Tweets,

Yesterday 17 of us walked three areas of Nisqually and today I went back
to see what I missed in the areas I didn't do yesterday.

Yesterday was overcast but warm. Today was rainy and windy. Yesterday
was survey day so the usual Wednesday morning group walked a short loop,
another party walked all the new dike and I was with a party that covered the
old dike footprint and the reference marsh on the Pierce County side of the
Nisqually River.

Sighted yesterday were both WILSON'S and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES inside the
new dike at the first pond, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE at the first bench on the way
to the twin barns, SWAINSON'S THRUSHS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, WILLOW FLYCATCHERS,
and WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE, all new for the year. I missed them all.

Out on the boat we sighted 7 WHIMBRAL that flew onto the refuge and were
seen by all. We also added BONAPARTE'S GULL and CASPIAN TERN to the list.
All three teal were seen and nesting ROBINS, YELLOW WARBLERS and RUFOUD
HUMMINGBIRDS were also seen. Total for yesterday was 48 species.

Today I managed to see a WILSON'S PHALAROPE , several SWAINSON'S THRUSH and
3 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS. I had CINNAMON TEAL, WOOD DUCKS, and a couple of
late CACKLING GEESE. Again all 5 SWALLOWS were about but no SWIFTS. I also
added BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK to the week's list. I had 37 species in 2
hours today and managed to miss most of the rain but not all of it.

For the year we now have 123 species.

Mammals seen were COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER and HARBOR SEAL yesterday and
EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL and HARBOR SEAL today. I'm not sure what 3 HARBOR
SEALS were doing so far up the Nisqually River today but there were 3 of
them off the River overlook a good sign of fish being in the river. Smolts on
the way to the sound?

Until next week when Shep and Eric will lead in my absence...



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