Location: Magnolia
Address: W. Government Way and 35th Ave. W.
Acreage: 16
On the way to Discovery Park, pull over just off Government Way and check out the herons nesting at the Kiwanis Ravine Overlook. February to June is nesting season, and according to the city’s web site this is the largest nesting site in Seattle for the Great Blue Herons.
The Seattle Kiwanis donated part of this land to the city in the 1950s. Today this park is one of 30 official “green spaces” set aside by the city to be preserved with minimal development, such as trails or park amenities.
That means this park is not fully accessible during nesting times, but you can get a nice view of the deep, forested ravine from the walkway any time of year.
The local group Heron Helpers organizes work parties and counts the birds annually. In recent years more than 50 nests have been spotted in a season. The group also organizes tours of the nests.
Heron watching is such a big activity, there’s even a live web cam. So, you can visit this park without leaving your desk.
#156 (Visited 4/11/10)