Friends of Marymoor Park

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Bird Sightings Week 23
June 4-10*

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Rarities for Week 23:

Least Flycatcher 05-Jun-83 R. Thorne per American Birds per E. Hunn spreadsheet
Ash-throated Flycatcher 05-Jun-17  

...Ash-throated Flycatcher

08-Jun-17  
Ash-throated Flycatcher 07-Jun-06 Near Compost piles

...Ash-throated Flycatcher

09-Jun-06 Reported by John Tubbs
California Scrub-Jay 05-Jun-17 Photographed by Josua Rudolph
House Wren 10-Jun-21 Bird remained 03-Jun to at least 01-Jul
Brewer's Sparrow 09-Jun-11  
Baltimore Oriole 04-Jun-06 1st year male, originally reported by David White.  Bird remained 04-Jun to 10-Jun
Bobcat 06-Jun-24  Tony Ernst photographed one, predawn, SW part of the East Meadow

Report for June 6, 2024                                                                                                                   Birding at Marymoor

It was a delightful morning today, and the birds were singing.  Mostly sunny, and neither too cold nor too hot.  It's June, so we have a pretty set list of birds we might see, and we saw most of them plus a few others

Highlights:
  • Pied-billed Grebe - One from the Lake Platform, after 6 weeks of absence
  • Band-tailed Pigeon - Notably many sightings
  • Virginia Rail - One responded from across the slough after 6 weeks of absence (or at least silence)
  • Ring-billed Gull - Two flew north overhead.  First since March
  • Downy Woodpecker - Pair bringing food to a nest at the west end of the boardwalk
  • Western Wood-Pewee - Doing full-blown two-part song this morning
  • Western Flycatcher - First of Year (FOY), also singing
  • Cedar Waxwing - Many sightings
  • Orange-crowned Warbler - Two heard, one pre-dawn, one at the end of the walk at the Rowing Club
  • Black-throated Gray Warbler - Matt heard one singing at the Rowing Club
  • Western Tanager - One seen briefly, another heard
About 25 species were heard singing today.  Quite a few babies about too.

Pre-dawn, Tony saw a BOBCAT at the SW corner of the East Meadow (FOY)

It was a good day.

= Michael Hobbs


Male Common Yellowthroat bring food to the nest. Photo by Tony Ernst


Male Wood Duck. Photo by Tony Ernst


Great Blue Heron babies in the nest. Photo by Tony Ernst


Male Brown-headed Cowbird. Photo by Tony Ernst


Bobcat, predawn, SW part of East Meadow. Photo by Tony Ernst


Another view of the bobcat. Photo by Tony Ernst

Report for June 8, 2023                                                                                                                   Birding at Marymoor

It was a delightful day at Marymoor, with sunny skies and temps mostly in the low '60s.  But it was pretty much a duplicate of last week.  We had only one species this week that we didn't have last week.

Highlights:
  • Pied-billed Grebe - Two from the lake platform, first in 10 weeks
  • Pileated Woodpecker - Babies being fed in the nest
  • Song Sparrow - Feeding a Brown-headed Cowbird chick
  • White-crowned Sparrow - Feeding a WCSP chick
  • Bullock's Oriole - Activity at the nest near the heronry.  There may be babies in the nest
Other than that, it was the same only slightly less.  There were only two BALD EAGLES not nine, and there were four species that we had last week that we missed this week: Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Glaucous-winged Gull (*may* have seen one a mile away), and Red-tailed Hawk.

It was a good day for mammal sightings though:

    Eastern Gray Squirrel - near mansion
    American Beaver - across from Dog Central
    Muskrat - from Rowing Club dock
    Eastern Cottontail - a couple
    River Otter - across from Dog Central

For the day, 56 species.

= Michael Hobbs

First-year male Bullock's Oriole, 2023-06-04.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

First-year male Bullock's Oriole, 2023-06-04.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Virginia Rail chicks, 2023-06-06.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Virginia Rail chicks, 2023-06-06.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Pileated Woodpeckers, 2023-06-07.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Two of the three Pileated Woodpecker chicks, 2023-06-06.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Report for June 9, 2022                                                                                                                   Birding at Marymoor

Weather was cold, dark, dreary.  Birds were staying hidden.

"Highlights":
  • Double-crested Cormorant - One flew to the lake.  Only our 8th June record ever
  • Falcon sp. - One flew north on the far side of the slough.  Merlin or Peregrine most likely
We did have some begging baby crows.

