Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 11/14/12
Date: Nov 14 20:35:52 2012
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com


Tweets,

Today 38 (or so) of us enjoyed a great day at Nisqually! The weather
cooperated and we saw some great birds. We had a three owl day which is rare
on the refuge, a seven owl day if you count individuals!

The day got off to a good start with several different waterfowl at the
visitor center and 15 WILSON'S SNIPE at the pond near the turn across from the
orchard on the access road. We picked up a VARIED THRUSH in the orchard
as well as BUSHTITS and a DOWNEY WOODPECKER.

We got our first owl, a BARN OWL, along the access road past the riparian
area across from the visitor center. It flushed and flew toward the
Nisqually River. We had heard the reports of the SNOWY OWLS but early morning
scouting trips didn't find anything, but we got good views later in the day.

The first SNOWY OWLS were spotted sitting on stumps near the mouth of the
Nisqually River. Not great looks but diagnostic. Out at the end of the
estuary boardwalk we got better views of those two and really goods looks at
another SNOWY much nearer toward the mouth of McAllister Creek. I saw three
SNOWYS but Shep and Matt found a fourth SNOWY after I left the area.

The third owl species seen was GREAT HORNED OWL, seen on the outside of the
boardwalk along the Nisqually River side. Again the laggards found a
second GREAT HORNED OWL giving them a total of seven owls for the day! Pretty
good for Nisqually.

Other highlights included great views of PEREGRINE FALCON, NORTHERN SHRIKE,
COOPER'S HAWK, MERLIN, and DUNLIN.

For the day we had 58 species with the BARN OWL being new for the year.

Mammals seen were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL and HARBOR SEAL.

Until next week when we do our monthly survey....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA
360-459-1499