***TRIPS/Events
December 20th–Homer Christmas Bird Count (all day)
Coordinator/Compiler: Dave Erikson. Further information coming shortly!
***TRIP REPORTS
Owling at the Homer Reservoir: 10-11-25
Our annual OWL-ing field trip took place on 11 October (yes, I
procrastinated on reporting!) at 8:00pm, at Homer Reservoir. A couple of
us got there a bit early and were greeted by a Great Horned Owl calling
in the distance. Eventually we were joined by three more intrepid
birders. However a very light mist built to an actual light rain in the
next 30 minutes. We called all three expected owl calls and got no
response. Owls do not fly in the rain because their feathers are not
waterproof, so likely reason.
After 30 minutes of hearing nothing, getting wet and common sense
prevailing, we gave it up.
Next year!
Gary Lyon
procrastinated on reporting!) at 8:00pm, at Homer Reservoir. A couple of
us got there a bit early and were greeted by a Great Horned Owl calling
in the distance. Eventually we were joined by three more intrepid
birders. However a very light mist built to an actual light rain in the
next 30 minutes. We called all three expected owl calls and got no
response. Owls do not fly in the rain because their feathers are not
waterproof, so likely reason.
After 30 minutes of hearing nothing, getting wet and common sense
prevailing, we gave it up.
Next year!
Gary Lyon
Seaside Farm Trip Report: 9-20-25
Bird Walk Results–from Dave Erikson
Last Saturday morning, September 20th , the Kachemak Bay Birders sponsored its
monthly bird walk at Mossy Kilcher’s Seaside Farm, located approximately Mile 5 East
End Road in Homer. Seaside Farm is one of the unique birding hotspots in the Homer
area. Open fields and extensive landscaping create a great place to find passerines and
other land birds. Access to the tidal flats of Kachemak Bay also makes it a great place
to look for marine-oriented birds.
Birders met at 8:00 AM, just after sunrise. Fog, light rain and low light levels made for
poor visibility around the farm, but a few birds were located in the trees and shrubs after
it got a little lighter. However, most bird activity was found near some of the many bird
feeders on the farm.
A trip down to the shoreline of Kachemak Bay yielded a few additional species. The tide
was low, so extensive mudflats were exposed in front of the bluff. Mallards were
observed feeding at the water’s edge and flying low over the flats. Bald eagles were
seen perching on boulders along the outer limits of the flats. Song sparrows were found
in the beach grass at the edge of bluff. Fox sparrows were seen and head in the mixed
forest and shrub habitats on the path down to the beach.
Last Saturday morning, September 20th , the Kachemak Bay Birders sponsored its
monthly bird walk at Mossy Kilcher’s Seaside Farm, located approximately Mile 5 East
End Road in Homer. Seaside Farm is one of the unique birding hotspots in the Homer
area. Open fields and extensive landscaping create a great place to find passerines and
other land birds. Access to the tidal flats of Kachemak Bay also makes it a great place
to look for marine-oriented birds.
Birders met at 8:00 AM, just after sunrise. Fog, light rain and low light levels made for
poor visibility around the farm, but a few birds were located in the trees and shrubs after
it got a little lighter. However, most bird activity was found near some of the many bird
feeders on the farm.
A trip down to the shoreline of Kachemak Bay yielded a few additional species. The tide
was low, so extensive mudflats were exposed in front of the bluff. Mallards were
observed feeding at the water’s edge and flying low over the flats. Bald eagles were
seen perching on boulders along the outer limits of the flats. Song sparrows were found
in the beach grass at the edge of bluff. Fox sparrows were seen and head in the mixed
forest and shrub habitats on the path down to the beach.
A total of ten species were documented during the two-hour walk:
Mallard – 200+
Bald eagle – 4
Black-capped chickadee – 3
Ruby-crowned kinglet – 3
Fox sparrow – 2
Dark- eyed junco – 1
Golden-crowned sparrow – 2
Song sparrow – 3
Orange-crowned warbler – 1
Yellow warbler – 1
A big thanks to Mossy Kilcher for leading the trip! It Was A Great Day To Bird!!
Fish Line Cleanup Report: 9-6-25
The fish line cleanup crew on Saturday numbered about a dozen folks–some birders and some other folks who had heard about it and wanted to help. For the first time in the eight years we’ve been doing this it was fairly warm, even only minimal breeze and no rain. It was A Great Day to Pick Up Fish Line!!
A big thanks to Michelle Michaud who led this year, noting that she began these cleanups eight years ago after seeing how much fish line accumulates each summer. Note: we are working with CACS and hope to put up educational signage near the existing receptacle (looks like a white periscope) and to replace the one between Land’s End and the Ferry Dock which disappeared a couple years ago (with signage there also).
Good all this still isn’t still out there with the birds!
September 24th Presentation by Bruce Lyon: Gray-crowned Rosy Finch Study on the Pribilofs.