Friends of Marymoor Park

Rarities for Week 41:

Report for October 10, 2024                                                                                                                   Birding at Marymoor

Report for October 12, 2023                                                                                                                   Birding at Marymoor

Report for October 13, 2022                                                                                                                   Birding at Marymoor

• Short-eared Owl - one flushed from the east meadow and gave all of us great looks around 10:15 - a Cooper’s Hawk pursued it for a bit, then it disappeared. FOF [first of fall]

• Mourning Dove - 3rd straight week for one in the park

• Varied Thrush - heard one or two - given the recent snows and reports of VATH showing up, we were hoping to hear/see Varied today.  FOF

• Pacific Wren - a couple, including one seen well - FOF

• White-crowned Sparrow - both pugetensis and gambellii singing in a few good-sized flocks

• Snow Goose – one mixed in with a flock of Canadas that landed around the main road
• Greater White-fronted Goose – flock of 10 on Fields 7-8-9, *not* hanging out with other geese
• Cackling Goose – Many large flocks overhead, a few landing.  Maybe 450 birds
• Canada Goose – Many small flocks, many of which landed.  Maybe 250 birds
• Wilson’s Snipe – Below the weir, 1 flushed, then a whole bunch flushed, then a whole bunch more, then 3 more landed – 14 total? More?
• Double-crested Cormorant – A couple in flight, 2 on the lake.  First of Fall (FOF)
• Barn Owl – One in East Meadow just after 7:00 a.m.
• Western Screech-Owl – One seen by Matt and Alan early.  Later one or maybe two heard, not quite in the same spot.  More than one bird???
• Great Horned Owl – Matt and Alan had one along the west portion of the boardwalk, early – FOF
• Pacific Wren – one from Rowing Club dock, FOF
• WHITE-THROATED SPARROW – two at SE corner of East Meadow – FOF
• Nine Sparrow Day – single Savannah, and 1-2 Lincoln’s, along with the usual crew of Towhee, Song, Fox, White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Junco, and the above WTSPs
• Western Meadowlark – three at the grass/gravel lot, moving to Fields 7-8-9
• Common Yellowthroat – only one heard, which we tracked down for a brief look, middle of the Dog Meadow.  Our only warbler besides a few Yellow-rumps

• Gadwall – pair in slough, first in 7 weeks
• American Wigeon – four – First of Fall
• Aythya sp.  – a single female in the slough flew before ID’d
• Hooded Merganser – one seen twice, or two.  First since mid-August
• American Coot – one in slough, First of Fall
• Northern Harrier – one flew over the mansion; First for 2019 for us
• Barn Owl – Matt had one fly over the Viewing Mound around 6:30
• Barred Owl – Matt saw one on the boardwalk pre-dawn – Unusual species for Marymoor (just over 10 reports ever)
• Pileated Woodpecker – nice look at one on a branch in the sun
• Northern Shrike – Adult, north of fields 7-8-9.  Last week we had a juvenile
• Marsh Wren – I heard one singing south of the weir.  First for us since July
• Hermit Thrush – one near the mansion gave us great looks
• Varied Thrush – a couple seen, plus heard several calls
• Pine Siskin – one heard flying over the boardwalk – First of Fall
• - EIGHT SPARROW DAY – much singing.  Those seen included several SAVANNAH SPARROW, two LINCOLN’S SPARROW, and...
• White-throated Sparrow – one, seen twice(?) – First of 2019
• Townesend’s Warbler – one near concert stage; only 3rd for the year

Highlights:

• Ring-necked Duck – probably the same two tentatively ID’d last week. Officially First of Fall today
• Virginia Rail – two responded to clapping
• Wilson’s Snipe – heard predawn for 2nd week; still awaiting a fall sighting
• Green Heron – one at Rowing Club
• Sharp-shinned Hawk – one east of East Meadow
• Cooper’s Hawk – probably had 6-7 sightings; 2+ birds
• Barn Owl – one glimpse in the fog predawn at south end of East Meadow
• Pileated Woodpecker – heard very close (and distantly) but unseen
• Merlin – landed in Snag Row
• Cedar Waxwing – still large flocks overhead; saw none perched
• American Pipit – 5 west of easternmost ballfields
• Western Meadowlark – 5 with pipits

Misses today included Cackling Goose, Gadwall, Western Grebe, gulls besides Glaucous-winged, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Harrier (seen 50% of previous years), Savannah Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Fog played a role.

