These are the highlights from the 2018 birding season in Sitka, Alaska. 2018 was my best year so far, because of the number of different birds species I saw that year. I saw 160 species, of which, 13 were new for my Alaska list. I had a total of 198 photographed bird species in Alaska by the end of the year. Only two shy of the 200 I was hoping for, I counted 3 birds though that I had seen/heard but had not gotten photos of. With that I was able submitted my Alaska bird list with a total of 201 species to the Alaska 200 Club, and was accepted! The Alaska 200 Club is a group of people who have observed 200 or more wild birds in the state of Alaska.
American Kestrel
On April 11, I was doing my paper route when I saw a small falcon perched on a power line. It then, flew down in front of my and I saw that it was brightly colored and knew that it was an American Kestrel, which are not very common here. 
Golden Eagle
On April 29, I was at the lake watching the swallows, there was both a Cliff swallow, and a Violet-green swallow down there with all of the Tree swallows. While I saw trying to keep an eye on the swallows I saw a raptor soaring over some houses to the East of me. Based on the size I figured it was a eagle but, I wasn’t sure if it was a Bald eagle (the normal one) or a Golden eagle (the one I was hoping it to be). I looked through my binoculars and caught a flash of white “eyes” on the underside of the wings. I got my camera up as quickly as I could and took a lot of photos of it.
Later in the year, I was out of town and found out that there was a pair of Golden eagles nesting out at Blue lake. Seeing a Golden eagle in Sitka is rare enough, but to have a pair nesting here was even more rare. In fact this was the first report of Golden eagles nesting on the island. The pair successfully fledged one young one.
This is a photo of the bird that flew over the lake.
Ring-billed Gull
On May 11, I was coming back from doing my paper route, and had just crossed the road when I looked down at the beach from the sidewalk. Down at the water edge, I saw a gull that looked kind of odd. I walked down a road that went right by the beach and took some photos of the bird. I then looked at my photos, and saw that it was an adult Ring-billed gull. I let a couple of people know about it and walked back up to the main road to so I could keep an eye on the bird and wait for them.
Later in the year I saw one adult at the park and several immature birds.
Lark Sparrow
On August 9, I was heading back from my paper route, when I got a text from dad saying that there was an unusual sparrow out by whale park and that someone could come by and get me if I wanted to go see it. The person called me and I meet them by the main road and we went out to see the sparrow. I learned on the way out there that the bird was a Lark sparrow. When we got there we walked up the road and found out that the bird was around behind the house. We walked around the house and saw it moving around in the grass. I got some photos of it. I watched it for a bit then headed home.
LeConte’s Sparrow
On October 13, I went down to the park in the evening. I got out to the end of the park and saw some movement in some short vegetation. The bird flew up the beach into some grass and disappeared. I pished a bit and then bird popped up. I looked through me binoculars and saw that it had a very orange face and throat. I got my camera out and took some photos it. I then let dad know about and waited for him out on the beach.
When I got home I looked in the bird book and decided that it looked the most like a LeConte’s sparrow. I found out later that it was the first record for Alaska. I did a write-up and sent it in. I was informed later that it was accepted to the Alaska bird list checklist!
Rustic Bunting
On November 7, I went out with dad to look for a Rustic bunting that had shown up while I was out of town. We waited for a few minutes then the bird appeared I was able to get some photos of it. We watched it for a bit then, after it flew away we left.
Tennessee Warbler
On November 16, I went to Castle hill to look for a Tennessee warbler and a Nashville warbler that had shown up while I was out of town, but had been seen again on November 15. I went down to Castle hill in the morning and found them there. I was able to get some photos of them, then after a bit I headed home.
Nashville Warbler
On November 16, I went to Castle hill to look for a Tennessee warbler and a Nashville warbler that had shown up while I was out of town, but had been seen again on November 15. I went down to Castle hill in the morning and found them there. I was able to get some photos of them, then after a bit I headed home.
Swamp Sparrow
On November 18, I was down by Path Of Hope when I heard an interesting sounding bird. I walked around looking for it for a bit when I finally found the source, it was a Swamp sparrow. I got a few photos of it and then saw that there was a second one. I watched them for a bit then I headed home.
Later on CBC someone saw one up by where I lived so I walked up there the next day and got photos of it.
This is a photo of the one by my place.
