Friends of Marymoor Park

Bird Sightings Week 38
September 17-23*

Rarities for Week 38:

Common Poorwill	23-Sep-10	Brian Bell found one recently run-over (still warm) in Lot B
Long-billed Dowitcher	21-Sep-17	Four in flight, with possible Pectoral Sandpipers
Lesser Yellowlegs	19-Sep-96	On the weir
Red-necked Phalarope	20-Sep-18	One, from Lake Platform
Jaeger sp.	18-Sep-08	One flew right over Lot C. Either Parasitic or Long-tailed
Parasitic Jaeger	18-Sep-14	Three flew past Lake Platform
Common Tern	17-Sep-15	Two down towards Idylwood Park
Swainson's Hawk	18-Sep-08	Reported by Houston and Austin Flores

House Wren	23-Sep-21	East Meadow
Northern Mockingbird	21-Sep-06	Reported by MaryFrances Mathis
...Northern Mockingbird	22-Sep-06	East Meadow blackberries
Lapland Longspur	16-Sep-04	Four birds; photographed by Ollie Oliver
...Lapland Longspur	17-Sep-04	Four birds. Reported by MaryFrances, Ollie Oliver, & Houston Flores
Lapland Longspur	17-Sep-05	2-3 birds
...Lapland Longspur	18-Sep-05	Reported by Matt Bartels - two birds
...Lapland Longspur	21-Sep-05	NE corner of Dog Meadow - four birds
Lapland Longspur	21-Sep-17	At least 3 in meadows
Vesper Sparrow	17-Sep-05	Northeast corner of the Dog Meadow.
...Vesper Sparrow	18-Sep-05	Reported by Matt Bartels

Report for September 19, 2024 Birding at Marymoor

Today's regularly scheduled survey at Marymoor Park was apparently moved to Graymore Park. It was so foggy and gray this morning that it would have been almost impossible to see any birds, if there had been birds. Luckily, the fog was somewhat cleared by the time we got to the Lake Platform and it was actually sunny by the time we were going around the mansion.

This week, historically, has the largest cumulative number of species seen of any week after mid-May, but this is a bit illusory. We are at the seam when summering birds depart and winter birds arrive, and year-to-year different birds have lingered longer or arrived earlier. There have been about a dozen rarities observed during Week 38, but we've gotten a rarity in only about half of the years. So the number of species you might find on any given day is still moderate, even though the number of possible species is large. Today's was not large, and the day's list grew SLOWLY.

Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose - Two adults and two juveniles on Fields 7-8-9. First of Fall (FOF)
American Wigeon - Four on the lake (FOF), seen during a late scan of the lake
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - One along west edge of the Dog Meadow (FOF)
American Pipit - Eric had eleven on the Grass Soccer Fields when he left early (FOF)
Fox Sparrow - About 7, including some singing (FOF)
White-crowned Sparrow - Heard a few fractured Pugetensis songs, and a few fractured Gambelii songs (fof for that subspecies)
Golden-crowned Sparrow - Maybe a dozen, including some singing (FOF)
Western Meadowlark - Four north of Fields 7-8-9 (FOF)

Misses today included Hooded Merganser, Vaux's Swift, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Barn Swallow, Bushtit, Red-winged Blackbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

No species have lingered unseasonably late this year, few have arrived unseasonably early, and today we lacked any unusual-but-possible species.

We did see some salmon making their way up the slough just below the weir.

For the day, 54 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for September 21, 2023 Birding at Marymoor

Our fall equinox walk, in honor of Brian Bell, was even foggier than last week. It was almost torture walking the loop, hearing tiny untraceable calls from birds and seeing very little. We weren't even very successful at birding by ear. And when birds actually *were* seen, it was often by only one or two people. The fog didn't lift until we were almost all the way around to the East Meadow. Birding got quite a bit better after that.

Highlights:

CACKLING GOOSE - First of Fall (FOF), one in a flock of Canadas on the grass fields. On the early side
Vaux's Swift - Still one; should be gone soon
Wilson's Snipe - One or two flying the East Meadow during the main walk (not pre-dawn)
Osprey - Still one young bird on one of the nests!
Cooper's Hawk - Two or more birds, several sightings, including a juvenile doing stupid juvenile things (Mallard and Kingfisher are prey, right???)
Merlin - One around the mansion
Peregrine Falcon - One flew past the west end of the Pea Patch. First of Year (FOY)
Willow Flycatcher - One in the willows between the 1st and 2nd Dog Beaches. Only 3 later fall sightings ever
Swainson's Thrush - One seen, a few more heard pre-dawn, but they should be replaced by Hermit Thrush soon
CHIPPING SPARROW - Juvenile in Pea Patch, identified in the field as Brewer's, but photos showed a rather plain-faced Chipping, still showing a lot of juvenal plumage (FOF)
Golden-crowned Sparrow - Several spread around, (FOF)
Savannah Sparrow - All over the trails in the Dog Area, as if they couldn't find the East Meadow in the fog
Orange-crowned Warbler - Near East Footbridge - one of the first birds we saw when the fog lifted
Yellow-rumped Warbler - A half-dozen at the Rowing Club (FOF)
Townsend's Warbler - Carl saw one near the first Dog Beach
Black-throated Gray Warbler - Scott Ramos saw one at the Rowing Club, with the Yellow-rumps
Western Tanager - One or two at the Rowing Club

Mason had a BLACK BEAR on the Interpretive Trail pre-dawn! Only the 3rd record I know of for the park! But one of the other two sightings was from September 30, 2015, so only a week later. Fall movement of bears???

Misses today included Hooded Merganser, American Coot, Green Heron, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Barn Swallow (did have Swallow sp., but Mason felt they didn't look like Barns), Bushtit, Brown Creeper, Marsh Wren, European Starling, and Fox Sparrow

Despite the very long list of misses, we still managed 51 species (though that includes gull sp. and swallow sp.)

We had a very nice gathering in honor of Brian after the survey. We will miss him!

= Michael Hobbs

Juvenile Chipping Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick

Report for September 22, 2022 Birding at Marymoor

Today for the weekly Marymoor walk Brian Bell & I were subbing for Michael. This time of year, the day can be all over the place ? early winter bird arrivals, lingering summer birds, both of them, or nothing. You never really know. Well today started off looking like the day would be a strong one, but before long things calmed down and we ended up with a pretty quiet day. A decent breeze throughout might have made a difference, but overall it was still a fun day with several birds.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose - one came in with a small flock of Canada?s - some of the group heard the distinct call first among the other birds, and it was great to have the visual confirmation of this FOF [First of Fall]

Vaux's Swift - about a dozen flew by - getting late
Green Heron - 2 flybys by presumably the same bird -Northern Harrier - one over the East Meadow just before the official start

American Kestrel - one over the soccer fields, another unusual Marymoor bird
Barn Swallow - about 10 from the lake viewing platform were our only swallows for the day
Swainson's Thrush - still several around ?whit-ing? pre-dawn, maybe 10ish?

American Pipit - several flew over before start - part of that early sign of a birdy day - we never heard or saw them again, alas

Fox Sparrow - once again present for the walk, but heard only in the bushes
Golden-crowned Sparrows - a handful around for another FOF
Orange-crowned Warbler - two at the rowing club
Yellow-rumped Warbler - a handful below the weir, still not moving through in large numbers

Misses:

Biggest miss was Great Blue Heron. Also missed Ring-necked Pheasant, owls, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing.

For the day 56 species

Matt Bartels

Report for September 23, 2021 Birding at Marymoor

A very pretty day at Marymoor, though we did have periods of overcast. Pretty warm too. Again this week there were so many birders that Jordan led some the “wrong” way around the loop. The change-over from summer birds to winter birds is in full force right now, unsurprisingly. It’s amazing how tightly this is tied to the fall equinox. Many First of Fall (FOF) birds. Our biggest surprise was a HOUSE WREN at the south end of the East Meadow. If you recall, we had one for 5 weeks in May/June this spring so this wasn’t even a Year Bird, but this is only the 4th record for the park. Highlights: Cackling Goose – flyby flock from Lake Platform, a few on grass soccer fields (FOF) Green-winged Teal – female in slough well below the weir (FOF) Ring-necked Duck ??? – tight flying flock of what looked to be dark-headed diving ducks without obvious white on the wings Western Grebe – one on the lake Vaux’s Swift – seen several times – maybe 5 total Virginia Rail – one seen across the slough just north of the boardwalk was very accommodating. Earlier heard one well below the weir Wilson’s Snipe – two sat, giving us great looks, below the weir Great Horned Owl – one or two heard predawn just south of the Dog Meadow - All 5 usual woodpeckers seen - Merlin – a couple of sightings; 3rd week in a row VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW – large flocks overhead most of the morning – 200+ Barn Swallow – maybe 5 HOUSE WREN – active in south end of the East Meadow (FOF) Ruby-crowned Kinglet – one near the big grove of Oregon Ash, half way down the west edge of the East Meadow (FOF) Swainson’s Thrush – only 1-2 heard predawn Fox Sparrow – seen by all today Western Meadowlark – one north of Fields 7-8-9 in an apple tree with yellow apples – good camouflage Orange-crowned Warbler – one popped up atop weeds at the Compost Piles Common Yellowthroat – only 3-5 Yellow-rumped Warbler – over a dozen, scattered (FOF) Black-throated Gray Warbler – 2-3 most/all without black throats, Dog Meadow Misses included Hooded Merganser, American Coot, Green Heron, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Bushtit, American Pipit, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. No Band-tailed Pigeon, flycatchers, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, or Western Tanager – these may all be done for the year. For the day, 62 species, counting the diving ducks sp. = Michael Hobbs	Belted Kingfisher. Photo by Bob Asanoma Common Merganser. Photo by Bob Asanoma
Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk Photo by Bob Asanoma	Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk Photo by Bob Asanoma
Virginia Rail. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Virginia Rail. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for September 17, 2020 Birding at Marymoor

We had a very interesting day. We had a layer of fog under the smoke, which made the light dim and visibility sometimes difficult. The birds were in clumps, and we’d walk long stretches of quiet and then we’d come across a mixed flock of 5+ species. This happened many times. Migration seems to have stalled – we had many more lingering “summer” birds than we had returning “fall” birds, though I’m sure all of the lingering birds were pausing at Marymoor on their migration from further north.

Highlights:

Hooded Merganser – male at Rowing Club. First since early July, though they usually breed in or near the park
Mourning Dove – one literally at the Viewing Mound. Third week of sightings of a single bird; probably the same one
Vaux’s Swift – two or three seen from near the East Meadow. First in 5 weeks. We don’t usually see them after this week
American Coot – at least 13; our first group of the fall, following our summer of one bird
CASPIAN TERN – two; latest sighting ever, only our second September sighting, and more than 10 days later than the previous late record
Osprey – still at least two. Will be leaving soon
Western Screech-Owl – one mocked us pre-dawn, calling from very near the boardwalk but never seen
Hairy Woodpecker – one on far side of slough west of Big Cottonwood Forest
Pileated Woodpecker – ditto
Western Wood-Pewee – one south of the East Meadow. Only 4 later sightings ever
Willow Flycatcher – at least two. Only 8 later sightings
Warbling Vireo – four or five. Only 4 later sightings
Barn Swallow – several still around. These get rare after the first week in October
Swainson’s Thrush – maybe three, all heard pre-dawn
Golden-crowned Sparrow – Two or more, East Meadow and south, First of Fall (FOF)
Orange-crowned Warbler – Maybe four or five
Yellow Warbler – three
Black-throated Gray Warbler – one scruffy-looking bird
WESTERN TANAGER – two. Only 5 later sightings
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK – one. Only 5 later sightings as well

So Hoodie, Coot, and Golden-crowned Sparrow were the only birds that seem to be fall arrivals, while Vaux’s Swift, Caspian Tern, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak were lingering later than typical.

We had one TANATALIZING MAYBE. When we found the BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, it was being mobbed by hummingbirds. There were clearly ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRDS involved, but one hummingbird paused for about 10 seconds, and gave us a pose and appearance that looked far more like BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD... BUT, we never could find the bird again for confirmation. The posture, the crisp white collar, and other aspects made BCHU seem really likely, but it was chased off by an Anna’s just too soon. Would have been a park first, if confirmed. Matt and I went back and forth and back and forth about whether to count this bird. I feel the sighting was just too brief to check and recheck field marks.

Misses today included Green Heron, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Yellow-rumped Warbler (three more missing “fall” birds).

For the day, 64 species. With the coming weather change, I expect next Thursday’s bird list to be very different from today’s.

= Michael Hobbs

We're masked up for COVID. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Mourning Dove. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Male Hooded Merganser molting out of eclipse plumage. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for September 19, 2019 Birding at Marymoor

A thick layer of pre-dawn fog started to lift before sunrise, and the day was fairly pleasant walking. The birds were pretty quiet, and there were few surprises beyond one really big one.

On our first peek into the Pea Patch, Matt noticed a roosting COMMON NIGHTHAWK on a white PVC frame that a gardener had erected in the SW corner of the garden. Though we’ve had Common Nighthawk more than a dozen times previously, including three prior years during Week 38, this was the very first time one has been found roosting; all other sightings have been flyovers.

Other highlights:

Common Merganser – one working the channel at the weir
Ring-necked Pheasant – Matt heard him near the Viewing Mound just after the walk
COMMON NIGHTHAWK – See above
Vaux’s Swift – only one, seen while we were at the Rowing Club
Virginia Rail – one heard from across the slough opposite the start of the boardwalk
California Gull – 1-2 from the Lake Platform – First of Fall
Green Heron – two seen together twice
Osprey – still one calling incessantly from near the ballfields nest
MERLIN – one eating prey on a light stand in the NE corner of the park
Swainson’s Thrush – 1-2 heard pre-dawn is all
American Pipit – only seen in flight, but fly-arounds included a flock of 15
Fox Sparrow – 1-2 birds, First of Fall
Orange-crowned Warbler – Two
Yellow Warbler – 1-2
Black-throated Gray Warbler – 1-2

Kazuto Shibata had a NORTHERN HARRIER on 9/17, and AMERICAN KESTREL and WESTERN MEADOWLARK in the East Meadow on the 18th, none of which we saw today.

Misses today included Hooded Merganser, American Coot, and Marsh Wren. Unsurprisingly, we had no flycatchers today, and our only swallows were Barns (though there were some WAY out on the lake we couldn’t identify).

For the day, 57 species. Adding Kazuto’s birds, that’s 60 for the week.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for September 20, 2018 Birding at Marymoor

The day dawned dark, with rain threatening but never arriving. Viewing was awful. Birds were kind of scarce. But after about 9, the day brightened and the birds CAME OUT. It turned out to be a stupendously good day. The highlight was a First for Marymoor RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at the north end of the lake. But it was only one of the...

