[Tweeters] Billy Frank Jr Nisqually NWR, Wednesday Walk report ofr 9/14/22

[Shep Thorp]

Hi Tweets,

apporoximately 25 of us enjoyed a cooler day at the Refuge with
temperatures in the 60's to 70's degrees Fahrenheit, overcast skies and
residual smoke from regional fires.  There was a High 12ft Tide at 9:17am
so we skipped the Orchard to catch the falling tide.  Highlights included
good numbers of LINCOLN SPARROWS around the Visitor Center Pond, nice looks
at YELLOW WARBLER and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 25+ SEMIPALMATED PLOVERs
mixed in with LEAST SANDPIPER and WESTERN SANDPIPER, returning winter birds
NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and NORTHERN HARRIER.  The GREEN HERON
was seen at the Nisqually River Overlook but was missed by our group.  We
also had really good numbers and sightings of PACIFIC CHORUS FROG, 100+,
and RED-LEGGED FROG, 3 seen.

We observed 51 species for the day, down from our usual, as we dipped on
Flycatcher, Vireo, and only observed 2 species of swallow.  We also missed
Caspian Tern.  We've seen 165 species for the year.  Mammals seen included
Eastern Gray Squirrel, Harbor Seal, and Townsend's Chipmunk.

Until next week, when we meet again at 8am, good birding.

Shep
--
Shep Thorp
Browns Point
253-370-3742

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Thurston, Washington, US
Sep 14, 2022 7:35 AM - 2:52 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.617 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Wednesday Walk. Cloudy and Smokey with temperatures
in the 60’s to 70’s. A High 12ft Tide at 9:17am. Mammals seen Eastern Gray
Squirrel, Harbor Seal, Townsend’s Chipmunk. Many Pacific Tree Frogs and
three Red-legged Frogs seen. Numerous Garter Snakes seen as well.
51 species (+3 other taxa)

Wood Duck  3
American Wigeon  60
Mallard  80
Northern Pintail  300
Green-winged Teal  3
Surf Scoter  3
Common Merganser  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  14
Anna's Hummingbird  2
Semipalmated Plover  25     Scanned mud flats on falling tide from
Nisqually Estuary Trail and Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail with
binoculars and scopes.   From numerous angles consistently found 20 or more
Plover foraging with mixed flock of Least Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper.
Consulted with multiple other birders on the walk and our consensus was
minimum of 25 birds.
Least Sandpiper  200
Western Sandpiper  100
Wilson's Snipe  1
Greater Yellowlegs  15
Short-billed Gull  1
Ring-billed Gull  300
Western Gull  1
California Gull  50
Glaucous-winged Gull  2
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid)  2
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull  20
Larus sp.  200
Common Loon  1
Brandt's Cormorant  7
Double-crested Cormorant  50
Great Blue Heron  30
Osprey  1
Northern Harrier  1
Bald Eagle  30     Observed predominantly adult birds from Nisqually
Estuary Trail and Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail. Numerous eagles seen
in snags, on mud flats, on marsh plain, on reach and flying along Nisqually
River and McAllister Hill.
Belted Kingfisher  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  4
Steller's Jay  2
American Crow  10
Black-capped Chickadee  5
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  1
Violet-green Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  35
Brown Creeper  5
Marsh Wren  1
Bewick's Wren  4
European Starling  400
Swainson's Thrush  2
American Robin  4
Cedar Waxwing  4
Purple Finch  2
Savannah Sparrow  20
Song Sparrow  15
Lincoln's Sparrow  5
Spotted Towhee  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  10
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  7
Yellow Warbler  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S118768617
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