Seattle Audubon currently has 4 nature reserves, which
are briefly described as
follows:
1. Carnation Marsh. The
Carnation Marsh is our largest reserve, consisting of about
100 acres of land owned by Seattle Audubon and 85
acres of King County land which Seattle Audubon administers. The Marsh
is located several miles south of Carnation adjacent to
the Snoqualmie River. It is accessed from the West Snoqualmie
River Road. The majority of the property is wet all year
round with virtually all of the property subject to flooding
when the Snoqualmie River floods. The Marsh is home to many
wetland birds and mammals as well as field birds and mammals
from the nearby farmlands. A short list includes osprey,
Belted Kingfishers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Bald Eagles, Peregrine
Falcons, various ducks and geese, great blue and green herons,
beaver, deer, coyote and black bear. Viewing is best along
the road and at the south end of our property at the parking pullout where the dike
trail enters the
Marsh.
2. Harris Creek. This property
includes several acres of wetland located
in the headwaters of Harris Creek which is part of the Snoqualmie
Basin. The property is located several miles southeast of
Duvall, and it is very wet in all seasons and can be best
viewed from the road as part of a much larger wetland. The
reserve is excellent wetland habitat and is populated by
birds and mammals typical of this type of wetland.
3. Hanstead Creek. This
property consists of 10 acres of forested Cascade upland
habitat in the headwaters of Hanstead Creek located in the
hills northeast of Duvall, also in the Snoqualmie Basin.
The property was logged in the past but is now heavily covered
with alder, cedar, hemlock, maple and ferns. There are numerous
birds and mammals typical of upland forest habitat, but
the actual number of bird species is limited. This reserve
is unimproved and is difficult to access at this time.
4. McIlraith Wildlife Reserve.
This reserve consists of 4 acres of land located on Swamp
Creek in Kenmore. The property is very wet and is part of
a larger wetland which contains a great blue heron colony.
Some nesting may occur on our property as well. Other birds
and mammals are typical of this type of wetland. The site
is generally too wet to walk and viewing is difficult due
to trees and high undergrowth.
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