Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 1
January 1-7

Rarities for Week 1:

Eurasian Wigeon	01-Jan-22	M&L Crawford. First seen 12/31/21
Dunlin	01-Jan-22	Peter Zika, photo
Dunlin	01-Jan-22	M&L Crawford. First seen 12/31/21
Ruffed Grouse	01-Jan-00	Reported by Jim McCoy
Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker	01-Jan-22	Peter Zika, photos
Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker	07-Jan-16	Hybrid
Common Redpoll	04-Jan-18	At Rowing Club, 2 in alders
Swamp Sparrow	06-Jan-11	Below weir along slough

Report for January 4, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

A pleasant enough day, with temps in the 40's, no wind, no fog until the end, and the predicted rain mostly a fiction. It was birdy at first, and then became really quiet for the other 2/3rds of the walk. Only four of us doing the walk, though. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose - Two, with Canadas Ducks - Nine species, total, with most below the weir Short-billed Gull - About 150, with a couple of RBGU and some GWGU; our first big flock of gulls on the ground this winter Barred Owl - One at the east end of the boardwalk about 6:45 a.m. White-throated Sparrow - One near the Dog Area porta-potties, with Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows Misses today included Cooper's Hawk, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin. The boardwalk should be re-opened by next week. For the day, 53 species. = Michael Hobbs
Barred Owl near the east end of the boardwalk. Photo by Tony Ernst	Greater White-fronted Goose. Photo by Tony Ernst
Brown Creeper. Photo by Tony Ernst	White-throated Sparrow. Photo by Tony Ernst

Report for January 5, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

The raging winds were supposed to subside, but they never really did. Otherwise, the weather was pretty nice, and it wasn't too uncomfortable walking around. It's just that it wasn't very birdy at all. With strong gusts from the south, birds were hunkered down, hard to hear, hard to see, hard to find.

Highlights:

Ring-necked Pheasant - Lonesome George II has made it to the New Year. Heard him from the Compost Piles, our first detection since Dec. 1.
Crows chasing an accipiter in the Pea Patch. The hawk was a juvenile, and we had trouble deciding if it were Sharpie or Cooper's. I'm leaving it as Accipiter sp.

Except for the numerous geese, robins, starlings, coots, and crows, we did have a bit of a sense of accomplishment every time we managed to track down a bird. Any bird. For finches, we had a handful of flybys of 2-3 birds, with occasional calls poorly heard, only good enough to barely get House Finch on the list. We only had one woodpecker - a single Northern Flicker.

Misses today included Ring-necked Duck, Wilson's Snipe, Ring-billed Gull, a definite Cooper's Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Bushtit, and Purple Finch. We have retained great opportunity for First of Year (FOY) birds in coming weeks.

For the day, and the year, 46 species (including the accipiter), plus the Pheasant.

Happy New Year everyone.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for January 6, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

When I went to bed Wednesday night, the weather forecast looked like God’s warning to Noah. Near 100% chance of rain every hour forever. So I was pleasantly surprised when the rain stopped before sunrise, and didn’t pick up again until nearly 11:00 a.m. ! Very fortuitous. The morning was dark and breezy though, and Bald Eagles (and dogs in the slough) were making life difficult for ducks below the weir. Long stretches of the morning had no birds seen or heard. We did have a few good birds, though.

Highlights:

Eleven species of duck – including three RUDDY DUCK I had on a late scan of the lake, first since 2000
Lesser Scaup – one
Barn Owl – Matt saw one, East Meadow, just after the pre-dawn rain stopped. First in 4 weeks
Hairy Woodpecker – one heard well, but not seen
Northern Shrike – juvenile, East Meadow and then heading towards the model airplane field. First in 5 weeks
White-throated Sparrow – one with other Zonos in the cherries below the weir

The late scan of the lake also turned up our only RING-NECKED DUCKS plus a HORNED GREBE

Our misses for the day included many “easy” birds: Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Flicker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Marsh Wren, and Purple Finch.

