Martyn and Tweeters--

Spanaway Marsh is found at the end of 176th Street, 1/2 mile west of Pacific
Ave (Hwy 7). You park outside the gate where the public road ends (even if
the gate is open; the locals unlock and lock the gate on no particular
schedule). Be aware that cars have been vandalized there in the past,
although I talked one day with a Sheriff's deputy and he said that if you
avoid the times when kids are out and about, there should not be a problem.
(But don't leave anything valuable in your car, ever.) I park over by the
chain link fence with my car pointed back towards Pacific Ave.

The land to the south of the road is Fort Lewis property, and you should not
go in there unless you have a permit from the Range Control office. My
understanding is that birding from the road is just fine, though.

The marsh is quiet in the mornings, so Martyn, you might be able to get some
decent recordings there. Various groups of people go in there at various
times of day: local residents, local kids, birders, horse riders, people
out for a walk (sometimes with dogs), etc. I'd avoid the weekends if you
are looking for quiet. Early morning might work, though.

There are sometimes Purple Finches in the trees near the gate. The
sapsuckers are most often found in the trees at the 'dip' in the road (rails
are back in there somewhere too) about 150 to 200 yards in. Warblers (in
season) can be found in the shrubs and trees just about anywhere along the
roadway, also sparrows on the edges of the roadway itself. The ponds have
various ducks including Wood Duck in the summer, as well as cormorants and
Bald Eagles perched high in the trees and on the poles visible across the
water. Also lots of Marsh Wrens and Red-winged Blackbirds. Varied Thrush
are present in the woods in winter, and there are also quail and grouse a
little farther in.

The farther you go on the road (past the ponds) the more likely you are
venturing onto Fort Lewis property.

Thanks to Joyce Meyer for sharing this spot with me. Enjoy!

Linda Adams
Puyallup, WA