Tweets,

Sorry for the late report but it is the time of year to be quite busy.
It's been a crazy last couple of days.

27 of us enjoyed a cold foggy walk at Nisqually on Wednesday. Highlights
were an AMERICAN BITTERN just inside the boardwalk on the way to the twin
barns and a couple of VIRGINIA RAILS, one of which showed itself, also
inside the boardwalk on the way to the barns. With the fog visibility was
somewhat restricted and we could not see if the SNOWY OWL was about. We did get
a brief glimpse of a MERLIN as it shot by us on the way beck from the new
boardwalk. It was low and fast coming from behind us.

With the dry weather continuing there is not much water in the interior
ponds so the number of waterfowl continues low. We were on an incoming tide
with the high of 14.6 at 1:28 pm and the fog was pretty thick over
McAllister Creek so some of us elected to turn around at the first overlook rather
than continue to the end of the boardwalk. Those who did continue added
some salt water birds including HORNED GREEBE, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT,
LEAST SANDPIPER, and DUNLIN.

We did find one small mixed flock that included both KINGLETS, BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE, BROWN CREEPER, and a lone BUSHTIT. Later we saw a couple of
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.

For the day we saw 59 species. The only mammals seen were 2 juvenile
COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until next week. Merry Christmas to all and enjoy your Christmas Bird
Counts...

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