BlueRavenBirders

I generally publish my year list in early December since I tend not to go anywhere for that month and there’s really a limit to what I could see in Anchorage that I haven’t seen many many many times before. Like ravens. I love the ravens, don’t get me wrong, they’re so much fun in winter here, but I have seen ravens lots this year. This year something made me hold off on putting the list up and I’m so glad I did! We had a rare visitor to Anchorage the past couple of weeks, a sharp-tailed grouse, and I finally got a chance to see it yesterday. When I say rare, I mean rare. If the listserv traffic is accurate, it’s the first sighting of this species in Anchorage ever. And I think it’s extra special cool that the last bird I could add to my list for 2017 is a life list bird for me too!

I might have done a little happy dance on the street when I saw it in the binoculars. Maybe. Ain’t tellin.

It’s been hanging out on the same block just off of downtown, and apparently is something of a schedule-fanatic because it’s been seen about the same time every day and not a lot of reports of it showing up at other times. I finally managed to get there at the right time. Thankfully I spotted him from a distance, not that it was easy to miss that giant blob in the tree, but I honestly hadn’t planned to look that high up. I’m clearly no expert on grouse, but I’d always assumed they were really more of a land bird so I wasn’t expecting them to be high enough in a tree to be clearing the roof of a two story house and then some.

I wasn’t really in the mood to do a lot of birding (I just adopted a kitten and there’s only so long I wanted to leave it alone) but I went for a short walk up the Ship Creek trail and the end to my brief birding jaunt was getting to watch a pair of American dippers diving and swimming, hunting for food. And grouse or no grouse, the day you get to watch dippers do their thing is always a great day’s birding.

The asterisk in the numbered list below denotes a life list bird for me. But since you probably don’t want to dig through that whole thing, I’ll sum up the life list additions here (33 of them):

White-winged crossbill, reddish egret, common gallinule, blue-grey gnatcatcher, boat-tailed grackle, sharp-tailed grouse, laughing gull, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, little blue heron, Allen’s hummingbird, ruby-throated hummingbird, glossy ibis, nutmeg mannikin, white-breasted nuthatch, clapper rail (heard only), Virginia rail, Florida scrub-jay, sora , northern rough-winged swallow, western tanager, blue-winged teal, common tern, brown thrasher, tufted titmouse, canyon towhee, eastern towhee, magnolia warbler, pine warbler, prairie warbler, yellow-throated warbler, red-bellied woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker.

So here’s the long list for the year: a total of 232 birds! I’m pretty impressed with my count, I’m sure that’s my highest year yet. I have a few short trips scheduled for early next year though, so we’ll see how that goes. Also, the list below reflects the first date/place in the year I saw the bird, but some of them I also saw later here in AK and the count on species I saw in AK is 99.

