hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska
date: November 23, 2009
number: (907) 451-9213
to report: (907) 451-9213
coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity
transcriber: Ken Russell

Birds Mentioned
Black-Billed Magpie
Slate-Colored Junco
Northern Shrike
Great Gray Owl
Bald Eagle
Bohemian Waxwings
Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of November 23,
  2009.

Three BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES were seen together near the
Musher's Hall on Farmer's Loop Road on November 20.

A DARK-EYED JUNCO was seen on Summit Driver off of Farmer's
  Loop Road on November 17.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen trying to catch a BLACK-CAPPED
  CHICKADEE on McGrath Road on November 15.

On the evening of November 13, a GREAT GRAY OWL was sitting in the
  small birch trees in the front parking lot at Pioneer Park.

  A BALD EAGLE was seen on the Chena River on November 12.

Another BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flew across Dale Road on
November 10.

A pair of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES has been coming to a feeder
  near University and Geist Roads since summer.


Upcoming Events Include:
The Fairbanks Feeder Counts will take place on December 12, and
March 6. To participate, download instructions and a datasheet from the
  Alaska Bird Observatory web site at www.alaskabird.org.

The Thanksgiving Bird Count will be held for one hour on
Thanksgiving Day. Count forms are available at the Arctic Audubon
  Society web site at www.arcticaudubon.org.

Thanksgiving for the Birds will be held on November 28 at the
Creamer's Field Farmhouse from noon - 4:00 PM. Learn about
winter birds and make feeders out of recycled materials.

A Star Party will be held on Saturday, November 28th at 7:00 pm
  at the Farmhouse Visitor Center.   This event is sponsored by the
Fairbanks Astronomical Unit. The big telescope will be out for genera
l star viewing and the farmhouse will be open for hot drinks.

The Annual Lighting of the Spruce Tree at Creamer's Refuge will
  take place on Saturday, December 5th, from 6 - 8:00 pm. There will be
  caroling followed by cookies and hot drinks in the Farmhouse.

The annual Green Holiday sale will be held at the Alaska Bird
Observatory visitor Center on December 5 from 10:00  -  5:30. Gifts
will be for sale from ABO, Arctic Audubon, The Northern Alaska
Environmental Center and other groups.

Holiday Open Houses will take place on Saturdays December 5th,
  12th, and 19th  from Noon  - 4:00 pm. There will be holiday ornament
  making and crafts using natural materials in the Farmhouse Visitor
Center. Program is drop-in any time during the hours stated.

A Winter Solstice Walk will be held on Saturday December 19th, from
  1 - 3:00 pm. Come walk on the Refuge trails when the sun is lowest in
the sky and we experience the shortest days of the year. Join us after
the walk for cookies and hot drinks! Meet at the Farmhouse Visitor
Center.

The Fairbanks Area Christmas Bird Count will be held on December
  19. Get more information at the Arctic Audubon Society web site
at www.arcticaudubon.org.

If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society,
information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org .

Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line.

-End Transcript

Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/.
Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well
as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs.

Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/

Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's
Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association

Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney
Fairbanks, Alaska

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Today around 3pm there were two SHORT-EARED OWLS at Louie's Lagoon, Homer
Spit.

Aaron Lang
Homer


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1:50 p.m., on a blustery rainy cold afternoon: Checked by briefly at
the Mormon Church parking lot  on E. end rd, the Mountain Bluebird
(right on cue!) flew in from the East and landed in the cherry
briefly, then flew atop  the spruce nearby. Hope it sticks around
awhile so more folks can see it!  Mossy Kilcher, Homer

The MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD that has been seen around the Church of Christ on East End
Rd. (about 2.5 miles out) since the 18th and was seen again today (22nd).  It
has most often been seen mid-day and seems to like the electric box (?) and the
good variety of trees around the churches.  They are listed as "rare" in Alaska
and "accidental" in Homer.  (There was a very questionable report about 5 years
ago from near the Bidarka Inn area, but was never verified.)

The ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD that had been coming to a feeder on Portlock Drive  was
last seen on the 14th.  And no further reports of the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
from Seaside Farms.  But at Seaside Farms they are reporting: GOLDEN-CROWNED,
WHITE-CROWNED and SONG SPARROWS, JUNCOS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, CHICKADEES,
ROBINS AND PINE GROSSBEAKS.

On the 14th THICK-BILLED MURRE and a COMMON EIDER were seen off Land's End.  In
the Harbor, a MARBLED MURRELET, COMMON MURRE and HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen.

On the 13th in the Harbor area, 2500 ROCK SANDPIPERS, ~200 DUNLIN and one
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.  This is quite late for a dowitcher to still be here and
several birders are hoping to see it again…"stay tuned" as we say.

There was a report of a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE with a deformed bill coming to a
feeder on McLay Rd. for the past month.  In addition there was one other
chickadee with no tail!

Looks like the sparrows are settling in at Seaside Farm again for the
winter (at 5 mi. East End Rd) : today about 4 Golden Crowned Sp. along
with over a dozen White Crowned and about 15 Dark Eyed Juncos, (one a
bold colorful  Oregon variety), and the usual Song Sparrow at the
various feeders scattered across the farmyard .  Also the Ruby Crnd.
Kinglet is still here today , hanging with the chickadee flocks and
nuthatches. 30 plus Robins and up to 11 Pine Grosbeaks  coming off and
on to dine  on the Mt. Ash and Chokecherry, . I was very fortunate to
see my first Alaska Mt. Bluebird  with Aaron three days ago on East
End Rd.!
Mossy Kilcher

I got to the church around 1:30.  No sign of the bird so I walked over to the
mt. ash trees to the west of the sod farm, nothing.  Then hiked down to the home
run oil place and nothing.  Walked back to the church and it was in the top of a
spruce on the backside of the Church of Christ main church building.  It went
over to the bird cherry tree  and then up on the tippy top of the three poles
that are in front of the church.  Then it went over to the other church building
that has the evergreen hedge in front and spent the next 20 minutes on the
electrical box and all around landing on the pushki on the back side of that
building.  I got some nice photos and posted the best one in a smaller version. 
Thanks to everyone for the updates.  As far as my records show this is the first
record for this species on the Kenai.  There was one other single observer
record from the early 90's, but it is believed this was a fraudulent record.

200+ Bohemian Waxwings, 70+ ravens downtown - the Ravens have discovered what
appears to be a frozen moose carcass along the bike path west of Elderberry
Park. 6 Common Goldeneyes in the outlet to WestChester Lagoon.

Steve W.

I ran across a large group of robins foraging mostly on the ground on the south
side of 21st east of Arctic Blvd, on Sun Nov 22.  I counted at least 38 birds
but there were clearly  more.

Thede Tobish

We've had a Black-capped Chickadee with a deformed beak at our feeders (McLay
Rd, Homer area) the past month or so.  I know this is not entirely unusual, but
wanted it noted by those who keep track.

This morning I was astonished to see that we also now have one with no tail!  Is
this ok at this stage?  Seems happy enough at the feeders...

I have pretty good photos of both, but can't figure out how to send them --
please advise, Aaron -- thank you.

Nina Daley, Kachemak City

The Mountain Bluebird was seen by several birders on Saturday about noon in back
of the Church of Christ on East End Rd. (across from Home Run Oil.  It was on an
electric box and kept going down and then flying back up.  Also on the roof of
the mobile home.  A Northern Shrike showed up for a while. (from Peggy Craig)

Today, being Sunday, with all the church-goers at both churches, it might make
finding him a bit more difficult.  But many of us will try nonetheless.

Hi Birders,

Just had an email from Katie Rousey, who lives off of the Glenn Hwy.,
up above the old Matanuska townsite.  She photographed a Great Blue
Heron (GBHE) in a tree behind her home early this morning in bad
lighting (see photo posted in the msbirder photo album).  The bird
may be feeding in the Spring Creek area down in old Matanuska.  With
its wild hairdo, wonder if it could be the juvenile Potter Marsh
heron still hanging around?  GBHE is Casual in south central Mat-Su
(all four seasons).  With the exception of a GBHE seen during Count
Week of the 1993 Mat. Valley Christmas Bird Count, this is the latest
sighting for this species in the Mat-Su.
Cheers,
Bob Winckler
<www.matsubirders.org>

No, I do see them fairly regularly during the winter and I know my neighbor
has them harassing the birds around his feeders off Downy Finch Dr. but they
don't show up at any regular time. One other place to check for them is
Potter's Marsh & the along the coastal refuge, there has also been one that
hangs out downtown at Govt Hill

On Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 5:15 PM, ak_zukes <swinak@...> wrote:

>
>
> Huffman & Birch area, Northern Shrike being chased by redpolls. American
> Dipper in an opening of Campbell Creek downstream from Potter Rd.
>
> Steve W
>
>
>


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Huffman & Birch area, Northern Shrike being chased by redpolls. American Dipper
in an opening of Campbell Creek downstream from Potter Rd.

Steve W

Jim H reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL sitting on a snag on the eastern end of Old
Nash Road this afternoon! It's been years since I've seen one here.

Happy birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

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Had a Townsend's Solitaire stop by my back yard for a brief visit, near Huffman
& Birch. It was run off by magpie. Posted a rather poor back view picture under
Steve W. folder. Wingbars are barely visible in the larger photo.

Otherwise, lot's of Black-capped Chickadees

Steve W

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
November 20, 2009 Cloudy, 14º, relatively calm!

The pummeling north wind finally took a rest today. I seized the opportunity to
enjoy a little walk about town with my binoculars. Sheltered in the spruce in my
yard, DARK-EYED JUNCOS flitted in the understory, flashing their white outer
tail feathers. The usual RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and BLACK-CAPPED and
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES nibbled on black sunflower seeds and suet.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS twittered unseen in the dark spruce boughs at Two Lakes
Park. Feasting on Mt Ash berries in front of AVTEC on Second Avenue were my
first PINE GROSBEAKS of the season, a small flock of five. Three heavy RAVENS
warily plucked red berries off the sagging branches of the neighboring tree.

A sprightly DIPPER stood in shallow but frigid water at the muddy south edge of
the lagoon, dipping in plain sight while a COMMON MERGANSER female dove in the
ever-shrinking open water rimmed by ice. Perched high on a power line over the
Fish Ditch, a natty KINGFISHER surveyed the stream below.

Only blocks from the coastal rainforest spruce, the Pacific Ocean meekly lapped
the shoreline, dainty tendrils of sea smoke wafting up where only yesterday
whitecaps boiled and steam frothed. A harbor seal poked its head up and down
like a periscope; two sea otters snacked from their tummy tables.

Easily a hundred NORTHWESTERN CROWS flew excitedly overhead in circles, mixed in
with a dozen or so PIGEONS. I looked for a raptor as the cause for all this
disruption, but failed to find a source. They soon settled back in the bare
cottonwoods, or resumed picking through the tide wrack and dead beach grasses,
not bothering to fly off on my approach. I presume the danger had passed, for
now.

Two adult BALD EAGLES perched on the mooring dolphins by the boat harbor,
watching, watching. Five SURF SCOTERS dove in unison; HARLEQUINS hugged the
shore. Three COMMON MURRES, unusually close to shore, bobbed in the tiny waves
near a single RED-NECKED GREBE and a PELAGIC CORMORANT. A small raft of BARROW'S
GOLDEN EYES took flight, their wings whistling musically. COMMON MERGANSERS and
COMMON GOLDENEYES dove in small groups here and there. Three tiny HORNED GREBES
paddled just ahead of me all the way to the Alaska Sealife Center where I left
them and their ocean home for town.

A lonely GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH stood still and forlorn on the snow near
LeVan's feeder. I wonder where his companions are?

As the sun dipped behind the mountains and dusk settled in early on this cloudy
afternoon, I heard the chickadees and nuthatches calling from my yard. From
forest, to lagoon, to beach and ocean, town feeders, and back, it was a
delightful afternoon stroll.

A bit out of town on Balmat Street south of Salmon Creek Road west of Nash Road,
Ava reports quite an impressive list of birds:
"For the past week I've had a small flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS feeding on my Mt
Ash and Mayday berries. At first there were about a dozen, but there has been a
MERLIN hot on their heels and my little flock is down to only five now. I also
saw a TREE SPARROW a couple of days ago and of all things, one single COMMON
REDPOLL. There have been lots of JUNCOS around for the past week or so and there
seems to be more and more showing up every day. Of course I have my usual crowd
of suet eaters....the BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES, as well as a bumper crop of DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, so many in
fact, that they have been knocking each other off the feeders....quite amusing
to watch, actually. I've been getting occasional visits from RED CROSSBILLS,
ROBINS and VARIED THRUSHES, but sadly nary a sight of any PINE GROSBEAKS as yet.
Birders are welcome here any time, any day."

Still listening for owls but hearing none (yet), wishing you could get out too
and enjoy our remarkable winter birds here in moody but beautiful Seward.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Sporadic Bird Report reporter
Seward, Alaska

The Mountain Bluebird was still/again present on the west side and behind the
Church of Christ yesterday, Thursday at about 2 pm. Vernon Byrd and myself found
it after looking for no more than a couple of minutes and it put on a real show.
Very tame good-looking bird (HY and/or female). It was first perched in one of
the cherry trees, then foraged amongst the dead pushki and on the parking-lot.

Martin Renner

Hey all,

Today (19 November) around 11AM I found a Swamp Sparrow feeding near Switzer
Creek off of Alaway Road in Juneau. There is still some visible grass and a
little bit of open water where the bird was foraging. I was not able to get
pictures right then and had to leave to take a friend to the airport. When I
returned at 11:30ish I could not re-find the bird. I also tried around 2:30PM
and was not successful. I wouldn't be surprised if it was still there and I just
didn't connect with it. Email me if you have any other questions. Bird on,

Nick Hajdukovich

Today (11/18) at 3:05 pm I saw a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD perched at the top of a
birch tree across the street from Home Run Oil, East End Road, Homer.  The
bird sat for only a few seconds before flying across the street and landing
on a fence next to the gas pumps where it sat for another few seconds.  It
then flew east across Wolfe's Sod Farm where I lost it.  About 15 minutes
later I refound the bird in a choke cherry tree on the west side of the
Church of Christ, which is directly across East End Road from Wolfe's Sod
Farm.  Here is seemed content and fed for a few minutes in the cherry.  It
then flew to the alder wood lot on the south side of the church and spent
about 5 minutes here, before it returned to the choke cherry where it fed
again for about 10 minutes.  By this time Mossy Kilcher had arrived and
while we were watching the bird it flew over the church, heading east.  We
could not relocate the bird.  There is a lot of fruit on the trees around
Homer right now so maybe it will stick around.  I'm not aware of any other
Homer records.  Anyone else?  I've posted some photos on the yahoo site as
well as at www.birdingAK.com

Good birding,

Aaron Lang
Homer


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Hi Birders,
Larry McGee notified me yesterday that the adult Sandhill Crane that
had been at Snodgrass Field in Palmer since mid-October, had left the
premises.  I drove by today at about 4PM, but no crane, or anything
else at Snodgrass Field, except for a few C. Ravens.  Would be
interesting to hear if a Sandhill turns up anywhere else in south
central AK.
Bob Winckler
Wasilla

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

November 17, 2009

Sunrise 9:02 am, sunset 4:22 pm, length of day 7 hours, 19 minutes; tomorrow
will be 4 minutes and 31 seconds shorter.

Weather: Cold and clear this past week with a terrific north wind howling out of
the arctic. Resurrection Bay is smoking as it releases heat to the frigid air.
By early afternoon, a dark gray blanket drew up from the Gulf of Alaska and
snuffed out the sun. Cold temperatures expected to remain in the teens with the
possibility of snow and the hope of lighter winds. Only a trace of snow, now
mostly rutted ice, remains on the ground.

Now is a great time to keep those sunflower and suet feeders full, and the
heated water dishes flowing if you are so lucky to have one. The birds are
hungry AND thirsty, fighting the cold and wind 24/7.

Today I sought refuge from the wind at Lowell Point. A SONG-SPARROW flitted
across the road while a sea otter bobbed on its back in the surf, totally
unconcerned, surrounded by sea smoke. NORTHWESTERN CROWS flocked along the
shoreline or bee-lined above the waves through the wavering curls of steam to
the next fuel stop. Three RED-NECKED GREBES, 3 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, a few
PELAGIC CORMORANTS, and small groups of both BARROW'S and COMMON GOLDENEYES, and
COMMON MERGANSERS fished just off shore amid a raft of GLAUCOUS-WINGED and MEW
GULLS. As I was leaving, a GREAT BLUE HERON laboriously flew from one spruce to
its neighbor. It always special, no matter how odd, to find this ungainly, giant
wading bird up high in a spruce tree. Two pairs of MALLARDS dabbled in the
sewage pond. Yummmm!

Back home, a BROWN CREEPER worked its way up and around my spruce tree, gleaning
tiny frozen insects hidden in the bark furrows. A dapper male DOWNY WOODPECKER
enjoyed the suet feeder while BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, and
the noisy RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES selected sunflower seeds from the feeder.
STELLER'S JAYS popped in and out, finding treats on the ground.

Camelot reports a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW for the past few days, feeding on the
ground with a FOX SPARROW, and a bunch of DARK-EYED JUNCOS.

November 16: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK dives at a flock of pigeons and misses, on 4th
Ave. I wish it luck! NE Beach, another somewhat sheltered waterway, featured a
MARBLED MURRELET, PELAGIC CORMORANT, and 3 river otters. A few more pelagic
cormorants rested on the docks. COMMON MERGANSERS, BARROW'S and COMMON
GOLDENEYES dove frequently in the harbor; I wonder if there are herring or
salmon smolt for them now? Crafty RAVENS pillaged the dumpsters. There were
several rabbits around that area too; hopefully they will attract some winged
predators to thin the population.

Nov 15: GREAT BLUE HERON reported at airport looking very cold.

The first 3 ROSY-CROWNED FINCHES showed up at LeVan's on November 14th. For the
past 9 years, they have always arrived in November. Last year they didn't show
up until January 31st, 2009, whereas October 30, 2006 was the earliest arrival.
The resident SONG SPARROW pops up to greet them, and then tries to run them off.

Also on November 14th, Robin C reported the male HOODED MERGANSER at the Stash
and Store Pond, Mile 3.5 Seward Highway. I saw a BROWN CREEPER at Second Lake,
and heard a few PINE SISKINS above the wind, possibly residents. RED-NECKED
GREBE along the Greenbelt.

Nov 13: Robin also reported an adult GOSHAWK working over the pigeons by the
waterfalls, a DIPPER at the Lagoon, and a male KINGFISHER at Old Nash Road.

Nov 10: VARIED THRUSH in Mt Ash tree, looking beautiful, but cold.

Jerry O reported an exciting day last week: first a DIPPER flew down to the
creek behind his house, about 20' away from him. Then a WINTER WREN!!! landed
about 2' from the dipper, and when he turned around, there was a BROWN CREEPER!
A very special trio! Keep an eye for all three at the 2009 Christmas Bird Count!

Speaking of the CBC, the Seward CBC will be December 19th. Field observers will
meet at the Seaview Plaza conference center at Mile 0/ Third Ave at 9 am to
confirm and receive routes. Afterwards, meet at Resurrect Art Coffee House
Gallery at 4 pm to share stories and tally results. Bird feeder watchers are
welcome too! More information later.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Sporadic Bird Report reporter
Seward, Alaska

A single Rusty Blackbird in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge early this
afternoon.  It was foraging in and around a small stream that was still flowing.
Location is about half a mile south of the Oceanview Bluff Park, in the woods at
the bottom of the bluff below the railroad tracks.

Jean Tam
Anchorage

A few birds of note were found last weekend in Cordova.  This report comes
via Milo Burcham, Cordova.  On November 15th Milo found an AMERICAN COOT on
Lake Eyak near the mouth of Power Creek.  There are about 5 previous records
of this species for Cordova.  On the 14th and 15th there was an
ORANGED-CROWNED WARBLER on mainstreet.

The Cordova Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 19th.  Contact
Milo at milosphotos@... if anyone would like to particpate.  The ferry
'Aurora' runs from Whittier to Cordova on the 18th and back to Whittier on
the 20th, 21st and 22nd.  Cordova Christmas Counts average in the high 60s,
occasionally the low 70s, and past counts have turned up Tufted Duck, Hooded
Merganser, Purple Finch, Brambling, and Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds.
Balmy Cordova, the cure for the birdless winter blues.

Aaron Lang
Homer


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At our feeders in Trapper Creek on 11/16, we had a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE with a
decurved upper mandible about 50% longer than normal.  I haven't heard anything
lately about this problem, which was so in the news a few years ago. Are others
still seeing birds with similar problems?  Was there ever any definitive answer
about the cause?
 
Bird on and on and on...
Dave Porter




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Near 20th and Lake Otis there were a hoard(est. 350) Bohemian Waxwings and
50 to 75 American Robins today.
David Sonneborn


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Around 10:00 this morning I saw a dark Rough-legged Hawk flying near MP 39 of
the Glenn Highway.  (This is close to "Outer Springer Loop")    Then at MP 33
(on the Palmer hay flats) I saw a perched dark Harlan's on one side of the Glenn
and a Hawk-Owl on the other side.

And around 12:30 the lonely Sandhill  Crane was 10 feet from the road at
Snodgrass field in Palmer.   Paul Fritz, Palmer

Just seemed a bit out of place, a mature bald sitting on a street light at
Arctic and Dimond a few moments ago.

Thanks for the feedback Steve and Gary.
I will certainly be making a winter trip to Homer and thank you both for
the information on both areas.  Rock Sandpiper was my long sought after
though missed species in Northern Japan and now I live near where they
are regular and in numbers like that.

Yes, very windy...I was creative and found various ways to set up my
spotting scope inside my car!

Aaron Bowman

Hi all,
This is actually my first post.  I am new to the Anchorage area, this
being my second month here, but I have been birding for quite some time,
mostly in Japan and Minnesota.
Today I took a drive down to Seward to explore a bit and here are some
of the highlights I found in the very windy conditions.

Great blue Heron, 1 young looking bird flew up river across from the
chamber of commerce area
Pine Grosbeak,  20+ in the Tern Lake area
Northwestern Crow, 50+ in flocks around the harbor, a nice find for me
being new in the area!
Barrow's Goldeneye, 50+ in tight flocks on sheltered areas in the harbor
Pelagic Cormorants
Horned Grebe, 1
Red-necked Grebe 5
Surf Scoter, 2 male, 1 female
Common Loon, 5
Red-breasted Merganser, 2 female
Common Murre, 1
Harlequin Duck, 10+
Song Sparrow, 2 seen in parking lot just E. of the Alaska Sea life
center.  It was nice to see the Northwestern pacific form, which I must
say caught me a bit off guard.

I really have little idea about the relative abundance of the birds I
listed above, but I certainly enjoyed the windy day of birding!

Aaron Bowman
Anchorage