Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:18 am, sunset 4:08
pm for a total of 6 hours and 49 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 58
seconds shorter.
After an intense, frigid cold
spell, the thermometer has teetered capriciously on the freezing point. Swollen
dark gray clouds waffle between snow and rain, often delivering both. About
four inches of dense, wet snow fell overnight, concealing yesterday's
treacherous icy base. Skating would be ideal as travel by foot or vehicle is
hazardous. At least it has been calm.
Today, about a half hour before
"official" dawn, I heard several MARBLED MURRELETS calling loudly as
they flew from their forest bed to the bay diner, along the shrouded shoulder
of Mt Marathon and Bear Mountain. It certainly is a mystery why this petite seabird
would choose to commute from the ocean full of fish to the isolated, dangerous
forest. Especially when the nesting season is over. Nonetheless, it is always a
thrill to hear them as they fly overhead at the edges of the night.
Around 10:30 am, I headed
back to the tidelands to check on an adult SWAN that I discovered yesterday in
a tiny stream channel flowing from a wetlands. When I first saw it, I was amazed. Then I wondered
if it was stuck in the nearby ice, it was so still. After watching a bit longer, I became concerned as
it was listless, bedraggled, and injured.
In addition to the usual iron stains from wetland sediments, dried blood stained the feathers on
its forehead and right side, perhaps from an eagle attack. I did not see it
feed, but it drank the cold water like a fine wine connoisseur, lifting its
head to swallow, then slowly and carefully going back for another sip. It was
alert, and aware of me, so I kept my distance.
I was relieved to find it
alive after yet another tough night. I called the Alaska Sealife Center rescue
staff who were standing by for an update. Tasha arrived first and after
verifying the poor condition of the swan, authorized the rescue. Around noon,
three folks came from the Rehabilitation Team and easily captured the weakened bird. The head was carefully
tucked in next to its wing and the swan was carried under one arm back to a
kennel waiting in the rescue truck. After stabilization, it is hoped that Tasha
can deliver it to the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage on
Monday.
The ASLC verified that this is a TUNDRA SWAN. Note that the eye appears nearly separate from
the bill, and the border on the bill is U-shaped or almost straight like a
Tundra swan. David Sibley has an excellent discussion with links to photos at
< http://www.sibleyguides.com/2006/02/distinguishing-trumpeter-and-tundra-swans/>
I will update this report when I hear back from the staff.
Of note at the tidelands were
about 100 SNOW BUNTINGS, busily picking through the debris left by the tide.
This is the first big influx I have seen this fall. A single Pribilof ROCK SANDPIPER
probed the muddy shore; I wonder where the rest of the flock might be? A female
BELTED KINGFISHER rattled overhead. BALD EAGLES cruised across, perhaps
checking for the swan; they will surely find something else to eat.
Late yesterday afternoon, first one, then
another, then a third GREAT BLUE HERON flew in from the tidelands heading to
the wetlands through the sn'rain. It's a wet, cold time for all the birds, and
a long, wet, cold night too. I'm so grateful that the Alaska Sealife Center and
the Bird Treatment Center are willing and able to help a beautiful swan in need.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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