Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 4
January 22-28

Rarities for Week 4:

- None -

Report for January 25, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

What a difference a week makes. Instead of me solo, there were ten of us today. And the weather was remarkably, notably, delightful with temps 43-50 degrees, no fog, little wind, and no precipitation after dawn; fabulous compared with the dismal weather on the 18th. It was birdy for a while too, though after the first 1.5 hours, it got notably quiet.

Highlights:

Scaup sp. - Pair WAY out on the lake, too far for ID. Our first scaup of the year, but leaving it as a slash
Anna's Hummingbird - Several males perched up and singing today after 2 months of absence or near absence
Four woodpecker day - Though both Hairy and Pileated were heard-only (PIWO *may* have been DISTANTLY seen)
Black-capped Chickadee - Several singing
Bewick's Wren - Several singing
Varied Thrush - Heard one or two singing just after 8:00
Song Sparrow - Also singing
House Finch - A few heard and a very few flying overhead were our only finches of any kind

In contrast to last week's dozens of FOX SPARROWS, today there were probably less than 10.

I did a late scan of the lake, hoping to get a better look at the scaup. No dice there, but I did find at least two RUDDY DUCKS, First of Year (FOY). We did not have a Ruddy last year.

Misses today included Ring-necked Duck, Virginia Rail, Ring-billed Gull (at least, none positively ID'd), Cooper's Hawk, Bushtit, and Marsh Wren.

For the day, 51 species counting the scaup sp.

= Michael Hobbs

Brown Creeper. Photo by Tony Ernst

Report for January 26, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

We had a good day today. No rain, no wind, no glare, not cold, and it was pretty birdy for at least parts of the morning.

Highlights:

Ring-billed Gull - two among a flock of Short-billed and GW Gulls on grass soccer fields. First of Year (FOY)
Sharp-shinned Hawk - mixing it up with a Cooper's Hawk. Huge size difference (FOY)
Western Screech-Owl - Matt saw one pre-dawn that apparently came in when it heard the NSWO (FOY)
Northern Saw-whet Owl - Matt heard one moving around and calling, south of the East Meadow pre-dawn (FOY)
Four woodpecker day - though Downy and Pileated were heard-only. We also *might* have heard sapsucker
Northern Shrike - seen at Compost Piles, south of the model airplane field, AND north of Fields 7-8-9. Probably all one bird
VARIED THRUSH - at least two heard for several minutes, across the slough from the windmill (FOY)
Western Meadowlark - one or two glimpsed in the East Meadow (FOY)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD - male in Pea Patch (FOY)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - one or two near the model airplane field restrooms
ZERO FINCHES - once again. Actually worse than last week where we at least had a tiny number of finch spp. heard
River Otters - four romping on the shore near the beaver lodge across the slough from Dog Central

A late scan of the lake turned up three COMMON MERGANSERS, a HORNED GREBE, and he flock of AMERICAN COOTS that must have been off to the east out of sight when we were at the Lake Platform earlier in the morning.

The COOPER'S HAWK juvenile and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK adult were chasing each other around at the south edge of the Dog Area. The difference in size was truly remarkable, so we concluded that the Sharpie must have been a small male, and the Cooper's a large female.

The BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD is our first ever for January. We also have single records for November, December, and February. October is now the only month in which we have no cowbird records, but they are typically present only April through August. There are just 16 total records from September through March, with most of those coming in late March.

There was quite a bit of singing today. Singing birds included Anna's Hummingbird, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, PACIFIC WREN, BEWICK'S WREN, VARIED THRUSH, DARK-EYED JUNCO, SONG SPARROW, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.

I birded the northern part of Marymoor yesterday late afternoon (I had a Friends of Marymoor Park meeting to attend yesterday evening). In the NE corner of the park, I did have 12-15 HOUSE FINCH, including a couple of singing males, so they aren't completely gone from the park.

I also had two CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAYS yesterday, near the east end maintenance area. These were (FOY) and were also our first January record. Almost all the sightings of CASJ have come from very late August, through September, into October. There are just a small handful of records outside that nine-week window.

For the day, 60 species plus George, the Ring-necked Pheasant, with two more species for the week.

