Tweets,

Yesterday 29 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually. It was warm and
sunny but the birds had lots of leafy cover to hide behind.

Highlights included our first SPOTTED SANDPIPER for the year as well as
SWAINSON'S THRUSH and the continuing YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS.

For the first time since early March we did not see the GREAT HORNED OWL
family. They may have dispersed by now. A consolation prize was a male
AMERICAN KESTRAL sitting on the nest box between the twin barns. Great views
were had by all.

We dipped on the BULLOCK'S ORIOLE but Nancy Wells, one of our regulars, saw
a male near the twin barns turn off on Tuesday evening.

Again, we had a nice variety of waterfowl, but no a lot of any species.
We did CINNAMON and BLUE-WINGED TEAL as well as GREEN-WINGED TEAL on the
pond north of the twin barns. WILSON'S PHALAROPES were seen on that same pond
and also out inside the new dike.

The SPOTTED SANDPIPER and the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD also were on the new
pond out toward the new boardwalk.

We saw several SWAINSON'S THRUSH, all calling but none singing. We saw
YELLOW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, WARBLING VIREO and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, as
well as a family of BROWN CREEPERS.

Mammals seen included COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER, EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL,
RACCOON, and a LONG-TAILED WEASEL relocating her nest, transferring young
to the new nest across the boardwalk near the picnic area.

For the day we saw 47 species with the SPOTTED SANDPIPER and WILSON'S
PHALAROPE being new for the year.

Until next week when Eric and Matt will lead in my absence.....

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