Hello Tweets,

Today 14 of us enjoyed a great walk under overcast skies and temperatures in
the 50?s. The first of probably 35-45 Bald Eagles welcomed us at the Nature
Center pond overlook, perched in the Peregrine tree (single Douglas Fir).
The Peregrine Falcon has been displaced from its regular perch for the last
several weeks, but distinctly made its appearance many times throughout the
morning. While proudly a top the tree, our greeting Eagle was harassed
multiple times by immature and mature Eagles. Carrion was clearly seen in
the talons of one Eagle, but variety of prey was not obvious. We also saw
Northern Flicker, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Song Sparrow from our starting
point.

While walking from the parking lot to the flooded field between the access
road and I-5, a very large flock of Canada Geese, probably 1,000-1,500
individuals, were observed flying around the refuge, many of them Cackling.
Groups of the geese would land through out the refuge all morning, allowing
for close evaluation, and intermittently an area of geese would be flushed
by the threatening fly over of one to several Bald Eagles. In previous
weeks, the Canada Geese would fly out and leave the refuge at the start of
our walk. Today the flock?s behavior seemed different as the Geese stayed
and foraged. Most Canada Geese were Cackling, many were Common, and we
identified an Aleutian with a white neck-ring completely encircling the
neck. Many geese were challenging to determine the variety of population
(Common, Cackler, Dusky and Lesser). Some of us felt comfortable
identifying Cacklers from Canada?s, however many of us were challenged by
large dark geese and smaller lighter geese.

Six Greater White-fronted Geese joined the flock. And consistent with the
theme of diversity for the day, Dave pointed out the large dark GWF Goose
(Taiga) with the remaining smaller lighter GWF Geese (Tundra). We felt
comfortable we were seeing two populations.

The first flooded field we scoped, and the additional fields along the
access road and boardwalk provided great looks of American Widgeon,
Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Hooded
Merganser, and Great-blue Heron. We had many sightings of Northern Harrier
and Red-tailed Hawk. A small flock of Red-winged Black Birds, Purple Finch,
American Robin, and European Starlings were noted at different locations
along the boardwalk towards the Twin Barns. The pond on the inside of the
boardwalk provided great habitat for feeding Ringed-neck Duck and
Bufflehead. A Ruby-crowned kinglet, Marsh Wren, and Spotted Towhee were
also seen along the boardwalk. Flying overhead we had our first of two
views of a Common Raven, which I think is unusual for the Refuge.

The Twin Barns overlook provided additional views of waterfowl, a Eurasian
Widgeon with American Widgeon, Northern Shrike in the distance, and Rock
Dove. On the boardwalk at the turn out towards the Twin Barns, we heard one
of many and finally saw a Winter Wren.

The Nisqually River Overlook was a great spot to see many Bald Eagles,
probably 18. We also saw Common Golden-eye, Glaucous-winged Gull,
Glaucous-winged x Western Gull Hybrid (Olympic), American Crow, and another
Common Raven.

The tide was high for our walk out on the new dike, so lots of water. The
Nisqually ran over the banks of the old dike flooding the fields of the
northeast, and the entire pastureland outside the new dike was covered in
water. Landmark channels were difficult to locate, and the delta was
spotted with small islands. We saw an American Kestrel in a protected field
on the inside of the new dike. Beyond the Twin Barns on the inside of the
new dike we saw a small flock of Dunlin, a single Greater Yellowlegs, and
three Long-billed Dowitchers flew closely overhead identified by their call.
Many more waterfowl, with another Eurasian Widgeon for the day and several
American Coots were also seen. Outside the new dike, many Bald Eagles,
Red-tailed Hawk, and a large flock (500) of unidentified shorebirds
suspected to be Dunlin, along with Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Pied-billed
Grebe, and another distant look at the Northern Shrike. Flying back and
forth from the inside to the outside of the new dike was a small flock, 12,
of Western Meadowlarks. At the green gate, or end of the new dike walk, we
could scope a Belted Kingfisher further up the McAllister Creek.

On the boardwalk along the Nisqually River dike, we saw Downy Woodpecker,
Brown Creeper, and Bewicks Wren along with another small mixed flock of
Black-capped Chickadees and both Kinglets.

A terrific day to start our year with a total of 48 bird species seen, we
also saw Eastern Grey Squirrel, a Columbian Black-tailed Deer, and Harbor
Seal.

Until next week, and the return of our leader Phil Kelley. Good birding,


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