This past Thursday at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge was sunny, cold, a bit breezy at times, and a great day to be birding. Six of us walked the short route, which is that part of the refuge open year around. Highlights included a Northern shrike, American bittern, sharp-shinned hawk and Cooper's hawk. A peregrine falcon was sighted just past the river overlook. One of the best sights was watching a pair of Canada geese circle the eagle nest tree at the twin barns, and then land in the tree, with one actually getting into the eagle nest.