Hi Tweets,

this week was a survey week with the USGS. Eric and Matt lead the main
group on the north dike, Jerry joined the south dike crew, and Shep joined
the boat crew. There was a High 10'1" Tide at 8:59am, the skies were
cloudy but the rain held off until the afternoon, temperature was in the
50's-60's degrees Fahrenheit.

Highlights included many Swainson's Thrush, first of year Blue-winged Teal,
Whimbrel and American White Pelican, and an unexpected late stop over by
two Snow Geese.

Around the Visitor Center, Parking Lot and Access Road we had 5 species of
swallows, many singing American Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, Song
Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow. Nice observations of Cinnamon Teal,
Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, Solitary Sandpiper and Wilson's Snipe.
Many Red Crossbills were flying around, Sora and a Western Wood-pewee were
heard.

On the Twin Barns Loop Trail we heard and saw Rufous Hummingbird, Downy
Woodpecker, Warbling Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Bewick's Wren,
Swainson's Thrush, FOY Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat,
Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's
Oriole.

>From the Twin Barns Overlook, we enjoyed nice scanning of the flooded
fields with Mallard, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern
Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser and Hooded
Merganser.

Out on the Nisqually Estuary Trail, Purple Martin and Dunlin were observed
in the surge plain area. Remarkably, two Snow Geese flew into the fresh
water marsh and stayed for the day. Additional birds seen included
Cackling Geese, Canada Geese, a single Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Duck,
Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Ring-billed Gull,
Vaux's Swift and Marsh Wren. We were not able to relocate the Wilson's
Phalarope seen by others over the weekend.

On the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail we enjoyed nice observation of
Bald Eagle - both nests south and north of McAllister Creek Viewing
Platform on the west bank of McAllister Creek are active with young,
Caspian Tern, and distant views of Whimbrel and Black-bellied Plover.

>From the boat, Lhur beach had many Greater Scaup and Surf Scoter. There
was 12 American White Pelican at the mouth of Nisqually, but they flushed
and flew east over Dupont. Spotted Sandpiper was seen in the tidal
channels and a single Rhinoceros Auklet was seen in the Sound.

A very fun day with the business of helping the USGS survey, we saw 86
species for the day and have 152 species for the year. Mammals seen
included American Beaver, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Columbia Black-tailed
Deer, California Sea Lion, Harbor Seal and Coyote.

Until next week when Phil Kelley will return.
Good birding,

Shep Thorp
Browns Point
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