[Tweeters] Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR Wednesday Walk

[Shep Thorp]

Hi Tweets,

28 of us had a really nice day at the Refuge with overcast skies and
temperatures in the 30's to 40's degrees Fahrenheit.  There was a High
14.1ft Tide at 10:27am for a really nice tidal push of birds towards the
Nisqually Estuary Trail.  Highlights included BARRED OWL flying across the
parking lot in the morning, high counts of WILSON'S SNIPE in the flooded
fields, continuing RED-SHOULDERED HAWK between the Nisqually River and the
surge plain, AMERICAN KESTREL catching a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, WESTERN
SANDPIPER next to the dike, and three EURASIAN WIGEON in the flooded
estuary.

Starting out at 8:00am at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook we had great
looks of RINGED-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD and HOODED MERGANSER.  As some of
our birders approached the Visitor Center from the parking lot between the
Visitor Center and the Education Center, a BARRED OWL flew from the Visitor
Center Pond into the stand of trees behind the Flag Pole.

The Orchard was good for GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED and
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.  We located a RED-BREASTED
SAPSUCKER in a Pear Tree near the Technician building, and spotted a
PEREGRINE FALCON flying over towards the flooded fields.

The flooded fields along the Access Road had really nice looks of CACKLING
GEESE, minimas, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON,
AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and AMERICAN COOT.  With careful inspection we
found good numbers of WILSON'S SNIPE, three west of the west parking lot,
four south of the Twin Barns, and a flock of 10 flying into the field
adjacent to the Twin Barns Observation Platform.  The nice look show
continued with raptors, two COOPER'S HAWK, both RED-TAILED HAWK and
HARLAN'S variety, BALD EAGLE and NORTHERN HARRIER.  PIED-BILLED GREBE was
seen in the middle of the field south of the Twin Barns.

The west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail was great for mixed flocks.
CHICKADEES, BROWN CREEPER, KINGLETS, DOWNY/HAIRY WOODPECKER, YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, SONG SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, and
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW.  We also heard/saw all three Wrens,
BEWICK'S/MARSH/PACIFIC.  An intergrade NORTHERN FLICKER continues near the
first double bench overlook.

Unfortunately we did not relocate the American Bittern seen the previous
week in the slough adjacent to the Twin Barns Overlook.  We did pick up a
flock of BUSHTIT.

Getting out onto the new dike or Nisqually Estuary Trail, we had great
looks of our wintering RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, hunting the long stand of trees
between the Nisqually River and surge plain.  We observed good numbers of
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.  An AMERICAN KESTREL caught
one of the Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a nearby NORTHERN SHRIKE was heard.
With the tidal push we had excellent numbers of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and
AMERICAN WIGEON.  GADWALL prefer the surge plain.  Hundreds of DUNLIN flew
around the Refuge.  We saw upwards of 100 LEAST SANDPIPER and a single
injured WESTERN SANDPIPER foraged near the entrance of the Nisqually
Estuary Boardwalk Trail.  WESTERN MEADOWLARK and RED-WING BLACKBIRD foraged
along Leschi slough.  Both LINCOLN'S SPARROW and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW were
observed along the dike.

The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail was good for COMMON GOLDENEYE, HORNED
GREBE, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.  We picked up three EURASIAN WIGEON in
the large flocks of American Wigeon.  We also had good looks of GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, SPOTTED SANDPIPER and BELTED KINGFISHER.  From the gate closure
750 feet from the Puget Sound Observation Platform we could scope
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, BRANDT'S CORMORANT, COMMON LOON and WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER.  We also had nice looks of SHORT-BILLED GULL, RING-BILLED GULL,
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, and WESTERN X GLAUCOUS-WINGED or 'Olympic' GULL.

We observed 71 species for the day, with 171 species for the year.  Mammals
seen included Coyote, Eastern Gray Squirrel, and Harbor Seal.  We also
observed Long-toed Salamander and Pacific Chorus Frog.  Until next week
when we meet again.

Good birding and happy CBC Pierce and Thurston County,
Shep

-- 
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
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