Most notable was that 12 species were Heard Only, which is pretty bad when you have only 54 species total.

Misses included Canada Goose, Glaucous-winged Gull, Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, and Cliff Swallow.

As I said, for the day, just 54 species, 42 seen.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for June 10, 2021                                                                                                                      Birding at Marymoor

Today turned out to be an excellent day at the park.  We started off with overcast, and it was none-too-warm.  For a while we had a bit of breeze and a very dark cloud that misted us.  Later, it cleared to sun and clouds.  The birds were pretty cooperative, and there were several surprises.
 
Highlights:
  • Wood Duck – I believe we had three females with ducklings
  • Mourning Dove – one glimpse, and later a really good look at one.  Only our 2nd MODO sighting of the year so far
  • COMMON NIGHTHAWK – Matt and I had one flying silently over the boardwalk around 5 a.m. – First of Year (FOY)
  • BLACK SWIFT – when the mist started, we had at least FIFTY Black Swifts over the south end of the Dog Meadow.  Later, we had a similar number over the Viewing Mound in the sun.  Probably a High Count for the park
  • California Gull – a tight flock of 10 at the lake
  • Caspian Tern – one seen twice, or two
  • Merlin – flyby near the weir put the swallows atwitter
  • EASTERN KINGBIRD – one north of Fields 7-8-9 – FOY
  • RED-EYED VIREO – one singing (unseen) at the Rowing Club – FOY
  • HOUSE WREN – presumably the same bird as last week, singing from a birch snag on the far side of the slough below the weir at 5:45 a.m.  My first ever for the park
  • Red Crossbill – after a few times when Matt thought he heard one/some, we had a single bird flying up the river while we were on the Rowing Club dock.  Our latest spring sighting ever
  • Western Tanager – two at the Rowing Club parking lot
  • Lazuli Bunting – My best guess was a DOZEN males.  I also saw one female.  They were all over the East Meadow, but in several other places as well!
Baby birds were plentiful.  Beside Wood Duck and Mallard, and the babies at the heronry, we also had many species feeding young, and nests with young, as well as some already independent youngsters around: Red-breasted Sapsucker, Tree Swallow, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtit, American Robin, House Finch (pretty sure), and Dark-eyed Junco.
 
Misses today included Common Merganser, Rock Pigeon, Glaucous-winged Gull, Green Heron, and Cliff Swallow.
 
For the day, 66 species.  Adding three today, we’re at 146 species for 2021.
 
= Michael Hobbs

House Wren.  Photo by Jordan Roderick

Garter Snake, 2021-06-09.  Photo by Bob Asanoma

Report for June 04, 2020                                                                                                                    Birding at Marymoor

Ten of us met at Marymoor this morning, under a perfect lumpy quilt of overcast. We split into two groups of 5 to make social distancing more possible, and set out in opposite directions around the loop.

Highlights:

  • AMERICAN WIGEON – one male in the slough. This is the first time we’ve had one in June, and we have only one record for May (2002-05-08)
  • Common Merganser – the other group had a female with 7 small ducklings in the slough
  • Virginia Rail – 2 or 3 called from across the slough
  • American Coot – lone bird still hanging around near the Lake Platform
  • EASTERN KINGBIRD – two birds in the East Meadow. Most sightings for this species have come in early June. First of Year (FOY)
  • RED-EYED VIREO – we saw singing birds both at the south end of the Dog Meadow and at the Rowing Club next to the boathouse (FOY)
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow – two were flying around the slough below the weir
  • Orange-crowned Warbler – Matt heard one pre-dawn
  • Black-throated Gray Warbler – one continues to sing near the Rowing Club parking lot. Only our 4th June record
  • Western Tanager – we saw a female. The other group saw a female and heard a second bird. Not commonly seen in June at Marymoor
  • Lazuli Bunting – Pretty sure we had at least 3 males, as well as a female

Babies: Canada Goose (at least 2 clutches), Wood Duck (3 clutches), Mallard (3 clutches), Common Merganser, Rufous Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird (very recently fledged), Great Blue Heron (in the nests), Downy Woodpecker (being fed in the nest), Savannah Sparrow (being fed), and Dark-eyed Junco (being fed).

Misses today included Green Heron, Cliff Swallow, and Pine Siskin (may have glimpsed).

My group had 69 species. Jordan’s group had 62 species, to give a combined total of 73 species.

