The Dungeness River Audubon Center is an amazing and invaluable part of the community of the Olympic Peninsula. Along with providing and protecting habitat for a multitude of bird species along the Dungeness River and creating ample birdwatching opportunities, the center is also a source of great knowledge of birds and birdwatching. Both visitors from out of town and locals alike take advantage of the wealth of information at this hidden gem located in Sequim, Washington.
At Dungeness Bay Cottages you can have your very own private beach to take all of the information you learned at the Dungeness River Audubon Center and apply it to the birds you may see out on the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. With a view of the water in one direction, sprawling farmland, and the Olympic Mountains in another, our Sequim lodging is a great place to sit and watch the birds.
On cooler fall days you may prefer to sit in the comfort of your cottage and birdwatch from your windows that get spectacular views. There’s nothing like the feeling of having your own private waterfront getaway. If you are ready for a relaxing escape this fall, book your stay today!
The Dungeness River Audubon Center Birdwatching
Located in a peaceful and quiet setting, next to the dynamic Dungeness River, the Dungeness River Audubon Center is a natural sanctuary where visitors are encouraged to connect with nature. With an emphasis on birds, the center hopes to educate and inspire. This involves guests learning about the stewardship of the Olympic Peninsula’s natural and cultural resources.
The education extends from birds to the importance of bird habitats, as well as the vital role that salmon and trout, amphibians, and other freshwater inhabitants play in the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Getting to know the birds on this protected land is a great introduction. Here are 3 great reasons why you should birdwatch at the Dungeness River Audubon Center this fall!
- The Dungeness River Audubon Center offers a wide variety of educational programs centered around birds. Programs held at the center include topics such as intro to birds and birding, birding by ear, bird adaptations, and backyard birds. Wednesday morning bird walks are offered with a knowledgable guide to help identify and show you where the best places to find birds are.
- The location of the Dungeness River Audubon Center makes it a great place to spot the resident as well as migratory species. Visitors to the center get amazing river access. Here you are immersed in the ideal bird habitat and are able to see birds from far away at the tops of trees, gliding along the water, or along the river’s shore. The seclusion of the center helps in being able to hear many different birds at once.
- The birds you’ll spot at the Dungeness River Audubon Center display a wide variety from waterfowl to raptors, to resident songbirds. The area along the river is known as a riparian habitat. Thick forests with a wide-open river cutting through is an ideal place for birds to nest, feed, and mate. This river ecosystem supports a large number of birds including woodpeckers, kinglets, finches, wrens, warblers, creepers, nuthatches, sparrows, and towhees. Look along the river for the American Dipper, a little brown bird that characteristically bobs up and down. Always look up and be on the lookout for Bald Eagles as they fish along this river.
More Great Birdwatching in Sequim
After spending a morning at the Dungeness River Audubon Center you may find yourself wanting to search out more birds in the Sequim area. Luckily Sequim has a variety of diverse ecosystems all with unique species. From forests to freshwater to open ocean, the different habitats here are the perfect places to spot those birds on your life list. Here are more great places for birdwatching in Sequim!
- The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is home to a natural sand spit. You can hike on the outer bank of the spit but the inner spit is a protected area for both residential and migratory species. Common species seen here are loons, grebes, ducks, shorebirds and snowy owls, and other birds of prey.
- At the John Wayne Marina and Washington Harbor, you can spot a variety of shore and seabirds. The mudflats here provide a place for plovers and sandpipers to feed. Gulls are abundant in the estuary and be on the lookout for the striking black and white feathers of the harlequin ducks that concentrate near the mouth of the bay.
- In the Dungeness and Greywolf River areas of the Olympic National Forest, you’ll observe birds like the crossbill, dippers, warblers, chickadees, nuthatches, and thrushes among many others. This dense forest is great for the smaller residential birds.
- The shoreline ecosystem of the Dungeness Bay at Three Crabs is the perfect place to see diving ducks and shorebirds. If you are at the beach at low tide look for plovers and sandpipers. In the fall there are huge flocks of American Wigeon, which is a species of dabbling duck.
- The open dry grass and freshwater wetlands of the Dungeness Recreation Area is home to savannah sparrows, mourning doves, and quail. During the fall look for short-eared owls that are seen here at dusk. The shrub covered hills and forests here also support a large number of songbirds.
Amazing Sequim Lodging
After a day of exploring the birding at the Dungeness River Audubon Center and in Sequim come back to a relaxing evening on the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Your private cottage is set up with your comfort in mind and is equipped with everything you’ll need for a much-needed getaway this fall. Step into serenity in your own cottage by the beach. Get a great night’s sleep on your plush king or queen size bed, get breathtaking views from your window, enjoy amenities such as a private bathroom, full kitchen or kitchenette, and cozy sitting areas.
We also offer vacation homes for a unique stay in a variety of locations on the Olympic Peninsula. From a waterfront house on the Hood Canal to a beach treehouse on the Strait of Juan de Fuca to a modern/rustic getaway in Port Angeles there is something for everyone. If you want the ultimate tranquil place to escape to this fall, book your stay today!