We did not see several of the birds reported earlier this week, several of which were quite notable. New Year’s Day birds reported by Peter Zika and/or Mark & Lee Crawford included:

Snow Goose – large flock(s) overhead
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
EURASIAN WIGEON – also reported 2021-12-31 by John Puschock
DUNLIN – One bird, Peter Zika photograph; it was along the edge of the slough below the weir. First Marymoor report since 2015!
RED-NAPED x RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER hybrid – Peter got photos of this bird too
Pileated Woodpecker

Peter Zika also reported the COMMON REDPOLLS on December 30th, 2021. I have heard of no reports since.

Our start to 2022 comprised 53 species, but the park list is already at 65+

Happy New Year!

= Michael Hobbs

Report for January 7, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

The day was gorgeous; the park was flooded. High water closed parts of the boardwalk and slough trail, making it impossible to walk the full loop; we had to probe in from each side separately. Three of us did make it to the Lake Platform (from the east), not that we found many species on the lake. Waterbirds have *so many* places to be, with all of the flooded fields in the area. And due to COVID, we again split into two groups to try and be safe. Still, we managed to find a very respectable number of species.

Highlights:

Wood Duck – Flyovers, seen by the Jordan’s group
Horned Grebe – three FAR out on the lake
Virginia Rail – heard (seen by Jordan’s group) east of the East Meadow; the usual haunts along the slough and boardwalk are too flooded
Barn Owl – Matt saw one in the shaft opening of the windmill just after 5 a.m.
Western Screech-Owl – The owling team heard one from the “Mysterious Thicket” pre-dawn
Hairy Woodpecker – female in Big Cottonwood Forest
Varied Thrush – female near the Hairy, in the Big Cottonwood Forest
Cedar Waxwing – Jordan’s group saw three
Western Meadowlark – My group found two in the East Meadow and Dog Meadow, with at least one of them singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler – two at the Rowing Club, our first since October!

Singing has really picked up in the last two weeks. Species heard singing yesterday: ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, PACIFIC WREN, BEWICK’S WREN, HOUSE FINCH, SONG SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. The Bewick’s Wrens were really going at it, all over the park. A few other species were heard tuning up, but not really singing.

Misses yesterday included Ring-necked Duck, Marsh Wren, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

For the day, 61 species; a very good start to 2021.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for January 2, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

We had a gorgeous morning that started quite birdy, to start our 2020 lists. The weather did deteriorate as the morning waned, and by the time we got to the Rowing Club, we were absolutely beset by a light drizzle. Not a bad day. The most notable thing were the large numbers of MEW GULLS, AMERICAN ROBINS, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, and SONG SPARROWS. Finches and diving ducks were lacking, though, continuing recent trends.

Highlights:

American Wigeon – maybe 75, all flybys. (Might have been a Pintail mixed in somewhere... PinWigeon flyby flocks are tough)
Northern Pintail – pair landed below the weir
Barn Owl – at least two, with some great looks before 7:30
Western Screech-Owl – Matt heard one predawn
Northern Saw-whet Owl – ditto
Hairy Woodpecker – probably at least two
Pileated Woodpecker – at least two, several sightings
Northern Shrike – Margaret saw one on her way out early; we dipped later
Western Meadowlark – at least two in the Dog Meadow

Several birds were heard singing; not a big surprise now that we’re past the solstice. These included Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick’s Wren, and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Misses included Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Bushtit, Marsh Wren, Purple Finch, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

For the day, AND FOR THE DECADE, 53 species. Not a bad start.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for January 3, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

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:

Cackling Goose – about 1000, but a very uniform flock
Wood Duck – pair in the slough
Common Goldeneye – female from Lake Platform – only 4th sighting of the winter, all of single birds!
Mew Gull – maybe 750 on grass soccer fields! Quite possibly a High Count for Marymoor
Ring-billed Gull – 2-3, first in six weeks
Ring-necked Pheasant – male persists at Pea Patch
Green Heron – *heard* at Rowing Club
Western Screech-Owl – Matt heard one early
Hairy Woodpecker – one seen very distantly across Dog Meadow
Pileated Woodpecker – one seen even more distantly west of Lake Platform
Northern Shrike – seen, again between Compost Piles and model airplane field; *might* have been 2

