Tweets,

Today 12 of us walked the outer duke at Nisqually despite the threatening
weather. As it turned out we had nor rain at all and very little wind...and
the birds cooperated!

Highlights included a BARN OWL, hundreds of CEDAR WAXWINGS, and a couple of
EURASIAN WIDEON. We also saw plenty of waterfowl and sparrows.

The BARN OWL was spotted in a large bush about 150 yards off the trial on
the way out to McAllister Creek. It roosted in the middle of the bush off to
the right after you pass the maintenance road that goes toward the sound.

CEDAX WAXWINGS were everywhere, especially in the hawthorns that abound
along the outer dike trail. We estimated in excess of 750 WAXWINGS were seen
today.

The interior of the refuge is starting to fill up with water so the
waterfowl are returning. We saw our first CACKLING GEESE of the season as well as
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Out on the sound there were several flocks of
AMERICAN WIGEON and at least 2 EURASIAN WIGEON mixed in.

The winter flocks of sparrows are beginning to form. They included
GOLDEN-CROWNED, WHITE-CROWNED, SONG, FOX, and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, as well as SAVANAH
SPARROWS, DARK EYED JUNCOS, and SPOTTED TOWHEES.

There were many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS about, as well as BARN, CLIFF, TREE,
and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. We also saw 1 VAUX'S SWIFT on the Nisqually side.

All told we saw 71 species for the day with the BARN OWL being new for the
year. That gives us 145 species for the year.

Mammals seen were BLACK-TAILED DEER and HARBOR SEAL.

Until next week when the outer dike will be closed.....

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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