= Michael Hobbs

Report for June 06, 2019                                                                                                                    Birding at Marymoor

We had lots of birders and a little rain, on a cool, cloudy morning.  It was pretty birdy early, and lots of baby birds were out and about, but some species stayed frustratingly out of sight.
 
Highlights:
  • Wood Duck – two clutches of small ducklings at the lake
  • Rock Pigeon – one flew north – first since April for the Thursday walks
  • Band-tailed Pigeon – quite a few, with some great looks
  • BLACK SWIFT – 10 over the lake in the mizzle – First for us for 2019
  • Spotted Sandpiper – one at the weir
  • Western Wood-Pewee – several more than we’ve had so far in 2019
  • Willow Flycatcher – ditto
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow – at least one at the weir
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler – one singing (unseen) near mansion
Babies noted (or in some cases merely suspected) included Wood Duck, Mallard, Great Blue Heron (still in the nests), Barn Owl (heard in the windmill pre-dawn), Black-capped Chickadee, Bushtit, American Robin, European Starling, House Finch, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Red-winged Blackbird.
 
Mammals today included Eastern Gray Squirrel, American Beaver, Muskrat, *many* Eastern Cottontail, Raccoon (new for 2019), and a recently deceased Townsend’s Mole (new for 2019).
 
Misses today included Green Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Cliff Swallow, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee.  Still, we managed 62 species for the day, with BLACK SWIFT the only addition to our 2019 list.
 
Oh, and we had a brief visit from old friend Ollie Oliver at the Rowing Club :)

= Michael Hobbs

Report for June 07, 2018                                                                                                                    Birding at Marymoor

Today we were missing many of our regulars, all headed down to the WOS Conference this weekend. Nevertheless, nine of us took to Marymoor Park for the weekly walk. It was cool-ish and overcast, with a little breeze, but a very pleasant day with decent #s of birds, but no rarities. Well, two rarities: Great to see Grace & Ollie Oliver back again!

Highlights:

  • Wood Duck - several clutches - I counted 13 babies pre-dawn at the viewing platform. Overall, around 30 Wood Ducks on the day.
  • Killdeer - copulation - below the weir
  • Spotted Sandpipers - 2 pairs nearby as well
  • Band-tailed Pigeon - 20 or more, including close looks at adult & immature, and one flock of 13
  • Eurasian Collared-Dove - Brian Bell had one as he left for WOS
  • Western Screech-Owl - heard pre-dawn - first in over a month
  • Red-breasted Sapsucker - feeding young at nest at dog central
  • Merlin - one fly-by early at viewing mound
  • Western Wood-Pewee - not huge #s , but the first week we’ve had regular vocalizing around the park this year
  • Purple Martin - 2 at the lake viewing platform gourds - first time in gourds this year for us
  • Swainson’s Thrush & Cedar Waxwings - very numerous again today , though Swainson’s remained invisible
  • Bullock’s Oriole - 2 males around ‘singing’
  • Red-winged Blackbirds - a pair copulating at weir, followed by a couple watching young ones trying it out as well!
  • 5 species of warbler - Orange-crowned, Wilson’s & Yellow-rumped heard only, Yellow & Common Yellowthroat seen & heard
  • Lazuli Bunting - 3 males, 1 female

I don’t believe we had any species new for the park year list - we’re about all done with new arrivals for the summer

For the day, 61 species

Matt Bartels [subbing for Michael Hobbs]


Adult Spotted Sandpiper below weir.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Juvenile Great Blue Heron below heronry.  Photo by Ollie Oliver
 


Juvenile Band-tailed Pigeon.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Adult Band-tailed Pigeon.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Osprey.  Photo by Bob Asanoma


Male Rufous Hummingbird.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Female Purple Martin in nesting gourd.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Purple Martin on gourd hanger.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Male Wood Ducks.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Male Red-winged Blackbird.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Male Lazuli Bunting.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Barn Swallows.  Photo by Hugh Jennings


Barn Swallow.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Barn Swallow.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for June 8, 2017                                                                                                                     Birding at Marymoor

We had nothing but light rain and drizzle today, and it really hid the birds. Low species count for the day, and many of those heard-only. Just not that many birds wanting to be found.

Highlights:

  • Wood Duck – female sitting on a pile of ducklings at Rowing Club, same as last week
  • Band-tailed Pigeon – at least 20
  • BLACK SWIFT – perhaps a dozen, despite the drizzle
  • ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER – in dying cherry trees along trail below the weir – strange location
  • Wilson’s Warbler – one heard near east end of boardwalk. Probably won’t have another until the end of July, as they don’t nest in the park
  • Lazuli Bunting – male chasing female around the north edge of the East Meadow

 The baby GREAT BLUE HERONS are getting very large at the heronry.

