SUMMARY OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA BIRD OBSERVATIONS:

Fall: August–November 2013

Sub-regional Compilers:

Steven C. Heinl, 2603 4th Avenue, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Andrew W. Piston, P. O. Box 1116, Ward Cove, AK 99928

This report summarizes bird sightings from Southeast Alaska for the autumn season, August–

November 2013, and is intended to provide interesting observations for inclusion in an Alaska-wide

column written by Thede Tobish for the journal North American Birds (published by the American

Birding Association http://www.aba.org/nab). We generally report on sightings of birds that are out of

range or out of season or occur regularly in small numbers, noteworthy breeding records, unusually large

or small numbers of a particular species, unusual migration dates, etc., and so on, and so forth.

Warm conditions extended from summer through most of the fall. Monthly temperatures at both

Juneau and Ketchikan averaged 4–6% warmer than average through October. Precipitation, however,

was quite different from north to south. Juneau was drier than average in August and September, while

precipitation at Ketchikan was about average in August and 20% wetter than average in September (16.5

inches). Conditions switched in October—Juneau was 18% wetter than average, while Ketchikan was

34% drier than average (only 12.7 inches). The north-south contrast was even greater in November, when

it was colder and wetter than average at Juneau (where birders enjoyed rain, snow, freezing rain, and ice

pellets) and warmer and drier than average at Ketchikan.

Among the highlights this fall were Alaska’s 3rd

Great Crested Flycatcher, two Red-throated

Pipits, two Nashville Warblers, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a very good showing of Mourning Doves.

Conversely, the shorebird migration was clearly subpar, with a few rarer species (e.g., Bar-tailed Godwit,

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and Ruff) going unreported. Migrant songbirds seemed to disappear completely

after mid-October, leaving few lingering birds to keep track of prior to the Christmas Bird Count season

in December.

We would like to thank the people who sent us observations, shared photographs, and answered

inquiries about their sightings, all of whom are cited below. We particularly appreciated detailed reports

from Nat Drumheller (Gustavus), Matt Goff (Sitka), Bonnie Demerjian (Wrangell), Luke DeCicco, and

Nick Hajdukovich. We benefited from access to sightings entered into eBird (www.ebird.org) which

we’ve incorporated into this report, and we thank Gus van Vliet for reviewing the eBird data from Juneau.

Gus van Vliet, Nat Drumheller, and Matt Goff provided information and reviews that improved the final

draft of this summary. Our past seasonal reports (since fall 2008) have been archived at the Juneau

Audubon website (http://www.juneau-audubon-society.org/SE%20AK%20Birding.html).

Names and Initials of observers cited in the text or who reported sightings: Beverly A. Agler (BAA),

Robert H. Armstrong (RHA), Gwen S. Baluss (GSB), R. Brad Benter (RBB), Jennifer A. Cedarleaf

(JAC), Amy C. Courtney (ACC), Lucas H. DeCicco (LHD), Bonnie H. Demerjian (BHD), Boris

Dobrowolsky (BD), Janene Driscoll (JD), Nat K. Drumheller (NKD), Susan Fredericks (SF), Connor P.

F. Goff (CPFG), Matt R. Goff (MRG), Nicholas R. Hajdukovich (NRH), Steven C. Heinl (SCH), Brad L.

Hunter (BLH), Emma H. Johnson (EHJ), Jim Johnson (JJ), Jerrold F. Koerner (JFK), Mike G. Konsler

(MGK), Aaron J. Lang (AJL), Laurie A. Lamm (LAL), Paul E. Lehman (PEL), Jim H. Lewis (JHL),

Deanna K. MacPhail (DKM), John McDermott (JM), Liz McKenzie (LM), Sally McLaughlin (SMc),

Walter Moorhead (WM), Stephen Murray (SM), Bill K. Neumann (BKN), Bruce B. Paige (BBP), Eric

Parker (EP), Brian Paust (BP), Lucy Pizzuto-Phillips (LPP), Andrew W. Piston (AWP), Boyd T. Porter

(BTP), Kurt Rieselbach (KR), Kathy M. Ripley (KMR), Patty A. Rose (PAR), Carol L. Ross (CLR),

James F. Saracco (JFS), David L. Schmerge (DLS), Scott C. Schuette (SCS), Mark W. Schwan (MWS),

Raymond G. Slayton (RGS), Marsha Squires (MS), Chuck P. Susie (CPS), Daniel Svetlak (DS), Tincher

(CT), Gus B. van Vliet (GBV), Marge L. Ward (MLW), Rebecca L. Windsor (RLW), Susan Wise-Eagle

(SWE), Rusty F. W. Yerxa (RFWY), E. L. “Butch” Young (ELY), Will T. Young (WTY).

