November Birds About Town

This is the second column of the fall. This column includes, with a few exceptions, sightings from 1 through 28 October 2009. In recent years, the column has included more and more photographs. Not only are they nice to look at, but they are increasingly important for documenting the occurrence of uncommon or unusual birds in this area. It is highly advised that you try to photograph any unusual bird that you report. It really is true, in the case of bird documentation, that a picture is worth a thousand words. When you see a bird of interest, get in the habit of taking a photo of it. Thanks go to Jeff Allen, Tim Blott, Raymond Fletcher, Pam Foreman, Carolyn Heitman, Dave Kubiak, Lynne Murphy, Cecil Ranney, and Stacy Studebaker for providing photos or video during the period. Photos appearing in this column are: “white-cheeked” geese – Lynne Murphy, “white-cheeked” geese – Rich MacIntosh, Pacific Loon – Lynne Murphy, Peregrine Falcon – Lynne Murphy, Least Sandpiper – Stacy Studebaker, Wilson’s Snipe – Cecil Ranney, Common Raven – Tim Blott, Golden-crowned Kinglet – Carolyn Heitman, Golden-crowned Kinglet – Dave Kubiak.

Please feel free to call me with bird reports or questions at 486-3087, or email me at: rmacintosh@gci.net. A copy of the Kodiak bird checklist is available at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, or online at: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/r7/kodiak.htm
Good birding!

On 3 Oct, RM watched an immature Bald Eagle overtake and kill a Greater White-fronted Goose at Womens Bay. An account of that struggle appears at the very end of this report. The fall “white-cheeked” goose movement through the archipelago continues, with both Canada Geese and Cackling Geese reported in early October from Tugidak Island. LM took a nice photos of geese in flight over the Tugidak tundra (see photo). A group of white-cheeked geese on Mission Lake on 5 Oct (RM; photo) contained one tiny Cackling Goose, two of the medium-sized Canada Geese from the Shuyak population, and one lighter-breasted bird of unknown persuasion (right in photo). It is always exciting to see birds in migration, so JA was excited to see a flock of about 45 Emperor Geese flying in high from the northeast over the Buskin River mouth on 7 Oct. These birds were just arriving in this area from their summer haunts in western Alaska. A flock of about 100 Snow Geese was seen in nasty weather over Spruce Cape on 20 Oct (IH, EH). Trumpeter Swans were heard and seen on Tugidak Island in early October (BP, PB).

Migrant Tundra Swans were seen again this fall migrating over Trident Basin, with three on 30 Sep, 4 on 2 Oct, and about 25 on 23 Oct (SBo). Twelve Tundra Swans were on Lake Rose Tead on 20 Oct (RM), and 15 were there on 26 Oct (RF). The first Ring-necked Duck of the fall was a male with Greater Scaup on Mission Lake on 29 Sep (RM), and about eight were with Greater and Lesser Scaup on Lake Rose Tead on 20 Oct (RM). The first Buffleheads of the fall were seen on Kalsin Pond on 2 Oct (RC, RM). On 19 Oct, four Hooded Mergansers were on Mission and Potatopatch Lakes (RM). All of these birds were in brown female or immature male plumage, and one of them (see photo) didn’t have a “hood”. A Pacific Loon photographed in Hidden Basin on 27 Oct (LM; see photo), shows the dark “necklace” that is diagnostic for winter individuals of this species. An early October cruise by JA off the east side of Kodiak yielded several interesting seabirds. A single juvenile Short-tailed Albatross accompanied a Laysan Albatross and several Black-footed Albatross……a north Pacific “grand slam”. Two of the always rare Buller’s Shearwaters were also seen and photographed. A suspected light morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater seen on that same day (JA) would have been a first state record had it been well photographed.

