Tweets,

Nine of us walked in what turned out to be a pretty pleasant day yesterday.
Not much rain and the wind didn't pick up till late.

Still lots of water but not many ducks. We did see most of the usual
suspects but nothing unusual. The SNOWY OWLS are still around. We scoped one in a
tree way out near the sound and saw another in the wood pile observed from the
twin barns overlook. We had a report a GREAT HORNED OWL was seen at the nest
tree inside the boardwalk, but we didn't see it.

Highlights of the day included 3 AMERICAN BITTERN, a VIRGINIA RAIL, and
great looks at a LINCOLN'S SPARROW. The VIRGINIA RAIL was right behind the
visitor center first thing in the morning. We had our first BITTERN fly over the
trail as we headed out to McAllister Creek. The second and third BITTERN were in
the slough at the far end of the ring dike near the gate. We had great looks
at both of them as the posed pretty much out in the open.

The LINCOLN'S SPARROW was a little depression in front of a moss covered
rock near the start of the ring dike trail as we headed back toward the visitor
center. It was the most cooperative LINCOLN'S SPARROW I've ever seen. We
watched it for at least 5 minutes and have 4 or 5 scopes on it. It was still there
when we moved on. Beautiful buffy wash on the upper chest. We also got some
good looks at a couple of AUDUBON'S YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, the first
breeding plumage birds we've seen this year.

The BALD EAGLES appear to be nesting on the other side of McAllister Creek
again this year as on of the birds was sitting on the nest while the other
roosted in a nearby fir tree. We also saw two PEREGRINE FALCONS over the field
near there boardwalk. HARRIERS and RED-TAILS were common and we did see a
COOPER'S HAWK sitting in a tree out toward McAllister Creek.

The LINCOLN'S SPARROW was the only new bird for the year.

Mammals seen included EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, BLACK-TAILED DEER, and a
RACCOON sleeping in a tree along the Nisqually River.

I'll be out of town next week but Eric Slagle will lead the walk. I'll be
back the week after. Until then, Happy St Patty's Day.

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