Tweets,

Yesterday 35 of us had a great walk at NIsqually. It was mostly sunny
and warm, but it got breezy out on the new dike and estuary boardwalk.
We had a 11.4 high tide at 10:33.

Highlights included a BEAVER at the visitor center pond, BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER, MERLIN, and MacGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER.

The MacGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER led us on a merry chase. We first heard it
at the freshwater pond overlook along the west side of the boardwalk
and it moved along ahead of us all the way out to the twin barns turn
off. We heard it in several different locations and despite many eyes
searching we never laid eyes on it. Sneaky little bugger. We did see
many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, mostly AUDUBON'S.

The MERLIN gave us a fly by as we were on the new dike near the twin
barns turn off. It shot out over one of the ponds and dove out of
sight. Not sure if it got a meal or not.

The BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were out in the reclamation area and are the
first of the expected migrating shorebirds to show up on the refuge.
The next few weeks should be interesting.

A couple of the folks reported a pair of CINNAMON TEAL landing on the
pond across from the parking lot. The lit into the weeds and never
emerged while we were there.

For the day I had 53 species and now have 101 for the year.

Mammals seen were the BEAVER and BLACK-TAILED DEER. A couple of
PAINTED TURTLES were sunbathing near the freshwater pond overlook.

Until next week....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA