Tweets,

Wednesday 15 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually. The weather was
great and the birds cooperated.

The day started off with 2000+ GEESE flying off the refuge as I arrived at
7:45 AM. What a sight! At the visitor center observation deck we had a
SORA calling but he wouldn't show himself. As we started the walk a SWAN
flew onto the refuge near McAllister Creek....too far away to ID properly.

The GREAT EGRET is still along the new outer dike and we had a KESTRAL and
COOPER'S HAWK playing tag with a RED-TAILED HAWK.

But the best show of the day was 3 adult BALD EAGLES engaging in some
combat/play right above the visitor center pond. Two of the EAGLES locked
talons and spiraled down only to disengage just above the ground and one of them
flew just in front of the viewing platform at eye level. Sure got the
heartbeat up!

Another good bird was a SHORT-EARED OWL seen out in the restoration area by
a couple of the USGS worked as they did some survey work. Not sure what
it is finding to eat in the area of tidal surges but it is there.

Notable misses were GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. After 125+ last week to
none this week. Guess they left at 7:45 with the majority of the other
geese.

All told we had 51 species for the day with the SHORT-EARED OWL being new
for the year.

Mammals seen were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS and COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER as
we left the refuge.

Until next week.....

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