Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 8
February 19-25

Rarities for Week 8:

Barrow's Goldeneye	22-Feb-07
Barrow's Goldeneye	23-Feb-12
Iceland Gull (L. g. thayeri)	21-Feb-13
...Horned Lark	19-Feb-17	Bird present 2-16 through 2-19
...American Tree Sparrow	19-Feb-09	Compost Piles. Present 15-Jan to 19-Feb
Bobcat	23-Feb-13	On the local news

Report for February 22, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

For a change, the nicest weather of the week arrived on a Thursday. Yay. Sunny, temps quickly heading to the high 40s, and no wind - delightful. And it was birdy! So much singing! Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose - Two swimming in the slough just below the weir HERRING GULL - One on Fields 7-8-9 with other gulls. First of Year (FOY) and first in just over a year Great Blue Herons - Nearly 70 at the nests, with some nest building observed Pileated Woodpecker - Low flyover in near Dog Swim Beach #2 Northern Shrike - Excellent looks, East Meadow. Also saw it north of Fields 7-8-9 at 7:00 a.m. COMMON RAVEN - Two flying north over the Pea Patch, calling. First for the survey since 2021 (FOY) White-throated Sparrow - Seen again, though briefly. This bird has been near Dog Swim Beaches #2-#3 Western Meadowlark - Two between Viewing Mound and model airplane field, singing (FOY) Singing birds included Anna's Hummingbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Pacific Wren, American Robin, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Western Meadowlark, and Red-winged Blackbird. Misses today were limited to just Hooded Merganser and Killdeer. For the day, a year's best, 61 species. For the year, we're at 75 species. = Michael Hobbs
	One of the Red-tailed Hawks banded and wing-tagged at SeaTac airport. The airport catches and relocates birds away from the airfield to try to prevent collisons between airplanes and birds. Photo by Jordan Roderick
Northern Shrike. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Adult Herring Gull. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Report for February 23, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

It was a nippy 28 degrees yesterday when we started out, and it only got to 31 degrees by the end. Throw in a biting breeze, and it felt downright cold at times. We barely ventured onto the Lake Platform because it was just too painful. Not very birdy yesterday, though we did find more birds around the mansion and at the Rowing Club.

Highlights:

Virginia Rail - heard at least four from the boardwalk
Hairy Woodpecker - one from the Rowing Club dock
Merlin- flying fast downstream past the weir
Varied Thrush - a couple near the mansion
Purple Finch - one singing at the Rowing Club was our only finch of any kind
Fox Sparrow - about a dozen, after having been a rare Miss last week
White-crowned Sparrow - ditto

Very little singing yesterday, following a week with a great many birds and species singing. Must have been the cold.

We did have 4 or 5 RIVER OTTERS in the slough.

Misses included Short-billed Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Cooper's Hawk, Marsh Wren, and House Finch.

For the day, 51 species, and nothing new for the year.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for February 24, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

The bitter cold (25 degrees at the start, rising to about 35 degrees by the Rowing Club) was pretty easy to tolerate after dawn due to dry air, windless conditions, and SUNSHINE. Not a bad day at Marymoor, but nothing new for the year.

Highlights:

12 species of duck – including a Ruddy Duck seen on my late scan of the lake
Horned Grebe – one, also seen on my late scan of the lake
Wilson’s Snipe – excellent views of around a dozen along the near edge of the slough below the weir
Varied Thrush – one or two seen
Purple Finch – one or two heard singing
White-throated Sparrow – again, one in the NW corner of the Dog Area
Western Meadowlark – several near the Viewing Mound, with a few songs heard

We had two male HOODED MERGANSERS in a dancing competition to impress one of the ladies. At least one or two NORTHERN FLICKERS were drumming. And Dark-eyed Juncos were singing non-stop.

Venus was very bright and large, predawn.

Misses today included Virginia Rail, identifiable black-wingtipped gulls, Cooper’s Hawk, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Pine Siskin.

For the day, 58 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for February 25, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

Gray, a bit blustery to start, and little bits of mist and mizzle early, but not too bad. Sometimes felt quite birdy for February. The most notable thing was the amount of singing, and the large number of species singing.

Highlights:

American Wigeon – about a dozen below the weir. We seldom see these when the park is not flooded (and it’s currently not flooded)
Great Blue Heron – nest building at the heronry, many herons about. There are at least 40 nests in the heronry, with several possible starts of more
Western Screech-Owl – Matt *saw* one pre-dawn, just sitting there beyond the East Footbridge south of the East Meadow
PEREGRINE FALCON – one seen flying east over the Dog Meadow; later seen flying NW towards the mansion for a much better view – First of Year
Varied Thrush – several seen singing
Northern Shrike – at model airplane field, seen from Viewing Mound thanks to a sharp-eyed Lee Crawford
Cedar Waxwing – 20-25 just east of the weir

A late scan of the lake turned up HORNED GREBE and RING-BILLED GULL.

Singing birds included ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, BROWN CREEPER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, PACIFIC WREN, MARSH WREN, BEWICK’S WREN, AMERICAN ROBIN, VARIED THRUSH, PURPLE FINCH, HOUSE FINCH, SPOTTED TOWHEE, SONG SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. COMMON GOLDENEYE did some displays and calls.

Misses today included Ring-necked Duck, Rock Pigeon, Cooper’s Hawk, Bushtit, and White-crowned Sparrow.

For the day, 55 species, with Peregrine Falcon new for the year.

= Michael Hobbs

Western Screech-Owl. Photo by Matt Bartels

Report for February 20, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

It was a frosty 29 degrees to start the walk, but it warmed due to no wind and bright sunshine. It feels unfamiliar to even type “sun”. Pretty birdy at times too. The water has mostly receded, though the southern end of the off-leash Dog Area is still closed. But we were able to get to the boardwalk from the east end. The boardwalk had only a little water over one section (2”), but had a fair amount of debris left from the flooding. Luckily, while much of it was actually floating for about a week, it managed to settle relatively level.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose – probably 2000 total, with many landing on the grass soccer fields
American Wigeon – still a half-dozen in the slough; the remaining interior ponds were iced over
Common Merganser – 1 or 2 female-type
Green Heron – one at the Rowing Club
Cooper’s Hawk – several sightings, at least 2 birds
Barn Owl – distant views from the Viewing Mound
Short-eared/Long-eared Owl – since we’ve had sightings of both species this year already, I can’t presume the species from the brief views we had from the Viewing Mound
Hairy Woodpecker – male at Rowing Club
Northern Shrike – juvenile in East Meadow
House Finch – Three flyovers – probably at least 4 birds! Shocking that that’s shocking
Pine Siskin – small flock(s), making for a 2-finch day!
Western Meadowlark – 7-10 in the East Meadow, with singing heard
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER – one flycatching NE of the Clise Mansion (over the Art Barn). First of Year

We also saw American Beaver predawn, and a dead possum in the Dog Meadow. At the Rowing Club, we had our first RED-EARED SLIDER of the year (first turtle of any kind).

Misses today included Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Purple Finch.

For the day, 57 species.

= Michael

Report for February 21, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

The day started with cold crunchy snow and fog, and it took a long while to clear and warm up. The recent glut of ducks is gone, presumably indicating that fields and ponds are melting. It wasn’t terribly birdy, but still not a bad day. Highlights: Only 8 species of duck, including a pair of wigeon seen late CALIFORNIA QUAIL – at least 3, across the slough from the 1st Dog Beach – First of Year (FOF) Horned Grebe – one on lake, seen late Green Heron – on beaver lodge as usual Virginia Rail – distant response to clapping from the boardwalk BARN OWL – one flying the model airplane field and East Meadow 6-6:30ish Owl spp.? – can’t really count anything, but Matt had indistinct responses to Screech and Saw-whet playbacks American Goldfinch – at least a couple; not terribly reliable at Marymoor in winter Yellow-rumped Warbler – one at Rowing Club For the first time since October, we failed to find a Hairy Woodpecker. Only 3 woodpecker species today. Mammal sightings included AMERICAN BEAVER near the lodge with the Green Heron, and RIVER OTTERS on the lake. At least 10 species were heard singing today, including the first-of-year PURPLE FINCH songs that were the regular song, not the vireo-like one. Misses included Ring-necked Duck, Rock Pigeon, Mew Gull, a definitive Glaucous-winged Gull or hybrid, and Cooper’s Hawk. No Northern Shrike either (easy to have missed in the fog). For the day, 54 species, with CALIFORNIA QUAIL new for the year. == Michael Hobbs	Canada Geese in the slough. Photo by Bob Asanoma Pine Siskin. Photo by Jordan Roderick
Male Bufflehead. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Female Common Goldeneye. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Adult White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick
Pacific Wren. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Black-capped Chickadee. Photo by Hugh Jennings
American Crow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Double-crested Cormorant. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for February 22, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

Brrrr. It was a frigid 22 degrees at 7am. Our saving graces were sunshine and a lack of wind. A dusting of snow made it a beautiful morning; pre-dawn was amazing too, with great scope view of Saturn and Jupiter again. The day slowly warmed to 32 degrees. Birds were somewhat scarce.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose – huge flocks swirling overhead at 7:15; don’t know if any landed
Ring-necked Duck – two in the slough below the weir; New for 2018
Greater Scaup – two females in slough; only 4th week with scaup in 2018
Cooper’s Hawk – one near 1st Dog Swim Beach, first in a month
Red-tailed Hawk – notably numerous, probably at least 7
Barn Owl – long looks at around 6:35 am from Viewing Mound
Great Horned Owl – Matt heard one west of the windmill across the slough – First for 2018
BARRED OWL – Matt saw one at east end of boardwalk, around 6am; First of 2018
Hairy Woodpecker – close looks at female at start of boardwalk
Pileated Woodpecker – one seen from Rowing Club dock
Townsend’s Warbler – female near mansion area rest rooms – First of 2018

This is only our 8th record of BARRED OWL for Marymoor; dates of sightings are broadly scattered across the months.

For the day, we hit 50 species. I made a quick check of the lake afterwards, and added two more: a single HORNED GREBE, and our only BALD EAGLES of the day, for a revised total of 52 species.

For 2018, we added 4 to reach 79 species.

== Michael Hobbs

This was about a third of the flock, maybe only a quarter. I thought this might be 400 geese, but Matt counted 812 geese in the photo! Photo by Bob Asanoma

We did have a pretty dusting of snow. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Adult Cooper's Hawk. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Female Hairy Woodpecker along boardwalk. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Same Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Song Sparrow. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for February 23, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

Marymoor today was showing some signs of spring, with many of the birds singing. Overcast and cool temperatures, but no rain. The river is still quite high and water over some of the paths. Short a few ducks, and missed Bushtit, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Pacific Wren and Barn Owl. But did have Short-eared Owl and Western Screech-Owl. Overall a good day, even if we missed Michael (down in Costa Rica). Townsend’s Warbler – first of year Pine Siskin – first of year Green Heron – at beaver lodge on river Pileated Woodpeckers – 2 Good Birding Brian H. Bell Woodinville WA	Subadult Bald Eagle. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Song Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Townsend's Warbler. Photo by Joanne Iskierka
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Joanne Iskierka	Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Joanne Iskierka	Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Bob Asanoma. Angle changes everything
Horned Lark, 2017-02-19. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Horned Lark, 2017-02-19. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for February 25, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