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

Pied-billed Grebe. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male Common Merganser. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Bufflehead. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male Ring-necked Pheasant in the Pea Patch. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Cackling Geese. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photos by Bob Asanoma

Report for January 4, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

I’ve been doing this a long time – this my 24th year of weekly bird surveys at the park, yet there are still surprises almost every week. There was a lot of nothing-special today; with the weather not too cold, but with overcast and dead air [windless, barometer dropping], we had lots of walking around seeing/hearing nothing. But every now and then... :) Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose – one with Cackling Geese Wood Duck – two at small Rowing Club pond Greater Scaup – three in slough Horned Grebe – one far out on lake Western Grebe – three far out on lake, seen late Virginia Rail – one seen well * Wilson’s Snipe – three along slough below weir, seen well Green Heron – one at Rowing Club main pond Barn Owl – our only owl – one at windmill really early, 1-2 East Meadow after 7am Pileated Woodpecker – one heard calling, seen flying distantly to the SE COMMON REDPOLL – two at Rowing Club ** * The VIRGINIA RAIL was a shocker, not because we don’t have them this time of year, but because it was walking down the very narrow trail, through the blackberries, that runs from the Dog Area sheds near the first Dog Swim Beach to the Pea Patch. As we approached, it ducked into the blackberries and disappeared. This is at least 100 feet from the slough, and is nowhere near any marshy area! ** The COMMON REDPOLL were great. We were at the Rowing Club, bemoaning the fact that the only finches we’d seen were some terrible looks at a few HOUSE FINCH, when Matt alerted to two flying finches. I tracked them, noting the deeply notched tail and the lack of siskin-like longitudinal wing stripes, and listening to the call, while Matt whipped out his phone and started to play the redpoll calls. Though distant, the two finches immediately turned and descended, landing in the alder next to us! This was my first Common Redpoll sighting at Marymoor since Halloween day, 1996! This is only the 4th-ever Marymoor Common Redpoll report that I know of ever, the other two being 1-2 birds seen by Brian Bell amongst hundreds of Pine Siskins on 2008-01-10, and one bird photographed by Barry Brugman on 2016-03-21. [A few minutes later, we had a flock of about 40 PINE SISKIN, our 3rd finch species for the day] Misses today included American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper’s Hawk, Downy Woodpecker (maybe heard), Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren (maybe heard), Purple Finch, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. So, a ho-hum start to 2018 for the Marymoor Survey, with 52 species, and nothing of note – Hah! == Michael Hobbs	Photo by Bob Asanoma Male Common Goldeneye. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Wilson's Snipe. Photo by Brian Bell	Wilson's Snipe. Photo by Brian Bell
Mixed flock of sparrows: White-crowned (top), Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Backlighting and foreground branches made photographing the Common Redpolls very challenging. Photo by Brian Bell
Common Redpoll. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Common Redpoll. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for January 5, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

