Tweets,

Even though the "official" Wednesday walks are cancelled until further
notice I walked Nisqually yesterday with a couple of other people. It
was 30 degrees at the start and sunny. It warmed quickly and was in
the 50s by the time we finished. We had a 10.8 high tide at 1:35.

It turned out to be a very birdy day and also the most people I've
seen on the refuge at any one time.

Waterfowl numbers are way down and what is there is scattered as
pairing has started. Passerines are just starting to show up and
winter flocks are scattering.

Highlights included HUTTON'S VIREOS in the orchard chasing each other
around, BLACK BRANT out at the end of the estuary boardwalk, and
HORNED GREBES near the end of McAllister Creek.

We also spotted a GREAT HORNED OWL in the Y tree near the beaver dam.
First sighting of the year for me but no owlets. I had all three
MERGANSERS, HOODED at the visitor center, RED-BREASTED on McAllister
Creek, and COMMON on the Nisqually River.

For the day I had 59 species and now have 78 for the year. Mammals
seen were GRAY SQUIRREL, HARBOR SEAL, and BLACK-TAILED DEER.

Until whenever this is over....

Phil Kelley
scrubjay323 at gmail.com
Lacey, WA