Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 14
April 2-8*

Rarities for Week 14:

Brant	05-Apr-20	eBird Ruth Johnston
Sandhill Crane	03-Apr-10	Two reported by Jan McGruder on grass fields
...Anna's Hummingbird x Rufous Hummingbird hybrid	08-Apr-10	First reported 30-Mar
Western Bluebird	04-Apr-24	Male just north of Fields 7-8-9. Also seen on 04-Apr
Sagebrush Sparrow	02-Apr-07	Compost Piles - bird seen every day 29-Mar to 02-Apr
Douglas Squirrel	03-Apr-11	Park office feeders

Report for April 4, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

It was a special day today at Marymoor, though the weather was NOT the special part. It was especially dark all morning, and quite chilly. Many birds were singing, but good looks were scarce.

We started off with donuts and bagels to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Marymoor surveys. That's about 1500 surveys, and I've made nearly that many additional visits to the park over the last 30 years. Some might ask if I might be getting tired of going to the same place over and over and over and over.

Well, it may be the same place, but there's always something new to see. In fact, today we had A NEW BIRD FOR MARYMOOR PARK, the 245th species! Just north of Fields 7-8-9 was a male WESTERN BLUEBIRD! The survey needs to continue at least until that number is up to 250!

Other highlights:

Canada Goose - Appear to be attempting to nest on two Osprey nests and on the eagle nest visible from the Lake Platform
Northern Pintail??? - Flock of about 20 ducks that were almost certainly NOPI but could have been wigeon
Lesser Scaup - One female seen from the Lake Platform - First of Year (FOY)
Bushtit - Three nests observed, but no activity noted at any of them
Purple Finch - Singing constantly heard, several birds, two seen
White-throated Sparrow - Continuing, this time near the Dog Area portapotties
Western Meadowlark - 3-5 seen, including 3 near the Western Bluebird
Orange-crowned Warbler - Two singing near the east end of the boardwalk (FOY)
Common Yellowthroat - At least one singing, heard from the Viewing Mound. Two seen on Monday (FOY)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - Widespread and numerous, both Myrtle and Audubon's, some singing

On my brief visit Monday afternoon, I had several birds not seen today: BAND-TAILED PIGEON, TURKEY VULTURE (FOY), SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK (a pair doing a courtship flight), and BELTED KINGFISHER.

Missed both days: Wilson's Snipe, Osprey (should arrive any day now), Red-breasted Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, and Lincoln's Sparrow.

For the day, 59 species plus the mystery flying ducks. Adding Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, Western Bluebird, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat, we're at 91 species for the year.

= Michael Hobbs

Western Bluebird. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Report for April 6, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

The weather wasn't delightful, but it was really just a bit of mist and mizzle. Temps were okay, and there wasn't much breeze. Still doesn't really feel like spring, but there are signs pointing that way.

Highlights

Canada Goose - Seem to be nesting atop both Osprey platforms, and in an island on the slough below the weir
Rufous Hummingbird - Now several males present, and we got our first decent views of spring
OSPREY - First of Spring (FOS). Perched on softball field lights in the NE part of the park
Bushtit - Numerous and widespread
Tree and Violet-green Swallows - Numerous over the slough when we completed the main loop
Hermit Thrush - One in Big Cottonwood Forest. Best time to see them is now through the first week of May
Lincoln's Sparrow - One in Pea Patch, first since February. Same best season as Hermit Thrush.
Brown-headed Cowbird - Two below weir. FOS, but not First of Year since we had one in January

Misses today included Rock Pigeon (except for the tame released one), Wilson's Snipe, Pine Siskin, and Common Yellowthroat. The COYE are almost always back by this time of the year (23 of 30 years).

Tuesday, I had four species we missed today: AMERICAN WIGEON, BAND-TAILED PIGEON, HAIRY WOODPECKER, and TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.

For the day, 56 species plus the Ring-necked Pheasant. 61 species total for the week. Maybe next week the weather will be warm and birdy.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for April 7, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

A really good day, slightly overcast early , some sun later, good temperature. Lots of birds singing.

Cinnamon Teal – pair – 2 – first of year (FOY)
Northern Shoveler – male; 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove – 1
Osprey – 1 (FOY)
Barn Swallow – 2 at lake (FOY)
Western Meadowlark – 1 singing
Orange-crowned Warbler – 1 singing
Common Yellowthroat – many singing, 1 seen

Misses included Belted Kingfisher, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Brown-headed Cowbird.

For the day, 58 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Western Meadowlark and Tree Swallows, 2022-04-03
Photographed by Shamik Ghosh, https://www.instagram.com/shamiksphotos/

Report for April 8, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

The rain let up before 6:00 a.m., and the drizzle let up before our 6:30 start time. We had only periods of mist for the next hour or so, mixed with dramatic sunshine. Then a light breeze came in and stuck with us under partly cloudy skies. It was a good day of birding, with much to look at. Measured by the number of species, it was a great day. By number of birds, it was fairly quiet. But there were lots of...

Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose – one flying with a few Canadas

Wood Duck – at least 4 total. A pair kept landing in cottonwood trees

CINNAMON TEAL – pair flew up the slough to the lake. First of Year (FOY)

Eleven species of duck, total, including a few American Wigeon

Wilson’s Snipe – notably many, with notably many good looks along the slough

OSPREY – pairs at/near both nests. FOY for us (but first sighting for the park was April 3)

Pileated Woodpecker – male landed right next to us, below the weir

Merlin – two sightings, probably the same bird

CLIFF SWALLOW – one or two. 6th earliest spring sighting ever for us (FOY)

Bushtit – watched a pair working on their nest at Dog Central

Cedar Waxwing – six at the Rowing Club

Fox Sparrow – lots of singing. They should be around for two more weeks

Western Meadowlark – one in East Meadow

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD – about three (FOY)

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER – Matt and Brian heard one from near the Mysterious Thicket (FOY)

Common Yellowthroat – heard predawn

Yellow-rumped Warbler – mostly male Audubon’s, but at least 1 female, and at least 1 male Myrtle at the Rowing Club

The only later spring sightings of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE have been of large flocks flying overhead, and that only twice.

While we’ve had CEDAR WAXWING every week of the year, our sightings from January->third week of April are almost all from 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2021. This year is challenging 2012 for the most pre-May sightings. We’ve only had Cedars at all in 10 of 27 years, during that period.

Several “winter” species were either missing or were in notably smaller numbers than in the last couple of weeks. No Cackling Geese, Northern Shrike, or Pacific Wren, and only a very few Common Goldeneye, Pied-billed Grebe, and Double-crested Cormorant.

A late scan of the lake turned up a female BELTED KINGFISHER and our earliest spring sighting ever of a CASPIAN TERN (FOY). Both were right at the mouth of the slough.

Notable misses today were limited to just Rock Pigeon and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

For the day, 70 species, with 5 new for the year for us.

= Michael Hobbs

Bald Eagle. Photo by Bob Asanoma

"Black" Merlin atop a tall fir. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Male Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Male Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for April 2, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

A solo COVID-19 survey, this one without anyone else at all, not even Mark & Lee going backwards. I did bump into Kazuto, who showed me an Anna’s Hummingbird nest with 2 nearly-fledged babies, but he mentioned no species I hadn’t already seen.

It was cold, windless, dark, and drab for most of the morning. The only moment of full sunshine completely coincided with my only rain (and a rainbow), and lasted less than 5 minutes. My fingers and toes were cold until about 10. Periods of birdiness between extended periods of quiet, but overall an outstanding day.

Highlights:

Wood Duck – probably at least 10
CINNAMON TEAL – pair flew low, downstream, below the weir – First Of Year (FOY)
American Wigeon – at least 5 – soon getting late for them
Anna’s Hummingbird – two occupied nests
Rufous Hummingbird – one occupied nest
GREATER YELLOWLEGS – one flew south, calling. Got a good look. It then called flying back north, and I got another look. FOY
Short-eared Owl – One circled right over the Viewing Mound for great looks. Hunted the north end of the East Meadow before flying west. About 6:30.
– Five Woodpecker Day – though only Downy and Flicker were numerous
BARN SWALLOW – one with 100+ Violet-green Swallows over the slough south of the weir, after the mansion loop – FOY
Varied Thrush – male seen; sounded like there was more than one
CEDAR WAXWING – two at Rowing Club – FOY
LINCOLN’S SPARROW – one at Compost Piles – FOY, amazingly

This was our 3rd-earliest CINNAMON TEAL, beaten only by 2017-01-05 (!) and 2001-03-21. 4th, now, is 2009-04-07.

This was our earliest-ever GREATER YELLOWLEGS, beating 2019-04-04.

This was our 7th-earliest BARN SWALLOW.

Northern Flickers were everywhere, noisy, annoying. American Robins can’t have any songs left – the MUST have sung them all.

I had an amazing daytime AMERICAN BEAVER show, just before the start of the boardwalk, with two swimming around and circling, with some tail slaps, and some in-the-water wrestling (or sex?). One swam to the far shore, but the other kept swimming back and forth, very visibly, with lots of tail slapping. ??? Spring...

No Cackling Geese, Green Heron, Barn Owl, Northern Shrike, or Western Meadowlark. I thought I was going to dip on American Coot, Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Bushtit, but picked up all three as my last birds at the Rowing Club. (But only 2 coots total).

Misses today were: Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Osprey (should show any day now), American Goldfinch, Brown-headed Cowbird (should show any day now), Common Yellowthroat (almost always show up THIS week, only missed once next week (and only seen 6 times the previous week))

Yes, Common Yellowthroat has been seen 21/27 previous years for this week, which reminds me that I’m now in my 27th year doing these surveys.

For the day, 64 species with 5 First of Year, ho hum.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for April 4, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

The “overcast” from the forecast today turned out to be a tiny bit of thin high clouds. It was basically sunny, and it warmed up well. A really nice day. A large, but great, group of birders today. Highlights: Cackling Goose – maybe 500 flew by just before 7 am Great Blue Heron – a great number of sticks and twigs being brought in to heronry Green Heron – seen twice (or 2) Red-tailed Hawk – pair copulating, seen from Rowing Club Wilson’s Snipe – still at least 1 below weir GREATER YELLOWLEGS – one heard flying south past the Viewing Mound just before 7 – First of Year Western Screech-Owl – seen well again around 6 am Five woodpecker day – with Flicker and Downy excavating holes, and Pileated seen near nest Hermit Thrush – one just south of Dog Area Bushtit – nest found in hawthorn in Dog Meadow Brown-headed Cowbird – at least 2 – First of the year for us COMMON YELLOWTHROAT – our first of the year – two Towards the end of the day, I realized that today marked the beginning of the 26th year of my Marymoor surveys. I had been to Marymoor previously, dating back to 1990, but starting March 31, 1994, I’ve been almost every Thursday since then (except for the years we met on Wednesdays). For the day, 63 species, and abundant evidence that there’s no reason to stop after 25 years! == Michael Hobbs	Male Common Merganser. Photo by Jordan Roderick Great Blue Herons seem to prefer alder branches for building up their nests. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Male Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Hairy Woodpecker hops a few inches up the trunk and finds a grub. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Adult White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick	Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick
Bushtit nest in a hawthorn. Photo by Bob Asanoma	White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Report for April 5, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

A really good day today. The mizzle abated from about 6:30-9:30; and afterwards it was only mizzle. Steady overcast, but no wind the whole morning. The park was absolutely overrun with AMERICAN ROBINS – I’ll list the count as 400, but I think that’s probably low. Huge amounts of robin song made hearing anything else difficult. By later in the morning (the robins started well pre-dawn), the skies were filled with large flocks of VIOLET-GREEN/TREE SWALLOWS – mostly the former. Total swallow numbers really difficult, but certainly more than 400 and maybe more than 1000, depending on how far out on the lake one wanted to count.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose – one flock of ~60; only rarely have had them later in spring
TRUMPETER SWAN – one landed in the slough south of Dog Central
American Wigeon – four on the lake Killdeer – nest with 4 eggs in grass/gravel field
California Gull – at least 1
Osprey – one near nest; this was our first sighting of the year actually on the survey
BARN OWL – one flying briefly around 8:48, Dog Meadow
Western Screech-Owl – Matt saw one east of the boardwalk, 6:00ish
– All 5 woodpeckers – Pileated seen by Sharon and Jordan right after the walk
N. Rough-winged Swallow – one seen from Lake Platform – First for 2018
CLIFF SWALLOW – one found on a late scan of the lake – First for 2018
HERMIT THRUSH – one immediately south of Dog Meadow – First for 2018
Western Meadowlark – four north of Fields 7-8-9, one singing
Brown-headed Cowbird – one male – First of 2018
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT – one singing unseen from across the slough – First of 2018

The BARN OWL looked like it might have been flushed by dogs, and then appeared to roost hidden in the triangle separating the south end of the Dog Meadow from the East Meadow.

This is our latest spring sighting confirmed for TRUMPETER SWAN, though we have 2 later sighting of SWAN sp., one from 2017-04-10, and second a very unusual date of 2012-06-14, when 5 unidentified swans flew by.

Conversely, this was our 3rd-earliest CLIFF SWALLOW ever; the earliest was 2004-04-01.

Birds I saw earlier this week were HOODED MERGANSER on 4/3 – our first in 5 weeks; COOPER’S HAWK on 4/2 – appeared to be carrying a twig into the Big Cottonwood Forest – nesting???; BELTED KINGFISHER on 4/3; VARIED THRUSH on 4/4; and at least two ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS on 4/4 – First of 2018.

For the day, 66 species (plus two sightings of unidentified pigeon/dove that may have been EUCD). For the week, 72 species. For 2018, we’re at 100 species.

== Michael Hobbs

Trumpeter Swan in the slough. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male American Robin. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Cooper's Hawk. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Willow in bloom. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Salmonberry in bloom, 2018-04-03. Photo by Michael Hobbs

Report for April 6, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

We were dampened by drizzle/light rain for a couple of hours this morning, then had a little bit of clearing, then more drizzle. Skies were mostly gray. Unsurprisingly, the birds weren’t as active as they might have been. I think it’s pretty typical to feel that “Spring is late”, and there’s certainly no evidence to the contrary this year. But looking at past years, we’re often still waiting for the bulk of the spring migration at this date. I think we’re just perennially impatient. Highlights: 9 species of duck Pied-billed Grebe – only one; quite possibly they won’t nest at Marymoor again this year Wilson’s Snipe – might have heard a winnow at dawn Barn Owl – adult brought prey to the windmill before 5am, Matt heard the baby(s) SAY’S PHOEBE – One in the East Meadow gave us great looks COMMON YELLOWTHROAT – Several males; first of 2017 for us, but seen as early as last weekend by others Yellow-rumped Warbler - ~20 "Audubon's" and 1-2 "Myrtle’s". Singing. Still no Orange-crowned Warbler, and we haven’t seen a Brown-headed Cowbird yet. Both should be there next week. There’s a long list of fairly rare birds that could show up next week too, though subsequent weeks look even better. PATIENCE. For the day, 56 species. For the year, the park is up over 100. == Michael Hobbs	American Robin. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Say's Phoebe. Photo by Joanne Iskierka	Say's Phoebe. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Tree Swallow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Male Common Yellowthroat. Photo by Bill Fletcher
Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Bill Fletcher
Luzia tent for Cirque Du Soleil. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for April 7, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

