Subject: Re: Marymoor Park
Date: Feb 16 11:35:21 1995
From: James West - jdwest at u.washington.edu


Indeed, Marymoor seems an under-visited area - perhaps people are put off
by the relatively large number of visitors in this multiple-use recreation
area? In my experience, though, the birds ignore virtually all of the
human activity, and the dogs, and even do a good job of avoiding the model
aerodrome when they aren't being directly harrassed. The model aerodrome
is still very active, and the thin whine of unsilenced miniature diesel
engines is really obtrusive. Fortunately, the model aviators only fly
their machines to admire them, so they're confined to tight figures around
the airstrip. Forget recording birdsong after 8:00 am, though.

On the avifauna of Marymoor: I've never seen a Pine Grosbeak there, but
plenty of warblers and vireos. Willow Flycatchers breed in the riparian
thickets, and Cow-headed Brown Birds practically stand in line to use
their nests. Green Heron breed there (have seen a "family party" several
times) and the cottonwoods at the lake end of the park host roosting
parties of Great Blue Heron. I used to see Band-tailed Pigeons regularly,
but haven't for a while. Northern Orioles are also regular, though
infrequent, and I have seen one in Marymoor that was intermediate between
Bullock's and Baltimore. Three years ago there were Kestrel nesting
somewhere in the vicinity - a pair were copulating near the top of one of
those large dead trees by the far end of the pea-patch. Do let me know
what else you've seen of interest in the park. (Isn't there a record of a
Bobolink from Marymoor - Gene?)