Tweets,

Yesterday 30 of us enjoyed a good walk at Nisqually. It was mostly sunny
and warm and pretty vocal. Lots of bird noises which was good because
things were hard to see in all the foliage. We had a -0.7 low tide at 11:28
so lots of mud in the reclamation area.

Highlights included GREAT HORNED OWLETS, lots of FLYCATCHERS, and great
views of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. There was a significant lack of waterfowl
on the refuge.

The GREAT HORNED OWLETS are moving around quite a bit and were seen inside
the boardwalk in the stand of big leafed maples just past the woodland stub
along the east side of the refuge. Two young were seen and it was reported
that one of the adults flew by before the group got there.

We had several sightings of both WILLOW FLYCATCHERS and WESTERN WOOD
PEEWEES and Jon heard an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER calling on the west side of
McAllister Creek.

The BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were seen near the picnic area near the twin
barns and also from the viewing platform at the twin barns.

The only waterfowl seen were some CANADA GEESE with young, MALLARDS and
female HOODED MERGANSERS. The goslings were the only baby waterfowl seen.

For the day I had 41 species and still have 112 for the year. Mammals seen
included DOUGLAS SQUIRREL, GRAY SQUIRREL, COTTONTAILED RABBIT, and MUSKRAT.

Until next week,,,

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA