Saturday, November 29, 2014 Seward Purple Finch and Red-breasted Sapsucker still here

Seward, Alaska

Ava called to report the PURPLE FINCH is still there. She noted that this one is bright compared to the female birds that visited in prior years. The female was buffy where this bird is white, and the female was more drab overall. She believes it must be a first year male, which I think is a good conclusion.


The RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was also seen at the Fifth Avenue site north of Madison Street on the west side of the street, tending to its sap wells in the large Mt Ash tree.

If you come, drive very carefully. The roads are icy.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter



Thursday, November 27, 2014 Homer Peregrine Falcon!

Homer, Alaska


Beautiful sunny day in Homer today. A PEREGRINE FALCON flew along the Deep Water Dock road on the east side of the end of the Spit this afternoon, seeking its Thanksgiving dinner. It disappeared quickly. We checked for surf birds on the harbor rocks but instead found two SONG SPARROWS picking though the kelp. Then we looped back. Of all inconvenient times, my cell phone rang. As I fumbled to answer the wrong number call, the PEREGRINE popped into view and flew right past the car! It powered off across the Spit to the west side and was gone. What an exciting bird!

Other birds of note: small flocks of ROCK SANDPIPERS fed hungrily in the rocky intertidal areas on the west side of the Spit. An undulating flock of BUNTINGS, probably SNOW BUNTINGS, flew past Mud Bay. GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES scavenged in the sand near the beach rye grass at Mariner' s Park and sat on the fence at the tip of the spit by the tank farm. Huge rafts of BLACK SCOTERS bobbed in the bay on the west side of the Spit. 

PELAGIC CORMORANTS piled on top of an exposed rock at low tide, and festooned a huge buoy by the Deep Water Dock at higher tide. I only spotted a pair of BARROW'S GOLDENEYES and a pair of COMMON MERGANSERS in the fishing hole. Also noted, small numbers of GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS and a few MEW GULLS. A small flock of PINE SISKINS worked the spruce cone crop along Ocean Drive. Add a few BALD EAGLES, numerous NW CROWS, a MAGPIE or two, some RAVENS, and PIGEONS. It was yet another great day to bird the Spit.

I hope others get a glimpse of that magnificent Peregrine too.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter on the road 










Saturday, November 23, 2014 Rare Bird Alert: Purple Finch!

Seward, Alaska

Another blue-gray day, the clouds weary of their heavy burden and glad to release it. After yet another downpour, the curtains parted to let a shred of blue sky peek through. Parked at Ava’s, birding from the car, I spotted a smaller bird in a nearby cottonwood with the chunky PINE GROSBEAKS and one ROBIN. She was busy feeding off something on the cottonwood buds.

I fired off a series of shots to study closely at home. As I suspected, PURPLE FINCH! She (or first year male) has a broad white eyebrow, dark cheek patch and white stripe below, no eye ring, and white undertail without any streaks.

This species has been seen in Seward before, several years ago, but is not a regular. Its winter range is supposed to be in southern BC down along the Pacific coast to Mexico. I have records for January 25, 2006 Ava’s, April 12, 2007 Ava’s, and January 1, 2008 AVTEC.

The species is listed as “rare” in the 2014 Checklist of Alaska Birds, “Annual or possibly annual in small numbers; most such species occur at the perimeter of Alaska, in season; a few are scarce residents.”

I hope she hangs around!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter





Friday, November 21, 2014 Trumpeter Swan Family

Seward, Alaska

Gray skies continue, grays of every shade. At least it hasn’t rained hard recently, just light rain with mild temperatures in the mid 40s. Some lawns in town are still a vibrant green. Very strange.

The TRUMPETER SWAN family is back at the thawed wetland homestead at Mile 1 Nash Road. I spotted them at the nest site this afternoon, all preening madly. One of the adults took an energetic bath, black bill open wide, tossing water over its back as it dipped continuously into the cold water. Then it spread those gigantic white angel wings and beat them back and forth, back and forth, to throw the water off.

The other parent stood on the nest site with the four large cygnets, now about five months old. All were preening, preening, preening, getting those feathers ready for a big flight, maybe sometime soon. One after the other, they spread their wings and beat them vigorously. Sometimes, two swans stretched simultaneously, and only by careful alignment, avoided hitting the other. It was pretty impressive to see them all standing so close together, long necks looping here and there, working away.

It’s also impressive to think of the beauty, utility, and fragility of a single swan feather, the tiny components all hooked together like Velcro. United, they become an armor that insulates, waterproofs, colors, and permits flight. The cygnets have grown and molted untold numbers of feathers since they hatched in June, and have many more to go until they attain the white plumage of their spectacular parents.

When I returned a few hours later, the swans were once again feeding, gathering energy to grow more feathers, and perhaps to fuel their next flight.

I wonder how much longer they will linger in this unusual warm November? Until then, it’s a pleasure to just watch.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter








Seward Christmas Bird Count Saturday December 27th

Seward, Alaska

This year's Seward CBC will be Saturday, December 27th. Field Counters will meet at 9 am at Rez Art at 320 Third Ave to confirm their area and team assignments. Be prepared to walk and drive with the car windows open. Dress for the weather, and bring more layers in case; bring lunch, snacks, and beverages for a full day outside. Binoculars, spotting scope, and bird book are helpful. A great attitude is the best tool!

The backup weather day will be Sunday, December 28, and if that fails, we'll try for the next weekend January 3/4 TBA. 

Results will be tallied at 4 pm at the Rez Art. Feeder Watchers are welcome to attend the tally or to email their results.

Count Week is December 24-26, and December 28-30.  During Count Week, only the kind of bird is noted, not the numbers. If you hear owls or see any unusual birds, let me know. You do not have to be a Count Day participant to share your Count Week birds.

Like last year, the National Audubon Society no longer requires the $5 fee as the national results will be posted on-line. Donations to help with the CBC are always appreciated.

Please contact Carol Griswold at c_griz at yahoo.com for more information. Let me know if you plan to participate either as a Field Counter or as a Feeder Watcher. Out-of-town birders are welcome.


Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward CBC Compiler