5 night stay at the Secluded Backyard Cottage on Walkable Phinney Ridge in Seattle, Washington for 2 in September or October with half day birding field trip from Seattle Audubon.

Enjoy a fabulous getaway in this lovely season to explore Seattle. The Phinney Ridge neighborhood in North Central Seattle is known for its perfect mix of quiet neighborhood meets in-city energy.

Easy neighborhood walks will take you to all manner of restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and the usual retail attractions of the big city. The Woodland Park Zoo is so close you may hear the siamangs at feeding time. You'll also be about 15 minutes from downtown and even closer to the University of Washington, Gas Works Park, and the famous houseboats of Lake Union.

The cottage is a completely self-contained unit detached from the host's main house and nestled into their fruitful garden. Enjoy your own private patio, walk to numerous restaurant options, or cook in the kitchenette. The bed is a queen-size top-of-the-line convertible couch. The light-filled 325sqft unit also includes an indoor dining or desk area and bright and clean bathroom with shower stall.

Your hosts are long-time nature lovers and conservationists happy to give you hiking tips or neighborhood recommendations while you stay in their solar powered retreat.

Availability is subject to previous bookings. Reservations should be made prior to July 1, 2021 for travel during September or October 2021.

Additional photos, details, and calendar for availability can be viewed at https://www.vrbo.com/412535

Field Trip with Seattle Audubon

Enjoy a half-day field trip with Seattle Audubon Executive Director Claire Catania and Board President Jennifer McKeirnan, both are graduates of Seattle Audubon's Master Birder program. Jen was featured by the National Audubon Society in 2016 for her yearlong quest to photograph every bird in Washington State. Click here to read the article and here for her photographs of Seattle birds by area.

Your field tip will to the Union Bay Natural Area, or "Montlake Fill", is one of the premier birding sites in Seattle, because it is an island of wild in a sea of urbanity. It is noted for its microhabitats, which attract a huge diversity of resident and migratory birds. Some 200 species have been seen here over the years, including such delights as American Bittern, Merlin, Green Heron, and Anna's Hummingbird. The ponds attract migrating shorebirds such as Least and Westerns Sandpipers and dowitchers. Waterfowl such as Cackling and Canada Geese, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, and wigeons (both species) are common.

View more detail on Union Bay and other Seattle area birding hotspots here.

This item will be emailed/mailed to the winner.