Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
Two Eurasian BRAMBLINGS were
first reported around noon on Saturday, November 17 by ace birders Luke DeCicco and Scott Schuette at Lowell Point. Since then, dedicated Seward birders scoured the Point to
refind the birds. Several lucky and sharp-eyed birders were successful, some
multiple times.
I began my quest on Sunday
morning in a major snow squall backed by a steady north wind and below freezing
temperatures. Hours of walking, watching, waiting, and numb fingers produced
many interesting birds including DARK-EYED JUNCOS, PINE GROSBEAKS, COMMON
REDPOLLS, PINE SISKINS, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW,
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, RAVENS, MAGPIES, STELLER'S JAYS, VARIED THRUSHES,
BUFFLEHEADS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, BALD EAGLES, and a
BELTED KINGFISHER flying north into the teeth of the wind, but not the
Bramblings.
I returned on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday morning. Though each day was cold and windy, the birdscape was
completely different each time; sometimes hardly any birds at all, sometimes
just a few species. Each snapshot, and even each birder's experience varied so
much.
Today continued to be
brilliantly sunny, about 19ยบ with the ever-present brisk north wind. I returned
in the afternoon and walked slowly along the deserted road, scrutinizing every
junco and sparrow.
I enjoyed watching the
SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS perch on the sturdy Arctic Dock stalks loaded with
seeds. Other juncos hopped up on
the beach rye seed heads and rode the stalks to the ground like a snow bunting. A
fancy OREGON JUNCO sporting his black hood and rufous back and sides, hopped
along the edge of the road, gleaning seeds in the sunshine. When the juncos were not busy
feeding, they chased each other through the trees at high speed, making little space alien clicks and squeals.
A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW sang
a muted version of his cheery little song. A FOX SPARROW popped up in the
alder, his bright yellow and black bicolored bill and streaked breast
prominently different from the clear breast of the Golden-crowned and
White-crowned. It was a great afternoon to observe sparrows.
At 2:15, just before the sun sank
behind the western mountains, a flash of bright orange landed in a
tangle of alders. The low sun cast a reddish light on the wrinkled brown alder
leaves, camouflaging the bird. I quickly shot two photos at the alder and then
tried to refind the BRAMBLING with my binoculars. Nothing but dead leaves and juncos.
After a while, I began to
doubt that I had actually seen the Brambling, the moment was so brief. I scanned anxiously through my two
photos, searching up and down in the mass of deceptive leaves, and finally
found the bird. I DID see it! It seemed bright enough to be a male. This is a
life bird for me, and even though it was practically delivered to my town, I
felt I earned it. It's a thrill! Now to find the other one!
Happy Birding!
And Happy Thanksgiving!
Carol Griswold
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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