For the day, 54 species.

== Michael Hobbs

American Crows.  Photo by Hugh Jennings
 

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk.  Photo by Hugh Jennings.  Appears to be a different bird, based on facial markings and spots on back.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk.  Photo by Jordan Roderick

Brown Creeper.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Bob identified these as Needle Bonnets.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Needle Bonnet.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Bob identified this as Vulger Bonnet.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Vulgar Bonnet.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Highlights:

• Ring-necked Duck – Four from the Lake Platform – First of Fall (FOF)
• Common Merganser – one at weir again
• Virginia Rail – at least one heard across the slough near the start of the boardwalk
• Double-crested Cormorants – 2nd of fall, and numbers perhaps beginning to ramp up
• Bald Eagle – more than just our local pair – perhaps 7 birds
• Cooper’s Hawk – multiple sightings
• Barn Owl – one giving us nice looks until about 7:00 a.m., East Meadow
• Merlin – one seen twice, or two
• PEREGRINE FALCON – one doing lazy circles over the Rowing Club
• VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW – at least 6, briefly seen over Big Cottonwood Forest
• Varied Thrush – a couple near the mansion, at least 5 at Rowing Club
• PINE SISKIN – first confirmed flock of Fall
• COMMON YELLOWTHROAT – still one heard, one seen
• Yellow-rumped Warbler – a few about, Audubon’s for sure, maybe a Myrtle’s
• WESTERN MEADOWLARK – five on fields near eastern softball fields

Good day for mammals, with AMERICAN BEAVER heard pre-dawn from the slough, a mother and fawn MULE DEER seen from the Lake Platform, and at least 2 RIVER OTTERS at the Rowing Club pond. Plus the usual Eastern Gray Squirrels and and Eastern Cottontail.

For the day, an even 60 species of bird. Not bad for drizzly, breezy weather in mid-October.

Misses included Hooded Merganser, Green Heron, Northern Harrier (often a migrant at this time of year), Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Purple Finch.

== Michael Hobbs

American Coot. Photo by Hugh Jennings

Western Meadowlarks.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Cooper's Hawk.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Varied Thrush.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Mother and fawn Mule Deer.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

I believe this to be Amanita muscaria var. flavivolvata.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Also known as Fly Agaric.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Highlights:

Western Grebe                    Quite a few (for us - maybe 8) out on the lake
Mew Gull                             Five adults on fields 7-8-9. First of Fall
Merlin                                  Flew east over climbing rock
Northern Shrike                   Adult, East Meadow, later north of fields 7-8-9.
Yellow-rumped Warbler       Dozens, with possibly a majority being Myrtle’s
WHITE-THR SPARROW   Two tan-stripe birds near portapotties – FOF
Western Meadowlark           Six north of Compost Piles

We also saw the three RIVER OTTERS in the weir below the slough.

YESTERDAY, late afternoon, under gorgeous sunny skies, I had some birds we didn’t have today. A NORTHERN HARRIER appeared to be coming in for a landing somewhere south of the boardwalk.

In the Big Cottonwood Forest south of the dog area, I spotted a RED-BREASTED x RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, with black trim below the red on the breast, with black on the nape, and a very bold white bar on the face. The head was red from the bill all the way back to the nape, however, with no black eyeline extending behind the head, and no black on the face.

The NORTHERN SHRIKE was in the south end of the East Meadow yesterday, First of Fall

There were two birds that I finally listed as SWAINSON’S THRUSH, at the south end of the Dog Meadow. I spent a lot of time looking, since they are very uncommon this late in the fall (right on the edge of unbelievable). But these birds had large buffy eye rings, a definite buffy wash behind the upper breast spots, spots that were not black but a dark reddish-brown, malar streaks that were also not black, and no contrast between back and tail coloration (i.e. the tails were not comparatively red). I also think I heard Swainson’s-like “whit” calls from them. Arguing against SWTH was that I couldn’t really detect buffy supraloral stripes that would have turned the eye rings into a more spectacled look. Also, they had fairly white lower bellies (though the did have dusky flanks). Posture seemed right for SWTH, but that’s pretty subjective.

