[Tweeters] Edmonds Roundup - April 2025

[Carol Riddell via Tweeters]


Hi Tweets,

As of the end of April, the Edmonds 2025 year list is at 144 species. New species for the month are listed chronologically rather than taxonomically so you can see how migration began unfolding in Edmonds.

Osprey (code 2), 1 at Hwy 99 cell tower nest site, 4-5-25.

Chipping Sparrow (code 4), 1 at Edmonds marsh (field marks described), 4-5-25. Early.

American Pipit (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-9-25.

Western Meadowlark (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-11-25.

Marbled Murrelet (code 2), 2 at waterfront (photos), 4-12-25.

Black-throated Gray Warbler (code 2), at Southwest County Park (recording), 4-14-25. Early arrival.

Least Sandpiper (code 1), 3 in Edmonds marsh, 4-16-25.

Dunlin (code 3), 1 in Edmonds marsh (black breeding patch visible), 4-18-25.

Western Sandpiper (code 1), 3 in Edmonds marsh, 4-18-25.

Turkey Vulture (code 3), 1 in Pine Ridge neighborhood (ID photos), 4-18-25.

Red-naped Sapsucker (code 5), 1 in the Edmonds Lake Ballinger neighborhood (ID photos), 4-18-25.

Wilson’s Warbler (code 1), 1 at Yost Park (recording, visual), 4-19-25. Early arrival.

Townsend’s Solitaire (code 4), 1 at Yost Park (ID photo), 4-19-25.

Common Yellowthroat (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh, 4-20-25.

Peregrine Falcon (code 3), 1 at Edmonds marsh (field marks described), 4-22-25.

Warbling Vireo (code 2), 1 at Hickman Park, 4-22-25.

Evening Grosbeak (code 3), 1 at Yost Park, 4-22-25.

Purple Martin (code 3), 2 at the Olympic Beach nest box pilings, 4-24-25.

California Quail (code 3), 1 heard in a Southwest County Park neighborhood, 4-25-25.

Long-billed Dowitcher (code 3), 2 at Edmonds marsh (ID photos), 4-26-25.

Hammond’s Flycatcher (code 2), 2 at Yost Park, 4-30-25.

Western Flycatcher (code 2), 1 each at Yost and Southwest County Parks, 4-30-25.

Western Tanager (code 2), 1 at Yost Park, 4-30-25.

The Lesser Goldfinch. The first known Lesser Goldfinch, a male, appeared at Puget Drive feeders in late November 2024. He continued to appear intermittently each month through March 5, 2025. His appearances were so brief that only the homeowner was able to see him and photo document his presence.

We continue to decline to add American Herring Gull (code 4) to this year’s list. eBird reports from the waterfront omit descriptions of field marks or photos. Given how many mistakes are made with gulls, and how infrequently American Herring Gull appears here, we will wait for an evidence-based report. There was a report of a Northern House Wren (code 4) at Yost Park. The bird was not seen and the recording was only four seconds. It was not sufficient to confirm that species. We also do not add birds to the year list when they are reported by anonymous eBirders and are not documented in the checklists.

A word of caution about using Merlin’s Sound ID to support low land Chipping Sparrows. Sound ID is a great tool and is improving with each upgrade. Nevertheless, at this time of year it continues to offer both Dark-eyed Junco and Chipping Sparrow as possibilities when juncos are being seen and heard. The better practice, when completing an eBird checklist, is not to list Chipping Sparrow without having seen the species. And an even better practice is to note the visual in the details window and include the field marks seen.

As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or audio. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2025 city checklist, please request it from checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. (It reflects a species total of 283) If eBirders will use the details field for unusual Edmonds birds (code 3 or rarer), it will help us build the city year list. Photographs or recordings are also helpful. The 2025 checklist is posted in the bird information box at the Visitor Station at the base of the public pier and is up to date through April. 

Good birding,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA
cariddellwa at gmail dot com

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