Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor 16 April 2009
Date: Apr 16 15:14:18 2009
From: B&PBell - bellasoc at isomedia.com


Hi Tweets

As Michael Hobbs said the other day, today was the15th anniversary of his starting weekly walks at Marymoor Park. Michael couldn't be there today, but the day couldn't have been better. Started out cool (43F), with some overcast -but essentially nice. It only got better from there. Lots of bird activity all over the park today with birds singing, carrying nesting material, and constructing nest, and occupying nests.

It must have been in celebration of the day, but we had 21 people on the walk today and all enjoyed some great views of some very nice birds.

Some notable birds:
2 Ospreys at the nest
Savannah Sparrows singing all over the East Meadow
Barred Owl carrying a crow early at the south end of the East Meadow
Barn Owl on the nest box near the mansion
American Goldfinch - bright males showing up
Bushtits constructing at least three nests
Wilson's Snipe - at least 7 along the river
Great Blue Heron - one in park and 9 just north of the park
Cooper's Hawk - immature
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Downy Woodpecker pair
Hairy Woodpecker pair - with some interactions with the Downy pair
Red-breasted Sapsucker - at least 4 along the Cottonwood Forest trail
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1st of year
American Pipit - on soccer fields
American Kestrel - male
Eurasian Collared-Dove - on Snag Row
Mountain Chickadee - probably only 2nd for park
Black-throated Gray Warbler - beautiful male, 1st for the year
Green Heron - two at Rowing Club Ponds
flycatcher - likely Hammond's

Matt Bartels and I enjoyed subbing for Michael today, and definitely enjoyed the 72 species we saw today.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
mail to bell asoc at isomedia dot com