Eagle Chat, Alaska Birding

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Recent Postings from
Eagle Chat, Alaska Birding

Updated on Sunday, May 11 at 11:38 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

11 May thrushes back [Beth Peluso ]
11 May thrushes back [Beth Peluso ]
11 May Oystercatcher correction: Luisa (Auke Rec) , not Lena point [Gwen Baluss ]
11 May Black oystercatchers, Lena Point, 5/9 [Gwen Baluss ]
11 May Dredge Lakes ["triciaorush" ]
10 May Point Bridget birding - Saturday [Karla Hart ]
10 May Fw: Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget [alan munro ]
09 May Day in Juneau/Douglas ["Steve W." ]
08 May Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget [Paul Suchanek ]
08 May N Goshawk ["jeffreysauer2007" ]
7 May more sparrows [Beth Peluso ]
7 May more sparrows [Beth Peluso ]
06 May Pair of Western Grebes on Mendenhall Wetlands [Paul Suchanek ]
5 May Haines Birdathon Update [Pam Randles ]
5 May Haines Birdathon Update [Pam Randles ]
5 May Re: sparrows, etc []
5 May Deborah Rudis/R7/FWS/DOI is out of the office. []
5 May Haines Birdathon [Pam Randles ]
5 May Haines Birdathon [Pam Randles ]
4 May vim and vinegar [Beth Peluso ]
4 May vim and vinegar [Beth Peluso ]
05 May more murrelets ["glacierdawg55" ]
04 May this morning on the wetlands [Mark Schwan ]
4 May RE: hooligan run [Samantha Brett ]
03 May Re: hooligan run [Paul Suchanek ]
03 May mendenhall wetlands. ["skuas" ]
03 May hooligan run [alan munro ]
02 May snow geese ["skuas" ]
02 May murrelet convention ["glacierdawg55" ]
01 May femalerh [alan munro ]
1 May Re: kestrel []
01 May harrier ["glacierdawg55" ]
01 May Re: beach bums ["paddlinda" ]
30 Apr Pioneer Marsh yesterday ["larrythefishguy" ]
30 Apr speaking of Boneparte's ["glacierdawg55" ]
29 Apr on the move [Beth Peluso ]
29 Apr on the move [Beth Peluso ]
28 Apr Goats on Mt. Juneau ["Bradley J. Fluetsch, CFA" ]
28 Apr spring arrivals ["paddlinda" ]
26 Apr Bluebird and yellow rumps [Laurie Ferguson Craig ]
26 Apr Re: rhummingbird, male [Becky Carls ]
26 Apr Fish Creek walk results [Paul Suchanek ]
26 Apr Re: rhummingbird, male [M & M ]
25 Apr rhummingbird, male [alan munro ]
25 Apr FOS Yellow-rumped warbler [Gwen Baluss ]
25 Apr who cooks for you all... ["glacierdawg55" ]
24 Apr Mt. Bluebirds [Marlena Mooring ]
24 Apr Fish Creek walk on Saturday (4/26) AM [Paul Suchanek ]
24 Apr No Subject [Samantha Brett ]
23 Apr Mendenhall Wetlands - Airport Trail -628 acres of the refuge to be conveyed as an easement [steve ]
22 Apr Hummers arrived in Haines. [Pam Randles ]
21 Apr Pt Bridget State Park sightings for 4/21 [Paul Suchanek ]

Subject: thrushes back
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:38:07 -0700 (PDT)

I've heard rumors the hermit thrushes were back, but tonight I finally heard one singing in the woods behind my house. Another welcome returnee! Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Subject: thrushes back
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:38:07 -0700 (PDT)

I've heard rumors the hermit thrushes were back, but tonight I finally heard one singing in the woods behind my house. Another welcome returnee! Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Oystercatcher correction: Luisa (Auke Rec) , not Lena point
From: Gwen Baluss <gwenbaluss AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 13:56:50 -0700 (PDT)

Early senility? ________________________________________________________________________ 、IRDS NOT BOMBS!
Subject: Black oystercatchers, Lena Point, 5/9
From: Gwen Baluss <gwenbaluss AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 10:03:54 -0700 (PDT)

A pair, squabbling (and mating!) at sunset. I've seen 2 birds out there about this time of year before. I hope they find a less peopled beach to nest on. ________________________________________________________________________ 、IRDS NOT BOMBS!
Subject: Dredge Lakes
From: "triciaorush" <triciaorush AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 05:45:58 -0000

Lots of activity at Dredge Lakes today including wigeon, pintail, canvasback, blue winged and green winged teal, shoveler and mallard all on one lake. Lots of yellow-rumped, orange crowned also a single Wilson's, townsends and yellow warbler singing. Got a glimpse of a small flycatcher as well but am much better at songs than sight on those - probably a willow but not positive. Also flushed an adult goshawk off a grouse it had taken on the steep creek trail right by the bridge.
Subject: Point Bridget birding - Saturday
From: Karla Hart <khart AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 20:34:23 -0800

