May 12 - Otter Creek Marsh, Iowa

I was wide awake at 5 a.m., so tried to catch up a day or so on my Blog, which is about 3 weeks behind at this point.  It’s difficult to catch up when I’m on the road, but I always figure that one should live life rather than just sit at a computer . . .  I breakfasted at the Wahoo Inn, which has a meagre fare of cereal and microwave waffles, green bananas, and orange juice.  The coffee was welcome, however.

I left town at 8:30, en route east through Omaha and into the State of Iowa.  I’d read on the eBird site that a species had been found in Iowa that I hadn’t seen before.  Nor, for that matter, had I ever birded in Iowa.  The species in question was the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, a close relative of the common English House Sparrow, and an exotic that is likely not recognized by any of the Bird Record Committees as being ‘established’.  However, I’d like to see it, so, I decided to head toward Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area.  As it turned out, the Marsh was further north than I’d planned on driving, and I burned up a couple of hours that I’ll probably wish I’d spent driving toward Magee Marsh tomorrow.  But, I arrived at the spot, which is managed as waterfowl habitat and as a fishing area, and walked out on the access road.

Blue-winged Teal drake

I didn’t find any of the sparrows, but enjoyed the walk, and had great views of a couple of Sedge Wrens, which were Life Birds for me back in January when I was down in Florida.  There was an inquisitive mink along the dike.

Humans should be happy these things don't grow to be 50 pounds . . .  I still feel like a prey item.

And, a pair of somewhat aggressive Sandhill Cranes strode toward me, bugling the entire time.

Letting me know I'm intruding on their home

I left the marsh, and got on the highway toward Interstate 80 East, gassed up in Davenport for $2.599/gallon and ended up in Princeton, Illinois for the night at the Super 8.  I got online and checked the restaurants, seeing that the Spoon in downtown had Moroccan stew on the menu.  So I went down there, and enjoyed the meal, along with 2 ales.  I also had quite the conversation with the barmaid, Lisa, who flashed on my kilt, and expressed a longing to visit Scotland.  I encouraged her to plan for it, and go there!  Life is too short to wish you’d done something, then realize you’re too old, sick or tired to do it.

Most of the Yellow Warblers were in the trees, this one foraged in the marsh

New bird species seen at Otter Creek this year included Blackpoll Warbler, American Redstart, Warbling Vireo, and Chimney Swift.

Red-winged Blackbirds bade me farewell

Otter Creek Marsh 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