Hi Tweeters,

There is always something interesting going on in the Bird
World, though I have to admit our Western Tanager has stopped
singing.

However, our bicycle ride down the Sammamish Trail from
Marymoor to Tracy Owens Park (with a side trip up the North Creek
Trail to the restored wetlands near the UW campus at Bothell)
produced several interesting observations. At least 100 (probably
closer to 200) Cliff Swallows found the design of one of the U.W.
buildings to be perfect for constructing their gourd-shaped mud
nests, with nearby North Creek providing the mud. The swallows
were everywhere. A pair of Spotted Sandpipers perused the banks
of the creek, while Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroat signaled
their presence by their definitive vocalizations. Several
Mallards also enjoyed swimming in the creek as well as in the
Sammamish River. We even saw a very late brood of tiny Mallard
ducklings. Two Great Blue Herons flew in circles and squawked at
each other as we bicycled the Sammamish Trail. When we returned,
they had put some distance between themselves. A pair of Ruddy
Ducks swam beside the pier near Tracy Owens Station, along with a
couple of Pied-billed Grebes.
We saw and heard Song Sparrows, Marsh Wrens, and Common
Yellowthroat all along the Sammamish Trail, with Violet-green
Swallows concentrated alongside the Redmond apartments near City
Hall.
Another interesting observation occurred as we left the
Velodrome parking lot at Marymoor: High in the air was an Osprey,
calling and calling, and going through several aerobatic
maneuvers; most interesting. The Osprey stayed there as we
pedaled down the trail. When we returned to the velodrome parking
area, we noticed a cell tower to the northeast alongside SR520,
with a nest of sticks, most likely the Ospreys', though we did
not see the owner on it. Without our spotting scope, we could not
tell for certain, but it seemed as though a bird head was showing
above the edge of the nest. Further observation is warranted.

Erin

Bill and Erin Woods Woods Tree Farm Redmond, WA U.S.A.
<wwwbike at halcyon.com>