The highlights list was rather short today, and the species count was just 54 (down from 71 last week).

== Michael Hobbs


Purple Martins nesting in the gourds.  Photo by Michael Hobbs
 


Eastern Kingbird, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata


Eastern Kingbird, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata


Eastern Kingbird, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Joshua Rudolph


Eastern Kingbird, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Joshua Rudolph


Eastern Kingbird, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Joshua Rudolph


Eastern Kingbird, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Jordan Roderick


California Scrub-Jay, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Joshua Rudolph


Ash-throated Flycatcher, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata


Ash-throated Flycatcher, 2017-06-05.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata


Ash-throated Flycatcher, 2017-06-04.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Western Kingbird losing to a Tree Swallow, 2017-06-04.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata


Western Kingbird, 2017-06-04.  Photo by Kazuto Shibata

Report for June 9, 2016                                                                                              Birding at Marymoor

A nice enough spring day, though surprisingly quiet at times. A few species were abundant, but we had to work rather hard to pick up more. Luckily, with the big group, and quite a few good birders, we were able to track down a good list of species.

Highlights:

Wood Duck                  Pair at lake with mixed duckling clutch
Mallard                         I believe 3 clutches of ducklings total
Common Merganser     Nine around weir
Great Blue Heron          Baby “grum grum grum” calls from heronry
Band-tailed Pigeon        Nice flyby over fields 7-8-9
Barn Owl                      Matt had one at windmill very early
Great Horned Owl        Matt heard one to the west of the park entrance
- all 5 woodpeckers -    Pileated heard-only
Warbling Vireo               1 east of Dog Meadow, 1 at Rowing Club – FOY
- six swallow species –    Including 3 N. Rough-winged at Viewing Mound
Ruby-crowned Kinglet    2 lingering birds
American Pipit                Single flyover
Or.-crowned Warbler     Not too many, not very cooperative
Common Yellowthroat    MANY singing birds
Yellow-rumped Warbler  MANY flocks, almost all “Audubon’s”
Bl.-thr. Gray Warbler      One singing across slough from windmill – FOY
Wilson’s Warbler            One silent male in Dog Meadow – FOY
CHIPPING SPARROW One in Pea Patch – FOY
Wh.-crowned Sparrow   Gambelii subspecies heard,
                                            as well as expected Pugetensis
Black-headed Grosbeak 1-2 singing west of slough – FOY

The WOOD DUCKS at the lake had 8-9 ducklings, a majority of which were HOODED MERGANSER ducklings.

We were a little disappointed to have no flycatchers, and to have such low warbler numbers (excluding the ubiquitous Yellowthroats and Yellow-rumps).

A good mammal day helped though: Besides the introduced Eastern Gray Squirrels and Eastern Cottontails, we also had two DEER, two AMERICAN BEAVER at the weir, a COYOTE, and a MUSKRAT.

For the day, 65 species of birds. For the year, adding Warbling Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, and Black-headed Grosbeak, we’re at 120 species for the year.

== Michael Hobbs


Female Mallard with "teenage" ducklings.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Yellow Warbler.  Note distinctive yellow tail.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Northern Flicker.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Cedar Waxwing.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Black-capped Chickadee.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Singing Marsh Wren.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Juvenile Golden-crowned Kinglet.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Red-breasted Sapsucker.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Juvenile and adult American Robin.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Juvenile American Robin being fed by adult.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

American Beaver.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Adult and juvenile American Beaver.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Juvenile American Beaver.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

American Beaver.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for June 4, 2015                                                                                                                     Birding at Marymoor

It was a very nice summer day today, with few unexpected species, but with a good collection of the expected birds. LOTS of breeding behavior and baby birds to see, and a good amount of singing. Viewing wasn’t as easy; about 8 species were heard-only.

