Tweets,

Today 32 of us enjoyed a great day at Nisqually! It was mostly clear and warm once the sun came out and the birds cooperated. We had a 13.0 high tide at 2:22 so those who did the estuary boardwalk got some great views.

Highlights included a CANADA GOOSE in this year's owl nest, and adult GREAT HORNED OWL in last year's nest, 3 juvenile GREAT HORNED OWLS on the Nisqually River side of the boardwalk near last year's nest and a ball of 25 or 30 GARTER SNAKES along the new dike. Spring must be here!

The day started with a nice group of waterfowl at the visitor center. On the pond behind the visitor center were GADWALL, HOODED MERGANSER, MALLARD, RING-NECKED DUCK, and CANADA GOOSE. The WILSON'S SNIPE also was present there. We had several TREE SWALLOW fly over and a FOX SPARROW was working the brush next to the deck.

The Magnificent Seven (GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE) were next to the pond along the maintenance road behind the riparian area across the parking lot. We also had BUSHTITS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, and DOWNEY WOODPECKER there also. A few of us also saw a VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW among the TREE SWALLOW there.

There is still lots of water in the ponds and waterfowl are scattered throughout the refuge. The GREAT EGRET made a showing out in the reclamation area and an AMERICAN BITTERN entertained everyone near the start of the estuary boardwalk.

On the way back from the estuary boardwalk I spotted a GREAT BLUE HERON trying to eat a GARTER SNAKE. Only problem was the snake was wrapped around the heron's leg. A bit later along the dike I came across a couple who were watching a ball of 25 or 30 GARTER SNAKES just off the trail. First mating ball of GARTER SNAKES I've ever seen.

It was good to see all three juvenile OWLS after only seeing two of them last week and over the weekend. The CANADA GOOSE in this years nest hole was odd but there was another CANADA GOOSE up in the trees also. We had two CANADAS land on the top of the barns while we were on the viewing platform there.

For the day I had 51 species and now have 75 for the year. I guess I need to get out on the estuary boardwalk once in a while to add to my list.

Mammals seen were MUSKRAT and COTTON-TAILED RABBIT.

Until next week....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA