KILBUCK AND AHKLUN MOUNTAIN BIRDS 



91 



(Weir and Hanson 1989) included 14 snowshoe hares, 3 Greenland col- 

 lared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenUindicus), 4 northern bog lemmings 

 (Symaptotnys borealis), 11 brown lemmings (Lemmus stbiricus}, 

 12 northern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys rutilus), 2 muskrats (Onda- 

 tra zibethica^, 18 tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus), 10 singing voles 

 (M. miurus), 8 meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus), 3 least weasels 

 (Mtistela nivalis), 14 birds, and 2 fishes. 



Snowy owl (Nyctea scandiacd). Rspm, Rsr, Rfm. 



Snowy owls have occasionally been reported in the Kilbuck Moun- 

 tains at the Tuluksak River and along the coast at Goodnews and Chagvan 

 bays. About five pairs nested between Goodnews and Chagvan bays in 

 1973 during a lemming population high (various Platinum miners, per- 

 sonal communication), but we saw none there in 1974 or in 1988, also 

 during lemming peaks. Single birds migrated through the Tuluksak River 

 area fi*om mid-August to mid-October during most years (C. Awe, 

 C. Clark, Jr., J. Bloomquist, personal communication) and a pair was seen 

 there in spring 1987 (C. Clark, Jr., personal communication). 



Northern hawk-owl (Sumia ululd). Usr, Rv (6 June-30 September). 



Hawk-owls nested in the Kilbuck Mountains. We found them at the 

 Tuluksak River (DNW photo) and C. Clark, Jr. (personal communication) 

 found them at the Salmon and Kisaralik rivers. Territories at the Tuluksak 

 River were at the edges of spruce or riparian woods and dwarf shrub mat 

 on river terraces 140-230 m asl. We found four breeding territories in 

 48 km of major streams irregularly occupied throughout 10 years of 

 observations; 1.4 pairs per year were found in 8 years. Spacing of the 

 centers of territories there was regular, with a range of 5 . 3-6.1 km and a 

 mean of 5.6 km between them. One nest was in riparian spruce-cotton- 

 wood habitat in a cavity 0.6 m deep in the hollow top of a spruce stub 

 7.5 m tall and 0.3 m in diameter. Four pairs fledged two to three young 

 each. Young of three pairs fledged about 16 July 1976, about 20 July 1978, 

 and about 20 July 1983- Young were independent on 30 August 1952 and 

 1 1 August 1977. One young was still present on 20 September 1977. 



Great gray owl (JStrix nebulosa). Rsr. 



In the Kilbuck Mountains, we found owls nesting at the Tuluksak 

 (two locations) and Kisaralik rivers (one location), and R. Baxter (unpub- 

 lished) saw a bird at the Eek River on 6 August 1976. All were in riparian 

 spruce-cottonwood habitats 45-150 m asl. A stick nest high in a spruce 

 tree at the Tuluksak River had a bird on an egg on 15 March I960 

 (C. Clark, Sr., personal communication). We saw adults feeding a fledged 



