Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 5/13/09
Date: May 13 17:05:46 2009
From: hannaslagle at comcast.net - hannaslagle at comcast.net






Tweeters:



Eleven of us did the boardwalk loop today and like last week our pace was very slow and the birds were very cooperative.?? The boardwalk loop, including the twin barns and riparian overlook,?are the only areas open to the public due to construction related to dike?removal.?



We had 17 species at the visitor center overlook at the very start of the walk.? Highlights here included:? WOOD DUCKS,? a pair of CINAMMON TEAL, and a COMMON MERGANSER female.? We also had all five SWALLOWS and fly-bys by both a MERLIN and PEREGRINE FALCON.



As we started down the boardwalk towards the barns?a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was sighted by several members of the group.? This part of the walk yielded several WARBLERS, including YELLOW, ORANGE-CROWNED, COMMON YELLOW THROAT, YELLOW-RUMPED and WILSON'S.? A WARBLING VIREO, BEWICK's WREN and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD were also sighted.?



>From the deck at the twin barns we saw LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, and KILLDEER.? Ducks included GADWALL and BLUE-WINGED TEAL.? As we crossed over and headed toward the river overlook we spotted a SWAINSON'S THRUSH and another pair of WOOD DUCKS at a nest tree.



The walk back from the river was very productive and included a dozen or more?WESTERN TANAGER.? WOODPECKERS included both HAIRY and DOWNY.? There were two young RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS in a nest just off the boardwalk. We also saw a RIVER OTTER frantically swimming up the waterway carrying one of its young in its mouth.? We guessed that she?might have been?moving her young as a result of the major construction work just past the river look.



Total species for the day:? 44???????????



Mammals included a deer and otter.



Eric Slagle, Olympia

hannaslagle at comcast.net