Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co., WA) 15th Anniversary
Date: Apr 15 05:32:54 2009
From: Mansfield, Tom - tom.mansfield at klgates.com


Congratulations Michael (and Brian, Matt, Ollie et al) on this
remarkable milestone. As, I suspect, for many other beginning birders
through the years, your weekly walks rekindled my childhood interest in
birding 5 years ago this May 24. Although I have (regrettably) been
infrequent for the walk the past couple of years, it is comforting to
know you and a congenial crew are always there, rain/wind/snow/shine,
and welcome any and all who turn out regardless of their birding
experience. We've all seen some amazing birds (many Lifers) on your
walks and learned a great deal, for which I am very grateful. Good
going!

Tom Mansfield in Seattle.


-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Michael
Hobbs
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 10:20 PM
To: Tweeters (E-mail)
Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co., WA) 15th
Anniversary

Mountain Bluebirds are very uncommon at Marymoor. We've only had them 6
out of the last 15 years. The most sightings in one year was three.
This year, Mountain Bluebirds were seen from last Thursday through at
least Sunday.
Way cool.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of my weekly surveys at Marymoor. I
just noticed, in reviewing the bluebird sightings, that my first
Mountain Bluebirds at the park were on the day that started the weekly
program - April 14, 1994. Before then, I'd only birded Marymoor on an
occasional basis, mostly in the spring. In April of 1994, I decided, on
a bit of a lark, to go every week all year long, just to see what I
could see.

I've got to think that finding Mountain Bluebirds, on that April day
fifteen years ago, probably played a large role in the decision to come
back every week thereafter.

Over these last 15 years, I've personally been on 753 trips (mostly not
counting other visits, such as Christmas Bird Counts). I have data from
exactly 800 visits total since April 14, 1994.

I'd like to give a big thanks (I cannot express how much) to my friend,
Brian Bell, who has done over 450 trips with me and about 60 without me
(covering for me while I was on vacation). Brian has been my real
birding mentor over these years.

Matt Bartels has done about 225 trips, all in the last 7 years. It is
always a good day when I get to bird with Matt.

Many other people have joined me for hundreds of trips - I'll mention a
few, even at the risk that I'll forget somebody:

For years it was just Brian and myself, until MaryFrances Mathis showed
up one day. She kept coming back almost every week for several more
years, and that led to the opening up of my trips to a broader group of
people.

I must also thank Ollie Oliver, who is a regular visitor, and who has
provided a multitude of photos for the blog and gallery pages on my
website.

Other regulars include Hugh Jennings, Stan Wood, Scott Ramos, and Mark &
Lee Crawford. Dozens of others have come out over the years, some for
months at a stretch, others somewhat infrequently over the course of
many years.
There have been visitors from several other states and even a few
foreign countries.

Many other people have contributed sightings from their own visits to
Marymoor, all of which have helped me to document the occurrence of
birds at the park.

Ironically, I'll miss this week's Marymoor trip, as I'll be in Kittitas
County helping my wife with a botany survey. But Brian and Matt will
cover for me as the 16th year begins.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland, WA
== http://www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== http://www.marymoor.org/BirdBlog.htm
== birdmarymoor at verizon.net





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