-----Original Message-----
From: scrubjay323 <scrubjay323 at aol.com>
To: listproc <listproc at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wed, Feb 19, 2014 2:26 pm
Subject: Nisqually NWR 2/19/14


Tweets,

Today 23 of us enjoyed a dry but windy walk at Nisqually. It was sunny but cold. We had a 14.1 high tide at 8:05. With all our recent rain there was plenty of water on the refuge, most of it rippling in the wind.

Highlights included the return of the GREAT EGRET, a hybrid AMERICAN/EURASIAN WIGEON, and 3 OWLETS in their nest hole. I also saw a WILSON'S SNIPE next tot he pond at the visitor center about noon.

There were lots of waterfowl on the refuge including the 7 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE near the gate on the McAllister Creek trail. We saw the hybrid WIGEON off the observation deck at the twin barns and saw a couple of EURASIAN WIGEON. One was on the pond south of the twin barns seen from the gate area and the other was on Shannon Slough seen from the start of the estuary boardwalk.

The GREAT EGRET was seen as it flew into the trees near the Nisqually overlook and then flew along the new dike offering great views.

The 3 GREAT HORNED OWLETS were in the nest hole. They have been out and about on the branches of the tree but not today. Perhaps that was because there were 7 BALD EAGLES nearby. We didn't locate one of the adults but they were nearby somewhere.

At the end of the walk Nancy spotted a WILSON'S SNIPE on the spit of land in front of the well house at the visitor center. This seems to be a usual spot for this bird, but we haven't seen it for a couple of weeks.

Lots of singing by the RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and many of the ducks are pairing up so spring can't be too far away. I hope.

For the week I had 45 species and now have 72 for the year. The only mammal seen was a MUSKRAT.

Until next week at 8:00.......


Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA