On a Lifelong Journey to Learn my Place
Bird Notes and Observations
On a trip to Magic Island last February, I noticed a young gull working on a small sunstar (Pycnopodia helianthoides). It didn’t seem too excited about it, but picked at the legs, and then didn’t seem too excited about eating them. At one point an adult gull came over and checked out what was going … Read more
Song Sparrows are not an uncommon bird around Sitka. Although they are present throughout the year, it’s not clear how many (if any) individuals are actually present year-round. It seems like pretty much any area along the road system with a sufficient amount of brushy vegetation will host at least one Song Sparrow. They are … Read more
This time of year is a good one to see Black Oystercatchers and Northwestern Crows down at the beach during low tides. Although they look very different in good viewing conditions, their similar size and color can make them hard to distinguish when viewed from a distance. At moderate distance in good light it’s still … Read more
Today’s outdoor highlight was getting photos of what sounds like it may be only the second winter record of a Rufous Hummingbird in Alaska (and the first that has made it into the new year). Cindy and Gary have been hosting one for some time, and they were gracious enough to let me come and … Read more
I spent some time out along old airport road today looking for birds. The sun was out and it was a little chilly, but not too bad. Some nice birds were around including 11 Bohemian Waxwings and a Downy Woodpecker, but the highlight was an immature Chipping Sparrow. When I first saw the Chipping Sparrow … Read more
This afternoon my kids were checking on a Biorka Street yard that has been hosting Bohemian Waxwings regularly when they noticed a bird that looked unusual to them. Connor was able to get a couple of shots before it flew out of sight behind a house. Rowan watched for it while Connor ran back home … Read more