Bird Rhythms – April 2019

Kachemak Bay Birder, Dale Chorman talks about the more often heard, than seen bird – the Varied Thrush.  This bird’s call is unforgettable and is generally one of the first birds heard in the spring. 

Have you ever seen a murmuration?  This is a coordinated flocking mechanism used by birds where all they take off at once and fly in waves through the air.  Why the birds perform this behavior is not readily known.  Is it due to avoidance of a predator, like a Merlin or Peregrine Falcon?  In early May when the shorebirds return to Homer, they perform murmurations, sometimes so often you wonder when they actually feed.  

Bird Rhythms – February 2019

Kachemak Bay Birder Carol Harding, highlights the February Bird of the Month – Rock Sandpiper.  This hardy bird winters in Homer, and can be found roosting at high tide at the Homer Small Boat Harbor.  Carol also describes two different processes found in birds:  “irruptive” and “leucistic”.  The “irruptive” process, occurs where birds, not readily seen in the Homer area during the winter, appear in great numbers, such as the increase in the number of Red Crossbills this winter and last.  A “leucistic” bird is one that has white feathers, whole or in part.  These birds are not albinos, as they lack the red eye.  Listen to Carol as she explains these fascinating aspects of bird life. 

Bird Rhythms – November

Kachemak Bay Birder, B.J. Hitchcock, talks this month about bird food and feeders.  She describes the various types of food you can put out to attract birds to your feeders, including sunflower seeds, nyjer, and suet.  And remember, feed birds only during the winter months so you don’t unnecessarily attract other wildlife, like bears.

Bird Rhythms – August 2018

Our August Bird Rhythms presentation on KBBI features the Marbled Murrelet – our Bird of the Month, plus Louise Ashmun what to do if you find a bird with a deformed beak or an injured bird (see our “Home” page for who to contact).  The presentation also addresses what to do for our safety as we live in bear country – alternatives to feeding birds year-round.

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