Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR Wednesday morning walk 8/10/11
Date: Aug 11 00:08:14 2011
From: Shep Thorp - tanwaxlake at comcast.net


Hi Tweets,

24 of us had a great day at the refuge with partly sunny skies and
temperature in the high 60's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a -1'2" low tide
at 9:51am.

Meeting at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook at 8am we saw Barn Swallow,
Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, Mallard, Wilson's
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and American Robin. A Green Heron was heard
across the pond. Many of the Cliff Swallow nests in the eves of the visitor
center have been periodically destroyed the last several weeks, one of the
Refuge Volunteers has speculated that Great Horned Owl may be robbing the
nests to predate the young. Along the parking lot and access road we picked
up Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Mourning Dove,
and Bald Eagle.

Along the western branch of the Twin Barns Boardwalk Loop Trail we observed
Red-winged Blackbird, Wood Duck, Yellow Warbler, Bewick's Wren, and Western
Wood-Pewee. Three American Bitterns were seen, one hunting in the pond and
two flying over the fields west of the trail. Whittier discovered a dark
Merlin perched in the top of the Peregrine Tree being harassed by swallows,
providing reasonable observation considering the back lighting.

At the Twin Barns Overlook, we had good looks at Willow Flycatcher and also
saw Red-tailed Hawk.

Along the northern branch of the Twin Barns Boardwalk Loop Trail, Craig and
Ruth observed Bush Tits and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Pacific Wren was heard.

At the Nisqually River Overlook we saw Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker,
and Swainson's Thrush. At the fence line, where young Red Alders are
growing just north, we had wonderful looks at MacGillivray's Warbler, a male
and female pair chasing each other around.

Out on the New Dike we observed Marsh Wren, Brown-headed Cowbird, Least
Sandpiper, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Wilson's Snipe, Killdeer, and
Western Sandpiper. We were very lucky to see two black downy Virginia Rail
chicks with an adult. On the New Boardwalk, Dave Richardson reported seeing
Ring-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Glaucous-winged x Western Gull,
Double-crested Cormorant, Purple Martin, Steller's Jay, Canada Goose,
Pileated Woodpecker and Osprey.

Eric discovered two juvenile Great Horned Owls just east of the Old
Nisqually River Dike 100 feet north of the southeast corner of the Twin
Barns Boardwalk Loop Trail in the same vicinity of the new nest tree. Brown
Creeper were also heard.

We had 54 species for the day, 155 for the year with Merlin and
MacGillivray's Warbler being new additions. Mammals seen were Columbia
Black-tailed Deer and Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Next week will be a survey week with the USGS, until then.

Good birding,

Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
sthorp at theaec.com
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