Tweeters,

Cool (36degF/42degF start/finish), but nice for birding for the 11 of us today, with only a slight mist for about the first hour. Lots of singing, especially from Pacific Wrens, American Robins, and Song Sparrows. Our first ever MERLIN was a bit bizarre, in that we spotted it (thinking it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk initially) being followed by a flock of European Starlings. The Merlin landed on the top of a nearby Douglas-fir, where the backlighting at first kept it from being positively identified. Soon, though, the facial pattern made it apparent that it was our first Merlin. A few minutes later, it lifted off, flying strongly and high, up the 3rd hole fairway. Other highlights include a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS on the pond at the 6th hole, an area we haven't gone to before, but our sponsor, Dave, said he saw several ducks there yesterday. Sure enough, in addition to the merganser pair was a pair of Mallards and a male Bufflehead. A singing HUTTON'S VIREO at the cut-through area between the 4th hole of the Green Course and the area near the Dupont housing was an easy find. A large mixed flock (both Chickadees, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and both Kinglets) kept us scrambling to get a reasonable count of what was there. Naturally, we all thought we under-counted by a significant margin. Our usual lunch spot at the Nisqually Bar & Grill was a good finish for the day of fine birding at JBLM's Eagles Pride Golf Course.

The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of each month at 8:00AM. Starting point is Bldg # 1514, Driving Range Tee, Eagles Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. Upcoming walks include the following:
• March 15
• April 15
• May 17
Anyone is welcome to join us!

Seen today: 32 species (+1 other taxa)



Canada Goose 35 Flyover near the driving range

Mallard 3

Ring-necked Duck 9 All at Hodge Lake

Bufflehead 14

Hooded Merganser 2 At 6th hole pond in front of the green

Red-tailed Hawk 1

Anna's Hummingbird 3 One at in the shrubs along the 16th hole; two interacting near the Dupont housing area

Downy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 6

Merlin 1 First (ever) sighting of this species on our bird walk. Near the driving range.

Hutton's Vireo 1 Singing at the cut-through between the the 4th hole and the Dupont housing area. Same area as last year in the Spring.

Steller's Jay 5

American/Northwestern Crow 1

Common Raven 1

Black-capped Chickadee 10

Chestnut-backed Chickadee 10

Red-breasted Nuthatch 6

Brown Creeper 3

Pacific Wren 10 Quite a few singing

Bewick's Wren 1

Golden-crowned Kinglet 23

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5

American Robin 16

Varied Thrush 5

European Starling 50

Dark-eyed Junco 29 Most next to the driving-range shelter

White-crowned Sparrow 1 On blackberry patch near the driving range

Golden-crowned Sparrow 10

Song Sparrow 9

Spotted Towhee 7

Red-winged Blackbird 7

Purple Finch 1

Red Crossbill 2



View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42828059


May all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis

avnacrs4birds at outlook.com

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