It's fowl season at Potlatch State Park

Potlatch State Park, Site 47 from "Olympic Loop" of Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Location: Off Highway 101 on Hood Canal south of Hoodsport, Mason County.

Habitat: 57-acre park with Hood Canal saltwater shoreline and mixed forest

Best seasons for birding: Fall through spring. High tide offers best waterfowl birding.

Birds commonly seen: Common loons, surf scoters, greater scaups, common and Barrow's goldeneyes, buffleheads, red-breasted mergansers; horned, western, and red-necked grebes. Check foliage for red crossbills, varied thrushes, Steller's jays, fox sparrows, and band-tailed pigeons.

Viewing: Scope saltwater to south and west. Check trees to north.

Getting there: From Highway 101 at Milepost 335.1, turn east into park picnic area.

More birding: From Highway 101 at Milepost 334.5, turn east into Tacoma Power's Saltwater Park. At north edge of parking lot, stand under fir trees to scan water "outfall" for specialties: harlequin ducks, American dippers.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps.

To order maps, see the Web site www.wa.audubon.org. Details, call 866-922-4737.