Saturday, May 19, 2018 Red-breasted Sapsucker!

Seward, Alaska

Ava called this morning to report a fly-by of a bright male RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. We both wondered if it was the same bird seen this winter, or if the recent SE winds had delivered him from Southeast.

Fortunately, he returned after a while and began drumming loudly on her metal roof, announcing his presence to all. I headed out by mid-afternoon and watched him for a second before he flew off into the woods.

The RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, HAIRY WOODPECKERS, GOLDEN-CROWNED, SONG, SAVANNAH and LINCOLN’S SPARROWS, and PINE SISKINS kept us entertained until we once again heard him drumming.

Yes! What a gorgeous bird! So much brighter than the winter plumage we are sometimes lucky to see. He was handsome and ready, and sent out the announcement with gusto. No female has ever been spotted in Seward, but maybe one blew in with the storm. For his sake, I sure hope so!

I also received a report of an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER near the Lost Lake Trailhead. “Quick! Three beers!”

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter








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