Tweets,

Today 22 of us enjoyed a great walk at Nisqually. It was sunny and warm and the birds cooperated. The only negative was we had a -1.7 tide at 12:22 so no one did the estuary boardwalk.

Highlights included a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, several YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS, a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, a LEAST SANDPIPER, and a LESSER YELLOWLEGS.

The BULLOCK'S ORIOLE was spotted in the high trees across from the education center at the start of the walk. It flew into the cottonwood grove behind the ed center and disappeared. The ORIOLES nested in this area the last couple of years.

The other highlights were all seen on the freshwater pond south of the new dike. Good views were had by all.

On the passerine side YELLOW WARBLERS were everywhere, singing their hearts out. On the down side was the presence of several BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS. Looks like a tough year for the songbirds.

We had CANADA GEESE, WOOD DUCKS, and HOODED MERGANSERS leading new families around. And we had several pair of CINNAMON TEAL and a couple pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL on the pond south of the twin barns.

For the day I had 50 species and now have 113 for the year. The only mammal I saw was a MUSKRAT swimming under the bridge to the twin barns.

Until next week.....


Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA