Hi Tweets -

7 of us joined Michael Hobbs this morning at Marymoor under cloudy skies
but pleasant temperatures. We saw either 53 or 54 species (complete list
below), and were all glad that we are in the doldrums, as if it had been
active we don't think we could have survived. Some of the more
interesting birds we saw included: OSPREY, WOOD DUCK with 4 ducklings,
PIED-BILLED GREBE with 6 young, many singing SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, lots
of young BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, both VAUX' and BLACK SWIFTS, a male
WESTERN TANAGER, male and female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, CHESTNUT-BACKED
CHICKADEEs by the river, at least two RED-EYED VIREOS, a male HAIRY
WOODPECKER hollowing out a hole, a REDHEAD (probable male in eclipse) at
the platform by the lake, an adult BALD EAGLE, an OSPREY, two CASPIAN
TERNS flying over the east meadow toward Lake Sammamish, a couple of
immature WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, male and female HOODED MERGANSERS on
the West Marymoor pond. The REDHEAD is only about the fifth we've seen
at Marymoor. After seeing the BLACK SWIFTS we realized we should have
expected them because of the relatively low cloud cover.

In addition, we also saw Eastern Grey Squirrel, Cottontail Rabbit, and
Painted Turtle. Michael pointed out how to identify the 5 species of
willow in Marymoor (Pacific, Sitka, Scouler, Piper's, and Geyer's). The
Purple Loosestrife eating bugs are doing a good job, but that is just
making way for the Garden Loosestrife to expand.

A most enjoyable morning.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com

Marymoor, 18 July 2002

0630-1115, 61F, cloudy, water level 3.10 (the gauge is now visible
again).
53-54 species

Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron 2 along the river
Canada Goose
Wood Duck f 4 young
Mallard
Redhead platform at Lake Sammamish
Hooded Merganser
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
California Gull
Caspian Tern 2
Rock Dove
Band-tailed Pigeon
Black Swift
Vaux's Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher m f
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker m
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee 2
Willow Flycatcher 5
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 70
Tree Swallow 1?
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick?s Wren 2
Marsh Wren
Swainson?s Thrush
American Robin 20
European Starling 120+
Cedar Waxwing 6
Yellow Warbler m
Common Yellowthroat
Western Tanager m
Spotted Towhee m f
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow imm.
Black-headed Grosbeak m f imm 12
Red-winged Blackbird m f
Brown-headed Cowbird m f
Bullock's Oriole m f
House Finch m f 35
American Goldfinch m
House Sparrow