Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:11 am, sunset 4:15 pm, length
of day 7 hours, 3 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 16 seconds shorter.
Weather: A waning crescent moon sailed
the sky, a bright sideways smile, above the dark bank of clouds hovering over
the Gulf of Alaska. The winter sun rose above the curtain by 11 am, instantly
changing the mood, casting its sparkling light on the fresh snow. Despite the
15ยบ temperatures, it actually felt a tiny bit warm out of the buffeting 20 mph
north-northwest wind with gusts over 30 mph.
The eastern Kenai Peninsula north to
Girdwood is bracing for another blizzard for the next 24 hours, with
temperatures 10 to 20 above, blowing snow with accumulation of 8 to 17",
north to west winds from 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 at times, white-out
conditions and dangerous travel conditions. The National Weather Service did
not mention the chances of more rare birds blowing into Seward, but we're
ready!
The very cooperative REDWING remained
reliably in its new home at Lowell Point Beach. For long periods of time, it
rummaged through the seaweed with the Northwestern Crows and occasional Magpie,
hopping along looking quite small and out of place. When thirsty, it flitted to
the cliffs to sip at the seeps, and then flew straight back to the fence
between the summer homes. There it rested, then hopped on the snow, gobbling up
red Mt Ash berries.
Only a few fans came today to admire the
Redwing and take photos. The bird seems well aware of its visitors, and content
to eat, rest, and preen in view. The driftwood and rocks along the property
lines form a perfect boundary that satisfies the birders and the bird.
Given the nasty weather, I may not be
able to check on this beautiful guest for a while. I strongly discourage any
travel on the Seward Highway until this blows over.
Ed Clark researched the Redwing and based
on the photos, determined that it is the Eurasian subspecies. For an
interesting lesson in geography, get out the globe! He calculated that this
bird weighing 80 grams (or 2.8 ounce or 16 nickels) flew, or was blown, over
3,000 miles!
According to Ed, the most likely route
from the eastern Siberian coastal plain was over the Sea of Okhotsk, down the
Pacific side of the Kamchatka Peninsula, over the Commander Islands, up the
Aleutian Chain, along the Alaska Peninsula, across Cook Inlet, along the
southern edge of the Kenai Peninsula, and finally to a short fence line with
tiny Mt Ash trees next to the beach at Lowell Point. As the Brits say, "What a cracking little bird!"
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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