I wasn't anticipating a very good day. Birding at Marymoor at this time of the
year (week 42) usually nets about 32 species -- just about the lowest of the
year. It was raining when I got to the park. Things looked bad.

Then, at 7:30, the rain stopped, the sky partially cleared, a coyote crossed
our path, and some great birding ensued. By the time the others gave up and
went to get some coffee and food (a little after 11:00 a.m.), we had nearly 50
species. I couldn't resist, and went back to the East Meadow in search of
meadowlarks, but found instead added several raptors and a Varied Thrush.
Final count 52:

Highlights were as follows:

Western Grebe 5 at lake
Wood Duck 1 at Rowing Club
Bald Eagle Adult over E. Meadow, 11:50
Red-tailed Hawk Several sightings
Northern Harrier I believe at least 3 all told
Cooper's Hawk Two
American Kestrel Two at E. Meadow, 1 at Rowing Club
Merlin One over E. Meadow, 11:30
Common Snipe 1 at weir, several more flying
Red-breasted Sapsucker Almost positive ID - south of E. Meadow
Varied Thrush Near velodrome at noon. Rare for
Marymoor.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2 at Rowing Club
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 at Rowing Club
Fox Sparrow First of fall
Purple Finch Two sightings

On my late stop at the East Meadow, I found two hawks (Northern Harrier, I
believe), rising on a thermal. There was a Merlin with them, who would make
mildly agressive swoops at one of the Harriers. FAR above was another hawk,
probably a Red-tail. On a post at the edge of the meadow was a preening
Harrier. Then, about 15 minutes later, and adult Bald Eagle flew low overhead.

Oh - and a rainbow.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== hummer at isomedia.com