Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 13
March 26 - April 1*

Rarities for Week 13:

Long-eared Owl	26-Mar-09	Perched 100 ft east of the weir, low in a tree, all morning. Puffed out in the cold, looking more like a Great Horned Owl by shape.
Anna's Hummingbird x Rufous Hummingbird hybrid	30-Mar-10	Male reported and photographed by Mike Hamilton, Rowing Club
...Anna's Hummingbird x Rufous Hummingbird hybrid	01-Apr-10
Bohemian Waxwing	28-Mar-12	One bird with a large flock of Cedar Waxwings. Observed 28-Feb through 10-Apr
American Tree Sparrow	29-Mar-06	Compost Piles
Sagebrush Sparrow	29-Mar-07	Compost Piles - seen again every day through 02-Apr
...Sagebrush Sparrow	30-Mar-07	Matt Dufort, Paul & Barbara, Louise Rutter
...Sagebrush Sparrow	31-Mar-07	Caren Park
...Sagebrush Sparrow	01-Apr-07	Brian Bell, Ryan Merrill, John Tubbs
"Slate-colored" Fox Sparrow	31-Mar-06	"Rocky-mountain group" subspecies. Reported by Larry Engles

Report for March 28, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

We mostly dodged the rain this morning, though it was overcast, a touch breezy, and changeable, with temps spanning the 40's. Seemed pretty birdy, but the bird list was very similar to last week's. There was no sign of Say's Phoebe (seen 3/23-3/26) nor Black Phoebe (photographed 3/24).

Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose - The two remain at the park. Seen on grass soccer fields, and later at the lake
Anna's Hummingbird - Found a female on a nest above the Rowing Club parking lot
Short-billed Gull - Adults and juveniles on grass soccer fields. First in 4 weeks. A few tend to turn up through April
Great Horned Owl - Again heard calling just pre-dawn from the southeast. Tony saw a large owl from the boardwalk earlier, probably the same
Merlin - Quick flyby - our 5th survey this year (5 of 13 weeks)
Hutton's Vireo - Again, heard singing near the windmill
Violet-Green/Tree Swallows - Very numerous, mostly VGSW
White-crowned Sparrow - First singing of the year - Pugetensis song
White-throated Sparrow - STILL near Dog Swim Beaches 2-3
Savannah Sparrow - First singing of the year
Brown-headed Cowbird - Tony heard and photographed a male, First of Year (FOY)

I was at the park briefly yesterday, and had KILLDEER and WESTERN MEADOWLARK, both of which we missed today.

Missed both days: Common Goldeneye, Cooper's Hawk, Northern Shrike, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Purple Finch.

For the day, 61 species. Adding BHCO, we're at 86 species for the year.

= Michael Hobbs

The first Brown-headed Cowbird of the year. Photo by Tony Ernst

Male Rufous Hummingbird feeding on Red Flowering Currant. Photo by Tony Ernst

Report for March 30, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

Not a bad day, with temps in the 40's, partly sunny skies, and with winds only coming in sporadic gusts. Most of the time, though, it felt like we were watching reruns of the last three weeks at the park, only with fewer birds. Except for American Robins which remain superabundant. We did end up with some highlights, but they mostly came late.

Highlights:

Turkey Vulture - one seen from the Rowing Club - First of Year (FOY)
Five Woodpecker Day - Third time this month
Three Species of Finch - House, Purple, American Goldfinch. But a total of under 10 finches total
Savannah Sparrow - Matt heard some singing this morning, though the rest of us found none

During a late scan of the lake, I spotted a passerine flying east-to-west across the north end of the lake. I was trying to figure out if it was a swallow or perhaps a robin when it landed on a buoy, and then quickly moved to another, and then to a post. It turned out to be a SAY'S PHOEBE (FOY) Quite a surprise to see it flying across the lake! It disappeared amongst the docks and boats of the condos on the west side of the lake, between Marymoor and Idlywood Parks. It was visible from the Lake Platform while it flew, and it could end up visiting the meadows at Marymoor this afternoon.

Just before 7:00 I saw at least 5 American Beaver, simultaneously, from the Lake Platform. Earlier, Matt saw a Virginia Opossum, a species we see only about once a year at the park.

Misses today included Rufous Hummingbird (though I saw one yesterday), Cooper's Hawk, Northern Shrike, and Pine Siskin

Besides the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, the other two species I saw yesterday but not today were BELTED KINGFISHER and WESTERN MEADOWLARK (the latter at the model airplane field).

I belatedly realized that today's survey starts the 30th year of our weekly visits to Marymoor Park. I went on March 31, 1994 and decided to go back the following week, and the week after that, and so on, and so on, and so on. I had only visited a few weeks each spring in the four prior years, and decided it might be a good idea to find out what's there the rest of the year. Since then, we have missed very few weeks (average is over 51 weeks each year), and we are closing in on 1500 surveys (plus a couple of hundred additional visits to the park). Brian Bell and Matt Bartels have done a great job filling in for me during the few weeks per year that I am out of town.

