Visited Nisqually NWR yesterday from 9AM to dusk.
Viewed the Ross Geese right from the parking lot on arrival and later on in
various locations amongst the Canada Geese.
The highlight of the day was an American Tree Sparrow.
I observed this pale adult about 10:30 for a good 15 minutes at the end of
the gravel trail to McAllister Creek near the dike, amongst a large flock
of Golden crowned and White crowned Sparrows. With book in hand I compared
the dark spot on its breast, rufous crown and stripe behind the
eye and other distinctive field marks, and concluded that it was an American
Tree Sparrow.
Also at this location were a flock of Ceder Waxwings, a Northern Shrike
which I watched as it took out an House Finch, no more than a few yards
from me. Other birds of note were 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 female Ruddy Duck, 1
Eurasian Wigeon and 3 White-fronted Geese.
I failed to locate the reported Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

Gil Tabori
Kirkland, WA
g.tabori at comcast.net

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