Tweets:

Gary Elmer asked

>I am a novice and would appreciate any tweeter comments on birding in the
>Nisqually Delta, probably via kyak. Is this a good time of year to go?
>What if any migrants might be moving through? Thanks.

No specifics for Nisqually (I'll leave that to others), but in general this
should be a good time for birding almost anywhere. Being a kayak-lover
myself, however, I'd like to extend one cautionary note to paddling
Tweeters: some wildlife species are terrifically spooked by kayaks. There
are various theories as to why, but I think the answer is that they just
*are.* Kayaking would seem to be a benign, low-impact way to approach and
see wildlife, but 'taint always the case and it's very unfortunate. Sea
ducks and hauled-out harbor seals seem particularly skittish. Seals in the
water are another story and sometimes even approach out of curiosity. In my
experience alcids are less wary, but I've seen ducks of several species
flip their wigs and take flight. The most dramatic example came one day
last winter, when I was watching birds from shore on Penn Cove: rafts of
scoters took off in waves -- and eventually two kayaks came in sight, well
behind them. (No eagles in sight, either.) While I haven't yet seen how
they respond, I suspect that brant feeding on or near shore in the spring
would spook as well. Considering hunting season is upon us (and historic
foraging areas available for brant are much reduced), I'd just like to urge
a little caution while approaching these birds. Thanks ;)

Off my soapbox now ...

-- Janet Hardin
Port Townsend, WA
wings at olympus.net