We had a wonderful day at Marymoor on a gorgeous sunny day, Thursday. It was nippy to start, but balmy by the time we left. And there were some birds. Highlights: Virginia Rail Doing their kik-kadik song pre-dawn Barn Owl Matt saw one near the windmill Pileated Woodpecker One seen, maybe another heard, west of slough PEREGRINE FALCON Quick flyby near the weir Tree Swallow 4-6 – First of Year* Violet-green Swallow 1 – First of Year, early Western Meadowlark 13 or 14, north of fields 7-8-9 like last week *Might not be the first Tree Swallows of the year, as Lillian Reis had a swallow back on February 12 that was probably a Tree. ALL of the GREAT BLUE HERONS were at the new nesting trees – the old heronry was completely empty. More nests are being built at the new site (100 yards north of the old heronry). Curious. We have NOT been having BARN OWLS flying around the meadows; our morning vigils at the Viewing Mound have been owl-less. But at least there are still Barn Owls in the park. The windmill birds probably feed mostly west of the slough. For the day, we had 59 species – quite good for February. == Michael Hobbs	Dawn. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Pileated Woodpecker west of the slough at dawn. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Common Goldeneye. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Female Common Goldeneye. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Scaup. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Green Heron (lower center) dwarfed by beaver lodge. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Great Blue Herons very active in new trees. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Western Meadowlark. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Western Meadowlarks. Photo by Bob Asanoma
	Ring-billed Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for February 19, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

The unreasonably warm weather continues, even with rain threatening throughout the morning. We were warm(ish) and dry until about 10:30, when very light drizzle began. And it was birdy! Highlights: Cackling Goose One small flock; they get less common after January Wood Duck Male in slough almost out at Lake Platform Horned Grebe A couple well out from Lake Platform Northern Saw-whet Owl Matt again heard 2, about 5:20 a.m. Red-breasted Sapsucker 2 sightings, but probably the same bird Merlin Far to the east atop a cottonwood TREE SWALLOW 8+ over Dog Meadow – First of Year (FOY) Varied Thrush Heard singing on far side of slough – FOY Yellow-rumped Warbler Increasing numbers, both Myrtle’s and Audubon’s RED CROSSBILL In firs around mansion all morning I saw eBird reports of TREE SWALLOWS at Marymoor from Monday, February 16th. That date ties the earliest sighting ever for Marymoor (1996). Even today’s sighting is the 4th earliest. There were over 40 GREAT BLUE HERONS sitting in the heronry, with more in other places: probably 50 for the park today! I expect there will be more nests built this year. Many of the birds were bringing in twigs, though that is mostly (completely?) upkeep on existing nests at this point. PURPLE FINCHES were singing (first of the season). BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES were seen fluttering wings, though it may be a few days before they get past the flirting. For the day, an astounding (for February) 63 species. That’s our 2nd-highest species count ever for a February walk, beaten only by 2014-02-27 when we had 65. I believe we’re at 81 species for the year. == Michael Hobbs	Male Green-winged Teal. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Pacific Wren. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Pacific Wren. Photo by Marvin Hoekstra
This Merlin was so far away that identification was only confirmed with this photo by Marvin Hoekstra.	Fox Sparrow. Photo by Marvin Hoekstra
Male Red Crossbill. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Red Crossbill. Photo by Marvin Hoekstra
Male Ring-necked Duck. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Spring blooms already. Photo by Ollie Oliver.
Common Goldeneyes, 2015-02-21. Photo by Lillian Reis	Male Green-winged Teal, 2015-02-21. Photo by Lillian Reis
Killdeer, 2015-02-21. Photo by Lillian Reis	Townsend's Warbler, 2015-02-21. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for February 20, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

