Tweets,

Yesterday 20 of us enjoyed a good walk at Nisqually. Not too hot, not too
cold...and not too sunny for most of the day. For the most part the birds
cooperated...with lots of juveniles to make things interesting!

Highlights of the day included a WHIMBRAL flyover and 3 VIRGINIA RAILS.
The WHIMBRAL circled the interior pond before flying over the new dike and
landing at the far side of the brackish pond in the reclamation area. The
VIRGINIA RAILS responded to calls out near the start of the new boardwalk.

For the "slow" season things were pretty active. We had 4 species of
woodpeckers, missing only the PILIATED. We all had good scope looks at a
juvenile RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER inside the boardwalk between the visitor center
and the first overlook on the way to the twin barns. We also had 4 swallow
species, missing only NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. I was surprised to find
active CLIFF SWALLOW nests at the visitor center this late in the year.

Water levels remain low as construction continues on the new boardwalk
(behind schedule) and on cross dikes to allow better control of the fresh water
ponds inside the new dike. Work may continue well into fall before
weather causes a halt for the winter.

We had several flycatchers including an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER that was in
the trees along the Nisqually River seen from the end of the trail there.
It sat facing me offering great views before it flew across the river into
Pierce County. We also saw WILLOW, and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS as well
as WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE.

For the day we wound up with 56 species with the OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
being the only new bird for the year.

Mammals seen were MUSKRAT, HARBOR SEAL, COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER, and a
family of RACOONS.

Until next week when Eric and Shep will lead the walk....

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