Sporadic Bird from Seward, Alaska : Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Flipping Dipper, Awkward Raven, Serene Swans

Seward, Alaska

The north wind blew into town on Monday afternoon; all the Robins and their coveted associates (Western Tanagers (2), Cedar Waxwing) disappeared.

While looking for the Warbling Vireo by Benny Benson Park/Lagoon (no success), I spied on a very industrious AMERICAN DIPPER working away in a small salmon stream. He stood almost up to his belly in the cold water, expertly flinging alder and willow leaves over his shoulder. Then he’d pause and stick his head underwater to take a look around.

Sometimes he found a macroinvertebrate to eat. If not, he resumed flinging leaves aside. Rocks proved no obstacle for him either, even if they barely fit in his bill, flip! Tiny fish and slower-moving insect larvae quickly went down the hatch. Life was good for this successful hunter!

Winter is in the air, but the BUFFLEHEAD and MALLARDS seem to think its spring. Two very handsome male Bufflehead chased each other around and around at the Lagoon, diving underwater to goose the other, both chasing the hen which had to keep flying to evade them. Nearby Bufflehead possibly just shook their tiny heads and kept diving for fish.

A Mallard drake and hen bobbed their heads up and down like Swans communicating a decision. After the bobbing became more and more synchronized, the drake mounted the hen and held her head underwater by her nape. After this brief mating, they both stretched and shook off, seemingly very satisfied. I won’t be looking for ducklings anytime soon, however.

Searching the berry-laden Mt Ash trees, I found a RAVEN perched precariously on a thin branch, awkwardly reaching for the red fruit, wings akimbo, tail up, barely recovering his balance. Very entertaining! I’m sure I did not laugh out loud, but nonetheless, he finally noticed me and took off in a huff.

After not finding the TRUMPETER SWAN family for several days, they materialized on the east side of Nash Road across from the nest site, close to the road. The two 5-month old cygnets are almost as large as their doting parents. The water was so clear, I could see the white Swan necks snaking underwater to reach the aquatic plants.

Rare birds are exciting and enticing (and frustrating), but the regulars provide sustaining contentment like old friends.