Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 2/14/08
Date: Feb 14 19:42:29 2008
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

Today 17 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually under good conditions. It
started out cold and overcast but warmed up when the fog burned off.

We had a 5 woodpecker day! Can't remember the last one we had. We saw the
HAIRY WOODPECKER near the freshwater wetland overlook on the boardwalk out to
the twin barns and had 2 PILIATED WOODPECKERS near the end of the tree line
near the ring dike. A RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was also in that area and we
had a DOWNEY WOODPECKER and a FLICKER closer to the visitor center.

We also got great looks at an AMERICAN BITTERN that was just off the trial
to McAllister Creek as it worked its way through the reeds. It acted like it
just started the day as it kept stretching it's legs out behind it as it
moved. It afforded views of its under parts that we don't normally see. We also
had 2 early TREE SWALLOWS flying over the ponds near the parking lot. There
were also a couple of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS on the pond out towards the
twin barns.

Waterfowl were scattered but the usual suspects were present, but not in
great numbers. Still plenty of water on the refuge so lots of places to hide.
We did have a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE all by itself in the pond
near the parking lot.

All told we had 54 species for the day with LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, HAIRY
WOODPECKER, and TREE SWALLOW being new for the year. We now have 74 species for
the year.

Mammals seen a RACCOON and 2 COYOTES 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




**************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy
Awards. Go to AOL Music.
(http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)