Grace & Ollie also went to Marymoor yesterday, and they had some more species for the week: six CACKLING GEESE, fourteen BUSHTIT, and thirteen AMERICAN PIPITS.

For today, 45 species (which I think was pretty good, considering the weather).

For yesterday, 46 species for me between 2-4 p.m., plus the hybrid sapsucker.

Combined total, including Grace&Ollie's three additional species: 58 species for the week.

== Michael Hobbs

Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Savannah Sparrow, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver
Song Sparrow, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

American Pipit, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

American Pipit, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Western Meadowlark, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Tiny minima Cackling Goose with Canadas, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

"Red-shafted" (left) and intergrade Northern Flickers, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

This intergrade flicker has yellowish flight feather shafts as with a "Yellow-shafted" Northern Flicker, as well as the red crescent on the nape.  But a pure "Yellow-shafted" would have more brown on the face, and brown extending down the throat to the bib. Photo, 2016-10-12, by Ollie Oliver

Bushtit, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Black-capped Chickadee, 2016-10-12.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Highlights:

Cackling Goose                   Several flocks of ~50 overhead; none landed
Wood Duck                        About 10 at lake, males looking gorgeous
COMMON LOON            Flying to lake 7:30; Scott saw from platform later
Western Grebe                    2 on lake
Northern Harrier                  Juvenile seen hunting several times
Wilson’s Snipe                     One on far shore of Rowing Club pond
SHORT-EARED OWL      One flew past the Viewing Mound at 7:01
Hairy Woodpecker             One on tree roots, south end of Dog Meadow
Pileated Woodpecker          One north of mansion
AMERICAN KESTREL     One harassed harrier, perched east of East Meadow
American Pipit                     Brian saw some early, we heard some later
Cedar Waxwing                   Notably active and obvious
Yellow-rumped Warbler      ~100, mostly Myrtle’s type, drab
WHITE-THR. SPARROW One seen a couple of times – First of Fall
Evening Grosbeak                Heard flying past, distantly

For both NORTHERN HARRIER and WESTERN GREBE, this is the week of the year with the most sightings for any week. Conversely, this was the only week in late-September through December where we *hadn’t* previously had SHORT-EARED OWL. The peak time for them has been the last 2 weeks of October.

For the day, 58 species. I believe we’re at 149 species for the year.

== Michael Hobbs

Common Mergansers.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

The Lake Platform is definitely TOO SMALL.  Photo by Bob Anasoma

Highlights:

Cackling Goose                   Sixteen with Canadas, NE corner of park
Gadwall                               First of Fall – two glimpsed flying downslough
Cooper’s Hawk                   Four sightings, juvenile 3 times, adult once
Merlin                                 One seen near Compost Piles
Pacific Wren                        First of Fall – one under heronry
American Pipit                     Several, including 7 that landed next to us below weir Evening Grosbeak               Two flew overhead calling

Singing birds included Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Fox Sparrow (many), Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and American Goldfinch.

The fog burned off right as we were done, so I did something I almost NEVER do, which was to walk the loop again (just the main loop, not the mansion or rowing club). I did this quite quickly and didn’t find too much for most of it. At the lake, I was able to verify WESTERN GREBE, which had been too far out to identify for sure previously.

At the East Meadow, I found two WESTERN MEADOWLARKS and a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE. This is a bit early for shrike, but there were a couple of reports of shrike at Marymoor this weekend. I’d love specific details (Saturday or Sunday???) since either way, that’s the earliest fall shrike record for the park, as there are only two sightings earlier than today’s – one from October 7, 2010, and one from October 8, 2007 (and a tying one from October 9, 1997)

At the base of the Viewing Mound, I added a lingering COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. There are only 5 previous sightings later than this date, with the latest being October 21, 1999.

So, a fairly mundane day, but not too bad, especially with my late additions. For the extended day, 58 species.

== Michael Hobbs

One of the seven American Pipits below the weir.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Fox Sparrow in Himalayan Blackberry.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Wood Duck pair at the lake.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Merlin.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Savannah Sparrow.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Gull, possibly Glaucous-winged, with extreme feather wear.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Partially-leucistic Golden-crowned Kinglet.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Partially-leucistic Golden-crowned Kinglet.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Normally-colored Golden-crowned Kinglet.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Male Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Mushrooms.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Mushrooms under the cedar near the windmill.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Highlights:

Cackling Goose              Dozen+ FLOCKS overhead - but no definitive Canadas!
Gadwall                          Male at weir – first since mid-August
Northern Shoveler          5 at lake
Western Grebe               One barely visible at lake – First of Fall
Accipiters                       Many sightings, Sharpie & Cooper’s
BONAPARTE’S GULL Two flew close past the lake platform
Hairy Woodpecker         Male in tree at south end of East Meadow
Pileated Woodpecker     Female near weir, calling loudly
Small falcon                    Probably kestrel, flying south
Swallows                        2-3 seen, species not determined
Pacific Wren                   One near old boathouse – First of Fall
Varied Thrush                 2-3, First of Fall
Or.-crowned Warbler     One southwest of mansion
Common Yellowthroat    One near start of boardwalk – late
Fox Sparrow                  Many, with lots of singing

We also had several deer in the East Meadow pre-dawn, and Lillian saw a Long-tailed Weasel at the dog area green barn (tool shed).

For the day, 62 species.

== Michael Hobbs

Male Gadwall at weir.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Belted Kingfisher at weir.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Female Pileated Woodpecker.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Anna's Hummingbird.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

One of five Northern Shoveler at the lake.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Northern Shoveler at the lake.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Two Bonaparte's Gulls flew past the lake platform.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

...Ollie thought they looked like terns.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Long-tailed Weasel at the Dog Area tool shed.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Long-tailed Weasel at the Dog Area tool shed.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Highlights:

GR. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE  Five, seen 3 times, staying together
Cackling Goose                               One small flock flew overhead, 7:45 a.m.
Western Grebe                                One on the lake – First of Fall
Cooper’s Hawk                              Adult and juvenile(s?) seen
MERLIN                                        One distant flyby. Seen 4 of last 5 weeks
Ring-billed Gull                                First positive-ID for the fall, 1-2 birds
Barn Owl                                        2+, great looks. Seen as late as 7:06 a.m.
NORTHERN SHRIKE                   2 seen simultaneously. First of Fall
Varied Thrush                                 1 heard, SE of East Meadow
American Pipit                                2 over fields 7-8-9 flying in big circles
BL.-THR. GRAY WARBLER       One, with YRWAs. Late sighting
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW   1 seen by Ollie & Sharon at Compost Piles

For the day, 55 species.

== Michael Hobbs

Five juvenile Greater White-fronted Geese on grass soccer fields.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

The size difference shown in these photos is approximately correct.

The birds were doing some singing, but early we couldn't always see thru the fog. Some notable birds for the day included:

Greater Scaup                  Out at the lake
Cackling Goose                A flock of over a hundred
Northern Harrier                Juvenile
Cooper's Hawk                 Immature seen several times
Barn Owl                           1 early in the fog
Common Raven
Barn Swallow                    1 really late one
Swainson's Thrush            1 early, a late bird

A total of 56 species in spite of the low visibility for much of the day.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA

Male Greater Scaup.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Chilly to start, but otherwise a gorgeous, wonderful day at Marymoor this morning.  It was quite birdy, though some of the birds were a bit reluctant to let everyone see.  Still, there were highlights throughout the morning, and lots of nice sunshine to soak up once the thin early fog
burned off.

Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose     Three together near climbing rock
Cackling Goose                          Couple of flock flybys, plus more with GWFGs
Common Merganser                   Two flew north up down slough - FOF
Western Grebe                           20+ on lake
Northern Harrier                         East Meadow - great looks
Merlin                                         Took swipe at gulls on grass fields
Virginia Rail                                Heard several
SORA                                        Heard across slough from start of boardwalk
Red-breasted Sapsucker            1 at mansion office
"Yellow-shafted" Flicker             Juvenile around mansion.  Marymoor 1st!
Pileated Woodpecker                 3 sightings, at least 2 birds
Townsend's Warbler                   First of Fall, near S.O.D.A. barn
White-throated Sparrow             2 near S.O.D.A. barn
Western Meadowlark                 6 in NE corner of Dog Area
Evening Grosbeak                       Frequent flyovers continue

Last week Scott reported a large, dark owl that he thought was probably a BARRED OWL.  Today, a woman walking her dog reported that shed had a Barred Owl from the start of the boardwalk on October 2.  She emailed me a  confirming photograph.  So Scott probably saw the same bird 6 days later. Nice to have that mystery almost certainly cleared up.

For the day today, 63 species.  For the year, adding BARRED OWL and SORA, 141 species, I believe.   We still have a decent shot at 150 for the year.

== Michael

Golden-crowned Sparrow in the early morning fog

Townsend's Warbler in a Red Elderberry

Maybe it was a good thing that several of my "regulars" were out of town or otherwise away today, as there were 20 of us even so.  That's a big group, but we just sort of strung along and tried to let those at either end know what was being seen.  Sharon kept calling us back for the good birds!

The morning was foggy to start, though not so bad that it really hindered viewing except at the lake.  But after the first hour or so when things were hopping, the day got REALLY SLOW - basically from the weir to the lake, we saw almost nothing.  It picked up a bit after that, though, and our 5+ hours netted a good species list and a few surprises.

Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose    2 with Canadas, seen by few of us
RUDDY DUCK                       First of the year, female at lake
Western Grebe                          Brian and 1 had 2 late on the lake, FoF
Green Heron                             3 sightings
Northern Harrier                       1 or more constantly overhead, it seemed
Sharp-shinned Hawk                 Tiny presumed male at Compost Piles
Cooper's Hawk                         Juvenile.  Also, some accipiter sp. seen.
Wilson's Snipe                           First of Fall (FoF), 2 at Rowing Club
Barn Owl                                  1 flew north across soccer fields early
Hairy Woodpecker                   Male gave great views near weir
Anna's Hummingbird                 3+, including displaying male at Pea Patch
Red-breasted Sapsucker          1-2 birds, seen poorly
COMMON RAVEN               1 calling as it flew west - First of the year
American Pipit                          About 10 near east-end ball fields
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD      First of the year - rare bird for Marymoor
Pine Siskin                                FoF - 3-4 at Pea Patch

Essentially no summer birds left.  Absolutely no swifts, flycatchers, vireos, swallows, Swainson's Thrush, warblers (except for Yellow-rumped), tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings, or cowbirds.

Only about 4 of the 61 species we had today are birds that don't winter in this area.

== Michael

A very interesting day.  It was cool, and the fog was above us in the morning, clearing somewhat by mid-morning.

Looking through past data, it's very clear that the peak of fall raptor migration is this week, the 2nd week of October.  While we didn't have any falcons today (we've had falcons about half of the years during the 2nd week in October), we made up for it with other raptors:

OSPREY                     One flying out over the lake
Bald Eagle                    At least 2 adults
Northern Harrier          1-2 (two disparate sightings)
Sharp-shinned Hawk    2+
Cooper's Hawk            3+, MANY sightings

Independently, Scott and Ed (up from Stellacomb) had sightings of single BARN OWL early.  Conceivably the same bird.

Then Scott and I walked down the path to the south end of the East Meadow, pre-sunrise.  The last two weeks we'd seen fresh feathers from American Robin, and I was just about to alert Scott to the possibility that some raptor might snag a Robin for breakfast when that's exactly what happened. A large SHARP-SHINNED HAWK flew down from a tree and nailed an AMERICAN ROBIN right next to the path about 15 yards ahead of us.  It mantled over the bird for a minute or so, then flew off with it to cover.  A couple of minutes later, we saw a Sharpie nearby again, possibly the same bird.  Maybe it lost its prey, maybe it cached its prey, or maybe it was a different Sharpie.

