Alaska Bird ObservatoryAlaska Bird ObservatoryWinter 2003-04 Birding Reports
Early Spring 2003 Reports
Spring Migration Reports
Fall 2003 Migration
| Local Bird Sightings: Winter 2003 - 2004 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Birds |
| 28 Dec | Fairbanks Chena Ridge Ft. Wainwright |
4 Boreal Owls around feeders (CBC) Brown Creeper (CBC) 3 American Robins (CBC) |
| 18 Dec | UAF Campus | Snow Buntings |
| 11 Dec | Nordale Road | Great Gray Owl spotted near site from 7 Dec |
| 08 Dec | Goldstream Valley | Brown Creeper at feeder |
| 07 Dec | Black Sheep Lane
Nordale Road |
Northern Shrike hanging around feeder
Great Gray Owl above gravel pond near Nordale and the Little Chena |
| 06 Dec | Goldstream Valley | Black-billed Magpie |
| 06 Dec | Farm Road Trail | 6 to 8 Snow Buntings just past Joy School bridge |
| 02 Dec | Fred Meyer Parking Lot | Injured Snowy Owl found in Fred Meyer parking lot (College Rd) |
| 01 Dec | ABO Feeders News-Miner Parking Lot |
5 Grosbeaks, 1 bull moose calf (mom & twin nearby)
Snowy Owl flew by |
| 30 Nov | Lancaster Drive | Dark-eyed Junco & Ruffed Grouse at feeder, Boreal Chickadee went through 5’ vole tunnel under feeder |
| 30 Nov | 6 Mi Chena Hot Springs Road | Varied Thrush and Chickadee with malformed bill at feeder |
| 24 Nov | Tok | Snowy Owl east of Tok |
| 20 Nov | ABO Feeders | Northern Shrike in a skirmish with Black-billed Magpie |
| 18 Nov | 6 Mi Village | 2 Black-capped Chickadees with malformed bills |
| 14 Nov | Salcha ABO Feeders |
White Crowned Sparrow at feeder Black-capped Chickadee with malformed bill |
| 13 Nov | ABO Feeders | Pine Grosbeaks singing in trees behind building |
| 10 Nov | ABO Feeders | Boreal Chickadee |
| 06 Nov | Wedgewood area | Flock of 35-40 Bohemian Waxwings |
| Local Bird Sightings: July 19- August 5, 2003 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Birds |
| 19 July | Chena Lakes | Long-tailed Duck, 4 Red-throated Loons, Common Loon, Goldeneye, huge flock of White-winged Scoters, Canada Geese, Lesser Yellowlegs, Mew Gulls, and Osprey |
| 21 July | Creamer's Refuge and ABO Banding Station | Alder and Hammond Flycatchers, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Junco, Robins, Swainson's Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Savannah and Lincoln's Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-capped Chickadees, Sandhill Cranes, Pine Siskins. |
| 22 July | ABO | Gray Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Junco |
| Banding Station | Yellow Warbler. | |
| 26 July | Farmer's Loop by Fairbanks Construction. | Harlan's Hawk on nest |
| 28 July | Creamer's Field | Northern Harrier flew over fields. |
| 29 July | Creamer's Field | 3 Northern Shrikes hunting in field behind Fish and Game, Sharp-shinned Hawk family still by Bentley Road. Boreal Chickadees near feeders and across bridge. |
| South Cushman | American Kestrels, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe | |
| Airport Ponds | American Kestrels, Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Lesser Yellowlegs | |
| 4 Aug | Harding Lake. | Yellow-billed Loon |
| 5 Aug | Creamer's Refuge behind ABO | Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese, also Sharp-shinned Hawk. |
May 29, 2003
The last of the migrants are trickling into the Tanana Valley, with western wood-pewee and yellow warbler arriving this past week. With local Birdathon teams out in full force, numerous birds of interest have been reported. At Creamer’s Refuge, a Say’s phoebe has been singing near the big barn. A blue-winged teal was sighted on Kessel Pond, and semipalmated sandpiper, stilt sandpiper, upland sandpiper, American golden-plover, semipalmated plover were seen in the front ponds and fields. Long-tailed duck, surf scoter, peregrine falcon, Bohemian waxwing, blackpoll warbler, and red-winged blackbird were reported from the woods and pond near the Alaska Bird Observatory at Wedgewood Resort.
Birds recently sighted at or near the various ponds by the international airport include snow goose, ruddy duck, redhead, stilt sandpiper, Baird’s sandpiper, red-necked phalarope, surf scoter, white-winged scoter, belted kingfisher, and Lapland longspur. At South Cushman Pond look for Hudsonian godwit, black-bellied plover, canvasback, greater and lesser scaup, and bank swallow. Western sandpiper, greater yellowlegs, and horned lark were also seen here recently. A White-rumped Sandpiper was seen at South Cushman Ponds on Friday, May 30.
Other sightings around or near town include Harlequin ducks near the Pump House, a glaucous gull at the peat ponds near the Sheep Creek and Murphy Dome Road intersection, Bonaparte’s gull and sharp-shinned hawk at Smith Lake, northern goshawk in the UAF Arboretum, long-tailed jaeger and yellow-bellied sapsucker in the Bonanza Creek area, rock ptarmigan at 12-Mile Summit, and northern wheatear at Eagle Summit.
In the Delta Junction area, a northern wheatear was seen at the yak farm on Sawmill Creek Road. Sharp-tailed grouse and upland sandpiper were reported on Barley Way, and 44 snow geese were counted in the hay fields off Nistler Road. A black-backed woodpecker and mountain bluebird were found in the burn along Meadows Road, and long-tailed duck, western wood-pewee, and olive-sided flycatcher were seen or heard at Bolio Lake.
For up-to-date information on or to report area bird sightings, call the Arctic Audubon Society birding hotline at 451-9213. Recent sightings are also posted on a board in the lobby of the Alaska Bird Observatory at Wedgewood Resort.
May 21, 2003
Shorebird migration has apparently peaked in the Fairbanks area, but migratory songbirds are arriving daily. A number of interesting birds have been reported in the Fairbanks area this past week, just in time for the annual Farthest North Birdathon. There are too many species to completely list in this article, so we’ve highlighted species and locations of interest instead. One especially notable sighting was that of a great blue heron flying over the Richardson Highway near Eielson AFB.
Creamer’s Refuge: horned grebe, gadwall, sandhill crane, northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, American golden-plover, solitary sandpiper, long-billed dowitcher, great horned owl, northern flicker, belted kingfisher, Bohemian waxwing, Swainson’s thrush, blackpoll warbler, Wilson’s warbler, northern waterthrush, orange-crowned warbler, Lincoln’s sparrow,rusty blackbird, and pine siskin. Be sure to scope all the ponds and fields and visit the woods at the end of the Seasonal Wetland Trail.
South Cushman Pond: canvasback, redhead, lesser scaup, greater scaup, ring-necked duck, common goldeneye, white-winged scoter, bald eagle, northern harrier, Arctic tern, spotted sandpiper, semipalmated sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, American golden-plover, Hudsonian godwit, American pipit, and fox sparrow. For the best birding here, avoid weekends and evenings.
Fairbanks International Airport: red-necked grebe, canvasback, long-tailed duck, surf scoter, white-winged scoter, Baird’s sandpiper, upland sandpiper, semipalmated plover, red-necked phalarope, greater yellowlegs, semipalmated sandpiper, red-necked phalarope, and Bonaparte’s gull. Best places to visit are the ponds near the terminal and the road around the south end of the runway.
