Hi Tweets,

We had another great day of birding with highlights including North
American Beaver, American Bittern, many Violet-green Swallows, Tree
Swallows, Lincoln's Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern
Shrike, Great Egret, four Great Horned Owls, and a Bald Eagle likely
incubating eggs in one of our eagle nests. 14 of us took part in our
Wednesday morning walk as well assisting the USGS with our monthly survey
of the Refuge. Due to rainy conditions and high winds, unfortunately the
boat survey of the old dike foot print was cancelled. Temperatures were in
the 40's degree Fahrenheit and their was a High 13' Tide at 10:19am.

At the Visitor Center Pond Overlook, we had nice looks at Hooded Merganser,
Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Goose and Mallard. We also heard both Pileated
Woodpecker and Northern Flicker which made for good comparison as these
species sound similar. For the early birders, they were treated to a North
American Beaver slapping the water with it's tail.

Along the Access Road, viewing the flooded fields south between the Access
Road and the Entrance Road we had close views of Northern Shoveler, and
Northern Pintail. Steller's Jay were heard. The flooded fields west and
south of the Twin Barns had good numbers of Northern Shoveler, additional
waterfowl included Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Mallard and Cackling
Geese.

At the west entrance to the Twin Barns Loop Trail, there are several snags
on the left hand side of the trail where Tree Swallows are investigating
nest cavities. On the Loop Trail we had good observations of Ring-necked
Duck, Marsh Wren, and Spotted Towhee. We were fortunate to have great
looks of a mixed flock of Canada and Cackling Geese foraging along the
Access Road, providing a good opportunity to see Minima and Taverner's
Cackling Geese as well Western (Moffiti) and Lesser (parvipes) Canada Geese.

>From the Twin Barns Observation Platform, we enjoyed good numbers of
sparrow foraging including Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow and Lincoln's Sparrow.

Out on the Nisqually Estuary (dike) Trail we scoped a Peregrine Falcon in
the Cottonwood Trees along Nisqually River with a full crop. Approximately
hundred Violet-green Swallows were flying around the surge plain with
several Tree Swallows mixed in. A Norther Harrier was seen many times
gliding over the dike trail. North of the trail on the salt water side, on
either side of Leschi Slough we saw good numbers of waterfowl. We heard
and finally observed a Western Meadowlark, and picked out an Eurasian
Wigeon among the many American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal. There were
Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull and Western Gull as well.
South of the trail on the fresh water side we saw many American Coots and
additional Northern Shoveler foraging for food in pooled water in cat tail
marsh. South beyond the dike trail gate, in the sanctuary, we had very
nice looks at a Northern Shrike.

>From the Observation Tower at the start of the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk
Trail, we observed Horned Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Goldeneye,
additional Bufflehead foraging in Shannon Slough. The Great Egret flew
directly overhead within 50 feet for great looks. The eagle nest tree
south of the tower along the west bank of McAllister Creek is a topped
large Douglas fir with a nest on the northern side of the trunk
approximately 10-15 feet below the top of the tree, an adult Bald Eagle
could be seen sitting in the nest and presumably incubating eggs. From the
McAllister Creek Viewing Platform we observed Greater Yellowlegs foraging
on the marsh plain between Shannon Slough and McAllister Creek. From the
Puget Sound Viewing Platform we scoped 80+ Brant (black) Geese and observed
30+ Dunlin flying over Nisqually Reach. Additional immature Bald Eagles
were seen perched on the marsh plain.

On our return, we added Common Merganser, one female Barrow's Goldeneye,
and Double-crested Cormorant from the Nisqually River Overlook. Along the
Old Nisqually River Dike we saw good numbers of Yellow-rumped Warbler,
mostly Audubon's variety but several Myrtle variety in the mix. Four Great
Horned Owls were seen, two pairs each with one adult and one owlet. The
owls have moved south of the nest tree and are located in region where the
tall stand of cottonwood trees meets the shorter alder trees. One owlet
has more contour feathers then the other, appearing less downy, and we
speculate it may be significantly older then the other, perhaps 6+ days.
Last year the owlets perched together. The owlets this year have perched
separately since fledging and maybe age is factor in this observation.
Brown Creepers were also seen.

66 species for the day, with 105 species for the year. Mammals seen were
North American Beaver and Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Until next week, good birding!

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