= Michael Hobbs

Northern Shrike. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Pure-white, tame Rock Pigeon is probably a released/escaped bird.
Photo by Michael Hobbs

Report for January 27, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

We had cold temps (31-35 degrees), but the fog stayed above us rather than settling down. The fog slowly burned off during the morning, but we didn’t see our shadows until we were at the Rowing Club. Not a hint of wind and the lake was glassy smooth. Not a bad day.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose – About 850 landed on the grass soccer fields
Wood Duck – 4-6 in the slough near the lake. First of Year (FOY)
Green-winged Teal – Perhaps as many as 65 at the Rowing Club ponds and at the mitigation pond just south of there – probably a new high count for Marymoor
Greater Scaup – Pair below weir (FOY)
Ruddy Duck – Three seen in a late scan of the lake
Twelve species of duck in total – a
Horned Grebe – Two seen in a late scan of the lake
Sharp-shinned Hawk – One along West Lake Samm Parkway on our way to the Rowing Club
Western Screech-Owl – One heard pre-dawn (FOY)
Pileated Woodpecker – Barely heard several times, finally seen across the weir looking NW from the Lake Platform (FOY)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Seemed especially numerous
Marsh Wren – At least two east of the East Meadow (FOY)
Cedar Waxwing – Again about 15 at Dog Central
White-throated Sparrow – Still hanging with White-crowns and Golden-crowns at the north end of the Dog Area
Western Meadowlark – Four north of Fields 7-8-9

We had AMERICAN BEAVER predawn from the Lake Platform (FOY).

Misses today included Rock Pigeon, Cooper’s Hawk, and Bushtit. Finches were represented only by a small handful of House Finch.

For the day, 59 species. For the year, the survey is at 67 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for January 28, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

It was rather damp and dark this morning. Predawn had a fair amount of actual rain. During the regular walk it was mostly drizzle and mizzle, clearing a little later in the morning. A good day for waterbirds, not great for anything else.

Highlights:

Wood Duck – pair in slough, one of the 10 species of duck we saw
Ring-necked Pheasant – “Lonesome George” was in the Pea Patch
Horned Grebe – one far out on the lake
Hairy Woodpecker – a couple of sightings
Pileated Woodpecker – one south of the Rowing Club. First of Year
Merlin – one flying with prey – First of Year for us. Later, we saw possibly the same bird near the mansion, sitting motionless for a long time at the top of a fir. Must have been filling prey
Fox Sparrow – notably many, easy to see – maybe a dozen
White-throated Sparrow – two with Golden-crowned Sparrows at Dog Central. Probably the same two as last week

Nadine saw a LONG-TAILED WEASEL just pre-dawn, East Meadow (First of Year). At the Rowing Club, two RED-EARED SLIDERS were on a log. We’ve had them 3 out of 4 surveys this January, yet never had January turtles before this year.

Misses today included Greater Scaup, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper’s Hawk, Bushtit, and Marsh Wren.

For the day, 55 species. For the year, adding Pileated Woodpecker and Merlin, we’re up to 73 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Western Screech-Owl. Photo by Matt Bartels
Merlin

Merlin atop fir near mansion. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for January 23, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

It was wet, but the rain was not nonstop, and the day was warm (50 degrees – in January!) And it was pretty birdy, surprisingly enough.

Highlights:

Wood Duck – pair in slough near Lake Platform
Greater Scaup – we think – one 1st winter female
Pied-billed Grebe – at least 40 on the lake, maybe 5 more in the slough
Virginia Rail – one heard SE of Viewing Mound pre-dawn. First of Year (FOY)
California Gull – at least one in large gull flock on grass soccer fields (FOY)
ICELAND (THAYER’S) GULL – one in same flock (FOY)
5 species of gull total – Mostly Mew Gulls, a few Ring-bills, and many Glaucous-winged and “Olympic” gulls
Green Heron – one at Rowing Club
Western Screech-Owl – Matt heard one in “Mysterious Thicket” well pre-dawn
SHORT-EARED OWL – one in East Meadow around 7:30 a.m.
4 woodpecker species – but only 1-2 of each. Okay, maybe 3 flickers
HERMIT THRUSH – one just south of Dog Area along slough trail (FOY)
House Finch – one singing bird (unseen) was our only finch of any kind

Singing birds included Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Bewick’s Wren, House Finch, and Red-winged Blackbird.

Misses included Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Cooper’s Hawk, Bushtit, and Marsh Wren

For the day, 56 species!

= Michael Hobbs

GRSC?
Greater Scaup, we think. Photo by Bob Asanoma
BAEA
Adult Bald Eagle. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for January 24, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

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:

Greater White-fronted Goose – Brian saw 2 with Cacklers. When we got there, we probably saw that same flock flying away - First of Year
Common Goldeneye – Pair COPULATING at weir! But only the two birds.
Common Merganser – only seen on a late scan of the lake
Ring-necked Pheasant – Seen flying near the heronry! The guy seems to have moved beyond the Pea Patch
COMMON LOON – two on lake seen on a late scan of the lake, near east shore
Green Heron – flew to Rowing Club ponds just as we were leaving – almost a miss
Northern Saw-whet Owl – one responded with two quick calls around 6:00 a.m., and then silence. Near East Footbridge
The same 4 woodpecker species we’ve had every week in 2019 so far. Still waiting on a sapsucker.
5 River Otters – family group, also seen every week in 2019 so far

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

Male Belted Kingfisher. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male Common Goldeneye. Photo by Bob Asanoma

American Crow. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Great Blue Heronry is getting active. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Report for January 25, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

The weather wasn’t too bad, without a drop for the first couple of hours and nothing worse than drizzle the rest of the morning. Not too cold either, though sometimes a bit dark with the overcast. Highlights: Cackling Goose – nice flock of 1000+ on grass soccer fields Trumpeter Swan – two flew east over slough near lake, calling. First of 2018 American Wigeon – heard pre-dawn from Dog Meadow area Northern Pintail – flyover flock, 5 birds with 2 other ducks – First of 2018 Green-winged Teal – heard pre-dawn from east of East Meadow, 6+ at Rowing Club Western Grebe – two well out on lake Great Blue Heron – at least 18 on/near nests in heronry Green Heron – one at Rowing Club Northern Harrier – one flew north over Dog Meadow Sharp-shinned Hawk – one near slough below weir – tiny BARN OWL – stood on Viewing Mound and watched it flying from ~7:00 til we left at 7:50. Later, saw roosting in willows east of East Meadow. One more seen DOWNY WOODPECKER – two near Dog Central – FIRST for 2018 finally! Hairy Woodpecker – Near Downy Pileated Woodpecker – across the slough from Big Cottonwood Forest Merlin – nice looks, perched and flying, mansion area around 8:00 a.m. Cedar Waxwing – again, 30+ birds near Dog Central Misses included Hooded Merganser, Cooper’s Hawk, Steller’s Jay, Bushtit, and Pacific Wren, but we added 3 species to the 2018 list. For the day, 56 species. For 2018, we’re up to 70 species. == Michael Hobbs	7:42 a.m. The little dot in front of the willows and above the post is a Barn Owl, still flying around. Seen from the Viewing Mound. Photo by Michael Hobbs Two male Common Goldeneye in the slough. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Male American Robin. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Great Blue Herons visiting the heronry. Photo by Hugh Jennings
That post-dawn Barn Owl apparently didn't go far. The dot in the middle of the willows at 10:22 a.m. turned out to be ----->	...a roosting Barn Owl. Photo by Bob Asanoma
A sea of Cackling Geese. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Banded Cackling Goose. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Cackling Goose with neck collar 7 7* was at Marymoor on 1/25/2018, and was at Lake Sammamish State Park on 1/22/2018, giving us evidence that the flock moves around a wide area, breaking into different sub-flocks that spend time on different fields. The goose was banded as a juvenile, under a program run by Pacific Flyways, on 7/30/2011 on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska.

