Hello Tweeters,

This morning 22 of us enjoyed a cool breezy walk under partly cloudy skies
with temperatures in the low forties. At the visitor center observation
deck we saw Mallard Duck, Ring-neck Duck, American Coot, Bald Eagle,
European Starling, Song Sparrow, American Robin and Canada Goose. In the
water retention ponds between the parking lot and entrance road we had good
looks at Hooded Merganser, American Widgeon, Northern Pintail and Northern
Shoveler. Large flocks of Canada Geese and Cackling Geese flushed from the
flooded fields between the old McAllister Creek dike and the Twin Barns
after a Bald Eagle fly over. Golden-crown Kinglet were heard and seen
around the evergreens that line the maintenance road south of the parking
lot. A beautiful Red-breasted Sapsucker with lots red on it?s head and a
Fox Sparrow responded well to pishing in the small grass area between the
parking lot and the southeastern entrance to the board walk. We scoped the
flooded fields adjacent to the boardwalk and in addition to the waterfowl
already seen; we saw Great Blue Heron, Green-winged Teal, and Bufflehead.
We were excitedly surprised to observe approximately four Tree Swallows
flying around the old McAllister Creek Dike, the first of the year! On our
way along the board walk towards the Twin Barns we observed Spotted Towhee,
Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Mew Gulls flying overhead, Goldfinch, a Sharp-shinned
Hawk perched on a snag in the riparian area on the other side of the pond,
Downy Woodpecker, Marsh Wren, and a few geese perched in trees. We also
heard Pileated Woodpecker and Northern Flicker. At the Twin Barns overlook,
we saw Rock Pigeon, another view of probably the same Sharp-shinned Hawk,
Lincoln Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, and two small flocks of
Dunlin (one 50 birds, the other 10 birds). Six unidentified, Trumpeter or
Tundra, swans were seen flying overhead. Walking towards the Nisqually
River, we heard and saw Winter Wren. The Great-horned Owl nest tree of the
last two years is leaning on another tree, after being blown over several
weeks ago. Unfortunately, we?ve not seen the Great-horned Owls recently,
and speculate they may be at another location. The Nisqually River overlook
provided good opportunity to observe Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, and
Double-crested Cormorant. Along the renovated riparian area just north of
the new dike, we enjoyed an actively hunting American Kestrel, which seems
to be wintering in this general area. Across the river-flooded lake we
could see 3 Greater Yellowlegs, and there were 10 to 15 Gadwall in different
areas. Along the new dike, additional species for the day included Lesser
Scaup, Glaucous-winged Gull and Ringed-bill Gull. Along the old Nisqually
River dike, we observed Bewick?s Wren, Black-capped Chickadee and Brown
Creeper. Along with the 53 species counted for the day, we also saw
Columbian Black-tailed Deer and Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Until next week, when Phil Kelley will return, good birding!

Shep Thorp
Browns Point, Tacoma
sthorp at theaec.com <mailto:sthorp at theaec.com>
253-370-3742