On the end of day six (the amazing pelagic day) my mom and I went out to the Homer Spit, a spit of land in Homer because Karl, the pelagic birding guy said that Fork-tailed Storm Petrels sometimes can be seen from the spit. I had already tried once but wanted to try again. But my mom and I spent time there and no luck on storm petrels but we did see some neat birds like a Tufted Puffin and some Sea Otters and Seals but no year birds. After that, while driving back along the spit I spotted some shorebirds and after searching - jackpot - year bird, Whimbrel!
On Friday, day seven we did an amazing thing - we flew out with Emerald Air Service to Katmai National Preserve to watch the Alaskan Brown Bear. We did and it was totally, totally astonishingly amazing to watch them eat salmon, walk on the tundra, etc. Wow! On that trip I saw a Snow Bunting, a year bird.
Yesterday I spent time with friends, etc. but no year birds.
Today I birded the area and had good success. I started out walking this property, Seaside Farm and found some nice birds but nothing new for the year. Than my dad and I went out to the spit to take another chance for Fork-tailed Storm Petrel and other birds. We looked around for the petrels and I was scanning and my dad said to me "I really want to find you that petrel!". Right as he said that I said "there it is". He said "what's there?". "The fork-tailed petrel" I said. I began watching it closely just to be sure it was. My thoughts were "smallish bird, somewhat bigger than a swallow, light gray overall, very swallow-like, low flight, yup!". Fork-tailed Storm Petrel, an awesome life bird. I said to my dad "while the tide is good, let's go try to pick up Western Sandpiper along the other part of the spit". We came across a group of shorebirds and I saw yellowlegs and different things but I was avoiding everything that I knew. I was after a life bird - Western Sandpiper. I had just looked in my Peterson guide at Western Sandpiper so I knew exactly what to look for. There - a sandpiper caught my eye that seemed to say "Western!". I looked ever so closely. Could it be? After spending time watching, while making sure it couldn't be anything else I said under my breath "yup..western" and than once I was one hundred percent sure I said it to my dad in full voice "yup - WESTERN - life bird!". Two awesome life birds this morning.
Tomorrow I head back north and leave the pacific and Kachemak Bay and head back up to Anchorage and then it's on to Denali!
Alaska has been fantastic for birds so far - the trip is not even half done and I wanted 20-30 year birds the whole trip - and I'm already at 25 or 27 making my year count somewhere just below 350. Amazing!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Days four, five and six of Alaska trip - I CAN SAY P E L A G I C!
I'm in Homer Alaska at the beautiful Seaside Farm that has amazing birding just here.
On day four of the trip, I headed from Cooper Landing down here to Homer and did a beautiful dirt road along the way along which I added a new life bird, Pacific Loon! There was a pair on a pond. Once I got here to Seaside Farm where I'm staying I walked along the beach of Kachemak Bay on the pond and while scanning out on the water for ducks and such I came across a raft of ducks..Black Scoters! That was also a life bird.
Yesterday, day five I birded around the area but did not manage any year birds.
Today was the jackpot though - oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!! I went out with Karl Stoltzfus who does birding trips from his boats on the Kachemak Bay to an amazing bird rookery, Gull Island. Right as we left the dock I almost immediately got a life bird, as Karl pointed out nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes. Right after he pointed those out he said something like "there goes a Horned Puffin!" and we got good looks as it flew around. Amazing as that's not a sure bird on his trips! Soon there after we got Common Murres, another life bird for me. We continued on and we soon spotted one of my so long wanted life birds, Pigeon Guillemot and got great looks. We then arrived at Gull Island and the birds were everywhere. Black-legged Kittiwakes, kittiwakes, kittiwakes, kittiwakes, everywhere! Mixed in were cormorants, mostly Pelagic and some Red-faced Cormorants, Red-faced being an awesome life bird. Some Red-faceds were on nests. Karl told me all the things distinguishing the 2 as I'm by no means a cormorant expert:) Here for me the best bird was Tufted Puffins, and in fairly good numbers. Just amazing birds! I got both pacific puffin species! Karl also does water taxi so we had to go pick up some people and Karl said that near there there was a chance for Marbled Murrelet and indeed, we got lucky and they were there, a chick and an adult breeding plumage! It finally became time to go back but Karl said that there may be Wandering Tattlers near the dock which would be a life bird. In almost no time, 3 flew by! THANKS Karl for this amazing experience!
If you're ever coming to Homer Alaska and want to go on a birding trip OR go on a trip to Kachemak Bay State Park or other locations and need a water taxi, use Karl - he's awesome! His website is: http://www.xyz.net/~bay/
What an amazing first pelagic trip...
