|
Bird Sightings Week 15
April 9-15* |
|
Rarities for Week 15:
Surf Scoter |
12-Apr-00 |
Mike West. On lake, seen from dock. |
Sora |
10-Apr-02 |
At the west end of the big pond at the Rowing Club |
...Sora |
11-Apr-02 |
Two birds about 100 yards the weir |
Sandhill Crane |
11-Apr-10 |
Two over Rowing Club - Charlie/Ryan/Evan
one 'Greater' one 'Lesser' - photo by Ryan Merrill |
Bonaparte's Gull |
13-Apr-12 |
Reported by Evan Houston - on lake |
Burrowing Owl |
10-Apr-08 |
We accidentally flushed it from the edge of Fields 7-8-9. Ended
up perching in Aspens and a larch, 25 feet up! |
Barred Owl |
09-Apr-09 |
Rowing Club - in big weeping willow |
...Anna's Hummingbird x
Rufous Hummingbird hybrid |
15-Apr-10 |
First reported 30-Mar |
Red-naped Sapsucker |
13-Apr-08 |
Reported by Brien Meilleur |
|
|
Loggerhead Shrike |
11-Apr-10 |
|
Loggerhead Shrike |
10-Apr-17 |
|
...Loggerhead Shrike |
14-Apr-17 |
Two birds reported on 11th-12th |
Townsend's Solitaire |
09-Apr-11 |
Reported by April Wilkinson |
Townsend's Solitaire |
08-Apr-16 |
Photographs by Shibata Kazuto |
Sage Thrasher |
12-Apr-12 |
Compost Piles |
Bohemian Waxwing |
10-Apr-12 |
One bird with a large flock of Cedar Waxwings.
Observed 28-Feb through 10-Apr |
American Tree Sparrow |
12-Apr-07 |
Compost Piles |
Brewer's Sparrow |
12-Apr-12 |
Community Gardens |
Brewer's Sparrow |
11-Apr-18 |
Photographs by Gloria Conrad |
...Brewer's Sparrow |
12-Apr-18 |
East Meadow |
|
Report for April 12, 2018
Birding at Marymoor
We had about 5 hours without rain, from around 5:15-10:15 a.m.,
and we managed to fit most of a complete Marymoor visit within
that period. Matt got rained on when he first got to the park
hours before dawn, and we got chased out by rain by 11:00 a.m.
It was not terribly birdy, being dark and a bit breezy, and the
winter birds are thinning out. But this time of year, even a
not-terribly-birdy day has a lot to see, and there are plenty of
species that might be found. We found some.
Highlights:
- Cackling Goose – a few distant flocks at sunrise
to show they haven’t all moved on
- Wood Duck – had a flock of about 10, which is
pretty high for Marymoor
- Band-tailed Pigeon – first time we’ve had them on
a survey this year
- Eurasian Collared-Dove – 1 at the south edge of
the East Meadow. First for 2018
- Anna’s Hummingbird – two nests, one with at least
1 baby
- TURKEY VULTURE – one yesterday, a distant one
today – First of 2018
- Osprey – pair at nest, so both are back now
- Western Screech-Owl – Matt and I had brief views
pre-dawn
- Merlin – Sharon saw one
- SAY’S PHOEBE – two in East Meadow, one in Pea
Patch both yesterday and today
- Barn Swallow – one yesterday, at least 3 today –
First of 2018
- Hermit Thrush – one near start of boardwalk,
maybe one more
- AMERICAN PIPIT – five on grass soccer fields,
gravel parking lot – First of 2018
- BREWER’S SPARROW – one in East Meadow. This is
the 6 or 7th sighting ever for Marymoor. First of 2018.
Turns out the bird was present on April 11th as well, and
Gloria Conrad got photos (see below).
It was a great day for mammal sightings as well:
- Eastern Gray Squirrel – of course
- American Beaver – three seen swimming to the
lodge, their broad heads like wedges on the surface
- Muskrat – one in the slough
- Eastern Cottontail – pretty much of course
- MINK – one working the far shore from the Lake
Platform gave us long looks. First confirmed sighting since
June, 2015
So not a bad day... 68 species, and adding Eurasian
Collared-Dove, Turkey Vulture, Barn Swallow, American Pipit, and
Brewer’s Sparrow, we’re up to 108 species for 2018.
== Michael Hobbs |

