Tweets,

Yesterday 21 of us walked Nisqually during intermittent showers. There was little if any wind so it wasn't too uncomfortable. The rain did stop toward mid-day. We had a low tide of 5.8 at 12:59 so we had lots of mud to scan.

The sightings of the day occurred right at the start when a BEAVER and a MINK showed up in front of the visitor center overlook. Most of the early crowd got good looks. We also saw an adult GREAT HORNED OWL and two young in the nest tree inside the boardwalk between the twin barns and the Nisqually side. These owls must be nesting earlier each year. The young are getting big fast!

The SWAMP SPARROW made an appearance early and we all got great looks at an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE along the estuary dike behind the twin barns.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and SONG SPARROWS were singing and the KINGLETS were very active through the riparian areas. We had a couple of GREATER SCAUP out toward the estuary boardwalk.

Other than that it was the usual suspects.

For the day I had 49 species with the SHRIKE being new for the year, giving me 72 species for the year. Besides the BEAVER and MINK we also saw BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until next week.....

Phil Kelley
scriubjay323 at aol.com
Lacey, WA