Hi Tweets,

approximately 30 of us enjoyed a very nice sunny summer day at the Refuge
with temperatures in the 60's to 80's and a Low -3.04ft Tide at 11:43am and
High 14ft Tide at 7:04pm. Highlights included at least two FOY RED-EYED
VIREOs to make it a three vireo day, return of NORTHERN HARRIER and lots of
babies. In the afternoon/evening from 4:30p to 5:30p there was a pretty
nice shorebird show of peeps from the tidal push around Leschi Slough.

Starting out at the Visitor Center at 8am, we had good looks at BARN
SWALLOW, TREE SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW and VIOLET GREEN SWALLOW. Many young
birds were observed. WILLOW FLYCATCHER was actively singing at the east
side of the pond and an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD flew through.

The stand of trees behind the flag pole was great for YELLOW WARBLER,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE.

The Orchard produced sightings of CEDAR WAXWING, NORTHERN FLICKER and
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. The woods along the east side of the maintenance road
was very active with sightings and vocalizations of RED-EYED VIREO,
CASSIN'S VIREO, WILSON'S WARBLER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, SPOTTED TOWHEE and
BUSHTIT.

Along the Access Road we had sightings of NORTHERN HARRIER, COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT, SAVANNAH SPARROW, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WING
SWALLOW.

We decided to do the Twin Barns Loop Trail backwards, entering on the east
side, with a low tide at 11:43am. We had nice sightings and reports of
WESTERN TANAGER, BROWN CREEPER and BEWICKS WREN.

The Riparian Forest View Point is open, as the bridge has been repaired.
Near the cut-off we enjoyed the song of WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER.

Along the east side, within the loop across from the Twin Benches, we heard
and saw our second RED-EYED VIREO, as well WARBLING VIREO. Further down
the trail we had great looks at a first year male BLACK-THROATED GRAY
WARBLER. Both DOWNY WOODPECKER and HAIRY WOODPECKER were observed.

The Nisqually River Overlook was good for COMMON MERGANSER, BELTED
KINGFISHER and SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

The Twin Barns Overlook is overgrown and fairly quiet, additional sightings
of birds already seen.

Out on the dike or Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail we picked up PEREGRINE
FALCON, BALD EAGLE, MALLARD, CINNAMON TEAL, BANK SWALLOW, DOUBLE CRESTED
CORMORANT, GREAT BLUE HERON, RING-BILLED GULL, and CALIFORNIA GULL.

On our return we viewed BAND-TAILED PIGEON, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and WOOD
DUCK along the west side of the Twin Barns Trail.

I decided to return to the dike after the walk to catch the incoming tide
at 4:30pm, and we enjoyed a decent shorebird show of peeps moving around.
Approximately 600 WESTERN SANDPIPERS and 150 LEAST SANDPIPERS.
Unfortunately the flocks did not settle close to the dike, making for
difficult scanning for other species. Good numbers of peeps flew over the
dike and landed in the fresh water marsh on the inside of the dike out of
view. Always nice to see the birds making the most of the sanctuary.

We observed 67 species for the day and have 153 for the year with RED-EYED
VIREO being first of the year. Mammals seen included Eastern Cotton-tailed
Rabbit, Townsend's Chipmunk, Eastern Gray Squirrel, and Harbor Seal.

Until next week when we do it all over again, good birding!

Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/attachments/20190802/f89c50f9/attachment.html>