Canada Geese. Photo by
Hugh Jennings

Juvenile Bald Eagle. Photo by
Hugh Jennings |

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by
Hugh Jennings |

Anna's Hummingbird on nest. Photo by
Hugh Jennings |

Female Downy Woodpecker excavating a nest hole. Photo by
Hugh Jennings |

Savannah Sparrow. Photo by
Hugh Jennings |

Brewer's Sparrow, 2018-04-11. Photo by Gloria Conrad |

Brewer's Sparrow, 2018-04-11. Photo by Gloria Conrad |
Report for April 13, 2017
Birding at Marymoor
We had a fine morning at Marymoor today. There was a bit of sun,
especially early, quite a bit of overcast, but just a touch of
mizzle at about 8:30. Really not too bad, and while not warm, it
wasn’t too chilly either. It was fairly birdy. Our big group
found a lot of birds.
Highlights:
- Common Loon – one well out on lake
- Western Grebe – about 3 well out on lake
- Great Blue Heron – heard the "grum grum grum" of baby(s)
in nest
- Western Screech-Owl – Matt heard and saw one very early
- Great Horned Owl – Matt heard 2 near mansion very, very
early
- Four woodpecker day – Missing Hairy
- LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE – continues, East Meadow
- Violet-green Swallow – several hundred, with some Tree,
Cliff, and a couple of Barn
- HERMIT THRUSH – one seen poorly, Big Cottonwood Forest;
one seen well, Rowing Club.
- American Pipit – one in East Meadow that flew to the Dog
Meadow
- Orange-crowned Warbler – finally, but only one,
heard-only, south of Dog Meadow
- Yellow-rumped Warbler – Mostly “Audubon’s”, numerous,
mostly males
- Lincoln’s Sparrow – several; migration pulse
Hermit Thrush and Orange-crowned Warbler were new for 2017.
For the day, 68 species, with a good number of additional
species seen earlier in the week.
== Michael Hobbs |

Western Screech-Owl. Photo by Matt Bartels

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings |

Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Hugh Jennings |

Fungus. Photo by Hugh Jennings |

Loggerhead Shrike. Photo by Hugh Jennings |

Loggerhead Shrike. Photo by Joanne Iskierka |

Loggerhead Shrike, 2017-04-11. Photos by Bob Asanoma |

Loggerhead Shrike eating a beetle, 2017-04-11. Photos by Bob
Asanoma |
Report for April 14, 2016
Birding at Marymoor
We had a pretty good day at Marymoor today, with the skies
FILLED with swallows. The rest of the birds were a little thin,
though, with only a few nice surprises. But even with a little
chill to the air, and a dearth of sunshine, it is spring and
it’s well worth being out there.
Highlights:
Canada Goose
Nesting on an island below the weir?
American Wigeon
Still a pair hanging below the weir
Hooded Merganser
Back after a three-week absence
Pied-billed Grebe
Only one, down from dozens
Band-tailed Pigeon
THREE flybys of single birds
VAUX’S SWIFT
One over boardwalk; First of Year, earliest ever
Red-breasted Sapsucker Excavating
nesting hole?
PEREGRINE FALCON Cruised over Rowing
Club
Purple Martin
Male sat atop gourds, mobbed by Tree Swallows
Tree Swallows
Hundreds
Violet-green Swallows
Dozens
N. Rough-winged Swallow At least 1 from Lake Platform,
First of Year
Cliff Swallow
2-3 from Lake Platform, FOY
Barn Swallow
1-2 from Lake Platform to make 6 swallow species
Orange-crowned Warbler A few heard, 1-2 seen
NASHVILLE WARBLER Ollie photographed one - FOY, early
Yellow-rumped Warbler Many male
Audubon’s, 1-2 Myrtle’s
Pine Siskin
Heard near mansion, only 2nd of 2016
American Goldfinch
2-3 seen and heard, First of Year, amazingly enough
There was also a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE photographed at
Marymoor yesterday, and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER April 8th, as well
as an AMERICAN KESTREL photographed April 4th.
The SPOTTED SANPIPER was a VERY early sighting. Grace &
Ollie found it on the NE corner of the lakeshore on April
8th. That's a whopping THREE FULL WEEKS earlier than the
previous early record of 2015-05-01 !!!
The VAUX'S SWIFT was 2 days earlier than the previous
earliest, 2014-04-17.
The NASHVILLE WARBLER photographed by Ollie today is 4 days
earlier than the previous early record, 2015-04-19.
For the day, 65 species, with at 5 new for 2016 (Vaux’s
Swift, N. Rough-winged & Cliff Swallows, Nashville Warbler, and
American Goldfinch). Adding in the Spotted Sandpiper,
American Kestrel, and Townsend's Solitaire, the park year list
stands at 107, I believe.
== Michael Hobbs |

Canada Goose apparently sitting on a nest on an island below the
weir.
Photo by Ollie Oliver

Great Blue Heron. Photo by Bob Asanoma
|

Not Fu Manchu, despite the moustache. Female Dark-eyed Junco
gathering dog hair as nesting material. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Golden-crowned Sparrow in breeding plumage. Photo by Bob
Asanoma |

Nashville Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

...Note the white near the legs. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male Spotted Towhee. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Osprey with nesting material?. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red-breasted Sapsucker at possible nest hole. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red-breasted Sapsucker at possible nest hole. Photo by Bob
Asanoma |

Male Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Peregrine Falcon (right) and juvenile Red-tailed Hawk over the
Rowing Club.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Townsend's Solitaire, 2016-04-13. Photo by Shibata Kazuto |

Townsend's Solitaire, 2016-04-13. Photo by Shibata Kazuto |

Townsend's Solitaire, 2016-04-13. Photo by Shibata Kazuto |

Bushtit, 2016-04-08. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Bewick's Wren, 2016-04-08. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Spotted Sandpiper, 2016-04-08. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Female Rufous Hummingbird, 2016-04-08. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

American Kestrel, 2016-04-03. Photo by Shibata Kazuto |
Report for April 9, 2015
Birding at Marymoor
The weather was fabulous, if a bit chill to start (38 degrees,
though it quickly warmed). Gorgeous pre-dawn, sunny skies later,
not too much breeze. Unfortunately, the birding was rather
quiet. Once you filtered out the incessant American Robin song,
and ignored the ever-present Yellow-rumped Warblers and
Dark-eyed Juncos, and once you were able to get beyond the
Common Yellowthroat males who needed you to hear them, it
was a rather mellow morning.
Highlights:
Mallard
First ducklings (3 clutches) of the year
Green-winged Teal
Remain numerous below the weir
GREEN HERON
Across the slough from Lake Platform – FOY
Barn Owl
Babies again heard inside windmill
Anna’s Hummingbird
Appear to have fledged from nest
Red-breasted Sapsucker Many, esp. near start of boardwalk
Merlin
Glimpse of a bird flying past mansion
Bushtit
Nestbuilding underway
Pacific Wren
One still singing, E of boardwalk
HERMIT THRUSH
East edge of Dog Meadow
Fox Sparrow
One – will be leaving soon
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 to several males (hard to
count) - First of Year
Red Crossbill
A few around mansion
Misses today included Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet(!),
Orange-crowned Warbler, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.
For the day, 60 species. For the year, adding GREEN HERON and
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, we’re up to 97 species.
== Michael Hobbs |

Male
Green-winged Teal.
Photo by Hugh Jennings
Bushtit nest under construction near the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Wilson's Snipe. Photo by Bob Asanoma |

Year's first Green Heron, across slough from the lake platform.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male Common Yellowthroat singing. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red Crossbills near the mansion.
Photo by Lillian Reis |

Female Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Lillian Reis |

Osprey. Photo by Lillian Reis |

Which sparrow is this? |

...Two Savannah Sparrow photos by Bob
Asanoma |

Painted Turtles and Red-eared Sliders. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

The world is safe. The birders are
in containment. Photo by Bob Asanoma |

Osprey, 2014-04-08. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

Osprey, 2014-04-08. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |
Report for April 10,
2014
Birding at Marymoor
Well, Marymoor is no Nisqually, but we did try our best to match
the dazzling numbers from their walk yesterday. Alas, we managed
“only” something like 23 or 24 people, instead of their 60. And
we missed their species total by four, but still...
It was a gorgeous, slightly nippy, spring morning on what
has, historically, been one of the best weeks of the year. The
day lived up to its billing.
Highlights:
CINNAMON TEAL
Male at weir – First of Spring (FOS)
Green-winged Teal
Pair, with Cinnamon Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Pair in slough near windmill
Common Goldeneye
Down to just a single female
Northern Harrier
High flyover – FOS
GREATER YELLOWLEGS One again in great muddy puddle, Lot B
Band-tailed Pigeon
A few glimpses
BARN OWL
Matt had 3, predawn, incl. 2 near windmill
Merlin
Sharon saw one at about 6:30 am
Barn Swallow
One over lake
Bushtit
Several pairs, first nest building
Hermit Thrush
One in riparian area east of slough
American Robin
Two occupied nests found
AMERICAN PIPIT
One flew off from fields 7-8-9 – FOS
Orange-crowned Warbler Two seen
Common Yellowthroat
Heard lots, saw 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dozens, with loads of singing
Townsend’s Warbler
Two, not together, near mansion
CHIPPING SPARROW At least 1 still
near Viewing Mound
Lincoln’s Sparrow
One, part of the spring migratory pulse
Misses for the day included Wood Duck and Fox Sparrow. We
didn’t really miss anything else of the expected species.
For the day, we managed 69 species (which includes “black
wing-tipped gull” and “accipiter sp.”)
Later, Grace & Ollie and Lillian went back and found FOX
SPARROW, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK,
so over 70 species for the day. We're up to 104 species
for the year.
== Michael Hobbs |

