Hi Tweets,

Ten of us enjoyed a breezy cool winter morning with mostly cloudy skies and
temperatures in the low 40?s degrees Fahrenheit. Large flocks of Cacklers,
approximately 1,000, were observed flying out of the refuge and up the
Nisqually valley as we arrived. The visitor center pond overlook was very
productive with great looks of Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common
Goldeneye, Ringed-neck Duck, Mallard, American Wigeon, Canada Goose,
Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbird and European
Starling.

Scoping the flooded fields along the access road we added to our waterfowl
list with plenty of Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, American
Green-winged Teal, and Lesser Scaup. Interestingly, we observed many groups
of juvenile male Northern Shovelers that have not reached alternate/breeding
plumage. I don?t know if these young males will reach complete
alternate/breeding plumage or if they?re just delayed due to their age and
nutrition? Hopefully we?ll be able to monitor their plumage over the next
several weeks! We also saw Downy Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned
Sparrow and a single molting male American Goldfinch along the road.

Along the western side of the Twin Barns Boardwalk Loop Trail we had nice
looks of Bewick?s Wren, Pileated Woodpecker, Spotted Towhee and Ruby-crowned
Kinglet. The wintering Eurasian Wigeon is still easy to find in the pond.
Eric spotted a very well hidden American Bittern along the boardwalk, which
was one of three seen for the day in the vicinity. In the area of the Twin
Barns cut off, a Virginia Rail was flushed from under the boardwalk and
observed swimming across the inner pond between bunches of grass. Other
rails were heard. We also saw Yellow-rumped Warbler.

At the Twin Barns Overlook, in addition to waterfowl observation, we saw our
wintering female American Kestrel out in the repaired riparian region on
planted snags. Many Tree Swallows and a few Barn Swallows were flying
about. We had great looks at the leucistic American Robin that has been in
this area since December.

Great looks at adult and immature Bald Eagle, Double Crested Cormorant and
Common Mergansers were seen from the Nisqually River Overlook. Along the
new dike we viewed Lincoln Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Great
Blue Herron, Belted Kingfisher, Glaucous-winged Gull, American Coot, and
heard Killdeer. Out on the New Boardwalk, we saw Marsh Wren, Mew Gull,
Ring-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged x Western Gull hybrid (Olympic), and
Western Gull. We bumped into some old friends who reported seeing Greater
Scaup in McAllister Creek and a flock of 30-40 Black Brant at the end of the
boardwalk. In addition we had great scoping of Red-breasted Merganser,
Horned Grebe, Least Sandpiper, Surf Scoter, Eared Grebe and Greater
Yellowlegs. Red-throated Loon was also seen as well as two additional
Eurasian Wigeon. No luck spotting the Yellow-billed Loon seen by Dave
Richardson and the survey crew in Six-Gill Slough last Wednesday. A Stellar
?s Jay was heard across McAllister Creek.

On the way back, additional finds were Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Brown Creeper in a nice sized mixed flock
passing through the riparian area. A flock of Dark-eyed Junco?s was seen as
well Pacific Wren and a Fox Sparrow was heard. We had 63 species for the
day not including the Greater Scaup, Black Brant and Fox Sparrow.

Until next week, good birding,

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