[Tweeters] Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR, Wednesday Walk, for July 27, 2022

[Shep Thorp]

Hi Tweets,

approximately 20 of us had a warm morning at the Refuge with temperatures
in the 60's to 80's degrees Fahrenheit.  There was a Low -1.3ft Tide at
11:43am.  Highlights included WOOD DUCK chicks in the Visitor Center Pond,
WILSON'S WARBLER and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER along the west side of the
Twin Barns Loop Trail, PEREGRINE FALCON fly over at the Twin Barns, and
both GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS in the freshwater marsh along
the Nisqually Estuary Trail.

Starting out at 8am at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook, we had nice views
of the WOOD DUCK ducklings with hen in the pond.  COMMON YELLOWTHROAT
WARBLER foraged along the edge of the pond.  Both BARN SWALLOW and AMERICAN
ROBIN continue to nest in the breezeway.

The Orchard was good for PURPLE FINCH, YELLOW WARBLER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH,
CEDAR WAXWING, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, and MOURNING DOVE.  Some observed
juvenile RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD and juvenile BEWICKS WREN.  Both WARBLING VIREO
and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK were heard.  We had very nice looks at
BAND-TAILED PIGEON, including first year birds.

Along the Access Road, we had nice looks of WILLOW FLYCATCHER .  TREE
SWALLOW were seen mixed in with numerous Barn Swallows.

The west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail was great for juvenile birds and
migrating warblers.  We had great observations of young YELLOW WARBLER,
SWAINSON'S THRUSH, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD and AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH.  It was nice to see the return of WILSON'S WARBLER and
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER migrating through.

The Twin Barns Overlook had a nice fly over of BELTED KINGFISHER and a
young PEREGRINE FALCON.  A few VIOLET GREEN SWALLOWS were seen mixed in
with other swallows.  BROWN CREEPERs were observed in the Oregon Ash and
Big-leaf Maple around the picnic tables.

Out on the new dike or Nisqually Estuary Trail we picked up our waterfowl
including HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and AMERICAN
COOT in additional to our expected MALLARD and CANADA GOOSE.  There were
good numbers of GREATER YELLOWLEGS in the freshwater marsh and estuary
channels.  For those that birded the dike before 8am, a single LESSER
YELLOWLEGS was seen with the GRYE.  Approximately 400 peeps covered the
mudflats at 7am, including WESTERN SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.  During the later morning, early afternoon we had nice
flyovers of OSPREY and BALD EAGLE.  There were good numbers of GREAT BLUE
HERON foraging the estuary channels.  MARSH WREN and VIRGINIA RAIL were
heard in the freshwater marsh.

Most of us turned around at the Observation Tower, a few brave souls walked
the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail from the Observation Tower to
McAllister Creek Observation Platform, picking up RING-BILLED GULL,
CALIFORNIA GULL, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, CASPIAN TERN, DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANT and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.

On our return, we heard at least two PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS along the
east side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, and there were good numbers of
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEEs calling and foraging.

For the day we had 68 species observed, and have 157 species for the year.
Mammals seen included Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Columbian Black-tailed
Deer, and Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Until next week, happy birding,
Shep


-- 
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
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