Sitka Nature

Early in January I noticed a Sea Otter feeding in the kelp patch right off the Sea Mart Parking lot. The juvenile gull pictured here followed it around pretty closely, presumably hoping to grab a scrap or two from what the otter was eating. Unfortunately, the light and distance were such that I could not make out what the otter was eating, but I imagine it was some sort of echinoderm or mollusc. While I was watching, it didn’t appear that the gull managed to get anything and it eventually drifted away from the otter.

Another stormy night with lots of wind and rain through much of the night, especially the very early morning hours.

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Mystery Call: This is almost certainly a gull. I am not sure which species, though. My best guess would be a Mew Gull or maybe a Thayer’s Gull. I do not know what it was doing flying over at 00:57 during a relatively calm period before the wind and rain kicked up again. Download Mystery Call

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Birds in the Storm: The small song birds don’t have the luxury of waiting out hard weather. This short clip is of kinglets or chickadees calls that can be heard over rain and wind. Recorded at 08:26. Download Birds in the Storm

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Mystery Call: I’m not sure what this is, perhaps an owl? Possibly a human? Download Mystery Call

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Probable Northern Saw-whet Owl: I believe this is a Northern Saw-whet Owl. If so, it would be the first I’ve documented around here. They’re not really Rare, but I just haven’t happened to see or hear one before. Download Probable Northern Saw-whet Owl

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Gulls: The gulls have been quite vocal. I’m pretty sure these are about 1/8 mile or more away over on Indian River, where they are feeding on the spawned out salmon. Download Gulls

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Golden-crowned Kinglet Calls: I believe the high frequency calls are from Golden-crowned Kinglets. The primary calls are in the 7-9khz range, but there’s also a higher frequency call in the 8-10khz range that I think is also from the same bird. Download Golden-crowned Kinglet Calls

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Winter Wren Calls: I’m pretty sure this is a Winter Wren calling, and I believe they are alarm calls. Download Winter Wren Calls

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American Robin Calls and Song: I was interested to hear this robin calling in the morning. There’s a bit of quieter singing and then some alarming at the end. I think it might be a couple of birds, but I’m not sure. Download American Robin Calls and Song

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Winter Wren Calls: I think these Winter Wren calls might be an alarm, but it doesn’t seem too worked up. Download Winter Wren Calls

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Gull: Gull recorded at 06:30. I don’t know which species, but probably a Glaucous-winged Gull. If not that, then most likely a Herring or Thayer’s Gull. Download Gull

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Ravens Calling: The Ravens seem to start calling a little before sunrise. In this recording, it sounds like there are at least two, with one of them flying over the backyard while calling. Download Ravens Calling

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Sparrow: I think this is a Song Sparrow, but I’m not positive. It’s only a single call note. Download Sparrow

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High Calls: The high frequency calls in this recording are most likely some combination of Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and/or Chestnut-backed Chickadee. I’m not confident in my ability to distinguish them consistently yet. Throughout the recording in the background gulls can be heard down on Indian River. There are some other birds that also show up in the background. Download High Calls