Tweets,

Today 19 of us enjoyed a clear but chilly day at Nisqually. We did our
monthly bird survey so we covered parts of the refuge we normally don't. In
spite of that it was a pretty slow day. I think the breeze kept the
passerines down so we missed some of the ususals.

Highlights included an AMERICAN BITTERN at the visitor center well after
the walk had started, an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE in the closed area of the
refuge, 2 COMMOON RAVENS flying over the closed area heading down the Nisqually
Valley, and lots of waterfowl.

While the total numbers of waterfowl are down a great variety of species
still exists. We had both COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, HORNED GREBES
, and LESSER SCAUP as well as the usual suspects.

Raptor numbers were down also but we did see BALD EAGLES, RED-TAILED HAWKS
and NORTHERN HARRIERS. The AMERICAN KESTRAL is still hanging out just
outside the new dike near the twin barns.

A first of the year male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD provided good looks for most
folks as did SONG and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS.

An adult GREAT HORNED OWL was at the nest tree early but was gone later
when we returned to the area on the way back to the parking lot.

All told we had 46 species for the day and now have a total of 82 species
for the year.

No mammals were seen today.

Until next week......

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