The 4th Annual Let’s Go Birding Together (LGBT) Bird Walk at Nisqually Refuge was a big success again this year. We had 58 charming, enthusiastic participants, and the most beautiful evening weather possible. BHAS, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians And Gays) and the NFS employees from the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge did a fantastic job of organizing, spreading the word, and feeding us treats. Jen DeSelle and I from BHAS plus 5 or 6 from NFS led groups of 8-10 people though the forest and out to the dike to see the shorebirds.
We counted 31 species, including a lifer for Jen, a Black Tern. Her sighting was verified by another birder, Mark McKechnie, who was able to get photographs of the tern. Fortunately, Jen brought her spotting scope so we could see close-ups of some babies! We watched parents bring food to baby Downy Woodpeckers, Hooded Merganser babies rode on their mom’s back, and 8 baby Wood Ducks were all in a row following Mom, after she took over from Dad. We were birding until 9 pm.
I must not forget the mammals that came to visit. We saw chipmunks, bunnies, deer and a beaver, who made the briefest appearance.
Jen and I were given beautiful 50-year Nisqually Refuge Reunion pins for being volunteers. A participant gave us cute, handcrafted thank-you totems/idols—wild, one-eyed, 3-inch characters with a pouch, made from cloth.
This is my second year helping with this event. It’s become an annual event for me… not because of the bling but because of the people and the birds. Jen said the same. I hope more BHAS birders will join us next year… The first Friday evening in June.
Sally Nole
BHAS volunteer
Photos taken by Sally Nole.
