Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 11/16/11
Date: Nov 18 16:18:22 2011
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

15 or so of us enjoyed a miserable day at Nisqually Wednesday. It was
cold and rainy...but we had a monthly survey to do. High tide was 13+ just
before 10:00 AM so off we went on the usual walk, 4 folks on the South dike
that is normally closed and Shep on the boat on the outer reach of the refuge.

Those of us who walked the interior of the refuge finished in about 3/4 of
the time we usually take. Thank god it wasn't windy. it would have
really been miserable.

In spite of the weather we did see some nice birds but nothing unusual.
Waterfowl dominated with CACKLING GEESE, PINTAIL, MALLARDS, and GREEN-WINGED
TEAL the most prevalent species. We did see AMERICAN WIGEON, RING-NECKED
DUCKS, GADWALL, and BUFFLEHEAD.

Out on the Sound and McAllister Creek we added COMMON LOON, HORNED GREBE,
EARED GREBE and SURF SCOTER. Shorebirds seen were GREATER YELLOWLEGS,
DUNLIN, WILSON'S SNIPE, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS.

There were BALD EAGLES and RED-TAILED HAWKS seen as well as NORTHERN
HARRIERS. Two (a pair?) of PEREGRINE FALCONS shared a roost out in the
reclamation area and stirred things up when the flew across the refuge.

The GREAT EGRET was seen as were GREAT BLUE HERON and we had a couple of
sightings of AMERICAN BITTERN.

Passerine activity was low but we did pick up both KINGLETS, BROWN
CREEPERS, and YELLOW-RUMPER WARBLERS.

For the day we saw 55 species. Mammals seen were GRAY SQUIRREL and
COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until next week...

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