Northern Shoveler
From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Uncommon to Fairly Common migrant, Rare to Very Rare into Winter. Best seen along the road system at Starrigavan, Totem Park, or Swan Lake.
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairly Common | Rare | Uncommon | Very Rare |
Best observed at: Swan Lake, Starrigavan, Totem Park
Preferred Habitats: Lake, Estuary, Tideflat
Observed at: Swan Lake, Starrigavan, Totem Park, Port Krestof
Breeding Status: Not expected to breed
Family: Anatidae
Documented in the Sitka area
J Dan Webster
Scarce resident and sparse migrant. Willett (1914) reported that Merrill saw two specimens that had been shot in the fall of 1904. C. Johnstone saw a pair 4 March 1974 (Kessel and Gibson 1978). Gibson in 1982 saw four on 27 April, three on 1 May, and one at Shelikof Bay 3 and 4 May. Hanson has seen a few in recent summers and a number in autumns; he killed one in September 1982. In 1985 there were 7 on Swan Lake 13 May which Hanson saw, and five drakes were still there for me to see on 23 May. In 1986 Hanson and I saw a female 9 August and he saw three 9 September and two on 12 May. In 1997 Ward and Tedin saw one 14 January (Tobish 1997). Recorded on two of the 28 Christmas counts.
