I birded the Nisqually this Thanksgiving morning. The 2 Ross's Geese
were seen in the entrance fields along with thousands of cackler Canada
Geese when driving in. I then proceeded to the first north front pond
where I met up with Ted Kluh. We watched the waterfowl for a while and
then we were then joined by a couple and their kids from the Seattle
Audubon. Beginners they were, so we showed them some of the waterfowl.
While scanning, I found the female Ruddy Duck in the south pond near the
willows. American Pipits flew overhead in small groups calling. Then I
spotted a shorebird fly in and land in the muddy area in the north pond.
SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER it was. So we all got good looks as the bird just
stood there for 30 minutes. Other birders got good looks too as they
were passing by. After departing, I headed toward McAllister Creek where
I saw/heard:
1 Northern Shrike
1 Rough Legged Hawk
1 American Kestrel
2 Virginia Rails
2 Mourning Doves
2 Bald Eagles
2 Fox Sparrows
1 Hairy Woodpecker
several Purple Finches

Dave Hayden
Lakewood, WA
dtvhm at nwrain.com