Seward, Alaska
Another crazy, squally day with tantalizing moments of sunshine, ending in a spectacular rainbow.
I refound that handsome NORTHERN HARRIER hunting the fields but missed the Short-eared Owl cameo appearance. A distant AMERICAN GOSHAWK perched at the top of a spruce tree, resting. More ducks have arrived in small numbers including NORTHERN SHOVELERS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and MALLARDS.
Two CANADA-type GEESE flew in with the rain and quickly disappeared.
The ARCTIC TERNS, who arrived on April 15, have increased from four to about ten. Rather than coexist harmoniously at the long-sought breeding grounds, two Terns duked it out high in the sky, fluttering furiously and screaming, beak to beak, grabbing feathers and fighting foul. Even in the midst of battle, they remained graceful, acrobatic, and stunning. All pointy: bills, wingtips, tails.
Incredibly, the sun came out. I took a chance during the brief weather window to ebike Exit Glacier Road, still gated at Box Canyon. I only heard one VARIED THRUSH near the beginning of my ride and no Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Still early.
Though the road was very wet, (and I got rained on) there was no ice or snow on the road until just before the 1894 marker where I turned back.
A single TRUMPTER SWAN floated in Resurrection River upstream of the bridge. I briefly heard distant Gulls high above but no other birds. So peaceful and silent. Soon, soon!
On my way home, a BALD EAGLE flew to the side of the road accompanied by two excited RAVENS and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES. I pulled into the nearby Chamber of Commerce parking lot to watch. It seemed the Eagle was interested in a birdy bath in a rain puddle, but the raucous company wouldn’t allow five minutes peace. The Eagle stalked around as they do, and shot a most piercing glare at the pests…if looks could kill! Pretty amusing to watch, though I’m sure the Eagle did not find it one bit funny.
Later, in early evening along the Waterfront, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS announced its presence and flew in low from the bay. It landed along the shore in front of a noisy campsite with campfire smoke, but didn’t seem to mind. Behind it, across the bay, a spectacular double rainbow arched from the clouds in front of snowy mountains and glaciers, down to the water.
For a finale, around 10 pm, the SAW-WHET OWL steadily beeped in the forested lower slopes of Mt Marathon as luminous Jupiter set behind the peak far above.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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