Sunrise
4:34 am, sunset 11:21 pm for a total day length of 18 hours 46 minutes.
Tomorrow will be 1 minute and 39 seconds longer. We're still gaining day length, but not by much, and not for
much longer as summer Solstice rapidly approaches. Today was sunny with a
maximum temp of 57ยบ. I appreciate our natural air conditioning especially when I hear about
scorching, mind-melting temperatures elsewhere.
Tomorrow is the full moon.
The forecast calls for partly cloudy with temps in the upper 50s and rain
likely for several days.
Bird song has diminished
considerably in town as the birds have settled down to nest and raise their
families. Exit Glacier at Kenai Fjords National Park, however, is still full of
songsters, though it's hard to actually find them. Seems like the trees
themselves are singing!
The wetland/mixed forest area
between Resurrection River bridge and the Welcome to Kenai National Park sign
is a great place to hear warblers. I actually saw several YELLOW WARBLERS who
don't seem shy about perching right on a treetop to sing. Such a bright yellow
bit of the tropics! Several NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES sang back and forth,
maintaining their territories. Try as I might, I could not find even one.
A PINE SISKIN, and a couple
COMMON REDPOLLS actually showed themselves and called.
TOWNSENDS WARBLERS ,VARIED
THRUSHES, HERMIT THRUSHES, a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, PINE GROSBEAKS, and a FOX SPARROW were heard
closer to the more mature spruce forest on the east side of the river by the
trail parking lot.
Walking back to the sign and
along the Park trails, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, WILSON'S WARBLERS, and
ORANGE-CROWNED rounded out the warbler checklist. I did not hear any Blackpoll
Warblers today.
I scored on thrushes this
morning too. A fantastic, pure, solo by a HERMIT THRUSH concealed close by in a
cottonwood, was riveting. I don't know how people can just walk past without
pausing to appreciate his music. If he had a tip jar, I'd fill it up. I also
heard a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH along the short trail to the Outwash Plain, and few
distant SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, loud VARIED THRUSHES, and one plaintive ROBIN
along the main trail.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS swooped
over the outwash plain, and a BALD EAGLE soared above the mountain peaks, possibly
checking out the two Mt Goats resting below.
I invite you to enjoy a
ranger-led walk, offered at 10, 2, and 4 daily. The 1 ½ hour tour goes very
quickly and can add so much to your understanding of this amazing natural
treasure, "America's best idea." Ranger-led walks are also offered to
Marmot Meadows and farther up the Harding Icefield Trail. You can easily bird while
enjoying the walk. Bring a friend!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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