Hi Tweeters,

Here's a report (written for our chapter newsletter) on the Rainier Audubon
field trip I lead to Nisqually on Saturday April 17th.

---

Although I'm sure there is a logical meteorological explanation, I call it
superb good fortune that the weather was excellent for our outing to
Nisqually on Saturday, April 17th. The day provided many highlights, and
at least 54 bird species were found including some life list species for
several of our group.

Our birdwatching was given a head-start as we were fortunate to meet a NWR
employee who generously took the time to show us a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD on a
nest! Truly a delight for us all to see to see that tiny morsel of a bird
cradled within it's discreet cup-shaped construction, which was beautifully
camouflaged with lichen and moss. A _special_ experience!

The edge of the deciduous woods and wetland hosted many bird species,
including HUTTON'S VIREO, COMMON YELLOW-THROAT, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER,
DOWNY WOODPECKER, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS; and an
ellusive WILSON'S WARBLER, heard by Cheryl. The music makers were
unquestionably YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (Audubon's), EVENING GROSBEAKS,
WESTERN TANAGERS, BEWICK'S WRENS, SONG SPARROWS, HOUSE FINCHES, ROBINS and
a WINTER WREN. Despite the bright plumage of the first four of these
songsters, they blended astonishingly well into the yellowish maple blooms
and young leaves high in the trees. This woodland concert hall of birdsong
provided a good opportunity to practice birding by ear, and based on
Saturday's experience, I'd recommend this location as a fine spot to visit
early in the morning (hopefully before most mammalian bipeds arrive) to sit
peacefully, and listen.

At the Twin Barns, one of our group spotted a flying SANDHILL CRANE, it
joined some gulls and other unidentified birds circling within a distant
thermal. Close to the barn were some nesting CANADA GEESE (which we tried
not to disturb), a CINAMMON TEAL, also GOLDEN-CROWNED, WHITE-CROWNED, SONG
and SAVANNAH SPARROWS, in addition to PINE SISKINS. This was also an
excellent vantage point to observe the numerous TREE SWALLOWS with the sun
illuminating their shiny green backs. Having enjoyed a satisfying start to
our day, we relaxed and had a picnic lunch by the barns before heading onto
the main trail along the dike around the refuge.

Along the Nisqually River we saw our first CASPIAN TERN, and later, saw
many more out on the mud flats, their distinctive hoarse calls carrying
over the estuary. COMMON MERGANSERS were also on the river, along with
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and GREAT BLUE HERONS.

With regard to other flora and fauna. Couldn't help noticing a colorful
Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterfly meandering over the path, also a couple
of additional butterfly species and interesting insects in the grasses. In
the more shady areas of the refuge Sword Ferns were unfurling their
fiddleheads, and luscious fronds of Licorice Fern hung from a tree trunk.
The Indian Plum flowers are spent now and this native shrub's leaves are
reaching maturity. Bleeding Heart was in bloom - with many other flowering
plants including Elderberry, and False Lily of the Valley on their way.
Nettle and Dock are also coming up in force. As a child, I used crushed
Dock leaves to counteract the effect of nettle stings, and during
Saturday's trip I was informed that a _slug_ also works! This is
undoubtedly good to know, however, the idea of smearing slug slime on
sensitive bare skin could perhaps be considered a test of character... As
a side note, Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral butterflies use
Nettles as a larval food source - please consider the many beneficial
aspects of this well-designed plant if you find some on your property.

So, on to the raptors... A third year plumaged BALD EAGLE performed a low
flyby close to the trail displaying it's impressive size and wingspan. An
unidentified falcon was glimpsed flying away from us over the tidal zone -
we had fun speculating that it _may_ have been a Peregrine. A single
immature RED-TAILED HAWK was seen, in addition to a pair of mature courting
Red-taileds circling high over the refuge, periodically doing the "leg-drop
maneuver." As we proceeded along the open areas of the trail we watched a
female NORTHERN HARRIER hunting low over the freshwater marsh.

A pleasant spot with a lovely view was near a Red Flowering Currant laden
with vivid pink flowers - it's light scent had wafted down the trail even
before we reached the colorful shrub, and one of our group commented that
the flowers would very likely be good for hummingbirds. As if on cue, a
male Rufous Hummingbird completed the startling picture by visiting the
flowers to feed, displaying his reflective red throat feathers (gorget) in
the sunlight.

The Great Blue Heron colony was very active and beneath it in the exposed
muddy areas of McAlister Creek we observed GREATER YELLOWLEGS, KILDEER and
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS (Bonapart's were there on 4/11/99). Freshwater ponds
throughout the refuge hosted GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, CANADA GEESE,
NORTHERN PINTAILS, MALLARD, COOT, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD and
RING-NECKED DUCKS. Two lucky members of our group also spotted some WOOD
DUCKS. A single BARN SWALLOW flew by, and characterful MARSH WRENS could
also be seen, vocally defending their territories from the tops of
Cattails.

We covered a good 6 miles at a relaxed pace. The going was warm, but easy
and the company was wonderful. Thank you to our fun team of field trip
participants for your stimulating enthusiasm, knowledge, good eyes and
curiosity!

Michele Herzberg
Editor, The Heron Herald

-----

If anyone is planning to visit Nisqually soon and is interested in seeing
the full species list, let me know and I'll send it to you off-line.

Michele Herzberg
Kent, WA
<foxglove at jps.net>