Hi Tweeters,

The wife, daughter, and I walked around the dike trail today at Nisqually
NWR. Birds were everywhere and I'm sure I missed quite a few due to tending
to the young one. Anyways, along the trail out near the mouth of
McCallister creek, I was looking at the muddy puddles in the interior and
noticed an unusual shorebird. I watched it for awhile and made a quick
sketch since this bird was new to me. It had a darker back and flanks with
white spots, medium length bill, and a white eye ring. At home after
checking my field guides, I confirmed my first thought that it was a
Solitary Sandpiper. A nice life bird for me! Other shorebirds seen today
include Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, and Killdeer.

Also, in the ponds just to the west of the visitor center I had all three
teal species with some very close looks at one Cinnamon Teal and one male
Blue-winged Teal. On the Nisqually River side of trail, there was a
Peregrine Falcon perched in a tree on the far side of the river. Common and
Hooded Mergansers were seen on the river also. It was a good day at
Nisqually.

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at centurytel.net