Tweets,

Wednesday 25 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually. The day started out
overcast but was warm and it turned out pretty birdy for this time of year.

Highlights included 2 GREEN HERON and 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS. The GREEN
HERON were seen off the freshwater wetlands overlook on the way out to the twin
barns and the GREAT HORNED OWLS, both juveniles, were seen inside the
boardwalk about 20 yards from the junction of the boardwalk where it turns off
the Nisqually side toward the twin barns. We first spotted one of them
from the boardwalk on the way to the twin barns and got better views from the
Nisqually side.

Other highlights included a family of 5 YELLOW WARBLERS in the willows
along the twin barns boardwalk and several species of shorebirds, including
KILLDEER, WESTERN SANDPIPERS, LEAST SANDPIPERS, WILSON'S SNIPE, and GREATER
YELLOWLEGS. High tide was about 10:30 so there was water under the
boardwalk.

We also heard both SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL near the start of the new
boardwalk, but we never saw them.
Some of the folks saw a WESTERN SCRUBJAY at the entrance to the refuge,
but I missed that one.

For the day we had 50 species with nothing new for the year.

Other critters seen included BLACK-TAILED DEER, GRAY SQUIRREL and 2 GARTER
SNAKES out on the new dike.

Until next week when Shep and Eric lead while I'm in Walla Walla......

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