Bryce W. Robinson |

December 4, 2013

Late Changing Plumage of Rock Ptarmigan

by Bryce W. Robinson

Male Rock Ptarmigan- Lagopus muta, still in basic plumage. June 21, 2013. Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

My exposure to Ptarmigan this past summer was not limited. Although I haven’t been able to track down the White-tailed Ptarmigan, I have had a lot of experience with both the Willow and Rock Ptarmigan.

Without hesitation I’d say that the easiest way to distinguish the two species is by call. This is very helpful in early summer, when males are traipsing around the open tundra, full of hormones, calling and chasing one another constantly. But what about later in the season, when birds are more cryptic? What about females?

The differences in plumage are subtle, and so far I feel I could only distinguish females in alternate plumage if they were side by side.

Shape is a helpful tool. Richard Crossley asked me how I distinguish between the females of the two species. My response was head shape, but he persisted and exposed my lack of confidence with the parameter. I feel like I have head shape down, but I’ll need more practice this coming summer as I chase the Gyrfalcon around the Seward Peninsula.

I chose to share the above photo as it shows a Rock Ptarmigan in late June. In late may, male Willow Ptarmigan already have full reddish necks, as they have started their pre-alternate molt. Interestingly, male Rock Ptarmigan do not begin their pre-alternate molt until early July. This makes for a simple identification tool. I’ve yet to research any answers to this difference in timing of molt between the two species. I of course, encourage any discussion on the matter.

November 27, 2013

Identifying Female Goldeneye

by Bryce W. Robinson

Last weekend at Cascade Reservoir in central Idaho I photographed three female Goldeneye. Initially I thought I had captured two Common Goldeneye, with a Barrow’s Goldeneye in between.

After reviewing the photos, my initial identification became muddled. I wondered if the middle bird was indeed a Barrow’s. For one thing, it simply didn’t fit the bill shape, but it was obviously different from the other birds.

Of course some review provided me with a helpful article on David Sibley’s blog. He details the dilemma of differentiating female Goldeneye.

When I first saw the middle bird, I noticed the difference in head shape, which set me towards Barrow’s in the field. After reviewing the photos, the head shape is one aspect that made me question my initial ID. I expect the head shape to be more dramatic on a Barrow’s Goldeneye, with a steeper forehead. Still, as Sibley cautions, using head shape can be problematic, as it changes with the mood and activity of the bird.

The bill shape for the middle bird is different from the other two, but the difference is subtle. I started questioning my identification because although the bill seems smaller and shorter, it isn’t quite the right shape for Barrow’s. The bill of the middle bird is still rather geometric, or straight edged, as I’d expect in a Common Goldeneye.

I’ll admit, the difference in bill color of the middle bird is what my in the field identification was mainly based upon. This is where the learning comes in to play. I consulted my friend and new found birding mentor, Jay Carlisle, just after I had looked over some of the photos on our drive away from the shoreline. He couldn’t focus on the photos in the car (so he said, but perhaps he was being polite). He simply said that although he could only bear a quick glance, the bill color for Common Goldeneye can appear lighter. Sibley describes the occurance of light billed female Common Goldeneye as very rare. He does, however, talk about the bill color of juveniles as being an olive yellow color. This color description seems to fit the middle bird.

Of course there are many other factors that contribute to a positive ID either way. Regrettably, I did not study the birds as much as I should have in the field. Regardless, I believe I have a confident ID on the middle bird. I believe it is a juvenile Common Goldeneye. Although the shape differs from the other birds, and the bill color is not black, as you might expect for a female common goldeneye, there is nothing else that suggests that this bird is a Barrow’s. So, separated from the two adult Common Goldeneye based on bill color, smaller head size, muted eye color, the bird must be a juvenile Common Goldeneye.

I can’t quite claim that I have the issue down to a science, although it has been a worthy learning exercise. I encourage and welcome any discussion on the topic. It would be fun to hear what others think.

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November 26, 2013

A Highlight of Birding- Breeding Sabine’s Gulls

by Bryce W. Robinson

I can write a book about how many birding highlights I had this past summer on Alaska’s north slope. It seemed every day I had a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.

I’ve mentioned before that Richard Crossley came to Prudhoe Bay on my last week of work in the region. I agreed to guide him around the oil fields for a day and show him where I had seen particular species. He, of course, had an agenda, and I was tasked to help him out.

We had a hell of a day. I think we started around 8 in the morning, and by midnight, I was still wandering around the tundra photographing birds. He was very keen on finding the Sabine’s Gulls, a bird of which I had seen little. Still, I had a reliable spot that would likely turn up a few gulls, in the least. Just after midnight, we headed that way.

We stopped near the spot I planned to check, only to photograph a small group of Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers. While Richard took photos, I scanned about. I then saw a single Sabine’s some yards away. I alerted Richard. After scanning about a bit, we found a dozen more.

Excitedly we approached the group of gulls and began photographing. The gulls would lift off, and take turns harassing us. Such behavior is typical of breeding birds, defending their young. I took advantage of their tenacity and let my shutter fly. After gathering more photos than necessary, I began the search for the young. Soon enough I found a single bird across a pond, sitting with an adult. It was nothing more than a single ball of grey fluff. So adorable, and so vulnerable.

Our intrusion lasted only a moment. We recognized the stress we were causing the birds, and left. It couldn’t have been better; finding Sabine’s, which I’d barely seen, and having the opportunity to see both adult and young at such close proximity. The experience will stick with me for my lifetime.

The tragedy comes with the benefits of digital photography. Through some glitch, I lost nearly all photos from that evening. Luckily, I have one. It is a photo in the striking midnight sun of the arctic, of a bird I will never forget, and hope to see again, somewhere on the open arctic tundra.

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November 24, 2013

The Pygmy Nuthatch

by Bryce W. Robinson

I’ve been very fortunate to bird as often as possible while I’m busy in grad school. The semester is nearing a close, which means the work load has increased, exponentially, it seems. Luckily, I’ve managed my time such that I have been able to bird one day every week.

I’ve found myself part of a great birding crew. It’s been a blast, as we seem to find something notable every time we go out. Yesterdays star bird was a Little Gull, an incredible bird for central Idaho. It was very distant across Cascade Reservoir, so no photos. I did, however, manage to fulfill a photography goal I’ve been after for a while

Until yesterday, it seemed that I’d only seen the Pygmy Nuthatch- Sitta pygmaea, at the very top of tall conifers, out of reach even for my 300mm with a 1.4 tc attached. Any shot appeared a small dot on a tree, which of course does not honor the small nuthatch in the way it deserves. I consider the Pygmy Nuthatch to be one of the cutest birds of the forest. They are small and vocal, full of personality. With my photography, I’d like to capture that personality.

While checking the outflow of Cascade Reservoir yesterday, we found a small group of very vocal “Piggies”. They were low in the trees, feeding and flitting about. Fortunately, they’d pause and take note of me, allowing for some quick snaps of my shutter. Finally, I’d caught the personality of the little piggies.

I think my interpretations of the birds behaviors are a little anthropocentric, but still, they seemed shy but inquisitive. Because of their size, appearance, and personality, I find them one of the funnest birds to interact with in the high pine forest.

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