We got off to a frigid but very nice start to 2017. By 8:00 a.m., the thermometers were reading 12 or 13 degrees F, which is COLD. But it was a gorgeous, sunny morning with no wind, and with low humidity. Simply bundling up was sufficient to keep warm. With the sunshine, the birds were out and active. And with many nearby ponds and streams frozen, the river and lake were full of birds seeking open water. Highlights: SNOW GOOSE Juvenile with Canadas at Concert Venue CINNAMON TEAL One female amongst Green-winged Teal below weir Northern Shoveler Probably at least 3 Common Merganser 50-70 on lake – very high count for Marymoor - 12 species of duck total - Western Grebe At least one on lake Double-creasted Cormorant Maybe 40 on lake – many for Marymoor Killdeer Minimum of 37, maybe as many as 45 Red-breasted Sapsucker One near mansion Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 drab Audubon’s type, along slough below weir Lincoln’s Sparrow 2+ at Compost Piles, with great looks at 1 Western Meadowlark 11 or 12, SE of Climbing Rock There were about 100 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, along with many GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARDS, and several diving ducks below the weir. It was great fun to pick out the lone CINNAMON TEAL female who conveniently sat on the near shore. Matt first noticed her, spotting frost crystals on her head. Once we looked at her, though, we were saying, “That’s not a Green-wing...” All of our previous sightings of Cinnamon Teal at Marymoor have been during spring migration. It was also fun to pick out the NORTHERN SHOVELERS, including a female who initially had her bill tucked in. Besides the birds, it was a good day for mammals, with a COYOTE on the far side of the slough, and a RIVER OTTER from the lake platform. Matt heard a BEAVER slap in the dark of night, and I saw two MUSKRAT in a late viewing of the lake. For the day, and the year, 57 species. == Michael Hobbs	Coyote on the far side of the slough. Photo by Ollie Oliver Coyote on the far side of the slough. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Canada Geese in the slough below the weir. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Ring-necked Ducks. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Ring-necked Ducks and a Greater Scaup. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Cinnamon Teal. Note the large bill and plain face. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Cinnamon Teal. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Northern Shovelers look like teal, but have orange bills. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Northern Shovelers have black bills, however. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe (note small, unmarked bill). Photo by Ollie Oliver	Hooded Mergansers. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Fox Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Fox Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Bald Eagle pair at lake. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Lincoln's Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
We often see Meadowlarks flocking with European Starlings. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Western Meadowlark. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Juvenile Snow Goose with Canadas, inside the concert venue. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Drab Yellow-rumped Warbler along slough edge. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for January 7, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

A really nice way to start the year today. Thin overcast made for tricky light at times, but there was no precip., no wind, and it wasn’t too cold – mostly in the mid-30’s (33-41), though there was frost on the ground and some slippery pathways. It was really birdy, in the way I’ve seen happen when there’s nice weather and when it’s obvious that the solstice has passed. I think the birds begin to celebrate the promise of a spring to come. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose 9 !!! with Cackling Geese Wood Duck 1 male in slough, seen from Rowing Club Greater Scaup 1 female near mouth of slough Horned Grebe 3 on lake Western Grebe 1 or 2 on lake California Gull 1 with Mews and GWGUs Barn Owl Matt had one around 7 am Northern Saw-whet Owl Matt heard one around 6 am R.-breasted x R.-naped Sapsucker Hybrid south of mansion had extensive black up back of head MERLIN One atop tall fir NE of mansion Northern Shrike Juvenile N of fields 7-8-9 as usual Purple Finch 3-4 female-type south of Pea Patch The RED-BREASTED x RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER was just a bit west of the concert stage. It had black up the back of the neck crossed by a red nape stripe like a Red-naped, but the front of the bird was very much like a Red-breasted. There was no black below the red bib, and no (or only a very minimal) white stripe running back from the top of the eye. It looked similar enough to the hybrid seen 2015-10-27 by Spencer Hildie that it may be the same bird, though today’s bird had a more obvious black stripe across the back head above the red nape than shows in Spencer’s photos (see http://www.marymoor.org/BirdBlog/Week44.htm) In all a very nice day, with 56 species + the hybrid to start our 2016 list. == Michael Hobbs	Bald Eagle near the nest. Photo by Bob Asanoma American Coots. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Male Bufflehead (foreground) and male Hooded Merganser. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Very white-breasted 3rd-year Bald Eagle. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Greater White-fronted Goose. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Greater White-fronted Goose. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Merlin. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Golden-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for January 1, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

2015 – 0600-1330, - 27F-42F, - clear, cold. 56 species (including two species found only by the EAS field trip)
Male American Wigeon next to female Mallard. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Fox Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Steller's Jay. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Golden-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Brown Creeper. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	"Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for January 2, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

