Combine saltwater, a freshwater creek and marsh and you get terrific birding. Who you’ll see: loons, grebes, all three scoters, both yellowlegs, plus Harlequin Ducks, Brants, Marbled Godwits, Dunlins. See Cascade Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Area Birding

HABITAT:  A 194-acre park with a gravel beach on the saltwater shoreline, Terrell Creek and a freshwater marsh.

BIRDING:  Likely saltwater species include Common Loon, Western Grebe; Surf, White-winged, and Black Scoters; Harlequin Duck, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, and Brant.  Ring-billed, Bonaparte’s and Glaucous-winged Gulls are possible, as are Wood Ducks, Virginia Rails, and Bald Eagles.  Spring and fall shorebirds include Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Black Turnstones, and Marbled Godwits.  Winter brings Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlins.

VIEWING:  The park has 1.5 miles of shoreline and 3 miles of creekside trail.  Winter waterfowl viewing is especially good.  Avoid the summer beach crowds.

ACCESS:  From I-5, take exit 266 (Custer/Grandview Rd).  Turn west onto Hwy 548/Grandview Rd.  Drive 7.5 miles.  Turn right (north) onto Point Whitehorn Rd.  Drive 0.7 mile into thepark.