Report for January 26, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

The weather was decent enough – overcast, and just a smidgen of mist, if that. Not cold, not windy. But the birds were a bit scarce today, though some of them were beginning to show signs of spring thoughts. Highlights: - 9 species of duck - Horned Grebe 2 out pretty far on lake Great Blue Heron 11 seen on nests or immediately adjacent Green Heron 1 at beaver lodge again Red-tailed Hawk Rebuilding nest on odd-snag Western Screech-Owl 2 heard, south of East Meadow, very early Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 near windmill Northern Flicker 1 drumming, some calling a variety of calls Bewick’s Wren Singing Song Sparrow Many singing Red-winged Blackbird Okalee songs We also had two RACCOONS on the far side of the slough, our first since November, 2015. For the day, 54 species. Nothing new for the year. == Michael Hobbs	Female scaup, possibly Greater. Photos by Ollie Oliver
Common Merganser female. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Belted Kingfisher, male. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Adult Ring-billed Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Northern Flicker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Northern Flicker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Green-winged Teal. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Hooded Merganser. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for January 28, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

Another dark, wet morning, this time with a bit of warm breeze. Not very birdy at all.

Highlights:

Horned Grebe                 1-2 well out on lake
Western Grebe                4 even further out on lake
GREEN HERON            Juvenile at Rowing Club south pond
HERRING GULL           1-2 with large mixed gull flock
Northern Shrike               Juvenile north of Fields 7-8-9 again
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4-5 birds

A COOPER’S HAWK caught a WILSON’S SNIPE in the grass east of the East Meadow. A little later, a COYOTE walked south along the east edge of the East Meadow.

Misses today included Ring-necked Duck, Rock Pigeon, woodpeckers (not even Northern Flicker today), Steller’s Jay, Bushtit, Marsh Wren, and any finch except House.

For they day, 46 species, same as last week. Nothing new for the year.

== Michael Hobbs

Pair of Common Goldeneyes in the slough in the rain. Photo by Hugh Jennings

The juvenile Northern Shrike likes the rusty goalposts. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Ring-billed Gull. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Herring Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for January 22, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

A bit disappointing to have clouds and mist (and rain by 10:30) after the gorgeous day yesterday. Not the nicest welcome back for me after my vacation. But it was nice to see friends and to see many of the regular birds of Marymoor. We managed a tiny increase in our species count to 58, after 3 straight weeks of 56 species, plus we added a few new birds for the year (FOY). But these winter walks are often fairly predictable in terms of the species list, and today was no exception.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose               Hundreds flew over at 8:15, but didn’t land
American Wigeon            One male in slough well north of the weir
Green-winged Teal          20+ in slough well north of the weir
Northern Pintail               One male in sough well north of the weir – FOY
Horned Grebe                 3 far out on the lake
Great Blue Heron             Many sitting near or on nests, some pairs
Wilson’s Snipe                 Early crew heard some – FOY
California Gull                  One in smallish gull flock – FOY
Barn Owl                         Sounds and glimpses early
N. SAW-WHET OWL   Matt had great looks, 5:45a.m., just east of boardwalk
PEREGRINE FALCON One cruised by south of East Meadow
Bushtit                             One large flock, Dog Meadow edge – FOY
Dark-eyed Junco             Notably large flocks

The nice mixed flock of DUCKS in the slough at the north end of the “Transition Zone” (the area they mow north of the weir) was a highlight, as was a mixed flock of woodpeckers in a tree far across the slough, which yielded terrible looks at Downy, Hairy, Flicker, and PILEATED WOODPECKER. The rest of the morning was q u i e t.

For the year, I believe we’re up to 72 species.

== Michael Hobbs

Northern Pintail drake across the slough. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Common Merganser. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Red-tailed Hawk in Snag Row. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Red-tailed Hawk fleeing mobbing crows. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Report for January 23, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