Point Bridget State Park is an incredible place for a birding hike this weekend. There is still a bit of snow on the trails in places, with a bit of post-holing potential, but it really isn't bad and melting fast. At the big beaver pond along the trail we stopped to look at Ring-Necked Ducks with the scope and ended up spending almost an hour there at mid-day. There were shovelers, American Wigeons, I think I saw mergansers sleeping but didn't get a good look at them, yellowlegs, a Solitary Sandpiper (?), kingfishers, a couple of Trumpeter Swans, quite a few red-winged blackbirds, pretty sure I saw a rusty blackbird but didn't get a long look, lots of Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned warblers, Golden Crowned Sparrows, a Northern Harrier, swallows (Violet-green or Tree?), Ruby-crowned kinglets, Varied Thrushes, a few Hermit Thrushes, lots of robins .. Out at the beach the scoters were still there by the thousands, along with hundreds of Harlequins, some Pintails, shovelers, wigeons, Buffleheads, Barrow's Goldeneyes, .. Clouds of gulls but I am saving identifying them (and sparrows) for .. later .. so I didn't even contemplate looking for the Slaty-backed! I didn't find any loons, but am neither as persistent or skilled as Wednesday's birders. We heard some hooters, Winter Wrens, and a woodpecker. If you want the scoter rafts without the drive, there were thousands in Sunshine Cove when we drove past on our way home this afternoon. Karla
Subject: Fw: Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget
From: alan munro <amunro AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 12:21:04 -0800

----- Original Message ----- From: alan munro To: Paul Suchanek Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 12:07 PM Subject: Re: [Eaglechat] Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget I boated up to Berners Bay Friday, yesterday, in my wee C-Dory and found no hooligan activity at either left or right sides of sand bar shoal across the head of the Bay. On the Antler River side I saw maybe a dozen gulls, one porpoise, one BEagle and small flock of mergansers and golden-eye. On the Lace River side there were more gulls resting, but not feeding. On way out of Bay, heading back south, there was a stiff NWest wind and Pt. Bridget was literally boiling with numerous gulls, hundreds of scoters and numerous agitated waves--plus one startled Steller's that surfaced on my immediate starboard exhaling copious spray and adding much to the total drama. A NOAA employee told me upon return to Harris Harbor that their recent scientific trawling produced only a few hooligan but numerous herring. Apparently NOAA doesn't know why the hooligan run is weak, though it is apparently weak in Glacier Bay, as well. am ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Suchanek To: alan munro Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:45 PM Subject: Re: [Eaglechat] Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget Thanks for the info. Maybe some more will come in. ----- Original Message ----- From: alan munro To: Paul Suchanek Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 11:22 AM Subject: Re: [Eaglechat] Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget According to USFS, the eulachon run is looking small so far. They have a field camp on the Antler River. am ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Suchanek To: Eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 7:44 AM Subject: [Eaglechat] Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget Thick herring spawn in the cove between Pt Bridget and Cowee Creek has attracted huge surf scoter and gull flocks. Yesterday, Gus van Vliet, Mark Schwan, and I took a look through some of the hordes and managed to pick out an apparent slaty-backed gull. Thayer's gulls were the most numerous large pink-legged gull. We also saw 4 species of loons including a breeding plumaged yellow-billed loon. Highlights also included an osprey and a couple of golden eagles migrating by. We looked up toward the head of the bay but there didn't appear to be many gulls along the shoreline there although it could be that the gulls were further up the rivers in pursuit of the eulachon.
Subject: Day in Juneau/Douglas
From: "Steve W." <ak_zukes AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 01:14:21 -0000

Got to spend one quick evening birding between downtown & Sandy Point Birds seen: Mallard Green-winged Teal Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter Bufflehead Barrow's Goldeneye Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Belted Kingfisher Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Northwestern Crow Common Raven Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Varied Thrush Yellow-rumped Warbler Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Steve Waltz
Subject: Slaty-backed gull amongst gull hordes at Pt Bridget
From: Paul Suchanek <paulms AT gci.net>
Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 07:44:39 -0800

Thick herring spawn in the cove between Pt Bridget and Cowee Creek has attracted huge surf scoter and gull flocks. Yesterday, Gus van Vliet, Mark Schwan, and I took a look through some of the hordes and managed to pick out an apparent slaty-backed gull. Thayer's gulls were the most numerous large pink-legged gull. We also saw 4 species of loons including a breeding plumaged yellow-billed loon. Highlights also included an osprey and a couple of golden eagles migrating by. We looked up toward the head of the bay but there didn't appear to be many gulls along the shoreline there although it could be that the gulls were further up the rivers in pursuit of the eulachon.
Subject: N Goshawk
From: "jeffreysauer2007" <Jeffreysauer AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 04:31:13 -0000

Northern Goshawk, adult, seen on the dike trail near top of an alder wed afternoon. Also, Red-winged Blackbird heard at Pioneer Home Marsh. Jeff Sauer
Subject: more sparrows
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 11:26:36 -0700 (PDT)

I heard a couple fox sparrows singing by my house on Douglas this morning. One silent one unfortuately seemed to have hit a window. Didn't look injured but seemed stunned so I moved him into the brush where hopefully he can hide from neighborhood dogs and cats until he's alert again. Still hordes of goledn-crowned sparrows--a flock of a half dozen was feeding near my parking lot this morning. They made a whole range of quiet twittering sounds I didn't know they made. Also heard my first of the season orange-crowned warblers singing. On Monday, in between wrangling 4th graders on their annual Seaweek outdoor education day, the birding along the airport trail was great: solitary sandpiper (in the ditch along "warbler alley" before you reach the first of the ponds) Am. pipits--flock of about 75 Wilson's snipe 9 snow geese merlin male N. harrier arctic terns yellowlegs (I think both species) yellow-rumped warbler (lots feeding on the ground along rocky areas and stream banks) Canada geese buffleheads Am. wigeon mallards bald eagles (adult and immature) song sparrow singing ruby-crowned kinglets singing varied thrush singing western sandpipers Lincoln's sparrow singing Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: more sparrows
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 11:26:36 -0700 (PDT)

I heard a couple fox sparrows singing by my house on Douglas this morning. One silent one unfortuately seemed to have hit a window. Didn't look injured but seemed stunned so I moved him into the brush where hopefully he can hide from neighborhood dogs and cats until he's alert again. Still hordes of goledn-crowned sparrows--a flock of a half dozen was feeding near my parking lot this morning. They made a whole range of quiet twittering sounds I didn't know they made. Also heard my first of the season orange-crowned warblers singing. On Monday, in between wrangling 4th graders on their annual Seaweek outdoor education day, the birding along the airport trail was great: solitary sandpiper (in the ditch along "warbler alley" before you reach the first of the ponds) Am. pipits--flock of about 75 Wilson's snipe 9 snow geese merlin male N. harrier arctic terns yellowlegs (I think both species) yellow-rumped warbler (lots feeding on the ground along rocky areas and stream banks) Canada geese buffleheads Am. wigeon mallards bald eagles (adult and immature) song sparrow singing ruby-crowned kinglets singing varied thrush singing western sandpipers Lincoln's sparrow singing Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Subject: Pair of Western Grebes on Mendenhall Wetlands
From: Paul Suchanek <paulms AT gci.net>
Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 08:50:12 -0800

I saw a pair of Western Grebes this am in the large flock of scoters, scaup, and red-necked grebes between the mouth of the Mendenhall River and the mouth of Gastineau Channel where it runs out into Fritz Cove. I saw them from the spruce island near the mouth of Fish Creek but only because I had a good spotting scope and viewing conditions were ideal. You also could have seen them by walking out to the edge of the mudflats from the airport dike trail. Yesterday, Rich Gordon reported a flyby of an immature male King Eider near where I saw the Western Grebes. For those not so interested in rarities, there has been a very large flock (thousands) of surfbirds in the bay near Outer Point at low tide (not where everyone fishes at False Outer Pt). It is quite a spectacle to see them fly around and then disappear as they land amongst the rocks - there were also rock sandpipers and black turnstones mixed in with them.
Subject: Haines Birdathon Update
From: Pam Randles <pam AT mosquitonet.com>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 12:47:51 -0800

We received another report from a birder that increases our species total for the 2008 Haines Birdathon to 65. Notable in that report were a number of raptors. Sixty-five species is a normal number for Haines. I hope all reports are now in, but if not, there will be another update. Pam Randles Pam Randles 17 Moose Lane P.O. Box 1591 Haines, Alaska 99827 USA Mobile: (907) 982-1824 Landline:(907) 766-3664 pam AT mosquitonet.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Haines Birdathon Update
From: Pam Randles <pam AT mosquitonet.com>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 12:47:51 -0800

We received another report from a birder that increases our species total for the 2008 Haines Birdathon to 65. Notable in that report were a number of raptors. Sixty-five species is a normal number for Haines. I hope all reports are now in, but if not, there will be another update. Pam Randles Pam Randles 17 Moose Lane P.O. Box 1591 Haines, Alaska 99827 USA Mobile: (907) 982-1824 Landline:(907) 766-3664 pam AT mosquitonet.com
Subject: Re: sparrows, etc
From: deborah_rudis AT fws.gov
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 11:23:40 -0800

