Hi Tweets,

the shorebirds were back on their migration south with over 200 LEAST
SANDPIPERS, 40 plus WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and 1 or 2 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS
easily observable on the mud flats from the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk
Trail above providing good opportunity to study distinguishing field marks
of our expected peeps. The GREAT HORNED OWL was briefly but easily seen
perched and flying in the region of the Riparian Forest Overlook cut-off.
38 of us enjoyed a good day of birding with cloudy skies and temperatures
in the 60's degrees Fahrenheit. There was a Low -1'5" Tide at 11:56am.

Meeting at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook at 8am we observed nesting
CLIFF SWALLOW and BARN SWALLOW. NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was observed
on Visitor Center Roof as well TREE SWALLOW perched in snags. CEDAR
WAXWINGS and AMERICAN ROBIN were abundant and a WILSON'S WARBLER was
spotted as well.

PURPLE FINCH were seen in the large dead deciduous tree from the parking
lot adjacent to the Visitor Center, and YELLOW WARBLER were abundant in the
mixed riparian stand along the Access Road. WILLOW FLYCATCHER,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, and probable CINNAMON TEAL were seen, WESTERN
WOOD-PEWEE and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER were heard.

In the Orchard we observed a male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, this species has
been observed in this area previously, as well COMMON YELLOWTHROAT warbler.
We also saw additional YELLOW WARBLER and WILLOW FLYCATCHER. AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH were abundant with both displaying males and begging juveniles
chasing their parents.

We entered the Twin Barns Loop Trail from the east side and quickly had
good looks at DOWNY WOODPECKER and BROWN CREEPER. SWAINSON'S THRUSH and
WARBLING VIREO were heard but difficult to see. At the Riparian Forest
Overlook we had terrific opportunities to observe a female BULLOCK'S
ORIOLE. Just north of the cut-off on the Loop Trail we flushed the
GREAT-HORNED OWL from a many trunk Maple Tree that flew north and low
toward the Overlook, I presume this bird has been in this area and seen by
other birders over the last several weeks. MALLARD was observed in the
slough along with 3 Muskrats, two different Columbian Black-tailed Deer doe
each with a single fawn, and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE observed above.

At the junction between the north and east Twin Barns Loop Trail there is a
SWAINSON'S THRUSH nest 20-30 feet northwest on the west slope of the slough
in the base of a small Himalayan Blackberry bush 2 feet off the ground.
The nest is occupied with chicks and feeding can be easily observed. Two
WESTERN TANAGERS were seen and heard above, "per ditit." PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHER was heard. There were two adult BALD EAGLE perched for great
looks at the Nisqually River Overlook as well as Raccoon washing its hands
in a pool on the river bank.

Along the north Twin Barns Loop Trail and Twin Barns Observation Platform
SONG SPARROW, CEDAR WAXWING, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH were abundant. Many WILLOW
FLYCATCHERS and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS were seen. Unfortunately we were not
able to relocate the LAZULI BUNTING seen last week and many of the Swallows
were foraging over the surge plain and mud flats of the refuge. An
AMERICAN BITTERN flushed and flew from the fields south of the Twin Barns
out towards to the fresh water side of the new dike, the same bird was
flushed and seen again later in the morning flying back towards the same
fields.

The Nisqually Estuary Trail, new dike, provided opportunities to observe
SAVANNAH SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, EUROPEAN
STARLING and MALLARD. BLUE-WINGED TEAL was seen at the freshwater pool in
the Cat Tails across from the entrance of the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk
Trail, as well an unlikely observation of a female VIRGINIA RAIL swimming
across the pool and being followed by two black downy VIRGINIA RAIL chicks.
On my return the die-hards were treated to two adult BALD EAGLES hunting
and immobilizing a second year GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. The Gull was captured
in the air after 2 minutes of aggressive pursuit, the adult Eagles took
turns attacking. We monitored the birds on the ground after the capture
for three minutes when this years juvenile BALD EAGLE flew in from the
southwest and joined it's parents. The all dark brown immature bird was
allowed to finish the kill and begin eating the Gull with the protection of
the closely observing adults. A fourth adult BALD EAGLE soared over the
scene a few hundred feet above.

Out on the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail we enjoyed hundreds of peeps
on the mud flats directly below just north of the McAllister Creek Viewing
Platform. Over 200 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 40 plus WESTERN SANDPIPERS, and 1
possibly 2 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS were easily observed directly below from
10-50 feet away. This was a terrific opportunity to work on distinguishing
fields marks between these peeps. CASPIAN TERN, RING-BILLED GULL, and
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL were observed on our way out to the Puget Sound
Viewing Platform. From the platform, thousands of birds could be observed
on the reach during the low tide. There were hundreds of GREAT BLUE HERON,
CANADA GEESE and GULLS. WESTERN GULL, PURPLE MARTIN, DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANT and BRANDT CORMORANT were seen.

The west entrance to the Twin Barns Loop Trail is still closed off, as
there is a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nest in a hanging Maple Tree branch on the
right side of the boardwalk entrance. The nest is easily scoped from the
gravel path south and the Access Road west, and their are two chicks easily
visible. I suspect the chicks will fledge by next week.

Thanks to all the helpful birders who joined the walk, your spotting was
appreciated! We had 61 species for the day with 156 species for the year.
Mammals seen included Muskrat, Columbia Black-tailed Deer, Raccoon, and
Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Until next week, when we will be contributing to the USGS monthly survey of
the Refuge, good birding!

Shep Thorp
Browns Point
sthorp at theaec.com
253-370-3742
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