= Michael Hobbs

Male Wood Duck with Painted Turtle at the Rowing Club. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Distant Turkey Vulture showing silver-grey primaries and secondaries.
Photo by Michael Hobbs

Report for March 31, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

A beautiful day, not too cold or windy, partly sunny, spring-like. And there were plenty of birds. They just weren’t cooperative.

How uncooperative? Well, there were SEVEN new birds for the year (FOY), but here’s the rundown:

Red-necked Grebe – I had one on a late solo scan of the lake (FOY)
Eurasian Collared-Dove – One seen by a few of us very distantly (FOY)
Greater Yellowlegs – One seen by Eric on the grass fields just a little after 7 a.m. Eric was alone (FOY)
Turkey Vulture – I had one over the East Meadow after the walk on a solo jaunt (FOY)
American Kestrel – I had a female at the model airplane field just before 7 a.m. on a solo jaunt (FOY)
Orange-crowned Warbler – One singing, heard-only, east of the East Footbridge. Several of us heard this bird (FOY)
Common Yellowthroat – One sang 2-3 times, far east of the Viewing Mound, and barely heard by about 3 of us (FOY)

That’s about 2 people per FOY species today...

The Greater Yellowlegs was the earliest spring sighting ever.

Other highlights:

Canada Goose – seem to be intent on nesting on the western Osprey platform
Anna’s Hummingbird – active nest near start of boardwalk
Violet-green and Tree Swallows – hundreds
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – MUCH singing
Cedar Waxwing – flock of around 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler – dozens of “Audubon’s”, with much singing

Misses today included Cooper’s Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, and Pine Siskin

For the day, 67 species, of which about 10 (!) were reported only by single observers. We’re at 94 species for 2022 for the survey.

= Michael Hobbs

Say's Phoebe, 2022-03-26
Photographed by Shamik Ghosh, https://www.instagram.com/shamiksphotos/

Western Screech-Owl, 2022-03-26
Photographed by Shamik Ghosh

https://www.instagram.com/shamiksphotos/

Report for April 1, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

We had a really good day at Marymoor, and that’s no fooling. It was a crisp 35 degrees to start, but the sun made its way through the thin overcast and by 9:00 we were too warm. Lots to look at today. Listening to birds was hampered by the American Robin Tabernacle Choir belting out all of their famous hits at full volume. We were a big group, and Jordan again volunteered to lead a group going the other direction around the loop.

Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose – Jordan’s group had one with a flock of Canadas. We’ve only ever had 4 later spring sightings
Cackling Goose – Also with that flock of Canadas. Jordan said that these had extra large areas of white on the neck
Ten species of duck – again
CALIFORNIA QUAIL – predawn, Matt and I heard and then saw a male along the southwest edge of the East Meadow. First of Year (FOY)
TURKEY VULTURE – Jordan’s group had one over the Lake Platform. Hours later, my group had one over the Rowing Club. (FOY)
Sharp-shinned Hawk – My group saw one over the Pea Patch. Some people from Jordan’s group had one too.
Varied Thrush – Jordan’s group had one
Cedar Waxwing – my group had a small flock
AMERICAN PIPIT – my group had one on the grass in the Dog Meadow. (FOY)
American Goldfinch – after a 3-week absence, we had these in several locations, including some singing. Males are turning bright
Savannah Sparrow – several birds in East Meadow, one in Pea Patch. First songs
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – my group had 2 birds (I think, with one being very drab) next to Dog Central
White-crowned Sparrow – Pea Patch, among other places. Jordan’s group heard both Pugetensis and Gambeli songs
Yellow-rumped Warbler – some singing, some nice Audubon’s males
Townsend’s Warbler – two singing near stage – got looks at one. Songs sounded weak, and more like Black-throated Gray

Misses today included Virginia Rail, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Shrike*, and Western Meadowlark.

Jordan’s group had 56 species, my group had 61 species though several were heard-only. Combined, we had 70 species.

*Yesterday, I was there in the afternoon, and picked up three additional species: One BAND-TAILED PIGEON (FOY), one MERLIN, and one NORTHERN SHRIKE, to make 73 species for the week!

I think we’re at 96 species for the year.

= Michael Hobbs

Male Purple Finch. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Anna's Hummingbird on her nest, earlier this week.
Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Report for March 26, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

I had heard the park was closing due to COVID-19, so I parked outside the East Entrance and walked in. Mark and Lee did that as well, but they walked the loop in the opposite direction. The weather was meh; not spring-like at all. The walk was long and lonely.

It was weird to walk the park almost entirely alone. There were maybe 7 dog people the whole morning, plus me, Mark & Lee, Kazuto & Peter Zika (both predawn only), and one or two photographers, as well as several county employees.

I had 56 species, including the Western Screech-Owl that Kazuto found for me. Peter Zika added Barn Owl. Mark & Lee had fewer total species, but added EIGHT to the day’s combined total of 65 species. Our only misses were Red-tailed Hawk and American Goldfinch.

New for the year were CALIFORNIA QUAIL (heard by Mark & Lee across from Dog Central), MARSH WREN (several singing), and SAVANNAH SPARROW (I actually had one on Tuesday for FOY).

Still no Osprey, Say’s Phoebe, swallows other that Tree/Violet-green, Mountain Bluebird, American Pipit (though I might have heard one), Orange-crowned Warbler, nor Common Yellowthroat, all of which are on-the-cusp, or might be no-shows (phoebe & bluebird).

Stay home, stay safe.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for March 28, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

A touch of frost in shadowed areas this morning, but the day warmed quickly under mostly sunny skies. It was quite birdy early, but then got inexplicably quiet. We are transitioning from winter to spring, though we lacked any new-new-new arrivals (everything new for the Survey was seen between last Thursday and this Thursday) Highlights: American Wigeon – one below weir with Gadwall Ring-necked Pheasant – calling, skulking, in Pea Patch Horned Grebe – one WELL out on lake Rufous Hummingbird – At least 2 females, plus displaying males – first seen for the year last Friday Great Blue Heron – two juvenile eagles caused consternation at the heronry Red-tailed Hawk – seen copulating near Rowing Club Bald Eagle – there are now TWO Bald Eagle nests (four adults) in the SE portion of the park! Western Screech-Owl – seen as late as 6:20 a.m. Five woodpecker day – Pileated seen excavating nest hole in snag in Big Cottonwood Forest Savannah Sparrow – First sightings for Thursday survey of the year, incl. one quietly singing in East Meadow Every passerine species we saw today sang (except those passerines that don’t have a real song). We saw a beaver near the lodge across from Dog Central. Some of the group saw a LONG-TAILED WEASEL go into a lidded bin in the Pea Patch. A rat tried to escape, screaming, and was pulled back into the bin! Also, the first garter snakes of the year, and the first Salmonberry blooms. Willows, Indian Plum, and some decorative fruit trees were also blooming. Various shrubs are leafing out. For the day, 58 species. == Michael Hobbs	Green-winged Teal drake. Photo by Hugh Jennings Juvenile Bald Eagle in the heronry. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Fox Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Golden-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick
Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Male Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Red-tailed Hawk. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Tree Swallows. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Report for March 29, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

We faced only a little mizzle, which dampened down the bird activity for a touch, but mostly it was a really nice morning. Fairly birdy too.

Highlights:

American Wigeon – three below weir
Red-breasted Sapsuckers – drumming, excavating, flirting
Anna’s Hummingbird – female on her nest along the slough near the start of the boardwalk
Rufous Hummingbird – still no blooming Salmonberry, but already there are several males, displaying
Western Screech-Owl – called from near the “Mysterious Thicket” sign about 6:15am
Hutton’s Vireo – seen, heard again near windmill
Savannah Sparrow – first time we’ve heard them sing at Marymoor this year
American Goldfinch – 2 or 3 males, one singing – First for 2018
Western Meadowlark – at least one singing

Wednesday, I did about a 2 1/4 hour walk at Marymoor and found 5 species we didn’t have today: WESTERN GREBE, VIRGINIA RAIL (heard only), AMERICAN COOT, COOPER’S HAWK, and the first OSPREY of 2018.

For the day, we had 64 species, with 69 for the week. I think the addition of OSPREY and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH gets us to 91 species for 2018.

== Michael Hobbs

This Green Heron seems to spend part of every morning on the beaver lodge across the slough from Dog Central. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Northern Flicker. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Adult Bald Eagle. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Tree Swallows. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Female Anna's Hummingbird on the nest. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Report for March 30, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

It was overcast, with annoying drops of water occasionally landing almost exclusively on binocular eyepieces this morning. Nothing you could really call precipitation, so it was easy to forget to put the rain cap back over the binocs. For birds, it was a pretty good day. A couple of mammal sightings were possibly the best highlights though. Highlights: OSPREY – at least one – first for 2017\| Red-tailed Hawk – one on new nest built near site of fallen odd-snag Western Screech-Owl – one right next to the trail, east of boardwalk, 6:15 Short-eared Owl – one briefly over East Meadow, 6:20 Red-breasted Sapsucker – several Pileated Woodpecker – finally got a distant look, after hearing several times Northern Shrike – Seen a couple of times; should leave soon American Crow – one eating a baby garter snake, Compost Piles After the walk, I made a swing past the East Meadow and added: SAY’S PHOEBE – north end of the meadow on a post; new for 2017 BARN SWALLOW – first for 2017, and our 5th earliest ever The animal highlights were great looks at a LONG-TAILED WEASEL in the NW corner of the Dog Area, and soon after, a RIVER OTTER on the far side of the slough just above the weir. Both new for 2017. The weasel was great, since it made at least 3 forays out from the same blackberry clump across the grass. For the day, 63 species of bird. I believe we’re up to 97 species for the year. == Michael Hobbs	One of several Red-breasted Sapsuckers for the day. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Long-tailed Weasel. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Diving River Otter. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Bald Eagle on distant nest (SE of Viewing Mound). Photo by Bob Asanoma	American Crow eating a baby Garter Snake. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Report for March 31, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

A glorious day today, with great weather (after some early morning fog, and a touch of a cold start), and some really good birding. I apparently misread the sunrise times, so we started a half-hour too soon, but with the clear sunny morning, this wasn’t a problem. Long before dawn, Matt saw BARN OWL near the windmill, and got what sounded like a great look at a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL near the east end of the boardwalk. This is later than we’ve ever had NSWO in spring at Marymoor. And on this date in 1994, I started my weekly surveys. Today, we started our 23rd year. Other highlights: Wood Duck 2 pairs in Big Cottonwood Forest calling from trees! OSPREY They’re back – the pair has returned – lots of calling Bald Eagle On the nest, plus several others Red-tailed Hawk On nests both at east edge and west of the park Eurasian Collared-Dove One perched briefly in Big Cottonwood Forest – FOY Anna’s Hummingbird Female on nest in Big Cottonwood Forest - all 5 woodpeckers - Lots of action from sapsuckers, Downys, pair of Hairys Bushtit We’ve now found at least 2 nests Marsh Wren One building a nest along boardwalk Varied Thrush One heard near East Footbridge Common Yellowthroat Male at Rowing Club – First of Year EVENING GROSBEAK Flock of 9 over parking lot – First of Year We’ve only had OSPREY earlier than this five times (earliest: 2013-03-23). And this is our 5th earliest COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (earliest: 2015-03-26). For the day, 65 species. Tuesday, I had 12 American Wigeon, a male Lesser Scaup, and six Western Meadowlarks. Wednesday, I had two Lincoln’s Sparrows, for a total of 69 species for Week 13 this year. For 2016, adding Osprey, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Common Yellowthroat, and Evening Grosbeak, we’re up to 94 species. == Michael Hobbs	Dawn. Photo by Bob Asanoma Slightly later dawn. Photo by Ollie Oliver
American Robin. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Male Bufflehead. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Common Goldeneye displaying. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Common Goldeneye displaying. Photo by Ollie Oliver "See - I'm a geoduck"
Bushtit nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Wood Duck up a tree in Big Cottonwood Forest. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Male Wood Duck calling while up a tree. Photo by Darcy Barry	Male Wood Duck up a tree in Big Cottonwood Forest. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-breasted Sapsucker near start of boardwalk. Photo by Darcy Barry	Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Anna's Hummingbird at nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Anna's Hummingbird at nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Marsh Wren building nest. Photo by Darcy Barry	Marsh Wren building nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	First of Year Osprey. Photo by Ollie Oliver
First of Year male Common Yellowthroat. Photo by Ollie Oliver	American Beaver. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Turtles on a log. Photo by Bob Asanoma	One of these photos is upside-down, but WHICH ONE???

Report for March 26, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

47 degrees and foggy smoothly transitioned to 62 degrees and sunny within a couple of hours. That’s downright hot around here. Everything was singing, and it was generally wonderful. Highlights: American Wigeon One below weir N. Saw-whet Owl One tooting near east end of boardwalk, 6:00 a.m. Anna’s Hummingbird Beaks of 2 babies visible at nest, west end of boardwalk All five expected woodpecker species SAY’S PHOEBE In East Meadow, foraging low – our first since 2012 Northern Shrike East Meadow. Should be leaving very soon C. YELLOWTHROAT Male singing at Rowing Club Savannah Sparrow They’re BAAACK. 10+ singing, East Meadow Western Meadowlark One north of fields 7-8-9 – First of Year Red Crossbill Continue in numbers around mansion This sets the Marymoor record for earliest date for COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. We’ve only had 4 previous March records, the earliest of those being March 27, 2001. For the day, 67 species. For the year, adding SAY’S PHOEBE, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK, we’re up to 92 species. While we’ve been having higher species counts on the weekly surveys than usual, our overall year list is lagging a few species below our recent averages. We had fewer of the typical “winter species” than we usually get. Misses include Snow Goose, Canvasback, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Western Grebe, Northern Harrier, Dunlin, Western Screech-Owl, and Short-eared Owl. There are additional species, such as California Quail, Green Heron, Band-tailed Pigeon, Common Raven, Cedar Waxwing, and House Sparrow, that will show up later, but which we’ve typically had at least once by this time of year. == Michael Hobbs	Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver Tree Swallows at a box in the Community Gardens. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Great Blue Herons - flirting?. Photo by Hugh Jennings	"Myrtle's" Yellow-rumped Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Lillian Reis	American Robin with nesting material. Photo by Lillian Reis
Two juvenile Anna's Hummingbirds in the nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Tree Swallow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Say's Phoebe. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Say's Phoebe. Photo by Ollie Oliver.
Male Common Yellowthroat at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Common Yellowthroat at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Pied-billed Grebe at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Brown Creeper at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for March 27, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

