Seward, Alaska
The Seward waterfront campgrounds filled up for the Memorial Day weekend, spilling vacationing visitors onto the beaches with fishing poles, kids, and dogs.
I was amazed on Friday to find the pair of WANDERING TATTLERS prowling among the algae-covered rocks by Scheffler Creek, plucking amphipods and other goodies as people and dogs walked past, oblivious. They somehow survived the pressure of the long weekend. This evening, I happened to see them mating! I wonder if that means they hope to try to nest here?
A pair of AMERICAN WIGEON enjoyed fresh green algae nipped off the intertidal rocks. They too, frequent this area, apparently nest-free.
ARCTIC TERNS zipped along the shore, diving for recently released salmon smolt or other smaller fish. A skirmish broke out between a fisher and fishless, something I rarely see. I lost track of the prize as two Terns continued a rather fierce confrontation without it.
3 BONAPARTES GULLS in varying intermediate plumages with one in full breeding plumage stood in the shallows. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES occasionally patrolled the waters.
This evening at the head of the bay, I was delighted and surprised to find a solitary SANDHILL CRANE quietly feeding in the sedges. His pals have long since headed north, leaving him behind for now.
And, guess who at 11:15 pm? That persistent little SAW-WHET OWL, beeping from far up the forested slope of Mt Marathon.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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