) onto Highway 110 Spur/Mora Road. Drive 3.9 miles to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Little Dickey River boat launch on left; parking lot on right. Caution: No access at low tide. For a tribal guide: 866-457-8398 or see rainforestpaddlers.com.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps. To order maps (Cascade Loop, Coulee Corridor, Olympic Loop or Southwest Loop), go online to www.wa.audubon.org. Call toll-free, 866-922-4737, for more information.