Photo: Merlin by Mick Thompson
September 13, 2022
It was a cloudy and very still day at Nisqually, and this made for very little bird activity in the boardwalk and orchard areas. Things were a bit better out on the flats of the estuary. The bird of day was a Merlin that posed nicely for our photographers. Some other highlights were Wood Ducks, Greater Yellowlegs. California Scrub Jay, American Kestrel, Swainson’s Thrush, Warbling Vireo and Western Wood-Pewee. One of our party also saw several Wilson’s Snipe.
37 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Rex, Graham, Denny, Doug, Frank, Ken, Bruce, Bev, Rick, Melinda, Jane, Pam T., Karen, Maureen, Norwin, Linda, John S.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Wood Duck (6), Gadwall (75), American Wigeon (2), Mallard (200), Northern Pintail (2)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (3), Great Blue Heron (6)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (6), Red-tailed Hawk (1), American Kestrel (1), Merlin (1)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (2), Greater Yellowlegs (2), Least Sandpiper (2), Wilson’s Snipe (6)
GULLS, TERNS: Ring-billed Gull (150), Caspian Tern (2)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (2)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (4)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (2), Northern Flicker (1)
FLYCATCHERS: Western Wood-Pewee (1)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Warbling Vireo (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (2), California Scrub Jay (1)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Barn Swallow (1)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee {5)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (4), Marsh Wren (4)
THRUSHES: Swainson’s Thrush (1)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (100)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Common Yellowthroat (6)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Savannah Sparrow (4), Song Sparrow (2), White-crowned Sparrow (2)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (15)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: American Goldfinch (2)