Tweets,

Today 34 of us enjoyed a nice day at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. It was warm and sunny most of the day and the birds cooperated for this time of the year. We had a 10.6 high tide at 12:27 so that worked out well.

Highlights included COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN BITTERN, both SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.

It was pretty quiet at the visitor center and the start of the boardwalk to the twin barns until we spotted the BITTERN along the edge of the pond. It flew out into the pond and afforded great views for all. We also had PIED-BILLED GREBE and juvenile WOOD DUCKS on that pond. YELLOW WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT became quite active from there out to the twin barns.

Looking out into the reclamation area we spotted a COOPER'S HAWK perched on one of the snags. It posed nicely and then flew onto the top of the nearest barn just in case we didn't get good looks while it was on the snag.

Out in the inside pond near the start of the estuarine boardwalk we spotted both SORA and VIRGINIA RAIL. The SORA stayed in view for several minutes but the VIRGINIA RAIL offered only fleeting glimpses. We also saw a WILSON'S SNIPE nearby.

Out on the boardwalk we saw WESTERN SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, KILLDEER, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, and, mixed in with the KILLDEER we saw three SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. It was good to compare the two side by side. There also were several BELTED KINGFISHERS and CASPIAN TERNS along McAllister Creek.

Raptors seen included the COOPER'S HAWK, BALD EAGLES, and a couple of OSPREY along McAllister creek.

For the day we had 53 species and I now have 129 for the year.

Mammals seen were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, COTTONTAIL RABBIT, HARBOR SEAL, COLUMBIAN BLACK-TAILED DEER, and a couple of LONG-TAILED WEASELS.

Until next week when Eric of Shep will lead....

Phil Kelley
Lacey, WA
scrubjay323 at aol.com
360-970-6323