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
Date: 8/21/26 12:06 am From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, August 20, 2026 Black Turnstones, Hooded Mergansers, Merlin
Thursday, August 20, 2026 Black Turnstones, Hooded Mergansers, Merlin
Seward, Alaska
Yesterday at Spring Creek Beach, a scruffy juvenile SONG SPARROW sitting on a rock near the parking lot sang like an adult, unless there was a ventriloquist about. Very talented either way!
A short ways down the beach near the stream, a BLACK TURNSTONE standing on the upper beach surprised me as much as I surprised him. We both froze, though clicking noises might have been heard coming from one of us. He finally flew towards the remnant pond/creek, revealing a startling and beautiful pattern of black, brown and white.
He landed and posed with his long wings pointed straight up, the brilliant white undersides signaling his presence to any predator, much like the SPOTTED SANDPIPERS down the beach. Then he waded in and took a refreshing bath, splashing water all over! On the way back, two Black Turnstones busily probed the exposed rocks of the small rock jetty.
Two dark heads appeared offshore, surfacing then diving. Steller Sea Lions! I haven’t seen any Sea Lions along shore for months! The mom surfaced and began bellowing for her much smaller and darker pup. Up popped the little one who quickly swam to mom for a reassuring whisker touch, then off they swam. So sweet.
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES seemed to be on the other side of the breakwater now, but a few GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS flew along the shore. All was peaceful, the gentle waves shushing in and out.
Suddenly, a MERLIN appeared out of nowhere and dove at the Gull. A brief skirmish ensued with skillful evasive action. The Merlin gave up and kept flying as did the Gull. That was exciting!
A large “dirty dishwater” juvenile Glaucous-winged Gull begged loudly and insistently while mom stood nearby, probably rolling her brown eyes, definitely not delivering sushi. Hard to stop wanting service even if you are bigger.
I counted 14 ARCTIC TERNS resting on the rocks in their usual corner of the boat basin and spotted at least two youngsters with white foreheads. Always great to see them.
At the Mile 1 Nash Road wetlands, the TRUMPTER SWAN family with one cygnet cruised around the far side of the wetlands pond. The light gray baby is about ¾ the size of her magnificent parents. Growing, growing!
Then two crestless HOODED MERGANSERS with yellow lower bills popped up near the road. I was expecting the usual Mallards or GREEN-WINGED TEAL, not these fish-eating divers. One caught a fish while the other came up with an empty bill.
Last year on August 23, almost a year to the day, I found a crestless female Hooded Merganser at the head of the bay. She too had a yellow lower bill, but also a white chin. Maybe the two I found today are juveniles as they didn’t have whitish chins. I wonder if they are nesting somewhere nearby, though I haven’t seen any adults this summer.
Always more to learn when watching the Nature Channel!
Date: 8/20/26 2:54 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project data
Attached is the final copy for the monitoring data from this year's shorebird monitoring project.. This report includes data from this year and summary data from the previous 17 years, as well as data from George West. It represents many hours of monitoring by many dedicated birders following a rigorous protocol.. This year's volunteer list is also included. Lots of data here that has already been turned into useful information needed by researchers as well as support for comments on various projects that might have an impact on Kachemak Bay birds and bird habitat.
I use the Kachemak Bay Birders website to archive each year's report. See the website if you want to delve down into more detailed data on specific species.
I want to thank all the volunteers who showed up for monitoring during some pretty nasty weather this year. Butas we learned, bad weather can result in good birding. Also, thanks to all the professional biologists who offered advice.
I have been contemplating the future for this project. While there definitely will be need for us to just keep on doing what we have, we also need to be aware that new opportunities that are arising.The state of the art for monitoring technology now is not the same as when we started this project 18 years ago, eBird being a good example.Some of these technologies may be beyond the scope of a citizen science project, So, I think we need to be on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate, such as the Surfbird capture and tagging project we assisted. As this project demonstrated, it can be exciting to see how our data gets used.
If anyone needs help in navigating our monitoring data, send me an email.
