Tweets,

Yesterday 10 of us enjoyed a great walk under cool, sunny conditions at
Nisqually. Hunting season is over so the outer dike is open again, at least
until construction begins again in a couple of months.

The highlight of the day was a BRANT seen on the pond just across from the
parking lot as we started out toward McAllister Creek. It was in the middle
of a large flock of CACKLING GEESE. I would have missed it if not for one of
our sharp eyed spotters.

Waterfowl still rule the refuge and we had all three mergansers and four
species of geese. There were HOODED MERGANSERS on the pond behind the visitor
center, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS at McAllister Creek, and COMMON MERGANSERS on
the Nisqually River. Besides the BRANT and CACKLERS, we also saw CANADA GEESE
and about a dozen GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE out past the twin barns.

There were all the usual ducks with three EURASIAN WIGEON amongst the
AMERICAN WIGEON in the files behind the new dike off the twin barns overlook.

Passerines were surprisingly scarce on such a nice day but we did see most
of the expected species, just not many of any of them. We did have MARSH,
BEWICK'S, and WINTER WREN.

At two different locations we counted nine BALD EAGLES in view at the same
time. We also had both HARBOR SEALS and CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS in the Nisqually
River so I guess the salmon are still in the river.

Other mammals seen included a MINK the ran between our group, EASTERN GRAY
SQUIRRELS and BLACK-TAILED DEER.

All told we saw 48 species for the day.

Next week we make our first walk around the outer dike for the year. We
will begin at 8:00 AM and the tides should be good.

Until then....

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

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