We really had a fine start to the New Year at Marymoor today. Yeah, it was overcast and we had a trivial amount of mizzle, but it was over 40 degrees with little wind and with some birdiness. Not a lot of real highlights, but a good day anyway. Highlights: Cooper’s/Sharpie First accipiter of the year, and we couldn’t tell Virginia Rail Responded faintly from start of boardwalk Herring Gull ??? Looked good, but gulls would NOT allow approach Pileated Woodpecker Been a good fall/winter for them MERLIN Taiga subspecies, at sunrise near mansion Northern Shrike Adult, East Meadow Pacific Wren At least one, seen, Big Cottonwood Forest There was a COYOTE in Lot B just before 8:00 a.m. I also birded Marymoor yesterday afternoon, concentrating on portions of the park that we don’t cover usually. Highlights yesterday include THREE !!! WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS in a bush north of the Rowing Club building, and several PURPLE FINCH even further north of RC west of slough. We tried, and failed, to relocate the White-throated Sparrows today. So, for the day yesterday, 42 species, for today, 52 species, and for 2014, we’re up to 56 species. == Michael Hobbs	Merlin. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Gadwall. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Carpy or Shooper's? To my eye the head shape and markings look like Cooper's Hawk, but the bill looks small, and the tail looks fairly square and short. The bird looks small overall, and the feet are not overly large. I believe this bird has caused us much identification consternation this winter, and we've probably labeled it both as Cooper's and Sharpie on different weeks. I'm leaning towards Cooper's. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Spotted Towhee. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Steller's Jay. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Green-winged Teal at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Horrible cellphone photo of one of the three White-throated Sparrows north of the Rowing Club building, 2014-01-01. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Report for January 3, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

A new year adds a bit of excitement, as we eagerly await a new set of birds for the year. I rushed down to Marymoor, eager, and found it to be COLD. A frigid 26 degrees pre-dawn, and an impenetrable layer of fog rolled in by 7:15, obliterating hopes for more owls. Before then, though, we did have some fairly good looks at a SHORT-EARED OWL, Bird #1 for the Marymoor Park 2013 list. However, even after the sun rose, the cold and the fog lingered for quite a while, and many of the birds may just have flown up to the surrounding hills or something, because it wasn’t very birdy today. It did eventually become sunny, gorgeous, and moderately warm (maybe getting to 40 degrees), but it never got birdy. Highlights: California Quail One heard, but never seen, Compost Piles Western Grebe A few out on the lake Virginia Rail 1-2 heard east of East Meadow Red-breasted Sapsucker Near park office Hairy Woodpecker Near south end of Dog Meadow Northern Shrike North of fields 7-8-9 Purple Finch Some nice looks, incl. well-marked male Red Crossbill Continue to hang out around mansion We also had probably the same COYOTE I saw on the 31st, this time on the far side of the slough just above the weir, giving us the most amazing show. Josh heard BEAVER(s?) in the pre-dawn. For the day, 53 species. Ollie had a Pacific Wren yesterday to bring the 2013 list up to 54 species. == Michael Hobbs	Vee of Canada Geese heading down the slough in the fog
We spent a long time trying to decide the species of accipiter that landed in a tree. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	We decided it was a Cooper's Hawk, though some remained unconvinced. Photo by Ollie Oliver
This coyote put on a great show for us. Photo by Hugh Jennings Click here for a stunning display of photos of this coyote	Common Goldeneye pair. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Coots rarely manage to actually take flight, preferring to run across the water. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	Preening Northern Shrike. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
American Coot, 2013-01-02. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Margaret reported that this Mourning Dove at the Viewing Mound was missing its tail. Photo by Margaret Snell, 2012-12-28

