Carol Ford introduces her audience to the Glaucous-winged Gull, Kachemak Bay Birders “Bird of the Month”. She also describes a wandering fall visitor to the Homer area – the Bohemian Waxwing. Learn how this bird got its name and what it likes to eat while visiting the Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea.
Category: Radio Programs
Bird Rhythms – May 2019
Gary Lyon, Kachemak Bay Birder, describes our Bird of the Month for May – the Townsend’s Warbler. The Townsend’s Warbler is the only one of eight warblers found in Alaska. Listen to the Bird Rhythms audio to learn more about the Townsend’s Warbler, and what the other seven warblers are found in Alaska during the breeding season.
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 – January
Karin Holbook is new to birding. In this month’s Bird Rhythms, Karin shares with us her experiences as a beginning birder and how it has changed her world.
Bird Rhythms – December
Tim Quinn, local birder and member of the Kachemak Bay Birders, describes the tiny titan of local, fast moving streams – the American Dipper.
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 – October
Gary Lyons introduces us to the Northern Saw-whet Owl, one of Homer’s smallest owls. This owl is the Kachemak Bay Birder’s October Bird of the Month.
Bird Rhythms – September
Kachemak Bay Birder Carol Harding introduces us to our largest Songbird – the Common Raven and the KBB September Bird of the Month. Learn more about this fascinating bird which makes its home year-round in Homer, Alaska.
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.