In early Oct, Tugidak Island hosted many Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls (BP, PB). LM got a great photo of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon (see photo) in Hidden Basin on 27 Oct. A late Lesser Yellowlegs was on the flats opposite Kalsin Pond on 2 Oct (RC, RM), and a late Least Sandpiper was photographed at Pasagshak on 4 Oct (SS, MS; see photo). Pectoral Sandpipers, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Long-billed Dowitchers continued to be seen on the Kalsin Bay sedge flats through 27 Oct (RM). The Red-necked Phalaropes JA saw at sea east of Kodiak on 11 Oct were very late, while the Red Phalaropes seen the next day were not so late. A nice photo of a Wilson’s Snipe taken at a considerable distance on CR’s lawn on 9 Sep shows the power of a good digital camera to document birds (see photo). The first Thayer’s Gull of the fall was an adult seen off the east side of Kodiak Island on 14 Oct (JA). Since October is the best month here for Slaty-backed Gulls, it was not surprising that an adult was at Womens Bay on 2 Oct (RM, RC), three birds were there on 3 Oct (RM), and three were seen off the east side of Kodiak in mid Oct (JA). Two Common Ravens were photographed (see photo) in a knock down drag out battle on the ground on Spruce Cape on 4 Oct (TB, SBl). As described by SB, “one had a grip on the other’s face and wouldn’t let go”. After taking a few pictures, TB chased them away! CH photographed a Golden-crowned Kinglet (see photo) eating from a suet feeder in her yard on 19 Oct. This behavior is very seldom seen. A Brown Creeper was seen on 28 Oct by ML. A Varied Thrush that showed up in the CH yard on 19 Oct (CH) was the only one reported. Except for corvids, there have been no birds reported from fruiting mountain ash trees yet. Things should break loose any day now. An immature White-crowned Sparrow in the RM & MM yard on 26 Oct is probably going to winter here. The first fall road system Dark-eyed Junco was a bird at Mill Bay on 3 Oct (JA). CH had two at her feeder on 5 Oct. Red Crossbills were fairly common at feeders. Pine Siskins were not much in evidence.

THEY COOKED HIS GOOSE - On 3 Oct, RM was watching gulls below the Sargent Creek bridge in Womens Bay when all the gulls took to the air. The most probable cause, an (immature) Bald Eagle, was soon seen to be chasing a Greater White-fronted Goose in direct flight over the bay. The two birds flew south, towards Salonie Creek, with the eagle gradually gaining on the goose. When they were off the mouth of Salonie Creek, the eagle was only about 10 meters behind the goose, which then began taking evasive measures, cutting one way, and then another. This tactic did not work either, and the goose soon crashed into the water. Once the goose was in the water, the eagle began diving in shallow arcs over it, as it would do when picking up a fish from the surface of the water. Other eagles in the area were attracted to the scene, and several birds began making passes over the goose. During the first couple of passes, the goose would dive completely under the water, but after that, it would only duck its head or flail its wings. After a few misses, the eagles began connecting with the goose. On one early pass, an eagle grabbed the goose by the head, jerked it completely off the water, and was able to fly about five meters before dropping it. Another time, an eagle grabbed the goose by a flailing wing and flew a few meters with it. This happened several more times in the next few minutes, with the eagle always dropping the goose, presumably because it was too heavy to carry very far. After being grabbed and dropped four or five times, the goose was still able to keep its head and neck above water. It was still alive. Soon thereafter though, the goose showed no sign of life. Once the goose was lifeless on the water, the eagles stopped diving on it. My guess as to why they abandoned the goose at that point is that the lifeless goose, “dead weight”, and with no body parts sticking out of the water, presented an even more difficult target for the eagles to both grasp, and also jerk out of the water. The onshore wind and a falling tide would no doubt make the goose available to the eagles in due time.

CONTRIBUTORS:
Jeff Allen, Paul Banyas, Sue Blott, Tim Blott, Stephen Bodnar, Robin Corcoran, Raymond Fletcher, Pam Foreman, Carolyn Heitman, Eva Holm, Iver Holm, Dave Kubiak, Mary Lukens, Molly MacIntosh, Rich MacIntosh, Lynne Murphy, Wayne Murphy, Bill Pyle, Cecil Ranney, Mike Sirofchuck, Stacy Studebaker.

October Lecture Series

Portland's Chapman Swifts world premiere: 15 September at 10:30 PM

On The Wing will air on Alaska One Public Television Tuesday Sept. 15 at 10:30 p.m. and Wednesday September 16 at 4:30 a.m.

On The Wing tells the story of Portland's Chapman Swifts. The Chapman Swifts are Vaux Swifts that have been roosting in the chimney of Portland's Chapman Elementary School each fall since the early 80's. Each night during their residency, the Swifts put on an amazing show for thousands of people. On The Wing tells the story of both the birds and their cult following. It also conveys the universal messages that protecting habitat everywhere is important and everyone can have an impact on their surrounding environment if they just get involved.

1 September: Alaska Senate Resources and Energy Committee Meeting at 5:30 PM

The Alaska Senate Resources and Energy Committees will be visiting Kodiak on Tuesday, September 1.

They will hold a public hearing at the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Chambers from 5:30 to 7:00 pm to hear comments from the public about what should Alaska¹s Energy policy be? How can we lower energy costs for the long-term and achieve greater Energy independence?

For more information please contact the Kodiak Legislative Information Office at 486-8116.

Birds About Town: April 2009

This is the ninth and last BAT column of the season. It covers, with a few exceptions, the period from 10 April through 9 May 2009. Thanks to Shirley Berns, Nate Fitzgerald, Carolyn Heitman, Dave Kubiak, Mike Marion, Lynne Murphy, and Patrick Saltonstall for providing photos or audio tape during the period. Remember that a photo, even a marginal photo, can be tremendously helpful in identifying and documenting birds. When you see a bird of interest, get in the habit of taking a photo of it. Feel free to call me with bird reports or questions about birds or birding at 486-3087, or email me at: rmacintosh@gci.net. The Kodiak bird checklist is available at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge visitor center in downtown Kodiak and online at: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/r7/kodiak.htm Good birding!

As usual, the spring waterfowl migration began in earnest in late April. This movement is made up of some birds that will nest on Kodiak Island and some birds that will pass right on through Kodiak on the way to the Alaska Peninsula and points north. A large number of ducks and geese settled out in the three bays on 29 April, with some remaining for the next few days. There was also a large movement of ducks into the Hidden Basin, Ugak Bay area on the same date (LM). Also, as usual, a small movement of shorebirds began in late April and continued into early May. Most new passerine migrants appeared in early May. The timing of arrivals so far has been fairly normal.
Greater White-fronted Geese made a lot of news in late April. A flock flew over Monashka Bay on 21 Apr (AS), and on 29 Apr, there was a major movement into Chiniak Bay. Early that morning in Bells Flats, the calls of geese overhead were constant (KJ, CJ), and later that day about 375 Greater White-fronts and 40 Cackling Geese accompanied more than 1,500 ducks in Womens Bay (CT, SB, RM). On 30 Apr, Greater White-fronts were common on lawns on the Coast Guard base (BSt). They continued to be common at Womens Bay over the next few days (RE, JP, MK, RM; see photo). A flock of about 12 Greater White-fronts settled down on Mission Lake on 30 Apr (JFin, DF), and also frequented Pearson Cove Park over the next few days (PH, SJ). The last of the wintering Emperor Geese departed their Womens Bay (GC) and Ugak Bay (LM) haunts on the same day…..4 May! A few days earlier, lucky observers watched departing Emperors flying over Lake Louise (PB), and Monashka Bay (LE). Brant made a good showing this spring with good numbers passing through the Kalsin Bay to Cape Chiniak area on 24 Apr (MG, SL, HN, CC). A flock of probable Aleutian Cackling Geese (with conspicuous white neck collars) flew over the College Birding Class at Womens Bay on 25 Apr, but it kept on flying to the southwest, making positive identification impossible. On a very stormy 11 Apr, BSc came across a single swan sitting on the beach at Spruce Cape, not exactly typical swan habitat. Tundra Swans, one of our earliest migrants, continued to move through the area, with ten in Womens Bay on 17 Apr (SPer), two at Kalsin Pond 19-21 Apr (SB, RF, JP, RM), and one on Mission Lake 1-7 May (MMu, JFin, DF, BH, JP). Northern Pintails were a major player in the big 29 Apr waterfowl movement, with an estimated 1,295 at Womens Bay alone, along with 160 Green-winged Teal, and 162 Northern Shovelers (CT, SB, RM). Eurasian Wigeons accompanied American Wigeons into the area this spring, with a maximum count of nine in the three bays on 29 Apr (CT, SB, RM), and six in Hidden Basin on 2 May (LM). Amazingly, this species has never been documented breeding in North America! A flock of six Ring-necked Ducks was on Kalsin Pond on 2 May (College Birding Class), with two remaining through at least 7 May (SS). This species has become increasingly common in the archipelago in recent decades, and will no doubt be found breeding here some day soon. The College Birding Class encountered several flocks of geese on its 2 May field trip, so when another passing V of birds was examined over Womens Bay, some participants were shocked to see high flying Double-crested Cormorants rather than geese. The flock disappeared from view over the mountains to the southwest. Double-crested Cormorants breed as far west as the eastern Aleutians. Wintering Great Blue Herons typically depart the Kodiak area in April, so many late April and even early May records this spring seemed a bit odd. One was seen along the shore of Kalsin Pond (!!!) on 20 April (JP, RF); three (including at least one in breeding plumage) were in Trident Basin on 22 Apr (CT, HN, CC, SL, MC, RM); at least one was in Trident Basin on 29 April (MW, DH, JB); and the last bird of the spring was one photographed in Dog Bay on 5 May DaK). Merlins were seen on 29 Apr in town where they are suspected of nesting (IB); 4 May in cottonwoods near the golf course where they are also suspected of nesting (RM); and 5 May at Middle Bay (MF). The Merlin is the only commonly nesting falcon in the archipelago.

