Date: 5/15/24 9:40 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebirds Session #7
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project
2024 Session #7
Still at the Peak
On Monday, May 13th the Kachemak Bay Birders had its seventh of nine
scheduled shorebird monitoring sessions for this year. Our sessions last
two hours. Starting time is when the outgoing tide approaches 15.0 feet.
This session started at 7:30 am and lasted until 9:30 am. This is our 16th
consecutive year of monitoring following the same protocol each year. All
observations are submitted to eBird and the ISS portal.
It finally felt more like spring. Although the early morning temperatures
were near freezing, things warmed up quickly and the winds were gentle
rather than ferocious. And the songbirds were singing. Everyone was happy.
At 6:53 am, according to the Homer Airport NOAA weather station (
https://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/PAHO.html), winds were out of the NE
at 3 mph, skies were mostly cloudy but clearing, the temp was 35°, and the
barometric pressure was 29.73 in. At 9:53 am the winds shifted from the S
at 5 mph, skies were clearing more, the temp was 44°, and the barometric
pressure increased to 29.76 in.
A total of 39 birders participated in this monitoring session. There were
21 birders on the Spit, 3 at Beluga Slough, 3 on the south side of the Bay,
7 volunteers at Anchor Point/River and 5 Keen Eye Birder volunteers at the
Kasilof River.
It looks like the peak of the shorebird migration coincided with the
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. But it’s been a stormy spring, so the
arrival of shorebirds has not been smooth. Here are the shorebirds seen
this session, by species, then site, and then count. We saw 18 species of
shorebirds this session.
· Black Oystercatcher were across the bay (4).
· Black-bellied Plover were seen at Mud Bay (10), Green Timbers
(8), Anchor River (5), Kasilof River (1).
· Pacific Golden-Plover was seen at Louie’s Lagoon (1),
· Semipalmated Plover were at Mud Bay (6). Green Timbers (7),
Louie’s Lagoon (14), Outer Spit (5), Anchor River (4), Kasilof River (1).
· Whimbrel were at Mariner Park Lagoon (2 flyover), Beluga Slough
(2), Anchor River (8), Kasilof River (5).
· Short-tailed Dowitcher were at Mud Bay (55), Mariner Park Lagoon
(11), Anchor River (3), Kasilof River (36),
· Long-billed Dowitcher were at Mariner Park Lagoon (26), Anchor
River (9)
· Dowitcher sp. were seen At Mariner Park Lagoon (30), Green
Timbers (7),
· Wilson’s Snipe were at Beluga Slough (2), Kasilof River (1).
· Wandering Tattler were seen at Louie’s Lagoon (4), Outer Spit (9).
· Lesser Yellowlegs were at Beluga Slough (1), Anchor River (1),
Kasilof River (3).
· Greater Yellowlegs were at Mariner Park Lagoon (3), Anchor River
(9), Kasilof River (1).
· Black Turnstone was at Anchor River (1).
· Surfbird were on the islets on the south side of the Bay (2)
· Dunlin were at Mud Bay (250), Green Timbers (8), Louie’s Lagoon
(5), Beluga Slough (14), Anchor River (50), Kasilof River (105).
· Pectoral Sandpiper were at Mariner Park Lagoon (6), Beluga Slough
(2), Anchor River (2).
· Least Sandpiper were at Green Timbers (19), Louie’s Lagoon (1),
Outer Spit (1), Beluga Slough (8), Anchor River (1).
· Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Beluga Slough (2).
· Western Sandpiper were at Mud Bay (2,000), Mariner Park Lagoon
(40), Green Timbers (114), Louie’s Lagoon (245), Outer Spit (4), Anchor
River (410), Kasilof River (550).
· Peeps were counted at Green Timbers (211), Outer Spit (5), Beluga
Slough (8), Anchor River (100).
Listed below are the non- shorebirds that were seen. Nothing unusual except
perhaps the Storm Wigeon that is hanging out at Beluga Slough. Attached is
a recent photo I shot to illustrate what it looks like.
Loons and Grebes: Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe
Alcids: Pigeon Guillemot
Raptors; Merlin, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl.
Misc; Sandhill Crane, Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), Pelagic Cormorant
Songbirds; Common Raven, American Crow, American Robin, American Pipit,
Lapland Longspur, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow.
Song Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler.
Songbirds; Tree Swallow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin,
Yellow-rumped Warbler.
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 May 8.
Date: 5/15/24 2:04 am From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kenai Flats: Tufted Duck 5/14
There was an adult drake TUFTED DUCK (TUDU) observed near the concrete pier (dock) at the Port of Kenai, near the Tarbox Wildlife Viewing Platform on Tuesday evening. There was a mixed flock of Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup not too far away but the TUDU did not associate with them at the time. The bird eventually flew away up river and out of sight but it is reasonable to expect that it may reappear among the lingering mixed scaup flock of the lower Kenai River.
Other notable waterfowl seen on the western Kenai Peninsula the few days were a female HOODED MERGANSER seen on Homer's Beluga Lake Sunday evening looking for love among the Bufflehead drakes. And a hybrid BLUE-WINGED TEAL X NORTHERN SHOVELER drake was observed at Anchor Point SRA on Sunday morning and afternoon in the freshwater ponds behind the main paved parking lot. The hybrid drake was in hot pursuit of Northern Shoveler hens for most of the day.
Date: 5/12/24 10:34 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, May 12, 2024 Hummer in the snow, more migrants
Sunday, May 12, 2024 Hummer in the snow, more migrants
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 5:26 am, sunset 10:24 pm, for a total day length of 15 hours and 58 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 48 seconds longer.
Chilly, windy, and rainy spring weather continued this past week with actual snow on the ground on Wednesday. Overnight temperatures hovered around freezing and daytime highs barely scraped 40. Showers mixed with sunshine today for a welcome change. Slightly warmer daytime temps in the forecast, still in the 40s.
Migratory birds can’t wait for balmy weather. On May 6, I saw my first female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD on May 6 at Ava’s, first VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS (2) in town, and first BLACK OYSTERCATCHER at Spring Creek.
I heard my FOS YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER on May 7, and saw my breath that evening before it snowed. The next morning, “my” male Rufous Hummingbird fed ravenously in the snowstorm, then sat on a handy driftwood perch nearby, quietly watching the giant flakes fall all around. Tough little guy!
May 8, my first SURFBIRDS, 6, first spotted by Robin C yesterday at Spring Creek. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS flitted through bare but budding alders. Just offshore, a nice raft of about 20 SURFSCOTERS, 3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and 20 HARLEQUIN DUCKS. I heard a COMMON LOON calling as it flew. At least 40 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES dotted the plugged and flooded wetland pond, perhaps staging for nesting. A BELTED KINGFISH rattled across the pond.
May 10, first DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, some sporting flouncy white eyebrows.
May 11, a mixed winter-spring feeding frenzy in my yard: RED CROSSBILLS, 1WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL on suet, PINE SISKINS, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and the female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. Aggressive Pine Siskins landed on the hummer feeder and chased her away. A PACIFIC WREN sang in the rain at Two Lakes Park; skunk cabbage brightened wet areas with their yellow candles.
Today at the tidelands, I saw my first SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, so dapper, another PECTORAL SANDPIPER, more WESTERN, LEAST, and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, DUNLINS, lingering HUDSONIAN GODWITS and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, WHIMBRELS, and CACKLING and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, GADWALL, MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, nesting ARCTIC TERNS and SHORT-BILLED GULLS, and marauding RAVENS and BALD EAGLES. WILSON’S SNIPE winnowed high in the sky.
Birding by bike along Exit Glacier Road in showers and sunshine this afternoon, I heard or saw RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, FOX SPARROWS, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, COMMON REDPOLLS, VARIED THRUSHES, HERMIT THRUSHES, ROBINS, 2 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, and a TOWNSEND’S WARBLER.
The gate remains closed at Box Canyon which makes walking and biking a pleasure for at least a few more days. The road is plowed all the way to the Nature Center and parking lot, with several feet of snow still blanketing the ground. Trees are leafless and stark, contrasting with the blooming willows. Exit Glacier gleamed under a fresh coat of snow; it was wonderful to see it again after a long winter.
Date: 5/12/24 8:53 am From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Shorebird Festival species
*2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: Species Tally*
*UPDATE**: Species seen on Saturday (May 11th)*
Many species are here and as of very early Sunday morning, approximately
130 species have been seen during the Festival time.
Saturday a EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE was seen with a group of ROCK PIGEONS in
the Crittenden St. area. (west of Islands and Ocean, near Ocean Shores
Motel) It is an Accidental “introduced” species here.
*Updates*
ALEUTIAN TERN—Anchor River (11th)
HORNED LARK—Anchor River (11th)
CANVASBACK—Beluga Lake (11th)
EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE—Crittenden St (11th)—near Ocean Shoresor Motel
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER—several sightings here in on this side of the bay,
latest at the Fishing Hole. (11th)
RED CROSSBILLS—large flock of 64 seen out East End Rd, about 8 miles
Date: 5/11/24 11:21 am From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] CORRECTION!!
*Please use corrected version, Friday was May 10th!*
*2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: Species Tally*
*UPDATE**: Species seen Friday (May 10th) and Saturday morning*
Many species here and good sightings for many folks. One person reported a
group of 21 WHIMBRELS with one MARBLED GODWIT. Also was a good study in
comparison of the two species, there right together besides a wonderful
sighting!
The total species seen so far (as of Friday night) is 127, of which 26 are
shorebirds! The highest count I’ve heard of for “peeps” in Mud Bay was
~7000 on Thursday.
A “Storm Wigeon” was seen and photographed on Friday. This is a color
morph of an AMERICAN WIGEON—has white on the head and quite striking.
Wonder how rare that color morph is?
*Updates*
BLUE-WINGED TEAL— Beluga Slough
RED KNOT--spit
HUDSONIAN GODWIT—Anchor River,
MARBLED GODWIT—Anchor River
PARASITIC JAEGER—Anchor River
POMARAINE JAEGER-Chinitna Bay
RUSTY BLACKBIRD—Beluga Lake (platform area)
RED-FACED CORMORANT—Halibut Cove
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER—just north of Bishop’s Beach (unusual to be on this
side)
Date: 5/11/24 11:08 am From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Fri. Festival Species +
*2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: Species Tally*
*UPDATE**: Species seen Friday (May 9th) and Saturday morning*
Many species here and good sightings for many folks. One person reported a
group of 21 WHIMBRELS with one MARBLED GODWIT. Also was a good study in
comparison of the two species, there right together besides a wonderful
sighting!
The total species seen so far (as of Friday night) is 127, of which 26 are
shorebirds! The highest count I’ve heard of for “peeps” in Mud Bay was
~7000 on Thursday.
A “Storm Wigeon” was seen and photographed on Friday. This is a color
morph of an AMERICAN WIGEON—has white on the head and quite striking.
Wonder how rare that color morph is?
*Updates*
BLUE-WINGED TEAL— Beluga Slough
RED KNOT--spit
HUDSONIAN GODWIT—Anchor River,
MARBLED GODWIT—Anchor River
PARASITIC JAEGER—Anchor River
POMARAINE JAEGER-Chinitna Bay
RUSTY BLACKBIRD—Beluga Lake (platform area)
RED-FACED CORMORANT—Halibut Cove
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER—just north of Bishop’s Beach (unusual to be on this
side)
Date: 5/11/24 10:56 am From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebirds Session #6.
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project 2024
Session #6
Birrrrrds
On Friday, May 8the Kachemak Bay Birders had its sixth of nine scheduled
shorebird monitoring sessions for this year. Our sessions last two hours.
Starting time is when the outgoing tide approaches 15.0 feet. This session
started at 5:30 pm and lasted until 7:30 pm. This is our 16th consecutive
year of monitoring following the same protocol each year. All observations
are submitted to eBird and the ISS portal.
Brrrr was the comment for this session. Winter-like weather has been
tenacious. Just before monitoring started, it was snowing. At 5:53 pm,
according to the Homer Airport NOAA weather station t (
https://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/PAHO.html), winds died down to calm,
skies were overcast, the temp was 39°, and the barometric pressure was
29.68 in. At 7:53 pm the winds were out of the NE at 3 mph, the temp was
42°, skies were still overcast, and the barometric pressure was 29.69 in.
The average temperature for this time of the year is a high of 53° with a
low of 37°.
Nevertheless, our intrepid birders showed up in force. A total of 30
birders participated in this monitoring session. There were 17 birders on
the Spit, 4 at Beluga Slough, 1 at Seldovia, 4 volunteers at Anchor
Point/River and 4 Keen Eye Birder volunteers at the Kasilof River. No
monitoring was done across the bay because of the winds earlier in the day.
The peak of the migration is definitely underway. Nearly all the shorebirds
that typically show up at Kachemak Bay during spring migration have made an
appearance. We had 18 species this session. Below is a summary by species
and sites where that species has been seen and the count. This should make
it easier for you to find them.
· Black Oystercatcher was seen at Seldovia (2).
· Black-bellied Plover seen at Mud Bay (11), Green Timbers (7),
Louie’s Lagoon (20), Anchor River (16), Kasilof River (2).
· Pacific Golden-Plover seen at Kasilof River (1).
· Semipalmated Plover seen at Mud Bay (4), Green Timbers (7),
Louie’s Lagoon (7), Outer Spit (1), Anchor River (1),
· Wilson’s Snipe seen at Kasilof River (1).
· Greater Yellowlegs seen at Mud Bay (1), Mariner Park Lagoon (1),
Anchor River (15), Kasilof River (3).
· Lesser Yellowlegs was seen at Beluga Slough (1), Kasilof River
(2).
· Wandering Tattler seen at Outer Spit (2),
· Whimbrel seen at Green Timbers (1), Beluga Slough (5), Anchor
River (34), Kasilof River (26).
· Bar-tailed Godwit seen at Kasilof River (3).
· Surfbird was seen at Outer Spit (7),
· The same Red Knot was seen at Mud Bay (1), Green Timbers (1). The
Kasilof River had (3).
· Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Outer Spit (7), Anchor River (2),
· Dunlin seen at Mud Bay (800), Mariner Park Lagoon (20), Green
Timbers (6), Green Timbers (9), Beluga Slough (1), Anchor River (42),
Kasilof River (150).
· Least Sandpiper seen at Green Timbers (20), Louie’s Lagoon (18),
Beluga Slough (5),
· Western Sandpiper seen at Mud Bay (4,200), Mariner Park Lagoon
(120), Green Timbers (13), Louie’s Lagoon (800), Seldovia (30), Anchor
River (57), Kasilof River (1,900).
· Peeps seen at Green Timbers (164), Outer Spit (3), Beluga Slough
(40), Seldovia (25), Anchor River (17).
· Long-billed Dowitcher seen at Anchor River (14), Kasilof River (1.
· Short-billed Dowitcher seen at Mud Bay (39), Kasilof River (4).
· Dowitcher sp. seen at Mariner Park Lagoon (15), Beluga Slough
(1),
Listed below are the non- shorebirds that were seen.
*Homer Spit*
Waterfowl: Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal,
Harlequin Duck, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black
Scoter, Common Merganser,
Loons and Grebes: Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe.
