Bobcat in Education Hill backyard : North Redmond Neighborhood Report

"We have a Bobcat in our yard!  He looks like a mini-Tiger!  He was cleaning himself and is now taking a nap."   iPhone: By Michelle Vallene,  Friday, July 20, 2012.   Facebook

The Brian and Michelle Vallene family live in the North Redmond neighborhood on Education Hill off of 116th near Einstein Elementary.  Michelle said their Bobcat is about the size of a mid-sized dog.  "After napping the Bobcat wandered off towards the green belt and pond." Said Michelle,  "We have tons of different kinds of birds and probably fewer bunnies."   So far, there are no further reports, but stay tuned.  Michelle's photo was taken from inside their house behind a window.

REPUBLISHED: Three bobcat cubs playing in Redmond, WA. backyard! by Cynthia and Michael Ashley

Thanks for contributing to RNB blog, Cynthia and Micheal.....



We saw 2 of the cubs again this morning (same time 8:30am) and took 3 short videos. (More to come!) Sunday was the first sighting of these cubs. They're so much smaller than the video shows. The cubs look younger than 5 months from Internet study I've done this week. We saw an adult lynx 2 yrs ago and regularly see deer, raccoons, bats, possums, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, and many species of birds. The cubs never saw us, but decided to head into the greenbelt. One of the cubs strolled toward the west side of our home, but turned back maybe out of fear of exploring out of its comfort zone. We'd feel comfortable stating we live on Education Hill on the Hartman park greenbelt. Our bunny population as declined in the last 2 weeks. We had 5 bunnies and Momma that would visit daily to eat bird food. I haven't seen any bunnies or rabbits for a week prior to the cub sighting. Yes, you can use our full name for credits and can use our facebook page or email. Thank you for your interest. Eagerly await to view the cubs again!

Watch the KIRO 7 interview with the Ashley's at their home...and more cub clips!

Story and Video by Cynthia and Micheal Ashley
Education Hill residents
Source:   Cynthia's Facebook

Still time to see four Great Blue Heron "chicks" - if you hurry!

These four Great Blue Heron juviniles are almost "fledged" -  still time to see them if you hurry!

According to temporary park signage it's been at least 20 years since herons have built their nests at Marymoor Park. The heronry (or heron rookery, if you prefer) is located adjacent to the off-leash dog area. It's enclosed by an orange plastic hazard fence, to keep dogs and humans out from the area underneath the nests.

A man there on Saturday showed me a photo he had taken a few days ago of a young heron that was on the ground just inside the enclosure. It evidently landed there after having fallen out of its nest. I subsequently spotted two young herons up in a cottonwood tree south of the area, so some have already successfully left the nest.

The herons started building their nests in late March or early April. I counted a total of eleven nests in 5 or 6 cottonwood trees, by the end of April. Initially, it was very easy to see the nests and watch the herons build them, because the leaves were just starting to grow and were not yet large enough to block the view. The nests are large and sometimes appeared precariously placed, but they have managed to stay together and none have fallen down.

Parents feed their young by regurgitation. When a parent arrives back at the nest it's greeted by loud croaking and cackling noises made by the youngsters as they compete for food. According to signs posted at the site, all of the young herons will be fully fledged (able to fend for themselves) by the end of July, so there's still time for folks to go out there and have a look.
 
The City of Redmond designates the Great Blue Heron as their "Species of Local Importance."
 
Story and Photos By John Reinke, 6/25/2012
Directions to Marymoor Park:  http://binged.it/Me0lUZ

UPDATED: The tree snag in Laura's neighborhood garden

Visit Molbak's summer calender of events and gardening workshops....

"The garden is mostly the work of my wife, Laura. As you mentioned she works for Molbak's. She is a Certified Professional Horticulturalist.  My roll is periodic manual labor and design input. If you must use one of our names, by rights it should be called Laura's garden."  - Abbott

This Douglas fir manufactured snag is visible from NE 104th Street near Avondale

UPDATED:  As you drive down 104th Street near Avondale and  look left and you'll see a sidewalk neighborhood planting area affectionately known as "Laura's Garden."   This photo shows Abbott's wife Laura diligently tilling the soil and planting the "seconds" she picks up from her job a Molbaks.  They live adjacent to the planting area on 184th Ave NE and 104th Ave NE.