The first walk of my 21st year was rather ordinary. Overcast, with long stretches of mist, mizzle, and (according to Matt, who is a wimp) drizzle. Lots of birds, but no surprises really, no new species for the year, and only a moderate species list. But it was otherwise a fine day of early spring birding. Highlights: Cackling Goose Getting late – flock of 55 flyby Common Merganser Lots of sightings Great Blue Heron Making their pigeon-like cooing again Virginia Rail Singing east of East Meadow, calling from boardwalk Wilson’s Snipe 1 whinny heard pre-dawn (rare display at Marymoor) Anna’s Hummingbird Two active nests Rufous Hummingbird Female chased off by female Anna’s near nest Red-breasted Sapsucker Two pairs – great looks Merlin Streaked to the east past heronry Fox Sparrow Great looks, quiet singing White-crowned Sparrow Singing pugetensis birds American Goldfinch Two, including breeding-plumage male For the day, just 54 species. == Michael Hobbs	Adult Bald Eagle. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Brown Creeper. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Pied-billed Grebe, with an expression that makes me think he was dreaming of nefarious plots. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Anna's Hummingbird stretching while on her nest, just south of the Dog Area on the slough trail. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Anna's Hummingbird on her nest at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet singing. Photos by Ollie Oliver	Wilson's Snipe. Photos by Ollie Oliver
Male Gadwall in flight. Photo by Ollie Oliver	"Sooty" Fox Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Painted Turtle at Rowing Club. Photos by Ollie Oliver	Report for March 24, 2014 There were FOUR male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS at the north end of the East Meadow. If you don’t find them there, I’d look to the east around the model airplane field. I did not see these birds earlier in the morning, so they may have flown in on this gorgeous day. The park was also full of woodpeckers; I saw the five usual species include 2-3 pairs of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. Some of the GREAT BLUE HERONS are sitting down on the nests, instead of standing atop them. The ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD was sitting in her nest south of the dog area. I found a pair of CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES excavating a hole in a big cottonwood a little north of the boardwalk, and a NORTHERN FLICKER excavating a hole in a dead hemlock west of the mansion. For all my thermometer said 49 degrees, it felt more like 60+, and definitely felt like spring. == Michael Hobbs P.S. I subsequently got word that the Mountain Bluebirds had been present the day before, on March 23. I saw them again briefly on the 25th, but then watched them take off and fly to the souteast.

Male Mountain Bluebird. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Mountain Bluebird with extensive blue on belly. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for March 28, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