Another gorgeous day which started cool and ended up simply warm and sunny. Not stupendously birdy, but a fine early spring day. Highlights: Cackling Goose Large flyover flock; should be heading north Wood Duck Pair in trees in Large Cottonwood Forest again - 10 total duck species - Cooper’s Hawk Worn juvenile near weir - NO GULLS - GREAT HORNED OWL Matt heard one NE of mansion, 5am – FOY Pileated Woodpecker Seen even of the last nine weeks! PURPLE MARTIN Five seen from NE corner of lake at martin houses Barn Swallow One over boardwalk – FOY AMERICAN PIPIT 2 north of Viewing Mound – FOY Western Meadowlark 3 in East Meadow Brown-headed Cowbird 3-5 in East Meadow – FOY We’d heard that PURPLE MARTINS returned over a week ago, so I tried scanning after last week’s walk without success. Today, however, I found four males and a female, scoping from the NE corner of the lake. This is, by far, the earliest martin sightings I’ve had at Marymoor, though I confess I haven’t looked from the NE corner this early most years. For the day, 62 species. I had two additional species yesterday (Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows). For the year, adding GREAT HORNED OWL, PURPLE MARTIN, BARN SWALLOW, AMERICAN PIPIT, and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, we’ve now had 99 species. Next week’s walk will be at 6:30 a.m., contrary to previously posted information. == Michael Hobbs	The Red-breasted Sapsuckers like drumming on the metal caps. Photo by Ollie Oliver Common Merganser pair. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Worn Juvenile Cooper's Hawk. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male House Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Bushtits at the nest. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Marsh Wren building a nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Bushtit. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female and male Brown-headed Cowbird. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Osprey. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Male Northern Flicker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-tailed Hawk pair over the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Notice the garter snake that one has caught. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for April 2, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

We had overcast, drizzle, rainbows, and sunshine this morning. It wasn’t exactly warm, but mostly in the upper 40’s. The birds didn’t seem to mind that it wasn’t gorgeous – they were out and about anyway. Highlights: Horned Grebe 1 in almost full breeding plumage in slough OSPREY 2-3 birds, including at cell tower way to the ENE of the park Barn Owl Matt & Sharon had a great look from Viewing Mound, 6:15am Anna’s Hummingbird 2 full-sized young in 1 nest, 2nd nest found All 5 woodpecker species, including a pair of Pileateds, and a trio of sapsuckers Violet-green Swallow 100 birds, minimum. Overhead everywhere, all morning HERMIT THRUSH 1 at Rowing Club parking lot – FOY Orange-crowned Warbler 2 seen, 3-4 more heard singing – FOY Lincoln’s Sparrow 1, East Meadow, first since early February Western Meadowlark 2, north edge of Fields 7-8-9 Red Crossbills A few still around mansion Good mammal day. Matt heard and saw AMERICAN BEAVER early. We had a LONG-TAILED WEASEL just before 7 a.m. at the East Kiosk, and Grace&Ollie had another late at the Rowing Club. We had a MUSKRAT up in a willow in the middle of the slough. Plus the usual EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS and EASTERN COTTONTAILS... So, 3 new species for the year (OSPR, HETH, OCWA) brings us to 95. For the day, 65 species. == Michael Hobbs	Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver Fox Sparrow. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Rainbow off to the west. Photo by Hugh Jennings	There were a hundred of these snails on the fence around the Viewing Mound early. Photo by Lillian Reis
Horned Grebe acquiring breeding plumage. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Horned Grebe with male Wood Ducks. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Nearly fledged Anna's Hummingbirds. Photo by Gary Luhm	Mother Anna's Hummingbird arrives at the nest. Photo by Gary Luhm
Feeding the baby Anna's Hummingbirds. Photo by Gary Luhm	Savannah Sparrow, East Meadow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Western Meadowlark. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Chestnut-backed Chickadee at nest hole. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Note that you can see the feet on this American Coot. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Hermit Thrush at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Long-tailed Weasel at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Long-tailed Weasel at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Rufous Hummingbird, 2015-03-27. Photo by Lillian Reis	Marsh Wren, singing, 2015-03-27. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for April 3, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

Michael is off to exciting stuff in Neah Bay, so Matt and I got to substitute for him today at Marymoor. It was a good day, a bit chilly early but warmed up. Lots of birds singing today and kept us on our toes. 63 species for the day. First of Year: Osprey Hermit Thrush Common Yellowthroat Brown-headed Cowbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow Nice sightings: Barn Owl Short-eared Owl Hairy Woodpecker pair – copulating Virginia Rail American Wigeon Ring-necked Duck Anna’s Hummingbird on nest Varied Thrush Brian H. Bell	One male and two female Brown-headed Cowbirds. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Breeding-plumaged male "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Hermit Thrush. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Glaucous-winged Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Adult and juvenile Mew Gulls. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Adult Mew Gull. Photo by Ollie Oliver
White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Common Yellowthroat. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Male Varied Thrush. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male American Robin. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Golden-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Red-breasted Sapsucker at extensive set of sap wells. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Singing Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	The crew at the Lake Platform. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Will photo drones like this one be part of birding in the future? Photo by Ollie Oliver	Very odd flight position for a Great Blue Heron, 2014-03-27. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for April 4, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