KestrelSwan
On day four of the trip, I headed from Cooper Landing down here to Homer and did a beautiful dirt road along the way along which I added a new life bird, Pacific Loon! There was a pair on a pond. Once I got here to Seaside Farm where I'm staying I walked along the beach of Kachemak Bay on the pond and while scanning out on the water for ducks and such I came across a raft of ducks..Black Scoters! That was also a life bird.
Yesterday, day five I birded around the area but did not manage any year birds.
Today was the jackpot though - oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!! I went out with Karl Stoltzfus who does birding trips from his boats on the Kachemak Bay to an amazing bird rookery, Gull Island. Right as we left the dock I almost immediately got a life bird, as Karl pointed out nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes. Right after he pointed those out he said something like "there goes a Horned Puffin!" and we got good looks as it flew around. Amazing as that's not a sure bird on his trips! Soon there after we got Common Murres, another life bird for me. We continued on and we soon spotted one of my so long wanted life birds, Pigeon Guillemot and got great looks. We then arrived at Gull Island and the birds were everywhere. Black-legged Kittiwakes, kittiwakes, kittiwakes, kittiwakes, everywhere! Mixed in were cormorants, mostly Pelagic and some Red-faced Cormorants, Red-faced being an awesome life bird. Some Red-faceds were on nests. Karl told me all the things distinguishing the 2 as I'm by no means a cormorant expert:) Here for me the best bird was Tufted Puffins, and in fairly good numbers. Just amazing birds! I got both pacific puffin species! Karl also does water taxi so we had to go pick up some people and Karl said that near there there was a chance for Marbled Murrelet and indeed, we got lucky and they were there, a chick and an adult breeding plumage! It finally became time to go back but Karl said that there may be Wandering Tattlers near the dock which would be a life bird. In almost no time, 3 flew by! THANKS Karl for this amazing experience!
If you're ever coming to Homer Alaska and want to go on a birding trip OR go on a trip to Kachemak Bay State Park or other locations and need a water taxi, use Karl - he's awesome! His website is: http://www.xyz.net/~bay/
What an amazing first pelagic trip...
KestrelSwan
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Day three of Alaska trip - OMG
Right now I'm at Cooper Landing Alaska, half way between Anchorage and Homer and we'll be spending the night here.
What an amazing day today - not only were the birds incredible, I got to see wild Dall Sheep, Moose, Black Bear, and orphaned/injured rehabilitated animals at the Alaska Wildlife Rehabilitation Center such as Bison, Musk Ox, Kodiak Bears, Caribou and more.
Today I got 4 of my chief Alaska targets. First off as we were driving just out of Anchorage I spotted a swan and identified it as a Tundra. One of my favorite birds but first one of the year. A little ways past that I was parked in a roadside parking lot and found a woodpecker and identified it as an American Three-toed. Year bird and one of my chief Alaska targets. Then as we were driving I spotted some common gulls and then I spotted a tern - Arctic Tern! and got some great looks. What a special life bird! Once we got to our waterside place at Cooper Landing I spotted a duck flying up river and put my binoculars on it. Goldeneye! Barrow's Goldeneye! Life bird.
How amazing Alaska is treating me for birds! I had hoped for 20-30 year birds during my whole 3 week trip and I already have an amazing 13 after 48 hours! Current year count is 334.
What a great day.
Until later
KestrelSwan
What an amazing day today - not only were the birds incredible, I got to see wild Dall Sheep, Moose, Black Bear, and orphaned/injured rehabilitated animals at the Alaska Wildlife Rehabilitation Center such as Bison, Musk Ox, Kodiak Bears, Caribou and more.
Today I got 4 of my chief Alaska targets. First off as we were driving just out of Anchorage I spotted a swan and identified it as a Tundra. One of my favorite birds but first one of the year. A little ways past that I was parked in a roadside parking lot and found a woodpecker and identified it as an American Three-toed. Year bird and one of my chief Alaska targets. Then as we were driving I spotted some common gulls and then I spotted a tern - Arctic Tern! and got some great looks. What a special life bird! Once we got to our waterside place at Cooper Landing I spotted a duck flying up river and put my binoculars on it. Goldeneye! Barrow's Goldeneye! Life bird.
How amazing Alaska is treating me for birds! I had hoped for 20-30 year birds during my whole 3 week trip and I already have an amazing 13 after 48 hours! Current year count is 334.
What a great day.
Until later
KestrelSwan
Alaska trip day two - yup, we're north!
Written July 31 2011.
Yesterday, July 30 I birded around Anchorage and had the most wonderful time. I managed 6 new year birds, plus 3 the day before making the Anchorage total 9, much better than hoped.
I started out at the beautiful Potter Marsh where I got 2 new year birds, Black-billed Magpie and Short-billed Dowitcher as well as many other beautiful birds including Sandhill Cranes, both yellowlegs, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and more.
