On my way to Homer, I
detoured into the Alaska State Parks Deep Creek State Recreation Area, mile
137.5 Sterling Highway, just south of Ninilchik, to look for the rare Eurasian
Skylark. The bird was first seen on October 18 by Anchorage birder Steve Waltz
who just happened to take a look on his way to Homer. The bird is listed as rare to casual migrant in the Western
Aleutians, Pribilofs, and on Gambell. This is the first record on mainland
Alaska, according to the Anchorage Audubon website. Quite a find!
I understand the place was
bristling with birders and spotting scopes on Saturday, fighting the chilly,
brisk wind. But Sunday morning, just before noon, was calm, sunny, and beautiful. The parking lot
was deserted except for one parked car. At the far end, a lone birder stood
with his spotting scope, peering around. As I drove slowly along, I spotted a
fellow traveler, high-stepping its way along the parking curbs in the first
parking lot. Sure enough, it was the EURASIAN SKYLARK, out for a walk, picking
up beach rye grass seeds and other tidbits scattered by the recent wind.
I cut the engine, whipped out
my camera, and started shooting. It didn't seem to mind, though it looked
directly at me several times. It wandered through the parking lot, headed
towards the beach, but kept walking steadily through the gravel and past the
little shack. When it seemed safe, I drove up to the birder and parked.
Enric, from Anchorage, had been there for a half hour, desperately searching
everywhere in the seemingly vast area for the bird. A speck like that could
just be anywhere!
I was pleased to show him his
Life Bird, still walking towards us through the next parking area. We were able
to walk around it and get great views from behind the little shack. Two more
birders drove up and also got great views.
After it disappeared into the
beach berm area, it did seem like a needle in a haystack. I felt very lucky to
find the bird so easily, knowing it's not always like that! I wish this plucky
little bird a safe journey, wherever it may go.
For a
summary of rare bird reports in South-central Alaska, go to <http://www.anchorageaudubon.org/>
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter on the road
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