Hi Tweets,

Fifteen of us enjoyed a wonderful day at the refuge with partly sunny skies
and breezy temperatures in the 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

We had great views of Pileated Woodpecker at the visitor center, and a
Peregrine Falcon greeted us in the Peregrine tree. In the flooded fields
along the access road we had many good looks at Northern Pintail, American
Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Lesser
Scaup, Bufflehead, Cacklers and American Coot.

On the Twin Barns Board Walk Loop trail we enjoyed a Eurasian Wigeon, Winter
Wren, Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Bewick?s Wren, Brown Creeper,
Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Audubon?s and Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler,
and Black-capped Chickadee. At the Twins Barn Overlook we viewed Bald
Eagle, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Northern Harrier. We had terrific looks at
Lincoln Sparrow, Marsh Wren and Downy Woodpecker. The repaired riparian
area still provides residence for an active female American Kestrel, we
observed two Peregrine Falcons in the eagle nest cotton wood tree next to
the Twin Barns where a pair of Canada Geese are exploring the eagle nest
once again.

At the entrance to the new boardwalk, several Greater Yellowlegs welcomed
us. Along the tidally influenced Shannon Slough and marsh plain along
McAllister Creek we enjoyed Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Olympic Gull
(Glaucous-winged x Western Gull), Horned Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe,
Red-breasted Merganser and Common Goldeneye. Further out we saw a small
group of dark peeps in the area where Least Sandpiper had been reported, and
at the end of the new boardwalk we enjoyed Common Loon, Red-throated Loon,
Brant, Gadwall and Red-necked Grebe.

On the way back to the visitor center we saw two Northern Shrike along the
new dike, one a juvenile and the other an adult. Common Mergansers were
feeding in the Nisqually River and we appreciated a very dark individual
Red-tailed Hawk paired up with another adult Red-tailed Hawk. Back at the
visitor center, the light was perfect for appreciating fabulous views of
Ringed-neck Duck and Hooded Merganser. Many Tree Swallows were flying high
above. We had a great variety of species and habitat to enjoy with plenty
to see! Species we hoped to see but missed included American Bittern,
Virginia Rail and Hutton?s Vireo. Until next time!

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