Tweets,

Yesterday we had a very interesting day at Nisqually. We participated in
the first "post restoration" bird survey of the refuge. Eric led the
morning group on the boardwalk trail while Shep and his father walked part of
the new dike with Jerry Broadus doing the other half and I got to go by boat
to check out the removed sections of the outer dike on the sound.
Channels have been cut through the outer dike to allow salt water access to the
northern part of the refuge. The change is pretty dramatic!!

Long story short we covered more of the refuge then we have been able to
since May. And the results showed in our species count.

Highlights included a BITTERN flyover at the visitor center, 4 WILSON'S
SNIPE and a NORTHERN SHRIKE spotted by Shep near the old trail to McAllister
Creek and a PEREGRINE FALCON out near the sound that I saw. Interestingly,
we all saw the first HOUSE SPARROW any of us have seen at the refuge hear
the parking lot with a flock of JUNCOS.

The water levels are coming up and waterfowl are coming in. Also, part of
the new dike will open to walking after the dedication ceremony on
November 12th. It will go from near the Nisqually overlook out toward the center
of the refuge.

All told we saw 49 species for the day with the HOUSE SPARROW being new for
the year.

Mammals seen were BLACK-TAILED DEER and HARBOR SEALS. I also saw a RED
FOX at the boat launch at Luhr beach.

Until next week when we get back to normal....

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