Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:07 am, sunset 8:54 pm for a total day length of 13 hours and 47 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 28 seconds longer.
Hard rain squalls today with fresh snow on the surrounding mountainsides and even piled on out-of-town vehicles. Snow showers in the forecast as temperatures hover around freezing to mid 30s. Fickle April!
Thanks to a tip from Robin C, I enjoyed watching a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS dive and eat small fish, possibly sticklebacks or salmon fry at the east side Mile 1 Nash Road wetlands. I haven’t seen this handsome species in a long time. The male is outrageously gorgeous, but check out that rad crest on the lady; did I spy a nose ring or was that a waterdrop?
Suddenly, a ringing, wild, bugling echoed off the cliffs as the resident TRUMPETER SWAN pair on the west side sounded the alarm. I quickly looked up to see their four beautiful cygnets flying in from the beach. They circled high over their former nursery and gradually looped lower and lower. At one point, they flew right over my head about 8 feet up! All the while the parents blasted their horns in warning, wings arched and twitching.
As the uncomprehending teens flew in for a landing, the pumped-up dad pattered across the still water with his giant webbed feet and launched. Landing aborted! The now much wiser cygnets quickly gained altitude and scrammed back the way they had come with dad in full pursuit and gaining. The five peeled out of sight and disappeared over the trees.
A short while later, he returned to his cheering lady, skiing in smoothly with an impressive splash, landing right in front of her. So exciting! While he gulped down refreshments, she stretched her magnificent angel wings to release some pent-up energy. Then he did the same, still pumped up. They celebrated, bugling and head bobbing to general acclaim.
Just as things quieted down, another alert sounded. This time, it was a pair of adult Swans, checking out this very desirable piece of real estate. The strident calls of the current homeowners assured the intruders of the NO VACANCY signs and they prudently flew away. It’s tough work defending the ol’ homestead!
The rain returned in earnest and I reluctantly left this continuing drama.
Spring is definitely springing, no matter what the weather!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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