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20 Jun American Goldfinch at border [Peter Keller ] 17 Jun RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 15 2009 [] 17 Jun RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 15 2009 [] 15 Jun Collared Dove at Maclaren ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 10 Jun Wander Lake ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 06 Jun tundra swans ["Jaeger" ] 04 Jun Last Migrants ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 2 Jun Blue-Winged Teal [] 30 May Birds, BUFF-BREASTED, WHITE-RUMPED ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 29 May RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 27 2009 [] 29 May RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 27 2009 [] 27 May Gray jay fledglings and airport birds [Emily Weiser ] 27 May Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 20 May Peat Ponds ["Barbara Logan" ] 20 May May 19th Sightings ["j.levison" ] 18 May Delta Area Birding ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 15 May Re: Golden-crowned Sparrow ["Sandy B." ] 15 May Golden-crowned Sparrow ["annette_buenau" ] 13 May Spring Birds.. ["Sandra" ] 13 May Spring Birds.. ["Sandra" ] 13 May Birds ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 11 May New Birds ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 10 May Early Yellow Warbler ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 10 May Hermit Thrush ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 10 May Airport & Wedgewood Birds ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 09 May New Birds ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 06 May Birds ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 4 May RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 4 2009 [] 4 May RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 4 2009 [] 05 May Hammond's Flycatcher, Yellow-Rumped Warbler ["sethbeaudreault" ] 04 May Odd "V" ["rosyfinch2u" ] 04 May Rusty Blackbirds ["rosyfinch2u" ] 01 May Shorebirds! ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 30 Apr Re: Turkey Vulture... [CN ] 30 Apr Birds, Snow Geese ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 30 Apr Osprey ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 29 Apr Turkey Vulture... ["Sandra" ] 29 Apr Birds ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 27 Apr N. Harrier [Emily Weiser ] 26 Apr Robin and possibly Buffleheads near Downtown ["Barbara Logan" ] 25 Apr Re: Red-tailed Hawk, and Junco [Emily Weiser ] 24 Apr Peregrine ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 23 Apr Cranes ["Sandra" ] 23 Apr Cranes.. ["Sandra" ] 23 Apr robin ["Christine" ] 23 Apr Creamer's Field ["Barbara Logan" ] 23 Apr Ruby-crowned Kinglet ["sarah.keller19" ] 22 Apr Re: Red-tailed Hawk [Andrea Swingley ] 22 Apr Red-tailed Hawk [Emily Weiser ] 19 Apr Gulls [Sarah Keller ] 19 Apr MtnBluebird & T. Solitaire, Taylor Hwy ["rosyfinch2u" ] 18 Apr Swans over Tok ["rosyfinch2u" ] 17 Apr shrike ["Christine" ] 16 Apr Gliding.. ["Sandra" ] 13 Apr Re: Starling with Long Beak ["keslerwoodward" ] 13 Apr Northern Harrier ["sethbeaudreault" ] 13 Apr Starling with Long Beak ["Barbara Logan" ] 10 Apr Geese! ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 06 Apr Campus Hawk-Owl Relocated ["sethbeaudreault" ] 06 Apr correction: eagle AT (not on) nest ["cnye009" ] 06 Apr Bald eagle on nest ["cnye009" ] 3 Apr SafestMail automatic reply ["Jed Smith" ] 03 Apr Sick Bird Alert ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 30 Mar Goshawk On Ester Dome ["sethbeaudreault" ] 29 Mar Golden Eagle ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 22 Mar Snow Buntings! [Peter Keller ] 22 Mar You're invited! ["matchejomfriends" ] 16 Mar Northern Hawk Owl ["Barbara Logan" ] 15 Mar Replacement Owl ["sethbeaudreault" ] 14 Mar Owl on the prowl ["Justin Bailey" ] 14 Mar More Owl Sightings ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 13 Mar Re: Hawk Owl ["Sandy B." ] 13 Mar Horned Owl ["Sandra" ] 12 Mar Re: Hawk Owl [Andrea Swingley ] 13 Mar Hawk Owl ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 12 Mar Great Gray Owl - Fairbanks [] Subject: American Goldfinch at border From: Peter Keller <kellerp.l AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:44:29 -0800 Last Monday a co-worker and I spotted a bright male American Goldfinch by the AK Highway at the Scottie Creek bridge. I heard the song but didn't recognize it right away and turned to look and it just flew in to a willow about 10m from me. It stayed there for less than a minute, but no mistaking a male AMGO. We didn't realize how rare they were up here or I would have tried to get a picture of it. Peter Keller Tok, AK Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 15 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:44:51 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: June 17, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Red-Winged Blackbirds Tundra swan Canvasback Alder Flycatcher Stilt Sandpiper Ruddy Turnstone Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of June 7, 2009. Upcoming Events Include: On June 5, there were 4 TUNDRA SWANS and 3 CANVASBACK DUCKS in the airport ponds. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was calling at Eielson Airforce Base on June 3. On June 1, 2-4 STILT SANDPIPERS were seen at the South Cushman Ponds. Two RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS are being seen at the Peat Ponds on S heep Creek Road. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were also seen at Eielson Airforce Base on May 29. On 28 May, a RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Eielson Air Force Base. Upcoming events:This year's Bird-a-thon fundraiser for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon will continue through Friday, June 19. They are looking for prizes to award to winners. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Nicole Pearce at 451-7159. Information packets and pledge sheets can be picked up at the ABO office. If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please call Mary Zalar at 479-4547. 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 PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 15 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:44:51 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: June 17, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Red-Winged Blackbirds Tundra swan Canvasback Alder Flycatcher Stilt Sandpiper Ruddy Turnstone Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of June 7, 2009. Upcoming Events Include: On June 5, there were 4 TUNDRA SWANS and 3 CANVASBACK DUCKS in the airport ponds. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was calling at Eielson Airforce Base on June 3. On June 1, 2-4 STILT SANDPIPERS were seen at the South Cushman Ponds. Two RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS are being seen at the Peat Ponds on S heep Creek Road. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were also seen at Eielson Airforce Base on May 29. On 28 May, a RUDDY TURNSTONE was seen at Eielson Air Force Base. Upcoming events:This year's Bird-a-thon fundraiser for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon will continue through Friday, June 19. They are looking for prizes to award to winners. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Nicole Pearce at 451-7159. Information packets and pledge sheets can be picked up at the ABO office. If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please call Mary Zalar at 479-4547. 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 PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 Subject: Collared Dove at Maclaren From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:35:11 -0000 Just received a photo forwarded by Audie Bakewell of a Eurasian Collared Dove taken by Susie Echols at Maclaren Lodge, which is on the Denali Highway at the Maclaren River (mile 42, from Paxson). Nancy DeWitt Subject: Wander Lake From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:42:30 -0000 There was a Pacific Loon and male Barrow's Goldeneye at Wander Lake today, and a female Surf Scoter has been there at least a week now. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: tundra swans From: "Jaeger" <ice_jaeger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:18:21 -0000 There are 4 tundra swans in the airport ponds. Looks like a pair and two young from last year. Also of note, a trio of canvasbacks. Derek Subject: Last Migrants From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:36:45 -0000 Today I heard what I think are the last-arriving migrant bird species for Fairbanks: an Alder Flycatcher at the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary, and a Western Wood-pewee on Lancaster Drive. Are there any species that arrive later? I assume Arctic Warblers are the last of Interior Alaska's birds to arrive, so someone correct me if I am wrong. On another note, I've been hearing Pine Siskins for almost three weeks just south of Wedgewood Resort. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Blue-Winged Teal From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 13:37:15 -0800 On Monday during lunch I tried to find the Purple Martin without any success. There was a drake Blue-Winged Teal in the southernmost pond along South Cushman. Also two Sharp-Shinned Hawks were seen flying overhead. Ken Russell Fairbanks Subject: Birds, BUFF-BREASTED, WHITE-RUMPED From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 09:50:46 -0000 Hey all, Got out birding today for the first time in a little while and it was a little slow, but very exciting! Airport Floatponds: Greater Scaup (10) Mallard (5) American Wigeon (5) Long-tailed Duck (3) Common Loon (2) Semipalmated Sandpiper (10) Pectoral Sandpiper (10) BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (1) Bank Swallow (100) Cliff Swallow (100) Tree Swallow (75 Violet-green Swallow (60) Spotted Sandpiper (2) Lesser Yellowlegs (5) Barrow's Goldeneye (2) Common goldeneye (2) Canvasback (2). South Cushman: Northern Shoveler (5) Northern Pintail (15) Horned Grebe (1) Scaup Spp. (2) Semipalmated Sandpiper (10) Least Sandpiper (1) WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (1, with flock of semipalmated sandpipers and least sandpiper) Semipalmated Plover (2) Lesser Yellowlegs (2) Mew Gull (5) Northern Waterthrush (1) and MANY SWALLOWS. Lakeview Terrace: Gull Spp. (30) White-winged Scoter (5) American Wigeon (5) Mallard (10) Ring-necked Duck (10) Scaup Spp. (5) Lesser Yellowlegs (10). Alright, that's all I got. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich P.S. Got to fly up to Barrow briefly today and it was still very wintery! I did see some Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, Three unidentified geese, American Golden Plover (2) and Dowitcher Spp. (1) from just around the airport. Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 27 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 06:36:23 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: May 27, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Bald Eagle Peregrine Falcon Say's Phoebe Gadwall Hudsonian Godwit Golden-Crowned Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Surf Scoter White-Winged Scoter Black Scoter Blue-Winged Teal Cinnamon Teal Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of May 27. An adult BALD EAGLE was seen soaring over the airport area on May 26. A female PEREGRINE FALCON was seen flying down the Chena River at the Wendell Street Bridge the same day. A SAY'S PHOEBE was seen along the pipeline corridor off of Love Road at 4 miles Chena Hotsprings Road on May 24. On May 19 6 GADWALL and 1 HUDSONIAN GODWIT were at the at the Richardson Highway "12 Mile Pond". An UPLAND SANDPIPER was seen on the North end of the Tanacross airstrip on May 18. Bolio Lake (Fort Greely) and there was a herd of Surf Scoters out there, along with a few White-Winged and Black Scoters A large number of SURF SCOTERS along with a few BLACK and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen on Bolio Lake on Fort Greeley on May 17. A pair of CINNAMON TEAL were seen on May 15 just before MP 1330 on the Alaska Higway near Tok. A spotting scope is needed to view these ponds, which are approx. 800 meters from the road. They were accompanied by a drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL Also on the 15th, a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at a feeder near the Farmer's Loop golf course. A number of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS have been reported in the are this spring. Upcoming Events Include: Guided Birdathon. Join Gail Mayo of Arctic Audubon for an evening walk around Smith Lake and the University Ski Trails on Thursday May 28 at 7 pm. Meet at the Ski Hut on upper campus, next to the Geophysical Institute. A $10 donation is suggested. This year's Bird-a-thon fundraiser for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon will continue through Friday, June 19. They are looking for prizes to award to winners. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Nicole Pearce at 451-7159. Information packets and pledge sheets can be picked up at the ABO office. If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please call Mary Zalar at 479-4547. 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; 2008 ISBN 1-878788-48-5 Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 27 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 06:36:23 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: May 27, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Bald Eagle Peregrine Falcon Say's Phoebe Gadwall Hudsonian Godwit Golden-Crowned Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Surf Scoter White-Winged Scoter Black Scoter Blue-Winged Teal Cinnamon Teal Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of May 27. An adult BALD EAGLE was seen soaring over the airport area on May 26. A female PEREGRINE FALCON was seen flying down the Chena River at the Wendell Street Bridge the same day. A SAY'S PHOEBE was seen along the pipeline corridor off of Love Road at 4 miles Chena Hotsprings Road on May 24. On May 19 6 GADWALL and 1 HUDSONIAN GODWIT were at the at the Richardson Highway "12 Mile Pond". An UPLAND SANDPIPER was seen on the North end of the Tanacross airstrip on May 18. Bolio Lake (Fort Greely) and there was a herd of Surf Scoters out there, along with a few White-Winged and Black Scoters A large number of SURF SCOTERS along with a few BLACK and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen on Bolio Lake on Fort Greeley on May 17. A pair of CINNAMON TEAL were seen on May 15 just before MP 1330 on the Alaska Higway near Tok. A spotting scope is needed to view these ponds, which are approx. 800 meters from the road. They were accompanied by a drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL Also on the 15th, a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at a feeder near the Farmer's Loop golf course. A number of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS have been reported in the are this spring. Upcoming Events Include: Guided Birdathon. Join Gail Mayo of Arctic Audubon for an evening walk around Smith Lake and the University Ski Trails on Thursday May 28 at 7 pm. Meet at the Ski Hut on upper campus, next to the Geophysical Institute. A $10 donation is suggested. This year's Bird-a-thon fundraiser for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon will continue through Friday, June 19. They are looking for prizes to award to winners. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Nicole Pearce at 451-7159. Information packets and pledge sheets can be picked up at the ABO office. If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please call Mary Zalar at 479-4547. 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; 2008 ISBN 1-878788-48-5 Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 Subject: Gray jay fledglings and airport birds From: Emily Weiser <emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 11:11:58 -0800 I had a family of gray jays (two juveniles and at least one adult) at my feeders this morning. Is that early for jay fledglings around here or does that sound about right? The kids looked well-coordinated with full-length tails. I was gone for the past week so I'm not sure how long they've been around. At one airport pond (next to the long-term parking lot) Tuesday afternoon I saw one Hudsonian Godwit, three LB Dowitchers, one Semipalmated Plover, one Baird's Sandpiper, two Red-necked Grebes, and several wigeon, scaup, and canvasbacks. Emily Subject: Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 04:37:51 -0000 There was a beautiful Red-throated Loon swimming around and calling at Wander Lake today. Some of the other birds on the sanctuary include lots of singing Townsend's Warblers, the occasional Bohemian Waxwing, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rusty Blackbirds, Gray Jays, Boreal Chickadees, a Fox Sparrow (at least the 7th year one has been singing in this same spot)and a drumming Three-toed Woodpecker. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Peat Ponds From: "Barbara Logan" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 18:54:42 -0000 Enjoyed watching several birds at the Peat Ponds at Murphy Dome and Goldstream on Saturday and Monday. Birds seen included: Sandhill Cranes Mew Gulls Bonaparte Gull Swallows, not sure of type Horned Grebes Northern Shovelers Redheads Buffleheads Mallards Northern Pintails American Robin Redpolls Red-winged Blackbird Scaup (not sure which one) Sandpipers, several, some were Least Sandpipers Lesser Yellowlegs Long-billed Dowitchers Bird heard but not seen: White-crowned Sparrow It was warm and a nice cool breeze was blowing. Great days to watch birds! Subject: May 19th Sightings From: "j.levison" <j.levison AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 02:57:05 -0000 A pleasant morning of birding found 6 Gadwall at the Richardson Highway "12 MIle Pond" along with 1 Hudsonian Godwit, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 42 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Trumpeter Swan and the usual puddle ducks and divers. South Cushman ponds had 25 Canvasback and 10 Long-billed Dowitcher. The airport float pond held 10 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Baird;s Sandpiper, 1 Least Sandpiper, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 12 Canvasback, and 2 White-winged Scoter (yesterday's Surf Scoter seems to have moved on). Smith Lake held a large concentration of 60 Northern Shoveler. There was a good showing of American Golden Plover with 16 seen at the float pond, and 4 more at 12 mile pond. James Levison Fairbanks Subject: Delta Area Birding From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 06:19:09 -0000 Jim and I drove down to the Delta Junction area today. Saw several large flocks of Lapland Longspurs along Sawmill Creek Road and Barley Way, along with: Northern Harrier American Golden-plover Upland Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Northern Flicker Hammond's Flycatcher Say's Phoebe Tree Swallow Hermit Thrush American Robin Ruby-crowned Kinglet Boreal Chickadee Yellow-rumped Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Gray Jay Common Raven Dark-eyed Junco Savannah Sparrow Fox Sparrow American Tree Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow I've been seeing fewer and fewer American Kestrels in Interior Alaska over the years, so we were pleased to see two males staking out nest boxes along the roads--the first time I think I've seen this since I started birding this area back in 1992. The ice is out on Bolio Lake (Fort Greely) and there was a herd of Surf Scoters out there, along with a few White-Winged and Black Scoters. Also wigeon, Canvasback, Common Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Northern Pintail, Horned and Red-necked Grebe, and a nice adult Bald Eagle checking out the big rainbow trout swimming along the shoreline. There are still a few bison hanging out south of Big Lake along Windy Ridge Road. Nice views of Trumpeter Swans and a big Peregrine Falcon driving back along the Richardson. A lovely day for birding! Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Re: Golden-crowned Sparrow From: "Sandy B." <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 10:37:44 -0700 (PDT) Well how interesting.. Where I live off of Farmers Loop Golf Course area..was also a single Golden-Crowned Sparrow..with only one pal.. a White-Crowned Sparrow..  I was thinking it was a pair..male/female and that was why the one had a bright yellow stripe..  When I consulted the bird photos book I have...the photos showed 2 different species.! They were both on the ground having their "seed finding dances" which is what I think of when they move last yrs ground cover over to find renegade birdseeds from the wintertime feeders.  I put a bit more seeds on the ground this morning to encourage them to stay! A pair of Robins are nesting very close to my house..  I tried to be extra-noisy & moved a lot of things around to discourage them..  It concerns me if the babies fall out of the nest they are going to tempt my Dogs later in Summer.  Any advice?? Also  a bit of an idea.  This time of year, if living amongst trees, put some white paper on the windows to help the birds distinguish what is real, from the glass reflections.  Too often our little Bird Friends fly straight into the glass windows we all love to watch them from. It does help..  My daughter and I made "stained-glass" papers by creating swirly designs with black marker, then coloring the open ares with crayons, next take baby oil to soak the paper and get it a bit transparent like stained glass.  We left the edges white on purpose.  Then taped to our windows on the inside. This is a nice way to decorate, have a project, and HELP our Birds from flying into the windows. Tweet! --- On Thu, 5/14/09, annette_buenau wrote: From: annette_buenau Subject: [BorealBirder] Golden-crowned Sparrow To: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, May 14, 2009, 11:15 PM Today I was surprised to see a Golden-crowned Sparrow in my yard eating the seeds that were dropped from a couple of birdfeeders this winter. I have had several White-crowned Sparrows out there earlier this week and some Fox Sparrows last weekend. The Golden-crowned Sparrow appeared to be accompanied by one White-crowned Sparrow. They pecked around together looking for seed for about a half hour as I checked on them every ten minutes or so to see if they were still there. We had just gotten back this morning from spending 3 days camping out at Chena Lakes, biking around and hiking the ski trail looking for birds. We saw 35 different species. We didn't see any unusual or uncommon birds out there. Annette Buenau Subject: Golden-crowned Sparrow From: "annette_buenau" <buenau AT gci.net> Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 04:15:41 -0000 Today I was surprised to see a Golden-crowned Sparrow in my yard eating the seeds that were dropped from a couple of birdfeeders this winter. I have had several White-crowned Sparrows out there earlier this week and some Fox Sparrows last weekend. The Golden-crowned Sparrow appeared to be accompanied by one White-crowned Sparrow. They pecked around together looking for seed for about a half hour as I checked on them every ten minutes or so to see if they were still there. We had just gotten back this morning from spending 3 days camping out at Chena Lakes, biking around and hiking the ski trail looking for birds. We saw 35 different species. We didn't see any unusual or uncommon birds out there. Annette Buenau Subject: Spring Birds.. From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 18:37:42 -0000 3 am Dog walk..and the woods alive with Spring Birdsong.. It was actually kind of noisy! I think they are mostly Robins..and a duck quacking like it was lost. I feel happy that I can hear Sandhill Cranes again. A few days ago while driving to the airport delivery services area I was thrilled from my first bald eagle sighting of '09, then raptor bird..a hawk that I couldn't ID..was flying almost in a line with the eagle! On Mother's Day morning a very wet hawk in a tree..kind of low to the ground.. Also on Mother's Day was a trio of swans flying North. I always like seeing them in-air as well as in ponds. So far..no more sightings of that Turkey vulture off the H.S.Road. I wish I could find it! Sandy PFW Subject: Spring Birds.. From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 18:34:22 -0000 3 am Dog walk..and the woods alive with Spring Birdsong.. It was actually kind of noisy! I think they are mostly Robins..and a duck quacking like it was lost. I feel happy that I can hear Sandhill Cranes again. A few days ago while driving to the airport delivery services area I was thrilled from my first bald eagle sighting of '09, then raptor bird..a hawk that I couldn't ID..was flying almost in a line with the eagle! On Mother's Day morning a very we hawk in a tree..kind of low to the ground.. Also on Mother's Day was a trio of swans flying North. I always like seeing them in-air as well as in ponds. So far..no more sightings of that Turkey vulture off the H.S.Road. I wish I could find it! Sandy PFW Subject: Birds From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 17:43:51 -0000 The last two days I've gone out birding and not a whole lot of new or exciting stuff has shown up. Lakeview Terrace still has up to 3 or 4 Glaucous Gulls and 1 or 2 Glaucous-winged Gulls. The Airport Floatponds still have 2 Baird's Sandpipers and yesterday there was 1 Pectoral Sandpiper and about 30 Long-billed Dowitchers. Waterfowl numbers have also been increasing at the floatponds and yesterday there was a nice male Blue-winged Teal in one of the fingers of the floatpond. Also had my first Cliff Swallow of the year at the floatponds. South Cushman has had up to 3 Hudsonian Godwits, but otherwise, fairly low numbers of waterfowl and only a few yellowlegs. Overall the most productive place around town has been the airport ponds. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Subject: New Birds From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 03:53:34 -0000 Today was a really good day of birding! It was cold, windy and rainy, but the birds were out. All birds that were new for me this year are in BOLD. Quartz Lake Campground and Area: VARIED THRUSH, Yellow-rumped Warbler, NORTHERN FLICKER, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Tree Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, RUSTY BLACKBIRD (1), Common Goldeneye (4) Mallard (5) Lesser Yellowlegs (6) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (4) White-crowned Sparrow, American Robin, Hammond's Flycatcher, Bald Eagle (3) Herring Gull (10) Mew Gull (5) Glaucous Gull (1). 12-Mile Richardson Highway Ponds: Tundra Swan (50, 20 were Flyovers), Canada Goose (4), Greater White-fronted Goose (1), Common Goldeneye (6), Canvasback (20), Greater Scaup (5), Northern Pintail (50), Mallard (35), American Wigeon (40), EURASIAN WIGEON (1 Male), Green-winged Teal (25), Bufflehead (6), Northern Shoveler (2), Lesser Yellowlegs (10), LEAST SANDPIPER (1), Semipalmated Plover (1), HUDSONIAN GODWIT (2, 1 male 1 female), Mew Gull (4), Bald Eagle (1), Herring Gull (2), LAPLAND LONGPSUR (1), AMERICAN PIPIT (4). Lakeview Terrace: Glaucous Gull (3), Herring Gull (150), Mew Gull (75), Common Goldeneye (2), Barrow's Goldeneye (1), Tree Swallow (50), American Wigeon (25), Green-winged Teal (2), Northern Pintail (2), Lesser Yellowlegs (4), Slate-colored Junco (15), American Tree Sparrow (5), White-crowned Sparrow (7), Common Redpoll (5). South Cushman Ponds: Canvasback (10), Common Goldeneye (5), Scaup Spp. (4), American Wigeon (4), Herring Gull (10), Lesser Yellowlegs (5). Airport Floatponds: Common Merganser (1 Male), Common Goldeneye (4), Barrow's Goldeneye (1), Canvasback (15), Norther Pintail (15), American Wigeon (25), Mallard (6), Peregrine Falcon (1), Bonaparte's Gull (5), Lesser Yellowlegs (25), BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (4), WESTERN SANDPIPER (1) SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (2), PECTORAL SANDPIPER (1), Least Sandpiper (1), Tree Swallow (250+). Airport Front Ponds: Horned Grebe (4), Red-necked Grebe (10), Bonaparte's Gull (20), Lesser Yellowlegs (15), American Wigeon (15), Canvasback (6), REDHEAD (1 Male), Bufflehead (4), Lesser Scaup (5), Ring-necked Duck (2), LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (3), Common Goldeneye (2). Ok, well that was it for today. Sorry I posted everything, but this is kind of a way to keep a database of what I've seen. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Subject: Early Yellow Warbler From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 16:47:09 -0000 Heard one singing outside my window this morning. This seems very early for a Yellow Warbler to be in Fairbanks. He probably agrees, as it's snowing lightly here. Nancy DeWitt Subject: Hermit Thrush From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 06:55:42 -0000 Just heard my first-of-spring Hermit Thrush singing loudly outside our house. One of my favorite songs! Forgot to mention in my earlier post that the Red-winged Blackbirds are back at the Peat Pond at Goldstream and Sheep Creek Road. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Airport & Wedgewood Birds From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 06:24:54 -0000 I have a few additions to Nick's sightings at the front airport ponds: one pair REDHEADs, one COMMON LOON, several HORNED GREBES and lots of ARCTIC TERNS were there this evening. Didn't see too much at the float plane pond but a few ducks and yellowlegs, a huge flock of LAPLAND LONGSPURS,a nice fly-by by a male NORTHERN HARRIER, and one LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. On the way home we drove through the UAF campus and watched a NORTHERN HAWK OWL sitting on a 10 MPH sign on North Tanana Drive near the married student housing. This morning we walked the Taiga Trail Loop at the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary and saw or heard: Red-necked Grebe Mallards Northern Pintail American Wigeon Lesser Scaup Sandhill Crane Lesser Yellowlegs Mew Gull Boreal Owl American Three-toed Woodpecker Hammond's Flycatcher Red-Breasted Nuthatch Boreal Chickadee Black-Capped Chickadee Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Yellow-rumped Warbler Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Common Redpoll Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: New Birds From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 09 May 2009 08:30:33 -0000 The past two days I've gotten out birding and had a couple new birds at the following locations on the following days (BOLD birds were new for the day and for the year for me): On Thursday May 7, Airport Front Ponds: Regular ducks, gulls and shorebirds. 4 RED-NECKED GREBES, and 1 Male SURF SCOTER. At the 12-Mile Richardson Highway Ponds saw: Common Goldeneye (5) Canvasback (6) Canada Goose (2) Green-winged Teal (20) American Wigeon (25) Northern Pintail (30) Mallard (15) Bufflehead (1) Mew Gull (4) Herring Gull (2) At Lakeview Terrace saw: Mew Gull (60) Herring Gull (25) Bonaparte's Gull (8) American Wigeon (15) Mallard (3). On Friday May 8, At Airport Front Ponds saw: RING-NECKED DUCK (5) Green-winged Teal (8) Mallard (4) N. Pintail (6) Lesser Scaup (2) Common Goldeneye (4) WILSON'S SNIPE (1) Bonaparte's Gull (20) Lesser Yellowlegs (18) Canvasback (6) American Wigeon (20) Red-necked Grebe (6) N. Shoveler (1) At Airport Floatponds saw: Mallard (2) American wigeon (4) Lesser Yellowlegs (5) SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (6) At Lathrop High school saw: Lesser Yellowlegs (6) American Wigeon (2) SOLITARY SANDPIPER (1) At S. Cushman Ponds saw: Canvasback (6) Bufflehead (4) Common Goldeneye (4) Mew Gull (2) Ok, well that's it for now. Bird on!! Nick Hajdukovich Subject: Birds From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 08:52:37 -0000 On Monday, May 4th I got out on my bike and went birding at the airport and creamer's field. The airport floatponds are not really open at all, except for some of the edges. Regardless, i still saw: Lesser Yellowlegs (2) Bonaparte's Gull (6) Barrow's Goldeneye (1) Mallard (4). All of the ponds around the end of the airport were thawed, but all I saw were 2 Greater Scaup and 2 Mallards. The most birds I saw at the airport were in the one front pond closest to the Alpine Lodge. In that pond i saw: Canvasback (4, 3 male, 1 female), American Wigeon (8) Mallard (6) No. Pintail (8) Lesser Yellowlegs (5) Bonaparte's Gull (6) Common Goldeneye (1) and many swallows flying over head. Creamer's Field had: Horned Grebe (1) Bufflehead (1) Sandhill Crane (10) Canada Goose (100) Greater White-fronted Goose (6) No. Pintail (60) No. Shoveler (15) American Wigeon (15) Mallard (60) Mew Gull (5) and many swallows cruising the fields. Ok, well that's all I've got for now. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 4 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 17:00:52 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: May 4, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Mew Gull Bonaparte's Gull Hammond's Flycatcher Myrtle Warbler Barrow's Goldeneye Lesser Yellowlegs White-Crowned Sparrow Osprey Snow Goose Violet-Green Swallow Common Goldeneye Northern Shoveler Bufflehead American Wigeon Snow Geese Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of May 4. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS arrived in large numbers over the weekend. Several MEW GULLS and at least 3 BOANAPRTE'S GULLS were at the peat ponds at the Sheep Creek/Murphy Dome intersection on May 1. Four LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen in a snow melt pond at Creamer's Field on April 30. There were also 2 female and 1 male BARROW'S GOLDENEYES in Kessel Pond that day. Also on April 30, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was heard singing at the Federal Building at 12th and Noble Streets. Another was reported in the Rosie Creek area on April 28, but may have been a bird that over-wintered in that area. An OSPREY was seen flying over the south end of Lathrop Street near the Metro Field on April 28. The following spring arrivals were reported on April 29: VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. On the Chena river: 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 4 AMERICAN WIGEON, and 5 COMMON GOLDENEYS. At Creamers Refuge: SNOW GEESE ( 1 adult and 1 juvenile), and 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL . The first MYRTLE WARBLER of the year was reorted from the Cripple Creek area on April 28. Upcoming Events Include: Join Friends of Creamer's Field for our annual frog walk on Sunday May 10th 1:00-3:00 pm (walk begins at 1:15 pm). Bring the kids and the mud boots and learn about Alaska's elusive wood frogs! Call 452-5162 for more information. Spring Field trips: Local birding experts will lead a series of three birding field trips. All trips meet at 9:00 am at the Creamer's Field Farmhouse and usually last until Noon. Bring binoculars, a snack, and rubber boots if you have them. May 9th Waterfowl Identification May 16th Shorebird Identification May 23rd Birding by Ear and Songbird Identification 2009 Bird-a-thon This year's Bird-a-thon fundraiser for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon will begin Saturday May 9 and end Friday June 19. We are looking for prizes to award to winners: most miles covered on foot, most miles c overed by bike, most birds seen during a 'Big Sit,' etc. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Nicole Pearce at 451-7159. Information packets and pledge sheets will be available at ABO. If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please call Mary Zalar at 479-4547. 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; 2002 ISBN 1-878788-19-1 Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 4 2009 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 17:00:52 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: May 4, 2009 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Mew Gull Bonaparte's Gull Hammond's Flycatcher Myrtle Warbler Barrow's Goldeneye Lesser Yellowlegs White-Crowned Sparrow Osprey Snow Goose Violet-Green Swallow Common Goldeneye Northern Shoveler Bufflehead American Wigeon Snow Geese Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of May 4. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS arrived in large numbers over the weekend. Several MEW GULLS and at least 3 BOANAPRTE'S GULLS were at the peat ponds at the Sheep Creek/Murphy Dome intersection on May 1. Four LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen in a snow melt pond at Creamer's Field on April 30. There were also 2 female and 1 male BARROW'S GOLDENEYES in Kessel Pond that day. Also on April 30, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was heard singing at the Federal Building at 12th and Noble Streets. Another was reported in the Rosie Creek area on April 28, but may have been a bird that over-wintered in that area. An OSPREY was seen flying over the south end of Lathrop Street near the Metro Field on April 28. The following spring arrivals were reported on April 29: VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. On the Chena river: 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 4 AMERICAN WIGEON, and 5 COMMON GOLDENEYS. At Creamers Refuge: SNOW GEESE ( 1 adult and 1 juvenile), and 3 GREEN-WINGED TEAL . The first MYRTLE WARBLER of the year was reorted from the Cripple Creek area on April 28. Upcoming Events Include: Join Friends of Creamer's Field for our annual frog walk on Sunday May 10th 1:00-3:00 pm (walk begins at 1:15 pm). Bring the kids and the mud boots and learn about Alaska's elusive wood frogs! Call 452-5162 for more information. Spring Field trips: Local birding experts will lead a series of three birding field trips. All trips meet at 9:00 am at the Creamer's Field Farmhouse and usually last until Noon. Bring binoculars, a snack, and rubber boots if you have them. May 9th Waterfowl Identification May 16th Shorebird Identification May 23rd Birding by Ear and Songbird Identification 2009 Bird-a-thon This year's Bird-a-thon fundraiser for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon will begin Saturday May 9 and end Friday June 19. We are looking for prizes to award to winners: most miles covered on foot, most miles c overed by bike, most birds seen during a 'Big Sit,' etc. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Nicole Pearce at 451-7159. Information packets and pledge sheets will be available at ABO. If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number. If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please call Mary Zalar at 479-4547. 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; 2002 ISBN 1-878788-19-1 Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney PO Box 71462 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hammond's Flycatcher, Yellow-Rumped Warbler From: "sethbeaudreault" <sethbeaudreault AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 05 May 2009 00:47:34 -0000 Heard a Hammond's Flycatcher calling yesterday evening near the Pumphouse, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler on Friday morning around Olivia Lane.... good to hear some familiar voices. Seth Beaudreault Subject: Odd "V" From: "rosyfinch2u" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 04 May 2009 17:01:26 -0000 Last Friday, we saw a flock of about 30 swans flying over Tok. The first 2 birds were noticeably smaller and darker than the swans , possibly Canada Geese. We' ve never seen anything like this before. Have any of you? Sally Urvina, Tok Subject: Rusty Blackbirds From: "rosyfinch2u" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 04 May 2009 16:59:20 -0000 We were at the West Fork Campground at MP49 on the Taylor Highway and saw 2 pairs of Rusty Blackbirds. They were next to the entrance road in a marshy/shrubby area, walking through, turning over leaves. We watched for about 5 minutes then one of the males flew up to a tree and was "tchuck"ing at us, then gave 2 shrill whistles and all 4 birds flew away. Also at the campground (which is just before the West Fork of the Dennison River) were ww crossbills, grey jays, a pair of green winged teal, a junco, a robin and about 30 cranes circling up a thermal. Sally Urvina, Tok Subject: Shorebirds! From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 01 May 2009 06:40:48 -0000 Hey all, Well the highlight of today was finding 4 Lesser Yellowlegs hanging out in a snow melt pond at Creamer's field today! Other than that, today Creamers had roughly 200 Canada Geese with 70 Greater White-fronted Geese and the 2 Snow Geese, with the normal number of ducks. The only other thing exciting at Creamer's were 3 Barrows Goldeneyes (2 female, 1 male) hanging out in Kessel Pond. Today my house had: Horned Grebe (3) Greater Scaup (2) Bufflehead (2) Common Goldeneye (2) Common Merganser (2) and Mew Gull (2). Hope more birds show up with the warm weather! Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Subject: Re: Turkey Vulture... From: CN <chrisn AT alaska.net> Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:24:34 -0800 Subject: Birds, Snow Geese From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:14:40 -0000 Hey all, Today was busy with many new arrivals. On a morning run around my house this morning I saw and heard Juncos, Robins, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and 1 Violet-green Swallow. Throughout the day the Chena River in front of my house had Canada Geese, 2 Northern Shovelers, 2 Buffleheads, 4 American Wigeon, and 5 Common Goldeneyes. At around 10:30pm tonight at Creamers I had: Canada Goose (200), Cackling Goose (3, subspecies minima), Greater White-fronted Goose (60), Snow Goose (2, 1 adult and 1 juvenile. The adult was very bossy with all other geese and continued to pick fights the whole time I watched them). green-winged Teal (3) Northern Pintail (30), Mallard (20) Sandhill Crane (2) Tundra Swan (3) and American Wigeon (2). I also biked out Chena Hot Springs road to the hay fields and spent about a half hour watching the skies for the possible vulture. All i found was one Harlan's Hawk, some Ravens and 1 Sandhill Crane. Hope it shows up again! Bird on, Nick Haajdukovich Subject: Osprey From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:09:24 -0000 Saw my first-of-spring Osprey flying over S. Lathrop Street near Metro Field yesterday. Nancy Subject: Turkey Vulture... From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:36:49 -0000 Hi.. A friend has recently spotted a Turkey Vulture in the Chena Hot Springs Road area 3 mile or so where the hay fields are. Has anyone seen one, or heard of one..??? We are very curious about this. Subject: Birds From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:25:46 -0000 Ok, so here are some delayed sightings. On Saturday the 25th, me, Jim DeWitt and Dan Gibson headed out to Delta Junction for the day. The numbers of birds were spectacular but there were indeed a lot of birds around. We had probably about 60 Buteo hawks with most of them being Rough-legged Hawks. We also found 5 Bald Eagles, 2 Goshawks and a couple of Northern Harriers. Waterfowl numbers were good in the fields with probably over 150 swans (mainly Tundras), about a thousand geese, mainly Canada's with some White-fronts and three blue phase Snow Geese! Clearwater lake had about 1,000 Canada Geese and about 100 Greater White-fronted Geese. There were also about 20 swans, Northern Pintails, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, and one Bufflehead. On Sunday the 26th, I spent the evening at Creamers Field watching gulls. At around 10pm there were about 450 gulls flocked up in the middle of the front field and at 11:30pm when i left there were probably about 600-700. The majority of the birds were Herring Gulls, but there were also 2 Mew Gulls and at least 6 birds that were variations of other gulls. Two of the birds looked to me like GlaucousXGlaucous-winged Gull Hybrids, and two or three of them looked like Glaucous-wingedXHerring Gull hybrids. The last bird might have been a true Glaucous Gull, but it was really hard to tell in the fading light. Besides gulls, there were about 250 Canada Geese, 20 Greater White-fronted Geese, 1 Sandhill Crane, 6 Trumpeter Swans, 30 mallards, and 35 Northern Pintails. Yesterday, on Monday, at 5pm, Creamers had the same number and proportions of geese and ducks with the addition of 2 American Wigeon, and about 10 mew gulls. One Peregrine Falcon swooped in twice and tried to snag a duck without any luck. Today, at my house, I had 1 Tundra Swan, 2 Trumpeter Swans, 10 Common Goldeneyes, 5 Mallards, 5 Northern Pintail, 1 Great-horned Owl (this evening), and a singing American Robin. Alright, well that is all of my sightings so far this week. I will try to stay more up-to-date in the future. Bird on, Nick Hajdukovich Subject: N. Harrier From: Emily Weiser <emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:43:49 -0800 Along with ducks (pintails and mallards), geese, swans, cranes, immature bald eagle, and rough-legged hawks, there was a female harrier at Creamer's yesterday (Sunday) over the boreal trail. -- Emily Weiser M.S. Student Department of Biology and Wildlife University of Alaska Fairbanks 907-378-9640 (cell) emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com Subject: Robin and possibly Buffleheads near Downtown From: "Barbara Logan" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:17:40 -0000 My husband said he first heard and then saw the first American Robin this season, while walking to work Saturday morning, in the neighborhood just west of Downtown Fairbanks. He also saw what he thought were Buffleheads flying over the Chena River, with fast buzzy flight, right above the River surface, west of Downtown Fairbanks. Has anyone else seen any Buffleheads yet? Subject: Re: Red-tailed Hawk, and Junco From: Emily Weiser <emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:50:27 -0800 I saw that dark buteo again yesterday (Friday) and was able to re-confirm that it's a Red-tailed Hawk. I had a great view of it from across the road; its legs are perfectly bare and there's no dark terminal band on the tail. This time it was on on a street light on the Parks Hwy south of the Sheep Creek roundabout (identifiable as the same individual by a couple of small lines of white on the breast, and the dirty white/gray under the chin). There was a light phase Rough-legged Hawk in a field nearby. Also just heard a junco singing on the University campus on my way in this afternoon! Emily -- Emily Weiser M.S. Student Department of Biology and Wildlife University of Alaska Fairbanks 907-378-9640 (cell) emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com Subject: Peregrine From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:41:14 -0000 A Peregrine Falcon was sitting on the NW corner of the Rabinowitz Courthouse downtown around 2:30 pm today. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Cranes From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:04:56 -0000 Last evening 4/22, 3 Sandhill Cranes were amongst the many Geese, Ducks, Gulls, and 2 Swans at Creamer's Field. Hurray.! My first Crane Songs of 2009. Ducks in ice melted snow ponds all around the town too! This always brings a smile to me for some reason. I noticed a hawk on a light post between Peger and University on the Parks/Mitchell. I'll keep my eye for it again since there is a lot of bog in this area for it to hunt. Good news about (a) Robin..! Subject: Cranes.. From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:29:50 -0000 Last evening 4/22/09 there were 3 Sandhill Cranes at Creamer's Field. It was so good to hear them..my first Crane song of the year 2009! Two Swans..Geese Galore..Ducks plenty! Gulls too.. Glad to hear of the Robin! Subject: robin From: "Christine" <damselfly AT mosquitonet.com> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:17:24 -0800 Hello all, there is a Robin at the end of our driveway just singing away. YAY! First sighting for me this year, we live off of Dale Road near the airport. Subject: Creamer's Field From: "Barbara Logan" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:59:43 -0000 Sunday we saw a HUGE flock of Canada Geese come in, landing in Creamer's Field. We also saw a good-sized hawk land in the trees bordering the right side of the field near ABO; It appeared to be a Light phase Rough-legged Hawk, first year juvenile. Lots of white on it with a dark lower belly. Pictures are hard to sharpen, but the colors stand out. Monday we saw the first Trumpeter Swan at Creamer's and also Northern Pintails among the hundreds of Canada Geese. There were also several Greater White-fronted Geese and some Mallards. Spring is definitely on the way!! Subject: Ruby-crowned Kinglet From: "sarah.keller19" <sarah.keller19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:33:01 -0000 There was a ruby-crowned kinglet singing in my yard this morning! What a joyous sound after a long cold winter! Subject: Re: Red-tailed Hawk From: Andrea Swingley <andrea AT outdoor-exposures.com> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:03:26 -0800 Don't know if it's the same bird, but I just saw a large buteo in the same area. It was perched atop a power pole next to the railroad tracks along W. Tanana Drive just past the roundabout, then it circled around and landed on a large spruce tree at the Experiment Farm. We got GREAT looks at it. The bird I saw was a Rough-legged Hawk. Large, dark bird with dark underwing linings and a dark terminal band on the tail. Seen around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cheers, Andrea On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 8:10 AM, Emily Weiser wrote: > Yesterday (Tuesday) evening there was a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk at the > Sheep Creek roundabout below the University (right where the hawk-owl was > hanging out).  