Overcast with mist turning to drizzle turning to rain, but very, very birdy today. There was a constant chorus from PINE SISKINS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and AMERICAN ROBINS, making counts of those species very difficult. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose FIVE with Cacklers Cackling Goose 150 near park entrance American Widgeon Pair seen from lake platform\| Great Blue Heron Adults sitting low on nests. Eggs? OSPREY One in NE corner of park Bald Eagle One in nest, another flying nearby Cooper’s Hawk One east of East Meadow KILLDEER Two adults, one chick Band-tailed Pigeon Quick flyover SHORT-EARED OWL One around 6:15, Dog Meadow Anna’s Hummingbird Female on nest at Rowing Club Rufous Hummingbird Males and females, more than 10 Red-breasted Sapsucker Two at Rowing Club Hairy Woodpecker One, south end of Dog Meadow Pileated Woodpecker Two just south of dog area Barn Swallow Two, with VGSW and TRES Common Yellowthroat They're back. Heard about 5, saw about 2 Lincoln’s Sparrow One, Pea Patch, first in 7 weeks White-crowned Sparrow Many pugetensis singing Purple Finch Singing all over, hard to count Red Crossbill Still a dozen+ around mansion LOTS of singing by most of our breeding species. AMERICAN ROBIN nest building, GREAT BLUE HERONS still toting sticks around, TREE SWALLOWS coming out of nest boxes, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE emerging from hole in snag, etc., etc., etc. We also watched RIVER OTTER copulation in the slough. For the day, 69 species. For the year, we added only COMMON YELLOWTHROAT today, and BARN SWALLOW as early as Tuesday, to bring the 2013 list to 98. == Michael Hobbs	Male Common Merganser at weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver Female Common Merganser at weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Copulating River Otters above the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver	River Otter above the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Red-winged Blackbird near the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Male Red-winged Blackbird had the audacity to land on the Purple Martin gourd structure. Photo by Michael Hobbs	The Red-winged Blackbird was quickly chased off by two Tree Swallows who did not appear amused. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Tree Swallow in East Meadow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male American Goldfinch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Adult Killdeer with one baby. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Baby Killdeer tucked under the wing of adult. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Wilson's Snipe flies out. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Osprey on softball field lights. Photo by Ollie Oliver
American Crows on newly mown soccer field. Photo by Ollie Oliver	One of five Greater White-fronted Geese with Cackling Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Red-breasted Sapsucker at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Anna's Hummingbird female on nest at Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Tree Swallows at nesting box in the East Meadow, 2013-04-03 Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	Quintessential scene: Savannah Sparrow singing in the East Meadow, 2013-04-03 Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Green-winged Teal pair, 2013-04-03 Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	Juvenile Cooper's Hawk illustrating the typical head extension in front of a straight leading edge to the wing, 2013-04-03. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz

Report for April 5, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

It rained in the pre-dawn, but cleared in time for some owling. Most of the morning we had little bits of drizzle, but mostly dry weather, if rather dark and overcast. We should have walked just a touch faster, because when we got to the Rowing Club, the skies just opened up and soaked us. Spring is getting here slowly, but just our species count shows that seasonal movements are underway. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose One with Cacklers Cackling Goose Flock of ~40, probably Taverner's subspecies Ring-necked Duck 1 female - first since February RED-NECKED GREBE 1 well out on lake (thanks, Ollie) TURKEY VULTURE 1 over mansion around 11:00 a.m. Osprey 2 at/near nest near velodrome Sharp-shinned Hawk Juvenile harassing Cooper's Hawk Cooper's Hawk A couple of sightings Merlin Falcon Flew south; ID by size, flight style Virginia Rail 2+ responded from boardwalk Red-breasted Sapsucker Many sightings Pileated Woodpecker 1 flew south SAY'S PHOEBE East Meadow, near shed area Savannah Sparrow Back in force, singing proudly If I count right, we had 70 species for the day. New species this week for our 2012 list were RED-NECKED GREBE, TURKEY VULTURE, OSPREY, to get us to 97. Alas - no Orange-crowned Warbler yet. == Michael Hobbs	Female Varied Thrush near the mansion. Photo by Ollie Oliver The Great Blue Herons are still actively building nests. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Josh Adams	Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Say's Phoebe in the East Meadow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
"Pugetensis" White-crowned Sparrow singing in the Pea Patch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Greater White-fronted Goose with "Taverner's" Cackling Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Turkey Vulture over the mansion. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Red-tailed Hawk on odd-snag nest. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Sharp-shinned (left) and Cooper's Hawks sharing a thermal. Photos by Josh Adams	Cooper's Hawk flips upside-down to fend off attacking Sharp-shinned Hawk
Rock Pigeon - possibly a display pose. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Bald Eagles at the new nest, 2012-04-04. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Osprey at the nest platform, 2012-04-04. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Osprey above the nest platform, 2012-04-04. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for April 7, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

It was cold and dark and rainy and flooded. It was often hard to find the birds, and often really hard to see them at all. There were a lot of species that were "heard-only" for a long time before we finally saw one, and a few things that were only seen by one or two people. But there was a LOT out there. Highlights: American Wigeon Two east of the East Meadow BARROW'S GOLDENEYE Female with all-dark bill at lake Common Loon Three at lake Green Heron One at Rowing Club American Kestrel TWO females Merlin 1 quick flyby Barn Owl 1 after 6 a.m., model airplane field SHORT-EARED OWL 1 after 6 a.m., model airplane field Hairy Woodpecker Near Rowing Club dock CLIFF SWALLOW 1 at lake, first of the year Barn Swallow 2-3 over East Meadow Pacific Wren Still at least 2 singing Varied Thrush 1 heard near mansion, 1 at Rowing Club The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was only our 8th record at Marymoor (and first since 2007), and could easily have gone unnoticed. Ryan Merrill spotted it amongst a tight group of Common Goldeneye females. The bill was all dark (unusual for either species at this time of year) but was clearly smaller than the bills of the Commons. And the head shape consistently had the steep forehead and "puffy" appearance of a Barrow's. While we've had COMMON LOON every month of the year except July-September, April seems to be the time we see them most consistently. November would be the other good month for them. Three birds, however, is noteworthy. Pacific Wren apparently don't breed at Marymoor, and tend to clear out by this time of year. We have only one sighting later than today in the spring period - April 9, 2003. They show up again in September. Today we had two singing at quite disparate parts of the park. Maybe with the cold spring, they'll hang around a while. We also had a large, pale, black wing-tipped gull that might have been a Herring Gull, but it was seen only distantly in flight. We did well with mammals too: Virginia Opossum 1 dead in the grass at airplane field American Beaver Matt heard tail slaps near windmill Muskrat 1 in slough Townsend's Mole 1 on mansion lawn - great looks River Otter At least 2 from the lake platform For the day, 70 species! Earlier in the week, at least 5 additional species were seen: Cooper's Hawk, Band-tailed Pigeon, Mountain Bluebird, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Brown-headed Cowbird. New for the year list this week were Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Loon, Osprey, American Kestrel, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Mountain Bluebird, and Brown-headed Cowbird, to bring the park year list to 99 species. A good week. == Michael Hobbs	Uncredited photos by Michael Hobbs Okay - a very distant shot. But this was one of three Common Loons Female Common Goldeneyes with a female Barrow's Goldeneye (far right) Partially leucistic Dark-eyed Junco with a pied pattern. Photo by Ryan Merrill
Red-breasted Sapsucker at Rowing Club. Photo by Ryan Merrill	Female American Kestrel. Photo by Lillian Reis
Pacific Wren in the afternoon. Photo by Lillian Reis	Pacific Wren in the afternoon. Photo by Lillian Reis
Townsend's Mole near the mansion	Note the stubby tail and huge front paws
Male Ring-necked Pheasant, 2011-04-02. Photo by Darrel DeNune	Female Bufflehead, 2011-04-08. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for April 3, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

I took advantage of a relatively nice morning, and headed down to Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co., WA) to try and find some spring birds. Water levels are unseasonably high - 5.26 feet at the gauge, or about 1.3 feet higher than average.

I'm still getting over the terrible cold that kept me in bed last Thursday - one of the very few times I've not shown up at my own bird survey because of sickness.   It was especially unpleasant to have missed last week's trip, since Thursday marked the 17th Anniversary of my weekly Marymoor surveys. So I was really feeling the need, this morning, to get over there.

As it was, I missed the best birds of the morning.   A photographer showed me his photos of a couple of the six MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS that were at the north end of the East Meadow. The bluebirds had moved on by the time I got over there. I had to make do with more mundane spring arrivals. Tim Kuhn's photos are to the right.

The OSPREY are back - two were perched near their nest near the velodrome. And I had a male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD.

Other highlights:

Wood Duck                Pair in slough
American Wigeon        About 8 in a seasonal puddle
Cooper's Hawk           One adult
Red-br. Sapsucker      2 near start of boardwalk
Hairy Woodpecker      1 near Dog Central
Pacific Wren                1 singing. They tend to leave in early Apr.
Townsend's Warbler     2 NE of the mansion
Savannah Sparrow        1 singing, N end of the East Meadow

At the park office feeders, there was a DOUGLAS SQUIRREL. This is only the
2nd time, in over 1000 visits to Marymoor, that I have seen Douglas
Squirrel!

In less than 3 hours this morning, I found 55 species of bird (not counting
the Mountain Bluebirds which I didn't see). Adding Osprey, Mountain
Bluebird, and Brown-headed Cowbird, the park year list stands at 94 species.

