Tweets,

Wednesday 27 of us enjoyed a great day at Nisqually under clear skies and warm temps. The only drawback was a 1.2 ft low tide at 12:38. We had lots of mud on the estuary boardwalk.

Highlights included our first of year RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, and a MERLIN flyby.

We had a couple of sightings of RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS mostly along the boardwalk and picked up our first of the year WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW along the maintenance road toward the entrance gate, The MERLIN gave a flyby at the twin barns overlook where it caught a swallow.

Also at the twin barns we say a HOUSE SPARROW. That is notable in that it is the first HOUSE SPARROW I've ever seen at Nisqually and it is not listed on the refuge check list. I hope it is a one and done sighting.

On a brighter note, the GREAT EGRET continues, as dose the GREAT HORNED OWL family. Waterfowl continue to pair up and more WOOD DUCKS and HOODED MERGANSERS are showing up. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are about in good numbers including colorful males.

>From the estuary boardwalk we did manage to see COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, HORNED GREBE, and BELTED KINGFISHER. At the end of boardwalk we scanned Nisqually Reach but I couldn't identify much at that distance.

For the day I had 61 species and now have 86 for the year.

Mammals seen were EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, RACCOON, and HARBOR SEAL.

Until next week....

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