Ts'ats'ee* Bird Observatory
January 25, 2012 - 3:35pm | 
staff
Birds from all over the western hemisphere migrate to and from Alaska, yet there is only one active bird observatory in the state. The Takshanuk Watershed Council has formed the second observatory in the state. Migratory birds are packets of information, and banding them allows scientists to track their movements and learn about conditions and changes over a wide range of locations.
In recent years, based on observations of migrating birds and the Christmas Bird Count, some changes in species and numbers have been noted by local residents. By forming an observatory in Southeast Alaska, TWC hopes to be able to contribute to a better understanding of bird movements and populations.
Initially, TWC will band songbirds in spring to identify the diversity of migratory species and local flyways. We will look at the relationship between habitat changes due to glacial rebound and climate change, and how they impact bird diversity. During summer, TWC will operate a MAPS Station (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivability) to assess breeding populations. The Bird Observatory also is conducting eagle migration and nesting success surveys
TWC is working in collaboration with the Seven Echoes Homestead in the mouth of the Chilkat Watershed, a major flyway for migratory birds moving up the Pacific flyway to interior Alaska. In the future, we hope to be able to host other research projects.
Ts'ats'ee Bird Observatory Activities
Eagle Nest Survey
Monitoring Bird Populations through eBird
*Ts'ats'ee is a Tlingit word meaning singing bird.
