3/13 to 3/21/2025 ALASKA! We took a trip to Alaska, hoping to see the Emperor Goose flocks that winter at Kodiak Island and the McKay’s Bunting flocks that winter in Nome. (Translate the latter to: find little white bird on white snow in minus 14 degrees!) For us wimpy Floridians, Alaska is cold in March, but apparently the hardy Alaskans thought they were having a mild season. We actually did have great weather (every flight was on time in a place where one can be stranded for days by blizzards) and had an amazing time seeing these birds and more!
GOING BACK IN TIME….
3/21/2025 Anchorage, AK: Our last day! A Bohemian Waxwing flock was glorious at the water’s edge. Also: American Dipper pair, Boreal Chickadee , Common Raven , and Mallard individuals in great light.
3/19 to 3/20/2025 Nome, Alaska: A bit cold for us (-14 at times)! But the McKay’s Bunting flocks were there. We scattered some food so we could really study them.
3/19 to 3/20/25 Nome, AK: Then, we headed out on the icy roads to see Willow Ptarmigan flocks roaming the snowy landscape. While we didn’t get very close (and the camera was acting up – probably the cold?), they were amazing to see in their winter plumage!
3/15 to 3/17/2025 Kodiak Island, AK: We found more Emperor Goose flocks. They were very skittish when the eagles soared by. Also: Long-tailed Duck (m,f), Northern Shrike , Pigeon Guillemot in molt, Red-breasted Merganser (m), Black Oystercatcher , Common Goldeneye (juv.m), Common Raven , and Trumpeter Swan . Had to give a little Sea Otter star status! He was so much fun to watch as he rolled and dove in the water, eating mostly clams.
3/15 to 3/17/2025 Kodiak Island, AK: We found Emperor Goose flocks feeding along the shoreline and lots of Bald Eagles as well. Also: Black-legged Kittiwake , American Crow , Pelagic Cormorant , Short-billed Gull , Glaucous-winged Gull and Red-necked Grebe .
3/15/2025 Anchorage and Kodiak Island, AK: Common Merganser (f), then on Kodiak: Glaucous-winged Gull , Harlequin Duck (m), Emperor Goose , Red-necked Grebe , and a Short-billed Gull study.
3/13/2025 Anchorage, AK: We had a day in Anchorage before we flew to Kodiak so of course we birded: Black-billed Magpie , Common Merganser (m), Common Raven interacting , European Starling , Mallard , and Hairy Woodpecker.
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