Last year, "Redmond Blog" (RNB) featured Abbott's Arbor.  This year, the Douglas fir snag has been added to the Abbott collection, mostly by luck and good intentions of the city.  It was classified "hazardous" and manufactured into a snapped-off tree snag.  The trunk is loaded with woodpecker holes.

Do you see the snag?   It has jagged edges on the top   High school science students walking up the hill will tell you this tree snag provides invaluable habitat and foraging for hundreds of species of wildlife and insects.  

So, who in the city do we thank for not stumping this tree to the ground.  Parks?  Department of Natural Resources?  The Street Division,  Planning & Development? (an 11-lot plat is approved down the hill), The city council Ombudsman?  The neighborhood?  My vote's on the Mayor.  He's a good listener; can't you see?   

Opinion and photo by Bob Yoder

Woman crashed car into bear on the Plateau May 24th

This isn't the bear that got hit and it
wasn't taken in Sammamish (see below)

Woman crashes car into bear in Sammamish

A woman crashed her car into a bear at SE 8th Street in Sammamish on Thursday morning.

"The driver was obviously a bit shaken up, but uninjured. And she saw the bear scoot off into the woods," says Sammamish Police Sgt. Jessica Sullivan.

While neither the driver nor the bear were injured, the car was wrecked after the crash.

"There was front-end damage to the vehicle, such that it's not drivable," says Sgt. Sullivan.

In the springtime, it's common for large animals like bears and cougars to wander into suburban areas.
Bears look for food in trash cans near houses after they wake up from hibernating. Most of the time the bears don't pose a threat to humans.

"We have bear sightings fairly frequently in the city this time of year, but car-versus-bear accidents are a bit more uncommon," says Sgt. Sullivan.

Witnesses say the bear was able to run into the woods after the crash and didn't seem to be injured.

Jillian Raftery,  MyNorthwest.com Editor

Photo Source:  Google Images "on Honolulu Avenue" / this bear photo was not taken in Sammamish



To Twitter local news to MyNorthwest.com twit:  https://twitter.com/#!/mynorthwest

Lower Bear Creek Natural Area by Avondale Rd. adds 1.6 acres

Lower Bear Creek "ox-bow" / BY
 (Look for the small  Hartman Pool sign by the sidewalk on Avondale Road)

The Lower Bear Creek Natural Area
Grows by 1.6 Acres

Driving north on Avondale, it's possible you noticed the blue sign “Lower Bear Creek Natural Area” on the east side of the road.  This natural area is about 13 acres and includes what is known as the Grandfather Grove of large second growth trees on the east side of Bear Creek.  It is about four miles upstream from Redmond Town Center and the Sammamish River.    Read More >>

Herons and Dogs?

 

Nesting herons / KIM CASHON-SMITH

 
Herons and Dogs?

Kim Cashon-Smith lives on Education Hill.  This Spring she took a rare photo of herons nesting in a tree at Marymoor Dog Park  Do you see the chicks?  The mama and papa?  Double-click-pic for help. 

They're Great Blue Herons.  The city says "Great Blues" are our most important bird.  They used to nest in the evergreens across from Saturday Market.  A few years ago crows and eagles scared them away. 

They moved their homes to Issaquah.  And now they're back.  Do you think they'll stay?

Herons and dogs?

What do you say!


xxxx
Live video of Great Blue Herons feeding their chicks, Cornell University’s Sapsucker Woods Pond 

City moves forward on plan to re-locate Evans Creek

Evans Creek headwaters are in East King County along the Old Red Brick Road.  The creek continues north and west through SE Redmond industries, past Keller Farm, before it's confluence with Bear Creek.   Bear Creek flows into the Sammamish River which flows into Lake Washington and Puget Sound.

On May 1, the Redmond city council approved land acquisitions to relocate Evans Creek north and east and away from SE Redmond industries. (See map).  If negotiations to purchase the property are unsuccessful the Council approved  use of eminent domain.

The benefits of re-locating Evans Creek are many.  Relocation: 1) improves habitat for wild salmon and wildlife, 2)  increases the land values and opportunity for redevelopment of industrial properties, 3) encourages clean-up of hazardous waste and further safeguards the city aquifer 4) improves flood water conveyence, 5) enhances Bear-Evans Creek Trail recreation with restored riparian habitat.