Male Cinnamon Teal, with male Green-winged Teal and female Common
Merganser, across the river at the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver 
Male Cinnamon Teal. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male Cinnamon Teal with Green-winged Teal. Photo by Lillian
Reis |

High-flying Northern Harrier. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

American Robin on the nest, plastered against a tree. Photo by
Lillian Reis |

Who is that? |

Ahh - Northern Flicker excavating a hole.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Brown Creeper with nest material. Photo by Lillian Reis |

Orange-crowned Warbler.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Lincoln's Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male House Finch.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male Common Yellowthroat.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Chipping Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Photo by Lillian Reis |

Milbert's Tortoiseshell.
Photo by Lillian Reis |

Chipping Sparrow, 2014-04-09.
Photo by Lillian Reis |

Chipping Sparrow, 2014-04-09.
Photo by Lillian Reis |

Greater Yellowlegs, 2014-04-07. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Greater Yellowlegs, 2014-04-07. Photo by Ollie OliverPhoto by Ollie Oliver |

Ospreys on the nest, 2014-04-05.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Ospreys copulating on the nest, 2014-04-05.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Report for April 11, 2013
Birding at Marymoor
It never really got bright this morning, with thick
overcast, drizzle, rain. There were times when it was breezy to
boot. Generally unpleasant, and not terribly birdy most of the time.
But just when the weather was at its worst, we started to find good
stuff at the Compost Piles and model airplane field, and by the time
we got over to the Rowing Club, it was just misting gently.
Highlights:
Osprey
One was near the nest all morning
Sharp-shinned Hawk
One at Rowing Club
Killdeer
Baby noticeably larger than last week
Band-tailed Pigeon
Once again, spotted two flying over
Red-breasted Sapsucker
One came in next to us near Art Barn
Hairy Woodpecker
One near windmill
AMERICAN KESTREL
Male WAY OUT at model airplane field
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2+
at lake, with many VGSWs
Bushtit
Found a nearly-complete nest
Pacific Wren
One singing, south end of Dog Area
Varied Thrush
One heard at Rowing Club
AMERICAN PIPIT
Three at Compost Piles
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER Heard a couple singing, never saw
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Grace saw one at Rowing Club
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW White-stripe bird singing
at Rowing Club
WESTERN MEADOWLARK
Model airplane field
Red Crossbill
Pair seen SW of mansion
The AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW,
and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were new for the year.
We’ve only had WHITE-THROATED SPARROW later than
this twice before; our later records are 18-Apr-96 and 05-May-94.
This was our 20th straight week seeing RED
CROSSBILL, a species seen only 3 times before August, 2011. Since
then, we've had thirty-three sightings.
So, 66 species for the morning, and adding three,
our year list is at 101 for 2013.
== Michael Hobbs |

Bushtit nest east of heronry. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male American Kestrel in the rain at the model airplane field. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Western Meadowlark at model airplane field. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male Red-breasted Sapsucker northeast of
mansion.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Common Merganser pair in slough near windmill. Photo by Ollie
Oliver |

"White-stripe" White-throated Sparrow at
Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

"White-stripe" White-throated Sparrow at Rowing Club. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

Male Spotted Towhee. Photo
by Ollie Oliver |

Steller's Jay, 2013-04-10. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Pied-billed Grebe, 2013-04-10. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male Green-winged Teal, 2013-04-10. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red-eared Sliders and a female Bufflehead, 2013-04-10. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Adult Bald Eagle with prey - maybe a coot or small duck, 2013-04-09.
Photo by Lillian Reis |
Report for April 12, 2012
Birding at Marymoor
What a great week at Marymoor! This morning was
gorgeous and sunny, with a bit of ground fog early, but clearing
to a sunny, WARM day. The rain held off until after we all got
home. It was fairly birdy, and we had some great surprises!
Highlights:
Wood Duck
Several nice looks
Pileated Woodpecker
Near windmill - great look
SAGE THRASHER
1 at Compost Piles
American Pipit
25+ on the parking field in the NE
Orange-crowned Warbler Only 1 - quite yellow (lutescens?)
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15+,
mostly Myrtle's, singing
BREWER'S SPARROW 1 at Pea Patch
Lincoln's Sparrow
At least 2
White-crowned Sparrow Heard 1
gambelii, rest were pugetensis
Western Meadowlark
4+ in East Meadow
Evening Grosbeak
Flock of ~6 flew west over Dog Meadow
This was the 3rd record for SAGE THRASHER at Marymoor, the other
two times being 17-Apr-2002 and 03-May-2007. This was also the
3rd record for BREWER'S SPARROW at Marymoor, the other two times
being 30-Apr-2000 and 09-Jun-2011. Both of these birds are
very unusual to find in King County.
There were very few ducks and geese - maybe 30 birds total,
comprising 7 species. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, were
especially numerous, with probably 8 or more of each of ANNA'S
and RUFOUS.
New for the year today were SAGE THRASHER,
AMERICAN PIPIT, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and BREWER'S SPARROW.
Adding in the GREEN HERON, AMERICAN KESTREL, CASPIAN TERN, and
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT from Tuesday, that's 8 new species for the
week, bringing the year list to 104.
For the day, 65 species. We've had 84 species so far this April.
== Michael Hobbs |

