Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 22
May 28 - June 3*

Rarities for Week 22:

Long-billed Curlew	31-May-18	Kaylin Ingalls, ph.
Pectoral Sandpiper	26-May-17	eBird Rick Tyler and others, ph.
...Pectoral Sandpiper	27-May-17	eBird Chuck Jensen, ph.
...Pectoral Sandpiper	29-May-17	eBird Blair Bernson, Sherrie Morts
Franklin's Gull	30-May-02	Brian saw this bird on the east grass soccer fields around 6:10 a.m.
American White Pelican	29-May-16	Ten birds flew overhead, photographed by Joshua Rudolph
Brown Pelican	01-Jun-08	On a boat dock between the Marymoor Lake Platform and Idlewood. Would have been visible from the platform, but I saw it from the Archstone condo complex
Long-eared Owl	30-May-13	Apparently killed by crows around 5 a.m.. Found later.
Lewis's Woodpecker	29-May-11	Reported by Leah Morris
...Lewis's Woodpecker	30-May-11	Reported by Dave & Yvonne Slater, Leah Morris
...Lewis's Woodpecker	02-Jun-11
Ash-throated Flycatcher	02-Jun-22	East Meadow
Rock Wren	27-May-16	One at Compost Piles. Photographed by Hank Heiberg
House Wren	03-Jun-21	Bird remained 03-Jun to at least 01-Jul

Brewer's Sparrow	01-Jun-17
Lark Sparrow	30-May-11	Photographed by Ron Ben-Shalom
Green-tailed Towhee	01-Jun-22	Photographed by Kristine Anderson
Yellow-headed Blackbird	28-May-15	Two females at Compost Piles
Yellow-headed Blackbird	31-May-04	Reported by Jack McKinnon at Community Gardens
Townsend's Chipmonk	02-Jun-03	In ivy just south of first footbridge
Bobcat	02-Jun-23	Photographed by Kazuto Shibata near east end of boardwalk

Report for May 30, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

The rain eased up right around the official start time (5:30 a.m.), and we did the survey without getting more than a few drops on us. We even saw our shadows late in the morning. But it wasn't warm (44-53), and the birds could have been a little more cooperative. Still, it was a good morning. Highlights: Wood Duck - Two (maybe three) clutches of ducklings Blue-winged Teal - Male, seen best at Lake Platform Common Merganser - Female with around 8 ducklings on her back, seen from the Rowing Club dock Spotted Sandpiper - Downstream flyby from the Rowing Club dock Downy Woodpecker - Nest exchange near the start of the boardwalk Bullock's Oriole - Silent female a little north of the heronry. First of Year (FOY) MacGillivray's Warbler - One singing and glimpsed SW of the concert stage; may have heard another earlier (FOY) The heronry has many large juveniles stuffing the nests. There were baby birds of several species. Misses today included Rock Pigeon, Glaucous-winged Gull, Green Heron, Cliff Swallow, Wilson's Warbler, and Western Tanager. For the day, 61 species. I believe we're now at 123 species for the year. = Michael Hobbs
Male Wood Ducks. Photo by Tony Ernst	Juvenile Bewick's Wren. Photo by Tony Ernst
American Beaver. Photo by Tony Ernst	Male Yellow Warbler. Photo by Tony Ernst

Report for June 1, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

It was an unreasonably chilly 40 degrees at the start of our walk this morning. The temperature did manage to rise to a more reasonable 56 by the end of the walk, but it sure took it's time. I t was mostly cloudy this morning, and most of the time there was not a breath of wind. Lots of birds were singing; seeing them was another matter. Highlights: Mourning Dove - One seen briefly near the weir was our second sighting of the year Virginia Rail - One responded very lackadaisically from across the slough. We seldom hear them in June Spotted Sandpiper - Two at the weir Bald Eagle - Many, again. Their numbers may be affecting the numbers of some other species Pileated Woodpecker - Parents still bringing food to the nest Cedar Waxwing - Numbers continue to rise Bullock's Oriole - Saw a female disappear into a nest near the heronry More than twenty species were heard singing, but at least seven species were heard-only. There were two juvenile Great Blue Herons standing together looking dejected under the nests. Misses included Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Cliff Swallow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Wilson's Warbler. For the day, 59 species. = Michael Hobbs
	Bobcat, 2023-06-02. Photo by Kazuto Shibata
Western Kingbird from the front, 2023-06-02. Photo by Kazuto Shibata	Western Kingbird from the rear, 2023-06-02. Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Report for June 2, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

We had thin overcast today for most of the morning, but generally pretty nice weather. No rain, and not too cold nor windy. Surprisingly, there were only seven birders in our group today.

Highlights:

Cinnamon Teal – one at new ponds at the Rowing Club
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER – first seen yesterday, still present in the East Meadow – First of Year (FOY) yesterday
WESTERN KINGBIRD – one in the East Meadow (FOY)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – two in the East Meadow
Golden-crowned Kinglet – at least two begging babies in maple near concert stage
Orange-crowned Warbler – one singing (unseen) near the “Mysterious Thicket” south of the East Meadow

No sign of the Green-tailed Towhee (see https://ebird.org/checklist/S111928705) nor Eastern Kingbird, both seen yesterday.

Stunningly this is the 9th year that ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER has been seen at Marymoor. There are June reports from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2021, and now 2022, plus a late July sighting from 2011.

Besides GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, we also saw juveniles of CANADA GOOSE, WOOD DUCK, MALLARD, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, GREAT BLUE HERON (though none fledged yet), EUROPEAN STARLING, AMERICAN ROBIN, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and probably of chickadees and Bushtit.

We had quite a few misses today: Rock Pigeon, Vaux’s Swift (again), Spotted Sandpiper (Matt may have glimpsed one), Glaucous-winged Gull, Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Brown Creeper, and Wilson’s Warbler.

Still, for the day we managed 57 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for June 3, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

Michael was out of town this week, so Matt and I got to substitute for him. It was a nice day at Marymoor, decent temperatures – a bit chilly at 54F to start and going up to almost 70 at the finish.

We had two interesting events today. One was an enormous outcry at the Great Blue Heronry followed by a sighting of an adult Bald Eagle flying off carrying a young Great Blue. The second was Matt thought he heard a House Wren across the river near the weir. After a time of listening and thinking we heard it, Matt (since he had the high boots) managed to cross the river and listen on the other side. He said he could definitely hear a House Wren (we were particularly interested since it has been a considerable time since one has been at Marymoor). Finally, he was looking waaay up at the top of a tree. Karen and I moved along the fence so we could see what he was looking at – a small bird that at first didn’t look like a wren, but it was singing. Matt got good enough looks to decide it was a House Wren and Karen got a poor picture.

Generally, we mostly had the birds we would expect for early June, including:

4 species of ducks (Wood, Gadwall, Mallard, Common Merganser)
Both Hummingbirds (Anna’s & Rufous)
Spotted Sandpiper
Many Great Blue Herons at the nests
Osprey (at two nests)
Bald Eagles
4 species of woodpeckers (Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy, Northern Flicker, Pileated)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
4 species of swallows (Purple Martin – at nests, Tree, Violet-green, Barn)
HOUSE WREN – singing from the far side of the slough near the weir – rare for Marymoor, First of Year (FOY)
5 sparrows (Dark-eyed Junco, Savannah – many singing, Song, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned)
5 Warblers ( Common Yellowthroat, Yellow,Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Gray, Wilson’s)
Lazuli Bunting – at least 6 singing

Misses – Common Merganser, Rock Pigeon, Glaucous-winged Gull, Green Heron, Steller's Jay, Cliff Swallow, and Pine Siskin

For the day, 66 species.

Good Birding!

Brian H. Bell

Baby Western Screech-Owl, 2021-06-01. Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Adult (probably female) Western Screech-Owl, 2021-06-01. Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Report for May 28, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

We had a gorgeous morning at Marymoor today, a small loose flock of birders doing our damnedest to maintain social distancing. There was lots of singing, especially early, and some interesting sightings.

Highlights:

Blue-winged Teal – pair landed on pond at Rowing Club – First of Year (FOY) for the Thursday surveys (though others have seen them)
CINNAMON TEAL – male landed soon after – very late for CITE at Marymoor
Osprey – females appear to be sitting on eggs on both of the nests
Cooper’s Hawk – juvenile over Rowing Club
Barn Owl – Matt had one over the East Meadow, around 4:30 a.m.
HUTTON’S VIREO – one singing in Rowing Club parking lot, just as we were about to leave – FOY
Purple Martin – all four plastic gourds appear to be used currently; there may be more nest(s) in snags west of the slough
Cedar Waxwing – many present. We watched a pair pass a salmonberry berry back and forth
Black-throated Gray Warbler – reported by Mark & Lee from Rowing Club, and by Ruth & Margaret from near the park entrance
EVENING GROSBEAK – Matt and Karen had 5 flyby over the East Meadow. FOY for the Thursday surveys
WESTERN MEADOWLARK - one flying near fields 7-8-9. Very late in spring for this species at Marymoor, though not unprecedented
Lazuli Bunting – Male and female near the Viewing Mound, probably at least 1 more male seen

Matt saw bats predawn, FOY.

For the day, 71 species, with at least a couple more seen by Mark & Lee.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for May 28, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

We had high overcast skies this morning, but no wind or precip. It was pretty birdy, and held a couple of surprises.

Highlights:

Wood Duck – female with 7 tiny ducklings at Rowing Club pond; 9 adults on lake
BLUE-WINGED TEAL – male at weir again
Mallard – at least 4 clutches of ducklings seen
Pied-billed Grebe – one in slough after a four week absence
Cooper’s Hawk – juvenile mobbed by crows
Hairy Woodpecker – I think the young have fledged from the nest; 2-4 birds seen, unclear of ages
Pileated Woodpecker – ditto; 2 adults seen
EASTERN KINGBIRD – male briefly in East Meadow before flying high to the south; only 2 earlier spring sightings on record. New for 2019
Purple Martin – all four gourds occupied
Cedar Waxwing – very numerous now
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW – 1 near windmill; latest spring sighting ever!
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD – 1 female (“Yellow-fronted Brownbird”) at Pea Patch – new for 2019

We also had a 5-mammal day: Eastern Gray Squirrel, American Beaver, Eastern Cottontail (many!), Mule Deer (Black-tailed)(2), and Long-tailed Weasel.

Misses today included Rock Pigeon, Green Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, and Cliff Swallow.

For the day, 68 species. For the year, adding the EASTERN KINGBIRD and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, I think we’re at 125 species for 2019.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for May 31, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

We had a really good day at Marymoor that included excitement and disappointment. Kaylin Ingalls found a LONG-BILLED CURLEW, a new species for the park. Through modern communications, we heard about the bird not long after she’d seen and photographed it, but we were unable to relocate the bird. So great excitement about a new species, and disappointment to have missed it!

But the rest of the morning was very good too. A high overcast, rain that held off, and good amounts of bird activity made for a great day.

Highlights:

Mallard – many clutches of ducklings of various sizes
COMMON MERGANSER – mother with three tiny ducklings, in slough above the weir
Eurasian Collared-Dove AND Mourning Dove
BLACK SWIFTS – about 25 over the Pea Patch, about when Kaylin was seeing the Curlew
Anna’s Hummingbird – nest with 2 babies near start of boardwalk – look ready to fledge
Spotted Sandpiper – copulating below the weir
Green Heron – one glimpsed
Barn Owl – Matt heard one/them in the windmill
Great Horned Owl – Matt heard a juvenile near where he heard one last week
Downy Woodpecker – baby sticking it’s head out of a hole in a snag
Pileated Woodpecker – one in large cottonwood snag, drumming
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – two below weir
Bushtit – family group with ~7 babies
Cedar Waxwing – notably numerous – maybe 30
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD – female near Viewing Mound – First of 2018
Lazuli Bunting – female near Viewing Mound

This sighting of YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, just our 8th ever, really makes their seasonality show. Of those 8 sightings, 6 are from the last three weeks in May, and the other two are from the first week of May and the 2nd week of June. So all of the sightings are within a 7 week period.

We had 69 species. Kaylin’s LONG-BILLED CURLEW makes 70. And Ann Marie Wood messaged me that she had an EASTERN KINGBIRD while searching unsuccessfully for the curlew. Not a bad day. :)

So I believe we’re at 133 species for 2018, and 234 species for the overall park list.

