Tweets,

Yesterday 16 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually under overcast skies
with a bit of drizzle, but mostly pleasant weather.

Highlights included a very cooperative SORA, 2 GREAT EGRETS, VAUX'S SWIFTS,
and the GREAT HORNED OWL family.

The day started out pretty quiet behind the visitor center but got better
from there. Waterfowl numbers are down but the species list remains high
with most species paired up. We saw a couple pair of CINNAMON TEAL on the
pond between The old McAllister Creek trail and the twin barns as well as
MALLARDS, PINTAIL, SHOVELERS, GREEN-WING TEAL, RING NECKED DUCKS, AMERICAN
WIGEON, and BUFFLEHEAD. CANADA GEESE also were paired up and defending
territory.

As we watched those waterfowl 2 GREAT EGRETS flew down McAllister Creek
toward the sound. Later we saw 1 GREAT EGRET well out in the restoration
area. Not sure if it was one of the 2 birds seen earlier but it could be.

Still not many passerines on the refuge except for YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS
and a couple of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Records
show that next week should be better for passerines.

The SORA put on quite a show in the slough near the twin barns turn off. It
forages in the open for 10 minutes or so before we headed up to the twin
barns overlook and we watched it again later as we returned from the new
dike. It was best seen looking to the right from the small bridge just left of
the boardwalk loop.

VAUX'S SWIFTS were mixed in with the flock of SWALLOWS swirling around
behind the twin barns. Some flew by at eye level giving excellent views to
all.

The GREAT HORNED OWL family has moved to the outside of the boardwalk and
was seen from the riparian trail overlook looking back toward the
boardwalk. The young are pretty fully feathered and were doing so hopping/flying
from tree to tree. They were pretty active, at least when we were there

Also, a female AMERICAN KESTRAL was using a nest box on the side of one of
the twin barns, the box is between the barns and can be observed from in
front of the barns.

All told we saw 67 species for the day and now have 107 for the year. New
for the year were SORA, VAUX'S SWIFT, and SWAINSON'S THRUSH.

The only mammal seen was EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS in several locations.

Until next week when we walk the new boardwalk.....See you at the Shorebird
Festival this weekend.



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