Seward, Alaska
After a scant inch of crusty snow overnight, today dawned bright and clear with a high of 35 and light north wind.
Most of the rest of Bear Lake froze last night, concentrating the ducks in the small remaining open area. Birders from Anchorage and Kenai (need a guest book!) found the WOOD DUCK drake from a vantage point about ¼ mile down the Iditarod Trail. A scope was mandatory for the best views of this incredibly beautiful bird.
The KING EIDER female remained a scope bird as well, just offshore from Spring Creek beach at mile 5 Nash Road in the company of SURF SCOTERS. Two COMMON MURRES and several MARBLED MURRELETS actively dove beyond the Eider. A single GREATER SCAUP female paddled along closer to shore.
I was glad Sulli showed up to scrutinize a far-off Loon, possibly a YELLOW-BILLED LOON. The bill was not obviously turned up nor yellowish, but the bird was light overall with what I call a “blank” face.
Then a much darker COMMON LOON with a straighter, grayish bill conveniently popped up right next to it! The contrast was convincing and verified his ID. Winter scope birds are certainly a challenge!
Later in the afternoon I found a small mixed flock of 15 ROCK SANDPIPERS and DUNLINS busily feeding at the receding tideline at the head of the bay. The yellow legs of the Rock Sandpipers shone in the sunshine. I didn’t want to disturb them by getting too close so I estimate at least 4 Dunlins with dark legs and a longer, droopy bill.
On the way back, I heard lots of twittering overhead as at least 30 SNOW BUNTINGS flew high across the blue sky, white and black wings flashing.
Seward’s winter birds are returning; it’s so fun to see them again!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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