Tweets,

Today six of us started a cold walk at Nisqually in the fog. By the time
the fog lifted we were down to three of us who then enjoyed a nice walk in
mostly sunshine. It is amazing the number of birds we saw after the sun broke
through and things warmed up.

Highlights included at least 3 EURASIAN WIGEON from the viewing platform at
the twin barns and really good looks at an AMERICAN KESTRAL near the Nisqually
River overlook. We also saw several NORTHERN HARRIERS and many RED-TAILED
HAWKS sitting in the trees and bushes out along the trial to McAllister Creek
in the fog. I guess they needed to wait for sunlight before the took to the
air.

The SNOW GEESE were in the field on the right next to the trial to
McAllister Creek and as we returned to the parking lot at the end of the walk there
was a small flock of gulls on a small island in the same area that included a
MEW GULL and a CALIFORNIA GULL with 10 or so RING-BILLED GULLS. The water
levels have dropped a bit and things are returning to normal on the refuge. We
did see a couple of small flocks of DUNLIN flying over the refuge.

All told today we saw 45 species. I saw the COMMON REDPOLL last Friday for
the only new species in over a month. Total for the year at the refuge was
137 species.

Mammals seen today included EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL and several HARBOR SEALS
in the Nisqually River.

Until next year I wish each of you a very happy New Year and may your life
lists grow in 2007.

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