Hi Tweets,

Twenty of us enjoyed a terrific morning of birding. The skies were
threatening, but the rain held off with temperatures in the high 50?s. At
the visitor center overlook we had terrific views of baby Hooded Mergansers
and Mallard. We also saw Gadwall, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Tree
Swallow, Common Yellowthroat and Red-winged Blackbird. On our way across
the parking lot we saw our first of many Savannah Sparrows, this one had a
very short tail so we speculated it was a juvenile bird. At the access road
there were Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, American Goldfinch, Bewick?s
Wren, American Crow and Glaucous-winged Gull.

>From the old McAllister Creek road we viewed the flooded fields that are now
drying up. Waterfowl and shorebirds were absent in this area and we added
American Robin, Brown-headed Cowbird and Marsh Wren to our list. Along the
western side of the boardwalk we saw Song Sparrow, Wilson?s Warbler, and
Purple Finch. We discovered a Yellow Warbler?s nest in a black berry vine
in some willow trees just to the right of the boardwalk approximately eye
level. Between the overlook and the Twin Barns we saw Western Wood-pewee,
Warbling Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, Willow Flycatcher, and Rufous
Hummingbird. Pacific-slope Flycatcher was heard.

The turnout to the new dike was a hot spot for Swainson?s Thrush, another
Yellow Warbler nest and Band-tailed Pigeon. As we walked on the new dike we
were impressed with the large numbers of Killdeer and Savannah Sparrows.
The flooded fields on the inside of the dike are drying up as well. We had
great looks at Cinnamon Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Great Blue Heron and Canada
Goose. On our way back we saw a Spotted Sandpiper in the repaired riparian
area.

The Nisqually River overlook had two Turkey Vultures, an immature Bald
Eagle, and Belted Kingfisher. On our way back to the visitor center we saw
Black-capped Chickadee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Spotted Towhee, Brown Creeper
and discovered a Downy Woodpecker nest in a snag along the south side of the
south boardwalk. Finally we saw Wood Duck when we returned to our meeting
spot.

It?s exciting to see the Yellow Warblers nesting, and the more recent
arriving Willow?s Flycatcher and Western Wood-pewee. Finally the Swainson?s
Thrush are singing, so there is plenty to be heard. Shorebirds were missed;
waterfowl and raptor numbers were low. Our total was 47 species for the
walk. Earlier in the morning, at dawn, some of us assisted the USGS for
point counts and spotted Ringed-neck Duck, Greater Scaup, American Bittern,
Violet Green Swallow, and Barn Owl.

Until next week, good birding!

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