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Bird Sightings Week 15 |
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Rarities for Week 15:
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Report for April 12, 2018 Birding at Marymoor
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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:
It was a great day for mammal sightings as well:
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 |
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Report for April 13, 2017 Birding at Marymoor
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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:
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 |
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Report for April 14, 2016 Birding at Marymoor
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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? 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 |
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Report for April 9, 2015 Birding at Marymoor
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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 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 |
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Report for April 10, 2014 Birding at Marymoor
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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) 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 |
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Report for April 11, 2013 Birding at Marymoor
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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 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 |
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 Male American Kestrel in the rain at the model airplane field. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
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 Male Red-breasted Sapsucker northeast of mansion. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
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 "White-stripe" White-throated Sparrow at Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
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 Male Spotted Towhee. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
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 Pied-billed Grebe, 2013-04-10. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
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 Red-eared Sliders and a female Bufflehead, 2013-04-10. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
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Report for April 12, 2012 Birding at Marymoor
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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! 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. == Michael Hobbs |
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 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
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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! |
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Report for April 14, 2011 Birding at Marymoor
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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. 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. For the day, 69 species. |
Uncredited photos by Michael
Hobbs |
 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
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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. Common Goldeneye Down to 1 female
remaining |
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 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
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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 I've also seen a couple of new birds for the year: 4/11: American Pipit - flock of
25 near model airplane field Other good birds seen: 4/10: Sharp-shinned Hawk and
Merlin - Charlie et. al. at the Rowing Club
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 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
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Just a few nice photos from
Ollie Oliver, |
 Male Common Yellowthroat |
 Female Mountain Bluebird at the Compost Piles. There was at least 1 male too. |
 Black-capped Chickadee |
 Pair of Common Mergansers |
 Male Spotted Towhee |
Report for April 9, 2009
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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 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
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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 |
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Report for April 11, 2008
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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 |
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Report for April 10, 2008
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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 The BURROWING OWL was initially flushed from the tall
grass north of fields 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 |
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Report for April 12, 2007
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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 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 |
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April 10, 2007 - Mid-week Report
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Bird Sightings Week 15 |
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