Observations by Dale Chorman:
Finally taking a break this afternoon from all this intense but relaxing birding to get my blog post in. As I start to write I hear Sandhill Cranes, Golden-crown Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers out the window.
I visited the airport platform on Beluga Lake first thing this morning and it was spectacular. Shorebirds included Long-billed Dowitchers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Wilsons Snipes.
Nice lighting on Greater Scaups, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, and Northern Shovelers. Passerines included Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Also had a Northern Harrier fly over.
Enjoyed walking around Louie’s Lagoon next. Although the tide was half out, there were plenty of small flocks of Western Sandpipers interspersed with an occasional Dunlin. Many Least Sandpipers vigorously feeding and quite approachable. Semi-palmated Plovers abundant.
Dale Chorman is a lifelong birder who lives in Homer and has worked as a naturalist in Alaska for over 35 years. You may have met him during a past Festival on a guided walk or “Birding Hot Spots of Homer” tour.