A few Cedar Waxwings (code 1) have finally and belatedly shown up in the public areas of the Edmonds bowl (waterfront, marsh, downtown, and surrounding residential neighborhoods). We also had a Yellow-headed Blackbird (code 4), an apparent first-year male, pass through the marsh on June 3rd. This morning there were four Rufous Hummingbirds (code 2) working some twin berry bushes near the marsh. They appeared to be a male, female, and two young birds. It is the first time I have seen so many in a public area of Edmonds and evidence of nesting.

The big news is that Purple Martins (code 3) are continuing to check out the new nest boxes that Stan Kostka built for the pilings between the public pier and the ferry dock. We numbered the boxes 1 through 6. Four birds, one male and three females, were checking out all boxes except 2 and 3. There has been a continuing pair of Tree Swallows showing interest in one of the boxes. This morning there was some turf competitions between the martins and Tree Swallows at box 6. I am not aware of Tree Swallows ever having nested in Edmonds during the 25 years of recent record-keeping, so it would be exciting to have this pair successfully nest. There appear to be a sufficient number of boxes to accommodate the Tree Swallows and the martins, at least for this year.

We are at 145 species for the collective year list.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds