Today was a delta-wide bird count day at Nisqually (several volunteer counters assigned to different areas
of refuge and surrounds). After two of us finished counting near the mouth of Red Salmon Creek I joined up
with three other volunteers cleaning wood duck nest boxes on the refuge proper. Just as we approached a
nest box situated near a pond that lies between the (new) south dike and the pumphouse I noticed a flock of
cacklers take off from the pond in disarray, as is usual when one of the bald eagles flies overhead. Note,
these were not minimas, but were Taverner sized, so probably around 5 to 6 pounds.

The next movement I saw was a second or third year baldie diving in, landing just below my field of vision
(blocked by an island of high grass). The eagle shortly took off, circled, then descended in a more leisurely
manner, touched down, and then rose and circled a couple of more times. When another eagle cruised in
with apparent interest, and a better viewing angle than I had, the first eagle landed and immediately took off
clutching the one Taverners that had not made it away. The eagle neatly pulled the goose up against its
chest and easily flew off across McAllister creek. Note, the goose appeared to still be alive at this point, but
was not much of an impediment to the eagle, which easily outdistanced the interloper. Jerry Broadus
PLS 17660