Hi Tweets,

my apologies for the tardy report for the Wednesday morning walk at
Nisqually NWR July 25th, but better late then never.

Thirty-four of us enjoyed another good day as our cumulative count was 69
species with 5 FOY and 1 first record BLACK PHOEBE. It was a survey day
with the USGS, a monthly event, and three groups of birders surveyed
different areas of the Refuge (North Dike, South Dike, and Old Dike
footprint-boat). We had a High 10'3" Tide at 10:59am with sunny skies and
temperatures in the 70's degrees Fahrenheit. Air Force One flew over the
Refuge around 10:50am.

Starting out at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook at 8am, we had nice
observation of PIED-BILLED GREBE, BALD EAGLE, HOUSE FINCH, CEDAR WAXWING
and YELLOW WARBLER. AMERICAN ROBIN, BARN SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, SONG
SPARROW and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were also seen.

Along the Access Road viewing the fields south and west, we enjoyed good
looks of WILLOW FLYCATCHER, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT,
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, SAVANNAH SPARROW and RED-TAILED HAWK.

Birding the Twin Barns Loop Trail from the west side entrance was very
productive as a first for the Refuge BLACK PHOEBE was heard and seen at the
first pond overlook. Another great find was a pair of LAZULI BUNTINGS.
Other species seen included first of the year SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, NORTHERN
HARRIER, COOPER'S HAWK, WILSON'S WARBLER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, BROWN
CREEPER, and MARSH WREN.

At the Twin Barns Overlook COMMON RAVEN, SAVANNAH SPARROW, BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRD, and ROCK PIGEON were observed.

The Nisqually Estuary Trail, new dike, and Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk
Trail were very productive with First Of Year AMERICAN KESTREL and
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Other unexpected species seen included AMERICAN WHITE
PELICAN, AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL and OSPREY. The shorebird numbers were
decreased in comparison to the previous week, small flocks of LEAST
SANDPIPER and a small group of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER were seen. Other
species seen included MARSH WREN, SAVANNAH SPARROW, RING-BILLED GULL,
CALIFORNIA GULL, BONAPARTE'S GULL, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, WESTERN X
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL HYBRID - OLYMPIC GULL, CASPIAN TERN, GREAT BLUE HERON,
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, RED CROSSBILL, PURPLE MARTIN, BALD EAGLE,
AMERICAN X NORTHWESTERN CROW, and BAND-TAILED PIGEON.

At the Nisqually River Overlook, COMMON MERGANSER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, BALD
EAGLE were seen.

Along the east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail and the Riparian Forest
Overlook, different groups had observations of GREAT HORNED OWL, HAIRY
WOODPECKER, PACIFIC WREN, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE,
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.

I joined the boat crew launched from Luhr Beach, were many PURPLE MARTIN
were flying around the dock. At the mouth of Leschi Slough we observed a
pair of adult AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. At he mouth of Nisqually River we
observed approximately 200 COMMON MERGANSERS which is probably
underestimated. Two pairs of first of the year MARBLED MURRELET were
observed beyond the pilings. Other species seen included MALLARD, LEAST
SANDPIPER, GREAT BLUE HERON, BELTED KINGFISHER, CANADA GOOSE, DOUBLE
CRESTED CORMORANT, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, TREE SWALLOW, and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW.

To summarize, 69 species for the day, 1 first for the Refuge, 5 first of
the year, with a total of 161 species for the year.

Until next week when we meet again at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond
Overlook, Eric Slagle will start the walk.

Good birding!

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