== Michael Hobbs

Report for April 8, 2010

From 6:30 until about 8:00, we were beset by gloomy overcast. We then had a 20-minute rain squall. After that, it slowly got sunny. It was breezy at times. It was never exactly warm, and it certainly wasn't spring-like, but I'd say we were really lucky with the weather. For the first two hours after I got home it was hailing, sometimes hard. Water levels are high as well, after all of our recent precipitation, though there wasn't water over the trail, just mud. For all of the stormy weather, it was fairly birdy too. Highlights: Osprey Two hanging around the nest Sharp-shinned Hawk I had one at the Rowing Club late MERLIN Streaked through right over our heads Hairy Woodpecker Saw a couple Northern Shrike One still in the East Meadow Northern Rough-winged Swallow About 2 at the lake Yellow-rumped Warbler LOTS The MERLIN gave us a great show, flying in from the west just south of the weir, and streaking over our heads as it crossed the Dog Meadow. It aimed a little smack against an American Crow as it went by (no contact, I don't believe). The NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were our only new arrivals for the year. We looked in vain for Cliff and Barn Swallows, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, migrant Lincoln's Sparrows, or Brown-headed Cowbird, all of which should be here soon. I spent some time afterwards observing the (click for photos) ANNA'S x RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD hybrid at the Rowing Club. Again, I did not hear it vocalize while perched. When I played the Anna's Hummingbird track on my iPod, the bird responded aggressively. During that time, it made the ticking call that Anna's make. There was also a possibly gynandromorphic Mallard at the Rowing Club. It had a female-type bill, but it's overall coloring was a washed-out version of a male Mallard. Salmonberry are blooming fully. Red Elderberry are really beginning to bloom, as are many species of tree. For the day, 62 species. == Michael	Bushtits were visiting this nest in a Weeping Willow at the Rowing Club Male Hairy Woodpecker behind the Rowing Club dock
Mallard on left has a washed out male plumage, and a female-type beak	This is possibly a case of gynandromorphism. The male to the right appears normal
Hugh Jennings' photo of the tulips at the windmill	Hugh Jennings' photo of the turtles at the Rowing Club pond

Report for April 7, 2009

Just before anyone panics, no it's not Thursday already. All of the posts about great birds from Montlake Fill almost got me headed there this morning before I "got real" about it and went to Marymoor instead. I did my usual walk - usual in all regards except that I was alone. Quite a change from the 12-17 people I've been having recently. I kept wishing for another pair of eyes and ears. The weather couldn't have been better - almost completely cloudless and no wind. Cool to start, but warming quickly. The verdict? Spring is Here! I had SEVEN new birds for the year list! Highlights: Cinnamon Teal Male in slough near lake Osprey One on nest platform Green Heron One near lake Greater Yellowlegs ? 3 high flying silent shorebirds Barn Swallow 2 flew over the Compost Piles American Pipit 1 flyby Orange-crowned Warbler 1 near weir, silent Common Yellowthroat 4-5 singing away (saw 1) Lincoln's Sparrow Only our second of the winter Brown-headed Cowbird One male calling in flight White-crowned Sparrow Still gambelii around, singing I'm almost 100% sure of the ID on the yellowlegs. Signs of breeding: Red-tailed Hawk, presumably on eggs, on odd-snag nest Barn Owl in nest box Red-breasted Sapsuckers drumming Downy Woodpecker drumming Anna's Hummingbird male displaying Rufous Hummingbird males displaying, female with nest material Tree Swallows visiting nest boxes Bushtits all paired up with one pair building nest American Robin with nest material For the day 57 species. The park year list is now up to 101. == Michael	Orange-crowned Warbler in a Red Alder near the weir Same Orange-crowned Warbler in a different Red Alder near the weir
Male "Audubon's" race Yellow-rumped Warbler in a Red Alder	Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Rowing Club
Common Yellowthroat failing to remain still for his photo	Caught him this time, in a Spirea
Male Cinnamon Teal in the slough near the start of the boardwalk	Barn Owl is presumably on eggs

Report for April 2, 2009

Blech - heavy rain interspersed with slightly less heavy rain. Temps in the low 40's. At least there wasn't much wind - the only saving grace, but that's a biggie. Only six more weeks of winter, thank god. Over a dozen of us trudged around Marymoor Ark this morning. There were birds to see, but overall the species total was fairly pathetic and my hands were cold. And you know what? It was great.

Highlights:

Wood Duck                                At least 5, lots of calling
Common Goldeneye                    At least a dozen
California Gull                              8-10, which is a lot for Marymoor
Barn Owl                                     Sharon saw it in the next box
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL     See the note below, and the photos way below
Rufous Hummingbird                    Several - nice looks
Northern Shrike                           At least 2, calling
Fox Sparrow                               20-25, some singing

The BARN OWL was *not* visible in the box shortly after 7:00, but Sharon stopped by again at about 11:00a.m. and was able to see it. I think this demonstrates that the adult can be in the box and not be visible. We also had one, barely visible, roosting near the windmill again.

FOX SPARROWS were all over the slough trail through the dog area. They were mixed in with SONG SPARROWS, SPOTTED TOWHEES, and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, but probably outnumbered those species combined.

Ollie spotted a NORTHERN SHRIKE in the Dog Meadow, and we spent quite a while making sure it wasn't a Loggerhead. At one point it was buzzed by a female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. Later, there were 2 shrike at the north end of the East Meadow. They flew off together to the northwest, and at least one of them was calling in flight.

Swallows were almost a no-show. Finally, Ollie spotted one west of the mansion. It turned out VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were flying very very low over the slough there. We found more at the Rowing Club pond, again flying very low over the water. We had no other swallows today.

The best moment of the morning, by far, though was just after we found those first swallows. Matt turned to me and said, "Wouldn't it be cool if we found a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL in one of these trees? Oh My God - there's one right there." There really was barely time between the first and second sentences for me to actually write them as two sentences. The owl was in just about the very first spot Matt looked, about 8 feet up a young fir. We had close but obscured views of the bird, which was a lifer for one or two people and was a first visible WESO for several more.

Besides the female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD buzzing the first shrike, we had two males south of the East Meadow, which posed for us nicely. Still no Salmonberry blooming, though we did find some Red-flowering Current in bloom.

