Alaska Bird Observatory

Birding reports are listed in reverse order, most recent first.

May 25, 2005 – Cormorant Captures Birders’ Attention

The appearance of Fairbanks’ first double-crested cormorant livened up an otherwise quiet week for the local birding community. The cormorant was discovered at South Cushman Pond on Sunday by 10 year-old Quinn Evenson and his father, Matt. The bird was later seen at Lakeview Terrace on Tuesday. Another rare bird for the interior is the yellow-bellied sapsucker. A single male has been drumming on trees in Ester and may have a nest in the vicinity.

The first alder flycatcher of the season was observed along Yankovich Road late last week. This small insect-eater has dull olive upperparts, a white throat, whitish wing-bars and a narrow eye ring. It is almost impossible to distinguish this species from a Hammond’s flycatcher except by its “rrree-BEE” song. With good optics, you might notice the wide, orange lower mandible of the alder flycatcher, compared to the smaller, two-toned bill of the Hammond’s.

South Cushman Pond: Bird activity here has been sporadic this week. In addition to the cormorant, recent sightings of note include surf scoters, a buff-breasted sandpiper, semipalmated sandpipers, and a dunlin.

Lakeview Terrace: This pond is located south of the Fairbanks Athletic Club off the Old Richardson Highway. Long-tailed ducks, white-winged scoters, surf scoters, and the double-crested cormorant were seen here this week.

Creamer’s Refuge: A blue-winged teal was seen on the Seasonal Pond late last week. Other sightings include greater white-fronted goose, sandhill cranes, northern harrier, Bonaparte’s gull, great horned owls, belted kingfisher, gray-cheeked thrushes, and rusty blackbirds.

International Airport Ponds: A pair of sanderlings was seen feeding with a flock of semipalmated sandpipers at the floatplane pond on Monday. Surf scoters and a short-eared owl were observed here that same day. Red-necked grebes, lesser scaup, American wigeons, and common goldeneyes have been seen on the ponds near the terminal. Be sure to check the sloughs south of the runway for bufflehead and ring-necked ducks.

Smith Lake: This is a great time to walk from the UAF ski hut to this boreal lake. Listen for red-breasted nuthatches, varied thrushes, Townsend’s warblers, boreal chickadees, pine siskins, and white-winged crossbills in the large spruce trees. Birds observed at the lake include red-necked grebes on a nest, ring-necked ducks, green-winged teal, American wigeons, Bonaparte’s gulls, Wilson’s snipe, and rusty blackbirds.

Down the ‘Rich: Upland sandpipers have been displaying at the Yak Farm on Sawmill Creek Road southeast of Delta. A brown-headed cowbird was discovered on another farm in Delta last week. Mountain bluebirds are still being seen in the burn along Meadows Road near Bolio Lake. The Denali Highway between Paxson and the Maclaren River is still offering up some dynamite birding. Recent sightings include rock and willow ptarmigan, tundra swans, long-tailed ducks, displaying northern harriers, red-necked phalaropes, whimbrels, American golden-plovers, long-tailed jaegers, short-eared owls, northern wheatears, Wilson’s warblers, and American tree sparrows.

The Alaska Bird Observatory thanks Judy Williams and Luke DeCicco for contributing sightings for these reports.

May 18, 2005 Bird Migration Hits Its Peak

The forests and ponds in the Tanana Valley are alive with peak bird diversity this week, while migrants are starting to arrive in the high country.  Shorebirds have been pouring into town daily, and there is still some good waterfowl migration in progress. New songbird arrivals include bank swallows, Say’s phoebe, western wood-pewee, gray-cheeked thrush, and blackpoll warbler. A number of golden-crowned sparrows were seen on the Denali Highway last weekend. These large sparrows are distinguished by a black and yellow crown. Listen for their descending, three-note “Oh dear me” song.

South Cushman Pond: A western sandpiper and two Baird’s sandpipers were seen here on Sunday.  Since then, large numbers of pectoral sandpipers, long-billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and semipamated sandpipers have arrived.  Other sightings included a gadwall, several red-necked phalaropes, solitary sandpiper, a black-billed magpie, and numerous swallows. Always watch for a barn swallow amidst the latter.