It was overcast, with quite a bit of wind early on, though the wind faded during the day. No precip, but no great warming either. It was a quiet day for birds. Highlights: Wood Duck At least 2 (male and female, not together) Greater Scaup Female at weir, 5 more flying at lake Lesser Scaup Female above weir – First of Year Great Blue Heron Several herons at nests HERRING GULL At least 1 on grass soccer fields Barn Owl Matt heard one ~6:00 a.m. Hairy Woodpecker Pair seen twice (or 4?) Yellow-rumped Warbler Both Audubon’s and Myrtle’s at Rowing Club (FOY) We missed several common species such as Green-winged Teal (thought we heard at Rowing Club, but not confirmed), Hooded Merganser, Wilson’s Snipe, Bushtit, and Red-breasted Nuthatch, but still managed 49 species for the day. Adding Lesser Scaup and Yellow-rumped Warbler, our year list is at 77 species. == Michael Hobbs	Great Blue Heron. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Female Common Goldeneyes with Buffleheads and Scaup. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Ring-necked . Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Herring Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Herring Gull (right) with Glaucous-winged Gull . Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-tailed Hawk. Photo by Ollie Oliver	"Myrtle's" Yellow-rumped Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for February 21, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

Dark, drizzly, and breezy. Not very pleasant, and not very many birds. This is February; we don’t expect much, and we didn’t get much. Still, even a pretty crappy day at Marymoor isn’t too bad. Highlights: Gadwall ~18 just below the weir Green-winged Teal ~18 at Rowing Club pond Greater Scaup Lone female in slough Great Blue Heron On nests. Some nest building yesterday Western Gull One, Lot B with GWGUs and hybrids ICELAND GULL Adult "Thayer's". Lot B, Grass soccer fields with above Belted Kingfisher One near weir Red-breasted Sapsucker One at Rowing Club Northern Shrike One, East Meadow Red Crossbill Still a few around mansion This is just our 3rd "THAYER’S" ICELAND GULL, but many of our unusual pink-legged gulls have turned up in Weeks 7, 8, and 9 (this is Week 8). We spent quite a bit of time chasing this bird around trying to get good looks, but we left feeling pretty confident of our ID. Some Thayer’s are relatively easy to ID – this was not one of those... Singing birds included BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, PACIFIC WREN, MARSH WREN, BEWICK’S WREN, AMERICAN ROBIN, SONG SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. When I played the nyuck-nyuck-nyuck call of VIRGINIA RAIL from the boardwalk, one responded in kind but another began singing the tiDik-tiDik-tiDik song. For mammals, we had a MUSKRAT at the Rowing Club, besides the usual squirrels and cottontails. Misses today included Cooper’s Hawk, Mew Gull, any owls, Downy Woodpecker, Lincoln’s Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, and Purple Finch. Still, we managed a fairly respectable 53 species. Iceland Gull was new for the year, of course, bringing our total to 82. == Michael Hobbs	Hooded Merganser pair in slough above the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver Red Crossbills near the mansion. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Western Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver	"Thayer's" Iceland Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver
"Thayer's" Iceland Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver	"Thayer's" Iceland Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver
One of the pairs of Green-winged Teal at the Rowing Club pond. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Ring-necked Ducks. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Muskrat. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Steller's Jay, Thursday afternoon. Photo by Mike Hamilton
Great Blue Herons at the heronry, Thursday afternoon. Photo by Mike Hamilton	Great Blue Heron, Thursday afternoon. Photo by Mike Hamilton
Male Anna's Hummingbird, Thursday afternoon. Photo by Mike Hamilton	Northern Shrike, 2013-02-20. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Great Blue Heron, 2013-02-20. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	Great Blue Herons, 2013-02-20. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Male Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2013-02-15. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Male Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2013-02-15. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Male Golden-crowned Kinglet, 2013-02-15. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Brown Creeper, 2013-02-15. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Report for February 23, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

We had a really good day at Marymoor, under mostly cloudless skies, and with no wind and not too cold. The water levels were just below where there would be flooding on the trail. All day long, there were good birdsto look at. Highlights: BARROW'S GOLDENEYE Male at lake platform Northern Harrier One flew across the north end of the lake Barn Owl 5 birds sighted Hairy Woodpecker 1 near east end of boardwalk Pileated Woodpecker 1 west of the weir Northern Shrike As usual, north of fields 7-8-9 Brown Creeper 4+, scattered CEDAR WAXWING 20 near Dog Central, + at Rowing Club Yellow-rumped Warbler Myrtle's-type at Rowing Club SAVANNAH SPARROW One at Compost Piles Lincoln's Sparrow One at RC parking lot This was just our 10th sighting of BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. He was right next to the platform when we arrived. My visit began with a BARN OWL flying across the road towards the windmill at 6:30. There appears to be a new active RED-TAILED HAWK nest in a cottonwood far to the west of the slough out near the lake. A CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE was excavating a hole in a snag near the mansion. We heard a MARSH WREN singing for the first time this spring. Brian and I saw a MUSKRAT in the slough. For the day, 57 species. For the year, adding Barrow's Goldeneye, Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, and Savannah Sparrow, we're up to 81 species. == Michael Hobbs	Gadwall pair near weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver Male Barrow's Goldeneye at the lake platform. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Cedar Waxwings. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Steller's Jay. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 2012-02-17. Photo by Lillian Reis
Male Northern Pintail, 2012-02-17. Photo by Lillian Reis	Male Northern Pintail, 2012-02-17. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for February 24, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

It was like old times today at Marymoor, as it was just Brian Bell and myself for most of the walk. We were joined by Lillian when we got to the East Meadow. It was cold (23 degrees) when we started, but it was above freezing by the end. The park was gorgeous, covered in 1-2+ inches of snow, and lit by the sun peeking out from the clouds (our shadows joined the walk about half the time). It seemed fairly birdy, but a lack of gulls, owls (nobody got there early to go owling), and a few other misses kept our species count fairly low. Highlights: Greater Wh.-fronted Goose 4 with a large flock of mostly Cacklers TURKEY VULTURE One over the windmill at about 11, heading S MERLIN One streaked south, W of the slough early Red-breasted Sapsucker One DRUMMING east of the mansion Hairy Woodpecker Female near the Rowing Club dock Northern Shrike A couple of sightings, incl. in Dog Meadow Golden-crowned Kinglets Ubiquitous Townsend's Warbler Two+ beauties NE of the mansion - great show Purple Finch Many sightings; nice male at the park office feeders We also had a COYOTE south of the windmill at 7:30. This is the first Marymoor record of TURKEY VULTURE in the winter. We have multiple sightings as late as the first week in October, but nothing previously before the 4th week of March. For the day, just 50 species. Townsend's Warbler and Turkey Vulture were new for the year. == Michael Hobbs	*Uncredited photos by Michael Hobbs* Female Bufflehead, and the tail of a diving male
Male Hooded Merganser. Photo by Lillian Reis	Mallard pair in the snow. Photo by Lillian Reis
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Lillian Reis	One of the Townsend's Warblers NE of the mansion
Townsend's Warbler	Townsend's Warbler
Turkey Vulture flying down the slough	American Robin eating Holly berries
Downy Woodpecker male. Photo by Lillian Reis	Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Lillian Reis
River Otter in slough. Photo by Lillian Reis	River Otter in slough. Photo by Lillian Reis
Bewick's Wren singing, 2011-02-19. Photo by Lillian Reis	Male Wood Duck, 2011-02-18. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for February 25, 2010

