Tweets,

Today 14 of us walked Nisqually, starting in a light drizzle that turned
into humid sunshine, and we finished in a light drizzle. The drizzle seemed to
be the birdiest times.

We started on the observation platform at the visitor center where we saw a
couple of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS working on a snag at the back right of the
pond. One of the birds was an adult and the other a young of the year. They
had been in the same are last night. As we watched them an AMERICAN BITTERN
showed up and afforded us great views as it hunted along the edge of the
marsh. We also had BARN, CLIFF, and TREE SWALLOWS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, WOOD
DUCKS, STARLINGS, GOLDFINCH, and WILLOW FLYCATCHER in the area.

Out toward McAllister Creek we saw BLUE-WINGED TEAL, MARSH WREN, and a
couple of EVENING GROSBEAK. We also saw a female NORTHER HARRIER in a small tree
trying to figure out how to get breakfast in the unmowed hay fields that
cover the refuge right now.

Along the Nisqually River side we saw a female COMMON MERGANSER with three
almost grown young, a couple of BROWN CREEPERS , and a female BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK. We also heard and saw several SWAINSON'S THRUSH.

All told for the day we saw 42 species with nothing new for the year.

Mammals seen included COTTON TAILED RABBIT and LONG TAILED WEASEL.

Until next week when we walk the full loop.....

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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