Sunday late morning: Bird Banding near the high school
Right after the Cannon Beach
field trip, I managed to catch the tail end of the bird banding demonstration. USFS
Gwen Baluss, assisted by USFS Melissa Cady, expertly caught, banded, weighed,
measured, sexed, checked brood patch and fat thickness, recorded data, and
released songbirds.
It is simply amazing to see birds, especially warblers like
the YELLOW WARBLER, so close. Gwen pointed out the "windows" in the
female Yellow Warbler tail feathers. Female warblers are so much harder to
find, as they don't sing, and to identify, as they are not fancy like the males.
Aquatic Insects, Ocean Cape,
Ankau River
Gorgeous sunny afternoon!
Bob Armstrong graciously
consented to combine an aquatic insect mini-field trip with the birding trip to
Ocean Cape and Ankau. He was especially interested in finding an insect he had
not yet seen, the moth fly. We stopped at a promising beaver dam along the way
to search. The beavers had blocked up a small stream, creating a rich wetland
with a pond above the dam. Downstream, the stream meandered through a wide
sedge meadow.
Whipping out his insect
net, Bob swatted and scooped over the adjacent vegetation. Full of anticipation,
he peered into the white net, deeper and farther. To everyone's amazement, he
pulled out…ta-dah! a shiny penny! Insect research can certainly be lucrative!
Then he scooped some silty water
into a white tray and, with the help of young eyes, we found a stonefly larva,
mosquito wrigglers, and several unknowns. Bob sucked a few specimens into his
collecting jar with a turkey baster for further study. We examined a large
fresh-water clam with blackfly larvae attached that rested on top of the beaver
dam, a highly oxygenated spot. I was impressed how tiny the larvae are; a
magnifying glass is really helpful. Bob also shared his greatly enlarged larvae
photos printed on a waterproof, tear-proof paper appropriated called Tough
Paper. The color reproductions were excellent. We explored another little pool
full of 3-spine sticklebacks and many larvae then headed to Ocean Cape.
More on Bob's new book,
Aquatic Insects in Alaska, at http://www.adn.com/2012/06/08/2497679/aquatic-world-of-alaska-insects.html.
A brief stop at
Ocean Cape provided a spectacular panoramic view of the Mount St. Elias Range
stretching across the horizon at Ocean Cape. We were so lucky to have such
glorious weather! Far below, a pair of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS paddled along.
Next, we drove
a short ways to the wide sandy beach of the Ankau River. Bob was very
interested to find a rare (or overlooked), unusual fern called the Yakutat
Moonwort or Giant Moonwort. We walked slowly and carefully, watching for
moonworts and tern nests. Several broken Aleutian Tern eggshells were found;
the adults discard them far from the nest to discourage predation. Both ARCTIC
and ALEUTIAN TERNS flew overhead, checking us out. An ALEUTIAN TERN drove away
a too-curious RAVEN. Many more were seen in the distance by the shore. We
wisely decided not to go any closer as this is a very critical time and a very
sensitive habitat.
On the way
back, once again young eyes discovered the mysterious moonwort, and with the
"search image" more were found, growing right out of the sand. The
fertile frond was still young and unfolding. The paired leaflets looked like
stacked half-moons. According to the Tongass National Forest website http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/yakutat/area_info/moonwort.shtm,
the recently discovered moonwort, Botrychium yaaxudakeit, was named by Yakutat
Elders:
Yaaxudakeit, honors
Yaa Xu da Keit’. He was the leader of an ancient clan living at the base of the
mountain now known as Mt. St. Elias, and purchased Yakutat for the Copper River
people. Yaa Xu da Keit’was from the Raven moiety and the Kwaashkikwaan
(Humpback Salmon) clan.
The last activity was
a very interesting presentation by the Sitka-based Alaska Raptor Center
featuring a live Barred Owl and Harlan's Hawk. The birds were very cooperative
and patient throughout the talk. Once again, it was amazing to see these
raptors up close.
The festival wrapped
up by mid-afternoon. I spent the remaining time wandering around the road by the airport
enjoying the warblers and scenery. An enormous WWII hangar not far from the terminal houses airplanes and
also the Situk Fly Shop. The owner, Bob Miller, has posted information on the
hangar and his plans for a WWII museum there, plus great photos and
observations on his blog at http://situkriver.wordpress.com/
I walked back to the
airport terminal where many BANK SWALLOWS swooped around, their nests stashed
close by in the buildings' eaves. Watching and photographing birds is a great
way to pass the time waiting for a flight.
Soon the jet pulled up
and unloaded the next batch of lucky people to visit Yakutat, including fly
fishermen. I know their experience will be totally different from mine, and I
wouldn't trade for anything!
I had to leave a lot
out, so please visit http://yakutatternfestival.org/ for more information or
start making plans to attend next year.
Many thanks to the
USFS staff, volunteers, field trip guides, presenters, and community members
for creating such a fantastic festival and for inviting us to your beautiful
home in Yakutat.
Happy Birding! Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird
Report Reporter
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