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People and animals mingle at this busy working harbor.
Ruddy turnstone
Jellyfish
NOTABLE SPECIES
Harbor seal
Steller sea lion
Turnstones
Surfbird
Black-legged kittiwake
Northwestern crow
Fox sparrow
Gray-crowned rosy-finch
Jellyfish
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Harbor Area
 FIELD
NOTES
The Homer Small Boat Harbor attracts
human-tolerant birds and wildlife. Several species of gulls perch on
floats, docks, and even boats, watching for discarded scraps of fish.
Northwestern crows and bald eagles watch from light poles, dock
supports, boats and buildings. Black-legged kittiwakes and terns may
wing back and forth overhead on their way to or from nest sites.
Harbor seals sometimes periscope from the channels, and Steller sea
lions haul out in winter on some of the jetties. Watch for marine life
in the bay’s deeper waters from outside breakwaters and docks.
HABITAT
The harbor is essentially a
shallow marine lagoon with steep beaches and rock faces. Nesting and
perching habitat for birds can be found on jetties and breakwaters,
while the harbor channels provide rearing zones for juvenile fish. An
intriguing element of the habitat is the noisy presence of humans and
their equipment. This favors human-tolerant species while driving off
more cautious animals.
ECONOMIC CONNECTION
During summer, the busy harbor
offers interesting views of boats, ships and marine commerce. It is an
important center for Kachemak Bay marine recreation, with water taxis
and private boats departing constantly for the Bay's many beaches and
coves.
VIEWING TIP
The
harbor pilings and floats support a colorful "garden" of attached
marine life. To get a look at this fascinating world, do some "belly
button biology"—lie down to peer at the undersides of the floats! You
may see jellyfish and small schooling fish as well.
HELPFUL HINTS
Don’t approach Steller sea lions at
any time; it violates federal law to do so, and the animals can be
dangerous. Expect traffic congestion during summer.
GETTING THERE
Take
the Sterling Highway through Homer and follow the signs. The boat
harbor is beside the highway near the end of the Spit.
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