The skies couldn't decide what to do today, so we had overcast and sun, clearing and drizzle, in alternation. It was a touch breezy at times, though other times not bad at all. And the temps were mild; 45 degrees at the coldest. We're slowly losing winter birds - we had only Canada geese today, and only 1.5 species of gull (I.e. Glaucous-winged, plus one back-tipped gull not identified to species). But there are signs of spring. Highlights: Mallard An unusually large flock of over 60 Ring-necked Pheasant Heard by the early crew at Compost Piles Barn Owl 2 at windmill early, 3rd in nest box Western Screech-Owl Matt & Scott got to see it this morning Red-breasted Sapsucker One near first footbridge Hairy Woodpecker 3-4 seen, at several locations Northern Shrike East Meadow American Crow Allopreening observed TREE SWALLOW Several, flying overhead Bushtit Several, incl. pair building a nest Brown Creeper Several Another sign of spring were several SALMONBERRY blossoms, at least 2 weeks before the usual start of flowering for Marymoor. We had a few notable misses: Cooper's Hawk, Wilson's Snipe, Mew Gull, Downy Woodpecker, White-crowned Sparrow, and American Goldfinch. Even so, we managed 55 species for the day, with the Pheasant and the Tree Swallows new for the year. == Michael	Northern Flickers. Photo by Lillian Reis Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Lillian Reis
My extremely out of focus shot of a Bushtit building a nest	Adult Bald Eagle. Photo by Lillian Reis
Red-breasted Nuthatch near park office	Eastern Gray Squirrel. Photo by Lillian Reis
Green-winged Teal and Hooded Mergansers at the Rowing Club	Male Green-winged Teal at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-tailed Hawk Pair	Red-tailed Hawk pair. Photo by Lillian Reis
Male Hooded Merganser displaying to female.	Both photos by Ollie Oliver
Canada Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Garter Snake photo by Ollie Oliver
Mew Gulls, with a juvenile Ring-billed Gull, center. Photo by Lillian Reis, 2/27	Tree Swallow. Photo by Lillian Reis, 2/27

Report for February 19, 2009

We had a really nice day at Marymoor today. We didn't add any species to the Marymoor year list, and we only had 52 species of bird (which is kind of a ho-hum total for us). But it was still a really nice day. Mostly sunny with a bit of very thin clouds and some wispy morning ground fog here and there but mostly not where we were trying to bird. Cold to start, but gradually warming. Highlights: Matt, Scott, and I had a SHORT-EARED OWL at the south end of the East Meadow at about 6:30. I had a PILEATED WOODPECKER fly past the Odd Snag hawk nest as I hurried to catch up with the rest of the party (after an emergency trip home because I'd forgotten my binoculars). We puzzled for a long time over a cricket-like chirping sound below the weir. Remarkably, this quiet noise was being made by a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD who would occasionally shift to the usual Okaleee call. We had three WILSON'S SNIPE leapfrogging each other up the slough ahead of us as we approached the weir. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were singing all over the park. We also heard robin, junco, towhee, Bewick's and Marsh Wrens, and House Finches singing. There were bunches of COMMON GOLDNEYE - probably 10 in the slough and 10 at the lake. Couldn't find a Barrow's amongst them, unfortunately. Across from the first dog swim area we heard some very strange calls that turned out to be a vocalizing NORTHERN SHRIKE. There was also a RACCOON on the far slough edge there. We searched the compost piles thoroughly, but it wasn't until we got to the east end of Snag Row before we found the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (for the 6th straight week). After it gave us good looks, it flew back to the compost piles, to the exact spot we'd spent the most time searching for it before. There were hundreds of AMERICAN ROBINS all over the grass soccer fields and the lawns around the mansion. Right next to the mansion, Matt spotted a VARIED THRUSH amongst them. The cedars next to the windmill again held a BARN OWL, seemingly on the same branch as last week. The nest box that was used by owls last year appears to be a squirrel nest this year, though. The Rowing Club featured about ten YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and the day's only AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (and - Oh Joy - HOUSE SPARROW). We had ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS at several locations around the park - at least 4 birds. And we had the very first INDIAN PLUM blossoms of the year (aka Oso Berry). As I said, 52 species for the day, still at 79 for the year. == Michael	Great Blue Heron hunting in the early morning frost below the weir Common Goldeneye, a male Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall, and Mallard at the weir
This Northern Shrike was vocalizing, across from the first dog swim beach	A Raccoon hunted the slough edge across from the first dog swim beach
Obligatory photo of the American Tree Sparrow, seen for the 6th week in a row	Varied Thrush male next to Clise Mansion amongst dozens of American Robins
Barn Owl in the cedars next to the windmill, like last week	Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Rowing Club, showing its namesake
As the bird turns. The yellow throat indicates this is an "Audubon's" race bird.	Scott Ramos caught a beautiful sunrise moment.
Fox Sparrow in the early morning light. Photo by Scott Ramos	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Bushtit
This photo by Ollie shows the distinctive lobed (not webbed) feet of the American Coot	Another nice American Coot portrait by Ollie
Ollie lingered to get a closer photo of the male Varied Thrus	Ollie's flight photo shows the distinctive longitudinal wing stripe of this species, which can be used to distinguish Varied Thrush from American Robin in flight. It is an unusual field mark among passerines, but Townsend's Solitaires and Pine Siskin are also noted for their wing stripes

