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20 Nov Re: Mountain Bluebird in Homer! ["Martin" ] 20 Nov Swamp Sparrow in Juneau ["Nicholas" ] 18 Nov Mountain Bluebird in Homer! [Aaron Lang ] 17 Nov SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER (NO LONGER) [Bob Winckler ] 18 Nov Seward Brrrrrrirds! ["c_griz" ] 18 Nov Rusty Blackbird in Anchorage Coastal WR ["jloonatic" ] 17 Nov Cordova: Coot, Orange-crowned Warbler, and CBC [Aaron Lang ] 16 Nov Bill Deformities [David Porter ] 15 Nov Anchorage-SUnday AM [] 15 Nov More Valley Raptors ["paulncess" ] 15 Nov Bald Eagle on Lightpost ["twisted_birch" ] 15 Nov Seward Saturday feedback [Aaron Bowman ] 14 Nov Seward Saturday [Aaron Bowman ] 15 Nov Sat Homer & back ["ak_zukes" ] 14 Nov Re: Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage [Anita Gomez ] 14 Nov Sharp Shinned Hawk and Juncos ["gbullockak" ] 14 Nov Re:Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage [Jean Eaton ] 13 Nov Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage [Anita Gomez ] 14 Nov Re: SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER [] 13 Nov SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER [Bob Winckler ] 13 Nov Birding Beyond the End of the Road -- Anchorage Audubon -- November 19 [] 14 Nov Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 11-13-09 ["lani.raymond" ] 13 Nov Homer Anna's: Day 7 [Aaron Lang ] 13 Nov Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage ["anita.gomez" ] 13 Nov Goshawk ["w" ] 12 Nov SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER [Bob Winckler ] 13 Nov Late Birds in The Valley ["paulncess" ] 12 Nov Adak ["Isaac Helmericks" ] 12 Nov Long-eared Owl(s) in Juneau ["Nicholas" ] 12 Nov Vets Day Anchorage Misc ["tgtljo" ] 10 Nov Homer Long-Billed Dowitcher [David Porter ] 10 Nov Sandhill Crane ["akdouglloyd" ] 09 Nov Adak-Red Throated Loon ["Isaac Helmericks" ] 9 Nov RBA Fairbanks Alaska November 9 2009 [] 9 Nov RBA Fairbanks Alaska November 9 2009 [] 9 Nov Wilson's Warbler [Aaron Lang ] 8 Nov Homer: Anna's Hummingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet [Aaron Lang ] 08 Nov Seward Sporadic Bird Report: Hooded Merganser ["c_griz" ] 07 Nov Whittier & Portage Valley Sat Morning. ["ak_zukes" ] 7 Nov Anna's Hummingbird in Homer [Aaron Lang ] 6 Nov MARSH WREN TO BE ADDED TO THE CHECKLIST OF ALASKA BIRDS [Bob Winckler ] 5 Nov Fw: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project ["George Matz" ] 02 Nov Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 11-1-09 ["lani.raymond" ] 02 Nov Another shot at the Marsh Wren deep into Hayflats ["BOB" ] 01 Nov Anchorage Sat - various locations ["ak_zukes" ] 31 Oct Late and getting later... [Aaron Lang ] 01 Nov White-Crowned Sparrow ["ursus_8" ] 01 Nov Palmer Hayflats Marsh Wren ["akredgreen" ] 31 Oct male Hooded Merganser in Seward ["c_griz" ] 29 Oct MARSH WREN AT PALMER HAY FLATS [Bob Winckler ] 29 Oct Re: Hummingbird in Anchorage 10/28/09 [Aaron Lang ] 29 Oct Hummingbird in Anchorage 10/28/09 ["paulmc46" ] 28 Oct RBA Fairbanks Alaska October 26 2009 [] 28 Oct RBA Fairbanks Alaska October 26 2009 [] 28 Oct Pectoral Sandpiper-Sewad ["tjbluebird" ] 27 Oct Wren sp.???? At Cottonwood Cr. Palmer Hay Flats ["trapperdan1" ] 26 Oct Re: Departure Record Dates ["aaron_lang8" ] 26 Oct Departure Record Dates ["todd_eskelin" ] 26 Oct Visit in June ["elisabethcharman" ] 26 Oct Local stuff ["tgtljo" ] 25 Oct Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 10-24-09 ["lani.raymond" ] 25 Oct Ptarmigan in Arctic Valley starting to flock ["prentkiak" ] 24 Oct Homer: Marbled AND Bar-tailed Godwit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee... [Aaron Lang ] 25 Oct Great Blue Heron @ Cottonwood Cr. Trail ["trapperdan1" ] 24 Oct Ruby-Crowned Kinglet ["w" ] 24 Oct Jewel lake ["tgtljo" ] 23 Oct Homer starlings and Attu paper [Martin Renner ] 23 Oct Homer/Kachemak Bay: 10-23-09 ["lani.raymond" ] 21 Oct White-tailed Ptarmigan [] 19 Oct More Marbled Godwit [Aaron Lang ] 19 Oct Anchorage Monday Morning ["ak_zukes" ] 19 Oct Ross' Gull ["peepmcarl" ] 18 Oct Marbled Godwit in Homer [Aaron Lang ] 18 Oct GLAUCOUS GULL [Bob Winckler ] 18 Oct Rusty Blackbirds [seasidefarm ] 18 Oct Anchorage Beverly Dr ( Birch & Huffman area) ["ak_zukes" ] Subject: Re: Mountain Bluebird in Homer! From: "Martin" <great.auklet AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:49:09 -0000 The Mountain Bluebird was still/again present on the west side and behind the Church of Christ yesterday, Thursday at about 2 pm. Vernon Byrd and myself found it after looking for no more than a couple of minutes and it put on a real show. Very tame good-looking bird (HY and/or female). It was first perched in one of the cherry trees, then foraged amongst the dead pushki and on the parking-lot. Martin Renner Subject: Swamp Sparrow in Juneau From: "Nicholas" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:03:40 -0000 Hey all, Today (19 November) around 11AM I found a Swamp Sparrow feeding near Switzer Creek off of Alaway Road in Juneau. There is still some visible grass and a little bit of open water where the bird was foraging. I was not able to get pictures right then and had to leave to take a friend to the airport. When I returned at 11:30ish I could not re-find the bird. I also tried around 2:30PM and was not successful. I wouldn't be surprised if it was still there and I just didn't connect with it. Email me if you have any other questions. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Subject: Mountain Bluebird in Homer! From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:58:24 -0900 Today (11/18) at 3:05 pm I saw a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD perched at the top of a birch tree across the street from Home Run Oil, East End Road, Homer. The bird sat for only a few seconds before flying across the street and landing on a fence next to the gas pumps where it sat for another few seconds. It then flew east across Wolfe's Sod Farm where I lost it. About 15 minutes later I refound the bird in a choke cherry tree on the west side of the Church of Christ, which is directly across East End Road from Wolfe's Sod Farm. Here is seemed content and fed for a few minutes in the cherry. It then flew to the alder wood lot on the south side of the church and spent about 5 minutes here, before it returned to the choke cherry where it fed again for about 10 minutes. By this time Mossy Kilcher had arrived and while we were watching the bird it flew over the church, heading east. We could not relocate the bird. There is a lot of fruit on the trees around Homer right now so maybe it will stick around. I'm not aware of any other Homer records. Anyone else? I've posted some photos on the yahoo site as well as at www.birdingAK.com Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER (NO LONGER) From: Bob Winckler <winckler AT mtaonline.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:58:25 -0900 Hi Birders, Larry McGee notified me yesterday that the adult Sandhill Crane that had been at Snodgrass Field in Palmer since mid-October, had left the premises. I drove by today at about 4PM, but no crane, or anything else at Snodgrass Field, except for a few C. Ravens. Would be interesting to hear if a Sandhill turns up anywhere else in south central AK. Bob Winckler Wasilla Subject: Seward Brrrrrrirds! From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:37:05 -0000 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report November 17, 2009 Sunrise 9:02 am, sunset 4:22 pm, length of day 7 hours, 19 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 31 seconds shorter. Weather: Cold and clear this past week with a terrific north wind howling out of the arctic. Resurrection Bay is smoking as it releases heat to the frigid air. By early afternoon, a dark gray blanket drew up from the Gulf of Alaska and snuffed out the sun. Cold temperatures expected to remain in the teens with the possibility of snow and the hope of lighter winds. Only a trace of snow, now mostly rutted ice, remains on the ground. Now is a great time to keep those sunflower and suet feeders full, and the heated water dishes flowing if you are so lucky to have one. The birds are hungry AND thirsty, fighting the cold and wind 24/7. Today I sought refuge from the wind at Lowell Point. A SONG-SPARROW flitted across the road while a sea otter bobbed on its back in the surf, totally unconcerned, surrounded by sea smoke. NORTHWESTERN CROWS flocked along the shoreline or bee-lined above the waves through the wavering curls of steam to the next fuel stop. Three RED-NECKED GREBES, 3 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, a few PELAGIC CORMORANTS, and small groups of both BARROW'S and COMMON GOLDENEYES, and COMMON MERGANSERS fished just off shore amid a raft of GLAUCOUS-WINGED and MEW GULLS. As I was leaving, a GREAT BLUE HERON laboriously flew from one spruce to its neighbor. It always special, no matter how odd, to find this ungainly, giant wading bird up high in a spruce tree. Two pairs of MALLARDS dabbled in the sewage pond. Yummmm! Back home, a BROWN CREEPER worked its way up and around my spruce tree, gleaning tiny frozen insects hidden in the bark furrows. A dapper male DOWNY WOODPECKER enjoyed the suet feeder while BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, and the noisy RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES selected sunflower seeds from the feeder. STELLER'S JAYS popped in and out, finding treats on the ground. Camelot reports a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW for the past few days, feeding on the ground with a FOX SPARROW, and a bunch of DARK-EYED JUNCOS. November 16: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK dives at a flock of pigeons and misses, on 4th Ave. I wish it luck! NE Beach, another somewhat sheltered waterway, featured a MARBLED MURRELET, PELAGIC CORMORANT, and 3 river otters. A few more pelagic cormorants rested on the docks. COMMON MERGANSERS, BARROW'S and COMMON GOLDENEYES dove frequently in the harbor; I wonder if there are herring or salmon smolt for them now? Crafty RAVENS pillaged the dumpsters. There were several rabbits around that area too; hopefully they will attract some winged predators to thin the population. Nov 15: GREAT BLUE HERON reported at airport looking very cold. The first 3 ROSY-CROWNED FINCHES showed up at LeVan's on November 14th. For the past 9 years, they have always arrived in November. Last year they didn't show up until January 31st, 2009, whereas October 30, 2006 was the earliest arrival. The resident SONG SPARROW pops up to greet them, and then tries to run them off. Also on November 14th, Robin C reported the male HOODED MERGANSER at the Stash and Store Pond, Mile 3.5 Seward Highway. I saw a BROWN CREEPER at Second Lake, and heard a few PINE SISKINS above the wind, possibly residents. RED-NECKED GREBE along the Greenbelt. Nov 13: Robin also reported an adult GOSHAWK working over the pigeons by the waterfalls, a DIPPER at the Lagoon, and a male KINGFISHER at Old Nash Road. Nov 10: VARIED THRUSH in Mt Ash tree, looking beautiful, but cold. Jerry O reported an exciting day last week: first a DIPPER flew down to the creek behind his house, about 20' away from him. Then a WINTER WREN!!! landed about 2' from the dipper, and when he turned around, there was a BROWN CREEPER! A very special trio! Keep an eye for all three at the 2009 Christmas Bird Count! Speaking of the CBC, the Seward CBC will be December 19th. Field observers will meet at the Seaview Plaza conference center at Mile 0/ Third Ave at 9 am to confirm and receive routes. Afterwards, meet at Resurrect Art Coffee House Gallery at 4 pm to share stories and tally results. Bird feeder watchers are welcome too! More information later. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Sporadic Bird Report reporter Seward, Alaska Subject: Rusty Blackbird in Anchorage Coastal WR From: "jloonatic" <jtam AT gci.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:30:17 -0000 A single Rusty Blackbird in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge early this afternoon. It was foraging in and around a small stream that was still flowing. Location is about half a mile south of the Oceanview Bluff Park, in the woods at the bottom of the bluff below the railroad tracks. Jean Tam Anchorage Subject: Cordova: Coot, Orange-crowned Warbler, and CBC From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:01 -0900 A few birds of note were found last weekend in Cordova. This report comes via Milo Burcham, Cordova. On November 15th Milo found an AMERICAN COOT on Lake Eyak near the mouth of Power Creek. There are about 5 previous records of this species for Cordova. On the 14th and 15th there was an ORANGED-CROWNED WARBLER on mainstreet. The Cordova Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 19th. Contact Milo at milosphotos AT yahoo.com if anyone would like to particpate. The ferry 'Aurora' runs from Whittier to Cordova on the 18th and back to Whittier on the 20th, 21st and 22nd. Cordova Christmas Counts average in the high 60s, occasionally the low 70s, and past counts have turned up Tufted Duck, Hooded Merganser, Purple Finch, Brambling, and Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds. Balmy Cordova, the cure for the birdless winter blues. Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bill Deformities From: David Porter <davidkporter AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:58:25 -0800 (PST) At our feeders in Trapper Creek on 11/16, we had a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE with a decurved upper mandible about 50% longer than normal.  I haven't heard anything lately about this problem, which was so in the news a few years ago. Are others still seeing birds with similar problems?  Was there ever any definitive answer about the cause?   Bird on and on and on... Dave Porter [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Anchorage-SUnday AM From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:56:37 EST Near 20th and Lake Otis there were a hoard(est. 350) Bohemian Waxwings and 50 to 75 American Robins today. David Sonneborn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Valley Raptors From: "paulncess" <pncfritz AT pobox.mtaonline.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:04:00 -0000 Around 10:00 this morning I saw a dark Rough-legged Hawk flying near MP 39 of the Glenn Highway. (This is close to "Outer Springer Loop") Then at MP 33 (on the Palmer hay flats) I saw a perched dark Harlan's on one side of the Glenn and a Hawk-Owl on the other side. And around 12:30 the lonely Sandhill Crane was 10 feet from the road at Snodgrass field in Palmer. Paul Fritz, Palmer Subject: Bald Eagle on Lightpost From: "twisted_birch" <debcaillouet AT acsalaska.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:41:35 -0000 Just seemed a bit out of place, a mature bald sitting on a street light at Arctic and Dimond a few moments ago. Subject: Seward Saturday feedback From: Aaron Bowman <ampbowman AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:46:29 -0900 Thanks for the feedback Steve and Gary. I will certainly be making a winter trip to Homer and thank you both for the information on both areas. Rock Sandpiper was my long sought after though missed species in Northern Japan and now I live near where they are regular and in numbers like that. Yes, very windy...I was creative and found various ways to set up my spotting scope inside my car! Aaron Bowman Subject: Seward Saturday From: Aaron Bowman <ampbowman AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:37:10 -0900 Hi all, This is actually my first post. I am new to the Anchorage area, this being my second month here, but I have been birding for quite some time, mostly in Japan and Minnesota. Today I took a drive down to Seward to explore a bit and here are some of the highlights I found in the very windy conditions. Great blue Heron, 1 young looking bird flew up river across from the chamber of commerce area Pine Grosbeak, 20+ in the Tern Lake area Northwestern Crow, 50+ in flocks around the harbor, a nice find for me being new in the area! Barrow's Goldeneye, 50+ in tight flocks on sheltered areas in the harbor Pelagic Cormorants Horned Grebe, 1 Red-necked Grebe 5 Surf Scoter, 2 male, 1 female Common Loon, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 female Common Murre, 1 Harlequin Duck, 10+ Song Sparrow, 2 seen in parking lot just E. of the Alaska Sea life center. It was nice to see the Northwestern pacific form, which I must say caught me a bit off guard. I really have little idea about the relative abundance of the birds I listed above, but I certainly enjoyed the windy day of birding! Aaron Bowman Anchorage Subject: Sat Homer & back From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:54:25 -0000 Took a quick drive to try and see the Homer Hummer. Buffleheads & Swans at Cooper Landing The weather was incredibly nasty in Homer with most of the birds on the lee of the spit. I did see one very nice Pacific variety Common Eider in close & a Thick-billed Murre at Land's End. Also, a Northern Shrike in town. 350+ Rock Sandpiper's in the Homer Boat harbor at the ramp. Everything was trying to escape the wind. The Anna's Hummingbird did not show, although it had been around earlier in the morning. (Thanks to Aaron for letting me look).... 100 Common Goldeneyes & 18 Snow Buntings at Anchor River. Steve Waltz Subject: Re: Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage From: Anita Gomez <anita.gomez AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:15:43 -0800 (PST) Thank you for more responses. Someone wanted to know the location and I got more detail from my mom about the gray bird: We are in Anchorage (Turnagain Neighborhood), very close to the corner of Aero & Westland. I spotted the one lone Stellar Jay a couple of days ago, that'a when my mom mentioned the flock of four birds on our front porch, she saw them about October 14. The gray one, which was one of the 4 birds was the same size, she's not sure if it had a crest or not, she they were feeding together, hopping about pecking and eating something on my son's bicycle tires. We just bought some unsalted peanuts and some indian corn ears put them in front of 3 windows, hopefully something happens. The Gomez Family ________________________________ From: Anita Gomez To: AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, November 13, 2009 9:54:52 PM Subject: [AK Birding] Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage Here's a big thanks to the many that responded to this inquiry. Everyone said Stellar Jay, we looked it up and it certainly is. We have the flock of about 4 birds. We would like to follow one person's advice and put out 10 peanuts a day in hopes of attracking them so we can enjoy! By the way one of the flock was gray. We are looking it up for more info. My 12 year old son will be excited when I read him all the responses. Again we thank you and are delighted and interested in the wonderful hobby that our family can all enjoy. We look forward to many more hours learning about our local birds. Anita, Grandma and Steven [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sharp Shinned Hawk and Juncos From: "gbullockak" <gbullockak AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:50:55 -0000 Had an adult sharp shinned hawk after chickadees in the yard Yesterday. Yesterday had 1 junco at the tray feeder. Today there were 2 juncos. First I've seen in over a month. Gary Bullock Huffman & Birch, Anchorage Subject: Re:Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage From: Jean Eaton <eaton AT alaska.