Winter birds continue to arrive at Juanita Bay Park. Two swans came in Nov. 10, an early arrival date for that species in our bay. Up to four swans have been reported in the bay as of Thanksgiving Day. In each of the last two years, the swans first appeared Thanksgiving week, their numbers built up until around Christmas, and they departed at the end of January to early February.

The pintail duck that was first seen in October is also still in the park as of Thanksgiving week. One of our wildlife photographers got a good picture of it in flight, and a group of feathers is missing from its right wing edge. It is possible that the bird can only fly short distances until it molts again, and thus could not migrate to its normal wintering grounds. Juanita Bay provides good foraging, and the duck flies well enough over short distances to evade predators such as our otters and eagles. It is seen most often off the east (middle) boardwalk.

Volunteer rangers

The Juanita Bay volunteer rangers have successfully negotiated an affiliation with Eastside Audubon Society, and will henceforth be known as the Eastside Park Rangers. Affiliation with a 501c3 tax-exempt charitable organization allows the group to raise funds for its program’s continuation and for specific projects. This was necessary once the city dropped its fiscal support of the program a year ago as part of the 2009-2010 budget cuts. This non-profit affiliation allows expansion of the volunteer ranger program to additional Eastside parks, in Kirkland and elsewhere, if a core group of people steps up to start such park programs. Initial projects for the Juanita Bay group include establishing a ranger Web site, and raising private donations to pay for restroom service for Juanita Bay Park while the water is shut off for winter.

Park restoration efforts

More than 200 volunteers participated in a major restoration planting Nov. 13 in Juanita Bay Park. For the first time, a new, volunteer-run Kirkland Park’s nursery contributed some of the planting materials. Funds for the remaining native planting materials come from outside grant money obtained by the city for that specific purpose. These funds are designated as to their purpose and use by the grant, and they cannot be diverted into other park maintenance or services.

Juanita Beach renovation

Similarly, the funds for the ongoing Juanita Beach renovation are grant funds, not city tax revenues, and cannot be diverted into general park maintenance or other projects. The ground work included contouring a small artificial wetland side channel for salmon along the creek, which will be planted to native species. The grassy beach area with some shade trees will be replanted, and the play area is untouched.

There are also parking lot improvements. Unfortunately, the contractor missed the fall window for seeding the grass, which will delay completion of the project, as the grass now cannot be planted until spring. It must become well enough established to handle wear and tear of people and dogs before the park can reopen.

Janice Johnson is a volunteer park ranger and Juanita Bay Park native plant steward.