Pileated Woodpecker near the windmill.
Photo by Ollie Oliver

Orange-crowned Warbler. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

Male Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie
Oliver |

Great Blue Heron nests - there are about 10 now. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

Female Common Yellowthroat.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

American Coot. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Killdeer on eggs. Photo by Hugh
Jennings |

Sage Thrasher. Photo by Hugh Jennings |

Sage Thrasher.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Red-tailed Hawk. Photo by Lillian Reis |

American Pipit. Photo by Ollie
Oliver |

American Pipit. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

American Crow diving on a Sharp-shinned
Hawk.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Two Painted Turtles flanking a Red-eared Slider. Photo by Hugh
Jennings |

Long-tailed Weasel.
Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Long-tailed Weasel with Black Rat prey. Photo by Ollie
Oliver |

Grooming behavior of nesting Great Blue
Herons, 2012-04-10.
Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz |

First Garter Snake of the spring, 2012-04-10. Photo by Dasha
Gudalewicz |
Report for April 10, 2012
Birding at Marymoor
I know it's not Thursday, but it's Spring, and I
reserve the right to make extra visits to Marymoor. I didn't get
down there today until about 7:45, and I left at 11:00 because
I'd neglected to make lunch. There was high overcast, but the
temps were mostly in the 50's, with no wind and no rain. And
there were birds!
Highlights:
GREEN HERON
Lake platform - First Of Spring
AMERICAN KESTREL Female at
model airplane field - FOS
CASPIAN TERN
1 flew north over the slough - FOS
Rufous Hummingbird
Maybe 6 males - more than Anna's
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Great looks, maybe 4 birds
Bushtit
Scattered pairs all over, 1 nest noted
Pacific Wren
1 singing at east end of boardwalk
Varied Thrush
1 singing in Snag Row
BOHEMIAN WAXWING Once more, in with Cedars, East
Meadow
Common Yellowthroat
2 seen, more heard singing - FOS
Yellow.-rumped Warbler Many,
both Audubon's and Myrtle's
Savannah Sparrow
Huge numbers - 60+ noted
Lincoln's Sparrow
One in East Meadow
Western Meadowlark
One north of fields 7-8-9
Geese and ducks getting much less numerous, with fewer species.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and FOX SPARROW numbers down significantly,
and neither was heard singing.
For the day, on which I skipped the Rowing Club entirely, 62
species.
== Michael Hobbs |

Bewick's Wren, 2012-04-09. Photo by Dave Templeton

Male Spotted Towhee, 2012-04-09. Photo by Dave Templeton |
Report for April 14, 2011
Birding at Marymoor
The weather wasn't exactly the nice spring day that
we'd all hoped for. It rained hard, especially before 7:00. But
after that, we really didn't have any precipitation. The wind died
down frequently, and there were a few moments of sun, so really not
bad at all. It was birdy, too, though the birds could have been
more cooperative. Several heard-only or seen-poorly or
seen-only-by-a-few on the list.
Highlights:
Common Loon
One on lake
Bald Eagle
At least 5 birds, many sightings
Northern Harrier
Sharp-looking male flew high to the NE
Sharp-shinned Hawk
One flying lazy circles over Dog Meadow
MERLIN
Sharon saw one around 7:00
Virginia Rail
Heard east of East Meadow
Barn Owl
Matt & Brian, early, model airplane field
Great Horned Owl
Matt had one early - first since Feb.
4 woodpecker day
Missed Pileated. Pretty R.-breasted Sapsuckers
SAY'S PHOEBE
NE corner of East Meadow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2+ seen
Pacific Wren
Still 3 singing
Townsend's Warbler
2+, NE of mansion
C. Yellowthroat
Many back, singing, not being seen
Lincoln's Sparrow
1 along west edge of Dog Meadow
BUSHTITS were seen building 2 or 3 nests; there's another completed
nest at the Rowing Club. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were excavating
two nests. One is on the underside of a branch on a Big-leafed
Maple NE of the mansion. The other is on the end of the upraised
vane of the windmill. Odd locations both.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (both races) and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were
everywhere and abundant.
A juvenile BALD EAGLE flew too close to the odd-snag nest. The
adult RED-TAILED HAWK came down off the nest in hot pursuit. We
wondered if the Red-tail would be as eager to chase and attack an
adult eagle...
I noted 21 species of bird singing. Additionally,
we had drumming Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Downy Woodpecker,
winnowing Wilson's Snipe, and a display flight from Pine Siskin.
New for the year were NORTHERN HARRIER, SAY'S PHOEBE, NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, to bring the 2011
total to 103 species.
For the day, 69 species.
== Michael Hobbs |
Uncredited photos by Michael
Hobbs

