Hi Tweets,

40 birders enjoyed a very birdy day at Nisqually with cloudy skies in the
morning transitioning to sun in the afternoon, temperature in the 70's
degrees Fahrenheit, and a Low -1'6" Tide around 11am.

Highlights included juvenile HAIRY WOODPECKER being fed by female, SORA
walking the muddy field south of the Twin Barns Overlook, and LAZULI
BUNTING singing in the Elder Berry between the slough north of the Twin
Barns Overlook and the Nisqually Estuary Trail.

Starting out at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond overlook, WOOD DUCK
ducklings in the pond and nesting BARN SWALLOW, AMERICAN ROBIN, SONG
SPARROW, and CEDAR WAXWING around the center. Other species seen included
AMERICAN/NORTHWESTERN CROW, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, and PURPLE FINCH. There
were many juvenile TREE SWALLOWS seen, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK were heard
earlier in the morning. The American Beaver made an appearance.

With the low tide, we decided to do our walk backwards, heading out east
onto the Twin Barns Loop Trail, to bird the forest in the morning. Along
the southeast part of the trail we observed SPOTTED TOWHEE, WILLOW
FLYCATCHER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. All were
vocalizing, the morning chorus was fabulous. YELLOW WARBLER and BULLOCK'S
ORIOLE were heard.

At the Riparian Forest cut-off, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, WARBLING
VIREO, and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER were singing. We've heard and seen
the Black-throated Gray Warbler in this area for weeks and suspect they may
be breeding here.

No Great Horned Owl at the Riparian Forest Overlook, but great looks at a
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD nest with female incubating directly east in a small
tree. New singers to the chorus included BROWN CREEPER. Many Song
Sparrows were seen.

The east side of the Twin Barns Loop trail was very active. We had great
looks at a juvenile Hairy Woodpecker being fed by a female. Additional
nice looks at Western Wood-Pewee, American Goldfinch, Willow Flycatcher,
and Cedar Waxwing. We heard and pursued an emphatic WILSON'S WARBLER, "che,
che,che,che,che,che...", but the reclusive singer was only observed by few.
Many Swainson's Thrush were singing, along with Pacific-slope Flycatcher
and Yellow Warbler. There is a Muskrat den about 1/3rd of the way north on
the inside of the boardwalk near the Rufous Hummingbird sign.

A single GREATER YELLOWLEGS preened on the near shore of the Nisqually
River from the Nisqually River Overlook. Several BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD's
were seen and heard.

Along the north branch of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, sadly the Cedar
Waxwing nest just north of the trail is empty. We had hope to see chicks
this week. On a brighter note, above the chatter of Bullock's Oriole could
be heard, and a nest was relocated in the largest Cottonwood north and west
along this section of the trail. Looking at the tree north from the trail,
the well hidden nest is on the left side. The Orioles were seen bringing
insects to the nest. At the Twin Barns cut-off, a recently fledged brood
of Yellow Warbler were observed being fed by adults.

>From the Twin Barns Overlook, we had terrific views of Sora walking on the
muddy field. New species seen included MALLARD, CINNAMON TEAL, HOODED
MERGANSER, CLIFF SWALLOW, BAND-TAILED PIGEON, and ROCK PIGEON. Quick looks
for few of BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen, later in the day this bird was more
easily seen from the Nisqually Estuary Trail on the fresh water side. The
Lazuli Bunting could be heard from the overlook. A TURKEY VULTURE was
observed soaring east. A doe and two fawn Columbia Black-tailed Deer
walked through the field.

Out on the Nisqually Estuary Trail, we finally observed the Lazuli Bunting
in Elder Berry and small Alder Trees between the dike and the twin barns.
Many COMMON YELLOWTHROAT WARBLER, SAVANNAH SPARROW and MARSH WREN were
heard and seen. On the fresh water side GADWALL, CANADA GOOSE, AMERICAN
WIGEON, AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL were mixed in with many eclipse and
juvenile waterfowl including Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Wood Duck, and Hooded
Merganser. Another Greater Yellowlegs was seen. Many RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS, EUROPEAN STARLINGS, and additional Brown-headed Cowbirds are
feeding in the area. VIRGINIA RAIL was heard multiple times in the
cattails. We were not able to relocate the Bank Swallow seen last week.
Last year American Coot bred in this area and we have not seen any in the
last couple of months.

The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk trail was great for observing BALD EAGLE,
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, RING-BILLED GULL, CASPIAN TERN, BELTED KINGFISHER,
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW and GREAT BLUE HERON. Both the south and
north Bald Eagle nests on the west bank of the McAllister Creek have very
large brown juveniles close to fledging. At low tide, many Great Blue
Heron feed around the mouth of McAllister Creek. SPOTTED SANDPIPER,
STELLER'S JAY, WESTERN TANAGER and Black-headed Grosbeak were heard.
Unfortunately we could not relocate the Franklin's Gull and Black Tern
seen last week.

On our return, we heard and observed WILSON'S SNIPE in the muddy field
along the access road south of the Twin Barns. Species seen earlier in the
day prior to walk start time included VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, OSPREY,
RED-TAILED HAWK and BREWER'S BLACKBIRD.

63 Species for the day, with 166 species for the year on my list not
including previous reports/sightings of American White Pelican, and
Red-necked Phalarope. Mammals seen included American Beaver, Cotton-tailed
Rabbit, Muskrat, Columbia Black-tailed Deer, and Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Until next week,
good birding,

Shep Thorp
sthorp at theaec.com
253-370-3742
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