Tweets,

Yesterday 15 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually. It Stopped raining
shortly after we started our walk at 8:00! The rest of the morning was dry
and in the 40s. Best day in a long time....and the birds were great too!

Highlights included our first of year WOOD DUCKS and CINNAMOM TEAL.
Waterfowl numbers were low but the diversity was fantastic! For those who
walked the new boardwalk they saw an additional 9 species from the interior of
the refuge.

Two male WOOD DUCKS flew onto the pond behind the visitor center as we
gathered for the start of the walk and a male CINNAMOM TEAL was with a group of
GREEN-WINGED TEAL on the big pond between the old McAllister Creek trail
and the twin barns. They were next to the McAllister creek trail just
beyond the gate.

Other waterfowl seen included both WIGEON, RING-NECKED DUCKS, a female
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (seen from the Nisqually River overlook), all three
MERGANSERS, SHOVELERS, PINTAIL, MALLARDS, and GADWALL well out in the restoration
area. Those who walked the boardwalk added BRANT, SURF SCOTERS, LESSER
SCAUP, COMMON LOON, and EARED and HORNED GREBE.

Passerine numbers are down but should increase in the near future as spring
migrants make their appearance. WE did find an active BROWN CREEPER nest
near the Nisqually overlook and had many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.

A highlight of the day was the interaction between an adult BALD EAGLE and
a NORTHERN HARRIER. the HARRIER made a kill and was enjoying breakfast
when the BALD EAGLE decided to take over, running the HARRIER off. The
HARRIER made a couple of unsuccessful passes over the EAGLE before flying off
in search of another meal.

For the day we had 62 species with the two new species giving us 91 for the
year. No mammals were seen during the walk.

Until next week.......

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