Date: 4/13/26 1:33 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] KBay Shorebird Monitoring Session #1
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project
2026 Session #1
After a Deep Freeze Winter, Spring Migration is Underway (sort of)
On Saturday, April 11 the Kachemak Bay Birders had its first of nine
scheduled shorebird monitoring sessions for this year. Our sessions last
two hours. This session started at 10:00 AM For consistency, starting time
is when the outgoing tide approaches 15.0 feet, or high tide if less than
that. This morning, the high tide was only 12.5 feet, one of the lowest
high tides of the year. This is our 18th consecutive year of monitoring
following the same protocol each year. Because our monitoring dates try to
bracket the spring shorebird migration, the first and last sessions tend to
have just a few shorebird sightings. All observations are submitted to
eBird and the ISS portal.
We had a good turnout of birders for our first session with 19 volunteers
covering the five Spit sites, five covering Beluga Slough, one in Seldovia,
and two each at the Anchor and Kasilof Rivers for a total of 29 volunteers.
This includes six KBC Semester by the Bay students.
It was an old-timer winter for Homer (as well as the whole State of
Alaska). Google says. “Based on data from the Homer Municipal Airport,
comparing the December 2025 to April 2026 period against long-term averages
(1932–2025/26), this winter and early spring was generally colder than
normal, with extreme cold in December and March.” Google also said; “For
the last two weeks (approx. March 28 – April 12, 2026), Homer, AK
experienced temperatures with an average around 28° F, featuring highs near
43° F and lows near -6° F. This is slightly colder than the typical
late-March/early-April average, where highs are usually in the upper 30s to
low 40s F and lows are above 20° F.” On shorebird monitoring day, according
to Airport records, at 9:53 AM the temperature was 35.1° F, the wind was
calm, the sky was overcast, and the barometric pressure was 30.06 inches.
At 11:53 AM, the temperature shot up to 36.0° F, winds were variable at 5
mph, skies were still overcast, and the barometric pressure had dropped
slightly to 30.03 inches. As illustrated by the attached photos of the
Beluga Slough and Mariner Park Lagoon Teams, there is still substantial ice
in the intertidal areas.
Our cold weather earlier this winter and the lingering ice even now didn’t
seem to affect the arrival of Greater Yellowlegs the past couple of days.
Greater Yellowlegs are one of Kachemak Bay’s earliest spring shorebird
arrivals and a mid-to-long-distant migrant that wouldn’t be aware of
weather conditions here when it began its migration north. Looking back at
our 17 years of records, their arrival date seems to be pretty consistent
from year-to-year. On the other hand, Rock Sandpipers, which overwinter in
Kachemak Bay, are just starting their spring migration. According to our 17
years of monitoring records (which includes weather data) this is the most
ROSA we have had for our first session. Perhaps that is because Kachemak
Bay has essentially the same climate as the Bering Sea region where Rock
Sandpipers nest. They may know that if there is still an abundance of ice
here, it is even more so in the Bering Sea. Why go from bad to worse.
Shorebirds seen during this year’s session #1 include the following.
· Black Oystercatcher; Seldovia (6).
· Rock Sandpiper; Mud Bay (467), Louie’s Lagoon (284), Green
Timbers (1,000), Fishing Hole to Homer Harbor (3), Kasilof (1). Monitors on
the Homer Spit said in their report that the Rock Sandpipers they saw were
foraging and fairly stationary, indicating the total count for the Spit
area was about 1,754. A photo taken April 10 (see attached) on the Spit may
have included most of the entire flock in flight, which verifies that many
are still here. Previous highs for this species were 597 in 2020, 688 in
2021, and 506 in 2024. I believe these were also cold springs. Now that
spring (above freezing temperatures) has arrived, the next session report
will be interesting; how may are still here ?
· Greater Yellowlegs; Mariner Park Lagoon (1), Green Timbers (1),
Beluga Slough (1), Anchor Point (2), Kasilof (3). Sightings at Mariner
Parka and Beluga Slough may have been the same bird which was moving about.
· Sanderling; Mud Bay (1), Green Timbers (1). The same bird may
have been at both sites.
· Dunlin; Green Timbers (3).
