Tweets,

Yesterday 13 of us enjoyed a great Saint Patrick's Day walk at Nisqually.
The day was bright and clear and it rapidly warmed up after a chilly start.

Things were quite active with several highlights including a PEREGRINE
FALCON, NORTHERN SHRIKE, GREAT HORNED OWL, and lots of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.

An adult GREAT HORNED OWL was guarding the nest tree but we didn't spot
any juveniles on either pass through the area. Two young had been spotted
earlier in the week.

The PEREGRINE FALCON was spotted in the trees along the river from the
Nisqually overlook in an area usually reserved for BALD EAGLES which were seen
elsewhere. Several juvenile EAGLES were using the perches in the
restoration area outside the new dike. We also saw AMERICAN KESTRAL and the
NORTHERN SHRIKE in the same area.

The influx of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, mostly Audubon's, indicate the Spring
is on its way. We also had good looks at a male RUFOUS and heard several
others. We also saw our first VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS of the year.

Waterfowl numbers continue to decline but the species count remains high.
We had 2 EURASIAN WIGEON in a small flock of AMERICAN WIGEON grazing in
the grass between the boardwalk and the road to the twin barns. So much for
1 in 400!

All told we saw 56 species for the day with the VIOLET=GREEN SWALLOWS and
PIED-BILLED GREBE being new for the year. We now have 84 species for the
year.

The only mammal seen was an EASTER GRAY SQUIRREL We did see a RED-EARED
SLIDER turtle sunning itself at the visitor center about noon.

Until next week....



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