Tweets,

Today six of us walked Nisqually NWR in bright sunshine. We started out in
25 degree weather and finished up in 50 degree weather. Things were pretty
slow at the start and get better as the day warmed.

First surprise was a VIRGINIA RAIL at the overlook at the visitor's center
when we first arrived. Great way to start the day! The usual collection of
ducks and geese were present, but scattered and fewer in number than in past
weeks. Some of the ponds were frozen so close in viewing was deferred until warm
up. The three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were elsewhere when we started, but
were back in the pond across from the parking lot as we were leaving about
1:00.

McAllister Creek, right at the gate, was very good today. We had HOODED
MERGANSERS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, COMMON GOLDENEYE, GREAT BLUE HERON, BELTED
KINGFISHER, and several sparrows and finches there. We found an AMERICAN
BITTERN in the marsh on the way back to the visitor center, and saw the adult
NORTHERN SHRIKE on the way out to McAllister Creek.

We had many BALD EAGLES, NORTHERN HARRIERS, and RED-TAILED HAWKS. We also
watched a MERLIN enjoying its prey in the woods along the Nisqually River. We
were fortunate enough to find a couple of SHORT-EARED OWLS out behind the ring
dike. One was sitting in a low tree and when it flushed the other bird
flushed also.

At the Nisqually River overlook we had COMMON MERGANSERS, and also saw two
WILSON'S SNIPE on the mud flat across the river. We saw KILLDEER behind the
pond across from the parking lot as we searched a flock of AMERICAN WIGEON for
an EURASIAN WIGEON, which we also saw. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were more in
evidence than in past weeks and we had our first RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER in the
woods near the Nisqually Overlook.

All told we had 56 species for the day with VIRGINIA RAIL, WILSON'S SNIPE,
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, and SHORT-EARED OWL being new for the year, giving us a
yearly total of 81 species.

Mammals seen included EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS, HARBOR SEAL, and COLOMBIAN
BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Next weeks walk will be led by Erik Slagle and Dawn Bailey as I will be in
Orlando. I will return for March 3rd for the full loop. Rumor has it Eric and
Dawn may do the full loop next week also.

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

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