Tweets,

Yesterday 11 of us walked Nisqually in cold and clear conditions. There
still isn't much water in the ponds but the construction has stopped for the
year and the heavy equipment is gone. Much quieter now. They are pumping water
back into the ponds and rain will help get the waterfowl back onto the
refuge.

The main highlight of the day was a very nice mixed flock we found along the
boardwalk on the way toward the twin barns. Besides the usual KINGLETS and
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES we saw DOWNEY WOODPECKER, JUNCOS, a RED-BREASTED
SAPAUCKER and had great views of a BROWN CREEPER that landed about 5 feet away
from us at eye level. Details never seen before with the naked eye.

The only waterfowl seen were MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL,
CANADA GEESE, CACKLING GEESE, a single female NORTHERN SHOVELER, and our first
COOT of the year. Again, more rain will help get the ponds back up and
bring in the ducks.

We did see a PEREGRINE FALCON, several NORTHERN HARRIERS and REDTAILED
HAWKS. We also saw a COOPER'S HAWK sitting in the brush out along the trial to
McAllister Creek.

Also spotted were a couple of WILSON'S SNIPE, a small flock of SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS at McAllister Creek, and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the mud flats near
the refuge entrance.

For the day we had 39 species.

Mammals seen were a spike BLACK-TAILED DEER who lead us partway down the
trail to McAllister Creek, RIVER OTTERS at McAllister Creek and a HARBOR SEAL in
the Nisqually River.

Until next week....

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

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