Hi Tweeters,

I walked out towards McAllister Creek this morning and north the trail to
the photo blind. The ponds on McAllister Creek are drying fast and the
only shorebirds present were Killdeer. However, the AMERICAN BITTERNS have
been putting a show on this year that is remarkable to me. In the past few
weeks I've stopped at Nisqually NWR 5 times and seen and heard at least 2
Bitterns every trip and as many as 5 one day. The best spots seem to be
about 1/2 way out the road to McAllister Creek, with an edge going to the
south side of the road.

The best shorebird location was on the dike north of McAllister Creek, just
before the photo blind trail. All the birds were towards the back of the
impound area, so a scope is almost necessary to get good looks. What I
find curious is that I haven't heard or seen a Wilson's Snipe on any of
these trips and I have been there at all times of the day. Has anybody
else had snipe winnowing at Nisqually?

Highlights for May 18, 2004:

2 American Bittern
2 Spotted Sandpiper

1 Semipalmated Sandpiper

2 Western Sandpiper
4 Pectoral Sandpiper

3 Long-billed Dowitcher
1 Wilson's Phalarope - female

1 Willow Flycatcher - my first of the season

1 Bullock's Oriole
2 Black-headed Grosbeaks

1 Lazuli Bunting - seen by Phil Kelley in the morning at the SW corner of
the West parking lot.

Good Birding,

Marcus Roening
Tacoma, WA
marcus.d.roening at gsk.com