Tweets,

Today 21 of us enjoyed a pretty good day at Nisqually. We started out in a
light sprinkle, then had clear conditions for the rest of the day. It got cool
and breezy about noon and stayed that way for the rest of the walk. Six of us
were left standing at the end of the walk, the others having turned back or
walked ahead as we walked the outer dike trail.

Highlights included the first COMMON YELLOWTHROAT of the year, several
HORNED GREBES on McAllister Creek, a single RED-THROATED LOON at the end of
McAllister Creek, at least a dozen GREATER YELLOWLEGS scattered along McAllister
Creek, and a couple of CASPIAN TERNS, also at the end of McAllister Creek.

As there is still a lot of water on the refuge we had lots of waterfowl,
including 3 EURASIAN WIGEON, one on McAllister Creek when we first got there
from the parking lot and the other two inside the dike where McAllister Creek
empties into the sound. We saw all three mergansers and more GADWALL and
NORTHERN PINTAIL then usual. Most were out near the sound.

Shorebirds seen included the GREATER YELLOWLEGS, many DUNLIN, and a WILSON'S
SNIPE, seen on the way out to McAllister Creek. Gulls were quite evident,
with GLAUCOUS-WINGED, WESTERN, RING-BILLED, and MEW GULLS being seen, in
addition to the CASPIAN TERNS.

The BALD EAGLES continue on the nest across McAllister Creek. We also saw
NORTHERN HARRIERS and a Single RED-TAILED HAWK. The SNOWY OWLS appear to have
left the premises. We did see an adult GREAT HORNED OWL near the nest tree, but
the owlets were not seen.

All told we had 58 species for the day with RED-THROATED LOON, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, WILSON'S SNIPE, CASPIAN TERN, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT being new for
the year. We now stand at 89 species for the year.

Mammals seen included HARBOR SEALS rafted up on the beach out on the sound
and a RACOON digging in the slough where the boardwalk ends at the Nisqually
River overlook.

Until next week.....

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

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