Listed below are non-shorebird species seen during session #1. Highlights
are;
· Eurasian Wigeon were numerous with 7 at Mud Bay and 1 at Mariner
Park
· Storm Wigeon at Mud Bay which is a color variation of an American
Wigeon. If you want to learn more Google storm wigeon and you should get
several articles.
· Trumpeter Swan at Mariner Park Lagoon. This is the first time I
have seen these swans at this site. They could be the pair that normally
nests at upper Beluga Lake but waiting for more open water.
· Brant at couple Spit sites.
*Homer Spit*
Waterfowl: Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, Brant, Eurasian Wigeon, American
Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck,
Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed
Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser.
Loons and Grebes: Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Pacific Loon,
Red-throated Loon, Common Loon.
Gulls: Black-legged Kittiwake, Short-billed Gull, American Herring Gull,
Glaucus-winged Gull.
Raptors; Bald Eagle.
Misc; Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Pelagic Cormorant.
Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Song Sparrow, Black-capped
Chickadee, Pine Siskin.
*Beluga Slough and Bishops Beach*
Waterfowl; American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal,
Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common
Goldeneye,
Gulls: Short-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull.
Misc.; Ring-necked Pheasant, Rock Pigeon,
Loons and Grebes: Horned Grebe.
Raptors: Bald Eagle.
Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee,
Goldene-crowned Kinglet, Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Song Sparrow.
*Seldovia*
Waterfowl; Harlquin Duck, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed
Duck, Bufflehead
, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser.
Gulls: Glaucous-winged Gull.
Loons and Grebes: Common Loon.
Raptors; Bald Eagle.
Misc.; Pigeon Guillemot, Belted Kingfisher.
Songbirds; Black-billd Magpie, American Crow.
*Anchor Point/River*
Waterfowl; Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Common Eider, Harlequin
Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck,
Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser.
Loons and Grebes: Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Pacific Loon, Common Loon.
Gulls; Short-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull.
Misc.: Pelagic Cormorant.
Raptors; Bald Eagle.
Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Song Sparrow.
*Kasilof River*
Waterfowl; Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail,
Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed
Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye.
Gulls; Short-billed Gull, American Herring Gull,
Raptors; Bald Eagle.
Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped
Chickadee, Redpoll, Pine Siskin.
Details, including photos, of these birds can be seen via eBird. Go to
Explore, enter Kenai Peninsula, and then to More Recent Visits and scroll
down to April 11.
Sunrise 6:50 am, sunset 9:08 pm, for a total day length of 14 hours and 18 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 27 seconds longer.
Winter and Spring continued to swap places all week with 2” of short-lived snow on Tuesday then sunny on Thursday with temps rising above 40. The forecast favors Winter with temps in the high 20s overnight, rising to mid-30s. Spring wins, regardless, with over 14 hours of daylight and gaining!
The wetlands and pond at Mile 1 Nash Road remained mostly frozen, but five adult TRUMPETER SWANS gathered at the back near a small section of open water.
The nest failed last year due to high water flooding; these Swans may be the family from the previous year. It will be interesting to watch the territorial drama and winners of the nest sweepstakes over the next few weeks.
After hearing and briefly spotting very elusive LAPLAND LONGSPURS this past week, I found four who landed and instantly disappeared, perfectly camouflaged against the brown grasses. By taking blind shots of the general landing zone, I managed to get a documentary, but gratifying photo by luck.
I also found and photographed the drake EURASIAN TEAL with his sporty horizontal white stripe, and a very handsome drake EURASIAN WIGEON styling his rufous head with a big white “thumbprint” on the crown.
Small numbers of GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and MALLARDS dabbled nearby in the tidelands.
Hundreds of SHORT-BILLED GULLS and other gulls rose and fell like snow in a blizzard at the tide’s edge when an Eagle swooped across. I watched one adult Bald Eagle stroke low and powerfully after a panicked duck; the duck miraculously escaped.
On sunny Thursday, I heard the much-missed call of a GREATER YELLOWLEGS and finally found him/her standing next to an estuary creek.
On April 6, as the Artemis II Orion spacecraft passed behind the moon on their historic fly-by mission, I happened to find patchy clouds veiling the sun. I took some photos and when I enlarged them later, I discovered sunspots! 93 million miles away!
From the wonders of Spring migrants to space; what a phenomenal week!
Date: 4/5/26 2:54 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, April 5, 2026 FOS Pintails, Wigeon, and Teal
Sunday, April 5, 2026 FOS Pintails, Wigeon, and Teal
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:11 am, sunset 8:51 pm, for a total day length of 13 hours and 40 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 28 seconds longer.
A surprise Spring gift of 3 ½” snow blanketed the ground this morning, followed by an apologetic warm sun that did its best to melt it. Calm, temp rising to 40. More snow/sn’rain in the forecast for mid-week, but it CAN’T last.
While the past week felt like winter in the morning with north winds, the afternoons shifted to spring with south winds. On April 1, I was thrilled to see my First of Season NORTHERN PINTAILS. Such elegant ducks! Also, a small flock of AMERICAN WIGEON.
I heard GREEN-WINGED TEAL, but didn’t see them until the next day when I found five with the usual MALLARDS and GADWALL.
Tasha spotted a EURASIAN TEAL with its distinctive horizontal white bar on Friday!
The overwintering flock of 30 ROCK SANDPIPERS was spotted on April 2 and 3, but only 8 on April 4. The tide washed up many colorful Baltic Macoma clam shells. The whole clams are an important winter food of these most northerly non-breeding shorebirds.
Also heard, but not seen this week were very flighty SNOW BUNTINGS.
The REDPOLLS have completely disappeared, and only a few PINE SISKINS continue to feed at my feeder. Consequently, the resident RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES pop in and out.
More southerly winds will surely help the migrants push farther north into our area and hearts.
While you’re waiting for Spring, if you haven’t already, check out the extremely creative and entertaining Big Year documentary “Listers: A Glimpse into Extreme Birdwatching,” available free on Youtube.
Date: 3/31/26 11:45 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Winter mixed with signs of Spring
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Winter mixed with signs of Spring
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:26 am, sunset 8:39 pm for a total day length of 13 hours and 13 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 29 seconds longer.
Winter is slow to cede to Spring as overnight temperatures dip below 20 at night and barely rise above freezing in the day. Most ponds and still water remain frozen. The sun blazes brightly, trying hard, but gives off scant warmth against the chilly north wind.
These last few weeks of March, despite the cold and wind, brought joy:
a handsome WHITE-WINGED SCOTER bobbing in the waves off Lowell Point Road on March 21;
a final view of a flock of 8 SNOW BUNTINGS walking right towards me as they busily gleaned seeds from the exposed grass on March 22;
an enterprising male ROBIN wading in an intertidal pool at Afognak Beach, snagging invertebrates (possibly amphipods) on March 23;
BUFFLEHEAD, BARROW’S and COMMON GOLDENEYES, COMMON MERGANSERS fishing in the harbor on March 25;
a LONG-TAILED DUCK swimming with a Common Goldeneye, three HORNED GREBES, a mixed flock of two SURF SCOTERS and HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and two COMMON LOONS preening and diving much farther out at Spring Creek Beach on March 26.
Still, there are a few signs of Spring. The most exciting was an adult AMERICAN GOSHAWK who flew quietly and swiftly directly overhead at Two Lakes Park, on March 24. He landed in a spruce tree, wondering why all the chattering Red Squirrels were suddenly silent.
A PIGEON GUILLEMOT in breeding plumage popped up at Waterfall Beach on March 28.
Today, I caught a flash of a First of Season LAPLAND LONGSPUR erupting from the beach ryegrass. Several 100s of Gulls, many newly arrived, swarmed the tidelands, a boisterous gathering. The occasional BALD EAGLE flyover stirred them into flight resembling a ruptured down pillow. Ten GADWALL dabbled in intertidal streams, overwintered or possibly new arrivals.
Robin C reported a ruckus of BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES feeding at the seafood processing fish outfall south of the Harbor Uplands a few days ago.
The annual spring die-off of Euphausiids (krill) washed up along the beaches last week. An empty Skate Mermaid’s Purse washed up on Sunday, the tiny skate hatched from its marvelous and tough egg case.
Yesterday, I heard my first VARIED THRUSH singing!
