Winter 2006 - 2007 Juneau Bird Report
(1
December 2006 through 28 February 2007)
Probably due to the deep snow and biting cold
of November, the number and variety of birds in Juneau during this
winter season appeared to be substantially reduced; as a result,
very few late-lingerers or accidental “shockers” were reported.
However, noteworthy by their ubiquitous presence were Common
Redpolls, with the occasional Hoary Redpoll mixed in. Redpoll
flocks were widespread and common – it was definitely one of their
best winters in some time. On the other hand, both Red Crossbills
and Pine Siskins were almost totally absent.
Wood Duck: the pair from fall was seen
multiple times through 26 February in the lower Mendenhall Valley
(RA, PS).
Eurasian Wigeon: (2) males on 19
February (PS) presumably overwintered with a flock of 150 to 200
American Wigeons at Mendenhall Wetlands.
Black Scoter: (39) seen at Pt. Louisa
(Auke Bay) on 12 February (GV), an unusual high count for the Juneau
region.
Sharp-shinned Hawk: at least (6)
different over-wintering birds noted in the Juneau area, often
associated with redpolls at feeders – one of the best winters for
this species in Juneau.
Gyrfalcon: a bird that appeared to be
the same one as last year’s record, using the very same perch, was
sighted at N. Douglas in mid-February (TS, JS, PS) and continued to
be seen into early March.
Northern Hawk Owl: (1) at Eaglecrest
Ski Area on Douglas I. on 2 December, a rare Juneau sighting (DR,
KT).
Northern Pygmy Owl: about (5) were tallied
this winter – an average number.
Short-eared Owl: (1) on 16 December
(Juneau CBC) at Mendenhall Wetlands.
Northern Flicker: (1) seen throughout the
winter at a Douglas Island feeder (PS).
Starling: Juneau’s single remaining flock of
(13) birds along the downtown waterfront were seen throughout the
winter (GV).
Red-winged Blackbird: a flock of (5)
birds at Lemon Creek through mid-January (GV).
