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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

For The Birds - An immodest proposal

ActBlue. The color of Rainbow Glacier peeking through last night’s snow. I could send $5 to side with the plight of Wisconsin workers and support the campaign to unseat Governor Scott Walker or I can ponder the future of resident and migratory birds that visit Southeast Alaska. I’m not registered in Wisconsin. I’ll vote for the birds.

After a silent winter I awaken in early dawn to a melodic cacophony streaming through my open window. Droves of birds newly arrived elude my eye, but call me to action.

A thousand washable bird bags, 25 mist nets and poles, a bird-banding table, banding tools and rubber bands. Easily acquired items and a shelter for inclement weather and tool storage comprise the physical necessities to host a bird observatory at Seven Echoes Homestead.

The idea of creating a bird observatory at the homestead hatched when Pam Randles shared her desire to achieve Master Bander status.  I learned that the Takshanuk Watershed Council is looking for a suitable location to establish an educational bird observatory in Haines. Pam, the watershed education program coordinator, believes in a citizen science approach to learning about our environment and is heading up the observatory site search. The purpose of the proposed observatory: to collect information on migratory birds and band birds for further study, and to establish a nature center for students and community members.

I invited Pam to walk the flats on a brisk autumn day. Binoculars in hand, we headed down an overgrown logging road and within minutes she enthused, “I’ve already identified 25 different species by sight or song!” Before we reached the open flats the underbrush was disturbed by an immature robin thrashing at the edge of the path, beating its way into the brush as we approached. On our return several hours later we found the robin lifeless in the path. On closer observation in Pam’s cupped hand we saw a deep puncture wound, probably from a weasel or a hawk.

Seven Echoes Homestead forms a ragged green crescent at the head of Mud Bay. On most maps look for Flat Bay on the east shores of the Chilkat Peninsula. The tidal flats and uplands provide sanctuary for scores of migratory and resident bird species. Approximately 250 bird species frequent the Chilkat Valley. Equally as many residents are casual birdwatchers, 30 are serious birders. My closest neighbor keeps a notebook of unusual sightings while crossing the mud flats at low tide or exploring the flats and uplands with his daughter. His journal pinpoints unusual valley visitors, a Sandhill Crane resting in the upper bay, and a Redtailed Hawk and fledgling. “Kee-eeeeeeee-arrr,” rings down through the woods some summers.

The Chilkat Valley is strategically located to gather needed information about migratory birds from all parts of North and South America, from Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and Mexico. Millions of birds catch the North American and Pacific flyways to summer over and breed in Alaska. There are three Bird Observatories in the Yukon and one in Fairbanks, none in Southeast Alaska. An observatory at the homestead would honor our family legacy by helping ornithologists understand changes in bird populations in this time of climate change.  4.11.11