Highlights: (FOF=First of Fall)

American Wigeon – FOF, photographed from the Lake Platform, and ID’d later (thanks, Bob)
Green-winged Teal – FOF, small fly-by flock
Horned Grebe – FOF, at least one from Lake Platform
RED-NECKED GREBE – First for 2018 – at least 2 from Lake Platform, confirmed by photos (thanks, Bob)
Mourning Dove – two near mansion
Vaux’s Swift – seemed to be streaming south – 25 minimum; probably a lot more
Virginia Rail – FOF, heard from Lake Platform
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE – New for the Marymoor List – #235
Double-creasted Cormorant – FOF, one
Green Heron – TWO at Rowing Club ponds
TURKEY VULTURE – FOF, one over mansion area
Osprey – still one or two; should be leaving soon
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1-2
Cooper’s Hawk – 1-2
Barn Owl – Mark & Lee spotted one pre-dawn, south of East Meadow
- four woodpecker day – and we *may* have seen incredibly distant Red-breasted Sapsucker, which would have been #5
MERLIN – two in quick succession at Rowing Club (unless one executed a very quick circle; two passes 10-15 seconds apart)
Pacific-slope Flycatcher – two glimpses for me, great look for Hugh and Sharon; three birds probably
Violet-green Swallow – 100?
Cliff Swallow – latest ever for Marymoor; two glimpses
Barn Swallow – 150-300
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – FOF, maybe 3 total
Swainson’s Thrush – still about 5-6 heard, mostly pre-dawn
American Pipit – FOF, one heard north of Viewing Mound
EVENING GROSBEAK – FOF, flock of 8 over Lake Platform, heading east
Fox Sparrows – at least a dozen, with quite a bit of singing
Golden-crowned Sparrow – at least 4, with one singing
Orange-crowned Warbler – maybe 8, some very drab green, some yellowish with grayish heads
Yellow Warbler – 1-2 at Rowing Club
WESTERN TANAGER – male at Rowing Club – getting late for them

Lots of FOFs; an amazing return of fall birds, but still good representation of summer birds (though most of those are clearly migrants passing through from further north). Definitely a feeling that ANYTHING could have shown up.

For the day, 72 species! On Tuesday, a trip led by Sharon to Marymoor had HOODED MERGANSER, CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAY, TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, to make 76 species for the week so far.

WOW!

We also had fabulous looks at an AMERICAN BEAVER at the Rowing Club ponds.

== Michael Hobbs

Red-necked Grebe taking off. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Red-necked Grebes. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Red-necked Phalarope, facing right, at extreme distance and magnification.
Photo by Michael Hobbs

American Wigeon. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Fox Sparrow. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Lincoln's Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Report for September 21, 2017 Birding at Marymoor

Arguably the best day birding at Marymoor ever. No, really. The place was just dripping with birds. The weather cooperated by hardly dripping at all. Week 38 is often a pretty special week during fall migration, but it really outdid itself this time.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose – two or three flocks – First of Fall (FOF)
Western Grebe – one on lake
Virginia Rail – one heard spontaneously calling near Lake Platform
DOWITCHERS – four, presumed LONG-BILLED, in flight with ~8 other shorebirds (Pectorals?)
Glaucous-winged Gull – long overdue FOF
Double-crested Cormorant – at least 2; FOF
TURKEY VULTURE – a tight kettle of TWENTY-ONE, moving south
Northern Harrier – probably at least 6 birds; all the ones seen well juveniles
Sharp-shinned Hawk – one – FOF
Barn Owl – one at south end of East Meadow, 6:32 am. First in 5 weeks
Hairy Woodpecker – one across the slough
Pileated Woodpecker – one seen distantly in flight
AMERICAN KESTREL – beautiful adult male – First for 2017
Merlin – chased Kestrel, as well as many other birds
Western Wood-Pewee – 2
Willow Flycatcher – 1
Warbling Vireo – 1 at Rowing Club
Violet-green Swallow – everywhere; probably 120+
Barn Swallow – at least 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – perhaps 4; FOF
Varied Thrush – perhaps 4; FOF
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – at least 3, East Meadow & Dog Meadow
Orange-crowned warbler – in the ballpark of 40 birds!
Common Yellowthroat – numbers down, but still a dozen or so
Yellow Warbler – perhaps 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler – drab Audubon’s type – about 15
Black-throated Gray Warbler – ~4
Townsends’s Warbler – 1 or 2 at Rowing Club
Savannah Sparrow – maybe 50
CHIPPING SPARROW – 1 at Pea Patch
Fox Sparrow – ~25, many singing; FOF
Lincoln's Sparrow – at least 20, with one singing
Western Tanager – at least 4; FOF
Western Meadowlark – at least 2

I’m pretty certain we set high counts for Dowitcher, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Orange-crowned Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Our total for the day, at 78 species, is almost certainly a high count for fall, and very close to our all-time high species count over the last 23 years!

I didn’t want to leave; I’m pretty sure with more time we could have topped 80 species. But I had to race home to head north for the WOS Conference in Blaine.

== Michael Hobbs

Mallard and Great Blue Heron at the weir. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male Wood Ducks are looking nice again. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Dark-eyed Junco. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Lapland Longspur. Photo by Joanne Iskierka

Chipping Sparrow. Photo by Joanne Iskierka

Report for September 17, 2016 Birding at Marymoor

This is the end of Week 38, which is notable for being the week in the fall where summer and winter birds overlap the most, with a pretty wide variety of migrants thrown in as well. We’ve cumulatively recorded 127 species for Week 38, which is ten species more than any other Fall week. Today was probably pretty typical of a Week 38 outing. We fought through morning fog, which greatly limited our viewing for the first hour (as well as pre-dawn), and were rewarded later with a beautiful, sunny morning. Highlights: Western Grebe One on lake late; First of Fall Green Heron Adult and subadult at Rowing Club Turkey Vulture 1 from Rowing Club, looking east of slough – FOF Osprey Still one seen Northern Harrier Juvenile in East Meadow Cooper’s Hawk Several sightings Band-tailed Pigeon A few flybys Vaux’s Swift Notably many ~15 Red-breasted Sapsucker Many sightings Willow Flycatcher One near Compost Piles – 2nd latest ever Violet-green Swallow 25+ Barn Swallow 50-100 Bushtit Single flock of 30+ Pacific Wren One near start of boardwalk American Pipit Several unseen flyovers Cedar Waxwing Single flock of a dozen Common Yellowthroat Only a very few Yellow Warbler? One yellowish warbler Bl.-throated Gray Warbler Two together along slough Western Meadowlark One, East Meadow, FOF For the day, 62 species. == Michael Hobbs	Male Red-winged Blackbird. Photo by Ollie Oliver Male Spotted Towhee. Photo by Ollie Oliver
"Sooty" Fox Sparrow. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Song Sparrow. Photos by Bob Asanoma	"Central breast spot? Yeah, I've got one right here! Or, a little lower. Can't quite reach"
Male Black-throated Gray Warbler. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Recent beaver activity along the slough. Photo by Michael Hobbs
Red-. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Northern Harrier on a birdhouse in the East Meadow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Green Heron. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Green Heron. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Eight-spotted Skimmer. Photo by Bob Asanoma	Eight-spotted Skimmer. Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for September 17, 2015 Birding at Marymoor

This was one of those times when I have trouble sleeping because it rains all night, and I wake up worrying about being prepared for the deluge in the morning, only to have the rain stop well before dawn and not start up again until late morning. Matt got a little wet with his ridiculously early arrival, and we had a bit of light rain at the Rowing Club, but otherwise we lucked out. It was even moderately birdy to boot, with some nice surprises. Definitely getting to be fall, though. Highlights: Green-winged Teal Small flyby flock – First of Fall Double-crested Cormorant 2 at lake – First of Fall Osprey Still one around, according to Ollie American Coot Small flock on lake COMMON TERN Two well south on lake Barn Owl Matt had 1, 6:00-6:10 a.m. I got there at 6:15 Red-breasted Sapsucker At least 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 glimpsed twice, heard often Merlin Landed near east end of boardwalk Hammond’s Flycatcher Ollie had one in Pea Patch HUTTON’S VIREO Rowing Club parking lot - swallow sp. - About 3 seen well to the east Swainson’s Thrush Matt heard a few pre-dawn Varied Thrush 1 calling, Big Cottonwood Forest – First of Fall American Pipit Flyovers Orange-crowned Warbler Three in/near the Pea Patch Yellow-rumped Warbler Several in slough below weir – First of Fall Fox Sparrow 2-3, one singing – First of Fall We saw the two COMMON TERNS from the Lake Platform at extreme distance. They looked very small and tern-like, but never plunged into the water. Because they were surface-foraging without diving, we thought they might be Bonaparte’s Gulls, but from Marymoor they appeared pure white. In fact, in at least 20 minutes of viewing, I never once saw either one dive. However, they both were frequently making swirling swoops where they would suddenly turn and drop the the surface but then just dip their bills at the surface. I expect there was some kind of insect they were picking off the surface. From Idylwood Park, down the west side of Lake Sammamish from Marymoor, I was able to see the birds well and determine that they were juvenile Common Terns, and not gulls. As for the HUTTON’S VIREO, I don’t know how Matt picked out some vocalizations over the loud road noise off West Lake Samm. Parkway. But I played the song, and then the call. The vireo came straight in, quite aggressively, to the call. While COMMON TERN and HUTTON’S VIREO have each been seen fewer than 10 times at Marymoor, amazingly neither of these was new for the year. For the day, a quite respectable 64 species. == Michael Hobbs	Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Mike Trahan Black-capped Chickadee, somehow looking like it's a hybrid with a Black-crowned Night Heron. Photo by Ollie Oliver
One sorry-looking American Crow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	One sorry-looking American Crow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
American Goldfinch (left) and House Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Two Orange-crowned Warblers. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Hammond's Flycatcher. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Hammond's Flycatcher. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Lincoln's Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Lincoln's Sparrow. Photo by Jordan Roderick
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Merlin, looking away. Photo by Mike Trahan
Hutton's Vireo. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Hutton's Vireo. Photo by Ollie Oliver
The crew on the boardwalk. Photo by Mike Trahan	Not sure where this Steller's Jay found an acorn. Photo 2015-09-11 by Lillian Reis
Waxwings, starlings, blackbirds, or finches?. Photo 2015-09-11 by Lillian Reis	Zooming in, we see they're Cedar Waxwings. Photo 2015-09-11 by Lillian Reis
	Green Heron with a fish at the Rowing Club. Photo 2015-09-11 by Lillian Reis

Report for September 18, 2014 Birding at Marymoor

It was dark and misty this morning, though we didn’t get rain or even drizzle, really. But it was dark, and it was QUIET, especially for the first couple of hours. Also rather steamy and moist, with temps in the 60’s, and humidity that you could practically wring out of the air. The big highlight were 3 JAEGERS that flew past the Lake Platform heading north. This wasn’t a total surprise, since we had a Jaeger fly north on the very same day of September, back in 2008. Our consensus was that today’s birds were Long-Tailed Jaegers, for they looked slim and had very long tails. Last year, we had a Long-tailed Jaeger on August 29th for our only other Jaeger sighting at the park. However, I had a niggling suspicion that we were wrong on the identification. I thought I'd seen chestbands and white in the wings, both features of PARASITIC JAEGER. Ollie's photos seem to confirm that ID. ANOTHER NEW SPECIES FOR MARYMOOR PARK. Other highlights: Common Loon One WELL out on the lake – First of fall Osprey Still 2 over the lake Bald Eagle Adult at lake, after 2 week summer vacation Wilson’s Snipe Again, 2 below weir American Kestrel 1 over mansion area, 11:20 a.m. – First of fall Merlin 1 perched near mansion, 11:20 a.m, – First of fall Willow Flycatcher Last of the year?1-2 Black-throated Gray Warbler Grace saw 1, south end of Dog Meadow HOUSE SPARROW One male at Compost Piles – First for 2014 In the last two years, we’ve had as many sightings of Jaegers (2) as House Sparrows :) For the day, 58 species. Misses today included Green Heron, Vaux’s Swift, Barn Swallow, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. I believe we’re up to 152 species for the year. == Michael Hobbs	Wilson's Snipe below weir. Photo by Hugh Jennings Lincoln's Sparrow. Small enough to fit in a fence. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Parasitic Jaeger. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Parasitic Jaeger. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Parasitic Jaeger. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Parasitic Jaeger. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Three Parasitic Jaegers. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Parasitic Jaeger. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Parasitic Jaeger. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Willow Flycatcher, maybe the last for the year. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male House Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male House Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male House Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Song Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Merlin atop a tall fir near the mansion. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Hooded Merganser. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for September 19, 2013 Birding at Marymoor

NOTE: Lillian Reis was with the group, and took a photo of a bird that was mostly unnoticed by other members of the group. The photos reveal a WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, a species seen only 2 times previously at Marymoor! See photos at the end of this post. - Michael The early day at Marymoor started out with low fog that obscured the view. By out start time most of it had lifted and we had a nice clear, but cold, day with lots of sunshine. We could definitely tell we have moved into Fall with much reduced numbers of many of the birds. Interesting birds for the day: Barn Owl Heard by Matt early Green Heron Juvenile at rowing club Fox Sparrow First of season Golden-crowned Sparrow First of season Osprey Lingering Savannah Sparrow Flock of 25 early all at once Yellow Warbler Late Orange-crowned Warbler Late Barn Swallow Late Vaux's Swift Late White-crowned Sparrow Both gambelli and pugetensis subspecies It was a good day, even with Michael in Greece. Good Birding Brian H. Bell, Woodinville WA Matt Bartels, Seattle WA	Male Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Golden-crowned Sparrow (left) with White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Golden-crowned Sparrows. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Male Belted Kingfisher. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Spider. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Spotted Towhee (juvenile female?). Photo by Ollie Oliver	Male Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Western Scrub-Jay. Photo by Lillian Reis	Western Scrub-Jay. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for September 20, 2012 Birding at Marymoor

We had fog for much of the morning, which may be why we didn’t see a Bald Eagle, but it cleared just as we left the lake, and we managed to find quite a few species. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose Juvenile near windmill – First of Fall Osprey Two sightings, probably 1 bird MERLIN South end of Dog Meadow, from boardwalk Virginia Rail One heard across the slough Hairy Woodpecker Two together in Big Cottonwood Forest PURPLE MARTIN Four over boardwalk – LATE for them to be here Swainson’s Thrush One seen, a couple more heard AMERICAN PIPIT Several flyovers – a dozen birds? Golden-crowned Sparrow First of Fall - 2+ at Pea Patch WESTERN MEADOWLARK Ollie and Houston saw 1 near Compost Piles Evening Grosbeak 1 seen near windmill, flyovers heard several times For warblers, ORANGE-CROWNED (several), YELLOW-RUMPED (a few), BLACK-THROATED GRAY (1-2), TOWNSEND’S (1), and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (several). No flycatchers or vireos. For the day, 57 species == Michael Hobbs	Looking at a Black-throated Gray Warbler through the fog. Photo by Hugh Jennings Female Wood Duck
Our first "large" group of American Coots for the fall. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Purple Martin over the boardwalk. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Dark-eyed Junco. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose eating apples near the windmill. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Evening Grosbeak near the top of a Doug Fir. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Evening Grosbeak. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for September 22, 2011 Birding at Marymoor