== Michael Hobbs

Common Merganser, 2018-05-25. Photo by Terry Tsuchiyama

Long-billed Curlew. Photo by Kaylin Ingalls

Long-billed Curlew. Photo by Kaylin Ingalls

Report for June 1, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

It was overcast, and then the mist began, which turned into rain for about a half an hour. It cleared up a bit after 9. But it was birdy. Highlights: Wood Duck - female with 10 small ducklings at the Rowing Club Green Heron - one from the Lake Platform Spotted Sandpiper - three below weir, some displays Black Swift - 2 twice or 4; first of 2017 Red-breasted Sapsucker - many sightings -7 birds? Six Swallow Species - missing only Bank; Martin in one of the gourds BREWERS SPARROW - 3rd time this year! On fence between Dog Meadow and East Meadow Lazuli Bunting - male chasing female near Viewing Mound Dark-eyed Junco - first juveniles of the year Matt heard 3 species of owl pre-dawn: 2 juvenile Barn Owls, one on the far side of slough, Great Horned Owl somewhere near the nest we found last week, and Western Screech-Owl near the east end of the boardwalk. Last Friday, a 2-week-old owlet was found under the nest, and taken to a wildlife center. The nest was empty today. The Anna's Hummingbirds near the start of the boardwalk fledged yesterday, we heard from a photographer. For the day, 71 species, with Black Swift new for the year. - Michael Hobbs	Adult and subadult male Bullock's Orioles. Photo by Ollie Oliver Subadult Bald Eagle. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Subadult Bald Eagle. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Subadult Bald Eagle. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Vaux's Swift. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Black Swift. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Swainson's Thrush. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Black-headed Grosbeak. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Brewer's Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Spotted Sandpiper. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Mule Deer fawn. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Female Wood Duck with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Wood Duck with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Wood Duck with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Wood Duck with ducklings. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Adult female Anna's Hummmingbird feeding just-fledged young. Photo by Kazuto Shibata	Two just-fledged Anna's Hummmingbirds Photo by Kazuto Shibata
Cinnabar moth, 2017-05-29. Photo by Lillian Reis	Pectoral Sandpiper. Photo by Sravanthi Yalamanchili
Pectoral Sandpiper with Killdeer. Photo by Brian Bell	Pectoral Sandpiper. Photo by Mason Flint
Western Kingbird, 2017-05-27. Photo by Sravanthi Yalamanchili	Western Kingbird, 2017-05-27. Photo by Sravanthi Yalamanchili
Juvenile Great Horned Owl fell from the nest and was taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, 2017-05-27. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Adult Great Horned Owl, 2017-05-27. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Adult Great Horned Owl, 2017-05-27. Photo by Kazuto Shibata	Four Long-tailed Weasels, 2017-05-13. Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Report for June 2, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

The rain stopped in the early morning hours, but it was overcast and breezy all morning. Not too cold, but not sunny at all. Kind of put a damper on the birds, I think. And we’re getting pretty well past migration, so things were active but not surprising today. Highlights: Wood Duck Several clutches of ducklings Great Blue Heron Babies getting large and feathered Bald Eagle Many subadults, several adults Spotted Sandpiper Four at weir again/still Band-tailed Pigeon Many sightings, dozen+ birds Hairy Woodpecker Female at Rowing Club Pileated Woodpecker One seen twice, or two MERLIN Caused quite a stir among swallows at the Lake Platform Purple Martin Several females at gourds, possibly first-year birds Lazuli Bunting Pair seen from Viewing Mound There were what looked like feathered juveniles on the odd-snag RED-TAILED HAWK nest west of the park entrance. I also drove over to the model airplane parking lot after the walk, and was able to scope at least two fuzzy juveniles on the nest in the row of cottonwoods east of the field. Lots of “misses” today, including Canada Goose, gulls, Rock Pigeon, owls, Black Swift (might have seen some WAY off east), Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, and Bullock’s Oriole. Despite that, we finished with 59 species in 5 hours. == Michael Hobbs	Spotted Sandpiper. Photo by Bob Asanoma Often our view of Pileated Woodpecker is limited to a distant flying bird. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Singing Willow Flycatcher. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Purple Martin. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Female Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
American Crow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Wood Ducks. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Deer on the far side of the slough. Photo by Ollie Oliver	American Beaver. Photo by Bob Asanoma
MARYMOOR PARK BIRD #231
10 American White Pelicans, 2016-05-29. Photo by Joshua Rudolph	American White Pelicans, 2016-05-29. Note the long bills, white bodies and long white wings, black primaries and secondaries. Photo by Joshua Rudolph
MARYMOOR PARK BIRD #230
Rock Wren, 2016-05-27. Photo by Hank Heiberg	Rock Wren, 2016-05-27. Photo by Hank Heiberg

