bird watching and recent sightings...

[Alaska Grandma]

The birds are on the way and I am getting out my field guide and dusting off the binoculars.

So far not much in the way of new arrivals but the local redpoles, cross bills, boreal chickadees and the resident jay family have sure been very active. The ravens too, and I bet they are sitting on eggs in a nest they always use about a mile upriver. Breakup season is slow to arrive North of the Yukon river and we have had cool temps, very little melting except a few feet along the river banks and no open water or rotting ice and not even much overflow yet. I guess until we get more open water and bare ground we won't see too many new birds around the river bend here.

But, yesterday we did get some excitement with the arrival of a pair of bald eagles. They were doing the locked talon ~ mating flight dance! Wow! Too bad we didn't get a picture but I hope we will get some shots soon to share.

What's all is happening with the birds in your area?
Grandma Lori

 

[Ak Bird Brain]

About a month ago I saw a short eared owl. The redpoles were out in force this weekend! Saw a few Geese and ducks in The marsh lands between Kenai & Soldotna and heard a couple of craines doing a fly by. Thats about it so far.

 

[Alaska Grandma]

here's a picture we took of the 3 raven chicks in the nest last year at the end of May. They were already pretty big!

 

[Alaska Grandma]

About a month ago I saw a short eared owl. The redpoles were out in force this weekend! Saw a few Geese and ducks in The marsh lands between Kenai & Soldotna and heard a couple of craines doing a fly by. Thats about it so far.

WOw you have a lot more happening there than we do so far. It's been a bumper year for redpoles and crossbills this winter. Usually they come and then they go throughout the winter, but this year they just hung around in enormous flocks all winter long. Then again it was a great spruce cone and birch seed summer so it makes sense. The squirrels are pretty happy with all the cones too.

 

[Alaska Grandma]

I've notice that the local boreal owl has stopped it's nightly hoot yodeling hoot hooting so I assume he found a mate.

 

[tailwind]

Swans in the marsh this weekend. That's always nice. Plenty of eagle, hawks, ducks and geese also.

 

[Ak Bird Brain]

I've notice that the local boreal owl has stopped it's nightly hoot yodeling hoot hooting so I assume he found a mate.

We've had a pair of Great horned owls hanging around the yard all winter keeping an eye on my wifes chickens. One in the front yard, one in the back calling back and forth all evening.

 

[Alaska Grandma]

Swans in the marsh this weekend. That's always nice. Plenty of eagle, hawks, ducks and geese also.

Cool, swans! Send some of those and the ducks and geese up north my way will ya... And I am sure the peregrines and the hawks will soon follow. Today is the 3rd day of 50. so maybe that open water and breakup will come sooner than I think.
Grandma Lori

 

[Alaska Grandma]

so far we have heard 1 duck and saw 3 geese. Just a little open edges on the river and overflow happening now. Guess it is enough.

 

[alaska4ever]

so far we have heard 1 duck and saw 3 geese. Just a little open edges on the river and overflow happening now. Guess it is enough.

Hi Lori, the swans and geese have been flying past my place for the last 4 days. My Blackcaps and Redpoles have been busy as ever. They are eating so much I had to order a 20lb container of food for them. My local squrrels have been trying to mug them for their food with no luck.

 

[Alaska Grandma]

Great pictures John! We have only the boreal chickadee's here; they seem to be grouping up and will soon leave to spend the summer further North. More waterfowl flying in every day now. And as of this morning there is some major water flowing down, on top of the river ice from the river headwaters. Big change since yesterday. The eagles are very active and such a pleasure to watch flying around hitting the thermals up high. I haven't spotted or heard any new song birds yet. That seems strange to me.

Love this time of year and all the changes spring brings!
Lori

 

[Alaska Grandma]

This time of year I slow way down on feeding the birds as there is now plenty of other good stuff out there in nature's bowl for their pickings. I pretty much stop when their babies hatch as I have had bad luck with the young ones not being too smart with the cat and the sled dogs before... They do need to learn what is good eating out there from their parents. They will be back at the bird feeder come fall when I fill it up again.

The jays haven't been around much lately anyways, I think they are sitting on a nest.

Lori

 

[alaska4ever]

This time of year I slow way down on feeding the birds as there is now plenty of other good stuff out there in nature's bowl for their pickings. I pretty much stop when their babies hatch as I have had bad luck with the young ones not being too smart with the cat and the sled dogs before... They do need to learn what is good eating out there from their parents. They will be back at the bird feeder come fall when I fill it up again.

The jays haven't been around much lately anyways, I think they are sitting on a nest.

Lori

I'ts really great to hear all the birds chirping away. Every morning I'm up at 5:30 sitting outside with my coffee listening to them. Hell of a life, EH? Sometimes I wonder if those poor folks on the road system who have to get up and go to work, envy us? LOL

 

[tailwind]

Couple pics today from a drive on the Kenai.

 

[Alaska Grandma]

Couple pics today from a drive on the Kenai.

Beautiful pictures! Woke up to the sounds of bird songs this morning...They are here finally. Thrushes, robins, various sparrows too. Really nice!

 

[Ak Bird Brain]

Saw my first Robins of the year!

 

[Old John]

Saw my first Robins of the year!

Me too... they seem to be running a little later this year... Looks like a pair of chickadee's have taken over my swallows bird house..
Last year I watched a woodpecker take several days to chip out a new home in a dead birch tree, but before they could move in a pair of nuthatches set up housekeeping.. Hope they come back...

 

[Alaska Grandma]

The eagles seemed to arrive on time this year, but I also agree that the song bird migration is a little late. Then again the past 2 years we were much warmer earlier and had a lot less snow on the ground so maybe we were just spoiled.

Those robins sure have a pretty tune!

I saw a squirrel check the vacant Common Flicker woodpecker nest last week so not sure if they have taken it over or were just investigating. The flickers are noisy, they sound like something that belongs in a jungle but I do love them nesting right here in a tall tree right in the yard! They won't be here for another week or two I'm thinking...right about the time we green up.

Sure love this time of year!
Lori

 

[jkb]

I've seen a bunch of sandhill cranes this year never seen them in big lake before spring or fall. Our neighborhood eagle has moved on. Lots of chickadees.

 

[Old John]

I've seen a bunch of sandhill cranes this year never seen them in big lake before spring or fall. Our neighborhood eagle has moved on. Lots of chickadees.

Have a pair of sandhill cranes that nest near a little tundra pond out by my cabin off the yentna... when i get close the male gets between me and the female on the nest and is constantly chattering away... I don't know if he's telling me to bugger off, or if he's assuring the female he has everything under control.. I don't want to upset them so I always back off ...