Subject: Nisqually Refuge Visit
Date: Jun 30 15:29:07 1997
From: Kenneth.R.Brunner at internet.nps.usace.army.mil - Kenneth.R.Brunner at internet.nps.usace.army.mil


Hi Tweets!

I apologize ahead of time if this is old news, but I do not recall
reading any of this in the Tweeters I've read recently (but I've
missed a few).

Yesterday at Nisqually Refuge I saw a snow goose with a flock of about
30 Canada geese. The snow goose seemed relatively large, which means:
(1) it could have been a domestic goose, or (2) it could have been
with a flock of lessers or other small subspecies of Canadas. The
geese were about 300 yds from the viewing tower overlooking the salt
marsh, and I admit I did not attempt to identify the subspecies of
Canada geese. The snow goose had a pink bill, with the typical
"grin", and pink legs. It did not fly.

Also of interest, in the intertidal water beyond the salt marsh were
about 45 common mergansers, all in eclipse (and/or female and/or
juvenile) plumage. And there was one female with about 12 ducklings.
I was a little taken aback to this many mergansers in one flock in
salt water in June. Is this unusual?

Finally, there was a flock of nine greater yellowlegs accompanied by
two peeps (presumable western sandpipers). The fall migration is on!

There was also good birding in the forested portion of the dike trail,
with warbling vireos, yellow warblers, and goldfinches galore.

Ken Brunner
kenneth.r.brunner at nps.usace.army.mil