Tweets,

Today 30 something of us enjoyed a cold, sunny walk at Nisqually on a
falling tide. Things were frosty and the little birds were pretty hunkered
down but we had a pretty good day. In fact, some of the bigger birds appeared
to be hunkered down some what.

Highlights had to be the raptors. RED-TAILED HAWKS, BALD EAGLES, and
NORTHERN HARRIERS were numerous just about everywhere!

Water levels are still low so the number of waterfowl is still down but we
did have a good variety including NORTHERN PINTAIL, MALLARD, AMERICAN and
an EURASIAN WIGEON, RING-NECKED DUCKS, COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS,
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and GADWALL. CACKLING and CANADA GEESE were also
present but in surprisingly low numbers.

The GREAT EGRET was present near the new dike and appeared to be hunkered
down behind a bank protected from the breeze, at least until a GREAT BLUE
HERON decided it wanted that space. The EGRET moved but not too far.

Out on McAllister Creek we saw both mergansers, COMMON GOLDENEYE, HORNED
GREBE, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.

The SNOWY OWL was not seen today, unless seen by the later group.

A total of 47 species was seen today with HARBOR SEAL being the only
mammal seen.

Until next week.....

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