I enjoyed reading Tami Asars’ WTA signpost blog, “Nature on Trail”, especially after hiking the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge 4 mile trail system and seeing so much great wildlife. On the Twin Barns Loop Trail we saw a turtle and Bullfrogs sunning, a pair of Hooded Mergansers in full courtship display, with the male’s crest raised and spread like a Peacock tail. Male and Female Bewick's Wrens were observed building their nest in the base/trunk of a cottonwood tree. From the Twin Barns observation platform we observed a pair of Northern Harriers hunting together, and a Mink both in and out of the water. Along the Nisqually Estuary Trail we saw and heard a Sandhill crane, and the smaller Cackling Canada Geese that were feeding along side the full size Canada Geese. Side by side you could really see the difference between the two related varieties of geese. Northern Shovelers and Green-winged Teals were observed along this trail. This hike is a good choice for families including infants in stroller. Bring a pair of binoculars so you can get a better look at the birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the Nisqually River Delta.

My parents took me here when I was little and I loved it. We took our 5 year old son and he had a blast. It was a wonderful day. My son loved all the nature, birds, and even a cat he saw along the way . This is a wonderful hike for children. It is flat and easy. The fee to park your car is $3.00. You are not allowed to run/jog and no dogs allowed. This hike is really great for younger children!

After reading Hiking Queen's report and seeing her GREAT baby Great-horned Owl photos on the NW Hikers website, we wanted to go to see them for ourselves! The babies have fledged. We saw the 2 babies and their parents in trees in the North end of the Twin Barns Loop. They were not very close, but were fun to see! The weather was cloudy with intermittent light rain. Walking the dike and boardwalk was windy and cold. We saw a variety of ducks, eagles, a Northern Shrike, shore birds, herons, a variety of song birds, geese, and a feral cat. The people in the Visitor Center told us they have traps set for the cat. It lost the tip of its tail when it was caught in one of the traps.

We arrived at the almost full main parking area at 11:45. The tide was on its way out so the mudflats were exposed as we were walking the boardwalk which is now open to its end. Although there were not many birds, this is still an enjoyable walk in a beautiful wetland setting. The day was cloudy so no peaks were seen, but it did not rain and there was very little wind. There were many people of all ages enjoying the area. We enjoyed a blue heron in its search for food. Our highlight was watching a pair of hooded mergansers as they glided and fed along the East side of the Twin Barns Loop.

We arrived at the half full parking lot about 11:00. We began walking on the West side of the Twin Barns Loop and walked to the overlook of the river. From there we retraced our steps to the dike to walk the boardwalk. There was light rain and the wind added to the chill factor once we reached the boardwalk. The tide was low and there were very few birds along the mud flats, so when we reached the blind on the boardwalk, we returned to finish the Twin Barns Loop on the west side with a 400 foot side trip on the Riparian Forest Overlook Trail. We then had a late lunch in our warm van hoping that there would be more birds an hour before high tide. After lunch we walked the boardwalk to its closure for hunting 700 feet from the end. Today was the last day of hunting so Monday one should be able to walk to the end. We did see many more ducks as we began walking the boardwalk the second time an hour before high tide when there was water underneath the boardwalk. There was not much bird activity the entire time we were there. Birds seen were herons, a variety of ducks, 3 eagles, geese and a bittern which was 2 feet from us in the grass beside the dike leading to the boardwalk. We didn't see it until it flew away! Our son had taken some beautiful pictures of a bittern a week ago Sunday in the same area and the bird had been very cooperative while he and others took pictures.