Tweets,

Today 15 of use endured a wet slog at Nisqually. It was raining at 8
when we started and it was still raining at 1 when I finished. At
least it was not really cold and there was no wind. We had a 13.3 high
tide at 2:51.

Highlights included SORA, AMERICAN BITTERN, and a couple of HUTTON'S VIREOS.

Ken spotted the SORA on the outside of the boardwalk as we neared the
twin barns turn off. It turned out to be very cooperative and stayed
in view for several minutes.

The BITTERN showed up inside the estuary dike near the start of the
estuary boardwalk. 3 of us spotted it after we turned around at the
start of the boardwalk and headed back.

The HUTTON'S VIREOS were seen in the alders across from the Nisqually
Land Trust access road and another one was seen along the boardwalk,
Both were associated with mixed flocks of KINGLETS.

Waterfowl were plentiful but scattered throughout the refuge. As you
might expect the freshwater pond are very full right now.

A reminder waterfowl season closes Sunday so the last 700 feet of the
estuary boardwalk reopens next week.

For the day I had 45 species and now have 57 for the year. The only
mammal I saw was a BEAVER at the visitor center overlook at the start
of the day.

Until next week....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA