Hello Tweets,

Today after helping out on a survey of the Nisqually Restoration Site we did some additional birding beginning at Luhr Beach,where up to 4 SNOWY OWLS were present at the Nisqually Delta. During our afternoon visit to this location we discovered the 4 birds all in good viewing,despite the high water levels and wind. We observed 2 Snow Owls at the closest range perched together atop a driftwood obstruction directly across from Luhr Beach,which included both an adult and immature bird. These birds both sat together,but the cleanness of the adult bird could really be separated from the darker immature bird. The other 2 birds were much farther in view just below the distant hillside above the eastern portion of the Nisqually Reach in Pierce Co. These birds both perched atop driftwood snags far apart from eachother and like the other 2 birds they never flew and were also of an adult and immature bird. Due to the fairly rough water conditions few other species were noted during our visit to Luhr Beach.


On our way home from Luhr Beach we made a few stops beginning at the north corner of Nisqually Cut-Off Rd.,where 8 Western Meadowlarks were tallied amongst a scattered Starling flock in a corn stubble field. Our last stop of the day was made at the Nisqually NWR,which yielded a flock of 8 SNOW GEESE in a large green gassy field,as viewed from the entrance road. These birds were later observed from the McAllister Creek trail just past the flooded areas,where the hunkered down in the dense grass at times. The birds consisted of 5 adults and 3 immature birds and were our personal highest count in Thurston Co.

Our day began with a good study of the Nisqually Restoration Site,which borders along the Pierce Co. side of the Nisqually River. This was our 3rd personal study of this private site and was a great day to conduct the survey with 3 other birders. Our main highlights were 2 SWAMP SPARROWS observed at separate locations,but remained very skulky along a dense grassy dike bordering the Nisqually River. A single adult HARLAN'S HAWK was also noted along the tree-lined dike along the edge of the restoration site that offered good scope views for us all. As the tide increased the water level we tallied good numbers of both Green-winged Teal and Dunlin that nearly covered the main portion of the restoration area and we thoroughly scoped through al the flocks as they moved around. Additional species of note at this location included the following:

900 Green-winged Teal
6 Bald Eagles
3 Northern Harriers
2 Peregrine Falcons
5 Western Sandpipers
4000 Dunlin
35 Long-billed Dowitchers
2 Downy Woodpeckers
2 Lincoln's Sparrows
4 Purple Finches



Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit at worldnet.att.net