Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 5/17/07
Date: May 17 16:03:59 2007
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

This morning 11 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually! Late spring
migrants are definitely in. The weather was great too! Sunny and warm with just a
hint of breeze.

Highlights included several new first for the year and some great views of
some active nest sited.

We started off with a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD chick just out of the nest behind
the visitor center. There are also nesting CLIFF and BARN SWALLOWS there.
Next we saw a female LAZULI BUNTING in the riparian area across the service
road behind the parking lot. This is the same area they have been seen in the
past.

Next we picked up our first BLUE-WINGED TEAL of the year in the pond on the
right as we headed out to McAllister Creek. There were several there in
company with CINNAMON TEAL. Great views. A NORTHERN HARRIER flew by in the
distance, the first we've seen in weeks.

McAllister Creek was pretty birdless, but we did see a GREEN HERON near
there. A couple of AMERICAN BITTERN flushed and flew off in the same general
area.

We hit a warbler treasure chest at the Nisqually River overlook where we
found YELLOW WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, and MACGILLVRAY'S WARBLER. We also has
WARBLING VIREO and GOLDFINCH in the same area.

The BUSHTIT nest we found a couple of weeks ago is still active. It is near
the start of the woods just past the Nisqually River overlook and Dawn
Bailey found a WARBLING VIREO nest along the boardwalk near where the hummingbird
sign is. Just look up and to the left from there and hope the birds are
active to help you find the nest.

All told we had 55 species for the day with GREEN HERON, BLUE-WINGED TEAL,
WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE, HUTTON'S VIREO, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, MACGILLIVRAY'S
WARBLER, and LAZULI BUNTING being new for the year. Our total for the year now
stands at 124.

Mammals seen included EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, a RACCOON in the Nisqually
River, and a couple of BLACK-TAILED DEER.

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



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.