Theler Wetlands	xx
HABITAT:	School district/WDFW 135-acre preserve on Hood Canal, salt- and freshwater marshes, forested wetlands, river estuary.
BIRDING:	Spring and fall, listen for Golden-crowned Kinglets; Bewick’s, Marsh, and Winter Wrens. Birds of prey “prowl” the air: Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Red-Tailed Hawks, Short-eared Owls. Winter brings Northern Shrikes to meadows. Features include dabblers: Northern Pintails, American Wigeons, Green-winged Teals; and divers: Ruddy Ducks, Horned Grebes, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes.
VIEWING:	Two miles of ADA interpretive trails begin at iron-art gate. In 0.1 mile are exhibit-classroom buildings, wildlife art, native plant garden, interpretive kiosks. Alder-Cedar Swamp Trail includes Dike Rd, where South Tidal Marsh and River Estuary trails begin. South Tidal’s boardwalk stretches 0.3 mile to Hood Canal. River Estuary Trail leads to freshwater marsh, along saltwater wetlands to mouth of Union River, upstream to picnic area where trail forks; right path best viewing. Non-ADA Sweetwater Creek Salmon Trail is 0.1-mile loop from exhibit-classroom buildings. Bonus: Skokomish archeological site at end of river estuary trail; river otters in freshwater marsh.
ACCESS:	From Hwy 3 at milepost 25.5 in town of Belfair, turn left (west) at crosswalk stop light into Mary E. Theler Community Center (22871 Hwy 3.) Park at south end of paved lot by trailhead.

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