Tweets,

Yesterday 8 of us walked Nisqually under cold, foggy conditions. The sun
didn't really show up until we were finishing up at 11:30. Still we had a
pretty good day.

Highlights included a NORTHERN SHRIKE, a GREAT HORNED OWL, and 2 PILIATED
WOODPECKERS.

The trail to McAllister Creek is open until the end of January and that is
where we saw the SHRIKE, out past the willows where it has been in years past.
Other than that it was pretty quiet on that part of the refuge. Water
levels are low to non-existent right now but the pumps have been turned on and
they should come up soon.

On the Nisqually side out toward the area formerly knows as the ring dike
was where we saw the 2 PILIATED WOODPECKERS. They were working over a snag
that was right next to the trail. They put on quite a show for us. WE spotted
one of them in the same area on our way back to the visitor center.

The GREAT HORNED OWL was roosting low in the trees just past where the old
gate was inside the slough. It was interesting to see its reaction when we
stopped to watch it. It was sitting on a branch near the trunk of the tree and
scooted out along the branch until it was behind another tree trunk like it
was hiding from us.

All told we had 38 species for the day with nothing new for the year.
Mammals seen were COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER, including a nice buck, and a HARBOR
SEAL in the Nisqually River.

Until next week when we will start the walk at 8:00 AM.....

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

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