Marymoor Birdlog 2008

It was just the 3 Amigos again today - myself, Brian Bell, and Ollie Oliver. The temps were right at and above the freeze. We had heavy snow until we got to the lake platform, and then it switched to a mix of rain and snow. There was more than a foot of snow on the ground to slog through, and almost nobody else but us there. Not very birdy, and rather damp by the end. But we did have some good sightings. Highlights: SNOW GOOSE 7 feeding near the Compost Piles along the road They were there all morning Wilson's Snipe Quite a few good sightings Red-breasted Sapsucker One at the Rowing Club Hairy Woodpecker Good looks just south of the Dog Meadow Northern Shrike Flew over the Compost Piles Townsend's Warbler At least 3 together, NE of the mansion, low in the trees Brian had the special honor of seeing the ONLY - singular - AMERICAN ROBIN The total number of birds was quite low - only single birds for many other species too. Lots of ducks, though down to 9 species today. I think we ended up with 44 species. == Michael	Six of the seven Snow Geese Close-up
They were there all morning	Hairy Woodpecker
Looking across the river at Dog Central	Looking south from the Dog Meadow into the forest
Fungi from the boardwalk	Brian celebrates his robin sighting under the roof of the kiosk
Male Townsend's Warbler northeast of the mansion	There were at least 3 warblers

There was six inches of snow when we started, and more falling (about another 2" during the count). The roads were treacherous. I was surprised I wasn't birding alone. But Brian Bell managed to make it down from Woodinville, and Ollie walked down from his house. A beautiful morning, snowing most of the time, and only windy at the end. Birdy too. While the little birds were hard to come by, those we saw gave us great, close looks. Waterfowl numbers were way up, probably because everything else is frozen. Highlights: A four-goose day, with CANADAs being outnumbered perhaps 5-1 by CACKLERS. We had one SNOW GOOSE and one or two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Twelve species of duck, including First-of-the-winter NORTHERN PINTAIL and GREATER SCAUP (one female each). We had 20 KILLDEER fly overhead, which seemed surprising in the winter, plus a couple of WILSON'S SNIPE. Brian had a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. The NORTHERN SHRIKE was hunting in the East Meadow. It chased off a WESTERN MEADOWLARK there. Two or more AMERICAN PIPITS flew over the East Meadow. This is our first-ever December sighting for that species. Two gorgeous male PURPLE FINCHES fed at about eye-level for us. FOX SPARROWS and SPOTTED TOWHEES were especially prevalent and visible. Ollie walked through the mansion area on his way home after Brian and I left. We all skipped the Rowing Club. So it was an abbreviated visit. Still, we managed 52 species! == Michael	View towards the mansion Gadwall with snowy backs
Male Spotted Towhee	Towhees and Fox Sparrows were especially conspicuous on the snowy day
Western Meadowlark in a shrub in the East Meadow	This Northern Shrike displaced the meadowlark moments later
Just south of Dog Central	Ollie's photo of the windmill
Ollie's photos of Wilson's Snipe, 2008/12/20	The snipe were below the weir
Ollie's photos of a flock of Snow Geese, 2008/12/20	Okay I've never had a flock of them at Marymoor - a special find

A mild. windless morning today. Not so many small birds, but still a great day of birding. There were, I believe, 15 birders. Highlights: The early birders had BARN OWL at two locations, and a NORTHERN HARRIER. As we gathered at 8:00, huge flocks of (primarily) CACKLING GEESE flew overhead, all looking for a place to land, then deciding not to stop at Marymoor. My estimate is 2000 geese, by far the most we've had of that species ever. There were probably a dozen large flocks, often multiple flocks overhead at once, plus countless small flocks of ~20. Late in the morning, Matt found some on the ground in the park, amongst which was a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Nearing 9:00 a.m., a flock of 10 TRUMPETER SWANS flew overhead, towards Lake Sammamish Minutes later, another flock of 41+ flew past, followed by a flock of 14, for a total of at least 65 SWANS! Soon after, a raptor was spotted in Snag Row. Distant looks were inconclusive, so we hurried closer. While we were on the chase, a NORTHERN SHRIKE landed in Snag Row a dozen trees west of the raptor. The raptor was finally positively identified as a juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON, and it then flew strongly to the south. At the south end of the Dog Meadow, we had a small accipiter which we puzzled over. Several field marks indicated COOPER'S, but the overall proportions looked more like Sharpie. Shoopers? Carpie? We decided 85% confidence on Cooper's and left it at that. On reviewing photos, it appears to be the same bird that we confidently called a Cooper's the week before. Lots of great looks at PURPLE FINCH today, working the few Oregon Ash trees that still have seeds (most seeds came down in the big blow a few weeks back). We found a very nice male AMERICAN KESTREL that seemed to have an ffinity for the corners of soccer goals - it roamed the whole of the grass soccer field area, mostly landing only on the corner posts. The picnic shelter SE of the mansion is surrounded by conifers, and when we stopped there, they were hopping. A flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS caught our eyes first, but they were quickly followed by a flock of BUSHTITS. Next up were two BROWN CREEPER. We managed to find one or two CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. I had to leave early, so I raced over to the Rowing Club ahead of the others, and I'm afraid I had the better of it. I was greeted by two RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS, then our only flock of PINE SISKIN for the day. The pond held two WILSON'S SNIPE, a drake RING-NECKED DUCK, and a couple of female HOODED MERGANSERS. From the Rowing Club dock, I caught sight of the only AMERICAN COOT and COMMON GOLDENEYE of the day, one each. Finally, as I got to the car, I was able to spot a HOUSE SPARROW across the street. For the day, 54 species. = Michael	Golden-crowned Sparrow Ollie Oliver's photo of a Wilson's Snipe, a bit below the weir
Peregrine Falcon in Snag Row	You can see the wings are about as long as the tail, and you can see the black "helmet" on the head, leaving the ear area light-colored.
American Kestrel on a soccer goal post	Ollie snapped this one of the kestrel in flight
Ollie's photograph shows it to be a nice adult male kestrel	Ollie's photo of Northern Harrier

	Okay - maybe I'm getting carried away. But there are so many different (mostly) photogenic fungi and mushrooms at Marymoor

Our first December outing was chilly, but manageable. We were under the fog early on, and it burned off in only a few hours, leaving us under glorious sunshine. The only odd thing was the paucity of birds. What we were mainly missing were passerines. What we did have today, that we've been mostly missing this winter, were ducks. Highlights: There was one SNOW GOOSE with a hundred or so CACKLING GEESE in the grass/gravel parking lot north of the grass soccer fields. We had many huge flocks of mainly Cacklers, but some CANADAs, flying overhead most of the morning. Three goose day. For ducks, we had two male WOOD DUCKS, which are not at all common in December at Marymoor. We had a pair of AMERICAN WIGEON at the north end of the lake, and later in the slough. Quite a few MALLARDS, of course. A single male RING-NECKED DUCK at the Rowing Club pond, lots of BUFFLEHEAD everywhere, and a lone female COMMON GOLDENEYE near the windmill, three female HOODED MERGANSERS also at the Rowing Club pond, and a flyby male COMMON MERGANSER. Eight species, though the total number of ducks was only about 50 individuals. The Rowing Club was really the place to be, with a GREEN HERON and quite a few WILSON'S SNIPE. Matt and Scott had a BARN OWL early over the East Meadow, and later we had two HAIRY WOODPECKERS at the north end of the meadow. The NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen there, as well as near the first dog swim area and north of fields 7-8-9. It was very active today. Three RIVER OTTERS were seen a few times in the slough. For the day, 51 species. == Michael	The weir under fog Pair of adult Bald Eagles
Ollie's photo of a small Cooper's Hawk	Northern Shrike from the Compost Piles
Ollie's photo of a Dark-eyed Junco at the Compost Piles	Snow Goose, with Cacklers (foreground) and Canadas (background)
"Sooty" Fox Sparrow	Ollie's photo of Killdeer in Lot B
Ollie returned to Lot B for a closer photo of the Snow Goose	Male Ring-necked Duck at the Rowing Club

What a difference a week makes! We had a glorious, bird-filled day today, in extreme contrast with last week. It was cold and foggy to start, but the fog was thin and there was no wind. The sun flirted with us for the first 3 hours before the fog finally burned off revealing pretty much cloudless blue skies. Never really got warm, though. The morning started with a Cooper's Hawk on the fence just as we got to the weir - as we were watching it, a Merlin flew overhead and landed on one of its favorite perches. Those were two of the 6 species of raptor we had. We had a Sharpie in the Cottonwood Forest, a Bald Eagle, and many sightings of Red-tailed Hawk, including the very cooperative juvenile several times. The bigger excitement was the BRANT goose with hundreds of CACKLING GEESE *inside* one of the baseball fields in the northeast corner of the park. What the heck was it doing there? Congrats to Mark and Lee Crawford for predicting Brant as one of the "next birds for Marymoor" (I thought they were nuts when they nominated that one). Highlights: BRANT New bird for the park Green Heron Juvenile at the Rowing Club Northern Harrier North end of the East Meadow MERLIN Two sightings, one early, one late Anna's Hummingbird First sighting since late October NORTHERN SHRIKE One east of East Meadow, one at Rowing Club Townsend's Warbler One northeast of the mansion Fox Sparrow Numerous, in large groups - maybe 20 overall "Slate-colored" Junco Female at Compost Piles At the Rowing Club we had the 3 RIVER OTTERS again. For the day, 56 species. == Michael	Cooper's Hawk below the weir in the early morning fog Male Purple Finch eating Oregon Ash seeds
Fox Sparrow photo by Ollie Oliver	Dark-eyed Juncos - male "Oregon" at left, female "Slate-colored" on right. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Close-up of the female "Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco	Brant goose with Cackling Geese
Brant goose with Cackling Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Brant goose with Cackling Geese. Photo by Ollie Oliver
The photogenic juvenile Red-tailed Hawk near our cars once more	Ollie's photo of same
Female Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club, with male Mallard	River Otter photo by Ollie Oliver, at the Rowing Club
Can you find the Wilson's Snipe? It's right there, plain as day. Really	Eastern Gray Squirrel near the mansion

After a truly amazing sunrise and about an hour of good birding, we got completely hammered by the weather. First were puffs of really warm wind - maybe 60-65 degrees, with sudden darkening of the skies. You could tell the weather was about to flip. At 8:30, it began to drizzle for a few minutes, and then the wind and the rain hit, and the temperature plummeted. It was not a real squall - it was not that sudden, nor were the winds that high, nor was it over quickly.

After a couple of days of nice weather, this must have felt to the birds like something they could ride out. The birds simply disappeared. We continued walking around for two more hours, completing our loop in record time. There were NO BIRDS TO SEE or hear. I think we went an hour without a single bird in flight - no crow, no robin (okay, maybe a gull). We ended up skipping the loop around the mansion and went straight to the Rowing Club, which was duckless (except for Mallard), but seemed a bit more sheltered, perhaps, and did provide a few birds to end the morning with.

Highlights:

Brian Bell reported a GREAT HORNED OWL crossing West Lake Sammamish Parkway, I believe just south of SR-520.

Matt and Scott had BARN OWLS near and in the windmill, and WILSON'S SNIPE calling all over the East Meadow at dawn.

We had many RED-TAILED HAWK sightings - I'd seen four (at least 3 different
ones) in 10 minutes right before we began. The day ended with a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK scaring the wits out of some Mallards at the Rowing Club with a low strafing pass.

There were large flocks of gulls, some of which landed on the grass soccer fields. We had MEW, RING-BILLED, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, and WESTERN, but could not find California nor any rarity.

Good looks at PINE SISKINS.

And that was about it.

For the morning, counting a single Rock Pigeon I saw on my way out, 40 species.

== Michael

Sunrise photos by Scott Ramos

Great Blue Heron in the drizzle and dark.
Photo by Ollie Oliver, right before he put his camera away for the day.

I think the rain stopped about 6:00 a.m. (Matt and Scott, who were already birding at that hour might be able to be more precise on the timing). The morning was still cloudy to start, with a few breezy gusts, but it turned into a gorgeous morning. Birds were about, probably glad for a break in the weather. For some reason, we didn't manage that many really close sightings of most species, but things were definitely around. The water level was about 1' 3" higher than last week! (And about 4" higher than yesterday morning) This meant flooding near the start of the boardwalk, and generally muddy conditions elsewhere. Rubber boots were definitely called for. Matt and Scott had BARN OWLs, Matt with 2 at the windmill, and another flying over the road; Scott had one over the East Meadow. Scott also flushed a SHORT-EARED OWL. Those guys were out birding about the time I got up for the day... We had the usual 5 species of gulls for this time of year at Marymoor - mostly MEW GULLs, with about 10% GLAUCOUS-WINGED and "Olympic" Gulls, a few RING-BILLED GULLS, at least one CALIFORNIA GULL, and one pure-looking WESTERN GULL. All of these were swirling around the grass fields early on. With one group was a small shorebird, probably a DUNLIN. The biggest surprise was an amazingly late-season VAUX'S SWIFT that was generally above the weir area at about 8:00 a.m. This is fully 6 weeks later than we've ever had one before. Large flocks of CACKLING GEESE flew overhead before about 8:30. Some of those flocks had a few CANADA GEESE as well. In all, we had 400-500 Cacklers, though none on the ground. A NORTHERN SHRIKE (I think only one) gave us many good looks. It was ranging over a large area, from the model airplane field all the way over to the Pea Patch (though never seen north of the road, and usually within about 100 yards of it.) A very nice adult bird. This was our first look at a shrike at Marymoor this fall, although Tom Sanders photographed possibly the same one on the 4th - see the next issue of WOSNews. We had many accipiter sightings (at least 3-4 different birds and more sightings). I'm confident we had both Sharpie and Cooper's, but I was definitely not able to tell on several of the sightings Duck numbers continue to be low. We had a few MALLARD, about a dozen BUFFLEHEAD, a somewhat late WOOD DUCK, and several HOODED MERGANSER. John Tubbs reported some GREEN-WINGED TEAL, but that was it for ducks. For the day, 59 species (and no mammals, curiously enough). == Michael	A flock at least substantially comprising Cacking Geese though there may be a Canada Goose or two Northern Shrike near model airplane field
Lincoln's Sparrow at the Compost Piles	Lincoln's Sparrow watching a Song Sparrow zip past.
Northern Shrike, north of grass soccer fields 7-8-9	Bufflehead pair at Rowing Club
Flooded fungi	This mushroom, in the East Meadow, was about 2" tall

It was rainy and windy and dark, though not as bad as it might have been. There were several hours where it wasn't raining much, and it wasn't too, too cold, and the wind and the rain tended to stay away from each other somewhat. So while my hat was soaked through, the rest of me did pretty well. The water level in the lake is up about 5 inches since last week.

We were joined by a nice couple, the Gurka's from Massachusetts, who stuck it out through the whole loop, and managed to add to their Washington State lists. With them, I think we were about 10 people.

The birds seemed to be hoping the weather would blow over and the day would revert to yesterday's perfection. If so, they were disappointed. But the result was a whole lot of not much, especially early on. Not much flying, not much chirping, not much hopping around, not much sitting on exposed perches. We had a grand total of 7 geese, all Canadas. We did manage 5 species of duck, but 3 of those were seen only in flight. No surprises all day.

Highlights:

Bufflehead                      First of Fall, flyby
Common Merganser       2 flying over Dog Meadow
Wilson's Snipe                Pea Patch and Rowing Club
Barn Owl                       Matt and Scott keep finding these early
Townsend's Warbler       One near the windmill
Fox Sparrows                 More ubiquitous than usual
Western Meadowlark     2-3 with starlings in NE corner of the park
Purple Finch                    In hard-to-see ash trees south of Dog Meadow

The best highlight were the three RIVER OTTERS at the Rowing Club main pond, giving us outstanding looks. It appeared to be an adult and 2 young.

We managed 51 species.

== Michael

Hooded Merganser pair at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver, 2008-11-07

Hooded Merganser females at the Rowing Club. Photo by Ollie Oliver, 2008-11-07

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
Wood Duck                    3-4. We have few sightings of them this late
Western Grebe                 Several on lake
Barn Owl                          Matt had 2 early, including 1 *in* the windmill
Red-breasted Sapsucker   One near the start of the boardwalk
Brown Creeper                 Almost didn't see it - it was too close!
Fox Sparrow                     Several especially nice looks
"Slate-colored" Junco        Near the first bench. Everyone saw it but me.

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
Common Merganser Three in the northeast corner

Despite the feeling that there wasn't that much to see, 59 species for the day. So maybe I'm just jaded...

== Michael

Red-breasted Sapsucker near the start of the boardwalk

Ollie Oliver's photo of Killdeer on the grass soccer fields

Great Blue Heron on the Pea Patch fence

Fungi in the Pea Patch

Aside from some early drizzle that cleared fairly quickly, it was a delightful day at Marymoor today. We were about a dozen people, and we had good birds intermittently all day. The rest of the time Matt and I filled with atrocious puns. What could be better. Highlights: SNOW GOOSE One flew overhead in a flock of Canadas Double-crested Cormorant First of Fall Barn Owl Scott had one at 6:30 a.m. SHORT-EARED OWL We had two in the East Meadow @ 7:25 Pileated Woodpecker I heard one near the mansion HORNED LARK 1 at Compost Piles, flew south American Pipit More than 1, grass fields, various times Townsend's Warbler Great looks in Ash Tree, Dog Meadow Western Meadowlark Three from the Compost Piles, 1 singing We were due to meet at 7:30. At 7:15, Matt, Brian, and I gave up on trying for Scott's Barn Owl. I decided to walk back along the grass trail on the east edge of the East Meadow. As I neared the north end, a SHORT-EARED OWL flushed from the tall grass and glided to the northeast. Maybe one or two minutes later, a second SEOW came flying in from the northwest carrying some kind of fairly large rodent. It flew right over Brian, Matt, and Scott, flew past me, and landed about where the first owl had been. Duck numbers were absurdly low. By the time we got to the Rowing Club, we'd seen a total of 5 MALLARDS. That's it. The lake was empty - not even a coot. From the Rowing Club dock, though, we found 3 GADWALL, and walking back past the ponds, Sharon spotted a male HOODED MERGANSER, thus tripling our species count for ducks. There were also 4-5 AMERICAN COOTS in the slough. South of the windmill, we watched a juvenile RED-TAILED HAWK drop out of a tree and catch some very small prey which it ate in 1 bite before returning to the tree. Brian and I went to the private cabana afterwards for a last scan of the lake. There had been Pied-billed Grebe out there, but we'd also seen what looked like Western Grebe, but we'd been unable to confirm. From the cabana, we saw several WEGR and about the same number of Horned Grebe For the day, 62 species. == Michael	Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult Bald Eagle Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
Ollie's photo of an American Pipit	Ollie Oliver's photo of fall color
My photo of the Anna's Hummingbird at the Pea Patch	Ollie's photo of same
Fungus growing at the base of a tree northeast of the mansion	Gadwalls in the slough, female on left, male on right
Male Hooded Merganser at Rowing Club pond	Male Hooded Merganser leaving Rowing Club pond

The weather was better than we had any right to hope - basically no rain except for a bit of mist, no wind, fairly warm, overcast but a touch of blue. It was pretty birdy too, though not terribly diverse. Highlights: Cackling Goose 1 or 2 large flocks flying overhead Western Grebe About 8 at the lake Northern Harrier 1 hunting the Dog Meadow Mew Gull First of Fall, about 3 on grass fields American Pipit Heard 1 near the velodrome early Cedar Waxwing Many, many, many Townsend's Warbler 3 at 2 sites around mansion On my way out, I drove back through the park and found 5 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE just west of the velodrome - First of Fall The Compost Piles were more active than they've been recently, with quite a few sparrows and finches, which then attracted a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. The Community Gardens (Pea Patch) was even birdier, with all 8 common sparrow species represented, plus 3 species of finch and ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. A RACCOON paced us on our walk out to the slough, working the far shore at our same slow trudge. We saw it about 4 times. For the day, 53 species of bird. == Michael	Same juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in the same tree in the parking lot to start this week, same as last week
Ollie's photo of an American Crow in the rain	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Paddletailed Darner
Ollie's photo of a Canada Goose	Four adult and one juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose
Ollie Oliver's photo of adult Greater White-fronted Geese	Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult Greater White-fronted Goose

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
Northern Harrier	Ollie Oliver's photo of the Northern Harrier
Savannah Sparrow at the Compost Piles	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Savannah Sparrow on Himalayan Blackberry
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with prey	Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with prey
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with prey	Ollie It's important to wash one's talons after eating

Seven of us noodled around the park today under mostly heavy overcast. We had periods of drizzle and a moment of light rain, but it could have been much worse. The birding was slow to start - we had a scant 30 species by the time we got to the lake platform, but things picked up there. The big highlight was a juvenile SORA that gave us great views from the lake platform. The bird was along the edge of the vegetation on the slough side of the base of the platform, and we had at least 10 minutes to view it. Thanks, Mark, for spotting this one. Other highlights: Northern Shoveler 1 at lake, First of Fall American Wigeon 1 at lake, First of Fall Western Grebe 1-2, new for 2008 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 adult Cooper's Hawk Adult and juvenile Barn Owl Ollie had one early over the East Meadow Hairy Woodpecker One in Oregon Ash from Dog Meadow Ruby-crowned Kinglet One near mansion - First of Fall Orange-crowned Warbler One near the mansion Yelow-rumped Warbler Many, and all over Wilson's Warbler One along the edge of the East Meadow So a 3 rail day (with heard-only Virginia Rail, and several Coots to go along with the Sora). Also, I almost never mention this, but Marymoor must be a major AMERICAN ROBIN roost site, since early in the morning, hundreds (400-1000) robins fly out. They tend to start leaving before First Crow in small numbers, but most wait another half hour or so. Many fly to the northwest and west. Another major highlight was a MINK across the slough from Dog Central. I also got glimpses of a RACCOON near the 2nd dog swim beach. For the day, 58 species of bird. == Michael	Adult Sharp-shinned Hawk American Wigeon female with two male Wood Ducks
A bunch of male Wood Ducks with an American Coot (center, facing left)	Juvenile Sora
Juvenile Sora	Ollie Oliver's photo of the juvenile Sora
Ollie Oliver's photo of a Golden-crowned Kinglet	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Western Meadowlark
Male Northern Flicker	Ollie Oliver's photo of the Northern Flicker
Ollie Oliver's photo of a mushroom	Ollie Oliver's photo of more fungi

Predawn through early morning was absolutely magical today, but by 9:30, it began to rain, and it was generally damp (though mostly not raining) and cloudy the rest of the morning. It didn't seem that birdy - maybe the birds were chased off by the abundance of accipiters and falcons. I got there early - early enough that the moon was a gorgeous sliver, that Orion was still clearly visible, and either Saturn or Jupiter was keeping Orion company. The sky was light in the east and there were no clouds overhead and no hint of fog. I met up with Scott, who told me I'd missed the Barn Owl by about 10 minutes, but we waited along the edge of the East Meadow anyway, hoping to see one again. And sure enough, Scott spotted two, and we watched them fly together around the north end of the East Meadow. Eventually one worked its way down the middle of the meadow towards us before disappearing to the southeast. A really nice start to the morning. And then there was the parade of raptors: Bald Eagle One at the lake Northern Harrier Male hunting the East Meadow Sharp-shinned Hawk 1-2 Cooper's Hawk More than a half-dozen sightings Red-tailed Hawk Only 2 Peregrine Falcon Dark bird flew down the slough American Kestrel Looping its way south over the East Meadow We had Cooper's Hawk chasing Cooper's Hawk, COHA chasing Northern Harrier. COHA chasing and almost catching Northern Flicker,... Other highlights: Wilson's Snipe Along the slough below the weir American Coot First of Fall - maybe 15 on the lake Vaux's Swift Maybe 20 swirling together over the slough American Robin Huge numbers today Orange-crowned Warbler Only 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler Large flock (20-30) in one tree early Townsend's Warbler One northeast of mansion Evening Grosbeak Flock of 12 at the south end of the Dog Meadow We also had two Raccoons, some deer, and a large jumping salmon. No more Black-headed Grosbeaks. Only 1 Swainson's Thrush. Only Barn Swallows left, but still fairly plentiful. Summer is definitely on its last legs. But no winter ducks today, and still no Ruby-crowned Kinglets or Winter Wrens, so we're not quite switched to winter either. For the day, 58 species. == Michael	From last week, Scott Ramos' photo of a Barn Owl, 2008-09-18 Dick Martin's photo of a Yelow-rumped Warbler, 2008-09-22
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Golden-crowned Sparrow
Male Northern Harrier	Two Raccoons across the slough from Dog Central
Male Purple Finch	Belted Kingfisher on the martin gourds

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

I stopped by for about an hour this morning - another beautiful, sunny morning. At the Compost Piles I had a MOURNING DOVE. At Lot B, the grass and gravel parking lot north of the grass soccer fields, a juvenile HORNED LARK landed near me. Later, a HAIRY WOODPECKER flew overhead as I crossed the Dog Meadow. Twice I saw fly-over EVENING GROSBEAKS. It was a nice visit.

Another really nice day at Marymoor. It was sunny, warm enough that we started with sweaters and the sweaters came off by mid-morning, but not so hot that it was uncomfortable. It was entirely windless, which proved useful, as any disturbed leaf meant a bird.

We're on the cusp of the change of seasons, and we had quite a few "summer" birds, and a few "winter" arrivals as well. It was pretty birdy, though if there were rarities, we managed to (maybe just) miss them.

Highlights:

Pied-billed Grebe                    First since April - a juvenile
Northern Harrier                     1 over Dog Meadow - later 2 soaring
Long-billed Dowitcher             Matt and Scott had 2 fly by early
Warbling Vireo                        Still a couple around
American Pipit                         Several fly-overs
Black-throated Gray Warbler Quite a few, good looks
Townsend's Warbler               2-3, not-so-good looks
Western Tanager                     Still 1, at the Rowing Club
Fox Sparrow                           First of Fall - at least 2
Lincoln's Sparrow                    First of Fall - at least 4
Golden-crowned Sparrow       First of Fall - 2
Black-headed Grosbeak          2-4 still around
Evening Grosbeak                    Many heard, a few glimpsed

This was our first summer ever without PIED-BILLED GREBES at least attempting to nest. It's been strange not to see them, and nice to have a fall return.

The LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS are only the second sighting ever for that species, and the first came earlier this year.

We had no flycatchers, but we did have 5 species of warbler (Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, and Common Yellowthroat as well as the two noted above), and eight species of sparrow (the other five being Spotted Towhee, Savannah, Song, White-crowned, and Dark-eyed Junco). And actually, John Tubbs reported FOX SPARROW last Friday, so today's weren't exactly the First of Fall.

The EVENING GROSBEAKS were obnoxious beasts. Matt and I kept calling out "Evening Grosbeaks, somewhere, flying towards us it sounds like" and then - nothing. Once, though, when I led 2/3s of the group one way and Matt led the rest the other way, Matt actually saw a few fly overhead.

The AMERICAN PIPITS were almost as bad, but I did at least glimpse them a couple of times. Nothing satisfactory though.

The HORNED LARK was worse. In the early morning, Matt thought he heard one or more, but couldn't verify. Later, as we were working the north end of the Dog Meadow, he swore he saw one amongst some Savannah Sparrows. He called for all of us to come see, but there was naught but Savannahs. Nor did anyone hear a Horned Lark's flight call if it departed. So he kind of threw up his hands, and we're not counting HOLA for the day.

Even so, we managed 64 species.

== Michael

Bewick's Wren singing

Adult Bald Eagle near the east end of the boardwalk

Northern Harrier hunting over the Dog Meadow

The white rump-band of the Northern Harrier is very apparent as the bird flies away

A dozen people joined me for a really fabulous day at Marymoor today. The weather was perfect and the birds were plentiful. We didn't score any great rarities, but there was plenty to see. This felt like the end of summer. I expect there will be a shift in species starting next week. We still had only breeding birds and migrants; no wintering birds yet, though they should start showing up any day now. Summer birds were still in evidence, with Osprey, Vaux's Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Swainson's Thrush, Common Yellowthroat, and Black-headed Grosbeak all still present. Of the breeding birds of Marymoor, the only ones that seem to have left already are Rufous Hummingbird, Tree Swallow, and Brown-headed Cowbird. With some - Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler - the breeders may have left, but migrating birds from further north are still passing through. This was pretty clearly the case with the Warbling Vireos, where we had a flock of about 10 at the south end of the Dog Meadow. Swainson's Thrushes might also have been migrants - they were found in clusters. There were also a few birds we only get in migration: Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager. Other highlights: Bald Eagle Matt heard some early - rare this time of year VIRGINIA RAIL One seen, heard more, near the weir Barn Owl Scott had one at some ungodly early hour Hairy Woodpecker One seen well Purple Martin One over the mansion Evening Grosbeak Heard many times, glimpsed once by some There was one warbler, on the far side of the river, that had us thinking TENNESSEE WARBLER ??? - but the distance was too great and the viewing too short. It seemed really pale on the undertail coverts, the tail seemed short, and the bird seemed overall to be a different shape than the fairly common Orange-crowned Warblers. The color was much less yellowy than any OCWAs we saw. The family of RIVER OTTERS was once again seen in the weir. For the day, 58 species. == Michael
	Red-tailed Hawk in Snag Row at dawn Spider
Western Tanager	Barn Swallows on a sand pile, with a lone Cliff Swallow at the far left. Note the buffy rump on the Cliff Swallow
Ollie Oliver's photo of a Warbling Vireo	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Red-eyed Vireo
Ollie Oliver's photo of a male Black-throated Gray Warbler	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club

We had a wonderful day at Marymoor, as the park was full of migrants. The weather was only so-so, but it didn't rain and most of the wind held off. The lighting was often difficult, however. In many places throughout the park we came across mixed flocks of warblers, chickadees, and flycatchers, with some finches and vireos, etc., added to the mix now and then. The total diversity wasn't that amazing, nor did we have any stupendously rare birds, but there was plenty to see! Highlights: California Gull Several out on the lake - First of Fall Cooper's Hawk One over grass soccer fields, chasing an... AMERICAN KESTREL One on grass soccer fields BLACK SWIFT At least 9 flying towards the lake Vaux's Swift Numbers well above normal Western Wood-Pewee Had as many as 4 in one tree Pacifc-slope Flycatcher Two (concievably one seen twice) Willow Flycatcher Many more seen than during nesting season Warbling Vireo 2-3 Purple Martin Two high over our cars, late morning Orange-crowned Warbler A dozen easily - probably many more than that Yellow Warbler At least 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler At least 3 Wilson's Warbler About half as many as OCWA Western Tanager Lots of calls, lots of glimpses Evening Grosbeak Flock of 20-25 The KESTREL was first spotted sitting on one of the soccer goal posts. It flew around a bit, in a hunting kind of way, and then took off when the COOPER'S HAWK came in full-bore. The two of them flew south to Snag Row, where the Kestrel disappeared, and the Coop landed. Yesterday afternoon, in a brief visit, I had two or three RED-EYED VIREOS. The family of RIVER OTTERS was again seen near the weir - an adult with two pups. Just below the weir there were lots of SALMON trying to navigate the narrow channel. Despite all that there was to see, we also had quite a few notable misses: Hooded Merganser, European Starling, and Spotted Towhee (for the 2nd straight week). For the day, 53 species. == Michael
	Ollie Oliver's photo of the River Otters Black-headed Grosbeak
Black Swift. Note how the head barely projects in front of the wings, while the tail projects far behind them	Brown Creeper
American Kestrel	Ollie's much better photo of the Kestrel
American Kestrel in flight	American Kestrel in flight
Ollie's photo of a Savannah Sparrow, 2008-08-27	Ollie's photo of a Painted Turtle at the Rowing Club, 2008-08-27

Another gorgeous day. The early morning ground fog burned off quickly. It got a bit too hot, but not outrageous. It was pretty birdy, though at times the birds seemed to be taking an incredible delight in tantalizing us in a very cussed way. We ended up with a good species count, including 5 species of woodpecker, but 3 of those woodpeckers were heard-only :( Highlights: NORTHERN HARRIER Flyby Virginia Rail Heard from the lake platform Spotted Sandpiper Flying fairly high up the slough Red-breasted Sapsucker Immature flew past us early on Warbling Vireo Adult feeding juvenile cowbird Red-eyed Vireo LOTS of singing at the south end of the park Purple Martin One HIGH over mansion area Northern Rough-winged Swallow One over East Meadow Bushtits Bringing food to a nest at Dog Central - late? Orange-crowned Warbler Flock of 6+ at south end of Dog Meadow Yellow Warbler Male singing, several others seen Wilson's Warbler 1-2 at the south end of the Dog Meadow Evening Grosbeak Heard and glimpsed Had a juvenile COOPER'S HAWK who thought chasing after crows was the way to get ahead. Good luck! Had what appeared to be a LONG-TAILED WEASEL swimming across the slough ??? For the day, 64 species. == Michael	Osprey carrying a fish back to the nest at dawn
	Female Downy Woodpecker working the underside of a branch
One of a flock of Orange-crowned Warblers at the south end of the Dog Meadow	Juvenile(?) Orange-crowned Warbler
Another Orange-crowned Warbler	Black-capped Chickadee in a European Hawthorn
Adult Red-tailed Hawk showing extensive wing and tail molt	Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in Snag Row
	Male Anna's Hummingbird in the Community Gardens

A dozen of us had a nice stroll today. It was sunny, warm (but not too hot), and the early morning wind died down quickly. The only thing missing were the birds. Oh, there were some. Just not a lot, and we didn't get great looks all the time either. Still, there were a few things to look at: Matt and Scott enjoyed a BARN OWL early over the East Meadow. Early, BTW, translates to shortly after 5:00 a.m. I don't think I'd even made it to the shower yet. CEDAR WAXWINGS were everywhere, with several juveniles noted. Sharon reported possible nest building, though. A WILLOW FLYCATCHER chased one of those waxwings off a birch branch, then sat there singing. Fitsbew started to sound more like F You... Actually, everything was chasing everything. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were very apparent all over the park, often chasing one another, and often chasing off other birds. We had pretty good looks (at least some of us did) at a RED-EYED VIREO, as well as WARBLING VIREO, along the southwest edge of the Dog Meadow. We also had a female WESTERN TANAGER and a very yellow ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, looking entirely different from the gray-headed ones last week. At the lake, an OSPREY with a fish was pursued by 3 BALD EAGLES. Near the mansion, we had a juvenile COOPER'S HAWK that appeared to be thinking about going after a BROWN CREEPER. And at the Rowing Club, we had a slinking GREEN HERON, a juvenile, on the far shore of the pond. Also, an adult male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, so they're not all gone yet. For the day, 53 species. == Michael	We don't see these as much now as in '90's
	Took us a while to decide this was a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow
A few of the multitude of House Finches	Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
Marsh Wren in the East Meadow	Marsh Wren in the East Meadow
Anna's Hummingbird in the Community Gardens	Red-eared Slider turtles opposite the windmill

Only seven of us this morning, on a fine morning. A bit chilly to start, but somewhat sunny and warming. Fall migration has begun, so there was some excitement there. Also, still lots of babies, so the awwww factor was pretty high. The Blue Angels passed over the park (at least 4 of them in formation), so we had some roaring speed as well. Highlights: We again had three RIVER OTTERS just above the weir. Other mammals included a FAWN at the Rowing Club and two MUSKRATS from the Rowing Club dock. High flybys included a CASPIAN TERN and the first TURKEY VULTURE we've ever had in the June-July-August period. Between Dog Central and the south end of the dog area we had a great mixed flock of birds, which included: Yellow Warbler (5+) Wilson's Warbler (2-3) Orange-crowned Warbler (3+) Black-throated Gray Warbler (1) Warbling Vireo (2) Red-eyed Vireo (2+) Black-headed Grosbeak Purple Finch Swainson's Thrush Possible Pacific-slope Flycatcher ...and at least a half-dozen other species The Big Cottonwood Forest featured a male WESTERN TANAGER and three HAIRY WOODPECKERS The best sighting was probably the three baby WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES nestled side-by-side on a branch among the Oregon Ash trees near the east end of the boardwalk. Parent(s) flew down to feed them (very quickly) every minute or so. Awwww. This Saturday, Eastside Audubon (formerly ELWAS) is holding a Grand Opening of the Marymoor BirdLoop, from 10-2. They have adopted the old Interpretive Trail and have installed a couple of informational kiosks (one of which is finished), and they will be putting in some new interpretive signs. They've created two new trails, and will be extending the boardwalk so we won't be as hampered by high water as in the past. For more information, see www.eastsideaudubon.org For the day, 60 species of bird, 5 species of mammal (plus one unidentified furry scurrier), 2 non-native turtles, bullfrog, and Garter Snake. == Michael	One of three River Otters above the weir
	One of three River Otters above the weir
Rufous Hummingbird on the dead branches of a Red Elderberry...	...and Away!
Male Western Tanager in the Big Cottonwood Forest	Eclipse-plumage male Mallard
Three baby Western Wood-Pewees sitting calmly and quietly together...	...until Mom (or Dad) arrives with food. Then, watch out!
The Blue Angels are in town for Sea Fair..	...and gave us a buzz during their Thursday practice
Black-tailed Deer fawn at the Rowing Club	Muskrat from the Rowing Club dock, one of two there

There were 17 of us today on a rather chilly day for July. It did eventually warm up, but people were digging gloves out of pockets, wishing for vests, and generally feeling a bit out of season. The birds more than made up for it though. The big highlight was a new park bird - LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER - at the retaining pond near the "event pad" (the paved 5-acres that Cirque du Soleil uses). We had about 5 Master Birders and a couple of other people over there early. It was still a struggle to identify. The other big highlight was from last Saturday, when Megan Lyden found a pair of BARRED OWLS at the Rowing Club. Matt had them (or at least one of them) there again early this morning (before 5am). Both of those are new for the Marymoor list, which now stands at 205. We also had our first SPOTTED SANDPIPER of 2008, which flew down to the weir. In the cattails just upstream of the weir, Mark spotted a VIRGINIA RAIL. We seldom get to see them. Juvenile GREEN HERONS - probably 4 or more - were all along the slough and out at the lake. We had a four warbler day, with a couple of YELLOW WARBLER, a male WILSON'S WARBLER, a juvenile YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and many (mostly juvenile) COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. We had a COOPER'S HAWK, probably the female from the nest, in the Doug Firs northeast of the mansion. It was about 10 feet down a dying tree, and was being mobbed by CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and GOLDEN-CROWENED KINGLETS. Between the mansion and the park office we had the three juvenile Coops hanging out together. Great looks. LOTS of baby birds all around, and such "heartwarming" sights as a WARBLING VIREO feeding a baby BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. Great looks, but... Various of the 17 of us reported great mammal sightings too. Matt and Scott had a howling COYOTE in the East Meadow early. Later we found the entrails of a rabbit there; probably left by the coyote. Brian had RIVER OTTER at the entrance bridge. Several people spotted LONG-TAILED WEASEL and EASTERN COTTONTAIL. The only live mammal I managed to see was EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL :( For the day, 61 species of bird. == Michael	Ollie Oliver's photo of one of two Barred Owls at the Rowing Club on Saturday, July 19th. Matt was able to see one (and maybe glimpse another) early today at the parking lot area of the Rowing Club.
Long-billed Dowitcher at the storm water retention pond near the Velodrome	The bird appears to be an adult just beginning to molt into non-breeding plumage
One of the many sightings of juvenile Green Heron along the slough	Simultaneous front and back views of Savannah Sparrow in the East Meadow
"Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco at the Community Gardens	American Robin atop an umbrella at the Community Gardens
Anna's Hummingbird at the Community Gardens	The American Chestnut tree, just inside the gate at the mansion, is in bloom!
One of the three juvenile Cooper's Hawks near the mansion	All three of the young Cooper's Hawks in one tree
Ollie Oliver's photo of a Spotted Sandpiper at the weir.	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Warbling Vireo feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird
Ollie Oliver's photo of American Goldfinches	Ollie Oliver's photo of a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

Tweets - another gorgeous day. The early morning ground fog burned off quickly. It got a bit too hot, but not outrageous. It was pretty birdy, though at times the birds seemed to be taking an incredible delight in tantalizing us in a very cussed way. We ended up with a good species count, including 5 species of woodpecker, but 3 of those woodpeckers were heard-only :( Highlights: NORTHERN HARRIER Flyby Virginia Rail Heard from the lake platform Spotted Sandpiper Flying fairly high up the slough Red-breasted Sapsucker Immature flew past us early on Warbling Vireo Adult feeding juvie cowbird Red-eyed Vireo LOTS of singing at the south end of the park Purple Martin One HIGH over mansion area Northern Rough-winged Swallow One over East Meadow Bushtits Bringing food to a nest at Dog Central - late? Orange-crowned Warbler Flock of 6+ at south end of Dog Meadow Yellow Warbler Male singing, several others seen Wilson's Warbler 1-2 at the south end of the Dog Meadow Evening Grosbeak Heard and glimpsed Had a juvenile COOPER'S HAWK who thought chasing after crows was the way to get ahead. Good luck! Had what appeared to be a LONG-TAILED WEASEL swimming across the slough ??? For the day, 64 species. == Michael	Female and male American Goldfinch at the Community Gardens
	Belted Kingfisher at the Rowing Club
Belted Kingfisher and Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club	Ollie Oliver's photo of a molting Dark-eyed Junco
Ollie Oliver's photo of the Belted Kingfisher	Ollie's photos of a Western Wood-Pewee

On August 26th, John Tubbs found an Eastern Kingbird near the new bird kiosk next to the Compost Piles. Ollie Oliver managed to photograph it that evening. Ollie also sent other photos from during the week, so I'm posting them here too. All photos by Ollie Oliver.
	Common Yellowthroat, 2008-08-24
Eastern Kingbird, 2008-08-26	Eastern Kingbird, 2008-08-26
Northern Harrier, 2008-08-24	Northern Harrier, 2008-08-24
Red-eyed Vireo (left) and Willow Flycatcher, 2008-08-24	Hooded Merganser, 2008-08-27
Osprey, 2008-08-24	Bald Eagle and Osprey, 2008-08-24
Crows in Snag Row, 2008-08-27	Northern Flicker, 2008-08-27

Tweets - it was chilly, a touch breezy, and more overcast than I was expecting this morning. We're in the doldrums - nothing unusual expected or found - but the park still has it's attractions. We had a really good day. The first highlight were three RIVER OTTERS actively fishing (or crawfishing perhaps) in the slough above the weir. They gave a great show. We had a STELLER'S JAY already going after the very green Hazelnuts One CASPIAN TERN was over the lake Nice looks at a RED-EYED VIREO north of the east end of the boardwalk And then there were the babies: Wood Duck 3 clutches of ducklings Green Heron 5 fledged young at Rowing Club with adult Osprey 2 babies on nest Cooper's Hawk 3 babies and adult Red-tailed Hawk Watched a very awkward landing! Warbling Vireo Baby being fed at Rowing Club American Crow Lots of begging, and parents feeding young Tree Swallow Babies audible within left gourd at lake Violet-green Swallow Adult feeding baby near windmill Barn Swallow Adults feeding young at lake Black-capped Chickadee Adult feeding young along slough Cedar Waxwing Nest with 2 young at S. end of dog area White-crowed Sparrow Two still in juvenal plumage at Compost Piles Brown.-headed Cowbird Fed by Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo House Finch 100+ birds, many looking young American Goldfinch Male feeding baby along slough The COOPER'S HAWK nest lay on the ground under the tree it was in. The three babies were in the trees nearby, two together and a third a little apart. An adult was seen leaving the scene. The five fledged GREEN HERONS were at the main pond at the Rowing Club, flying (and especially landing) awkwardly. One was thinking about trying to fish, but was working from a branch too high above the water. The rest seemed willing to wait for Mom or Dad to deliver. An adult did arrive and was mobbed. == Michael	River Otters just above the weir
All three River Otter. Notice rounded pointy tail of the one on the left.	Two Cedar Waxwings on the nest at the south end of the Dog Meadow
Steller's Jay going after unripe hazelnuts	Blurry shot, but you can see the hazelnut
White-crowned Sparrow in juvenal plumage at the Compost Piles	Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult American Crow feeding a youngster
The remains of the Cooper's Hawk nest on the ground	Two of the three young Cooper's Hawks northeast of the mansion
Juvenile Violet-green Swallow, later fed by an adult	Three of the five fledged Green Herons at the Rowing Club
Sunny Walter's better shot of one of the otters	And Sunny caught a few of the multitude of House Finch on the path

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.

The morning started out as a typical Junuary day - cool, overcast, a bit of drizzle, but it later warmed up to almost warm and summery. I ended up almost wishing I'd taken off my sweatshirt, but not quite. The mosquitoes weren't as bad as last week.

Best sighting of the day was Matt Bartels, who has rearranged his work schedule to allow some Thursdays off.

Other highlights:

COMMON LOON                 Well out on lake - failed breeder?
Cooper's Hawk                        Female on nest
PEREGRINE FALCON          Cruised over Snag Row
Red-breasted Sapsucker           LOTS of sightings
Pileated Woodpecker               Heard drumming and calling
Red-eyed Vireo                        Got to see on, s. end of Dog Area
Purple Martin                            TWO pairs at the gourds
Chestnut-backed Chickadee     Adult feeding fledged young
Swainson's Thrush                   Lots of singing, several views
Cedar Waxwing                      Ubiquitous. Some pair feeding.

For the day, 57 species.

== Michael

Oh - and check out the cool photos of a female Common Merganser with chicks

Cedar Waxwing eating the ripest of the Red Elderberry berries

Female Purple Martin flying around the Compost Piles

Male Purple Martin flying around the Compost Piles

Ollie Oliver's photo of a Savannah Sparrow

We had thunder and lightning all morning today, a first for my weekly walks. It started raining within minutes of our 5:30 start time, and seldom let up over the next 4.5 hours. At times the rain was coming down very hard, but the truly torrential rain held off until I was driving home. We started out with nine people, but there was attrition along the way. Only Ollie and Sharon lasted through the Rowing Club, earning themselves the honorary appellation of Intrepid. I must admit, it wasn't a very birdy morning.

Highlights:

Wood Duck                                        Many mammas with babies
Green Heron                                        Babies huddled together on nest
Ring-billed Gull                                    First since March - at least 3 adults
Red-eyed Vireo                                   Briefly visible among the mosquitoes
Purple Martin                                       Pair on gourds, beak sticking out of hole
Northern. Rough-winged Swallow        One at the lake
Orange-crowned Warbler                    One heard south of East Meadow
Common Yellowthroat                         Male with baby Brown-headed Cowbird
Song Sparrow                                     With baby Brown-headed Cowbird

We also had either a Beaver or a Nutria; the latter would be an unwelcome newcomer.

For the day, 51 species, but seven of those were heard-only.

== Michael

We were not able to take photos on the 3rd because of the weather. These photos are from earlier in the week or last week.

Ollie Oliver's photo of a Hooded Merganser at the Rowing Club, 2008-06-28

Composite of Ollie's photos of an American Crow harassing a Cooper's Hawk,

Tom Mansfield's photo of the baby Green Herons on the nest, 2008-06-29

Ollie Oliver's photo from 2008-07-28

I had to remind people that the weather was actually good, not bad. They were complaining about cold. In Garfield County on Tuesday, I had cold. 24 degrees, howling wind, and snow. Yeah, yeah, I was at 5500 ft., but still... Eastern WA was windy for six of the seven days I was over there. Today at Marymoor was blessedly windless, and I think the temperature got to about 60 at one point. Sure it wasn't a nice sunny day, but picky picky picky... Mammals highlighted the day. First, we had a LONG-TAILED WEASEL going after a bunny (until it saw us) just south of the Dog Area. Then, at the lake platform, we watched a RACCOON swim out about 100 yards underneath the new dock (for the new development). It was swimming directly under the jetty portion, between the pylons, all the way to the floating platform where it swam around and dove for a minute before swimming all the way back. Bizarre. Then, along the southeast portion of the East Meadow there were two more LONG-TAILED WEASELS, one of which had spots or brindling on its back - this year's young? Along the main road just north of the compost piles, someone spotted a TOWNSEND'S MOLE running along the base of the curb, unable to get up and away. Alexia and Georgia rushed over to rescue it.When they got it onto the grass, it immediately burrowed underground, causing worms to flee in wormy terror. Finally, at the Rowing Club, we had yet a fourth LTWE. Lots of Eastern Cottontails and Eastern Gray Squirrels rounded out the mammal list. There were Red-eared Slider and Painted Turtles at the Rowing Club, and hoards of nasty, biting MOSQUITOES, especially south of the Dog Area on both approaches to the boardwalk. Now for birds: Black Swift 20+ over the park all morning WESTERN KINGBIRD Flycatching along Snag Row Warbling Vireo Vireo invisibilis singing grandly Red-eyed Vireo Mosquitos kept us from even thinking of trying to see it. Swainson's Thrush Singing AND giving us good looks Lazuli Bunting Singing from north of fields 7-8-9 Bullock's Oriole 1-2 first-year males being pretty obvious Nesting highlights: Canada Goose Goslings almost fully feathered Wood Duck Several females w/ducklings of a range of sizes Mallard Several females with fairly large young Green Heron On nest at Rowing Club Red-brested Sapsucker Nest hole with young in the Cottonwood Forest Western Wood-Pewee Building nest just south of Dog Area Tree Swallow Nesting in natural cavity as well as many boxes Black-capped Chickadee Feeding fledged young at the Rowing Club Bushtit Nest found Cedar Waxwing Found a nest being built I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. Lots of spotted young robins already on their own. No activity seen at either the Cooper's Hawk nest or the Bald Eagle nest. I didn't really check the Red-tailed Hawk or Osprey nests, though the latter is likely still active. We also found a dead VAUX'S SWIFT that appeared to have tried to roost about one foot off the ground, nestled into a deep groove in the bark of a large Douglas Fir. It looked like it may have gone to sleep and expired from exposure/starvation perhaps. No sign of trauma. For the day, 61 species. == Michael	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Western Wood-Pewee on a nest south of the Dog Area Ollie's photo of a Marsh Wren near the lake Ollie's photo of a Black Swift
Moth at the Rowing Club	Everybody was tired by the end of the morning
Wood Duck family across from the Rowing Club dock	Green Heron on the nest

Another cold, cloudy, breezy, morning. I was hoping for weather like yesterday's, but we got more Junuary. Everybody was wearing sweaters AND coats, and there was a lot of wishing for gloves and talk of hot chocolate. This isn't the most exciting June we've ever had, though the usual breeding birds are in evidence (with the notable exception of Pied-billed Grebe, completely uncharacteristically absent since April). The biggest excitement today was an extremely close encounter with 2 LONG-TAILED WEASELS at Dog Central that came up to with 10 feet of us. They were busy chasing each other around, paid us no mind at all, and forgot to worry about dogs until almost too late. Bird highlights: Green Heron Rowing Club nest has 4 babies Cooper's Hawk Female on nest, male harassed by crows Caspian Tern One on lake Band-tailed Pigeon Large flock Barn Owl Matt had 2-3 early Belted Kingfisher 3-5, including some young we think Downy Woodpecker Male feeding fledgling Yellow.-rumped Warbler 2 northeast of mansion LAZULI BUNTING Male singing north of fields 7-8-9 For the day, 58 species.	Band-tailed Pigeon flock near 2nd dog swim beach
Long-tailed Weasel at Dog Central bench	The two weasels moving fast...
Female (left) and male Brown-headed Cowbird at the Community Gardens	Our day's only Canada Goose with a Great Blue Heron near the windmill
We think this was a juvenile creeper. For a while it was creeping sideways, and even down. It seemed a bit downy as well. Seen south of the mansion.	Adult (upper left) Green Heron standing guard over the nest (lower middle) at the Rowing Club
Four babies were seen in the nest (three beaks visible in this photo)	At this age the young look like fluffballs with huge beaks

Glorious weather today, in marked contrast to last week. Started out about 55 degrees and slowly warmed up, but with the sunshine it was very pleasant. There were just a few thin, high clouds. Pretty quiet birdwise; we've been lacking in surprises recently. But still lots of interesting birds etc. to look at. Highlights: Wood Duck Inundated with ducklings of many sizes Green Heron Saw a couple of adults and 3 babies Osprey At least 1 pigeon-sized baby on the nest Cooper's Hawk At least 2 fluffy young on the nest Red-tailed Hawk Two fledged young perched, begging? Caspian Tern Two flying high downstream before 6am Barn Owl Matt had 1-2 early over East Meadow Anna's Hummingbird Many (8+?) all over park Rufous Hummingbird Not quite as many (5?) Red-breasted Sapsucker One near the Green Herons at Rowing Club Downy Woodpecker A couple of fledged young with parents Warbling Vireo The Rowing Club is THE place this year Red-eyed Vireo At least 2 singing around the boardwalk Orange-crowned Warbler One heard again south of East Meadow House Sparrow First one since April All the baby raptors are great fun. The two RED-TAILED HAWKS were in an alder snag across the slough, side by side, calling piteously. At the COOPER'S HAWK nest, one young bird, all white fluff, but beginning to get flight feathers, sat boldly on the outer edge of the nest. There was more white fluff moving down at the bottom of the nest. At the OSPREY platform, it was hard to see the young. They apparently can still duck down out of sight. But at one point it looked like there were two white fluffy heads, and later I got a great look at one young bird. We also had two RACCOONS on the far side of the slough, from Dog Central. For the day, 57 species. For the year, we're at 135 species. == Michael	One of two high-flying Caspian Terns Vaux's Swift
Two juvenile Red-tailed Hawks, possibly fledged from the nest west of the Rowing Club.
One of two Raccoons across the slough from Dog Central	Ollie Oliver's photo of same
One of two downy young Cooper's Hawks on the nest near the mansion	Ollie Oliver's photo of same
Two of six Bushtits in a dead Red Elderberry in the Dog Meadow	Great Blue Heron in a Black Cottonwood
Western Wood-Pewee	Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Black-tailed Deer in the East Meadow	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Red-breasted Sapsucker

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

There were only about 8 of us this morning under unrelenting gray, misty skies. There was mist, mizzle, and drizzle throughout the morning, and it was chilly, though thankfully there was no wind. The birds were somewhat scarce, but there were things to look at: Mallard Female(s?) with small 'lings Bald Eagle On "new" nest, more over lake Green Heron 2 flying together down slough Mourning Dove 2 over East Meadow Red-breasted Sapsucker 3+ sightings - looking great Willow Flycatcher They're BACK - maybe 3 seen Warbling Vireo Not many seen, but constant song Purple Martins Pair at west gourd Tree Swallow Still trying to claim east gourd Swainson's Thrush Back as well, though no singing yet American Robin Begging young Western Tanager One group moving through Black-headed Grosbeak Abundant LAZULI BUNTING Singing near east kiosk Twice we saw two SONG SPARROWS strutting around together, all puffed up. There was wing fluttering, suggesting copulation solicitation, but no copulation was observed. They looked like tiny red-brown grouse. It was very funny. Lesser Song-Grouse on the lek? For the day, 61 species. For the year, 127 species. == Michael	Belted Kingfisher at the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver. Common Merganser pair at the weir. Photo by Ollie Oliver.
Male Western Tanager photo by Ollie Oliver.	Willow Flycatcher photo by Ollie Oliver.
	Female Mallard with ducklings. Photo by Ollie Oliver.

Pine Siskin, 2008-05-14	Warbling Vireo, 2008-05-14
Evening Grosbeaks at the Rowing Club, 2008-05-14	Red-breasted Sapsucker bathing at the Rowing Club, 2008-05-15
Western Wood-Pewee, 2008-05-15	Western Wood-Pewee, 2008-05-15

Tried the Rowing Club (Marymoor West), looking for the Red-naped Sapsucker and Black-throated Gray Warbler found on 4/13. Didn't find either of those, but did have Northern Rough-winged Swallows an a great look at the Beaver.	Northern Rough-winged Swallows on a branch sticking out of the pond at the RC.
Beaver in main Rowing Club pond.	The Beaver gave two tail slaps and swam around before diving and disappearing.

I think there were 16 of us this morning, including more than a dozen bright and early for our 5:30 a.m. start time. The weather wasn't this afternoon's heat and sun, but was rather humid, with heavy overcast. The wind didn't pick up until late, which left the thick clouds which made the light dim and flat. Birds were around, but not always easy to see, especially with the big group. Highlights: Wood Duck Female with 4 babies at lake Bald Eagle Adult on "new" nest Western Wood-Pewee Good looks in Cottonwood Forest Red-breasted Nuthatch Frequent food deliveries to nest Brown Creeper Seen at the nest we thought abandoned Yellow Warbler They're back - but didn't want to be seen Western Tanager Managed looks at 3 Black-headed Grosbeak Even the females seemed bright Bullock's Oriole Present, but seen only by a few Evening Grosbeak Seen well in ash trees at Rowing Club The biggest excitement was at the lake platform. At the very end of April, I installed two plastic gourds for PURPLE MARTIN right near the lake platform. Nine days later, Graham sent me a photo showing a female in one of the gourds. So we were eager to see for ourselves today. When we arrived, there was a martin in one of the gourds, and Tree Swallows hanging out by the other. After watching (and listening to) the martin for several minutes, four other martins flew in. Soon there were five martins flying around the lake platform. When we left, a pair of martins was sitting on the crossbar being buzzed by an annoyed Tree Swallow. Later, there was a pair of martins feeding over the East Meadow, and later still there was a pair of martins feeding over the Pea Patch gardens. So the presence of the gourds seems to be attracting martins to the accessible parts of the park. For history, martins nested in boxes at the northeast corner of the park in the 1970's. I don't think any martins at all were seen at/near Marymoor from about 1980 until about 2003, when Kevin Li placed some new martin boxes on the old pilings. They nested there the year he put the boxes up, and we saw occasional martins the next couple of years (though I don't think we saw evidence of nesting). Since then, we've had only perhaps one sighting a year, during the post-breeding period. We've speculated that these were birds from Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland, or some other nesting location. It would be great if the gourds could mean we see martins regularly at Marymoor. The second big excitement was east of the mansion. We heard a COOPER'S HAWK calling from a deciduous tree. We finally managed to relocate the nest, and saw the female standing atop it. She flew to the deciduous tree, where we watched her eating what appeared to be a juvenile robin laid out on a wide branch. While she was eating, we saw the male fly to the nest. Very cool. For the day, we had 66 species. == Michael	Western Wood-Pewee in Big Cottonwood Forest Male Purple Martin at the gourds
Tree Swallows trying to claim a gourd	Two females and a male Purple Martin at the gourds
Purple Martin pair a the gourds	Eastern Song Sparrow in the Pea Patch
Female Cooper's Hawk eating juvenile robin	Male Common Yellowthroat at the Rowing Club

We had a fabulous day at Marymoor today. Overcast, but not windy and not too cold. And birds - lots of birds. Now, about a million of those birds were YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, but even trying our best to ignore them (which was difficult since there were many absolutely gorgeous ones that kept demanding our attention), there were a lot of birds. And a lot of "good" birds too.

Highlights:

Cinnamon Teal                     Pair at weir
California Quail                    Male calling (unseen) from Dog Central
Common Loon                     Flying south over Dog Meadow
AMERICAN BITTERN      Flying south over weir
Green Heron                        Two pair-flying all over the park
MERLIN                             Flew in from R/C field over East Meadow
Band-tailed Pigeon               Several sightings
Vaux's Swift                         One over Fields 7-8-9
N. Rough-winged Swallow   Several at weir and at lake
Cliff Swallow                        One at lake
Orange-crowned Warbler     Several heard, one seen
Brewer's Blackbird               Male in Snag Row at 6:30
Brown-headed.Cowbird       Several, at least 1 female

We also had male WOOD DUCK; both immature and adult COOPER'S HAWK; RED-TAILED HAWK including a couple of immatures, and of course a bird on the odd-snag nest; baby BARN OWLS at the nest box; both male and female ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, including a male Rufous that flew right at my face (I *had* to duck); a pair of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS at the Rowing Club, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at the nest; a semi-cooperative COMMON YELLOWTHROAT singing from a red elderberry in the Dog Meadow; singing FOX SPARROW; singing gambeli WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW; gorgeous breeding-plumage GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS; a couple of LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, including one that was caught in netting in the Pea Patch (it freed itself when Jim walked towards it); and WESTERN MEADOWLARK at the Compost Piles.

The Cinnamon Teal, American Bittern, Green Heron, Merlin, Vaux's Swift, and Cliff Swallow were all new for the year. I think we're up to 109 species for 2008.

FOR THE DAY, 71 SPECIES. Not bad at all...

== Michael

Male Cinnamon Teal just below the weir. Seconds later, a female joined him

This photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of the dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers

Green Herons pair-flying around the park

Marsh Wren singing from near the boardwalk

The Merlin landed in a bush across the East Meadow from us

Savannah Sparrow singing in the East Meadow

There were fourteen of us, not counting the extras who responded to the calls and emails about the Burrowing Owl (see below). The weather could have been more spring-like - still cold, quite blowy, but not rainy. We're still stuck in winter mode; only a couple of new birds for the year, and still some late lingerering winterers. Highlights: Cooper's Hawk Quite probably nesting near mansion Wilson's Snipe Good looks below the weir Virginia Rail One visible in response to tape Barn Owl 2+ babies in the box Short-eared Owl Flushed from east edge of East Meadow BURROWING OWL See below Barn Swallow A handful back finally NORTHERN SHRIKE Latest date for Marymoor ever Common Yellowthroat Many heard, one male seen Western Meadowlark One west of the slough, 1 in NE corner of park The BURROWING OWL was initially flushed from the tall grass north of fields 7-8-9, then flew to near the restoom at the east side of the park (Marybelle Meadow), then it flew west to the west edge of field #13 (see the map at http://www.marymoor.org/images/FacilitiesMap.jpg) It was was still present at about 2:30 p.m., last seen about 25 feet up a Larch in the grove of Aspen trees along the west edge of the grass soccer fields. For the day, we ended up at 65 species, though several of those were seen by only one person: Scott had some White-crowned Sparrows, Ollie had Downy Woodpecker and House Finch, and I had some Pied-billed Grebe late. Nobody managed American Coot, Lincoln's Sparrow, nor Brown-headed Cowbird (which should have returned last week, but have yet to arrive). == Michael Hobbs	Composite photo of the Burrowing Owl Composite photo of the Short-eared Owl
Ollie Oliver's photo of the Burrowing Owl	Ollie Oliver's photo of the Burrowing Owl 25 feet up a tree
Another composite photo of the Short-eared Owl	Ollie Oliver's photo of Wilson's Snipe below the weir
Ollie Oliver's photo of the Western Meadowlark	For the 2nd week in a row we had Cooper's Hawk with American Robin prey in the large deciduous trees east of the mansion. For the 2nd straight week, we had paired display flights with two Coops over the meadows. They're probably nesting somewhere.

The day was cold, dark, moist, windy, and quiet. There were no birds around.

Total species seen: 59

== Michael

WAITAMINUTE - 59??? On a terrible day at Marymoor? Okay, so there must have been a few highlights, even if it didn't feel like it. It really was dark and dreary and WINDY, and definitely not feeling like spring. The only species we had today that we didn't have last Thursday was Hermit Thrush, and that was obscurely seen near the weir and barely heard singing in the southeast part of the trail. Oh, and I guess the Hairy Woodpecker wasn't seen last week either. But the list was basically last week's list minus ten species. Here's what we did have:

California Quail                 Heard at two locations
Green Heron                     Trying not to be seen at the Rowing Club
Osprey                              Kiting over the slough
Barn Owl                          2 babies out of the nest box
Red-breasted Sapsucker   A couple of nice looks
Brown Creeper                 Close encounter NE of mansion
Bushtit                              At a nest at Rowing Club
American Robin                On a nest at the Rowing Club
Yellow-rumped Warbler   Not as many as last week, but still...
Orange-crowned Warbler Maybe a half-dozen
House Finch                     1 of the really yellow ones at the Pea Patch

Big misses for the day: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Killdeer, Vaux's Swift, BARN SWALLOW, Lincoln's Sparrow, House Sparrow.

Adding in my sightings from Tuesday (Western Meadowlark, Short-eared Owl, Cedar Waxwing, Lincoln's Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Say's Phoebe), we're at 65 species for the week, and 109 for the year.

= Michael

Orange-crowned Warbler

Brown Creeper frozen against the trunk of a Douglas Fir

Common Merganser male near the park entrance

Baby Barn Owls in a yew tree near the nest box

Camera wouldn't focus on them, but there were two male Rufous Hummingbirds sitting unusually close together at the south end of the Dog Meadow.

A really good day. The weather didn't quite live up to the billing, as it was often cloudy, and almost started drizzling. The birds were active. Highlights: A pair of COOPER'S HAWKS was seen near the mansion. She was still in sub-adult plumage, while he was a nice-looking adult. Sharon tracked her movements back to a nest, and we got to see her settled down in the nest. Scott Ramos saw a SHORT-EARED OWL in the East Meadow early. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was at the base of a six-inch, very lively-looking willow at the very edge of the slough. The woodpecker was practically standing in the mud, before hopping up the trunk and flying off across the river. Weird. Ryan Merrill heard a CASSIN'S VIREO at the south end of the dog area, which eventually we got looks at. We also had one WARBLING VIREO. We had at least 3 HERMIT THRUSH. For warblers, we had 5+ ORANGE-CROWNEDS, at least 2 NASHVILLES, 100+ YELLOW-RUMPED, and quite a few WILSON'S WARBLERS, plus COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Along the boardwalk was a singing male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. Ryan Merrill noted a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE which we watched fly north over the Community Gardens. He also got us on a flying EVENING GROSBEAK. Perhaps the strangest thing was after everyone else left. I went over to the 187th Ave viewpoint on East Lake Samm Parkway where I was scoping the north end of the lake, looking in vain for a reprise of the Purple Martin I'd seen early, and also in vain for the CASPIAN TERN I saw yesterday. What I did see, along the west side of the lake between the viewing platform and the new dock was a SWAN. I was too far to get an ID, but I wonder if it was the same Tundra Swan that was seen at Juanita Bay Park a week or two ago. For the day, 70 species. == Michael	Composite shot of one of the Nashville Warblers Ryan Merrill's photo of a Nashville Warbler
Bewick's Wren	Savannah Sparrow
Ryan Merrill's shot of the Cassin's Virel	Adult Bald Eagle
Male Black-headed Grosbeak in a birch tree, from the boardwalk	Baby Mallards at the Rowing Club
Cooper's Hawk pair (male on right) northeast of mansion. Photo by Ollie Oliver	Female Cooper's Hawk at nest. She's still in subadult plumage. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Anna's Hummingbird (male), photo by Ollie Oliver	Pileated Woodpecker, photo by Ollie Oliver

As Ollie put it, it was "not a bad day for Mayvember". Cold, cloudy, windy, a touch of mist. The birds were a bit more May than November, though. And while our species count was not super-high, we had some good birds and some great looks.

Highlights:

SOLITARY SANDPIPER        Far side of the slough, just above the weir
Caspian Tern                             Circling over south end of Dog Meadow
Western Wood-Pewee              First of Spring; at least 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet               At least 2 still around
Warbling Vireo                          Several, all silent
Orange-crowned Warbler          Many (12+), singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler            Abundant (100+, males, females, both races)
Common Yellowthroat               Males and females, barely seen
Wilson's Warbler                        Several males, 1 female, singing
Western Tanager                        2-3, including good looks at both sexes
CHIPPING SPARROW           Good looks at the Community Gardens
Lincoln's Sparrow                      Still 1 hanging around the Compost Piles
Black-headed Grosbeak            A couple of males seen, more heard
American Goldfinch                   Have moved into ubiquitous status
Evening Grosbeak                      2 seen, more heard

The SOLITARY SANDPIPER is just the second one ever for the Marymoor list, and is the first report since 1994! The previous sighting was a fall visitor at the weir.

The CHIPPING SPARROW is just the third record for Marymoor, and it falls on the same week as the first record from May 2002. Brien Meilleur also reported one on April 18th, this year.

We had great looks at the many warblers, and at a couple of Red-breasted Sapsuckers, among others.

Mark had what he believes was an AMERICAN BITTERN.

For the day, 61 species. For the year, if I've counted correctly, 122 species!

== Michael

Chipping Sparrow at the Community Gardens

Ollie Oliver's photo of the Chipping Sparrow

Canada Goose atop a cottonwood snag

Ollie Oliver's photo of an Osprey in a birch tree

Eastern Cottontail eating dandylions

This morning around 10:00 a.m., Kraig Kemper found a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE at Marymoor Park. I raced down and saw it, and several other people came down and were able to find the bird. It was last seen in the early afternoon near the velodrome (next to the restroom building), but it was originally found in a tree along the road a bit west of there.

I also had a SAY'S PHOEBE, last seen at 12:45 p.m. in the blackberries between the Compost Piles and the East Meadow.

Nobody has seen the Burrowing Owl today to my knowledge.

== Michael

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Note the white underside of the tail, and the neck collar.

Say's Phobe near Compost Piles. Later seen in Snag Row near the Pea Patch

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Thirteen of us enjoyed a nice morning at Marymoor today. It started out almost sunny and somewhat cool. The clouds moved in, and the wind picked up, but it was fine weather really. Quite birdy early on, with some activity all morning. Highlights: Matt (Bartels) and Matt (Dufort) had BARN OWL both near the concert stage and over the East Meadow early. A very cooperative WILSON'S SNIPE, spotted by Sharron below the weir, stayed in one place for minutes, allowing everyone a great look. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were often overhead. We also had 2-3 TREE SWALLOWS, including two on snags across the slough, where there might be nesting possibilities. Three times we saw AMERICAN CROW with nesting materials. Several DOWNY WOODPECKERS gave us good looks. I think all were male - hard to know if we saw 3 or 1 thrice... The male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was (eventually) at his post, and we had two male ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, one near the mansion and one at the Rowing Club. About fifteen CEDAR WAXWINGS were eating hawthorn berries at the south end of the East Meadow. They were first seen there yesterday. Scott Ramos had a WESTERN MEADOWLARK in the East Meadow, but it had moved on by the time the rest of us got there. A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was excavating a possible nesting hole NE of the mansion At the Rowing Club, a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was drumming on a metal sign - it was clinging to the wooden post and drumming on the back. After a bit, it flew across the street where there were 2 more RBSAs. There was what appeared to be a war over territory and/or mate going on. Menage a trois not tollerated. EVERYTHING was singing, especially RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. Yesterday, around 5:00, there was a TURKEY VULTURE making speedy progress to the north. For the day, 61 species. Cedar Waxwing and Turkey Vulture new for the week. == Michael	Red-breasted Nuthatch female excavating a possible nest hole in a Douglas Fir snag, northeast of Clise Mansion. Left photo by Ollie Oliver
Ring-necked Duck male, Green-winged Teal pair, (female partially obscured). Photo from the Rowing Club by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11	Ring-necked Duck male showing his namesake burgundy neck ring, while preening at the Rowing Club, photo by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11
Fox Sparrow	Male Downy Woodpecker photo by Ollie Oliver.
Red-breasted Sapsucker drumming on metal sign near the entrance to the Rowing Club.	Note how the white wing bars become white headlights in flight. An incoming sapsucker can present an aggressive appearance when coming at you. This bird flew across the street to challenge a rival.

It was misting gently almost the whole morning, occasionally letting up, and never even getting close to drizzle, so all in all the weather wasn't bad. Temps in the high 40's to low 50's also were pleasant. There was certainly a lot of bird song today, and quite a few bird individuals, but it often felt a bit "quiet". We had, basically, no surprizes -- we saw pretty much what we expected to see, and had no new spring arrivals. Next week for sure. Highlights: Red-breasted Sapsucker 2 at Rowing Club, 1 drumming Northern Shrike 1 along southeast edge of East Meadow Bushtits EVERYWHERE, after missing them last week Ruby-crowned Kinglet Constant chorus of song Yellow-rumped Warbler 2+ at Rowing Club Purple Finch MANY small groups seen, no red males Singers included Black-capped Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Purple Finch. Another highlight were two RACCOONS in a tree on the east side of the slough. The warmth brought both Painted Turtle and Red-eared Slider onto the logs at the Rowing Club pond. The Oso Berry (Indian Plum) is beginning to come out in full bloom. The hazelnuts are dropping catkins. Some of the willows are in full bloom.Snowdrops were blooming north of the windmill. For the day, 55 species plus a maybe Lincoln's Sparrow and a maybe Winter Wren. == Michael	Raccoons sleeping in birch trees on the west shore of the slough. Photo by Ollie OIiver
Female Purple Finch. Photo by Ollie Oliver	American Crows, probably a pair involved in allopreening. Photo by Ollie Oliver
Steller's Jay mobbing a Red-tailed Hawk near the Rowing Club	Closer look...

What a nice day it was. There were 17 birders (if I managed to count right), and sunshine, and birds. It was below freezing to start, but the sun was out, and it wasn't windy, and it soon warmed up. Not a whole lot of new birds back, but there was plenty to see! Highlights: Osprey 1 back, seen at nest and over mansion Wilson's Snipe 2-4 below weir, 1 at Rowing Club Barn Owl 2? young in nest box Black-capped Chickadee Nest excavation underway at RC Brown Creeper Building nest south of mansion Northern Shrike Nice looks north of fields 7-8-9 American Robin Two nests found Yellow-rumped Warbler Several, both races Dark-eyed Junco Building nest near mansion Western Meadowlark One near Compost Piles A HAIRY WOODPECKER was seen on a short snag along the slough. While we were watching it, a NORTHERN FLICKER landed just above the Hairy. There were also at least 3 DOWNY WOODPECKERS in the immediate area, and maybe more. Later, we had a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER at the Rowing Club to make a 4 woodpecker day. There were two COOPER'S HAWKS circling over the Dog Meadow. One was flapping with extremely deep wingbeats (wings going almost straight down then almost straight up) in a moderate, deliberate rhythm that we had never seen with a Coop before. It was clearly straining to gain altitude quickly. The other was doing the more ordinary flap-flap-flap-glide, with relatively shallow wingbeats. Later, we saw a Coop with what appeared to be a freshly caught robin, east of the mansion. Perhaps because of our presence (though we were trying to be good), it ended up leaving the uneaten carcass on a branch and flying off. Presumably it returned later. Quite a few WOOD DUCKS, singing SAVANNAH SPARROWS, nest exchanges for the RED-TAILED HAWKS atop the odd-snag nest - lots of fun stuff. Afterwards, I did a quick walk through the main loop solo, to see if we'd missed anything the first time through. Things were MUCH quieter at 1:30 than at 7:00. The only things added on the bonus loop were seeing a BALD EAGLE at the new (west) nest, a lone COMMON LOON very far out on the lake, and a pair of NORTHERN FLICKERS caught in flagrante delicto. For the day, 65 species. With the week's additions of Osprey, Common Loon, and California Quail (reported by Martyn Stewart a couple of days ago), I believe our 2008 list is up to 89. == Michael	Composite photo of the Northern Shrike north of fields 7-8-9 Female and male Common Mergansers just above the weir
Golden-crowned Sparrow	Canada Goose photo by Ollie Oliver
Hairy Woodpecker	Ollie Oliver's photo of the Hairy
Crescent moon at 6:40 a.m.	Brown Creeper emerging from nest site in crack. Note the twigs stuffed below the bird.

Fifteen of us waded through fog out to the lake, but then the fog cleared. It was an interesting day, with most of the best birding coming later in the morning. Signs of spring everywhere, from the birds singing to the birds fighting to the first Oso Berry blossoms (Indian Plum) of the year. One of the ornamental fruit trees near the mansion was also beginning to bloom. The biggest surprise was a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW perched at the Compost Piles. This is about a month earlier than we've ever had a NRWS. Other Highlights: Common Goldeneye Especially nice looks at the lake Virginia Rail Spontaneous calls heard from boardwalk Wilson's Snipe One very cooperative bird below weir Red-breasted Sapsucker Very red one at the Rowing Club Pileated Woodpecker Pair gave us great looks near Mansion Yellow-rumped Warbler Finally got one for 2008 Western Meadowlark Singing in East Meadow For the morning, 55 species. For the year, NRWS and Yellow-rumped Warbler new for 2008, bringing the total to 76 species. == Michael	Very early Northern Rough-winged Swallow, in a tree by the Compost Piles Photo by Ollie OIiver
Northern Rough-winged Swallow with Dark-eyed Junco	Northern Rough-winged Swallow photo by Scott Ramos
Northern Rough-winged Swallow with American Goldfinches and a junco	Foggy start to the morning
Pair of Pileated Woodpeckers atop a broken Douglas Fir east of the mansion. Male at left, female at top of trunk. Photo by Ollie Oliver.	Close-up of male. Note that the red cap extends forward to the beak, and the moustache stripe is red. Female forehead is gray and the moustache is black.
Oso Berry aka Indian Plum - first blossom of 2008	Male Red-winged Blackbird on cattail
Winter Wren north of the windmill	Buffleheads at the lake
	Great Blue Heron photo by Scott Ramos

We had a great day at Marymoor today. The weather was delightful, starting out just above the freeze and warming, no wind, quite a bit of sun. Really very pleasant. It was pretty birdy too. Water levels were back up - you need tall boots again to get to the boardwalk. Humor levels were somewhat below usual, as Matt Bartels is working a temp job and missed Marymoor today Highlights: Wigeon Had a flyby that might have been Eurasian Hairy Woodpecker Great looks in the Cottonwood Forest Brown Creeper 5-6 total, at 4 different locations Northern Shrike Atop tall cottonwood well south of East Meadow Dark-eyed Junco We had a nice Slate-colored along the slough Western Meadowlark 3 in East Meadow, one SINGING There was lots of singing - American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Marsh Wren, Bewick's Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, and the Meadowlark, plus maybe some others. We had birds making weird sounds - a robin making repetative noises a la a mockingbird, and a Song Sparrow making strange noises I'd never heard before. We had a lot of tussles between male robins, and an apparent display between a male and a female junco. Maybe it was all Valentine's Day stuff... Anyway, for the day we had 56 species, which is really good for Marymoor in February. Hairy Woodpecker was new for the year. Oh, and Ollie and Scott reported seeing a BEAVER in the slough. It was a good day. == Michael	Back view of a Western Meadowlark singing from an English Hawthorn in the East Meadow, 2008-02-12
Male Hairy Woodpecker on a balancing broken branch in the Cottonwood Forest	Hazelnut Catkins
Brown Creeper...	Eastern ...poking into the moss and lichens
American Robins in the top of a Cottonwood. Wait - the top one is a NORTHERN SHRIKE	Male Gadwall in the ditch near the East Footbridge
Awfully early in the year for a bird's egg. Probably European Starling...	Pine Siskin east of Clise Mansion
More Pine Siskins, engaged in some ritual pair feeding exercise, I think.	Chestnut-backed Chickadee, northeast of Clise Mansion

It was a strange day at Marymoor. The weather wasn't as bad is it might have been. Cold, damp, and quite windy, but there wasn't any precipitation. It wasn't very birdy either, yet our species count (when all of the heard-only and glimpsed-only birds were counted) was a very respectable 59 species. Yet the day was pretty birdless, with only a few highlights (though at least one highlight was a GREAT highlight). There was better birding earlier in the week when the weather was warmer. Highlights: Bald Eagle Pair in the "new nest" Cooper's Hawk Several sightings. One Sharpie too. Barn Owl Seen early near concert stage Short-eared Owl Flushed from east edge of East Meadow Red-breasted Nuthatch Male near nest hole Lincoln's Sparrow 2 - Compost piles early, Pea Patch A passing birder mentioned that the SAY'S PHOEBE was in the East Meadow. We didn't see one. I went back after the walk and again missed the phoebe, but I did have 4 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, including one singing. The great highlight was the SHORT-EARED OWL, which flushed from the east edge of the East Meadow, giving us great looks as it winged east. It then landed in the large cottonwood east of the meadow, where we could see it for several minutes, perched in the lowest branches. We had great looks at MUSKRAT near the windmill. Big misses: Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow. Earlier in the week, while people were looking for phoebe, I saw, or had reports of, several other species including SAVANNAH SPARROW, NORTHERN SHRIKE (Tuesday), and CEDAR WAXWING. So the day count was 59, but the week count was at least 64. == Michael	Both Bald Eagles were in the new (built fall 2006) nest near the boardwalk. Later, one flew to a nearby cottonwood. Bottom photo by Ollie Oliver.
After flushing from the east edge of the East Meadow, this Short-eared Owl landed in a large cottonwood off to the east. Photo by Ollie Oliver.	Here the owl is flying off, deeper into the inaccessible southeast portion of the park.
Bushtits were building a nest near the east end of the boardwalk.	Ollie Oliver's photo of one of the "gambelli" White-crowned Sparrows at the Compost Piles. Note the very gray nape and lower cheek.
Male Red-breasted Nuthatch frozen against the trunk of the tree. Nest hole above.	American Robin in European Hawthorn. It was eating the haws.

Dark drizzle turned into dark rain as the day progressed. Not quite miserable, but not very nice out there. At least there was no wind, nor was it freezing, nor was it raining hard. Still, we were pretty wet by the end. I think we spent less than 4.5 hours there this morning - a rather short day. Even with the nasty weather, we had something like 14 people. And, despite not having many birds to see, we ended up with a pretty good species total. Highlights: Wood Duck Three males - first since Week 1 Red-tailed Hawk Sitting? on odd-snag nest Cooper's Hawk One cruised the Dog Meadow Rufous Hummingbird Male at same spot as yesterday Barn Owl May be nesting near concert stage Violet-green Swallow About a dozen seen once Ruby-crowned Kinglet Almost a bazillion, singing American Robin A bazillion, all singing Purple Finch Much song We had 55 species for the day, and visits Tuesday and Wednesday yielded another 5 species.	American Goldfinch male just acquiring breeding plumage. Photo by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11
Ring-necked Duck male, Green-winged Teal pair, (female partially obscured). Photo from the Rowing Club by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11	Ring-necked Duck male showing his namesake burgundy neck ring, while preening at the Rowing Club, photo by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11
Hooded Merganser pair Photo from the Rowing Club by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11	Male Hooded Merganser stretching. Photo from the Rowing Club by Ollie Oliver, 2008-03-11

We started out in rather heavy fog and cold weather, but the fog mostly lifted by the time we got to the lake, and the sun sort of came out. Remaining high overcast kept it from being sunny and warm like I'd hoped. It was fairly birdy, and the fog hid us from the birds about as well as it hid them from us; we got some great, close looks early on. Highlights: Virginia Rail "Song" at boardwalk (tock-te-dock) Anna's Hummingbird At least 5 individuals Belted Kingfisher Two - first of 2008 Red-breasted Sapsucker Great looks at Rowing Club Hairy Woodpecker In large cottonwoods in dog area Northern Shrike East edge of East Meadow Tree Swallow 4+, East Meadow Violet-green Swallow 4-6, Dog Meadow Purple Finch 12+/- Great looks S of Dog Meadow We also had a River Otter on the lake. We had very few gulls today and very few cormorants. I could barely make out one extremely far down the lake, verified later from the cabana. Buffleheads were doing lots of courtship, crows were allopreening, Ruby-crowned Kinglets were singing like mad. The swallows and kingfisher were new for 2008. We had 57 species, with the year list now at 79.	The fog allowed some close approaches to birds, such as this male Red-winged Blackbird.
Immature Bald Eagle in the fog	Song Sparrow in Red-osier Dogwood
Male Purple Finch	Male flowers of a Piper's (?) Willow
Tree Swallow	Tree Swallow
Red-breasted Sapsucker at Rowing Club	Note the sap holes
Female Bufflehead chasing off the competition while male looks on	Golden-crowned Kinglet at the Rowing Club

I was expecting the worst, but we actually had a much better day than last week. Although windy, it often wasn't too windy (the wind often seemed to be passing above us), and it didn't rain, and it wasn't too cold. It was, in marked contrast to last week, rather birdy. Eleven of us had a pretty good time.

Highlights:

Matt and Scott had a pair of COYOTE over by the East Meadow pre-dawn.

A WILSON'S SNIPE didn't flush, but instead gave us great looks for over a minute at pretty close range, below the weir.

We had a very close encounter with a mixed flock of tiny birds - BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, RUBY and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and BUSHTITS - well south of the East Meadow. The birds were often within just a few feet of us.

An immature NORTHERN SHRIKE was vocalizing along the east edge of the East Meadow. The bird was very drab, and would have been missed if it hadn't been making a wide variety of squeaks.

The pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS again shared a branch in a cottonwood east of the East Meadow.

The Rowing Club featured a BROWN CREEPER and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, as well as a pair of GREEN-WINGED TEAL trying to be invisible on the far bank of the main pond.

After the Rowing Club, I went back to the park office to buy my annual parking pass. In the tree above my car, an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD was calling.

For the day, the Anna's made it an even 50 species. LESSER SCAUP and RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER were new for 2008, bringing our year list to 72 species.

== Michael

A Wilson's Snipe gave us great looks just below the weir.

A pair of Lesser Scaup in the slough

Male Common Goldeneye in the slough

Nice-looking Great Blue Heron across the slough.

Very drab 1st-year Northern Shrike heard vocalizing.

Eastern The shrike was a little easier to identify from the back.

It was a beautiful, frozen day, though with a bit of overcast. There was a ring around the sun for most of the morning. Twelve of us enjoyed the day, not complaining too much about the cold hands, though it did manage to make us forget to write down several species on our lists - it wasn't worth pulling off the gloves to write them down at the time. It was pretty birdy. Highlights: Greater White-fronted Goose 2 adults Cackling Goose 350-400 Horned Grebe 1-2 at the lake Wilson's Snipe 2 at weir, 1 at Rowing Club Barn Owl Many sightings, 2+ birds, early Pileated Woodpecker One flying west north of weir Northern Shrike East edge of East Meadow Winter Wren Heard one well by the windmill Western Meadowlark Three at the East Meadow The Barn Owl apparently gave quite a show at the windmill at 6:30. I was still at home then. I managed to get down to the East Meadow at 7:00, and a few minutes later, a mob of crows rousted a Barn Owl from the Compost Piles, and we saw it fly around in a game of keep away, before the owl finally made its way to cover to the southeast. It took us forever to get out of the parking lot, since we were awed by the large flocks of (mostly) Cackling Geese that were flying in to the grass soccer fields. Amazing scene. We managed to pick out the two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE among them; the white-fronts were not together. The geese were all still there at noon when we passed through again. For the day, 58 species. For the year, 70 species (PIWO and WIWR new this week). == Michael	Mount Rainier at sunrise Frost on blackberry leaves
Cackling Goose flock preparing to land	Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult Cooper's Hawk
Ollie Oliver's photo of a Fox Sparrow	The same Fox Sparrow from the rear
Ollie Oliver's photo of a male Spotted Towhee	Male Downy Woodpecker
Getting through to the boardwalk	Song Sparrow
Adult Greater White-fronted Goose with Cackling Geese	Rear view of the same geese

Matt Bartells and I got to substitute for him at Marymoor. It turned out to be a classic late December day - chilly to start (37F) and the temperature didn't rise much (39F). Followed by a light rain after about 20 minutes accompanied by a light breeze. It could only be called raw. In spite of the weather we were joined by 10 other folks. The birds didn't seem to like the weather any better than we did, as they were very quiet most of the day. The river was up slightly since last week, so those who didn't have high boots had to walk around when we came to the boardwalk. We finally wound up with 49 species, but we certainly had to work for them. Matt had two BARN OWLS near the Windmill early, and we had a couple of flyby WILSON'S SNIPEs over the East Meadow. Some fairly large flights of NORTHERN PINTAILs flew south toward Lake Sammamish early. As has been the case for several weeks we had large groups of MEW GULLs fly in from the lake just after dawn. Notable for being missing for the first time in 4 weeks was the very large group of CACKLING GEESE. We had a nice flock of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEEs, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETs and some RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETs that followed our path. The sparrows were not very cooperative at the dirt piles, but we did pick up SONG SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Earlier we had a large flock of mostly GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWs with a few WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS by the middle dog water access. We ended the day with a nice adult COOPER'S HAWK perched right near the lot we park in, and while we were watching it a MERLIN blasted past (first suggested by all the starlings and robins in the soccer field taking off in panic). All in all it was a good day. Brian H. Bell	Pine Siskins in an Oregon Ash tree, 2007-12-31 Golden-crowned Sparrow, 2007-12-31
"Sooty" Fox Sparrow, left, and an aberrant, mottled one on the right, 2007-12-31	Perhaps luckily for this bird, his white markings look like the dappling effect from sunlight filtering through branches. However, when he moved, he really stood out.

Brown Creeper on a Big-leaf Maple, 2007-12-31	This American Robin also showed improper white patches, 2007-12-31.

Nine of us slogged through a day with weather that ranged from 'Eh? to Uggh! Clouds, drizzle, light rain, wind; sometimes better than other times. Never nice. The wind at the lake platform was really nasty. Not too cold though, and no really hard rain; it could have been worse.

Birding was patchy and mostly not very good, though we had a couple of surprises late. Our list ended up with a fair number of species (52), but quite a few of those were seen by only one or two people, or were heard-only birds. Still, it was a start for 2008.

Highlights:

Wood Duck            4 flushed from the boardwalk
Red-necked Grebe 1 surfaced near the RC dock
Peregrine Falcon      Nice adult fly-by NE of the mansion
Barn Owl                 Apparently they gave quite a show early
Brown Creeper        Seen at 3 disparate spots
W. Meadowlark      3 at grass fields N of compost piles

== Michael

Eight of us, minus Michael who was uncharacteristically ill, were at Marymoor this morning. It was a late winter day - cool (37F to start), overcast but no rain or wind. The birds were moderately active, but we still had to work to pull some of them out.

Highlights included:

The Barn Owl was in the East Meadow early
A good flock of Cackling Geese today - about 300
Several Red-tailed Hawks
A nice flock of Pine Siskins actively feeding in a cedar tree, but no redpolls with them
A couple of Townsend's Warblers
Nice looks at a Brown Creeper
Wilson's Snipe early and at the rowing club
A Bald Eagle at the lake
A male Hooded Merganser on the river
Five swans (silent) flying overhead
Several Purple Finch, including one gorgeous male
A Cooper's Hawk in the cottonwood forest
Two male Common Mergansers on the lake
A very distant Horned Grebe on the lake

A chilly, but very good day - 53 species

Brian H. Bell

Woodinville WA

Ollie Oliver's photo of a male Hooded Merganser

It was a dismal day at Marymoor. Cloudy, windy, and with a few rain showers. the birds were mostly absent. Even the residents were scarce and quiet. The sometimes-fabulous "Compost Piles" featured two or three Song Sparrows and that was it.

Highlights: None really, but here are a few things of mild interest.

Just above the weir, a RIVER OTTER ran down the bank and into the water, swimming towards the weir and disappearing into the cattails.

A bit further upstream we got pretty good looks at a 1st-winter male COMMON GOLDENEYE who was still mostly gray, like a female, but was getting his white spots on his face and back.

A male RING-NECKED DUCK in the slough at Dog Central was showing his burgundy neck ring.

A VIRGINIA RAIL responded to clapping at the boardwalk. It was distant.

Two RED-TAILED HAWKS sat side-by-side in a cottonwood east of the East Meadow. There is a nest within sight of that location, in the cottonwood row that separates the park from the property with the self-storage business.

A flock of about 25 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, all appearing to be Gambelii subspecies, and being about half adults and half juveniles, was found just south of Snag Row just west of the Interpretive Lot in the dog area. We had a couple of flocks of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW as well.

We had some notable misses, most notably Northern Flicker.

Still, the ten of us managed 47 species. Nothing new for the year, except the River Otter (which brings our 2008 mammal count to 3).

== Michael

A couple of shots of a Golden-crowned Sparrow (with flash above, without flash below)

Male Gadwall in the slough

White-crowned adult at edge of Interpretive Lot

Eastern Gray Squirrel roosting in a bird box at the Rowing Club

Fourteen of us were out today, on a day that turned out nicer that it looked at first. We were admittedly beset by random drizzle squalls, but the wind seemed to blow mostly over us, and there were long periods of clearing. The light could have been better, and the birds seemed unhappy with the weather, but we didn't get soaked, and it wasn't too cold, and we did see some birds.

The biggest highlight was one or two COMMON REDPOLL among a large flock of PINE SISKINS near the windmill. Unfortunately, just as Brian was trying to get the rest of us on the bird he'd been looking at, the whole flock flew across the river to the east.

Other highlights:

Wilson's Snipe           3-4 flew east from ~ East Meadow
Barn Owl                   Scott had great looks early in the East Meadow
Anna's Hummingbird Two along east trail
Northern Shrike         Distant but well-seen, to the southeast
Townsend's Warbler 2+ NE and west of the mansion

Other than that, it was a lot of the usual suspects - three accipiter sigthings, hundreds of flying Mew Gulls, several Cackling Geese, at least 5-6 Bald Eagles, all the usual sparrows, etc.

For the day, 55 species. For 2008, already up to 66 species.

== Michael

Brian Bell found a Common Redpoll in this large flock of
Pine Siskins near the windmill.

We had a really interesting day at Marymoor today. Water is high, and water birds were all around. The slough path to the boardwalk is blocked by deep water. A dozen of us had fun under mostly cloudy skies that occasionally dripped tiny amounts of water on us. We had a good half-hour of almost sunshine, followed by increasing gloom and chill. But the birds kept us awake.

Highlights:

The juvenile TUNDRA SWAN has taken up residence in a large pond on the grass & gravel parking lot just north of the grass soccer fields. Also enjoying the pond (it's a BIG puddle) were MALLARD, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, geese, and gulls.

We also had four adult swans fly north over the compost piles, and based on their large size and looooong necks, Brian Bell and I concluded they were TRUMPETER SWANS. (Thanks Knut, for spotting them)

The geese arrived late. The first flock came in and quickly left. It appeared to be mostly CACKLING GOOSE with one (presumably the same as previous weeks) juvenile SNOW GOOSE.

More geese came in while we were admiring the Tundra Swan, round about nearly noon. In all, I think about 500 Cacklers came in, with no more than 50 Canadas. Among the late arrivals was one GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.

Other ducks seen today were: GREATER & LESSER SCAUP, COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON & HOODED MERGANSER, and NORTHERN SHOVELER (at the Rowing Club). So just from swans, geese, and ducks, we were at 16 species.

Other highlights:

OSPREY WOW - circled over east meadow, flew south Sharp-shinned Hawk One bird flying towards the lake Townsend's Warbler Nice male just as we were leaving the Rowing Club Purple Finch Distant views from Cottonwood Forest. Close views at Rowing Club.

After the walk, Brian and I went over the lakeside cabana to try to get a positive ID on the scaup (both were present). We added a single HORNED GREBE and a flock of 23 DUNLIN.

For the day, 61 species. Not bad for December.

== Michael

A late Osprey, high over the East Meadow

Northern Shoveler and Hooded Merganser at Rowing Club

23 Dunlin over Lake Sammamish

Dunlin coming in for a landing on one of the docks.

It was a bit chilly, but the threatened showers didn't happen, and the fog burned off fairly quickly. It turned out to be a nice morning to be out, even if the birds were a bit quiet.

We had four species of goose from the parking lot before we even got started. There were 300-500 CACKLING, at least one GREATER WHITE-FRONTED, and then in a flyby of CANADAs, we had a lone juvenile SNOW GOOSE. The juvenile Tundra Swan, present the last two visits, was not seen, but a dog person said it had been there yesterday.

Besides the 4 geese, it was a good day for ducks, with 8 species, including 14 NORTHERN SHOVELER at the Rowing Club, at least 6 HOODED MERGANSER, a lone LESSER SCAUP, and a GADWALL. For some reason, Gadwall have become quite uncommon at Marymoor.

The best bird of the day was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW with juncos at the Art Barn and maintenance building northeast of the mansion. That was our first WTSP of 2007, and one of the rare times we've seen one that wasn't with Golden-crowned Sparrows.

Other Highlights:

Cooper's Hawk Both and adult and a juvenile Merlin Brief view of bird flying north chased by a crow Hairy Woodpecker One on the far side of the slough at the lake platform Fox Sparrow Several nice looks Townsend's Warbler One NE of mansion Pine Siskin 100+

For the day, 55 species.

== Michael

Cackling Geese fly in at about 7:15 a.m.

White-throated Sparrow on the Maintenance Barn roof

Ollie Oliver's better photo of the White-throated Sparrow.

It was foggy and frosty this morning, but a dawn wind slowly cleared the fog, and we had an amazing, sunny wintery day that was very enjoyable. It was strange being there without Matt Bartels, but he's off to Wyoming for Thanksgiving. Many of the other regulars were there, though - I think we were eight people total. The first highlight is that the juvenile swan continues at Marymoor. Several "dog" people came up to ask or comment about the swan. And I must relate that after last week's trip, I pondered the identity of the swan further. I had to turn to swan experts Martha Jordan and Dennis Pauson who kindly reminded me that Trumpeter Swan juveniles at this time of year are a dark, battleship gray, whereas this bird, a TUNDRA SWAN, is nearly white. So that's bird #201 for Marymoor. BTW - several of the dog people mentioned that the swan has been seen most/all days since last Thursday. It will be interesting to see if it sticks around. It was a great day for seeing Anserinae species - besides the TUNDRA SWAN, there were about 200 CANADA GOOSE, about 300 CACKLING GOOSE, at least 2 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, and a juvenile SNOW GOOSE (the latter at the northeast corner of the park). Other highlights: Wood Duck 3 drakes at the Rowing Club pond Sharp-shinned Hawk Small adult at the Compost Piles Besides the swan and geese, though, the biggest highlight were the regular ordinary birds in beautiful winter sunlight with a winter blue sky behind them and yellow leaves on the trees! Notables included some close views of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET at several locations; WILSON'S SNIPE at the Rowing Club; DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS looking glossy and fine with their bright orange bills; a particularly stunning DARK-EYED JUNCO at the Pea Patch; the sootiest FOX SPARROW ever at the Compost Piles, singing; a flock of COMMON GOLDENEYE flying past; and at least three LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Oh, and some great looks at flocks of PINE SISKIN and BUSHTITS. Siskins are gorgeous in flight when well-lit. So it was a good day. A few misses left us at "just" 52 species. Snow Goose was new for the year. == Michael	The same juvenile Tundra Swan from last week, with a Common Merganser, in the slough, though the fog.. Golden-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow	Pair of adult Bald Eagles
Just taking off...	...Sharp-shinned Hawk in flight
Juvenile Snow Goose and adult Greater White-fronted Goose with Cackling Geese	Double-crested Cormorant

There were a bunch of us (more than 15), and we enjoyed a very birdy hour-and-a-half of sunshine early on (which Ollie referred to as the "eye of the drizzle"). After that it clouded up and got breezy and colder, but didn't rain despite the clouds. Highlights: Hairy Woodpecker Good long look near boardwalk NORTHERN SHRIKE Juvenile seen from Compost Piles Lincoln's Sparrow Saw 2-4 at Compost Piles Purple Finch Several great looks Western Meadowlark 1 near R/C club early I was too tired from the Cle Elum CBC to really get excited about much, but it was a pretty good day. We had 56 species. == Michael	A cooperative Purple Finch at the 2nd dog swim beach
Western Meadowlark north of the model airplane field, just before 8:00 a.m.	Pine Siskin (right) and male Purple Finch
Male Hairy Woodpecker just before the start of the boardwalk	Golden-crowned Sparrow
Alexia and her friends dissect an owl pellet NE of the mansion	Some of the bones are laid out in the lower left.

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. Highlights: Cackling Goose 250, maybe, mixed with Canadas, on grass fields Bufflehead First of Fall - pair at lake, male at RC pond Northern Harrier East Meadow, early Cooper's Hawk Adult in Dog Meadow, juvie at East Meadow Red-tailed Hawk Adult caught prey north of fields 7-8-9 Bald Eagle Pair at "new nest" in deep cottonwood forest Mew Gull 1000+ on soccer fields Barn Owl East Meadow, around 7:25 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 near first benches Yellow-rumped Warbler More than a dozen Townsend's Warbler 1 NE of mansion Purple Finch GREAT looks, edges of Dog Meadow Pine Siskin Flock of 25 on west side of slough The BALD EAGLES were calling together, and generally seemed to be in and about the "new nest", which was built starting about this time last year. We'd thought we'd have front row seats for breeding season, as this nest is very visible when the trees are leafless. With leaves on the trees, however, this nest is next-to-invisible. We never saw anything indicating nesting there this year, but visibility limited our ability to know. The nest is only just now becoming visible again, as the leaves fall off the trees. The CANADA and CACKLING geese were mixed together, though in flight the Cacklers were often in their own flocks. On the fields, it was a great comparison of size and proportion, as the birds were so close. For the day, 56 species. == Michael	A few of the 1000 Mew Gulls on the grass soccer fields Bald Eagle, barely visible at 9 o'clock. The nest is just below center at the fork in the tree. The other adult is inside the nest, and not visible.
Adult Cooper's Hawk flies east from the middle of the south Dog Meadow area. Center photo by Ollie Oliver.	Male Purple Finch along west edge of Dog Meadow
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

Weather reports, schmether reports. Despite many of us gearing up for rain, the weather was very nice this morning until well after 11:00, and we didn't get real rain until we were past the pond at the Rowing Club. The rest of the morning it was fairly warm, windless, and pleasant. We noodled our way around the park, finding what was there and looking for what wasn't there.

A few highlights:

Hundreds of CACKLING GEESE flew into the park and landed on the grass soccer fields between about 7:10 and 7:30, and remained at least for the whole morning. They easily outnumbered CANADA GEESE. Most were clearly minima subspecies. There were some geese that were intermediate between the big Canadas and the small minimas; whether they were small CANGs or large CACGs, I don't know. I took some photos, but I'm stumped at this point as to how to identify the muddle in the middle.

The slough edge was active with PINE SISKINS. We watched one flock of 50+ fly around the first dog swim area, but further down there seemed to be many more, with groups of 20-30 flying from treetop to treetop and generally being everywhere in that strip of riparian corridor between the weir and the south end of the dog area. 75? 100? 200? more? Hard to say. Nice to have large numbers back after the last couple of winters.

A juvenile TRUMPETER SWAN was a surprise. We found it floating down the slough a the 3rd dog swim beach, and it quickly drifted towards the weir. I *so* wanted it to be Tundra, but I must confess that it wasn't. This is the second time I've ever had a juvenile swan at Marymoor, both Trumpeters, both in the slough above the weir. We've had adults fly over the park 14 times. Of those, the ones that called were all Trumpeters, but most flocks were silent or too far up/away to hear. So Trumpeter Swan is on the park list and Tundra remains stubbornly off.

A First-Of-Fall COMMON GOLDENEYE, a female, was at the lake with a few BUFFLEHEADS and a HOODED MERGANSER. There were 25-30 Bufflehead today, the most we've had this fall. And we had 10+ Hoodies, 4 at the Rowing Club and the rest at the lake. But duck diversity and numbers are still very low.

There were at least a couple of flyby AMERICAN PIPITS, including one that called very close to our heads at the south end of the East Meadow as it flew by.

A single TOWNSEND'S WARBLER popped out among Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Brown Creeper northeast of the mansion.

A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, heavily laden with prey, was flushed by three off-leash dogs near the mansion. It flew up the path right past us, at an elevation of about three feet, then disappeared into the shrubbery. I think it was carrying a Spotted Towhee, but it went by too suddenly to be sure.

At the Rowing Club, a WILSON'S SNIPE gave us a close look at the near edge of the pond before scuttling out of view behind some branches.

For the day, 54 species. For the year, 154 species.

== Michael

Just to confuse the issue further, local Washington swan expert, Martha Jordan, feels that this was a TUNDRA SWAN, not a Trumpeter.

Presumed small Canada Geese with minima Cackling Geese.

Minima Cackling Geese.

Wilson's Snipe at the Rowing Club pond, just before the rain hit.

Michael was out of town, so Matt and I got to substitute for him yesterday. The day may have dawned sunny somewhere else, but not at Marymoor. We had heavy fog in until at least 11 AM, for quite a while you could not see the other side of the river. The last part of the day cleared and was quite pleasant.

The highlight of the day occurred while we were sorting through a group of small birds in the cherry trees near the river. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (immature) zoomed in looking for a meal. You have never seen a small group of trees clear out so fast, but a few birds didn't make it. The hawk landed and scanned the branches, then moved to the edge of the trees. We quickly became aware that a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was frozen on a branch about 8 feet away from the hawk. The Sharpie was looking in all directions, but didn't seem to see the chickadee. We then became aware that at least 3 other birds were similarly frozen in position - two YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and another chickadee. We watched for at least 25 minutes, studying the Sharpie minutely from quite close - the bird didn't react to our presence. Finally our original chickadee either moved slightly, or the hawk finally saw it and made a dive toward it. The inexperience of the hawk was evident as the chickadee successfully moved out of the way, and all the other birds departed for the nearby berry patches. The Sharpie and a lone chickadee were the only occupants of the clump when we finally continued our walk.

Song was way down, but not absent or we would have had a tough time finding the birds that were present. A good number of SPOTTED TOWHEES and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were there. A VIRGINIA RAIL sounded off from a ways below the weir (we couldn't have seen it for the fog if it had been 15 feet away). In spite of the fog we had 5 raptors for the day - a BARN OWL early, an adult and later immature COOPER'S HAWK, the SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, 3 RED-TAILED HAWKS (one being mobbed in the distance by crows), and an adult BALD EAGLE. There were two nice groups of geese on the fields near the cricket pitch - both CANADA and CACKLING GOOSE- intermingled for easy comparison. The Cacklers finally took off and obliged by calling. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were either all over Marymoor, or the same flock followed us all morning.

Birds of note: Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Wilson's Snipe Barn Owl Orange-crowned Warbler Winter Wren American Pipit Cackling Goose

A RIVER OTTER was in the tree patch near the soccer fields - we figured it took a left turn in the fog and was lost. We also saw a RACCOON, a bunny and the usual EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS.

All in all a good day, and 51 species in spite of the fog.

Brian H. Bell, Woodinville WA

Linda Phillips found an escaped Canary at the Compost Piles on 2007-10-22

Ollie Oliver's photo of a Northern Shrike in the East Meadow 2007-10-26

It was gray and misty, but it was warm and it didn't rain, and the fog was high enough that we were under it. It was windless, and the air had that heavy, damp quality which makes road noise carry and birds to skulk. There were long stretches where we only got glimpses of birds, without any good looks. But it ended up being a pretty nice day.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose              Outnumbered Canadas - maybe 250
COMMON LOON       One WELL OUT on the lake
Northern Harrier             Matt had one early, East Meadow
Wilson's Snipe                One bobbing below the weir, + 2 elsewhere
Barn Owl                        Matt had one early, East Meadow
SHORT-EARED OWL One flushed from East Meadow ~11 am
Hairy Woodpecker          One buried deep in a willow, East Meadow
Western Meadowlark      5 or more at Compost Piles
PINE SISKIN                Our first fall flock of 50+

Duck numbers are still way down. We had less than 10 Mallards, maybe 5 Bufflehead, and 4 Hooded Merganser, plus 1-2 probable Goldeneyes. That was it for ducks.

For the day, 58 species

== Michael

Hard to even tell what it was from these photos, but that dark lump that moved was a River Otter, on the new dock visible from the lake platform.

Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Compost Piles.

Nicely, it showed it's yellow rump...

Marsh Wren, East Meadow.

Fox Sparrow south of the windmill.

The morning started dark and cloudy, but the rain held off for the first couple of hours. Then it stopped holding off. Between about 10:30 and noon, the rain slowly grew in intensity. It wasn't exactly pouring, even when we left, but I was more than damp. The birds were somewhat scarce, and often hard to see in the dim light. Let us be thankful that, after next week, the days will be getting longer again! Despite the rain, I made the executive decision to trudge over to the Velodrome, where we found the large flock of CACKLING GEESE, mixed with enough CANADAs to get a good size comparison. There was also an adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE amongst them. Other highlights: SWANS A flock of 17, flying south, probably Trumpeters Northern Pintail Flock(s) early (before 8:00), flying south - 200+ Green-winged Teal 1 male at the Rowing Club - few so far this fall Ring-necked Duck 3 males at RC - First of Fall - where've they been Bufflehead LOTS at the lake - 75+ Barn Owl Matt had one very early at the windmill Hairy Woodpecker Male across the slough from the windmill Townsend's Warbler One or two NE of the mansion Western Meadowlark One at the East Meadow We had a few birds that cooperated - a PURPLE FINCH that landed right above our heads, a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET at about 10 feet, and a BROWN CREEPER that worked the bottom 5 feet of the same tree for several minutes. For the day, a surprisingly high count of 56 species. == Michael	OK - so the view of the swans was distant. Still cool. The cooperative Purple Finch at the 2nd dog swim beach
Male Hooded Merganser in the slough, 3rd dog swim beach	American Coots in the slough
Male Spotted Towhee at the Compost Piles	Female Spotted Towhee at the Compost Piles. Photo by Emmanuel Miranda-Steiner.
Rock Pigeons	I realized I had no photos of Rock Pigeons
Male Green-winged Teal with Mallard female in the rain at the Rowing Club	Two of three male Ring-necked Ducks in the rain at the Rowing Club

I did a solo trip to Marymoor on Wednesday, 9/12 because I was driving out to the WOS Conference in the afternoon.

This morning was very dark overcast, and it was windy at times. There was also a pretty strong migrant pulse, which made for great birding. No rarities, but lots of birds and lots of action at times.

The best flock was at the southwest edge of the East Meadow. The flock comprised:

Warbling Vireo (maybe 6), Red-eyed Vireo (1-2), Orange-crowned Warbler (6-8), Yellow Warbler (2-4), Black-throated Gray Warbler (1), Black-capped Chickadee (8+), American Robin (8), Cedar Waxwing (10), Western Tanager (1-2), Swainson's Thrush (2+), Hermit Thrush (1), Common Yellowthroat (2+), Spotted Towhee (1), American Goldfinch (6), Song Sparrow (1-2), Purple Finch (4), Northern Flicker (3). Now that's a flock!

Other highlights:

Green Heron                   One at Rowing Club
Cooper's Hawk               Adult (male?) in Snag Row
Hairy Woodpecker          Male just east of Pet Garden
Vaux's Swift                    Still 1 around
Lincoln's Sparrow            8+, singly, scattered all over the park
Black-headed Grosbeak Still 1 around

I had 51 species in 4+ hours (I skipped the Mansion area)

MATT'S REPORT FROM THURSDAY, 9/13:

I filled in for Michael Hobbs today at the Marymoor weekly walk. Apparently, Michael wasn't the only one off to the coast early for the WOS Conference. We had 3 people on the walk, and only 2 for the majority of the walk.

Despite that, it was a very birdy day, mirroring the report Michael sent yesterday. Nothing rare showed up, but we had a great time with the warbler flocks and others.

Highlights: 5 woodpecker species, including nice looks at a PILEATED WOODPECKER in the snags just northeast of the viewing platform and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER by the Mansion.

5 warbler species including: ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - 15-20, maybe more. They were in several small groups throughout the park. YELLOW WARBLER - 5-7 - mixed in with the Orange-crowned flocks BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER - 1 or 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS - about 5 or so COMMON YELLOWTHROAT - many, in all plumage variations.

RED-EYED VIREO - excellent close up looks at one in approximately the same spot Michael reported it yesterday, on the sw edge of the east meadow.

WARBLING VIREO - 6-8 moving around frantically in the same area as the Red-eyed Vireo

PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER - 1, a bit after the viewing platform

SWAINSON'S THRUSH - 6 or so, a little past 'dog central', including one staying very close to an American Robin, not chasing each other, but flying around together as if paired....

GREEN HERON - 2 adults across from the rowing club

WESTERN TANAGER - 2 or more, along the slough

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK - 1 adult male

LINCOLN'S SPARROW - back in force, both around the sparrow piles [north end of the east meadow] and elsewhere in smaller numbers.

Non-bird highlights included: COYOTE - across the slough from the weir SALMON - big big salmon moving through the slough DEER - 1 in the east meadow, early

For the day, we had 56 species, with the most notable departures missing from our list seeming to be Western Wood-pewees & Willow Flycatchers. We also had several 'perhaps' heard-onlys on Fox Sparrow & Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but alas nothing solid enough to confirm they'd returned.

Matt Bartels

Black-capped Chickadee in English Hawthorn

Black-throated Gray Warbler in English Hawthorn

Cooper's Hawk in Snag Row

Hairy Woodpecker

Orange-crowned Warbler

Savannah Sparrow

Feral sunflower at the Compost Piles

Michael is still in the Czech Republic, so Matt Bartels and I subbed for him at Marymoor. It was a typical late August morning (so a short report this time) - warm, clear, almost no birds singing, but lots of young birds around. Surprisingly, we were only joined by 4 other birders.

Notable species for the day included:

Barn Owl in the east meadow early
Our first Lincoln's Sparrow at the dirt piles early
3 (maybe 4) Green Herons along the river
The Pied-billed Grebes are definitely back (or at least showing themselves).

While we had to really search out the birds, we wound up seeing 48 (maybe 49 if a hummingbird was a Rufuous) species.

Brian H. Bell

Despite the weather, we had a very nice and birdy morning. It was admittedly cloudy most of the morning, with quite a lot of drizzle and a moment of light rain, but also some sunshine. Not too cold nor too windy, but quite damp.

Matt had an amazing-sounding show in the East Meadow early, which I've asked him to report to Tweeters separately. I'll just say that it was part of his 7-raptor day. Even for those who didn't see the early morning owl show, though, the day was quite good. The most amazing thing was the complete and TOTAL ABSENCE OF GEESE. Nary a one.

Highlights:

Western Grebe At least 25 on the lake Bald Eagle 1 well out on the lakeshore Sharp-shinned Hawk At least 2 immatures Cooper's Hawk Adult & Immature Red-tailed Hawk At least 3 PEREGRINE FALCON 1 flying north along slough at 8:00 WILSON'S SNIPE Many (8-12) in East Meadow - great looks Mew Gull 1+, First of Fall Barn Owl East Meadow, as late as 7:00 a.m. SHORT-EARED OWL East Meadow, early Pacific-slope Flycather Uncertain ID - 1 at the south end of the Dog Meadow Violet-green Swallow 20-30. Getting late for them Barn Swallow Only 1 American Pipit Two at East Meadow, more overhead Orange-crowned Warbler Maybe 6 Yellow Warbler One immature male near weir Yellow-rumped Warbler Dozens Common Yellowthroat One still around

We had good numbers of sparrows of all eight of the common species at this time of year (actually, only one DARK-EYED JUNCO, but lots of the others).

For the day, 62 species. For the year, Short-eared Owl brings us to 151 species.

== Michael

As Michael mentioned, I had a good start to the rainy day at Marymoor today. After watching the Barn Owl over the East Meadow, on and off from 6:30 onwards, I headed to the sparrow piles at about 7:00. From that vantage point, looking out into the meadow near the model airplane field, I caught a glimpse of a SHORT-EARED OWL. As it flew around, I noticed it was being chased. By a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. And then I noticed a second Sharpie. Watching the 2 Sharpies pursue the Short-eared, I soon noticed that the BARN OWN had joined in the chase. For a while I had great views of the parade of a Short-eared Owl, 2 juvie Shapies & a Barn Owl all flying over the meadow. Eventually one of the Sharpies broke off and landed in a tree near the sparrow piles. Right next to a perched COOPER'S HAWK. It was quite nice to have a ready-made size & tail comparison of them. The Sharpie & Coopers traded some very unhappy sounding words before the Sharpie decided to move on. Perhaps most surprising was that no crows joined in the chase -- maybe the rain kept them away this morning?

For those interested in watching the owl show at Marymoor, here's my advice. Park at the start of the trail that runs between the off-leash dog area and the East Meadow. The sparrow piles, right at the beginning of that trail have traditionally been a good vantage point for Short-eared Owls at dawn or dusk when they are around. Barn Owl, present year round, tends to work the far edge of the meadow -- I generally walk down the path until I'm past where the new gate to the off-leash dog area. Watch across the meadow along the tree line [I believe this would be the south east edge of the meadow]. I generally try to be in place an 45 minutes to an hour before sunrise to wait for the Barn. Once it is light enough for multiple crows to be overhead, it is usually too late for Barn. I'd say I see Barn Owl about 50% of the time when I'm out there . Short-eared Owls have usually been active much closer to sunrise [and even after sunrise], naturally. Some years, they seem to just past through Marymoor around this time of year. Other years, they stick around longer into the winter.

Good owling--

Matt Bartels Seattle, WA

Today at noon I came across a TROPICAL KINGBIRD at Marymoor Park. I watched it long enough to get good looks at the white throat, yellow-green breast & belly & plain tail, then went to find a pay phone. Unfortunately, by the time I returned, the Kingbird was gone. We looked until about 1:30, without ever relocating the bird. I hope it turns up again -- it seems that most of these Tropical Kingbirds tend to stick around for a few days, so I think it would definitely be worth some searching despite our bad luck this afternoon.

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

blosxom/Birds/20071009.txt

I lost track of the number of BIRDERS when it exceeded 20. I think we ended up with about 25 people, but I'm not sure I even got to meet them all. I ended up splitting the group, with Matt Bartels leading the regular walk and me leading a group in a reverse circuit. Matt's group did "better", but both groups exceeded 55 species. It was a birdy day, and while we didn't refind the Tropical Kingbird, nor any other rarity, there were a lot of birds to look through.

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.

Michael is off to Prague, so Matt Bartels and I substituted for him at Marymoor this morning. The morning started out cool (53F) but clear, and with some low ground fog along the river. Twelve of us enjoyed the morning, even though there is not much singing going on now. Lots of juveniles around.

Highlights included:

LESSER YELLOWLEGS (maybe only the third for the park, and perhaps new for the year)
CEDAR WAXWING adults and juveniles
Lots of juvenile COMMON YELLOWTHROATS
A couple of SPOTTED SANDPIPERS
Two GREEN HERONS
Several WARBLING VIREOS (one feeding a young bird and lots of chases)
A male and female BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER
Several PURPLE FINCHES
Three EVENING GROSBEAKS
A single CLIFF SWALLOW (first in maybe three weeks)
A MOURNING DOVE (always scarce at Marymoor)
At least 3 WESTERN TANAGERS (imm. or female).

A nice morning, and 57 species total.

Brian H. Bell

Ollie Oliver's photos: Spotted Sandpiper

Green Heron

Cedar Waxwing

The number of birders present today was a far cry from last week. Only six of us showed up. We did get rained on some (though not too badly) and we did get blown around, especially at the lake platform. But it wasn't too cold, and there were long periods of calm. Birding was spotty, but it was definitely NOT a dud week.

Highlights:

SWANS 5 - silent - flying south west of the slough
Wilson's Snipe 1-2 East Meadow
Sharp-shinned Hawk One near mansion
MERLIN One over the old cricket pitch
Barn Owl Matt had 1 at 6:50 over the East Meadow
Red-breasted Sapsucker Rowing Club parking lot
Northern Shrike 1 along the north edge of grass soccer fields
Yellow-rumped Warbler Still hundreds around
Nashville Warbler Matt & I glimpsed one west of mansion
Townsend's Warbler 1 or more at Rowing Club parking lot
Western Meadowlark 15 on the old cricket pitch

At about 7:20, two geese flew north over the Dog Meadow. It was perfect. The lead goose was a CACKLING (probably minima subspecies) and the trailing goose was a CANADA. Amazing flight comparison, with a huge size difference between the birds, and the very short bill and neck of the Cackling evident.

We had an Aythya duck at the lake that caused a lot of discussion. Wind conditions precluded getting a definitive ID, but it was probably a Lesser Scaup. It just looked *wrong* for scaup to me somehow, but I was in the minority there. I was thinking Ring-necked Duck (despite a dark face and lack of white on the bill), or Ring-necked x Scaup. Tufted female even came to mind...

For the day, 57 species. Not bad at all considering the weather.

== Michael

Nine of us had an interesting day at Marymoor today. At times, the birding was excruciatingly slow, but there were also several diverse flocks
of birds and several surprises. The cloudy weather slowly broke towards sunshine.

Highlights:

Common Merganser         Flock of 16 flew down up the slough early
Cooper's Hawk                At least 2 different birds, several sightings
Bald Eagle                        Adult at lake - first ever for Week 36
GR. YELLOWLEGS       One calling flyover at the lake platform
Western Tanager              One near the windmill

We had several flycatcher sightings of three species, including (near the start of the boardwalk) WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, and
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER all in the same willow. We had 2-4 each of WEWP, WIFL, and PSFL all told.

There was clearly a warbler migration pulse, with at least 5 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED GRAYS, single WILSON'S and YELLOW-RUMPED, as well as numerous female/immature COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.

We also had a five finch day, with many PURPLE FINCH, a flyover of about a half-dozen EVENING GROSBEAKS, and a single PINE SISKIN to go along with the
ubiquitous AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and the large flock of HOUSE FINCH that stayed mostly at the Compost Piles.

Northeast of the mansion, we had a nice mixed flock comprising one male DOWNY WOODPECKER, at least three BROWN CREEPER, several DARK-EYED JUNCOS, both species of CHICKADEE, at least one GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, and several active RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Though these are pretty common birds, it was fun watching so many of them forage so actively together.

For the morning, 55 species.

== Michael

Orange-crowned Warbler

Steller's Jay

Cooper's Hawk

Non-native Slug

It was overcast to start, with some wisps of fog, but nothing like what the forecast called for. We weren't hampered by the fog at all. Slowly cleared to a sunny noontime. Birdy, but most of the birds were Yellow-rumped Warblers and Fox Sparrows. There were 8 or 9 birders, and we enjoyed a pretty good day.

Highlights:

Horned Grebe                 Three at lake, one close to platform
Western Grebe                Nine at lake
Green Heron                   One at lake
Cooper's Hawk               Great look at adult at Pea Patch
PEREGRINE FALCON One flying down slough at noon
Barn Owl                         East Meadow, 6:30 a.m.
VAUX'S SWIFT             Maybe 25 seen flying south up the slough
Winter Wren                    First of fall - one ticking in the Cottonwood Forest
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     First of fall - 2 - one singing
American Pipit                 Several flyovers of 1-2 birds each
Yellow-rumped Warbler Ubiquitous - 100+
Townsend's Warbler        One in the cherry trees with Yellow-rumps
Fox Sparrow                   Many, many (25?), some singing
White-crowned Sparrow Singing gambelli at the Pea Patch
Golden-crowned Sparrow Many, some singing

While watching the PEREGRINE FALCON, I noticed several VAUX'S SWIFTS flying south up the slough. They were flying fairly high, and while they were doing some feeding-type circling about, many of them were heading fairly straight south. There may have been more that we didn't notice. Could well have been a migrating wave of swifts.

For the day, 59 species. For the year, we're at an even 150 species.

== Michael

Horned Grebe from the lake platform

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Tom Mansfield's photo of a White-crowned Sparrow at the Compost Piles

Black-tailed Deer near the Compost Piles

American Crows eating a dead Eastern Cottontail at the Pea Patch

Tom Mansfield's photo of an adult Cooper's Hawk at the Pea Patch

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

Ten of us enjoyed a rather quiet, overcast day yesterday. We had hopes of refinding the Least and Baird's Sandpipers that had been found on Wednesday, but we had only one flying unidentified shorebird that was certainly "of interest" but that's all we could say. Despite that disappointment, the morning was pleasant.

Highlights:

Osprey                                    2 young close to fledging
Sharp-shinned Hawk               First in months, over Snag Row
Green Heron                           A couple of nice looks
Spotted Sandpiper                  Flock of 6 on lily pads at lake
Vaux's Swift                            Numbers much higher (20+) than usual
Warbling Vireo                       Adult feeding young south of Dog Central
Red-eyed Vireo                      Still 2 singing in Cottonwood Forest
Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 seen south of Dog Central
Western Tanager                     First of Fall, 1 male

Now a few comments about 2007 versus previous years:

Gadwall sightings at Marymoor used to be very common, but 2007 continues a recent trend of Gadwall eschewing the park. Plenty of them elsewhere, but not at Marymoor.

Pied-billed Grebe have at least attempted nesting at Marymoor every summer from 1994-2006. They have been completely absent from Marymoor this summer, our last sighthing being from late April.

Red-winged Blackbirds have taken a leave. For the 2nd Thursday in a row, we've failed to find a single one (though Matt had some a week ago). My long-term data does show, however, a brief period of time in late August where sightings drop off regularly. Why? Where do Red-winged Blackbirds go in August? They are rock-steady the rest of the year (albeit with a chance that there's a statistically significant dip at Halloween as well).

Conversely, it is very clear that Anna's Hummingbirds have become completely established at Marymoor. Our first sighting was in November of 2003. We've seen them almost every week this year, often multiple birds, with pretty clear evidence of breeding. The only time they seem to be absent from Marymoor now is during the absolute coldest months when the untended hummingbird feeders freeze up. (Marymoor, down in the valley, is often colder than the surrounding hillsides. On many winter mornings, the only place we see frost is at Marymoor)

Anyway, for the day, 57 species.

== Michael

Green Heron in slough near Dog Central

Great Blue Heron from lake platform

Common Mergansers at lake

Sharp-shinned Hawk over Snag Row

Eight of us enjoyed a pleasant and interesting morning at Marymoor. As we move into the post-breeding period, a few new things are moving in/through. The weather was overcast, but clearing (no rain, no wind).

Highlights:

Green Heron                   Multiple sightings, at least 2 adults
GR. YELLOWLEGS      Flyby, with kingfishers. Only 3rd ever.
Mourning Dove               1st of 2007, in Snag Row
Belted Kingfisher             At least 3, seen together
WILSON'S WARBLER First of fall, several

At about 5:45 a.m., to BELTED KINGFISHERS flew north over the South Lot. A third bird flying with them looked slightly different - pointed wings, a thinner bill, trailing legs - Just as I got on it, it gave the tew-tew-tew call of a GREATER YELLOWLEGS. In a weird deja vu moment, five hours later, as we came back through the South Lot, three birds flew north. This time, all three were kingfishers.

Lots and lots of babies of just about everything. Trees dripping with young VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. Ducklings (MALLARD, WOODIE, HOODIE), Goslings, wrens, finches, etc. Young warblers were a bit of a challenge to ID - certainly several COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, at least one YELLOW WARBLER, maybe a WILSON'S...

Anyway, a good day. For the day, including the LEAST FLYCATCHER (see below), 61 species. The Mourning Dove and the Greater Yellowlegs were new for 2007.

== Michael

Today we couldn't do the early morning walk but we got out there later and did an abbreviated version of it. we found the LEAST FLYCATCHER calling at the compost mounds in a large willow (?) tree surrounded by blackberries. he was doing his "chebeck" call quite a bit so he should not be to hard to find. we last saw him at about 11:50. good luck, Brendan Seattle WA

Adult Green Heron near creek mouth south of weir.

Green Heron in an alder along the slough.

Mourning Dove in Snag Row just north of the Pea Patch

Juvenile Barn Swallow in Pea Patch. Note visible, fleshy gape.

Black-tailed Deer in slough just south of the main entrance bridge

Michael Hobbs is in southern California with Tim at National track meet, so Matt Bartels and I subbed for him. The Michael effect seems to be broken as we did NOT have an unusual birds at Marymoor today.

We started out the day at Marymoor clear with a temperature of 55F. It was obviously the end of July with minimal singing and tons of juveniles around. We took a little over two hours to cover the first third of the way, an 2 1/2 to do the rest. About half way thru the morning the clouds moved in and the temperature that had climbed to about 70-72 dropped to 66. While the numbers were a little smaller than the last two weeks, the absolute numbers of birds was high.

Highlights include 2 Green Herons, 3 Red-tailed Hawks (including a beautiful immature). 4 Ospreys on the nest structure and another on the cell tower nearby, 2 excellent looks at Swainson's Thrush, an adult Cooper's Hawk that captured a bird and flew into a tree and plucked and consumed it, a California Quail heard east of the dirt piles, and a group of 10 juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos. Also seen: deer, eastern gray squirrel, bunny, muskrat, painted turtle.

Brian H. Bell, Woodinville

ALL PHOTOS BY OLLIE OLIVER

Anna's Hummingbird

Juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird

Swainson's Thrush

Wood Ducks

Western Wood-Pewee

I think there were just 10 of us today, under solid, high overcast, with occasional drizzle (but nothing really to speak of). Windless and mosquitoey, temps warming. Quite a nice day today, except that none of us could wake up. I certainly needed a nap when I got back (hence this tardy post). The species count was pretty good, but there weren't any real surprises. What there was were many opportunities to spend a lot of time watching our common, extraordinary birds. Here are some random highlights: Just before 5:30 a.m., Brian and I saw a SPOTTED SANDPIPER in the containment pond near the paved Event Pad. On a small, dead-topped elderberry in the Dog Meadow were a male AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, a male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. A GREAT BLUE HERON spent more than 10 minutes (at which point I dragged the group off to continue our walk) trying to eat an absolutely enormous fish - maybe a bullhead. The fish must have been a foot long, and looked clearly too big around for a heron to swallow. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES were seen bringing food to, and taking a fecal sac away from a nest hole in one of the easternmost trees in Snag Row. Baby BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were seen being fed by a male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and a SONG SPARROW. A female COMMON MERGANSER sat atop some of the chopped snags in Snag Row, which is comical to see. I had one BLACK SWIFT that challenged my identification skills as it was flying in a straight line flapping continuously. There were an abundance of both RUFOUS and ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, often with intra- and inter-species chases. While we saw them in several places, the highest concentrations were at the south end of the Dog Meadow and in the Pea Patch. We had a juvenile PURPLE FINCH, which is the first I ever remember at Marymoor. Previously, summer sightings of PUFI have been pretty sparse - this year, we've seen them each week. Several other PUFI were singing. At the Rowing Club, I found a WARBLING VIREO singing from a nest. Viewing was VERY OBSCURED, though most of the group (amazingly) managed to see the nest eventually. At the lake, on the new dock, was a single BONAPARTE'S GULL. Brandon found our first RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH since January, in some Doug Firs east of the mansion. Babies abounded: American Robin, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-tailed Hawk, Brown-headed Cowbird, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Mallard, Black-headed Grosbeak, Anna's Hummingbird, Purple Finch, Warbling Vireo, Bushtit, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, House Finch, White-crowned Sparrow, and Downy Woodpecker. Probably other species too, but some of the Song Sparrows, for instance, are getting a bit hard to tell from adults. For the day, 61 species. == Michael	Juvenile Downy Woodpecker Great Blue Heron with enormous fish (Bullhead?)
Juvenile Black-headed Grosbeak	Female Common Merganser on snag
Male Anna's Hummingbird	Male Anna's Hummingbird
Wood Duck female with babies	Wood Duck female with babies
	Peak-a-boo view of a male Yellow Warbler

It was a pretty nice morning, with clouds moving in, and too much wind. Made for a pleasant walk, as the temp was comfortably in the 60's. The only trouble was that birds were very scarce, especially early. We did end up with some highlights, though:

Canada Goose                      Increasing - up to about 180 birds on soccer fields
Pied-billed Grebe                  1-2; first since April
Cooper's Hawk                     Close looks at juvenile near mansion
Barn Owl                              Matt had one, East Meadow, 5:30 a.m.
Red-breasted Sapsucker       Near start of boardwalk
Hairy Woodpecker                South end of Dog Area
Warbling Vireo                      At least 2, one feeding a cowbird
Yellow Warbler                     One bright male, south end of East Meadow
Black-throated Gray Warbler Male with Yellow Warbler. Great looks.
VESPER SPARROW            East Meadow, Compost Piles

Matt spotted the VESPER SPARROW along the northwest edge of the East Meadow. As he called it out to us, it flew to the middle of the Dog Meadow. We pursued, and had good glimpses before it flew to the Compost Piles. We spotted it again at the piles for closer but brief looks. The eye ring was very apparent, and the white outer tail feathers showed very well in flight.

This is only our 3rd or 4th sighting ever of Vesper Sparrow. They really like dirt paths; if you want to try to chase this bird, look for it on the dirt trails across the Dog Meadow and on the bare dirt at the Compost Piles. A sparrow running away from you on a dirt path is most probably the Vesper.

For the day, just 53 species.

== Michael

Adult Pied-billed Grebe with Wood Duck, in slough

Hairy Woodpecker juvenile, south end of Dog Meadow, in Oregon Ash tree.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk, just northeast of Clise Mansion

The Coop turned around to give us a front view

Highbush Cranberry, Ribes opulus?, from the east bend in the boardwalk.

Bald-faced Hornet nest, in Bigleaf Maple northeast of the mansion.

There were eleven of us today, I think, on a beautiful birdy morning. The early scattered ground fog didn't hide an impressive sunrise on Mt. Rainier, nor the waining moon in the deep blue sky. Warbler migration, or at least post-breeding dispersal, is apparently well underway - we had a six-warbler morning. Other highlights included the Blue Angels doing an overflight of the East Meadow, as well as flybys of other airplanes involved in the SeaFair display.

Highlights:
    Green Heron                                 Several really nice sightings!
     Merlin ???                                    Quick look, in the Dog Meadow
     Virginia Rail                                  Scott found us one to see at the weir
     Pileated Woodpecker                   Two on the ridgetop west of the park
     Warbling Vireo                             Several at south end of Dog Meadow
     Red-eyed Vireo                           Adult(s) feeding young with WAVIs
    Orage-crowned Warbler               One below weir in willows - First Of Fall
    Yellow Warbler                             2-3 singing, some females seen
    Yellow-rumped Warbler                1 NE of mansion
    Black-throated Gray Warbler        1 with vireos - First of 2007
    Common Yellowthroat                   Several males, plus females and immatures
    Wilson's Warbler                           3+, including a male and female together

Early on, we saw a COOPER'S HAWK flying east over the river with prey in its talons. Later, as we circled the mansion, we saw perhaps the same bird being harassed by crows.

The RED-EYED VIREOS were great - nicely colored, and AT EYE LEVEL as they fed their young. Some great views were available. Both the Warbling and Red-eyes were singing.

BUSHTITS and CEDAR WAXWINGS were especially ubiquitous and numerous; the vireos were hidden among a flock of about 50 Bushtits, and we saw several other large flocks other places.

For the day, 59 species. I forgot my camera, and nobody else brought one either... :(

Thank goodness it wasn't as hot as yesterday. Actually it was very pleasant, with temps ranging from maybe 60-70, and sunny with thin patchy overcast. Not too many mosquitoes. The birds were somewhat scarce (more than 20 species were either heard-only or were represented by only a single bird). There were some highlights, though, for the dozen or so birders who came out with me: Green Heron Adult flew around weir Cooper's Hawk One flying east of mansion Virginia Rail One FLEW near east footbridge Hairy Woodpecker One flew across Dog Meadow Barn Owl Louise had one early (4:30) near the windmill Pacific-slope Flycatcher One near start of boardwalk Swainson's Thrush Abundant singing; few good looks except at Rowing Club Yellow-rumped Warbler Male Audubon's catching BIG bugs west of mansion Black-headed Grosbeak Many, including male feeding babies. No singing. Lazuli Bunting Louise had one singing in Snag Row after 5:00am Lots of baby birds, many being fed. A partial list of 1st-year birds includes Common Yellowthroat, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Red-tailed Hawk, Spotted Towhee, Cedar Waxwing (being fed), Black-headed Grosbeak, Wood Duck, Brown-headed Cowbird, Violet-green Swallow, Dark-eyed Junco, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow. For the day, 59 species of bird, plus Raccoon, Black-tailed Deer, Eastern Cottontail, Long-tailed Weasel, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Muskrat(?), Bullfrog, Garter Snake, Red-eared Slider, and at least 3 species of dragonfly and several different butterflies. == Michael	Marsh Wren near nest in early morning light. Brown-headed Cowbirds near weir.
Near the weir at about 6:00 a.m.	Ollie Oliver's photo of a Swainson's Thrush
Guesses? It should be pretty easy...	Mostly juvenile Violet-green Swallows, plus a House Finch
Water Lily at the lake	Balloon over Redmond

Ten of us were enjoying a wonderful day up until the time we entered the East Meadow area. Matt thought he heard something odd about a Savannah Sparrow song, and when I tried to hear what he was talking about, all I could notice was an incessant call coming from southeast of the meadow. Heading over there, it took a few minutes to find the LEAST FLYCATCHER, which gave us prolonged distant looks. I manage to get some brief close looks as well by climbing around the interior of the area east of the East Meadow. Phone calls were made, and we ended up with additional people joining for the rest of the walk. This is the second Least Flycatcher report from Marymoor Park, the previous one being from 1983. The bird was still singing when we left. At the mansion area we had our second surprise, a HUTTON'S VIREO. While not a rare bird in King County, this was only our 4th sighting ever at Marymoor. Other highlights: At least two OSPREY were seen on the nest. Later, after the excitement of the LEFL, we watched an OSPREY diving on a circling immature BALD EAGLE over the East Meadow. Very surprisingly, we had two BLACK SWIFTS over the park; while we often see them in July, it is almost always on cloudy days. Today was about as far from cloudy as is possible. A RED-EYED VIREO actually allowed us views as we entered the Cottonwood Forest. The lake was pretty much bird-free, but there was a distant gull, probably a BONAPARTE'S GULL by size and flight style. West of the mansion, we enjoyed watching a couple of BROWN CREEPERS. For the day we managed 59 species. The year list is up to 134 or so. == Michael	The moon was beautiful at 5:30 a.m. Barn Swallow perched near the lake platform
Least Flycatcher	Ollie Oliver's better photo of the Least Flycatcher
Osprey challenging a subadult Bald Eagle over the East Meadow	Brown Creeper west of the mansion
Baby Brown-headed Cowbird	Black-tailed Deer south of the windmill

Several people reported seeing the Least Flycatcher again today, in the same location, southeast of the southeast part of the East Meadow.

Tom Mansfield's photo of the Least Flycatcher

The day was probably a bit too nice. Needed only a couple of sweaters this morning, and after the fog burned off, it was sunny and warm. We heard a lot, but had trouble finding views of birds; perhaps many of them are so busy with their lives that they just don't have time to perch in the open. Plus, too many leaves and too many mosquitoes.

Highlights:

BUFFLEHEAD                     Lingering female, seen late on the lake
Green Heron                          One at Rowing Club
Barn Owl                                Matt had one at like 4:30 a.m.
Red-breasted Sapsucker         Bringing food to the nest hole s. of dog area
WESTERN KINGBIRD        One flycatching at north edge of grass fields 7-8-9
Warbling Vireo                       Copulating, while female had nest materials in her beak!
RED-EYED VIREO               MaryFrances Mathis had one near the East Meadow
Black-headed Grosbeak         Great looks
Western Tanager                    Some nice looks
LAZULI BUNTING              Killer views at Compost Piles - 2+ males
Bullock's Orioles                     Several sightings - males chasing each other
Evening Grosbeak                   Two uncooperative flocks flying away

Juveniles (mostly seen being fed by parents):
    Canada Goose
    Mallard
    Red-breasted Sapsucker (heard in nest hole)
    Bewick's Wren
    Brown Creeper
    American Robin

For the day,64 species. Red-eyed Vireo was the only new one for the 2007 list.

== Michael

Lazuli Bunting at the "Compost Piles"

Western Kingbird, north edge of fields 7-8-9

Western Tanager male

Cedar Waxwing

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

Maybe because of the threatening weather, we only had 8 people today. For the most part, we didn't get that wet. Despite heavy overcast, it mostly just drizzled lightly, and most of the time it was just cloudy. We did get a minute or so of actual rain, but otherwise it wasn't too bad.

The park was absolutely FULL of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS - males and females, Myrtle's and Audubon's, everywhere.

Other highlights:

Cackling Goose                 One flying around early
Barn Owl                           Matt heard one at 5:15 near the windmill
Red-breasted Sapsucker    One drumming early near the mansion
Pacific-slope Flycatcher   One, seen briefly, near first dog area bench
WESTERN KINGBIRD    One at Compost Piles, last seen at
                                                   the model airplane field
Orange-crowned Warbler Many, some even visible
American Pipit                 39 counted at model airplane field!
Savannah Sparrow            Wow, there were a lot of these guys! 50-100
Fox Sparrow                      Mason found one still hanging around
Western Meadowlark        1 at model airplane field
Brewer's Blackbird           1-2 females seen

This is by far the latest spring date we've had for CACKLING GOOSE. We also had a large flock of geese fly over the model airplane field that we just couldn't figure out. Maybe just Canadas, but maybe Cackling...

Ollie spotted the WESTERN KINGBIRD at the compost piles on a mustard flower. It dropped to the ground, and we were going to try for a closer look when it flew up to a cherry tree at the east end of the piles, then flew all the way over to the model airplane field. Ollie called Grace at work, and they tried for the kingbird without success, but did find pipits at the airfield. So the rest of us headed over there and found the WESTERN MEADOWLARK instead. Just as we were about to leave there, though, a huge flock of AMERICAN PIPITS flew in. Brian counted 39 birds, and I think I got that number too. They were on the very-closely-mowed runway.

We had 62 species on the day, despite missing Gadwall and Pied-billed Grebe. The PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, and BREWER'S BLACKBIRD were all new for the year, bringing the 2007 total to 110.

== Michael

Ollie Oliver caught 7 of the 39 American Pipits in this shot.

Here's one up close. Pipits seem bigger than they actually are.

Back-lit Spotted Towhee at the Rowing Club.

Fifteen of us birded this morning under mostly cloudy skies. There was even a bit of drizzle for a while, but mostly the morning was nice, if a touch chilly. It was birdy too. We were done before noon, so I birded the main areas a bit more, coming up with a couple more species. Highlights: Canada Goose Adult on nest at Rowing Club California Quail Pair near east entrance late Common Loon 1 at lake Horned Grebe 3 in breeding plumage at lake Western Grebe 2, distantly, at lake Green Heron Several sightings, incl. 2 at lake Red-tailed Hawk Hunkered down low on odd-snag nest Red-breasted Sapsucker One near first footbridge American Pipit 3+ in fenced-off part of Dog Meadow late Yellow-rumped Warbler Many, mostly males, both races Orange-crowned Warbler 2-3 NE of east end of boardwalk Common Yellowthroat Many, some visible, all over Fox Sparrow Still 1-2 around Brown-headed Cowbird First females of the year Purple Finch Many singing, one seen well An AMERICAN ROBIN is now 4-weeks on the nest next to the Rowing Club building. A GREEN HERON was seen landing in the trees separating the Dog Meadow from the East Meadow. They nested in that general area in previous years. There was a male BUFFLEHEAD that must have been a 1st year male in the slough with 2 females and an adult male. They young guy looked like a female, only with more white on his sides and a larger white spot on the face. He was trying desperately to catch the eye of the females, doing the whole head bobbing thing, and the very short flight that ends with a vertical belly rush and a flapping of the wings. The females seemed unimpressed. For the day, 65 species. For the year, we're up to 105 species, with today's additions of CAQU, COLO, and WEGR. == Michael	Song Sparrow Raccoon roosting at east end of Snag Row Male Common Merganser near windmill.
Tree Swallow near windmill.
Male Purple Finch	First-year male Bufflehead (right), who was performing a full range of displays trying to attract the attentions of females.
Barn Swallow gathering mud at a puddle in the R/C Model Airfield parking lot.	Savannah Sparrow.

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

There were at least 17 of us this morning, on a beautiful day that dawned chilly, but managed to warm up slowly with lots of sun. It was very birdy, but the diversity wasn't that high. What we did have was huge numbers of a few species. Highlights: Merlin In a snag over the mansion, right at 6:00 Red-breasted Sapsucker Apparent nest exchange just south of dog gate Warbling Vireo At least 30 - all over Western Wood-Pewee 2+ in Big Cottonwood Forest, singing Brown Creeper Adults feeding 1 or more fledged young Swainson's Thrush Only 2-3 CEDAR WAXWING First of 2007 - a dozen over East Meadow Orange-crowned Warbler 20+; nearly as common as WAVI, WIWA Yellow-rumped Warbler Only a few, and only 1 singing Yellow Warbler Male at Rowing Club Wilson's Warbler At least 30; all seen were males Western Tanager A handful, both females and WOW males Black-headed Grosbeak Great looks, males and a female EVENING GROSBEAK 10 flew over Dog Meadow American Goldfinch Lots and lots and lots For the day, 62 species. Western Wood-Pewee, Cedar Waxwing, and Evening Grosbeak were new for 2007. Brian Bell had a Yellow Warbler last Friday, so the year list is up to 123 species. == Michael	Red-breasted Sapsucker near suspected nest tree south of the dog area.
Rufous Hummingbird male at the Pea Patch	Tree Swallow from lake platform
Warbling Vireo in cottonwood tree.	Marsh Wren near lake platform
Orange-crowned Warbler in willow	Tom Mansfield's portrait of a male Wilson's Warbler
Tom's Western Tanager male near the parking lot	Black-headed Grosbeak male

I think there were about 17 people today, although there was too much coming and going for me to keep everyone straight. Weather on this Summer Solstice day was unique among all of my trips to Marymoor. Skies were mostly overcast, with occasional sun breaks. What was odd were the numerous drizzle-squalls. Every once in a while the wind would suddenly pick up and we be hit by a wall of drizzle (maybe even just mist). Hardly enough to even get you wet, but blowing horizontally. After a couple of minutes, the precipitation and the wind would die down. Most bizarre. This late June period is characterized by the presence of our breeding birds, with just a hint of post-breeding dispersal beginning. Today we had our first WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW after six weeks without. The Pea Patch featured a couple of sightings of an immature bird, still retaining juvenal plumage. For whatever reason, WCSP seem to prefer to breed in the parking lots at Microsoft (and other similar places) over the verdant green of Marymoor; we usually have only distant heard-only WCSP during the peak of breeding season. The rest of the year, though, they like Marymoor just fine. Today marked the first sign of their return. We also had two CASPIAN TERNS, perhaps failed breeders already ranging. This is by far the most common week of the year for Caspian Tern sightings at Marymoor (our 6th sighting for week 25, over the last 13 years). No other week of the year has more than three sightings. Most of our CATE sightings have been from late May through early July, with one April and one August sighting. Other highlights: Bald Eagle 13 birds; perhaps 5 adults among them, over/near the lake Red-breasted Sapsucker Adult and immature near start of boardwalk Rufous Hummingbird Major hummingbird battles in the Pea Patch, with the larger Anna's Hummingbird ANHU being harassed by RUHU. Both immature? Warbling Vireo 5-10 heard, with only 1 deigning to be visible Red-eyed Vireo 2 singing in Cottonwood Forest again, invisibly Lazuli Bunting Male singing in Snag Row near the Compost Piles Dark-eyed Junco Fresh juveniles in Pea Patch in their stripy glory For the day, 56 species, including some California Quail reported by Brendan and Jonathan Higgins as they left the east end of the park. == Michael	Black-headed Grosbeak
Juvenile Red-breasted Sapsucker	Savannah Sparrow
Rufous Hummingbird at "his" feeder.	Anna's Hummingbird
	Juvenile Dark-eyed Junco

Eleven of us had a nice stroll through Marymoor this morning under cloudy skies. It was moderately birdy, and we managed some pretty good looks at birds (as well as a few heard-only ones)

Highlights:

BONAPARTE'S GULL        One well out on the lake
Red-breasted Sapsucker       Many good looks
Hairy Woodpecker                A couple of looks - male
Western Wood-Pewee          Still on the nest
BLACK SWIFT                   About a dozen over the south end
Red-eyed Vireo                     2+ birds, one seen
Cliff Swallow                         Ubiquitous
Yellow-rumped Warbler        At least 1 male Audubons - unusual at this season
Black-headed Grosbeak        Many singing males
Lazuli Bunting                        At least 1 male singing near the Interpretive Lot

The BONAPARTE'S GULL was far out on the lake, sitting on buoys, and gave us a real ID challenge. At various times it was called a Spotted Sandpiper, Yellowlegs, Common Tern, and Black Tern, none of which were actually seen. Finally we got it to gull, and later to "probably" Bonaparte's. I was able to view it from the cabana at the end of the morning, and was able to confirm the ID.

For the day, 61 species. For the year, we're up to 133 species.

== Michael

Cedar Waxwing

The best look we had of the Bonaparte's Gull from the Lake Platform.

Confirming view of the Bonaparte's.

It was cold, blustery, occasionally damp. Actually not too much precipitation (stopped minutes after 6:00 a.m.), but definitely too much wind. There were 11 of us today, and we had to work hard for the birds because they were not often perched in the open to be seen (except for the goldfinches). One HUGE SURPRISE today were 2 SAGE THRASHER. These were seen flying from the compost piles to the grass soccer fields 7-8-9, where they proceeded to run along the logs on the east edge of the field and then work the grass along the north edge. Later they flew back to the compost piles. I'm afraid I first identified these as American Pipit - hey, they're both medium-sized buffy birds that run along the ground, right? But something niggled at my mind, and when Sharon seemed interested in a closer look, I decided that we ought to approach. It took a second for the mind to come to grips with the mis-identification. "Hey, wait-a-minute..." They were first seen around 10:00, and were still at the compost piles a half hour later. Other highlights: CINNAMON TEAL 2 males, 1 female near weir Common Merganser Several promenading down the slough Cooper's Hawk Pair(?) flirting over mansion Vaux's Swift Half-dozen or more at lake Warbling Vireo Several seen N. Rough-winged Swallow A couple at lake, 1 at Pea Patch Swainson's Thrush One glimpsed, heard "whit" Hermit Thrush Two beyond first footbridge Orange-crowned Warbler Many seen, heard Wilson's Warbler 3+ males seen Western Tanager 1 male from Rowing Club dock FOX SPARROW 1 in Pea Patch - latest spring date ever Black-headed Grosbeak Abundant, males + 1 female Tuesday, I had a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER; we had no flycatchers at all today. And a previous note to Tweeters from Brian Meilleur on Monday listed Cassin's Vireo and Nashville Warbler. So, 66 species today, and with the Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Sage Thrasher, Nashville Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak all new for the week, the 2007 list is up to 119 species. == Michael	Cinnamon Teal nestled into the reeds across the weir. Ollie Oliver's photo of one of the Sage Thrashers.
Louise Rutter's photo of a Sage Thrasher at the Compost Piles	American Goldfinch
Female Rufous Hummingbird in the Pea Patch	Louise Rutter's photo of a Lincoln's Sparrow at the Pea Patch
Pair of Common Mergansers on the slough	Garter Snake at the Rowing Club

We had about 15 people under heavy overcast skies this morning, starting at 5:30. It was pretty birdy, which made it fun. It was very mosquito-y, from the south end of the dog area all the way to the East Meadow, which made it less fun.

Highlights:

Green Heron            One flew east across dog meadow
Spotted Sandpiper    2 flew down slough, 1 on dock at lake
Willow Flycatcher     1 in East Meadow, singing
Western Kingbird     1 seen over towards the model airfield
Lazuli Bunting           2-3 at Compost Piles
Bullock's Oriole        3-6 seen, including multiple males, at least 1 female
Evening Grosbeak    Several fly-overs of small flocks

Lots and lots of WARBLING VIREOS and WILSON'S WARBLER, a few YELLOW WARBLER mostly heard, only 1 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, a couple of silent ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and decent numbers of COMMON YELLOWTHROATS.

There was one probable female LAZULI BUNTING just east of the weir, early. Later, at the Compost Piles, there were at least 1 male buntings. Neither had well-developed blue, but more than enough to be sure of the gender. At least one sang. They were moving around a lot, and were seen in the trees, on the ground, on blackberries, and all the way over towards the model airplane field. Once, Marv Breece spotted one WAY over to the east, and as I listened to his directions on how to find the little guy, my eye stopped on a different bird. It was the WESTERN KINGBIRD, which soon flushed and flew off to the northeast.

For the day, we ended up with 66 species.

= Michael

Swainson's Thrush

Bullock's Oriole male in a Cottonwood

Rufous Hummingbird male at the Pea Patch

Canada Geese in the slough near the windmill

Purple Finch near the windmill

Black-headed Grosbeak

Once again, my fears about the weather proved unfounded. There was about 1.5" of snow on the ground, and it was cold. But it was mostly a very pleasant, sunny, windless morning. My fingers and toes got cold for a bit, but warmed up after about 9:00. We had a few snow flakes drifting down lazily, but no real precipitation (i.e no rain). Really, it was gorgeous, with nice light. And birdy. We had a more-manageable group size of eight people today.

Highlights:

The morning began with Ryan spotting a MERLIN flying to a tall, slender snag near the mansion. After posing for over a minute (*just* long enough for Louise to get her scope set up) it then flew quickly low across the parking lot and down a trail, snagging a sparrow off of the path in front of us, before carrying its breakfast back to the trees around the mansion. We've seen this Merlin four times already this year. It is not a black Pacific Merlin, but probably a Taiga - quite pale breasted.

We had good looks at a male HAIRY WOODPECKER just a bit south of Dog Central, but across the slough. We've seen a male Hairy 7 weeks out of 9 so far in 2007. I think it's been all this same bird, as he's been hanging out in the same general area.

From the lake platform, we had two distant and unidentifiable SWALLOWS, probably TREE, but who knows. In any case, our first swallows of the year.

Not too far north of the east end of the boardwalk, I spotted a NORTHERN SHRIKE - further south than I've ever seen one at Marymoor. Later, probably the same adult shrike was in the East Meadow.

At the Compost Piles, Matt spotted 3 AMERICAN PIPITS. This is NOT the normal season for them. This is just our second pipit sighting outside the late-April to early May spring pulse and the September-November fall push. We had one sighting January 7, 2004, and now today's.

Northeast of the mansion, we had a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER that gave us quick-but-good looks as it moved through the trees.

Also in those conifers was a GREAT HORNED OWL - we could find only one. In the last couple of weeks there have been 1-2 seen in those trees quite often, including one sitting atop a possible nest. Today the owl was in the tree next to the potential nest - about the same spot as it was last week. The "nest" was empty.

Lots of birds were singing today, including American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Dark-eyed Junco, Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow, Purple Finch, Bewick's Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and House Finch.

Today was our first day over 60 species this year - 62 to be specific, and the swallows and American Pipit were new for the year.

Purple Finches at the top of an Oregon Ash (note the trident branch tips).
Purple Finch are usually found in Ash trees at Marymoor.

American Pipit

Downy Woodpecker

Cooper's Hawk

Fifteen of us arrived "too early" this morning, which allowed us to see Great Horned Owls northeast of the mansion and a stunning sunrise to the east before we began the regular loop. It remained stubbornly overcast, with less than an hour of weak sunshine between about 10-11. Thankfully it was windless, or the cold temps would have been unpleasant. It was only moderately birdy, but spring is progressing on schedule.

Highlights:

Anna's Hummingbird        Male from boardwalk, 2 near windmill
Rufous Hummingbird        One cooperative male
Hairy Woodpecker           Base of large cottonwood again
Northern Shrike                Stayed in East Meadow today
Tree Swallow                  Visiting nest boxes in Pea Patch
Violet-green Swallow      Good numbers, best seen in sun
Varied Thrush                   One heard near windmill
Yellow-rumped Warbler Quite a few after 11:00
Fox Sparrow                     Singing
Golden-crowned Sparrow Singing
Pine Siskin                        Good looks after 11:00

The Indian Plum (Oso Berry) is still blooming, as are non-native cherries and plums. More willow species are in bloom than last week. Another new bloom - Tall Oregon Grape.

I was pretty certain we would not have any Salmonberry blossoms yet; most of them didn't even have large buds. But well past the east end of the boardwalk I found one bush with about 7 almost-ready buds, and another with a single, completely open flower. I pointed this out. About 90 seconds later, Ryan spotted our first RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD of the year, "proving" that the arrival of Rufous follows closely on the opening of the first Salmonberry blossoms.

The whole morning we had a constant chorus of AMERICAN ROBINS and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. SPOTTED TOWHEES were also making a good go of it.

There was a YELLOW HOUSE FINCH near the Pea Patch; I don't remember seeing one quite so yellow ever before.

The RED-TAILED HAWK pair that nests west of the Rowing Club were doing an aerial dance, one with its feet down. Nice to see.

For the day, 60 species. For the year, 2 new ones - RUFOUS HUMMER and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW.

Hairy Woodpecker at base of cottonwood. with Oso Berry blossoms.

Red-tailed Hawk visiting nest site atop odd-snag west of Marymoor.

Tree Swallows visiting nest box. Or would these be "Barn Swallows"?

First Salmonberry blossom and first Rufous Hummingbird of spring.

Pine Siskin at the Rowing Club.

Charlie Wright's adult Glaucous Gull from 3/3/2007

I was in South Carolina, but 22 people birded Marymoor in his absence. Here are notes from Brian Bell's report to Tweeters.

- Michael

Notable birds at Marymoor today were:

Great Horned Owl - early
Virginia Rail heard early
Savannah Sparrow - back in numbers - present all over the park
Pine Siskin - several today
Bald Eagle - pair at the nest - with one on the nest
Belted Kingfisher - early flyby
Marsh Wrens in full song
Wilson's Snipe - very close, about 15 feet - incredible views
Fox Sparrows - several singing
American Goldfinch - several bright males
Purple Finch - many singing in a variety of locations around the park, including at least one bright male
Anna's Hummingbird -a male at the current "usual" location south of the mansion
Rufous Hummingbird - a male, also at the current "usual" location just before going into the alder forest along the interpretive trail
American Kestrel - in east meadow
Northern Shrike - in the east meadow
Yellow-rumped Warbler - both Audubon and Myrtle
Winter Wren - one singing
Common Goldeneye - several lingering on the lake
Common Merganser - a few on the lake
Western Meadowlark - at least two at the east meadow
SAGE SPARROW - at the dirt/compost piles
Green Heron - at the small rowing club pond
Orange-crowned Warbler - heard at the rowing club
Wood Duck - one male on river

This morning at 10:45 am, as we approached the dirt/compost piles we saw a bird that was definitely not one of our regulars. It turned out to be a Sage Sparrow with a gray head, a nice face pattern and a clear white throat and breast. The bird was foraging on the top of the main dirt piles with grass growing on them. By the time we got to where we could see it, it had dropped down into the blackberries and then came up and worked its way across the open area. It worked over the next area of debris and dirt. The bird was clearly nervous and would fly at the slightest event. When last seen, it was perched on a small tree back near the dirt piles and then dropped down into the blackberries. I saw Ollie Oliver later and he said that the bird came back up on the dirt piles and good views were obtained (and pictures I believe). Ollie stressed that the best way to see the bird was to sit quietly and the bird would come to you - if you approach it, it will fly. A great new bird for Marymoor, and continues the tradition of often finding a new bird when Michael is out of town.

Painted Turtles were back on the rowing club pond, a number of garter snakes were out in the sun and bullfrog was basking on a limb

All in all a great spring day at Marymoor - 58 species, one new for the year!

Sage Sparrow - photo by Ollie Oliver

Say's Phoebe on 3/25/07 - photo by Tom Mansfield. The phoebe was seen again 3/29 in the afternoon near the Pea Patch.

Golden-crowned Sparrow on 3/25/07 - photo by Ollie Oliver.

We were 15 birders total, and we enjoyed a fun day under mostly cloudy skies. The weather was really quite nice until late when the wind picked up a bit. It was pretty birdy, but there were many birds seen only by one or two people. Sometimes things just work out that way.

Highlights:

Hooded Merganser            Copulating in the slough
Bald Eagle                         Pair at new nest
Barn Owl                           Tom had good looks at about 6:10 a.m.
Red-breasted Sapsucker    I had one drumming at the mansion early
Pileated Woodpecker        One flyover
Cliff Swallow                    1-2 over the lake
Bushtit                                Building a nest near the Rowing Club
Varied Thrush                    I heard several near the entrance early
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 singing, which we worked hard to see
Common Yellowthroat       Actually got to see a couple
AM. TREE SPARROW     Very active bird at Compost Piles

The AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was glimpsed a couple of times at the northeast corner of the compost piles. It disappeared to the north, but later flew to the south side of the dirt piles. Nobody got very good looks at it until it landed at Matt's feet, then hopped to an exposed area where we could all see it for a minute. Then it flew back to the northeast again. Very active, and perhaps that indicates it won't stick around. This is just our 3rd Marymoor ATSP sighting.

We had several frustrating sightings. Three times (at least) we had hummingbirds that we couldn't identify. Finally we saw a male ANNA'S perched at it's usual spot south of the windmill. The Rowing Club yielded our only sure RUFOUS sighting for the day. We had 2+ sightings of accipiters, the last almost certainly an adult COOPER'S HAWK. We also had one sighting from the boardwalk that may well have been a MERLIN. Matt had some black wing-tipped gulls that might have been CALIFORNIA. And then the were the PURPLE FINCH and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER "sightings" that were difficult, though-the-trees looks not shared by all.

In any case, a long list of 65-67 species, with CLIFF SWALLOW and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW being new for the 2007 list.

== Michael

Mt. Rainier at sunrise.

Male "Myrtle's"-race Yellow-rumped Warbler

Ollie Oliver's fleeting shot of the American Tree Sparrow.

Singing White-crowned Sparrow

Osprey

Ollie Oliver's Lincoln's Sparrow.

Ryan Merrill passed along some interesting sightings from early this morning. He heard Great Horned and Barn Owls near the windmill, and he heard Western Screech-Owl to the west of the park up the Bridle Crest Trail.

Later in the morning, he saw a Beaver in the slough, and a Common Raven flying over the park calling.

At the East Meadow, he had four Western Meadowlarks.

It was a lousy day - clouds, blowing mist most of the morning, gusts maybe up to 10-15 m.p.h. Couldn't find more that about 5 Song Sparrows, only 3 glimpses of Spotted Towhee, and no House Sparrows or Rock Pigeons. The median number of individual birds per species was 4. That all said, it was a great day! Really.

Highlights:

Barrow's Goldeneye        Female at the lake platform
Bald Eagle                       Female eating coot near nest; adult hunting coots at lake
HERRING GULL             First confirmed sighting at Marymoor
GLAUCOUS GULL         First winter - first ever at Marymoor
Anna's Hummingbird        Male definitely on territory south of windmill
Belted Kingfisher             First of 2007, on slough
Northern Shrike                On a bush north of grass soccer fields
Brown Creeper                3-4 on a single Doug Fir near the mansion

This was only our 7th sighting of a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, but this was the 2nd week in a row for the species. Last week was a fly-by male, this week was a female, probably first-winter.

The pair of BALD EAGLES was near the new nest, and the female (based on size) was eating a coot draped over the branch of a cottonwood quite close to the trail. The little feet dangling down made ID of the prey easy. Later, when we got to the lake, we watched an adult Bald Eagle hovering and making swipes at a tight ball of AMERICAN COOTS. The coots mostly just flapped their wings, but otherwise remained motionless. They didn't dive and they mostly didn't try to flee. Apparently the mass of wing flapping is an effective defense.

When we first arrived in the morning, there were a few gulls on the grass fields near where we park. We were searching through them for RING-BILLED GULL (there were a few among the MEW GULLS and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS). There was also a larger black wing-tipped gull at the far end of the field that I first thought was probably our usual, singular, WESTERN GULL (he showed up later). But the head was dusky, and yet it didn't look right for a GWGUxWEGU hybrid. The more I looked, the more I got suspicious. Guys, this wouldn't be a Herring, would it?" We got out a scope, but even so, it was too far to tell. However, after having walked halfway across the field, we were able to get decent, confirming looks. Previously, we'd had only one very uncertain maybe in mid-October, 2004. So it was very nice to add this species to the park list!

After our whole loop, plus the swing around the mansion, as we were returning to the cars, I saw the Western Gull on the road. Behind our cars were more gulls, some obviously larger than Ring-billed or Mew. I suggested that we should scan the gulls before leaving to see if the Herring was there again. Scan we did, but no Herring. But my eye was drawn to a large immature gull. "Um, guys? Could this be a Glaucous?"   Matt looked and
told me, in no uncertain terms, to go fetch my scope. Through the scope there was no question, and a couple of looks in short flights also added to our certainty that it was, indeed, a first-winter GLAUCOUS GULL - not a gull any of us had expected at Marymoor.

Ollie spotted the NORTHERN SHRIKE north of grass fields 7-8-9 after the rest of us had passed by that area. I'd been pretty sure we *wouldn't* see a
shrike today, because of the wind. I guess I shouldn't assume.

We also got to see a very cool, very fast, very low, direct flight of an
adult COOPER'S HAWK, which winged maybe 150-200 yards along a ditch and into Snag Row. We'd seen quite a few AMERICAN ROBIN, EUROPEAN STARLING, and DARK-EYED JUNCO in the snag area where the Cooper's was aimed, but it came up empty and landed in the Pea Patch.

For the morning, 55 species, with three added to the year list (HERG, GLGU,
and BEKI) for a total of 81.

== Michael

Glaucous Gull and Bushtit photos by Ollie Oliver

14 of us had a great day under clearing skies at Marymoor this morning. It was very birdy, with a couple of surprises, some interesting behaviors, and some new arrivals.

Highlights (FOS=First sighting of Spring):

Osprey                                 Copulating - FOS
Bald Eagle                           Adult seen leaving new nest
Red-breasted Sapsucker      Great looks south of mansion
Northern Shrike                   East Meadow - latest spring date ever.
Varied Thrush                     Heard singing west of the park. Getting late.
American Pipit                    5 on grass fields 7-8-9
Yellow-rumped Warbler     Many nice singing males
Common Yellowthroat        Heard in East Meadow - FOS
Brown-headed Cowbird     FOS

Two male BELTED KINGFISHERS chased each other around grandly and noisily. At one point they landed on some snags along the river and started displaying by spreading their wings. A female came by causing even more commotion.

The OSPREY are back, seen flying high overhead and calling, seen near the nest, and seen copulating on a light pole near the nest.

We had fun watching BROWN CREEPERS in the big cottonwood forest, and listening to an abundance of singing SAVANNAH SPARROWS just about everywhere.

The BALD EAGLE nest may be deep enough that an adult can be hidden completely inside it. We looked and looked, trying to catch a glimpse of activity at the nest, without success. When we got to the lake, a single adult was on the usual tree on the west bank. As we looped back, several people saw an adult eagle *leave* the nest and fly north. So I think it's possible that one eagle was on the nest almost the whole time, with the other one hanging at the lake.

After the Rowing Club stop, I went to the cabana to scan the north end of the lake, as we were grebeless for the day. I was hoping for Pied-billed, but what I found were 4-5 HORNED GREBE in (or approaching) breeding plumage. I did see some Pied-billeds too, but they were too far away to count for the Marymoor list.

For the day, 62 species. 3 new for the year (OSPR, COYE, BHCO), to bring the year total to an even 100.

= Michael

Displaying male Belted Kingfisher

Fox Sparrow

American Pipits

Male Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's race)

Red-breasted Sapsucker

We got lucky with the weather this morning. We faced only a breeze and a few showers, much better than the night-before and the afternoon-after! Eleven of us wandered around, feeling blessed, and not getting very many good looks at birds.

Highlights:

Cackling Goose            2 in a small flock of Canadas flying overhead
California Gull             New for 2007 - one with Mews and Ring-billed on grass fields
Bald Eagle                    Adult on new nest, pair way off to the east of the East Meadow
Barn Owl                      Matt had one early, East Meadow
Great Horned Owl        1 NE of the mansion
Tree Swallow               10+, at several parts of the park
Northern Shrike             Adult at the Rowing Club
Western Meadowlark    Singing! in Snag Row
Fox Sparrow                 One had roundish white spots all over, like it had been sitting
                                      under a crow roost. Bummer of a birthmark!
Pine Siskin                    Six at the Rowing Club

Notable singers: Meadowlarks, Fox Sparrow, Purple Finch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, many more. Tuesday I heard a few notes out of a Northern Shrike in the East Meadow, as well as a heard-only Orange-crowned Warbler.

Normally we don't see CACKLING GOOSE after the first week of February, but this is the second time we've had Cacklers during the 2nd week of March. Must be individuals who wintered further south passing through.

We had a LONG discussion about a group of four scaup in the slough. They were only about 20 yards away, but they were actively diving. We finally decided that there was one Greater and the rest were Lesser. You'd think a group with four or five Master Birders plus several other good birders wouldn't have to work so hard on scaup.

Today's BALD EAGLE sightings do more to confirm that there will be two pairs breeding within Marymoor this year.

TREE SWALLOWS were visiting nest boxes on Tuesday; today they were just flying around.

Our WESTERN MEADOWLARK sighting was absurd. We were at Dog Central, the biggest dog swim beach with the bulletin board. We wandered over towards the Dog Meadow, and Ollie thought he heard a meadowlark. We all listened. Sure enough, meadowlark song tinkled down from far to the northeast. Miraculously, Ollie noted one in flight, and we were able to make out two meadowlark-sized, yellow-fronted birds high in a cottonwood in Snag Row. We could hear singing coming from that direction. Distance - 1000 feet. I presumed we'd see them at the end of the loop, but no go. Tuesday, I had 3 chorusing in full song right over my head at the Interpretive Lot.

Pacific Tree Frogs were chorusing (very loudly in the sun on Tuesday, quieter today). Some of the non-native plums and cherries are blooming, as are the Oso Berry (Indian Plum), and a few species of willow.

For the day, 59 species. The week list is at least 61. For the year, I think we're up to 87 species, having added California Gull, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Pine Siskin since last Thursday.

Ollie Oliver's photo of a Pileated Woodpecker from back on February 17, 2007.

The weather report sucked, but the day wasn't bad at all. We essentially had no precipitation, and the heavy clouds of the early morning gradually cleared to a bit of sunshine. Cold, but not too cold, and not too windy either. Huge group of birders - 17 at least, and I could have missed a few :)

Highlights:

Barrow's Goldeneye        Same female as last week at the lake platform
Great Horned Owl           In the Doug Firs NE of the mansion
Northern Shrike               Adult in Dog and East Meadows, imm at RC
Varied Thrush                  South end of Dog Area
Townsend's Warbler       1-2 at RC parking lot
Dark-eyed Junco              Many, incl. 1 Slate-colored at Dog Central

Ollie had seen 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS near the mansion on Monday morning, so we were actively looking when we started walking through the Doug Firs northeast of the mansion. Owls nested there 2 years ago. Matt very quickly found a GHOW, but we could not find more than one.

We had a 5 WOODPECKER DAY, with a PILEATED flying south early, a HAIRY WOODPECKER south of Dog Central, a DOWNY at the south end of the Dog Area, a NORTHERN FLICKER at a possible nest hole near the park office (and a group of 5-8 more at the Rowing Club), and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER near the park office.

We got many looks at the adult NORTHERN SHRIKE at several locations in the Dog Meadow and East Meadow. Then, at the Rowing Club, we walked the new trail back through the meadow there and had a brown-tinged shrike.

For the morning, 56 species, with the Great Horned Owl bringing the year list up to 82.

== Michael

Great Horned Owl photo by Tom Mansfield

Northern Shrike

Northern Flicker, Brown Creeper, and Golden-crowned Kinglet

We had a glorious morning for our first Thursday walk today. I must say, I was twitchy yesterday morning being home instead of at Marymoor as usual, but today was a good day to welcome in a new day of the week for my Marymoor walks. There were FOURTEEN of us today. The morning broke entirely cloudless, with some wisps of fog, especially over the eastern part of Marymoor. We had a great sunrise - the kind that makes you feel satisfied about the day before you even see your first bird. We did see birds - the day had its slow moments, and there were notable misses (i.e. almost no sparrows). Highlights: DUNLIN Four flew north over lake platform Wilson's Snipe 1 flushed from boardwalk, 1 at Rowing Club Barn Owl Matt had one early over the East Meadow Anna's Hummingbird Male singing next to boardwalk Pileated Woodpecker One flew south at the start of our walk Northern Shrike Many looks at this nice adult Western Meadowlark One north of grass soccer fields When we were at the lake platform we were looking into the sun. So after the walk, I went to the cabana at the condo place where I've gotten permission for the occasional visit, so that I could see what we couldn't see before. Sure enough, there were several HORNED GREBE, which we thought we might have seen earlier. Also there, though, were a half-dozen RUDDY DUCK - a very nice bird to see. A COYOTE walked across the runway area of the model airplane field; we watched from the Compost Piles. For the day, ~55 species, though there were several species that we thought was saw, but couldn't quite be sure. For the year, we're up to 74 species. = Michael
	Northern Shrike - unusual in that it was atop a tall Cottonwood

	Great Blue Heron along slough (a favorite perch)

Another gorgeous, cold, sunny morning. The full moon had just set when we met at 7:30, and everyone had a chance to see it on the drive to Marymoor. Beautiful. The day was really nice, and moderately birdy. There were 10 of us this morning, plus a cameo appearance from MaryFrances in her blue slippers. Highlights: Lesser Scaup A handful in the slough; new for 2007 Horned Grebe Quite a few well out on the lake, seen late MERLIN Almost certain of ID - flew swiftly to the NE Wilson's Snipe A couple north of the weir Anna's Hummingbird 2 near windmill, incl. displaying male Hairy Woodpecker 1 just south of dog area again Northern Shrike Adult east of the East Meadow Western Meadowlark Around 4 at the model airplane field Purple Finch ~10 seen well just south of Dog Central The PURPLE FINCH were great, being fairly low and mixed in amongst HOUSE FINCHES for comparison. Lots of stunning males. The ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD male was doing his looping display complete with the popping noise at the bottom of the loop. He seemed to be focusing on something, perhaps a female. We later saw him zoom off after another hummer. The lake has been difficult lately, as the sun has been shining fully in our faces. I've been viewing from the cabana at the end of the morning to see what we missed. = Michael
	Moonset just before 7:30 a.m.

	Steller's Jay