Tweets,

Yesterday 15 of us took part in the weekly walk at Nisqually and the
monthly bird survey. The day started out overcast and cool and stayed that way
until we got out on the new dike where there is no protection. Then the
wind picked up and it started to rain...sideways. It cleared up as we
finished the walk an hour later.

It was surprisingly quiet compared to the last few days but we did have a
few highlights including a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and 2 RED CROSSBILLS.

The Sharpie was in the trees across the pond behind the visitor center as
we started and we saw the RED CROSSBILLS in the riparian area behind the
Nisqually River overlook. They flew south toward the visitor center.

There are still plenty of waterfowl about but the number of raptors is way
down. We saw only 1 NORTHERN HARRIER and a couple of BALD EAGLES. We did
see some RED-TAILED HAWKS and an AMERICAN KESTRAL but that was about it.

Passerine numbers also were disappointing although we did see a LINCOLN'S
SPARROW at the twin barns overlook. We also had our first TREE SWALLOWS of
the year there. We saw a total of 4 by the end of the day.

All told we saw 43 species for the day and we now have 74 species for the
year.

Mammals seen were COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER and EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL.

Until next week....

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