Tweeters,

Made a trip through Fort Lewis on Saturday with some non-birders, but
looking for birds. Much of the area was closed, but we did get to travel
some roads, and to Lewis Lake, Thirteenth Division Prairie, and also to Roy.
Along Second Division Range Road, opposite Range 74, we came upon about 200
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS on the wires there, along with about 15 PURPLE
MARTINS, most in full adult plumage. A few TREE SWALLOWS were mixed in, but
the numbers were less than 10. At the Muck Creek bridge, we added
ROUGH-WINGED and BARN SWALLOWS (Tree and V-G were also there).



A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were across from the Range Control Office, and
we saw several at other places as we drove. Along Second Division Range
Road, about half-mile from Nisqually Lake, we found a pair of AMERICAN
KESTRELS. At least one kestrel was in this area all winter, and it appears
that now there's a pair. Couldn't find a nest box that they might occupy,
but it might be a bit early.



We located an OSPREY at Lewis Lake, along with the only COMMON GOLDENEYE of
the day. RING-NECKED DUCKS, WOOD DUCKS, and PIED-BILLED GREBES were at
Chambers Lake.



A lone TURKEY VULTURE was at Roy, along with nine EVENING GROSBEAKS. It
appears that FOX SPARROWS may have left for the spring from Roy as I've not
seen any for a week.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com