It has been a quiet summer in Edmonds, as far as birds go. We had some of the expected shorebirds pass through the Edmonds marsh: Western Sandpiper (code 1), Least Sandpiper (code 1), Pectoral Sandpiper (code 3), Semipalmated Sandpiper (code 3), Spotted Sandpiper (code 3), Semipalmated Plover (code 3), Long-billed Dowitcher (code 3) and Greater (code 3) and Lesser (code 4) Yellowlegs. Surprisingly and given the number of Baird?s Sandpipers being seen around the region, we have not had a Baird?s. There has been one Green Heron (code 3) sighting. The surprise rarity was a Great Egret (code 5) that stopped briefly in the marsh on the last day of August. It was the third sighting of this species in Edmonds. The first was at the marsh in April 2004 and the second was a flyby in the Edmonds Bowl in April 2014.

Mallards and Gadwalls remained around the marsh all summer. In the last couple of weeks we have started to see more variety: American Wigeon (code 1), Green-winged Teal (code 1), Northern Pintail (code 3), and Common Merganser (code 2). A number of Canada Geese (code 1) are moving between the marsh and the beach at Shell Creek (north of the ferry dock). There were several sightings of American White Pelicans (code 4) , the most recent being August 11th from Water Street.

There has been an early report of Red-necked Phalaropes (code 3) on the Sound. Barn Swallows are moving through in migration pulses and can be seen along the waterfront as well as at the marsh. There have been periodic Purple Martin (code 3) sightings, mostly over the marsh. The martins did not use the nest boxes at Olympic Beach this year so we presume the birds we are seeing at the marsh are foraging away from the nest boxes to the south at Point Wells. A pair of Tree Swallows (code 3) used one of the new nest boxes in the marsh and fledged young. We have only seen a single Cliff Swallow (code 3) this summer.

Savannah Sparrows (code 2) are moving through right now, being seen both at the marsh and along the marina breakwater. Both Cassin?s Vireo (code 3) and Black-throated Gray Warblers (code 2) have been seen around the marsh.

Although American Kestrel (code 4) tends to be a rarity in built-up Edmonds, there have been several sightings over the summer at the marsh and one in a neighborhood closer to Highway 99.

The public pier is due to be opened partially tomorrow, September 2d, at 9 a.m. Note that it is 9 a.m., not 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. Just a warning that half of the parking lot remains blocked off for construction vehicles and materials so parking will be tight until the full reopening at the end of the month.

We are at 165 species for the year.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds

Abundance codes: (1) Common, (2) Uncommon, (3) Harder to find, but usually seen annually, (4) Rare, 5+ records, (5) Fewer than 5 records.