Skagit Valley

Washington · Pacific Northwest

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

GrasslandWetlandCoastal

Best Seasons

Winter

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-February

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

The Skagit Valley in northwestern Washington hosts one of the largest wintering concentrations of raptors in the Pacific Northwest. Agricultural fields and tidal flats attract thousands of Snow Geese, Trumpeter Swans, and hunting raptors including Snowy Owls in irruption years.

Location

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Notable Species

Snowy Owl Gyrfalcon Trumpeter Swan Snow Goose Short-eared Owl

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)

Colaptes auratus

3/4/2026West Dungeness, WA1 observed

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery Marsh1 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

3/4/2026Woodland Bottoms -- Austin Point, Lewis River Dike, & Kuhnis Rd54 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

3/4/2026Woodland Bottoms--Cathlapotle River Park30 observed

Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

3/4/202622598 Northeast Alder Crest Lane, Redmond, Washington, US (47.693, -122.04)

Sora

Porzana carolina

3/4/2026Ridgefield NWR--River 'S' Unit1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/4/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

3/4/2026Beebe Springs Natural Area1 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/4/2026Long Lake (Kitsap Co.)4 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Snake River250 observed

Canyon Wren

Catherpes mexicanus

3/3/2026Spring Creek Fish Hatchery1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/3/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/3/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/3/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/3/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/3/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/3/2026Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill1 observed

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

3/3/2026Eagle Lake, Chehalis Western Trail (Shincke Rd.)1 observed

Redhead

Aythya americana

3/3/2026Deer Lagoon4 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/3/2026Stevenson Landing1 observed

Recent Observations

House Finch

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

5 birds

American Goldfinch

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

1 birds

Song Sparrow

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

2 birds

Pygmy Nuthatch

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Robin

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mountain Chickadee

WA-Spokane--4309 SG

3/4/2026

2 birds

Bald Eagle

West Seattle home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

West Seattle home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Flicker

7802 175th Street Southwest, Edmonds, Washington, US (47.84, -122.339)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Varied Thrush

7802 175th Street Southwest, Edmonds, Washington, US (47.84, -122.339)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Anna's Hummingbird

9736 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle US-WA 47.70045, -122.27729

3/4/2026

1 birds

Spotted Towhee

9736 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle US-WA 47.70045, -122.27729

3/4/2026

1 birds

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

9736 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle US-WA 47.70045, -122.27729

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

9736 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle US-WA 47.70045, -122.27729

3/4/2026

4 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Morgan

3/4/2026

2 birds

Golden-crowned Kinglet

9736 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle US-WA 47.70045, -122.27729

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bewick's Wren

9736 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle US-WA 47.70045, -122.27729

3/4/2026

2 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Morgan

3/4/2026

5 birds

Rock Pigeon

Morgan

3/4/2026

14 birds

Birding Tips

1
Drive Fir Island Road for Snow Geese and raptors
2
Check agricultural fields for Snowy Owls in winter

Amenities

Parking

Nearby Attractions

Padilla Bay NERR
San Juan Islands

More in Washington

Olympic National Park

Rainforest-to-coast park with Marbled Murrelets, seabirds, and alpine species.

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Skagit Valley for birding?▼

The best months to visit Skagit Valley for birding are November-February. The best seasons are Winter.

What birds can I see at Skagit Valley?▼

Notable species at Skagit Valley include Snowy Owl, Gyrfalcon, Trumpeter Swan, Snow Goose, Short-eared Owl. The area supports grassland, wetland, coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Skagit Valley?▼

Birding at Skagit Valley is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Skagit Valley?▼

There is no entrance fee at Skagit Valley. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Skagit Valley?▼

Skagit Valley offers the following amenities: Parking.