Hi Tweeters,

Saturday, July 29, Bill and I bicycle-birded from Marymoor Park to Lake Forest Park along the Sammamish River Trail and the Burke-Gilman Trail. On the way back, we stopped by Log Boom Park in Kenmore to check out the Purple Martin gourds near the pier. There are a total of six gourds, a pair each on three stakes attached to old pilings. One stake near the end of the pier has become bent so that one pair of gourds is left hanging at an odd angle, and the entrance hole on one of the gourds attached to the stake nearest to the shoreline cannot be seen from the pier. But we are happy to say that the other gourds were occupied, and the little heads inside were being fed by their busy parents. We could hear them before we could see them. So it appears that at least four pairs of Purple Martins are thriving.
An immature Bald Eagle was flying around at Log Boom, being mobbed by crows. Barn swallows flew around, making their distinctive sounds. We always observe and listen for the birds as we bicycle the trails, but not many birds were singing on Saturday, only a few Song Sparrows, although we saw several. Heard one Common Yellowthroat and one Willow Flycatcher. The Kingfisher announced his presence with his familiar rattle, and a high-overhead Osprey let out one scream. None of the customary White-crowned Sparrows nor Savannah Sparrows along the trail by the UW Bothell campus, just one singing Song sparrow by the North Creek observation deck.
Probably the most interesting bird sighting was near the trail bridge over the Sammamish River east of Bothell, where we observed a Pied-billed Grebe among the floating grass near the shoreline as he slowly sank out of sight, as if performing on cue for our benefit. Mallards were the only ducks along the river, plus a small flock of Canada Geese at the confluence of Bear Creek with the river near Marymoor. American Goldfinch flocks were everywhere, feeding on seeds of the bull thistle. The numerous Violet-green and Cliff Swallows lined the wires and swooped after insects. Even Cedar Waxwings found the Sammamish River course to be a good area for their flycatching skills. Steller's Jays put in several appearances, and the arguing of House Sparrows seems to continue constantly around houses by the trail.
All in all, a pleasant bicycle-birding day on the trails from Redmond through Woodinville, Bothell, Kenmore, to Lake Forest Park and back; just a bit over 30 miles on a cool, cloudy day in July.

Erin Woods