Alcids: Pigeon Guillemot.,
Raptors; Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Harrier.
Misc; Sandhill Crane, Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), Pelagic Cormorant.
Songbirds; American Crow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow.
*Beluga Slough and Bishops Beach*
Waterfowl: Cackling Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon,
Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,
Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser. The Storm Wigeon is still at
Beluga Slough (lake).
Misc; Ring-necked Pheasant, Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), Sandhill Crane.
Gulls and Terns: Bonaparte's Gull, Short-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull.
Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Lapland Longspur.
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 May 8.
Date: 5/10/24 10:19 am From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday's Festival Species +
*2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: Species Tally*
*Species seen Thursday (May 9th)+ some early the 10th*
The RED KNOT is still here—seen morning of the 10th at Louie’s Lagoon. The
BLUE-WINGED TEAL is still here also.
Note interesting sighting on Wednesday: 2-3000 SURFBIRDS on Gull Island.
From Martin Renner: *“Under the Ramsar Convention, a site qualifies if it
regularly hosts 1% of a wetland species. So if there are really as many as
70 000 surfbirds (seems high), a flock of 700 would qualify. 2-3000 — that
could possibly be the largest flock ever. Anywhere. Yes, that’s
significant!“*
Correction of the high count in Mud Bay on Wednesday should have been
WESTERN SANDPIPERS (4200) and DUNLIN (800); total ~5000 peeps. BLUE-WINGED
TEAL is still in Beluga Slough.
*Mud Bay/Mariner Park*
HUDSONIAN GODWIT (10th), AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, RED KNOT, WESTERN
SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LEAST
SANDPIPER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, MERLIN, AMERICAN PIPIT, SAVANNAH SPARROW.
*Green Timbers/Louie’s Lagoon*
RED KNOT, BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, WHIMBREL, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED
PLOVER, LEAST SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, AMERICAN PIPIT,
LINCOLN’S SPARROW.
*End of the Spit*
GREAT BLUE HERON, SANDERLING, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, WANDERING TATTLER, BLACK
TURNSTONE, ROCK SANDPIPER, SURFBIRD, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, HERRING GULL.
*Beluga Slough/Trail down the hill *
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, MARBLED GOTWIT, TUNDRA SWAN (2), WHIMBREL, LEAST
SANDPIPER, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN,
GLAUCOUS GULL, EURASIAN WIGEON, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, LAPLAND LONGSPUR;
AMERICAN PIPIT, HERMIT THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
*Beluga Lake/Upper Lake (Platform Area)*
RING-NECKED DUCK; TREE and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS; TRUMPETER SWAN;
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER; PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Platform area: RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET, LINCOLN’S SPARROW, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, WILSON’S SNIPE,
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN GOSHAWK.
Gull Island: TUFTED PUFFIN, BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, SURFBIRDS
Seldovia: CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, BLACK
OYSTERCATCHER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, HARLEQUIN DUCK.
On the Bay: COMMON EIDER (Chinitna Bay), SPRUCE GROUSE (Grewingk Ck/Lake),
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, COMMON MURRE (2000 near Gull Is), TUFTED PUFFIN,
MARBLED and KITTLITZ'S MURRELET.
Date: 5/9/24 10:27 am From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Homer's Shorebird Festival
*Wednesday's Birds Seen at the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: May 8-12th*
*2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: Species Tally*
*Birds seen Wednesday (May 8th)*
What a great beginning to our Shorebird Festival! The RED KNOT is still
here—seen both at Mud Bay and the Green Timbers/Louie’s Lagoon area. Many
other species--in fact 100 checked on our list so far! Yesterday’s high
count of WESTERN SANDPIPERS and peeps was 4200 in Mud Bay. A great array of
birds along the Calvin and Coyle Trail. Excellent birding at the head of
Beluga Lake in the Platform area (FAA Rd.) and down the trail from Festival
Headquarters down to Beluga Slough. This year due to plugged outlet, there
is much more water than usual in the Slough. Different birds including a
BLUE-WINGED TEAL which we hardly ever see, are here. Besides the EURASIAN
WIGEON, earlier there was a Storm Wigeon also in the Slough. (Not a
species, but a color variation I think.)
*Mud Bay/Mariner Park*
RED KNOT, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED
PLOVER, LEAST SANDPIPER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER,
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, MERLIN, AMERICAN PIPIT, SAVANNAH SPARROW.
*Green Timbers/Louie’s Lagoon *
RED KNOT, WHIMBREL, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LEAST
SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN.
*End of the Spit*
SANDERLING, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, WANDERING TATTLER, BLACK TURNSTONE, ROCK
SANDPIPER, SURFBIRD, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.
*Beluga Slough/Trail down the hill*
BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL (4), WHIMBREL, LEAST SANDPIPER, GREATER and
LESSER YELLOWLEGS, WESTERN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, GLAUCOUS GULL, EURASIAN
WIGEON, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, LAPLAND LONGSPUR (20); AMERICAN PIPIT, HERMIT
THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, also CANADA, CACKLING, and GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.
*Beluga Lake/Upper Lake (Platform Area)*
RING-NECKED DUCK; TREE, VIOLET-GREEN, and CLIFF SWALLOWS; TRUMPETER SWAN;
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER; PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Platform area: RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET, LINCOLN’S SPARROW, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, WILSON’S SNIPE,
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. NORTHERN HARRIER (2) were hunting the north side of
the lake mid-day. (CANVASBACK seen on the 7th)
Date: 5/7/24 8:01 pm From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Shorebird Festival begins in Homer tomorrow!
*2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival: Species Tally*
*PRELIMINARY REPORT (May 6-7th)*
Homer is working hard to give us some warm spring weather for the Shorebird
Festival. Most important though, the birds are cooperating: arriving on
schedule and in some very good numbers. A great beginning for our
wonderful Festival this year. A smattering of birds below to get us
started, and we’re starting off with a RED KNOT!
*Mud Bay/Mariner Park*
A RED KNOT was seen on the 6th and 7th in Mud Bay! Also on that tide was
a flock of ~2500-3000 WESTERN SANDPIPERS and ~700 DUNLIN. Other species:
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, AMERICAN PIPIT, SAVANNAH SPARROW.
*Green Timbers/Louie’s Lagoon/Lower end of the Spit *
PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LEAST SANDPIPER
*Beluga Slough/Dam*
BLUE-WINGED TEAL seen on the 7th. Other species: GADWALL; EURASIAN WIGEON;
BONAPART’S GULL; LAPLAND LONGSPUR (20); AMERICAN PIPIT; HERMIT THRUSH;
WHIMBREL; LEAST SANDPIPER; GREATER YELLOWLEGS; and CANADA, CACKLING,
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE; BARROW’S GOLDENEYE.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (20) off the end of the Spit. Gull Island: TUFTED
PUFFIN (7). BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS: 2 pair Yukon Is, 1 pair Hesketh Is.
Seldovia: CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
--J. R. R. Tolkien
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On Sat, May 4, 2024 at 9:25 PM George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project
>
> 2024 Session #5
>
>
>
> The Peak Is Approaching
>
>
>
> On Friday, May 3the Kachemak Bay Birders had its fifth of nine scheduled
> shorebird monitoring sessions for this year. Our sessions last two hours.
> Starting time is when the outgoing tide approaches 15.0 feet. This session
> started at 11:00 am and lasted until 1:00 pm. This is our 16th
> consecutive year of monitoring following the same protocol each year. All
> observations are submitted to eBird and the ISS portal.
>
>
>
> Spring is still a tease. According to the Homer Airport NOAA weather
> station at the base of Homer Spit (
> https://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/PAHO.html), at 10:53 pm winds were
> E at 17 mph, skies were overcast, the temp was 49°, and the barometric
> pressure was 29.69 in. At 12:53 pm the winds were out of the E at 12 mph
> with gusts to 21 mph, the temp was 49° skies were mostly cloudy, and the
> barometric pressure was 29.64 in. The average temperature for this time of
> the year is a high of 52° with a low of 36°.
>
>
>
> A total of 35 birders participated in this monitoring session. There were
> 15 birders on the Spit, 5 at Beluga Slough, 4 on the south side of the Bay,
> 1 at Seldovia, 8 volunteers at Anchor Point/River and 2 Keen Eye Birder
> volunteers at the Kasilof River. No monitoring was done across the bay
> because of the winds.
>
>
>
> More shorebirds and more new arrivals.
>
> · Black Oystercatchers (2) were at Cohen Island. This pair was
> reported last session. Also, 2 were seen near Seldovia.
>
> · Black-bellied Plovers were in big numbers. Mud Bay had 26,
> Green Timbers had 25, Louie’s Lagoon had 16, Outer Spit had 1, Beluga
> Slough had 8, McQuoen Island had 3, Anchor River had 8, the Kasilof had 10.
>
> · Pacific Golden Plover are still here with 1 at Green Timbers, 5
> at Louie’s Lagoon, 10 at Anchor River.
>
> · Semipalmated Plovers are increasing. Mud Bay had 1, Green
> Timbers had 3, Louie’s Lagoon had 8, Outer Spit 2, Anchor River had 9,
> Kasilof had 3.
>
> · Whimbrels were at Mud Bay (1), Beluga Slough (1), Kasilof (1).
>
> · Hudsonian Godwit was only at the Kasilof (1).
>
> · Marbled Godwit were first seen on the Spit with 1 at Mud Bay, 2
> at Beluga Slough.
>
> · Wilson’s Snipe was displaying at the Kasilof.
>
> · Short-billed Dowitcher numbers increased. Mud Bay had 24, Green
> Timbers had 10, Louie’s Lagoon had 5, McQuoen Island had 4, the Kasilof had
> 44.
>
> · Long-billed Dowitcher made its first appearance this spring in
> Kachemak Bay. Mariner Park Lagoon had 3, Beluga Slough had 5, the Kasilof
> had 1.
>
> · Dowitcher sp. were reported at the Anchor River.
>
> · Red-necked Phalarope (1) on Kachemak Bay which will be in the
> thousands later on.
>
> · Lesser Yellowlegs was at the Kasilof (2).
>
> · Greater Yellowlegs are still here with 3 at Mud Bay, 2 at
> Marine Park Lagoon, 2 at Beluga Slough,1 at Seldovia, 4 at Anchor River, at
> Kasilof (4).
>
> · Black Turnstone made their fist appearance this year with 1 at
> Green Timbers,
>
> · Ruddy Turnstone was at Louie’ s Lagoon, which may be the one at
> Green’s Timber last session.
>
> · Surfbird, which are often with turnstones, also made a first
> appearance with 6 at Green Timbers, 243 at McQuoen Island. The Kasilof had
> 4.
>
> · Dunlin numbers are increasing; Mud Bay had 241, Mariner Park
> Lagoon had about 40, Green Timbers had 13, Louie’s Lagoon had 9, Outer
> Spit had 2, Beluga Slough had 4, McQuoen Island had 18, Anchor River had
> 4, the Kasilof had 270.
>
> · Least Sandpipers have arrived. Mud Bay had 19, Mariner Park
> Lagoon had about 30, Green Timbers had 1, Louie’s Lagoon had 2, Beluga
> Slough had 6. Anchor River had 1, Kasilof had 1.
>
> · Western Sandpiper, our most abundant shorebird during spring
> migration are present in big numbers; Mud Bay had about 2,000, Mariner Park
> Lagoon had 220, Green Timbers had 52, Louie’s Lagoon had 37, Outer Spit had
> 1, Beluga Slough had 250, Seldovia had 25, Anchor River had 30, the Kasilof
> had 1,800.
>
> · Semipalmated Sandpiper, which are not numerous here, were at
> Mud Bay with 1.
>
> · Peeps were recorded at the Anchor River (245).
>
>
>
> That is a pretty nice list of shorebirds; 20 species. The Kenai Peninsula
> may not have huge numbers of shorebirds during spring migration, but it has
> a lot of species.
>
>
>
> Listed below are the non- shorebirds that were seen.
>
>
>
> *Homer Spit*
>
>
>
> Waterfowl: Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater
> Scaup, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser,
> Red-breasted Merganser.
>
>
>
> Gulls and Terns; Black-legged Kittiwake, Short-billed Gull,
> Glaucous-winged Gull , Herring Gull, Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull
> (hybrid).
>
>
>
> Loons and Grebes: Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Red-throated Loon.
>
>
>
> Alcids: Marbled Murrelet,
>
>
>
> Raptors; Bald Eagle.
>
>
>
> Misc; Sandhill Crane, Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon).
>
>
>
> Songbirds; American Crow, American Robin, Savannah Sparrow.
>
>
>
> *Beluga Slough and Bishops Beach*
>
>
>
> Waterfowl: Cackling Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall,
> American Wigeon, Storm Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged
> Teal, Harlequin Duck, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye.
>
>
>
> Loons and Grebes; Horned Grebe. Common Loon
>
>
>
> Misc, Ring-necked Pheasant, Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), Sandhill Crane,
> Pelagic Cormorant.
>
>
>
> Gulls and Terns: Glaucous Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull.
>
>
>
> Raptors; Eagle Bald
>
>
>
> Songbirds; American Crow, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch. American
> Pipit, Lapland Longspur, Song Sparrow.
>
>
>
> *Islands and Islets*
>
>
>
> Waterfowl: Harlequin Duck, White-winged Scoter.
>
>
>
> Loons and Grebes: Horned Grebe, Common Loon.
>
>
>
> Alcids: Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre.
>
>
>
> Gulls and Terns; Black-legged Kittiwake, Glaucous-winged Gull.
>
>
>
> Misc: Pelagic Cormorant.
>
>
>
> Raptors; Bald Eagle.
>
>
>
> Songbirds: American Crow, Song Sparrow.
>
>
>
> *Seldovia*
>
>
>
> Waterfowl; Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter. White-winged Scoter. Black
> Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser.
>
>
>
> Misc.: Belted Kingfisher.
>
>
>
> Loons and Grebes: Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon.
>
>
>
> Alcids: Pigeon Guillemot.
>
>
>
> Gulls and Terns: Short-billed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull
>
>
>
> Raptors; Bald Eagle.
>
>
>
> Songbirds: Black-billed Magpie, American Crow. Common Raven, Ruby-crowned
> Kinglet.
>
> Brown Creeper, Varied Thrush, Fox Sparrow. Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song
> Sparrow.
>
>
>
> *Anchor Point/River*
>
>
>
> Waterfowl; Brant, Cackling Goose, Northern Shoveler. American Wigeon,
> Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck. Common Merganser,
>
> Red-breasted Merganser.
>
>
>
> Gulls and Terns: Glaucous-winged Gull.
>
>
>
> Misc; Pelagic Cormorant.
>
>
>
> Raptors: Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle.
>
>
>
> Songbirds; American Crow, Lapland Longspur, Savannah Sparrow, Song
> Sparrow, American Pipit, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow.
>
>
>
> *Kasilof River*
>
>
>
> Waterfowl; Snow Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Brant, Cackling Goose
> (minima), Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Mallard,
> Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Common Merganser,
> Red-breasted Merganser.
>
>
>
> Misc.: Sandhill Crane.
>
>
>
> Loons and Grebes; Common Loon
>
>
>
> Gulls and Terns: Short-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull,
> Arctic Tern,
>
>
>
> Raptors: Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle.
>
>
>
> Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped
> Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Horned Lark, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
> Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, American Pipit, Common Redpoll, Pine
> Siskin, Lapland Longspur, Dark-eyed Junco,
>
> Yellow-rumped Warbler.
>
>
>
>
>
> 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 May 3
>
>
>
>
>
> Next report in five days.
>
>
>
> George Matz
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/4/24 10:25 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project Session #5
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project
2024 Session #5
The Peak Is Approaching
On Friday, May 3the Kachemak Bay Birders had its fifth of nine scheduled
shorebird monitoring sessions for this year. Our sessions last two hours.
Starting time is when the outgoing tide approaches 15.0 feet. This session
started at 11:00 am and lasted until 1:00 pm. This is our 16th consecutive
year of monitoring following the same protocol each year. All observations
are submitted to eBird and the ISS portal.
Spring is still a tease. According to the Homer Airport NOAA weather
station at the base of Homer Spit (
https://w1.weather.gov/data/obhistory/PAHO.html), at 10:53 pm winds were E
at 17 mph, skies were overcast, the temp was 49°, and the barometric
pressure was 29.69 in. At 12:53 pm the winds were out of the E at 12 mph
with gusts to 21 mph, the temp was 49° skies were mostly cloudy, and the
barometric pressure was 29.64 in. The average temperature for this time of
the year is a high of 52° with a low of 36°.
A total of 35 birders participated in this monitoring session. There were
15 birders on the Spit, 5 at Beluga Slough, 4 on the south side of the Bay,
1 at Seldovia, 8 volunteers at Anchor Point/River and 2 Keen Eye Birder
volunteers at the Kasilof River. No monitoring was done across the bay
because of the winds.
More shorebirds and more new arrivals.
· Black Oystercatchers (2) were at Cohen Island. This pair was
reported last session. Also, 2 were seen near Seldovia.
· Black-bellied Plovers were in big numbers. Mud Bay had 26, Green
Timbers had 25, Louie’s Lagoon had 16, Outer Spit had 1, Beluga Slough had
8, McQuoen Island had 3, Anchor River had 8, the Kasilof had 10.
· Pacific Golden Plover are still here with 1 at Green Timbers, 5
at Louie’s Lagoon, 10 at Anchor River.
· Semipalmated Plovers are increasing. Mud Bay had 1, Green Timbers
had 3, Louie’s Lagoon had 8, Outer Spit 2, Anchor River had 9, Kasilof had
3.
· Whimbrels were at Mud Bay (1), Beluga Slough (1), Kasilof (1).
· Hudsonian Godwit was only at the Kasilof (1).
· Marbled Godwit were first seen on the Spit with 1 at Mud Bay, 2
at Beluga Slough.
· Wilson’s Snipe was displaying at the Kasilof.
· Short-billed Dowitcher numbers increased. Mud Bay had 24, Green
Timbers had 10, Louie’s Lagoon had 5, McQuoen Island had 4, the Kasilof had
44.
· Long-billed Dowitcher made its first appearance this spring in
Kachemak Bay. Mariner Park Lagoon had 3, Beluga Slough had 5, the Kasilof
had 1.
· Dowitcher sp. were reported at the Anchor River.
· Red-necked Phalarope (1) on Kachemak Bay which will be in the
thousands later on.
· Lesser Yellowlegs was at the Kasilof (2).
· Greater Yellowlegs are still here with 3 at Mud Bay, 2 at Marine
Park Lagoon, 2 at Beluga Slough,1 at Seldovia, 4 at Anchor River, at
Kasilof (4).
· Black Turnstone made their fist appearance this year with 1 at
Green Timbers,
· Ruddy Turnstone was at Louie’ s Lagoon, which may be the one at
Green’s Timber last session.
· Surfbird, which are often with turnstones, also made a first
appearance with 6 at Green Timbers, 243 at McQuoen Island. The Kasilof had
4.
· Dunlin numbers are increasing; Mud Bay had 241, Mariner Park
Lagoon had about 40, Green Timbers had 13, Louie’s Lagoon had 9, Outer
Spit had 2, Beluga Slough had 4, McQuoen Island had 18, Anchor River had
4, the Kasilof had 270.
· Least Sandpipers have arrived. Mud Bay had 19, Mariner Park
Lagoon had about 30, Green Timbers had 1, Louie’s Lagoon had 2, Beluga
Slough had 6. Anchor River had 1, Kasilof had 1.
· Western Sandpiper, our most abundant shorebird during spring
migration are present in big numbers; Mud Bay had about 2,000, Mariner Park
Lagoon had 220, Green Timbers had 52, Louie’s Lagoon had 37, Outer Spit had
1, Beluga Slough had 250, Seldovia had 25, Anchor River had 30, the Kasilof
had 1,800.
· Semipalmated Sandpiper, which are not numerous here, were at Mud
Bay with 1.
· Peeps were recorded at the Anchor River (245).
That is a pretty nice list of shorebirds; 20 species. The Kenai Peninsula
may not have huge numbers of shorebirds during spring migration, but it has
a lot of species.
Listed below are the non- shorebirds that were seen.
Songbirds; Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped
Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Horned Lark, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, American Pipit, Common Redpoll, Pine
Siskin, Lapland Longspur, Dark-eyed Junco,
Yellow-rumped Warbler.
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 May 3
Date: 5/4/24 10:42 am From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, May 2, 2024 Godwits, Dowitchers, Pectoral Sandpiper, etc!
Thursday, May 2, 2024 Godwits, Dowitchers, Pectoral Sandpiper, etc!
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 5:51 am, sunset 10:00 pm, for a total day length of 16 hours and 8 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 10 seconds longer.
Light rain most of the day with an overnight low of 33 and a high of 41, mostly calm. More rain/showers in the forecast through Sunday and temps dipping below freezing next week with a chance of snow. Sheesh! Cold spring!
Nonetheless, it’s an exciting time to watch the influx of migratory birds, perhaps influenced by the squally weather to feed here rather than push north, and the return of breeding residents.
Flocks of CACKLING GEESE and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE gobbled sedges and grit, rising in noisy protest when riled by BALD EAGLES. Tasha reported 8 Tule, a larger, darker GRWG subspecies.
NORTHERN SHOVELERS, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARDS, NORTHERN PINTAILS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL covered the pond.
At least 15 HUDSONIAN GODWITS plunged their long bills into the shallows of the estuary pond, surrounded by dozens of SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Long-billed dowitchers were also reported and 8 Bar-tailed Godwits. I found a single PECTORAL SANDPIPER working in the shallows.
A shimmer of LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS flashed around the area, landing briefly to forage then zipped away. A flock of about 20 DUNLIN flew between the pond and tidelands, black bellies now prominent.
Five BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, not quite in breeding plumage, worked the tidelands.
13 GREATER YELLOWLEGS called stridently and circled the pond. One Lesser Yellowlegs was reported. Yesterday, 37 WHIMBRELS flew overhead, creating a pattern reminiscent of a MC Escher tessellation.
WILSON’S SNIPE winnowed high in the sky. A female NORTHERN HARRIER hunted from the upper fields to the beach, circling the area.
Courting ARCTIC TERNS paraded around with tiny fish for their ladies.Two BONAPARTE’S GULLS growled. SHORT-BILLED GULLS defended their nesting sites from pesky RAVENS.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and a single FOX SPARROW sang from the adjacent woods.
Exciting and challenging times indeed, trying to identify these beautiful transient visitors.
Date: 4/23/24 11:02 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Terns! Canada Geese! Ring-necked Ducks!
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 Terns! Canada Geese! Ring-necked Ducks!
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:16 am, sunset 9:37 pm, for a total day length of 15 hours and 21 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 20 seconds longer.
Overnight low of 33, cloudy with sprinkles and a north wind in the morning, warming up to 42º and mostly sunny by afternoon.
More flocks of SANDHILL CRANES heard last night and seen today, purposefully heading north or circling with indecision. What a wonderful sound!
“Chip! Chip” from about ten graceful ARCTIC TERNS fishing, courting, squabbling, and checking out nesting sites. They seem well-fed and energetic, especially for such long-distance migrants.
Two newly arrived CANADA GEESE ripped into the sedges with about 25 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, possibly the same flock from last week. Also FOS, several pairs of NORTHERN SHOVELERS, joining MALLARDS, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and NORTHERN PINTAILS.
Four GREATER YELLOWLEGS called stridently, flying across the estuary to feeding spots. At least one LAPLAND LONGSPUR dashed through the high grasses. Only one NORTHERN HARRIER spotted, briefly.
The totally open waters of Preacher Pond at Mile 3 Seward Highway hosted 7 napping RING-NECKED DUCKS including one hen, a pair of BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, two pairs of GREEN-WINGED TEAL, several COMMON GOLDENEYES, and two TRUMPETER SWANS.
Crocuses are in bloom, daffodils and rhubarb poke their tender shoots through the recently thawed dirt. Willows wave their flowers in anticipation of insect pollinators and warblers. Joy is in the air!
Date: 4/21/24 8:07 pm From: Lani Raymond via groups.io <lanibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
We in Homer are hoping lots of folks will be coming down for our Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival May 8-12th. The Program and Registration are on their website, https://kachemakshorebird.org/ Many events and trips to pick from, interesting speakers and something for everyone besides the shorebirds and other wonderful migrants coming through! The Keynote Speaker is Ted Floyd, the long-time editor of *Birding Magazine* who has written five books on birding including the *Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America*.
Several shorebirds have been seen already: GREATER YELLOWLEGS, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, WILSON'S SNIPE and species still here from winter--ROCK SANDPIPER AND DUNLIN. Other migrants so far: SANDHILL CRANE, TRUMPETER SWAN, BRANT, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON and LAPLAND LONGSPURS have also recently shown up. The Festival keeps track of the species seen during the Festival and has recorded a high of 143 total species, with the average about 130 species.
NOTE: to see what birds are being seen here in Homer anytime, go to the Kachemak Bay Birders' website, kachemakbaybirders.org. In the right hand column click on* eBird Sightings Map *to go to our map and listing of the most recent species seen in the last 14 days within 30 miles from Homer. This is always very useful, especially during the Festival.
