Tag Archives: Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

The first domestic case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, was first detected in the southeastern U.S. back in January. It’s made it as far west as Colorado since then, and spring migration season means it’s likely on the move.  “With birds moving south to north this time of year, there’s the possibility that it may end up in …

Every year around the holidays, birding enthusiasts across the Western Hemisphere take part in the Christmas Bird Count. They document birds within a 15 mile radius over a 24-hour period, and the results are shared with the Audubon Society. Public observations from the Christmas Bird Count are often helpful for researchers, and can provide vital information about local bird populations …

It might still be technically spring for a few more weeks, but for all intents and purposes, summer has arrived in Kodiak. And with it, weekly activities for kids hosted by the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. 7-year-old Harper shows off her new Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Junior Ranger badge and certificate. (Photo by Kavitha George/KMXT) On Thursday, Ranger Ayisha Jaffer …

Vaccinium Ovalifolium, or Oval-leaf Blueberry. (Photo by Daysha Eaton/KMXT) Daysha Eaton/KMXT Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge biologists just wrapped up this season’s field work – monitoring berry supply in relation to health of bear populations. They’ve been assessing berry patches and doing aerial surveys for bears. The surveys are laying the groundwork to create a baseline from which to measure how climate change …

(Photo by Melody Ayres-Griffiths/Flickr) Daysha Eaton/KMXT Last year was not a good year for berries on Kodiak Island, to put it mildly. Low berry production was a bummer for human berry pickers. But the bad berry year also affected wildlife, including the island’s iconic brown bears that rely on the fruit to put on fat to survive the winter.   …

Peregrine falcon in Sitka. Photo by Harvey Barrison / Flickr Kayla Desroches/KMXT Saturday is Kodiak’s celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, and a couple of birds will be flying in for the occasion via plane. The visiting falcons – the merlin and the peregrine – are found all over North America, including Kodiak. They’ll be dropping by the Kodiak National …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge’s new manager stepped into his position this month. Michael Brady’s career with the Fish and Wildlife Service has taken him all over the country, including Massachusetts, Florida, and California. Directly before coming to Kodiak, he worked in Ventura, California as the project leader for four refuges, all of which dealt with the California …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT While camping on the south end of the island one day last summer, Kodiak resident Joe Black walked by some rocks and two faces popped out at him. They were markings he identified as possible petroglyphs, and he found two carvings among them that he thinks might be anatomical – fertility symbols, he says. “The winter solstice is …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT This coming Labor Day weekend also ushers in Kodiak’s First Friday Art Walk. Erin Starr-Hollow, the Programs Coordinator with the Kodiak Arts Council, says the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge’s recent 75th anniversary plays into this month’s walk. In celebration of that birthday, the Camera Club together with Refuge volunteers and staff are collaborating to bring the community nature-centric …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate its 75th anniversary this weekend and take the opportunity to acknowledge some of its accomplishments and contributions since its establishment in 1941. Refuge Manager Anne Marie LaRosa, says the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge is one of over 560 national wildlife refuges in the country “So, Alaska has 16 national wildlife refuges and …