Date: 11/7/24 1:19 pm From: Michael Hobbs via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Marymoor Park (Redmond, King Co.) 2024-11-08
Tweets - It was a frosty 32 degrees when we started, with bright sunshine, but also fog. Most of the morning, we couldn't really look to the South at all because of the very bright sun-illuminated fog. But when facing the other way, it was gorgeous. The fog kept the day cold for quite a while, but it finally warmed to 50 degrees!
Highlights: Trumpeter Swan - Eight flying SW, calling. Absolutely stunning in the morning sun as they flew past the fall color trees Northern Saw-whet Owl - The early morning crew heard two, and saw an owl that might have been Saw-whet but seemed to look more like Western Screech Red-breasted Sapsucker - One at the Rowing Club for the 2nd straight week Merlin - One hunting near the Dog Area portapotties Northern Shrike - Seen just east of the Viewing Mound, and later, north of Fields 7-8-9. First of Fall (FOF) California Scrub-Jay - Two (FOF) Varied Thrush - Heard a few times near the mansion just after 7:00 (FOF) Townsend's Warbler - Three seen
The trees were often filled with mixed birds; KINGLETS were especially numerous and widespread today, especially GOLDEN-CROWNED.
Following a tip from Eric Crockett, we ventured near the East Entrance and found two CALIFORNIA SCRUB-JAYS in the large oak trees there. He has seen them at that location multiple times in the last month.
A late scan of the lake, once the fog had cleared, showed 10 BUFFLEHEAD that flew past the Lake Platform (FOF), and 15+ WESTERN GREBE well out on the lake.
Along the slough, and at the lake, we watched four RIVER OTTERS, our first since March.
Misses today included Common Merganser, American Coot, Killdeer, California Gull, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Goldfinch. All of those were seen last week and were therefore real surprise misses.
For the day, 60 species.
= Michael Hobbs = <BirdMarymoor...> = www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
