Weather note: Mild
weather through the end of November allowed
individuals of many hardy species to linger through
the period.
Greater White-fronted Goose: A flock of 65 in
V-formation seen flying south down Lynn Canal on
September 4 (GV) and, on the same day, another flock
of 28 in V-formation flew south directly above the
Mendenhall Wetlands (GV). On the following day,
September 5, a flock of 100+ flew south over Auke Bay
(GV).
Cackling Canada Goose: A flock of 30 in
V-formation seen flying south down Lynn Canal on
September 4.
Pied-billed Grebe. First seen in the
northern Twin Lake area on September 24 (JM), this
bird was seen periodically (e.g. 10/9, 10/10, 10/20)
over the next month in both the south and north lakes
(m.obs.).
Puffinus sp. shearwater. A single
shearwater, believed to be a Sooty Shearwater, landed
next to a fishing boat that was traveling up
Gastineau Channel, a couple of miles south of
Douglas, on November 12 (LBa).
Eurasian Wigeon – Two males, first noted near
the mouth of Fish Creek on November 6 (PS), appeared
to remain through the end of November. A hybrid male
Eurasian X American wigeon was also observed on
November 28 (PS). These birds may attempt to
overwinter with a flock of several hundred American
wigeon.
Gadwall. A pair was in the marsh by the
Pioneer’s Home on November 22 (SZ), seven were
seen on November 28 (PS), and 8 were there on
November 30 (SZ). Eleven were noted at the mouth of
Lawson Creek on November 26 (PS).
Blue-winged Teal. Two were seen in the float plane
pond along the Mendenhall Dike Trail on September 19
(JM).
Canvasback. A Canvasback was seen on Twin Lakes on
November 1 (SZ) and November 5 (NM), two were seen
there on November 15 (SZ), three were there November
22-30 (SZ, PS).
Redhead. One was reported from Twin Lakes on
October 19 (KG). Two were seen there on November 5/6
(PS, NM, SZ)
Ruddy Duck. Two were seen on Twin Lakes
October 10-13 (PS, BA). A single bird was seen there
November 5/6 (PS, NM, SZ).
Red-tailed Hawk. A single bird was seen soaring
below the tram on August 9 (SZ). A begging juvenile
and attending light-phase adult was photographed on
August 10 on Douglas Island – a rare breeding
record for Juneau (PS). A juvenile was seen at Eagle
Beach on September 4 (MS). Red-tailed Hawks,
including a Harlan’s Hawk, were seen out the
road on September 7 (PS). Red-tailed Hawks were also
seen from Mount Roberts on September 17 (MB), and
flying over the Mendenhall Wetlands on September 24
(NM).
Rough-legged Hawk. Two were seen while hawk
watching from Mount Roberts on September 17 (MB).
Osprey. One was seen along the road, on the way
back from Eagle Beach, on September 6 (BA, DM, LB).
Perhaps the same bird was seen that same day near Tee
Harbor (GV).
Peregrine Falcon. One was reported on September 6
(PS, GV). Another was seen at Cowee Creek
Meadows on September 10 (MB). Three were observed on
the Mendenhall Wetlands on September 14 (PS).
Gyrfalcon. One was seen harassing a flock
of shorebirds along the Mendenhall Dike Trail on
September 18 (AS, MA).
American Coot. Coots were seen on Twin Lakes
throughout much of the fall period starting with a
single bird on September 28 (MB). The maximum number
seen was five during the first week of November (SZ).
American Golden-plover. Two were on the Mendenhall
Wetlands on September 8 – 9 (BA, PS, MB).
Black-bellied plover – A very late individual
at Eagle Beach on November 5 – 6 (PS, GV).
Killdeer. A very high count of 27 was seen at
North Douglas Island on 18 August (PS).
Solitary Sandpiper. One or two individuals were
observed at Mendenhall Wetlands and Point Bridget
from August 3-18 (PS, BA), with a high count of 8 at
the Mendenhall Wetlands on August 7 (GV). A very late
individual was observed at Mendenhall Wetlands on
September 14 – 15 (PS, GV).
Upland Sandpiper. One was seen at the
Mendenhall Wetlands on August 11 (PS) and on August
16 (GV), and two were heard there on August 18 (BA).
