Tweets,

Today 5 of us walked Nisqually on a cool, overcast day. There was little
wind, but the sun never came out as expected.

The best bird of the day was an EARED GREBE in the slough at the end of the
ponds across from the parking lot along the trail to McAllister Creek. It has
been there for the last couple of days, and was present again today.

Other highlights included 4 AMERICAN BITTERN and a GREEN HERON. One of the
BITTERN was in the slough by the gate on the Nisqually River side and the GREEN
HERON was in the same area. The BALD EAGLES were working on the nest in the
cottonwoods near the twin barns and we had a couple good sizes mixed flocks
of GOLDFINCH and PINE SISKINS working in the alders.

There were the usual species of waterfowl present, just not in any great
numbers. There is plenty of wetlands now, so perhaps the birds are well
dispersed. There were plenty of both CANADA and CACKLING GEESE on the refuge when I
arrived at 8:00. It was quite a sight when they all flew a few minutes later.

Total species for the day was 44, with nothing new for the year.

Mammals seen included EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL and BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Next week we will walk on Wednesday starting at 8:15 due to Thursday being
Thanksgiving. Until then....

Phil Kelley
Lacey, WA
scrubjay323 at aol.com