Tweets,

Today 6 of us enjoyed a nice walk that ended just before the rains came.

Highlights included AMERICAN BITTERN, a PEREGRINE FALCON and lots of
WARBLERS.

The BITTERN showed right at the visitor center with two taking brief flight
before disappearing into the reeds.

Next up was the first of a couple of mixed flocks of warblers that included
BLACK-THROATED GRAYS, TOWNSEND'S, YELLOW, YELLOW-RUMPED, WILSON'S, and ORANGE
CROWNED. Also in that flock were WARBLING VIREO and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.
By the time the day was over we saw several more BLACK-THROATED GRAYS.

the PEREGRINE FALCON flew across the refuge from the Nisqually overlook
toward McAllister Creek. We also saw an AMERICAN KESTRAL behind the visitor
center.

The trail to McAllister Creek is still closed and there is lots of
construction equipment active on the refuge so it is not a quiet walk. Not sure when
the McAllister Creek trail will open, hopefully before hunting season closes
the outer dike.

All told we had 40 species for the day with nothing new for the year. The
only notable from last week was a VIRGINIA RAIL seen from the freshwater
wetland overlook.

Mammals seen today were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, MINK and 4 BLACK-TAILED DEER
in the orchard near the entrance to the refuge.

Until next week when we try to walk the full loop....

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




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