Where can I find Barrows goldeneye?

The Barrow’s goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) is a medium-sized sea duck found primarily in northwestern North America. As their name suggests, Barrow’s goldeneyes are most frequently found in Alaska and Northern Canada, but their range extends down into the Pacific Northwest region of the United States as well. Barrow’s goldeneyes inhabit coastal marine environments and breed near forested lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are diving ducks, feeding on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. Their striking appearance features iridescent plumage and bright yellow eyes. Locating Barrow’s goldeneye requires searching in their preferred high-latitude habitats during the breeding and wintering seasons. Read on to learn more about how to find this beautiful duck in the wild.

Breeding Range and Habitat

Barrow’s goldeneyes breed in forested areas from Alaska across northwestern Canada to Hudson Bay. Their breeding habitat centers on small lakes, ponds, and rivers surrounded by coniferous or mixed forests. Females build nests in tree cavities, rock crevices, or old bird boxes in these wooded areas from late May through July. Key breeding locations include:

• Coastal southern and southeast Alaska
• Western Yukon Territory
• Northwest Territories
• Northern British Columbia
• Western shore of Hudson Bay

During the summer breeding season, the highest densities of Barrow’s goldeneye are found in Alaska and northwestern British Columbia. Focus search efforts on forest-lined lakes and ponds in these regions to spot breeding pairs, females with ducklings, and fledglings from late spring through mid-summer. Patrol wooded shorelines by canoe or kayak and scan overhanging branches for potential nest cavities. Listen for the squeaky “kwee-kwee” calls of females leading ducklings. Prime breeding sites include the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska and Taku River valley in British Columbia.

Wintering Range

After breeding, Barrow’s goldeneyes migrate down the Pacific coast to winter along the shorelines of southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. Their winter habitat centers on saltwater bays, estuaries, and protected coastal waters. Key wintering sites include:

• Puget Sound
• Strait of Georgia
• Strait of Juan de Fuca
• San Francisco Bay

The highest winter concentrations are found in the Strait of Georgia in the Pacific Northwest. Search for wintering Barrow’s goldeneye by scanning coastal waters from vantage points along shore. Prime spots include lighthouses, piers, jetties, and beaches. Look for these ducks diving to feed on mussels, clams, and other mollusks. Listen for the whistling wingbeats of birds in flight. Productive sites include Drayton Harbor near the Canadian border and Point Wilson Lighthouse in Puget Sound.

Year-Round Range

A subset of the Barrow’s goldeneye population remains along the Pacific Coast year-round. Their range stretches from Kodiak Island, Alaska to Northern California. These non-migratory birds favor protected saltwater habitats like bays, sounds, straits, and estuaries. Key year-round sites include:

• Kachemak Bay, Alaska
• Salish Sea – Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca
• San Francisco Bay, California

To find Barrow’s goldeneye during the spring and fall transition seasons, scout the aforementioned coastal sites where subgroups tend to reside year-round. Scan by boat or from shoreline lookouts in April-May and September-October during the migration peaks. Listen for courtship calls as pairs reunite and establish breeding territories. Favor areas like Larsen Bay in the Kodiak Archipelago where populations are present annually.

Identification

When trying to spot Barrow’s goldeneye, focus on these key identification features:

• Medium-sized diving duck with round head shape
• Dark blackish head with purple gloss
• White crescent shape in front of eye
• Bright yellow eyes
• Black back and wings
• White sides and belly
• White patch at base of bill (males only)

Males and females look similar, but females have a brown head and lack the white facial patch. Juveniles resemble adult females. Compare against the common goldeneye which has a greenish head gloss and round white spot by the eye. Note the whistling wingbeats and sharp wing distinction between white underside and black topside in flight. Watch for the habit of twitching head backwards.

Behavior and Habits

Knowing the behavior patterns and daily habits of Barrow’s goldeneye can aid in finding them in their coastal forest habitats:

• Dives underwater to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insects – forages in shallow bays and estuaries
• Nests in tree cavities near forest lakes and rivers – females line cavity with down
• Male displays include head-throwing and toe-pointing to impress females
• Female incubates eggs and cares for young – male leaves after mating
• Gregarious in winter flocks of 10 – 100+ birds
• Wary nature – flies off with whistling wingbeats if approached
• Daily activity concentrated in early morning and late afternoon

Observe coastal dive spots like mussel beds during feeding activity peaks in morning and evening. Scan cavity-riddled trees and nest boxes for signs of residence or ducklings. Pishing and squeaking calls may elicit response from females with broods. Expect groups of 10 or more on coastal waters during winter – photograph flocks to aid identification by unique facial patterns.

Best Viewing Locations

The top sites and regions to spot Barrow’s goldeneye include:

• Kachemak Bay – Anchorage area, high densities year-round particularly in Fritz Creek, Jakolof Bay and Peterson Bay.
• Taku River – Key breeding area, scan marshy lakes near Juneau such as Turner, teacher, Mud, Jordan and Johnson Lakes.
• Puget Sound – Fort Flagler State Park, Striped Peak Island, and Jetty Island are prime winter spots.
• Strait of Georgia – Hotspot is Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Vancouver, BC.
• Upper Klamath Lake – Peak migration site, Southwest of Bend, Oregon. Use canoe to view.

Focus efforts at these locales during the recommended seasons to maximize sightings. Avoid disturbing breeding pairs and employ spotting scope for best views. Join guided birding tours when possible to benefit from local expertise.

Photography Tips

To capture great photos of Barrow’s goldeneye in the wild:

• Use long telephoto lens with 300mm+ focal length
• Focus on eye and head coloring
• Low shutter speed to blur motion of diving and shaking water off
• Mornings and late afternoons have best lighting
• Motionless floating blind can get you quite close
• Position yourself at the water’s surface to capture underwater diving
• Practice panning technique to track a flying bird
• Increase ISO and use flash to compensate for low light conditions

Recommend lenses are a 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm+ super telephoto. Use manual focus and high shutter speeds of 1/1000+ to freeze motion. Adjust aperture between f/5.6-f/8 for ideal sharpness. Pick overcast or foggy days to avoid harsh contrasts. Focus on capturing behavior like courtship displays, diving, and wing flapping.

Conclusion

In summary, locating Barrow’s goldeneye centers on visiting coastal forest habitats in Alaska, northwestern Canada, and the Pacific Northwest during the breeding and wintering seasons. Scan marine areas like sheltered bays, straits, and estuaries from shoreline vantage points. Watch for birds diving and foraging at depth. Listen for whistling wingbeats and female “kwee” calls. Use a spotting scope to observe from afar and avoid disturbing these wary ducks. With persistence and proper timing, birders and photographers can be rewarded with sightings of this stunning sea duck in the wild. For your best chance, embark during spring at hotspots like Kachemak Bay or winter along the shores of Puget Sound.