Winter was wet and warm in Juneau. Probably as
a result, Christmas Bird Count (CBC) numbers of
American Wigeon (264), and Green-winged Teal (60)
were at record highs, and numbers of Mallards
(1,948), Northern Pintail (20), Canvasback (5),
Ring-neck Duck (2), Greater Scaup (180) and
American Coot (4) were all above average.
Highest-ever counts of Killdeer (19), Hermit
Thrush (2), Savannah Sparrow (6) and Red
Crossbill (359) were also recorded. An
Anna’s Hummingbird and a Spotted Towhee were
highlights of the season. Large shorebird flocks
were seen through the winter months at Eagle
Beach (mainly Black Turnstones and Rock
Sandpipers with small numbers of Dunlin) and
along Egan Expressway near Salmon Creek (mainly
Dunlin and Rock Sandpipers).
Tundra Swan. A single bird was seen on the
Mendenhall Wetlands on the CBC (12/14). It may
have been the same bird that was reported earlier
in the month on Moose Lake.
Gadwall. 11 were seen in Juneau on the CBC
(12/14). Eight were at Fish Creek on January 3
(SZ).
Green-winged Teal. Sixty were seen on the CBC
(12/14). 86 were seen on the Douglas side of the
Mendenhall Wetlands on January 24 (SZ). These are
very high winter counts for Juneau.
American Wigeon. 264 were seen on the CBC
(12/14), a very high winter number for Juneau.
Northern Harrier. A single bird was seen
several times on the Mendenhall Wetlands or at
nearby Douglas Island from 12/29 through at least
1/2. (BA, GV, SZ)
Killdeer. 19 were seen on the CBC (12/14). 14
were seen at the mouth of Salmon Creek in
mid-January (RA)
Greater Yellowlegs. A single bird was seen on
several occasions on the Mendenhall Wetlands
between 1/13 and 1/21 (LC, GV, SZ).
Anna’s Hummingbird. The bird that
was first seen at a feeder in Auke Bay on October
10, was last seen on December 25 when it appeared
to have been taken by a Sharp-shinned Hawk (GV)
Varied Thrush. Single birds were seen in the
Mendenhall Valley on 12/29 (DM), and at Norway
Point from 12/30 through the end of January (GU).
American Robin. Four were seen on the CBC
(12/14). A single bird was seen on the Mendenhall
Wetlands on 12/22 (DR).
Spotted Towhee. The bird that was first
seen on 11/11 was still being seen at the same
feeder on Douglas Island through at least early
February (BA, m.obs).
Red Crossbill. Many flocks were seen
throughout Juneau during the count period. The
359 seen on the CBC (12/14) was an all time high.
White Crossbill. This species appeared to show
up later than Red Crossbill, but by the time of
the CBC (12/14) they were numerous at some
locations on the northern edge of the count area
and 368 birds were tallied.
