Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
I tend to assocciate Fox Sparrows with spring and fall migration, but I think that has more to do with the fact that this is when they show up around the neighborhood. They do nest in the area (the nest shown below was near treeline on Mt. Verstovia), but do not typically spend the winter here.
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
I mainly notice these birds in the muskegs and in other open areas around town such Starrigavan Estuary, Swan Lake, and the airport runway. They have a nice song. I was able to get a recording of a bird singing last summer, but I’ve not yet managed to find motivation to work with sounds too much yet. Perhaps in the next year I’ll get better at that.
Winter Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes
Connor noticed this young Winter Wren feeding near a trail we were walking on. It could fly, but probably not very strongly. Parents were not in evidence, but it clearly had only recently set out on its own. It seemed mostly unconcerned with us as it actively foraged while we watched.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber
Red-breasted Sapsuckers are the most common summer woodpecker around Sitka. This one is nesting in the woods near Westwood Trail and makes frequent use of the willow tree behind the neighbor’s house as it busily makes the rounds gathering food to feed its young.
Powered by WordPress