The Raven
The mission of Juneau Audubon Society is to conserve the
natural ecosystems of Southeast Alaska, focusing on birds,
other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit and enjoyment http://www.juneau-audubon-society.org
of current and future generations.
Volume 34, Number 7 Juneau Audubon Society March 2008
Juneau Audubon Public Nature Series
Thursday, March 13, UAS Egan Room 221/222 7:00 p.m.
BIRDING SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is the most "developed" country in Africa but has managed to conserve well managed
large national parks which provide outstanding birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Some of
the unique habitats found in South Africa support a variety of plant and wildlife species found
nowhere else in the world. Bev Agler and Paul Suchanek recently spent a month touring South
Africa and observed nearly 400 species of birds and over 50 species of mammals. Join them for an
exploration of some of these habitats and the wildlife ranging from penguins to parrots and whales
to wildebeests.
TRUMPETER SWAN SOCIETY CONFERENCE AND THE SWAN
FESTIVAL --WHITEHORSE, CANADA -- APRIL 17-19, 2008
Whitehorse in April is a great experience. Nice paths on the bank of
the mighty Yukon River a few steps from hotels, with flocks of
migrating trumpeters and tundras overhead during the rapidly-
increasing hours of daylight, will provide an unforgettable
experience.
There are many possibilities for excursions including Skagway,
Haines, Kluane National Park, dog-mushing, cross-country skiing
and more! For information, check out Yukon Tourism at
www.travelyukon.com or the City of Whitehorse visitor information
at www.visitwhitehorse.com. For those interested in wildlife
viewing, visit www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/viewing.
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KODIAK HUMMINGBIRDS
Below is an interesting article from Kodiak on hummingbirds that have reached Kodiak.in the recent
past. In southeast Alaska we have plenty of Rufous Hummingbirds from early spring through the
summer. And they are coming! Gus Van Vliet suggested to check out the following web site on the
timing of the migration north of some North American birds including our Rufous Hummingbird.
www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Maps.html and
www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/current.html?layers=hbird_rufous for Rufous.
We also do occasionally get Anna’s Hummingbird in the fall and we have had a single instance of a
Costa’s Hummingbird. (Information from Gus). A great example of this was this past fall when
Patty Rose diligently kept a hummingbird feeder clean and filled right into November. One might
first think that such behavior was bizarre, but in fact she was rewarded with a beautiful male Anna’s
Hummingbird in mid November! It stayed for several days. Its eventual probable fate can be
gleaned from Rich MacIntosh’s primer regarding hummers that reach Kodiak.
A Kodiak Hummingbird Primer (2006) -- by Rich MacIntosh, Kodiak Audubon - Bird Sightings
Chair
Ah....where to begin? While we (Kodiak) are at the absolute fringes of hummingbird distribution in
North America, hummingbirds are reported here almost every fall (and very rarely in
spring/summer). The vast majority of these hummers are Rufous Hummingbirds that stray
southwest from breeding populations as near to us a Prince William Sound and Girdwood. Rufous
Hummingbird is the only hummer that breeds in Alaska. Just about all hummers seen in Kodiak are
immature birds, with negligible migration experience under their belts. What this means is that the
easier to identify adult male hummingbirds with the bright red or purple throats (gorgets) are seldom
seen here. Rufous Hummingbirds in any plumage are relatively easy to distinguish from other
species that might occur here, because they are the only ones with rich buffy-orange on the under
parts and in the tail. These colors are fairly easy to see as a bird hovers or sits on a perch.
Hummingbirds that are not Rufous Hummingbirds are reported less than annually on Kodiak, and
almost all of them go unidentified to species. For the purposes of this discussion, I will collectively
call these birds green hummers, as they are green above and pale gray below, with very little or no
buffy-orange on the under parts and tail. To get an idea of what these green hummers might be, I
will list the green species that have been documented in the State of Alaska (although an entirely
new species could occur):
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - There are two or three records of this eastern US hummer in the state.
Anna’s Hummingbird - Although it breeds only as far north as southern British Columbia, a few
wander north in the fall to southeastern Alaska, and it has even occurred as close to us as Homer.
Virtually all hummingbirds at southeastern Alaska feeders in fall/winter are Anna’s.
Costa’s Hummingbird - Although it is a resident of the southwestern deserts of the US, Costa’s has
strayed to Alaska about eight times including two times to Kodiak! This, then, is the only hummer
on the Kodiak bird list other than the Rufous Hummingbird. Both Kodiak occurrences were well
documented by photographs. The first occurrence (an immature male with a partially purple gorget)
was in Shari and Jack Doyles’s yard in Bells Flats in September of 2003. The second is a bird that
was in the Deedie and Jim Pearson yard since 26 August (this Kodiak primer was published in 2006)
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and at the time of the newsletter was still coming to the feeder there.
The next green hummer in Kodiak will probably be one of these three species. Because they are
difficult to identify, it is very important that any green hummingbird, or in fact any hummingbird, be
videotaped or photographed. We are overdue for Anna’s Hummingbird in Kodiak. Maybe you will
photograph the first one!
Your best chance of luring hummingbirds to your Kodiak yard is to plant lots of nasturtiums and
other flowers like petunias and fuschias that bloom into fall. The vast majority of Kodiak hummers
are seen at nasturtiums. Few people go to the trouble of putting up hummingbird feeders here, but as
the Pearson’s case shows, a feeder placed next to blooming flowers can attract and hold a
hummingbird in a yard after the flowers are gone. This brings up an interesting question about the
fate of Kodiak hummingbirds and the advisability of feeding them. It is my opinion that any
hummingbird that makes it to Kodiak is doomed. Most of them arrive here in very late August or
September, when natural sources of nectar are scarce. This is why they are almost always seen in
ornamental flower gardens. For a bird to reverse course, and fly back across the ocean in the
direction from which it came, and find adequate food along the way, seems highly unlikely. So I
say, if you mange to lure a hummingbird to your yard by whatever means, keep it there as long as
you can, enjoy its beauty, and marvel at its ability to have gotten here in the first place!
Thanks to Rich MacIntosh of Kodiak for this article and to Gus VanVliet for his fact checking, and
the Juneau hummer info. Jeff Sauer
WRANGELL BIRD WATCH By Bonnie Demerjian
Common redpolls irrupted in Wrangell in mid February. They were first reported on February 7
when an individual redpoll perched on the observer’s young granddaughter. It appeared at a feeder
along with a flock of Chestnut-backed chickadees. By the following week (2/11) several flocks of
40 or more were reported. It’s always a treat to see a single Common redpoll here usually lurking
among Pine siskins, so seeing this unusual irruption has been a welcome addition to our usual
winter residents.
Also of interest and spotted during the Great Backyard Bird Count (2/15) were a small flock of 18
Black turnstones, along with 3 Killdeer.
Individual White-crowned, Harris’, White-throated and Golden-crowned sparrows have
continued to visit local feeders all month.
Red-breasted sapsuckers were reported by two observers in different locations on 2/6 and 2/8. It
seems early for them but we aren’t complaining.
Earl Benitz on the Stikine flats has been carrying on a conversation with two Great Horned Owls
that are hooting around his cabin. He says they have not appeared to settle on a nest site yet though
they have nested nearby several years in the past.
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JUNEAU BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY By Paul Suchanek
Cold weather limited birding effort in early February but much milder weather over the weekend of
the 15th through 18th provided birders a great opportunity to participate in the Great Backyard Bird
Count (GBBC). Although not all GBBC checklists may yet be in, birders in the Juneau (including
Auke Bay) area turned in about 50 checklists and reported about 60 species. The checklists
documented well an invasion of redpolls and siskins which has built up through the winter in Juneau.
Common Redpoll was the most often reported species with a tally of over 1,800, while about 1,700
Pine Siskins were reported (by contrast, in 2007 only two siskins were reported in Juneau). You can
look more closely at the results for Juneau, Alaska, or the entire nation at:
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Continued overwintering of a few American Robins, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Eurasian Wigeons,
Rusty Blackbirds, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Western Grebe (Auke Bay GBBC), and a Varied Thrush
were also reported on the GBBC or Eaglechat. A few Hoary Redpolls were also reported on the
GBBC. In a large flock of Mallards near the mouth of Fish Creek on February 8, I managed to spot
a hybrid Mallard X Northern Pintail male. A “new” extremely rare overwinterer (or early migrant?)
reported during February was a Red-breasted Sapsucker at a feeder in Auke Bay from February 5-
10 (Mark Schwan). This species is often one of the earliest migrants back to the Juneau area but
normally first show up about mid-March. After an often cold and snowy winter, I’m sure Juneau
birders will be looking forward to those first March migrants, a sure sign of spring.
HAINES REPORT – Georgia Giacobbe
According to the online reporting of February 23, there were fewer birders participating in the Great
Backyard Bird Count than there were for the Christmas Bird Count. But some, like myself, were
able to participate from the comfort of my own home by watching the birds in my yard that we feed.
The results so far are Trumpeter Swan, 5; Common Goldeneye, 12; Bald Eagle, 19; Black-billed
Magpie, 10;, Northwestern Crow, 6; Common Raven, 32; American Dipper, 1; Pine Grossbeak, 35;
Common Redpoll, 6; Stellar’s Jay, 5; Song Sparrow, 65; and Dark Eyed Junco, 1. Out of the 10
checklists reported, 8 of the 10 had crows and 7 of 10 had eagles, no surprise for here.
Although not reported in the GBBC, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was observed in the Muncaster Rd area
of Haines. On the 22nd out at Lutak Inlet near the ferry terminal, the inlet was so flat and calm that
half a dozen Red-breasted Merganzers, several Buffleheads and Goldeneyes were swimming
through. Three Stellar Sea Lions also made an appearance. On a drive up the highway on February
23, however, I saw 6 Trumpeter Swan—a pair at 16 mile, pair at 17 mile, and a pair at 19 in the
Chilkat River. There were a few ducks, and the solitary local eagles more like sentinels in the trees
every few miles along the road. Haines has had a bit of a February thaw—most are looking forward
to an early arrival of spring birds.
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KETCHIKAN REPORT FOR FEBRUARY-By Teri Goucher
Our island enjoyed a few days this month that hinted of the arrival of Spring although several
storms left between 3 and 10 inches of snow at sea level as winter persisted.
A pair of Wood Ducks showed up at a home north of town for a few days to snack on some bird
seed and a lone female wood duck was seen pursuing a more natural diet at Knudson Cove.
A couple of American Tree Sparrows were spotted on opposite ends of our road system! A White-
throated Sparrow and a Harris's Sparrow have remained wintering here in the same areas all
season. Normally the 'red' or 'taiga' Fox Sparrow is found in more inland areas than our common
'sooty' or Pacific race, but a few sightings have occurred here this winter.
Amazingly the female Anna's Hummingbird continues to endure our rather harsh winter with the
help of a well supplied nectar feeder!
Quite a few large flocks of nomadic Pine Siskins have finally made their winter appearance here
recently. Most people are familiar with these busy, delightfully noisy brown streaked birds that
flash the yellow patches in their wings and tails as they quickly move about. Siskins have a much
thinner bill than most finches and eat mostly seeds and are particularly attracted to thistle seed
feeders. They seek their mates in the winter flocks of sometime hundreds of birds when courtship
begins in January and February. So listen for the buzzy chatter of siskins the next time you're outside
on a quiet winter day and know that indeed Spring is on the way!
GUSTAVUS SIGHTINGS
January 31 - February 23, 2008
Gustavus came up with only 58 species during this
year's Great Backyard Bird Count. Bad weather
and low participation meant that some species were
missed during the count. (The current online total
for Gustavus shows 59 species tallied, but Black-
capped Chickadee will be removed and added to the
Chestnut-backed Chickadee number.) The only
rarity seen during the count was the Brambling,
which continues to come to a feeder in town.
Great Horned Owls continued to be heard in
several areas through the month. Single Short-
eared Owls were seen over beach grasslands on a
handful of dates. One Snowy Owl was seen on 2/3
east of town along the base of Excursion Ridge. A Brambling – Photo by Nat Drumheller
Northern Pygmy-Owl was in town on 2/17.
Northern Saw-whet Owls began hooting on 2/18 and had been heard at three locations by 2/19.
Two saw-whet owls were heard vocalizing near a residence in town on 2/22, and one owl was
observed via a nest-cam inside a nest box at that location on 2/23. The Northern Flicker showing
traits of red-shafted and yellow-shafted varieties continued to be seen at feeders through the period.
Two White-crowned Sparrows continued to frequent a feeder in town. Two American Robins
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were in town on 2/22. A Horned Lark seen
regularly along the beach was last seen on 2/3.
Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll numbers
increased during the second half of February with
flocks of each species being seen regularly. On the
afternoon of 2/18, a Northern Shrike was singing
along the beach east of town, making this the third
GBBC during which I have witnessed a shrike
singing.
Thanks to Nate Borson, Jim Martell, Phoebe
Vanselow, and Julie Vathke for sharing
observations. By Nat Drumheller.
[email protected]BOOK RIVIEW By Mary Lou King
GARDENING IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA By members and friends of the Juneau Garden Club
This 230 page 3rd edition book (revised in 2008), is outstanding. New to this edition are 150
beautiful photos of flowers, vegetables and gardens of all varieties. Approximately 30 gardeners
(many of them new in this edition) from northern to southern Southeast, contributed their knowledge
of successful gardening.
Thanks to the hard work of many Garden Club Members and all the contributors, everything you
could ever want to know about the what, why, where, when, and how to garden in Southeast Alaska
can be found in this book. I am sure your favorite book store can get this book for you if they do not
already have it in their store. Retail sales distributions are handled by Todd Communications in
Juneau; contact James Brawley, 586-8633.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMIT APPLICATIONS – to see full permits go to:
http://www.poa.usace.army.mil/reg/PNNew.htm
JUNEAU
Gasineau Channel off Crazy Horse Drive – POA-2007-1705-4. John an Sharon Mallinger's
purpose is to provide secure and convenient boat storage facilities (boat condominiums) for private
ownership with 11 buildings with 10 units each. They propose to fill 3.92 acres of waters of the
United States, including wetlands and .59 acres below high tide line. Juneau Audubon is
concerned about this proposal in an area that drains into the Mendenhall Refuge – comments
will be submitted to the Corps.
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Berners Bay – POA-2008-52. Expiration Date March 5. Channel Construction, Inc. proposes to
construct a commercial barge ramp "to allow the export of construction materials from nearby sites
to other locations in SE Alaska."
Update on Cascade Point in Berners Bay by Rob Cadmus, SEACC -- Located on the southern
end of Berners Bay, Cascade Point is near an important spawning area for Lynn Canal Herring.
Herring are a vital food source to salmon, whales, sea lions, birds, and more. Coeur Alaska has
changed its plans for accessing the Kensington Mine and will be using an existing marine terminal
near Yankee Cove rather than developing Cascade Point. This is good news for Berners Bay, but
Goldbelt Corporation, the owners of Cascade Point, has new plans. Permit applications have been
submitted for a barge loading ramp (placing 2,000 cubic yards of shot rock below the high tide line,
on top of what is already there) at Cascade Point to transport rock, fill, and construction material for
the proposed Juneau Road extension and other developments. With a mine, road, and marine
terminals being proposed or built in Berners Bay concerns about the cumulative impacts these
developments will have on the area’s spectacular resources are growing. The Army Corps of
Engineers will be taking comment on the proposed Cascade Point loading ramp until March 5th,
2008. Go to http://www.poa.usace.army.mil/reg/PNNew.htm to see the full Corps
Permit Application.
KETCHIKAN
George Inlet—POA-2007-1717-2. Expiration Date March 20. Oceans Alaska proposes to build a
marine research facility and aquarium. They propose filling 1.36 acres of wetlands and .22 acres of
intertidal lands.
Ward Cove – POA-2008-43-2. Expiration Date March 19. Power Systems and Supplies Alaska
proposes to build a storage and transfer facility for shipping of materials to remote locations,
utilizing landing craft. They propose to fill.22 acre below high tide with shot rock and riprap.
Tongass Narrows – POA-2008-103-1. Bertha Hussman proposes to build a private recreational
dock.
Herring Bay – POA-2008-101-1. Andy Rauwolf proposes building a private dock at their
residence.
Vice-President:Mark Schwan,
[email protected]Secretary: Patty Rose,
[email protected]Treasurer: Matt Kirchhoff,
[email protected]Programs: Brenda Wright, 789-4656,
[email protected]Membership: Brien Daugherty,
[email protected]Education: Beth Peluso,
[email protected]Conservation: Meg Cartwright, 364-2258
[email protected]Field Trips: Anastasia Lynch,
[email protected]Raven Editor: Mary Lou King, 789-7540,
[email protected]Public Market: Ellen Anderson, 789-1412,
[email protected]Web Master: George Utermohle,
[email protected] 7
National Audubon Society Membership Application
For first time members or renewals to the National Audubon Society, please mail this form to:
National Audubon Society, Membership Data Center, PO Box 51001, Boulder, CO 80322-1001.
You will receive the National Audubon Magazine plus Juneau Chapter newsletter The Raven.
$20 (1-year introductory rate) _____; $15 (1-year student/senior rate) _____
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If you prefer to support Juneau Audubon Society only, please complete the form above and send $10
(1-year membership) to: Juneau Audubon Society, Membership Chair, PO Box 21725, Juneau, AK
99802. You will receive the Juneau Chapter news letter The Raven.
***Please consider getting The Raven by e-mail instead of snail mail to save paper, time, and
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