The day started with bits of blue sky and a few rays of filtered sunlight poking through a rumpled overcast sky. This, of course, meant that it rained solidly for the first two hours, though thankfully not very hard. By the time we got to the lake platform, the sky cleared pretty much, and the weather was very nice after that. It was a birdy day. Highlights: Band-tailed Pigeon Four flew overhead Eurasian Collared-Dove One in Snag Row Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 near windmill, 1 at Rowing Club Pileated Woodpecker Pair east of mansion Northern Shrike North of fields 7-8-9 Varied Thrush One in Dog Meadow AMERICAN PIPIT Houston Flores reported 1 in gravel area Yellow-rumped Warbler Many, mostly Audubon’s, at least 1 Myrtles. Townsend’s Warbler One east of mansion White-crowned Sparrow Singing pugetensis bird in Pea Patch Red Crossbill Good looks north of mansion HOUSE SPARROW Female at Compost Piles, Snag Row We’ve only had six previous sightings of EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, four of them from last year, with the other two sightings from ‘08 and ‘09. All previous sightings have been from mid-April to late-May, so this was our first March sighting. This was only our second HOUSE SPARROW sighting since April, 2010. The previous sighting was April 4, 2011. We did not see any owls despite a lot of pre-dawn looking. It was also a good day for mammal sightings. Besides the usual squirrel and rabbit sightings, Mark and Lee saw a COYOTE, we had a MUSKRAT along the slough, and there were at least 3 RIVER OTTERS at the lake. Also, PACIFIC TREE FROGS were peeping pre-dawn, and there were both PAINTED TURTLE and RED-EARED SLIDERS at the Rowing Club. Wednesday late afternoon there was a singing WESTERN MEADOWLARK near the model airplane field. For the day, 66 species. For the year, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, AMERICAN PIPIT, HOUSE SPARROW were new. OSPREY was reported on Saturday, but we did not see one Thursday. == Michael Hobbs	Canada Geese at the weir, with a male Gadwall and some American Coots. Photo by Hugh Jennings Juvenile Bald Eagle hanging around the heronry. The Great Blue Herons don't look very concerned, but they haven't laid eggs yet. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Muskrat along slough. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Marsh Wren building a nest in red osier dogwood. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Cherry tree blooming in East Meadow. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Savannah Sparrows were singing in the East Meadow. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Male House Finch from the Viewing Mound. Photo by Michael Hobbs
View of the heronry from the East Meadow. It's easier to count nest now than when the leaves come out. I came up with eighteen nests that are at least started; last year there were about eleven. There are only about a dozen herons present though. Note that the juvenile Bald Eagle is still hanging around, sitting at about 8 o'clock in the middle-left tree. This photo was taken an hour-and-a-half after the previous photo shown above. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Eurasian Collared-Dove. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Eurasian Collared-Dove. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Pileated Woodpecker pair. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Pileated Woodpecker pair. Photo by Michael Hobbs
"Myrtle's" subspecies Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Rowing Club. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Very bold Pacific Wren at the Rowing Club. Photo by Michael Hobbs
American Crow with a strange tumor. Photo by Lillian Reis	Close-up of the conical tumor. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for March 29, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

It rained. All morning it was dark, with moderately light but steady rain. Unrelenting rain. Mostly, birds were hunkered down, though there was a fair amount of singing nonetheless. Highlights: Rufous Hummingbird 2 males; 1 displaying at s. end of dog area Northern Shrike Vocalizing from NE corner of East Meadow Varied Thrush Male west of park office Yellow-rumped Warbler Singing, with both Audubon's. & Myrtle's seen Townsend's Warbler One near concert stage Savannah Sparrow One singing near E end of Snag Row Fox Sparrow Many, including lots of singing Purple Finch Many, many, with lots of singing Red Crossbill Male NE of mansion Yesterday, I birded Marymoor for 3 hours in the morning with a visiting birder from South Dakota. We had 5 species of woodpecker, including dueling RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS just east of the mansion. As we came into the East Meadow, a flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS flew south towards us. One was clearly larger, and as they banked right in front of us, it was easy to see the flock contained the BOHEMIAN WAXWING. They may have been unsuccessfully searching for red berries, for they never landed, flying off to the northwest. We also had the RED CROSSBILL in the same place as today. Monday, there were at least 2 CACKLING GEESE in a flying flock of CANADA GEESE. Getting late for them here. I also received a photo of a SAY'S PHOEBE that was present on Saturday in the East Meadow. For the day, I believe we had 54 species (not bad at all, considering the weather). For the week, 63 species. Only the Say's Phoebe was new for the year, bringing the year list to 93. == Michael Hobbs	Common Merganser pair. Photo by Hugh Jennings Northern Shrike. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Brown Creeper, 2012-03-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Song Sparrow, 2012-03-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Belted Kingfisher, 2012-03-25. Photo by Lillian Reis	Northern Harrier, 2012-03-25. Photo by Lillian Reis
Red-breasted Sapsucker, 2012-03-25. Photo by Lillian Reis	Say's Phoebe, 2012-03-24. Photo by Kathy Speirs

Report for March 31, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

I was sick on the 31st, and thus missed the 17th Anniversary of my Marymoor surveys. Here's a report from Matt Bartels, who was good enough to take on the data gathering and reporting tasks for the day - Michael.

Biggest surprise of the weekly walk at Marymoor today was arriving and finding no Michael & no Brian! Eight of us managed to persevere without them. The weather wasn't bad -- drizzle early [during the owling time], but only a couple drops of rain during the walk. Lots of wind though, and that resulted in very low numbers of birds all day.

Highlights:

Wood Duck 1 male in the slough

Green Heron 1 lurking around the rowing club dock

Barn Owl 2 at model airplane field early

Rufous Hummingbird Only heard 1 - still waiting for them to get
into place properly

Bushtit Building nest at Rowing Club

Yellow-rumped Warbler Nice male in breeding plumage singing away at
the mansion area. Myrtles at Rowing club

Savannah Sparrow      Heard a few singing in the east meadow
                                                before dawn, and part of the group
                                                saw one later in the walk at the
                                                sparrow piles - first of the year

Lots of singing , and several American Crows were carrying nesting materials.

