Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 12/08/05
Date: Dec 9 10:30:09 2005
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

Seven of us birded Nisqually yesterday on a clear but cold day. Most of the
ponds were frozen when we started out with the waterfowl concentrated on the
patches of open water.

Turned out to be a pretty good day with 47 species sighted. Raptors were in
abundance as were woodpeckers. We saw several NORTHERN HARRIERS and RED-TAILED
HAWKS, as well as a couple of BALD EAGLES, a COOPER'S HAWK, and a juvenile
PEREGRINE FALCON.

We had several DOWNEY WOODPECKERS, a couple of NORTHERN FLICKERS and
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS, and a PILIATED WOODPECKER.

There were lots of waterfowl including both CANADA and CACKLING GEESE,
several SNOW GEESE, MALLARDS, NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, GREEN-WINGED
TEAL, and AMERICAN WIDGEON. Out at McAllister Creek we saw a male EURASIAN
WIDGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. On the Nisqually River we had
a couple of COMMON GOLDENEYE. There were RING-BILLED DUCKS and a PIED-BILLED
GREEBE on the pond behind the visitor center.

There were several HARBOR SEALS in the Nisqually River, so I guess the chum
salmon are coming in. The only other mammal we saw was a BLACK-TAILED DEER.

The SNOW GEESE were new for the year giving us 139 species.

After the walk I went to Luhr Beach and there were 4 SNOWY OWLS on the flats
outside the refuge. Sure hope they stay there until February, or fly inside
the refuge so I can add them to the refuge list for this year or next.

Until next week...

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