Before the rains returned, I
squeezed in a nice 7.5 mile hike along the Lost Lake Trail to the Dale Clemen’s
Memorial Cabin and back down the winter access trail. I enjoyed the combination
of botany and birding as flowers were plentiful and birds scarce so there was
always something to enjoy.
A nice surprise was a PACIFIC
WREN singing in the coastal rainforest not far from the trailhead. TOWNSEND’S
WARBLERS twittered along the trail hidden in the spruce boughs, and WILSON’S
WARBLER males chipped nervously, flying back and forth, supervising their
fledglings.
Leaving the conifers and
entering the alder/willow zone, a FOX SPARROW popped up, then a GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROW, checking me out before returning to their youngsters. A large swath of
alders is dead, wiped out by the geometrid moth infestation a few years ago. Fortunately,
many survived. The salmonberries and blueberries are making a welcome and
delicious comeback as well. A PINE GROSBEAK posed on a silvery dead tree and
sang, joined momentarily by a second grosbeak.
Once on the Clemen’s Access
Trail, I only caught glimpses of sparrows flitting through the wildflower
meadows. The wildflowers, green, brown, white, yellow, cream, blue, pink, lavender, purple, magenta, and red, dotted the rolling subalpine meadows. Glaciers gleamed from their mountain
cradles, blanketed by dark clouds. It reminded me of the Sound of Music without
the blue sky.
Once back in the Mt Hemlock
and spruce groves, I heard the high chipping of the TOWNSEND’S WARBLER
fledglings and saw a busy mom. At one of the small lakes, I spotted a napping female
or juvenile GOLDENEYE, head tucked in. I was hoping for a Gray Jay, especially
by the cabin at 1750’, but did not find one this time.
Descending through the Mt
Hemlock forest, I found a hemlock drilled to perfection and within an inch of
its life by a Red-breasted Sapsucker. I didn’t see it or any woodpeckers. As
the rain pattered on the ferns and bunchberries, the peaceful melody of a
HERMIT THRUSH floated through the quiet forest. All in all, a very rewarding hike surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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