It was as quiet a day as I can remember in any September this morning. We had heavy overcast, and warm wet air, though no precipitation during the walk. We also had no birds, or so it seemed at times. What we did have was often distant, heard-only, and/or fleeting. Highlights: Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 sightings. One sent starlings into a ball Barn Owl Matt had at least 2, as late as 6:30 a.m. SHORT-EARED OWL One flew over Pea Patch 7:45 a.m. Vaux's Swift 2 over mansion COMMON RAVEN 2nd straight week, over lake platform Orange-crowned Warbler 1-2 Yellow-rumped Warbler Several, all drab Black-throated Gray Warbler 1-2 Purple Finch Many, some singing Evening Grosbeak Invisible flyovers We've only had COMMON RAVEN 20 times at Marymoor, but 5 of those sightings have been in 2011. It was a good day for mammal sightings, with COYOTE and MULE DEER as well as the usual rabbits and squirrels. Misses for the day: We had no flycatchers or vireos. Also, no Brown Creeper, Common Yellowthroat, Fox Sparrow, or Lincoln's Sparrow, though Ollie Oliver sent me photos of a Lincoln's Sparrow from yesterday. He also photographed NORTHERN HARRIER and WESTERN MEADOWLARK yesterday. For the day, only just 50 species, but at least 53 for the week. == Michael Hobbs	Young male Wood Ducks on the Rowing Club dock. Photo by Hugh Jennings Female Blue-eyed Darner(?) laying eggs on a tree trunk. Photo by Hugh Jennings
Lincoln's Sparrow, 2011-09-21. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Western Meadowlark, 2011-09-21. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Cedar Waxwings, 2011-09-21. Photo by Ollie Oliver	House Finches, 2011-09-21. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for September 23, 2010

No rain until we got to the compost piles, though mostly overcast. Hard rain as we walked around the mansion. Not a great day for actually SEEING birds, but still a really good day. We had a very sad, but very exciting start to the morning. Brian Bell found a recently run-over (still warm) COMMON POORWILL, which he showed to all of us. This is a new bird for the Marymoor Park list, and one that I don't think anybody expected. Elsewise, we still had some "summer" birds, along with a few returning winter birds (a few FOF- First of Fall birds). Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose 1 with Canadas - FOF Horned Grebe 2 well out on the lake Western Grebe 3 well out on the lake Double-crested Cormorant 2 - FOF American Kestre l Female or juvenile on grass soccer fields Wilson's Snipe Scott heard one, East Meadow early. FOF Vaux's Swift Somewhere between 1-3, with VGSWs Pileated Woodpecker Heard off to the west Violet-green Swallow Large flocks (75+ total) Barn Swallow 1-5, with VGSWs Orange-crowned Warbler 2+ Yellow Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler Fairly common MacGillivray's Warbler ? Ollie had a gray-headed yellowish warbler Wilson's Warbler 2+ Fox Sparrows Lots of singing, a couple of good looks Evening Grosbeak 25+ in one flock, plus a few more. All in flight. Part of the group also had a close encounter with a Townsend's Vole, which was fun (ran right over my boot). For the day, 62 species. == Michael	Dead Common Poorwill, dorsal view Dead Common Poorwill, ventral view
Northern Flicker. Photo by Ollie Oliver	"Sooty" Fox Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
American Kestrel	American Kestrel
Mushroom	I believe this is a Bald-faced Hornet's nest
Townsend's Vole along west edge of East Meadow	A different mushroom
Dahlia in the Community Gardens. Photo by Hugh Jennings	Male Ring-necked Pheasant in the Community Gardens
A new park bird - Buteo jamicensis plasticus. Photo by Ollie Oliver	American Goldfinch at the Compost Piles, 2010-09-22
Wasp on a flower, 2010-09-22. Photo by Lillian Reis	Garter Snake, 2010-09-22. Photo by Lillian Reis
Bushtit, 2010-09-18. Photo by Lillian Reis	Steller's Jay, 2010-09-18. Photo by Lillian Reis
Northern Harrier, 2010-09-18. Photo by Lillian Reis	Same Northern Harrier, 2010-09-18. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for September 17, 2009

Nice sunny day after the morning fog burned off. And amazingly birdy. Highlights: Northern Harrier Circling over the boardwalk area Cooper's Hawk A couple of sightings Mourning Dove Two southeast of boardwalk Barn Owl Matt had 3 flybys in the East Meadow Vaux's Swift 20+ overhead Pacific-slope Flycatcher Several - nice movement Warbling Vireo Still one hanging around Swainson's Thrush Matt had many flight calls early Orange-crowned Warbler One or two Yellow-rumped Warbler A few Black-throated Gray Warbler A couple Fox Sparrow One heard, one seen Lincoln's Sparrow 2+ back Golden-crowned Sparrow Several back for fall = Michael	Large spider webs were everywhere
Pacific-slope Flycatcher at the south end of the Dog Meadow	Ollie Oliver's photo of the flycatcher
Northern Harrier over boardwalk	Northern Harrier over boardwalk
Amazing fungus	Savannah Sparrow. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Black-capped Chickadee. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Black-capped Chickadee. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for September 18, 2008

