On Sunday evening we found an immature BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD among a flock of 6 Rusty Blackbirds frequenting the wetlands on either side of Boat Launch Road. Boat Launch Road turns off of Bridge Access Road and leads to the Ken Tarbox Wildlife Viewing Platform overlooking the Kenai River and Flats.
Date: 9/17/26 11:12 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, September 17, 2026 Two Golden Eagles at Exit Glacier!
Thursday, September 17, 2026 Two Golden Eagles at Exit Glacier!
Seward, Alaska
Two dark specks soared along the rugged rocky ridge above three Mt Goats at Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Shreds of clouds occasionally obscured them until they emerged sailing gracefully along another section.
Binoculars and a telephoto camera lens revealed the broad wings, long tail, and short head: GOLDEN EAGLES! At least one of them sported the white underwing patches of a juvenile. The habitat was perfect, a rocky subalpine habitat with potential for Mt Goat kids, ground squirrels, or birds.
When I enlarged my photos at home on the computer, I saw 17 much smaller birds mobbing one of the Eagles as it flew close to the ground. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches? Pipits? An assortment of angry birds? Who is still up there in mid-September besides the year-round resident Mt Goats?
Other than two BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES chasing each other through the cottonwoods along the lower trail, and a DOWNY WOODPECKER, it was very quiet.
Without the optics, the glacier, scenery and beauty would still have been spectacular, but the discovery of the speck birds elevated my experience to joy and wonder.
Date: 9/15/26 8:36 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Call of the Wild: Saw-whet Owl, Sandhill Cranes
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Call of the Wild: Saw-whet Owl, Sandhill Cranes
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:26 am, sunset 8:17 pm for a total day length of 12 hours and 51 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 24 seconds shorter as we approach the Fall Equinox on September 22 at 4:05 pm.
After three glorious days of sunshine and temps reaching the low 60s, the north wind switched to south as a low blew in accompanied by heavy rain. Cloudy and cooler with rain in the forecast for at least the next week.
A frenzied, wavering beeping, not recognized by Merlin, erupted outside my bedroom window at 3:40 am. The diminutive but loud SAW-WHET OWL continued his earnest but one-sided conversation for several minutes until I rolled out of bed and crept around the house. Silence. The missive delivered, he had vanished into the overcast, still night like a ghost.
Yesterday around 12:30 pm, the last of our balmy summery days, I heard SANDHILL CRANES! I rushed inside for my camera then “craned” my head upwards, scanning back and forth. Finally, I found them, a V of Cranes high overhead, bugling and flying due east. They must have flown right over the Harding Icefield, over Mt Marathon, and then over my house. Sweet delivery!
But wait! Even higher were more skeins of Cranes, undulating in ever-changing patterns, weaving intricate patterns spread across the sky. Calling, exhorting, encouraging the young fledgling and each other to stroke, stroke, stroke ever farther from their breeding grounds.
Finally, my camera could no longer discern the dots from the gauzy sky and their ancient bugling faded into the distance.
Still having computer problems and no access to photos. I will post them when I can.
Date: 9/12/26 2:48 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kasilof River 9/11: Curlew Sandpiper
Yesterday afternoon at the mouth of the Kasilof River a CURLEW SANDPIPER was observed. It was only found after the outer mudflats were completely inundated and the shorebirds had dispersed up river and inland. It appeared to be an adult in basic plumage (without any residual breeding colors). It was first sighted foraging on the river banks among WESAs and PESAs. It eventually flew away within a PESA flock only to fly by minutes later. Most birders would have considered our encounters less than satisfying but photographs were secured. We later tried to refind the bird on an evening falling tide to get better shots, but we only saw the bird late when it was at a great distance.
Currently, the tidal range is huge so the tides are moving very fast, meaning the windows for optimal observation are pretty brief. The birds do not remain long and feeding is a frenzy and then the birds quickly disperse. Also, there were approximately 400 shorebirds to search through on the Flats while the tide was ripping in. Because of these environmental conditions and numbers of remaining shorebirds finding and observing the bird is a challenge to say the least. Recall that last year when a Curlew Sandpiper appeared at the Kasilof River it was initially discovered when the tides were moderate and it was easy to observe but as the tides increased significantly in size the bird became increasingly difficult to find and observe.
Of note: last week we did observe at least one Dunlin a few times at the Kasilof River mouth (they are regular but we do not get many in the Fall) so be careful to distinguish any Fall Dunlin from a Curlew Sandpiper. The GARGANEY after being seen for four consecutive days was not refound yesterday, in the afternoon nor evening.
Good Birding, Toby and Laura Burke Kalifornsky, AK
Date: 9/9/26 10:21 am From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Peregrine, Merlin, Dowitchers, Great Blue Heron
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Peregrine, Merlin, Dowitchers, Great Blue Heron
Seward, Alaska
Birding in a downpour may be discouraging, but ah! when the rain pauses, the resulting bird action makes it worthwhile.
Suddenly, a flock of 22 DOWITCHERS circled around the estuary pond, dots then actual birds with long bills. A peep joined them, keeping in formation. Then, a WILSON’S SNIPE uttered an “eek!” and flew off below them.
A female BELTED KINGFISHER dashed in, hovering, hovering, hovering, then plummeted into the pond with a mighty splash, emerging triumphantly with a fish.
Next, a secretive GREAT BLUE HERON materialized, flying ponderously across the pond, then landed and again became invisible.
As the rain drops resumed, a MERLIN stroked across the pond and passed behind me, perhaps looking for those Dowitchers.
At the car, a plaintive ROBIN complained from the shelter of spruce trees; we all agreed.
Yesterday, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS announced that, yes, he was still here, thank you very much, as were several SAVANNAH SPARROWS.
A magnificent PEREGRINE FALCON stroked powerfully through the sky, wings beating rapidly. He veered and landed in a faraway dead tree, accompanied by two daring RAVENS, who loitered below him as all waited for the next move.
I dried off my optics, well-satisfied with the minor inconveniences of being temporarily soaked.
Date: 9/7/26 4:59 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kasilof River 9/07: Gargany
A GARGANEY was first spotted 0.4 miles to the south when a singular bird flew out from the Kasilof River and west and north toward the large mixed flock of MALL and NOPI feeding in the shallows just beyond the intertidal mudflats. Still in flight at a distance we could see the distinctive green speculum highlighted top and bottom in white, its conspicuous white underwing coverts, a longer more spatulate bill, and contrasting white facial pattern. In size it was similar to a GWTE but had an overall thinner, longer, more narrow-winged appearance in flight. The bird spent the next 50 minutes foraging while drifting north within the large mixed flock as it simultaneously came closer to shore on the incoming tide. When the mudflats were mostly inundated, it flew northwest well offshore to roost with other dabblers. Duck hunters were active on the south side of the river mouth along the duneline roughly parallel with the fish buying station so waterfowl was avoiding this general area. The GARG initially flew low through this area miraculously without being shot.
Date: 9/7/26 11:01 am From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, September 6, 2026 Catch-up! Pectoral Sandpipers, Black Turnstones, Merlins, Long-billed Dowitchers, and a Tall Ship
Sunday, September 6, 2026 Catch-up! Pectoral Sandpipers, Black Turnstones, Merlins, Long-billed Dowitchers, and a Tall Ship
Seward, Alaska
It’s been a little over two weeks since I last posted due to continuing computer problems, so this is a catch-up report.
Sunrise 7:07 am, sunset 8:42 pm for a total day length of 13 hours and 34 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 24 seconds shorter.
Temperatures remain mild, with lows in the high 40s and highs in the 50s. Rain, sun, wind, calm; the usual weather mix these past two weeks.
On August 20 at midnight, I marveled at the first stars since the start of spring. Appropriately, Cygnus the Swan flew directly overhead along the shimmering Milky Way.
On August 23, a brilliant sunny day, about 4 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS joined about 20 chittering BLACK TURNSTONES at the tide flats. These high arctic breeders were on the move and hungry, probing the dark gray mud for hidden treasures. A few WESTERN SANDPIPERS and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS mingled compatibly with the others.
On August 25, a small flock of RED CROSSBILLS hung from ripening spruce cones gleaning the tiny seeds at Afognak Beach. This was the last day I saw SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and YELLOWLEGS. Time to keep moving south.
On August 27 at Spring Creek Beach, two MERLINS harassed two BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, dashing through alders and spruce in a silent and potentially deadly chase. The aerial maneuvers of predators and potential prey were impressive. After many long minutes, during which all took breaks to rest and reconnoiter, the action abruptly shot out of sight.
No Arctic Terns were seen. Bon voyage! It was such a pleasure to watch you!
On September 2, 3 and 4, six LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS mechanically stitched the shallows of the estuary pond at the head of the bay. The water levels here as elsewhere, continue to drop, leaving marestails growing in cracked mud as the shoreline recedes.
Ragged rain clouds were just right for another sunspot viewing; so amazing to see that the dark spots move around and are mapped. This one was AR4521, on a star 93 million miles away appearing no larger than the moon.
The Mexican Army’s impressive 3-masted tall ship ARM Cuauhtemoc arrived on August 29 and left on September 3. Both male and female crew stood tall among the yards, as music blasted and the golden eagle on the flag danced in the wind.
On September 6, I finally found a BELTED KINGFISHER rattling across the Lagoon in Benny Benson Memorial Park. I hope/know they’re around, but I just haven’t seen them.
Last night around 11:30 pm, (dark alas), I again heard the steady beeping of a SAW-WHET OWL, tucked away in the forest on the slope of Mt Marathon. I have heard him several times this summer, dark or not.
Date: 9/5/26 12:30 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Any Follow-up on the Seward Black Vulture SIghting? - And Timely Posting of Rare Birds
Hopefully, if anyone is able to refind the BLACK VULTURE seen (by Florida residents) in Seward's small boat harbor area they will immediately post it publicly on this listserv and not merely enter it into their eBird account and call it good. Doing so could mean an upto 24 hour delay before it is posted in an individual's eBird "needs alert". It seems since the advent of eBird many local AK birders are seeing *bona fide* rare birds and NOT immediately alerting local birding communities, which is needlessly delaying birders from pursuing chasable rare birds.
Hopefully, more people will follow Aaron Lang's sterling example when alerting birders about a newly found rare bird. When he finds a rare bird in Homer, or is alerted of one by another local birder, he *immediately* posts a detailed alert on the AKBirding listserv so those inclined can chase the bird with minimal delay and with the most detailed and accurate information available. He gives all the information for those who want to chase the bird - not merely a next day, nondescript rare bird seen in Homer statement. When posting please give the WHERE, WHEN, and HOW details necessary for a successful rare bird quest. Timely, detailed postings are appreciated by all.
Date: 8/26/26 10:43 am From: S W via groups.io <ak.au.crew...> Subject: [AKBirding] Potter marsh
Date: 8-26-2026 8am Loc: ponds on old Seward behind potter marsh, Anchorage ak Obs: Scott Wharton
In ponds on old Seward east of potter marsh: 2 king fishers (previously we had seen 3 interpreted as adult w juveniles) Also tentatively identified male sharp shinned hawk. Grey/blk barred tail and white undertail coverts. Size and affect also match. Also 3 juvenile mallards and adult female.
Date: 8/23/26 6:34 pm From: Martin Renner via groups.io <mrenner...> Subject: [AKBirding] Nocturnal Migrants
Last night was another good night for nocturnal migrants. In the night from 22 to 23 August (21 to 22 August) the following were recorded calling over my place in Homer between sundown and sunrise:
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Whimbrel 2
Swainson’s Thrush 16 (5) throughout the night. The most ever had in 2.5 years
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 (3) in the early morning
Savannah Sparrow (3)
Lapland Longspur 10 in 2nd half of the night, another 2 after sunrise
All calls were detected, and initially identified by birdNET. Happy birding,
Martin