2

SPECIES ACCOUNTS:

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: A Greater White-fronted Goose lingered at Sitka to the very

late date of 28 November 2013 (MLW). The main migration window for this species is late

August–late September, and stragglers are quite rare after October.

BRANT: Summering Brant lingered into August at Gustavus (four on 1 August 2013; NKD) and Juneau

(one on 4 and 17 August 2013; PAR, BAA), and a rare fall migrant turned up with Cackling

Geese at Gustavus 12–15 October 2013 (NKD).

CACKLING GOOSE: Single Cackling Geese at Gustavus 13 August 2013 (BBP) and Juneau 1

September 2013 (DLS) were very early, and likely represented summering non-breeders rather

than migrants. The Cackling Goose is an uncommon fall migrant, and it is observed less

frequently and in smaller numbers during the fall compared to the spring. The only reports this

fall were small numbers at Gustavus 27 September–15 October 2013 (maximum 15 on 27

September 2013; NKD, JFS) and three at Klawock, Prince of Wales Island, 2 November 2013

(LHD, NRH, SCS).

TUNDRA SWAN: A flock of 100 Tundra Swans flying south over the Juneau area 10 October 2013

(LHD, NRH, RLW) provided an above-average count, and an immature found dead at the

Ketchikan airport 26 November 2013 (BTP) established only the 5th local report.

WOOD DUCK: A female Wood Duck at Sitka’s Swan Lake 16 October 2013 (LPP; MRG; Figure 1)

provided the first documented local record. This species is a rare, annual visitant to Southeast

Alaska in fall, winter, and spring.

Figure 1. This female Wood Duck at Sitka 16 October 2013 provided the first local record. Photo by

Matt R. Goff

AMERICAN WIGEON: An estimated 800 American Wigeon at the Mendenhall Wetlands 15 October

2013 (LHD, NRH, RLW) provided one of the highest counts ever for the Juneau area.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL: Rare in the fall, a Blue-winged Teal at Bartlett Cove 3 November 2013 (JFS)

was also quite late (new local late date by two weeks; fide NKD). There are very few Alaska

records for November.

3

CANVASBACK: Single Canvasbacks at Gustavus 28 September–5 October and 7 October (NKD) and

at the Mendenhall Wetlands 3 November 2013 (MS) provided the only reports this fall.

PIED-BILLED GREBE: Pied-billed Grebes made a good showing this fall. An adult at Ketchikan 18–28

August 2013 (SCH; JHL, photo) was followed by up to two birds 3–25 November 2013 (AWP,

SCH). One at Gustavus 27 September 2013 (NKD, photo) provided only a 2nd

local record. Up

to two were present at Sitka’s Swan Lake 7 August–13 November 2013 (CPFG, MRG, photos;

m.obs.), and at least three were found in the Juneau area: singles at Pioneer Marsh-Twin Lakes 6

October–7 November 2013 (GBV; m.obs.), Mendenhall Forelands 16 October 2013 (MWS,

photo), and Fish Creek delta 3–4 November 2013 (MS, ACC).

WESTERN GREBE: Rare (but regular) in Southeast Alaska north of Sumner Strait, single Western

Grebes were found at Gustavus 6 November 2013 (NKD) and Auke Bay, near Juneau, 6 and 11

November 2013 (GBV).

SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS: An immature Short-tailed Albatross photographed in the Gulf of

Alaska, 65 km southwest of Icy Point, 28 August 2013 (AWP; Figure 2), was in the vicinity of an

earlier sighting in late July. This albatross is likely a regular visitant to the eastern Gulf of

Alaska—Kenyon et al. (2009) considered it to be an uncommon, regular summer visitant to

adjacent British Columbia waters.

Figure 2. Piston observed a nice selection of seabirds during a NOAA cruise in the Gulf of Alaska 65 km

southwest of Icy Point 28 August 2013, including an immature Short-tailed Albatross (left; with

unmistakable pink bill), a Pink-footed Shearwater (center), and a Buller’s Shearwater (right).

Photos by Andrew W. Piston

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER: Two Pink-footed Shearwaters were observed among other

Procellarids in the Gulf of Alaska, 65 km southwest of Icy Point, 28 August 2013 (AWP; Figure

2). This species is a rare or uncommon summer visitant to the Gulf of Alaska.

