We made a rest stop at Nisqually NWR and saw our only Wood Duck for the day, as well as other species that were seen later. Barn Swallows were nesting in the covered viewing area. We then drove onto to the north unit of Scatter Creek. A singing White-crowned Sparrow greeted us as we arrived. The grass prairie area was covered with many flowers, most notably camas lilies. Both Tree and Barn Swallows were numerous. Early in the almost three hour walk we got a short look at our only Yellow Warbler. Savannah Sparrows were the most common bird seen. Many Common Yellowthroat were heard, but were very elusive and seldom seen. Red-winged Blackbirds were singing as well as Spotted Towhees. When we got to the wooded area we started hearing Purple Finches singing a number of times, but saw only one. We heard Wilson's Warblers singing and got glimpses of a few. Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding in deciduous trees. Winter and Bewick's Wrens were heard in the brush. We heard both Hutton's and Warbling Vireo, but only saw the Warbling Vireo. A Brown Creeper was seen climbing up a tree trunk and while watching it another flew in to a tree even closer. After leaving the woods and heading across the prairie, we heard Western Meadowlark. Many Chipping Sparrows were seen near the isolated fir trees. The fir trees had Black-capped and Chestnut-backed feeding. We also viewed American Goldfinch and a Rufous Hummingbird.

 

We next drove to the south unit and ate our lunch before going on the walk. A Mourning Dove greeted us in a flyby. As we started on the trail we saw a Western Scrub-Jay feeding on the ground. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks were soaring overhead and engaging in courtship flight displays. A little later we saw a pair of Cooper's Hawks also doing display flights. The difference in size between the smaller male and larger female were very evident. This area also displayed a variety of colorful flowers, including the unique chocolate lily. This area also had numerous Chipping Sparrows, as well as White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows. Red-breasted Nuthatches were also present. At the pond near the end of the trail, a beautiful Red-breasted Sapsucker flew into a snag.

 

Since we still had some of the afternoon left, we decided to visit the Mima Mounds on the way back. We were greeted there by the "aaawk" call of the Common Raven. We were also surprised to hear the "tew-tew-tew" call of a Greater Yellowlegs in the distance. We met the local caretaker while there and he spent a lot of time telling us about all the numerous prairies that are in Thurston County.