For the day, I believe we had 56 species [including a few I had to go back through the park to snag]. Barring any new arrivals during the past week, I believe the Savannah Sparrows bring the year list to 91.

Matt Bartels

Seattle, WA

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Lillian Reis

"Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2011-03-11. Photo by Darrel De Nune

Pied-billed Grebe, 2011-03-11. Photo by Darrel De Nune

Report for April First, 2010

We had a really good day, despite clouds, mizzle, and a cold breeze. Spring birds are beginning to return. Everything is singing. There are nests to watch. Etc. The highlight, though, was a very unexpected Toucan, which sat on one of the dirt piles north of the East Meadow. Nobody had the right field guides to get it to species, unfortunately. Other highlights: Cackling Goose Still 1-2 small flocks overhead Western Screech-Owl Calling loudly near windmill, 5:30-6:00ish Band-tailed Pigeon 4 flew over Rowing Club area Violet-green Swallow A few mixed in with lots of Tree Swallows Northern Shrike One in East Meadow Red-breasted Nuthatch Excavating nest NE of mansion Common Yellowthroat Several hear, none seen At the Rowing Club, we scoped the ANNA's x RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. Matt got to see it flare its tail, showing the extensive orange. For the rest of us, we could see a hint of orange on the sides, and the gorget which is never pink - just an in-between reddish-orange. We did not hear it at all. For the day, 61 species, plus the toucan. ;) == Michael	Toucan sp., north of the Compost Piles.
First duckling of the year, but there was no adult in sight.	European Starling
American Robin	American Crow
Red-breasted Nuthatch excavating hole.	Ollie Oliver's photo of same. They nested in this hole last year
Golden-crowned Kinglet	Where did that iPod go? I heard it singing...
Brown Creeper. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Marsh Wren. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for March 26, 2009

Oh how nice it was today. Cold to start, but sunny. The thin fog burned off quickly, and while some thin, high overcast persisted, we could see our shadows all morning. It was pleasant AND good birding and spriAng is actually beginning to happen. Highlights: Ring-necked Duck Males with rings very visible at RC Horned Grebe One mostly in breeding plumage Red-tailed Hawk Must be on eggs on odd snag nest Barn Owl Must be on eggs in nest box Western Screech-Owl Heard from within park, to the west LONG-EARED OWL Perched low and in the open in Dog Area Rufous Hummingbird Heard 2-4 birds, never got a look Red-breasted Sapsucker One drumming near start of boardwalk Downy Woodpecker Two near start of boardwalk Hairy Woodpecker Northeast of boardwalk Northern Shrike Seen in model airplane field American Crow With nest materials near mansion American Robin With nest materials near mansion Varied Thrush Heard near mansion Yellow-rumped Warbler Some were singing Townsend's Warbler South side of mansion SAVANNAH SPARROW First of spring, Compost Piles The LONG-EARED OWL, which we originally identified as a Great Horned Owl, spent the entire morning low in a Red Alder a bit east northeast of the weir. See the blog for photos. When we were at the lake, Sharon thought she'd seen a HORNED GREBE. It disappeared before we could verify. So at the end of our walk, I visited the cabana for another look. While there, I had great looks at a pair of HOODED MERGANSER, as well as three COMMON MERGANSER. And, with my scope, I was able to find a HORNED GREBE about half-way into breeding plumage. It would have been visible from the lake platform, but would probably have required a scope for ID. Sharon saw a LONG-TAILED WEASEL near the South Lot kiosk. Some people watched an EASTERN COTTONTAIL get precariously close to the Great Horned Owl. There were both a RED-EARED SLIDER and a PAINTED TURTLE sunning themselves at the Rowing Club. New for 2009 were HORNED GREBE, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, and SAVANNAH SPARROW. In addition, I saw a male NORTHERN HARRIER last Sunday. So for today, we were at an even 60 species. For the year, we're up to 94 species. == Michael	Dewy spider web in the early morning fog Long-eared Owl as seen from the slough trail
Closer view of the Long-eared Owl	And a bit of a back view. Photo by Ollie Oliver.
Dave Templeton's fabulous photo of the owl (His lens is just a slight bit bigger than mine :) )	Singing Spotted Towhee
	"Pussy" Willows along the edge of the Dog Meadow
Brown Creeper near the start of the boardwalk	Red-breasted Sapsucker preening near the start of the boardwalk
Another shot of the Red-breasted Sapsucker	Savannah Sparrow at the Compost Piles
Violets in a tree near the Stage	Note the burgundy neck ring on the right of the two male Ring-necked Ducks Photo by Ollie Oliver
Grace found a Cooper's Hawk in Snag Row which Ollie photographed	Ollie's photo of a Canada Goose in the slough
Northern Shrike, Ollie Oliver, 3/29/09	Northern Shrike, Ollie Oliver, 3/29/09