Evans Creek is an important and valuable stream in SE Redmond that's been heavily impacted by industrial development and permiting violations, as has "AWR."  Read More >>

Bird at Farrel McWirther Park

What kinda bird is this?  A baby owl?   Hawk? 

"Spotted yesterday on the Perimeter Train next to the Arena entrance to Farrel McWirther Park"

 Source:  Farrel-McWhirter Park Farm Facebook Page

Who took this awsome picture?

 "I checked with my bird expert friend and it is a “recently fledged great horned owl”

  --Terry

Comment:  I'm not an ornithologist, but my guess is a juvenile Great Horned Owl. I've seen an adult in Westside Park before.  According to Wikipedia, we have the possibility of seeing both the Coastal Great Horned Owl, as well as the Northwestern Great Horned Owl.

   --Douglas Burchard Rose Hill Neighborhood 

A resident environmentalist and artist appreciates the tree art in Anderson Park



Tree Art in Historic Anderson Park

 Being an life-long environmentalist and artist, I am appreciative of the art in Anderson Park.

I hear more people talk about the park (and not just parents discussing a play-date) in a way that stretches them to see the relevance of our parks in the area. I have also consistently heard conversations about art and how the natural world combine.

Tree wrapping is a well known art form across the globe such as artists Olsen Zanders to environmentalist raising awareness to trees to be cut down (and hey while we are at talking about trees how about the thousand trees slated to be torn down in Overlake?).

There where no evidence that Tidwells art did any damage to the trees in Occidental Park in Seattle and if you look at other sites, like Zanders, the impact was minimal at most.

In my opinion this kind of engaging art that speaks to many of our residence could be an incredible catalyst to help protect the places we love and hold such a historical significance to Redmond. And just a small side-note, not being a big fan of bureaucracy or politics, I am thankful the city was honest in not knowing [the affects of wraps on squirrels and explained how they function as habitat.]

Sarah

Sarah made this comment under an April 23 piece by Paige Norman."The Costs of Tree Sock Art in Historic Anderson Park"  It was edited for continuity. B.Y.

City of Redmond asks community to celebrate Arbor Day....Can we?

Redmond inadvertently mutilates these five Trees near the 91st Bridge

City asks community to celebrate Arbor Day on April 11...can we?

'Celebrate Arbor Day and the importance of Redmond’s trees and forest ecosystems' on Wednesday, April 11 at Farrel-McWhirter Park with a restoration work-party 3:30 pm to 6pm.

“Taking care of our community forests demonstrates the City’s ongoing commitment to the preservation, protection and enrichment of our environment,” notes Teresa Kluver, Park Operations Supervisor. “Preserving our trees and forests is vital to maintaining our quality of life and working to build a better future. I hope residents will want to take part in this effort.”

How is the Redmond community supposed to celebrate Arbor Day when the City breaks their own tree preservation law and allows a 100% clear-cut of trees on their 28 acre Group Health Overlake project? 

To compensate for 100% clear-cutting of 1000 trees, Group Health commits to planting 3,345 trees and 31,220 shrubs, but where?  Read More >>

The Dabbling Duck of Sammamish River

Sammamish River Green Winged Teal/ J. REINKE

 I photographed this solitary male green winged teal on Thursday, March 22 in the stormwater runoff pond just south of the Leary Way Bridge crossing the Sammamish River.

Teal are the smallest of the "dabbling ducks" about 2/3 the size of a typical mallard. Dabbling ducks are distinguished from diving ducks by their manner of feeding. They bob their heads, necks and breasts underneath the water to find food, rather than submersing themselves completely and swimming underwater.

Photo and Story by John Reinke

Education Hill, Redmond

Dabbling Ducks feeding

Bear Creek Basin grows by 28 acres

View Larger Map

MAP:   "A" marks center of the long, east-to-west rectangular forested parcel.  Bear Creek Golf Course is East.  Do you see Bear Creek meandering north towards the forested parcel?  Zoom in!

New Bear Creek Land Acquisitions

By Terry Lavender

Publically owned and protected property in the Bear Creek Basin has grown by 28 acres. Land is located  in one of the main spawning areas of Bear Creek. 

King County recently completed the purchase of some beautifully forested property south of the Tolt Pipeline Trail.  It adds to eleven acres already in public ownership directly adjacent to the trail. This is one of the largest, fully forested pieces in the upper area of Bear Creek.  Read More >>

PHOTOS: City builds stormwater ponds and nature trail behind Safeway next to Bear Creek

City of Redmond builds stormwater ponds, a guided nature trail, salmon viewing sites, and plants native shrubs behind Safeway on Bear Creek trail.

Last year the city Department of Natural Resources constructed three stormwater ponds behind Safeway to treat dirty run-off from Bear Creek parking lot before it enters Bear Creek.  Salmon run in the Fall. Now is an great time to walk or bike the trail to see how it is handling the recent heavy rains!  


This Safeway stormwater facility cost several hundred thousand dollars and was funded mostly by grant money.  Bear Creek is extremely important for conveying stormwater and providing protection and spawning grounds for Federally endangered Chinook salmon.  Slowing storm flows is critical towards this end. 

The city slows storm flows with ponds, planting native shrubs and by curving the banks from straight ditching done years ago.  On March 16th, Council approved $48,415 to study a plan to curve the creek and improve creek buffers further downstream. 

Reported by Bob Yoder
Photos by Yoder

The goose that flew 2,000 miles to Redmond, WA.

Yukon Delta Cackling goose with neck band '@04' grazing
along the Sammamish River by Leary Way

The goose that flew 2,000 miles to Redmond, WA.

By John Reinke
Redmond, WA.

On January 16, I came across a huge flock of Canada and Cackling geese just a few hundred yards southeast of Redmond's Leary Way Bridge over the Sammamish River. It was the day after our snowstorm, and they were all busy munching on grass underneath the snow and making geese small talk.

The different sizes and coloration patterns of the geese confirmed the presence of both species. (Cackling geese are smaller than Canada geese, which they closely resemble.)  Read More >>

UPDATED OPINION: Citizen claims actions by AWR industry are not environmentally insignificant

AWR Storm water pond  connects to Evans Creek. (2006)

My following public comment was submitted to the City, to protest approval of an environmental land use action on Redmond's polluting AWR industry

Public comments for or against this action (SEPA determination) are due to the city by 2/6/2012.  Send your Comment to city planner Kelsey Johnson  kjohnson@redmond.gov

 Dear City of Redmond,

I disagree with your determination that "All Wood Recycling" (AWR) proposal (L110009) is non-significant to our environment as referenced to the State Environmental Policy Act.   And, I ask you not  approve this environmental action favoring AWR  

Evans Creek banks enclosed
by impervious concrete
 paving. (click to enlarge)

This industrial proposal is environmentally significant owing to the location of AWR over our city aquifer. City staff publicly warned Council late last year that contaminates are leaking into the Redmond aquifer and threatening our valuable drinking water resource. AWR "recycles" hazardous waste-concrete, chemically treated wood products and other toxic materials, including sewage which remains un-piped and unconnected to the City.  Heavy machinery and trucks drip hydrolic fluids into the soils.  In some places the water aquifer is less than 6 feet from the surface so it's a short journey for their waste and toxins to enter our water supply.

Most of the ground surfaces in AWR are impervious owing to compacting of soils by vehicular use, clogged or removed stormwater pond systems, and paved roadway and work areas. Thus, most AWR stormwater is untreated, toxic and washes into Evans Creek, stressed creek banks (photo), underground streams and adjacent commercial sites.  AWR proposes one vault and one stormwater pond to treat the entire industrial site. At least two vaults are needed - one on both sides of the creek.


Evans Creek runs through AWR property, shown here 

 Evans Creek is a "Class One" stream of highest value and runs through the site. It's regulated by the Department of Ecology and the City as a "Shoreline of the State."  In 2008, Mayor Marchione proclaimed riparian corridors as" habitat of local importance."

Stormwater run-off carries untreated pollutants (photo) from AWR into the creek, harming Federally protected Chinook salmon and destroying their habitat. Sub-surface, underground streams connecting to Evans and Bear Creek were recognized by the Planning Commission during their Critical Areas Ordinance Update several years ago. Underground streams connecting to contaminated Evans Creek storm flows could spread toxins further into our aquifer before they can be treated by downstream facilities.

Toxic run-off can't percolate
 through impervious surfaces
and runs off untreated.  Heavy
equipment drips hydrolic fluids.

The City will incur certain liabilities should significant trending to aquifer contamination be traced to this AWR site and it's vicinity. Approving this "Determination of Non Significance" (DNS) is setting a precedent for further neglect in the SE Redmond industrial complex, besides AWR. By approving this DNS, the C.O.R. is placing itself at risk to lawsuit and most significantly, potential loss of a highly valuable and important municipal natural resource - potable water. 
Read More>>

Urban Coyote with prize squirrel

KIM / Urban Coyote with Squirrel

"Guess everyone deserves a good breakfast...that's when this took place...he returned later to blink at us....ha."

 --Kim,  Education Hill residential neighborhood, South-end

Photo by Kim, 1/18/2012

City expects to alter Bear Creek channel this summer



Aerial View of Redmond Town Center, Bear Creek and SR520 - before widening
Historic Bear Creek 100-year Flood Plain in blue (Macy's is red box)



In 2008 WSDOT decided to widen SR520 from 4 lanes to 8 lanes.  The widening occurred in 2009 on the northside of SR520 towards Bear Creek.  The impact to Bear Creek and Redmond Town Center's flood plain was significant enough to warrant realigning (relocating) the creek away from the widening project. 

Earlier, Councilmembers Richard Cole, Kim Allen, and Nancy McCormick traveled to Olympia to request funding to relocate the Creek.  State Finance Chair Ross Hunter allocated $8 Million towards the project.  The City Department of Natural Resources and WRIA (watershed agency) funded another $2 Million.  The project has been held up by the Army Corps of Engineers. 

Yesterday, Roger Dane, Redmond Natural Resources wrote:

"The City continues coordination with the Army Corps in order to secure permit approvals. We believe the agency and their partners are working towards approval, and at this point we expect to be under construction in summer 2012."

Bear Creek is a protected  "Shoreline of the State."   Chinook, a federally-protected Endangered Species live and spawn in it's channels and backwaters.  According to local experts, the salmon run was poor this year.  If you have any questions or suggestions for the city, contact Roger Dane at rdane@redmond.gov.  Word has it the funding is contracted for 5-years before it expires.

The aerial flood plain photo is courtesy of Susan Wilkins, a citizen-geologist.  Sue published  the photo in  her "OPINION: THE SR520 EXPANSION BETWEEN THE SAMMAMISH RIVER BRIDGE AND REDMOND WAY - From 4 lanes in 1992 to 8 lanes in 2008. But at what cost? "

Recent AWR modifications on Evans Creek shoreline, violating city code

2010 - after



2007 - before

Both photos show the bridge built by All Wood Recycling (AWR) crossing Evans Creek.  The right photo taken in 2010, shows unpermitted modifications and development.  The mitigated shoreline of Evans Creek is visible on the left side of each photo.  (Click to enlarge) Yes, that's the shoreline.

The City is currently reviewing All Wood Recycling (AWR) on 8504 192nd Ave NE for three land use applications to correct code violations.  The city photos in the slide show are dated from 2006 - 2010.

The violations are, but not limited to: 

• partial demolition of existing buildings, vegetation removal along Evans Creek, extensive paving impervious surfaces), storage of hazardous materials, the construction of a stormwater vault, retaining wall, and truck scale.  

Work noted above (click slide show for captions) has been completed without permits. AWR is proposing to install a sanitary sewer line and connect it to city sewer; and to relocate the fuel line.  City Planner Kelsey Johnson writes: 

At this point in time (10/30/11), the associated land use applications are under review. Therefore, no corrective actions have taken place.  The city photographs of the site are public records on file in the Permit Center.

Work completed by All Wood Recycling does not meet code therefore, remediation activities will need to occur once the permits are approved and issued." 

Sources:   Kelsey Johnson, LEED AP BD+C Assistant Planner City of Redmond Planning and Community Development MS: 2SPL 15670 NE 85th Street PO Box 97010 Redmond, WA 98073-9710 425.556.2409.

AWR is located on top of a Priority One Wellhead Protection Zone that supplies our drinking water.

By Bob Yoder 

City website land use action notices.

Sammamish River Dragon, By John Reinke

BY JOHN REINKE / Shadow Darner Dragonfly

On a sunny day in mid-October, I photographed this dragonfly hanging from a purple aster blossom, less than 50 yards from the Sammamish River.  - John Reinke

NW dragonfly expert Jim Johnson says....  Read More >>