Today was a glorious day at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Here are some facts and figures about this magical place:
The Refuge provides nesting and resting areas for wading birds, raptors, songbirds and migratory waterfowl on 3000 acres of salt and freshwater marshes, grasslands, riparian, and mixed forest habitats. Over 175 species of birds have been identified at the Refuge and during the spring migration 20,000 ducks and 300 geese find food, shelter and water there. The Refuge has recently worked to restore the historic estuary by breaching century old dikes and reconnecting the area with Puget Sound.
This photo shows one of 4 adult eagles we saw keeping guard in the willows, accompanied by 5 or 6 completely brown juveniles. While we were there, several flocks of Lesser Canada Geese flew in, circling and honking, then landing and feeding. They spend January and February at the refuge, fattening up before they migrate north in the spring. It was such a beautiful day and the exhibition was so amazing that I wish we'd had lawn chairs, fleece blankets, and couple of thermoses of hot chocolate.
Today's front yard critter count:
Raccoons: 9 (both mamas and all of their 7 playful teenagers)
Deer: 3 (two adult does and a teenager)