The shorebird migration so far has been normal. We typically see a small numbers of birds, but a nice variety. Some species are through-migrants (eg: Black-bellied Plover), and some are local breeders (eg: Greater Yellowlegs). With some species, it is difficult to determine which are the first migrants, because the species also winters in this area. I do my best. First migrants during the period were: Greater Yellowlegs at Karluk River - 20 Apr (MG); Greater Yellowlegs on the road system – 21 Apr (CR, JP); Wilson’s Snipe - 22 Apr (CR); Black-bellied Plover, Pacific Golden-Plover, Surfbird, Black Turnstone, Rock Sandpiper – 29 Apr (CT, SB, RM); Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit – 30 Apr (JFit, NF, RM; see photo); Short-billed Dowitcher – 2 May (College Birding Class); Least Sandpiper – 6 May (RM). The best places on the road system to see shorebirds are on the muddy and sandy flats at the heads of Womens and Kalsin Bays. The sedge and mud flat across from Kalsin Pond is probably the best place. Remember, you are looking for one of this and five of that…..not large numbers! Another habitat for migrant shorebirds is beaches and capes out Narrow Cape way. A flock of five Pacific Golden-Plovers was atop Narrow Cape on 3 May (SL, RB). An adult Bonaparte’s Gull was being chased mercilessly by Northwestern Crows at Potatopatch Lake on 25 Apr (CT, SB, RM), and what was presumably the same bird remained on Mission Beach for the next two days (TP, RM, JP, DH). The only other Bonaparte’s Gulls seen this spring were the two at Kalsin Bay estuary on 2 May (College Birding Class). While this beautiful little black-headed gull is a common breeder on the adjacent mainland, there is no indication that it breeds in the Kodiak archipelago. An adult Slaty-backed Gull made a one day appearance at the mouth of the Buskin River on 11 Apr (RM). The first Tufted Puffins of spring were seen by LM in Ugak Bay on 28 Apr. By 4 May, dozens surrounded Mary Island at the head of Womens Bay (RM). Horned Puffins, which arrive somewhat later than Tufteds, have not been reported yet. A Short-eared Owl, hit by a car, was found along the Anton Larsen Road on 4 May (PS).

An urban Black-billed Magpie took a liking to the cocoa fiber hanging basket liner material in CH’s yard, and helped itself to quite a bit of it for nest-making in late Apr. NF submitted an interesting video clip that showed several Northwestern Crows taking turns catching small fish, probably sticklebacks, in the creek draining Potatopatch Lake onto Mission Beach on 6 May. A singing Winter Wren was beautifully photographed (see photo) on Whale Island on 27 Apr (DaK). Weeks after MS built a “wren home” in the eaves of her cabin on Anton Larsen Island, a Winter Wren was busily constructing a nest in it. SPes and KM watched an American Dipper along a small creek flowing into Lake Catherine on 11 Apr, and TP and RM watched a dipper carrying nesting material up to the girders under an abandoned bridge across the Buskin River on 26 Apr. The first Hermit Thrush of spring was one in Fort Abercrombie on 2 May (SS). Our huge numbers of wintering Varied Thrushes pretty much disappeared in mid-Apr (JFin, CH, JP, CH, RM). Some of the wintering birds may have returned to the mainland (?), while others no doubt dispersed throughout the Kodiak woods. Although it is a difficult call, because of the large number that overwintered, my guess is that the first spring migrant Fox Sparrow was the singing bird in CT’s yard in Monashka Bay on 16 Apr. Wintering Lincoln’s Sparrows remained near town feeders through 19 Apr (DaK, DeK) and 25 Apr (MMac). There is only one summer record of Lincoln’s Sparrow in the archipelago, although they nest commonly as close to us as Homer. The Rusty Blackbird flock that lived on the Coast Guard base for most of the winter was last seen there on about 19 April (BSt). While White-winged Crossbills were fairly common in the spruce forest, the only cross-billed customers at feeders during the period were Red Crossbills (BO, JFin, MMar), with adults feeding young at the CH (16 Apr), SB (21 Apr), and MMac (26 Apr) feeders. I would be remiss in not adding that SB had a lone White-winged Crossbill land briefly on her porch rail and think about going to her feeder. The only Common Redpoll report was from a Bells Flats feeder in early Apr (SPer, SH).

CONTRIBUTORS:
Paul Banyas, Shirley Berns, Ian Bruce, Ryan Burt, Gary Carver, Margo Connolly, Chad Cook, Libby Eufemio, Rosemary Eufemio, Dale Finlay, Jan Finlay, Josh Fitzgerald, Nate Fitzgerald, Raymond Fletcher, Mary Forbes, Mike Getman, Carolyn Heitman, Patrick Holmes, Steve Honnold, Beverly Horn, David Horn, Sue Jeffrey, Chan Johnson, Katya Johnson, Meghan Kelly, Dave Kubiak, Debra Kubiak, Shelly Lawson, Molly MacIntosh, Rich MacIntosh, Mike Marion, Kevin Murphy, Lynne Murphy, Marti Murray, Hana Nower, Bob Otto, Sara Persselin, Suzanne Peschier, Judy Phillips, Ted Pobud, Jeanne Pontti, Cecil Ranney, Patrick Saltonstall, Bob Scholze, Midge Short, Al Spalinger, Bill Stenberg, Stacy Studebaker, Cindy Trussell, Mark Withrow.

College Birding Class and Friends: Roberta Austring, Shirley Berns, RaeJean Blaschka, Josh Fitzgerald, Nate Fitzgerald, Mary Forbes, Holly Hunter, Sue Jeffrey, Beth Kouremetis, Sara Loewen, Rich MacIntosh, Jeanne Pontti, Chad Pysher, Bill Stenberg, Cindy Trussell, Jill Wittenbrader.

International Migratory Bird Day: 9 May

Earth Day Whale Fest Event

On Earth Day—Wednesday, April 22 7:00—8:00pm

A Sea Change - a documentary film about ocean acidification and our changing seas. The film takes the audience to some of the globes most attractive locales and brings life to the subject of ocean acidification. See Trailer of film at this link http://www.aseachange.net/

Robert Foy, director of the Near Island Research Lab, will answer questions after the film. This a free event is co sponsored by Alaska Marine Conservation Council and Sustainable Kodiak

Location: Gerald C. Wilson Choral Pod, Kodiak High School