1. Anhinga (10/12 Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, FL)
2. Auklet, parakeet (6/20 Northwestern Fjord, AK)
3. Auklet, rhinoceros (6/20 Chiswell Islands, AK)
4. Blackbird, Brewer’s (1/14 Santa Barbara, CA)
5. Blackbird, red-winged (3/4 Bellingham, WA)
6. Blackbird, rusty (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
7. Bluebird, eastern (10/12 Christmas, FL)
8. Bluebird, mountain (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
9. Bluebird, western (2/13 Bandelier NP, NM)
10. Brant (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
11. Bufflehead (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
12. Canvasback (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
13. Cardinal, northern (4/18 Duluth, GA)
14. Catbird, grey (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
15. Chickadee, black-capped (1/27 Anchorage, AK)
16. Chickadee, chestnut-backed (8/29 Vashon Island, WA)
17. Chickadee, boreal (3/25 Anchorage, AK heard only)
18. Chickadee, Carolina (4/20 Duluth, GA)
19. Chickadee, mountain (8/7 Coeur d’Alene, ID)
20. Coot, American (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
21. Cormorant, double-crested (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
22. Cormorant, pelagic (6/20 Resurrection Bay, AK)
23. Cormorant, red-faced (6/20 Chiswell Islands, AK)
24. Cowbird, brown-headed (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
25. Crane, sandhill (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
26. Creeper, brown (8/5 Hayden Lake, ID)
27. *Crossbill, white winged (3/25 Girdwood, AK)
28. Crow, American (1/14 Los Angeles, CA)
29. Crow, fish (10/11 Titusville, FL)
30. Crow, northwestern (6/19 Seward, AK)
31. Curlew, Longbilled (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
32. Dipper, American (5/4 Anchorage, AK)
33. Dove, Eurasian collared (2/13 Santa Fe, NM)
34. Dove, mourning (1/17 Ballona wetlands, Playa Del Rey, CA)
35. Dowitcher, long-billed (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
36. Dowitcher, short-billed (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
37. Duck, ring-necked (4/29 Anchorage, AK)
38. Duck, Harlequin (6/19 Anchorage, AK)
39. Duck, ruddy (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
40. Duck, wood (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
41. Eagle, bald (3/4 Bellingham, WA)
42. Egret, cattle (10/12 Christmas, FL)
43. Egret, great (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
44. *Egret, reddish (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
45. Egret, snowy (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
46. Finch, house (1/17 Ballona wetlands, Playa Del Rey, CA)
47. Flicker, northern (2/13 Bandelier NP, NM)
48. Flycatcher, alder (6/4 Anchorage AK)
49. Flycatcher, willow (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
50. Gadwall (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
51. *Gallinule, common (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
52. *Gnatcatcher, blue-grey (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
53. Godwit, marbled (1/17 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
54. Goldeneye, Barrow’s (3/5 Coupeville, WA)
55. Goldeneye, common (3/25 Anchorage, AK)
56. Goldfinch, American (8/29 Vashon Island, WA)
57. Goose, cackling (4/15 Anchorage, AK)
58. Goose, Canada (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
59. Goose, emperor (4/15 Anchorage, AK)
60. Goose, snow (6/14 Fairbanks, AK)
61. *Grackle, boat-tailed (10/11 Titusville, FL)
62. Grackle, common (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
63. Grackle, great-tailed (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
64. Grebe, Clark’s (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
65. Grebe, eared (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
66. Grebe, pied-billed (1/17 Ballona wetlands, Playa Del Rey, CA)
67. Grebe, red-necked (4/29 Anchorage, AK)
68. Grebe, western (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
69. Grosbeak, pine (3/25 Girdwood, AK)
70. *Grouse, sharp-tailed (12/26 Anchorage, AK)
71. Guillemot, pigeon (3/5 Coupeville, WA)
72. Gull, Bonaparte’s (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
73. Gull, California (8/7 Coeur d’Alene, ID)
74. Gull, glaucous-winged (3/6 Port Angeles)
75. Gull, Heermann’s (1/16 San Clemente, CA)
76. Gull, herring (4/15 Anchorage, AK)
77. *Gull, laughing (10/11 Titusville, FL)
78. Gull, mew (4/15 Anchorage, AK)
79. Gull, ringbilled (1/17 Playa Del Rey, CA)
80. Gull, western (1/17 Playa Del Rey, CA)
81. Harrier, northern (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
82. *Hawk, Cooper’s (2/15 Petroglyphs NM, NM)
83. Hawk, red-shouldered (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
84. Hawk, red-tailed (2/15 Petroglyphs NM, NM)
85. *Hawk, sharp-shinned (8/30 Vashon Island, WA)
86. Heron, great blue (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
87. Heron, green (1/17 Ballona wetlands, Playa Del Rey, CA)
88. *Heron, little blue (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
89. Heron, tri-colored (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
90. *Hummingbird, Allen’s (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
91. Hummingbird, Anna’s (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
92. *Hummingbird, ruby-throated (10/14 Cocoa Beach, FL)
93. Hummingbird, rufous (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
94. *Ibis, glossy (10/12 Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, FL)
95. Ibis, white (10/11 Titusville, FL)
96. Ibis, white-faced (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
97. Jay, blue (4/21 Duluth, GA)
98. Jay, grey (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
99. Jay, Steller’s (2/14 Santa Fe, NM)
100. Junco, dark-eyed (2/12 Albuquerque, NM: OR and grey-headed, 5/4 slate-colored Anchorage AK)
101. Kestrel, American (1/15 Crystal Cove State Beach, CA)
102. Killdeer (1/17 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
103. Kingbird, eastern (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
104. Kingbird, western (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
105. Kingfisher, belted (3/6 Port Angeles, WA)
106. Kinglet, golden crowned (5/4 Anchorage, AK)
107. Kinglet, ruby crowned (5/4 Anchorage, AK)
108. Kittiwake, black-legged (6/20 Seward, AK)
109. Loon, common (3/4 Larrabee State Park, WA)
110. Loon, Pacific (5/20 Anchorage, AK)
111. Loon, red-throated (3/7 Dungeness NWR, WA)
112. Magpie, black-billed (1/12 Anchorage, AK)
113. Mallard (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
114. *Mannikin, nutmeg (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
115. Merganser, common (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
116. Merganser, redbreasted (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
117. Mockingbird, northern (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
118. Murre, common (6/20 Resurrection Bay, AK)
119. Murrelet, Kittlitz’s (6/20 Northwestern Fjord, AK)
120. Murrelet, marbled (6/20 Northwestern Fjord, AK)
121. Night heron, black-crowned (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
122. Nuthatch, pygmy (2/13 Bandelier NP, NM)
123. Nuthatch, redbreasted (3/6 Dungeness NWR, WA)
124. *Nuthatch, white-breasted (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
125. Oriole, Bullock’s (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
126. Osprey (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
127. Owl, great horned (3/25 Portage, AK)
128. Oystercatcher, black (6/20 Chiswell Islands, AK)
129. Pelican, American white (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
130. Pelican, brown (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
131. Phalarope, red-necked (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
132. Phalarope, Wilson’s (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
133. Phoebe, black (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
134. *Phoebe, eastern (4/21 Duluth, GA)
135. Phoebe, Say’s (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
136. Pigeon, rock (1/2 Anchorage, AK)
137. Pintail, northern (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
138. Plover, black-bellied (10/12 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
139. Puffin, horned (6/20 Resurrection Bay, AK)
140. Puffin, tufted (6/20 Chiswell Islands, AK)
141. Quail, California (8/5 Hayden Lake, ID)
142. *Rail, clapper (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA heard only)
143. *Rail, Virginia (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
144. Raven, common (1/2 Anchorage, AK)
145. Redhead (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
146. Redpoll, common (2/17 Anchorage, AK)
147. Roadrunner (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
148. Robin, American (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
149. Sanderling (10/12 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
150. Sandpiper, least (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
151. Sandpiper, pectoral (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
152. Sandpiper, solitary (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
153. Sandpiper, western (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
154. Red-naped sapsucker (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
155. Scaup, greater (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
156. Scaup, lesser (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
157. Scoter, black (3/7 Dungeness NWR, WA)
158. Scoter, surf (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
159. *Scrub-jay, Florida (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
160. Scrub-jay, western (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
161. Shoveler, northern (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
162. Siskin, pine (3/25 Girdwood, AK)
163. Snipe, Wilson’s (4/29 Anchorage, AK)
164. Solitaire, Townsend’s (2/14 Pecos NP, NM)
165. *Sora (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
166. Sparrow, American tree (6/14 Denali NP, AK)
167. Sparrow, chipping (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
168. Sparrow, fox (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
169. Sparrow, grasshopper (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
170. Sparrow, house (1/14 Santa Barbara, CA)
171. Sparrow, Lincoln’s (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
172. Sparrow, Savannah (5/30 Anchorage, AK)
173. Sparrow, song (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
174. Sparrow, vesper (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
175. Sparrow, white-crowned (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
176. Starling, European (1/16 Capistrano, CA)
177. Stilt, black-necked (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
178. Swallow, barn (8/7 Coeur d’Alene, ID)
179. Swallow, cliff (6/7 Portage, AK)
180. *Swallow, northern rough-winged (4/21 Duluth, GA)
181. Swallow, tree (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
182. Swallow, violet-green (5/25 Anchorage, AK)
183. Swan, trumpeter (4/23 Anchorage, AK)
184. Swan, tundra (3/4 Mount Vernon, WA)
185. *Tanager, western (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
186. *Teal, blue-winged (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
187. Teal, cinnamon (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
188. Teal, green-winged (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
189. Tern, Arctic (4/29 Anchorage, AK)
190. Tern, Caspian (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
191. *Tern, common (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
192. *Thrasher, brown (4/21 Duluth, GA)
193. Thrasher, California (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
194. Thrasher, curve-billed (2/14 Santa Fe, NM)
195. Thrush, hermit (6/21 Seward, AK)
196. Thrush, Swainson’s (6/4 Anchorage, AK heard)
197. Thrush, varied (3/8 Ruby Beach, WA)
198. *Titmouse, tufted (4/20 Duluth, GA)
199. *Towhee, canyon (2/13 Bandelier NP, NM)
200. *Towhee, eastern (10/15 Merritt Island NWR, FL)
201. Towhee, spotted (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
202. Turkey (8/5 North of Hayden Lake, ID)
203. Vulture, black (10/11 Titusville, FL)
204. Vulture, turkey (1/14 Los Angeles, CA)
205. Warbler, blackpoll (6/4 Anchorage, AK)
206. *Warbler, magnolia (10/11 Titusville, FL)
207. Warbler, orange-crowned (5/23 Anchorage, AK)
208. *Warbler, pine (10/12 Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, FL)
209. *Warbler, prairie (10/11 Titusville, FL)
210. Warbler, yellow-rumped–Myrtle (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
211. *Warbler, yellow-throated (10/14 Cocoa, FL)
212. Warbler, Wilson’s (5/30 Anchorage, AK)
213. Warbler, yellow (8/5 Hayden Lake, ID)
214. Warbler, yellow-rumped–Myrtle (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
215. Waterthrush, northern (5/23 Anchorage, AK)
216. Waxwing, Bohemian (1/2 Anchorage, AK)
217. Waxwing, cedar (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
218. Wigeon, American (1/15 Back Bay, Newport Beach, CA)
219. Wigeon, Eurasian (5/11 Anchorage, AK)
220. Willet (1/17 Bolsa Chica Nature Preserve, CA)
221. Wood-pewee, western (8/6 Turnbull NWR, WA)
222. Woodpecker, downy (2/12 Albuquerque, NM)
223. Woodpecker, hairy (3/25 Anchorage, AK)
224. Woodpecker, Nuttall’s (1/14 El Capitan State Beach, CA)
225. *Woodpecker, red-bellied (4/20 Duluth, GA)
226. *Woodpecker, red-headed (4/22 Duluth, GA)
227. Wren, canyon (2/15 Petroglyphs NM, NM)
228. Wren, Carolina (4/20 Duluth, GA)
229. Wren, house (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)
230. Yellowlegs, greater (5/2 Anchorage, AK)
231. Yellowlegs, lesser (5/6 Anchorage, AK)
232. Yellowthroat, common (1/16 San Joaquin Nature Preserve, Irvine, CA)