Hi Mitch and Tweeters,
Paradise Valley Conservation can be a great birding spot. My favorite time
to visit is during spring migration, but it can still be pretty birdy in
summer.

My best advice is to print a map from the links below. The trail system in
the park can be quite a maze, but it is well marked with signage. If you
have a copy of the map you can easily figure out where you are and how to
get where you want to go.

http://snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Paradise-Valley-Conservation-Area-PVCA-66
http://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9659

In my experience, the best birding route is around the edges of the park. A
circular loop of Woodland Plateau Trail, Southern Traverse Trail, Big Leaf
Trail, and Red Alder Trail would get you a "best of" overview. The park
itself is a combination of mixed forest and coniferous forest and Wetland's
Plateau Trail provides a slight change with a slightly more open forest. If
you don't want to walk the whole perimeter the Wetlands and come back on
the Forest Ridge Trail.

Be aware that some trails are open to mountain bikes and horses. I've
always birded on weekday mornings and found traffic to be extremely light,
but I can imagine that it might be somewhat busy on weekends. The only
trail to avoid would be the one way trail (it might even be bikes only).

Josh Adams
Lynnwood, WA
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