Tweets,

Today 8 of us "ducks" began the new year at Nisqually under wet and windy
conditions. It rained, it blew, and it rained some more. There was water
everywhere....including places that were supposed to be dry.

In spite of the weather we had a pretty good day with several notable
sightings. The highlight was watching a PEREGRINE FALCON fly across the pond with
a DUNLIN in its talons and watch another PEREGRINE try to steal its meal.
Unsuccessfully, I might add. There were a couple small flocks of DUNLIN on the
refuge, maybe a hundred or so total.

There were plenty of waterfowl about, but no concentrations on any of the
ponds. We had both HOODED and COMMON MERGANSERS and a single female LESSER
SCAUP on the pond near the twin barns, but nothing else unusual.

Passerines were mostly under cover and raptors were scarce with the
exception of BALD EAGLES. Once again they were all along the Nisqually River.

The only mammals seen were CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS and HARBOR SEALS. Both were
well up the Nisqually River.

All told we saw 40 species for the day with everything being new for the
year.

Until next week when we hope the weather is better.....

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

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