With the mild weather, it has been quiet in the park. Our swans are still in residence, and the Eurasian teal visits irregularly. Winter sparrows are reported by very patient birders – those who wait them out until they appear among the blackberries. Some of the resident birds are beginning to warm up their vocal chords in anticipation of the breeding season. The eagle pair is often in view, and the swans like to bath at the mouth of Forbes Creek. On a sunny day, a few intrepid turtles pull out on the logs to sun themselves. The Indian plum is leafing out, the camellias are getting ready to bloom, and several small horticultural tree/shrubs, are in bloom, a froth of pink flowers. If you look at the tip top of a few of the willows, the pussy willow flowers are visible. The water has been high from the rain, so the sound of water cascading over the beaver dams gives counterpoint to other sounds of the park.
Green Calendar
Indoor:
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Sustainable Kirkland meets for a potluck. For information, visit www.sustainablekirkland.org.
• 5 p.m. Feb. 18 at Built Green, 335 116th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. Eastside Greendrinks: connect with “green businesses and events” networking group concentrating on local sustainable businesses. Refreshments are provided but bring your own reusable cup.
• 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Ave. S. Bat program with Michelle Noe of Bats Northwest. A special children’s program will begin at 7 p.m. Visit www.eastsideaudubon.org/ for additional information.
Outdoor:
• 2-3 p.m. every Saturday. Mercer Slough nature walk. Meet at the Environmental Educations Center, 1625 118th Ave. S.E., Bellevue.
• 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. Feb. 13 at the Discover Center at Mercer Slough Park in Bellevue. Please pre-register for this family activity. Visit www.bellevuewa.gov/mseec.htm for information.
• 10 a.m. Feb. 13, Washington Park Arboretum Winter Garden.
• 9 a.m. Feb. 16 at Juanita Bay Park. Third Tuesday bird walk. Meet at the kiosk.
• Feb. 21, meet at 110th Ave. N.E. and N.E. 45th St. entrance for the Watershed Park nature walk. (In January the group saw three deer and birds included two pileated woodpeckers.)
Janice Johnson is a volunteer Juanita Bay Ranger and Native Plant Steward.
