Tweets,

Today 12 of us enjoyed a productive day at Nisqually. The day started out
cold and we finished in near 60 degree weather. Tough day to dress for, but
we survived. It was nice to see the sun.

Highlights included several first of the season birds including the immature
SNOW GEESE, SAVANAH SPARROWS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER,
BARN SWALLOWS, and STELLER'S JAY.

The SNOW GEESE were associated with a large flock of CACKLING GEESE seen
behind the twin barns and there were 2 EURASIAN WIGEON in the same general area
in with the AMERICAN WIGEON. The SAVANAH SPARROW was seen in the grass
across from the parking lot.

The BARN SWALLOWS were seen over the last pond before we arrived at
McAllister Creek and we also heard, and got a fleeting glimpse of, a VIRGINIA RAIL in
the same area. There were 5 GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the mud flats at
McAllister Creek. The STELLER'S JAYS were calling from across the creek here also.

We saw the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER drilling a "farm" between the trail and
the Nisqually River out near the start of the ring dike. We also saw DOWNEY
WOODPECKERS and FLICKERS. We heard PILIATED WOODPECKERS but never could get a
visual on them.

Other highlights were watching a pair of BUSHTITS in and out of their nest
along the Nisqually River trail just into the woods after the Nisqually
overlook and seeing the immature GREAT HORNED OWL at the nest tree with an adult
standing guard in a nearby tree. Some of the group thought they saw a second
fuzzy head at the nest tree but we couldn't repeat the sighting.

All told we had 53 species for the day with the six new species giving us 90
for the year.

Mammals seen were a MINK swimming across the last large pond out near
McAllister Creek. A flock of 20 or so COOT escorted the MINK to dry land. We also
saw a HARBOR SEAL in the Nisqually River.

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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