posted for Eric Slagle.


Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge / October 26, 2006

There were six of us on the walk today. It was a beautiful autumn day. Cool and a bit breezy at times, but no rain. The fall colors at the refuge are spectacular. It was a good day for birding, even though the numbers were not high and we did not come across any mixed flocks.

Highlights included a great view of a Northern shrike from the McAllister Creek trail. A Wilson's snipe flushed as we walked past on the same trail. We also had a close-up look at an American kestrel just off the observation deck at the twin barns. The bald eagles are working on upgrades and repairs to the nest in the tree at the twin barns that they built two years ago.

Other sightings included a Northern flicker, brown creeper, golden-crowned and ruby crowned kinglets, yellow-rumped warbler, gadwall, and Northern shoveler. Cackling Canada geese were the most in number. Total species was 36.


Dawn Bailey
Eatonville, WA
dawnsdog at rainierconnect.com

"Life isn't a succession of urgent nows, but a listless trickle of why should I's?"
~ John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester