Subject: Nisqually NWR Trip 12/6/99
Date: Dec 8 15:38:57 1999
From: Birdking88 at aol.com - Birdking88 at aol.com


Hi, Tweeters! Early this week we went to Nisqually NWR to see the Swamp and
White-throated Sparrow. Though we didn't find them, we did have a nice (wet)
day of birding. When we arrived at the parking lot I saw a large bird flying.
In my scope I found that it was a juvenile swan, but couldn't decide what
kind. First we headed to the new visitor center to see what was out in the
marsh. A Belted Kingfisher flew to a far away branch. Besides that we saw
nothing. Then a flock of zonos (White and Golden-crowned Sparrows) flew in.
We scanned them for a while but didn't find anything else. Then we headed up
the trail to the Twin Barns. While on the trail we were whistling and
pishing. Right after dad did the song of a White-throated Sparrow I heard a
strange noise coming from in some cattails. We ID'ed it as a VIRGINIA RAIL,
but couldn't find the bird. At he barns we found more zonos, one of which I
may have overlooked for a Swamp Sparrow :(. Out in the field we saw Northern
Harriers (couldn't find a band), Short-eared Owl, Western Meadowlarks (about
3), and MANY, MANY "Cackler" Canada Geese. A Bald Eagle flew over, scaring
them all. When they flew I found one in my scope with a yellow band around
it's neck. Does anyone know where and if I should report this bird? Out on a
tree I saw two flickers, a male and a female, which I almost didn't even look
at 'cause I've seen so many. When I did it revealed yellow in the wings and a
black mustache, a YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER! The female flew away before I could
decide whether it was a Yellow-shafted or Red-shafted, but I'm thinking it
was Red-shafted. Way out in the field dad found a Peregrine Falcon, as well
as other falcons too far away to identify. Then we headed out on the trail
again. Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets came within a few feet, and a Brown
Creeper spiraled up a tree. A large flock of siskens flew in, but no Common
Redpolls. A bit further and we found Pileated Woodpecker and Purple Finches.
That's about all!

Lifers in CAPS LOCK

Swan sp. 1
Pine Sisken 500
Western Meadowlark 10
American Robin 100
Red-shafted Flicker 10
Yellow-shafted Flicker 1-2
American Wigeon 15
White-crowned Sparrow 30
Golden-crowned Sparrow 15
Great-blue Heron 5
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Purple Finch 2
House Finch 10
Canada Goose 40
Cackling Goose 500-700
Peregrine Falcon 2
Red-tailed Hawk 7
Bald Eagle 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 45
Golden-crowned Kinglet 30
Black-capped Chickadee 20
Brown Creeper 5
Short-eared Owl 2
VIRGINIA RAIL, heard only 1
Mallard 40
Bufflehead 10
Cinnamon Teal, female 1

Birdking88 at aol.com
Charlie W. Wright
Sumner, WA
Age 11