Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Leader: Co-leaders Melinda Wood and Rachel Holland
Contact: Please contact Melinda Wood to register for this trip at melindawood17@gmail.com
Description: This beginner birding walk is approximately 2 miles long through a variety of habitats including sections of forest, marsh, and McLane Creek. A boardwalk provides great access to the marsh with viewing platforms along the water. A variety of habitats provide opportunities to see waterfowl including Wood Ducks, many species of songbirds including flycatchers, warblers, Western Tanagers, Swainson’s Thrushes, and woodpeckers, and the occasional pond turtle and rough-skinned newts.
Map of trail available here: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/eng_rms_mclane_nature_trail_2.pdf
Directions: From Olympia, drive west for two miles on Hwy 101. Take the exit for Black Lake Boulevard, turning left on Black Lake Boulevard. In 3.5 miles the road turns right to become 62nd Avenue. Keep on 62nd Avenue for 0.7 miles to a stop sign. Here, turn right on Delphi Road. In half a mile, turn left into the parking area for McLane Creek, marked with a large brown and white sign. The trailhead is a short distance down this road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/YoTsDU4C2diWb54LA
Meet in the shelter near the McLane Creek Parking area. Discover Pass required. The trail is well defined and has mild ups and downs with a mixture of wooden boardwalks and dirt trails. A bathroom is available near the parking area.
Photo: Red-Breasted Sapsucker by Melinda Wood