Report for March 27, 2008

It was a strange day at Marymoor. The weather wasn't as bad is it might have been. Cold, damp, and quite windy, but there wasn't any precipitation. It wasn't very birdy either, yet our species count (when all of the heard-only and glimpsed-only birds were counted) was a very respectable 59 species. Yet the day was pretty birdless, with only a few highlights (though at least one highlight was a GREAT highlight). There was better birding earlier in the week when the weather was warmer. Highlights: Bald Eagle Pair in the "new nest" Cooper's Hawk Several sightings. One Sharpie too. Barn Owl Seen early near concert stage Short-eared Owl Flushed from east edge of East Meadow Red-breasted Nuthatch Male near nest hole Lincoln's Sparrow 2 - Compost piles early, Pea Patch A passing birder mentioned that the SAY'S PHOEBE was in the East Meadow. We didn't see one. I went back after the walk and again missed the phoebe, but I did have 4 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, including one singing. The great highlight was the SHORT-EARED OWL, which flushed from the east edge of the East Meadow, giving us great looks as it winged east. It then landed in the large cottonwood east of the meadow, where we could see it for several minutes, perched in the lowest branches. We had great looks at MUSKRAT near the windmill. Big misses: Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow. Earlier in the week, while people were looking for phoebe, I saw, or had reports of, several other species including SAVANNAH SPARROW, NORTHERN SHRIKE (Tuesday), and CEDAR WAXWING. So the day count was 59, but the week count was at least 64. == Michael	Both Bald Eagles were in the new (built fall 2006) nest near the boardwalk. Later, one flew to a nearby cottonwood. Bottom photo by Ollie Oliver.
After flushing from the east edge of the East Meadow, this Short-eared Owl landed in a large cottonwood off to the east. Photo by Ollie Oliver.	Here the owl is flying off, deeper into the inaccessible southeast portion of the park.
Bushtits were building a nest near the east end of the boardwalk.	Ollie Oliver's photo of one of the "gambelli" White-crowned Sparrows at the Compost Piles. Note the very gray nape and lower cheek.
Male Red-breasted Nuthatch frozen against the trunk of the tree. Nest hole above.	American Robin in European Hawthorn. It was eating the haws.

Report for March 29, 2007

I was in South Carolina, but 22 people birded Marymoor in his absence. Here are notes from Brian Bell's report to Tweeters.

- Michael

Notable birds at Marymoor today were:

Great Horned Owl - early
Virginia Rail heard early
Savannah Sparrow - back in numbers - present all over the park
Pine Siskin - several today
Bald Eagle - pair at the nest - with one on the nest
Belted Kingfisher - early flyby
Marsh Wrens in full song
Wilson's Snipe - very close, about 15 feet - incredible views
Fox Sparrows - several singing
American Goldfinch - several bright males
Purple Finch - many singing in a variety of locations around the park, including at least one bright male
Anna's Hummingbird -a male at the current "usual" location south of the mansion
Rufous Hummingbird - a male, also at the current "usual" location just before going into the alder forest along the interpretive trail
American Kestrel - in east meadow
Northern Shrike - in the east meadow
Yellow-rumped Warbler - both Audubon and Myrtle
Winter Wren - one singing
Common Goldeneye - several lingering on the lake
Common Merganser - a few on the lake
Western Meadowlark - at least two at the east meadow
SAGEBRUSH SPARROW - at the dirt/compost piles
Green Heron - at the small rowing club pond
Orange-crowned Warbler - heard at the rowing club
Wood Duck - one male on river

This morning at 10:45 am, as we approached the dirt/compost piles we saw a bird that was definitely not one of our regulars. It turned out to be a Sagebrush Sparrow with a gray head, a nice face pattern and a clear white throat and breast. The bird was foraging on the top of the main dirt piles with grass growing on them. By the time we got to where we could see it, it had dropped down into the blackberries and then came up and worked its way across the open area. It worked over the next area of debris and dirt. The bird was clearly nervous and would fly at the slightest event. When last seen, it was perched on a small tree back near the dirt piles and then dropped down into the blackberries. I saw Ollie Oliver later and he said that the bird came back up on the dirt piles and good views were obtained (and pictures I believe). Ollie stressed that the best way to see the bird was to sit quietly and the bird would come to you - if you approach it, it will fly. A great new bird for Marymoor, and continues the tradition of often finding a new bird when Michael is out of town.

Painted Turtles were back on the rowing club pond, a number of garter snakes were out in the sun and bullfrog was basking on a limb

All in all a great spring day at Marymoor - 58 species, one new for the year!

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville, WA

Sage Sparrow - photo by Ollie Oliver

Golden-crowned Sparrow on 3/25/07 - photo by Ollie Oliver
.