Date: 8/17/26 11:04 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Monday, August 17, 2026 Black Oystercatchers, Arctic Tern update
Monday, August 17, 2026 Black Oystercatchers, Arctic Tern update
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:18 am, sunset 9:48 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 30 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 16 seconds shorter.
Much-needed rain returned on Sunday, dumping 1.85” of rain then misty drizzle. Cool, cloudy and rain in the forecast for the rest of the week with temps in the high 40s to low 50s. We sure need it; freshwater levels are low everywhere.
Spring Creek continued to be a hot spot. On August 14, five BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS surprised me with their strident wheeping call as they flew past down the beach and out of sight, red eyes blazing.
Today many 100s of Gulls screeched around the fish processor waste pipe outlet: BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES seemed to be the majority, along with GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. A single juvenile BONAPARTE’S GULL hung out with the Kittiwakes dabbling near the shore. The crashing surf from a Gulf storm mingled with Gull cries making seaside music.
The ARCTIC TERNS linger. I could only see about 15 resting on the distant rock jetty of the harbor basin, and more were flying up and out of sight. I savored their chirping calls and even heard some begging.
On August 11, a youngster perched and preened on a nearby mooring dolphin. Only a few white feathers remained of a fledgling’s white forehead photographed on July 29. Growing up fast!
As I watched the Black-legged Kittiwakes and other Gulls bob in the waves and pick at the tidbits on the surface, I realized that I have not observed Arctic Terns float on the water. They seem to prefer resting on floating debris. How do they make it to Antarctica without landing on the water?
Also observed today were a group of four SPOTTED SANDPIPERS plus another two, a LEAST SANDPIPER, and a juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Lots of flies on the beach for these crafty foragers.
No sign of the Rufous Hummingbird since August 6. She may be in Mexico by now!
Date: 8/13/26 11:51 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Saturday, August 8, 2026 Foggy with Sandpipers
Saturday, August 8, 2026 Foggy with Sandpipers
Seward, Alaska
Pea soup fog greeted the morning, creating a very eerie and mysterious scene where the familiar was no longer. Water droplets adorned the blooming fireweed and other plants, undisturbed by even a breath of wind.
Peeps, including a family of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and LEAST SANDPIPERS poked through the bright green algal mats at the head of the bay. A flock of about 45 peeps flashed along the tide’s edge.
A slight breeze shooed the fog away by late morning. BALD EAGLES screeched from the treetops at Afognak Beach in bright sunshine and soared overhead. One adult and one immature Eagle circled each other in a graceful aerial ballet.
Two juvenile SPOTTED SANDPIPERS walked along Afognak Creek, intend on lunch, oblivious of the spawning Chum Salmon nearby.
Though the fog was magical, one cannot complain about a beautiful blue-sky sunny day.
Date: 8/13/26 11:11 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Resurrection Bay: Yellow/Orange billed Common Murre
Though not a rare species, nonetheless, a rare occurrence. On Tuesday, August 11 just after 9 AM we observed a yellow/orange-billed Common Murre about 5+ miles south of the Seward Small Boat Harbor. Interestingly enough another e-Birder reported a Yellow-billed Loon also south of the harbor on the same day and time. Perhaps we observed the same bird, even from the same boat?
Yellow/orange-billed Common Murres are thought to be of less than a 1 in 100,000 bird occurrence.
Date: 8/13/26 2:27 pm From: Martin Renner via groups.io <mrenner...> Subject: [AKBirding] Upland sandpiper Nocturnal Flight Call
At 3:48 this morning, an UPLAND SANDPIPER flew over my house in Homer. Unfortunately, I slept through it, but birdNET recorded the trilling call (raw and filtered versions included in the eBird list below). Despite all the false-positives any AI produces, I’ve only had one previous detection in 2.5 years of near continues listening (which I dismissed because I could not verify it myself amongst the crossbill chatter). eBird only has two previous records for the Kenai Peninsula (one from Anchor Point on 15 August 2022). Shorebirds are on the move!