Male Wood Duck in slough
Female Common Goldeneye. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Male "Myrtle's" Yellow-rumped Warbler |

Wilson's Snipe at the East Meadow. Photo by Lillian Reis |

Male Rufous Hummingbird at a Salmonberry blossom. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

Distant shot of the Say's Phoebe at the East Meadow. Photo by
Lillian Reis |

Juvenile Bald Eagle. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Chestnut-backed Chickadee excavating a nest hole. Photo by Lillian Reis |

Margaret, in the penalty box :) |

Chestnut-backed Chickadee excavating a nest hole. Photo by
Ollie Oliver |

Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Olier |

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Intergrade male Yellow-rumped Warbler, showing attributes of both
"Audubon's" and "Myrtle's" races, 2011-04-07. Photo by Ryan
Merrill |

American Crow chasing American Kestrel, 2011-04-08.
Photo by Lillian Reis |

Dueling or flirting Tree Swallows, 2011-04-09. Photo by
Lillian Reis |

Garter Snakes emerging for the spring, 2011-04-09. Photo by
Marc Hoffman |
Report for April 15, 2010
We had a really nice morning (especially the first part)
to close out a great week at Marymoor. It was a gorgeous morning until
around 7:30 or 8:00, when it clouded over. The breeze really came up
once we got to the East Meadow. But the weather never got bad.
Highlights:
Common Goldeneye Down to 1 female
remaining
Bald Eagle Usually high numbers - maybe
8+
Northern Harrier 2 sightings
Merlin 2 sightings
Orange-crowned Warbler Not many, just 1 or 2
Lincoln's Sparrow Just our 3rd for 2010
Brown-headed Cowbird ~6, FOY
Evening Grosbeak Maybe the same 6 from Sunday???
Lots of species were building nests or at least gathering nest
materials, including AMERICAN CROW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, BUSHTIT,
AMERICAN ROBIN, and PINE SISKIN.
For mammals, we had Black-tailed Deer, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Eastern
Cottontail, and I saw one of the Beavers at the Rowing Club early.
Non-mammals: one of the garter snake species, Red-eared Slider and
Painted Turtles, Bullfrog, and Pacific Chorus Frog (yesterday).
For the day, 61 species. For the week, 77 SPECIES. For the year, 97
species.
== Michael |

A great start to the morning
|

Hairy Woodpecker male just east of the weir |

Male 'Audubon's' Yellow-rumped Warbler |

Drake Wood Duck from the lake platform |

Marsh Wren gathering fluff. Photo by
Lillian Reis |

Tree Swallow in the box, Savannah Sparrow on
the box |

Northern Harrier. Photo by Lillian
Reis |

Lillian's nice portrait of an apple blossom |

It's a guy. No - it's a girl (look at
the bill). The odd Mallard at the Rowing Club |

Bushtit padding the nest. Photo by
Lillian Reis at the Rowing Club |

Possible nest location for Black-capped
Chickadee. Photo by Lillian Reis at the RC |
Report for April 14, 2010
Been a busy week at Marymoor, so I'm putting up a blog
posting in advance of tomorrow's regular survey. Spring
brings a bunch of new birds that we haven't seen all winter.
Occasionally, it brings something that hasn't been seen at the park at
all. The new park bird was SANDHILL CRANES.
There were two reports, actually. First, I received a belated
report that Jan McGruder had seen two on the grass soccer fields on
Saturday, April 3. Before I'd even had a chance to digest that
report, I heard that Charlie Wright, Ryan Merrill, and Evan Houston had
two fly over the Rowing Club on April 11. Ryan got a couple of
photos of those. Other new birds for the year found by
Charlie, Ryan, and Evan: Northern Harrier
Barn Swallow
Orange-crowned Warbler
Evening Grosbeak (fly-over) I've also seen a couple of
new birds for the year: 4/11: American Pipit - flock of
25 near model airplane field
4/12: California Quail - heard calling at the Rowing Club
Other good birds seen: 4/10: Sharp-shinned Hawk and
Merlin - Charlie et. al. at the Rowing Club
4/11: Northern Shoveler - small flock flyby
4/11: Western Meadowlark - at the model airplane field
4/12: Cooper's Hawk
4/12: Townsend's Warbler
== Michael |

