Tweets,

Yesterday 12 of us enjoyed a noisy walk at Nisqually as workers rushed to
out the finishing touches on the construction project in time for the
dedication ceremony next week. We also could not get to the Nisqually River
Overlook due to construction.

While there was a lot of noise not much of it was the birdy kind. Still
it was a pretty good day. Highlights included a PEREGRINE FALCON and great
looks at a PILIATED WOODPECKER.

The PEREGRINE FALCON was perched in the Doug Fir behind the visitor center
and made several short flights out over the refuge. Quite a sight watching
it take off.

We saw the PILIATED WOODPECKER twice during the loop. Our first view was
from the Freshwater Wetland Overlook where it worked over a snag inside the
pond along with a FLICKER. Later we got even better looks as it worked on
a snag on the Nisqually River side.

Passerines were scarce as were waterfowl. We did see one small mixed
flock near the parking lot that contained bot KINGLETS and BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE. We saw several WRENS but only SONG and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS.

For the morning we saw 31 species. I was back later in the day and added
GREAT BLUE HERON and RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER to the list for a total of 33
species for the day.

Mammals seen were 4 BLACKTAILED DEER in the orchard and a 3 point buck
inside the boardwalk and EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL. In the afternoon I saw a
RED-EARED SLIDER in the pond behind the visitor center and a GARTER SNAKE at the
start of the boardwalk.

Until next week......

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