Hello Tweets,

22 of us enjoyed a break from the rain today with partly sunny skies,
temperatures in the 50's-60's degrees Fahrenheit, and an outgoing Low -3'6"
Tide at 1:42pm. Exciting spots for the day included first of the year
SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 14 plus BLACK SWIFT, juvenile YELLOW WARBLER, MARSH
WREN, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and many SWAINSON'S THRUSH. I suspect we may
have heard a LEAST FLYCATCHER as well!

Meeting at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook at 8am, sadly two of the CLIFF
SWALLOW mud huts had been destroyed with flight and contour feathers from
an adult Cliff Swallow and 4 deceased altricial chicks scattered on the
walkway. We speculate that these mud huts are predated on by a GREAT
HORNED OWL. Other swallows seen included BARN SWALLOW and TREE SWALLOW.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was observed at the end of our walk. 6
BLUE-WINGED TEAL and GADWALL were observed on the pond. Many CEDAR
WAXWINGS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH were observed flying around. EURASIAN
COLLARED-DOVE was seen adjacent to the parking lot.

Along the Access Road we had great looks at RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, SAVANNAH
SPARROW, NORTHERN SHOVELER, and CINNAMON TEAL. An adult BALD EAGLE and
juvenile were observed in the nest tree south of the McAllister Creek
Observation Platform. Two OSPREY's were hunting along McAllister Creek. A
SORA was heard in the flooded fields south and a HOODED MERGANSER flew
through.

On the Twin Barns Loop Trail we heard PURPLE FINCH, YELLOW WARBLER and
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT SINGING. Yellow Warbler were observed feeding young in
the nest. We had great looks at ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE,
SWAINSON'S THRUSH and WILLOW FLYCATCHER. Early we were certain we had seen
BLACK SWIFT. Fortunately we saw additional swift flying over the trail at
closer range so that we could confirm the larger size, slower wing beats
and longer/sometimes forked tail of the Black Swift.

At the Twins Barn Observation Platform we had great looks at additional
swallows, picking up VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW for the day. We had very nice
observations of VAUX'S SWIFT, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and additional Willow's
Flycatcher and Cinnamon Teal.

Out on the new dike, Nisqually Estuary Trail, we picked up calling VIRGINIA
RAIL and WILSON'S SNIPE. More waterfowl to enjoy, as well RING-BILLED
GULL, CASPIAN TERN, and hunting GREAT BLUE HERON.

At the Nisqually River Overlook, we picked up NORTHERN FLICKER.

Along the east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail along the Old Nisqually
River Dike we had brief looks at BROWN CREEPER and PACIFIC-SLOPE
FLYCATCHER. We had continued great looks at Swainson's Thrush, Yellow
Warbler and Black-capped Chickadee. A family of COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was
discovered feeding recently fledged young. Singing WARBLING VIREO took us
forever to find, but finally showed itself. In the short riparian woodland
viewed from the Twin Barns Loop Trail east side overlook, I heard a
repeated distinct "Che-bik." Unfortunately I could not find the bird in
the woodland, but suspect we were hearing a LEAST FLYCATCHER.

59 species for the day with 149 species for the year. Until next week.

Good birding!

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