BULLER’S SHEARWATER: At least 19 Buller’s Shearwaters were observed among other Procellarids

in the Gulf of Alaska, 65 km southwest of Icy Point, 28 August 2013 (AWP; Figure 2), and

another was noted approximately 30 km offshore the same day. This species is a regular summer

visitant to the Gulf of Alaska.

4

SOOTY SHEARWATER: A massive flock of Sooty Shearwaters estimated to be 1,000 birds was

observed during stormy weather in Clarence Strait near the entrance to Kasaan Bay 17 August

2013 (AWP). Another flock of 200 was also observed well up into Clarence Strait, near

Cholmondeley Sound, 24 September 2013 (AWP, SCH). This species occurs regularly into the

entrances of major straits in Southeast Alaska, but is typically observed rarely and in much

smaller numbers in central Clarence Strait.

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL: A Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel north of Berners Bay 16 October 2013

(NRH, LHD, RLW) provided a rare sighting so far up Lynn Canal.

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL: A Leach’s Storm-Petrel at Skagway 14 August 2013 (MGK) provided a

very unusual local sighting and was about as far from pelagic waters as a petrel can get in

Southeast Alaska.

BRANDT’S CORMORANT: Brandt’s Cormorants appeared about a month earlier than usual in the

Ketchikan area, with singles on 1 October 2013 (SCH) and 9 October 2013 (WTY), and three on

19 October 2013 (SCH, WTY). Typical small numbers were found in the area in November.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: Single Double-crested Cormorants at Skagway 17 October 2013

(JM) and Juneau 24 November 2013 (PAR, BAA), provided locally rare sightings.

AMERICAN COOT: The American Coot is a rare but regular migrant and winter visitant to Southeast

Alaska. A group of 14 at Blind Slough, Mitkof Island, 13 November 2013 (BP, photo) provided

the high count this fall. Typical, smaller numbers elsewhere included up to four at Sitka 8

October–29 November 2013 (MRG, MLW, m.obs.), one at Gustavus 12 October–13 November

(NKD, JFS), at least one at Ketchikan 25 October 2013+ (AWP, JHL, et al.), and small numbers

in the Juneau area 14 October–16 November 2013 (m.obs.; maximum, six at Twin Lakes 16

November 2013, GBV).

SANDHILL CRANE: Presumed Greater Sandhill Cranes with chicks were observed at two locations on

west-central Prince of Wales Island in August—a pair with a ½-grown chick on 6 August 2013

and a pair with a ¾-grown chick on 14 August 2013 (RGS, USFS; Figure 3). Two were also

observed at Zarembo Island 10 August 2013 (WM) where they are thought to nest (fide BHD).

All of those birds are presumed to be Greater Sandhill Cranes. Large numbers of migrant Lesser

Sandhill Cranes were observed in the Icy Strait area in mid-September—an estimated 1,500

passed Gustavus 14 September 2013 (NKD), and 850 at Game Creek, Chichagof Island, 15

September 2013 were followed by 1,550 there on 16 September 2013 (ACC).

SPOTTED SANDPIPER: Getting late were two Spotted Sandpipers at the Chilkoot River, near Haines, 8

October 2013 and one at Petersburg 11–13 October 2103 (NRH, LHD, RLW).

UPLAND SANDPIPER: One Upland Sandpiper at Juneau 20 August 2013 (AJL) provided the season’s

only report of this rare migrant.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT: A Hudsonian Godwit at Gustavus 28 September 2013 (NKD; Figure 4)

provided a new local late date by more than a month and the only Southeast report this fall.

5

Figure 3. An adult Sandhill Crane with a large chick 14 August 2013 (left) added to the many breeding

records for Prince of Wales Island (photo by Raymond G. Slayton). A stunning Lesser Sandhill

Crane near Juneau 26 August 2013 (right) was a south-bound migrant (photo by Mark W.

Schwan).

Figure 4. Nice finds at Gustavus included a very late Hudsonian Godwit 28 September (left; Nat K.

Drumheller) and a Stilt Sandpiper 29 August 2013 (right; photo Bruce B. Paige).

RUDDY TURNSTONE: A Ruddy Turnstone at Sitka 6 October 2013 (MRG, photo) was late.

