Hi Tweets,

Nine of us enjoyed a fairly birdy day at Nisqually NWR with partly sunny
skies, intermittent showers, and temperatures in the 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

At the Visitor Center pond overlook we saw Wood Duck, Mallard, Common
Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Marsh Wren, Violet-green Swallow,
Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Hooded Merganser, and Pileated Woodpecker was
heard. Many Canada Geese were nesting in the pond and trees around the
pond. The Cliff Swallows were busy working on their mud nests. From the
west parking lot we had terrific views of both Myrtle and Audubon?s variety
of Yellow-rumped Warbler as well as picking up Red-winged Blackbird,
Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Robin, a small flock of Cacklers flew over
and Brown-headed Cowbird was heard.

>From the access road view point looking at the flooded fields south towards
I-5 we saw many Ring-necked Duck, American Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup,
American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and Gadwall. A Cooper?
s Hawk was observed chasing an American Crow, later to be harassed by the
Crow. A Red-tailed Hawk was spotted at some distance away, and our first of
many Savannah Sparrows was seen and heard. Viewing the flooded fields south
of the Twin Barns on either side of the old McAllister Creek Road, we added
Cinnamon Teal, American Coot, American Goldfinch, White-crowned Sparrow,
European Starling, Pied-billed Grebe, Eurasian Wigeon and Rock Pigeon.

On the western section of the Twin Barns Boardwalk Loop Trail we saw good
numbers of Northern Rough-winged Swallows, both Sora and Northern Flicker
were heard. We checked the Rufous Hummingbird nest at the last overlook
before the Twin Barns cut-off to find the female incubating her eggs.

Out on the new dike we had both Least Sandpiper and Dunlin in the restored
riparian area and the fresh water ponds on the inside of the dike. Many
Killdeer were calling and flying around in this area, we also saw a single
Vaux?s Swift. We picked up a female Northern Harrier flying over the
restored marshland, as well many Caspian Terns.

Shannon Slough, visible from the first two shelters along the New Boardwalk,
provided great opportunities to observe Common Goldeneye, Ring-billed Gull,
Mew Gull, and Glaucous-winged Gull. Roger spent additional time observing
the Bald Eagle nest in the left topped Douglas Fir of two across McAllister
Creek, and was intrigued by the behavior of the adult female on the nest.
Although not certain, we convinced ourselves that the activity and white
fluffy object was most likely an eagle chick! Scanning McAllister Creek as
we walked along, we saw breeding plumage Horned Grebe, nonbreeding plumage
Red-throated Loon, breeding plumage Common Loon, Common Merganser flyover,
Red-breasted Merganser, Greater Yellowlegs and Common Raven. Across the
creek from the last viewpoint before the end of the boardwalk we watched two
adult Bald Eagles soaring around. I mentioned to Carol and Roger we had
been searching for a nest in this area as we had seen this adult pair in
this vicinity on my Wednesday morning walks with Phil Kelley. We watched
the pair for a few minutes and were thrilled to see an adult land in another
nest directly across the creek in a large Douglas Fir half way up the hill
with no branches on the upper quarter with exception to the very top where
the nest has been made. The tree looks similar to a feather duster. What a
surprise to find two Bald Eagle nests approximately 1 mile apart.

At the end of the New Boardwalk we saw a group of 5 or so Black-bellied
Plover roosting on the salicornia marsh plain and a Western Gull with other
Gulls. Approximately 75 Black Brant were flying around the edge of the
refuge, and Surf Scoters were diving for snails. On our way back we picked
up a Semi-palmated Sandpiper foraging with Least Sandpiper, a Belted
Kingfisher, and there were many Great Blue Herons around. At the entrance
gate area, Carol and Roger saw Mourning Dove and Western Scrub Jay on their
way out. Other species seen included Spotted Towhee, Black-capped
Chickadee, Bewick?s Wren and Double-crested Cormorant.

Another wonderful day, but unfortunately we did not see as many shorebirds
as we hoped. The seven-foot high tide was at 1:30pm, and helped to push in
some of the shorebirds, but a higher tide may be required for better
shorebird numbers? 72 species for the day, with 5 first of the year. Thank
you to all the participants for making this a fun day, your keen eyes and
expertise made for great birding.

Until next time,
Good birding,

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