There were lots of golden-crowned sparrows foraging around the community garden yesterday. Some RWBBs calling from the marsh and numerous YRWA singing, even though it was 3pm. Guess the cool., overcast day didn't dampen their spirits. Also - 2 of the TRSW nest boxes are being used by CBCH. I don't have the heart to remove the nests so swallows can use them later.... as long as the red squirrels don't get them! -deb ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deborah D. Rudis Environmental Contaminants Biologist US Fish & Wildlife Service Ecological Services Field Office 3000 Vintage Blvd. #201 Juneau, Alaska 99801 907/780-1183 fax 907/586-7154 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.' John Muir Beth Peluso To Sent by: eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com, AK Eaglechat AT yahoogr Birding Group oups.com cc 05/04/2008 06:48 Subject PM [Eaglechat] vim and vinegar I've seen male rufous hummingbirds act very aggressively toward other hummingbirds, but today the male hanging out in my back yard was harassing a golden-crowned sparrow! the sparrow seemed to completely ignore him, but the hummer spent a minute or two bobbing up and down and darting around the sparrow less than a foot away like an angry bumblebee. The sparrow was about 3 times his size, but that didn't seem to faze him. There aren't any flowers around, just budding alders, so I don't know what set him off. Beth Peluso Juneau Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Subject: Deborah Rudis/R7/FWS/DOI is out of the office.
From: deborah_rudis AT fws.gov
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 10:01:04 -0800

I will be out of the office starting 05/05/2008 and will not return until 05/19/2008. I am away for 2 wks and hope to check email frequently - bu maybe not each day. Please contact Bill Hanson for assistance while I am away. Bill_Hanson AT fws.gov ph. 907.780.1170
Subject: Haines Birdathon
From: Pam Randles <pam AT mosquitonet.com>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 08:50:23 -0800

The Haines Birdathon wrapped up on May 3 with a total of 55 species. This is lower than previous years. The high was 75 species in 2005. (We are pretty new at this, so we don㦙 have lots of data.) Spring has been slow to come and cold, so maybe that is the reason. Since 2003, there have been migrating Mountain Bluebirds passing through and they were here during Birdathon. We saw rafts of Surf Scoters and large numbers of Pintails, as well as Eurasian Wigeons. There were a couple of Ring-necked Ducks, a Hooded Merganser and a Redhead (which is unusual for Haines). Pam Randles ------------------------------------ Remember -- Be nice!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AKBirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AKBirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:AKBirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:AKBirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: AKBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Haines Birdathon
From: Pam Randles <pam AT mosquitonet.com>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 08:50:23 -0800

The Haines Birdathon wrapped up on May 3 with a total of 55 species. This is lower than previous years. The high was 75 species in 2005. (We are pretty new at this, so we don㦙 have lots of data.) Spring has been slow to come and cold, so maybe that is the reason. Since 2003, there have been migrating Mountain Bluebirds passing through and they were here during Birdathon. We saw rafts of Surf Scoters and large numbers of Pintails, as well as Eurasian Wigeons. There were a couple of Ring-necked Ducks, a Hooded Merganser and a Redhead (which is unusual for Haines). Pam Randles ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eaglechat/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eaglechat/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:Eaglechat-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:Eaglechat-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Eaglechat-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: vim and vinegar
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 19:48:09 -0700 (PDT)

I've seen male rufous hummingbirds act very aggressively toward other hummingbirds, but today the male hanging out in my back yard was harassing a golden-crowned sparrow! the sparrow seemed to completely ignore him, but the hummer spent a minute or two bobbing up and down and darting around the sparrow less than a foot away like an angry bumblebee. The sparrow was about 3 times his size, but that didn't seem to faze him. There aren't any flowers around, just budding alders, so I don't know what set him off. Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: vim and vinegar
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 19:48:09 -0700 (PDT)

I've seen male rufous hummingbirds act very aggressively toward other hummingbirds, but today the male hanging out in my back yard was harassing a golden-crowned sparrow! the sparrow seemed to completely ignore him, but the hummer spent a minute or two bobbing up and down and darting around the sparrow less than a foot away like an angry bumblebee. The sparrow was about 3 times his size, but that didn't seem to faze him. There aren't any flowers around, just budding alders, so I don't know what set him off. Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Subject: more murrelets
From: "glacierdawg55" <glacierdawg55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 01:05:44 -0000

Sunday morning found 187 marbled murrelets in Pearl Harbor. They were joined by Bonepart's gulls, glacous-winged gulls, common mergansers and common loons (in full breeding plumage). The minus tide sandy beach at the Arboretum had a mixed flock of western sandpipers and semipalmated sandpipers (I think; pesky calidris!!) with a lone dunlin. The Arboretum lawn was occupied with varied thurshes and robins looking for their breakfast worms along with three golden-crowned sparrows and two fox sparrows. Merrill Jensen
Subject: this morning on the wetlands
From: Mark Schwan <aukebay AT gci.net>
Date: Sun, 04 May 2008 15:21:43 -0800

I went out to the mouth of the Mendenhall River this morning and backed up with the incoming tide. The weather out there was pretty unpleasant but there were lots of birds to look at through the bouncing scope. There were several good sized flocks of Western Sandpipers with Dunlins scattered throughout, and Least Sandpipers seemed widespread too but not nearly as numerous as the Westerns. There were a dozen or so Black-bellied Plovers and a couple of Semipalmated Plovers, plus a fair number of Short-billed Dowitchers. Shorebird highlights included one rather tame Baird's Sandpiper, two Whimbrels, and six Hudsonian Godwits. There were two adult Caspian Terns at the mouth of the river, which is my earliest date for seeing these guys. Finally, there was a nice flock of Greater White-fronted Geese (~19) in the river with two Snow Geese and six Cackling Geese mixed in with them, which appeared to be the minima subspecies, or smallest, darkest form. Mark Schwan Juneau
Subject: RE: hooligan run
From: Samantha Brett <sammieb7 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 18:44:42 -0400

Did you happen to see the Lesser black-back Gull? To: Eaglechat AT yahoogroups.comFrom: paulms AT gci.netDate: Sat, 3 May 2008 14:13:06 -0800Subject: Re: [Eaglechat] hooligan run I was out on the Berners Bay boat trip this AM and apparently the eulachon run at the head of the bay has started as there were thousands of gulls lining all the sand bars up there. We saw plenty of sea lions and whales in Berners Bay but the catamaran can't get up in the shallows so we only viewed most of the gulls from a substantial distance. The herring have also spawned near the mouth of the bay at Pt. Bridget and so there is a huge raft of scoters near Pt Bridget and more untold thousands of gulls in the bay between Pt Bridget and the mouth of Cowee Creek. I think both events have just started in the last day or two. ----- Original Message ----- From: alan munro To: Eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 10:39 AM Subject: [Eaglechat] hooligan run Anyone been to Berners Bay and knows status of Hooligan run? Last I heard couple days ago it hadn't started. am _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208
Subject: Re: hooligan run
From: Paul Suchanek <paulms AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 14:13:06 -0800

I was out on the Berners Bay boat trip this AM and apparently the eulachon run at the head of the bay has started as there were thousands of gulls lining all the sand bars up there. We saw plenty of sea lions and whales in Berners Bay but the catamaran can't get up in the shallows so we only viewed most of the gulls from a substantial distance. The herring have also spawned near the mouth of the bay at Pt. Bridget and so there is a huge raft of scoters near Pt Bridget and more untold thousands of gulls in the bay between Pt Bridget and the mouth of Cowee Creek. I think both events have just started in the last day or two. ----- Original Message ----- From: alan munro To: Eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 10:39 AM Subject: [Eaglechat] hooligan run Anyone been to Berners Bay and knows status of Hooligan run? Last I heard couple days ago it hadn't started. am
Subject: mendenhall wetlands.
From: "skuas" <bev.agler AT alaska.gov>
Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 20:42:36 -0000

It was a nice morning on the flats. A little windy, but there were several western and least sandpipers, a few gr yellowlegs, 2 sb dowitchers, 4 horned larks, 40 American pipits, 2 lapland longspurs, 7 snow geese and assorted ducks, pintail, mallard, widgeon, teal, etc. Oh and lots of swallows! They finally arrived. Bev. Agler
Subject: hooligan run
From: alan munro <amunro AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 10:39:49 -0800

Anyone been to Berners Bay and knows status of Hooligan run? Last I heard couple days ago it hadn't started. am
Subject: snow geese
From: "skuas" <bev.agler AT alaska.gov>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 18:51:56 -0000

Hi, there were 6 snow geese on the Mendenhall Wetlands this morning. Bev Agler 465-3498
Subject: murrelet convention
From: "glacierdawg55" <glacierdawg55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 15:52:53 -0000

The little fish must be running as there are 147 marbled murrelets in the mouth of Pearl Harbor this morning. This easily tops the 97 that I observed here back in February. They were mixed in with the assorted mergansers, gulls and low flying strings of surf scoters heading north. Merrill Jensen
Subject: femalerh
From: alan munro <amunro AT gci.net>
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 20:14:16 -0800

Female rh at my dwntwn feeder 1:00PM 5/1/08
Subject: Re: kestrel
From: deborah_rudis AT fws.gov
Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 17:58:21 -0800

We saw a kestrel this wkend (Sat.)as we drove on Eagan. It was sitting on the small spruce that is often decorated ~across from Fred Myers. Deborah Rudis & Kim Titus Beth Peluso To Sent by: AK Birding Group Eaglechat AT yahoogr , oups.com eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com cc 04/30/2008 10:38 Subject PM [Eaglechat] beach bums I saw a bit of a sparrow party while walking along the sidewalk between the bridge and the mouth of Gold Creek in Juneau. In the rocks at the edge of the mud (the tide was out) 狢 saw a pair of song sparrows, one singing. I also saw my first of season savannah sparrows foraging among the seaweed, 4 or 5 of them. I think there were some American tree sparrows too, but they were gone before I could get my binocs on them. The most surprising beach bum was a brilliant male yellow-rumped warbler (Myrtle) who appeared to be flycatching from the rocks. He'd dart out low over the mud, sometimes landing, sometimes zigzaging wildly. Must've been something tasty! At my home on Douglas I heard a male rufous hummer displaying this morning. Has anyone seen females around yet or is he being optimistic? Beth Peluso Juneau Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Subject: harrier
From: "glacierdawg55" <glacierdawg55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 22:09:26 -0000

While heading out back out The Road Wednesday evening, there was a female northern harrier working the wetlands between Sunny Point and Temsco. Thursday morning, another (or maybe the same individual?) female harrier floated across the Arboretum beach looking for some morning chow. She eventually rounded the point heading north. Merrill Jensen
Subject: Re: beach bums
From: "paddlinda" <valliel AT jsd.k12.ak.us>
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 15:36:03 -0000

I believe it is a female hummingbird frequenting my feeder. > >
Subject: Pioneer Marsh yesterday
From: "larrythefishguy" <larrythefishguy AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:52:34 -0000

Since the ice departed, Pioneer Marsh is rapidly filling with birds. The Redwinged Blackbirds are back, I saw a couple male Ringnecked Ducks, a Lesser Scaup and a Greater Scaup. It was great seeing two species of scaup simultaneously. Also, on the ground were a Fox Sparrow, a Lincolns Sparrow, some Pine Siskins and 3 Common Redpolls. I won't even mention that I saw lots of Mallards, Buffleheads, Crows, Juncos and Eagles. Spring is sprung.
Subject: speaking of Boneparte's
From: "glacierdawg55" <glacierdawg55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:59:52 -0000

I've been hearing Boneparte's calling out in the channel and at Eagle Beach for the last week. Tuesday afternoon, 59 of them in fresh breeding plumage showed up on the Arboretum's beach for a preening session. Tuesday evening at the wetlands there was a large flock of Lapland longspurs (more than 80)that wouldn't set still for anything. They would take off, circle around for a few minutes and set back down, only to flush again and repeat the sequence. A small band of extreamly fast moving shore birds with a brisk tail wind went zipping by. No time to count they were going so fast! I half way expecte to hear some small sonic booms to come from them... There were also 5 snow geese grazing. I didn't have enough time to hike out to the mouth of the river where it looked like a lot of ducks were hanging out. Merrill Jensen
Subject: on the move
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:42:17 -0700 (PDT)

Gastineau Channel is hopping this morning: The Boneparte's gulls are back in force--I've seen at least 30 fly past the bridge so far today.� The surf and white-winged scoters are also on the move and there are 7 or 8 harlequins tooling around. I caught a glimpse of something that looked suspiciously like a violet-green swallow, so I'll have to get out at lunch and try to find it. Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Subject: on the move
From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:42:17 -0700 (PDT)

Gastineau Channel is hopping this morning: The Boneparte's gulls are back in force--I've seen at least 30 fly past the bridge so far today.� The surf and white-winged scoters are also on the move and there are 7 or 8 harlequins tooling around. I caught a glimpse of something that looked suspiciously like a violet-green swallow, so I'll have to get out at lunch and try to find it. Beth Peluso Juneau ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Goats on Mt. Juneau
From: "Bradley J. Fluetsch, CFA" <bjf AT gci.net>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:26:13 -0000

If the clouds lift gander up Mt. Juneau between Bridge Adult Daycare and the hatchery and you can spot mountain goats. I have seen up to 8 at one time. As a side note, how many birds have you seen today? Eagles, Ravens, Crows, White Crown Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Red Headed Sapsucker, Robins, Stellar Jays, Junkos, Chickadees. I am not counting ducks, sea gulls or other water birds.
Subject: spring arrivals
From: "paddlinda" <valliel AT jsd.k12.ak.us>
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:45:43 -0000

I heard a Townsend's warbler singing near Lena Loop on Saturday. Sunday morning at the mouth of the Mendenhall I saw shovelers, green-winged teals, pintails, wigeons (American?), and the usual mallards. Linda Vallie
Subject: Bluebird and yellow rumps
From: Laurie Ferguson Craig <lauriecraig AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:58:33 -0800

What a wonderful walk on the wetlands today! At 1pm, I saw a handsome mountain bluebird repeatedly hop from the grassy ground to the top of a plump and solitary spruce near the wetlands dike trailhead. It was so exciting! I stopped several trail walkers and forced my binoculars toward them with the story of these cool birds' rareness. One couple said they had just read about the bluebirds in Backpacker magazine. To locate the tree, stand at the dumpster and face west, looking toward the riverbank stand of spruce. This single tree is about 70 feet from the dumpster. It grows on the dike that parallels the river. However, the bird may have flown to the shrubby dike that protrudes from the trail, in line with the runway. Farther along, I saw about 8 yellow-rumped Myrtle warblers flitting about the naked alders along the narrow scummy slough. I thought of Deanna, who remarked one year in the same place, "I am hungry for yellow feathers!" To view, of course, not to nibble. Five dark unusual geese flew over the wetlands. I could not determine what species, but they were too dark for snow geese (saw 14 on Thursday). Seemed to have dark heads, too. Perhaps they were a dark phase of greater white fronts. I may have heard killdeers near the bluebird but I'm a crummy birder so couldn't verify. I often see killdeer nesting and displaying in that area and also on the grassy end of the runway near the trail. Other nifty stuff, too, but this will do for a quick report. Oh, yes, there's more. Four swans have been feeding in Auke Lake near the Back Loop Road intersection with University Drive. Laurie Craig
Subject: Re: rhummingbird, male
From: Becky Carls <carlsfam AT alaska.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:22:54 -0800

I noticed our first hummer on Thursday the 24th in the blueberry blooms here on Fritz Cove Rd. Noticed our first bumblebee in the blueberries on Friday. Noticed the last frost nipped a some of the blueberry blooms, but luckily many, many more survived! M & M wrote: > > Got our first hummer today (Saturday, 26th). Douglas Hwy near the > mouth of Lawson Creek. > Michael Fleischhauer > Mary Diven > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* alan munro > *To:* Eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com > *Sent:* Friday, April 25, 2008 9:27 PM > *Subject:* [Eaglechat] rhummingbird, male > > *Spring arrival---noticed at my W. 9th/Dixon sugarfeeder 8:50AM, > April 23rd. * > >
Subject: Fish Creek walk results
From: Paul Suchanek <paulms AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:13:17 -0800

The morning Audubon walk at Fish Creek was very productive as the weather and birds both cooperated well. Ruby-crowned kinglets were foraging everywhere in the alders with some singing. Less than 100 yards down the trail, a red-breasted sapsucker flew in and gave everyone outstanding looks. There were lots of waterfowl in lower Fish Creek and easily seen through the abundant shared scopes. On the way back, a black oystercatcher came across the bay and landed near the group for a rare look at this species on the Mendenhall Wetlands. Near the gate, a singing Townsend's warbler was seen by one or two and heard by others and everyone got to see at least one singing male yellow-rumped warbler. Following is a list of species: Mallard Green-winged teal Gadwall American wigeon Northern shoveler Northern pintail Surf scoter White-winged scoter Barrow's goldeneye Common goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Red-necked grebe Common loon (eating a fish) Bald eagle Black oystercatcher Glaucous-winged gull Herring gull Bonaparte's gull Mew gull Red-breasted sapsucker Hairy woodpecker (heard only) Northwestern crow Raven Steller's jay American dipper (from bridge after walk) Winter wren (heard only) American robin Varied thrush Golden-crowned kinglet Ruby-crowned kinglet Chestnut-backed chickadee Yellow-rumped warbler Townsend's warbler Song sparrow Fox sparrow Golden-crowned sparrow Pine siskin
Subject: Re: rhummingbird, male
From: M & M <bigshaheen AT gci.net>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:57:55 -0800

Got our first hummer today (Saturday, 26th). Douglas Hwy near the mouth of Lawson Creek. Michael Fleischhauer Mary Diven ----- Original Message ----- From: alan munro To: Eaglechat AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 9:27 PM Subject: [Eaglechat] rhummingbird, male Spring arrival---noticed at my W. 9th/Dixon sugarfeeder 8:50AM, April 23rd.
Subject: rhummingbird, male
From: alan munro <amunro AT gci.net>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:27:58 -0800

Spring arrival---noticed at my W. 9th/Dixon sugarfeeder 8:50AM, April 23rd.
Subject: FOS Yellow-rumped warbler
From: Gwen Baluss <gwenbaluss AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:49:28 -0700 (PDT)

Singing today near Dredge lake ________________________________________________________________________ 、IRDS NOT BOMBS!
Subject: who cooks for you all...
From: "glacierdawg55" <glacierdawg55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:46:37 -0000

Adding its voice to the growing chorus was a barred owl Thursday morning in the woods behind the Arboretum. His disctictive call echoed through the woods with the robins, juncos and varied thrush for approximatly 20 minutes. Also observed at the Arboretum this week is a rufus hummingbird checking out the fuchsia blossums on plants that I take in and out of the sunroom to harden off. This afternoon, a pair of golden-crowned sparrows were rooting through the bird feeder debris to see if the siskins and redpolls had left anything behind. I haven't seen them here since last May. Monday evening found 1-white-fronted goose and 5-snow geese among the canada geese at the Scout Camp lagoon meadow. Last but not least was a greater yellowlegs poking along the shore last night. Things are getting interesting fast! Merrill Jensen
Subject: Mt. Bluebirds
From: Marlena Mooring <snowgirlmjm AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:15:55 -0700 (PDT)

Not only are the hummers here in Haines, but so are the Mountain Bluebirds! --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Subject: Fish Creek walk on Saturday (4/26) AM
From: Paul Suchanek <paulms AT gci.net>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:03:22 -0800

I'll be leading an Audubon bird walk around the mouth of Fish Creek on Saturday at 8:00 AM. We'll start from the gate just on the other side of the creek, which is located out North Douglas Highway. This is a fairly short walk of about a mile and a half. We probably won't walk out on the mud flats - unless we see something really good! Should be quite a few ducks and other waterbirds along with some passerines.
Subject: No Subject
From: Samantha Brett <sammieb7 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:28:51 -0400

Birders, I was wondering if the Lesser Black-backed Gull is still around Juneau, and if it is in full breeding plumage? I am keen to get out birding next Saturday or Sunday once I arrive in Juneau from Prince Rupert via ferry. Please contact me if any of you are heading out! cheers, Samantha Kelowna, b.C _________________________________________________________________ Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212
Subject: Mendenhall Wetlands - Airport Trail -628 acres of the refuge to be conveyed as an easement
From: steve <slvreagle5 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:25:06 -0700 (PDT)

I am not sure how this will affect the public's current use and enjoyment of the wetlands but it appears that an easement area of 628 acres of the refuge is being conveyed to CBJ as an easement to protect and control the airspace (see below) This seems like a large area in addition to what will be used for the runway and other improvements. How will this easement be managed? Will people be limited from entering this protective easement area? Will all of the migratory birds be unable to use this easement once conveyed? Is there a superior public need? Tomorrow evening, there will be a hearing to collect testimony on the question on if there is a superior public need for or use of the land to be conveyed to its use as a state game refuge at 7:00 p.m.on April 24, 2008 in the Hickel Room of Centennial Hall. A participant's testimony will ensure consideration in the final decision for the proposed conveyance and establish appeal rights. For more details see the public notice at this link: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/1604e1912875140689256785006767f6/cd0c6bdbe75c997789257420007e41e7?OpenDocument ADL 107597 - Avigation Easement In accordance with AS 38.05.850, the DMLW has made a proposed decision to grant a public easement to CBJ for an avigation easement. The purpose of the easement is to ensure protection and control of the airspace for the approaches to runways 08 and 26. The 08 runway easement area will affect about 123 acres and the 26 runway easement area will affect about 505 acres for a total easement area of about 628 acres. The 08 runway area is within section 36 of Township 40 South, Range 65 East and the 26 runway area is within sections 32 and 33 of Township 40 South, Range 66 East, sections 1 and 2 of Township 41 South, Range 66 East, and section 6 of Township 41 South, Range 67 East of the Copper River Meridian. --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Subject: Hummers arrived in Haines.
From: Pam Randles <pam AT mosquitonet.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:25:15 -0800

Saw my first Rufous Hummingbird of the year and others have reported hummers showing up today. A female showed up at my feeder at about 6:15 this evening. Robins are singing as are Varied Thrushes. Must be spring. Pam Randles Haines
Subject: Pt Bridget State Park sightings for 4/21
From: Paul Suchanek <paulms AT gci.net>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:55:18 -0800

The best sighting of the day was an immaculately plumaged dark-phase rough-legged hawk which flew over the meadows but other uncommon birds included 5 mountain bluebirds (on other side of Cowee Creek), an immature double-crested cormorant, a red-tailed hawk, a black oystercatcher, and a rusty blackbird. There is still quite a lot of snow over much of the meadows (including in front of the Cowee Meadows cabin). The bay was very calm and I saw lots of sea lions but no whales.

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