Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 9/20/07
Date: Sep 20 20:11:47 2007
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

Today 11 of us walked Nisqually under cool, breezy conditions. We didn't
get wet but we did get chilly. At least the birds cooperated!

The day started with a calling VIRGINIA RAIL in the marsh behind the visitor
center as well as a nice flock of warblers in the riparian area behind the
visitor center. In fact, I've never seen so many YELLOW WARBLERS and
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS as we saw today. They were just about everywhere!

Several mixed flocks included both CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT, BROWN CREEPERS, and
both KINGLETS, as well as YELLOW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT. We also had several BLACKTHROATED GRAY WARBLERS and WARBLING
VIREOS. Associated with one of the flocks were a WILLOW FLYCATCHER and PACIFIC
SLOPE FLYCATCHER.

The other main highlight was a number of VAUX'S SWIFTS flying over the
refuge out near McAllister Creek and again at the ring dike.

We also had the first GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE of the season as well as
the first AMERICAN COOT of the fall. You won't find me talking about COOT
very often, but today was an exception.

All told we had 56 species for the day with nothing new for the year.

Mammals seen included a HARBOR SEAL between the Nisqually River overlook and
I-5 and a mink out near the ring dike.

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




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