Author: sodergren

2023 Christmas Bird Count

Homer 2023 Christmas Bird Count Results
Coordinator/Compiler: Dave Erikson derikson@alaska.net; 907 441-7931. 

On the morning of December 16, “Count Day”, twenty-nine resolute volunteers in eleven field teams
and nine individual feeder-watchers were on a mission to see how many birds could be spotted within
the Homer CBC Count Circle, a 15-mile diameter circle centered at the base of the Homer Spit. By the
end of the day, a total of seventy-two species and 22,352 individuals were tallied by the groups. Seven
additional species were documented during the three days preceding and following the count, referred to
as “Count Week.”

Highlights of this year’s count included the dramatc increase in number of finches, primarily the white-
winged crossbills, which have invaded our area. Other species of finches in these large mixed flocks included the red crossbill, pine grosbeak, common redpoll, and pine siskin. These finches made up over
half of all the birds seen on count day. Individual flocks of over a thousand finches were spotted flying
above the spruce forests of west Homer. These species are referred to as “irruptive” in that they will
undergo mass movements outside their normal range following periods of food shortage in search of
areas with abundant food supplies. This year’s heavy spruce cone crop on the Kenai Peninsula has
attracted large numbers of these irruptive bird species.

The white-winged crossbill number of 5,211 was an all-time high for the count, but an additional 5,482
birds were recorded by field teams as unidentified crossbills or unidentified finches in the largest
foraging flocks, so the likely number of these white-winged crossbills is even greater. Red crossbills (15)
made up a small portion of the flocks.

In addition to our resident finch species, we documented the occurrence of three finches not usually
found in this part of North America. These include the purple finch (2), previously seen on two counts
and two new finch species to the Homer count; the Cassin’s finch (3) and evening grosbeak (count
week). Local birders sighted Cassin’s finch at feeders earlier this winter, and we were fortunate to also
get them on count day. A single evening grosbeak was seen by birders before and after the count during
count week, but it was unfortunately missed on count day. Not only is this bird the first for the Homer
CBC, but the first for the Kenai Peninsula.

The white-throated sparrow (2), a winter resident along the west coast from Washington to Southern
California, has become a more regular winter variant here in Homer. This sparrow has now been
recorded on seven of the last eight of our CBCs.

Other notable bird numbers on this year’s count were the high count for the greater scaup (3,294). A
regular winter resident in Kachemak Bay, the number recorded this year was a record for the Homer
CBC. Lesser scaup were recorded during count week and often occur in small numbers with greater
scaup in these large flocks of greater scaup.

Total bald eagle numbers (131) on this year’s count were consistent with counts over the last decade.
Following the cessation of supplemental feeding of eagles in 2010, bald eagle numbers during this time
of year seem to have stabilized.

Two interesting count week species this year were Anna’s hummingbird and the great gray owl, both rare
in the Homer area during most winters. Anna’s hummingbird is becoming a regular on recent counts. The
great gray owls have only been recorded on one previous Homer CBC.

I would like to thank all the volunteers, both on the field teams and at feeders, for the success of this
year’s count. People who brought the snacks and made the coffee in the morning of the count are also
very much appreciated, as are those who helped with this year’s Winter Bird ID class. I would also like to
express my appreciation to our sponsors, the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge and Kachemak Bay
Birders.

 
 
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Christmas Bird Count 2023

Once again, it’s time to start planning for the annual Homer Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023. This year’s count will be conducted in similar manner as those pre-COVID-19. Masks are encouraged. Coordinator/compiler is Dave Erikson (derikson@alaska.net; 907 441-7931).

Count Circle: The area used for the CBC is a 15-mile diameter circle centered in at the base of the Homer Spit. The eastern boundary is near Fritz Creek on East End Road and the western boundary is near Virginia Avenue on the Sterling. Southern boundary is in offshore Kachemak Bay. The northern boundary is in the roadless area of Anchor River Drainage.

Count Day: Count Day will start with a pre-count meeting at 8:30 AM at the islands and Ocean (I&O) Visitor Center. Hot drinks, such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available along with and breakfast snacks. Following a short meeting, count area teams will head out to the respective count areas at 9:00 AM. Teams will methodically survey their areas and count all bird species seen or heard and numbers of individuals until 4:30 PM. Owling can also occur during the hours of darkness on count day. Following the cutoff period for daylight counting, all volunteers will meet back at the I&O Visitor Center to discuss the results of the count and tally the number of species observed.  A potluck is planned. The potluck has been cancelled, but hot drinks and snacks will be available.

Count Week: Three days before and three days after the count day (December 13-15 and 17- 19) is referred to as Count Week. Any bird species (no numbers) seen or heard by count participants within the Count Circle area during these time periods needs to be recorded and reported to the compiler as “count week” species.

Count Area Teams: interested team members can contact team leaders directly (contact information posted soon).  Also you can join a team at the morning gathering at 8:30 at I.O. Counters must fill out a Rare Bird Form for any species not listed on the Homer CBC checklist. If possible, include photos of any rare birds.

Count Data: All count data should be recorded either on an eBird Checklist and shared with Dave Erikson (eBird ID: Derikson48a) or on our regular Homer CBC checklist field form and emailed to the compiler, Dave Erikson (derikson@alaska.net; 907 441-7931).

Feeder Watchers: On Count Day, feeder watchers should record the species of bird, maximum numbers of each species at the feeder at a specific time, and the amount of time spent observing the feeder. Results should be submitted to the Feeder Watcher Coordinator, (Kathy Eagle; katheagle@gmail.com; 907 232-3789).

*CBC DOCUMENTS, MAPS AND FORMS

We have been very fortunate to have many dedicated birders in Homer who have repeatedly volunteered their time and resources to make the Homer CBC a success over the past 50 years and I’m confident, with everyone’s help, we can get a good count again this year.

Thank you for your continuing support

– Dave Erikson, Homer CBC Compiler

2022 Christmas Bird Count

Homer’s CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT RESULTS 2022

(12-17-22)

The number of species on Count Day was 67, with an additional 7 species seen during count week. The total number, 7,672, was down this year primarily due to the ice accumulation along the northern shoreline of the inner bay, which generally keeps the mallards on the south side of the bay. ROCK SANDPIPERS, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and GREATER SCAUP were the most numerous birds. Fourteen species were represented by only one individual.   We didn’t break any records for number of an individual species, but we did tie the record for dark-eyed juncos at 221.

Highlights of this year’s count included: ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, CEDAR WAXWING, ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, HAWK OWL, PEREGRINE FALCON, NORTHERN HARRIER, LINCOLN’S SPARROW and TREE SPARROW. Count Week highlights were BRAMBLING, CANVASBACK and SHORT-EARED OWL.  

Thanks to all our volunteers: everyone who helped count (including Feederwatchers); folks who brought food; Dave Erikson the Coordinator/Compiler and Jim Herbert; plus Kathy Eagle, the Feederwatchers Coordinator.  A big thanks also goes to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for the use of the I.O. Visitor Center and to Lora Haller and other staff for all their help.

It was A Great Day To Bird!

Christmas Bird Count 2022

Once again, it’s time to start planning for the annual Homer Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022. This year’s count will be conducted in similar manner as those pre-COVID-19 years due to the decline in number of COVID-19 cases in our area. Masks are optional depending on personal preference.

Count Circle: The area used for the CBC is a 15-mile diameter circle centered in at the base of the Homer Spit. The eastern boundary is near Fritz Creek on East End Road and the western boundary is near Virginia Avenue on the Sterling. Southern boundary is in offshore Kachemak Bay. The northern boundary is in the roadless area of Anchor River Drainage.

Count Day: Count Day will start with a pre-count meeting at 8:30 AM at the islands and Ocean (I&O) Visitor Center. Hot drinks, such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available along with and breakfast snacks. Following a short meeting, count area teams will head out to the respective count areas at 9:00 AM. Teams will methodically survey their areas and count all bird species seen or heard and numbers of individuals until 4:30 PM. Owling can also occur during the hours of darkness on count day. Following the cutoff period for daylight counting, all volunteers will meet back at the I&O Visitor Center to discuss the results of the count and tally the number of species observed. Hot drinks and snacks will also be available.

Count Week: Three days before and three days after the count day (December 14-16 and 18- 20) is referred to as Count Week. Any bird species (no numbers) seen or heard by count participants within the Count Circle area during these time periods needs to be recorded and reported to the compiler as “count week” species.

Count Area Teams: Field team leaders for each area with contact information–  interested team members can contact team leaders directly. Count Area maps, Homer CBC checklists field form and the CBC Rare Bird Form can be found below. Counters should fill out a Rare Bird Form for any species not listed on the Homer CBC checklist. If possible, include photos of any rare birds.

Count Data: All count data should be recorded either on an eBird Checklist and shared with Dave Erikson (eBird ID: Derikson48a) or on our regular Homer CBC checklist field form and emailed to the compiler, Dave Erikson (derikson@alaska.net; 907 441-7931).

Feeder Watchers: On Count Day, feeder watchers should record the species of bird, maximum numbers of each species at the feeder at a specific time, and the amount of time spent observing the feeder. Results should be submitted to the Feeder Watcher Coordinator, (Kathy Eagle; katheagle@gmail.com; 907 232-3789).

*CBC DOCUMENTS, MAPS AND FORMS

We have been very fortunate to have many dedicated birders in Homer who have repeatedly volunteered their time and resources to make the Homer CBC a success over the past 50 years and I’m confident, with everyone’s help, we can get a good count again this year.

Thank you for your continuing support

– Dave Erikson, Homer CBC Compiler

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