Friday, September 27, 2013 Rusty Blackbirds


Seward, Alaska

Thanks to a hot tip from Robin Collman, I found one of his two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Lowell Point. I heard the telltale creaking call, found the bird at the top of a spruce, and then watched it fly down onto the gravel road at the intersection of Beach and Border Drive right behind my car. The dark-eyed juvenile seemed very interested in either gravel, or some small food item in the road.

It was wonderful to get such good views of the bird on the ground, instead of hidden in the heart of a dense spruce tree, as usual.


The FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS moved closer to the boat harbor, but many gulls, including BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, HERRING, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING HYBRIDS mobbed the Lowell Point seafood processing plant and lined up in a feeding frenzy along a tide rip in the bay. Robin also reported a possible THAYER'S GULL, very dark, but I was unable to find it.

Also reported by Robin today, a MERLIN and the 4 DOWITCHERS at the head of the bay. No sign of the WESTERN TANAGERS. Two SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS continue to patrol town. 

Yesterday, I spotted the two local TRUMPETER SWANS at the Mile 1 wetlands at Nash Road and a COMMON LOON at Lowell Point. 

Since noon, the wind has returned, stirring things up. It's great to see new species moving in!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter







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