Report for May 28, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

A remarkably summery day today, though with enough unexpected species to remind us that it’s still spring. It was almost warm to start, at 50 degrees, and quickly hit 70 under blue skies. Lots of singing, lots of activity, lots of heard-only and seldom seen birds. Highlights: Wood Duck Several, including unaccompanied duckling at pond Hooded Merganser Unaccompanied (or with Wood Duck female) duckling Pied-billed Grebe Calling at lake; first since early April Great Blue Heron Many juveniles at heronry Bald Eagle Numbers continue to be quite high – 7+ Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 flyby juvenile Red-tailed Hawk Adult feeding baby(s?) on odd-snag nest west of entrance Spotted Sandpiper 1-2 at weir Anna’s Hummingbird Female on nest, fledged juvenile(s) about All 5 Woodpeckers Red-breasted Sapsucker most numerous of them OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Extremely distant bird; ID from photos Pac.-slope Flycatcher One near 2nd dog swim beach WESTERN KINGBIRD One north of Fields 7-8-9 EASTERN KINGBIRD Todd Sahl had one at Compost Piles Lazuli Bunting 2-4 males, 1 female Y.-H BLACKBIRD 2 females at Compost Piles, flew to model airplane field Red Crossbill Maybe 25, mostly in Cottonwoods and overhead Good mammal day, with good looks at American Beaver out from Dog Central, a Coyote, a Mule Deer, and the usual assortment of bunnies, squirrels, and turtles. Bullfrogs at the Rowing Club pond are numerous and huge, if anyone wants to fish for frogs legs. For the day, 69 species. New for the year were OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, EASTERN KINGBIRD and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. A Common Tern was reported on eBird earlier this week, which brings the park 2015 list to something like 135 species. == Michael Hobbs	American Robin. Photo by Lillian Reis Spotted Sandpiper near the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Yellow Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ollie Oliver
White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Male Purple Martin. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Singing Marsh Wren. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Marsh Wren. Photo by Lillian Reis
Band-tailed Pigeon. Photo by Bob Asanoma	All we could see of this extremely distant flycatcher was a silhouette that looked right for Olive-sided Flycatcher. Close-crop of photo by Harlan Kammin
Photos by Lillian Reis appear to show the white flank patches that are diagnostic (though often not visible) for Olive-sided Flycatcher.	Olive-sided flycatcher photo by Lillian Reis
Yellow-headed Blackbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Yellow-headed Blackbird. Photo by Lillian Reis
Western Kingbird. Photo by Marvin Hoekstra	Western Kingbird. Photo by Lillian Reis
Wood Duck duckling. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Western Tanager. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Swainson's Thrush. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Swainson's Thrush. Photo by Marvin Hoekstra
Eastern Kingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Eastern Kingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Beaver. Photo by Lillian Reis	Bullfrog. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for May 29, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

Dark overcast, and a bit chilly and breezy this morning, but pretty birdy. No surprises really, but a fine May day. Highlights: Wood Duck Several clutches of ducklings Mallard Ditto Great Blue Heron A few young have fledged, others still on nests Bald Eagle Appear to have fledged 2-3 young this year Spotted Sandpiper One flew downstream from lake platform Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 or 2 flybys of single birds Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 along southwest edge of Dog Meadow N. Rough-winged Swallow 2-4, weir and lake Orange-crowned Warbler 1 heard in Snag Row south of fields 7-8-9 White-crowned Sparrow 1 fledged juvenile, 2 adults, Pea Patch Lazuli Bunting 3+ males, female Bullock’s Oriole Pair near heronry The early birders saw bats, but no owls. There was a Beaver in the slough around 6:00 am., below the weir. Misses for the day were Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch (unless someone else heard one), and Wilson’s Warbler. No sign of the Western Kingbirds that were seen Monday in the East Meadow. And no Black Swifts, which we were hoping would make their first appearance of the year. For the day, 65 species. With Monday’s Western Kingbirds, I believe our 2014 list is at 134. == Michael Hobbs	Wood Duck female with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Bullock's Oriole. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Western Wood-Pewee. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Bushtit with nesting material. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Note Bushtit nest at bottom center. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Lazuli Bunting. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Red-breasted Sapsucker at sap wells. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Recently fledged Bald Eagle. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Cedar Waxwings. Photo by Lillian Reis
Two Western Kingbirds, 2014-05-26. Photo by Lillian Reis	Western Kingbird, 2014-05-26. Photo by Lillian Reis
Western Kingbird, 2014-05-26. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Western Kingbird, 2014-05-26. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for May 30, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