RED KNOT: Very rare in fall, single Red Knots were found at the Mendenhall Wetlands, near Juneau,

17 August 2013 (BAA, PAR; Figure 6) and Gustavus 10 and 23 September 2013 (NKD).

SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER: Sharp-tailed Sandpipers turned up at the usual locations: up to three at

Gustavus 23 September–2 October 2013 (NKD) and singles at the Mendenhall Wetlands, near

Juneau, 5 September 2013 (GBV) and 12 October 2013 (PAR, BAA; Figure 6).

6

Figure 5. A late Ruddy Turnstone (with Surfbirds) at Sitka 6 October 2013. Photo by Matt R. Goff

Figure 6. Nicely photographed at Juneau’s Mendenhall Wetlands were a Red Knot 17 August 2013 and a

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 12 October 2013. Photos by Patty A. Rose

DUNLIN: Among the 1,200 Dunlin near Gustavus 6 November 2013 (NKD) was one that had been

banded as a chick at Yukon Delta NWR 12 June 2011 (fide Richard Lanctot, FWS). This

sighting adds to an impressive number of Dunlin banded on the Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta that

Drumheller has observed at Gustavus since December 2005.

STILT SANDPIPER: Single Stilt Sandpipers at Gustavus 29 and 31 August 2013 (NKD, BBP; Figure 4)

and Juneau’s Mendenhall Wetlands 3 September 2013 (MWS) provided the season’s only

reports.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: Single Long-billed Dowitchers at Petersburg 12 October 2013 (NRH,

LHD, RLW) and Juneau’s Mendenhall Wetlands 26 October–2 November 2013 (PAR, GBV)

were late.

7

RED PHALAROPE: A Red Phalarope inside Glacier Bay 31 August 2013 (SM, photo) provided a very

rare sighting on Inside waters.

FRANKLIN’S GULL: A 1st-cycle Franklin’s Gull at Ketchikan 22 September 2013 (SCH, AWP, WTY;

Figure 7) provided the season’s only report.

RING-BILLED GULL: Ring-billed Gulls made a good showing at Ketchikan where the species is an

uncommon fall migrant. Small numbers were present daily August–September, including high

counts of 16 on 24 August 2013 and eight on 22 September 2013—one on 15 October 2013 was

the latest (SCH, AWP, WTY). Only one adult was found at Ketchikan, the rest were hatching-

year birds. Three hatching-year birds were also found at Hyder 26 August 2013 (SCH). This

species is a rare migrant elsewhere in Southeast: two 2nd

-cycle birds were at Juneau 1 August

2013 (PEL, DKM, MWS), singles were found at Gustavus 7 August and 5 October 2013 (NKD),

and an adult was at Petersburg 12 October 2013 (NRH, LHD, RLW, photo).

WESTERN GULL: An adult Western Gull was observed at Sitka 5 and 10 October 2013 (RBB, MRG).

This gull is a casual migrant and winter visitant in Alaska, and many recent reports have come

from Sitka.

SLATY-BACKED GULL: Slaty-backed Gulls were found at Ketchikan 21 September 2013 (adult;

AWP, photo) and Sitka, where an adult was observed 23 September and 7 October 2013 and a

2nd

-cycle bird was observed 4 and 23 October 2013 (MRG, Figure 7). This Asian gull is a rare

fall migrant along the south coast of Alaska.

Figure 7. First-cycle Franklin’s gull at Ketchikan 22 September 2013 (left; photo by Steven C. Heinl) and

3rd

-cycle Slaty-backed gull at Sitka 23 October 2013 (right; photo by Matt R. Goff). Both species

are rare, annual visitants to Southeast Alaska.

CASPIAN TERN: Caspian Tern action was at high levels again in the Gustavus area throughout August

(BBP, NKD). Numbers peaked 20 August with 23 juveniles and 69 adults (BBP). A handful of

banded adult terns were observed, including birds banded as chicks on the Columbia River,

Washington/Oregon, at least one banded as a chick at the Copper River delta, Alaska, and at least

one banded as a chick at Bellingham, Washington (banding information fide Yasuko Suzuki,

OSU). The latest birds noted this fall were singles at Gustavus 12 September 2013 (NKD) and

Sitka 16 September 2013 (MRG).

8

ARCTIC TERN: Arctic Terns lingered in Glacier Bay to 24 September 2013 (two adults, one juvenile)

and 26 September 2013 (one juvenile) and established new local late dates by several weeks

(NKD). Most Arctic Terns depart Southeast by the end of August.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER: Rare but regular Long-tailed Jaegers were observed again in Glacier Bay:

singles on 10 and 25 August and 13 September 2013 (NKD).

