Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:13 am,
sunset 4:16 pm, for a total day length of 7 hours and 3 minutes. Tomorrow will
be 4 minutes and 13 seconds shorter.
About 3” of fluffy snow fell on Sunday, turning the town into a
winter picture postcard. The wind blew most of the snow off the surrounding
mountains, leaving a monochrome landscape of black and white stipples. Then the
temperature in town dropped to 16 this morning. The wind woke up this evening
from a short nap and it is forecast to be quite blustery for the next few days,
with snow showers for Thanksgiving.
Feeders are even busier with the snow, wind, and cold; keep them
filled for our hungry feathered friends.
I visited Ava’s Place this noon during a relatively calm period. I
enjoyed watching and listening to the steady sounds of seeds being crunched,
cracked, and scratched, with occasional disputes. I watched colorful PINE
GROSBEAKS, zippy RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, cheerful BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, a
female DOWNY WOODPECKER, a male HAIRY WOODPECKER, a couple noisy STELLER’S
JAYS, and an unwelcome PIGEON.
Then a tiny bird popped up in the tangle of tree branches. Large
white eye-ring around a bright, black eye in a plain face, tiny bill, a glimpse
of a royal red crown: a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET! Weighing less than a quarter of
an ounce (Sibley says 0.23 oz, 6.5 g), he’s a tough little bird to survive the
brutal wind and cold. He should be far away along the Washington-California
Pacific Coast or even to Baja Mexico. Thank goodness for Ava’s homemade suet!
Next, a chunky, first winter WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW appeared, its
bright yellow beak like a little bit of sunshine. He waited patiently for a
elbow room at the sunseed bar, and was willing to dine near a single Pine
Grosbeak when tolerated.
A dark KENAI SONG SPARROW quietly scavenged seeds in the shadows
on the ground away from the crowds.
Another sparrow appeared, smaller and more cautious. I hoped for
the rare Chipping Sparrow that was reported in town previously, but the dark
spot on its clear breast identified it as an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, a
handsome bird indeed. It did not compete at the railing feeders, but forged in
the grass poking through the snow.
A PIGEON that refuses to take “Git!” for a hint had the audacity
to walk right up to Ava’s door and stood on the Welcome mat as if invited. Ava
is hoping that this single Pigeon will not invite a plague of Pigeons to her
house for Thanksgiving or anytime ever.
Several BALD EAGLES flew overhead.
They reminded me of the juvenile Bald Eagle I watched a few days ago
at the Lagoon, taking a bath in the chilly water. He really seemed to enjoy it,
holding first one wing then the other underwater, then dunking his head under,
shaking off and spraying water droplets everywhere. Very fun to watch!
I am so thankful for the wild birds and all the excitement, hope,
entertainment, beauty, mystery, and intrigue they bring. I am also thankful for
our birding community with whom it is so much fun to share.
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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