There was a bit of a chill breeze, but nothing much in the way of fog, and the clouds even moved off to bring us blue skies and sunshine. Yet the birds were scarce and quiet. Highlights, such as they were: Cackling Goose Many large flocks overhead, but none landed Green-winged Teal In slough, and in Rowing Club pond Greater Scaup Female in slough - First of year (FOY) Horned Grebe I saw 4 on lake, late - FOY Bald Eagle Many sightings, 4-6 birds Pileated Woodpecker Seen distantly twice, heard more Merlin Grace & Ollie had one around 8:00 As has been the case in recent weeks, no real passerine highlights. We were happy to actually see some of the birds we heard, and to have heard the birds we expect. Only finches were a few HOUSE FINCH. Only 5 species of sparrow (SPOTTED TOWHEE, FOX (heard only for most people), SONG, and GOLDEN-CROWNED, and DARK-EYED JUNCO. For the day, just 49 species. == Michael Hobbs	Merlin. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Greater Scaup. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Greater Scaup. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Anna's Hummingbird at Park Office. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Green-winged Teal at Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
	Northern Flicker. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for January 24, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

Thankfully the weather lived up to this morning’s forecast, not last night’s. It was a delightful day, with temps in the upper 30’s, sunshine, no wind, and just a touch of fog. And while it wasn’t birdy the whole morning, we did pretty well. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose At least 5 with Cackling Geese Green-winged Teal A dozen below the weir Lesser Scaup Four at lake (one might have been Greater) Western Grebe Two, far out on lake Great Blue Heron Several sitting on, or next to, nests at heronry Virginia Rail Again heard, east of East Meadow Western Gull 1-2, with other gulls, grass soccer fields Barn Owl Matt & I watched them catch prey twice Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 at Rowing Club Hairy Woodpecker 1 near first dog swim beach Pileated Woodpecker One far to the west of the slough Northern Shrike Two seen simultaneously Varied Thrush Female at Rowing Club Red Crossbill ~20, mansion and Rowing Club One or two Barn Owls gave a great show over the East Meadow around 7:15. We had three sightings, and twice (about 10 minutes apart), we watched a Barn Owl drop into the grass on, taking flight a moment later with a furry snack to carry back into the willows. We also had RIVER OTTERS at the lake, and a MUSKRAT at the Rowing Club. For the day, 64 species! Lesser Scaup, Western Gull, Pileated Woodpecker, and Varied Thrush were new for 2013. Brian Bell had a Snow Goose, Peregrine Falcon, and California Gull there on Sunday, bringing the year list to 79. == Michael Hobbs	Pileated Woodpecker, very far west of the slough. Photo by Ollie Oliver Male Green-winged Teal in the slough below the weir. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Several Great Blue Herons were on nests, or near nests. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Great Blue Heron on nest in heronry. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Foggy morning. Photo by Lillian Reis	Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Adult Greater White-fronted Goose with Cacklers. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Cackling Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for January 26, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

The torrential rains let up by 6:00 a.m., and it was barely raining at all when we started at 8:00. The first hour was very birdy, as all the birds seemed ecstatic to have a morning free of rain and snow. But before long, the rain started again, not letting up until about 11:00. By the time we got to the Rowing Club, however, it was sunny and gorgeous. Highlights: Wood Duck At least 2 males and a female American Wigeon 3 on grass/gravel parking lot, maybe more flybys Northern Pintail Flock of ~dozen flew north over us Horned Grebe One well out on lake Western Gull One in the sunrise gull flock California Gull Matt had one even earlier Barn Owl Matt had many good looks after 6 a.m. Northern Shrike Closer to the model airplane fields today Western Meadowlark One at Compost Piles Ducks are pairing up. Bewick's Wrens, Brown Creeper, Song Sparrow were singing. Hazelnuts are blooming. There was a MUSKRAT at the Rowing Club pond. For the day, 53 species. For the year, adding WESTERN GULL, CALIFORNIA GULL, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK, we're up to 72 species. == Michael Hobbs	Western Meadowlark. Photo by Lillian Reis Western Meadowlark. Photo by Lillian Reis
Muskrat at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Muskrat at the Rowing Club. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Female Gadwall, 2012-01-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Gadwall, 2012-01-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male (left) and female Hooded Merganser, 2012-01-25. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Rock Pigeon, 2012-01-23. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Pied-billed Grebe, 2012-01-23. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Downy Woodpecker, 2012-01-21. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for January 27, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

