Tweeters,

I did a brief trip to Nisqually this AM, then Luhr Beach, then Tolmie State
Park. One objective was to seek the elusive Ancient Murrelet (no luck
there). To my good fortune I did locate a Leach's Storm Petrel. It was
first seen from Luhr Beach. The bird was out in front of the delta and well
inside the row of pilings. It flew left and even though it was seen well,
in under about 2 minutes it had dissappeared up inlet to the west-northwest.
This was at 0900. I searched further with no luck and headed on to Tolmie
State Park about 0940. Again scanning for murrrelets or whatever, I came
across a Leach's Storm Petrel, even closer to shore. This was at 1000 and I
assume it was the same bird given that Tolmie is only just over 2 miles from
Luhr. This time I observed the bird for about 3 minutes with great scope
views. The bird flew right, down the Nisqually Reach toward Nisqually. At
several points it zigged and zagged and briefly hesitated over current lines
and floating debris, but in general took a fairly direct route to the
southeast.

My trip to the Nisqually Refuge was quite brief and I did not cover the area
thoroughly by any means so who knows whats around. The best bird was a
young Northern Shrike out close to McAllister Creek. I also checked the
farm fields south of I-5, very quiet there early. Good Luck and good
birding.

Bill Shelmerdine
Olympia

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