Lynn Barber

Today was mostly a day of highway driving. Before I started the big drive, however, I attempted to bird some gravel roads around Delta Junction. After only 1/2 block on the first road that I chose, I came upon a red flag and a sign indicating that the road beyond was closed for military maneuvers. On the second road I was able to drive nearly 2 miles before I came to the red flag warning. This road was very productive so I was able to bird before and after I turned around.

Birds seen and photographed included a flock of Common Ravens (over 12), a dark Rough-legged Hawk, Wilson’s and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows and White-winged Crossbills.

Also seen were Gray Jays, Boreal Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, American Robins, Townsend’s and Orange-crowned Warblers, a Savannah and a Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Common Redpolls.

On the drive some of the same birds were periodically seen but it was very windy and sometimes rainy so I did not linger long anywhere. I did at least slow down to take a flower picture or two and at a couple of the more picturesque bogs along the way. Because I also learned that our dog Shar had been sick yesterday, which may be due to her cancer’s reappearance, I wanted to get home soon so drove much of the route without stopping. She seems to be okay for now.

289 species so far