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Rarities for Week 44:
Report for November 2, 2023 Birding at Marymoor
Report for November 3, 2022 Birding at Marymoor
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Report for November 4, 2021 Birding at Marymoor
Geez – You’d think people would have the sense to check the weather forecast, for they would surely have known to stay home if they had! There were NINE of us for three hours of very wet and dark birding with occasional bonus breezes. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as it was nice pre-dawn and nice again starting at 11:00. Birds were terribly hard to come by, and only an owl kept it from being a waste of a morning.
Highlights:
Matt and Eric had the SHORT-EARED OWL before sunrise in the East Meadow and had noted that it might have settled down in the grass there. Two hours later, as we made are way north up the East Meadow, we spotted AMERICAN CROWS harassing something in the grass about where the owl might be. Sure enough, long before we ever got close enough to effect the outcome, the crows drove the owl into the air. For at least a minute we watched as the owl circled higher and higher over the meadow with crows keeping pace. I finally lost it in the gray. We were very lucky on the timing of that one, as the crows could have found the owl just 5 minutes earlier and we would have missed it.
On a quick drive-through after the Rowing Club I spotted ROCK PIGEON and a NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Misses today included Gadwall, Western Grebe, Virginia Rail, Cooper’s Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
For the morning, just 48 species, our first sub-50 total of 2021. Hopefully our last.
= Michael Hobbs
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Wilson's Snipe, taken 2021-10-31 when the weather was better. Photo by Bob Asanoma |
Report for November 1, 2018 Birding at Marymoor
Today was most notable for being dark, unsurprising as we are approximately at the cross-quarter (Samhain), and entering the darkest quarter of the year. Abandon all hope... There were short drizzle squalls, and bits of mist and mizzle, but it really wasn’t too rainy. With temps right around 60 degrees, even the occasional gusty winds merely meant our optics needed to be dried occasionally; it’s not like it was uncomfortable. But it WAS dark, and fairly quiet, except for the huge number of American Robins.
Highlights:
One juvenile SNOW GOOSE was seen this weekend, which was the First of Fall for Marymoor; today’s flock was the First of Fall for the survey. Misses were notable today: Gadwall, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser (possibly glimpsed in flight), Western Grebe, Virginia Rail, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull (though we failed to ID several gulls), Sharp-shinned Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, Bewick’s Wren, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Lincoln’s Sparrow have all been seen on at least 12 years of the last 24 for this week of the year, but not today! For the day, 52 species. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for November 2, 2017 Birding at Marymoor
The dismal weather report was, as usual, not to be trusted. Yes, the weather was not as nice as most recent days, but it was merely breezy, and we mostly didn’t have rain. We had periodic drizzle at most, and for much of the morning there were blue skies and even rainbows. It felt like the birds were a little timid with the changeable weather, and often stayed hidden and silent, but we managed some sightings.
Highlights:
The day was notable for misses – No Western Grebe, any woodpeckers except Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, or Western Meadowlark. We had terrible looks at two groups of Pigeon sp. that were *probably* Rock Pigeon. One or two distant Pine Siskins were the only finches besides ~20 House Finch. And no really good rarity to share with y’all. For the day, 55 species, plus a COYOTE that crossed the model airplane field. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for November 3, 2016 Birding at Marymoor
While today was a gorgeous fall day, we were beset with thick fog from pre-dawn owling until we got to the lake platform. I’m sure we missed many birds, between the lack of visibility, and the constant noise as the wet air conducted distant sounds. Still, we had a very good day.
Highlights: Ruddy Duck Female still hanging out near Lake Platform In the pre-dawn fog, we saw a COOPER’S HAWK atop one of the bird houses near the mowed trail. Suddenly, it took flight, chasing a small sparrow or wren that flew between our legs. Matt literally had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit by the hawk. The FRANKLIN’S GULL was found in a large flock that was primarily MEW GULLS, but also had a few RING-BILLED, CALIFORNIA, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS on the grass soccer fields right where we park. The dark bill, faced washed with slaty darkness, dark mantle, small size, and eye crescents were easily seen in the scope. But before everyone could view it, a bunch of gulls including the FRGU took off and flew north. For the day, 65 species! == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for October 29, 2015 Birding at Marymoor
Despite looking awfully threatening, especially between 7 and 9, the rain held off until we were getting into our cars at the Rowing Club (and even then, it was just a sprinkle). The birds seemed subdued by the weather, however. It was really quiet. Paving work continues on the eastern portion of the trail, so we had to backtrack extensively today, but we were able to cover most of the territory. By next week, I suspect we’ll at least be able to get to the grass Meadow Loop Trail and bypass the remainder of any construction.
