Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and Mount Rainier

Date: Monday May 13, 2013
Weather: Sunny, windy
Temperature: 70 degrees F
Time: All day
Location: Nisqually Wildlife Refuge & Mount Rainier
This week I did not visit UBNA, but took another field trip outside of Seattle and will be talking about the experience and observations made in these incredible locations. This is the first time that I have visited both the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and Mount Rainier.
It was a pleasure to see both of these places near the Puget Sound, each of significant beauty yet the defining the details very distinct from one another. In the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge the trails wound alongside the habitats for many species. First we played the song of the Yellow Warbler (Setophaga, petechia) in hopes of catching a glimpse of one, and though he was at a distance, we were able to identify him and listen to his response to the recording. There was also a Sharp Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  circling the sky around a large tree, most likely trying to catch the updraft in order to find a new location to catch small birds. It seemed the birds at his current location were aware of his presence and too cautious of themselves for him to successfully hunt. Next on the trail we encountered Cowbirds (Molothrus ater), there were two males confronting each other over a nearby female who seemed unperturbed by the rivalry. The Cowbirds lifted their heads up as they aggressively circled each other, they then dipped their heads and spread out their wings directly in each other's space. A third male then came and joined the group before all three took off, followed after some seconds by the female. I did not see the end of the confrontation here, but as they flew away, they did not immediately disperse. As we walked across the water there were Dragonflies (Order Odonata) which skimmed the top of the surface and reflected bluish tints in the sun. There were also Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), Cinnamon Teals (Anas cyanoptera), and Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) around the water. Along the grassy dry patch there was a dead Garter Snake who had been left in perfect condition but had shed its moulting, leaving us to wonder what kind of death it met, and why it was not eaten by another species. Standing in the dry area I could also observe a Bald Eagle (Haliaaetus leucocephalus) perched at the top of a tree scanning the area with very malicious-looking eyes. Almost frightening through binoculars, I found myself hoping I did not catch his gaze. Before the snake, before I forget, were the Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) who make thousands of trips to the water and back to collect mud in order to make nests on the sides of the barns. Up-close the nests were very detailed and sturdy looking, they were grouped together often, and resembled small clusters of caves, and the birds were flying around in great numbers passing each other in the air. Later, though I did not see it, I heard the call of the Coot (Genus fulica) which is a parasitic bird who places her eggs in the nests of other Coots. The Coots however, have become very good at counting eggs and will often drown or peck to death the unfamiliar chick. If this is the case, in general, would the population of Coots ultimately decline? I wonder. After venturing down into the wetlands we were able to spot more birds, the most fun of the bunch being the Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) which hopped around the wetland sticking its long bill into the water looking for food. The Dowitchers are currently migrating north for the Winter. They are feeding incessantly at each stop along the way in order to keep healthy and energized for the next few hundred miles they will be travelling. Most likely stopping around Vancouver, BC next, and then towards Alaska.
After leaving the refuge we made the journey to the base of Mount Rainier where we drove the incline towards Paradise and compared an image of the Paradise-Stevens Glacier from the early 20th Century with our current view of the glacier. The difference was astonishing. The glacier has receded so far that it is now located behind cliffs that have had trees fill in the space once occupied by the ice. We also learned that the melting of these glaciers can cause major changes to rivers and streams flowing down the mountain, removing them by great lengths and clearing out vast areas causing disturbance to wildlife. Up on Paradise, the snow was many feet deep, and the wildlife seemed dormant. There was however, the deep beating sound of Grouse deflating their air-sacs  a sound which carries over the ground very well.
I found the mountain extremely beautiful, could not help but just stand for a while, gazing up at the peak from down below.