Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 11/10/11
Date: Nov 11 07:16:46 2010
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

Yesterday 24 of us (I think) enjoyed a great day at Nisqually. I say 24 I
think because folks kept coming and going and we had 3 groups out with the
monthly bird surveys covering parts of the refuge that we don't normally
cover.

It started out pretty slow with not much passerine activity but got better
as the day warmed up. Highlights included TUNDRA SWANS, YELLOW-HEADED
BLACKBIRD, VARIED THRUSH, and VIRGINIA RAIL.

There are lots of waterfowl on the refuge and more are arriving each day. I
haven't seen the large flocks of WIGEON yet and no EURASIAN WIGEON but
they will be here soon. We did see a flight of 8 TUNDRA SWANS fly over the
refuge and circle before flying off to the north. They were ID"d by their
calls.

The YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was initially seen in flock of 100+ BLACKBIRDS
that flew past the twin barns overlook out into the reclamation area.
Scanning the trees on the outside of the new dike produced the bird and most of
us got good looks. We also had an AMERICAN BITTERN in the slough in front
of the observation deck.

The VIRGINIA RAIL was heard and seen at the turn off to the twin barns, the
same place they were the last two weeks.

The VARIED THRUSH was in a foraging flock of ROBINS seen at the turn off to
the woodland trail.

The YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was a first on the refuge for me and the TUNDRA
SWANS and VARIED THRUSH were new for the year. For the day we had 51
species and now have 142 species for the year.

Mammals seen were HARBOR SEAL, BEAVER, and COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until next week....

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