Initially this bird was eating something on top of a street > light; then it flew up the hill a bit and landed again.  It had no red on > the tail so was probably an immature bird (I'd say it was too dark to be a > Harlan's).  It was very dark, a solid almost-black, other than the > mostly-white flight feathers and a small bit of light gray on the chin. -- Andrea Swingley Fairbanks, Alaska aswingley AT gmail.com Subject: Red-tailed Hawk From: Emily Weiser <emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:10:12 -0800 Good morning, Yesterday (Tuesday) evening there was a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk at the Sheep Creek roundabout below the University (right where the hawk-owl was hanging out). Initially this bird was eating something on top of a street light; then it flew up the hill a bit and landed again. It had no red on the tail so was probably an immature bird (I'd say it was too dark to be a Harlan's). It was very dark, a solid almost-black, other than the mostly-white flight feathers and a small bit of light gray on the chin. Are there any juncos in town yet?? Emily -- Emily Weiser M.S. Student Department of Biology and Wildlife University of Alaska Fairbanks 907-378-9640 (cell) emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com Subject: Gulls From: Sarah Keller <sarah.keller19 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:05:27 -0700 (PDT) Friday, April 17, about 7:30pm, there was a loose flock of about 30 gulls flying lazily southwest over the Johannsen Expressway then over the Chena River and further south. I was driving highway speed into the sun and trying to identfy these birds - not a great combination of activities. I had expected other birders to have seen this sight and posted it, and thus helped me out with the identification. Anyone else? My guess is Herring Gulls as they were large and there were no black wing tips. Happy Spring! Subject: MtnBluebird & T. Solitaire, Taylor Hwy From: "rosyfinch2u" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:58:44 -0000 There was a male Mountain Bluebird at MP 27.5 on the Taylor Hwy this aft around 2 PM. He flew down into the willows and grass from an aspen branch. He perched in the full sun and he was brilliant. Following him in the willows from 10 ft. back was a Townsend's Solitaire. On a turnout on the W. side of the road there were 2 male Lapland Longspurs feeding in the grass. Sally Urvina, Tok Subject: Swans over Tok From: "rosyfinch2u" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:13:07 -0000 6 swans, flying W, 9AM, overcast. They were looking closely at our green roof - looking for open water? Feels like spring! looks like winter, Sally Urvina, MP 122 Tok Cut-off Subject: shrike From: "Christine" <damselfly AT mosquitonet.com> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:45:28 -0800 Hi all, Yesterday I saw and heard a very vocal shrike sitting on top of a tall spruce tree. A few days ago I heard it also in the same area, but never spotted it. Also, there has been a black capped chickadee flying in and out of our chickadee box. Last year a pair nested in the box, so hopefully they will do it again! We live near the airport off of Dale Road. Subject: Gliding.. From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:45:31 -0000 Today I saw a huge hawk or falcon gliding in the wind heading from town towards the Farmer's Loop Golf course. It might have been a gyrfalcon from the id photos I am using. I wish I could have taken a nice photo to share and so type can be confirmed. In other bird news. Saw a a Northern Hawk Owl while driving to Fox along the Old Steese..it was a bright day so I was surprised to see him in plain sight in a bare tree. Lots of little chickadees and redpolls around. I have stopped filling the feeders with Spring arrival to avoid attracting other types of critters. Still have lots of visitors though. Tweet! Subject: Re: Starling with Long Beak From: "keslerwoodward" <ffkew AT uaf.edu> Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:52:16 -0000 Very interesting photos, Barbara. Here is a link to a site about starlings and other birds with deformed, including extra-long, bills, and a photo of a starling very similar to yours. The image is at: http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/rouge_river/xbill_starling_longbill.JPG and the website about reporting such sitings is at: http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/rouge_river/bills.html Kes Woodward --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, "Barbara Logan" wrote: > > A Starling with a very long beak has been coming to our feeders all winter. Very unusual. It is the first time I have seen a Starling in Fairbanks, although others have seen them. > > Three pictures are posted under Barbara's Photos. > > We are one mile west of downtown, a block south of the Chena River. > Subject: Northern Harrier From: "sethbeaudreault" <sethbeaudreault AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:40:56 -0000 Hey everybody, On Saturday afternoon I was driving back up from Denali NP and saw a male Northern Harrier just north of Nenana, headed our way. Is anyone seeing raptors in town yet? Seth Beaudreault Subject: Starling with Long Beak From: "Barbara Logan" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:50:35 -0000 A Starling with a very long beak has been coming to our feeders all winter. Very unusual. It is the first time I have seen a Starling in Fairbanks, although others have seen them. Three pictures are posted under Barbara's Photos. We are one mile west of downtown, a block south of the Chena River. Subject: Geese! From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:13:35 -0000 I just read that the first geese landed at Creamer's Field this morning. Woo-hoo! Bring on spring migration! Nancy DeWitt Subject: Campus Hawk-Owl Relocated From: "sethbeaudreault" <sethbeaudreault AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:06:01 -0000 Hey all, There has been a Northern Hawk-Owl at the junction of Gold Hill Rd / Sheep Creek Ext. for the past three days - maybe this is the same individual that was hanging around the campus roundabout a week ago. Seth Subject: correction: eagle AT (not on) nest From: "cnye009" <chrisn AT alaska.net> Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:41:27 -0000 Perched on a branch adjacent to the nest. Not on the nest. You all guessed that, but I wanted the record to be clear. Subject: Bald eagle on nest From: "cnye009" <chrisn AT alaska.net> Date: Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:52:10 -0000 I saw one bald eagle on the nest near the west end of the airport/Tanana dike system at 1:30 this afternoon (3/30 for first sighting last year). Full adult plumage but seemed on the small side. The nest got pretty beat up over the winter. The usual clamor of magpies was there as well -- they've been there most visits this winter. Chris Subject: SafestMail automatic reply From: "Jed Smith" <npw AT npwalaska.com> Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 14:41:36 -0800 You have sent a message to npw AT npwalaska.com. I'm using SafestMail®, an anti-spam/junk email blocker; your e-mail address is new to me. Please send me your name and explain why you want to contact me. There is no need to resend your original email message, but if I do not receive this confirmation within 5 days, the message will be deleted. Your name: Why do you want to contact me? Note: If you are viewing this e-mail in the outlook preview pane you cannot use the spacebar or backspace keys when typing your response. If you are unable to send the requested information click here. Get your freeware SafestMail® at www.sa4o.com . Subject: Sick Bird Alert From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:37:17 -0000 I received a report today from someone who has redpolls dying around his feeder, which isn't too surprising considering the large numbers we've had coming to feeders this winter. If you see sick or dead birds in your yard please take down your feeders and give them a good scrubbing with a 10% bleach solution. I'd leave them down for several days and let the birds disperse some, as crowding helps spread disease from salmonella and E. coli bacteria. I also just got my fourth report of someone finding a dead Boreal Owl in their yard. I don't know if these little owls are starving, eating diseased birds or dying from some other cause, but if you find one I'd suggest reporting it (or sick/dying redpoll observations) to Kimberlee Beckman at ADF&G (459-7257), the UA Museum or ABO. The first two might want the carcasses, while ABO may have some helpful suggestions. Always a good idea to wear gloves and give your hands a good scrubbing when handling bird feeders and/or dead birds. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks P.S. Finally heard a Boreal Owl last night and a Great Horned Owl hooting two nights ago. Subject: Goshawk On Ester Dome From: "sethbeaudreault" <sethbeaudreault AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:38:22 -0000 Yesterday (3/29) a juvenile Northern Goshawk flew over and perched near the parking area on Ester Dome briefly before flying downslope. Seth Beaudreault Subject: Golden Eagle From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 08:15:09 -0000 Hey all, Today me and some friends went up to Twelve-mile Summit out the Steese Highway about 83 miles. We were going in search of ptarmigan and ended up seeing probably about 30 birds spread out in small flocks. However, of most interest was a soaring Golden Eagle at probably 60 mile on the Steese Highway. It was awesome to see a Golden Eagle already! Hope we get some migrants soon! Nick Hajdukovich Subject: Snow Buntings! From: Peter Keller <kellerp.l AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:56:43 -0800 I was driving to Fairbanks today, and at mile 284 on the Richardson Hwy was a flock of 8 snow buntings! Seems pretty early, isn't it? Subject: You're invited! From: "matchejomfriends" <matchejomfriends AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 07:09:33 -0000 You are invited to join my social network, check my friends list here: http://flirty.zoomshare.com/files/myphoto.htm Subject: Northern Hawk Owl From: "Barbara Logan" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:48:26 -0000 We took a drive out to the Peat Ponds to see if we could see any birds today - on the way out, just west of the UAF roundabout we saw a Northern Hawk Owl on a fence post. There really is nowhere to stop there, so we proceeded out to the Peat Ponds. It was very chilly there with the stiff breeze blowing and we saw nothibg but a few Ravens on the hillside north of the road. Heading back to town, the Northern Hawk Owl was still on the same fence post just west of the UAF Roundabout. This was between 2 and 3 pm today, Monday March 16th. Subject: Replacement Owl From: "sethbeaudreault" <sethbeaudreault AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:19:58 -0000 Well I went back out to the peat ponds this morning around 9 to get another look at the Great Gray Owl but he was nowhere to be found. However, after a few minutes of searching, a Northern Hawk-Owl came flying over, chased by a few chickadees, and did his best to replace the owl-void left by the Great Gray. If I had selected "Next Day Air" shipping on my digital SLR camera, I would have had wonderful photos of the hawk-owl. He/she was perched on the south side of the bog, close to the "curling rink", and hung out for an hour or so in the frigid early sunlight. Seth Beaudreault Subject: Owl on the prowl From: "Justin Bailey" <justin.r.bailey AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:03:33 -0000 Yet another owl post: I've seen a Hawk Owl twice in the past month near the roundabout on campus (at the junction of W Tanana Loop and Sheep Cr. Road) - once perched on a fence post, the other time perched on a street light. There's been a male Great Horned putting out the booty call behind my house in the Goldstream Valley (on the hillside where Ballaine crosses Goldstream Creek) for the past few weeks. It sounds like he hasn't found a date yet. Owl see you later, - Justin Subject: More Owl Sightings From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 04:16:11 -0000 These were sent to me by Carol McIntyre (Fairbanks): 1. Northern Hawk Owl: near Thompson Drive roundabout perched on top of tall spruce just south of roundabout, Friday 13 March 2009 2. Great Gray Owl: peat bog ponds along Goldstream Road, near Murphy Dome Road, Thursday, 12 March 2009 3. Boreal Owl: singing on upper Abraham Road off Murphy Dome Road, Tuesday, 10 March 2009 - Thursday, 12 March 2009 4. Great-horned owls (male and female): hooting on upper Abraham Road off Murphy Dome Road, on many days during the last month. Thanks for sharing, Carol! Nancy DeWitt Subject: Re: Hawk Owl From: "Sandy B." <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:47:32 -0700 (PDT) Regarding the strange honking and chirping.. I wonder if it is because they are content with each other. --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Andrea Swingley wrote: From: Andrea Swingley Subject: Re: [BorealBirder] Hawk Owl To: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 12:31 AM On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 8:49 PM, Nancy DeWitt wrote: Anyone heard any owls singing or hooting yet? Yes! We have a Great Horned Owl hooting up a storm near our house. Sounds like he's singing solo, but I saw him with another owl perched right next to him. And we've heard a second owl making weird honking and chirping sounds while (or right after) the first hoots. We'll see if they stick around or nest nearby. Cheers, Andrea -- Andrea Swingley Fairbanks, Alaska aswingley AT gmail. com Subject: Horned Owl From: "Sandra" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:38:58 -0000 Two Great Horned Owls in my area off Farmer's Loop near golf course. For about 3 weeks now. One very snowy windy night I was very surprised at how vocal they were.. I thought it was too windy to stay outside long! Woodpecker around my place too. I don't know which one for sure. Lots of chickadees, gray jays, redpolls, ravens. Happy Springtime! Subject: Re: Hawk Owl From: Andrea Swingley <andrea AT outdoor-exposures.com> Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:31:26 -0800 On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 8:49 PM, Nancy DeWitt wrote: > Anyone heard any owls singing or hooting yet? > Yes! We have a Great Horned Owl hooting up a storm near our house. Sounds like he's singing solo, but I saw him with another owl perched right next to him. And we've heard a second owl making weird honking and chirping sounds while (or right after) the first hoots. We'll see if they stick around or nest nearby. Cheers, Andrea -- Andrea Swingley Fairbanks, Alaska aswingley AT gmail.com Subject: Hawk Owl From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:49:04 -0000 I've been seeing a northern hawk owl near the corner of Steese and Johansen for about a week now. Yesterday I saw one on a tall spruce near the radio towers on Farmer's Loop about one mile from the Steese, and today there was one (probably the same bird) on the wire over Farmer's Loop at Fideler Road. It's good to see a hawk owl again--I hope we have a good spring for owl sightings! Anyone heard any owls singing or hooting yet? Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Great Gray Owl - Fairbanks From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:42:02 -0800 There has been a Great Gray Owl reported daily since Tuesday at the peat pits at the corner of Sheep Creek and Murphy Dome Rd. Wednesday evening it was along the north side of the pits in the line of black spruce. The pull-out on the north side has been plowed and was a good place to watch from yesterday. Ken Russell Fairbanks [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]