Magnuson Park is the site of a refurbished wetland installation that is home for Gadwall Northern Shoveler, Pied-billed Grebes, and Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers. This wetland is now threatened by a proposal to build 25 pickleball courts adjacent to it. This morning field trip will highlight the wetland area and a representative of Birds Connect Seattle will meet us to discuss the proposed development.

We will also enjoy birding several habitats within the park including the Promontory Point wooded area looking for early migrating warblers, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and other woodland birds, the lakeshore habitat with loons on the lake, and a variety of gulls, and the weedy fields and thickets for finches and roaming Cooper’s Hawk near Kite Hill. Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier are likely raptors. The park is also a stopover point for migrating shorebirds.

We’ll walk about two miles on a mix of paved or gravel roads (appropriate for assistive devices) and mostly flat dirt paths (more difficult terrain) exploring this refurbished Seattle park.

Bring a snack/lunch and water. Dress for the weather. Meet before 7:00 a.m. just north of the bus stop at the South Kirkland P&R (on 108th Ave. NE just north of SR 520 and Northup Way) to carpool, or meet at Parking lot E1 at the end of NE 65th Street, Seattle at 7:30 a.m.

Passenger cost/person: $3.00 including share of SR 520 toll.

Leader: Andy McCormick (425) 518-0892.

Registration is not required but is recommended.