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:16:20 -0900 Welcome Anita, Take a look at the Steller's Jay in your bird book. Subject: Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage From: Anita Gomez <anita.gomez AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:54:52 -0800 (PST) Here's a big thanks to the many that responded to this inquiry. Everyone said Stellar Jay, we looked it up and it certainly is. We have the flock of about 4 birds. We would like to follow one person's advice and put out 10 peanuts a day in hopes of attracking them so we can enjoy! By the way one of the flock was gray. We are looking it up for more info. My 12 year old son will be excited when I read him all the responses. Again we thank you and are delighted and interested in the wonderful hobby that our family can all enjoy. We look forward to many more hours learning about our local birds. Anita, Grandma and Steven [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:44:04 EST I doubt they mistook you for Mr. Whitekeys. DS [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER From: Bob Winckler <winckler AT mtaonline.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:25:49 -0900 Hi Birders, As of today at 3:30 PM, the lone adult Sandhill Crane is still in Palmer at the south end of Snodgrass Field, about 20 feet to the east of where it was yesterday. For about the 10 minutes that I observed it, it remained standing on one leg, its right leg, the same leg it was standing on yesterday. It occasionally called, and between bouts of appearing to fall asleep, it preened itself. It also defecated (while standing on one leg), which means it must be finding food. While I photographed the crane, I was parked on the side of Evergreen Ave. next to Snodgrass Field, almost all the way off of the road with my emergency blinkers on, facing oncoming traffic. I was doing fine until the Palmer Police pulled up and told me that I couldn't park there, even with my flashers on, so I had to leave. Geez, do you think they mistook me for Mr. Whitekeys? See today's crane photo in the msbirder folder. Cheers, Bob Winckler Wasilla Subject: Birding Beyond the End of the Road -- Anchorage Audubon -- November 19 From: BradMeiklejohn AT aol.com Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:22:01 EST NOVEMBER 2009: Monthly Meeting featuring “Birding In Africa.” Date and Time: Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm Location: BP Energy Center Description: Avid birder and adventurer Brad Meiklejohn will present "Adventure Birding: Beyond the End of the Road.” Hear his stories and see fabulous photos from recent bird-chasing adventures in Kenya, Colombia, Cambodia and other remote corners of the world. Don’t miss a chance to follow Brad’ s quest to regularly go where no man has gone before! Plus: Win a Fabulous Prize! Learn about “The Bird of The Month!” Share your latest Bird Sightings. And Eat Cookies! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 11-13-09 From: "lani.raymond" <lani.raymond AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:08:06 -0000 An ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD has been coming to a feeder on Portlock Drive for a whole week—it's still there today. (A very lucky hummingbird to have found this feeder!!) Besides the cold and snow, there is now a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in the area to watch out for! On the 9th a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 25-30 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, and one RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were seen at Seaside Farms. A WILSON'S WARBLER was seen on the Calhoun Trail on the 9th. One LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was seen in Mud Bay on the 10th. Very late for it to be here. At the end of the Spit on the 7th the following were seen: HARLEQUIN DUCKS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, COMMON MURRE, PELAGIC CORMORANT, RED-NECKED GREBE, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, MEW GULL, BALD EAGLE, NORTHWESTERN CROW, and COMMON LOON. Elsewhere on the Spit, GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHES, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS (in the Deep Water Harbor), and many, many ROCK SANDPIPERS (Mud Bay) were seen. On the 12th a GREAT-HORNED OWL was seen and heard close-by on East Skyline Dr. They are "fairly common" in this area this year he said. Other reports received from the Fritz Creek area, where they have been heard frequently also. Subject: Homer Anna's: Day 7 From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:57:56 -0900 Despite the fresh snow this morning and the icicle on the feeder the ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD has made it a full week in our yard in Homer. It is still here this morning (and everyday since last Saturday). Her biggest threat at the moment may be the Sharp-shinned Hawk that's been staking out the feeders this morning. Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West Anchorage From: "anita.gomez" <anita.gomez AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:16:17 -0000 I'm hoping to have some one help me identify a bird. I'm am an amatuer and hope that the description will help give the bird species so that I can do some further reaseach. We saw a blue bird that has a vibrant cobalt blue color. It's headdress has a large frilly feather cap that was quite notable. I have live in Alaska 15 years and never seen one. It was a larger bird, bigger than a robin but smaller than a rave. Anita Gomez PS. This is my first post, I have absolutely no birding history, but read the posts today and interest in Alaska birding and find it delightful that there is a group of people so dedicated and knowledgeable about Alaska birds. Subject: Goshawk From: "w" <wkeys AT gci.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:39:01 -0000 On Wednesday afternoon, there was a medium/large flock of ~100 Waxwings in the trees at the corner of Spenard Road and E Turnagain Blvd near Gwennie's. The Waxwings love those trees and hang out there a lot during the winter. An adult Goshawk flew in for lunch but was unsuccessful. I had seen another Gos a few weeks back in the neighborhoods across from the Millennium--possibly the same one. w keys spenard Subject: SANDHILL CRANE IN PALMER From: Bob Winckler <winckler AT mtaonline.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:12:01 -0900 Hi Birders, The stained adult Sandhill Crane, first reported by a Butte resident on Nov. 6th, and the subject of akbirding posts #4686 and #4691, is still at the southern end of Snodgrass Field in Palmer (next to the Palmer Airport). Today at about 2:00 PM, it was standing in a row of uncut vegetation running down the centerline of the field, about 100 feet from the fence at the south end of the field (see photos in the msbirder folder). Although there was originally some question as to whether or not the bird might be injured, it apparently isn't. Several days ago, a Palmer birder walked towards the crane to see if it could move OK, which it did, also flying. However, there is no way to tell if the bird is at full strength. Today it was just standing still on one leg, periodically calling. With the exception of a single Sandhill Crane reported seen in mid- December 1995, today's reports are the latest date for a sighting of this species in the Mat-Su. Bob Winckler Wasilla Subject: Late Birds in The Valley From: "paulncess" <pncfritz AT pobox.mtaonline.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:07 -0000 Today at 15:30 I saw a dark Harlan's Hawk flying south by the intersection of Seward Meridian and the P/W Highway. This sighting is several days later than my previous late date for a Harlan's in the Valley. And at 16:00 I saw a Sandhill Crane in the south-west corner of Snodgrass Field, by the Palmer airport. I assume its the same bird Doug described the other day. Paul Fritz, Palmer Subject: Adak From: "Isaac Helmericks" <isaac.helmericks AT alaskaair.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:14:51 -0800 Just a few notes of interest for Adak this week. On the 11th of NOV there was still one Wilson's Snipe sporting around in the marshes of Lake Andrew. This is a new personal late date for them. In stark contrast to last year when I had hundreds of Sharp Tailed Sandpipers this time of year there hasn't been a single one seen since the first few days of Oct. Also on Lake Andrew there is a nice looking adult male Goosander as I like to call them. Mergus Merganser merganser. I see a lot of what I would call intermediates but this bird has a completely white wing patch with no sign of a black bar. The emperor geese are back for the winter and several hundred are now a common sight around the harbor and lagoon. I never tire of watching these beautiful geese. Isaac Helmericks Adak Island Subject: Long-eared Owl(s) in Juneau From: "Nicholas" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:40 -0000 Hey all, Two days ago on 10 November a local birder in Juneau found a Long-eared Owl near the Juneau Golf Course which is near the airport. The bird was re-found and photographed well on the same day and it is very probable that there was also a SECOND Long-eared Owl in the area. Today, 11 November a single birder was able to see one LEOW along the Juneau Airport Dike Trail, which is probably about a mile away from where the bird was first located. Attempts to relocate that bird were semi-successful with one birder getting a glimpse of what was probably a LEOW. As far as we can tell, at least one bird is still in the Juneau area but being seen along the Dike Trail. This bird(s) is probably the 6th or so record for the state; however, none of the other records stuck around/lived long enough for many people to see them. Photos are posted on the Surfbirds website: http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery10. Email me if you are interested in updates, otherwise I will just leave it at this. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Juneau Subject: Vets Day Anchorage Misc From: "tgtljo" <tgtljo AT gci.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:12:57 -0000 I watched a Buteo (probably Rough-leg) buffetting in the wind at Potter this AM (without bins), had a 1st cycle Glaucous Gull over the CARRs Aurora (Minn and N Lights), ~9 Mew Gulls at the mouth of Ship Creek, and a N Flicker (Yellow-shaft) feeding on the ground on Gov't Hill n. of Manor. Maybe there will be some interesting things after this storm... Thede Tobish Subject: Homer Long-Billed Dowitcher From: David Porter <davidkporter AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:47:24 -0800 (PST) While in Homer to see the continuing Anna's hummerbird, my wife and I found a single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER today, 11/10/09, on Mud Bay near the base of the Spit.  Aaron reports this is the latest ever, until he sees it tomorrow.   David Porter Trapper Creek [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sandhill Crane From: "akdouglloyd" <douglloyd AT gci.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:23:43 -0000 A very late Adult Sandhill Crane on the fields at Palmer Airport yesterday afternoon. I watched it for quite a while and it didnt appear to be injured. It was walking and feeding normally. Doug Between Wasilla and Palmer Subject: Adak-Red Throated Loon From: "Isaac Helmericks" <isaac.helmericks AT alaskaair.com> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:36:56 -0800 I had an adult Red Throated Loon flying over Sweeper Creek today. Although common back in the 70's this is only the second bird I have seen in the last two years since I have lived here. Isaac Helmericks Adak Island Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska November 9 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:40:48 -0900 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: November 9, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Black-Billed Magpie Bohemian Waxwings Snow Buntings Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of November 9, 2009. A BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flew across Nordale Road about 2 miles south from Chena Hotsprings Road on November 6. A large flock of about 40-60 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen on Peger Road between Davis Rd and Mitchell Expressway on November 2. Two SNOW BUNTINGS were seen on Wickersham Dome on October 25. Upcoming Events Include: Birding in Ecuador will be presented by Jim Dewitt and Ron Teel on November 9 at 7:00 PM at the Noel Wien Library Auditorium. The Fairbanks Feeder Counts will take place on November 13, December 12, and March 6. To participate, download instructions and a datasheet from the Alaska Bird Observatory web site at www.alaskabird.org. The Thanksgiving Bird Count will be held for one hour on Thanksgiving Day. Count forms are available at the Arctic Audubon Society web site at www.arcticaudubon.org. Thanksgiving for the Birds will be held on November 28 at the Creamer’s Field Farmhouse from noon – 4:00 PM. Learn about winter birds and make feeders out of recycled materials. The annual Green Holiday sale will be held at the Alaska Bird Observatory visitor Center on December 5 from 10:00 – 5:30. Gifts will be for sale from ABO, Arctic Audubon, The Northern Alaska Environmental Center and other groups. The Fairbanks Area Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 19. Get more information at the Arctic Audubon Society web site at www.arcticaudubon.org. If you’d like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder’s Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska November 9 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:40:48 -0900 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: November 9, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Black-Billed Magpie Bohemian Waxwings Snow Buntings Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of November 9, 2009. A BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flew across Nordale Road about 2 miles south from Chena Hotsprings Road on November 6. A large flock of about 40-60 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen on Peger Road between Davis Rd and Mitchell Expressway on November 2. Two SNOW BUNTINGS were seen on Wickersham Dome on October 25. Upcoming Events Include: Birding in Ecuador will be presented by Jim Dewitt and Ron Teel on November 9 at 7:00 PM at the Noel Wien Library Auditorium. The Fairbanks Feeder Counts will take place on November 13, December 12, and March 6. To participate, download instructions and a datasheet from the Alaska Bird Observatory web site at www.alaskabird.org. The Thanksgiving Bird Count will be held for one hour on Thanksgiving Day. Count forms are available at the Arctic Audubon Society web site at www.arcticaudubon.org. Thanksgiving for the Birds will be held on November 28 at the Creamer’s Field Farmhouse from noon – 4:00 PM. Learn about winter birds and make feeders out of recycled materials. The annual Green Holiday sale will be held at the Alaska Bird Observatory visitor Center on December 5 from 10:00 – 5:30. Gifts will be for sale from ABO, Arctic Audubon, The Northern Alaska Environmental Center and other groups. The Fairbanks Area Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 19. Get more information at the Arctic Audubon Society web site at www.arcticaudubon.org. If you’d like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder’s Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wilson's Warbler From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:23:33 -0900 An addition to the list interesting birds currently in Homer: male WILSON'S WARBLER today (11/9) on the Calhoun Trail, downtown Homer. Anna's Hummingbird continues today. Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Homer: Anna's Hummingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 23:06:30 -0900 The ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD spent the day coming and going from our feeder again today--it first showed around 9am and was around until dark. I've posted some photos of the Anna's in my folder on the yahoo site and also at www.birdingAK.com. This afternoon James Levison and I found a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in a flock of about 20-25 Golden-crowned Sparrows at the very magical ravine at Mossy's Seaside Farm. It showed well for a few minutes and allowed for a couple of photos then flew off down the ravine with the flock. Mossy's place also held a late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Thanks very much to Mossy for such fine birding! Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Seward Sporadic Bird Report: Hooded Merganser From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:56:38 -0000 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Sunday November 9, 2009 Sunrise 8:39 am, sunset 4:42 pm, length of day 8 hours, 2 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 59 seconds shorter. Weather: It's snowing lightly today after two spectacular sunny days spotlighting the snowy peaks surrounding Seward, and magical moonlight nights with the lamp of Venus heralding the sunrise and sunset. The thermometer eased back down from 42ş yesterday to 32ş, and the fierce north wind died. More snow is in the forecast. When the ice sealed off the lagoon earlier this week, all the ducks disappeared. But now that it has reopened, the male HOODED MERGANSER reappeared and was still in Seward yesterday afternoon, diving with COMMON GOLDENEYES and a female COMMON MERGANSER. Photo posted under Griswold. While looking for him at the Stash and Store pond last week, I was amazed to see two drake MALLARDS diving repeatedly in synchrony, and remaining underwater for 4-5 seconds each time. The salmon eggs, or whatever they were after, must have been extraordinarily delicious for these dabblers to dive. A DIPPER spotted at Spring Creek on October 30 and also at First Lake. They too, love caviar. No silver salmon spotted yet at First Lake, though the creek along Second Avenue is full all the way to the lagoon. BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, SURF SCOTERS, HARLEQUINS, HORNED GREBES, PELAGIC CORMORANTS, LONG-TAIL DUCKS, and one RED-NECKED GREBE spotted at Fourth of July beach. Our winter residents are returning. The seafood processing plant's chopped up fish waste continues to attract swarms of gulls, including BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, MEW GULLS, and the usual GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. Keep an eye out for glaucous, herring, and Thayer's gulls. BELTED KINGFISHERS have suddenly become conspicuous after being rare sightings all year. Check the lagoon, First Lake, the harbor, airport, and Spring Creek wetlands at Mile 5 Nash Road. On October 31st, I heard a kingfisher rattle over the old chip/sawdust pile near Spring Creek. This is a known nesting site, where the kingfishers and bank swallows dig their nesting burrows in the compressed man-made banks. Unfortunately, it is being removed systematically for sale as compost/wood chips, disregarding the sanctity of the nesting sites. The kingfisher sat on a piece of equipment, quite near the burrows as dusk settled. I wonder if the nest site remains of interest after the breeding season. It seemed odd for it to choose to roost there, of all the choices available. I also wonder if it was waiting for me to leave, before entering the burrow. Do they use old burrows to roost? October 2, just at sunset, I watched 12 ravens circling high over Little Bear Mt, gathering other ravens as they swirled back overhead until there were 18 in all. Soon they all gathered together and spiraled higher and higher, heading back over Little Bear and beyond to their nightly roost. Suddenly, the bright white rim of the moon peeked over Mt Alice's snowy shoulder, visibly growing larger and larger until the whole of the moon rose majestically above the intensely illuminated jagged peaks. I'm sure they could see the gorgeous, luminous full moon before I did. What a wondrous sight! October 4-6: a stretch of mild weather with showers. The earthworms, which have been scarce all year, decided to move. I found many dozens, struggling across the street through the slush left over from the season's first snow on October 3rd and continuing for the next few days as long as the street was wet. The Glaucous-winged Gulls were quick to take advantage of this easy food source, and flocked up and down the streets, several blocks from the ocean, where they are not normally seen. It's not too late to install bird netting across any bird-killer windows. Simply screw in cup hooks at intervals along the roof overhang to secure the top of the netting, and a few more under the window. The birds will simply bounce off the net unharmed instead of brutally hitting the glass. Here's a link to an interesting article about hoary marmots wiping out rhinocerous auklets on an island near Homer: http://homertribune.com/2009/11/marmots-need-to-leave-sud-island-for-the-birds/ Who knew marmots would eat birds? Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter Subject: Whittier & Portage Valley Sat Morning. From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:08:24 -0000 Windy....Whittier 2 Harlequin Duck 2 Bald Eagle 1 Black-legged Kittiwake 10 Herring Gull 5 Glaucous-winged Gull 1 Glaucous Gull..2nd year 4 Black-billed Magpie 2 Northwestern Crow 5 Common Raven Portage Valley 1 Mallard 25 Bald Eagle...the salmon streams are still open 3 Black-billed Magpie 4 Common Raven 2 American Dipper 4 Pine Grosbeak Steve W. Subject: Anna's Hummingbird in Homer From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 10:34:27 -0900 This morning Robin spotted an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD on our feeder in Homer! It's been coming and going since 9:30am (it's 10:30 now). Between feedings it sits in the elderberry next to the house and is quite viewable. I'll be gone today until about 4pm. Anyone wanting to come over after that is welcome; give me a ring 399-3085. Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: MARSH WREN TO BE ADDED TO THE CHECKLIST OF ALASKA BIRDS From: Bob Winckler <winckler AT mtaonline.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:58:27 -0900 Hi Birders, I've just received word from Dan Gibson (UAF Museum) that the Alaska Checklist Committee has voted unanimously to add Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) to the Alaska List. It will be inserted, status accidental, following Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) in the 16th Checklist of Alaska Birds, which will be posted on line at the University of Alaska Museum website at , early next year. Congratulations to Mat-Su Birder Dan Crowson, who first found the Marsh Wren on October 25th, near the end of the ORV Trail that runs from the Cottonwood Creek access off of Hayfield Road, seven plus miles out into the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. Dan re- located and photographed the wren on October 28th, in company with Betty Friest and myself (see Dan's akbirding post #4664, and my akbirding post #4669 - photos of the wren are posted in the msbirder folder). Additional attempts on October 31st and November 1st to find the wren were unsuccessful (see akbirding posts #'s 4671 and 4675), and the Hay Flats now appear to be frozen in for the winter. A Very Well Done to Dan, Bob Winckler Mat-Su Birders Mat-Su Valley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project From: "George Matz" <geomatz AT alaska.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:17:53 -0900 Below is the executive summary for the spring 2009 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project. This was a Kachemak Bay Birders citizen science project. If anyone is interested in a full copy, I can email it to you. Hard copies are not available. I can be reached at geomatz AT alaska.net. This effort will continue next year. In fact, we are attempting to get funding to do an aerial survey of the entire Kachemak Bay coast. Someone should organize a similar project for the Anchorage Coastal Trail. Maybe the mouth of the Kasilof River too. George Matz Executive Summary Kachemak Bay, located in Alaska's Cook Inlet region, is recognized as an important stopover for migrating shorebirds. Two areas of the Bay (Fox River Flats and Mud Bay/Mariner Park Lagoon on the Homer Spit) have been named Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites of international significance. Other parts of the Bay also have conservation designations. In fact, virtually the entire Bay has been named a State Critical Habitat Area as well as a National Estuarine Research Reserve unit. Last winter, the Homer-based Kachemak Bay Birders wanted to know more about the status of the local shorebird population during spring migration. Although the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival has documented shorebird migrations for the past 17 years, this weekend event covers only a portion of the migratory period. Accordingly, it was decided to use volunteers to monitor the entire spring migration (mid April through late May) every five days at seven sites on or near the Homer Spit using a modified version of the International Shorebird Survey protocol. The data would then be compared to the seven years of data captured by George West from 1986 and 1989-1994 in order to provide some indication of shorebird population trends. The weather for the 2009 spring was fairly typical for Kachemak Bay. During the monitoring project, 16 volunteers observed a total of 7,406 shorebirds represented by 25 species. No rare or accidental species were seen. Three species had counts greater than 1,000 birds; the Western Sandpiper (3229), Red-necked Phalarope (1630), and Dunlin (1097). The top ten species includes Surfbird (292), Semipalmated Plover (194), Black-bellied Plover (179), Rock Sandpiper (141), Least Sandpiper (136), Short-billed Dowitcher (125), and Black Turnstone (81). Highest counts were during the second week of May. Mud Bay was the most prolific site. West reported that during his surveys, the "total number of shorebirds counted in Mud Bay and along the Spit averages almost 100,000 birds per year, most of which are Western Sandpipers." However, he did daily counts. Adjusting his data to match our protocol still showed a significant difference. The 2009 count for the Homer Spit sites is 68% of West's lowest year (1990) and only 13% of his highest year (1992). Obviously, there is need to continue this effort and, hopefully, to expand monitoring to other parts of the Bay. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 11-1-09 From: "lani.raymond" <lani.raymond AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:22:03 -0000 Winter is creeping in, but we still have wonderful birds!! In Mainer Lagoon on the 28th 2 minima CACKLING GEESE were seen and on the 31st a BAR-TAILED GODWIT and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS (7) were in Mud Bay. Also there were DUNLIN (24), ROCK SANDPIPERS (8) and AMERICAN PIPITS. (No reports of the Marbled Godwit since Oct.26th) On the 25th a BAR-TAILED AND HUDSONIAN GODWIT were seen together in Mud Bay. There was also a N. Pintail x MALLARD male and SANDERLINGS (3) at Green Timbers. Many dabblers between Mud Bay and Green Timbers, maybe a thousand. Out on the Spit on the 31st a YELLOW-BILLED LOON was seen in the Harbor. Along the Bike Trail at least 4 SONG SPARROWS were seen; at the Fishing Hole there were several COMMON GOLDENEYES. Also, at Land's End a few LONG-TAILED DUCKS flew in doing their usual splashdown landing. COMMON MURRES and RED-NECKED GREBES seen there also. On the 1st a huge raft of SCAUP was reported from Miller's Landing—over a thousand he said, quite far out there. On the 27th at the Reservoir the following were seen: LESSER SCAUP (2), GREATER SCAUP (7) and RING-NECKED DUCKS (4). On the 26th two WILSON'S SNIPE and a NORTHERN SHRIKE were seen on Morningstar Rd., (about 5 miles out East End Rd.) And, one more SANDHILL CRANE sighting! 50 flying in a V over the Old Sterling Highway on the 25th. That is the very latest they have ever seen them going over and for sure our last crane report of the year. Subject: Another shot at the Marsh Wren deep into Hayflats From: "BOB" <bob AT wildernessbirding.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:22 -0000 Dave Sonneborn, his friends Dave and Troy and I made a try at seeing the Marsh Wren. It was a beautiful calm day out there. Perfect for hearing or seeing our goal. The only thing missing was the wren. We were able to spend a few hours at the site, but with no success. We did see some goodies though. Rusty Blackbird, Snow Bunting, Tundra Swan flying from ice to ice and short-eared owl. Bob Dittrick Eagle River Subject: Anchorage Sat - various locations From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:54:56 -0000 It's definitely getting to be winter. A couple of lakes still have a small amount of open water. East Chester\Chester Creek area Mallard Greenwinged Teal Bohemian Waxwing Lake Hood Bald Eagle Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Port\Ship Creek area Canada Goose Common Merganser Mew Gull Herring Gull Glaucous Gull Rock Pigeon Blackbilled Magpie Common Raven Barrow's Goldeneye Mid-hillside area Blackcapped Chickadee Redbreasted Nuthatch Steve W. Subject: Late and getting later... From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:03:55 -0800 Homer: Beluga and Lampert Lakes have frozen. Mud Bay is beginning to freeze with ice accumulating on the shore. Despite this late shorebirds are persisting in Homer. Today (10/31) the BAR-TAILED GODWIT was still at Mud Bay with a diminished flock of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS--only 7 today. (There were 22 there two days ago). Also present were 24 DUNLIN, 8 ROCK SANDPIPERS and 10 AMERICAN PIPITS (fly-over). If you're interested in trying to find these birds in November (tomorrow!) currently the best time to look is an hour or two before or after high tide. The tides are big enough that all the mud is inundated at high tide and the birds are roosting in the grass and difficult to see. I missed the godwit at high tide today, but found it a few hours later (about 3:30pm) out on the mud. Have not seen the Marbled Godwit since October 26th. Late shorebirds, Cedar Waxwings, Hooded Merganser, Marsh Wren...shaping up to be an interesting fall in southcentral AK. Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-Crowned Sparrow From: "ursus_8" <avocet AT gci.net> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:38:52 -0000 A first year white-crowned sparrow was at my house in Oceanview all day. It was hanging out in the brush pile and feeding below the feeders in the back yard. Tom Evans Anchorage Subject: Palmer Hayflats Marsh Wren From: "akredgreen" <pat AT pourchot.com> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:17:49 -0000 Dave Porter and I went out with Wren discoverer, Dan Crowson, and despite valiant effort in winds gusting to 50 and unsupportable thin ice over the marsh, we did not relocate the Wren. This hunt is not for wimps. Don't ask how I got a black eye. Pat Pourchot Anchorage, AK Subject: male Hooded Merganser in Seward From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:18:56 -0000 Robin Collman reported a male HOODED MERGANSER at the Stash 'n Store pond, mile 3 1/2 Seward Highway, this morning, October 31, feeding on small fish. Check the main pond area for this diver, and also behind the storage buildings in the creek and other flooded areas. If he's not there, also check Preacher's Pond just south and across the highway. Good luck! Carol Griswold too Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter Subject: MARSH WREN AT PALMER HAY FLATS From: Bob Winckler <winckler AT mtaonline.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:42:33 -0800 Hi Birders, Yesterday, Betty Friest and I went out onto the Palmer Hay Flats to try and find a possible Marsh Wren, originally found by Mat-Su Birder Dan Crowson on October 25th, while he was out duck hunting (see Dan's akbirding post #4664). We went out with Dan's on his two ATV's, which are a must to get to the wren's location. I brought along a extreme range digital point and shoot camera, and Dan used the camera to get several grab shots of the bird. Although the shots aren't as sharp as we would like (due to camera's focusing lag), at least two of the shots should be good enough to come up with a provisional ID. I've posted two photos in the msbirder photo album, that Dan took of the Marsh Wren. It took Dan about a half hour of searching among the lake shore reeds before the bird showed itself. After he located the wren, it was very tough to get the bird to show itself long enough to get a good photo. Most of the time, it was down in the straw reeds along the lake and appeared to be feeding on insects (possibly spiders). Occasionally, it showed but disappeared almost immediately. It was observed several times feeding head down on the reeds. I tried using a Cornell CD recording of Winter Wren to see if the bird would respond and it did, several times responding with a several "tek" type calls, spaced about 5-10 seconds apart. Access to the bird's location is not easy. It's approximately seven miles out on the Palmer Hay Flats (from the Hayfield Road access point), on the ATV trail that runs from the parking lot out to the bird's location. Trail conditions are abominable! In several locations, we had to get off of the ATV's and manually nurse them through deep flooded trail ruts to get through. The water at those spots was above knee height on a six foot person. A complicating factor if you are carrying optical equipment is that the ATV's wheels throw mud all over everything and before you realize it, your equipment is covered with mud spots. Knee boots are a minimum, as well as warm clothes covered with water-repellent fabric. Once at the trail location where the bird was found, it's about a two hundred yard walk to get to the lake's edge, through water sometimes knee deep and through waist-high dry reeds that wrap around your legs and catch your feet as you try to walk. High stepping is definitely called for and a couple of hiking sticks are helpful. I fell down twice and got soaked from the waist down (hip boots filled up). As you approach the lake, the reeds are higher and often in fairly deep water. My photo processing is currently limited to my older iMac's iPhoto program, which only provides a fairly basic enhancement tool. I reduced the photos to .jpg size for transmission, but the originals are available at 4000 X 3000 pixel size if someone would like to put them through Photoshop or another photo program. Contact me about the photos or for additional directions, if you intend to look for the Marsh Wren, a species which, if this observation is accepted, will be the first time that a Marsh Wren has been observed in Alaska. Cheers, Bob Winckler Mat-Su Birders Subject: Re: Hummingbird in Anchorage 10/28/09 From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:13:55 -0800 Hi Paul, Given the date (October 28th) odds are reasonably good that your hummingbird was something other than a Rufous, the species which nests as close to Anchorage as Girdwood. In the Cordova area, for example, most Rufous Hummingbirds have left by the end of July with a few lingering into August and very rarely into mid-September; there are only two observations of Rufous in October in the Cordova area. However, most hummingbirds seen after September in Cordova have proven to be Anna's or very rarely (twice) Costa's Hummingbird, and many of these spent several weeks or more. I think that this timing also holds for Homer and other south coastal areas and for southeast Alaska as well. Maybe others with direct experience with Anchorage hummingbird records could add something here. Hopefully your bird will return and give you better looks. A feeder might be a good idea. Good luck, Aaron Lang Homer * Subject: Hummingbird in Anchorage 10/28/09* From: "paulmc46" Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:38:01 -0000 This afternoon (Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009) around 4:13 pm I saw a hummingbird visiting my blooming nasturtiums near Westwind Drive and Spinnaker Drive. The temperature was 34 degrees F. at the time. The bird seemed pretty frantic, and didn't hang out long enough for me to get a close look at it. I have only heard one hummingbird that buzzed behind me a few years ago at this same location, but I never saw it. Any thoughts on which species is most common in this area? Thanks. Paul McIntosh [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird in Anchorage 10/28/09 From: "paulmc46" <paulmc46 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:38:01 -0000 This afternoon (Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009) around 4:13 pm I saw a hummingbird visiting my blooming nasturtiums near Westwind Drive and Spinnaker Drive. The temperature was 34 degrees F. at the time. The bird seemed pretty frantic, and didn't hang out long enough for me to get a close look at it. I have only heard one hummingbird that buzzed behind me a few years ago at this same location, but I never saw it. Any thoughts on which species is most common in this area? Thanks. Paul McIntosh Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska October 26 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:01:17 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: October 26, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Black-Billed Magpie Bohemain Waxwings White-Winged Crossbills Barrow's Goldeneye Fox Sparrow Canada Goose Mallards Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of October 26, 2009. The following birds were seen in Pioneer Park on October 24: 1 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and small flocks of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and BOHEMAIN WAXWINGS. A single male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen in the Chena River at the University Avenue bridge on October 23. Also on October 23, a FOX SPARROW was seen on the University ski trails. On October 14, a single CANADA GOOSE and 4 MALLARDS were in the fields behind the Alaska Bird Observatory. Upcoming Events Include: Thanksgiving For the Birds will be held at the Creamer's Refuge Farmhouse on November 28 from noon - 4:00 PM. Stop by to make a bird feeder out of recycled materials and learn about our winter birds. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society, visit their web site at: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Thanks for calling the birding hotline. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in 'A Birder's Guide to Alaska' by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska October 26 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:01:17 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: October 26, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Black-Billed Magpie Bohemain Waxwings White-Winged Crossbills Barrow's Goldeneye Fox Sparrow Canada Goose Mallards Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of October 26, 2009. The following birds were seen in Pioneer Park on October 24: 1 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and small flocks of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and BOHEMAIN WAXWINGS. A single male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen in the Chena River at the University Avenue bridge on October 23. Also on October 23, a FOX SPARROW was seen on the University ski trails. On October 14, a single CANADA GOOSE and 4 MALLARDS were in the fields behind the Alaska Bird Observatory. Upcoming Events Include: Thanksgiving For the Birds will be held at the Creamer's Refuge Farmhouse on November 28 from noon - 4:00 PM. Stop by to make a bird feeder out of recycled materials and learn about our winter birds. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society, visit their web site at: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Thanks for calling the birding hotline. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in 'A Birder's Guide to Alaska' by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska Subject: Pectoral Sandpiper-Sewad From: "tjbluebird" <tjbluebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:11:16 -0000 10/26/2009 330pm Seward airport pond and beach 1 Pectoral Sandpiper allong the side of the pond. 25 Common Mergansers along the Res. River bank 8 Trumpeter Swans on the mud flats 2 Cackling Geese on the mud flats 1 Mew Gull Windy but beautiful day. tasha Subject: Wren sp.???? At Cottonwood Cr. Palmer Hay Flats From: "trapperdan1" <trapperdan AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:25:13 -0000 Wren in reeds along side a lake in the middle of big swamp.Raised tail, White eye brow stripe, dark back with white stripes, rufous shoulder patch with dark wings. Pale chest, with rufous sides. Alarm call was a single teck. then dive back in reeds. About 1 minute later would climb back up reeds and alarm call me again. Ids as a Marsh Wren but alarms like a Winter Wren. Mile 7 Cottonwood Cr. Trail. Dan 240-6653 Subject: Re: Departure Record Dates From: "aaron_lang8" <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:48:27 -0000 Shorebird update: Today (10/26) at Mud Bay, Homer both Marbled and Bar-tailed Godwit and 19 Long-billed Dowitchers still present. Also: 5 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling and 100-120 Rock Sandpipers. Very windy and cold. Aaron Lang Homer --- In AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com, "todd_eskelin" wrote: > > Ok, we have at least 3 species that the record late clock is running on. Long-billed Dowitcher is late by a few days with sightings in homer and soldotna on the 25th. Marbled and Bar-tailed Godwit are both setting records with late birds in homer on the 25th as well. Keep track of these birds and be the last one to see them and you get your name in the record books. Don't let Aaron get all the records. > > I will update the file this fall after we get through with these last few records. > > Todd > Subject: Departure Record Dates From: "todd_eskelin" <t.eskelin AT acsalaska.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:14:35 -0000 Ok, we have at least 3 species that the record late clock is running on. Long-billed Dowitcher is late by a few days with sightings in homer and soldotna on the 25th. Marbled and Bar-tailed Godwit are both setting records with late birds in homer on the 25th as well. Keep track of these birds and be the last one to see them and you get your name in the record books. Don't let Aaron get all the records. I will update the file this fall after we get through with these last few records. Todd Subject: Visit in June From: "elisabethcharman" <elisabeth.charman AT rspb.org.uk> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:37:35 -0000 Hi, We're planning a trip to Alaska in June 2010 - our primary activity being birding in the Denali/Denali Highway/Fairbanks area. We plan to be in Alaska for 3 weeks but I'm keen to plan that to coincide with peak bird activity e.g. waders on breeding sites, warblers etc. Would we be better going for the 1st weeks in June or spreading our time into July too. Any advice very gratefully received on birding these areas at that time of year. Many thanks Liz Subject: Local stuff From: "tgtljo" <tgtljo AT gci.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:32:34 -0000 Seems like Am Dippers are dispersing--I had at least two on lower Ship Ck on Sat Oct 24 and one along Fish Ck near Barbara St Park today Oct 25. Also saw an Orange-cr Warbler in the alley off the south end of W 9th Ave today Oct 25. Thede Tobish Subject: Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 10-24-09 From: "lani.raymond" <lani.raymond AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:06:04 -0000 We have wonderful fall birds!! On the 24th a MARBLED GODWIT was seen in Mud Bay. It has been seen between there and Mariner Park for 7 days at least. Godwits are a very rare bird here in Homer especially so late. And this breaks the record by a month, I was told! LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, DUNLIN, ROCK SANDPIPERS(6), and a SANDERLING, STELLER'S EIDERS, EURASIAN WIDGEON(5) and an AMERICAN-EURASIAN cross were also seen in Mud Bay. Between Louie's Lagoon and Green Timbers a BAR-TAILED GODWIT was seen on the 24th, a very rare sighting. At Green Timbers there were about 50 minima CACKLING GEESE and some AMERICAN PIPITS. At the end of the Spit a YELLOW-BILLED LOON was seen on the 24th. A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen on the 22nd near the small boat Harbor area. (No recent reports.) On the 24th at Beluga Slough two CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were seen near the parking lot. Very unusual to see them on this side of the Bay! On the 22nd some EUROPEAN STARLINGS were seen and a NORTHERN FLICKER was seen on the 12th. There has been a flock of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at Lampert Lake, growing to 39 by the 18th, but this group may be some seen at Mud Bay more recently. On the 17th there were RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Seaside Farm. Also there were WHITE-CROWNED, GOLDEN-CROWNED AND SONG SPARROWS; JUNCOS; NUTHATCHES; CHICKADEES and a SHRIKE. At the Airport Observation Platform area by Beluga Lake on the 18th, WIDGEONS, both Eurasian and American, PINTAILS, MALLARDS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AND SOME SHOVELERS have been seen including an interesting hybrid MALLARD x NORTHERN PINTAIL. Subject: Ptarmigan in Arctic Valley starting to flock From: "prentkiak" <prentki AT acsalaska.net> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:21:52 -0000 Found a mixed species flock of about 25 Ptarmigan on the Rendevous Peak trail, about 2/3's up. The flock included a few White-Tailed Ptarmigan. Go up the trail until you find fresh Ptarmigan tracks in the snow (just a dusting so far), and look around and listen there. The birds are almost entirely white already, but there were a couple that looked like Rock Ptarmigan with few black/dark gray feathers left. Arctic Valley is between Anchorage and Eagle River on the Glenn Highway. Dick Prentki Anchorage prentki AT acsalaska.net Subject: Homer: Marbled AND Bar-tailed Godwit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee... From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:05:30 -0800 In between rain squalls there was great birding in Homer today...one of the best days I've had in a while. At Mud Bay the MARBLED GODWIT is still present (day 7 for the Marbled), today with a nice shorebird flock that included 29 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 7 DUNLIN, 6 ROCK SANDPIPERS, and 1 SANDERLING. The duck flock at Mud Bay had 5 drake EURASIAN WIGEON, an American X Eurasian Wigeon hybrid, and 2 female STELLER'S EIDERS. NORTHERN SHOVELER numbers have been dwindling day-by-day this week and I only saw one in the flock today. Also at Mud Bay I met two visiting birders, Brian and Julie, who told of a BAR-TAILED GODWIT that they had seen about an hour earlier near Green Timbers. I was able to relocate the bird at the mouth of the little creek between Green Timbers and Louie's Lagoon, on the Homer Spit. I got a few photos of the bird which appears to be a juvenile, besting the previous late record for the Kenai Peninsula by more than a month! Great shorebirding for this late in October! At Green Timbers a flock of 50 *minima *CACKLING GEESE grazed on the grass. There were 10 AMERICAN PIPITS there as well. There was a basic plumaged YELLOW-BILLED LOON off the end of the spit. At the Beluga Slough parking lot there were two CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES. I first saw them bouncing around the small spruce trees near the picnic shelter where they called loudly and frequently. They then flew across the road to the bigger spruce trees where I was able to get a few photos. This species is fairly common across the bay in Seldovia, but these are the first I've seen on the north side of Kachemak Bay. A few photos from today of the godwit and the chickadee are posted in the folder "Aaron Lang". Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Great Blue Heron @ Cottonwood Cr. Trail From: "trapperdan1" <trapperdan AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:56:59 -0000 At mile .6 of Cottonwood Creek Trail, a great blue heron is 100yards east of the trail. Appears to be a juvi, with the top of his head black. You will need hipboots to walk the trail. Its about knee deep at its deepest. I placed a burnt long on the trail, its 1 foot long and 6 inches wide. Very black and you will not miss it. I noticed the bird raises and lowers is head quite often. There will be duck hunters walking the trail and riding wheelers on the trail. They almost all are gone by noon. You will not bother any duck hunters I know, just walking the trail. Good birding, Dan 240-6653 Subject: Ruby-Crowned Kinglet From: "w" <wkeys AT gci.net> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:29:12 -0000 A Ruby-Crowned Kinglet watched me rake leaves this morning. He probably stayed around late into the fall just for a couple of laughs. w keys spenard Subject: Jewel lake From: "tgtljo" <tgtljo AT gci.net> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:31:40 -0000 Good birding at Jewel Lake today (Sat Oct 24), including a mixed goose flock with Anchorage type Canadas and numbers of Cackling Geese (a few Taverners and the rest mostly minimas). Also counted 71 Com Mergansers in all types of plumages. Two Bohemian Waxwings fed in the trees at the park fields. Thede Tobish Subject: Homer starlings and Attu paper From: Martin Renner <great.auklet AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:17:58 -0700 (PDT) About 8 Eurasian Starlings were at Beluga Slough, Homer, on the 22 Oct. Earlier this month at the same location: a juv. Goshawk on the 3rd and a Northern Flicker on the 12th. Also of interest might be a recent paper on the link of El Nino and vagrants on Attu: http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~sbf1/papers/Attu.pdf Martin [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Homer/Kachemak Bay: 10-23-09 From: "lani.raymond" <lani.raymond AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:18:38 -0000 A Great Blue Heron was seen near the Harbor entrance on Thursday (22nd). It was also seen on the beach at the end of Fish Dock Rd. Hope it sticks around! Subject: White-tailed Ptarmigan From: BradMeiklejohn AT aol.com Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:07:44 EDT Seven White-tailed Ptarmigan were at the 3000' level in the Falling Water Creek drainage of Ram Valley in Eagle River on October 18th. The birds had completed their molt to all white plumage, and looked rather pathetic sitting on a bare, brown tundra slope, perhaps wondering where their snow camouflage had gone. More collateral damage from a warming planet. Brad Meiklejohn Eagle River, AK [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Marbled Godwit From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:50:42 -0800 Mossy Kilcher and I returned to Mariner Lagoon, Homer this afternoon and relocated the MARBLED GODWIT. Photos are posted in the folder "Aaron Lang". It seemed to enjoy the company of the roosting Mew Gulls. We found the bird around 3:30pm and watched it from the lighthouse observation platform and later from the main road. About an hour later the bird was at the mouth of the creek and was best seen from the Mariner Park parking lot. Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Anchorage Monday Morning From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:03:07 -0000 Monday Morning Potter's Marsh 12 Trumpeter Swan 13 Common Merganser 1 American Dipper Lake Hood/Spenard Lake 1 Long-tailed Duck 1 Horned Grebe Steve W. Subject: Ross' Gull From: "peepmcarl" <pmcarl AT gci.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:03:24 -0000 Any more recent sightings? I'm leaving for Barrow Wed. and will be birding Thursday.(22nd) Would appreciate any help as to the best places to look. Thank-you, Pam McCarl Subject: Marbled Godwit in Homer From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:22:06 -0800 At about 2 pm today (10/18) I photographed MARBLED GODWIT at Mariner Lagoon at the base of the Homer Spit. It flew frequently as the tide rose and eventually settled down on the gravel shore on the southwest corner of the lagoon. This was a very warm bird overall and in flight showed bright cinnamon underwings, secondaries and inner primaries. About an hour later while watching a flock of 43 *minima* CACKLING GEESE at Green Timbers the Marbled Godwit flew by heading toward the end of the spit and about 5 minutes later it flew back heading toward the base of the spit and appeared to land back in Mariner Lagoon. Marbled Godwits in fall on the Kenai are very rare at best and this record is very late for any godwit. According to the table of arrival and departure dates for the Kenai Peninsula that Todd Eskelin has compiled there is a record of a Marbled Godwit from the Kasilof River from 19 September 1976. (That table is available in the files section on the Yahoo groups AK Birding website). Are there other fall records from the Kenai? In other shorebird news the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER flock at Lampert Lake has grown to 39. At the airport observation platform overlooking Beluga Lake a dabbler flock of about 1,000 of the usual suspects (Mallard, Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and a few Shovelers) also included 3 drake EURASIAN WIGEON and a hybrid Mallard X Northern Pintail. I'm guessing that this bird is probably the same hybrid drake that was around in the spring and last October as well. Neat looking bird. Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: GLAUCOUS GULL From: Bob Winckler <winckler AT mtaonline.net> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:54:17 -0800 Hi Birders, Birded the Valley with Dave Sonneborn today and we finished up at the Palmer Landfill. There was a flock of 35 European Starlings present when we arrived and a large (40-60) mixed flock of gulls, with a few adult Glaucous-winged and Herring Gulls and most of the rest appearing to be Glaucous-winged/Herring Gull hybrids. Then Dave spotted an adult Glaucous Gull in the middle of the gull flock. I managed to get one grab shot before it took flight (see photo in msbirder folder). Glaucous Gull is Rare in the Mat-Su. Not many birds today, but a good find for the Valley. Cheers, Bob Winckler Wasilla Subject: Rusty Blackbirds From: seasidefarm <seaside AT xyz.net> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:45:45 -0800 Oct 17, (saturday) there were 7 Rusty Blackbirds briefly at Seaside Farm, 5 mi. E. End Rd. Today, Sunday , Oct 18th: I White Crnd Sparrow, 1 Golden Crnd. Sparrow, 6 Dark Eyed Juncos, 1 Song Sparrow, l with the usual Nuthatches and B.C. Chickadees, Magpies, Crows, Ravens, and Steller's Jays, Ring Necked Pheasants.. Also the daily Shrike. Mossy Kilcher Subject: Anchorage Beverly Dr ( Birch & Huffman area) From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:35:05 -0000 Early Sunday, Northern Shrike in the back yard, calling. Steve W.