Birders from across the region flocked to King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond Saturday to celebrate the new Audubon BirdLoop, a trail that provides an up-close glimpse of the wildlife that lives within rare native lowland habitat.

County executive Ron Sims joined with representatives from Eastside Audubon to dedicate the trail, which features informational kiosks that give visitors updated information about the wildlife and habitat of the area.

“Perhaps the most unique feature in Marymoor Park is something that we did not build or create – it’s the 300-plus-acre conservation area, a place where nature is on full display for park visitors,” Sims said. “This trail through the conservation area offers everyone an opportunity to see some of things that make our part of the world so special.”

Sims noted more than 200 bird species have been identified at Marymoor Park, including hummingbirds, herons and bald eagles. Marymoor Park’s protected natural area serves as a refuge for migrating birds in a highly developed and populated setting. In addition, the birdloop trail offers a way for many of Marymoor’s three million visitors per year an opportunity to access a fragile ecosystem without harming it.

“We couldn’t have done it without the help and support of the folks at King County Parks,” said Eastside Audubon Executive Director Jan McGruder. “They gave us complete control over all the details, but were really there for us when we needed them. It’s been a great partnership.”

The birdloop trail project received financial support through the county’s Community Partnerships and Grant Program (CPG). Eastside Audubon “adopted” the interpretive nature trail in 2006.

King County provided Audubon with a $100,000 grant for phase one of the project and has committed another $75,000 for the second phase.

A new boardwalk extension that provides additional access and shoreline protection is under construction, and a local artist has been commissioned to produce a series of beautiful new interpretive signs. An additional $75,000 in state grant funding will also be provided for phase two work, which will include additional trail enhancements, habitat restoration, a third informational kiosk, and an elevated viewing platform.

Over the past two years, 200 volunteers have put in more than 2,300 hours of work restoring and replanting the interpretive nature trail. Metro bus kiosks have been given new life as interpretive kiosks on the interpretive trail, and key portions of the nature trail have been enhanced. Invasive weeds have been removed and native habitat restored.

Birding is one of the most popular wildlife-viewing activities in the nation, with more than 46 million people participating in the educational pastime.