Seward, Alaska
Note: This post was updated on December 16 to correct misidentification of the Swamp Sparrow.
Note: This post was updated on December 16 to correct misidentification of the Swamp Sparrow.
Sunrise 9:56 am, sunset 3:49
pm for a total length of "day" of 5 hours and 52 minutes. Tomorrow
will be 59 seconds shorter.
The recent storm dropped
about 4-5" of snow just in time for a white Christmas. The hyperactive
north wind soon got to work sculpting it into hard-packed drifts. With the
ground now buried, the songbirds are concentrating at the feeders more than ever.
After a two-day visit, the
clouds departed this morning making room for the slug-a-bed sun. It finally
crept over the eastern mountains in the southern sky, cast its sheepish smile
on the bright snowscape for a few hours and then snuck behind the western
mountains for a long night's sleep. The waxing round moon enjoyed a long sail
across the sky, creating magical moonshadows.
The forecast for Monday and
Tuesday is clear with temps from 5 to 15 above, north wind 20-30 mph with gusts
to 40 mph, and wind chill from 5 below to 20 below in the mornings and at
night. Brrrr!!! Keep those feeders full!
I refound the reclusive female
BRAMBLING with many SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS and several OREGON JUNCOS today in the
500 block Second Ave. I hope she sticks around for our Dec 22 Christmas Bird Count. Many more
flocks of JUNCOS are reported around town.
Eight ROBINS materialized in a
nearby Mt Ash tree and gobbled down the whole, frozen berries. A male DOWNY
WOODPECKER checked for invertebrates and insects in a peeling tree.
BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES sang and called cheerily as if they
hadn't a care in the world.
Over at Ava's, the first bird
spotted was an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. It was soon joined by 3 or 4 others; hard
to tell with the activity back and forth under her deck. A SWAMP SPARROW
hopped out from under the deck and soon traced the source of the ground seeds
to the tray feeder on the deck railing. I estimate it spent 10 minutes sitting
there, eating sunflower seeds.
After a while, it flew back
down to the ground to rummage around in the snow with the JUNCOS and TREE
SPARROWS. One spot must have been desirable; the SWAMP SPARROW and
SLATE-COLORED JUNCO duked it out. The little sparrow fluffed up as big as
possible as they eyed each other, then it made a sudden hop towards the Junco who
leapt up into the air in surprise.
Upon landing, the Junco judiciously moved away, keeping an eye on the cranky puffball.
Fearless HAIRY and DOWNY
WOODPECKERS flew in, landing on nearby trees for a look-see before heading to
the generous suet feeders swinging from the porch. It is likely that several of
these woodpeckers were hatched and raised nearby.
The RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES
chased just about every bird away from their desired feeder selection.
Remarkably dominant little bits! BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES
daintily selected one sunflower seed at a time, then flew off to a tree branch
to whack it open between their tiny black feet.
The sun was rapidly exiting
stage right. I headed over to Lowell Point Beach as my car couldn't clear the
drifts blocking access to the beaches on the east side of the bay. The patient
good dogs enjoyed a frolic and a refreshing swim, emerging with frosty fur coats.
Cold? Bah!
Two GREAT BLUE HERONS flew
overhead, heading to their evening roost. In the fading light, I was lucky to
photograph a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW! Its white throat and patterning was very
distinctive, but it was the tail that stood out. It looked peculiarly narrow. I
realized after I got home and checked the photos that half of the tail was
missing. There must have been an accident or a narrow escape from a predatory attack.
Here's another bird I hope sticks around for the Seward CBC. It's way out of
its normal range, but it's not unusual for one to show up. Good timing!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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