Seward,
Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
Sunrise
6:41 am, sunset 9:15 pm, length of day 14 hours, 34 minutes; tomorrow will be 5
minutes and 26 seconds longer.
Weather:
Despite the recent week of bright sunshine, temperatures remained in the low
30s to mid 40s with frequent freezing cycles at night. Dead defeated grass
patches slowly emerged like newly exposed land at the toe of retreating
glaciers. The snow/ice pack is still firm enough to walk on, and is at least three
feet deep on the flats, and up to 6-7 feet high where it was piled this winter.
There's even more snow out of town. High but solid clouds today and clam. Snow
and rain is in the forecast for next week. Hopefully these low temperatures and
gradual snowmelt will reduce flooding.
Spring
seems as slow as breakup this year and so far without any drama. Migratory
birds are arriving but in very small numbers. Just as well, as the ponds and
lakes are still frozen. Willows bloom, waiting for bees and other insects, and
warblers. Seasonal visitors tromp around town in new Xtra-tuffs, settling into
the rhythm of the town and the approaching summer.
Monday
April 9th
VARIED
THRUSHES started singing in the 'hood. I saw two Milbert Tortoiseshell
butterflies, recently emerged from their winter hibernation as adults,
fluttering with remarkable purpose and direction despite the breeze. Wolf
spiders, also recently emerged, cruised slowly over the snow, trying to hide
under ice crystals when threatened by a photographer. Watch your step!
Tuesday,
April 10th
A
SONG SPARROW graced my car hood for a minute, its wings drooping. Otherwise it
looked healthy.
Wednesday,
April 11
A
momma moose and her yearling crossed the highway just north of Sealion Drive
after a brief pause to ignore traffic. The momma's long hooves need trimming. I
wonder if she is pregnant with twins due in May?
Robin
C reported a pair of FOS EUROPEAN WIGEONS and one FOS LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 2
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 18 NORTHERN PINTAILS, and 30-40 MALLARDS. These birds are
weary and wary, best seen with a scope. Looking through my binocs at ducks at
least a half-mile way, I could see they were already watching me, heads up and
alert, ready to fly away.
Thursday,
April 12
An
elated adult BALD EAGLE with a large flounder clutched in its yellow talons,
cried victoriously all the way from the tideflats to dine in the privacy of a
spruce.
A
dozen LAPLAND LONGSPURS shot away, chittering, through the dead beach rye
grass. Robin C reported the first GLAUCOUS GULL of the year by the Waterfront.
We usually see at least one or two in the winter here.
The
male HOODED MERGANSER, attended by a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE and frustrated
male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, swam in the narrow lead of open water between the
boardwalk and the remaining ice on the Lagoon. Three COMMON MERGANSERS snoozed
on the snow.
Two
shaggy mounds of loose fur on the south end of the Lagoon are the only visible
sign of a winter tragedy when a momma and yearling moose fell through the
unstable ice and drowned.
Friday,
April 13
Two
BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS rested at low tide at Lowell Point among the multitude of
gulls. The SURF SCOTERS remain rafted up in front of the seafood processing
plant on Lowell Point Road. A small flock of BARROW'S GOLDENYES took baths at
the outlet of Lowell Creek.
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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