Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — Friday, Mar. 23, 2012

Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area

When we arrived a little before noon, the parking lots were almost full. The day was beautiful and sunny with a cool breeze. We hiked to the end of the boardwalk and back and then walked to the river overlook returning on the East side of the pond behind the visitor's center. The tide was out and just beginning to come in when we walked the boardwalk. We saw very few birds from the boardwalk--a few Blue Heron, shovelers, mallards, wigeons, coots, geese, green- winged teal and eagles were seen. Our most interesting sightings were seen along the water behind the visitor's center. We saw 2 painted turtles sunning themselves. One of them was in the same place 6 hours later on our return. A Pacific Chorus Frog was making sounds 3 times as loud as its size! A bittern was mostly hidden in the grasses. As we returned on the East side of the loop near the visitor's center, we saw 3 Great-horned owls, an adult with its two owlets. A very fun day!