Kathleen Eagle
1276 Beluga Ct.
Homer, AK 99603
907 232-3789
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
--J. R. R. Tolkien
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On Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 3:55 PM Deborah Boege-Tobin <
<birding...> wrote:
> Is it possible to get a slide presentation copy of Aaron's presentations
> so I can print it and/or post it as key cards for my students please?
>
> *Debbie *
>
> Deborah D. Bӧge Tobin, PhD (she/her/hers)
> Dena'inaq ełnen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu
> ‘I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina.’ (translation: Helen Dick,
> Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart, Joel Isaak) and am committed to
> anti-discrimination work, equality and equity for all.
>
> *Hope does not need to be merely a passive wish, it can be an active force
> to propel us forward, fueling our determination to defy the odds and carve
> our own destiny. It's the flicker of possibility that dances in our hearts,
> reminding us that even when facing challenging circumstances, there exists
> the potential for inspiration and renewal*. Robert Redford
>
>
> 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.
>>
>>
>>
>
