Hello Tweeters,

Eleven of us enjoyed a snowy morning on the refuge with temperatures in the
low 30?s Fahrenheit. While gathering for our walk, approximately 1,500
Cacklers flew from the delta up into the Nisqually Valley. At the visitor
center we observed Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Mallard, American Wigeon,
Northern Flicker, Song Sparrow, European Starling, American Robin and
Red-winged Blackbird.

In the flooded field south of the access road we scoped Lesser Scaup,
Ring-necked Duck, American Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern
Pintail, and Common Goldeneye. Along the flooded fields west of the access
road we observed small and large groups of Northern Shoveler swimming in
tight circles while dabbling to collect food from the surface water. We had
great looks at an interesting male American Wigeon with a dark eye patch
that would shine pink iridescence just at the right angle where normally we?
d expect to see green. We also saw Glaucous-winged Gull.

Along the west side of the Twin Barns Board Walk Loop Trail we had great
looks at Fox Sparrow, American Bittern, and Great Blue Heron. We also
viewed Bewick?s Wren, Pacific Wren and Marsh Wren. At the cut-off for the
Twin Barns we had brief viewing of two Virginia Rails and nice looks at
Golden-crowned Sparrow and Brown Creeper. With the backdrop of snowy skies,
a Great Egret flew 50 feet over our heads from the repaired riparian area
over the Twin Barns and towards the entrance of McAllister Creek into the
delta. At the Twin Barns Overlook, when we first arrived a falcon like bird
flew from the pigeon stoop under the eves of the south barn. The Peregrine
Falcon was spotted later in a large cotton wood by the Nisqually River, and
later in the morning we observed this bird fly over the new dike and perch
on the previously mentioned pigeon stoop. We added Gadwall, and
American/Northwestern Crow to our list.

At the Nisqually River Overlook, Common Merganser and additional Common
Goldeneye were seen. In the repaired riparian area the American Kestrel and
two adult Bald Eagles were seen. The tide was high, and there was plenty of
waterfowl to view in the flooded marsh plain beyond the new dike. Many
Canada Geese congregated around the new dike grassy areas grazing. American
Coot, Eurasian Wigeon, Belted Kingfisher, and Greater Yellowlegs were easily
seen.

The last quarter of the new boardwalk was closed, but we had great viewing
of Ring-billed Gull, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged x Western Gull hybrid
(Olympic). There were many Horned Grebes in Shannon Slough and McAllister
Creek, as well as Red-breasted Mergansers. At the second shelter, we had
fabulous viewing of 300 Dunlin on a log snag 50 feet away. Later on our way
back, this flock flew from their roost 15 feet over our heads with the sound
of wind blowing through a leafed tree. Further out we watched several Least
Sandpipers fly from waters edge to mudflat.

On the way back to the Visitor Center, additional species seen and heard
included Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned and
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler ? Audubon?s variety, Spotted
Towhee and Dark-eyed Junco. Two Raccoon and four Columbian Black-tailed
Deer were our mammals for the day. We saw a total of 53 bird species for
the day with nothing new for our total of 91 species for the year.

Until next week when Phil Kelley will return, good birding!

Shep Thorp, Eric Slagle and Dave Richardson.
sthorp at theaec.com <mailto:sthorp at theaec.com>
253-370-3742