Report for January 5, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

It was cold and blowy, though it didn't rain, thankfully. It was also pretty quiet, with the birds mostly staying hunkered down. We didn't even see a Bewick's Wren until we got to the Rowing Club, for example. But it was nice to be back birding at the park again in a new year. Highlights: Gadwall 5 at weir Common Goldeneye Several in slough Hooded Merganser 10 total Cooper's Hawk 1 Virginia Rail 1-2 responded to clapping, at the bend in the boardwalk Anna's Hummingbird Male displaying near mansion Hairy Woodpecker 1 near start of boardwalk Northern Shrike 1 west of fields 7-8-9 For the day, 50 species. Mark & Lee Crawford had 2 TRUMPETER SWANS on January 1, along with 5 other species we didn’t' get today, to bring the week and year lists to 56 species. == Michael Hobbs	Male Gadwall behind female Mallard near the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Mew Gulls swirling overhead at sunrise. Photos by Ollie Oliver	Mew Gulls on the grass soccer fields. Photos by Ollie Oliver
Male Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Northern Harrier, 2011-12-31. Photo by Lillian Reis
Adult Greater White-fronted Goose, 2011-12-31. Photo by Lillian Reis	Cackling Geese, 2011-12-31. Photo by Lillian Reis
Banding Data Band Number 1927-52563 @04 Banded 07/26/201 Species CACKLING GOOSE Sex MALE Age of Bird HATCHED IN 2010 OR EARLIER Location NEAR CHEVAK, WADE HAMPTON CENSUS AREA, ALASKA, USA (COORDINATES: LAT: 61.41278; LON: -165.47778 ) Bander MS MELISSA L GABRIELSON YUKON DELTA NWR P O BOX 346 BETHEL AK 99559 Encounter Data Location REDMOND, KING COUNTY, Encountered 12/08/2011 WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES Desc: MARYMOOR PARK

Report for January 6, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

HAPPY NEW YEAR About a dozen of us got off to a good start this morning, but the dark overcast skies started releasing a steady light rain which seemed to cut down on the birds. The rain lasted most of the morning. But the temps in the high 40's, and light winds made the morning not too unpleasant to be out in. Best highlight was another sighting of the SWAMP SPARROW about 100 yards downstream of the weir, the 4th time this winter that we've found it there. A nice year bird! Because this is the first trip of the year, I'll publish the complete list here. Greater White-fronted Goose 1 with Canadas Cackling Goose Huge flocks Canada Goose Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard Northern Pintail Flyover flock Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Virginia Rail American Coot Killdeer Wilson's Snipe Mew Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Barn Owl 2 seen early SHORT-EARED OWL 2 seen early, model airplane field Anna's Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Steller's Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Bewick's Wren Pacific Wren Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow SWAMP SPARROW White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Except for Northern Flicker (which we almost missed), we had NO WOODPECKERS, except for an unidentified bird in flight. For the day, and the year, 56 species == Michael	Swamp Sparrow Swamp Sparrow photo by Ollie Oliver Common Goldeneye pair. Photo by Ollie Oliver Male Ring-necked Ducks. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Adult White-crowned Sparrow with Song Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	American Robin with Song Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
2 Bobcat, 2010-12-31	Four photos by Marc Hoffman

Report for January 7, 2010

Still being a bit jet-lagged, getting up early wasn't a problem for me this morning. I got down to the East Meadow by 7:00 am for one of the best sunrises ever. Before the sun came up, though, we had pretty good looks at both a BARN OWL and a SHORT-EARED OWL - a great start for 2010 at Marymoor. Once the day really began, temps were moderate, the wind was light, the morning mostly overcast though clearing. The birds were fairly hard to come by, though. Things started to pick up at the lake, but things didn't really get birdy until we were going around the mansion area. The Rowing Club was also great. Just about every birder in the state showed up, it seemed. I counted 22 people (not everyone was there the whole time), which was really too many... Highlights: Common Goldeneye Great views in the slough, more on lake Green Heron Continues on east edge of RC pond MERLIN Landed on a favorite perch near stage Virginia Rail Heard a couple from the boardwalk Barn Owl One near windmill, one in East Meadow Short-eared Owl East Meadow after 7:00 a.m. Red-breasted Sapsucker One NE of mansion Northern Shrike East Meadow Yellow-rumped Warbler 2+, including bright Audubon's at RC Townsend's Warbler At least 1, NE of mansion ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were ubiquitous - I'd guess 8+. Several times we saw two chasing each other. A couple of them, at least, were doing their loop display flights complete with the popping noise. For the day, we managed 59 species. == Michael	Scott Ramos caught some of the glory of sunrise
Golden-crowned Sparrows	Scott Ramos saw two River Otters in the slough
Common Goldeneye on the lake (Pied-billed Grebe in the background). Photo by Ollie Oliver	Adult White-crowned Sparrow at the Compost Piles. Photo by Scott Ramos
Brown Creeper	The creeper appeared frozen in place, perhaps because it saw the Merlin
Merlin atop whip-snag near concert stage. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Song Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Ryan Merrill's photo of the Brown Creeper	Two adult White-crowned Sparrows, apparently of the gambelli subspecies. Photo by Ryan Merrill.

