Subject: Nisqually NWR trip
Date: Apr 15 13:32:20 1995
From: Birder920 at aol.com - Birder920 at aol.com


Here are the highlights from my trip to Nisqually NWR yesterday (April
14):
I arrived at 6:45 am and there were no other cars in the parking lot.
I've been to Nisqually 5 or 6 times, but never been the first one there. As
I started down the right side of the Brown Farm Dike Trail, I flushed a bunch
of ducks. I couldn't tell exactly what they were in their hurry to get away,
but their heads seemed dark with spots. Maybe Wood Ducks? About 10 minutes
down the trail, sure enough, there on my left were 2 pairs of WOOD DUCKS.
One pair left in a hurry, but the other pair sat there nervously as if
wondering what to do. Finally, they left also, but I got a good look at
them. This was a lifer for me. Good start! As I walked on down the trail,
I continually flushed more Wood Ducks from the water on the left side. They
all flew away making much noise.
Other ducks I saw were: GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELER,
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON MERGANSER, AND of
course MALLARD.
COMMON YELLOWTHROATS seemed to singing from every other bush, but I have
to confess that I could only see one. They sure seem to be hard to see, but
when I do see one, its beauty takes my beath away.
There were many swallows: TREE SWALLOWS, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS,
and one BARN SWALLOW.
There was a HORNED GREBE in breeding plumage. This is the first time
I've seen that. What a difference from winter.
Raptors I saw: NORTHERN HARRIERS (male and female, usually all I see
are females), BALD EAGLE, and RED-TAILED HAWK.
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS buzzing around, especially around berry-looking
bushes with deep pink flowers. Maybe these are the currant bushes mentioned
in previous postings. Also heard and saw many MARSH WRENS.
It turned out to be a bright and sunny, if breezy day and I had a great
time as usual.

Christy Allen
Bremerton, WA
Birder920 at aol.com