Good fall birding on Chehalis River sloughs

Chehalis River Surge Plain, Site 6 from "Southwest Loop" of Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail

Location: Off Highway 107 southwest of Montesano, Grays Harbor County

Habitat: Washington Department of Natural Resources Natural Area Preserve of 2,644 acres of sloughs with coniferous and deciduous riparian areas and forested wetlands.

Best seasons for birding: Spring and fall.

Birds commonly seen: Bald eagles, red-breasted sapsuckers; and downy, hairy and pileated woodpeckers use snags. Sloughs are favored by double-crested cormorants, pied-billed grebes, hooded and common mergansers, northern shovelers, northern pintails, canvasbacks and ruddy ducks. Fall features hermit thrushes, cedar waxwings and ruby-crowned kinglets.

Viewing tips: Walk to viewing platform at 0.5 mile and bench at 1.75 miles; 3.5-mile trail leads to end of Blue Slough.

Getting there: From Highway 12 at Montesano, exit to southbound Highway 107. Go 3.9 miles south on 107, then turn right at Preachers Slough Road. Turn immediately left into trailhead parking.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps. See maps online (or order hard copies, $4.95 apiece), at wa.audubon.org.