Based on size disparity, these appear to be
a 'Lesser' and a 'Greater' Sandhill Crane

Two quick shots by Ryan Merrill documented this rare species for King
County |

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE looking fine... |

...East Meadow, 2010-04-11 |

Fox Sparrow, 2010-04-09. Photo by
Lillian Reis |

Pine Siskin 2010-04-13 |

Savannah Sparrow, 2010-04-13 |

Orange-crowned Warbler, 2010-04-14 |

Wait, is that a Golden Eagle???? |

Crap, no. It's a model airplane!
!@#@$% |
Report for April 11, 2009
Report for April 9, 2009
What a great day at Marymoor. We had overcast,
but just a bit of very fine mist early on, and then no further
precipitation, despite the forecast of rain. Mostly no wind either, and
it wasn't so cold. Much better weather than I feared. The birding was
sort of slow at first, but it picked up - Boy, did it. People came and
went from the group throughout the day. I think there were at least 18
people that birded at least a little with us, though we were mostly
about a dozen at any one time.
Highlights:
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, between the east end of the
boardwalk and the East Meadow. Very gray, small bill, clear wing bars,
short-appearing tail, silent. This is a new bird for the park list!
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, 4 females, 1 male, at the south end
of the East Meadow
BARRED OWL, in the big Weeping Willow, along the Rowing
Club path
Wood Duck
Several, with a pair near a nest box
California Quail Two south of
the windmill
Western Gull Our only
gull. On the grass soccer fields
Barn Owl Three,
including one in the box
Western Screech-Owl Scott heard 1 early to the west
Rufous Hummingbird Many,
especially lots of females
Red-breasted Sapsucker Several great sightings, drumming
Hairy Woodpecker Pair flew east s.
of East Meadow
Hermit Thrush One near the
flycatcher
Orange-crowned Warbler 2-3, all very yellow
Townsend's Warbler Great views south
of mansion
Common Yellowthroat Many singing
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 at Compost Piles
White-crowned Sparrow Both pugetensis and gambelii
For the day, 64 species. For the year, I think this
puts us at 105.
== Michael |

Red-breasted Sapsucker in the Big Cottonwood
Forest

Pied-billed Grebe entangled in green nylon
mesh |

Ollie Oliver witnessed one of our resident
Bald Eagles
hoping to catch the ensnared Pied-billed Grebe |

The eagle, maneuvering for attack |

The eagle watches as the grebe hides in the
weeds, safe from attack for now |

Ollie's photo of Common Goldeneyes at the
lake |

Steller's Jay gathering nest material just
east of the boardwalk |

Steller's Jay gathering nest material just
east of the boardwalk |

Hermit Thrush, with red tail contrasting
with brown back. Photo by Ollie Oliver |

Ollie got the closest thing to a photo of
the Hammond's Flycatcher |

One of four female Mountain Bluebirds at the
south end of the East Meadow |

The male Mountain Bluebird at the south end
of the East Meadow |

Gambelii subspecies White-crowned
Sparrow at the Compost Piles |

Bushtit building a nest in a cherry behind
the park office. Photo by Ollie |

Salmonberry in bloom |

Barn Owl roosting near windmill |

Townsend's Warbler in a cherry south of the
mansion |

Barred Owl in the large Weeping Willow along
the path at the Rowing Club |

Ollie's photo of the Barred Owl |

Dave Templeton's photo |
Report for April 14, 2008
Tried the Rowing Club (Marymoor West), looking for the
Red-naped Sapsucker and Black-throated Gray Warbler found on 4/13.
Didn't find either of those, but did have Northern Rough-winged Swallows
an a great look at the Beaver. = Michael |

Northern Rough-winged Swallows on a branch
sticking out of the pond at the RC. |

Beaver in main Rowing Club pond. |

The Beaver gave two tail slaps and swam around before diving and
disappearing. |
Report for April 11, 2008
This morning around 10:00 a.m., Kraig Kemper found a
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE at Marymoor Park. I raced down and saw it, and
several other people came down and were able to find the bird. It was
last seen in the early afternoon near the velodrome (next to the
restroom building), but it was originally found in a tree along the road
a bit west of there.
I also had a SAY'S PHOEBE, last seen at 12:45 p.m. in
the blackberries between the Compost Piles and the East Meadow.
Nobody has seen the Burrowing Owl today to my knowledge.
== Michael |

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Note the white
underside of the tail, and the neck collar. |