I think there were something like 16 of us enjoying good weather under the fog today. We even got a few minutes of blue skies showing through the clouds, but no actual sunshine. Water levels remain high, and tall rubber boots are still necessary to walk the whole loop. When I arrived a little after 6:30, there was a GREAT HORNED OWL hooting east of the East Meadow. Then, right around 8:00, maybe 1200 CACKLING GEESE, a couple of hundred CANADA GEESE, and 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE landed on the grass soccer fields and remained all morning. It's probably the largest number of geese we've had land in the park ever. Some other days in 2010 may have rivaled the total number, but at least one day I can think of had flock after flock flying over the park and not landing. Other highlights: American Wigeon A handful still enjoying the flooding Cooper's Hawk Two calling to each other, 3 more sightings MERLIN Ollie had one fly through Western Gull One with other gulls on grass fields Hairy Woodpecker Four seen (2 pairs) Northern Shrike One around 8 a.m. north of fields 7-8-9 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Suddenly abundant, 1 singing Evening Grosbeak Matt and others had 3(?) flying over Birds heard singing today: Virginia Rail, Great Horned Owl, Black-capped Chickadee, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, and House Finch After the walk, I found 3 Common Merganser at the north end of the lake that we'd missed earlier. That brought the day total to 57 species. Merlin, Western Gull, and Evening Grosbeak were new for the year, bringing the 2011 total to 78. = Michael	Female Golden-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Ollie Oliver Purple Finch, male, in Oregon Ash. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Less than a third of the Cackling Geese that landed on the grass soccer fields. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Bald Eagles watching the lake. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Greater White-fronted Goose with Cackling Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Northern Flicker, 2011-01-26. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for January 28, 2010

The weather was fine (high overcast, warm), but the birds were pretty scarce. We did our normal walk-through at our normal pace, but after 9:00 we didn't see much. There was almost nothing to photograph. Scattered across the morning were a few highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose 1 with Canadas, new for 2010 Green Heron A fixture at the Rowing Club pond Bald Eagle Pair entwined talons for a mid-air swirl Sharp-shinned Hawk One near weir, new for 2010 Western Gull One on grass soccer fields, new for 2010 Barn Owl Seen early Western Screech-Owl Heard southwest of windmill early With so many birders (16), there were lots of eyes. Four species were added to the list by Scott Ramos, who left early and had some luck that we didn't on his way out. For the day, 57 species. For the year, 71 species. == Michael	Matt looks for owls in a cedar
Black-capped Chickadee. Photo by Lillian Reis	Spotted Towhee. Photo by Lillian Reis
Male Anna's Hummbingbird	Ollie Oliver's photo of the same Anna's Hummingbird
Greater White-fronted Goose with Canada Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Ring-necked Duck at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Witch Hazel in bloom. Photo by Lillian Reis	Tiny fungus on the end of a twig. Photo by Lillian Reis
Face hidden in the roots of a tree along the shore of the slough. Photo by Lillian Reis	Heron cloud. Photo by Lillian Reis
Female Common Goldeneyes. Photo by Scott Ramos

Report for January 22, 2009

It was 32 degrees, foggy and damp, and there was a slight breeze. That kind of weather sucks the heat out of your core. Hours later, I'm still cold. We had a really good day birding, though I missed some of the best stuff. Highlights: Matt and Scott had an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW again. I think they saw it around 7:30 a.m., and like last week, it was at the Compost Piles. We couldn't really find ANY sparrows there when we passed the area at about 11:00. Matt and Scott also had BARN OWLS early on. A large flock of CACKLING and CANADA GEESE on the grass soccer fields also contained one SNOW GOOSE and one GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. We had a decent day for ducks with AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD, RING-NECKED DUCK (10 crowding the Rowing Club pond), GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, HOODED MERGANSER, and COMMON MERGANSER. We thought we were hearing some Green-winged Teal as well, and Brian may have seen some Gadwall flying. There as a fairly large flock of WESTERN GREBES out on the lake, visible from the lake platform - perhaps 20 in all, though only a few were really close enough to identify. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen in several locations in the Dog Meadow, East Meadow, and the southeast portion of the park. We flushed an owl near the windmill that was probably a GREAT HORNED OWL. At the Rowing Club, we had distant views of a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. For the day, we managed 59 species. Our year total grew to 73 species. == Michael	Adult Bald Eagle in a Black Cottonwood near the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver. Adult Northern Shrike in the Dog Meaodw. Photo by Ollie Oliver.
Ollie's photo of American Goldfinches in a Red Alder just south of the dog area	Female Greater Scaup at the lake
Ollie's photo of the same scaup	A few of the Cackling Geese on the grass fields by our cars
Fresh workings by a Pileated Woodpecker in a Western Red Cedar near the mansion	Mallards and Ring-necked Ducks at the Rowing Club pond. Photo by Ollie
Close-up of two male Ring-necked Ducks. Photo by Ollie