Smith Lake: Biologists counted six brant flying over the lake on Wednesday. Other recent sightings include greater scaup, ring-necked duck, American wigeon, green-winged teal, red-necked grebes, pacific loon, northern harrier, Bonaparte’s gulls, gray-cheeked thrush, orange-crowned warbler, and ruby-crowned kinglets. The path to the lake from the UAF ski hut is an excellent place to hear Townsend’s warblers, which appear to be quite abundant this spring.

Creamer’s Field: This has been a good week for American golden-plovers at the refuge.  Over 30 of these striking shorebirds were seen here on Monday.  A small flock of sandhill cranes has been feeding in the farm fields, and three trumpeter swans were seen on Tuesday.

International Airport Ponds: A variety of ducks, including buffleheads, common goldeneyes and northern shovelers were seen on the ponds near the terminal. Bohemian waxwings and rusty blackbirds were calling near the picnic area on Tuesday.  Birds seen on or near the sloughs south of the runway recently included green-winged teal, canvasback, pectoral sandpiper, Wilson’s snipe, lesser scaup, red-necked grebes, northern flicker, four species of swallows, gray-cheeked thrush, and savannah sparrow.

Down the ‘Rich: Birders are still racking up some great sightings southeast of Fairbanks. A Pacific loon, white-winged scoter, surf scoters, and more than 200 long-tailed ducks were sighted at Birch Lake on Wednesday.  At least 150 long-tailed ducks were counted at Quartz Lake that same day.  Sharp-tailed grouse, mountain bluebirds, hermit thrushes, and western wood-pewees are still being found in or near the burn along Meadows Road on Fort Greeley. A Eurasian wigeon, surf scoters, and white-winged scoters were recently scoped at Bolio Lake.

From now through June is a great time to visit the eastern section of Denali Highway. Harlequin ducks are in at the Gulkana and Tangle Rivers. Long-tailed jaegers and whimbrels are back in their usual spot near mile 14.  On Saturday, the roadside ponds were packed with red-necked phalaropes and numerous waterfowl, including Barrow’s goldeneyes and long-tailed ducks.  Tundra swans were present in several ponds between mile 16 and the Maclaren River. Two greater yellowlegs were found near mile 40.5. Pairs of willow ptarmigan were all over the road, and a rock ptarmigan was seen just below Maclaren Summit. Other sightings included golden-crowned sparrows and Lapland longspurs at Maclaren River Lodge, a snow bunting at mile 35, and an American dipper at Rock Creek.

May 11, 2005 – Shorebird Migration Heats Up

Hot on the heels of shorebird festivals in Homer and Cordova, a variety of these amazing migrants are now winging into the Tanana Valley. Several of the smaller sandpipers (collectively known as “peeps”) present a challenge for birders but can be distinguished by behavior, bill size, leg color, and markings. Other shorebirds are easier to identify, including the red-necked phalarope. Although a shorebird, you’ll rarely see this dainty bird on shore. After spending up to nine months of the year at sea, these small sandpipers migrate to low-arctic and subarctic tundra ponds. Red-necked phalaropes spin rapidly in tight circles, resembling a hyperactive wind-up toy as they draw invertebrate prey up to the surface. A unique feature among phalaropes (there are 3 species in Alaska) is that sex roles are reversed: the female is more brightly colored than the male, and the males provide all incubation and parental care. Good places to find phalaropes during spring migration include the Peat Pit off Goldstream Road, Kessel Pond at Creamer’s Field, Smith Lake, and South Cushman Pond.

South Cushman Pond: Now is the time to visit this migration hot spot. Horned grebes, canvasbacks, Barrow’s goldeneyes, one gadwall, surf scoters, a hybrid Eurasian/American wigeon, lesser and greater scaup, ring-necked ducks, semipalmated plovers, lesser yellowlegs, Wilson’s snipe, and a single semipalmated sandpiper were sighted here earlier in the week.

Lakeview Terrace: One gadwall, a subadult mew gull, and one glaucous-winged gull were sighted here on Monday.

Creamer’s Field: A few sandhill cranes are still lingering in the fields. An unprecedented number of Eurasian wigeon and Eurasian/American wigeon hybrids have been sighted this spring, including six of the former on Kessel Pond on Tuesday. New arrivals at the refuge include solitary, spotted, and semipalmated sandpipers, long-billed dowitchers, Wilson’s, Townsend’s, and orange-crowned warblers, northern waterthrush, Lapland longspur, and Lincoln’s sparrow. Be on the lookout for whimbrels and American golden-plovers in the fields.

Smith Lake: Red-necked grebes, northern shovelers, green-winged teal, redheads, ring-necked ducks, a northern harrier, Wilson’s snipes, Bonaparte’s gulls, violet-green swallows, Bohemian waxwings, Lincoln’s sparrows, rusty blackbirds, and a red-winged blackbird were reported on Tuesday.

International Airport Ponds: Several semipalmated and least sandpipers were observed at the float pond this week, while red-necked grebes and lesser scaup were spotted in the pond near Everts Air. Horned grebes, bufflehead, green-winged teals, common goldeneyes, and solitary sandpipers were seen in the sloughs around the south end of the runway.

Johnson Road: Two birders explored this long gravel road north of the Richardson Highway near Salcha on Sunday. A number of varied thrushes were heard, and Lapland longspurs, a horned lark, American pipits, and American tree sparrows were observed in the alpine habitat.

May 5, 2005 – A Week for Waterfowl

With at least 15 species of ducks reported in the valley this week, now is a great time to visit our local ponds. A Eurasian wigeon was seen on Wednesday at South Cushman Pond and two hybrid Eurasian/American wigeons have been seen in Fairbanks. Great places to observe waterfowl include:

South Cushman Pond: Located at the end of South Cushman Street, this pond supports an amazing assortment of waterfowl and shorebirds each spring. Northern pintails, green-winged teal, canvasbacks, scaup, Barrow’s and common goldeneyes, and horned grebes are commonly seen—watch also for redheads, scoters, mergansers, and loons. Arctic terns and a pair of black-billed magpies were seen here this week.

International Airport Ponds: These are located west of the main terminal and Everts Air. A ring-necked duck was spotted here on Tuesday. In addition to the usual dabbing and diving ducks, look for red-necked grebes, Bonaparte’s gulls, Arctic terns. Occasionally a male ruddy duck or Eurasian wigeon makes an appearance here. Be sure to check out the sloughs around the south end of the runway for bufflehead and other ducks.

Smith Lake can be accessed from Sheep Creek Road or the UAF ski trails. Red-necked grebes, several duck species, Bonaparte’s gulls, and rusty blackbirds were reported here this week. Male blue-winged teal are sighted here occasionally.

“The Peat Pits” Located along Goldstream Road just past the intersection with Murphy Dome Road, these little ponds have produced some interesting birds the past few years. In addition to waterfowl, scope out the gulls and shorebirds.  The first semipalmated plovers of the year were seen here on Wednesday.

Creamer’s Refuge: Although the big hordes of waterfowl have come and gone, the refuge is still worth scoping out for a cackling goose or snow goose. There are several small ponds along the refuge trail where you might find horned grebes, bufflehead, and maybe a blue-winged teal.  A female Steller’s eider and a pair of Wilson’s phalaropes were seen on Kessel Pond several years ago, so check each bird carefully!

Down the ‘Rich: The lakes and ponds near Delta Junction rarely fail to produce good birds this time of year. Little Lost Lake can be especially good for common and even red-throated loons.  Watch for scoters, long-tailed ducks, and gadwall at Bolio Lake on Fort Greely. Harlequin ducks are often seen in late May and June on the Gulkana River at Paxson and at the Tangle River.

Other birding highlights this week include a ring-billed gull at Lakeview Terrace, golden-crowned sparrows on Dalton Trail and Gold Mine Trail, juvenile redpolls at Creamer’s Field, pine siskins and northern flickers throughout town, a Savannah sparrow at Creamer’s, Townsend’s warblers on Birch Hill, and sharp-tailed grouse, spruce grouse, northern hawk owls, and a single snow goose in the Delta Junction area.

April 27, 2005 – It’s Raining Migrants!

This has been a spectacular week in the Tanana Valley for arrivals of migratory birds.  New species reported at Creamer’s Field include a pair of redhead ducks, American wigeon, Northern shoveler, green-winged teal, and peregrine falcon. Some sandhill cranes, northern pintails, Canada geese, greater white-fronted geese, and an occasional swan can still be seen at the refuge.  Of note were the three glaucous gulls and two glaucous-winged gulls amidst the hundreds of herring gulls at Creamer’s earlier in the week.  A possible American/Eurasian wigeon hybrid has been lingering on the Chena River south of Hamilton Acres.

On Monday, the woods came alive with the songs of yellow-rumped warblers. These songbirds were followed by Hammond’s flycatchers, ruby-crowned kinglets, tree swallows, violet-green swallows, American pipits, American tree sparrows, and fox sparrows.  The first shorebird sighting of the season was of lesser yellowlegs at Creamer’s Field on Monday, and the first Wilson’s snipe was seen on Wednesday at the UAF agricultural fields.  A pair of merlins arrived in North Pole on Tuesday.

There has been plenty of action in the Delta Junction areas as well.  On Saturday, birders saw 2,000 swans (mostly tundras) in or over the fields along Barley Way and at Clearwater Lake. Over 460 white-fronted geese, 576 Canada geese, 1,510 pintails, and 80 sandhill cranes were counted.  At least 100 raptors were seen, including 52 rough-legged hawks and two sharp-shinned hawks.  Two northern hawk owls and two short-eared owls were spotted at Clearwater Lake, and a great gray owl was perched at the edge of the parking area at Quartz Lake.  At least ten mountain bluebirds were observed in the old burn along Meadows Road, which starts at mile 257.5 of the Richardson Highway south of Delta Junction.  Park in the second pull out on the left about ¾ of mile in, and listen patiently for the soft “feeer” call of the males.  Eventually you’ll see a bluebird fly up to the top of a tall tree, where you can easily glass it with your binoculars.

The Delta Junction area is a fairly reliable place to see sharp-tailed grouse. This species is often spotted along Barley Way between Sawmill Creek and Hanson roads. Sharp-tails, so named for their elongated central tail feathers, are usually seen on the ground but may also be found eating buds in bushes or trees.  Both sexes have a small crest and a yellowish comb over their eyes.  In the spring, sharp-tailed grouse gather at communal display grounds called leks.  The males perform an elaborate courtship display on the leks, inflating pink air sacs on the sides of their necks, lowering their heads, rattling their tails, and stomping the ground.  Little is known about the ecology of sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska, and it is always a treat to see one.

April 20, 2005 - Raptor Migration in Full Flight

Impressive numbers of migrating raptors have been sighted on both sides of the Alaska Range this past week.  Great places to witness this spectacle include the agricultural fields near Delta Junction and the annual “raptor tailgate party” this weekend at mile 119 of the Glenn Highway. On Sunday, birders in Delta counted 275 raptors, primarily red-tailed hawks and rough-legged hawks.  Bald and golden eagles, one osprey, and northern harriers were also observed.  That same day hawk watchers on the Glenn Highway counted 429 red-tailed and rough-legged hawks, harriers, merlins, sharp-shinned hawks, peregrine falcons, and eagles.

One of our most beautiful raptors is the rough-legged hawk, so named for the feathers that cover the entire leg.  The color of these hawks varies from extremely dark to “light morph” birds with striking patterning.  The dark carpal patch at the bend of the wing, a mottled “belly band”, and especially the light tail featuring a dark subterminal band will help you distinguish rough-legs from red-tailed hawks.  In North America, rough-legged hawks breed in the northern tundra and taiga regions and spend their winters in southern Canada and the northern United States.  While in Alaska, they prey on lemmings, voles, arctic ground squirrels, and occasionally ptarmigan.

If you’re heading to Delta to look for raptors this weekend, a trip to Clearwater Lake should be on your agenda.  Last weekend, hundreds of Canada geese, greater white-fronted geese, and herring gulls were seen here, along with trumpeter swans, common goldeneyes, mallards, common mergansers, one glaucous-winged gull, and a flock of white-winged crossbills.  Four-wheel drive is often required to access the viewing point on the lake, and birders should be wary of deep mud on the road during break up.

New arrivals in the Fairbanks area this past week include greater white-fronted geese, northern pintails, sandhill cranes, varied thrush, and a single rusty blackbird.  A lone glaucous-winged gull was spotted at the landfill on Tuesday.  Reports of American robins and dark-eyed juncos are on the increase. The first Lapland longspurs were sighted in Tok on Wednesday.

Around Fairbanks, many of our hardy resident birds have started their breeding season. Reports of singing boreal owls have been high this year, and many are already on eggs.  Most of the redpolls that invaded our feeders this winter have dispersed, while chickadees have been busy establishing their breeding territories through singing, calling, posturing and chasing.  Male ruffed grouse are starting to drum their wings to announce their territories and attract females, while hairy and downy woodpeckers are drumming their beaks against trees and drain pipes for the same reasons.  It’s a great time to be listening for birds!