Report for February 21, 2008

Fifteen of us waded through fog out to the lake, but then the fog cleared. It was an interesting day, with most of the best birding coming later in the morning. Signs of spring everywhere, from the birds singing to the birds fighting to the first Oso Berry blossoms (Indian Plum) of the year. One of the ornamental fruit trees near the mansion was also beginning to bloom. The biggest surprise was a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW perched at the Compost Piles. This is about a month earlier than we've ever had a NRWS. Other Highlights: Common Goldeneye Especially nice looks at the lake Virginia Rail Spontaneous calls heard from boardwalk Wilson's Snipe One very cooperative bird below weir Red-breasted Sapsucker Very red one at the Rowing Club Pileated Woodpecker Pair gave us great looks near Mansion Yellow-rumped Warbler Finally got one for 2008 Western Meadowlark Singing in East Meadow For the morning, 55 species. For the year, NRWS and Yellow-rumped Warbler new for 2008, bringing the total to 76 species. == Michael	Very early Northern Rough-winged Swallow, in a tree by the Compost Piles Photo by Ollie OIiver
Northern Rough-winged Swallow with Dark-eyed Junco	Northern Rough-winged Swallow photo by Scott Ramos
Northern Rough-winged Swallow with American Goldfinches and a junco	Foggy start to the morning
Pair of Pileated Woodpeckers atop a broken Douglas Fir east of the mansion. Male at left, female at top of trunk. Photo by Ollie Oliver.	Close-up of male. Note that the red cap extends forward to the beak, and the moustache stripe is red. Female forehead is gray and the moustache is black.
Oso Berry aka Indian Plum - first blossom of 2008	Male Red-winged Blackbird on cattail
Winter Wren north of the windmill	Buffleheads at the lake
	Great Blue Heron photo by Scott Ramos

Report for February 22, 2007

The weather report sucked, but the day wasn't bad at all. We essentially had no precipitation, and the heavy clouds of the early morning gradually cleared to a bit of sunshine. Cold, but not too cold, and not too windy either. Huge group of birders - 17 at least, and I could have missed a few :)

Highlights:

Barrow's Goldeneye        Same female as last week at the lake platform
Great Horned Owl           In the Doug Firs NE of the mansion
Northern Shrike               Adult in Dog and East Meadows, imm at RC
Varied Thrush                  South end of Dog Area
Townsend's Warbler       1-2 at RC parking lot
Dark-eyed Junco              Many, incl. 1 Slate-colored at Dog Central

Ollie had seen 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS near the mansion on Monday morning, so we were actively looking when we started walking through the Doug Firs northeast of the mansion. Owls nested there 2 years ago. Matt very quickly found a GHOW, but we could not find more than one.

We had a 5 WOODPECKER DAY, with a PILEATED flying south early, a HAIRY WOODPECKER south of Dog Central, a DOWNY at the south end of the Dog Area, a NORTHERN FLICKER at a possible nest hole near the park office (and a group of 5-8 more at the Rowing Club), and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER near the park office.

We got many looks at the adult NORTHERN SHRIKE at several locations in the Dog Meadow and East Meadow. Then, at the Rowing Club, we walked the new trail back through the meadow there and had a brown-tinged shrike.

For the morning, 56 species, with the Great Horned Owl bringing the year list up to 82.

== Michael

Great Horned Owl photo by Tom Mansfield