It was cold and breezy, but at least we never got more than a few drops of rain, and we even had shadows for a while. Not tremendously birdy, but not bad. Our most notable sighting was of a dead bird. Early in the morning, Matt and Dasha had noticed crows creating a ruckus near the Viewing Mound, but had never investigated. Later, while doing our usual rounds, I walked down a bit to the east of the Compost Piles in the area where the crows had been active, and found a dead LONG-EARED OWL that showed injuries possibly consistent with being pecked by crows. The body was still somewhat warm. We spent a long time determining Long-eared vs. Short-eared: this bird had diffuse gray barring at the tips of the underside of the wings, not bolder blacker tips as a Short-eared should have. The lower breast and belly feathers also appeared to have horizontal barring. The only previous LEOWs for Marymoor have been in January (once) and March (3 times). The other really notable sighting was from the lake platform. At the mouth of the slough were a single male, 3 adult females, and TWENTY TWO small WOOD DUCK ducklings (all seemingly the same age). Later, from the Rowing Club dock, we saw another female Wood Duck with three Wood Duck ducklings and two HOODED MERGANSER ducklings. These babies looked to be perhaps a week older than the first group. It was interesting to see that, already, the Hooded Merganser ducklings were peering under the water for possible food, while the Wood Duck ducklings contented themselves with picking at things on the water’s surface and on the tops of lily pads. Other highlights: Bald Eagle Maybe 6 or more, adults & immatures Black Swift Three seen twice overhead (or six?) Hairy Woodpecker Juvenile mixing it up with Downy at RC. The nest near the windmill had no activity, probably indicating fledging WILLOW FLYCATCHER About 3, singing. First of spring Chestnut-backed Chickadee Feeding young near Dog Central Brown Creeper Adult with begging young, start of boardwalk Bewick’s Wren Apparently feeding young near west footbridge Golden-crowned Kinglet Lots of chirping, begging young Cedar Waxwing Nest found west of boardwalk Yellow-rumped Warbler One or more heard singing near mansion Western Tanager Still a couple around Lazuli Bunting Pair at Viewing Mound, another north of fields 7-8-9 Bullock’s Oriole One male west of slough Red Crossbill Flock(s?) of 15+ overhead all morning Evening Grosbeak Twice had flock(s?) of about a dozen overhead For the day, 64 species. LONG-EARED OWL and WILLOW FLYCATCHER new for the year. == Michael Hobbs	Black Swift. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz Male Black-headed Grosbeak. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Western Wood-Pewee. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Western Wood-Pewee. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Juvenile Great Blue Herons in the heronry Dasha Gudalewicz	Juvenile Brown Creeper (note short bill). Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Juvenile Chestnut-backed Chickadee Ollie Oliver	Begging juvenile Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Cedar Waxwing on the nest. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Typical of many of our sightings recently, just a glimpse of the wrong end of a male Yellow Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Lazuli Bunting. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz
Long-eared Owl, apparently killed by American Crows shortly after 5:00 a.m. Photo by Michael Hobbs	Top side of the Long-eared Owl. Photo by Lillian Reis
Wood Duck with ducklings. Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz	Two of her five ducklings weren't hers! This female Wood Duck is preceded by a Hooded Merganser duckling, one of two. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for May 31, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

We timed the rain "perfectly", meaning that we got hit with the hardest rain of the day. Mist turned to drizzle, to light rain, and then to steady rain around 9:00, before fading back to mist by the time we were at the Rowing Club. The birds mostly chose to hide out for the 5 hours we were at Marymoor, and I don't blame them. Highlights: Black Swift 1 seen from the lake platform Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 eating elderberries at the RC Hairy Woodpecker Adult bring food to the nest near start of the boardwalk Cedar Waxwing Especially numerous Long-tailed Weasel Pea Patch - stole the show (and caught a mouse or vole) It's very unusual for us to get BLACK SWIFT on a rainy day. Usually, they're only at Marymoor on cloudy days without precipitation. For they day, just 55 species. == Michael Hobbs	Red-breasted Sapsucker eating unripe Red Elderberries. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Mother Mallard with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Mother Mallard with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Swainson's Thrush. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Belted Kingfisher, 2012-05-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Osprey, 2012-05-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Black-capped Chickadee, 2012-05-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Bullock's Oriole in a Black Cottonwood, 2012-05-26. Photo by Lillian Reis	Male Wilson's Warbler, 2012-05-26. Photo by Lillian Reis
Spotted Sandpiper, 2012-. Photo by Lillian Reis	Cliff and Barn Swallows gathering mud, 2012-05-26. Photo by Lillian Reis
Western Wood-Pewee, 2012-05-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Song Sparrow, 2012-05-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Western Tanager, 2012-05-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Savannah Sparrow, 2012-05-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Lazuli Bunting and male Anna's Hummingbird, 2012-05-25. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Moth, 2012-05-26. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for June 2, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

