Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Boreal Birder > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Sunday, August 29 at 12:44 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Marsh Sandpiper,©Jan Wilczur

29 Aug 1 new private message ["matureyamelissa" ] 22 Aug Recent Fairbanks Sightings ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 20 Aug Sandhill Cranes ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 20 Aug Sophia Bush left a private message for you! ["carljfocfriends" ] 16 Aug RBA Fairbanks Alaska August 16 2010 [] 16 Aug RBA Fairbanks Alaska August 16 2010 [] 26 Jul RBA Fairbanks Alaska July 26 2010 [] 26 Jul RBA Fairbanks Alaska July 26 2010 [] 30 Jun Re: Recent Sightings ["RonnM" ] 30 Jun Recent Sightings ["j.levison" ] 29 Jun Yellow-bellied what!? ["RonnM" ] 29 Jun Re: Introduction ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 28 Jun Introduction ["RonnM" ] 28 Jun Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 27 Jun great horned owls ["damselfly40" ] 24 Jun Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ~27 mile Steese Hwy ["geraldfrost64" ] 24 Jun Yellow-Billed Loon Has Flown? ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 24 Jun Re: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 21 2010 ["SOAKBear" ] 23 Jun pictures added ["damselfly40" ] 23 Jun Re: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 21 2010 ["SOAKBear" ] 23 Jun Re: light colored duck? ["SOAKBear" ] 22 Jun light colored duck? ["damselfly40" ] 17 Jun Loon at Wander Lake ["annette_buenau" ] 16 Jun Re: Loon Still Here [mark ross ] 16 Jun Loon Still Here ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 15 Jun Yellow-Billed Loon in Fairbanks ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 09 Jun Yellow-Billed Loons at Summit Lake ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 3 Jun Re: posts.. [Steve W ] 03 Jun posts.. ["Bone" ] 2 Jun Re: Moose [Justin Bailey ] 2 Jun Moose ["pfwbone AT yahoo.com" ] 1 Jun RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 1 2010 [] 1 Jun RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 1 2010 [] 01 Jun Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Pewee ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 23 May Hello from Shageluk ["innoko_bird" ] 21 May no singing Song Sparrow ["sallyu" ] 19 May Snow Goose ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 18 May RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 18 2010 [] 18 May RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 18 2010 [] 18 May Northern Waterthrushes ["sallyu" ] 18 May Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 17 May More Warblers; Another BW Teal ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 16 May warblers today ["Lila" ] 15 May Airport Birding ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 15 May Swans ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 6 May Re: Re: Tok sandhill cranes ["pfwbone AT yahoo.com" ] 5 May RE: Re: Tok sandhill cranes ["Becky Keller" ] 05 May Re: Tok sandhill cranes ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 04 May Tok sandhill cranes [Peter Keller ] 04 May Shrike & Swainson's Thrush ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 04 May Tanana Lakes ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 3 May UAF West Ridge trails [] 01 May Peat Pond & Misc. Sightings ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 01 May Peat Pond & Misc. Sightings ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 30 Apr Great Gray Owl ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 30 Apr Northern Shoveler ["melsikes" ] 29 Apr savanah sparrow at creamer's field ["mdr65n" ] 29 Apr Canvasbacks and Bufflehead ["melsikes" ] 29 Apr possible shorebirds (dowitcher size and shape) in flight, Apr 27 creamer's field ["mdr65n" ] 28 Apr GWCS and Re: Hermit Thrush [Andrea Swingley ] 28 Apr Rusty Blackbirds ["sallyu" ] 28 Apr Hermit Thrush ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 28 Apr Northern Harrier ["Kesler" ] 28 Apr Bluebird; swallow ["sallyu" ] 27 Apr RBA Fairbanks Alaska April 26 2010 [] 27 Apr RBA Fairbanks Alaska April 26 2010 [] 26 Apr Hammond's Flycatchers, Ruffed Grouse ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 25 Apr flycatcher at elliot bridge chatanika ["mdr65n" ] 24 Apr Yellow Warbler ["Nancy DeWitt" ] 23 Apr kestrel at creamer's ["mdr65n" ] 23 Apr Swallow sp. creamer's front field ["mdr65n" ] 23 Apr myrtle warbler at Creamer's ["mdr65n" ] 21 Apr Tok area sightings Apr 21 [Peter Keller ] 21 Apr a little king ["mdr65n" ] 21 Apr Re: A Few Fairbanks Birds ["Lila" ] 21 Apr A Few Fairbanks Birds ["Nancy DeWitt" ] Subject: 1 new private message From: "matureyamelissa" <matureyamelissa AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:44:16 -0000 1 new private message for you, Click here to check out! Subject: Recent Fairbanks Sightings From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 05:36:13 -0000 My husband Jim saw the following in Fairbanks the last two days: Lakeview Terrace: kettle of 7 ospreys male and female white-winged scoters 2 horned and 15 red-necked grebes herring and mew gulls goldeneye species 8 common loons Airport float plane pond American wigeon lesser scaup male American kestrel northern harrier eating a vole Georgeson Botanical Gardens White-crowned sparrows dark-eyed juncos fox sparrow orange-crowned warbler Swainson's thrush American robin Peat Pond (Goldstream & Murphy Dome Rd) bufflehead American wigeon lesser scaup horned grebe male American kestrel Tanana Lakes Harlan's red-tailed hawk Chena River behind Morris Thompson Center juvenile mew gulls common merganser pair mallards Wander Lake family of 5 red-necked grebes Canada geese lots of sandhill crane flyovers mallards white-fronted geese (5 kingfishers and an osprey were seen here by another birder yesterday) Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Sandhill Cranes From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:15:19 -0000 1,271 cranes counted at Creamer's this morning! Looking forward to the Sandhill Crane Festival that starts tomorrow. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Sophia Bush left a private message for you! From: "carljfocfriends" <carljfocfriends AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:01:26 -0000 Sophia Bush left a message for you! Check here to check your message! Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska August 16 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:01:15 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: August 16, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Lesser Sandhill Crane Canada Geese Horned Grebe Red-Necked Grebe Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler Bufflehead Welcome to the Arctic Audubon Birding Hotline for August 16, 2010. Fall migration is underway, and birds heading south can be seen in local natural areas. Large numbers of LESSER SANDHILL CRANES, CANADA GEESE, and other waterfowl are staging at Creamer's Field Refuge. The following birds were seen at the Goldstream Peat Ponds on 27 July - HORNED GREBES, RED-NECKED GREBES, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and NORTHERN SHOVELERS. Upcoming events include: The Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival will take place August 20 - 22. The featured keynote speaker this year is Paul Jonsgard. The festival includes talks, bird watching, nature walks, workshops and many other related activities with ample opportunities for observing Cranes and other fall migrants. For more information on events, call 452-5162 If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska August 16 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:01:15 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: August 16, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Lesser Sandhill Crane Canada Geese Horned Grebe Red-Necked Grebe Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler Bufflehead Welcome to the Arctic Audubon Birding Hotline for August 16, 2010. Fall migration is underway, and birds heading south can be seen in local natural areas. Large numbers of LESSER SANDHILL CRANES, CANADA GEESE, and other waterfowl are staging at Creamer's Field Refuge. The following birds were seen at the Goldstream Peat Ponds on 27 July - HORNED GREBES, RED-NECKED GREBES, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and NORTHERN SHOVELERS. Upcoming events include: The Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival will take place August 20 - 22. The featured keynote speaker this year is Paul Jonsgard. The festival includes talks, bird watching, nature walks, workshops and many other related activities with ample opportunities for observing Cranes and other fall migrants. For more information on events, call 452-5162 If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska July 26 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:38:10 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: July 26, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Red-Tailed Hawk American Wigeon Common Loon American Tree Sparrow Osprey Yellow-Bellied Flycatchers Harris Sparrow (unconfirmed) The following birds were seen on a drive from Fairbanks to Birch Lake on July 18: One RED-TAILED HAWK, an AMERICAN WIGEON with 