Tweets,

Today 18 of us enjoyed a good walk at Nisqually under nearly perfect
weather, slight overcast, warm and a slight breeze. Other than that it was
pretty quiet.

Highlight included 2 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nests, a REDWINGED BLACKBIRD nest,
and a pair of HAIRY WOODPECKERS.

After seeing Bill Shelmerdine's post last Wednesday of his sightings
"before he went to work" I decided to get to the refuge early. I got there at
6:30 and found that the construction workers arrive at that time or earlier
and that the heavy machinery is in use by 7:00. So much for beating the
noise. I didn't see anything special that we v wouldn't see starting at 8:00.

Back to what we did see. The HUMMINGBIRD nests are located along the
boardwalk to the left of the hummingbird interpretive sign and the other is just
to the left of the benches at the end of the woodland trail.

The REDWING BLACKBIRD nest is in front of the visitor center toward the
left end of the pond toward the start of the boardwalk to the twin barns.
Two of the young jumped the nest while we watched today so that nest may be
empty pretty soon.

The two HAIRY WOODPECKERS were working the snags inside the boardwalk where
the water from the maintenance area drains into the pond behind the
visitor center.

Jody did see a female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE in the elderberrys near the twin
barns and we hears a WINTER WREN in the woods along the woodland trail.

All told we saw 41 species for the day with nothing new for the year. It
appears the summer blahs are upon us.

Mammals seen were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS and a RACCOON that I saw before
everyone else arrived.

Until next week...

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

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