Sorry no one has responded sooner. My family and I camped at the end of the Homer Spit during late August 2022 and we observed many Bald Eagles. Not hundreds as there were when they were being fed salmon meat, but dozens at least - more than enough to be assured of many sightings every day. One in particular seemed to enjoy a garbage bin and could be approached very closely (maybe 12 feet). Others sat on business roofs or the light poles above the small boat harbor (a much more pleasant view but farther away).
By the time you drive down from Anchorage to Homer, I would guess you will see eagles along the way. Just south of Anchorage is a wetland called Potter’s Marsh. It’s well worth a stop for ducks, shore birds, and eagles often nest at the north end. South of Turnagain pass, where the road splits and you turn towards Homer, there is a very pretty, shallow lake (Tern Lake) that is good for waterfowl and there are often, though not always, eagles around. Certainly just south of the Kenai/Soldotna dump (which can be seen from the main road) you should see some, along with many gulls, ravens and possibly crows. Just before you arrive in Homer, the road comes close to some steep bluffs and eagles often glide on the up-drafts if the wind is blowing towards shore.
Close views of eagles are fun but not hard to find in Homer. There are many other birding opportunities in Homer. No doubt you will have spotting scopes and the waters around the spit are full of scoters, loons, ducks, kittiwakes, mergansers and the like. There is a walk to a scenic overlook of Beluga Lake just north of the Homer Airport that has good ducks and some forest birds as well as moose sometimes.
There is also a nice boardwalk out along the mud flats near the Old Town portion of Homer that usually has some shore birds, gulls, and I’ve seen Whimbrels there a couple of years. Also for forest birds the trail system around the Homer museum is pretty nice. Varied Thrush, Boreal Chickadee, Brown Creeper and both local Kinglets are all possible there.
If you haven't already, visit
Kachemak Bay Birders – It's a Great Day to Bird as it has a good local checklist as well as local sightings information.
I didn’t mean to write a book so I’ll sign off but best of luck on your trip!
Joe
