Foster Island

Notes:  Free public tours are available Saturdays and Sundays and depart from the visitors center. Guided group tours also are available.

Getting There:  The fastest way to Foster Island is to start at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) which is located at the north end of the Arboretum.

Directions to MOHAI: From I-5 take State Route 520 (exit 168B); Exit at Montlake Boulevard; Go straight at stoplight, and continue one block to 24th Avenue East. Turn left into the museum's driveway. Follow road to parking lot.  From westbound State Route 520, take the Lake Washington Boulevard exit; take a right on Lake Washington Boulevard; and turn right on 24th Avenue East into museum parking lot.  Parking is free.

Directions to the Arboretum: From westbound state Route 520: Take the Seattle exit (Lake Washington Boulevard South), and turn left at the stop sign. Take the next exit (left) onto Foster Island Road and then turn right onto Arboretum Drive East. From downtown Seattle: Drive east on Madison Street to Lake Washington Boulevard, turn left into the Arboretum. From the Museum of History and Industry: Go two blocks south of the Montlake Bridge and turn east onto East Lake Washington Boulevard. Go 1 1/2 blocks to Park Drive, turn north and continue to the parking lot on the north side of the museum.

Where to Go:   You can pick up a trail map at the Museum of History and Industry or at the Graham Visitors Center on Arboretum Drive East. The trail from MOHAI starts from the parking area and leads to Marsh and Foster islands.  The Waterfront Trail to Foster Island is 1/2 mile in length.

Setting:  The trail provides an opportunity to observe the inhabitants that dwell in the marsh. A boardwalk leads to Islands with views of the concrete piers that support state Route 520, though the main attraction is the variety of plants and animals found here.

Best Time to See the Birds:  May, June, July, September, October

Birds Commonly Seen:  Pied-billed Grebe,  Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Virginia Rail, American Coot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Rock Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Crow, American Robin, European Starling, Bewick's Wren, Tree Swallow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird.

Restrictions:  The Washington Park Arboretum is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week, except holidays. The gates on the north and south end of Arboretum Drive East are closed during non-open hours. The Graham Visitors Center is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm seven days a week. Admission to the Washington Park Arboretum is free.

For more information:  Call the Arboretum at 206-543-8800 or visit the Web site at www.wparboretum.org. Bird Guides are available on the site under Seasonal Highlights.