Tweets,

Yesterday 15 of us enjoyed a productive day at Nisqually walking the outer
dike. the weather started out warm and clear and got hotter as the day went
on. A light breeze kept us comfortable throughout.

Highlights included a VIRGINIA RAIL that flew across the pond behind the
visitor center an a couple of PURPLE MARTINS that were roosting in a tree near
the McAllister Creek overlook. There also was a nice variety of shorebirds in
that are.

Shorebirds noted on the mud flats just before the McAllister Creek overlook
included WESTERN SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER,
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER, and WILSON'S SNIPE. Try as we might we didn't
spot any other shorebirds.

Out near Luhr Beach, at the mouth of McAllister Creek, we spotted several
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, including many young of the year. CASPIAN TERNS
were working the mouth of the creek as well as resting on the exposed mud flat.
There were also many RING-BILLED GULLS in the area.

We saw several BALD EAGLES as well as a single female NORTHERN HARRIER and a
single RED-TAILED HAWK.

All five swallow species were seen, most at the visitor center. Other
passerines were scarce and trying to keep cool.

Mammals seen included BLACK-TAILED DEER, a family of RACCOONS near the photo
blind along McAllister Creek, and many HARBOR SEAL out on Nisqually Reach.

Total species for the day was 52 with nothing new for the year.

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




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