Like it or not, Winter’s long, cold reign is over. Spring is definitely on her way!
Kathleen Eagle
1276 Beluga Ct.
Homer, AK 99603
907 232-3789
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
--J. R. R. Tolkien
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*This e-mail is a natural product made from recycled electrons. The slight
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beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. *
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On Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 3:55 PM Deborah Boege-Tobin <
<birding...> wrote:
> Is it possible to get a slide presentation copy of Aaron's presentations
> so I can print it and/or post it as key cards for my students please?
>
> *Debbie *
>
> Deborah D. Bӧge Tobin, PhD (she/her/hers)
> Dena'inaq ełnen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu
> ‘I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina.’ (translation: Helen Dick,
> Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart, Joel Isaak) and am committed to
> anti-discrimination work, equality and equity for all.
>
> *Hope does not need to be merely a passive wish, it can be an active force
> to propel us forward, fueling our determination to defy the odds and carve
> our own destiny. It's the flicker of possibility that dances in our hearts,
> reminding us that even when facing challenging circumstances, there exists
> the potential for inspiration and renewal*. Robert Redford
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 12:45 PM George Matz <geomatz41...> wrote:
>
>> To: Kachemak Bay Birders
>>
>> From: George Matz
>>
>> Re: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project Note #2
>>
>> Date: March 21, 2026
>>
>> We are three weeks away from our first session of Kachemak Bay Shorebird
>> Monitoring Project, which starts at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 11. A few
>> days ago, I sent out Note #1 asking birders interested in participating
>> when they will be available for monitoring. I got a good response
>> considering this was the first call, but we need more replies, especially
>> from those who have participated before. Also, we always like to add new
>> volunteers. Don’t fret over not being sure about your shorebird ID skills,
>> I’ll add you to a team that has experienced birders who are always
>> interested in sharing what they have learned. So, look over the attached
>> volunteer list and let me know what fits into your schedule. I have
>> included the table which gives the dates and times for each session.
>>
>> This will be the 18th consecutive year for this project. This, combined
>> with the excellent Kachemak Bay shorebird monitoring organized by George
>> West in the 1980-90’s (who had a similar protocol) has created a valuable
>> database for those working in shorebird conservation. This was mentioned by
>> Lisa Schibley of the International Shorebird Survey (ISS), who was the
>> speaker for the Kachemak Bay Birders January meeting. She said, “I want
>> to say how grateful I am for you and the Kachemak Bay Birders and for the
>> commitment you have shown to ISS over the years. The consistency and care
>> your group brings to the counts truly make a difference, and Kachemak Bay
>> has become a model for what sustained participation can accomplish.” All
>> of our monitoring data is in the ISS database, which is used by scientists
>> for important work like population studies. So, your participation in this
>> project makes a contribution that is not just of local importance, but
>> international in scope.
>>
>>
>>
>> To review what the protocol is, I have attached a Homer News article from
>> last year which does a good job of explaining not only the protocol, but
>> the history of this project. It’s a good review for all levels of
>> volunteers. If you want an ID review, go to
>> https://kachemakbaybirders.org/blog/2022/04/04/shorebird-identification-presentation/ >>
>> This is the excellent shorebird ID program that Aaron Lang has given in
>> the past at Kachemak Bay Birders monthly meetings but won’t be given this
>> year.
>>
>>
>>
>> Given our current weather, this should be an interesting spring for
>> shorebird monitoring. If spring is more of an aspiration than a reality for
>> our first couple of monitoring sessions, I don’t expect much change as to
>> when the shorebirds will arrive. Studies have shown that long-distance
>> migrants, such as shorebirds, do not begin their migration based on the
>> weather at their breeding grounds since they obviously are not aware of
>> what that is. But, as they get closer to the breeding grounds, based on
>> conditions (i.e. storms with strong headwinds) they may make some sort-time
>> adjustments. (Kind of like long-distant commuters who leave the same time
>> no matter and are more aware of conditions close to where they are going
>> than all that traffic along the interstate). In fact, our data, which
>> includes weather data, shows that pulses of shorebird migrants are
>> associated with tailwinds (see My Radar photo). This year could really be a
>> test of that since our near record cold most of the winter was totally out
>> of sync with the southern part of the Pacific Flyway.
>>
>>
>>
>> An exception to this is the Rock Sandpiper who overwinter in the Kachemak
>> Bay area, but breed in coastal areas of the Bering Sea, essentially the
>> same climate as Kachemak Bay. In past years when we have had cold, stormy
>> springs, our Rock Sandpiper counts are higher than when there have been
>> benign springs. In fact, one warm spring, the Rock Sandpipers left before
>> we even started monitoring. Accordingly, I think our overwintering Rock
>> Sandpipers will initiate their spring migration later than usual. But we
>> won’t know until we get the data.
>>
>>
>>
>> One thing I have learned from years of monitoring is that if you pay
>> attention, every year is different.
>>
>>
>>
>
Date: 3/21/26 5:05 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: Re: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitorin Project Note #2
Forgot to include table with monitoring dates and times
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 12:45 PM George Matz <geomatz41...> wrote:
> To: Kachemak Bay Birders
>
> From: George Matz
>
> Re: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project Note #2
>
> Date: March 21, 2026
>
> We are three weeks away from our first session of Kachemak Bay Shorebird
> Monitoring Project, which starts at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 11. A few
> days ago, I sent out Note #1 asking birders interested in participating
> when they will be available for monitoring. I got a good response
> considering this was the first call, but we need more replies, especially
> from those who have participated before. Also, we always like to add new
> volunteers. Don’t fret over not being sure about your shorebird ID skills,
> I’ll add you to a team that has experienced birders who are always
> interested in sharing what they have learned. So, look over the attached
> volunteer list and let me know what fits into your schedule. I have
> included the table which gives the dates and times for each session.
>
> This will be the 18th consecutive year for this project. This, combined
> with the excellent Kachemak Bay shorebird monitoring organized by George
> West in the 1980-90’s (who had a similar protocol) has created a valuable
> database for those working in shorebird conservation. This was mentioned by
> Lisa Schibley of the International Shorebird Survey (ISS), who was the
> speaker for the Kachemak Bay Birders January meeting. She said, “I want
> to say how grateful I am for you and the Kachemak Bay Birders and for the
> commitment you have shown to ISS over the years. The consistency and care
> your group brings to the counts truly make a difference, and Kachemak Bay
> has become a model for what sustained participation can accomplish.” All
> of our monitoring data is in the ISS database, which is used by scientists
> for important work like population studies. So, your participation in this
> project makes a contribution that is not just of local importance, but
> international in scope.
>
>
>
> To review what the protocol is, I have attached a Homer News article from
> last year which does a good job of explaining not only the protocol, but
> the history of this project. It’s a good review for all levels of
> volunteers. If you want an ID review, go to
> https://kachemakbaybirders.org/blog/2022/04/04/shorebird-identification-presentation/ >
> This is the excellent shorebird ID program that Aaron Lang has given in
> the past at Kachemak Bay Birders monthly meetings but won’t be given this
> year.
>
>
>
> Given our current weather, this should be an interesting spring for
> shorebird monitoring. If spring is more of an aspiration than a reality for
> our first couple of monitoring sessions, I don’t expect much change as to
> when the shorebirds will arrive. Studies have shown that long-distance
> migrants, such as shorebirds, do not begin their migration based on the
> weather at their breeding grounds since they obviously are not aware of
> what that is. But, as they get closer to the breeding grounds, based on
> conditions (i.e. storms with strong headwinds) they may make some sort-time
> adjustments. (Kind of like long-distant commuters who leave the same time
> no matter and are more aware of conditions close to where they are going
> than all that traffic along the interstate). In fact, our data, which
> includes weather data, shows that pulses of shorebird migrants are
> associated with tailwinds (see My Radar photo). This year could really be a
> test of that since our near record cold most of the winter was totally out
> of sync with the southern part of the Pacific Flyway.
>
>
>
> An exception to this is the Rock Sandpiper who overwinter in the Kachemak
> Bay area, but breed in coastal areas of the Bering Sea, essentially the
> same climate as Kachemak Bay. In past years when we have had cold, stormy
> springs, our Rock Sandpiper counts are higher than when there have been
> benign springs. In fact, one warm spring, the Rock Sandpipers left before
> we even started monitoring. Accordingly, I think our overwintering Rock
> Sandpipers will initiate their spring migration later than usual. But we
> won’t know until we get the data.
>
>
>
> One thing I have learned from years of monitoring is that if you pay
> attention, every year is different.
>
>
>
Date: 3/21/26 1:45 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitorin Project Note #2
To: Kachemak Bay Birders
From: George Matz
Re: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project Note #2
Date: March 21, 2026
We are three weeks away from our first session of Kachemak Bay Shorebird
Monitoring Project, which starts at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 11. A few
days ago, I sent out Note #1 asking birders interested in participating
when they will be available for monitoring. I got a good response
considering this was the first call, but we need more replies, especially
from those who have participated before. Also, we always like to add new
volunteers. Don’t fret over not being sure about your shorebird ID skills,
I’ll add you to a team that has experienced birders who are always
interested in sharing what they have learned. So, look over the attached
volunteer list and let me know what fits into your schedule. I have
included the table which gives the dates and times for each session.
This will be the 18th consecutive year for this project. This, combined
with the excellent Kachemak Bay shorebird monitoring organized by George
West in the 1980-90’s (who had a similar protocol) has created a valuable
database for those working in shorebird conservation. This was mentioned by
Lisa Schibley of the International Shorebird Survey (ISS), who was the
speaker for the Kachemak Bay Birders January meeting. She said, “I want to
say how grateful I am for you and the Kachemak Bay Birders and for the
commitment you have shown to ISS over the years. The consistency and care
your group brings to the counts truly make a difference, and Kachemak Bay
has become a model for what sustained participation can accomplish.” All of
our monitoring data is in the ISS database, which is used by scientists for
important work like population studies. So, your participation in this
project makes a contribution that is not just of local importance, but
international in scope.
To review what the protocol is, I have attached a Homer News article from
last year which does a good job of explaining not only the protocol, but
the history of this project. It’s a good review for all levels of
volunteers. If you want an ID review, go to
https://kachemakbaybirders.org/blog/2022/04/04/shorebird-identification-presentation/
This is the excellent shorebird ID program that Aaron Lang has given in the
past at Kachemak Bay Birders monthly meetings but won’t be given this year.
Given our current weather, this should be an interesting spring for
shorebird monitoring. If spring is more of an aspiration than a reality for
our first couple of monitoring sessions, I don’t expect much change as to
when the shorebirds will arrive. Studies have shown that long-distance
migrants, such as shorebirds, do not begin their migration based on the
weather at their breeding grounds since they obviously are not aware of
what that is. But, as they get closer to the breeding grounds, based on
conditions (i.e. storms with strong headwinds) they may make some sort-time
adjustments. (Kind of like long-distant commuters who leave the same time
no matter and are more aware of conditions close to where they are going
than all that traffic along the interstate). In fact, our data, which
includes weather data, shows that pulses of shorebird migrants are
associated with tailwinds (see My Radar photo). This year could really be a
test of that since our near record cold most of the winter was totally out
of sync with the southern part of the Pacific Flyway.
An exception to this is the Rock Sandpiper who overwinter in the Kachemak
Bay area, but breed in coastal areas of the Bering Sea, essentially the
same climate as Kachemak Bay. In past years when we have had cold, stormy
springs, our Rock Sandpiper counts are higher than when there have been
benign springs. In fact, one warm spring, the Rock Sandpipers left before
we even started monitoring. Accordingly, I think our overwintering Rock
Sandpipers will initiate their spring migration later than usual. But we
won’t know until we get the data.
One thing I have learned from years of monitoring is that if you pay
attention, every year is different.
Date: 3/19/26 11:54 am From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, March 19, 2026 Swans, Redpolls, Dipper
Thursday, March 19, 2026 Swans, Redpolls, Dipper
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:03 am, sunset 8:10 pm for a total day length of 12 hours and 7 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 30 seconds longer. We hit 12 hours 1 minute yesterday, giving us a jump on the Spring Equinox, occurring on Friday, March 20 at 6:46 am.
The relentless north wind at 13 with gusts to 30 mph now has a trace of snow to swirl around in ground blizzards as it howls and rattles the trees. The “feels like” temperature is minus 11 today with wind chill. The low is 5 and the high is 9. Brrrrrrrr! March has proved challenging!
Until last night, the ground remained mostly bare of snow. COMMON REDPOLL and PINE SISKIN numbers gradually increased this month as small flocks extracted the tiny seeds from alder catkins and foraged on the ground.
Now, about 50 finches hop and flutter at my feeders, tiny, tough puffs buffeted by the wind. The Pine Siskins excel at flinging seeds from the feeders so there’s plenty for others on the ground.
One 10# bag of unshelled black oil sunflower seeds lasted since November; I had to buy a #20 bag yesterday to try to keep up. The birds are ravenous and with good reason!
While birding has been difficult, I lucked out on some special sightings.
On March 15, I stopped at an intersection and instead of traffic, I saw two adult TRUMPETER SWANS flying north over the road. I quickly grabbed my camera and got off several shots of the magnificent Swans as they flew past. They landed in a branch of Japanese Creek, somewhat sheltered from the wind by thick brush. Any port in a storm!
Yesterday at Fourth of July Beach, brrrrr, about 15 SNOW BUNTINGS flew up and down along the beach rye, gleaning seeds, leaving their tiny tracks in the scant snow everywhere.
Over at Spring Creek Beach, a juvenile BALD EAGLE flyover startled another flock of about 30 Snow Buntings in the distance.
While waiting for them to reappear, no luck, I spotted a DIPPER with a Stickleback in its bill, standing on the ice next to Spring Creek. What a prize! The Dipper held the hapless fish for a long time, whapping it against the ice, swinging it back and forth and up and down, waiting for it to be asphyxiated.
Unfortunately, while warming my hands, I missed the finale, but did see the little fisherbird walk away and then fly up the stream. He probably sang a happy little song about his dive in the frigid water and dinner on ice.
While I retreat to the warmth of my home, these feathered Alaskans tough it out, day after night after day. This cold and wind surely cannot last much longer. We are all more than ready for Spring.
Date: 3/17/26 1:07 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] 2026 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project
To: Kachemak Bay Birders
From: George Matz
Re: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project Note #1
Date: March 17, 2026
The objective of the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project, a citizen’s
science project sponsored by Kachemak Bay Birders, is to attain a better
understanding of the status of shorebird populations in Kachemak Bay as
well as the intertidal areas of the Anchor and Kasilof Rivers, particularly
during spring migration. Also, volunteer participation provides local
birders with more opportunities to observe, enjoy and learn about
shorebirds. Secondary objectives are: 1) to contribute information that
might be useful to others who are assessing shorebird populations across
the entire Pacific Flyway, and 2) to use the monitoring data to help
protect shorebird populations and habitat on the western side of the Kenai
Peninsula.
A monitoring project differs from a field trip in that it involves
repetitive sessions to collect data on a subject of interest following a
consistent protocol. In the case of this project, between mid-April and May
we have nine scheduled sessions, once every five days. Teams of birders are
assigned specific sites for two hours with timing based on tides that
provide optimal viewing conditions. Teams use eBird to report the data they
collect on all bird species (not just shorebirds) they observe, along with
counts. The first attachment to this email is an article (in Chrome HTML)
that I wrote in 2021 for the WHSRN newsletter which provides further
explanation as well as some history of this project.
So now it is time to start organizing the 18th Annual Kachemak Bay
Shorebird Monitoring Project. The first step is to determine the dates and
times for monitoring sessions. The information for this year is the second
attachment.
The second step is to start listing who will be available to monitor this
year and which sessions, which is the purpose of this email. To facilitate
this effort, the next attachment is a list of the 72 birders who monitored
last year, with their sessions deleted so you can use this form for this
year. Look it over and let me know what works with you. If you haven’t
monitored before, now is the time to sign up. In establishing the teams, I
make sure that birders new to this project are on an experienced team.
The last attachment is the report from last year, which is archived on the
KBB website (https://kachemakbaybirders.org/). This file includes data from
previous years as well as 2025.
Looking forward to your reply. Every year is different. Certainly, the
weather this year has been and it will be interesting seeing how that might
affect the shorebird migration.
