Subject: Nisqually Today
Date: May 19 21:18:59 2001
From: Lynn & Carol Schulz - linusq at worldnet.att.net


Hi Tweets:
A Tahoma Audubon group led by Ken Brown walked the 5-mile loop today at
Nisqually. Weather was pleasant w/ a 8mph breeze. We had a few notable
sightings especially out at the north part of the dike closest to the sound.
Some of the interesting bird species were the following:
American Bittern - photo blind near McAllister Creek
Great Blue Herons - 10 at mouth of McAllister Creek and on mudflats
BLUE-WING TEAL - 4
Cinnamon Teal - 6 males
Turkey Vulture - 3 over mudflats
Bald Eagle - several including a pair w/ two downy young in nest across
McAllister Creek
California Quail - 2
WHIMBREL - 14 on mudlflats
Caspian Tern - 60 on mudflats
Hairy Woodpecker - pair feeding young
Pacific Slope Flycatcher - several singing
PURPLE MARTIN - 2 over mudflats
Warbling Vireo - moderate numbers singing
Yellow Warber - numerous throughout refuge
Black-throated Gray Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler - moderate numbers
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - 1 !!!! This bird was singing its funny song w/ of
phrases separated by pauses. It's song lasted over 5 minutes, but the bird
hid in the bushes and we couldn't see it. It was near the north dike on the
inland side in bushes next to a slough. It was w/in 25 feet of the trail.
Walk past the viewing tower and as you approach McAllister Creek there is a
set of 2 park benches. The bird was singing about 50 feet beyond the
benches at 1PM.
Western Tanager - several
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE - pair in big cottonwood at pond at visitor's center
We missed the Lewis' Woodpecker and Great Horned Owl.
Carol Schulz
DesMoines
linusq at worldnet.att.net