Sporadic Bird from Seward, Alaska : June 19, 2014 Bird Tour to the Chiswells

On Thursday, June 19, I joined Captain Eric Clock of Semaka Charters on the Seafarer with six birders, including the leaders Ed Harper and Susan Scott of Sandpiper Journeys Tours.

The 9-hour trip featured the rugged coast of Resurrection Bay, the glaciers and spectacular scenery of Aialik Bay, and the famed Chiswell Islands in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Some highlights of the trip included watching a tiny PARAKEET AUKLET; a RED-FACED CORMORANT that flew around the boat several times, flashing not only its large white flank patches, but also its very red-orange-blue face; upwards of 40-50 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS feasting on herring detected by the fish finder; a BALD EAGLE striding purposefully up a grassy slope topping a cliff; a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL we clocked at 26 knots, flying with the boat; a branded Steller sea lion, resting harbor seals, mammoth humpback whales, and a pod of 4 stunning orcas with a precious calf.

I learned from the Alaska Sealife Center that the branded sea lion gave birth on the rookery at Chiswell Island this summer on June 3. The researcher thought she must have been taking a break during a foraging trip as she was observed the next morning by remote cameras at the rookery tending to her pup. The mom was born on Chiswell 7 years ago, and gave birth for her first time in 2012 at the age of 5. This is her second pup. Any reports, especially with photos documenting branded sea lions are greatly appreciated by the researchers at the ASLC.

Another research project, conducted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, concerns the management of Pacific halibut. The Victoria, British Columbia fishing vessel, Waterfall, flying both the Canada and USA flags, was heading out into the Gulf of Alaska as we turned homeward into Resurrection Bay.

Captain Eric was very flexible in his route, accommodated any reasonable request to check out potential hot spots, lingered there once found, and told great sea stories. It was wonderful to share this wild Kenai Fjords coast with the excited and appreciative birders/photographers.

Here's my list, there may be a few species missing:

HARLEQUIN DUCK

BARROW'S GOLDENEYE

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT

RED-FACED CORMORANT

PELAGIC CORMORANT

BALD EAGLE

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL

ARCTIC TERN

COMMON MURRE