Tweets,

Today a dozen of us enjoyed an interesting morning at Nisqually. We had
rain, wind, sun breaks and then more of the same. Not many small birds in
the air.

With the recent rain there is lots of water in the freshwater ponds and
many waterfowl as well. From the visitor center we had MALLARD, RING-NECKED
DUCKS, an AMERICAN WIGEON, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. A small mixed flock of
BUSHTITS, both KINGLETS and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE worked the trees around
the visitor center.

At the pond across from the orchard we had 13 WILSON'S SNIPE along with
MALLARDS, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Near the
orchard we had VARIED THRUSH, DOWNEY WOODPECKER, and SPOTTED TOWHEE.

There were several NORTHER HARRIERS and RED-TAILED HAWKS throughout the
refuge and we also saw several BALD EAGLES, a COOPER'S HAWK and at least one
PEREGRINE FALCON.

We saw NORTHERN SHRIKE near the freshwater wetlands overlook and 2 more out
in the reclamation area.

There were several thousand CACKLING GEESE on the refuge as well as a few
CANADA GEESE.

Shorebirds seen included DUNLIN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS
and the afore mentioned WILSON'S SNIPE.

The tide was way in and the weather was nasty so we didn't walk the estuary
boardwalk but headed back in. We dipped on owls this week but hope to do
better next week.

The last bird we saw was an AMERICAN BITTERN near the drain under the
boardwalk as we neared the visitor center.

For the day we saw 45 species with nothing new for the year. The only
mammal we saw a HARBOR SEAL in the Nisqually River.

Until next week when we will do the monthly survey....Happy Thanksgiving!

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