It was dark and rainy (fairly hard rain until we got to the lake platform). We also faced an onslaught of mosquitoes, primarily south of the Dog Area. It did begin to clear slowly, though, and the birds started showing themselves. Biggest highlight of the day was a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, probably the same one found May 30. It was hanging around in the London Plane trees as you enter Lot G (the Interpretive Lot, or the eastern Dog Area lot). This was my personal 200th species for Marymoor Park! Other highlights: Wood Duck Twice, females with ducklings Green Heron About 3 sightings (slough, lake) Ring-billed Gull Flyover flock of about 30, mostly juveniles Mourning Dove Houston Flores reported one Barn Owl Matt had one early BLACK SWIFT 1-2 over mansion Red-breasted Sapsucker 2 seen Willow Flycatcher One singing, East Meadow Purple Martin Female in gourd at lake CHIPPING SPARROW One in Pea Patch Warbler numbers were down considerably, except for YELLOW WARBLER which seemed more common. For the day, 68 species. For the year, WILLOW FLYCATCHER and BLACK SWIFT were new, and also added this week were the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER and LARK SPARROW, both from May 30. So not a bad day at all, despite the weather ! == Michael Hobbs	Lewis's Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver Chipping Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Female Purple Martin. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Ring-billed Gulls. Photo by Ollie Oliver
White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Black-headed Grosbeak. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Lewis's Woodpecker 2011-05-30. Photo by David Slater	Lewis's Woodpecker 2011-05-30. Photo by David Slater
Lark Sparrow, 2011-05-30. Photo by Ron Ben-Shalom	Lark Sparrow, 2011-05-30. Photo by Ron Ben-Shalom
Male Wilson's Warbler, 2011-05-29. Photo by Marc Hoffman	Swainson's Thrush, 2011-05-27. Photo by Lillian Reis
Male Black-headed Grosbeak in flight, 2011-05-27. Photo by Lillian Reis	Courting Cedar Waxwings, 2011-05-27. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for June 3, 2010

The weather was fairly cooperative this morning. Broken overcast, a bit of a breeze, and still unseasonably cool, but not cold today. And no precipitation (yay). Water levels are really high for June, with part of the boardwalk flooded! Normally we're heading down into dry times by now, but not this year. Not too terribly birdy today, and migration is almost over. But summer birds are here and nesting. Highlights: No Canada Geese Green Heron A couple of flybys Osprey At least 4, seen in one kettle Bald Eagle High numbers remain - 10+ BLACK SWIFT Maybe 35 all morning, most to the east Downy Woodpecker Female feeding baby at the nest Pileated Woodpecker 1 near Rowing Club dock Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 in Big Cottonwood Forest American Crow Fledgling near park office Black-capped Chickadee Fledglings being fed Golden-crowned Kinglet Fledglings gadding about Cedar Waxwing Lots, incl. a pair passing a berry Wilson's Warbler Still a couple around Western Tanager Glimpses of a couple LAZULI BUNTING Male at Compost Piles - FOS Evening Grosbeak Heard overhead a few times The snag in Snag Row that has had a CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE nest in it this spring fell over sometime between last Thursday and today, smashing the split-rail fencing. Young were being fed last week - let's hope they fledged before the tree came down. Also seen - MULE DEER (or Black-tailed Deer) in the early morning. A COYOTE went into the Dog Meadow from the east at around 9:30. There was a dead (maybe juvenile) LONG-TAILED WEASEL on a wood chip pile in the East Meadow. One pile over had a dead TOWNSEND'S MOLE. And lots and lots of MOSQUITOES. For the day, 63 species. Lazuli Bunting was the only new species for the year. == Michael	Pileated Woodpecker photo by Ollie Oliver Osprey
Savannah Sparrow photo by Lillian Reis	Cedar Waxwing photo by Ollie Olive
Tree Swallow in the East Meadow	Cottonwood snag that had housed a Chestnut-backed Chickadee nest
Juvenile Downy Woodpecker in the nest hole. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Black-capped Chickadee fledgling photo by Ollie Oliver
Looking for kinglets near the mansion	Male Rufous Hummingbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver
American Robin with worms, 2010-05-28. Photo by Lillian Reis	Willow Flycatcher, 2010-05-30. Photo by Lillian Reis
	American Robin with worms, 2010-05-28. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for May 28, 2009

A gorgeous summer day. Migration is mostly over, so our bird count was down from last week. But the summer birds were singing and visible, and there were still a couple of migrants to enjoy. There were also mosquitoes... Highlights: Wood Duck 3 clutches of babies Mallard Ducklings at the Rowing Club Ring-necked Pheasant Male strutting around near mansion Green Heron On nest at Rowing Club Bald Eagle FIVE at lake Rufous Hummingbird Still on nest near Dog Central Warbling Vireo One with nest material at RC Red-eyed Vireo Heard 1 at the S end of Dog Meadow Swainson's Thrush Beginning to sing Cedar Waxwing Ubiquitous. Yellow Warbler Several, singing, and a female Common Yellowthroat Most common warbler Wilson's Warbler One or two males Western Tanager Male near mansion, female near lake Black-headed Grosbeak Ubiquitous Lazuli Bunting Pair in Snag Row, maybe a 2nd male too Bullock's Oriole Pair chasing each other around Purple Finch One highly-colored male in forest One CEDAR WAXWING was doing a funny display dance. With his tail cocked and his head back, he'd bounce to the right, bounce to the left, then hop up a branch. For several minutes he moved his way up a bare tree closer and closer to another waxwing at the top who appeared uninterested (though she didn't fly away). We also had a Raccoon, a Long-tailed Weasel, and either a Beaver or a River Otter (I think the latter), plus the usual squirrels and bunnies. For the day, 58 species. For the year, adding REVI, we're now at 141. BTW - I just had a Raccoon and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher in my yard while writing this note. == Michael	Ollie Oliver's portrait of a male Black-headed Grosbeak, taken May 23
Brian Dobbin's took this wonderful photo of a Long-tailed Weasel on May 22	Ollie's photo of a Northern Harrier, May 23
Ollie's photo of a male Lazuli Bunting near the Compost Piles on May 23	Same bunting singing
Dave Templeton's photo of the female Rufous Hummingbird on her nest	Ollie's photo of a male Purple Finch in an Oregon Ash tree
Dave Templeton's male Black-headed Grosbeak	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Tree Swallow at the nest box in the East Meadow
Another shot by Brian Dobbins - the Barn Owl in the nest box	Ollie's photo of a male Gadwall duck

Report for May 29, 2008

Mayvember (or maybe No-May-Brrr) continues, with the temperature waffling on either side of 50 degrees, and a 10 mph wind, and fairly heavy overcast. It wasn't a bad day really, except for it being so unseasonable. Oh, and so mosquito-y. I only got bit once, but they certainly were annoying. By the very end of the day, we'd gotten at least 1 look at most of the species, but it was a day where the list wasn't too bad, but the sighting opportunities were a bit slim. We missed Northern Flicker and Cliff Swallow entirely, and three species were heard-only. Still, the 17 of us had a pretty good morning. Highlights: Canada Goose At least 3 families on the lake Wood Duck Two females with young ducklings Green Heron Nesting at the Rowing Club Cooper's Hawk Pair active near mansion, 2 others Red-breasted Nuthatch Adult feeding fledged young Swainson's Thrush Heard only, but lots of singing Cedar Waxwing Ubiquitous Western Tanager A couple of looks Lazuli Bunting 1 male briefly seen near Compost Piles Bullock's Oriole 2-3 males I think all of the BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS we saw were males. Perhaps the females are all on nests? For the day, 58 species. Still no Blue-winged Teal, Spotted Sandpipers, Black Swifts, nor Red-eyed Vireos. == Michael	Willow Flycatcher singing Male Western Tanager
Orange Honeysuckle, Lonicera ciliosa	Male Purple Martin
Cedar Waxwing in Common Hawthorn	Female American Goldfinch
Tree Swallow nesting near windmill	Warbling Vireo at Rowing Club
American Robin at Rowing Club on the biggest, plushest nest I've ever seen	Green Heron nest at Rowing Club. Photo by Graham Hutchison, 2008-05-28

Report for May 31, 2007

We were "only" eleven people today, on a gorgeous morning. Sunny, clear, little wind, cool enough to not be cold, and it didn't get too, too hot until later. It was nicely birdy, and many of the birds chose to pose for us. Nothing new for the year, but a good variety of the summer birds showed themselves. Highlights: There were two female BUFFLEHEAD at the lake - getting quite late for them. On the Rowing Club pond was a female HOODED MERGANSER with 10 ducklings. Well out on the lake were 4-6 WESTERN GREBE. Near the windmill, a very aggressive ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD who chased juncos, goldfinches, and a robin. In the middle of the Cottonwood Forest, we found a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE nest. Good looks at singing male YELLOW WARBLERS today, as well as SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and WARBLING VIREO. There were probably two singing RED-EYED VIREOS in the Cottonwood Forest, and most of us got looks at one of them. I heard a singin LAZULU BUNTING right at 5:30, north of fields 7-8-9, but we couldn't locate one later. We had several BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, including a pair near the Rowing Club dock that gave us good looks. They seemed to be being chased around by RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. For the day, 63 species. == Michael	Swainson's Thrush eating unripe Red Elderberry berries.
Bald Eagle adult
Western Wood-Pewee leaving the nest in the Cottonwood Forest	Willow Flycatcher
Barn Swallows	Hooded Merganser with 5 of her 10 ducklings, Rowing Club pond