Tweeters:

Birded Nisqually this morning.
Highlights: TREE SPARROW and RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.

Chris Chappell mentioned on tweeters a few days ago that two Tree Sparrows
were banded on the refuge earlier this month. I found two TREE SPARROWS
sitting side by side in the same tree, as I walked the open portion of the
trail towards McAllister Creek. The sparrows were seen along the trail to
McAllister Creek, just west of the large cluster of trees covered with red
fruit. "Pishing" here not only brought up the 2 TREE SPARROWS, but also a
LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 5 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, and several SONG SPARROWS.

Bill Shelmerdine and I found an immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK last week on
the Olympia Xmas Bird Count. The bird was found on the closed portion of
the trail just south of the observation tower. This was near the portion of
the trail that travels along the Nisqually River and makes a 90 degree turn
to the west and then a 90 degree turn to the north. Today I was able to see
this bird from the Ring Dike Trail. It was perched near the top of some
trees to the north of the Ring Dike Trail. This is the same area were we
last saw it last week. A scope is needed to identify it from the Ring Dike,
but hopefully it may move closer towards the Ring Dike Trail or hang around
until the trail re-opens next month.

Other nice sightings were 3 TUNDRA SWANS in the flooded fields and an
AMERICAN BITTERN in the canal along the trail just south of the Ring Dike
Trail.

That's all for now. Good Birding!

Steve Nord
Lacey, WA
birdersteve at home.com