Field Guide and Walking Tour

For those that are new to the area, UBNA (UBNA) is a wetland located in north Seattle, between the University of Washington and south Wedgewood. Just 100 years ago, UBNA was a very different kind of place, and since then it has experienced environmental destruction and resurrection. Presently the park serves as a natural area for the university and surrounding community and attracts many bird watchers. 

This blog is intended to serve as a natural history guide for Union Bay Natural Area (UBNA). There's a tab that catalogs 50 of the most commonly observed species of the wetland. There's also a tab with a guided walking tours so you can easily make your way around the park while experiencing the greatest diversity of species. There are also tabs for each of the 10 observation spots so you can learn more about the history and species of the wetland. Enjoy exploring!

Yellow = walking path. Red = observational sites

Odd as it seems you probably won't experience the sites in the order that they're numbered, unless you like back-tracking! It should be noted that each observation spot highlights a certain element of natural history, but what's observed in that spot is not limited to that spot. An example is birds; birds are all over the wetland, not strictly in zone 3. I suggest starting in the parking lot on the west side and following the trail in a clockwise loop:

2) Land Use History - There's a nice sign at the entrance to the park that explains some of the history. Why not get the boring stuff from the past out of the way first before you get ready to explore?!

4) Plants - There are several areas in UBNA that are more heavily wooded, and Z4 is one of them. It's conveniently right along the trail as well. The trail forks in Z4 so you'll either have to back-track, or see one half first and the other last. Many of the plants I've identified on this site are can also be seen in Z4, you might have to wander off the trail for a short way though.

5) Invertebrates - Most of the invertebrates  I found were under a log in this zone. That being said, I believe if you overturn most large logs that are in moist soil, you'll probably see some insects. There are so good logs just southwest of the fork in the trail in Z5. Good luck finding it in the tall grass during the summer!

6) Fungi - Lookout for a drain on the north side of the trail in Z6. Once you see it, go around it and into the woods to find the Artist's Bracket. There are some other lichens and mosses in that shaded area as well. While you're off the trail be extra careful not to step on living organisms.

8) Ecological Disturbance - In Z8, you can see some of the restoration work the UW is doing on the west side of the trail. It's kind of cool to see how they're reintroducing species, because UBNA has had a long history of restoration work. During the spring, before the grass is tall, sometimes you can see a trail that will take you east. If you follow it, it'll lead you to the back of the Horticulture Center, where you'll see a field of weeds that been mowed over, or disturbed.

9) Animal Behavior - The open field is one of the best places to watch the flight pattern of Barn Swallows. I've also seen a Bald Eagle and a Great Blue Heron in this zone. As you approach the trees, look out for Beaver's teeth marks on the logs. There's also a bench there so you can watch the ducks and turtles in the water.

1) Geology -  I dedicated this zone to geology because it was one of the only places I saw boulders in all of UBNA. There's a bench (my sit spot) in the middle of the zone, and in front of it, there are 3 large  boulders, most likely of a granitic origin. This leads me to believe that they are remnants from the last glaciation. I believe they're too large to be moved around, just to be placed there, so I think the must've been in UBNA for a long time.

7) Species Interaction - The large pond in the middle of UBNA is a good place to watch the water fowl interact with one another.

10) Invasive Species - I decided to dedicate my choice zone to invasive species. I think sometimes people forget some species are more harmful than helpful to certain ecosystems because they believe that the species is just doing well. I've spent a lot of time removing invasive's with Earthcorps. and know how valuable that work is to the restoration process.

3) Birds - Some Red-winged Blackbirds have territories here. But birds can be seen in almost every zone in UBNA. This pond just happens to be a particularly good place to watch them. So always keep you eyes for them.

I took my senior engineering friends, David and Scotty, on the UBNA natural history tour. I think they had a good time. We saw an eagle, two herons, and a lot of turtles. I think they were also happy to get out of the library for a while.