<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
</head>
<body>
<div class="default-style" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; color: #333333;">
Hi folks,<span><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
About two dozen birders met at 8 a.m. at the Visitors’ Center at Nisqually NWR for the weekly Wednesday Bird Walk, led by Refuge Volunteers Ken Brown and Rob Chrisler. The day began overcast and 56º F, but we had clearing skies and temperatures rising to 75º with a 5-to-8-knot southwest breeze by 3:30 p.m.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
At the Visitors’ Center, we enjoyed watching a Wood Duck hen and her brood of week-old ducklings, and a first-of-season immature GREEN HERON gave great views as it flew from the far side of the pond into a bigleaf maple near the observation deck. The BARN SWALLOWS that nest under the walk to the Center are apparently still feeding their chicks.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
We continued with the ‘usual’ route through the Heritage orchard, with views of YELLOW WARBLER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, and WILLOW FLYCATCHER. Many CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen all along the upland and riparian areas. A pair of MOURNING DOVES perched in the pear trees, as did PURPLE FINCHES. As we continued along the service road, we saw several BAND-TAILED PIGEONS and scoped the ubiquitous ROCK PIGEONS on light standards at the Refuge entrance gate.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
Over 150 swallows were foraging over the fields west of the parking lot, mostly BARN and TREE SWALLOWS, but there were a few CLIFF and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. We discerned two VAUX’ SWIFTS amongst the throng. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were constant fly-overs all along the walk.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
The west side of the boardwalk loop gave views of MARSH WREN, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, and YELLOW WARBLERS. Now that it’s summertime, the passerines are much quieter, but we still had good views of SWAINSON’S THRUSH, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, and SONG SPARROW.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
The group arrived at the north dike in time for a 10.11-foot high tide at 9:53 a.m., which ebbed quickly toward a +2.58-foot low water at 3:58 p.m. As we scoped the small amount of open water in the freshwater marsh on the south side of the dike, we were rewarded with views of two BLACK-NECKED STILTS; these birds had attempted to nest there beginning 11 June, but the nest with 4 eggs had been abandoned by 29 June. In the same area with some loafing MALLARDS were five GREATER and one LESSER YELLOWLEGS, three WILSON’S SNIPE, single AMERICAN WIGEON & GREEN-WINGED TEAL and a vocalizing VIRGINIA RAIL.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
Along the estuary boardwalk, we hoped for some new shorebird species for the list, but were content with “only” seeing LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS, with more GREATER YELLOWLEGS. There are still nestling CLIFF SWALLOWS in their mud jug nests in the eaves of the observation shelters, and more BARN SWALLOWS feeding recent fledglings all along the walk. Harbour Seals were hauled out on the eroding grass islands in the McAllister Creek estuary.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
From the observation deck at the end of the boardwalk, we viewed hunting BALD EAGLES, OSPREYS, PURPLE MARTINS at the new nest gourds off Luhr Beach, and lots of feeding DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and GREAT BLUE HERONS. Three Tribal canoes were paddling off the mouth of the Nisqually River, and may have flushed BRANDT’S CORMORANTS from their usual perch on a channel marker; we did not see this species today, nor could we find the McAllister Creek-side SPOTTED SANDPIPERS.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
Returning along the east side of the boardwalk loop, we had several mixed flocks, from which we found BUSHTIT, WILSON’S and YELLOW WARBLERS. Just south of the “Beaver Deceiver” we stopped to check out an agitated AMERICAN ROBIN, and Jayson’s sharp eyes located a GREAT HORNED OWL. We hadn’t seen this species on the Wednesday Walk since last winter.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
We finished the walk back at the Visitors’ Center pond to recap our sightings for the eBird list, and were treated to views of a River Otter hunting just below us. Then, an immature VIRGINIA RAIL foraged across the waterlilly pads right in front of us. A fitting end for a great day at the Refuge.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
Feel free to join the birders “Wednesday Bird Walk” every Wednesday at the Nisqually Refuge Visitors’ Center at 8 a.m. The Volunteer-led walk often goes into the afternoon, but one can join or leave the group at any time.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
My eBird checklist is at <a href="https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S116289296">https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S116289296</a>
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
Good Birding,
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
- Jon. Anderson
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
Olympia
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="default-style">
festuca at comcast dot net
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>