Tweets,

Today a dozen of us enjoyed a good walk at Nisqually. While it was
overcast and we did have some light rain it was much better than expected. The
good news was that the birds were using the break in the storms to "stock
up" before the next wave. We had a 6'10" low tide at 9:30.

Highlights included multiple raptors, a GREAT HORNED OWL, NORTHERN SHRIKE,
TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, AMERICAN BITTERN , WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, and two
EURASIAN WIGEON. We also had an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD fly over and brief visit.

The day started slow with only a pair of HOODED MERGANZERS and a male
AMERICAN WIGEON on the pond behind the visitor center. We soon added STARLING,
CROW and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW to the list.

As we scoped the waterfowl on the pond south of the parking lot we had the
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD make its appearance. We also saw CACKLING GEESE,
MALLARDS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and NORTHERN PINTAIL.

On the pond toward the twin barns we saw more of the same and added
NORTHERN SHOVELERS and GADWALL. On the near shore we had a mixed flock of
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and DUNLIN. Out toward McAllister Creek we watched several
NORTHERN HARRIERS and RED-TAILED HAWKS work the fields.

Just before the turn off to the twin barns overlook Eric relocated the
GREAT HORNED OWL he found Sunday. It was in on low branch just inside the
tree line inside the boardwalk.

>From the twin barns observation deck we spotted 2 EURASIAN WIGEON in
amongst the thousands of waterfowl in the area. Did I mention that the recent
rains have really filled the ponds at the refuge?

Out on the new dike we saw 2 AMERICAN BITTERN, the NORTHERN SHRIKE, got a
long distant look at the GREAT EGRET, and observed a flock of about a dozen
WESTERN MEADOWLARKS. We also saw a pair of PEREGRINS FALCONS sharing a
roost and watched 2 BALD EAGLES do some synchronized flying.

The TOWNSEND WARBLERS were seen in a couple of mixed flocks that included
KINGLETS, BROWN CREEPER, DOWNEY WOODPECKER, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.

For the day we saw 53 species. The only mammal seen was a yearling
BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until next week, Happy Thanksgiving....

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