Today my husband Mark and I spent several very pleasurable hours at the
Nisqually, and we found the AVOCET in the first pond (pond to the left on
the trail toward McAllister Creek) around 11:00 a.m. We were able to watch
as long as we liked. It was a beautiful sight; the bird in full breeding
plumage was reflected picture perfectly in the water. When we returned
later ( around 2:00 p.m.) the bird was gone, and did not return by 4:00 p.m.
when we left. It was a beautiful day with large numbers of Yellow
Warblers, Western Tanagers, Yellow Throats, Cedar Waxwings, and Willow
Flycatchers. We saw the California Quail couple by the bike rack at the
visitors' center, a flying American Bittern while walking the Ring Dike
Trail, but only one Warbling Vireo. 49 species in all. Thank you to Dave
Hayden for this post, alerting us all to the Avocet sighting! It was a
very good day, and a lifer bird for us.
Janeanne Houston

"As long as the ancient harmonies were sung, the universe would not entirely
lose its joy." - Madeleine L'Engle, "A Swiftly Tilting Planet"
www.sogreatajoy.com
houstojc at plu.edu

> -----Original Message-----
> From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
> [mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of David Hayden
> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 8:28 PM
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Avocet at Nisqually
>
>
> This evening between 6:00pm and 7:45pm I checked out the front ponds,
> walked around the boardwalk, and walked to McAlister Creek. There was an
> American Avocet in full breeding plumage actively feeding on the far
> bank of the newly created front left willow pond. The pond is on the way
> to McAlister Creek. I was able to take a few photos and it was still
> feeding when I left. Some birds seen.
>
> American Avocet - 1
> Pectoral Sandpiper - 1 (still remains in the front left willow pond)
> Spotted Sandpiper - 2
> Western Tanager - 1
> Blue Winged Teal - 9 (6 Males - 3 Females)
> Cinnamon Teal - 1 (male)
> Wood Duck - 1 pair
> Virginia Rail - 1 (called)
> Ring Necked Pheasant - 1 (male - feeding near twin barns)
> American Bittern - 2 (I was able to watch a partial calling display
> through the grass with 1 of them)
>
>
> Dave Hayden
> Lakewood WA
> dtvhm at nwrain.com