Find a hummingbird haven in Klickitat County

Brooks Memorial State Park, Site 53 from "Sun & Sage Loop" of Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail

Location: Off Highway 97 north of Goldendale, Klickitat County.

Habitat: State park with 700 acres of pine forest, beaver wetlands and meadow.

Best seasons for birding: Spring and summer.

Birds commonly seen: Look for all four hummingbirds: rufous, Anna's, calliope and black-chinned. Check treetops for Western tanagers and tree trunks for Williamson's sapsuckers and pileated woodpeckers, plus pygmy, red- and white-breasted nuthatches. More forest birds abound: ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, Steller's jays, Cassin's vireos, mountain chickadees. Find meadow residents: Western bluebirds, chipping sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, Western wood-pewees, pine siskins. Watch aloft for Vaux's swifts, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles.

Viewing tips: Forest Trail — Hike 1-plus mile up to ridgetop meadow. Beaver ponds — Explore riparian brush at far end of camping area.

More information: www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Brooks%20Memorial.

Getting there: From Highway 97 at Milepost 24.7, turn east opposite state park sign. Turn right at Brooks Memorial Environmental Learning Center sign. Drive 0.1 mile to Y. For Forest Trail, veer left; drive 0.2 mile to trail parking on left. For beaver ponds, veer right; drive 0.2 mile to group camping.

More information: www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Brooks%20Memorial.

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