Date: 3/21/26 1:45 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitorin Project Note #2
To: Kachemak Bay Birders
From: George Matz
Re: Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitoring Project Note #2
Date: March 21, 2026
We are three weeks away from our first session of Kachemak Bay Shorebird
Monitoring Project, which starts at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 11. A few
days ago, I sent out Note #1 asking birders interested in participating
when they will be available for monitoring. I got a good response
considering this was the first call, but we need more replies, especially
from those who have participated before. Also, we always like to add new
volunteers. Don’t fret over not being sure about your shorebird ID skills,
I’ll add you to a team that has experienced birders who are always
interested in sharing what they have learned. So, look over the attached
volunteer list and let me know what fits into your schedule. I have
included the table which gives the dates and times for each session.
This will be the 18th consecutive year for this project. This, combined
with the excellent Kachemak Bay shorebird monitoring organized by George
West in the 1980-90’s (who had a similar protocol) has created a valuable
database for those working in shorebird conservation. This was mentioned by
Lisa Schibley of the International Shorebird Survey (ISS), who was the
speaker for the Kachemak Bay Birders January meeting. She said, “I want to
say how grateful I am for you and the Kachemak Bay Birders and for the
commitment you have shown to ISS over the years. The consistency and care
your group brings to the counts truly make a difference, and Kachemak Bay
has become a model for what sustained participation can accomplish.” All of
our monitoring data is in the ISS database, which is used by scientists for
important work like population studies. So, your participation in this
project makes a contribution that is not just of local importance, but
international in scope.
To review what the protocol is, I have attached a Homer News article from
last year which does a good job of explaining not only the protocol, but
the history of this project. It’s a good review for all levels of
volunteers. If you want an ID review, go to
https://kachemakbaybirders.org/blog/2022/04/04/shorebird-identification-presentation/
This is the excellent shorebird ID program that Aaron Lang has given in the
past at Kachemak Bay Birders monthly meetings but won’t be given this year.
Given our current weather, this should be an interesting spring for
shorebird monitoring. If spring is more of an aspiration than a reality for
our first couple of monitoring sessions, I don’t expect much change as to
when the shorebirds will arrive. Studies have shown that long-distance
migrants, such as shorebirds, do not begin their migration based on the
weather at their breeding grounds since they obviously are not aware of
what that is. But, as they get closer to the breeding grounds, based on
conditions (i.e. storms with strong headwinds) they may make some sort-time
adjustments. (Kind of like long-distant commuters who leave the same time
no matter and are more aware of conditions close to where they are going
than all that traffic along the interstate). In fact, our data, which
includes weather data, shows that pulses of shorebird migrants are
associated with tailwinds (see My Radar photo). This year could really be a
test of that since our near record cold most of the winter was totally out
of sync with the southern part of the Pacific Flyway.
An exception to this is the Rock Sandpiper who overwinter in the Kachemak
Bay area, but breed in coastal areas of the Bering Sea, essentially the
same climate as Kachemak Bay. In past years when we have had cold, stormy
springs, our Rock Sandpiper counts are higher than when there have been
benign springs. In fact, one warm spring, the Rock Sandpipers left before
we even started monitoring. Accordingly, I think our overwintering Rock
Sandpipers will initiate their spring migration later than usual. But we
won’t know until we get the data.
One thing I have learned from years of monitoring is that if you pay
attention, every year is different.
