Tweets,

Yesterday 19 of us enjoyed a warm, sunny day at Nisqually. Even through
we finished before the heat really hit it was pretty quiet.

Highlights included WILSON'S SNIPE, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, and SORA, all
inside the new dike out near the boardwalk construction.

We had a male PHALAROPE actively feeding along the edge of a patch of
reeds for the better part of 15 minutes or so providing everyone with good
views.

A bit farther out we spotted the SNIPE foraging on a mud flat and the SORA
popped out of the reeds just behind it. For the next few minutes it was a
game of hide and seek with the SNIPE occasionally chasing off the SORA.

Water levels are extremely low and weeds are betting extremely high so
sight lines are vastly reduced. Waterfowl are way down with only MALLARDS,
WOOD DUCKS, and GADWALL being seen.

Even the passerines were elusive and quiet. We did spot an ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRD out near the Nisqually overlook and had several flycatchers throughout
the refuge. All told we had 44 species for the day with the WILSON'S
SNIPE and ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD being new for the year.

Mammals seen were a BLACK-TAILED DEER, a MINK and a family of RACCOONS in
the pond behind the visitor center as we finished the walk.

Until next week....

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