Report for January 1, 2009

Conditions were really bad, but the light rain early and the dark grey conditions kept the birds quiet. Most birds showed up in ones and twos, with just a few flocks. One nice flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, FOX SPARROWS, SONG SPARROWS near the first water access, a nice WILSON'S SNIPE flew from the edge before we reached the weir and circled back and landed on the edge about 30 feet away. Several flocks of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew over, probably about 30 in all. A nice mixed flock of BUSHTITS, kinglets and chickadees were way up in the tops of the cottonwoods before Dog Central - too high under low light conditions to make reliable identification possible. They followed us down the path until just before leaving the dog area. We wondered if we were going to miss DOWNY WOODPECKER, but one showed up just before the gate to the cottonwood forest.

As we walked the interpretive path, Rachel spotted a nice drake WOOD DUCK, who gave us quick looks before hiding along the river. Out at the platform, there was one BALD EAGLE in the usual place in the near cottonwood tree and another with prey on one of the pilings. BUFFLEHEAD were present in large numbers along the river and at the lake (probably in excess of 40 - they kept moving around). A couple of PIED-BILLED GREBES near the pier. No response from rails today.

Because the water was high three people walked around and met us. As we walked out of the Alder forest I spotted a RING-NECKED PHEASANT crossing the path down near the large isolated cottonwood. Just around the bend Rachel said they had a flock of PURPLE FINCHES just before the bridge. We missed them. The sparrow piles were completely dead - nobody home. A small flock of CANADA GEESE across from the sparrow piles included two CACKLING GEESE. The AMERICAN KESTREL was back on the soccer goals and put on a show for us.

The pea patch was dead - no birds. As we walked toward the mansion we could hear probably GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS high in the trees, but the wind had picked up by then and we never got a really good view. As we approached the shelter across from the cars we had a nice flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS (close views), CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES and a BROWN CREEPER.

The pond was still frozen at the rowing club, and nothing new on the river.

- Brian Bell

All Photos by Ollie Oliver

American Coot

Male Bufflehead

Male American Kestrel

Report for January 3, 2008

Nine of us slogged through a day with weather that ranged from 'Eh? to Uggh! Clouds, drizzle, light rain, wind; sometimes better than other times. Never nice. The wind at the lake platform was really nasty. Not too cold though, and no really hard rain; it could have been worse.

Birding was patchy and mostly not very good, though we had a couple of surprises late. Our list ended up with a fair number of species (52), but quite a few of those were seen by only one or two people, or were heard-only birds. Still, it was a start for 2008.

Highlights:

Wood Duck            4 flushed from the boardwalk
Red-necked Grebe 1 surfaced near the RC dock
Peregrine Falcon      Nice adult fly-by NE of the mansion
Barn Owl                 Apparently they gave quite a show early
Brown Creeper        Seen at 3 disparate spots
W. Meadowlark      3 at grass fields N of compost piles

== Michael

Report for January 3, 2007

The weather this morning was iffy, and it got worse from there for a while.  By 9:00, it was
raining hard for a brief time, but then it cleared slowly throughout the rest of the morning.
Last week, about which I failed to post, it was very birdy but with few species.  Today was less
birdy, but the list of birds was longer.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose         Minimas, Taverner's, and one ???
Trumpeter Swan         7, flying east, silent.  Can't rule out Tundra
Bald Eagle             Pair with new nest appeared chased 3rd adult
Pileated Woodpecker    1 flew up the slough
G.-crowned Kinglet     Including one huge flock near mansion - 40+
Western Meadowlark     4 posed nicely north of grass soccer fields

For the day, and coincidentally for the year :), 53 species.

Last week, highlights included a flock of Northern Pintail, the Bald Eagles working on their new
nest, a very noisy Pileated Woodpecker, a Northern Shrike in the East Meadow, and Varied Thrush.

== Michael

Bird Sightings Week 1
January 1-7

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