This discussion and others has me wondering about the Western Grebe. People talk about 90% declines in population, but how do we really know? As Steve says, Alaska is a really big place, as are BC and Yukon Territory. We see other birds moving in here from down south (Western Scrub Jay for one), we see birds coming from Asia to breed in Alaska, how do we know that some of the Western Grebe population hasn't moved north as well? Or other species for that matter. The amount of territory in Canada and alaska is massive. I really wonder just how dramatic the population drops in some species is, or if there is some movement in populations involved in the differences?

Brett A. Wolfe
Seattle, WA

Steve Ellis <sellis at coup.wednet.edu> wrote:
Western Alaska is huge and largely unpeopled. Vast areas must receive little
birding attention and therefore Baikal Teal and other Asian species can
slip in "under the radar". Ten years ago I surmised Eurasian Wigeons were
breeding in Alaska because more and more were showing up here in Washington.
This has been proven to be the case.
I know absolutely nothing of Baikal Teal breeding habitat needs but it's
not inconceivable that a few pairs could colonize the Yukon/Kuskokwim River
Delta area (it's the size of some small eastern states!) and go unnoticed.
The area produces millions of birds each summer. Even though the Fish &
Wildlife folks survey the deltas a pair or 2 of teal may go unseen.
Steve Ellis
sellis at coup.wednet.edu

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