Fairbanks can always use another Bohemian Waxwing

(Photo by Nancy DeWitt)

I went to Fairbanks this past weekend to do a presentation, but was asked to take a bohemian waxwing along to release it. None of the Bird TLC volunteers have seen any waxwings in Anchorage for a bit and all of the trees are already striped of berries. So I asked my host in Fairbanks, Nancy, and she said they have been seeing plenty. Bring it on.

So we went waxwing hunting Saturday morning and sure enough on the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus, there were plenty. Nancy pulled over and we got out and it sounded like a dozen George Jetson cars were going by. I opened the kennel and the waxwing hesitated for a few seconds and then came out like a bullet, straight for a spruce tree were there were already plenty of its cousins.

Once it made it to the tree, we couldn't tell one from another. They were all buzzing around chowing down on what berries were still on the trees.

And just in case the one waxwing wants to come back to Anchorage, there's a milepost right there.

 

Thanks for the help Nancy!

Hey Fairbanks!

Come visit us at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center on Saturday, April 5th from 1-4.

Ghost & Gus at Friends of Creamer's Field

Last weekend, Ghost, Gus and I were invited to Fairbanks to help out Friends of Creamer's field by doing presentations. Since it's one of our favorite places to go, we had to be there. ADF&G did an awesome job talking about the owls of Interior Alaska and putting on an awesome program on Short-Eared Owls.

Gus being the senior owl came out first. Being a Great Horned Owl, his species is well known.

We did another presentation later in the afternoon. Ghost the Snowy Owl always attracts the kids and photographers.

Friends of Creamer's Field had lots of artifacts showing what is at their place. I know if I lived in Fairbanks, that's where I'd be a volunteer at.

Here's hoping we raised them a few dollars and got some folks interested in volunteering. Thanks to Friends of Creamer's Field for inviting us, ADF&G, and Jim & Nancy Dewitt for putting the 3 of us up for the weekend. Oh, also thanks to Nancy for taking the photo's. We had a great time!

For love in Fairbanks

I was invited to participate in Owlpaloza at the Alaska Bird Observatory in Fairbanks by my friends Nancy and Jen. Little did we know that it would be such a hit and Gus our Great Horned Owl would find a friend.

On the first night after we arrived, Gus was staying in an outside mew on the deck. About 1AM there began a series of hoots and all were not Gus's. All night long they hooted back and forth.

As it got lighter, she got braver and came closer and closer to his mew. We could only get a faint view of her, but she responded to all of Gus's hoots.

As it got lighter, we were able to see what a beauty she really was. Her bib expanded with every hoot and her feet were bright and fluffy. I really don't know, but I believe she's a young gal. Maybe 2 to 3 years old.

Little did we know that she had got a lot closer when we weren't watching, and did some damage to the mew. Unfortunately for Gus, the next night he got to spend inside, for his safety and so we could sleep. He's a 20+ year old Great Horned Owl and not able to care for himself as well as a wild owl can.

The next day, as tired as he was, Gus and 3 other owls WOWed them at Owlpaloza! 775 people came to the event and saw 4 owls, but Gus was the only one love struck.

The story was all over Facebook and Twitter. For more on Gus and Owlpaloza, check these links.
Wickersham's Conscience
Fairbanks Daily News Miner
More to come!