We ended up the day with only 49 species, but my wife says the Screech-Owl ought to count for two. If you don't like that math, we also had a LONG-TAILED WEASEL with a mouth full of something furry, which ought to count for something...

== Michael

Female Mallard (left) and male Gadwall (right)

Strangely, the Gadwall shows a white neck ring. Possibly a sign of hybridization
with Mallard. Photos by Ollie Oliver

California Gull - photo by Ollie

Ollie's photo of a couple more of the California Gulls.

Ollie managed to get photos of the Western Screech Owl

And a bit of a back view. Photo by Ollie Oliver.

Report for April 3, 2008

What a nice day it was. There were 17 birders (if I managed to count right), and sunshine, and birds. It was below freezing to start, but the sun was out, and it wasn't windy, and it soon warmed up. Not a whole lot of new birds back, but there was plenty to see! Highlights: Osprey 1 back, seen at nest and over mansion Wilson's Snipe 2-4 below weir, 1 at Rowing Club Barn Owl 2? young in nest box Black-capped Chickadee Nest excavation underway at RC Brown Creeper Building nest south of mansion Northern Shrike Nice looks north of fields 7-8-9 American Robin Two nests found Yellow-rumped Warbler Several, both races Dark-eyed Junco Building nest near mansion Western Meadowlark One near Compost Piles A HAIRY WOODPECKER was seen on a short snag along the slough. While we were watching it, a NORTHERN FLICKER landed just above the Hairy. There were also at least 3 DOWNY WOODPECKERS in the immediate area, and maybe more. Later, we had a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER at the Rowing Club to make a 4 woodpecker day. There were two COOPER'S HAWKS circling over the Dog Meadow. One was flapping with extremely deep wingbeats (wings going almost straight down then almost straight up) in a moderate, deliberate rhythm that we had never seen with a Coop before. It was clearly straining to gain altitude quickly. The other was doing the more ordinary flap-flap-flap-glide, with relatively shallow wingbeats. Later, we saw a Coop with what appeared to be a freshly caught robin, east of the mansion. Perhaps because of our presence (though we were trying to be good), it ended up leaving the uneaten carcass on a branch and flying off. Presumably it returned later. Quite a few WOOD DUCKS, singing SAVANNAH SPARROWS, nest exchanges for the RED-TAILED HAWKS atop the odd-snag nest - lots of fun stuff. Afterwards, I did a quick walk through the main loop solo, to see if we'd missed anything the first time through. Things were MUCH quieter at 1:30 than at 7:00. The only things added on the bonus loop were seeing a BALD EAGLE at the new (west) nest, a lone COMMON LOON very far out on the lake, and a pair of NORTHERN FLICKERS caught in flagrante delicto. For the day, 65 species. With the week's additions of Osprey, Common Loon, and California Quail (reported by Martyn Stewart a couple of days ago), I believe our 2008 list is up to 89. == Michael	Composite photo of the Northern Shrike north of fields 7-8-9 Female and male Common Mergansers just above the weir
Golden-crowned Sparrow	Canada Goose photo by Ollie Oliver
Hairy Woodpecker	Ollie Oliver's photo of the Hairy
Crescent moon at 6:40 a.m.	Brown Creeper emerging from nest site in crack. Note the twigs stuffed below the bird.

Report for April 05, 2007

14 of us had a great day under clearing skies at Marymoor this morning. It was very birdy, with a couple of surprises, some interesting behaviors, and some new arrivals.

Highlights (FOS=First sighting of Spring):

Osprey                                 Copulating - FOS
Bald Eagle                            Adult seen leaving new nest
Red-breasted Sapsucker       Great looks south of mansion
Northern Shrike                    East Meadow - latest spring date ever.
Varied Thrush                     Heard singing west of the park. Getting late.
American Pipit                    5 on grass fields 7-8-9
Yellow-rumped Warbler   Many nice singing males
Common Yellowthroat      Heard in East Meadow - FOS
Brown-headed Cowbird       FOS

Two male BELTED KINGFISHERS chased each other around grandly and noisily. At one point they landed on some snags along the river and started displaying by spreading their wings. A female came by causing even more commotion.

The OSPREY are back, seen flying high overhead and calling, seen near the nest, and seen copulating on a light pole near the nest.

We had fun watching BROWN CREEPERS in the big cottonwood forest, and listening to an abundance of singing SAVANNAH SPARROWS just about everywhere.

The BALD EAGLE nest may be deep enough that an adult can be hidden completely inside it. We looked and looked, trying to catch a glimpse of activity at the nest, without success. When we got to the lake, a single adult was on the usual tree on the west bank. As we looped back, several people saw an adult eagle *leave* the nest and fly north. So I think it's possible that one eagle was on the nest almost the whole time, with the other one hanging at the lake.

After the Rowing Club stop, I went to the cabana to scan the north end of the lake, as we were grebeless for the day. I was hoping for Pied-billed, but what I found were 4-5 HORNED GREBE in (or approaching) breeding plumage. I did see some Pied-billeds too, but they were too far away to count for the Marymoor list.

For the day, 62 species. 3 new for the year (OSPR, COYE, BHCO), to bring the year total to an even 100.

= Michael

Displaying male Belted Kingfisher