Highlights:

Mallard                                Several clutches of ducklings, variety of ages
Pied-billed Grebe                 Probably same lone bird as last week, Lake Platform
Great Blue Heron                 Many young on nests
Red-tailed Hawk                  Baby being fed on odd-snag nest west of entrance
Spotted Sandpiper               FOUR at weir
Barn Owl                            Young again heard in windmill, 4:15 a.m.
Rufous Hummingbird            Large numbers (~14) must include some young
Hairy Woodpecker              Fully-fledged, independent young in forest
OLIVE-S. FLYCATCHER Heard DISTANTLY WNW of windmill, 5:45 a.m.
Western Wood-Pewee        Nest building observed
Cedar Waxwings                 Gathering moss
Yellow-rumped Warbler      Gathering nest materials near mansion
White-crowned Sparrow     Adult with young juvenile at Compost Piles
Dark-eyed Junco                 2 adults with VERY young juvenile, E of mansion
Lazuli Bunting                      ~3 singing, heard from Viewing Mound, 5:15 a.m
Red Crossbill                       Many (~40) including flock that looked to be
                                                       females & juveniles

Photos confirmed that last week, we had an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER perched extremely far to the SE, so today’s bird was not a First Of Year. But adding that species, I believe we’re up to 135 species. For today, “only” 63 species.

== Michael Hobbs


One of four Spotted Sandpipers near the weir.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

One of four Spotted Sandpipers near the weir.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Warbling Vireo.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Juvenile Hairy Woodpecker.  Photo by Bob Asanoma


Mallards at the lake.  Photo by Hugh Jennings


Mallard Ducklings.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Male Wood Duck.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


American Crow, showing an over-long hooked bill.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Red Crossbill flock.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Close-up from previous photo:  Red Crossbills.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Tail view of a male Black-headed Grosbeak.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


More typical side view of a male Black-headed Grosbeak.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


House Finch; they have been hard to find this year.  Photo by Hugh Jennings


Male Lazuli Bunting.  Photo by Louis Kreemer


Red Elderberry.  Photo by Bob Asanoma


Townsend's Mole.  Photo by Bob Asanoma


Male Lazuli Bunting.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Adult male Common Yellowthroat, 2015-05-29.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Sub-adult male Common Yellowthroat, 2015-05-29.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Female Brown-headed Cowbird, 2015-05-29.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Swainson's Thrush, 2015-05-29.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Bugs on grass flowers, 2015-05-29.  Photo by Lillian Reis

 

Report for June 5, 2014                                                                                                                     Birding at Marymoor

It wasn’t exactly warm and toasty this morning, and there was enough overcast that we had unfulfilled hopes that we’d see Black Swifts today, but otherwise the birding was really quite pleasant. There are an increasing number of baby birds about, which is beginning to lead to confusion – “What’s making THAT call???”, “Is that an adult female or a juvie???” etc. It’s adds interest to the day :)

Highlights:

Wood Duck                         At least 3 clutches of ducklings
Red-tailed Hawk                  Begging, fledged juvenile near Rowing Club
Caspian Tern                       A couple of people saw one
Barn Owl                             Seen at 4:15 a.m. Not by me (#asleep)
Common Nighthawk            Heard long before our 5:30 start (see above)
Belted Kingfisher                  Two spent an hour chasing each other high overhead
All 5 Woodpecker species
Pacific-slope Flycatcher        Seen/heard by a few near start of boardwalk
EASTERN KINGBIRD       One north of Viewing Mound
Purple Martin                        Another early bird
Yellow-rumped Warbler       One singing near mansion
Wilson’s Warbler                  One singing near rowing club
Lazuli Bunting                       Several singing males again
Bullock’s Oriole                   Some fledglings perhaps, plus adults

Good day for mammals too, with American Beaver, and Raccoon seen, as well as the usual suspects.

COMMON NIGHTHAWK has only very rarely been noted, though both in spring and fall migration.

We’ve had about a dozen records of EASTERN KINGBIRD, almost all from the first three weeks in June. This is probably the same bird reported by Matthew Pike from yesterday.

We were surprised to have both Yellow-rumped Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler at the park today. Both species typically clear out for the actual nesting season. We have only sporadic records of YRWA for June, July, and August. For WIWA, they’re usually gone for just June and July.

Misses today included Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon, and Cliff Swallow. We’re still waiting for our first Black Swifts and Red-eyed Vireo. We’ve only had one sighting of Green Heron all year, and no Pine Siskins at all.

Still, for the day, 63 species, and for the year (adding Common Nighthawk, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Eastern Kingbird) I think we’re at 139.

== Michael Hobbs


Pileated Woodpecker.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Killdeer.  Photo by Ollie Oliver
 


White-crowned Sparrow.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Female Yellow Warbler.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Raccoon.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Raccoon.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Great Blue Heron.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Great Blue Heron.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Eastern Kingbird.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Eastern Kingbird.  Photo by Hugh Jennings


Red-winged Blackbird harassing a Great Blue Heron.  Photo by Lillian Reis


Here the Red-winged Blackbird appears to land on the Great Blue Heron.|
Photo by Lillian Reis


Vaux's Swift.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Male Brown-headed Cowbird.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Male Lazuli Bunting.  Photo by Hugh Jennings


Great Blue Heron, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Female Common Merganser, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Female Common Merganser, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Spotted Sandpiper, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Spotted Sandpiper, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz


Osprey, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


1st year male Bullock's Oriole, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Band-tailed Pigeon, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Great Blue Heron babies in the nest, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Warbling Vireo, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Western Wood-Pewee, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Male Black-headed Grosbeak, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Male Lazuli Bunting, 2014-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle tangling, 2014-06-01...


...yes, the Bald Eagle is upside-down...


...mid-air almost-collision...


...Four photos by Lillian Reis


Black-headed Grosbeak, 2014-05-30. Photo by Lillian Reis


Common Yellowthroat, 2014-05-30. Photo by Lillian Reis


Great Blue Heron, 2014-05-30. Photo by Lillian Reis


Great Blue Heron, 2014-05-30. Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for June 6, 2013                                                                                                                              Birding at Marymoor

Michael is in Ecuador, so Matt and I got to substitute for him today at Marymoor. It was a nice day, with much singing (particularly early), mild temperatures and clear and sunny. 60 species including one First of Year

Highlights:

Red-eyed Vireo                       Singing at Dog Central (FOY)
Bushtits                                     Newly fledged young, incl. one group of 10
Red-breasted Nuthatch           Newly fledged young
Chestnut-backed Chickadee Newly fledged young
Lazuli Bunting                           3 singing males

Misses: Rock Pigeon Killdeer Evening Grosbeak owls

Brian H. Bell


Red-eyed Vireo.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Baby Bushtits, very newly fledged.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Bushtit baby being fed.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Rufous Hummingbird.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Two Steller's Jays.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Lillian Reis found this baby Pacific Wren, 2013-06-05.
This is the first record of breeding that we have for this species at Marymoor.

Two photos by Lillian Reis, 2013-06-05

Two juveniles, of six total Bald Eagles, that were hunting for ducklings on the lake,
2013-06-01.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Savannah Sparrow, 2013-06-01.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Male Yellow Warbler (top) and juvenile Common Yellowthroat,
2013-05-31.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Male Common Yellowthroat, 2013-05-31.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for June 7, 2012                                                                                                                             Birding at Marymoor

Another fairly miserable morning, with lots of rain.  Amazingly, we got good looks at a few nice birds, but mostly it was a day of slogging through, hearing more than we were seeing, and not even hearing very much.

Highlights:

Wood Duck                 Quite a few mothers with babies
Caspian Tern                Three overhead while we were on the slough trail
Black Swift                   Despite the rain, about 15
Western Kingbird          Seen by a couple of us, East Meadow
Lazuli Bunting               Great looks, NW corner of dog area
Bullock's Oriole            Lots of interactions between males

Normally, we don't see BLACK SWIFTS on rainy days, but probably the lousy weather all over the state probably has pushed them to forage in unusual locations and under inclement conditions.

For the day, just 54 species.

= Michael Hobbs

The weather was so bad that no photos were obtained on the Thursday walk.  But Ollie and Lillian got out earlier in the week when the weather was better :)

Baby Great Blue Herons are getting large.  Photo by Ollie Oliver, 2012-06-06


Male Anna's Hummingbird, 2012-06-03.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Anna's Hummingbird, 2012-06-03.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Band-tailed Pigeon, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Band-tailed Pigeon, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Ollie Oliver.  Note banded tail!

Western Kingbird, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Western Kingbird, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Vaux's Swift, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Vaux's Swift, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Four young Bald Eagles.  Photo by Lillian Reis, 2012-06-03

Two of the young Bald Eagles tangling.  Photo by Lillian Reis, 2012-06-03

Female Western Tiger Swallowtail, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Baby Garter Snake, 2012-06-06.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Report for June 9, 2011                                                                                                                           Birding at Marymoor

It was overcast, but not too chilly, nor windy, nor did it rain.  Conditions were perfect -- for MOSQUITOES. They also must have been perfect for CEDAR WAXWINGS, because they were everywhere. It seemed that every single bird we ever saw perched up and visible was a waxwing. In general, sightings of birds were tough to come by today, but we glimpsed a lot and heard a lot.

Biggest highlight was a BREWER'S SPARROW at the Compost Piles. Our in-the-field assessment was that it was NOT a "timberline" subspecies, but I'd like to sit down with some photos and some books. This is just the 2nd time Brewer's Sparrow has been seen at Marymoor. The other sighting was from 2000-04-30.

Other highlights:

Green Heron                    Many sightings
Virginia Rail                      Matt actually saw 1, boardwalk, predawn
CASPIAN TERN            Two flying north, twice. 4 birds?
Barn Owl                         Matt had 3 predawn - young birds?
Black Swift                      2-3 over Big Cottonwood Forest
Red-breasted Sapsucker  Many sightings
RED-EYED VIREO        Singing, not seen, N of Dog Central
Purple Martin                   Female in gourd, male & female at Compost Piles
Western Tanager              Maybe our last for this spring

We also had a DEER, a LONG-TAILED WEASEL, and 4 GARTER SNAKES at the Rowing Club.

For the day, 64 species of bird. Evan Houston birded last Tuesday, 6/7, and had six species we didn't have today: Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hawk, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, and Evening Grosbeak, and earlier in the week Lillian had Mourning Dove and Western Kingbird.  Also, the Lewis's Woodpecker was being seen until at least Saturday, so the week total is at least 73.

New for the park year list were the Caspian Terns, Red-eyed Vireo, and of course the Brewer's Sparrow. Evan's Pacific-slope Flycatcher was also new for the year list, to put us at 146.

== Michael Hobbs
 


Brewer's Sparrow.  Photo by Hugh Jennings

Green Heron, SE part of Dog Meadow.  Photo by Hugh Jennings


Caspian Tern.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Vaux's Swift - the "cigar with wings".  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Green Heron.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Green Heron.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz

Savannah Sparrow.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Willow Flycatcher.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Brewer's Sparrow.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Brewer's Sparrow.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz

Mourning Dove.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Rufous Hummingbird.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz

Bullfrog at the Rowing Club.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Garter Snake.  Photo by Dasha Gudalewicz

Female Purple Martin in the left gourd.  Female Tree Swallow in the right gourd.
Males of each species eyeing each other from above their respective gourds.
Photo 2011-06-05 by Lillian Reis.

Mourning Dove, 2011-06-05.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Cliff Swallow building nest, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Cliff Swallows at their nest, 2011-06-04. Photo by Ollie Oliver

Western Kingbird in East Meadow, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Cedar Waxwing, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Lewis's Woodpecker, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Lewis's Woodpecker, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Western Wood-Pewee, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Male Black-headed Grosbeak, 2011-06-04.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Bushtit cleaning the nest, 2011-06-03.  Photo by Dave Templeton

Bushtit with babies to feed, 2011-06-03.  Photo by Dave Templeton

Lewis's Woodpecker, 2011-06-03.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Lewis's Woodpecker, 2011-06-03.  Photo by Lillian Reis

Report for June 10, 2010

A heavy overcast with mist turning to rain was our fate this morning.  By 9:00, it was clearing a bit, but we were almost done by then. Pretty quiet, except for the incessant buzzing on mosquitoes.  Repellant can deter them from biting, but it doesn't keep them out of your eyes and ears. Water levels are outrageously high - 4.8 feet at the gauge, which translates into flooding over part of the trail as you approach the boardwalk, water over the east side of the boardwalk, and water over the access to the Rowing Club dock!  This is approaching the high water levels of winter!

Highlights - well, not a lot:

Ring-necked Pheasant            Poor Lonesome George struts well...
Black Swift                            15-20 over the south  Dog Meadow
Vaux's Swift                           Just a couple, but pretty good looks
Red-breasted Sapsucker        2 just south of Dog Meadow
Pacific-slope Flycatcher         2+ heard, one seen at start of boardwalk
Swainson's Thrush                  Lots of nice singing
Dark-eyed Junco                    Many juveniles around the mansion

And did I mention mosquitoes and mist?

For the day, 58 species, but several of those were heard-only, and several more were in the 1-seen, several heard category.

== Michael


Band-tailed Pigeons.  Photo by Ollie Oliver


Juvenile Bald Eagle.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Great Blue Heron in front of Cirque du Soleil tents.
Photo by Ollie Oliver

White-crowned Sparrow.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Ring-necked Pheasant male, in the Pea Patch.  Photo by Ollie Oliver

Nest in the East Meadow.  Species and photographer uncertain.

Song Sparrow with baby Brown-headed Cowbird...