UAF Ski Trails & Smith Lake: Red-necked grebe, Bonaparte’s gull, Townsend’s warbler, rusty blackbird, and white-winged crossbill
Chena Lakes: Harlequin duck
Delta Junction area: Bolio Lake & Meadows Road – trumpeter swan, scoters, long-tailed duck, black-backed woodpecker; Barley Way – upland sandpiper, killdeer, American golden-plover, Lapland longspur
Denali National Park: harlequin duck, golden eagle, merlin, gyrfalcon, willow ptarmigan, rock ptarmigan, long-tailed jaeger, three-toed woodpecker, northern shrike, northern wheatear, white-winged crossbill.
Upcoming Events:
May 24: All-day guided Birdathon around Fairbanks. See at least 50 different species of birds and help raise money for the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon Society. Collect pledges or make a minimum donation of $60. All skill levels welcome and participants are eligible for prizes. Register by calling 451-7159 by May 23.
May 29: Guided Birdathon Walk around Creamer’s Refuge from 6-8 PM. Collect pledges or make a minimum donation of $25. All skill levels welcome and participants are eligible for prizes. Proceeds benefit the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon Society. Registration: 451-7159.
June 1: Identifying Songs and Calls of Alaska’s Birds, an Arctic Audubon Society workshop and walk. Meet in the Creamer’s Refuge front parking lot at 8 a.m. Bring binoculars, lunch, and your ears. Free. For information call Tom Green at 474-1559.
May 7, 2003
The number of waterfowl at Creamer’s Field has dropped dramatically, likely due to warm weather and the fast disappearance of snow. Rather than concentrating at places like Creamer’s, birds are spread out in the Tanana Valley or flying right on by us. Species recorded at the refuge this week include Canada and greater white-fronted geese, mallard, northern pintail, ring-necked duck, American wigeon, northern shoveler, green-winged teal, common goldeneye, sandhill crane, northern harrier, Bonaparte’s gull, glaucous gull, mew gull, red-necked phalarope, common snipe, and lesser yellowlegs. The woods are alive with the songs of American robins, yellow-rumped warblers, and dark-eyed juncos. Great horned owl, Hammond’s flycatcher, tree swallow, violet-green swallow, varied thrush, Bohemian waxwing, Lincoln sparrow, fox sparrow, golden-crowned sparrow, and rusty blackbird were also reported.
The ponds near the airport terminal and around the south side of the runway are worth a visit. Over 40 Bonaparte’s gulls were at the front ponds on Sunday. Other species sighted include red-necked grebe, common goldeneye, shovelers, American wigeon, bufflehead, mallard, and green-winged teal. Always scope the wigeon for a rare Eurasian version. The ponds along South Cushman Street continue to be one of Fairbanks’ best birding locations, although the increased number of burned-out vehicles, leaking car batteries, and piles of garbage there are distressing. Use caution when birding here, and try to avoid evenings and weekend afternoons. Birders can drive down on to the flats again, but four-wheel drive is recommended. Species seen here this week include horned grebe, red-necked grebe, canvasback, redhead, Barrow’s and common goldeneyes, common merganser, lesser scaup, fox sparrow and white-crowned sparrow.
Other new arrivals in the Fairbanks area include Arctic tern, sharp-shinned hawks, yellow warblers, and approximately 20 Lapland longspurs seen on Murphy Dome. The ponds along Chena Hot Springs Road past mile 26 are slowly melting, with most hosting a pair of buffleheads or goldeneyes.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, May 10: Waterfowl Identification field trip with the Arctic Audubon Society. Free. Meet at 8 a.m. in the front parking lot at Creamer’s Field. Bring binoculars and lunch. For more information, call Tom Green at 474-1559.
May 17 – June 15: Farthest North Birdathon. Join one of several guided bird adventures in Fairbanks to count birds and raise money for the Arctic Audubon Society and Alaska Bird Observatory. Numerous prizes will be awarded. For more information or to register, stop by the Alaska Bird Observatory at Wedgewood Resort or call 451-7159.
April 30, 2003
American kestrels, tiny falcons that are a favorite among birdwatchers, arrived during the past week. Formerly known as sparrow hawks, kestrels are the most common and widespread of North American falcons. They are often seen perched on utility wires or hovering over fields as they watch for prey, which consists mostly of insects and rodents. Kestrels nest in cavities and will use nest boxes.
