Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Love was in the air today, at least
for one pair of COMMON GOLDENEYES. The resplendent green-headed male preened
and fussed with his immaculate feathers. Thus prepared, he repeatedly stuck out
his brilliant white neck and beeped, a cute and endearing sound. The female
pointedly ignored him, often diving at the peak of the neck stretch. She then
swam along behind him without any apparent interest.
The male then amped it up
with vigorous neck throws that slammed his neck and head flat on his back with
an amazing display of flexibility. That grabbed her attention! Suitably revved
up, she cruised right up and beak open wide, nailed him in the rump. Ow! He
immediately segued into a neck thrust, maybe more from surprise, and when she
didn't let go, erupted into flight a short hop away. That shook her loose and
got her into gear. They both took off, flying in tight formation down the bay.
Quite a show!
The sunshine also illuminated
two tiny BUFFLEHEAD males. An incredible rainbow iridescence surrounded the
poufy white patch, where normally only black and white is seen. The two dainty
females noticed, and each stuck close to her handsome beau. No further
gyrations ensued while I watched; perhaps Bufflehead courtship is more subtle
or they were not quite in the mood.
A pod of at least 5 Steller
Sea Lions swam past; how cool to hear a sea mammal breathe!
SURF SCOTERS, a few BLACK
SCOTER females, one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER male, BARROW'S and COMMON GOLDENEYES, HARLEQUINS, COMMON
MERGANSERS, one GLAUCOUS GULL, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, HERRING, and hybrids GULLS bobbed in the waves and
dove by Lowell Creek Beach and the seafood processing plant.
While watching the gull and
sea duck show, I heard the long, high song of a PACIFIC WREN. So nice to hear
his spring song of gratitude for surviving another long cold winter.
On the east side of the bay
by Spring Creek Beach, a pair of AMERICAN WIGEONS dabbled just off the rocky
beach. About 20 HARLEQUINS and a few COMMON MERGANSERS swam nearby. No sign of
the Oystercatcher; I hope it's still around.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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