Tweets,

On Wednesday 26 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually. We reversed the loop and started with the riparian area on the Nisqually River side. We had morning cloudiness followed by sunny conditions and a light breeze. We had a 9.0 high tide at 10:30 am.

The idea to reverse the route turned out to be a good decision because we picked up lots of nice birds in the riparian area before they settled down for the day. Highlights included BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, WESTERN TANAGER. WARBLING VIREO, and an active BUSHTIT nest.

WARBLING VIREOS were very vocal along the slough and near the woodland stub and the BUSHTIT nest along the stub had adults flying back and forth feeding young.

The WESTERN TANAGERS were in the big leaf maples inside the boardwalk gleaning food. The BILLOCK'S ORIOLES were seen in the trees near the Nisqually overlook and later along the crossover trail to the twin barns.

There were lots of FLYCATCHERS and WARBLERS about and we saw a good number of waterfowl on what little water remains in the interior ponds.

There were several pair of CINNAMOM and BLUE-WINGED TEAL and WOOD DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER hens with ducklings.

We still have lingering COOT, AMERICAN WIGEON, and NORTHERN PINTAIL on the refuge.

The only raptor I saw was a couple of BALD EAGLES.

For the day I had 47 species and now have 118 for the year.

Mammals seen were MUSKRAT and COTTONTAIL RABBIT.

Until next week when we walk in memory of Matt Kaiser......


Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA