Recent Bird Sightings
Report for February 10, 2019 Birding at Marymoor
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It was bitterly cold, but sunny, when I arrived just after 8.
Within an hour, clouds rolled in, and the temperature rose but
stayed below freezing. Away from the slough, birding was very
quiet. I quickly learned to look in any bare patches under
trees, as that’s where the passerines were. In the first of
those sunny bare patches was a SONG SPARROW puffed up
spherically. It was asleep (which became apparent when it
startled awake as I approached). In the second was an almost
insensate BARRED OWL. It was almost certainly hypothermic
and was very far gone. I didn’t really have anyway to help it,
and I hoped that the bright sun would warm it. Unfortunately
not; when I checked on it later, it had succumbed. I’m afraid
many other birds have perished in the cold overnight.
Highlights:
For the day, 61 species, including seven species not seen last Thursday. For the year, adding Northern Shoveler and Barred Owl, we’re at 81 species. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for February 7, 2019 Birding at Marymoor
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What a difference a week makes. Last week was spring, this week
was the deepest depths of winter. Temps were in the upper teens
to start, but with the sun and lack of wind, it did warm up to
about the freeze by the time we were done. It was a gorgeous
day, and very birdy.
Highlights:
It’s very clear that frozen water and fields in the Sammamish and Snohomish valleys have pushed ducks down to Lake Sammamish and the slough! A late scan of the lake added HORNED GREBE, a very distant LOON, MEW GULL, and the RIVER OTTERS we’ve seen every week this year so far. Also, an most interesting, was a AMERICAN x EURASIAN HYBRID WIGEON, something never noted at Marymoor before, to my knowledge. The head was rufous with a buffy forehead like a Eurasian Wigeon, but the body was not gray, but rather brownish like that of an American Wigeon. Some birds were singing, despite the cold. These included Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, House Finch, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, and Red-winged Blackbird. Spring is still happening, an a frozen way. Misses included Virginia Rail, Ring-billed Gull, Northern Shrike, Bushtit, and Marsh Wren. For the day, 63 species + the wigeon hybrid. For the year, adding 9 species, we’re up to at least 79 species. = Michael |
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 Frosty Killdeer in the slough. Photo by Hugh Jennings |
 Male Hooded Merganser. Photo by Hugh Jennings |
 Northern Pintails with Mallard. Photo by Hugh Jennings |
 Male Northern Pintail. Photo by Bob Asanoma |
 American Coots. Photo by Hugh Jennings |
 Photo by Bob Asanoma |
 American Crow. Photo by Bob Asanoma |
 Sharp-shinned Hawk. Photo by Bob Asanoma |
 Pine Siskin. Photo by Bob Asanoma |
 Song Sparrow. Photo by Bob Asanoma |
Report for January 31, 2019 Birding at Marymoor
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Our last survey before the cross-quarter, Imbolc, halfway
between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, ~Feb. 2.
What I’ve found is that this correlates pretty well with the
time of year when many of our resident birds really begin to
sing. On a very nice morning today, there was indeed a lot of
singing. Some of the songs were, perhaps, half-formed, but it
was singing nonetheless. The first Indian Plum (aka Oso
Berry) blossoms as well.
Highlights:
River Otters were seen at the end of the morning looking towards the lake from the Rowing Club dock Singing birds included Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, European Starling, House Finch, Purple Finch, Fox Sparrow (I think; very brief), Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis song), Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird. I’m probably forgetting one or two more. Flickers were calling long and vigorously. Twice we had very close looks of DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS sharing trees next to us. Great to have side-by-side comparison, followed by one-over-the-other comparison :) Matt and I were there quite early and had beautiful looks of VENUS and the MOON very close together, with JUPITER just a little further away above and to the right. Barn Owl, Western Meadowlark, and Yellow-rumped Warbler were new for us for 2019, bringing our year total to 69 species. Our day’s tally was 57 species. == Michael Hobbs |
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 Mallards all in a row. Photo by Hugh Jennings |
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Report for January 24, 2019 Birding at Marymoor
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We had steady mizzle for a long period early, but it gradually
cleared. Temps in the 40’s; this winter is notable for not
needing Hottie hand warmers. Also, virtually no flood waters the
whole “winter”, such as we’ve had one. I think there are species
missing/reduced because there just isn’t the need for those
birds to hide out in the lowlands. Varied Thrush is exhibit A,
but by no means the only one. Where are the Snipe?
All that is to say that today wasn’t very birdy. A few common species were singing up storms, so it wasn’t a QUIET morning, but there just weren’t very many birds, nor very many species. Highlights:
Singing birds included Anna’s Hummingbird, Brown Creeper, Bewick’s Wren, American Robin, Purple Finch, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird. Common Goldeneye copulating. Great Blue Herons bringing nest materials to heronry. Misses included Ring-necked Duck(not seen since 1st week of December), Greater Scaup (no scaup AT ALL this winter), Hooded Merganser, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper’s Hawk, and Bushtit. For the day, just 51 species. For the year, we’re up to 66. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for January 17, 2018 Birding at Marymoor
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It was warm, a bit breezy, and cloudy this morning, and we had a
bit of mizzle & drizzle. Not bad weather, actually, and it was
birdy for the first half of the morning.
Highlights:
For the day, 56 species. For the year, we're up to 65 species. - Michael Hobbs |
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Report for January 10, 2019 Birding at Marymoor
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While doing the walk, my car was broken into. They smashed
my passenger-side window and grabbed the tote bag that had my
rain gear and a bunch of other little things. Nothing of
resale value. Pain in the neck, and large expense for me.
It kind of ruined what was otherwise a very nice day. Highlights:
For the day, 54 species == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for January 3, 2019 Birding at Marymoor
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We had steady light rain (occasionally fading to drizzle) until
maybe 9:30, but then the rain held off until we were done.
Otherwise, it was pretty warm, and we mostly missed out on the
gusty winds. So, not too bad (though not nearly as nice as New
Years Day). As for birds, the day featured no surprises, but few
disappointments either.
Highlights:
Misses included American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal (seen 1/1/19), Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser (seen 1/1/19), Wilson’s Snipe, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. I visited the park on New Day, and besides the GWTE and HOME noted above, I also had VIRGINIA RAIL, PINE SISKIN, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. Hank Heiberg ebirded GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE on 1/2/19. So today, we had 53 species. With my 5 additional species, plus Hank’s geese, the 2019 Marymoor list stands at 59 species. Not too bad a start for the New Year. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for December 31, 2018 Birding at Marymoor
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Like last year's New Years Eve day, I didn't get down early, and
by the time I got there, I was amongst a hoard of dogs.
The weather was good, though, and I had a fine day to end 2018. Highlights:
For the (short) day, 46 species. = Michael |