8 ducklings, COMMON LOON, and 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. A pair of OSPREY (one with food in its talons) were seen flying over Riverview in the evening on July 7. Two YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were seen along the Denali Highway (MP 87) on June 28. An unconfirmed sighting of a HARRIS SPARROW was reported on the Healy Lake Trail in Denali National park on June 19. Upcoming events include: The Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival will take place August 20 - 22. The featured keynote speaker this year is Paul Jonsgard. The festival includes talks, bird watching, nature walks, workshops and many other related activities with ample opportunities for observing Cranes and other fall migrants. For more information on events, call 452-5162 If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska July 26 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:38:10 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: July 26, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Red-Tailed Hawk American Wigeon Common Loon American Tree Sparrow Osprey Yellow-Bellied Flycatchers Harris Sparrow (unconfirmed) The following birds were seen on a drive from Fairbanks to Birch Lake on July 18: One RED-TAILED HAWK, an AMERICAN WIGEON with 8 ducklings, COMMON LOON, and 3 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. A pair of OSPREY (one with food in its talons) were seen flying over Riverview in the evening on July 7. Two YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were seen along the Denali Highway (MP 87) on June 28. An unconfirmed sighting of a HARRIS SPARROW was reported on the Healy Lake Trail in Denali National park on June 19. Upcoming events include: The Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival will take place August 20 - 22. The featured keynote speaker this year is Paul Jonsgard. The festival includes talks, bird watching, nature walks, workshops and many other related activities with ample opportunities for observing Cranes and other fall migrants. For more information on events, call 452-5162 If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska Subject: Re: Recent Sightings From: "RonnM" <rmurrayphoto AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:17:45 -0000 Fantastic info! Thanks for sharing this. I'm going to try and make it to eagle summit sometime this week. I'll post my results. --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, "j.levison" wrote: > > Apologies for the late post, but some marathon birding with out-of-town friends produced these highlighted sightings that may be of interest. A 6/25/10 trip out the Elliott Highway had two male Yellow-bellied Flycatchers at 6.5 mile Eureka Road (Eureka Road is approximately 58 miles west from the intersection of the Elliott and the Dalton Highways) along with Gray-cheeked Thrush, Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's), Great Horned Owl, Northern Goshawk, Merlin, good numbers of Fox Sparrow and a female Ruffed Grouse crossing the highway with young chicks in tow. > > A 6/26/10 trip down the Richardson Highway to Kenny Lake produced two male Tennessee Warblers and a male Blackpoll Warbler at mile 239.6, along with a Chipping Sparrow at about mile 239.5 (the south end of the curve in the highway). Arctic Warblers were at the pull-out at approximately mile 205 (thanks Nancy) and a Common Loon on Summit Lake. The Eared Grebe was still present on Kenny Lake along with many Horned Grebes with chicks (grebelets?), Red-necked Phalaropes, Lincoln Sparrow with fledged young, Red-winged Blackbirds and Ruddy Duck (five males and one female). We did not hear the Sora. > > A 6/27/10 trip to the Delta Agricultural Project had Red-tailed Hawk (four Harlan's including one very light individual with an almost white head and light reddish color on the dorsal surface of the tail), Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, good numbers of Swainson's Thrush, Upland Sandpiper (four adults; did not see any hatched young), Alder Flycatcher, White-winged Crossbill, and Bohemian Waxwing. We could not find Sharp-tailed Grouse. > > On 6/28/10, an early morning stop at mile 27 Steese Highway on the way to Eagle Summit had the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher singing right near the beginning of the Old Chatanika Road. The bird mostly sang from the tops of the trees, but at one time was aggressively chased by a second bird. Even though it was a brief look, we felt quite confident that the other bird was another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. I look forward to seeing if these birds are back next year, as it may be another small pocket of them such as on the Elliott Highway. Further out the Steese Highway, we had two different female Spruce Grouse leading chicks across the road (what is it about the other side of the road to female grouse with chicks?), Wilson's Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. There were pairs of Say's Phoebe nesting under the bridges at North Fork 12 Mile Creek, Reed Creek, Willow Creek and Bear Creek. Eagle Summit had American Golden-Plover, American Pipit (including several fledged young), Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, Northern Wheatear (three pairs taking food to nests) and the reddest Common Redpoll that I have ever seen. > > James Levison > Fairbanks, AK > Subject: Recent Sightings From: "j.levison" <j.levison AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:48:30 -0000 Apologies for the late post, but some marathon birding with out-of-town friends produced these highlighted sightings that may be of interest. A 6/25/10 trip out the Elliott Highway had two male Yellow-bellied Flycatchers at 6.5 mile Eureka Road (Eureka Road is approximately 58 miles west from the intersection of the Elliott and the Dalton Highways) along with Gray-cheeked Thrush, Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's), Great Horned Owl, Northern Goshawk, Merlin, good numbers of Fox Sparrow and a female Ruffed Grouse crossing the highway with young chicks in tow. A 6/26/10 trip down the Richardson Highway to Kenny Lake produced two male Tennessee Warblers and a male Blackpoll Warbler at mile 239.6, along with a Chipping Sparrow at about mile 239.5 (the south end of the curve in the highway). Arctic Warblers were at the pull-out at approximately mile 205 (thanks Nancy) and a Common Loon on Summit Lake. The Eared Grebe was still present on Kenny Lake along with many Horned Grebes with chicks (grebelets?), Red-necked Phalaropes, Lincoln Sparrow with fledged young, Red-winged Blackbirds and Ruddy Duck (five males and one female). We did not hear the Sora. A 6/27/10 trip to the Delta Agricultural Project had Red-tailed Hawk (four Harlan's including one very light individual with an almost white head and light reddish color on the dorsal surface of the tail), Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, good numbers of Swainson's Thrush, Upland Sandpiper (four adults; did not see any hatched young), Alder Flycatcher, White-winged Crossbill, and Bohemian Waxwing. We could not find Sharp-tailed Grouse. On 6/28/10, an early morning stop at mile 27 Steese Highway on the way to Eagle Summit had the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher singing right near the beginning of the Old Chatanika Road. The bird mostly sang from the tops of the trees, but at one time was aggressively chased by a second bird. Even though it was a brief look, we felt quite confident that the other bird was another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. I look forward to seeing if these birds are back next year, as it may be another small pocket of them such as on the Elliott Highway. Further out the Steese Highway, we had two different female Spruce Grouse leading chicks across the road (what is it about the other side of the road to female grouse with chicks?), Wilson's Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. There were pairs of Say's Phoebe nesting under the bridges at North Fork 12 Mile Creek, Reed Creek, Willow Creek and Bear Creek. Eagle Summit had American Golden-Plover, American Pipit (including several fledged young), Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, Northern Wheatear (three pairs taking food to nests) and the reddest Common Redpoll that I have ever seen. James Levison Fairbanks, AK Subject: Yellow-bellied what!? From: "RonnM" <rmurrayphoto AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:33:44 -0000 So I had the privilege of joining Jim and Nancy on their search for the Yellow-bellied flycatcher. As Nancy posted we had a very successful trip and managed to capture some good photos to boot! I'll post them later this afternoon or evening. Liza and I also encountered the Great Horned Owl fledglings on the evening of June 27th out behind the airport by the dikes. We did get some great photos there as well and will include those with the others. There were 3 fledglings and in adult in the area. We didn't encounter the Boreal Owl's however. Subject: Re: Introduction From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:15:17 -0000 Welcome to BorealBirder, Ronn! Glad to have you on board. We need more folks reporting their bird sightings from around the Interior here. This is a great resource not just for local birders, but for visitors as well. Reports of rare birds are also valuable for the regional reports I compile for North American Birds magazine. Many thanks to everyone who takes the time to share their sightings! Nancy DeWitt --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, "RonnM" wrote: > > Hi everyone! > > I delighted to be a part of this awesome group. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ronn Murray and I am an Alaskan Photographer with a recently developed birding problem. I'm here looking for support. I'm hoping that through the new connections I hope to make here, I can somehow overcome this addiction. Ha ha. > > I look forward to sharing and interacting with you all. > > Ronn > Subject: Introduction From: "RonnM" <rmurrayphoto AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:37:20 -0000 Hi everyone! I delighted to be a part of this awesome group. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ronn Murray and I am an Alaskan Photographer with a recently developed birding problem. I'm here looking for support. I'm hoping that through the new connections I hope to make here, I can somehow overcome this addiction. Ha ha. I look forward to sharing and interacting with you all. Ronn Subject: Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:27:39 -0000 Many thanks to JJ Frost for posting the yellow-bellied flycatcher sighting. We went to Old Chatanika Road (just before mile 27 of the Steese Highway) this afternoon and found the flycatcher about 150 meters down the road, calling loudly. Both Ronn Murray and Jim DeWitt were able to photograph the bird. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: great horned owls From: "damselfly40" <damselfly AT mosquitonet.com> Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:51:58 -0000 On my walk this morning behind the airport I saw an adult Great Horned Owl and three young. They hung out in the same spot for over an hour. That gave me enough time to drive home and get my camera. The young were the cutest fluff balls, so fun to watch. One was trying out its wings, fluffing them up and flying from dead tree to dead tree near the pond. I also heard at least 3 Boreal Owls calling back and forth to each other for at least 20 minutes. christine Subject: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ~27 mile Steese Hwy From: "geraldfrost64" <gvf5y AT virginia.edu> Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:31:18 -0000 A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was singing persistently the evening of June 24 just off the Steese Highway at approximately mile 27 at Old Chatanika Road. I had pulled off the highway to deal with an overheating vehicle and upon hearing the "che-bek" song I took off into the woods for a welcome distraction! The bird was in birch-aspen forest on old mine tailings. It would occasionally pop out into isolated small birch trees on areas of poorly vegetated tailings, where clear views are easier to come by. JJ Frost Fairbanks, AK Subject: Yellow-Billed Loon Has Flown? From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:30:20 -0000 The Yellow-billed Loon was swimming around and hunting at Wander Lake yesterday, but the warm temperature may have finally convinced him to head for the coast as we didn't see him at all today. We'd started referring to this bird as a "land loon" for all the time he spent hauled out on an island. We're guessing he spent his nights gorging on fish and the days just digesting food. Loons have legs located very far back on their body, which is probably why his were splayed out behind him after coming out of the water. He'd tuck them in eventually and go to sleep, but it did look odd and many people commented that the bird didn't look well. Spending that much time on land and not being overly wary of people sure had us scratching our heads. We may never know what was wrong with that bird but hope he is on his way north or to the ocean. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Re: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 21 2010 From: "SOAKBear" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:09:08 -0000 Posted some photos from the weekend of birds I mentioned in my earlier post. They are in the "Barbara's Photos" file, last page. --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, "SOAKBear" wrote: > > I took some photos of the Yellow-Billed Loon > on June 19th > Meanwhile one Red-Necked Grebe was all over > the place, and a (I believe a Solitary) > Sandpiper. > Also saw a Mew Gull sitting on a nest by > the McDonald's on the Johansen Expressway! > I took pictures of two eggs in the nest, > right by the curb in the gravel. > At our house we have NUMEROUS Juvenile Redpolls, > American Robins Subject: pictures added From: "damselfly40" <damselfly AT mosquitonet.com> Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:16:51 -0000 Hello, a few people asked to see the photos of the light colored duck, so i added three photos of it in the photo section under Christines photos. christine Subject: Re: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 21 2010 From: "SOAKBear" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:34:17 -0000 I took some photos of the Yellow-Billed Loon on June 19th - it didn't look very well, but I don't know Loon behaviour.... It was sitting on the island on the far side of Wander Lake with it's legs sort of splayed out from under it and it never got up the entire time we watched it, although it did move its head several times. Don't they usually just pass over us on their way North? I recall Nancy said it had been examined by a vet, but it seemed "off" to those of us watching it. Meanwhile one Red-Necked Grebe was all over the place, and a (I believe a Solitary) Sandpiper. We also saw two Mew Gulls sitting on nests on two little islands in Wander Lake, and the other Red-Necked Grebe was sitting on what appears to be the nest - they have floating nests I read - between the shore and the largest island. Also saw my first Alder Flycather after hearing it many times in the past few weeks. I also heard some birds near Wander Lake that I don't recognize and haven't seen YET! They are small and fast and stay in the tops of the trees. Also saw a Mew Gull sitting on a nest by the McDonald's on the Johansen Expressway! I took pictures of two eggs in the nest, right by the curb in the gravel. The Mew Gulls were busy chasing a Raven who was seeking some scraps in the parking lot. Hope the hatchlings will be able to make it across the road to the lake safely when they hatch. At our house we have NUMEROUS Juvenile Redpolls, both Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, White-Crowned Sparrows, Yellow Warblers, American Robins and Dark-Eyed Juncos. We have also had a Eurpean Starling around occasionally since winter. I hate to see them there, as we are guessing they are nesting somewhere nearby. I read that they will chase Woodpeckers from their nest sites to steal them. They have been eating peanut butter and suet. We have also seen a Myrtle's Yellow-Rumped Warbler a few times. The Redpolls are the most numerous - they had a good crop of babies this year. We have a fenced yard and no dogs or cats, so we tend to get a lot of juvenile birds and adults feeding them this time of year. Barbara Logan --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, Ken_Russell AT ... wrote: > Birds Mentioned > Yellow-Billed Loon > Brown Creeper> > The YELLOW-BILLED LOON that was released at Wander Lake was > last reported at that location on June 17. Wander Lake is part of the > Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary, which can be accessed from the > Alaska Bird Observatory or near the north end of the Fountainhead > Antique Auto Museum (both at Wedgewood Resort). Subject: Re: light colored duck? From: "SOAKBear" <dlogan AT alaska.net> Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:12:49 -0000 I would be curious to see them! Post to a photo album here! (SMILE) --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, "damselfly40" wrote: > > Hi all, > Several times I have seen a really pale light colored mother duck at the ponds behind the airport. She is the size of a pintail or mallard, I have not seen the male so I am not sure what she is. I haven't seen a hen that color before. > Maybe she is a uncommon color phase. I have a few pathetic pictures I took today of her with my sucky camera if anyone is interested in looking at them. > I also saw a bald eagle soaring over Creamers field today (Tuesday, 22nd) > christine > damselfly AT ... > Subject: light colored duck? From: "damselfly40" <damselfly AT mosquitonet.com> Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:47:29 -0000 Hi all, Several times I have seen a really pale light colored mother duck at the ponds behind the airport. She is the size of a pintail or mallard, I have not seen the male so I am not sure what she is. I haven't seen a hen that color before. Maybe she is a uncommon color phase. I have a few pathetic pictures I took today of her with my sucky camera if anyone is interested in looking at them. I also saw a bald eagle soaring over Creamers field today (Tuesday, 22nd) christine damselfly AT mosquitonet.com Subject: Loon at Wander Lake From: "annette_buenau" <buenau AT gci.net> Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:26:19 -0000 I went out this morning at 7 a.m. to look for the Yellow-billed Loon. I could tell from a distance that there was a loon out in the middle of the lake. When I looked at it with my binoculars, I realized it was a Common Loon, not the Yellow-billed. There were several birds across the lake from the observation deck, and one was The Yellow-billed moving along the shore, dipping under the surface. I walked around the lake to the shallow cove across from the observation deck for a better look, and sat and watched it for about 15 minutes. It dove a few more times, then walked a few steps up on the shore and preened itself for a while, before getting back in the water and preening some more. It didn't seem to mind a few people on the walking trail, and looked like it was doing pretty well. While I was watching the Yellow-billed Loon, the Common Loon took flight and flew off. It had been less tolerant with me walking around the lake, and swam away when I first got there and as I walked around the path. There were also Mew Gulls and a Red-necked Grebe on nests at that end of the lake. Annette Buenau Fairbanks Subject: Re: Loon Still Here From: mark ross <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:56:47 -0700 (PDT) I called Tim at the newsminer yesterday... did a photo make the paper today? --- On Wed, 6/16/10, Nancy DeWitt wrote: From: Nancy DeWitt Subject: [BorealBirder] Loon Still Here To: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 11:32 AM   The Yellow-billed Loon is still at Wander Lake. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Loon Still Here From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:32:36 -0000 The Yellow-billed Loon is still at Wander Lake. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Yellow-Billed Loon in Fairbanks From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:17:41 -0000 A lethargic yellow-billed loon was recently found sitting on a gravel road not far from where one was sighted near mile 22 of Chena Hot Springs Road. The loon was checked out by USFWS staff, a vet and our local bird rehabilitator, and is being released at Wander Lake this afternoon. There is no telling if it will stick around, but birders are welcome to go look for it. Wander Lake is part of the private Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary, which can be accessed from the Alaska Bird Observatory or near the north end of the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum (both at Wedgewood Resort). The public is welcome to walk the sanctuary trails, but please respect the No Dogs/No Bikes rules. Thanks! Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Yellow-Billed Loons at Summit Lake From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:36:28 -0000 Audie Bakewell with Denali Highway Cabins in Paxson just reported that there are THREE yellow-billed loons at Summit Lake along the Richardson Highway. He observed the trio at 6 and 10 pm yesterday, and again at noon today. They were at the north end of the lake near the Mile 195 pullout. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Re: posts.. From: Steve W <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 09:38:17 -0800 Your post wasn't that bad..... the "other post " that called yours into question was what I'd consider totally inappropriate. Some folks need to keep it civil. On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 9:26 AM, Bone wrote: > > > Hello My Fellow Boreal Birders.. > > Excuse me for accidently posting this photo of a Moose Mother & Calf. > Maybe though..If we look, we might see some birds in this photo too! > > Well.. During recent road trip had numerous SWAN viewings.. Magpies! along > the Richardson near Paxon lake. Along with many other waterbirds and > tweeters... > > Yesterday, here in Fairbanks town..a young Bald Eagle, flying over the > Chena River near Pike's Landing. > > Oh..Last week one cool thing happened.. A Robin hopped right inside the > door way here to try and pull some thread out of the door mat!.. It's feet > tapped the floor while it worked very hard to conquer the weave of the > carpet..but it did not win.. Now I see a long thread pulled out and it will > remind me of my visitor. > > Happy Summer Days are here... > > > > Subject: posts.. From: "Bone" <pfwbone AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:26:45 -0000 Hello My Fellow Boreal Birders.. Excuse me for accidently posting this photo of a Moose Mother & Calf. Maybe though..If we look, we might see some birds in this photo too! Well.. During recent road trip had numerous SWAN viewings.. Magpies! along the Richardson near Paxon lake. Along with many other waterbirds and tweeters... Yesterday, here in Fairbanks town..a young Bald Eagle, flying over the Chena River near Pike's Landing. Oh..Last week one cool thing happened.. A Robin hopped right inside the door way here to try and pull some thread out of the door mat!.. It's feet tapped the floor while it worked very hard to conquer the weave of the carpet..but it did not win.. Now I see a long thread pulled out and it will remind me of my visitor. Happy Summer Days are here... Subject: Re: Moose From: Justin Bailey <justin.r.bailey AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 19:05:12 -0800 Wgy the fuck did someone post this on boreal birder? On Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 8:40 AM, pfwbone AT yahoo.com wrote: > > > > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > Subject: Moose From: "pfwbone AT yahoo.com" <pfwbone@yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 09:40:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 1 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 12:50:44 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: June 01, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Alder Flycatcher Brown-headed cowbird Snow goose White-Fronted Goose Osprey Stilt Sandpiper Baird's sandpiper Common loon Red-breasted merganser Hudsonian Godwit Western Wood-Pewee Golden-crowned Kinglet European Starling Golden-crowned sparrow Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of June 1, 2010. One of the last migrants to the Fairbanks area, ALDER FLYCATCHERS were heard calling along the Chena River in the Chena Lakes Recreation Area on May 29. A Western Wood-Pewee was heard on Summit Drive over the weekend. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen at Mile 52 Chena Hot Spring Rd on May 30. Some unusual species were found during the Birdathons that were held over the past weekend. The following birds were seen on May 22: A male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was heard calling in the experimental burn area along the boardwalk at Creamer's Refuge. Also at Creamer's were a SNOW GOOSE and WHITE FRONTED GOOSE. The following birds were seen in the gravel pits along Lakeview Terrace: two RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, SURF SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK, and a COMMON LOON. Three OSPREY were swooping over the South Cushman Street ponds picking up nesting material. A flock of BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and a single STILT SANDPIPER were in the grass along the edge of the airport float ponds. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT and EUROPEAN STARLING were at the pond near the Creamer's Farmhouse on May 20. A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was on Chena Ridge on May 19. Upcoming events include: The Design Alaska Wild arts Walk will take place at Creamer's refuge on Saturday, June 6 from noon - 5:00 PM. Stroll the refuge among artists and musicians as they demonstrate their skills and display their work. Admission is $10 which includes a pastry and hot drink. The Camp Habitat 20th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday June 12 from noon - 4:00 PM. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 - 18 or camp alumni. Guided Nature Walks take place on Creamer's refuge Through August Monday - Friday at 10:00 and Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Saturday Mornings with an Artist will take place every Saturday morning from 10 - 2:00 with a different artist displaying their work in the armhouse. The Third Annual Dragonfly Day will take place at Creamer's refuge on June 19 fro m 10:00 - 4:00. If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska June 1 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 12:50:44 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: June 01, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Alder Flycatcher Brown-headed cowbird Snow goose White-Fronted Goose Osprey Stilt Sandpiper Baird's sandpiper Common loon Red-breasted merganser Hudsonian Godwit Western Wood-Pewee Golden-crowned Kinglet European Starling Golden-crowned sparrow Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of June 1, 2010. One of the last migrants to the Fairbanks area, ALDER FLYCATCHERS were heard calling along the Chena River in the Chena Lakes Recreation Area on May 29. A Western Wood-Pewee was heard on Summit Drive over the weekend. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen at Mile 52 Chena Hot Spring Rd on May 30. Some unusual species were found during the Birdathons that were held over the past weekend. The following birds were seen on May 22: A male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was heard calling in the experimental burn area along the boardwalk at Creamer's Refuge. Also at Creamer's were a SNOW GOOSE and WHITE FRONTED GOOSE. The following birds were seen in the gravel pits along Lakeview Terrace: two RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, SURF SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK, and a COMMON LOON. Three OSPREY were swooping over the South Cushman Street ponds picking up nesting material. A flock of BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and a single STILT SANDPIPER were in the grass along the edge of the airport float ponds. A HUDSONIAN GODWIT and EUROPEAN STARLING were at the pond near the Creamer's Farmhouse on May 20. A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was on Chena Ridge on May 19. Upcoming events include: The Design Alaska Wild arts Walk will take place at Creamer's refuge on Saturday, June 6 from noon - 5:00 PM. Stroll the refuge among artists and musicians as they demonstrate their skills and display their work. Admission is $10 which includes a pastry and hot drink. The Camp Habitat 20th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday June 12 from noon - 4:00 PM. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 - 18 or camp alumni. Guided Nature Walks take place on Creamer's refuge Through August Monday - Friday at 10:00 and Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Saturday Mornings with an Artist will take place every Saturday morning from 10 - 2:00 with a different artist displaying their work in the armhouse. The Third Annual Dragonfly Day will take place at Creamer's refuge on June 19 fro m 10:00 - 4:00. If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska Subject: Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Pewee From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:08:52 -0000 I heard and then saw a Golden-Crowned Kinglet near our cabin at 52 mile Chena Hot Springs Road yesterday (May 30). This is the second GCKI I have found out CHSR. Alder Flycatchers were also singing in the area, which seems a few days ahead of schedule. Oddly, we didn't see or hear a single chickadee all weekend. Our neighborhood Western Wood-Pewee arrived on Saturday (we live off Summit Drive in Fairbanks). Nancy DeWitt Subject: Hello from Shageluk From: "innoko_bird" <innoko_bird AT mac.com> Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 17:29:55 -0000 Hello, I'm going to stretch your Interior Boreal Bird sightings a bit to just below the Innoko Refuge! We've been following the bird migrations electronically and physically for year and year and are happy to see this listserv. We share many of the same birds, you see them first, then most likely McGrath and then us. My students like to "clock" how many days it takes from McGrath to here and now we have access to some Tok and Fairbanks stats to look at! I figure that covers pretty much most of the interior of the State! Wow! Anyway, not much to add other than we had a major eruption of Redpolls this spring, right around migration time in early May. Are there any explanations as to why they do that? So.....our most recent migrants have been Cliff Swallows, Swainson's Thrush and I think I heard a Yellow Warbler yesterday, we'll see! Some interesting statistics about Shageluk that you might be interested in is that we had a real rarity a few years ago, an Asian visitor, the Brambling. In 1995 we also had some very uncommon visitors--Cedar Waxwings. I've only seen them once in 30-years and there they were all sitting in a tree. Saw them once and then haven't ever since. We also have at least one pair of Magpies that has been around now for 3 years. 25-miles away in Anvik on the Yukon River, they also have had seen Magpies. We don't get Lapland Longspurs, I really would like to see them but we sometimes get Bluebilled Scaups which I hear are really rare for here, too. Where we live we get most of the common Boreal Birds and some of the coastal birds. FUN, eh? Subject: no singing Song Sparrow From: "sallyu" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 03:46:14 -0000 I hope nobody has packed their bags and headed for Tok. The singing Song Sparrow I noted a couple days ago is probably a Savanna Sparrow. Beautiful spring plumage but not rare! Sally Urvina, Tok Subject: Snow Goose From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 06:02:27 -0000 There was a Snow Goose hanging out with some Canada Geese at Wander Lake today. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 18 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 16:54:51 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: May 18, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Ring-necked Ducks Ruddy Duck American Wigeon Redhead Canvasbacks Lesser Scaup Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Pectoral Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper American Golden-plover Semipalmated Plover Bonaparte's Gull Northern Waterthrush Townsend's Warbler Orange-Crowned Warbler Wilson's Warbler Red-Necked Phalarope Eurasian Wigeon Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of May 18, 2010. The following birds were seen at the airport floatplane ponds on May 15: RING-NECKED DUCKS, 1 male RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, a pair of REDHEADS, CANVASBACKS, LESSER SCAUP, HORNED GREBES, RED-NECKED GREBES, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 1 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, an AMERICAN KESTREL, and BONAPARTE'S GULLS. The ponds near the terminal had the additional species: 2 MALE BLUE-WINGED TEAL, COMMON GOLDENEYES, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was heard at the Wander Lake Wildlife Sanctuary on May 16. Also on the 16th, a TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were reported off of Farmer's Loop and along the trails to Smith Lake. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and WILSON'S WARBLER were at the ABO Banding Station on May 15. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen at the north pond in front of the airport terminal on May 8. A male EURASIAN WIGEON was seen in the same pond on May 4. Upcoming events include: A Birdathon fund raiser to benefit Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon is under way. The following are opportunities for you to participate: 18 May - Join longtime ABO volunteer Sherry Lewis on Creamer's Field for a walk around the Refuge. Meet at the Farmhouse at 7:00 p.m. $10 fee 20 May - Arctic Audubon president Gail Mayo will lead a walk in the boreal forests around Smith Lake. Meet at the Warming Hut near the Geophysical Institute at UAF at 7:00 p.m. $10 fee. 22 May - Bird around Fairbanks with Alaska Bird Observatory biologist Sue Guers. Meet at the Farmhouse at 7:00 a.m. and prepare to carpool. $60 fee. 23 May - Join ABO and Arctic Audubon biologists for a 'Big Sit' around Wander Lake in the Wedgewood Resort Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet at ABO at 7:00 a.m., bring a chair, and be prepared to learn what birds you are seeing and hearing. $25/adult, $5/under 16. 23 May - Tally Rally Awards Ceremony and BBQ from noon to 2:00 p.m for all Birdathon participants! Hamburgers and hotdogs provided; please bring something for the potluck! A Songbird identification with leader Dave Shaw will take place on Saturday, May 29. Participants should meet at 8:00 am at the Creamer's Field barn parking lot. The contact number for all trips is Frank Keim, 451-9308 If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska May 18 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 16:54:51 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: May 18, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Ring-necked Ducks Ruddy Duck American Wigeon Redhead Canvasbacks Lesser Scaup Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Pectoral Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper American Golden-plover Semipalmated Plover Bonaparte's Gull Northern Waterthrush Townsend's Warbler Orange-Crowned Warbler Wilson's Warbler Red-Necked Phalarope Eurasian Wigeon Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of May 18, 2010. The following birds were seen at the airport floatplane ponds on May 15: RING-NECKED DUCKS, 1 male RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, a pair of REDHEADS, CANVASBACKS, LESSER SCAUP, HORNED GREBES, RED-NECKED GREBES, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 1 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, an AMERICAN KESTREL, and BONAPARTE'S GULLS. The ponds near the terminal had the additional species: 2 MALE BLUE-WINGED TEAL, COMMON GOLDENEYES, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was heard at the Wander Lake Wildlife Sanctuary on May 16. Also on the 16th, a TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were reported off of Farmer's Loop and along the trails to Smith Lake. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and WILSON'S WARBLER were at the ABO Banding Station on May 15. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen at the north pond in front of the airport terminal on May 8. A male EURASIAN WIGEON was seen in the same pond on May 4. Upcoming events include: A Birdathon fund raiser to benefit Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon is under way. The following are opportunities for you to participate: 18 May - Join longtime ABO volunteer Sherry Lewis on Creamer's Field for a walk around the Refuge. Meet at the Farmhouse at 7:00 p.m. $10 fee 20 May - Arctic Audubon president Gail Mayo will lead a walk in the boreal forests around Smith Lake. Meet at the Warming Hut near the Geophysical Institute at UAF at 7:00 p.m. $10 fee. 22 May - Bird around Fairbanks with Alaska Bird Observatory biologist Sue Guers. Meet at the Farmhouse at 7:00 a.m. and prepare to carpool. $60 fee. 23 May - Join ABO and Arctic Audubon biologists for a 'Big Sit' around Wander Lake in the Wedgewood Resort Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet at ABO at 7:00 a.m., bring a chair, and be prepared to learn what birds you are seeing and hearing. $25/adult, $5/under 16. 23 May - Tally Rally Awards Ceremony and BBQ from noon to 2:00 p.m for all Birdathon participants! Hamburgers and hotdogs provided; please bring something for the potluck! A Songbird identification with leader Dave Shaw will take place on Saturday, May 29. Participants should meet at 8:00 am at the Creamer's Field barn parking lot. The contact number for all trips is Frank Keim, 451-9308 If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well as a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska Subject: Northern Waterthrushes From: "sallyu" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 20:42:49 -0000 This morning we had 2 Northern Waterthrushes eating bugs on the ground outside our back door. There were also 6 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Golden-crowned Sparrow and a singing Song Sparrow. Another first for the year, the sparrows outnumbered the juncos! Sally and Tony Urvina, Tok Subject: Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 04:35:51 -0000 Not too much happening at the sanctuary except for some first-of-spring Blackpoll Warblers singing today and a number of Bohemian Waxwings trilling in the woods and eating last year's chokecherries in the hotel parking lot. Wander Lake has been fairly quiet the past few days (first Bonaparte's Gulls were recorded there Saturday and several flyovers by a subadult Bald Eagle today), but the water meadow north of the lake was absolutely crawling with shorebirds this morning. It was basically a moving carpet of Lesser Yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpipers, with a few Solitary Sandpipers yakking overhead. Very busy with Rusty Blackbirds too. Folks doing the Big Sit with Arctic Audubon and ABO this weekend should sit on the north side of the lake at the Wood Frog sign to get the most species on your count. Besides the birds above and others on the lake, I heard or saw Semipalmated Plover, LB Dowitchers, Hammond's Flycatcher, Tree & Violet-Green Swallows, Common Raven, Black-capped & Boreal Chickadee, Common Raven, Lincoln, Fox Sparrow & Savannah Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco. Have fun! Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: More Warblers; Another BW Teal From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 03:30:15 -0000 Heard my first Northern Waterthrush of spring yesterday, out by Wander Lake at the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary. Today we heard our first Townsend's Warblers of the year, both at our house and along the ski trail to Smith Lake. There were also a number of Lincoln's Sparrows and quite a few Bohemian Waxwings near the lake. There weren't too many waterfowl on Smith Lake, but we did see a nice Blue-winged Teal drake there this morning. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: warblers today From: "Lila" <ltauzer AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 01:51:14 -0000 At the banding station today,there was a Wilson's Warbler singing away and a super sharp Orange-Crowned Warbler in the nets. Lila Subject: Airport Birding From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 07:42:37 -0000 Fun birding around the airport tonight. At the float plane pond: Ring-necked Ducks 1 male Ruddy Duck Mallards American Wigeon Redhead pair Canvasbacks Lesser Scaup Horned Grebes Red-necked Grebes Pectoral Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpipers 1 American Golden-plover Semipalmated Plovers Bonaparte's Gulls American Kestrel Dark-eyed Junco At the ponds near the terminal: 2 male Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teals Mallards Northern Pintail Lesser Scaup Common Goldeneye Ring-necked Ducks Canvasbacks Red-necked Grebes Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Long-billed Dowitcher Bonaparte's Gulls Mew Gulls Tree Swallows American Robins Common Redpolls There was also a Brown Pelican on the tail of the first Frontier Airlines plane to land in Fairbanks. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Swans From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 07:43:52 -0000 There were two Trumpeter Swans in the pond along Ballaine Road near Goldstream Creek this evening. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Re: Re: Tok sandhill cranes From: "pfwbone AT yahoo.com" <pfwbone@yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 01:39:14 -0700 (PDT) How very Awesome!! About 7 years ago while in The Colony, a bit north of Dallas Texas, we saw what we guestimated to be 3000 or more Sandhill Cranes circling over our heads. It was amazing.. I couldn't believe it.. They were very high and I always though two groups were joining into one.. But I don't know. I watched them swirl and swirl until they started breaking apart and flying in waves towards the north. I always felt they were heading home to Alaska, which only made me more homesick at the time. I am excited you all had such a wonderful viewing of the Cranes.. Thanks for sharing. I've heard a lot of Crane Song the past few days now. I am lucky to have some nearby all Summer. Love hearing them. Sent from my iPhone On May 5, 2010, at 11:43 AM, "Becky Keller" wrote: Nancy, He means 35,000 cranes :) They came through like this last year as well. Our house probably isn't the 'ideal' location to view from either as we are surrounded by tall trees. Watching the cranes kettle reminded me of Veracruz hawks, although they tended to all leave together as a group instead of peeling off one by one like hawks do. I figured at least a couple hundred thousand passed through Tok on Sunday, with lots more in the adjacent days. ' Becky Keller P.S. We're both bird biologists and used to counting large numbers of birds. From: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Nancy DeWitt Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 10:39 PM To: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [BorealBirder] Re: Tok sandhill cranes Peter, Do you mean 3,500 cranes? Either way, it sounds like an impressive thing to see! Nancy DeWitt --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, Peter Keller wrote: > > This past weekend there was a massive crane migration over Tok. On > Sunday May 2, I counted 35,000 flying over my house between 11am-1:30pm. > It was just incredible. I just wish I hadn't slept in so late! > > Peter Keller > Tok, AK > Subject: RE: Re: Tok sandhill cranes From: "Becky Keller" <becky_hylton AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 11:43:59 -0800 Nancy, He means 35,000 cranes :) They came through like this last year as well. Our house probably isn't the 'ideal' location to view from either as we are surrounded by tall trees. Watching the cranes kettle reminded me of Veracruz hawks, although they tended to all leave together as a group instead of peeling off one by one like hawks do. I figured at least a couple hundred thousand passed through Tok on Sunday, with lots more in the adjacent days. ' Becky Keller P.S. We're both bird biologists and used to counting large numbers of birds. _____ From: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Nancy DeWitt Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 10:39 PM To: BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [BorealBirder] Re: Tok sandhill cranes Peter, Do you mean 3,500 cranes? Either way, it sounds like an impressive thing to see! Nancy DeWitt --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, Peter Keller wrote: > > This past weekend there was a massive crane migration over Tok. On > Sunday May 2, I counted 35,000 flying over my house between 11am-1:30pm. > It was just incredible. I just wish I hadn't slept in so late! > > Peter Keller > Tok, AK > Subject: Re: Tok sandhill cranes From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 06:39:16 -0000 Peter, Do you mean 3,500 cranes? Either way, it sounds like an impressive thing to see! Nancy DeWitt --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, Peter Keller wrote: > > This past weekend there was a massive crane migration over Tok. On > Sunday May 2, I counted 35,000 flying over my house between 11am-1:30pm. > It was just incredible. I just wish I hadn't slept in so late! > > Peter Keller > Tok, AK > Subject: Tok sandhill cranes From: Peter Keller <kellerp.l AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 20:53:29 -0800 This past weekend there was a massive crane migration over Tok. On Sunday May 2, I counted 35,000 flying over my house between 11am-1:30pm. It was just incredible. I just wish I hadn't slept in so late! Peter Keller Tok, AK Subject: Shrike & Swainson's Thrush From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 05:01:39 -0000 Had a Northern Shrike fly in to our yard yesterday evening to check out the action at the bird feeders. We live along Lancaster Drive. Heard my first Swainson's Thrush here last night, which Jim said he'd heard a few days earlier (but failed to tell his wife). Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Tanana Lakes From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 04:58:13 -0000 Jim & I drove out to the new parking area at the NE corner of the lake this evening. The new trail along the north edge is very nice, although once the leaves come out it will be hard to see any birds except from the end of the trail. From there we walked down S. Cushman and out onto the flats (a little dicey scrambling down the bank, as all the old ramps are blocked). It was very odd--and very nice--to not have trucks and cars zipping all over the place. 4-wheelers and motorcycles can drive past the new gates blocking S. Cushman and S. Lathrop streets, but we were spared those tonight. There were a lot of Canvasbacks on the lake, plus Barrow's & Common Goldeneyes, Northern Pintails, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, two Trumpeter Swans and quite a few Bonaparte's Gulls. Also one Lesser Yellowlegs, some Mew & Herring Gulls, two adult Bald Eagles, American Robin, Boreal Chickadee, Common Redpoll & Common Raven. Much of the lake is still frozen. We did not try to access the Lathrop Street side of the lake. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: UAF West Ridge trails From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 13:53:30 -0800 Laurel Devaney reported Western Wood-Pewee, Varied Thrush and Hermit Thrush this morning along the trails on the West Ridge. Subject: Peat Pond & Misc. Sightings From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 01 May 2010 05:48:31 -0000 Lots of Rusty Blackbirds this evening at the Peat Pond, much of which is still frozen. Also saw a Red-necked Grebe, Mallards, a Northern Pintail, 2 Green-winged Teal, 1 bufflehead, several Mew Gulls and a muskrat. Heard there were about 20 Sandhill Cranes at Creamer's Refuge this evening. Had a Golden-crowned Sparrow singing at our house this morning. A friend has had a GCSP at his cabin off Chena Pump Road for a few days. Also heard the Yellow Warbler in our yard yesterday. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Peat Pond & Misc. Sightings From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 01 May 2010 05:48:31 -0000 Lots of Rusty Blackbirds this evening at the Peat Pond, much of which is still frozen. Also saw a Red-necked Grebe, Mallards, a Northern Pintail, 2 Green-winged Teal, 1 bufflehead, several Mew Gulls and a muskrat. Heard there were about 20 Sandhill Cranes at Creamer's Refuge this evening. Had a Golden-crowned Sparrow singing at our house this morning. A friend has had a GCSP at his cabin off Chena Pump Road for a few days. Also heard the Yellow Warbler in our yard yesterday. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Great Gray Owl From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 03:09:15 -0000 An employee at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center photographed a great gray owl along the driveway to their building early this morning. Hear my first white-crowned sparrow song this morning (in S. Fairbanks). Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Northern Shoveler From: "melsikes" <melsikes AT gci.net> Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:48:42 -0000 Male and female northern shoveler on the north duck pond at Creamers at 4:30pm tonight. Subject: savanah sparrow at creamer's field From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:41:36 -0000 savanah sparrow, thursday April 29, 12:30pm, creamer's field -mdr Subject: Canvasbacks and Bufflehead From: "melsikes" <melsikes AT gci.net> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:13:30 -0000 Sighted at creamer's field at 9:45am today - A group of 6 canvasback ducks are sitting on the north duck pond in the front fields. Also a single male bufflehead popping up and down in the same pond. Subject: possible shorebirds (dowitcher size and shape) in flight, Apr 27 creamer's field From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:55:52 -0000 Apr 27, tuesday 6pm, I had a quick view from my car of what appeared to be a tight flock of about 8 large, long-billed shorebirds in flight. The birds were moving fast about 30' above the fields heading westerly. Subject: GWCS and Re: Hermit Thrush From: Andrea Swingley <aswingley AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:13:25 -0800 Unless I was already asleep and dreaming of Hermit Thrushes... But I was definitely awake a few minutes ago when I saw a White-crowned Sparrow hopping around the yard. On Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 12:02 PM, Nancy DeWitt wrote: > > > Heard my first-of-year Hermit Thrush singing its lovely song this morning. > Sounds like Ms. A. Swingley heard one at her house last night. Another early > arrival, yes? > -- Andrea Swingley Off Miller Hill Road Fairbanks, Alaska aswingley AT gmail.com Subject: Rusty Blackbirds From: "sallyu" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:23:09 -0000 Saw 4 rusty blackbirds, 2 male, 2 female on the pond on the S. side of the AK Highway at MP1327.3. They were walking on the ice, along with a couple robins, pecking up something --- seeds? bugs? There was also a yellow-rumped warbler, singing. Sally and Tony Urvina, Tok Subject: Hermit Thrush From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:02:26 -0000 Heard my first-of-year Hermit Thrush singing its lovely song this morning. Sounds like Ms. A. Swingley heard one at her house last night. Another early arrival, yes? Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: Northern Harrier From: "Kesler" <kewoodward AT alaska.edu> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:58:38 -0000 Last evening, an adult male Northern Harrier flew in and perched for just a minute on one of several crooks holding bird feeders behind my house. (Terrified the redpolls, juncos, and chickadees, of course.) Seemed strange to me. I've seen many harriers around Fairbanks, but never seen one in the middle of the woods, much less the dense birch forest here on Chena Ridge. Subject: Bluebird; swallow From: "sallyu" <survina AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:02:31 -0000 Over the weekend we saw a brilliant mountain bluebird at MP 24 of the Taylor. There was also one Tree swallow on a telephone wire in Downtown Tok. Groups of 70-150 cranes overhead today. -- Sally and Tony Urvina, Tok Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska April 26 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:15:02 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: April 26, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Slate-Colored Junco Hammond's Flycatcher Yellow Warbler Swallow Species American Kestrel Yellow-Rumped Warbler American Tree Sparrow Varied Thrush Fox Sparrow American Robin Snow Bunting Greater White-Fronted Goose American Wigeon Canvasback Black-Billed Magpie Lapland Longspur Northern Shrike Herring Gull Red-Tailed Hawk Northern Harrier Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of April 26, 2010 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS singing on territories are well-established around town. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS were reported from a number of locations on April 25 including the Chatanika River at Elliot Bridge, and above Farmer's Loop Road. Also on the 25th a PEREGRINE FALCON and GYRFALCON were seen in the Rosy Creek area. A YELLOW WARBLER was seen on Lancaster Drive off of Farmer's Loop on April 24. An unidentified SWALLOW and an AMERICAN KESTREL were seen flying over Creamer's Refuge on April 23. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were first reported on April 21. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and a male VARIED THRUSH were seen behind the International Arctic Research Building on the UAF campus on April 20. Also on April 20, SANDHILL CRANES were seen at Creamer's Refuge for the first time this spring. Two FOX SPARROWS were seen at Moon Lake near Tok on April 19. Also on the 19th, an AMERICAN ROBIN and SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at Creamer's Refuge. The following birds were mixed in with the CANADA GEESE at Creamer's Refuge on April 17: TRUMPETER SWANS, 6 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, and 1 each CANVASBACK and AMERICAN WIGEON. Eight BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES were seen behind the airport near the Tanana River on April 16. A male LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen perched on a fence on the north side of the road about three miles out Chena Hot Springs Road on April 15. Also on the 15th, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen perched in a tree near the farmhouse at Creamer's Refuge, and three DARK-EYED JUNCOS were seen in the farm fields above the east side of Farmer's Loop Road. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was singing along the road to the farm house at Creamer's refuge on April 14. Three HERRING GULLS were in the front fields at the same time. A dark phase RED-TAILED ( or HARLANS HAWK) was seen soaring over the pasture on the north side of the road at 3 miles Chena Hot Springs Road on April 13. A NORTHERN HARRIER was seen flying over the western fields at Creamer's Refuge on April 13. Upcoming events include: The Spring Migration Celebration will take place at Creamer's Refuge on Saturday, May 1 from noon - 4:00 PM. There will be bird and wildlife viewing, informational booths, nature walks, and crafts. Activities will also take place at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Call 452-5162 for more information. Saturday, May 8: Waterfowl Identification with leader Dan McGauhey Saturday, May 15: Shorebird identification with leader Philip Martin Saturday, May 29 Songbird identification with leader Dave Shaw All participants on the May field trips will meet their trip leaders at 8:00 AM at the Creamer's Field barn parking lot. The contact number for all trips is Frank Keim, 451-9308 A Frog Walk will take place at Creamer's refuge on Sunday, May 9 from 1:00 - 3:00. Come dressed for the weather including mud boots. If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Fairbanks Alaska April 26 2010 From: Ken_Russell AT fws.gov Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:15:02 -0800 hotline: Fairbanks and Interior Alaska date: April 26, 2010 number: (907) 451-9213 to report: (907) 451-9213 coverage: Fairbanks and vicinity transcriber: Ken Russell Birds Mentioned Slate-Colored Junco Hammond's Flycatcher Yellow Warbler Swallow Species American Kestrel Yellow-Rumped Warbler American Tree Sparrow Varied Thrush Fox Sparrow American Robin Snow Bunting Greater White-Fronted Goose American Wigeon Canvasback Black-Billed Magpie Lapland Longspur Northern Shrike Herring Gull Red-Tailed Hawk Northern Harrier Welcome to the Birding Hotline for Interior Alaska as of April 26, 2010 SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS singing on territories are well-established around town. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS were reported from a number of locations on April 25 including the Chatanika River at Elliot Bridge, and above Farmer's Loop Road. Also on the 25th a PEREGRINE FALCON and GYRFALCON were seen in the Rosy Creek area. A YELLOW WARBLER was seen on Lancaster Drive off of Farmer's Loop on April 24. An unidentified SWALLOW and an AMERICAN KESTREL were seen flying over Creamer's Refuge on April 23. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were first reported on April 21. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and a male VARIED THRUSH were seen behind the International Arctic Research Building on the UAF campus on April 20. Also on April 20, SANDHILL CRANES were seen at Creamer's Refuge for the first time this spring. Two FOX SPARROWS were seen at Moon Lake near Tok on April 19. Also on the 19th, an AMERICAN ROBIN and SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at Creamer's Refuge. The following birds were mixed in with the CANADA GEESE at Creamer's Refuge on April 17: TRUMPETER SWANS, 6 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, and 1 each CANVASBACK and AMERICAN WIGEON. Eight BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES were seen behind the airport near the Tanana River on April 16. A male LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen perched on a fence on the north side of the road about three miles out Chena Hot Springs Road on April 15. Also on the 15th, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen perched in a tree near the farmhouse at Creamer's Refuge, and three DARK-EYED JUNCOS were seen in the farm fields above the east side of Farmer's Loop Road. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was singing along the road to the farm house at Creamer's refuge on April 14. Three HERRING GULLS were in the front fields at the same time. A dark phase RED-TAILED ( or HARLANS HAWK) was seen soaring over the pasture on the north side of the road at 3 miles Chena Hot Springs Road on April 13. A NORTHERN HARRIER was seen flying over the western fields at Creamer's Refuge on April 13. Upcoming events include: The Spring Migration Celebration will take place at Creamer's Refuge on Saturday, May 1 from noon - 4:00 PM. There will be bird and wildlife viewing, informational booths, nature walks, and crafts. Activities will also take place at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Call 452-5162 for more information. Saturday, May 8: Waterfowl Identification with leader Dan McGauhey Saturday, May 15: Shorebird identification with leader Philip Martin Saturday, May 29 Songbird identification with leader Dave Shaw All participants on the May field trips will meet their trip leaders at 8:00 AM at the Creamer's Field barn parking lot. The contact number for all trips is Frank Keim, 451-9308 A Frog Walk will take place at Creamer's refuge on Sunday, May 9 from 1:00 - 3:00. Come dressed for the weather including mud boots. If you'd like to become a member of Arctic Audubon Society, information is available at their web site: www.arcticaudubon.org . Thanks for calling the Birding Hot Line. -End Transcript Visit Arctic Audubon Society's website: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/. Site includes information on birding locations in Interior Alaska as well As a calendar of Arctic Audubon programs. Also visit Alaska Bird Observatory's website: http://www.alaskabird.org/ Directions to the sites mentioned in the report can found in A Birder's Guide to Alaska by George C. West; American Birding Association Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Fairbanks, Alaska Subject: Hammond's Flycatchers, Ruffed Grouse From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:11:07 -0000 Just heard 2 Hammond's Flycatchers while walking near our house. We have a Ruffed Grouse coming to eat seed under feeder every evening. Also saw a Ruffed Grouse from the Isabella Slough bridge at the Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary today. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: flycatcher at elliot bridge chatanika From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:44:28 -0000 Hammond's flycatcher, chatanika river at elliot bridge, 9:30am. -mdr Subject: Yellow Warbler From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:08:49 -0000 Heard and then saw a male Yellow Warbler in our yard off Lancaster Drive this morning. Seems like a very early arrival for this species. Even cooler is the least weasel that's darting around under our feeders right now. No bigger than a skinny vole that's been stretched out a few more inches. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks Subject: kestrel at creamer's From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:20:43 -0000 Kestrel, Friday April 23, ~10am. over front viewing lot. -mdr Subject: Swallow sp. creamer's front field From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:31:13 -0000 Swallow sp. 10am, thursday Aprill 22flying over creamer's east front field. sighting by Chis Harwood -mdr Subject: myrtle warbler at Creamer's From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:28:35 -0000 10am Thursday April 22 myrtle warbler singing in front parking lot. -mdr Subject: Tok area sightings Apr 21 From: Peter Keller <kellerp.l AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:39:52 -0800 This morning: Juncos, robins, redpolls, and kinglets everywhere Tanacross: 500+ Trumpeter swans flying over 1 Canada goose ~100 mallards 8 pintails 3 American wigeon grouse drumming Along the AK Highway: 2 Northern Harriers (female) Gravel pits just north of Tanacross: 3 Yellow-rumped warblers 5 American tree sparrows Tok Musher's Hall: 65 lapland longspurs Peter Keller Tok, AK Subject: a little king From: "mdr65n" <mdr65n AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:28:00 -0000 Ruby-crowned kinglet singing along college road viewing field. 10am -mdr Subject: Re: A Few Fairbanks Birds From: "Lila" <ltauzer AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:55:59 -0000 when i passed by last night ~7 PM, there were 5 Sandhill cranes, 4 trumpeter swams, 1 snow goose, even a robin singing away by kessel pond. --- In BorealBirder AT yahoogroups.com, "Nancy DeWitt" wrote: > > Jim saw four Sandhill Cranes at Creamer's Refuge this afternoon (plus a pair of Trumpeter Swans). > > I found a Black-billed Magpie nest off South Lathrop Street today. I'm sure they've been nesting there for at least three years but didn't find a nest until now. Lots of Tree Sparrows flitting around that area too. > > Nancy DeWitt > Fairbanks > Subject: A Few Fairbanks Birds From: "Nancy DeWitt" <arct1c_warbler AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:17:52 -0000 Jim saw four Sandhill Cranes at Creamer's Refuge this afternoon (plus a pair of Trumpeter Swans). I found a Black-billed Magpie nest off South Lathrop Street today. I'm sure they've been nesting there for at least three years but didn't find a nest until now. Lots of Tree Sparrows flitting around that area too. Nancy DeWitt Fairbanks