[Tweeters] Nisqually - Oct 20 2023

[jimbetz at jimbetz.com]

Hi all,

   I finally got to the Billy Frank NWR (Friday).  The sun was out, the winds
were light ... and I was there during the afternoon (1-4) doldrums.  But it
was still good and I intend to go back.

   I knew there would be that boardwalk - and I was still impressed.  It was
great to be able to get that far out into the tide lands.  I also went to
the river overlook (not many birds) and the Twin Barns.

   The fields in the area of the Twin Barns has geese in many areas -
several large flocks of about 200-500 individuals.  I did not ID them but
I think they were Canada, Cackling, and maybe White-Fronted.
   I did not get to see/id the Red Shouldered Hawk - I did see one raptor
but it was gliding/soaring away from me and I didn't get a long, good look.
It was large - but could have been an RTH or even a young Bald.

   There were lots of birds in the tide lands.  Gulls, Yellowlegs (both),
GBH, and ducks ... but no Eagles or Osprey that I saw.  I made it about
2/3rds to 3/4ths of the way out the boardwalk before I turned back.  And
one crow near the start of the long boardwalk.
   I did not see any identifiable RWB - but there were some blackbirds
too far away for me to ID.
   Also missing were passerines.  I saw a few but no where near as many as I
expected/hoped for ... and no Merlin, Dunlin, Kestrel or any of the other
birds I've become accustomed to seeing here in Skagit County.

   I've uploaded a few pictures

         
https://eamon.smugmug.com/Family-pics-from-jim/Birds-and-Stuff-from-Jim/n-4Cw3NF/Birds-Web/i-krxsFzH/A

there are nine new pictures there.  If you see any incorrect IDs please let me
know!
                                                                - Jim