Report for January 24, 2008

It was a beautiful, frozen day, though with a bit of overcast. There was a ring around the sun for most of the morning. Twelve of us enjoyed the day, not complaining too much about the cold hands, though it did manage to make us forget to write down several species on our lists - it wasn't worth pulling off the gloves to write them down at the time. It was pretty birdy. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose 2 adults Cackling Goose 350-400 Horned Grebe 1-2 at the lake Wilson's Snipe 2 at weir, 1 at Rowing Club Barn Owl Many sightings, 2+ birds, early Pileated Woodpecker One flying west north of weir Northern Shrike East edge of East Meadow Winter Wren Heard one well by the windmill Western Meadowlark Three at the East Meadow The Barn Owl apparently gave quite a show at the windmill at 6:30. I was still at home then. I managed to get down to the East Meadow at 7:00, and a few minutes later, a mob of crows rousted a Barn Owl from the Compost Piles, and we saw it fly around in a game of keep away, before the owl finally made its way to cover to the southeast. It took us forever to get out of the parking lot, since we were awed by the large flocks of (mostly) Cackling Geese that were flying in to the grass soccer fields. Amazing scene. We managed to pick out the two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE among them; the white-fronts were not together. The geese were all still there at noon when we passed through again. For the day, 58 species. For the year, 70 species (PIWO and WIWR new this week). == Michael	Mount Rainier at sunrise Frost on blackberry leaves
Cackling Goose flock preparing to land	Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult Cooper's Hawk
Ollie Oliver's photo of a Fox Sparrow	The same Fox Sparrow from the rear
Ollie Oliver's photo of a male Spotted Towhee	Male Downy Woodpecker
Getting through to the boardwalk	Song Sparrow
Adult Greater White-fronted Goose with Cackling Geese	Rear view of the same geese

Report for January 25, 2007

We had a glorious morning for our first Thursday walk today. I must say, I was twitchy yesterday morning being home instead of at Marymoor as usual, but today was a good day to welcome in a new day of the week for my Marymoor walks. There were FOURTEEN of us today. The morning broke entirely cloudless, with some wisps of fog, especially over the eastern part of Marymoor. We had a great sunrise - the kind that makes you feel satisfied about the day before you even see your first bird. We did see birds - the day had its slow moments, and there were notable misses (i.e. almost no sparrows). Highlights: DUNLIN Four flew north over lake platform Wilson's Snipe 1 flushed from boardwalk, 1 at Rowing Club Barn Owl Matt had one early over the East Meadow Anna's Hummingbird Male singing next to boardwalk Pileated Woodpecker One flew south at the start of our walk Northern Shrike Many looks at this nice adult Western Meadowlark One north of grass soccer fields When we were at the lake platform we were looking into the sun. So after the walk, I went to the cabana at the condo place where I've gotten permission for the occasional visit, so that I could see what we couldn't see before. Sure enough, there were several HORNED GREBE, which we thought we might have seen earlier. Also there, though, were a half-dozen RUDDY DUCK - a very nice bird to see. A COYOTE walked across the runway area of the model airplane field; we watched from the Compost Piles. For the day, ~55 species, though there were several species that we thought was saw, but couldn't quite be sure. For the year, we're up to 74 species. = Michael
	Northern Shrike - unusual in that it was atop a tall Cottonwood

	Great Blue Heron along slough (a favorite perch)

Bird Sightings Week 4
January 22-28

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January 22-28

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