Tweets,

Today six of us braved what was supposed to be a miserable day. We got luck
and it was only semi-miserable. We had rain of variable intensity all day
but the wind stayed down. Not as bad as we had expected. BTW, there is now
water in all the ponds on the refuge but more is still needed....looks like we
will get it in the next day or so.

It was a pretty slow day with only 38 species seen but there are now lots of
waterfowl on the refuge led by CACKLING GEESE, MALLARDS and AMERICAN WIGEON.
We also saw NORTHERN PINTAILS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RING-NECKED DUCK, and an
EURASIAN WIGEON.

Best birds of the day were WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and HUTTON'S VIREO.

We saw the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on the trail to McAllister Creek just past
the new dike. It was hanging out with some GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS.

The HUTTON'S VIREO was with a small flock of RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLETS and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. It was great to get comparative views
with the RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. The VIREO is a bigger bird, not as amped as
the kinglet, and had no dark between the wing bars. The eye ring was also
different.

It was also a good day for raptors with BALD EAGLES, RED-TAILED HAWKS,
NORTHERN HARRIERS, a PEREGRINE FALCON, and a MERLIN being seen.

Until next week when we hope for better weather....

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

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