Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:13 am, sunset 5:10 pm, for a total day light of 7
hours and 57 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and zero seconds longer, putting
us over the 8-hour mark.
What a difference a few degrees makes! With the temperature hanging
above 32º, what might have been lovely, useful snow was instead slop in several
wet variations including mist, rain, sn’rain, sleet, showers, and supersaturated
snow. Tomorrow is forecast to be about the same, but inexplicably, the sun is
rumored to return Thursday for a week. As always, we shall see!
There is nothing more uplifting than birding on a glum day.
Feeling more like a boat than a car, I drove to Ava’s, spraying water on both
sides, receiving the same, and leaving a wake. At least my car looks clean!
As the heavy flakes thumped down on the already overburdened
branches, birds materialized in cameo appearances on the little Mayday tree. A
cheerful BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE called out loudly, undeterred by the weather.
And then I saw it was the one with a deformed bill, still getting along, not
complaining.
Several PINE GROSBEAKS perched momentarily on the snowy
branches. One in particular looked soggy; I hope she will be OK. Then a bright
and handsome ROBIN, a giant in comparison to the others, landed in a shower of
shaken snow. At least two Robins have figured out how to eat from Ava’s buffet
alongside the Grosbeaks and other regulars.
Next, a small flock of PINE SISKINS zipped in and wasted no
time to belly up to the seeds spread along the porch railing. They still have
not figured out the special sock hanging like a ripe fruit, filled with Niger
seed just for them.
A little, long-tailed sparrow flitted in, an AMERICAN TREE
SPARROW! Nice to know he’s still around, looking dapper.
On the far side of the yard, I spotted a tiny bird floating
along unlike any other bird: the ANNA’S, of course. He sat in the midst of the
snowy branches, unperturbed by the giant snowflakes that could have easily flattened
him with a direct hit. If he thought this snowstorm might be a bit of a setback
to his plans, he gave no notice. With three heated sugar water feeders in easy
reach, all he has to worry about is choosing which one.
Feeling much better, I backed away then mopped up the inside of
my car door with a large towel and shook it off. Wallowing back down the road
through the snow sludge, I was glad to return to my warm, dry home. Those birds
are a lot tougher than I!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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