Tweets,

Yesterday 23 of us (more or less) enjoyed a very nice morning at
Nisqually. It was partly cloudy and crisp and the birds were cooperative.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and SONG SPARROWS must think spring has sprung because some
of them were singing away.

Highlights included good looks (finally) at the GREAT EGRET and the
lingering HERMIT THRUSH and EURASIAN WIGEON. Also new for the year were TUNDRA
SWANS and HUTTON'S VIREO, both of which I missed

There are still many BALD EAGLES about the refuge but other raptor species
were way down. We saw 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS and only 1 NORTHERN HARRIER.
Perhaps that was due to a very high tide about 10:30, right in the middle of
our walk. We did see the female AMERICAN KESTRAL out in the reclamation
area and the stragglers also saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE and a PEREGRINE FALCON.

We had a good day with woodpeckers seeing DOWNEY, HAIREY and PILIATED
WOORPECKER as well as NORTHERN FLICKER. The HERMIT THRUSH continues in the
slough between the start of the new dike and the Nisqually River overlook and 1
of the EURASIAN WIGEONS is on the pond behind the visitor center.

The highlight of the day was the GREAT EGRET. Initially we saw it (one?)
flying up McAllister Creek at the start of the walk. Later, as we walked
the new dike, it flew back into view and landed just outside the dike
affording great prolonged close up views. This bird definitely had all black
legs and was nearer the size of a GREAT BLUE HERON than the size of a CATTLE
EGRET. It also had a long, all yellow bill. Maybe next week we will see
something new when we walk the new boardwalk for the first time.

All told we had 54 species for the day and now have a total of 70 for the
year.

Mammals seen were a COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER and 4 RACOONS across the
pond at the visitor center about 12:15.

FYI, The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new boardwalk will be Tuesday,
Feb 1. Check the Nisqually web site for details.

Until next week when we walk the new boardwalk......



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