Marbled Murrelet
Brachyramphus
marmoratus
Rare and local breeder in northeast King County in mature conifer forests. One record from Kittitas County near Snoqualmie summit. Absent from Kitsap and Island Counties. Nests on high, large limbs of old-growth trees but actual nesting data sparse, since first Washington nest discovered only in 1990 (Smith et al. 1997). Forages primarily on sheltered marine waters, commuting to and from nest. Mapped lowland records from King County reflect surveys conducted during first atlas phase and may be of dubious value. For example, West Seattle record represents pair swimming in Puget Sound. Saltwater observations discounted in second atlas phase.
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