Fort Steilacoom Park: Lakewood’s 342 acre park offers a diversity of habitat ranging from open meadows, brushy areas, hillsides, deciduous groves, coniferous woodland, and Waughop Lake. There are numerous foot trails throughout the park making excellent access for birding that has included 146 species identified within the park. Every season in the park has its birding rewards.

Birders of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Wear footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather.

Meeting times: 8 AM, Tuesdays, 1st Tuesday each month.

Duration: dependent on desires of birders present but will include a loop around the lake as well as some of the surrounding meadows and woodlands at a leisurely pace, estimated to be 2-3 miles and several hours. Month to month may experience different routes through the park dependent on best estimates of optimizing seasonal variances in bird species and their preferred habitat. Birders may leave at any time.

Meeting location: paved parking lot between old red barns and Waughop Lake, west end of lot nearest lake. Enter Ft Steilacoom Park off Steilacoom Blvd, turn south at the traffic light at the northeast corner of the park at the intersection with 87th Ave SW, then turn right into the park and immediately left around the south side of the playfields, proceed to end of Dresden Lane (aka Waughop Lake Rd) to gravel parking lot past barns.

Contact Scott Saunders at scottsaunders06@gmail.com if you need further info. Reservations are not needed.

Covid Protocol:

1. Children under 12 - When children under 12 are present we are supposed to take extra precaution (they cannot be vaccinated yet). In an outdoor setting social distance from children under 12.

2. Unvaccinated individuals. If you are not vaccinated we ask you to wear a mask and social distance.

3. Sharing Equipment. If you are planning on sharing equipment, please use common sense and precaution if you decide to share. Avoid actually touching scopes.