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#2717 From: Aaron Lang <aaron_lang8@...>
Date: Thu Nov 1, 2007 10:09 pm
Subject: Gulls and others in Homer
aaron_lang8
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Yesterday morning (10/31) there was a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL at the ferry
dock in Homer.  3 FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS were flying not far off the end of
the spit, and at quite a distance in a large gull flock were at least 10 "dark"
shearwaters--quite a bit too far to identify beyond that.  Just before sunset a
3rd winter SLATY-BACKED GULL was loafing at Beluga Slough.  A RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET out east end road.

Aaron Lang



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#2718 From: Chris Maack <cmaack@...>
Date: Thu Nov 1, 2007 10:51 pm
Subject: Who's here
cwmaack
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Today I saw two species in town that I don't remember ever seeing on
the same day of autumn:

Canada Geese (skein of about 50)
Bohemian Waxwing (flock in a tree in E. Anchorage)

And the gulls and ravens haven't completed their shift change.

Chris Maack
Anchorage

#2719 From: Chris Maack <cmaack@...>
Date: Thu Nov 1, 2007 11:18 pm
Subject: Feather atlas
cwmaack
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The USFWS has started a website for scans of feathers of N. American
birds. So far, very good for raptors and woodpeckers. A long way to go
on passerines. Check it out.

http://www.lab.fws.gov/featheratlas

Chris Maack
Anchorage


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2720 From: "ursus_8" <avocet@...>
Date: Fri Nov 2, 2007 3:36 am
Subject: Bohemian Waxwings and Northern Shirke
ursus_8
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I saw about 30 Bohemian Waxwings and a shrike (sp) flying west across C
Street between Dimond and Minnesota on the 30st of November 2007 at
about 12:20 pm. The shrike was off to the side and seemed to be flying
at the same speed as the waxwings.  In the short time that I saw them
the shrike made no pass into the flock.

Tom Evans
Anchorage

#2721 From: BradMeiklejohn@...
Date: Fri Nov 2, 2007 3:48 pm
Subject: White-tailed Ptarmigan
BradMeiklejohn@...
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Since the middle of October I've been seeing a flock of 10 White-tailed
Ptarmigan regularly in Eagle River above Hiland Road near Mile 7 at 
approximately
2,500' elevation right near the top of the brush line.



Brad Meiklejohn
Eagle River,  Alaska



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#2722 From: joe staab <staabjoe@...>
Date: Sat Nov 3, 2007 3:51 am
Subject: Beluga Lake Am. Coot
staabjoe
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Greetings,

   The Am. Coot that Aaron reported earlier this week was still at the east end
of Beluga Lake as of 3:20 p.m. friday. It took me seven years to find this bird
in Alaska and now in the span of two weeks I've seen a coot in two different
locations! This is what makes birding such great lifetime passion. Thanks Aaron,
it's a new Kenai Peninsula bird for me.

   Peregrine Joe
   Seward, Ak.

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#2723 From: "tgtljo" <tgtljo@...>
Date: Sun Nov 4, 2007 3:01 am
Subject: Late warblers
tgtljo
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Checked all the chickadee flocks on the outer coastal trail from
Kincaid to Pt Woronzof this PM (Sat Nov 3), and was able to find one
Orange-crowned and at least one, possibly two, Yellow-rumped Warblers,
along with a handful of Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Thede Tobish

#2724 From: "Steve W." <ak_zukes@...>
Date: Sun Nov 4, 2007 4:05 am
Subject: Kincaid Park/Coastal Trail
ak_zukes
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Hiked from the bluff down to the shoreline and back up to the chalet.
Only saw two species. Mallards out on the mud flats & 1 great horned
owl calling from a large cottonwood at the bottom of the large hill
along the bike path west from the chalet. Otherwise, very quiet.

Black capped chickadees, boreal chickadees, & red breasted nuthatches
at  my feeder near Birch Rd & Beverly Dr. Also, Ravens & Magpies.

Steve Waltz

#2725 From: "todd_eskelin" <t.eskelin@...>
Date: Sun Nov 4, 2007 4:13 pm
Subject: Homer coot still present
todd_eskelin
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Saw the bird Saturday afternoon.  It was being very shy.  It came out
of the weeds at the east end of Beluga Lake for about 10 minutes,
picked around some Mallards and then back into the grass.  That was my
only views for 2 hours of searching.  There was still 1 Canvasback on
the north side of the lake also.  Did see a blackbird of some sort fly
out of the grass at the east end of the lake, but unfortunately I was
about half way down the lake and had no chance to determine species.

Todd

#2726 From: "tgtljo" <tgtljo@...>
Date: Sun Nov 4, 2007 10:09 pm
Subject: Good passerines still around
tgtljo
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Cruised the north end of downtown and Gov't Hill today (Sunday Nov 4).
Highlights included an ad. Varied Thrush in the north, central section
of Gov't Hill, two ad Cedar Waxwings on the Bootlegger's Cove bluffs,
below the west end of 8th, and an imm. White-throated Sparrow with
juncos and a White-crowned on the bluff at the 10th Ave alley at the
west end past the Park Strip.

Thede Tobish

#2727 From: "ursus_8" <avocet@...>
Date: Sun Nov 4, 2007 11:20 pm
Subject: Bohemian Waxwings
ursus_8
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A flock of about 110 Bohemian Waxwings were present this morning by the
coffee stand near the intersection of Klatt and Timberline Drive.

Tom Evans
Anchorage

#2728 From: Hannah Frenier <hannahfrenier@...>
Date: Sun Nov 4, 2007 11:25 pm
Subject: RE: [AK Birding] Bohemian Waxwings
hannahfrenier
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I saw a flock of about 15 Bohemian Waxwings late this morning in Turnigan View
subdivision between DeArmoun and Huffman Roads.
Hannah Frenier
Anchorage


To: AKBirding@...: avocet@...: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 23:20:24
+0000Subject: [AK Birding] Bohemian Waxwings




A flock of about 110 Bohemian Waxwings were present this morning by the coffee
stand near the intersection of Klatt and Timberline Drive.Tom EvansAnchorage






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#2729 From: "c_griz" <c_griz@...>
Date: Mon Nov 5, 2007 12:51 am
Subject: Seward Sporadic Bird Report: Bohemian Waxwings
c_griz
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Sunday, November 4, 2007
Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

Sunrise 8:28 am, Alaska Standard Time, sunset 4:53 pm, length of day 9
hours, 57 minutes; tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 6 seconds shorter.

Weather: Carpe Diem! Around here, you really have to grab the good
weather before the "spots and dots on optics" cold rain and sleet
return. Yesterday was a beauty, calm, low 40s and clear, sandwiched
between bouts of rain, punctuated by sleet today. The week's forecast
shows temps riding the critical edge of barely freezing with clouds
and undecided precip. Despite the difficulties of birding in such
weather, it should bring more birds to the now-legit feeders, and more
birds down from the north.

Today around noon, I heard and then saw the first flock of about 25
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS flying through the snow over town, probably looking
for Mt Ash berries, like the ROBINS and VARIED THRUSHES who neglected
to leave.

In the harbor parking lot, I watched a very good reason to replace
that missing rear window on the ol' camper shell: 15 nosey RAVENS
loitered around the truck as first one and then two and then three
ravens perched on the top of the tailgate, calling loudly about the
possible treasures stashed inside. After a time, five ravens were on
top of the truck, walking around like they owned it. I even saw one
through the side window, bravely hopping around in the back. During
the whole time I watched, no trash or treasures emerged, yet their
attention was almost totally engaged. The rest of the time, they stood
around in pairs, some with their "horns" up, smoking cigarettes and
tossing beer cans around.

At the mouth of the harbor, a few BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were earning
their lunch honestly, diving into the water and submerging completely
for an instant before popping back up and into the air. A small raft
of GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS nearby shook off the wet blobs of sleet.
Visibility was very limited. Due to ditching along the new road down
the recently created uplands south of the harbor, it is somewhat
difficult to get a good place to park and scope out the bay, but it's
worth a try.

Watch for the new ADFG Kenai Peninsula Wildlife Viewing Trail signs
around town, corresponding to the guide.

Saturday, Nov 3, 2007 Light snow last night, frosty morning, and
clear: Venus, Saturn, and a half moon in the early morning sky. The
snow made visible at least some of the scents that my dogs smell:
feral rabbits, the neighbors' dogs, loose cats, etc. We miss so much
with our feeble noses! Today I looked for DIPPERS at the Bear Creek
Weir without success. The concern is that raptors, possibly falcons,
killed them this summer. Also, when the "bridge" on Old Sawmill Road
at the outlet of Bear Lake was replaced, a nesting site was lost.
Please let me know if dippers are spotted here at this once
phenomenally productive site. I thought I heard one scolding at First
Lake on Friday, but didn't see it.

63 PIGEONS terrorized a local feeder, eating all the expensive seed
set out for the songbirds. This may be Seward's entire population as
the numbers have been reduced by about half since last year. It is not
illegal to trap this non-native species, and our native songbirds,
such as her local SONG SPARROW, CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and JUNCOS could benefit by not
competing with them for food. She also reported a pair of DOWNY
WOODPECKERS.

Friday, Nov 2, 2007  The cold, light rain didn't bother me as I
watched, incredulous, as an adult  BALD EAGLE dove into the cold pond
at the airport-with-a-salt marsh-in-it. It did not emerge with a
fighting salmon for dinner. Instead, it folded its wings and sat
submerged up to the white of its regal neck, looking for all the world
like a huge but odd gull. A lone immature MEW GULL nearby looked
puzzled as well. This sEagle seemed quite content to sit there, not
bathing, or stroking furiously to the safety of shore.

After several minutes, it began moving sedately across the pond,
apparently paddling with its feet. Then, with no obvious effort, it
raised its huge wings and lifted off neatly like a dabbling duck, and
flew to the shore where it sat on a protruding piece of driftwood.
There was no preening or acknowledgement that this bird was wet. It
cried out its piercing challenge as an immature bald eagle lowered
altitude to see what was up then wisely decided to soar past.

After a few more minutes, it flew up a short ways in the air, and
AGAIN landed in the water and became a gull, sitting half submerged,
turning slowly so I could see the tail sometimes in, sometimes out of
the water. Finally, it lifted off and flew to a different perch at the
edge of the pond, and stayed there, motionless, while I left, cold
rain drizzling down.

Overall, fairly quiet this past week. Peregrine Joe reported 5 COMMON
GOLDENEYES, the first spotted in the area, on Wednesday, October 31st
in the Lagoon.

Eadsville reported a lot of activity at Ava's 30-foot porch feeder,
including a female downy woodpecker with a broken bill on the last ¼"
, and about 30 chestnut-backed chickadees, also black-capped
chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches. A DIPPER is living in the
nearby Salmon Creek, so we have at least one documented.

Saturday October 27th: Two adult TRUMPETER SWANS with 2 cygnets
spotted at the airport pond, also at least a dozen Bald Eagles, and
one unidentified shorebird flying away fast. Six BUFFLEHEADS dove for
sticklebacks in Roundhouse Pond, COMMON MERGANSERS at Preacher's Pond
at Mile 3. Nash Road marsh, mile 1, a female BELTED KINGFISHER sat
calmly on a snag, allowing a good look. Fourth of July beach: about 20
HARLEQUINS, a flock of 20-30 SURF SCOTERS, smaller numbers of BARROW'S
GOLDENEYES, HORNED GREBES, and PELAGIC CORMORANTS. 2-3 COMMON LOONS in
winter plumage. Flock of 20 NORTHWESTERN CROWS patrolled the beach.

At Spring Creek beach, a most unfortunate Glaucous-winged Gull dangled
head down, suspended from its last perch at the end of a long line
tangled on its foot. It was not possible to get close to inspect the
type of line, but monofilament fishing line and the new braided lines
like Spiderwire are suspects. Handfuls of discarded pieces of the
green, non-biodegradable Spiderwire were collected from the beach.
Please help prevent cruel death by entanglement and pick up this
seemingly innocuous trash.

October 21, 2007 Six adult Trumpeter Swans and 4 cygnets graced the
airport pond.

October 18, 2007 Duck hunter shot two PINTAILS in city limits at the
airport pond. Ducks have been scarce, no doubt spooked by hunters. I
continue to wonder why this is allowed so close to the AKRR and
adjacent property infrastructure, and under the flight pattern of
planes. Note that duck reports during duck season may be somewhat
under-reported by this reporter.

October 16, 2007 Male WILSON'S WARBLER gleaning insects from Sitka
willow like it was still summer. SCISSOR BILL CROW was spotted at
Safeway, its long, twisted bill even more deformed than ever.
Apparently it hangs out between Safeway and The Cup coffee stand
nearby. Caroline Van Hemert of the USGS noted that deformed bills on
chickadees tend to grow back very quickly when trimmed, but expressed
an interest in trapping this bird this winter and at least provide a
temporary solution. Her team color-banded NW Crows last year, please
let me know if you see any, and note the band colors if possible.

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is coming up quickly. The Seward
Count Week is December 19-25; Count Day is Saturday December 22 from 9
to 5. There will be more information posted closer to the date.

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

For more information on how to keep cats indoors, please refer to the
American Bird Conservancy website, Cats Indoors at
<http://www.abcbirds.org/cats> and other informative sites listed
under a Google.com search.

#2730 From: "Prentki@..." <prentki@...>
Date: Mon Nov 5, 2007 1:49 am
Subject: RE: [AK Birding] Good passerines still around--and Belugas
prentkiak
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Dave Sonneborn and I re-found the immature white-throated sparrow in the
10th Ave alley.  The bird was associated with a flock of about 9 juncos that
flew into the alley while we were watching three other juncos at 3:30 pm.
There was also a pod of about 12 belugas, including at least 3 gray young,
at the mouth of ship creek at 4 PM.  They were doing tail-up dives and
appeared to be feeding and moving further up the Knick Arm.



Dick Prentki

Anchorage

prentki@...







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2731 From: "Steve W." <ak_zukes@...>
Date: Mon Nov 5, 2007 2:57 am
Subject: Duck Day
ak_zukes
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Spenard Lake & Lake Hood open spots
Mallards, Northern Shoveler, Long tailed duck, Common Goldeneye,
Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Canvasback, American Widgeon. 7 Trumpeter
Swans at Potter's Marsh. 50+ Canada Geese Birch Rd area. Last week
there were 300+ Canada Geese at the Abbott-O-Rabbit ball fields @ the
corner of O'Malley & Lake Otis.

Steve Waltz

#2732 From: Nat Drumheller <natdrumheller@...>
Date: Mon Nov 5, 2007 7:04 am
Subject: Bohemian Waxwings, Southeast
nat_drumheller
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Adding to the list of waxwing sightings, there was a small flock of Bohemian
Waxwings in Gustavus today.  These are the first I've seen since late March, I
think.

-Nat Drumheller, Gustavus (southeast)

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#2733 From: "warblerak" <sirena.brownlee@...>
Date: Mon Nov 5, 2007 9:37 pm
Subject: New Anchorage Audubon Website
warblerak
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We have finally updated our website and would like to invite you to
check it out - http://www.anchorageaudubon.org/. The new website
contains an updated caledar of events, current conservation issues,
newsletters, beautiful photographs and lots of other useful
information for birding in southcentral Alaska. We will be updating
the site frequently so check back often. Enjoy!

Sirena Brownlee
Anchroage, Alaska
Anchorage Audubon Field Trips Chairperson

#2734 From: Ken_Russell@...
Date: Tue Nov 6, 2007 1:42 am
Subject: RBA Fairbanks
akheinkel
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hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska
date: November 5, 2007
number: (907) 451-9213
to report: (907) 451-9213

Birds Mentioned
Black-Billed Magpie
Northern Goshawk
Varied Thrush
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Slate-Colored Junco

Welcome to the Birding Hotline for interior Alaska as of
November 5, 2007.

A BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE was seen at the Federal Building
  at 12th and Noble streets on November 2.
Another BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE was seen flying over Trainor
Gate Road in the Hamilton Acres area on October 28.

A NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew through a yard at 3.8 miles Chena
  Hotsprings Road on October 28. A VARIED THRUSH was seen in
the same area on October 24.

A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was at a residence on Goldmine
Trail on October 26.

A SLATE-COLORED JUNCO was seen at a residence in the Cripple
Creek area on October 25.

Upcoming events include:
Birds of the Bering Sea will be presented by Arctic Audubon on Monday,
  November 5, at 7:00 pm in the Noel Wien Library Auditorium .

Sounds of Nature will be presented on November 8 at 7:00 PM in the Noel
Wien Library Auditorium, Gail Mayo, Diane Okonok, and Kathy Turko
share tips on capturing natural sounds and share their work from the far
corners of Alaska such as the boreal forest and walrus on Round Island.
This event is part of the Northern Voices Speaker Series sponsored by
The Northern Alaska Environmental Center and Fairbanks North Star
Borough Library. The program will be held at the Noel Wien Library.

Birds of the Aleutians lecture & book signing will take place on
November 15 at 7:00 PM at the UA Museum of the North. The Aleutian
Islands provide nesting sites for millions of seabirds and landfall for a
broad spectrum of migratory birds. Co-authors of the recent Birds of
the Aleutian Islands, Alaska - museum bird collection manager Dan
Gibson and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wildlife biologist G. Vernon
Byrd - talk about species diversity in these remote islands and share
images of these rarely-seen birds. Book signing will follow the lecture.

Fairbanks Feeder Count: The first day of this annual count of birds
visiting your feeders will take place on November 17. More information
and data sheets will be available as the day approaches.

Thanksgiving is for the Birds will take place on November 24 between
  noon and 4 PM at the Creamer's Refuge Farmhouse. Join the Friends of
  Creamer's Field for family activities!

If you plan to record a bird sighting, please include the date and place
where the bird was seen along with your name and phone number.

If you wish to become a member of the Arctic Audubon Society please
call Mary Zalar at 479-4547.

Thanks for calling the birding hotline.

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

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

Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in 'A Birder's
Guide to Alaska' by George C. West; American Birding Association;
2002 ISBN 1-878788-19-1

Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney
PO Box 71462
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2735 From: BradMeiklejohn@...
Date: Thu Nov 8, 2007 12:36 am
Subject: White-throated Sparrow in Anchorage
BradMeiklejohn@...
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I located the White-throated Sparrow today (November 7th) and it was still in
the same vicinity previously described.? Getting to the locale may be a bit
puzzling if you rely on the earlier posts, though.?

While the bird is in an alley off the west end of 10th Ave west of the Park
Strip, you can't get there directly by following 10th Ave beyond the Park
Strip.? To get to the bird, follow 9th Ave to R Street and turn south.? (You'll
probably want to park either on 9th or early on R St because the roads get
pretty small.)?

Follow R St for about 50 yards until it bends to the right, technically becoming
10th Ave again.? Make the corner and look for a grassy lane on your left.? At
this point you are at the base of a slope with houses above on your left.? Begin
listening and watching for juncos, especially as you approach a garden plot on
your right.? Listen for the distinct and clear chip note of the sparrow, which
is notably different from the junco chip notes. A bit of pishing will likely
also get the sparrow going nicely.

Bird on,

Brad Meiklejohn
Eagle River, Alaska
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#2736 From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso@...>
Date: Thu Nov 8, 2007 1:29 am
Subject: drama at Swan Lake
bpeluso
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I was in Sitka for Whalefest last weekend and had a few chances to squeeze in
some birding.

On sunday I went out on the whalewatch and in addition to dozens of humpbacks we
saw a gray whale and many sea otters. Pelagic and a few double-crested
cormorants packed several rocky islands. In the water we saw lots of common
murres in winter colors, although one or two stubbornly held on to summer wear.
A few marbled murrelets, bald eagle or two, and a flock of half a dozen
long-tailed ducks. The highlight was my first fork-tailed storm petrel zipping
around just above the waves.

At Swan Lake on Monday a very helpful biker told me there was a pied-billed
grebe sighted recently (thanks!). I went back and perused a flock of sleeping
scaup and when one lifted its head it turned out to be the grebe. I saw 3 coots,
at least one of which was a juvenile. There was also a Cackling Goose hanging
out with the mallards--I did a double take on that since it was the same size as
the ducks. Its cheek patch was a dirty tan instead of white. The big excitement
was when a snipe flew in and landed little way down along the shoreline.
Suddenly it was back in the air making scratchy squeaking sounds and a large
raptor flew out low over the water. I thought at first it was a harrier, but
turned out to be a goshawk in the middle of town! What a great little spot.

Beth Peluso
Juneau

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#2737 From: Ken_Russell@...
Date: Thu Nov 8, 2007 2:00 am
Subject: Murre plumage
akheinkel
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Sounds like a great trip to Sitka!  Coots and a grebe in the same spot!
Swan Lake is a fun place in the middle of a lovely town.

A note on dark murres in November.  Thick-billed Murres hold alternate
(summer) plumage several months later into the fall than Common Murres. In
the spring Commons molt into alternate plumage earlier.  This is a way to
help pick out the odd murre in spring and fall.  Sounds like maybe you saw
a few Thick-billeds.

Thick-billed do nest in Southeast Alaska in small numbers including on St.
Lazaria Island in Sitka Sound.  Here's a link to the Alaska Maritime NWR
website on the island:
http://alaskamaritime.fws.gov/units/Gulf-StLazaria.htm

Ken Russell
Fairbanks
_______________________________________________________________________________


I was in Sitka for Whalefest last weekend and had a few chances to squeeze
in some birding.

On sunday I went out on the whalewatch and in addition to dozens of
humpbacks we saw a gray whale and many sea otters. Pelagic and a few
double-crested cormorants packed several rocky islands. In the water we
saw lots of common murres in winter colors, although one or two stubbornly
held on to summer wear. A few marbled murrelets, bald eagle or two, and a
flock of half a dozen long-tailed ducks. The highlight was my first
fork-tailed storm petrel zipping around just above the waves.

At Swan Lake on Monday a very helpful biker told me there was a
pied-billed grebe sighted recently (thanks!). I went back and perused a
flock of sleeping scaup and when one lifted its head it turned out to be
the grebe. I saw 3 coots, at least one of which was a juvenile. There was
also a Cackling Goose hanging out with the mallards--I did a double take
on that since it was the same size as the ducks. Its cheek patch was a
dirty tan instead of white. The big excitement was when a snipe flew in
and landed little way down along the shoreline. Suddenly it was back in
the air making scratchy squeaking sounds and a large raptor flew out low
over the water. I thought at first it was a harrier, but turned out to be
a goshawk in the middle of town! What a great little spot.

Beth Peluso
Juneau

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#2738 From: "akredgreen" <pat@...>
Date: Thu Nov 8, 2007 10:13 pm
Subject: Varied Thrush
akredgreen
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Had a new yard bird today (nov. 8) at E. 11th and Barrow (downtown)--a
Varied Thrush!
Pat Pourchot
Anchorage

#2739 From: "Matt Goff" <goff@...>
Date: Fri Nov 9, 2007 8:21 am
Subject: Loon ID questions
gwark_ak
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Over the last 3 years I have photographed several loons that I have not
been able to identify to my satisfaction.  As it's the time of year when
loons are relatively easy to see around Sitka, I was reminded of this and
thought it would be nice if I can get the ids settled and hopefully be
more confident about what I see this year.  To this end I put together a
page with photos and my discussion/comments about each of the birds (and
why I am not certain of the identification).  I would appreciate any
comments/help from other birders who can offer pointers for identifying
these birds.

The photos/discussion can be seen at:

http://www.sitkanature.org/wordpress/2007/11/09/loon-identification/

Thanks,

Matt Goff
Sitka

#2740 From: Bob Winckler <winckler@...>
Date: Fri Nov 9, 2007 8:47 pm
Subject: TRUMPETER SWANS?
matsubirder
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Hi Birders,
Anyone notice the four swans ID'd as Trumpeters on page 1 of Section
B of today's ADN.  Looks like the one adult and one juvenile to the
left in the photograph are Trumpeters (juvenile probable Trumpeter)
and the adult and juvenile to the right are Tundras.  This is the
first fall that I remember seeing so many Tundra Swans passing
through Anchorage.
Cheers,
Bob Winckler
Wasilla

#2741 From: "wkeys_99503" <wkeys_99503@...>
Date: Fri Nov 9, 2007 10:59 pm
Subject: White Throated Search
wkeys_99503
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I hadn't been to the White Throated site, so I stopped by this
morning.  The directions were perfect--I found the Juncos and the
White Crowned Sparrow, but the White Throated didn't show up while I
was there.  The flock headed downhill toward the inlet so I followed
them for a block and was rewarded with a Peregrine flying toward the
port just outside of the railroad tracks.  Maybe he ate the White
Throated Sparrow.

w keys
spenard

#2742 From: "c_griz" <c_griz@...>
Date: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:58 am
Subject: Seward Sporadic Bird Report: Cedar Waxwings
c_griz
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November 9, 2007
Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
Sunrise 8:41 am, sunset 4:41 pm, length of day 7 hours, 59 minutes;
tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 48 seconds shorter.
Weather: Gray skies, 30s; rain mixed with snow; sleet and high winds
alternating with calm for variety.

Cedar Waxwings!

Once again, unusual birds have found Duane and Sanna's home on 4th
Avenue. Their roof must have a huge "Welcome Birds!" sign on it. Two
juvenile CEDAR WAXWINGS, first spotted yesterday and verified by
Peregrine Joe, continue to perch in the front Mt Ash tree,
occasionally snacking on a red berry. I watched one trying to preen
its disheveled feathers in the rain without much success. The
lighting, on this gray day, was terrible, but the light-colored
underside, and yellow tips on the tail feathers of both birds was
visible. A black face mask and crest, though much flattened, was also
visible on one bird. D&S last hosted a cedar waxwing in September of 2005.

Two ROBINS, three STELLER'S JAYS, and two DARK-EYED JUNCOS fed on my
Mt Ash berries.

Down along the beach, I watched a small flock of NW CROWS, including
one with a silver leg band on each leg. Check the bills on these
marine crows for deformities and the legs for bands, and let me know.
Nearby, a flock of about 50 gulls sat on the gravel beach road ,
mostly GLAUCOUS-WINGED, but also some HERRING GULLS (probably hybrids
too). Just off-shore, more gulls floated, including MEW GULLS and a
few BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES. Two pairs of HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and a
PELAGIC CORMORANT dove for fish.

On October 8th and 9th, black bears were reported, still active, near
the hospital, at Exit Glacier just past the road closed sign, and in
Questa Woods. Keep an eye on your bird feeders.

October 6th, Lowell Point reported that five GREAT BLUE HERONS have
been seen at various locations around the point for a while. A BROWN
CREEPER was seen at Two Lakes Park and in a birder's yard on Third.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK reported from Camelot, terrorizing loose chickens
since August, and catching about 18 until the owner decided to lock up
the remaining flock. As for pigeons, Duane gave me a recent count of
93, up from 62 in October, and up from 55 in September. Now that
downtown's pigeon roosts are closed, we wonder where they nest and
roost at night. Duane also reports a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, and the
resident SONG SPARROW. 15 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at the top of a cottonwood
in town, 300 block.

October 5th: An immature SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen with about 100
other gulls in front of Resurrection Seafoods at the start of Lowell
Point Road. The dingy bird with a black tipped bill, and dark back
stood out from the other pale gulls. 11 Bohemian Waxwings by AVTEC on
Second Ave.

October 4th: Heavy wet snows overnight caused at least two Mt Ash
trees heavily laden with berries and leaves, to just fall over, roots
and all. Duane recalls this happening back in the 70s to large spruce
trees lining the highway in the canyon just north of Mile 8, when the
heavy snows preceded the ground freezing. Save the berries for the
pine grosbeaks, varied thrushes, robins, and other fruit lovers; they
appreciate the effort and will reward you with their beauty in the
dark of winter.

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

Seward Audubon Christmas Bird Count Week December 19-25, Count Day,
December 22.

For more information on how to keep cats indoors, please refer to the
American Bird Conservancy website, Cats Indoors at
<http://www.abcbirds.org/cats> and other informative sites listed
under a Google.com search.

Gull Identification Website:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/6181/gulls.htm

#2743 From: Manuel Cruz <manolocoqui@...>
Date: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:49 am
Subject: Plectropherax nivalis
Manolocoqui
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Snow Bunting(male & female)

Nikon D200 & Sigma 50-500mm

Togiak NWR

Cape Peirce, Alaska


Capt. M


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#2744 From: Manuel Cruz <manolocoqui@...>
Date: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:54 am
Subject: Plectrophenax nivalis
Manolocoqui
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Snow Bunting(male & female)

Nikon D200 & Sigma 50-500mm

Togiak NWR

Cape Pierce, Alaska


Capt. M


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2745 From: "paulncess" <pncfritz@...>
Date: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:56 am
Subject: Late Harlan's
paulncess
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Today I saw a dark Harlan's Hawk at the Palmer Hayflats.   It was
easily seen from the Glenn Hwy.  My latest record ever for the
valley.   Paul Fritz. Palmer

#2746 From: Manuel Cruz <manolocoqui@...>
Date: Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:57 pm
Subject: Canis lupus
Manolocoqui
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Wolf - Order Carnivora, largest of the genus Canis....

Nikon D200 & Sigma 50-500mm

Togiak NWR

Cape Peirce, Alaska


Capt. M


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