CASSIN’S AUKLET: An estimated 75 Cassin’s auklets in Sumner Strait, near Point Baker, Prince of

Wales Island, 15 August 2013 (CLR) represented a larger-than-average count on Inside waters.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: Eurasian Collared-Dove numbers were very high this fall, particularly

in southern Southeast Alaska. As many as 200 birds may have been present at Ketchikan during

the fall, where several flocks exceeded 40 birds and one contained 60 birds on 27 October 2013

(SCH, AWP, WTY). On Prince of Wales Island, 35 were at Klawock 2 November 2013 (LHD,

NRH, SCS) and 6 were at Craig 2 November 2013(NRH, LHD, SCS); single flocks of 22 on 1

October 2013 (ELY) and 16 during 11–13 October 2013 (NRH, LHD, RLW) were at Petersburg;

a maximum single flock of 27 was reported at Sitka on 13 September 2013 (DS); a maximum of

10 were at Auke Bay in Juneau on 29 August 2013 (GBV); and up to five were reported

through the end of the period at Gustavus (m. obs.).

MOURNING DOVE: Mourning Doves returned to Southeast in a big way after last year’s non-existent

fall showing, with at least 22 birds reported 8 August–22 October 2013. Ten of those doves were

found in the Ketchikan area 22 August–22 October 2013 (m.obs.). Singles turned up in the

Juneau area 25–26 August 2013 (ACC, LAL) and 20 September–5 October 2013 (GBV). Two

Mourning Doves at Klukwan 15–28 September built to three on 30 September, and one lingered

to 17 October 2013 (CPS). One at Sitka 8 August 2013 (CPFG) was very early and followed by

two there 1 September 2013 (MRG). Mourning Doves were also found at Gustavus (one 10

September 2013; BBP), Petersburg (two 11 October 2013; LHD, NRH, RLW), Farm Island,

Stikine River (one 26 August 2013; BKN), and Carroll Inlet, Revillagigedo Island (10 September

2013; WTY).

COMMON NIGHTHAWK: An ailing Common Nighthawk was found near Juneau 13 August 2013; it

was released the following day by bird rehab people (fide GBV). A healthy bird was observed at

Skagway 23 August 2013 (MGK). This species is a rare fall migrant on and near the mouths of

the mainland river systems in Southeast Alaska (Kessel and Gibson 1978).

BLACK SWIFT: Very interesting was a report of eight Black Swifts at Gustavus 8 September 2013

(BBP). The birds were described as large and black, with slower wing beat than Vaux’s Swift,

some birds had notched tails. There are few Alaska reports of this species north of the Stikine

River and very few reports as late as early September. A flock of 65 at Hyder 26 August 2013

(SCH; Figure 8) provided a large count from an area where they are found annually.

9

Figure 8. This Black Swift was one of a flock of 65 at Hyder 26 August 2013. The slightly forked tail

indicates that it is an adult male. Photo by Steven C. Heinl

ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD: Anna’s Hummingbirds were widely reported throughout the period

following a good summer showing. As many as 10 birds were reported at Ketchikan during the

period (AWP, SCH), many of which remained into the winter; one was at Petersburg in mid-

October (NRH, LHD, RLW); five or six were at Sitka 27 August 2013+ (MRG, CPFG); three

were reported at Juneau (m. obs.); two were at Skagway 4 November and 12 November 2013

(SF; BD, photos); and single birds were reported 23 September and 11–12 October 2013 at

Gustavus (NKD). This species has been considered a rare fall and winter visitant to Southeast

Alaska, but in recent years it seems to be increasing in occurrence, particularly at Ketchikan

where approximately 10 birds have attempted to winter the last couple years.

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: An immature/female Rufous Hummingbird at Gustavus 20 September 2013

was very late (JFS). Most Rufous Hummingbirds depart by mid-August and stragglers are very

rare after early September.

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: A Great-crested Flycatcher at Petersburg 11–12 October 2013

(LHD, NRH, RLW; Figure 10) provided only the 3rd

Alaska record. The two previous records

were also birds found in fall at Middleton Island 29 September 1990 (Gibson and Kessel 1992)

and Juneau 29 September–11 October 2009 (North Am. Birds 64:132–137). This flycatcher

breeds as close as east-central Alberta (Lanyon 1997) and is a very rare fall visitant to California

(Hamilton et al. 2007).

