Seward,
Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
Sunrise
9:29 am, sunset 4:02 pm, length of day 8 hours, 20 minutes; tomorrow will be 3
minutes and 30 seconds shorter. Actual daylight is shortened to about 10:30 am
to 2:30 pm in town due to the mountains. Venus shines bright every morning
before dawn; Jupiter leads Orion over the same eastern mountains at night. The
beautiful full moon reportedly experienced a partial eclipse today, but I
missed it.
Weather:
Clear and cold continues! Temps in the low 20s, wind from the north. The lack
of snow insulation is driving the frost deeper and deeper. It must be very hard
on animals like voles and shrews that depend on the snow for cover and warmth.
And that in turn, creates hardship for owls and hawks.
On
the other hand, the abundant spruce cone crop provides fuel for seed-eaters
like white-winged crossbills, pine siskins, pine grosbeaks, and the bramblings.
Fruit-eaters like the robins, waxwings, crows, ravens, juncos, and pine grosbeaks
feast on the berry-laden Mt Ash trees. Watch for more raptor activity around
these food sources and at bird feeders as they switch prey to survive. A chance
of snow is forecast for early next week.
Unleaded
gas dropped to $4.15/gallon.
The
bird hotspot this morning was the horse corral, viewed from Dairy Hill Lane
right across from Benny Benson Park. A juvenile BALD EAGLE soared and spiraled
overhead, catching the low morning light. An adult chittered from its sunny
perch in a spruce. RAVENS cruised overhead, likely on their way to visit local
eateries/dumpsters for breakfast. Others enjoyed some leisure time, hanging out
on one of the 1964 Earthquake ghost trees. One dazzling male courted his
beloved, belly sucked in, neck extended, and iridescent throat feathers
impressively fluffed up. In a wink, three more ravens joined the couple, and a
little game of "I'm higher than you!" ensued on the perfectly placed,
ladder-like branches.
A
male KINGFISHER rattled overhead and perched on the powerline over the open
water by the Lagoon culvert. It's always great to see a kingfisher! After a
bit, he flew to another ghost tree, and then rattled away.
About
ten ROBINS flew around the wetlands ringing the horse pasture. They spent most
of the time on the frozen overflow and snow patches under the dead grasses. I'm
not sure what they found to eat there. Frozen spiders? Insects? Seeds? They are
tough birds! They too, took a turn in the sun on the ghost trees.
The
finale was the talkative, creaky chatter of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. They were hard to count when they
joined the Robins on the ice, hidden in the grasses. I saw at least 3 very
dark, almost black, males, and at least 2 lighter brown females (or juveniles).
Yesterday, Kit D. counted 6, but there could be a few more. Eventually 4 flew
up into the ghost tree and warmed up in the sun.
It
was interesting how every species, (add MAGPIES, STELLER'S JAYS, and even
JUNCOS) used the ghost trees. The scenic old trees provide a nice roost in the
sun and a vantage point, both as a place to see and be seen. Check them first
when you bird the horse corral. Quietly watch the unfolding dramas for a while. You won't be disappointed!
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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