If you go: The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is located where the freshwater of the Nisqually River meets the saltwater of south Puget Sound to create the Nisqually River Delta.

This is a birders’ Mecca, boasting about 275 migratory bird species that winter and breed in the area. There are 100 permanent species of birds and more than 20,000 migratory fowl that congregate in the fall and winter. In other words, bring the bird book, binoculars and telephoto lens.

Bird watchers tend to be a friendly lot. If you have any questions, feel free to ask those with spotting scopes atop tripods.

The refuge also offers excellent habitat for steelhead and several salmon species.

There is a $3 per-family fee to use the refuge. Pick up the blue envelope at the kiosk just outside the catwalk to the main building. While filling out the permit, make sure to pick up a map of the area.

Distance: 1 mile

Destination: Loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: I-5 south toward Olympia. Take Exit 114 (Nisqually). Turn west at the end of the off-ramp and continue under the freeway. Turn right and follow the signs into the refuge.

The Trek: This trail is almost exclusively boardwalk, with starting points at both of the parking areas.

For this trek, the trailhead to the west of the main parking lot was used. The trail will end at the parking lot just to the east of the visitors center and administration offices.

Find the trailhead after heading right at the first ‘Y.’ Going left is the trailhead for the Brown Farm Dike Trail.

After a couple steps on a trail of asphalt, it’s all boardwalk.

On the left is a massive field. Depending on the season, it may be a gathering place for hundreds of Canada geese.

On the right is a large marsh bordered by a flowing stream that is backwater from the Nisqually River.

Be sure to look to the treetops for birds. On this day, an avid birder pointed out a red-tailed hawk perched high in an evergreen.

Wood ducks slowly made their way across the slowly moving water.

The boardwalk meanders along. Hikers get glimpses of a myriad of habitats.

An observation platform is to the north of the twin barns. This is yet another opportunity to take in the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.

The next overlook is a good spot to see the Nisqually River. The river begins at the foot of Nisqually Glacier high on the flanks of Mount Rainier. The glacier is about 400 feet deep and covers about two square miles. It is the seventh largest glacier on the mountain.

Continuing on the boardwalk, the riparian forest is highlighted at the next overlook.

It’s a short distance before the trail ends at the east parking lot.