WARBLING VIREO: A Warbling Vireo at McDonald Lake 2 October 2013 (SCH, AWP) was very late.

HORNED LARK: A Horned Lark near Gustavus 10–11 October 2013 (NKD) was the only one reported

this fall. This species is a rare or uncommon migrant in Southeast Alaska, primarily on the

mainland (Heinl and Piston 2009).

EUROPEAN STARLING: A European Starling at Hugh Smith Lake 16–17 October 2013 (AWP, SCH)

was literally in the wilderness—Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness. Starlings are

seldom found away from human settlements in Alaska.

10

Figure 9. An immature male hummingbird that visited Gus van Vliet’s Juneau feeder 15–25 August 2013

(photographed here 16 August 2013) posed a difficult identification. The dull buff, rather than

rufous, flanks, the reduced amount of rufous in the tail, and the lack of rufous feathers on other

areas of its body eliminated the expected Rufous Hummingbird and suggested the Broad-tailed

Hummingbird, which has never been reported in Alaska. Yet, the bird had a few throat feathers

that were clearly orangeish (like a Rufous Hummingbird), and other characters indicated it was

not a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Some, including hummingbird expert Sheri Williamson,

thought the best fit for this bird was a hybrid Anna’s × Rufous hummingbird, which is interesting

given the increase in spring and summer sightings of Anna’s Hummingbirds in Southeast Alaska

over the past several years. Photos by Deanna MacPhail

Figure 10. This Great Crested Flycatcher at Petersburg 11 October 2013 was only the third to be found in

Alaska. Photo by Lucas H. DeCicco

11

RED-THROATED PIPIT: Single Red-throated Pipits were found 10 October 2013 at both Gustavus

(NKD) and Ketchikan (JHL; SCH, WTY, AWP; Figure 11). As with previous Southeast Alaska

reports (in 1997, 2003, and 2008), this year’s sightings coincided with good numbers of fall

migrants in the Bering Sea area and elsewhere along the Pacific coast to the south and east.

Figure 11. Red-throated Pipit at Ketchikan 10 October 2013. This bird was easily separated from the

American Pipits that were also present by the sharp, bold black streaking on the crown, and

underparts, the pale buff and black streaks (just visible) on the back, the heavy black malar line

that forms a patch at the base of the neck, and the pink legs. Photo by Jim H. Lewis

CEDAR WAXWING: Late Cedar Waxwings included one at Gustavus 27 September 2013 (new local

late date; NKD), eight at Sitka 22 October 2013 (SCH) and one there through 20 November 2013

(EP, photo), five at Petersburg 12–13 October 2013 (LHD, NRH, RLW), one at Klawock 1

November 2013 (LHD, NRH, SCS), and one at Ketchikan 3 November 2013 (SCH, AWP). This

species is very rare in Southeast after late September.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: A Northern Waterthrush at Juneau 4 October 2013 (GSB) was

extremely late—one at St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, 6 October 2011 (North. Am. Birds

66:146–152) is the only other October report for Alaska that we know of.

NASHVILLE WARBLER: Single Nashville Warblers were found at Ketchikan 15 October 2013 (AWP,

SCH, WTY, photo) and Klawock 2 November 2013 (LHD, NRH, SCS; Figure 13). There are

about 10 Alaska records of this species (all from autumn) which breeds only as close as southern

British Columbia (Campbell et al. 2001).

MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER: A MacGillivray’s Warbler at Ketchikan 28 September 2013 (AWP)

was late and provided a rare fall sighting for the Ketchikan area. Although this species is an

uncommon to common breeder in appropriate habitat on the Southeast Alaska mainland, it is rare

away from the mainland, and most depart by early September.

12

Figure 12. On the night of 8–9 September 2013, as the cruise ship Diamond Princess travelled south

down the outer coast from Seward in rough weather, migrant songbirds began landing on the ship

and crashing into the windows. When Nat Drumheller boarded the ship in Glacier Bay on 9

September, he was told that at least 150 dead birds had been found on the ship. Drumheller found

20–30 birds trapped inside the ship, including Savannah, Lincoln's, Song, Fox, and Golden-

crowned sparrows, Lapland Longspurs, Orange-crowned Warblers, and a Northern Waterthrush

(pictured here). Drumheller convinced the ship's crew to open the massive sun roof in the area

where the birds were trapped and most of them escaped. Photo Nat K. Drumheller

Figure 13. Two Nashville Warblers were found in Southeast this fall, including this bird, beautifully

photographed at Klawock 2 November 2013. Photo by Nick R. Hajdukovich

13

COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: Also getting late was a Common Yellowthroat at Ketchikan 12

October 2013 (SCH, AWP, WTY).

YELLOW WARBLER: A Yellow Warbler at Ketchikan 1 November 2013 (LHD, NRH, SCS) was the

last reported for the season.

PALM WARBLER: Single Palm Warblers turned up at Ketchikan 6 October 2013 and 27 October 2013

(AWP, WTY, SCH, photo). This species is a casual fall migrant in Alaska; however, this year

marked the 4th consecutive year that multiple birds were found at various locations across the

state.

TOWNSEND’S WARBLER: A very late Townsend’s Warbler was photographed at Sitka 18 November

2013 (EP).

WILSON’S WARBLER: Single Wilson’s Warblers at Juneau 1 November 2013 (GBV) and at

Ketchikan 4 November 2013 (LHD, NRH, SCS) were the last reported for the season.

SPOTTED TOWHEE: Yet another Spotted Towhee turned up in Juneau! A nice male 9–30 November

2013+ (KR; m.obs.; Figure 14). There are now at least 13 Alaska records, of which nine are from

the Juneau area. This species breeds as close as southwestern British Columbia, where coastal

populations are considered to be mostly resident (Greenlaw 1996).

Figure 14. Male Spotted Towhee at Juneau 17 November 2013. Photo by R. Brad Benter

CHIPPING SPARROW: Single Chipping Sparrows were found at Juneau 24 August 2013 (GBV) and 13

October 2013 (PAR), Petersburg 12 October 2013 (NRH, LHD, RLW), and Ketchikan 5 October

2013 (SCH). This species is an uncommon breeder at mainland river systems (Kessel and Gibson

1978) and a rare migrant throughout Southeast.

FOX SPARROW: A Red Fox Sparrow, boreal nesting subspecies zaboria, at Juneau 15 October 2013

(NRH, LHD, RLW) provided the only report this fall.

14

SWAMP SPARROW: Only two Swamp Sparrows turned up this fall: singles at Ketchikan 1 November

2013+ (LHD, NRH, SCS, et al.) and Sitka 17–24 November 2013 (MRG; Figure 15). This

species is a rare fall migrant in Southeast Alaska.

Figure 15. These Swamp (left) and White-throated (right) sparrows were nicely documented at Sitka 17

November 2013. Photo by Matt R. Goff

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: White-throated Sparrows made another good showing this fall. At

least 11 were found at Ketchikan (m.obs.), beginning with an early bird 13 September 2013 (new

local arrival date by three days; WTY, SCH). Elsewhere, singles were tallied at Juneau 27–29

September 2013 and 24–28 November 2013 (GBV, et al.), at least three at Sitka 10–25 November

2013 (MRG; Figure 15), one or two at Gustavus 28–30 October 2013 (JJ) and 9–15 November

2013 (RFWY, JD, NKD), and one at Petersburg 11 October 2013 (NRH, LHD, RLW).

HARRIS’S SPARROW: An adult Harris’s Sparrow was found at Klawock 3 November 2013 (NRH,

LHD, SCS; photo). This species is a very rare or casual migrant and winter visitant in Southeast

Alaska.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: A family group of Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrows at the

Ketchikan airport 8 September 2013 (two adults and six immatures, some still with streaked

chests; SCH, WTY) provided evidence of successful nesting at that location for the second

consecutive year. Another adult was found in Ketchikan 23 October 2013 (AWP). Of greater

interest, two Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrows at Craig 3 November 2013 (LHD, NRH,

SCS; Figure 16), provided the first report for Prince of Wales Island. Of even greater interest

were two different adults at Sitka 23 October 2013 (SCH, MRG) and 30 November 2013 (MRG;

Figure 16)—the latter had been banded at Sitka the previous fall (GSB). Finally, an immature

was banded at Sitka 21 November 2013 (GSB, photos). The range of this subspecies extends

along the Pacific coast from northwestern California north to southwestern British Columbia

(Chilton et al. 1995). It has become clear in recent years, however, that Puget Sound White-

crowned Sparrows occur regularly in the Ketchikan area and likely elsewhere in Southeast

Alaska.

15

Figure 16. Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrows were found at Sitka and Craig this fall, in addition to

Ketchikan. This banded adult at Sitka 30 November 2013 (left; photo by Matt R. Goff) was in

immature plumage when it was banded the previous fall at Sitka! The immature on the right was

one of two found at Craig 3 November 2013 (photo by Lucas H. DeCicco). The dark brown and

buff streaked back, yellow bill, and extensively buff chest and flanks, separate these birds from

the more expected Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow. The immature also exhibits very distinct

malar stripes (typically lacking in Gambel’s), and there is a touch of yellowish color at the bend

of the wing (white in Gambel’s).

WESTERN TANAGER: Late Western Tanagers were reported 1 October 2013 at both Gustavus (present

to 3 October; NKD, SMc; Figure 17) and Wrangell (SWE). Another at Wrangell 8 November

2013 (BHD) was the latest ever to be reported in Alaska (previous late date was 31 October 1993,

Petersburg; Am. Birds 48:142).

Figure 17. This Western Tanager at Gustavus 1 October 2013 was getting late. Photo by Nat K.

Drumheller

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: A Rose-breasted Grosbeak visited a Sitka feeder 3–4 October 2013

(LM, MRG; Figure 18). There are fewer than a dozen Alaska records of this grosbeak, which

breeds as close as northeastern British Columbia (Campbell et al. 2001) and occurs regularly as a

very rare migrant along the Pacific Coast south of Alaska (AOU 1998).

16

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK: Single Black-headed Grosbeaks were found at Ketchikan 8–17

September 2013 (KMR, et al.; Figure 19), Sitka 19–21 September 2013 (CT, MRG; Figure 19),

and Petersburg 13 October 2013 (LHD photo; RLW, NRH, BLH). This species is a rare migrant

and summer visitant in Southeast Alaska

Figure 18. One of the highlights this fall was a second-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Sitka 4

October 2013. Photo by Matt R. Goff

Figure 19. Black-headed Grosbeaks were photographed at Ketchikan 8 September 2013 (left; photo by

Kathy M. Ripley) and Sitka 21 September 2013 (right; photo by Matt R. Goff).

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: Single Brewer’s Blackbirds turned up at Ketchikan 8–19 October 2013

(male; WTY; et al. photos) and Craig 2–3 November 2013 (LHD, NRH, SCS; Figure 20). There

are fewer than 20 records of this species in Alaska.

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: Single Brown-headed Cowbirds were found at Glacier Bay 7 August

2013 (EHJ), Klukwan 22 August 2013 (CPS), and Juneau 2 September 2013 (AWP).

COMMON REDPOLL: Finch numbers were generally low throughout the region and no redpolls were

reported in Southeast Alaska.

17

Figure 20. Female Brewer’s Blackbird at Craig 2 November 2013. Photo by Nick R. Hajdukovich

HOUSE SPARROW: A male House Sparrow at Petersburg 6 September 2013 (JAC) was probably the

same bird observed there sporadically since December 2012.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union,

Lawrence, Kansas.

Campbell, R. W., Dawe, N. K., McTaggart-Cowan, I., Cooper, J. M., Kaiser, G. W., Stewart, A. C., and McNall, M.

C. E. 2001. The Birds of British Columbia, vol. 4. Univ. Br. Columbia Press, Vancouver.

Chilton, G., Baker, M. C., Barrentine, C. D., and Cunningham, M. A. 1995. White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia

leucophrys), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology;

Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/183.

Gibson, D. D., and Kessel, B. 1992. Seventy-four new avian taxa documented in Alaska 1976–1991. Condor

94:454–467.

Gibson, D. D., Heinl, S. C., and Tobish, T. G., Jr. 2003. Report of the Alaska checklist committee, 1997–2002. W.

Birds 34:122–132.

Greenlaw, J. S. 1996. Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus), in The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.).

Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/263.

Hamilton, R. A., Patten, M. A., and Erickson, R. A. (eds.) 2007. Rare Birds of California. W. Field Ornithol.,

Camarillo, CA.

Heinl, S. C., and Piston, A. W. 2009. Birds of the Ketchikan area, Southeast Alaska. Western Birds 40:54–144.

Kenyon, K. J., Morgan, K. H., Bentley, M. D., McFarlane Tranquilla, L. A., and Moore, K. E. 2009. Atlas of

pelagic seabirds off the west coast of Canada and adjacent areas. Technical Report Series No. 499.

Canadian Wildlife Service, Pacific and Yukon Region, British Columbia.

Kessel, B., and Gibson, D. D. 1978. Status and distribution of Alaska birds. Studies Avian Biol. 1.

Lanyon, W. E. 1997. Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole,

Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/300.