Fairbanks: Migratory species are arriving daily in the Tanana Valley. Recent arrivals include horned grebe, bufflehead, redhead, canvasback, lesser scaup, Barrow’s goldeneye, American wigeon, American kestrel, Hammond’s flycatcher, cliff swallow, hermit thrush, Swainson’s thrush, varied thrush, yellow-rumped warbler, orange-crowned warbler, American tree sparrow, fox sparrow, and white-crowned sparrow. A single glaucous gull has been seen at Creamer’s Refuge, where a lone snow goose is also lingering among the Canada geese, greater white-fronted geese, trumpeter swans, ducks, mew and herring gulls, and sandhill cranes. A large flock of pine siskins was spotted along Fiddlehead Road. The ponds are slowly thawing around town, and the ones along South Cushman street are hosting a nice selection of waterfowl.
Down the ‘Rich: Waterfowl are still visiting Clearwater Lake in good numbers. Last weekend, roughly 300 swans were seen on or flying near the lake. The agricultural fields outside of Delta Junction should be good for viewing raptors now. The east end of the Denali Highway is open to Tangle Lakes Lodge, and a few of the kettle ponds are starting to open. Birds seen or heard along the road recently include Barrow’s goldeye, scaup, common merganser, gyrfalcon, and Lapland longspur. Merlins and black-billed magpie can be seen regularly in Paxson.
Denali National Park: Birders can drive into Denali as far as the Teklanika overlook through May 23. This past week a number of willow ptarmigan were displaying along the road. Magpies, tree sparrows, and a northern harrier were also seen last weekend.
Call the Arctic Audubon Society birding hotline at 451-9213 to report or hear about bird sightings.
Upcoming Events:
May 3
May 10 – Waterfowl Identification field trip with the Arctic Audubon Society. Free. Meet in the Creamer’s Field front parking lot at 8 a.m. Bring binoculars and lunch.
April 23, 2003
One of the first migratory songbirds to arrive in the Tanana Valley every spring is the ruby-crowned kinglet, and a number have been heard this week. Seldom seen, these greenish birds are so small that you could mail four of them with a 37-cent stamp. Ruby-crowned kinglets have a pale eye-ring, and the males have a red crown patch that is usually only seen when they are aggressively displaying to another male. Despite their small size, they have an incredibly loud and complex warbling song.
Creamer’s Refuge is definitely the hot birding spot right now, with hundreds of Canada geese, lots of northern pintails and mallards, and a handful of trumpeter swans, greater white-fronted geese, and herring gulls in the fields. A lone snow goose showed up on Tuesday and the first sandhill crane landed Wednesday. A bald eagle and peregrine falcon have been seen infrequently, and a gyrfalcon blasted over the field on Monday. Other migratory species arriving this week include American wigeon, rough-legged hawk, red-tailed hawk, and dark-eyed junco. Flocks of Bohemian waxwings, stunning songbirds that winter in Fairbanks, have been seen frequently in the refuge forest and at Wedgewood Resort.
Clearwater Lake is packed with waterfowl, and the agricultural fields outside of Delta Junction are good for birding right now. Last week, these species were seen along Sawmill Creek Road and Barley Way: trumpeter swan, Canada goose, northern pintail, mallard, green-winged teal, northern harrier, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, northern hawk owl, and gray jay. A spruce grouse and great gray owl were seen along the road to the Buffalo Drop Zone.
The ponds along South Cushman Street and near the airport terminal are still frozen. After they thaw, these are great places for spring birding, but at South Cushman expect to encounter burned cars, garbage, mud boggers, and other distractions.
Upcoming Events:
April 26, 5 p.m.: "Identifying Birds in the Alaskan Outdoors" presentation by Andrea Swingley of the Alaska Bird Observatory at the Outdoors Show
May 3: “Celebrating a Century of Bird Conservation.” Join the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Bird Observatory, and Friends of Creamer’s Field as they celebrate the Centennial of the National Wildlife Refuge System and spring migration. Activities for all ages will include postal stamp cancellation, Junior Duck Stamp Award Ceremony, nature walks, children’s games and activities, live birds, spotting scopes, bird sketching, and much more! A nature trail will lead between activities at Wedgewood Visitor Center, Alaska Bird Observatory Center for Education & Research (also in the Wedgewood complex) and Creamer’s Field. The Big Bird Bus will also be available to transport visitors between sites! Time: Noon – 4 PM. Cost: Free. Information: 451-7159 or 456-0410.
April 16, 2003
Right now, billions of birds throughout the Western Hemisphere are migrating. For many, including tiny blackpoll warblers that began their northbound journey in Brazil, and bar-tailed godwits that wintered in New Zealand, their final destination is Alaska. The first migrants spotted in Fairbanks this spring were snow buntings and bald eagles in March. By the middle of this week, about 75 Canada geese had landed at Creamer's Refuge. Two herring gulls and two mallards, the latter of which may have spent the winter on the Chena River, were also at the refuge. A glaucous-winged gull was seen along the Chena River near the
Peger Road bridge last Sunday.
Although the arrival of migratory birds is cause for celebration, our resident birds shouldn't be overlooked. Male boreal owls are singing throughout the night. Flocks of Bohemian waxwings have been busy stripping the chokecherry and mountain ash trees of last year's fruit at UAF and Wedgewood Resort. The "yank-yank" call of the red-breasted nuthatch has been reported on Chena Ridge and at Creamer's Refuge. Male ruffed grouse have been displaying to females at local bird feeders. The melodic chatter of white-winged crossbills can be heard throughout mature spruce stands, especially in Chena River State Park.
Three-toed woodpeckers have been seen and heard in last year's West Fork Fire zone along Chena Hot Springs Road. The three-toed woodpecker breeds farther north than any other woodpecker species. This medium-sized, black-and-white woodpecker has white barring on the center of its back and a distinct white stripe extending from behind the eye to the back of the neck-two features that help birders distinguish it from the similar-looking black-backed woodpecker. Adult males have a large yellow patch on their crown. Three-toed woodpeckers primarily eat the larvae of bark beetles and are commonly found in recent burns. The West Fork burn should be a great place to watch for several woodpecker species this spring.
It's technically Spring. Never mind the fresh snow. As Spring Migration gets started later on, we'll post area reports. In the meantime, for Redpoll Relief, here's a list of what's been seen recently at the ABO bird feeders at the Alaska Bird Observatory Center for Education and Research and elsewhere in the Fairbanks area:| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Apr 03 | Snow Buntings | 33 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road |
| 12 Apr 03 | Red-breasted Nuthatch | ABO bird feeders |
| 09 Apr 03 | Canada Geese | Creamer's Field! |
| 04 Apr 03 | Bald Eagles | Chena River, west of University Avenue Bridge |
| 03 Apr 03 | Bohemian Waxwings | ABO Feeders |
| 02-06 Apr 03 | Boreal Owl | Lancaster/Summit Drive |
| 30 Mar 03 | Dark-eyed Junco | Manchester Loop/Summit Drive |
| 28 Mar 03 | Common Merganser (male) | Chena River, Peger Road Bridge |
| 25 Mar 03 | Pine Siskin | ABO bird feeders |
| 24 Mar 03 | Snow Buntings | Delta Junction |
| 24 Mar 03 | Boreal Owl | Becker Ridge (singing) |
| 23 Mar 03 | Brown Creepers | Quartz Lake |
| 22 Mar 03 | Boreal Owl | Summit Drive area |
| 21 Mar 03 | Pine Siskin | ABO bird feeders |
| 19 Mar 03 | Spruce Grouse | Yankovich Road area |
| 16 Mar 03 | American Robin | Lower Manchester Loop, off Summit Drive |
Updated
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