Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 12/24/08
Date: Dec 24 14:35:37 2008
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

First, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Today 3 of us walked Nisqually under pretty miserable conditions. It
rained, it snowed, it blew, it stopped then started again. Almost all the ponds
were frozen but it was a good day.

It started with 3 SWANS flying over the parking lot as we started the walk.
I think they were TRUMPETER SWANS by their huge size and lack of yellow
marking at the base of the bill. They were headed across the freeway and up the
Nisqually Valley. A great start to the walk!

Our next highlight occurred as we got close to McAllister Creek where I
spotted a VIRGINIA RAIL in the downed cattails along some open water. As we
looked for it to pop out of cover again 2 more stepped into view on the other
side of the opening and the original bird stepped back into view. A family
group? Or just together at the only open water around?

Waterfowl were pretty scarce due to not much open water. We did see a flock
of about 15 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE fly over and had MALLARDS, PINTAIL
and GREEN-WINGED TEAL scattered about. We saw COMMON GOLDENEYE and COMMON
MERGANSER on the Nisqually River. There were several BALD EAGLES in the trees
on both sides of the river near the Nisqually overlook.

Passerines were pretty scarce but we did see a couple of MEADOWLARKS, a
BROWN CREEPER and DOWNEY WOODPECKERS, a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER and a FLICKER .

On the way back to the parking lot we found 2 AMERICAN BITTERN in some open
water between the boardwalk and the maintenance area.

All told we saw 43 species for the day with the SWANS being new for the year.

Mammals seen were COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER and a CALIFORNIA SEA LION in
the Nisqually River. We also saw a small TREE FROG on top of the snow along
the trail to McAllister Creek and had a couple of mosquito like insects flying
around in the woods along the boardwalk.

Until next week......



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

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