Tweets,

Today was a much better day at Nisqually compared to last Thursday, when it
was very windy. Spring was in the air today and so were the birds.

There were lots of TREE SWALLOWS over almost all the marshes and in
particular at the nest boxes behind the Twin Barns. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and MARSH
WREN were particularly vocal and other mating activity was evident.

The NORTHERN SHRIKE was back near the field past the ponds on the way to
McAllister Creek and both adult BALD EAGLES were near the nest tree behind
McAllister Creek. There were plenty of sparrows about; FOX, SONG, GOLDEN-CROWNED and
WHITE-CROWNED.

There were at least 3 male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS in the woods between the
Nisqually River Overlook and the Ring Dike and there was an AMERICAN BITTERN in the
slough near the Ring Dike. Thanks to Inga from Orting for pointing them out
to me. She also reported seeing the GREEN HERON in that same area on the
Nisqually River.

I also saw the first WOOD DUCKS of the year. There were a pair in the very
back of the pond behind the Visitor's Center. They were observed from the
Freshwater Marsh Overlook. Great to see them back. There were also many
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS around. Still lots of other ducks in the area, but nothing new.

Total for the day was 45 species and the total for the year is now 71, adding
the WOOD DUCK and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS.

I won't have a report next week as My wife and I will be in Death Valley
camping with some friends. I plan to be back on station the following Thursday,
March 25th at 8:15 AM. All the really good stuff will probably show up next
week. So be it. I'll catch them the week after.



Phil Kelley
Lacey, WA
360-459-1499
scrbjay at aol.com

"We were few and they were plenty. Now we are plenty and they
are few."
Confucius
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