Spring... Winter... Spring...

Spring migration is underway in typical stop-start fashion—60°F one day, snowstorm, melting, snowing . . . En route to the grocery store on one of the nice days, I passed by the Breckenridge Sewage Lagoons. A flock of Snow Geese with a lone Ross's Goose and a few sets of Mallards made up the day's waterfowl. The standout was a bird I have only seen a couple of times in Alaska: a single American Pipit exploring the mud and water on a corner of the water.

On not such a nice morning, today, I went down to the park hoping to see some more waterfowl, but it seems the recent snow has slowed down the local inflow of birds. Still, I did spot my first Gadwall, Wood Ducks, and Belted Kingfisher!

2025 Underway

With 2025 well underway and more free time at hand, I got out for my first real birding venture of the year. En route to the cities to watch some of the state hockey tournament, I made a stop at Pelican Lake.

I was hoping to list a variety of waterfowl (merganser species in particular), but the only birds on the water were Trumpeter Swans and Canadas. Redpolls and common year-round inhabitants bolstered a modest list. It was nice just getting out and breaking up the drive.

Between all of the weird and wild hockey games, I walked through the Kane Meadows Open Space area where Mallards were foraging through a thawed section of water and small birds were flittering about the bare bushes and trees.

On Saturday, I drove home and watched the Spuds finally get the job done and am now looking forward to the weekend for Project FeederWatch (and video games).