Seward,
Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
Sunrise
9:56 am, sunset 4:12 pm, length of day 6 hours, 16 minutes; tomorrow will be 3
minutes and 2 seconds longer.
Weather:
Practically balmy today, up to 38ยบ, cloudy and calm. I was sorry to miss the brief
thunder and lightning this morning around 6:30 am; we rarely get such a
collision of fronts. Our recent snow showers top-coated the ground with a white
crust, and cloaked the surrounding mountains in sparkling white splendor. Just
after noon, the sun peeked out from behind a dense gray blanket as the
perpetual precipitation hose spritzed out just enough sprinkles to generate a
small but brilliant rainbow. Quite a treat!
At
dusk yesterday, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK showed up in the 'hood, looking hungrily at
all the well-fed feeder birds, but it flew off without supper.
Today,
First Lake behind AVTEC fairly buzzed with bird activity. WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILLS sang from the spruce tops, COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS flocked
between the cottonwoods and the bare ground under the spruces. BOHEMIAN
WAXWINGS churred and PINE GROSBEAKS sang then fluttered down to feast on snow-capped Mt Ash
berries. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES and DARK-EYED JUNCOS chipped and called
from the smaller spruces. A few ROBINS clustered cautiously nearby.
Although
I already have a lot of photos of the Pine Grosbeaks, I couldn't resist taking
a few more as first a female then a gorgeous male leaned down, such a
gracefully curved neck! what a nicely patterned back! to reach yet another red
berry. It was so interesting to watch them work the pulp off of the desired
seed. The male had red berry juice all down his front. It was tough to leave!
Over
by the Waterfront Park, a small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS flew out from the beach
rye along the bike path. The lone hybrid GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING GULL perched
on the pilings. SURF SCOTERS, BARROWS-GOLDENEYES, HARLEQUINS, PELAGIC
CORMORANTS, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS paddled just off shore in the calm bay
while a nonchalant sea otter steamed backwards.
The
recent storms washed up a lot of debris including a tropical-looking red alder tree, its trunk fairly
glowing, warm reddish-orange against the snowy beach. I found a plank with two
neat circles and made a little beach person, waving hello. Fun at the beach!
I
was fortunate to get a photo of a COMMON MERGANSER hen when she circled right
overhead, looking for her relations. A bit later, an adult BALD EAGLE flew
purposefully past, too close to fit in the frame. I was glad that the new puppy
was safely snuggled away.
All
in all, another beautiful day in Seward!
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
Mt Marathon in her new winter cloak
Sophie at 7 weeks
Carol! Thank you for your lovely photos! I spotted a male Pine Grosbeak a few days ago in the tree in my yard and had no idea what it was until just now, reading your blog. Lovely little bird! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteTraci - 2nd Ave