diff --git a/parsers/s3_analyzer.py b/parsers/s3_analyzer.py
index ee396dc..379f6a5 100644
--- a/parsers/s3_analyzer.py
+++ b/parsers/s3_analyzer.py
@@ -344,9 +344,13 @@ def parse_structured_bin(bin_blob: bytes) -> list[MarkSplit]:
             s3_bytes += length
         elif rec_type == _REC_MARK:
             label = payload.decode("utf-8", errors="replace")
-            marks.append(MarkSplit(label=label,
-                                   bw_byte_offset=bw_bytes,
-                                   s3_byte_offset=s3_bytes))
+            # Skip auto-generated bridge lifecycle marks — only keep user marks
+            if label.startswith("SESSION START") or label.startswith("SESSION END"):
+                pass
+            else:
+                marks.append(MarkSplit(label=label,
+                                       bw_byte_offset=bw_bytes,
+                                       s3_byte_offset=s3_bytes))
 
         pos = payload_end
 
diff --git a/seismo_lab.py b/seismo_lab.py
index 984d6d6..ad7d970 100644
--- a/seismo_lab.py
+++ b/seismo_lab.py
@@ -652,9 +652,12 @@ class AnalyzerPanel(tk.Frame):
 
         if marks:
             sessions = split_sessions_at_marks(bw_blob, s3_blob, marks)
-            self.status_var.set(f"Parsing...  ({len(marks)} mark(s) found)")
+            mark_labels = "  |  ".join(m.label for m in marks)
+            self.sb_var.set(f"{len(marks)} user mark(s): {mark_labels}")
             self.update_idletasks()
         else:
+            if bin_path and bin_path.exists():
+                self.sb_var.set("No user marks found in session .bin — using standard session detection")
             s3_frames = annotate_frames(parse_s3(s3_blob, trailer_len=0), "S3")
             bw_frames = annotate_frames(parse_bw(bw_blob, trailer_len=0,
                                                  validate_checksum=True), "BW")