Hi,
We were in Alaska for two weeks for a conference, and I was so happy to return to a yard full of birds! I have a neighbor who keeps the feeders full while I am away.

We landed at Sea-Tac about 4:30 AM friday morning, and got to the house about 6 AM. While scanning my yard, I found what was either a Dusky or Hammond's flycatching in the early dawn. (first time for either in my yard) Due to lighting, and the loudness of all the other birds, I was unable to get a definate ID on the bird, I couldn't hear its call, although it did call a couple of times. I am leaning towards Dusky however, due to bill length.
Tons of Evening Grosbeaks, I counted over 60 just a while ago, and quit.

Was not able to get out and bird in Alaska due to the schedule, but did have a nice boat ride out of Seward, on our one day off...saw 5 Humpback's, several Sea Otters; lots of gulls, Cormorants, and the Tufted Puffins had just come in, so there were several large groups of them. No Horned Puffins were seen. Missed a lot of birds I was hoping for in the Alcid family though. Artic Terns were everywhere, and they were starting to nest already at Potter's Marsh in Anchorage, as the gulls and Red Necked Grebes.
--
Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake Wa
vickibiltz at comcast.net