Tweets;

This afternoon (3:00-5:00) I was kayaking McAllister Creek at Nisqually NWR.
I put in at Luhr Beach and paddled upstream with the incoming tide. On my
return downstream, a large falcon swooped in low along side me chasing some
crows. I immediately assumed it would be a Peregrine Falcon, but as this
bird banked I could see it had extensive black axillaries, and above it was
a pale brown color, a PRAIRIE FALCON. I was able to watch this bird for
about 5 minutes as it harassed a flock of crows, and they harassed back.
The bird perched for a short period and then eventually flew downstream,
pass Luhr Beach and was last seen heading north approaching Anderson Island.
This is only my 3rd record in 7 years for this species at Nisqually, but the
previous records were in winter. The Luhr Beach area has really been
offering some great surprises lately. What next...?

Good Birding!!

Steve Nord
Olympia, WA
Rangersteve AT comcast.net