On September 6, one was reported near the Boy Scout
Camp at Eagle Beach (BA, DM, LB), and several
observers reported one (perhaps the same bird)
feeding in the middle of the highway near Eagle Beach
on September 7 (PS, GV, SZ, MB).
Sanderling. Two were seen on the Mendenhall
Wetlands on September 8-9 (BA, PS, MB). Six were
photographed at Eagle Beach on September 19 (RA).
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. One was on the Mendenhall
Wetlands on September 9 and 13 (PS, MB, GV).
Stilt Sandpiper. A juvenile bird was seen at the
Mendenhall Wetlands on August 6 (PS), while two were
there August 9 – 11 (GV, PS, MB). The last one
was sighted there on August 27 (GV).
Photo by Paul Suchanek
Buff-breasted Sandpiper. One was seen, and
photographed, near the mouth of the Mendenhall River
on August 26 (PS). Another was seen, and
photographed, near the mouth of the Mendenhall River
on September 8 (PS, BA); and three were seen on the
Mendenhall Wetlands on September 9 (PS, MB).
Parasitic Jaegers. Three were seen about ¼ mile
off Point Retreat on September 1 (PS). Two (an adult
light morph, and a juvenile dark morph) were seen in
the Point Bridget area on September 26 (MB).
Franklin’s Gull. A second winter bird
was seen offshore in Cowee Cove, on September 25
(MB).
Ring-billed Gull. Four (3 adults and one second
year bird) were near the mouth of Fish Creek and
Gastineau Channel where they empty into Fritz Cove on
August 2 (PS). Single birds (probably from this
group) were seen on the Douglas side of the
Mendenhall Wetlands on August 3 and 5 (SZ). Another
was seen on the Mendenhall Wetlands on August 31 (MB)
and the final observation of an adult was on
September 13 (PS).
Glaucous Gull – Single immatures were
seen on several occasions (last one observed on
September 6-PS) but a rarely seen adult was observed
near Salmon Creek on August 20 (PS) and 21 (MB).
Lesser Black-backed Gull. An adult was at
the Mendenhall River on August 19 (PS, photos, RG)
and on September 14 near the mouth of Fish Creek
(PS). Another, different adult was found on August 24
at Point Bridget (PS, photos).
Photo by Paul Suchanek
Ancient Murrelet. A single bird was seen near
Point Retreat, lower Lynn Canal, on September 1 (PS,
photos). This species is only very rarely sighted in
the inside waters near Juneau.
Photo by Paul Suchanek
Great Gray Owl. Reported by ADF&G staff
(Shawn Johnson), from the Peterson Creek area (North
Douglas) on September 8, and re-found on September 9
(PS, photos, MB, SZ). This bird was periodically
reported by local residents over the next several
weeks. 
Photo by Paul Suchanek
Northern Pygmy Owl. One observed near Point
Bridget State Park on August 29 (GV), one calling at
Mile 35 on September 19 (GV), one at an Auke Bay
feeder on October 15 (GV), and one just east of the
Sheep Creek Bridge along Thane Road on November 14
(AS).
Common Nighthawk. One was seen near the
Mendenhall Glacier on the afternoon of September 8
(MB). Another, believed to be a female, was seen at
the beginning of the Point Bridget Trail on September
10 (MB).
Vaux’s Swift. On September 4, a flock of 100
swirled above Eagle Beach (GV), followed by an even
larger flock of 150+ on September 7 (GV, PS,
SZ), perhaps the largest aggregation known for
Alaska..
Northern Flicker. Two red-shafted birds were seen
at the Mendenhall Glacier during September 20 - 22
(MB). A late bird seen on November 18 at Point
Bridget was a hybrid male (PS).
Olive-sided Flycatcher. One was seen hawking
insects above the parking lot at the Mendenhall
Glacier (MB, GH)
Horned Lark – Three very late individuals on
November 22 at Mendenhall Wetlands (PS).
American pipit – Individuals lingered into
November with 3 seen as late as November 29 at Point
Bridget (PS).
Red-breasted Nuthatch. There were many reports of
Red-breasted Nuthatches throughout the Juneau area
over the fall migration period. The maximum number
reported was an amazing flock of 55 birds counted in
the Cowee Meadows area on September 26 (MB).
Mountain Bluebird. Two were seen above the tram
(2,000 ft. elevation) on September 15 (RA).
Townsend’s Solitaire. A single bird was seen
on a ridge above Juneau on August 15 (DR).
Cedar Waxwing. Following the multitude of
June/July observations, Cedar Waxwings continued to
be seen into the fall, including a flock of 40 –
50 birds at Salmon Creek on August 20 (MB). Large
numbers were discovered near Lemon Creek at the end
of August (MM), with 80 counted on August 31 (GV),
including observations of an adult feeding young. On
September 4, the flock numbered 110 (GV), perhaps
the largest number ever for Alaska. An apparent
family, with two adults feeding 3 young, was seen for
over two weeks in late July and early August in lower
Mendenhall Valley (DR), and at least 5 juvenile birds
were seen feeding in Juneau on August 13 (MM, GV).
Townsend’s Warbler. An amazing flock of 50+
birds was observed in Auke Bay on August 28 (GV).
Palm Warbler. One was seen along the dike
trail on November 11 (GV)--the latest record for
Juneau.
Blackpoll Warbler. The first migrant was seen in
the lower Mendenhall Valley (PS), then another one at
the Mendenhall Glacier Forelands, and still another
in the upper Mendenhall Valley (MB), all on August
23. One was seen at Auke Bay on August 25 (GV), while
the last one was noted on September 4 in the lower
Mendenhall Valley, at Brotherhood Bridge (PS, GV).
These observations probably represent a new high
count for Juneau.
American Redstart. A male was seen in a mixed
flock of songbirds near the Eagle Beach Boy Scout
Camp on the weekend of August 16 (MB). Another was
seen near Moose Lake on August 23 (PS). A female was
seen along the Moraine Ecology Trail on August 24
(MB, GH). The last migrant female was noted on
September 6 at Point Bridget (PS).
Chipping Sparrow. A juvenile bird was seen in a
large flock of sparrows near the Mendenhall Glacier
on September 6 (MB). Another juvenile was seen in a
sparrow group in an Auke Bay neighborhood on
September 4 – 5 (MS).
Harris’ Sparrow. An immature bird
occurred at an Auke Bay feeder during September 24
– 26 (GV, m.obs.). perhaps a record-tying early
arrival date for Alaska.
Snow Bunting. Three were seen at Sandy Beach on
November 18 (GU), and were still there on November 19
(MB).
Red-winged Blackbird. This species breeds in the
marsh by the Pioneer’s Home. At least five young
birds were still being seen there on October 16 (SZ).
Brown-headed Cowbird. Two juvenile-looking birds
were seen at near the Mendenhall Glacier on August 11
(MB).
Pine Siskin. Although scarce for most of the
period, large numbers of pine siskins moved into the
area in late November (PS, GV, SZ). The largest flock
reported was one with 1,500+ birds at Pint Bridget
State Park in the latter part of November (PS).
Other sightings reported from outside the
Juneau area:
Wilson’s Phalarope. Nat Drumheller reported a
juvenile, seen on a mudflat along the Salmon River
(Gustavus), on October 4 (from Eaglechat).
Curlew Sandpiper. Nat Drumheller reported one at
the mouth of the Good River (Gustavus) at low tide on
October 3 (from Eaglechat). 
Curlew Sandpiper - Photo by Nat
Drumheller
Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Nat Drumheller reported
two, seen in Gustavus, feeding near the edge of a
shallow intertidal pool on August 29 (from
Eaglechat).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper -
Photo by Nat Drumheller
White-throated Sparrow. Phoebe Vanselow and Nat
Drumheller reported one at their feeder in Gustavus
on November 9 (from Eaglechat).
Brown-headed Cowbird. Marlena Mooring reported
seeing 4+ at 17-mile Haines Highway on September 26
(from Eaglechat).
Laughing Gull. One was seen in Eastern Icy Strait,
and a different bird was seen in Cross Sound on
August 31, (SZ, MB, RG). Details were submitted in a
report e-mailed on 9/11/04.
Buller’s Shearwater. Three were seen on
September 1, offshore a little east of Cape Suckling
(SZ, MB, RG). Details were submitted in a report
e-mailed on 9/11/04
Manx Shearwater. One was seen a little west of
Cape Suckling on September 1, 2004 SZ, MB). Details
were submitted in a report e-mailed on 9/11/04
