Tweets,

25 of us enjoyed a great day at Nisqually yesterday. It started our
foggy but soon cleared and we had mild conditions all day. We had a
4.9 low tide at 11:09 so we had lots of mud off the estuary dike.

The highlight of the day was a SWAMP SPARROW Kyle spotted just past
the freshwater marsh overlook. Several folks saw it before it dove
into the brush and could not be relocated.

Other highlights included the continuing WHITE-THROATED SPARROW near
the education center, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and a VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA
in the same scope view.

The VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA were inside the boardwalk past the second
overlook as you head out to the twin barns. Great comparative views.

The SHRIKE was inside the estuary dike and was seen impaling its prey
on a hawthorne thorn.

We also had a late flyover of an OSPREY as well as flyovers by SNOW
GEESE and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.

Some of the crew observed a GREAT HORNED OWL being mobbed by CROWS and
flying over the Nisqually River to find peace and quiet.

For the day I had 47 species and now have 127 for the year. Mammals
seen included BLACK-TAILED DEER and GRAY SQUIRREL.

Until next week...

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA