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

Took a quick drive to try and see the Homer Hummer.
Buffleheads & Swans at Cooper Landing
The weather was incredibly nasty in Homer with most of the birds on the lee of
the spit. I did see one very nice Pacific variety Common Eider in close & a
Thick-billed Murre at Land's End. Also, a Northern Shrike in town. 350+ Rock
Sandpiper's in the Homer Boat harbor at the ramp. Everything was trying to
escape the wind.
The Anna's Hummingbird did not show, although it had been around earlier in the
morning. (Thanks to Aaron for letting me look)....

100 Common Goldeneyes & 18 Snow Buntings at Anchor River.

Steve Waltz

Thank you for more responses.  Someone wanted to know the location and I got
more detail from my mom about the gray bird:

We are in Anchorage (Turnagain Neighborhood), very close to the corner of Aero &
Westland.  I spotted the one lone Stellar Jay a couple of days ago, that'a
when my mom mentioned the flock of four birds on our front porch, she saw them
about October 14.  The gray one, which was one of the 4 birds
was the same size, she's not sure if it had a crest or not, she
they were feeding together, hopping about pecking and eating something on my
son's
bicycle tires.  We just bought some unsalted peanuts and some indian corn ears
put them in front of 3 windows, hopefully something happens. The Gomez Family




________________________________
From: Anita Gomez <anita.gomez@...>
To: AKBirding@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, November 13, 2009 9:54:52 PM
Subject: [AK Birding] Identification of Blue Bird with Black Head in West
Anchorage


Here's a big thanks to the many that responded to this inquiry.  Everyone said
Stellar Jay, we looked it up and it certainly is.  We have the flock of about 4
birds.  We would like to follow one person's advice and put out 10 peanuts a day
in hopes of attracking them so we can enjoy!  By the way one of the flock was
gray.  We are looking it up for more info.  My 12 year old son will be excited
when I read him all the responses.   Again we thank you and are delighted and
interested in the wonderful hobby that our family can all enjoy.
We look forward to many more hours learning about our local birds.  Anita,
Grandma and Steven





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Had an adult sharp shinned hawk after chickadees in the yard Yesterday. 
Yesterday had 1 junco at the tray feeder.  Today there were 2 juncos.  First
I've seen in over a month.
Gary Bullock
Huffman & Birch, Anchorage

Welcome Anita,
Take a look at the Steller's Jay in your bird book.

Here's a big thanks to the many that responded to this inquiry.  Everyone said
Stellar Jay, we looked it up and it certainly is.  We have the flock of about 4
birds.  We would like to follow one person's advice and put out 10 peanuts a day
in hopes of attracking them so we can enjoy!  By the way one of the flock was
gray.  We are looking it up for more info.  My 12 year old son will be excited
when I read him all the responses.   Again we thank you and are delighted and
interested in the wonderful hobby that our family can all enjoy.
We look forward to many more hours learning about our local birds.  Anita,
Grandma and Steven




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I doubt they mistook you for Mr. Whitekeys.
DS


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Hi Birders,

As of today at 3:30 PM, the lone adult Sandhill Crane is still in
Palmer at the south end of Snodgrass Field, about 20 feet to the east
of where it was yesterday.  For about the 10 minutes that I observed
it, it remained standing on one leg, its right leg, the same leg it
was standing on yesterday.  It occasionally called, and between bouts
of appearing to fall asleep, it preened itself.  It also defecated
(while standing on one leg), which means it must be finding food.

While I photographed the crane, I was parked on the side of Evergreen
Ave. next to Snodgrass Field, almost all the way off of the road with
my emergency blinkers on, facing oncoming traffic.  I was doing fine
until the Palmer Police pulled up and told me that I couldn't park
there, even with my flashers on, so I had to leave.   Geez, do you
think they mistook me for Mr. Whitekeys?

See today's crane photo in the msbirder folder.
Cheers,
Bob Winckler
Wasilla

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Share your latest Bird Sightings.  And  Eat Cookies!






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An ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD has been coming to a feeder on Portlock Drive  for a whole
week—it's still there today.  (A very lucky hummingbird to have found this
feeder!!)  Besides the cold and snow, there is now a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in the
area to watch out for!

On the 9th a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 25-30 GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, and one
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were seen at Seaside Farms.

A WILSON'S WARBLER was seen on the Calhoun Trail on the 9th.

One LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was seen in Mud Bay on the 10th. Very late for it to
be here.

At the end of the Spit on the 7th the following were seen:  HARLEQUIN DUCKS,
LONG-TAILED DUCKS, COMMON MURRE, PELAGIC CORMORANT, RED-NECKED GREBE,
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, MEW GULL, BALD EAGLE, NORTHWESTERN CROW, and COMMON LOON. 
Elsewhere on the Spit, GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHES, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS (in
the Deep Water Harbor), and many, many ROCK SANDPIPERS (Mud Bay) were seen.

On the 12th a GREAT-HORNED OWL was seen and heard close-by on East Skyline Dr.
They are "fairly common" in this area this year he said. Other reports received
from the Fritz Creek area, where they have been heard frequently also.

Despite the fresh snow this morning and the icicle on the feeder the ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRD has made it a full week in our yard in Homer.  It is still here
this morning (and everyday since last Saturday).  Her biggest threat at the
moment may be the Sharp-shinned Hawk that's been staking out the feeders
this morning.

Good birding,

Aaron Lang
Homer


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I'm hoping to have some one help me identify a bird. I'm am an amatuer and hope
that the description will help give the bird species so that I can do some
further reaseach.

We saw a blue bird that has a vibrant cobalt blue color.  It's headdress has a
large frilly feather cap that was quite notable. I have live in Alaska 15 years
and never seen one.  It was a larger bird, bigger than a robin but smaller than
a rave.

Anita Gomez

PS. This is my first post, I have absolutely no birding history, but read the
posts today and interest in Alaska birding and find it delightful that there is
a group of people so dedicated and knowledgeable about Alaska birds.

On Wednesday afternoon, there was a medium/large flock of ~100 Waxwings in
the trees at the corner of Spenard Road and E Turnagain Blvd near Gwennie's. 
The Waxwings love those trees and hang out there a lot during the winter.
      An adult Goshawk flew in for lunch but was unsuccessful.  I had seen
another Gos a few weeks back in the neighborhoods across from the
Millennium--possibly the same one.

w keys
spenard

Hi Birders,

The stained adult Sandhill Crane, first reported by a Butte resident
on Nov. 6th, and the subject of akbirding posts #4686 and #4691, is
still at the southern end of Snodgrass Field in Palmer (next to the
Palmer Airport).  Today at about 2:00 PM, it was standing in a row of
uncut vegetation running down the centerline of the field, about 100
feet from the fence at the south end of the field (see photos in the
msbirder folder).

Although there was originally some question as to whether or not the
bird might be injured, it apparently isn't.  Several days ago, a
Palmer birder walked towards the crane to see if it could move OK,
which it did, also flying.  However, there is no way to tell if the
bird is at full strength.  Today it was just standing still on one
leg, periodically calling.

With the exception of a single Sandhill Crane reported seen in mid-
December 1995, today's reports are the latest date for a   sighting
of this species in the Mat-Su.

Bob Winckler
Wasilla

Today at 15:30 I saw a dark Harlan's Hawk flying south by the intersection of
Seward Meridian and the P/W Highway.   This sighting is several days later than
my previous late date for a Harlan's in the Valley.  And at 16:00 I saw a
Sandhill Crane in the south-west corner of Snodgrass Field, by the Palmer
airport.  I assume its the same bird Doug described the other day.


Paul Fritz,  Palmer

Just a few notes of interest for Adak this week.

On the 11th of NOV there was still one Wilson's Snipe sporting around in the
marshes of Lake Andrew. This is a new personal late date for them.

In stark contrast to last year when I had hundreds of Sharp Tailed Sandpipers
this time of year there hasn't been a single one seen since the first few days
of Oct.

Also on Lake Andrew there is a nice looking adult male Goosander as I like to
call them. Mergus Merganser merganser. I see a lot of what I would call
intermediates but this bird has a completely white wing patch with no sign of a
black bar.

The emperor geese are back for the winter and several hundred are now a common
sight around the harbor and lagoon. I never tire of watching these beautiful
geese.

Isaac Helmericks

Adak Island

Hey all,

Two days ago on 10 November a local birder in Juneau found a Long-eared Owl near
the Juneau Golf Course which is near the airport. The bird was re-found and
photographed well on the same day and it is very probable that there was also a
SECOND Long-eared Owl in the area. Today, 11 November a single birder was able
to see one LEOW along the Juneau Airport Dike Trail, which is probably about a
mile away from where the bird was first located. Attempts to relocate that bird
were semi-successful with one birder getting a glimpse of what was probably a
LEOW. As far as we can tell, at least one bird is still in the Juneau area but
being seen along the Dike Trail.  This bird(s) is probably the 6th or so record
for the state; however, none of the other records stuck around/lived long enough
for many people to see them.  Photos are posted on the Surfbirds website:
http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery10.  Email
me if you are interested in updates, otherwise I will just leave it at this.
Bird on,

Nick Hajdukovich
Juneau

I watched a Buteo (probably Rough-leg) buffetting in the wind at Potter this AM
(without bins), had a 1st cycle Glaucous Gull over the CARRs Aurora (Minn and N
Lights), ~9 Mew Gulls at the mouth of Ship Creek, and a N Flicker (Yellow-shaft)
feeding on the ground on Gov't Hill n. of Manor. Maybe there will be some
interesting things after this storm...

Thede Tobish

While in Homer to see the continuing Anna's hummerbird, my wife and I found a
single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER today, 11/10/09, on Mud Bay near the base of the
Spit.  Aaron reports this is the latest ever, until he sees it tomorrow.
 
David Porter
Trapper Creek




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A very late Adult Sandhill Crane on the fields at Palmer Airport yesterday
afternoon. I watched it for quite a while and it didnt appear to be injured. It
was walking and feeding normally.
Doug
Between Wasilla and Palmer

I had an adult Red Throated Loon flying over Sweeper Creek today. Although
common back in the 70's this is only the second bird I have seen in the last
two years since I have lived here.

Isaac Helmericks
Adak Island