Bird talk around Homer is that a group of Whimbrels being seen around local beaches is actually Bristle-thighed Curlews! This calls for diligence in carrying binoculars to spot the telltale buffy-orange rump and unmarked light belly. No sign of them this morning on our Spit walk, but the Semi-palmated Plovers are finding nesting areas on the rocky ground above the high tide line and making a big show of leading us away from them.

The grass seed we spread on the bare areas of the yard last week is quickly being consumed by Golden-crowned Sparrows. Here is a shot of them under the spruce outside the kitchen. Little devils.

 Another low tide today and people were clamming in Mud Bay. The limit for razor clams is down to the first 25 dug. No picking out the big guys. There has been a serious decline in abundance of razor clams, the lowest on record at Ninilchik Beach since 1990 when the surveys began. Not very good news. 

Then there was this surprising photo of a ten pound fish leading the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby! I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Do we have a replay of the collapse of the Atlantic Cod fishery here?

Photo from the Homer Tribune