Subject: [Tweeters] NIsqually NWR 8/31/11 (what he said)
Date: Sep 3 12:51:18 2011
From: wheelermombi at comcast.net - wheelermombi at comcast.net


Hi Tweeters,

Just to add to Phil's post. I went to Nisqually the following day (Thursday) and was surprised to see so many bank swallows as well. I also saw a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER that hung out on the periphery of a small flock of WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS, perhaps the same one. The cool thing was that all of the peeps were adjacent to the boardwalk, allowing for extremely close viewing. The tide was still fairly high at the time, but on its way out, which probably helped to push them in closer to the boardwalk. If one is peep challanged like me, it was the perfect chance to compare these three species. I'm liking the new access to the mud flats more and more.

Good birding,

Lonnie Somer
Olympia
wheelermombi at comcast.net

----- Original Message -----
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2011 10:24:09 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] NIsqually NWR 8/31/11


Tweets,

15 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually Wednesday. It seemed quiet but by the end of the day we had 53 species and spent some time on the new boardwalk. Shep, Matt and Roger got there early to catch the 13+ high tide at 7:30 and saw mostly water but they did have a few species to give us a heads up on.

Highlights included BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and BANK SWALLOWS. there are a number of CANADA GEESE and other waterfowl on the refuge even as the water levels continue low. More shorebirds are showing up as fall migration continues.

Both the BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and the BANK SWALLOWS were seen from the new boardwalk. The BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was loosely associated with some WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS, and the BANK SWALLOWS were in a mixed flock of mostly BARN SWALLOWS with a couple of CLIFF SWALLOWS and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS thrown in. We all got good looks at the BANK SWALLOWS as they perched in some of the small trees near the boardwalk.

We managed to see all three Pigeon species for the day. There was a MOURNING DOVE near the front gate, and there was a ROCK PIGEON at the twin barns, as usual. As we were leaving the refuge at 1:30 half a dozen BAND-TAILED PIGEONS flew over the visitor center and landed in the large fir behind the pond.

For the day we had 53 species with the BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and the BANK SWALLOWS being new for the year.

Mammals seen included RACCOON, RIVER OTTER, COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER, and EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL.

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


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