I have recently started birding this area after hearing about how great it is from Michael Charest and Shep Thorp. The last few weeks have proven to live up to this expectation. Many of our spring arrivals have been noted here and it continues to get better daily. Today, following up on Shep?s report from yesterday, I birded the area from 12:15-2:15 p.m. It was a little slow with rainy conditions but still had some good finds. At the burn area, near the bike trails there were two Townsend?s Solitaires perched in the snags. This area is also great for Chipping Sparrows and Orange-crowned Warblers. On one of the trails that leads down to the creek, I was able to find one Hermit Thrush and one Hammond?s Flycatcher. Other birds of note include Black-throated Gray Warblers and many Purple Finches. Check Shep?s report from yesterday for other sightings.
I have found the best place to park for me is the following:
Take the Portland Ave. exit off of I 5 and head east.
Turn left on 34 street and head up the hill to Roosevelt Street.
Turn right and follow the road past a school and continue into the housing development.
Continue on Roosevelt until it comes to a dead end where there are some construction bins on your left.
Park somewhere on the road without blocking the entrance to those bins.
Walk through the big tires that block the end of the road.
You are now in a undeveloped area with old streets and many trails that go down to the creek. I prefer walking all the roads in this park which has different habitats. The park is quite large and there are many directional signs near the trails.

I haven?t experienced any break-ins but I wouldn?t leave valuable stuff in sight inside your car.
Hope you will check out this area!
Happy birding,
Bruce LaBar
Tacoma