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03 Feb Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Kittiwakes, mystery missile ["c_griz" ] 01 Feb Clitheroe Owls ["kimbenk23" ] 01 Feb Clitheroe Owl on 1/31/2012 ["slatrat58" ] 30 Jan Re: Clitheroe Center Owls [Kate McLaughlin ] 31 Jan Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report:Humpback and Yellow-billed Loons ["c_griz" ] 30 Jan Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 1-29-12 ["lani.raymond" ] 29 Jan Re: Clitheroe Center Owls [Kate McLaughlin ] 29 Jan Fwd: 5 species of owls [] 29 Jan Friday, January 28, 2012 sea smoke and early Valentines ["c_griz" ] 29 Jan Another Saw-Whet owl ["Charlotte" ] 29 Jan Anchorage Airport Owls ["alaskabirder" ] 29 Jan Clitheroe Center Owls ["gary_rasmussen2002" ] 29 Jan Great Gray, Boreal, and Hawk Owl ["ursus_8" ] 28 Jan Northern Saw-Whet Owl ["pamelajennings45" ] 28 Jan Saw Whet Owl Photos ["lofgreenj" ] 27 Jan Northern Hawk Owl -- KGB Road, Wasilla [] 28 Jan Re: Northern Saw-whet Owl (Anchorage) 10:45 AM Friday ["gary_rasmussen2002" ] 28 Jan Northern Saw-whet in Homer ["Terri Lyon" ] 27 Jan Northern Saw-whet Owl (Anchorage) 10:45 AM Friday [] 26 Jan Seward Snow Buntings refound ["c_griz" ] 26 Jan Seward Snow Buntings refound ["c_griz" ] 25 Jan The Hawk Owl on Lake Hood Drive [Chris Maack ] 25 Jan Dusky Thrush ["aklisabike" ] 25 Jan Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Common Murre spectacle ["c_griz" ] 25 Jan McKays bunting at Kenai Flats - west side of river. ["kennethtarbox" ] 24 Jan overlap of Snowy Owl article post ["John Wenger" ] 24 Jan Outside Snowy Owl Irruption [John Wenger ] 24 Jan Unusual Spike of Snowy Owls in lower 48. ["gary_rasmussen2002" ] 24 Jan The Hawk Owl on Aircraft Dr ["slatrat58" ] 24 Jan Kenai Birding Festival: 5/17-5/20 w/ Bill Thompson ["beranek_lisa" ] 24 Jan Friday, January 20, 2012 McKay's Buntings ["c_griz" ] 23 Jan Westchester walk [Aaron Bowman ] 24 Jan Homer Great Gray Owl report ["c_griz" ] 23 Jan Dusky Thrush ["George Matz" ] 23 Jan Anchor Point, North Fork Rd birds ["Steven Friend" ] 23 Jan Question for Folks in Circle, Coldfoot & other areas north of Fairbanks ["erik.hendrickson755" ] 22 Jan Seward Field trip car pooling [Aaron Bowman ] 21 Jan Owls - Great Gay and Hawk ["ursus_8" ] 20 Jan Another thrush reports and owls [] 21 Jan Kenai Today ["The Burkes" ] 20 Jan Homr [] 20 Jan Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Loons and Sea smoke ["c_griz" ] 18 Jan Great Gray Owl in Homer ["George Matz" ] 19 Jan Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Black Scoters ["c_griz" ] 19 Jan Dusky Thrush is still here!!!!! ["gary_rasmussen2002" ] 17 Jan Fwd: Robin locations from today [] 17 Jan Great Day for Great Grays ["caracarabirdy" ] 17 Jan Lake Hood Drive Owl update. ["gary_rasmussen2002" ] 16 Jan Anchorage Snow Dump Owls ["ak_zukes" ] 16 Jan Seward Snow Buntings ["c_griz" ] 16 Jan Seward/Sterling Hwy - Homer Sunday ["ak_zukes" ] 16 Jan Additional Great Gray Owl report ["alaskabirder" ] 15 Jan Interesting observation from Ken Marlow on the Kenai River ["kennethtarbox" ] 15 Jan Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 1-15-12 ["lani.raymond" ] 15 Jan 2011 update to Checklist of Alaska Birds is now online ["alaskabirder" ] 15 Jan owls in Anchorage ["Nick" ] 14 Jan Owls and more [] 14 Jan Call for Presenters - Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival [] 14 Jan Friday, January 13, 2012 Breakfast ["c_griz" ] 14 Jan Evening Grosbeak update ["ursus_8" ] 13 Jan Lake Hood Great Gray Owl [Aaron Bowman ] 14 Jan No Evening Grosbeak ["Charlotte" ] 14 Jan Common Merganser winging over ["John Wenger" ] 13 Jan Request for Dusky Thrush / McKays Bunting sighting info [Monte ] 13 Jan update [] 12 Jan Re: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder [Cathy Foerster ] 13 Jan Homer, after a blizzard is a great place to bird! Raptors galor! ["tjbluebird" ] 12 Jan RE: RE: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder [Buzz Scher ] 12 Jan RE: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder [Aaron Lang ] 12 Jan Evening Grosbeak at the feeder ["Charlotte" ] 10 Jan Anchorage Audubon Seward Winter field trip, February 18th [Aaron Bowman ] 11 Jan Monday Seward 3 fabulous species! ["c_griz" ] 11 Jan Audubon Program January 19 ["w" ] 10 Jan Canceled thrush trip ["sjfriend AT horizonsatellite.com" ] 10 Jan June Target Species - thanks [Frank Haas ] 09 Jan Anchorage Thrush ["sjfriend AT horizonsatellite.com" ] Subject: Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Kittiwakes, mystery missile From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:02:12 -0000 Thursday, February 2, 2012 Sunrise 9:10 am, sunset 5:13 pm, length of day 8! hours, 2 minutes; tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 3 seconds longer. Weather: February arrived, took a look around and abruptly slammed January's freezer door shut. Then she turned up the thermostat to around 34º, and delivered snow/sleet/rain in successive, dramatic squalls. Tiny patches of blue sky winked between ominous blue-black, dense walls of precipitation. I caught a glimpse of the waxing moon before the clouds jealously closed the curtain and unleashed another barrage of sleet. Melting snow with nowhere to flow created deep ponds in the streets; vehicles created wakes and rooster tails while getting and giving a free car wash. Several buildings reported flooding. Blizzard warnings and watches flashed on and off for Turnagain Arm while an avalanche at the Y blocked traffic on both the Sterling and Seward Highway for most of the day. Out in the raging bay, riled by a strong south wind, I noticed at least 3 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES feeding among the whitecaps. No sign of the two humpback whales, sea lion pods, or masses of murres, but visibility was extremely limited. I spent several happy hours on the roof, ostensibly shoveling off the 3+ feet of heavy snow. I had scarcely begun when I heard a powerful whooshing sound right overhead. The raptorious missile shot across the garage and instantly disappeared before I could even see it. Stunned, I watched for another chance, but nothing emerged. I pictured rigid curved wings, tensed in a deadly dive at 100 mph. I replayed the sound; it was like nothing I had ever heard. After a time, a raven sailed over, playing in the wind: "wha-wha-wha" went the wings. Eventually, about 30 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES returned, as well as the flock of GROSBEAKS, twitters of the JUNCOS, raucous staccato of the STELLER'S JAYS, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES braved flights from one spruce to another. The bird world seemed nervous, but not petrified. Watching them was a great excuse to pause my labors and rest until a really serious squall told me it was time to get down. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Clitheroe Owls From: "kimbenk23" <knking AT ualr.edu> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:35:04 -0000 I spent some time along the fence line at the Clitheroe Center on Sunday and saw a Boreal Owl, a Short-eared Owl, and a couple Great Gray Owls. I went out yesterday (Monday) and saw 4 Great Gray Owls. Today (Tuesday) we saw 2 Great Gray Owls at the far end of the fence line, where it meets up with the Coastal Trail. As I was heading home, I also saw the Hawk Owl at the 90 degree turn right before the Clitheroe Center and a Great Gray Owl on the fence just north of that. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Clitheroe Owl on 1/31/2012 From: "slatrat58" <skesler AT gci.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:52:46 -0000 All, I puttered out to Clitheroe this afternoon. I hiked north - past the old tree recycling area, then returned back to the parking lot and then went south along the fence. No owls - although I didn't make it too very far along the fence before I had to head back to work. I think I was sort of hoping the Saw-Whet Owl would just magically appear. [:)] BUT, something like that happened driving out. A Northern Hawk Owl swooped in front of my car right at the 90 degree turn. He then landed in a tree and I was able to scope him out for a bit before he flew off. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Re: Clitheroe Center Owls From: Kate McLaughlin <mclenvironmental AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:52:52 -0800 (PST) Good morning birders! Thank you all for your very info. This am I'm sitting at Johnson tire getting3 flats fixed. If all goes well, I'll go hunt those owls down after that chore! Thanks again, I'll let you know how I do. Kate - sent from friends iPad at o dark thirty. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report:Humpback and Yellow-billed Loons From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:54:12 -0000 Monday, January 30, 2012 Sunrise 9:17 am, sunset 5:05 pm, length of day 7 hours, 47 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 56 seconds longer. Waxing half moon rides with Jupiter across the cloudy sky. Weather: Ahhhh. Winter relaxed its frigid grip overnight and temperatures rose steadily throughout the day into the 20sº. Intermittent light snowfall didn't add much more that a thin white topcoat. And best of all, the wind took a nap. What a difference! I dashed out of the house just before noon today and drove my snow-crystal- studded car to the Lowell Creek waterfall. Climbing up on the snow bank, I heard the loud exhale first and then saw a long, beautiful dark back and craggy dorsal fin arc out of the water just off shore, then gracefully submerge. A humpback whale! Again and again, the paired nostrils, the powerful blow, long back, small triangular dorsal, and smooth submerge. Nervous rows of COMMON MURRES paddled out of its way, looking very small in comparison. Then, the blow, the fin, and an ever so smooth, tight arc followed by a dripping butterfly-shaped tail, and down it went for a deep dive. Numerous, heavy explosive exhales disturbed the calm, gray water as a large pod of Steller sea lions burst up for air. It was hard to count the milling, diving, surging sea mammals; there may have been 20 or more. After a minute or two of heavy breathing, down they went and all was calm and very still for several minutes. A casual passerby would think there was nothing to see and move on, when everything was happening. That's when Seward's historic noon whistle went off, followed by the incongruous canned church bell melodies including Christmas favorites like, "Holy, holy, holy…" O Seward! How funny! Tom, the only guy who knows how to change the tunes, must be on vacation. "Booooohhhhhh!" The mighty whale was back, surface diving, a bit farther out. "Paaah! Paaah! Paaah!" The sea lions boiled back up, rolling, panting, and snorting. The percussive interlude continued, the whale providing a steady deep bass, the sea lions their higher, faster staccato, until everyone dove. All that remained were the waves lapping gently on the shore. It was a fascinating, riveting, spectacular performance with many encores. I still do not know what, whether herring, needlefish, or other food, is attracting all these sea mammals and seabirds to the inner bay, but it must be abundant and nutritious. Mixing with the murres, were 2 YELLOW-BILLED LOONS, a PACIFIC LOON, a RED-NECKED GREBE warming up its loud breeding voice, and a few GOLDENEYES. A flock of COMMON MERGANSERS flew by low over the water. Notably absent were the gulls. I probably missed a few species, but I had a good excuse to be distracted. What a place, Seward! Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 1-29-12 From: "lani.raymond" <lani.raymond AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:00:35 -0000 KACHEMAK BAY BIRD ALERT INFORMATION LINE (235-PEEP) January 29, 2012 Cold and even colder down here in Homer, but we know it will warm up eventually and we know each day is longer than the previous day… FYI: A copy of this report is on the Kachemak Bay Birders' website, http://www.kachemakbaybirders.org/ Check the SIGHTINGS BOARD on that website for new postings! http://kachemakbaybirders.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2 More GREAT GRAY OWL sightings out East End Rd. in the McLay to China Poot Rd area most reliably, but also some reports from the Gear Shed and out to Seaside Farms. Last sighting on the 29th at the end of Gladys Ct. A report from Bayview Ave. of a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 28th. On the 28th a hiker on the Spit trail saw one SNOW BUNTING in the grassy area before Louie's Lagoon. He looked quite a while to find others but couldn't. The Harbor is nearly all frozen so not many birds in there: SONG SPARROW, COMMON GOLDENEYES, SCAUP, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, BUFFLEHEAD. Wonder where the Rock Sandpipers are?? On the 22nd there was a second-hand report of a GREAT BLUE HERON on the beach below the seawall west of the base of the Spit. She reported it was being harassed by eagles. No other conformation or reports of this bird. From the Baycrest Area: WHITE-CROWNED, GOLDEN-CROWNED, AMERICAN TREE, and SONG SPARROWS at a feeder. Many feeders reporting American Tree Sparrows where they are not usually seen and many Oregon-race DARK EYED JUNCOS where they never before have been seen. From Anchor Point the following were reported: BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, GREAT HORNED OWL, DOWNY WOODPECKER, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, NORTHERN SHRIKE, COMMON REDPOLLS, PINE GROSBEAKS, BROWN CREEPER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BLACK-CAPPED and BOREAL CHICKADEES. IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT DAY TO BIRD!! Even below zero. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Re: Clitheroe Center Owls From: Kate McLaughlin <mclenvironmental AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:27:28 -0800 (PST) Hello All,   I've just joined the group.  I live in western Prince William Sound on Evans Island.  If the group is interested, I can post regular summaries of what I've been seeing in my area.    One of the  main reasons I joined was to find out where y'all are seeing things in Anchorage so when i come to town, which is fairly frequently, I can go find some owls!  I've yet to see a Great Gray, Boreal or a Snowy owl.  Could you tell me where Clitheroe Center is in Anch?  I will be in Anchorage for the next few weeks and would hate to miss this opportunity!   Thank you all, and Happy Birding,   Kate McLaughlin   McLaughlin Environmental Services PO Box 8043 Chenega Bay, Alaska 99574 907/573-2006 www.akenvironmentalservices.com ________________________________ From: gary_rasmussen2002 To: AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 7:14 PM Subject: [AK Birding] Clitheroe Center Owls   About 3 pm today we packed in the area near the Clitheroe Center, where the Great Gray Owl as been seen recently. Waiting for the Great Gray to show, we were very surprised when a Boreal Owl landed near the truck. The Boreal Owl is a life list for me, a bird I never expected to see. It was very tame, and allowed me to approach close without showing any concern. Actually, more like it was laughing at me trying to avoid falling in the deep snow. I've posted photos in the photo section. Who is going to find the first Snowy Owl in Anchorage this winter? Gary Rasmussen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Fwd: 5 species of owls From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:31:56 -0500 (EST) ____________________________________ From: DavidSonne AT aol.com To: akbirding AT yahoogroup.com Sent: 1/29/2012 12:31:01 P.M. Alaskan Standard Time Subj: Fwd: 5 species of owls ____________________________________ From: DavidSonne AT aol.com To: akbiirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: 1/29/2012 12:30:10 P.M. Alaskan Standard Time Subj: 5 species of owls Nils Warnach, Louann Feldman and I had five species of owls this morning. Hawk-along Lake Hood Drive Great Gray-in the recycling center west of the Clitheroe Center Saw-whet and Boreal along the fence line that parallels the Eat-west Runway. Park outside the Clitheroe Center and walk north through the heavy equiptment storage area and turn right (west) along the fence line. They owls were fairly obvious sitting in cottonwoods on the right as you walk towards the Coastal Trail. Short-eared-flopping over the runway. Dave Sonneborn Anchorage [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Friday, January 28, 2012 sea smoke and early Valentines From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:59:13 -0000 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Sunrise 9:21 am, sunset 5 pm (yes!), length of day 7 hours, 38 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 51 seconds longer. Weather: Partly cloudy and minus 4 this morning, warming ever so slightly to plus 4 in town. Fortunately, the wind seemed to be too cold to blow much. The gray sea smoke towered in the bay, writhing and swirling like a witch's cauldron. Very spooky! Ghostly gulls sifted in and out of the mystery-shrouded sea. Flashes of raptors in the 'hood including NORTHERN GOSHAWK and two SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS. NORTHERN SHRIKES reported from Mile 7, at Ava's off Nash Road, and in town, an unusual number for January. The flock of about 30 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES dined from a flower pot feeder in town, unconcerned about a PINE GROSBEAK. They all fled when an unwelcome STELLER'S JAY joined the happy feast. Three pairs of RAVENS cozied up in a cottonwood, side by side like Valentines. One very handsome bird made loud proclamations while his lovely sweetie preened. Four SNOW BUNTINGS spotted briefly at Lowell Point Beach; Robin C refound the flock of 20 yesterday, including the single McKAY'S. Robin also reported two BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in town yesterday, the first seen since January 1. There aren't many Mt Ash berries left for them to eat. A momma moose and her yearling bull calf browsed the willows at the beach this afternoon. Their tracks wander all over town, even high on piles of snow to reach willow twigs. I wonder if they too eat bird seed? Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to Goshawk flies through tiny spaces video: < http://www.wimp.com/tinyspaces/> ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Another Saw-Whet owl From: "Charlotte" <bobchar AT mtaonline.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:25:33 -0000 We also had a saw-whet owl today for about 10 minutes just before dark Charlie Butte area ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Anchorage Airport Owls From: "alaskabirder" <akbirder AT eagle.ptialaska.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:49:36 -0000 Greetings Alaska Birders, While taking advantage of the balmy weather here in Anchorage (It is -45F right now in Fairbanks)Judy and I skied on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in search of owls today 28 January. We started at the Anchorage Sewage Treatment Plant near Point Woronzof and skied south. We spotted a Short-eared Owl perched up on a snag in the open area to the west of the Clithero Center. We believe this open area to be a decommissioned recycling center. Further along the Coastal Trail we observed a Great Gray Owl actively hunting near the "Kincaid Bridge", This is the bridge with the blue railings and the solar panel on the northeast side of the bridge. We continued south on the Coastal Trail until we could overlook the lower are where the Sisson Ski Trails loop around west of the Ski Chalet in Kincaid Park. There was another Great Gray Owl actively hunting in the open areas traversed by the Sisson Ski trail. We turned back north and returned to our car. We looked for the previously reported Northern Hawk-Owl near the snow dump across from Helio Place. We did not see the Northern Hawk-Owl, but we were a bit pressed for time. Apparently the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a great location to search for owls during this cold,snowy winter. Cheers, Ed Clark Co-moderator Alaska Rare Bird Listserv Akbirder AT eagle.ptialaska.net ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Clitheroe Center Owls From: "gary_rasmussen2002" <gary_rasmussen2002 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:14:31 -0000 About 3 pm today we packed in the area near the Clitheroe Center, where the Great Gray Owl as been seen recently. Waiting for the Great Gray to show, we were very surprised when a Boreal Owl landed near the truck. The Boreal Owl is a life list for me, a bird I never expected to see. It was very tame, and allowed me to approach close without showing any concern. Actually, more like it was laughing at me trying to avoid falling in the deep snow. I've posted photos in the photo section. Who is going to find the first Snowy Owl in Anchorage this winter? Gary Rasmussen ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Great Gray, Boreal, and Hawk Owl From: "ursus_8" <avocet AT gci.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:57:36 -0000 A Hawk Owl was seen mid morning(10:20 am)at the point, near the Eagle's nest, in John's Park in south Anchorage. Other folks saw another Hawk Owl in the spruce trees along Lake Hood Drive near the snow dump. From 14:30 hrs to 16:30hrs hiked along the fence line to the left of Clitheroe Center (As you face the entrance going in). Was hoping to see the Boreal Owl that had been seen by others earlier in the morning by the gate but there was no owl. Hiked down to where the fence takes a sharp left hand turn toward the runway (down a big hill) and there found 3 Great Gray Owls actively hunting at about 1600hrs; Two out in the open areas adjacent to the runway and one was hunting from a tree along the wider road that parellels the runway after you climb up out of the stream bed. The Boreal Owl was seen as I was driving out about a 0.25 miles from Clithroe Center entrance in the same place the Great Gray was photographed earlier in the month (Photos of the owl on the end of snag from a downed tree). Tom Evans Anchoragae ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Northern Saw-Whet Owl From: "pamelajennings45" <bakerjen AT gci.net> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:33:00 -0000 Thanks to Dick and Kathy Prentki for opening up their home to birders. The phone was ringing off the hook and Captains and Sergeants from JBER were there. Between us and the squirrel and the hairy woodpecker, the poor bird couldn't get a wink of sleep! Thanks again for your hospitality! Pamela ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Saw Whet Owl Photos From: "lofgreenj" <johnlofgreen AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:34:21 -0000 Just a quick note to thank Kathy Prentki for allowing me to photograph the roosting Saw-whet Owl in her yard. Check out the photo of the owl being harrased by a Red Squirrel in the album entitled Lofgreen Photos. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Northern Hawk Owl -- KGB Road, Wasilla From: SJPeterson AT aol.com Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:27:37 -0500 (EST) My wife was driving down Knik Goose Bay Road this evening just before dusk and saw what she thought was a Northern Hawk Owl teed up on top of a birch tree along the road. I was still in town, so I headed that way and refound it -- still teed up adjacent to the driveway into the baseball fields just before the Iditarod Headquarters / Endeavor Road crossing. It was getting dark and traffic was super heavy so this was only a drive-by, but it was very visible out in the open atop that tree... We'll keep our eyes open as we drive by that way in the morning. --Stacy Peterson Wailla, AK 99654 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Re: Northern Saw-whet Owl (Anchorage) 10:45 AM Friday From: "gary_rasmussen2002" <gary_rasmussen2002 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:33:02 -0000 A big Thank You to Kathy Prentki for posting there was a Northern Saw-whet Owl perched out side her kitchen window. Her gracious offer to: "… share our kitchen window if you need an owl" was irresistible. I posted a photo in the photo section, next to two other photo of the same Owl. Gary Rasmussen Anchorage --- In AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com, wrote: > > We are looking out our kitchen window at a Northern Saw-whet Owl . It may > sleep there all day if the feeder birds don't chase it away. We are in the > NE corner of Anchorage, off of Turpin and will share our kitchen window if > you need an owl. Please call 333-4201 to see if the owl is still here and > for directions. > > > > Dick and Kathy Prentki > > Anchorage AK > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Northern Saw-whet in Homer From: "Terri Lyon" <sealion AT xyz.net> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:09:01 -0000 We also have a "house" owl here in Homer. We have seen it very consistently now for more than a week. It hangs out in our woodshed which is connected to our house and offers access to under the deck. The bird feeder is on one end of the deck. Seed falls under the deck, mice eat the seed. Also the smaller passerines go there to pick up fallen seed. The owl seems to make a decent living here. This morning it had a fresh killed Redpoll that it didn't eat. It is very tame and handsome, approachable to two feet usually. Bird on! Gary Lyon ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Northern Saw-whet Owl (Anchorage) 10:45 AM Friday From: <prentki AT acsalaska.net> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:50:23 -0900 We are looking out our kitchen window at a Northern Saw-whet Owl . It may sleep there all day if the feeder birds don't chase it away. We are in the NE corner of Anchorage, off of Turpin and will share our kitchen window if you need an owl. Please call 333-4201 to see if the owl is still here and for directions. Dick and Kathy Prentki Anchorage AK [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward Snow Buntings refound From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:20:25 -0000 I spotted about 20 BUNTINGS this afternoon at the beach near Storm Chasers on the way to Lowell Point. The north wind was howling, stirring up a ground blizzard so visibility was poor. I would not have seen them if they hadn't flown up at just the right time. I pulled over and tried to get a better look with binocs. It was a tough view, but at least one sure looked white. I was surprised they were at the beach (grit?) in the wind. Unfortunately, I was unable to get closer, but will keep looking for them feeding on the beach rye grass. I'm glad they are still around. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward Snow Buntings refound From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:13:10 -0000 I spotted about 20 BUNTINGS this afternoon at the beach near Storm Chasers on the way to Lowell Point. The north wind was howling, stirring up a ground blizzard so visibility was poor. I would not have seen them if they hadn't flown up at just the right time. I pulled over and tried to get a better look with binocs. It was a tough view, but at least one sure looked white. I was surprised they were at the beach (grit?) in the wind. Unfortunately, I was unable to get closer, but will keep looking for them feeding on the beach rye grass. I'm glad they are still around. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: The Hawk Owl on Lake Hood Drive From: Chris Maack <cmaack AT gci.net> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:25:44 -0800 Delesta Fox and I spent a couple of hours driving or walking near Pt. Woronzof and around the Helio snow dump and the airport grounds. Finally found the hawk owl perched atop a spruce along Lake Hood Drive, almost directly across from a 35 mph sign. This was at about 3:00 p.m. today. Chris Maack Anchorage [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Dusky Thrush From: "aklisabike" <aklisabike AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:49:10 -0000 I've added photos of the Dusky Thrush, seen on 1/20/12, in Turnagain, on Clay Products, with waxwings. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Common Murre spectacle From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:23:30 -0000 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Sunrise 9:30 am, sunset 4:49 pm, length of day 7 hours, 19 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 37 seconds longer. The days really are noticeably longer. Weather: The sun burst over a dark gray cloudbank this morning, spreading smiley faces and little hearts over the sparkling snowy landscape. By noon the blanket crept up and smothered the light, instantly changing the scenery to a monotone of grays and whites. Temps up to 21º but the brisk 18 mph north wind with gusts to 28 mph says brrrrr! If this extensive cloud cover chances to pull away, watch for a spectacular aurora show tonight from the recent massive solar storm. Today I saw hundreds and hundreds of seabirds from the Uplands at the Seward boat harbor mouth. It was jaw-dropping! Initially, the blue-gray sea looked fairly empty, except for choppy waves and surf scoters. But the more I looked, the more I saw, first with the binocs and then with the scope. Most of the birds were COMMON MURRES, swimming in a long and wide band. They seemed active, alert, and healthy, bobbing in the waves. There were so many hundreds, it was impossible to count. Mixed in with all the action I found HORNED GREBES, more COMMON LOONS, BARROW'S and COMMON GOLDENEYES, MARBLED MURRELETS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, COMMON MERGANSERS, PELAGIC CORMORANTS, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. A tight group of around 8 Steller sea lions (really hard to count!) boiled to the surface, flippers flashing, splashing and creating quite a commotion. Just as quickly, they all submerged and remained underwater for long periods of time. What is everything eating?! Surprisingly, there were no bald eagles anywhere in sight. I would have thought several would be perched on the dolphins, picking out the next meal. In a separate closer raft a COMMON LOON led at least 10 sleek PACIFIC LOONS and several RED-NECKED GREBES. SURF SCOTERS formed several other exclusive rafts. HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and more COMMON MERGANSERS hugged the shoreline. For comic relief, at least 50 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS crowded together on a large ice raft like clowns in a phone booth, some sitting, most standing in a few inches of ice water, preening nonchalantly as they drifted backwards from the mouth of the boat harbor out to sea. Another group of about 7 Steller sea lions surged past, snorting and splashing, but the gulls didn't even flinch. Surf scoters flew up and relocated when the sea lions got too close. If anyone knows what is attracting this mass of seabirds and sea lions, I'd be very interested. My attention was diverted when a SONG SPARROW flew up to inspect the interior of my car and both the rear view mirrors. I assume it passed, as the inspector soon flew off. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: McKays bunting at Kenai Flats - west side of river. From: "kennethtarbox" <tarbox AT ptialaska.net> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:59:23 -0000 Today at 3 PM I observed two McKay's buntings and a dozen Snow buntings at Bowpicker and Seacatch on the west side of the Kenai River flats. There was some seed placed on the road bed for the birds and the buntings were using this feeding spot. I waited about 30 mins after driving up and the buntings landed 30 feet in front of my car. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: overlap of Snowy Owl article post From: "John Wenger" <gowild AT ak.net> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:01:50 -0000 Sorry, Gary. I noticed your post just after posting mine. For those who use my posted link, just read down the page that opens and you'll see the link to the article. It is the same article as Gary's. Good birding, John Wenger Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Outside Snowy Owl Irruption From: John Wenger <gowild AT ak.net> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:52:47 -0900 Greetings Birders, With all the news about our local sightings of owls, I thought those of you who are not aware of the ongoing Snowy Owl irruption Outside, you may be interested in reading this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/science/earth/spike-in-snowy-owl-sightings -stirs-speculation-among-bird-watchers.html. BTW, Denver Holt (in the article), a personal friend, comes to Alaska every year to study the SNOW (wow, what a great bird abbreviation for the species!) in Barrow. I also, like Denver, cannot believe a federal employee shot the only one ever recorded in Hawaii:-(. John Wenger Anchorage [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Unusual Spike of Snowy Owls in lower 48. From: "gary_rasmussen2002" <gary_rasmussen2002 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:55:53 -0000 There is an irruption of Snowy Owl sightings in the lower 48. The following link will take you to a New York Times article on the spike: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/science/earth/spike-in-snowy-owl-sightings-stirs-speculation-among-bird-watchers.html?_r=2 I wonder if there is a correlation with the unusual spike of Great Gray Owl sightings, in southcentral Alaska, at the same time. Gary Rasmussen Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: The Hawk Owl on Aircraft Dr From: "slatrat58" <skesler AT gci.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:29:32 -0000 All, I drove out to the Helio snow dump to look for the Hawk Owl but no sighting. Just as I was getting to ready to leave, I did one last long distance scan with the binocs and there he was, quite distinctively, 1/4 mi to the south at the top of a cottonwood. He stayed put so I was able to drive to him. The address was 3831 B Aircraft Dr and he was perched on the top of a tall poplar in the south parking lot of the large hanger. Espied at 5:00 PM, Monday 1/29. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Kenai Birding Festival: 5/17-5/20 w/ Bill Thompson From: "beranek_lisa" <beranek_lisa AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:28:56 -0000 Kenai Birding Festival Alaska May 17-20 A birding MUST! The Kenai Birding Festival is full of activities designed for birders of all levels, including young birders. In addition to local birding experts, Bill Thompson, III, world renowned birder, author and Bird Watcher's Digest Editor, will provide workshops and outings as well as rafting trips, films, art shows and more. This 3-day event showcases the beautiful state parks, fantastic wildlife refuge and pristine beaches that draw thousands of birds to the Kenai Peninsula each year. For more information including a detailed schedule, visit www.kenaibirdfest.com. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Friday, January 20, 2012 McKay's Buntings From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:49:01 -0000 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report on the road to Homer On the journey to Homer, I detoured to the beach at Ninilchik to stretch and walk the dog. The first thing I noticed was the beach rye grass poking out of the snow in the day use area. The second thing was a small group of BUNTINGS riding the seed heads to the ground. Almost incidentally, I did notice the spectacular scenery featuring rugged snowy volcanoes across Cook Inlet. I slipped into my winter gear as the north wind was brisk, and grabbed my cameras and binocs. I eased past the five Buntings to get the sun behind me, then turned and started clicking away. Two of the group (40%!) were stunningly white McKAY'S BUNTINGS! By walking slowly, at times sinking past my knees in the soft snow, I managed to get quite close. The plucky birds left interesting, erratic tracks, pushing through the light snow like little plows. The two McKay's posed together at times, but seemed to mingle freely with the other 3 SNOW BUNTINGS. What a show! Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for a bounty of Bunting photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Westchester walk From: Aaron Bowman <ampbowman AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:24:33 -0900 I walked along the coastal trail in the vicinity of Westchester Lagoon today after work. I saw two _Common Mergansers_ with the drove of Mallards by bending down and peering through the Chester Creek culvert under the tracks, and as I was doing so, a _Dipper_ shot through flying up stream to the salmon viewing platform area. I was then surprised to see a flock of about 20 _Snow Buntings_ fly over the tracks, make a loop around the lagoon then head off SW along the trail. I walked after them and spotted them again, feeding on the seed heads along the trail just NW of the Fish Creek bridge. One of them had a distinctly lighter but streaked back, whiter uppertail coverts, and lighter face making me think it was possibly a female McKay's Bunting or a hybrid. Its habit of being somewhat alone while it fed (at least while I had good views) also made me wonder about its Snow Bunting classification.... Unfortunately, I had no camera to help you ponder with me. Anyway, a nice walk along the trail. Aaron Bowman Anchorage [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Homer Great Gray Owl report From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:32:12 -0000 Sunday, January 22, 2012 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report travels to Homer What a thrill to finally find a long-anticipated Life bird, the GREAT GRAY OWL! I decided to drive the 176 miles to Homer instead of waiting for possible local delivery. On Friday evening just before sunset, Alice the good dog, and I walked along Beluga Lake to the Calvin and Coyle Trail observation platform, following hardened tracks of snowshoers, skiers, and snowmachines to avoid post-holing. In addition to the numerous snowshoe hare tracks, I found delicate wing brush traces and foot plunge marks where the hare tracks ended. I assume these were made by owls hunting hares traveling at night. BALD EAGLES perched at the tops of the spruce crying out to each other; a small flock of REDPOLLS swooped overhead, and I heard the "peek!" of a woodpecker. I trudged back as the red-orange sun melted into the horizon, a treat not ever seen in mountainous Seward. Saturday afternoon I snowshoed the C&C Trail to the platform itself, wondering if any owls might be resting in view. Snowshoe hare tracks covered almost very square inch of snow; an incredible population boom! The dog was very interested but we didn't see any hares. Moose tracks wound through the birch/spruce forest; I saw numerous places where the huge mammals had bedded down and loads of droppings. Fortunately, I only saw one moose in a meadow, watching us plod away. Around dusk at 4:30 pm, I set up the scope at the Beluga Lake observation platform past the airport. Aaron kindly stopped by and pointed out where the owls have been seen, just east of the C&C platform. He also pointed out a HAWK OWL sitting quietly, hunting, on a spruce tip nearby. We watched for a long time, the cold penetrating deeper and deeper, until Aaron had to leave. I watched intently, scanning back and forth with my binocs. Alice woofed and I turned around to see a huge moose on the other side of the cul-de-sac! Whoops! I quickly loaded Alice in the car. The moose seemed uninterested in me and ambled over to a well-browsed bush nearby to feed. I then scanned the lake and the moose alternately. Finally around 5:30, just when the light began to fade for good, I saw two dark shapes dive down from dead snags far across the lake. It was very possible that these were Great Gray Owls, but I couldn't really count them. Regardless, it was wonderful to know they were there. The bright sunshine disappeared by Sunday, replaced by 2" of fresh snow and dark clouds. I decided to try for a closer view of the owl along East End Road and headed out just after dawn at 9:45 am in a light snowfall. It was silhouette time: eagles hunched in the naked trees, ravens perched on spruce branches. Suddenly, just east of Kachemak Drive, there was the unmistakable silhouette of a bulky owl with an enormous, sleek, helmet-shaped head. I turned around as quickly as I could and parked as far over as possible without going into the snowy ditch. The GREAT GRAY OWL perched in the top of a tree by a clearing, hunting intently, peering and listening, scanning the whole clearing below for voles. I could not believe that I was watching North America's largest owl, the Phantom of the North. After all the reports from the Tolsona Campground, Anchorage, Kenai, and Homer, I finally found one! After a bit, the magnificent owl dropped off the branch and sailed across the clearing, stalled, then landed lower in a bush. It seemed so strange to see a such a flat face without a prominent protruding bill like other birds. The corvids were waking up by now, and first a magpie, then a raven flew over to harass it. The owl merely looked straight up at them and sat firm, minding its own business. Once again the owl flew, this time across the road and into an alder. I quickly drove up and into a conveniently located driveway. Now I could really see it even though the light was still dim. What an elegant owl! The facial disk of concentric light and dark feathers framed piercing yellow eyes accented by large vertical light gray arcs and smaller dark arcs, almost like shaggy sideways eyebrows. The small orange beak rested just above a surprisingly flashy white "bowtie" with a black "knot." Long loose feathers concealed the feet and long fluffy feathers extended below like a layered skirt above the darker brown tail feathers. The tail feather tips looked quite ragged and worn. All too soon, the owl flew off to perch on a power line nearby. A few more ravens detoured from their errands to dive and harass it. A NORTHERN SHRIKE boldly made a swift pass at the owl but did not slow down. The owl faced them all, but made no aggressive moves. It sure was hard to focus on breakfast with all these disruptions! The owl made several swoops over the snow, returning to the power pole without success. Finally, it flew back across the road to hunt from the trees below the clearing. Satisfied with my incredible 40 minutes of good fortune, I left. While I would love to see the owl in better light, it was time for the long drive home to Seward. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Dusky Thrush From: "George Matz" <geomatz AT alaska.net> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:01:23 -0900 I'll be in Anchorage Thursday afternoon and Friday. Any advice on where I should look for the Dusky Thrush. George [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Anchor Point, North Fork Rd birds From: "Steven Friend" <sjfriend AT horizonsatellite.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:02:22 -0900 These birds sighted in my yard and at my feeder in the last 3 days: Gray Jays - 3 Boreal Chickadees - 5 Black-capped Chickadees - 6 Red Breasted Nuthatch - 1 Brown Creeper - 1 (1st in months) Pine Grosbeaks - 50+ Common Redpolls - 25+ Northern Shrike - 1 Northern Goshawk - 1, maybe 2 Common Ravens Bald Eagles - 3 Black Billed Magpies - 3 Downy Woodpecker Great Horned Owl - (2 heard) While watching the Shrike, it dove from the snag head first into the snow. Only thing sticking out was the tips of its tail feathers. It came up empty. Guess it saw/heard a shrew or something but missed. Word of note, a friend just north of Anchor Point has a Northern Saw-whet owl that has been spending some recent days sleeping in their living room window. Steven Anchor Point [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Question for Folks in Circle, Coldfoot & other areas north of Fairbanks From: "erik.hendrickson755" <erik.hendrickson755 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:43:04 -0000 I'm curious if there are members of this forum in Circle, Chena Hot Springs, Manley Hot Springs, Coldfoot or elsewhere, and more particularly if Gray-headed Chickadees visit their bird feeders in winter? Or - perhaps the school, or library, or a neighbor maintains a feeder visible from the road? I'd be willing to stake out such a feeder one weekend to see what birds might be visiting. At my house in Healy (near Otto Lake), there are about 6 to 8 Boreal Chickadees (slightly more than past years), 2 or 3 Black-capped Chickadees (slightly less), and up to 10 or more Pine Grosbeaks (a lot more than in past years). Also, usually 2 or 3 Black-billed Magpies and an occasional Gray Jay (both normal). Erik Hendrickson Healy ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward Field trip car pooling From: Aaron Bowman <ampbowman AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:04:26 -0900 I just wanted to let everyone know that we will be carpooling for the Anchorage Audubon Seward field trip on February 18th. We will meet at the Carrs on Huffman Rd. in South Anchorage at 7:00am, so if you are looking for a ride, want to consolidate, or have extra room to share stop on by. Splitting the cost of gas will be appreciated by all! If you have any questions please reply to this e-mail, or at 907-563-0151 Aaron Bowman Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Owls - Great Gay and Hawk From: "ursus_8" <avocet AT gci.net> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:26:52 -0000 A Great Gray Owl was seen about a quarter mile this side of Clitheroe Center from about 10:30 to 12:30 when I left. Another was also spotted at about the same time across the meadow from Clithroe Center by others. A Hawk Owl was seen perched in top of a spruce from the snow dump on Lake Hood Dr. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Another thrush reports and owls From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:37:40 -0500 (EST) Friday- Bev Angler called and she saw the Dusky Thrush with a group of 40 Robins on Foraker Street around 3 or 2:30 this afternoon. There were three Great Gray Owls on the Sisson Loop today. Dave S. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Kenai Today From: "The Burkes" <tobyburke AT mail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:10:51 -0000 Today I observed 14 buntings on the Kenai Flats at very close range from the corner of Bowpicker and Seacatch, beyond the end of Cannery Road. Eleven were Snow Buntings and 3 were McKay's Buntings. There was also a single Bohemian Waxwing on Sei Lane which is the only waxwing I've seen in the greater Kenai-Soldotna area in the last 30 days since area fruit trees have been bare since mid-December. I thought Anchorage birders would find it intriguing that in this area, lacking large numbers of ornamental fruit trees, it typically is very difficult to find even one waxwing past late December. Kenai City morning lows have ranged only from -25 to -32 these past eight days. The mouth of the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers are frozen tight and even small leads in the Inlet ice are rare to non-existent in these areas currently. Toby Burke Kenai ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Homr From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:25:42 -0500 (EST) Spent Sunday through Wednesday AM in a frigid Homer birding with RIch Macintosh and for part of a day with Aaron Lang. There were noticeably fewer birds around then usual presumably due to the cold. Only 3 loons-2 Common and one Red-throated, 2 or 3 Pelagic Cormorants in 3 days and no other cormorants, no alcids at all, etc. The McKay's Buntings were seen Monday and Tuesday at Mariner Park. There was a nice male with 4 or 5 Snow Buntings near the parking lot on Monday when I was birding alone. The three of us had a female which I photographed also with 4 or 5 Snow Buntings. On Tuesday Rich Macintosh and I had a flock of about 115 Snow Buntings with at least one male McKay's. We saw them flying around near the Mainland End of the beach