[Tweeters] Wednesday Walk at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR for 3/30/2022

[Shep Thorp]

Hi Tweets,

we had a windy Wednesday at the Refuge with partly cloudy skies and
intermittent light rain.  The birding was pretty good with FOY CINNAMON
TEAL, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT
WARBLER and ORANGE-CROWNED SWALLOW.  Highlights included numerous Northwest
Salamander egg clusters in the Visitor Center Pond, BUSHTIT nest on the
inside of the north section of the Twin Barns Loop Trail, arrival of female
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, 4-5 EURASIAN WIGEON including hybrid with AMERICAN
WIGEON, continuing EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL at the Twin Barns Overlook,
and both SNOW GOOSE and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE mixed in with the
CACKLING GOOSE.  There was a Low 3.87ft Tide at 11:52am.

Starting out at the Visitor Center Pond Overlook at 8am we had good looks
of RING-NECKED DUCK and HOODED MERGANSER.  Just prior to the walk at 7:30am
a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen in the large Maple Tree just right of the
Visitor Center entrance.

The Orchard was good for both BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and CHESTNUT-BACKED
CHICKADEE along with many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (both Audubon's and Myrtle
variety).  WILSON'S SNIPE and KILLDEER were seen in the flooded field
across the entrance road immediately adjacent to the restricted access
road.  We also observed COMMON RAVEN and a fly over of three DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANT.  There were brief sightings of both RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD and
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.

Along the Access Road we had great looks of WOOD DUCK along with other
waterfowl including CACKLING GEESE (both minima and taverner's), NORTHERN
SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL and GREEN-WINGED TEAL.  With
the breezy conditions the swallows were foraging low over the flooded
fields and we had great looks of TREE SWALLOW, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, and
BARN SWALLOW.  A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW and CLIFF SWALLOW were seen
by some.  COMMON YELLOWTHROAT WARBLER was seen and heard between the west
parking lot and the flooded field directly west.  SAVANNAH SPARROW was
heard as well.  A SNOW GOOSE was seen flying in the the Cacklers.  A pair
of BALD EAGLE are likely incubating eggs in the large Cottonwood Tree next
to the Twin Barns.

The west side of the Twin Barns Loop Trail was good for SONG SPARROW, and
BEWICK'S WREN.  While on the boards we noticed several egg clusters in the
water from Northwestern Salamander.  On the inside of the north section of
the trail, a BUSHTIT nest is seen at eye level adjacent to the old owl nest
snag tree.  A CANADA GOOSE is incubating eggs in the old owl nest.  In this
area we also observed our first female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.  The cutoff to
the Twin Barns has been good for ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.

The Twin Barns Overlook was great for picking through the waterfowl.  Here
we observed three EURASIAN WIGEON, two male and one female, an AMERICAN X
EURASIAN WIGEON hybrid, and the continuing EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL.  Two
female NORTHERN HARRIER flew overhead.

Out on the new dike or Nisqually Estuary Trail, a second pair of BALD EAGLE
are incubating eggs in the large Cottonwood Tree adjacent to the Nisqually
River.  There were many SHORT-BILLED GULLS and RING-BILLED GULLS foraging
on the mudflats.  The freshwater marsh on the inside of the dike was good
for CINNAMON TEAL, PIED-BILLED GREBE, many AMERICAN COOT, GREAT BLUE HERON
and additional waterfowl.

The Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail provided great looks at BUFFLEHEAD,
COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and SPOTTED
SANDPIPER.  Many waterfowl were performing courtship behavior.  We observed
a SHORT-BILLED GULL foot stomping in a puddle on the mudflats as a
technique for foraging food.


>From the Puget Sound Viewing Platform we had scope views of BRANT GEESE,

BRANDT'S CORMORANT, and a single COMMON LOON.  Out on the reach we observed
more than 40 BALD EAGLE, most immature, perched on the ground and soaring
over the Refuge.  We also had good looks of GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL and
WESTERN X GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL hybrid (Olympic Gull).

On our return, we picked up a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE mixed in with the
Cackling Geese in the freshwater marsh.  A small flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROWS continues between the dike and the slough adjacent to the Twin
Barns.  There were three COMMON MERGANSERS at the Nisqually River
Overlook.  We had nice looks of BROWN CREEPER, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and
additional Yellow-rumped Warblers along the east side of the Twin Barns
Loop Trail.

We observed 75 species for the day, and have seen 113 species for the
year.  Mammals seen include Eastern Cotton-tailed Rabbit, Eastern Gray
Squirrel, Harbor Seal and Columbian Black-tailed Deer.

Until next time, have a great week and happy birding.

Shep Thorp

-- 
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742
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