Then we went to a place called Smoke Jumper Trail, a very boreal forest filled with northern trees. While walking I heard a chickadee, which I first regarded as one of the many Black-cappeds. But then it caught my attention. No! Not a Black-capped! It's a Boreal Chickadee! I walked to the sound and starting pishing. It came in and gave me the most beautiful look. One of my long wanted life birds had finally made a showing.
Then I went to a bog near where I'm staying and I got to spend time with a beautiful Moose.
Yesterday evening I went to a place called Arctic Valley and climbed to above tree line and got to hike there with magnificent views, true Alaska. On that outing I got 3 new year birds, Northwestern Crow along the way and Gray-cheeked Thrush and Rufous Hummingbird at mountaintop. The Rufous Hummingbird was attracted to the red of a chair lift of a small skiing area.
Today I head south starting my trek to Homer and am more focusing on mammals today stopping at a wildlife rehabilitation center, looking for Dall Sheep, and a hike for bears. Between now and when I get back to Anchorage next week I don't know if I'll be able to post much, but I will write and next week will post all at once if I can't post at Homer.
Until later.
KestrelSwan
Yesterday, July 30 I birded around Anchorage and had the most wonderful time. I managed 6 new year birds, plus 3 the day before making the Anchorage total 9, much better than hoped.
I started out at the beautiful Potter Marsh where I got 2 new year birds, Black-billed Magpie and Short-billed Dowitcher as well as many other beautiful birds including Sandhill Cranes, both yellowlegs, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and more.
Then we went to a place called Smoke Jumper Trail, a very boreal forest filled with northern trees. While walking I heard a chickadee, which I first regarded as one of the many Black-cappeds. But then it caught my attention. No! Not a Black-capped! It's a Boreal Chickadee! I walked to the sound and starting pishing. It came in and gave me the most beautiful look. One of my long wanted life birds had finally made a showing.
Then I went to a bog near where I'm staying and I got to spend time with a beautiful Moose.
Yesterday evening I went to a place called Arctic Valley and climbed to above tree line and got to hike there with magnificent views, true Alaska. On that outing I got 3 new year birds, Northwestern Crow along the way and Gray-cheeked Thrush and Rufous Hummingbird at mountaintop. The Rufous Hummingbird was attracted to the red of a chair lift of a small skiing area.
Today I head south starting my trek to Homer and am more focusing on mammals today stopping at a wildlife rehabilitation center, looking for Dall Sheep, and a hike for bears. Between now and when I get back to Anchorage next week I don't know if I'll be able to post much, but I will write and next week will post all at once if I can't post at Homer.
Until later.
KestrelSwan
Friday, July 29, 2011
Alaska trip day one - travel day and first birds
ALASKA! It's official! We're here! I can't blog in detail because it's 9:50 in the evening Alaskan time, 1:50 in the morning Eastern time where I came from, I've been up close to 24 hours. Right now I'm in a nice Bed and Breakfast in Anchorage Alaska.
After landing I did some quick birding around a few spots in Anchorage in good areas noted for boreal birds. I managed 3 year birds, including two lifers (Common Redpoll and Western Wood-Pewee) as well as year bird White-winged Crossbill. Tomorrow I try to go after more boreal birds and enjoy the amazing Alaska!
Until later
KestrelSwan
After landing I did some quick birding around a few spots in Anchorage in good areas noted for boreal birds. I managed 3 year birds, including two lifers (Common Redpoll and Western Wood-Pewee) as well as year bird White-winged Crossbill. Tomorrow I try to go after more boreal birds and enjoy the amazing Alaska!
Until later
KestrelSwan
Friday, July 22, 2011
Quick update
I'm off to Shenandoah National Park to look for bears but I thought I'd let you all know that in a week I'm off to Alaska! So exciting!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Simcoe County birding - an awesome rap up to Ontario
I'm back in Virginia..but NOT FOR LONG! In just over 2 weeks north is the direction I head once again. The farthest north I've ever gone..Alaska! Pine Grosbeaks, Alutean and Arctic Terns, just the thoughts get me super excited.
I haven't blogged since I've left Algonquin but here's the report from the Barrie area (Simcoe County)
I met up with Alex Mills, a professional ornithologist from the area who took me around the area birding and got me 3 valuable life birds. He said 2 should be fairly easy, Piping Plover, and Black Tern. Indeed we got both of those, which made me very happy. My third target for that day was Clay-colored Sparrow but Alex said that would be tough. He said if we saw a Christmas Tree farm we could try to hear it but expectations would be low. We indeed found a Christmas Tree farm and after walking around a while as we were getting ready to give up "chhh - chhh - chhh". Alex said "listen, there you go, Clay-colored Sparrow!". We walked over to where the sound was coming from, got to hear it excellently and got a few brief glimpses.
Thanks for 3 great birds Alex!
All in all an awesome trip to Ontario, 14 year birds bagged well. Excellent. 321 is the standing year count.
KestrelSwan
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