grass and walked all the way down to get a better view only to have a harrier spook them. They flew down past the parking lot. We walked back only to have then fly by again all the way to the far end. There was at least one male McKay's in the flock. I'll post my photos of the female in the next day or two. Otherwise we had what others have been reporting. Lots of sparrows coming into feeders, A Great Gray on East End Road about 500 yards before you get to the Seaside Farm, almost no berries left and very few Robins and no waxwings. Dave Sonneborn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Loons and Sea smoke From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:34:08 -0000 Thursday, January 19, 2012 Sunrise 9:40 am, 4:37 sunset pm, length of day 6 hours, 57 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 14 seconds longer. Weather: Clear skies dropped the temp this morning to 0º downtown and to 8º below in Forest Acres. A waxing fingernail moon hung in the early morning sky. Golden billows of steam boiled off the bay, piling up an impressive layer of sea clouds only slightly stirred by a northern breeze. Ominous gray sky clouds from the Gulf overpowered the brilliant sun by early afternoon, snuffing out the magical light. But by late afternoon, the skies cleared once again. Bright points of light, Venus and Jupiter suddenly appeared as Mt Alice turned a delicate pink, then faded to lavender, as the spectacular day changed to night. What a day! Lured by the light on the smoking bay, I headed to Lowell Point Beach. A wealth of seabirds floated in the ghostly vapor, appearing and disappearing. One YELLOW-BILLED LOON, at least four COMMON LOONS, three PACIFIC LOONS, a pair of HORNED GREBES, several RED-NECKED GREBES, 12 COMMON MURRES, at least one PIGEON GUILLEMOT, several PELAGIC CORMORANTS, BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, SURF SCOTERS, HARLEQUIN DUCKS. Three NW CROWS walked the beach, shared by the resident SONG SPARROW. Three GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS patrolled the shore. What a thrill to hear the explosive exhales of two Steller's sealions, one a large bull. The pair swam and dove side by side back and forth in front of the beach, the vapor of their breath merging with that of the sea. The wavelets gently lapped the shore; the seabirds preened, stretched, and dove, revealed and concealed by the mist; the sealions glided along peacefully; the sun warmed my face. Another priceless gift from Mother Nature, northern beauty and resilient life wrapped in sunshine and tied with a sea smoke bow. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Great Gray Owl in Homer From: "George Matz" <geomatz AT alaska.net> Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:44:03 -0900 Despite several attempts, I haven't seen the Great Gray Owl near Beluga Lake that others have been reporting. Granted that the recent series of storms (like one after another) has been a detriment to seeing much of anything. So, I decided that today sunny and calm, though cold (just above zero which is cold for Homer) would be the perfect day for skiing around Beluga Lake to take a closer look than the viewing platform by the airport allows. Starting from where Lake Street crosses Beluga Lake, I skied along the periphery of the forest/wetlands, a route that would be nearly impossible/impassable during the summer. There were a couple of places with tracks in the snow, then wing beats and no more tracks. Things looked promising. Then just before I got to where the Calvin and Coyle Trail viewing platform is I came across a snowshoe hare browsing in the open. It's unusual this time of the year to see snowshoe hares in the middle of the day ( I have a theory about this, but that's for later). It didn't seem to notice me. As I skied closer it froze in the open snow, as if it couldn't be seen. Dumb bunny. I stopped and watched from about 40 feet away and the bunny didn't move a whisker. So I decided to ski by it but not directly at it, It still sat there, motionless. I was about 50 yards past the hare when I saw a gray blob on the top of a 20 foot stunted spruce tree about 50 yards away. Is this what I'm looking for? I raised the binoculars and saw a Great Gray Owl looking at me and the bunny. OMG. This could be a Disney moment. I stopped, thinking the owl would spring off from the tree, fly right by me and attack the hare that was still hopping around in the open. But no deal. The owl would look at me and then look past me to where the bunny was. Nothing more was happening. Then I decided I may be in the way of nature taking its course. I'm right on the middle between this owl and and its dinner (the hare). I continued on skiing until I was about 50 feet in front of the owl. It would look at me and then turned sideways to look where the hare was still hopping around. I sat and watched for 20 minutes. (Despite the videos, nature doesn't happen all that fast). So I decided to ski about 30 feet past the owl, hoping that this would relieve any anxieties by the owl. That seemed to work. The owl looked mostly in the direction of the hare. But it still sat there. I waited another 10 minutes and cold was starting to seep into my idle body. I decided to move on. I kept looking back, but nothing spectacular, I continued around the lake. No moose, but moose tracks everywhere. They must be bedded down in the thick forest. Surprisingly, the only other bird I saw, other than they-are-everywhere ravens and crows, was a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers, Not even a chickadee. But, though my list for the day isn't long, it is a good list. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Black Scoters From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:15:38 -0000 Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Sunrise 9:42 am, sunset 4:35 pm, length of day 6 hours, 53 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 10 seconds longer. Weather: Cold and clear continues. Temps dropped to 1º in town and below zero just out of town. Fortunately, the north wind was light. The relatively "warm" bay relinquished heat to the frigid air in ghostly vapor streamers. Just before dawn this morning (it sounds so righteous to get out before dawn!), I noticed several small groups of STELLER'S JAYS and PINE GROSBEAKS quietly standing guard at their posts at the tops of spruce trees. Watching, watching for raptors. A VARIED THRUSH perched in a cottonwood, warily checking out the neighbor's feeder before diving down to join the hungry JUNCOS. Down the street, six RAVENS tackled an unknown banquet next to the snow berm. A BALD EAGLE cruised overhead, but nothing was left worth snatching. Around noon, I found 7 BLACK SCOTERS in a tight raft just offshore by the Scheffler Creek Bridge. About 50 -100 gulls, SURF SCOTERS, and BARROW'S GOLDENEYES rafted up by the buoys south of the boat harbor where the seafood processing plant pipe feeds chopped fish waste. It was hard to discern the numbers and species due to the sea smoke. A single male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER dove by the harbor breakwater; goldeneyes rested in the sun out of the wind on the rocks. No loons seen. Ava's yard boiled with birds: PINE GROSBEAKS, PINE SISKINS, COMMON REDPOLLS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, and at least 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. Back home, while I was away, my neighbor reported a NORTHERN SHRIKE, GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES, and about 20 PINE GROSBEAKS in addition to all the usual feeder birds. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK took out a PIGEON. Yea! Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos please go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Dusky Thrush is still here!!!!! From: "gary_rasmussen2002" <gary_rasmussen2002 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:27:26 -0000 I stopped to check out a couple of Robins in front of 2335 Lord Baranof Dr. this afternoon, 1/18/2011. I took two pictures of a Robin in a frost covered cherry tree, when the Dusky Thrush and several Robins landed on the driveway in front of me. They ate cherries which had fallen to the ground. I turned the camera on rapid fire and took 21 pictures, before they flew off to the east. All of the pictures are time stamped exactly 2:00 PM. The Dusky Thrush had been in front of me less than one minute. We were never able to relocate the Dusky Thrush, or any of the half dozen Robins seen with it. I'll post photos of the Dusky Thrush shortly. The word has been to "Look for the light colored breast" A new clue, when checking over Robins feeding on the ground: The Dusky Thrush will be the dark colored bird. The Great Gray Owl only posed, on the top balcony rail, east of Lake Hood Drive, for a short time this afternoon. The Northern Hawk Owl was on the top of a spruce tree next to Lake Hood Dr. most of the afternoon. However, it was only visible coming from Northern Lights Blvd. Gary Rasmussen Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Fwd: Robin locations from today From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:09:41 -0500 (EST) Here are some observations of a fairly large flock of Robins from a visiting birder who unfortunately did not see the Dusky Thrush. Dave SOnneborn -----Original Message----- From: birdwatcher24_7 <birdwatcher24_7 AT yahoo.com> To: davidsonne <davidsonne AT aol.com> Sent: Mon, Jan 16, 2012 6:24 pm Subject: Robin locations from today Hi Dave, Here are the spots where I saw robins today. First thing this morning I had at least 49 robins on McRae between Abbey Ln and Kona Ln. With the help of a couple hundred Bohemian Waxwings, they completely cleaned off all the fruit from the lone Choke Cherry along McRae. I watched this group for an hour and a half or more but the Dusky Thrush wasn't with them. I probably encountered the same group of robins (50-60) along Balchen Ln between Wiley Post Ave and Bennett Ave. Again, no Dusky Thrush. They flew south and I lost them as they headed towards the McDonald's and Wendy's on Spenard Rd. I kept riding around and located 10 or so robins along Northwood Drive just off of Spenard Rd. Then I had a dozen or more along W 45th Ave just east of Northwood Drive. They would disappear down toward a stream that is shown on the map so perhaps there is an open spot where they can drink or bathe. After I lost the group this morning, I had some robins on the north side of W 32nd Ave at Outta Pl. There were 15-20 robins but no Dusky Thrush. Even though the Dusky Thrush didn't cooperate, it was still an enjoyable trip. Here are some other highlights from the past 3 days. McKay's Bunting- 2 in a flock of 50 or so Snow Buntings south of Kenai off of Bowpicker Ln. Northern Shrike- 1 at the east end of W 32nd Ave near Wisconsin St. Great Gray Owl- along Lake Hood Dr between Northern Lights Blvd and Helio Pl. Today it was sitting on someone's deck railing! Northern Hawk-Owl- along Lake Hood Dr close to Helio Pl. It was also nice to see Boreal Chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, an adult Northern Goshawk, tons of Bohemian Waxwings, Steller's Jays and Black-billed Magpies right in the Anchorage suburbs. I'd like to thank Dave Sonneborn and Thede Tobish for their help while I was in town. I really appreciate it! Good birding, Devich Farbotnik Quakertown, PA Sent from my iPhone [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Great Day for Great Grays From: "caracarabirdy" <caracarabirdy AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:30:27 -0000 We saw four great gray owls this afternoon in the large opening rimmed by the Sisson Trail, Arlene's Way, and Mize Loop in Kincaid Park, Anchorage. Hubby Jeff and I saw them from atop the bluff at the Pia-Margrethe's Overlook of the Mize Loop, maybe 15 minutes from the main parking lot for a beginning skier like me. This trail is much shorter/easier to get to than the Sisson trail, but the birds were further away so a spotting scope would be very helpful. The birds were actively hunting and fun to watch even from afar. The overlook is clearly marked with a sign, and has a commanding view of the opening, so if there are owls there you probably couldn't miss them. The whole Mize Loop is easily skied in about 45 minutes, and unless you have wings this is the only way to get there. We did not see the Stadium hawk owl but didn't spend time looking for it. After finishing our ski, we did find the Lake Hood northern hawk owl and the great gray. The hawk owl was maybe 100-200 yards E/NE from the snow dump site up Lake Hood Drive (toward Northern Lights), and the great gray was just behind the first (only?) house further up (R-hand side) as you continue toward N. Lights. Both were in the tree tops. Cara Staab Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Lake Hood Drive Owl update. From: "gary_rasmussen2002" <gary_rasmussen2002 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:05:56 -0000 The Northern Hawk Owl spent most of the afternoon near Lake Hood Dr. in the tree tops, just east of the snow dump. It has spent most of the last four days, in the same area. The Great Gray Owl was not nearly as cooperative. We drove down Lake Hood Drive off & on, from noon to 4:30 PM. Before, finally spotting it in the dim light of sun set. It was on the east side of Lake Hood Dr., a top a spruce tree, in the yard of 2130 Wendy`s Way. That is the last house on Wendy's Way, just over the fence from Lake Hood Dr. Gary Rasmussen Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Anchorage Snow Dump Owls From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:20:00 -0000 Monday morning at 9:15am I finally found the Great Gray Owl at the snow dump. More by shear dumb luck and persistence than any great birding skill. After my third loop around the block it was sitting atop a spruce not 20 feet from the road near the old bulldozers (Lake Hood Drive & Helio Place). A couple of ravens were harassing it and it kept flying from spruce to spruce, but seemed to be staying in the same general area. There was also a Hawk Owl sitting on top of a spruce way behind the snow dump. Steve W. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward Snow Buntings From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:34:04 -0000 Sunday, January 15 The short: 20 SNOW BUNTINGS at Lowell Point Beach today, wonderful to watch! Also 16 GADWALL by Scheffler Creek south of the boat harbor including one lighter and larger male. The long; please check out the photos and blog at Happy Birding! Stay warm! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Seward/Sterling Hwy - Homer Sunday From: "ak_zukes" <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:02:44 -0000 Highlights for a Homer trip. Everything is frozen... Homer: Apprx 30 Steller's Eiders across from the Heritage Camp Ground (need scope).6 White winged Crossbills right at the Homer airport pax terminal. No Great Gray Owls,..however, I did see a Northern Goshawk. All three scoters at the Homer Spit, no Rosy finches or snow buntings. 150 Rock Sandpipers, 6 Greater Scaup, Common & Barrow's Goldeneyes, Common Loon. 2 Imm. Black legged Kittiwakes at Anchor Point, 1 Herring gull 3 Hawk Owls, 2 near Black water bend/Northfork Rd, the other near Starski Creek. 6 Snow Buntings at the north side of the mouth of the Kenai River. Steve W. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Additional Great Gray Owl report From: "alaskabirder" <akbirder AT eagle.ptialaska.net> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:23:41 -0000 While skiing the Coastal Trail from Point Woronzof to Kincaid Park this Sun afternoon sometime between 1-2 PM, I happened upon the Great Gray Owl actively hunting in an open area near the runway approach lights, at the end of the newly extended runway of the Anchorage airport. The owl was observed directly from the Coastal Trail. This is very close to the Sisson ski trail in Kincaid Park, but this is a multi use trail, so could be walked, biked, skied or skijored. However, it is approximately 5 Km (3 miles) from the Point Woronzof or wasetwater treatment facility parking areas, one way. Also try as I might, I could not relocate the owl on the way back, so may not be as reliable a spot, but certainly another approach option. Judy Dearborn ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Interesting observation from Ken Marlow on the Kenai River From: "kennethtarbox" <tarbox AT ptialaska.net> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:31:09 -0000 Just wanted to share this with you. I've never seen anything quite like what we watched yesterday. I've seen Ruffed Grouse dive into a snow bank for a night's protection from the cold, and have stepped on them while snow shoeing, but I've never heard of a duck "swimming / flying" under the snow. Friday, January 14, 2012 The river is almost completely frozen over in front of our place now. We have an open stretch directly in front of the house, it's about 30 yards long and a yard wide. The mergansers and golden eye visited daily and seemed to be finding enough to eat each day. There is a second spot about 40 yards down river, just a little bigger that they used too. Both spots have been getting smaller and smaller as it gets colder—it was minus 30 degrees last night and this morning. As it got light, about 9:30 a.m. across the river right in front of the eagle's nest/perch tree we could see one lone female common merganser. It was swimming and feeding while the eagle watched from its perch. The merganser fed, swam and rested on the snow all day Late in the afternoon the eagle left it's perch and tried to get the duck...the duck lifted off the water and tried to avoid the eagle. It was obvious that it wasn't going to make it in the air so it flew into the foot or so of light fluffy snow that is on top of the ice and the eagle couldn't see it. Talons outstretched, the eagle hit the snow where it thought the duck was, but came up with nothing. The duck must have been swimming/walking/moving somehow under the snow because every now and then it would pop its head up (probably to breathe and to see where the eagle was). Anyhow, then it would go back down into the snow. The eagle would jump or hop or waddle or fly over to the spot where the head had come up. Then the duck would apparently move to a safer area (all the while under the snow) and would pop up again for air and the eagle would again jump or hop over to that area and the duck would tuck its head back into the snow and out of sight and move again. They went up and down river in an area about 40 yards and they did this over and over again. At times the eagle would try to quietly stalk the duck, stepping carefully and slowly toward the snow covered duck. We watched in amazement having never seen anything like this before. Neil went out and took some pictures, but it was getting dark and only one sort of shows the duck's head above the snow. It was amazing to watch. Finally after about 20 minutes or so, the eagle left and flew up river and the duck finally lifted its head above the snow and looked about and seeing no eagle, it then got up and flew to the slit of open water and swam up and down several times and then it flew off down river… Today the open water across from us has frozen over completely. The open stretch down river has shrunk in size but its still flowing. There has been one female merganser there all day About 1p.m. the eagle went after the merganser again. This time the duck wasn't so lucky. The eagle knocked her down just as she lifted off the water. He knocked her down and immediately spun back and grabbed her and began stripping feathers. Regards, Ken and Judy ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Homer/Kachemak Bay Bird Hotline (235-PEEP): 1-15-12 From: "lani.raymond" <lani.raymond AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:06:10 -0000 KACHEMAK BAY BIRD ALERT INFORMATION LINE (235-PEEP) January 15, 2012 A bit chilly here in Homer right now...but the snowstorms have ended for now. The two GREAT GRAY OWLS that were that were first reported on Dec. 22nd, were last reported on Jan.10th in the flats above Beluga Lake. There was another report of a Great Gray near the bottom of China Poot Rd. on the 12th, (that's about 5 miles out East End Rd.) In several places around town, many AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS are being seen at feeders. These are somewhat unusual birds in winter, but not this year. Reports from all over—Bear Creek Rd, East End Rd., by the Library, etc. Other reports of more than the usual number of Oregon race DARK-EYED JUNCOS and PINE GROSBEAKS. And reports of BROWN CREEPERS from various places—Calvin and Coyle Trail, Fritz Creek and in town. RED CROSSBILLS were reported in the Bayview area on the 8th. (No reports of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS this year yet.) Many raptor reports from all over: NORTHERN HARRIERS, HAWK OWLS, SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, MERLIN, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, PEREGRINE FALCON, NORTHERN GOSHAWKS. No shortage of hares! On the Spit, a possible hybrid COMMON GOLDENEYE x BARROW'S GOLDENEYE cross was spotted on the 7th. (For more information, Aaron Lang posted information and photos on AKBirding.) On the 14th I got a report of an "unusual looking" Goldeneye in the Harbor; it might be the same one? A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen on the 8th by the Hockey Rink. (Note: there are hare tracks in many places on the spit, even out near Land's End!) Also on the spit: nearly a thousand ROCK SANDPIPERS; SNOW BUNTINGS still around and a report of some HERRING GULLS. Up on the North Fork Rd, the following were reported: BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, PINE GROSBEAKS, COMMON REDPOLLS and NORTHERN SHRIKES. Out at Fritz Ck., NORTHERN SHRIKE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, PINE GOSBEAKS. IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT DAY TO BIRD!! ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: 2011 update to Checklist of Alaska Birds is now online From: "alaskabirder" <akbirder AT eagle.ptialaska.net> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:18:40 -0000 Greetings Alaska Birders, The 2011 update to the Checklist of Alaska Birds is now available from the Museum Of The North's Ornithology Department at www.universityofalaskamuseumbirds.org/products/checklist.pdf Or you can use your favorite search engine and enter Alaska Bird Checklist. This is the official checklist of the Birds which occurs in Alaska and is the only checklist which is updated annually. There are now 493 naturally occurring species of birds in Alaska and 25 on the "unsubstantiated" list which have not been verified with either a voucher specimen, a definable photograph or digital image, or voice recording. The 2011 additions are: Solander's Petrel (Petrodroma solandri) is added as Accidental Redwing (Turdus illiacus) is added as Accidental Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrcephalus dumentorum) is added to the Unsubstantiated list The 2011 deletion is: Snowy Plover(Charadrius alexandrinus) has been removed from the list as the photographs can not distinguish it from a Kentish Plover,(Charadrius nivosus) a recent species split from eastern Asia. 2011 Status Changes Great Shearwater becomes Casual (was accidental) American Bittern becomes Casual (was rare) Chinese Pond-Heron becomes Casual (was accidental) Eurasian Dotteral becomes Casual (was rare) Terek Sandpiper becomes Casual (was rare) Common Tern becomes Casual (was rare) Red-eyed Vireo becomes Casual (was rare) Siberian Accentor becomes Casual (was rare) Magnolia Warbler becomes Casual (was rare) Anna's Hummingbird becomes Rare (was casual) Swamp Sparrow becomes Rare (was casual) House Sparrow becomes Rare (was casual) Additionally Recent changes made by the American Ornithological Union (AOU) have been adopted with changes to the Snipe, Wood Warblers, Old World warblers and the Thrushes. Finally Bob E. Gill joins Dan Gibson, Steve Heinl, Aaron Lang, Thede Tobish, and Jack Withrow on the Alaska Checklist Committee. A paper version should be available soon from the Alaska Bird Observatory www.alaskabird.org May you find some (or all) of these birds in 2012! Cheers, Ed Clark Owner/Co-moderator Alaska Rare Bird Listserv akbirder AT eagle.ptialaska.net ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: owls in Anchorage From: "Nick" <rothman_nick AT asdk12.org> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:58:40 -0000 On my way to Kincaid to ski the Sisson Loop and look for the great grey owl this afternoon, I saw a hawk owl perched on a spruce on Lake Hood Parkway between Northern Lights and Postmark Drive. After a gorgeous frosty ski around the Sisson I was rewarded with a beautiful view of a Great grey owl perched in the sun right next to the trail. What a great day! Nick Rothman ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Owls and more From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:26:20 -0500 (EST) Saturday, January 14 The Great Gray Owl was again present on the Sissom Loop at Kincaid Park. This is a ski only area and walkers are apt to be admonished. There was another Great Gray Owl this evening around 4:30 at the snow dump at the end of Helio Drive on the airport near Lake Hood. A friend reported a Hawk Owl near there at midday. There was a Hawk Owl on the south side of the Stadium at Kincaid. There was credible report of the Dusky Thrush with a group of 17 Robins on 34th between Turnagain St and Wisconsin. Dave S. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Call for Presenters - Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival From: Marianne_Aplin AT fws.gov Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:52:42 -0900 Planning is underway for the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival and our schedule will be finalized by February. Would you or someone you know like to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary? Let us know if you'd like to speak or lead a field trip or have someone in mind! SPEAKER CALL FOR PRESENTERS Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival Homer, Alaska May 10-13, 2012 20 Years of Connecting People to Birds PLEASE RETURN TO MARIANNE_APLIN AT FWS.GOV DEADLINE: GROUNDHOGS DAY - FEBRUARY 2, 2012 The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is Alaska?s largest nature festival. Presentations will be a mix of research presentations, shorebird-specific topics, birds, and more general nature topics. Audience: The majority of conference-goers are Alaskans from the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage. Visitors will also be from other parts of Alaska, and from other states and from outside the country. Tracks: Families ? including Junior Birder [Wednesday, March 9-Saturday March 10 for Junior Bird] Family-friendly presentations and field events. The festival?s education team decides which events will count towards the Jr Bird Badge. Research [throughout the festival] Presentations on recent bird (especially shorebird) research or field work. While these presentations may be more technical, presenters are urged to make use of photos and compelling images and to limit the number of text or graph-heavy slides. Conservation [throughout the festival] Presentations on current bird (especially shorebird) and habitat conservation issues. Field trip to?. [throughout the festival] Ideas for new field trip locations or types. Boat-based field trip ideas should contact the festival coordinator: shorebirdster AT gmail.com How To [throughout the festival] Presentations or field trips that teach participants skills such as skill in using optics, photography, writing, art?. Presentation format 20 for 20: To celebrate our 20th anniversary we are soliciting 20, 20-minute talks (plus 10 minutes for discussion). Presentations should be uploadable via jumpdrive. 1 hour +: Do you need more than 20 minutes? We?ll have a limited number of one hour or longer presentation slots available. Presentations should be uploadable via jumpdrive. Fair: Would you like to be part of the Arts & Education Fair on Saturday of the festival? Contact the festival coordinator at shorebirdster AT gmail.com Handouts: You are encouraged to bring handouts or other related information to display before, during and after your presentation. SPEAKER CALL FOR PRESENTERS Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival Homer, Alaska May 10-13, 2012 20 Years of Connecting People to Birds PLEASE RETURN TO MARIANNE_APLIN AT FWS.GOV DEADLINE: GROUNDHOGS DAY - FEBRUARY 2, 2012 Speaker Name: Contact Info: Email: Phone: Cell: Bio ? a brief bio about you that we can use in introductions and in our festival program: Is this a Talk or Field Event? Presentation Length: 20 minutes 1 hour other________________ Preferred Day/Time: Program Title: Program Description: (Short ? to use in the festival program?.) We may be able to offer accommodations if you are not sponsored by an agency or organization. Please indicate your request below: # Nights? What day(s)/date(s)? How many in your party? We may be able to offer reimbursement for gas receipts for those who are driving. Please indicate where you?ll be driving from if you?d like to be considered: Anything else we should know about your availability or other details? Marianne Aplin Manager, Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center USFWS, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge 95 Sterling Hwy #1 Homer, Alaska 99603 907-226-4619 www.IslandsAndOcean.org www.facebook/IslandsAndOcean www.alaskamaritime.fws.gov [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Friday, January 13, 2012 Breakfast From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:39:05 -0000 Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report Sunrise 9:49 am, (over the mountains at 10:23 am), sunset 4:23 pm, length of day 6 hours, 33 minutes; tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 40 seconds longer. Weather: Brrrr! Beautiful, cold, clear, and icy today; temperatures plunged to low teens. A biting 24 mph north wind with gusts to 33 mph blasted down the bay and through town, cracking icy armor off swaying, protesting branches; gauzy snow streamers swirled from every mountain peak. The bright sun provided heat as false as the "amazing, miraculous" electric heaters advertised in the media. I ventured outside in the rosy predawn around 10 am. Immediately, I heard a sharp "ching" against the fence exclosure around my bird feeder. I peered into the shadows under the spruce thicket and spied breakfast in action nearby. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK readjusted its taloned grip on a slightly smaller VARIED THRUSH lying prone on the snow. Unwilling to be observed, the hawk hauled off its prize with difficulty to a more secluded spot to finish dining in private. Throughout the day, I glimpsed a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flashing over the neighborhood and my yard; a clump of gray feathers blew across the snow. Junco? Hunger perches silently in the spruce, danger sails boldly on the wind. Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter for photos go to ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Evening Grosbeak update From: "ursus_8" <avocet AT gci.net> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:34:17 -0000 As of 2:00pm there were no sightings of the Evening Grosbeak at the Charlie and Bob's Sartor's house near Butte. It was a clear cold day(12F) with no wind and so it was ideal for viewing from the comforts of home. Much thanks to Charlie and Bob for being such gracious hosts. There were approximately 9 Pine Grosbeaks, two dark-eyed Juncos, numerous (30 or so) Common Redpolls, Black-billed Magpie and two entertaining Red Squirrels. ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Lake Hood Great Gray Owl From: Aaron Bowman <ampbowman AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:40:50 -0900 On my way home from a quick ski and Raven watch along the coastal trail, I drove through the Lake Hood float plane area to check the bogs in the area for owls. Just NW of the intersection of Helio and Aircraft Dr. in a small spruce near the road was a Great Gray Owl. I saw it in the fading light just after 5:00pm. Aaron Bowman Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: No Evening Grosbeak From: "Charlotte" <bobchar AT mtaonline.net> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:02:51 -0000 Sorry to say no one has seen the Evening Grosbeak since I posted yesterday (Thursday) around noon, despite several folks keeping us company and watching yesterday and today. To bad others couldn't see & enjoy this bird (and add it to their bird list) We will let you know if it shows up again. Charlie ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Common Merganser winging over From: "John Wenger" <gowild AT ak.net> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:07:48 -0000 While small potatoes compared to the Sartor's find of the Evening Grosbeak, I witnessed an unusual bird sighting yesterday. Hobbling around on my front porch outside, a large bird was pumping hard fairly high and coming directly towards me. How strange to see a lone male Common Merganser come bombing overhead with all the neighborhood covered in snow! It flew from the west and headed eastward towards the BLM Science Center area (I live about 1/8 mile west of the Center) but I know of no open water around there. While this species is around, it sure seemed out of place here. Keep 'em coming. John Wenger Anchorage ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Request for Dusky Thrush / McKays Bunting sighting info From: Monte <tsuru8 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:40:50 -0800 (PST) AKBirding,   I'm flying up today, Friday, to Anchorage in the hopes of locating the Dusky Thrush as well as McKay's Buntings and respectfully request any information or directions to where any sightings have been made in the last number of days.  I will have my cell phone with me as well as a two-way FRS radio.  I will have Saturday thru Monday to look and if anyone wants to bird with me my rental car/gas and food expenses for you would be covered.   Please contact me off list if you can assist in any way at tsuru8 AT yahoo.com and I can also provide you my cell phone number then.   Thank you very much in advance,   Monte Taylor Orange County, CA http://www.tsuru-bird.net Birds, Mammals, Cetaceans, and more. On the Web since 1997 with over 800 species photographed  from the ABA area.  Over 1,110 total photographed from Japan, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong - all photographed free and unrestrained      Character Counts Character is doing the right thing when nobody is watching! "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." And, "It's what you learn after you know it all, that counts!" - John Wooden [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: update From: davidsonne AT aol.com Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:54:06 -0500 (EST) Any updates on the Evening Grosbeak? Was it seen regularly today. Did anyone go up to look for it? DS [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Re: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder From: Cathy Foerster <cathyfoerster AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:46:45 -0800 (PST) If the Evening Grosbeak is still there tomorrow, I'd appreciate knowing so that I can come looking for it on Saturday.  If anyone is interested in carpooling to search for it on Saturday, let me know.  I have a prius and can hold three passengers comfortably. ________________________________ From: Charlotte To: AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 11:38 AM Subject: [AK Birding] Evening Grosbeak at the feeder   This morning with the Pine Grosbeaks at our feeder we have a male evening grosbeak. This is listed as casual on Alaska bird check list, but don't seem to have heard reports. Has anyone else seen one in the area? Definite yellow over the eye and above the bill, obvious white patch on the wings, bigger bill than the pine grosbeaks, appears slightly smaller than the pine grosbeak, yellow under the tail. Bob thinks he saw this bird a couple of days ago, but didn't get a good look. Seems to be coming and going today. Charlie Sartor 5900 S.Our Rd Butte area - near Palmer 745-4565 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Homer, after a blizzard is a great place to bird! Raptors galor! From: "tjbluebird" <tjbluebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:41:30 -0000 Monday 9 January 2012 Myself and 2 other birders drove to Homer to see what birds we could find. We left Seward at 1pm its was beautiful out blue sky's clear and sunny. Along the drive we spotted: Bald Eagles-7 Northern Goshawk-1 Common Merganser-4 Short Eared Owl-1 Gray Jay-1 Black Billed Magpie-2 Downy Woodpecker-1 Common Raven-3 Not to bad for car birding. By the time we got to Homer it was way to dark to look at Beluga Lake for the Great Gray Owl so we called it a night. Tuesday 10 January 2012 8am we woke in our hotel to a blizzard and a foot of new snow on the ground, but we stuck to our plan to be a Beluga Lake at first day light. we watched for about and hour in the fog and blowing snow from the platform at the end of the lake near the airport but it was very hard to see anything in those conditions. We headed for east hill and out east end road to see what we could find. 10:00am-2:00pm Northwestern Crows-55 Bald eagle-14 Pine siskin-4 Common Redpoll-17 Steller jay-3 Black-billed magpie-8 Ring-necked pheasant-5 Dark-eyed Junco-1 Northern Harrier-2 males east end road Common Raven-1 eating a hare (east end road) Black-capped Chickadee-4 Pine grosbeak-26 Red-breasted nuthatch-1 Northern Shrike-3 east end road and fritz creek area Gray Jay-4 Rock Dove-13 Moose 6 2:00pm-4:00pm Spit Common merganser 1 common goldeneye 34 Downy woodpecker 1 Northwestern crow 8 Mew Gull 8 Common Raven 1 Black Scoter 54 Pelagic cormorant 1 G.w.gull 17 Bufflehead 2 Long-tailed Duck 109 Greater Scaup 3 Rock Dove 13 BOAT Harbor Red-breasted Merganser 8 Snow Bunting 12 Gray-crowned rosy finch 37 Harlequin 7 Rock Sandpiper 990 Common loon-1 herring gull 7 Horned grebe 1 Pacific loon-3 The Buntings and the rosy finches were feeding around the floating ice and frozen debris in among-st the ROSA's as they all slept heads tucked in the blowing wind. it was great fun to see these 3 species mixed. (photos of under Tasha's) 4pm we were back at the viewing platform at beluga lake to searching with scopes for the Great Gray Owl. the weather had cleared and we had high hopes. After 20 minutes of scanning up and down high and low the far side of the lake and the far east corner. 2 big owls came into view, backs turned to me, then they turned their heads, I could not believe it 2 great grey owls perched in the same spruce tree, one slightly larger then the other. Not 30 seconds later they both flew, we lost one in the tree shadows but the other we watch for about 40 minutes fly form perch to perch. until some snow machines came and spooked them accidentally. What a sight! Most of the time we watched them they were south of the viewing platform directly across from us on snags just on the forest edge. 11 January 2012 9 am Cross country Skied the Calvin and Coyle trail: Heard 1 Hawk owl Calling Merlin-1 Golden-Crowned kinglet-2 Common raven-2 Brown Creeper-1 downy woodpecker-1 3pm Kenai Viewing platform by the cannery 66 northwestern crows 8 of which had injuries or beak deformities(see photos) already reported to USGS sharp shinned hawk-1 430pm just north ~2 miles of Soldotna HAWK OWL Wow we got all our target species but the yellow-billed loon, plus some! Thank you to all who gave us tips,locations and pointers. best of birding to you all! Tasha and crew ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: RE: RE: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder From: Buzz Scher <bscher AT rmconsult.com> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:10:47 -0900 To expand on Aaron's review, there has been one previous in the Anchorage/Upper Cook Inlet region; a female was photographed in southeast Anchorage on 22 May 1984. Buzz Scher From: AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Aaron Lang Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 11:58 AM To: AK Birding Cc: bobchar AT mtaonline.net Subject: [AK Birding] RE: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder Hi Charlie, Thanks for the report and wow! There are a number of records of Evening Grosbeak (at least 20) from Southeast Alaska, but I don't believe that there are any reports from any further north than Haines. Thanks very much for posting this and please post any updates of the bird. I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in this one! What a winter! Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer* Subject: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder* From: "Charlotte" Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:38:12 -0000 This morning with the Pine Grosbeaks at our feeder we have a male evening grosbeak. This is listed as casual on Alaska bird check list, but don't seem to have heard reports. Has anyone else seen one in the area? Definite yellow over the eye and above the bill, obvious white patch on the wings, bigger bill than the pine grosbeaks, appears slightly smaller than the pine grosbeak, yellow under the tail. Bob thinks he saw this bird a couple of days ago, but didn't get a good look. Seems to be coming and going today. Charlie Sartor 5900 S.Our Rd Butte area - near Palmer 745-4565 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: RE: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder From: Aaron Lang <birdingak AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:58:14 -0900 Hi Charlie, Thanks for the report and wow! There are a number of records of Evening Grosbeak (at least 20) from Southeast Alaska, but I don't believe that there are any reports from any further north than Haines. Thanks very much for posting this and please post any updates of the bird. I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in this one! What a winter! Good birding, Aaron Lang Homer* Subject: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder* From: "Charlotte" Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:38:12 -0000 This morning with the Pine Grosbeaks at our feeder we have a male evening grosbeak. This is listed as casual on Alaska bird check list, but don't seem to have heard reports. Has anyone else seen one in the area? Definite yellow over the eye and above the bill, obvious white patch on the wings, bigger bill than the pine grosbeaks, appears slightly smaller than the pine grosbeak, yellow under the tail. Bob thinks he saw this bird a couple of days ago, but didn't get a good look. Seems to be coming and going today. Charlie Sartor 5900 S.Our Rd Butte area - near Palmer 745-4565 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Evening Grosbeak at the feeder From: "Charlotte" <bobchar AT mtaonline.net> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:38:12 -0000 This morning with the Pine Grosbeaks at our feeder we have a male evening grosbeak. This is listed as casual on Alaska bird check list, but don't seem to have heard reports. Has anyone else seen one in the area? Definite yellow over the eye and above the bill, obvious white patch on the wings, bigger bill than the pine grosbeaks, appears slightly smaller than the pine grosbeak, yellow under the tail. Bob thinks he saw this bird a couple of days ago, but didn't get a good look. Seems to be coming and going today. Charlie Sartor 5900 S.Our Rd Butte area - near Palmer 745-4565 ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Anchorage Audubon Seward Winter field trip, February 18th From: Aaron Bowman <ampbowman AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:45:12 -0900 Field Trip: Seward Winter Birding Field Trip Date and Time: Saturday, February 18, 10:00am Location: Seward Harbormaster's Office Description: Join Aaron Bowman and others on February 18th at the Seward Harbormaster's Office for a winter birding excursion in Seward. Search for loons, waterfowl, gulls, alcids, raptors and passerines along the waterfront and in the neighborhoods and enjoy the area's diversity and possibility for the unusual. Bring a lunch and lots of layers. If you have walkie-talkies, they may be useful to communicate between cars. Donations of sunflower bird seed are also welcome to support a local bird feeder (one of our stops) who is being hit hard by hungry flocks of Pine Grosbeaks this year! We will start the outing from in front of the Harbormaster's restrooms in Seward at 10:00 a.m. Be prepared for strong winds. In case of stormy weather this tripmay be rescheduled for February 25. If you have any questions, please call Aaron at 563-0151. Aaron Bowman Anchorage [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Monday Seward 3 fabulous species! From: "c_griz" <c_griz AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:43:17 -0000 The brief: a SAW-WHET OWL perched on a spruce next door, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flyby, and the return of 100 famished SNOW BUNTINGS with at least one McKAY'S BUNTING on Monday before this massive storm hit. The long with photos, please visit Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Audubon Program January 19 From: "w" <wkeys AT gci.net> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:13:44 -0000 The Sound of Life--Wildlife in Prince William Sound featuring photography by Milo Burcham Anchorage Audubon's February program is a rare treat, because Milo Burcham will take a break from shoveling snow in Cordova to share his fabulously stunning photos with us. Milo is a wildlife biologist with the U. S. Forest Service who has studied moose, elk in Montana, bristle-thighed curlews on a remote Pacific island, black bears, grizzly bears, and owls. His photos can only be described as spectacular, and his work has appeared in "National Geographic," "Audubon Magazine," "Time," "Outdoor Life," and "Alaska Airlines Magazine". In 2005 he joined the BBC crew working on the series "Planet Earth" on the remote Tibetan Plateau. His work shows up everywhere, from the pages of "Ranger Rick" to the "Sparrows of the United States and Canada." Milo's passion for wildlife photography has taken him to the Rocky Mountains, the desert southwest, Florida's wetlands, and the rainforests of Costa Rica. This January 19th program is an incredible chance to see the work of a photographic genius, and we hope you'll join us for dazzling images and luscious cookies. Thursday, January 19, 7:00 pm BP Energy Center ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Canceled thrush trip From: "sjfriend AT horizonsatellite.com" <sjfriend@horizonsatellite.com> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:46:06 -0900 I guess last nights post about asking for help locating the thrush can be ignored. It's a blizzard here so not making it up. Hopefully try again soon. Thank you Steve Sent from my HTC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: June Target Species - thanks From: Frank Haas <fbhaas AT ptd.net> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:26:55 -0500 Thanks to all who responded to our RFI. The consensus appears to be Denali Highway and the services of Audi. We are making plans... Frank Frank & Barb Haas fbhaas AT ptd.net Churchtown, PA "Wisdom begins with putting the right name to a thing." www.FranklinHaas.com ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice! Subject: Anchorage Thrush From: "sjfriend AT horizonsatellite.com" <sjfriend@horizonsatellite.com> Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:43:46 -0900 Will be in town Tue and Wed from Anchor Point and hope to get some time to look for the thrush. Any recent sightings? Have tried three times so far without any good luck do we'll see what happens. Will be checking here often. Thanks Steve Sent from my HTC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice!