Marymoor Park
Experience the natural beauty and ecological importance of Marymoor Park, one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier birding destinations. Videography by Mick Thompson.
Marymoor is a 640-acre King County park that is home to the Audubon Bird Loop, which traverses the grassy East Meadow, a woody thicket and forest along the shore of Lake Sammamish, and trails on the bank of the Sammamish River which pass through the off-leash dog area.
Spring/Summer: Migrating warblers are common in May. A large heronry is populated by up to 90 breeding Great Blue Herons. Raptors include Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, and Short-eared and Barn Owls. Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak nest in the park. Look for Wilson’s Snipe and Spotted Sandpiper on the mud flats when the river is running low.
Fall/Winter: Large flocks of wintering Cackling Geese winter here. Lake Sammamish hosts Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, and Short-billed and California Gulls. In the river observe Common Merganser, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, and American Coot.
Trails and Accessibility: The packed gravel path and wooden boardwalk along the East Meadow to Lake Sammamish is wheelchair accessible. Trails are narrow and may be muddy. The parking lots are loose gravel. Portable toilets are available near parking. Restrooms are near the concert arena.
References: A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 147. The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #11.
Monthly Habitat Restoration Work Parties
Eastside Audubon also hosts a habitat restoration work party at Marymoor Park on the first Saturday of most months (we skip July) from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers meet at the central kiosk in Parking Lot G, where parking passes and tools are provided by our Habitat Stewards. Work varies by season and can include removing invasive plants, installing native plants, and mulching. No experience is necessary; bring work gloves, closed-toed shoes, water, and a snack, and dress for the weather. Registration is required. See the Habitat Restoration at Marymoor Park page for details and to sign up.
Restoration leader: Taj Dixon is an Eastside Audubon volunteer and conservation leader who supports habitat restoration and other chapter projects.
Monthly Bird Walk
Join us for our monthly Bird Walk at Marymoor Park! Antonio Montañana leads an early morning walk along the Audubon bird trail, usually 7 to 10 a.m. on a weekday, covering less than three miles at a leisurely pace. The walk is for birders of any level, including anyone with little or no experience; children 10 and up are welcome with a parent or guardian. The trail can be wet and muddy, so wear waterproof shoes, dress for the weather, and bring binoculars. Note that the route passes through the off-leash dog area and is not ADA accessible. Meet at the Park Office/Clise Mansion parking lot near the west entrance; there is a $1 cash parking fee at the kiosk, so arrive early. The walk is free and no registration is required. Check the calendar listing before heading out for any last-minute changes.
Walk leader: Antonio Montañana, a longtime Eastside Audubon volunteer and birding leader. His walks welcome birders of all experience levels.
Upcoming Eastside Audubon Events at Marymoor
Species Recently Seen at Marymoor
The list below comes from eBird and is derived from the two eBird hotspots that cover Marymoor Park. It shows the species reported in the most recent week and is updated weekly.