Thursday, May 16, 2013 Orange-crowned Warblers eating suet


Seward Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

It snowed today, much to everything's dismay. Snow mixed generously with rain, alternating between sn'rain and sn'leet. The greening grass turned white, though it didn't last through the day. Another "winter" storm is forecast with temperatures in the low 20s and strong winds.

This morning, one male and two female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS sipped cold sugar water at my feeders in the snow/sleet while VARIED THRUSHES and ROBINS sang their incongruous "spring" songs.

Ava reported ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS feeding ravenously at her homemade suet feeders. They are lucky to find an alternate food source. The recently arrived VIOLET-GREEN and TREE SWALLOWS have disappeared; I fear many will not make it through a sustained cold rainy spell. It's a tough, slow spring.

Report of TRUMPETER SWANS nesting in the middle of the marsh at Mile 15 Seward Highway surrounded by HORNED GREBES, AMERICAN WIGEONS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and NORTHERN SHOVELERS. The swans will be a very exciting family to watch this summer. Yes, it must come!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

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