Tweets,

Today 8 of us enjoyed a nice walk at Nisqually in cold, but sunny
conditions. It was dry so it seemed warmed than it really was. Also, the ponds weren't
as frozen as I had expected them to be.

Highlights included an AMERICAN BITTERN hiding in the slough along the
Nisqually River, and good views of a SNOWY OWL out on the woodpile (the only one?)
observed from the twin barns viewing platform.

Waterfowl and geese were just about everywhere there was open water, and all
the usual suspects were seen. We did have great looks at a male EURASIAN
WIGEON out near McAllister Creek. He was fairly close to the trail and the sun
was behind us. He really stood out! We also had a couple early WOOD DUCKS near
the ring dike.

The mixed flocks of passerines seems to have broken up with most of our
sightings of kinglets and chickadees being singles or small groups. We did see a
couple of pairs of BROWN CREEPERS and DOWNY WOODPECKERS, but not much else.

All told we had 44 species for the day.

Mammals seen included EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, COYOTE, COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED
DEER, and a CALIFORNIA SEA LION in front of 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