Spring Is Here On The Copper River Delta

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        After driving back to town from the airport following the Controller Bay Red Knot survey, scenery on the delta was noticeably greener. With some nice sunny and 65 degree days towards the end of the week leading into Memorial Day Weekend, its's safe to say that the Copper River Delta has transitioned into spring and even early summer. On Friday, May 27th, we even saw the first brood of Mallard ducklings along Copper River Highway when we were out tracking down some collared Duskies to photograph for the Alaska State Waterfowl Stamp Contest. Earlier in the week, we found a hen mallard nest with a clutch of eggs, as well as another couple Dusky nests which we deployed cameras on. In doing so, we also informed a group of teachers from Prince William Sound College on the processes of nest searching and setting up cameras. Mid-week, we took a day to get up bright and early to do some birding, looking for songbirds. Early enough to even catch some of the sunrise. We saw and heard several species including Orange-crowned Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and two Brown Bears on the way back to town. After a few more trainings here and there this week it's off to Dusky Camp for nest island monitoring. 


Collared Dusky photo I submitted to the Alaska State Duck Stamp Contest.

68W cruising in a roadside wetland. 

First Mallard brood of the year. 

Educating a group of teachers on the process of nest searching and monitoring. 

Clutch of Mallard eggs.

Lupine is common along the Copper River Highway.

Dragonfly at Alaganik Slough board walk. 

Sunrise during our morning of birding.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. 

Lincoln's Sparrow. 

Orange-crowned Warbler. 

Dusky posing nicely in some spring flora. 

Many wetlands are starting to bloom, and the ecology team with the Forest Service even started sampling some bees this week. 


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