In the morning, it was cloudy, dark, humid, almost chilly, but not windy and it didn't really even mist much. The lighting conditions weren't great, so while we had several sightings of flying ducks, identifications were uncertain. We had at least 4 species besides Mallard, Wood Duck, and Hooded Merganser, but couldn't count anything for sure. Maybe Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, and Common Merganser, but in the end, only the 3 on the list. A little after 7:00 a.m., while we were still getting out of our cars, a PARASITIC or LONG-TAILED JAEGER flew right over our heads, flying north. I got one of the less good looks amongst those who saw it. Here's what I saw: A gull-like bird with pointed central tail feathers. They were not very long, but Long-tailed Jaeger don't always have long tails. Length good for Parasitic. The wings seemed uniformly dark on the underside, and the body was quite light. I saw the bird only flying away, but the body seemed slender and did NOT appear to have a strong "collar" appearance on the upper chest, like a typical adult light-morph Parasitic. In the big Sibley, the jaeger image the seems closest to my memory is the small picture of the Long-tailed Jaeger "Adult nonbreeding". However, unless Matt Bartels or one of the others who got a better look can confirm an identification, I think it will have to go down as Jaeger sp. Still, WAY COOL, and totally unexpected. We've been having a contest to predict the next new Marymoor birds that will show up. About 15 of us predicted up to 15 species each that might appear next at Marymoor. At total of 84 species were nominated (including some that were WAY out there). Nobody chose a Jaeger though. Maybe sometime soon my jaw will return from the ground... Houston Flores had a SWAINSON'S HAWK (the second Marymoor sighting ever), at around 5:00 p.m. Other highlights: Virginia Rail One seen flying a short distance below the weir Killdeer Flock size up to 40 Wilson's Snipe One below the weir - First of Fall Mourning Dove One over East Meadow Barn Owl 4 simultaneously in 2 different spots early Great Horned Owl Scott heard predawn hoots from near of Dog Central Hairy Woodpecker Always a good day when we see one Swainson's Thrush Still a couple American Pipit One seen with Killdeers west of velodrome Orange-crowned Warbler 3+ Yellow-rumped Warbler MANY, mostly very drab Wilson's Warbler One at the Rowing Club 8 species of sparrows: Towhee, Savannah, Fox, Song, Lincoln's, White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Junco Black-headed Grosbeak 2+ still around House Sparrow First since July, only 2nd since April - Joy A great group was with me for a great day, with 58 species seen or heard. == Michael	Swainson's Hawk - photo by Austin Cockman Hairy Woodpecker
Ollie Oliver's photo of an American Pipit near the velodrome	Orange-crowned Warbler
Lincoln's Sparrow	Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult White-crowned Sparrow, with a juvenile behind
Ollie Oliver's photo of a Black-tailed Deer	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Long-tailed Vole

Report for September 20, 2007

It was a good day at Marymoor today. We managed to ferret out quite a few species, including several good birds. Great looks were sometimes lacking, but that's the way birding is sometimes.

The day was overcast, and we had a couple of moments of heavy mist or light rain, but generally the weather was quite good. There were eleven birders all told.

Highlights:

Horned Grebe Two out on the lake Western Grebe Two out on the lake D.-crested Cormorant Two out on the lake Green Heron Nice adult at Rowing Club Northern Harrier Flyover at lake, later in East Meadow Cooper's Hawk 2 juveniles at Compost Piles, adult at Pea Patch American Kestrel 1 flying down the river early Spotted Sandpiper On slough from Rowing Club late Wilson's Snipe One at RC pond, one over slough earlier Vaux's Swift Several, but these should be our last of the year Pileated Woodpecker Heard calling several times; only Mason saw one HORNED LARK Three landed at east edge of grass soccer fields Evening Grosbeak Two distantly glimpsed, near the mansion

Around 6:30 a.m., Matt Bartells had a fly-over COMMON NIGHTHAWK. This is the fourth nighthawk noted over Marymoor, and all have been during Week 38: 9/17/04, 9/18/05, 9/20/05, and now 9/20/07. Pretty consistant!

The three HORNED LARK landed on the logs at the east edge of fields 7-8-9, right next to the driveway to the Interpretive Lot. We got decent looks, before they flushed out of there when one of the juvenile COOPER'S HAWKS came through. They appeared to be completely devoid of yellow coloration - does that make them Arctic birds?

We had both HERMIT THRUSH and SWAINSON'S THRUSH. They don't usually overlap much, as we usually don't get Hermits until October, just after the Swainson's leave. But we've had some September Hermits this year.

We had a six warbler day, with MANY ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, one YELLOW, a handful of YELLOW-RUMPED, a single BLACK-THROATED GRAY with a single TOWNSEND'S WARBLER northeast of the mansion, and a few COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.

First of Fall FOX and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS.

For the day, 65 species.

== Michael

Louise Rutter's photo of the Horned Larks

Louise's slug photo

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