Tweets,

Today 12 of us endured a cold, breezy walk at Nisqually. It was May when we
met, March when we started the walk, quickly turned into February, and
returned to May when the sun came out and it warmed up as we finished the walk.

The birds stayed low in cover most of the day. Highlights included seeing a
couple pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL, several CEDAR WAXWINGS in new suits, and a
CROW beating a good sized garter snake.

Waterfowl are really getting scarce on the refuge and the water levels are
dropping fast. Besides the BLUE-WINGED TEAL we saw CINNAMON TEAL, MALLARDS,
GADWALL, WOOD DUCKS, AMERICAN WIGEON, and CANADA GEESE with young.

The BALD EAGLE nest across McAllister Creek had 2 chicks in it with an adult
nearby. One of the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nests along the Nisqually River had 2
young in it and another nest had a female sitting on it.

We saw a WESTERN TANAGER and several YELLOW WARBLERS, but no YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS this week. The BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was again present near the turn off to
the twin barns.

All told we had 45 species for the day, and we now have 126 species for the
year.

Mammals seen included several EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS, one of whom jumped on
my outstretched hand, and 3 COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER, a doe and 2
yearlings.

Until next week when the weather is better (I hope)...

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




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