Tweeters:

It was another one of those days where we were prepared for the worst, but ended up pleasantly surprised. While the wind was very gusty, there was actually sun at times, and not much rain. And the birding was pretty good as seven of us walked the full loop for the first time this year.

As we gathered at the visitor center, the PERIGRINE FALCON was in a snag next to the fir tree. Two adult and one juvenile BALD EAGLES were flying over the wetland area at the beginning of the trail to McAllister Creek. While these fly-overs kept most of the ducks and geese away, we did see a few AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BUFFLEHEAD, and RING-NECKED DUCKS. We also saw a LINCOLN'S SPARROW about half-way down this part of the trail.

As we turned the corner and walked along McALLISTER CREEK we saw several HORNED GREBES. By the end of the walk we had seen a dozen. There were several RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS towards the mouth of the creek (several of these were also in the Nisqually River), and two GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Several COMMON LOONS were far out in the open water. From the outer dike we also observed a very large flock of DUNLIN (estimated at 800-1000) and a flock of around 40 BRANDT GEESE. A dozen SURF SCOTERS were also in the area.

As we continued walking the out dike we saw many SPOTTED TOWHEES, and by the end of the day had seen at least a couple dozen. Two COOPER HAWKS were on this part of the trail, one carrying a small rodent. There were also two RIVER OTTERS in the water on the inside of the dike just before the walkway to the photo blind.

A highlight of the walk was a GREAT HORNED OWL that was spotted past the Nisqually lookout tower (near the wooden stake marker 80). A FOX SPARROW was near the gate at the ring dike. An AMERICAN KESTREL was in a snag at the river overlook.

Numbers of small birds was low, but we did see several RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, a BROWN CREEPER and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and a small flock of DARK-EYED JUNCOS. The only woodpecker for the day was a NORTHERN FLICKER.

Total Species for the day: 52

Eric Slagle, Olympia
hannaslagle at comcast.net