Friday, January 28, 2012 Sea smoke and early Valentines


Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

Sunrise 9:21 am, sunset 5 pm (yes!), length of day 7 hours, 38 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 51 seconds longer.

Weather: Partly cloudy and minus 4 this morning, warming ever so slightly to plus 4 in town. Fortunately, the wind seemed to be too cold to blow much. The gray sea smoke towered in the bay, writhing and swirling like a witch's cauldron. Very spooky! Ghostly gulls sifted in and out of the mystery-shrouded sea.

Flashes of raptors in the 'hood including NORTHERN GOSHAWK and two SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS.  NORTHERN SHRIKES reported from Mile 7, at Ava's off Nash Road, and in town, an unusual number for January.

The flock of about 30 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES dined from a flower pot feeder in town, unconcerned about a PINE GROSBEAK. They all fled when an unwelcome STELLER'S JAY joined the happy feast.

Three pairs of RAVENS cozied up in a cottonwood, side by side like Valentines. One very handsome bird made loud proclamations while his lovely sweetie preened.

Four SNOW BUNTINGS spotted briefly at Lowell Point Beach; Robin C refound the flock of 20 yesterday, including the single McKAY'S. Robin also reported two BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in town yesterday, the first seen since January 1. There aren't many Mt Ash berries left for them to eat.

A momma moose and her yearling bull calf browsed the willows at the beach this afternoon. Their tracks wander all over town, even high on piles of snow to reach willow twigs. I wonder if they too eat bird seed?

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 Goshawk flies through tiny spaces video:
< http://www.wimp.com/tinyspaces/> 











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