Tweets,

Today 24 of us enjoyed a great, if soggy, walk at Nisqually. We had a 12.8
high tide at 9:00 AM so our shorebirds were limited by lots of high water.
I had 9 new species for the year and we had 65 species for the day.

Highlights included a flock of 30+ GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, in excess
of 150 BLACK BRANT out on the sound, a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, CASPIAN
TERNS, WOOD DUCKS, CINNAMON TEAL, and BONAPARTE'S GULLS out on the sound.

Turned out to be a very busy day with lots of activity. We had all 3
MERGANZER species out on McAllister Creek from the new boardwalk and picked up
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS there also. There were three HORNED GREBE
together, each in a different stage of molt. One was in breeding plumage and
the other two getting there. Great case study.

The YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was flying back and forth over the new dike
near Shannon Slough and provided great looks for just about everyone. He was
not associated with RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, but was foraging on his own.

The BONAPARTE'S GULL was spotted along the shore among the BLACK BRANT from
the end of the new boardwalk as was a RED-THROATED LOON. CASPIAN TERNS,
MEW GULLS and RING-BILLED GULLS were also in the area, as were MALLARDS and
AMERICAN WIGEON.

The GREAT HORNED OWLETS, with adult nearby, continue in the willows inside
the boardwalk along the Nisqually River side. They are getting big and
have been in the same area for a couple of weeks now. This last couple of
days the trees have really begun to leaf out so visibility is getting more
difficult.

Not many wood warblers today, just YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT. Perhaps the constant light rain had things hunkered down. We look
forward to better days soon.

We did see a RIVER OTTER in the slough behind the twin barns but that was
the only mammal seen.

For the year I now have 100 species while some of the other folks have seen
more.

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

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