I recently found an interesting new birding destination near Seattle.  Ballinger Lake Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace, Washington recently went out of business, and the city of Mountlake Terrace has turned it into a passive park (Ballinger Park) that is available for hiking, bird watching, etc. (I had mixed emotions about the golf course going away, as I used to enjoy playing there, however at least it is being re-purposed as a park and not being paved over for more houses, etc.)

A few weeks ago I took a hike through the park and saw many birds, including the Belted Kingfisher in the photo above, several Red-tailed Hawks, and large flocks of ducks, American Wigeons and Canada Geese.   Being situated on the shores of Lake Ballinger it is a great location for viewing ducks and other water birds, and the park also includes lots of trees and other vegetation and ponds that should attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.  Some photos below of a couple of other feathered friends that I encountered during my walk through the park.