Subject: [Tweeters] Nisqually NWR 10/24/12
Date: Oct 24 21:54:42 2012
From: Scrubjay323 at aol.com - Scrubjay323 at aol.com
Tweets,
Today 24 of us (or so) had a fantastic day at Nisqually! We started out
at the visitor center overlook with GADWALL, WOOD DUCKS, PIED BILLED GREBE,
and MALLARDS. There also were CROWS, STARLINGS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS
in the area. It rained at the start and we had a 13.5 high at 2:50 so we
hit it right at the estuary boardwalk.
Things really got good when we headed to the first pond along the entrance
road just opposite the orchard. There we had NORTHERN SHOVLERS, NORTHERN
PINTAIL, GREEN WINGED TEAL, and the star of the day, SHARPTAILED SANDPIPER!
It was with a couple of PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and we had a couple of
WILSON'S SNIPE in the same area along with a LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
While we were observing these birds Eric spotted a NORTHER SHRIKE in the
orchard behind us. We also picked up a nice winter flock of passerines that
included 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS in with the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS and
DARK-EYED JUNCOS, BLACK CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES. Later we
picked up SONG, FOX, and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS.
At the freshwater wetlands overlook we spooked an AMERICAN BITTERN and had
more looks at MALLARDS and PINTAILS.
At the twin barns we had our only look at a lone GREATER WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE that was in the slough. This was where we picked out the LINCOLN'S
SPARROW and had the MUSKRAT in the slough.
Out in the reclamation area we had a EURASIAN WIGEON among the AMERICAN
WIGEON, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, DUNLIN, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and KILDEER.
Off the estuary boardwalk we got better looks at the PLOVERS and DUNLIN and
added LEAST SANDPIPER to the days list. Here we also picked up COMMON
GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT, and our gulls for the day.
I did not walk all the way to the end so I missed some of Shep's sightings
but did pick up my first of the fall VARIED THRUSH at the woodland stub on
the way back in.
For the day I had 63 species with BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SHARP-TAILED
SANDPIPER, BUSHTIT (?), VARIED THRUSH, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW being new for
the year. I now have a total of 138 species for the year.
Mammals seen MUSKRAT and HARBOR SEAL.
Until next week when Shep and Eric will lead while I am back East visiting
family....
Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA
360-459-1499