Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually Wildlife Refuge: Wed. morning walk 9/22.
Date: Sep 23 22:19:47 2010
From: Shep Thorp - tanwaxlake at comcast.net


Hi Tweets,

We had a terrific morning at the refuge with lots of birds. Initially
overcast, a little foggy and cool, by late morning it was partly sunny with
temperatures in the 60?s.

At the visitor center we saw Wilson?s Warbler, Chestnut-backed Chickadee,
Black-capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Bewick?s Wren, American Robin, and
Red-winged Blackbird. It was great to see many American Wigeon on the pond.

Along the access road we saw Golden-crowned Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,
Spotted Towhee and American Goldfinch. The fields have been mowed in some
places and are dry. On the western boardwalk along the pond we saw a female
Ringed-neck Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, and had great looks at a
Green Heron. We also saw American Crow, Canada Goose and Glaucous-winged
Gull. A group of 2-5 Northern Flickers seemed to follow us along the way,
picking a treetop to land and watch, and then following us to our next
observation spot. Further along the boardwalk towards the Twin Barns cut
off we saw Golden-crowned Kinglets, Common Yellow-throat, Warbling Vireo,
Yellow Warbler and Bald Eagle.

>From the Twin Barns cut off and overlook, we saw Ringed-billed Gull, Tree
Swallow, Barn Swallow, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer, and Wilson?s Flycatcher.
With the increased tidal area outside the new dike, we saw increased numbers
of Double Crested Cormorant flying around. On the mud flats by the repaired
riparian area, we saw approximately 10 Dowitchers, which appeared to have
rounded bodies so we presumed we were seeing Long-billed Dowitchers. On the
dirt road adjacent to the barns we had good looks at Savannah Sparrow,
Lincoln Sparrow, Song Sparrow and many more Golden-crowned Sparrows.

On the northern part of the boardwalk between the cut off to the Twin Barns
and the east boardwalk along the Old Nisqually River dike we saw two Fox
Sparrows. One Sooty, the other red rufous colored and we speculated we
might have seen a subspecies not common to our region. We also saw a Cooper
?s Hawk fly through and heard Hairy Woodpecker in the large cottonwoods. At
the Nisqually River overlook we were treated to an Osprey, Two Turkey
Vultures, Glaucous-winged x Western Gull Hybrid, and Downy Woodpecker.

Out on the new dike, with a group of Canada Geese, we observed 6-8 Great
White-fronted Geese with very little white on their faces so presumable
juvenile birds. Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, and a
Blue-winged Teal. We also saw Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven, Wilson?s
Snipe, Hooded Merganser, Northern Pintail and a not so shy Merlin being
harassed by a Belted Kingfisher. We heard many Greater Yellowlegs.

Heading back on the east boardwalk along the Old Nisqually River dike we had
great looks at an Anna?s Hummingbird. At the Riparian Overlook we saw Brown
Creeper, more Golden Crowned Kinglet?s and great looks at a Winter Wren.

Back at the visitor center, we spotted our scopes high above the trees to
find numerous swallows, and added Violet Green and Cliff Swallows to our
list.

Phil Kelley is on sabbatical until October 27th. Eric Slagle and I will
lead the walks in Phil?s absence and try our best to keep track of all the
action at the refuge!

Until next week at 8am,

Good birding!

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