2018 Talkeetna / Trapper Creek Birdathon Results

The Talkeetna / Trapper Creek Birdathon participants counted 64 species of resident and migrant birds during the weekend’s annual event, with challenging cool temperatures combined with frequent showers of rain, snow, and sleet, and all-too-infrequent sunshine. The group count, which varies widely year-to-year, came close to an “average” number.

The team of Billy FitzGerald and Robert Ambrose wound up with the longest list, walking away with the new Talkeetna-style trophy, fashioned by Jim Trump, and the toy bird adorned “crowns”. Chris and Barb Mannix were second with 47 species. The magpie pin went to an enthusiastic young birder, Jasper Marder.

The highlight of this year’s Birdathon for many participants was the spectacle of hundreds of waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes feeding, flying, and vocalizing at Saunders’ Field. The majority were Northern Pintail ducks, with three other species of ducks, several of geese, and a few Trumpeter Swans. A new species was added to the 28-year long list at the field: the Cackling Goose.

Raptors were well represented this year, with several sightings of Osprey, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawks, a couple Red-tailed Hawks, and numerous Bald Eagles. Most memorable was a Peregrine Falcon hunting waterfowl at the sanctuary, which was witnessed by a group of birders. Bill FitzGerald’s last sighted bird was an unusual bird of prey to see here, a Long-tailed Jaeger spotted from the gravel bar.

In contrast to the numbers of waterfowl, Fitzgerald and Ambrose turned in the sole American Robin, and also saw a lone Lapland Longspur. Ruth Wood slogged her way to known Solitary Sandpiper habitat, and found a solitary one. Participants may have all reported the same individual Common Loon, and there was one Hudsonian Godwit seen. The natural soundscape of the woods, bogs, and riparian areas was very quiet, with few migrating species of songbirds present in the Susitna Valley.

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Thank you to John Strasenburgh for the photos of birds taken at the sanctuary.