Tweets,

Today 7 of us braved the weather and walked Nisqually NWR. The weather
actually got pretty good shortly after we started at 7:30 so we didn't get too
wet. We did hit a couple of short showers but that was all.

The trail to McAllister Creek is still closed as is the ring dike. Our
route today was the boardwalk to the twin barns, over to the Nisqually River side
and out to the primitive trail and back to the parking lot.

With all the construction (destruction?) it seemed pretty quiet most of the
way. The return trip from the primitive trail was pretty productive but the
highlight of the day turned out to be the riparian trail off the boardwalk.

Highlights included two separate sighting of GREEN HERON in flight, one over
what used to be the ring dike and one out past the ring dike. We also saw
a juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON across the river and had 2 PILIATED WOODPECKERS
working a snag between the Nisqually overlook and the ring dike.

Someone had reported a GREAT HORNED OWL at the head of the riparian trail
and we found it today. That also happened to be the birdiest spot of the day!
Across the inlet was a mixed flock of passerines that included 4
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS, YELLOW WARBLERS, WILSON'S WARBLERS, ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS, BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, BUSHTITS, and BROWN CREEPERS.
We also had WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, WESTERN WOOD PEEWEES, and DOWNEY WOODPECKER
in the same area. As we started to leave a hen MALLARD flushed from the
inlets spooked by 3 RIVER OTTERS.

Total species for the day turned out to be 51 with nothing new for the year.

Mammals seen were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, HARBOR SEALS, and the
aforementioned RIVER OTTERS.

Until next week....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA
360-459-1499




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