Date: 3/21/26 5:05 pm From: George Matz via groups.io <geomatz41...> Subject: Re: [AKBirding] Kachemak Bay Shorebird Monitorin Project Note #2
Forgot to include table with monitoring dates and times
On Sat, Mar 21, 2026 at 12:45 PM George Matz <geomatz41...> wrote:
> 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.
>
>
>
