Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce

Activity Type:	Birding
Nearby City:	Sunnyside
Elevation Gain:	Minimal
Trail Type:	Many options
Season:	Best late fall through spring
Trailhead Elevation:	708 feet
Topo Map:	Sunnyside Wildlife Area Topographic Map
Guide Book:	Birding Washington Guide Book
Driving Directions:	View Guide
Trail Directions:	View Guide

As one of the largest gathering places for migrating waterfowl in the Yakima River Valley, the 2,800-acre Sunnyside Wildlife Area earns the designation as one of the state’s Important Bird Areas from Audubon Washington. That designation alone isn’t enough to make the area a great birding stop. The key to great birding in Sunnyside is timing. Arrive in the summer and birds will be hard to find, but show up in the fall and the area will be hopping with waterfowl. Habitats: Lowland riparian, freshwater marsh, wetland. Specialty birds: Golden and Bald Eagles; Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks; Peregrine Falcon; Vaux’s Swift; Rufous Hummingbird.