Tweets,

Today 38 of us enjoyed a great day at Nisqually. No rain, light breeze
for most of the day and the birds cooperated. We had a 14 ft high tide
at 1:39 so lots of water out in the reclamation area. In fact, lots of
water throughout the refuge.

We had a great start with a WILSON'S SNIPE at the visitor center and
it got better quickly. As we headed toward the Ed Center Jon Anderson
checked out the tree line along the access road and spotted some white
wash on a small cedar tree, A search turned up another NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWL, our second in two weeks! That is 4 SAW-WHETS I've seen
on the refuge in 25 years.

In the orchard we found 2 RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS, CHICKADES and
KINGLETS, as well as PINE SISKINS. We later had an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD
working on an apple. Gotta get those calories from somewhere.

Along the trail to the twin barns we had a flyby of 3 TRUMPETER SWANS.
We found a nice mixed flock along the boardwalk that included both
CHICKADEES, both KINGLETS, BUSHTITS, BROWN CREEPER, DOWNY WOODPECKER,
and BEWICK'S WREN. We also had more SISKINS there.

Raptors seen included BALD EAGLE, COOPER'S and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS,
RED-TAILED HAWKS, NORTHERN HARRIERS, as well as PEREGRINE FALCON and
AMERICAN KESTREL. Just not a good day to be a prey species.

Out along the estuary boardwalk we picked up 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS,
BELTED KINGFISHER, MEW, RING-BILLED, and BONAPARTE'S GULLS, as well as
COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON LOON, HORNED GREBE, and SURF SCOTER. Out on
the sound we had BRANDT'S CORMORANTS.

For the day I had 61 species and now have 139 for the year. Mammals
seen included BLACK-TAILED DEER, HARBOR SEALS, and STELLER'S SEALIONS.

Until next week...

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA