Homer’s Beluga Slough: A Special Sandhill Crane Nesting and Viewing Area
This spring, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Kachemak Crane Watch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Homer Chamber of Commerce, and City of Homer collaborated on an educational brochure to raise awareness of the importance of staying out of the Beluga Slough estuary from April 1 to October 31. Visitors can access viewing areas along the boardwalk and gravel trails below the I & O Visitor Center, and they can stroll the paths on the high part of the inner berm to the Slough’s outlet. Bird watching is also accessible from the bike path on northeast end of the Slough adjacent to the Bypass between Beluga Lake and the Slough. Dogs are required by City Code to be on leash, especially when in these sensitive habitat areas. The new Beluga Slough brochure is available below in two versions. Download your favorite or both.
Beluga Slough Brochure–Light Version
Beluga Slough Brochure–Dark Version
Satellite-Radio Transmitter Study
Kachemak Crane Watch partnered with the International Crane Foundation and its Western Crane Conservation Program to track the migration of banded Lesser Sandhill Cranes from Homer, Alaska. Ten cranes were captured and fitted with satellite and radio transmitters in the Homer, Alaska area on the Kenai Peninsula in August 2008. Homer’s population belongs to the Pacific Flyway Population that winters in California’s Central Valley.
Annual migration map, Homer, Alaska
Human Induced Threats to Sandhill Cranes in Homer
If you are having problems with loose dogs in your neighborhood, or problems with someone feeding eagles, this brochure provides information for you to help resolve the situation. The brochure is a good way to help explain to the person causing the problem why it needs to be resolved. Sometimes folks do not realize the consequences of their actions. Please feel free to download, print, and distribute this brochure.
Brochure: Threats to Cranes, 2012
What to do About Loose Dogs Threatening Sandhill Cranes
Loose dogs in the Homer area are a serious threat to Sandhill Cranes, especially nesting cranes and colts. Loose dogs and cranes do not mix. If you have loose dogs in your neighborhood that are chasing Sandhill Cranes, this flyer has helpful information that you can provide to the dog owner. Feel free to download and distribute it.
North Sacramento Crane Viewing Hotspots Brochure
If you are traveling in California’s Sacramento Valley area in winter and want to see where Homer’s Sandhill Cranes spend their time, check out this brochure published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: