March 21 - Eagles Pride

I woke to a 49º mostly clear morning and drove north to join 10 other birders at the Eagles Pride golf course.

This course is on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the birding is conducted by David Wienecke and Denis DeSilvis on the 3rd Thursday of every month.

Today was not as warm as the past couple days, but not cold, although it had cooled down to 43º F and clouded up a bit by the time we started.  You could tell it is the first full day of Spring, by the floral accompaniment,

First Daffodils of the Spring

as well as the fact that the thatch ants were active in the late morning sun.

The birders watching a pair of Red-tailed Hawks at the start of the walk were treated to the (presumed, smaller bird) male making an attempt to snag some songbirds on one of the fairways.  It’s always tough getting tee times, and we had to share the course this morning with other golf course denizens.

Playing through

The highlights of the morning were a pair of first-of-season arrival Turkey Vultures, as well as very vocal Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrows.

Dennis noted that the count of 14 Red-winged Blackbirds was the highest ever for this monthly count, and 21 Steller’s Jays also showed high abundance.  Amazingly, we had great views of a half-dozen Hutton’s Vireos, including 4 in one spot chasing each other through the Douglas firs.

Tom got his scope on the Vireos

The Golden-crowned Sparrows must be moving north, as they were no-shows for us today.  It had warmed up to 58º by the time we finished at noon, and several of us adjourned to the Nisqually Grill for lunch.

Pete's ready for lunch . . .

You are certainly welcome to join Denis & Dave at Eagles Pride.  Meet at the driving range at 8 a.m. on any third Thursday.  If you have questions, contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or call his office phone 253-964-0341.

Eagles Pride eBird Checklist is Here

March 13 - Back to Nisqually NWR

It was 30° and overcast when we got up, and I went out to Nisqually after seeing Marty off to work.  The Refuge volunteers lead a bird walk every Wednesday, meeting at the Visitors’ Center at 8 a.m., and I try to get out there when I'm in town.  The walk is structured so that participants can leave any time, and there are breaks where the morning group slowly melts away until a half-dozen “intrepid” (crazy?) birders complete the entire 5-to-6 mile walk.  It’s all level ground, so not strenuous.

Two dozen birders followed the ‘usual’ route through the Heritage orchard, along the service road and boardwalk to the Twin Barns, then out the north dike to the estuary boardwalk.

Today, besides the birds, the Wednesday walkers were treated to quite a number of mammalian wildlife, including deer,

Columbian Black-tailed Deer

coyote,

This song dog paid little attention to the birders

raccoon,

So shy . . .

and mink among others.

American Mink Neovison vison (I liked the old name: Mustela vision)

After crossing the log, he rubbed his scent glands all over the willows

Sometimes, there were bird-mammal interactions . . .

Great Blue Heron captures a Vole (Microtus sp.)

Re-arranges . . .

Positions . . .

Aaannd - - - Swallows!

as well as bird-fish interactions.  The birds always seem to come out the better in these exchanges.

Double-crested Cormorant caught a Starry Flounder

We watched, rather than photographed, a Peregrine make a serious attempt at catching a Green-winged Teal, but she missed, and the teal got away having only lost a big tuft of feathers.  Sometimes, you just have to revel in the event, instead of attempting to document it.

Elizabeth reveling in the moment

But, there are always birds to be seen.

Mew Gull Larus canus

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Male Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon

Curious pose for a Song Sparrow

Below, Volunteer leader Shep Thorp checks out one of the two Bald Eagle nests on the west bank of McAllister Creek. One nest is visible through scopes from the south end of the estuary boardwalk, and the other from near the north end.

Also, from the end of the boardwalk, you can see the Luhr Beach WDFW facility

The walk usually passes by the Nisqually River overlook on the return to the starting point.  Here, a Glaucous-winged Gull rested on a cottonwood drift log.

Although both Barn and Great Horned Owls have been seen in recent weeks, we did not see either species today.  I was intrigued by a male Mallard - as told by his yellow, rather than orange and black bill - that seemed to either have retained immature plumage, or might have a hormone issue and showed ‘female’ feathering?

Starting to get some color in his head . . .

Most Mallard drakes are in full alternate plumage this time of year

Back at the beginning, we found that the Visitors’ Center pond held several surprises among the usual suspects.

A pair of Wilson’s Snipe lounged in the afternoon sun,

Good place for a "Snipe Hunt"

as did a large Red-eared Slider.

Not native to Washington, but always fun to see

Nisqually NWR eBird Checklist is Here