Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 11/18/04
Date: Nov 18 14:49:49 2004
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

Three of us walked the open portions of Nisqually NWR this morning beginning
at 8:30 in clear but windy conditions. Boy, am I glad I put my rain gear on
because we got rained on pretty good later in the day.

Waterfowl numbers continue to be high, although there appeared to be fewer
MALLARDS and PINTAILS then the last couple of weeks. Of course this could be
because there is more water and they are dispersed more. In addition we had
AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING-NECKED DUCK, COOT,
BUFFLEHEAD, and one COMMON GOLDENEYE on the Nisqually River.

Today was really a raptor day with many NORTHERN HARRIERS and RED-TAILED
HAWKS. The BALD EAGLES were working on their nest and sending the ducks into
flight by working the area behind the Twin Barns. At one time both adults were
bathing in the pond behind the barns. The PEREGRINE was busy worrying the flock
of DUNLIN on the pond across from the boardwalk and kept things stirred up
there. Out near McAllister Creek we found the NORTHERN SHRIKE, a MERLIN, and
two KESTRELS in the trees right at McAllister Creek.

Passerines were scarce, but we did find a nice winter flock near the
Nisqually River Overlook on our way back from the Ring Dike. In this flock were
BUSHTITS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, BROWN CREEPER, and both KINGLETS.

Sparrows were scarce and we did not see a single wren today. This may have
been due to the wind and/or the number of raptors around.

We did see a nice(?) group of gulls near the parking lot that included MEW
and RING-BILLED GULLS and a single CALIFORNIA GULL.

All told we saw 46 species with the CALIFORNIA GULL being new for the year.
Adding that and separating the CACKLING GOOSE from the CANADA GOOSE dives us a
total of 137 for the year.

No mammals were seen today, but three RIVER OTTERS were reported near the
Ring Dike.

With next Thursday being Thanksgiving I will walk the Refuge on Wednesday
beginning at 8:15. Until then....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA
360-459-1499

"We were few and they were many, now we are many and they are few."
Confucius