...and feeding it.  Photos by Lillian Reis

Western Wood-Pewee photo by Lillian Reis, 2010-06-11

Female House Finch photo by Lillian Reis, 2010-06-12

Report for June 4, 2009

A gorgeous summer day, EXCEPT FOR THE MOSQUITOES!  The summer birds were singing, but mostly invisible.  Lots of babies about, though.

Highlights:

 Ring-necked Pheasant        Male sounding off frequently
Rufous Hummingbird          Nobody visible at the nest, but female nearby
Hutton's Vireo?                  Calling bird near Dog Central may have been this species
Cedar Waxwing                 Ubiquitous.
Lazuli Bunting                    3(?) near southeast entrance to Dog Area
Bullock's Oriole                 Pair chasing each other around, maybe more

For juveniles, we had lots of baby AMERICAN ROBIN, a female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD feeding a young bird below the weir, a probable juvenile RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD near the start of the boardwalk, at least one baby GREEN HERON visible under the adult on the nest at the Rowing Club, and a baby HAIRY WOODPECKER was peeking out of the nest hole across from the Rowing Club dock.

Near the Rowing Club dock, we had a mixed flock of baby WOOD DUCKS (8+) which included 3 baby HOODED MERGANSER.  There was no adult of either species around, as far as we could tell.  The ducklings all appeared to be same age, and quite young.

The BARN OWL in the nest box is rising higher and higher in the box, and is looking cramped.  We couldn't see any young ones yet, though.

We also had a RACCOON and 2 LONG-TAILED WEASEL.  Huge CARP were stirring up the lily pads a the lake

For the day, 56 species.

== Michael


The Barn Owl is sitting higher and higher

The Raccoon disappears on the far side of the slough

When the two weasels spotted us, one went left and one went right...

...then the one on the left popped up and made a dash across the trail to join the other

Male Rufous Hummingbird in the Dog Meadow

Some of the 8+ Wood Duck babies with 2 (of 3) Hooded Merganser ducklings

Probable juvenile Northern Flicker along the east edge of the East Meadow

There were two of them together, and they were playing/fighting/being siblings

Dave Templeton's male House Finch

In the photo the juvenile(s?) under the adult are not visible

Report for June 5, 2008

I left for the WOS Conference right after Marymoor, and so never did one of my regular write-ups.  Now I can't really remember things like the weather very well.  It was overcast, I remember that.

Highlights:

Wood Duck                      At least 3 clutches of ducklings
Cooper's Hawk                 Male seen heading back towards nest with food
Black Swift                        About 20 seen over the lake area
Orange-crowned Warbler  Rowing Club
Townsend's Warbler         Male just south of Dog Area, singing.  Unusual location.
Western Tanager               As expected this time of year, male singing, female
 

For the day, 62 species. Oh, and we saw a Long-tailed Weasel, and a Coyote cavorting near the park maintenance shop !?!?

== Michael


Very blurry photo of the Townsend's Warbler


Willow Flycatcher and a male Rufous Hummingbird sharing a bush in the Dog Meadow.
Photo by Ollie Oliver.


Ollie Oliver's photo of a male Common Yellowthroat


Coyote near the maintenance barn and the mansion


Ollie's photo of same


Tree Swallow nesting near windmill
This Brown Pelican spent a day on a dock along the northwest shore of Lake Sammamish, on a spot visible from the Marymoor lake platform.
Ollie got a little closer to get this photo, however.  2008-06-01.

Report for June 7, 2007

Marymoor was certainly notable today - chilly (50F), mist, heavy mist, light rain, steady rain. We enjoyed one fifteen minute period when it wasn't precipitating. Slow bird activity, but continuous activity. Willow Flycatchers calling frequently, a couple of Black-headed Grosbeaks singing, Western Wood-Pewees were numerous, but not calling as frequently as recently. We wound up seeing lots of birds, but had to work for some of them. We only heard Swainson's Thrush and Purple Finch.

I had three Spotted Sandpipers at the retention pond near the new paved area, and we had one fly upriver past the rowing club and then back down. Mark spotted a Bullock's Oriole at the last minute from the rowing club. Of especial note were two Green Herons that flew into the rowing club pond, and then flew to the small pond. We cautiously investigated and I saw a new nest in the same tree where last years was, and there was one bird at it.

- Brian Bell

Check out Marc Hoffman's amazing photos of Lazuli Buntings copulating at the Compost Piles on May 25, 2007:

http://www.dartfrogmedia.com/birds/lazuliesMating070524Marymoor.jpg

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