Marymoor Birdlog

Marymoor Birdlog http://www.marymoor.org/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi Bird reports from Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA en <p align="left">Report for August 14, 2008</p> http://www.marymoor.org/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/2008/08/14#20080814 <table border="1"> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p align="left">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 :(</p> <p align="left">Highlights:</p> <p align="left">NORTHERN HARRIER                 Flyby<br> Virginia Rail                                     Heard from the lake platform<br> Spotted Sandpiper                           Flying fairly high up the slough<br> Red-breasted Sapsucker                  Immature flew past us early on<br> Warbling Vireo                                Adult feeding juvenile cowbird<br> Red-eyed Vireo                               LOTS of singing at the south end of the park<br> Purple Martin                                  One HIGH over mansion area<br> Northern Rough-winged Swallow    One over East Meadow<br> Bushtits                                           Bringing food to a nest at Dog Central - late?<br> Orange-crowned Warbler               Flock of 6+ at south end of Dog Meadow<br> Yellow Warbler                              Male singing, several others seen<br> Wilson's Warbler                            1-2 at the south end of the Dog Meadow<br> Evening Grosbeak                           Heard and glimpsed</p> <p align="left">Had a juvenile COOPER'S HAWK who thought chasing after crows was the way to get ahead.  Good luck!</p> <p align="left">Had what appeared to be a LONG-TAILED WEASEL swimming across the slough ???</p> <p align="left">For the day, 64 species.</p> <p align="left">== Michael</td> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/OSPR07c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Osprey carrying a fish back to the nest at dawn</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/DOWO08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Female Downy Woodpecker working the underside of a branch</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/OCWA06c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> One of a flock of Orange-crowned Warblers at the south end of the Dog Meadow</font></td> <td> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/OCWA07c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Juvenile(?) Orange-crowned Warbler</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/OCWA08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Another Orange-crowned Warbler</font></td> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/BCCH04c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Black-capped Chickadee in a European Hawthorn</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RTHA09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Adult Red-tailed Hawk showing extensive wing and tail molt</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RTHA10c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in Snag Row</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/ANHU09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2">Male Anna's Hummingbird in the Community Gardens</font></td> </tr> </table> <p align="left">Report for August 7, 2008</p> http://www.marymoor.org/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/2008/08/14#20080807 <table border="1"> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">Still, there were a few things to look at:</p> <p align="left">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 <i>to</i> the shower yet.</p> <p align="left">CEDAR WAXWINGS were <i>everywhere</i>, with several juveniles noted.  Sharon reported possible nest building, though.</p> <p align="left">A WILLOW FLYCATCHER chased one of those waxwings off a birch branch, then sat there singing.  Fitsbew started to sound more like F You...</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">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 <i>very yellow</i> ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, looking entirely different from the gray-headed ones last week.</p> <p align="left">At the lake, an OSPREY with a fish was pursued by 3 BALD EAGLES.</p> <p align="left">Near the mansion, we had a juvenile COOPER'S HAWK that appeared to be thinking about going after a BROWN CREEPER.</p> <p align="left">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 <i>all</i> gone yet.</p> <p align="left">For the day, 53 species.</p> <p align="left">== Michael</td> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/HABA01c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">We don't see these as much now as in '90's</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/WCSP09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Took us a while to decide this was a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/HOFI04c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> A few of the multitude of House Finches</font></td> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RTHA08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/MAWR07c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Marsh Wren in the East Meadow</font></td> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/MAWR08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> Marsh Wren in the East Meadow</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/ANHU08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Anna's Hummingbird in the Community Gardens</font></td> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RESL01c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> Red-eared Slider turtles opposite the windmill</font></td> </tr> </table> <p align="left">Report for July 31, 2008</p> http://www.marymoor.org/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/2008/07/31#20080731 <table border="1"> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">Highlights:</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">High flybys included a CASPIAN TERN and the first TURKEY VULTURE we've ever had in the June-July-August period.</p> <p align="left">Between Dog Central and the south end of the dog area we had a great mixed flock of birds, which included:</p> <p align="left">Yellow Warbler  (5+)<br> Wilson's Warbler (2-3)<br> Orange-crowned Warbler  (3+)<br> Black-throated Gray Warbler (1)<br> Warbling Vireo        (2)<br> Red-eyed Vireo       (2+)<br> Black-headed Grosbeak<br> Purple Finch<br> Swainson's Thrush<br> Possible Pacific-slope Flycatcher<br> ...and at least a half-dozen other species</p> <p align="left">The Big Cottonwood Forest featured a male WESTERN TANAGER and three HAIRY WOODPECKERS</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">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 <a href="http://www.eastsideaudubon.org">www.eastsideaudubon.org</a></p> <p align="left">For the day, 60 species of bird, 5 species of mammal (plus one unidentified furry scurrier), 2 non-native turtles, bullfrog, and Garter Snake.</p> <p align="left">== Michael</td> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RIOT07c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">One of three River Otters above the weir</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RIOT08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">One of three River Otters above the weir</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RUHU08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Rufous Hummingbird on the dead branches of a Red Elderberry...</font></td> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RUHU09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> ...and Away!</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/WETA04c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Male Western Tanager in the Big Cottonwood Forest</font></td> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/MALL07c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Eclipse-plumage male Mallard</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/WEWP09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Three baby Western Wood-Pewees sitting calmly and quietly together...</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/WEWP10c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> ...until Mom (or Dad) arrives with food.  Then, watch out!</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/BLAN01c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> The Blue Angels are in town for Sea Fair..</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/BLAN02c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> ...and gave us a buzz during their Thursday practice</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/BTDE06c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Black-tailed Deer fawn at the Rowing Club</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/MUSK02c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Muskrat from the Rowing Club dock, one of two there</font></td> </tr> </table> <p align="left">Report for July 24, 2008</p> http://www.marymoor.org/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/2008/07/31#20080724 <table border="1"> <tr> <td> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">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).</p> <p align="left">Both of those are new for the Marymoor list, which now stands at 205.</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">Juvenile GREEN HERONS - probably 4 or more - were all along the slough and out at the lake.</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">LOTS of baby birds all around, and such "heartwarming" sights as a WARBLING <br> VIREO feeding a baby BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD.  Great looks, but...</p> <p align="left">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 :(</p> <p align="left">For the day, 61 species of bird.</p> <p align="left">== Michael </td> <td> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/BROW01c.jpg" width="500" height="667"><br> Ollie Oliver's photo of one of two Barred Owls at the Rowing Club<br> on Saturday, July 19th.<br> Matt was able to see one (and maybe glimpse another) early today<br> at the parking lot area of the Rowing Club.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/LBDO01c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Long-billed Dowitcher at the storm water retention pond near the Velodrome</font></td> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/LBDO02c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> The bird appears to be an adult just beginning to molt into non-breeding plumage</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/GRHE17c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">One of the many sightings of juvenile Green Heron along the slough</font></td> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/SAVS09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Simultaneous front and back views of Savannah Sparrow in the East Meadow</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/DEJU05c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> "Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco at the Community Gardens</font></td> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/AMRO08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> American Robin atop an umbrella at the Community Gardens</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/ANHU07c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> Anna's Hummingbird at the Community Gardens</font></td> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/AMCH01c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> The American Chestnut tree, just inside the gate at the mansion, is in bloom!</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/COHA24c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> One of the three juvenile Cooper's Hawks near the mansion</font></td> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/COHA25c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> All three of the young Cooper's Hawks in one tree</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/SPSA03c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Ollie Oliver's photo of a Spotted Sandpiper at the weir.</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/WAVI05c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Ollie Oliver's photo of a Warbling Vireo feeding a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/AMGO09c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Ollie Oliver's photo of American Goldfinches</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RTHA07c.jpg" width="281" height="375"><br> Ollie Oliver's photo of a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk</font></td> </tr> </table> <p align="left">Report for July 17, 2008</p> http://www.marymoor.org/cgi-bin/blosxom.cgi/2008/07/24#20080717 <table border="1"> <tr> <td> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">The first highlight were three RIVER OTTERS actively fishing (or crawfishing perhaps) in the slough above the weir.  They gave a great show.</p> <p align="left">We had a STELLER'S JAY already going after the very green Hazelnuts</p> <p align="left">One CASPIAN TERN was over the lake</p> <p align="left">Nice looks at a RED-EYED VIREO north of the east end of the boardwalk</p> <p align="left">And then there were the babies:</p> <p align="left">Wood Duck                      3 clutches of ducklings<br> Green Heron                     5 fledged young at Rowing Club with adult<br> Osprey                              2 babies on nest<br> Cooper's Hawk                 3 babies and adult<br> Red-tailed Hawk               Watched a very awkward landing!<br> Warbling Vireo                  Baby being fed at Rowing Club<br> American Crow                 Lots of begging, and parents feeding young<br> Tree Swallow                    Babies audible within left gourd at lake<br> Violet-green Swallow        Adult feeding baby near windmill<br> Barn Swallow                    Adults feeding young at lake<br> Black-capped Chickadee  Adult feeding young along slough<br> Cedar Waxwing                Nest with 2 young at S. end of dog area<br> White-crowed Sparrow     Two still in juvenal plumage at Compost Piles<br> Brown.-headed Cowbird   Fed by Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo<br> House Finch                      100+ birds, many looking young<br> American Goldfinch           Male feeding baby along slough</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">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.</p> <p align="left">== Michael</td> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RIOT03c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> <img border="0" src="../../images/RIOT04c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> River Otters just above the weir</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RIOT05c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> All three River Otter.   Notice rounded pointy tail of the one on the left.</font></td> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/CEDW06c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Two Cedar Waxwings on the nest at the south end of the Dog Meadow</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/STJA04c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> <font face="Arial" size="2">Steller's Jay going after unripe hazelnuts</font></td> <td align="center"> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/STJA05c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Blurry shot, but you can see the hazelnut</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/WCSP08c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> White-crowned Sparrow in juvenal plumage at the Compost Piles</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/AMCR04c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Ollie Oliver's photo of an adult American Crow feeding a youngster</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/COHA22c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> The remains of the Cooper's Hawk nest on the ground</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/COHA23c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Two of the three young Cooper's Hawks northeast of the mansion</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/VGSW02c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Juvenile Violet-green Swallow, later fed by an adult</font></td> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/GRHE16c.jpg" width="500" height="375"><br> Three of the five fledged Green Herons at the Rowing Club</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> <font face="Arial" size="2"> <img border="0" src="../../images/RIOT06c.jpg" width="400" height="300"><br> Sunny Walter's better shot of one of the otters</font></td> <td align="center"> <img border="0" src="../../images/HOFI03c.jpg" width="400" height="300"><font face="Arial" size="2"><br> And Sunny caught a few of the multitude of House Finch on the path</font></td> </tr> </table>