Tweets,

Yesterday 15 of us enjoyed a productive walk at Nisqually under mostly
cloudy skies and no rain!! Since it was monthly survey time we covered all
of the refuge, even the part that is normally closed to the public.

Highlights included two (a pair?) PEREGRINE FALCONS in the cottonwoods by
the twin barns, an AMERICAN BITTERN, a HERMIT THRUSH, and TREE SWALLOW.

The PEREGRINES spent considerable time roosting in the cottonwoods by the
twin barns with an occasional foray out over the refuge scattering the teal
and shorebirds there. We never did see a successful attack but they kept
things interesting.

Other raptors seen included NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HARK, KESTRAL,
MERLIN, and 31 BALD EAGLES along the Nisqually River. The presence of the
EAGLES and 3 HARBOR SEALS in the river tells me that the Chum Salmon run is
underway. We also saw a GREAT HORNED OWL inside the boardwalk a bit north
of there hummingbird sign on the Nisqually side.

The HERMIT THRUSH continues to forage in the slough behind the Nisqually
River overlook. We all got great looks as it hopped in and out of cover.
The TREE SWALLOW was seen on a part of the refuge closed to the public. The
BITTERN was inside the boardwalk closer to the twin barns turn off and a
VIRGINIA RAIL was heard/seen at the turn off.

Waterfowl were scattered as there is plenty of water on the refuge as all
the ponds are flooded. The tide was in and most of the area outside the
new dike was under water. The new boardwalk is nearing completion and
hopefully we will be able to walk part of it starting the first of the year.

For the day we saw 54 species with the HERMIT THRUSH being new for the year
(for me at least).

Mammals seen were the HARBOR SEALS and EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS.

Until next week....

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