Tweets,

Yesterday 25 of us enjoyed a great day at Nisqually. It was clod but clear
with light winds most of the day. There didn't seem to be lots of birds
about but the verity was good.

We started with a WILSON'S SNIPE and a PIED-BILLED GREBE at the visitor
center and sort of closed with a MERLIN chasing some LEAST SANDPIPERS our
over the surge plain. In between we saw lots of waterfowl and raptors and a
few passerines.

The MERLIN gave us a 3 falcon day along with a couple of sightings of
PEREGRINE FALCON and an AMERICAN KESTRAL. BALD EAGLES were plentiful and we
had a couple of RED-TAILED HAWKS and NORTHERN HARRIERS.

We had several AUDUBON'S YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and GOLDEN CROWNED and SONG
SPARROWS were abundant. Other than that KINGLETS and CHICKADEES were
scattered in ones and twos. Never did find a nice mixed flock that would be
expected this time of the year.

We did find a couple of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE among the CACKLING
GEESE south of the twin barns and we had a couple of male EURASIAN WIGEONS
on the pond across the road from the orchard but other than that nothing
unusual.

For the day I had 50 species leaving me with 145 for the year. The group
recorded 168 species for the year. Looks like I need to extend my walks
next year.

Mammals seen included BLACK-TAILED DEER, COYOTE, HARBOR SEAL, and MUSKRAT.
Others in the group reported seeing BEAVER before I arrived and RIVER OTTER
at the visitor center after we started the walk.

Until next year...Happy New Year!

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA
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