Tweets,

Today 15 of us walked the boardwalk at Nisqually NWR. That is all that is
open since they started work on removing the Brown's Farm Dike. It was
pretty wet all day but at least there wind didn't blow. It rained all
morning but the birding was pretty good.

Highlights included CINNAMON TEAL behind the visitor center, AMERICAN
BITTERN behind the visitor center, and a flock of passerines near the Nisqually
overlook, just before the tree cutting operation.

There were 3 male and a single CINNAMON TEAL behind the visitor center.
Two of the males were trying to break up the paired up duo, but to no avail.
As we watched them an AMERICAN BITTERN flew into the back edge of the
pond and soon disappeared into the reeds. We spotted another BITTERN on that
pond at the end of the walk.

The flock of passerines just past the Nisqually overlook included WILSON'S
WARBLERS, BUSHTITS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, a WARBLING VIREO, and a
BEWICK'S WREN. We were surprised to see so much activity right next to tree
cutting activity. Oh well, some things you just can't figure. We also saw a
HUTTON'S VIREO along the boardwalk near the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nest. We
also had a couple of PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, our first of the year.

Shorebirds were not as common as last week. Of course we couldn't get to
where we saw many of them last week. We did see DUNLIN, LEAST SANDPIPERS,
and GREATER YELLOWLEGS.

All told we saw 49 species with PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER, HUTTON'S VIREO,
WARBLING VIREO, and WILSON'S WARBLER being new for the year. We now are at
122 species for the year.

Mammals seen were MUSKRAT, EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, and BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until next week when Eric will lead the walk in my absence....But I'll be
back the following week.

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

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