Tweets,

Today 9 of us enjoyed a cold but nice walk at Nisqually. Some of us (me)
had to leave early so I didn't get to see or hear everything, but it was a good
day, even if the sparrows were in hiding.

Highlights included an overflight by a flock of DUNLIN as we walked out
toward McAllister Creek, a couple of WILSON'S SNIPE flying in the same area, an
AMERICAN BITTERN further out toward McAllister Creek, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE
seen out near the ring dike and a VIRGINIA RAIL heard at the ring dike.

For some reason sparrows were relatively rare today with only SONG SPARROW,
SPOTTED TOWHEE, and DARK-EYED JUNCO being seen. Not sure where their kin
were, but they were in hiding somewhere.

There were plenty of waterfowl about, mostly NORTHERN PINTAIL and MALLARDS.
There were few AMERICAN WIGEON seen and no EURASIAN WIGEON sighted. Last
week wigeon were the waterfowl of choice. We did see both COMMON and HOODED
MERGANSERS.

The only mammal we saw was a HARBOR SEAL at McAllister Creek.

All told we saw 42 species with the VIRGINIA RAIL and WILSON'S SNIPE being
new for the year, giving us a total of 61 species for the year.

Next week the outer dike trail will be open for the first time since October
so we will walk the full loop. Until then....

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