Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR Wednesday morning walk 5/23, update.
Date: May 24 12:34:24 2012
From: Shep Thorp - sthorp at theaec.com


Hello Tweets,

sorry about my initial incomplete report sent prematurely, here is the
complete report.

18 of us enjoyed a very birdy day at the Refuge with intermittent rain,
temperature in 50's degrees Fahrenheit, and a Low -1'7" Tide at 1:52pm.
Highlights for the day were two AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS roosting, feeding,
and flying around the refuge. A very close fly over of four BLACK SWIFT
providing unusually fabulous looks. And seasonal regulars BLUE-WINGED
TEAL, CINNAMON TEAL, WESTERN TANAGER, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, SWAINSON'S THRUSH
and WILLOW FLYCATCHER.

Meeting at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook we had very nice observations
of BLUE-WINGED TEAL and WOOD DUCK. A pair of female COMMON MERGANSERS flew
into the pond and I initially misidentified them as Red-breasted
Mergansers. Fortunately the mergansers stuck around to study, and I was
fooled by the white chin patch on these birds which were not as clearly
demarcated as I'm used to seeing in female Common Mergansers. Other
birders noted the more delineated neck line between the chestnut colored
head and gray breast, as well head shape, bill size and the slope of the
forehead which helped me to see these were Common Mergs. Not unlike the
challenge of distinguishing female Cinnamon Teal and Blue-winged Teal, we
enjoyed the vigorous discussion and speculation.

Nesting BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE were feeding chicks in the snag to the left,
nesting RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were feeding chicks in the Cat Tails to the
right, nesting CLIFF SWALLOWS were sitting in mud huts under the eves
above. Our breeding CEDAR WAXWINGS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH were abundant
and vocal. NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW were seen perched and foraging
over the pond.

An immature BALD EAGLE was perched in a snag next to the parking lot as we
made our way to the flooded fields south of the Access Road. We had nice
looks at SAVANNAH SPARROW, CINNAMON TEAL, GADWALL, KILLDEER, and additional
teal. The big surprise was the two AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS that flew south
over the Refuge and through out the day were seen roosting, foraging and
flying around. This was my first record in 4 years of weekly walks at
Nisqually NWR, so an accidental visit by this beautiful species. I suspect
the two were a breeding pair as both birds had vertical epidermal plates
protruding from the upper bill and performed a distinct episode of circle
flying which I think is a courtship behavior.

In the flooded fields south of the Twin Barns just west of the Access Road
we picked up AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER and HOODED MERGANSER with
ducklings. We had addition good looks at teal. The successful BALD EAGLE
nest on the west side of McAllister creek south of the McAllister
Creek Viewing Platform in a topped off Douglas Fir could be easily scoped
to reveal one dark juvenile bird with an adult perched above.

On the Twin Barns Loop Trail we had nice observations of YELLOW WARBLER,
SONG SPARROW, SPOTTED TOWHEE, WARBLING VIREO, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, VAUX'S
SWIFT and FOY WILLOW'S FLYCATCHER x 3 at the Twin Barns cut-off. The
WARBLING VIREO, WILLOW'S FLYCATCHER, WESTERN TANAGER and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE
were singing away.

>From the Twin Barns Observation Platform hundreds of CLIFF, TREE,
VIOLET-GREEN, and BARN SWALLOW were seen foraging for insects with aerial
pursuit. A female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was observed foraging along the slough,
and a few SORA were heard calling.

Out on the new dike Nisqually Estuary Trail we enjoyed CANADA GEESE with
goslings and early creche behavior. Eric spotted a WILSON'S SNIPE on the
fresh water side and we were treated to aerial displays and winnowing.
With the cloudy windy rainy weather, many Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows and
Cliff Swallows were standing on the mud flats and foraging insects off the
mud. Our second big surprise of the day was 4 BLACK SWIFTS flying over the
dike approximately 30 feet overhead. I've never seen Black Swift so close
to the ground while foraging and suspect the stormy weather pushed these
high flyer's down? We also saw PURPLE MARTIN and EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE.

>From the Observation Tower and the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail we
enjoyed scoping, following a flock of 12 plus WHIMBRELS. A flock of 20
plus HOODED MERGANSERS were observed foraging in Shannon Slough, most were
females.

At the Nisqually River Overlook, we added ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER to our list. Along the east branch of the Twin Barns
Loop Trail we added WILSON'S WARBLER, BROWN CREEPER and had many great
looks at SWAINSON'S THRUSH. Eric's group located an immature GREAT HORNED
OWL in the short riparian woodlands on the inside of the boardwalk. The
Riparian Forest Overlook had many Western Tanagers.

I've not heard or seen PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER at the Refuge this year so
far, and decided to bird Lurh Beach at 6am. Lhur Beach's hillside had 3
Pacific-slope Flycatchers as well we observed Purple Martin, PINE SISKIN,
BONAPARTE'S GULL and SURF SCOTER.

Mammals seen included Columbia Black Tailed Deer, Muskrat, and Eastern Gray
Squirrel.

For the day we saw 67 species, with 146 species for the year.

Until next week, good birding!

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