Hi Tweeters!

Last Sunday I had the very fortunate experience of birding the Nisqually NWR
along with Bill Ward and Phil Kelley. Being a novice birder, being allowed
to follow along with these two experienced birders was like a dream come
true. Phil is really great at identifying field marks and sharp eyes, he
doesn't miss much. Bill has great hearing and could make us aware of
something we may not have otherwise seen.

While we signed in, CLIFF SWALLOWS were readily apparent, building nests in
the eaves of the new maintenance building. We later found that there was a
water filled ditch behind the building which was a very popular mud source.
We also noted TREE SWALLOWS and VIOLET GREEN SWALLOWS were abundant in the
area.

As we headed down the trail towards McAllister creek, Bill pointed out a
WILLOW FLYCATCHER in the top of one of the bushes. Also noted were an
AMERICAN ROBIN and plenty of my favorite, the EUROPEAN STARLING. As we
continued at a leisurely pace, a YELLOW WARBLER was spotted as well as a RED
BREASTED SAPSUCKER. SONG SPARROWs were abundant during the day. A
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was identified and more were seen as we continued.

Phil spotted a female MALLARD in her nest in the swampy area. At this
point, a long-tailed weasel kept sneaking out into the trail, then diving
back into the grass. He slowly worked his way toward us, then finally
jumped into the swamp and disappeared. We also noticed another animal,
possibly a small muskrat in the swamp but we were unsure of the
identification. A SAVANNAH SPARROW was spotted hiding in the bushes and one
of many AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. About this time, two BALD EAGLES were seen
chasing after an unidentified gull. They were quite agitated and I think
the gull may have ended up as a meal. We spotted the eagle's nest later in
the day with at least one juvenile in it.

As we came upon another marshy area, a MARSH WREN was seen and a CANADA
GOOSE went flying along. A KILLDEER was heard and finally seen and I
started seeing a lot of my other personal favorite, the BROWN HEADED
COWBIRD. As we continued on toward the creek, Phil spotted a SORA, then 4
BAND-TAILED PIGEONs went flying past. A GADWALL was spotted and a PILEATED
WOODPECKER went flying past us.

COMMON YELLOWTHROATs were identified and we saw the first of many CEDAR
WAXWINGS, a truly beautiful bird. As we came upon the creek, a SPOTTED
SANDPIPER was running along the edge of the water. As we continued on the
trail, HOUSE FINCHES and BARN SWALLOWS we seen. A RED-TAILED hawk was
heard, then spotted high in a tree as AMERICAN CROWS dived at it. A
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL was spotted and id'd by Phil and finally, we found a
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. Oddly, we only saw one the whole day. A NORTHERN
FLICKER also made an appearance as we wandered along .

There were no shorebirds apparent on this day but this was the day prior to
the big tide differential and the tide was quite low so there was acres and
acres of mudflats. By now, the day was getting quite warm and birds were
becoming fewer and fewer. We did see a NORTHERN HARRIER as we continued
around the loop and a TREE SWALLOW. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS were spotted
throughout the day as they sampled nectar from various plants blooming along
the water. Phil also spotted a GREAT BLUE HERON and we got a good view of
it through his spotting scope.

A ROCK DOVE passed by and as we closed back in on the parking lot, a WESTERN
KINGBIRD was heard and finally spotted. The abundance of foliage at this
time of year makes spotting extremely difficult with a less than cooperative
bird.

All in all, a leisurely 5 mile walk in about six hours. And for me, as a
novice birder, a welcome opportunity to add to my still short life list!


Tim Tapio
Olympia, WA
tim at timtapio.com