(Millie was the big, beautiful cat who lived at the Burien Wild Birds Unlimited store for many years. She was very observant and wrote a monthly column to pass on to readers what she saw and heard while supposedly sleeping.)

Meow! It’s cold outside! Although I prefer to stay inside and view the world from inside out, there are many who love to venture outside and see what can be seen. Birding in winter can be very productive. If you are one of those who like to bundle up and get out there, an excellent place to explore is the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Located eight miles north of Olympia, the refuge was established in 1974 for the protection of migratory birds. It provides three thousand acres of salt and freshwater marsh, open meadow, riparian, and mixed forest habitats that offer resting and nesting areas for migratory waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and wading birds. The refuge is open daily sunrise to sunset. Entrance fee is $3.00 per four adults, children free. Park admission passes accepted are listed on the refuge website.

The Visitor Center is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 4:00 and worth a look.

The refuge underwent the largest estuary restoration project in the Pacific Northwest, returning diked farmland back to its original saltwater mudflat. Work included constructing a boardwalk, removing a dilapidated barn, replacing the McAllister Creek dike and, most importantly, restoring the historic Nisqually estuary by connecting it with Puget Sound tides.

Wednesday morning bird walks from 8:00 to 12:00, sponsored by the refuge, attract a diverse group of visitors including birders with expertise at all levels. You may stay with the group for as long or as short a time as you like. Check eBird to see what species can be seen in the winter at this National Wildlife Refuge.

To wrap up my musings for this month, let’s warm up our brain cells by learning a few more collective nouns used to describe groups of birds: a paddling of ducks (on water), a sord of mallards, and a knob of waterfowl.

Until next time,
Millie, the Muse of Mews