Highlights: Green-winged Teal 2 females near weir The SHORT-EARED OWL was really the only highlight of the day, but it gave us wonderful looks. This is the best time of year to find them at Marymoor, though the change in the weather due tomorrow may send them south. For mammals, Matt saw a deer, and I saw a Long-tailed Weasel at the Rowing Club. Besides those, just E.G. Squirrels. For the day, 53 species. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for October 30, 2014 Birding at Marymoor
The weather was blah, though not horrible. Warm an muggy, with the dark blanketed sky spitting drips and drops on an irregular basis, and a bit of a breeze for the first hour or two. The darkness made birding difficult.
There was also a LOT of tree damage from the weekend windstorm. Many large trees lost huge branches or fell entirely, including probably the largest, tallest cottonwood in the Cottonwood Forest; the tree with the never-used Bald Eagle nest seems to have disappeared. There was also damage to the new Bald Eagle nest tree area in the SE of the park as well. There wasn’t much in the way of birding, but as usual, we ended up finding some VERY NOTABLE birds. Highlights: SWANS 8 who gave up thoughts of landing, This is just the 3rd GLAUCOUS GULL sighting for Marymoor, and the first fall record. It was seen on several of the grass soccer fields, and at the model airplane field. It’s darker toned than many juvenile GLGUs, and slightly orangey. The bill looked cleanly bicolored, with a flesh colored base. The wingtips and tail were the whitest part of the bird. It was notably larger than all other gulls present. The FRANKLIN’S GULL was a 1st winter bird, and I’d gotten a report that it was present last Friday as well. Just 53 species for the day, and that’s overstating things, as many of those were seen before, after, or by only a very few people. Pretty crappy day for species total, but pretty good for gulls. == Michael Hobbs |
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I believe this to be |
Report for October 31, 2013 Birding at Marymoor
Our Halloween was a good one at Marymoor. Despite the lack of fog, we had no owls pre-dawn, but we had some pretty good birds all day long, in between gaps of nothingness. The predicted rain consisted of occasional mist, mizzle, and a few minutes of drizzle, and the temperature started at 50 and probably didn’t change. So it wasn’t a bad day at all.
Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose Juvenile in with Cacklers and Canadas Matt heard the call chip of the SWAMP SPARROW while the rest of us were noisily gawking at Cedar Waxwings. Amazingly, we were able to follow the chip call as the bird worked north, and we all got anywhere from a couple of glimpses to some good long looks at the very active bird. We last had a SWSP in 2011. For the day, about 55 species. == Michael Hobbs |
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Report for November 1, 2012 Birding at Marymoor
It was distinctly damp this morning, especially for the first three hours. The rain was fairly steady, and definitely counted as rain, not just drizzle. By about 10, though, it eased off a bit, and the day became fairly nice, albeit with overcast and occasional drops. It was also warm – 51 degrees at 7:00 a.m. It never felt terribly birdy, and we missed several “common” species, but had a pretty good species list by the end.
Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose 1 flyby with Cacklers We had no woodpeckers except NORTHERN FLICKER. and no Belted Kingfisher, Brown Creeper, or Marsh Wren. There was a RIVER OTTER out on the lake. For the day, 60 species! == Michael Hobbs |
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Killdeer. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Adult Red-tailed Hawk stretching its wings. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Pine Siskins, 2012-10-28. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Accipiter, probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2012-10-28. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Maybe the reason we had no woodpeckers except Northern Flicker on Thursday was that Ollie used up all the good looks on Sunday. Male Downy Woodpecker, 2012-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Red-breasted Sapsucker, 2012-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Female Pileated Woodpecker, 2012-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Female Pileated Woodpecker, 2012-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Part of a large flock of Snow Geese, 2012-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Part of a large flock of Snow Geese, 2012-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Western Meadowlark, 2012-10-26. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Mourning Dove, 2012-10-26. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Report for November 3, 2011 Birding at Marymoor
We were stunned and amazed to have gorgeous weather this morning. It was clear at 7:00 a.m. and still pretty much clear when we finished after noon. It was really birdy, too, with lots of great looks at common birds. Not too many surprises, but a good day. Highlights: Cackling Goose Pure flock of ~200 minimas American Robins and Dark-eyed Juncos were everywhere. We had particularly nice looks at Fox Sparrows, Bewick's Wren, both Kinglets. Had all of the usual suspects except Bushtit. For the day, 59 species. Yesterday, Marc Hoffmann photographed a TUNDRA SWAN at the north end of the lake, as well as a WESTERN GREBE. Ollie Oliver had some COMMON MERGANSERS, and on 11/1 a WOOD DUCK. On Halloween, Lillian Reis had BUSHTIT and a SNOW GOOSE. So the week total is at least 65 species. == Michael Hobbs |
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Bald Eagle. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Hugh Jennings |
Male Hairy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Fox Sparrow, 2011-11-02. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Fox Sparrow, 2011-11-02. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Spotted Towhee, 2011-11-02. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Steller's Jay, 2011-11-02. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
From the lake platform, 2011-11-02. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Snow Goose, 2011-10-30. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Western Grebe, 2011-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2011-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2011-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Belted Kingfisher, 2011-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Belted Kingfisher displaying, 2011-10-28. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Report for November 4, 2010 Birding at Marymoor
It was as pretty a fall day as possible, with a crescent moon, a few wisps of early fog, trees covered in yellow and orange, deep blue skies, and a few high white clouds. There was a nip in the air early, but with the sun shining bright, it warmed up quickly. |
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Female Downy Woodpecker. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Brown Creeper. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Male Anna's Hummingbird in the Community Gardens |
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk at the Compost Piles. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club |
Juvenile Northern Shrike, seen in the afternoon. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Fungi photo by Hugh Jennings |
Okay, that's a male Mallard and a what??? Up in a tree??? Decoyed again. |
Fall color |
Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2010-10-29. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2010-10-31. Photo by Lillian Reis |
Fox Sparrow, 2010-11-03. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Male Anna's Hummingbird, 2010-11-03. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Killdeer, 2010-11-03. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Western Yellowjacket, 2010-11-03. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Honey Bee, 2010-11-03. Photo by Ollie Oliver |
Report for October 29, 2009
Even when it rains, it pours. Eleven of us slogged through some soaking rain at times this morning while making our way around the park. It wasn't terribly pleasant, I must say. Nor were there a lot of birds to see. However, there were some good highlights, and our species count was excellent. |
Ten Greater White-fronted Geese with three Cackling Geese Rock Pigeons |
Adult and immature Ring-billed Gulls |
Horrible photo of the American Tree Sparrow |
One of two Mule Deers |
Ollie Oliver's photo of the Northern Shrike |
Ollie's photo of the Green Heron at the Rowing Club |
Ollie's photo of the Sharp-shinned Hawk that chased off the Pine Siskins |
Ollie's photo from 2009-10-28, of a male Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club |
Same photographer, same bird, same location |
Ollie's photo from 2009-10-28 of a Wilson's Snipe at the Rowing Club |
Ollie's photo from 2009-10-28 of a first-winter Pied-billed Grebe |
Report for October 30, 2008
It seemed pretty quiet today. Early on there was fog, but it lifted early on, such that it didn't effect much except owling. It remained overcast all morning, though, and we had about 16 drops of rain as we passed the windmill. No wind, a touch cold, but fine. It just didn't feel very birdy. Highlights: Cackling Goose Large flock (125?) almost pure Branta minima minima After the walk, I went to the 187th St viewpoint off East Lake Samm. Parkway, and had a couple of good birds: Common Loon One quite close to the lake platform Despite the feeling that there wasn't that much to see, 59 species for the day. So maybe I'm just jaded... == Michael |
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Great Blue Heron on the Pea Patch fence |
Fungi in the Pea Patch |
Report for November 1, 2007
I wasn't expecting such nice weather. It was very pleasant - 41 degrees and windless when we began, and warming. It got a bit breezy once we got past the lake platform, but really not too bad. Lots of puffy clouds, but no threat of precipitation, and quite a bit of sun. It was birdy too, though no surprises. There were about a dozen birders all told. |
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Black-capped Chickadee in Oregon Ash |
Red-tailed Hawk, with prey animal and grass in talons over grass soccer fields |
Canada Geese dwarfing Cackling Geese, probably of the minima race |
Male Bufflehead at the Rowing Club pond |
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Bird Sightings Week 44
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