Tweeters,

As the 10 of us converged on Nisqually this morning, it was apparent that
the temperature at our respective starting points was quite a bit cooler
than at the refuge: almost all of us had on long-sleeved garments or vests.
As we walked, the temperature rose steadily until the clouds started rolling
in (as per prediction) at about 11am. The birding was also warm, with one
new species for the year: LAZULI BUNTING. Two singing males were found just
after 8AM along the main road opposite the education center, and two
observers saw two female buntings in the same area. Returning later, both of
these gem-quality birds were singing from either side of the road. Some of
the rest of us even managed to see at least one of them this time!



Swallows had fledged everywhere, with TREE SWALLOWS taking the lead, but
with CLIFF and BARN SWALLOWS getting very close or already out. ROUGH-WINGED
SWALLOWS were spotted near the entrance, and also winging just over the
surface of the Nisqually River. No Violet-green Swallows were seen.



Ducks weren't plentiful: a WOOD DUCK and four ducklings were at the back of
the visitor-center pond; a NORTHERN SHOVELER with nine older ducklings was
in one of the last ponds on the way to the barns; and a lone female MALLARD
was out past the barns.



The usual flycatchers - WILLOW and PACIFIC-SLOPE, as well as WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE - were noted in several places. Both WARBLING and HUTTON'S VIREOS
were singing; the former seen, the latter not. The only woodpecker extant
was a DOWNY.



Raptors were also few, with an immature BALD EAGLE hanging out along the
river, and two RED-TAILED HAWKS circling over the barns.



Two RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nests still had young in them. The one along the main
boardwalk near the junction with the riparian walk had two, and the one at
the riparian overlook had one. All will likely fledge in the next few days.
The BUSHTITS near the Nisqually overlook have apparently fledged, and we
found two young huddled together, snoozing, on a willow branch overlooking
the river - cute!



The total for today was 42 species, and with the addition of the LAZULI
BUNTINGS, the total for the year is 136.



Mammals seen include one, possibly two, river otters and an Eastern gray
squirrel.



May all your birds be identified,



Denis DeSilvis

Roy, WA

Mailto: avnacrs4birds at q.com