Say's Phobe near Compost Piles. Later
seen in Snag Row near the Pea Patch |

Red-breasted Sapsucker |
Report for April 10, 2008
There were fourteen of us, not counting the extras who
responded to the calls and emails about the Burrowing Owl (see below).
The weather could have been more spring-like - still cold, quite blowy,
but not rainy. We're still stuck in winter mode; only a couple of new
birds for the year, and still some late lingerering winterers.
Highlights:
Cooper's Hawk Quite probably nesting
near mansion
Wilson's Snipe Good looks below the weir
Virginia Rail One visible in response to tape
Barn Owl 2+ babies in the box
Short-eared Owl Flushed from east edge of East Meadow
BURROWING OWL See below
Barn Swallow A handful back finally
NORTHERN SHRIKE Latest date for Marymoor ever
Common Yellowthroat Many heard, one male seen
Western Meadowlark One *west* of the slough, 1 in NE corner of
park
The BURROWING OWL was initially flushed from the tall
grass north of fields
7-8-9, then flew to near the restoom at the east side of the park (Marybelle
Meadow), then it flew west to the west edge of field #13 (see the map at
http://www.marymoor.org/images/FacilitiesMap.jpg)
It was was still present at about 2:30 p.m., last seen
about 25 feet up a Larch in the grove of Aspen trees along the west edge
of the grass soccer fields.
For the day, we ended up at 65 species, though several
of those were seen by only one person: Scott had some White-crowned
Sparrows, Ollie had Downy Woodpecker and House Finch, and I had some
Pied-billed Grebe late. Nobody managed American Coot, Lincoln's
Sparrow, nor Brown-headed Cowbird (which should have returned
*last* week, but have yet to arrive).
== Michael Hobbs |

Composite photo of the Burrowing Owl

Composite photo of the Short-eared Owl |

Ollie Oliver's photo of the Burrowing Owl |

Ollie Oliver's photo of the Burrowing Owl 25 feet up a tree |

Another composite photo of the Short-eared
Owl |

Ollie Oliver's photo of Wilson's Snipe below
the weir |

Ollie Oliver's photo of the Western
Meadowlark |

For the 2nd week in a row we had Cooper's
Hawk with American Robin prey in the large deciduous trees east of the
mansion. For the 2nd straight week, we had paired display flights
with two Coops over the meadows. They're probably nesting
somewhere. |
Report for April 12, 2007
We were 15 birders total, and we enjoyed a fun day
under mostly cloudy skies. The weather was really quite nice until late
when the wind picked up a bit. It was pretty birdy, but there were many
birds seen only by one or two people. Sometimes things just work out
that way. Highlights:
Hooded Merganser Copulating in the slough
Bald Eagle Pair at new nest
Barn Owl Tom had good looks at about 6:10 a.m.
Red-breasted Sapsucker I had one drumming at the mansion early
Pileated Woodpecker One flyover
Cliff Swallow 1-2 over the lake
Bushtit Building a nest near the Rowing
Club
Varied Thrush I heard several near the entrance early
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 singing, which we worked hard to see
Common Yellowthroat Actually got to see a couple
AM. TREE SPARROW Very active bird at Compost Piles
The AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was glimpsed a couple of times at the
northeast corner of the compost piles. It disappeared to the north, but
later flew to the south side of the dirt piles. Nobody got very good
looks at it until it landed at Matt's feet, then hopped to an exposed
area where we could all see it for a minute. Then it flew back to the
northeast again. Very active, and perhaps that indicates it won't stick
around. This is just our 3rd Marymoor ATSP sighting.
We had several frustrating sightings. Three times (at least) we had
hummingbirds that we couldn't identify. Finally we saw a male ANNA'S
perched at it's usual spot south of the windmill. The Rowing Club
yielded our only sure RUFOUS sighting for the day. We had 2+ sightings
of accipiters, the last almost certainly an adult COOPER'S HAWK. We
also had one sighting from the boardwalk that may well have been a
MERLIN. Matt had some black wing-tipped gulls that might have been
CALIFORNIA. And then the were the PURPLE FINCH and ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER "sightings" that were difficult, though-the-trees looks not
shared by all.
In any case, a long list of 65-67 species, with CLIFF SWALLOW and
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW being new for the 2007 list.
== Michael |

Mt. Rainier at sunrise.

Male "Myrtle's"-race Yellow-rumped Warbler

Ollie Oliver's fleeting shot of the American Tree Sparrow.
|

Singing White-crowned Sparrow |

Osprey |

Ollie Oliver's Lincoln's Sparrow. |
April 10, 2007 - Mid-week Report

Tom Mansfield caught this very odd, partially leucistic Fox Sparrow
4/5/2007 |

David Margrave's photo of a pair of Northern Flickers,
taken near the windmill, 4/5/2007
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Bird Sightings Week 15
April 9-15* *adjust by 1 day
in leap years |
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