Our son, Dave, who lives in the Boston area, is visiting and today on my 86th birthday we went to Nisqually NWR. There was an outgoing tide and there were not many birds seen. Bob and I did the Twin Barns Loop and Overlook and walked to the start of the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail and Dave walked to the Puget Sound Viewing Platform. White fronted geese, mallards, a hooded merganser pair, golden crown kinglet, song sparrow, eagles, heron, common mergansers, pintail pair, widgeon and harrier were seen! There is a California sea lion carcass on the surge plain.
Trip Report
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Comments
Maddy on Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Can I imply from your comment that an incoming tide is better for bird watching?
Posted by:
Maddy on Feb 19, 2025 08:09 AM
Bob and Barb on Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
I just meant that the tide was out so far that there weren't many close birds to be seen. I read recently that "If you have spoken to experienced birders, they will recommend arriving about two to three hours before high tide in order to experience the push of birds coning in to feed. Alternatively, you can arrive on high tide and watch them as the tide recedes."
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Feb 19, 2025 06:34 PM