We had a NORTHERN HARRIER about 7:25, flying north across the grass soccer fields.  About 9:00, we had a Harrier land in the large snags east of the bend in the boardwalk.  Could have been the same bird, but who knows.  Just before the Harrier came in to the snag, there had been a large COOPER'S HAWK
there, one of many Cooper's sightings.

We had a juvenile RED-TAILED HAWK land in a tree *right* next to our cars to
start the official walk.  When we returned to our cars 4.5 hours later, the same hawk was on a low post nearby eating a vole, and giving us great looks.

Non-raptor highlights:

Western Grebe                                  2-3 on lake
Hairy Woodpecker                            1 on unusually small branches
Winter Wren                                      1 just before lake platform
Varied Thrush                                    1 flyover, either with others or with AMRO
Orange-crowned Warbler                  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler                    Ubiquitous
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK     1, VERY late, near the weir
Pine Siskin                                         With HOFI and AMGO at Compost Piles

Back to accipiters, we had a broad mix of adults and immatures, with both small and large representatives of both species, making it quite clear that we weren't just seeing the same few over and over.  Snag Row featured at least a daring juvenile COOPER'S HAWK that was mixing it up with crows and an adult male SHARP-SHINNED HAWK further west.  In all, we had accipiter sightings about once every 20 minutes all morning.

For the day, 57 species.

== Michael

Scott Ramos' photo (left) and Ollie Olliver's photo (right) of the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
in the parking lot first thing in the morning

Winter Wren

Highlights:

• Green Heron                       Matt's group had one flying over the meadows
• Cooper's Hawk                  Two juvies chasing each other around, plus adult
• Merlin                                 Flying up the slough at about 7:45
• Barn Owl                            One at the south end of the East Meadow early
• Violet-green Swallow          1-2 high overhead near the lake
• American Pipit                     Still dozens around according to Matt
• Orange-crowned Warbler   Hard to pick out among the YRWAs
• Yellow-rumped Warbler     Hundreds (literally), especially near the slough
•  Townsend's Warbler          Matt's group had a couple with YRWAs
• Western Meadowlark         Matt's group reported several in NE corner

For the day, I think we ended up with 63 species combined. For the week, at least 66 species. For the year, we're at 154.

== Michael

Tom Mansfield's photo of aggressive behavior between two Great Blue Herons.

Bald Eagles in a cottonwood as seen from the lake platform.
This is one of their common perches.

American Coot from the lake platform.

The TRKI was flycatching from a lightpost and a small grove of trees along the fenceline of the baseball fields in the northeast part of the park.

Also present today at Marymoor were some other nice birds:

• AMERICAN PIPIT - 50 or more, mostly in the field between the road and ball fields [that's why I headed over to this random part of the park]
• WESTERN MEADOWLARK - 12 at least - also in this field [2 [more?]] were in the East Meadow.
• NORTHERN SHRIKE - in the East Meadow [first of season for me]
• NORTHERN HARRIER - over the East Meadow

Matt Bartels Seattle, WA

*     *    *    *    *

I was able to find Matt Bartels' Tropical Kingbird at Marymoor this afternoon at about 3:30, in the East Meadow. At about 4:00, it flew to the western portion of Snag Row, and at about 4:15 it flew to some conifers near the concert stage. I left Brian Bell and Ryan Merrill trying to spot it over there, with several other people coming down to the park to look. I hope they got to see it, but it was clearly willing to move around the park.

This Tropical Kingbird has the honor of being the 200th bird on the Marymoor Park list. I include all birds that have been seen on my weekly surveys, as well as birds reported by credible sources. I've included all historical records that I've come across, though we've managed to see most of the notable birds from older records (like the Least Flycatcher, with a historical report from 1983, but with one found this year). As it turns out, the oldest unrepeated sighting on the list is a Cattle Egret sighting from November, 1994, so this list represents the species seen in less than 14 years. .I've personally seen 186 of the 200. 

== Michael

Tropical Kingbird photo by John Tubbs.  For more photos, see
http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=4827872&cat=38984

Prev

Bird Sightings Week 41
October 8-14*      *adjust by 1 day in leap years

Next