Saturday, September 27, 2025 Storm-petrels, Sea Mammals

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:55 am, sunset 7:43 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 47 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 29 seconds shorter.

 

The phenomenal FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS are still flitting and pattering in Resurrection Bay. I counted at least 70 from my favorite viewing spot at the pullout on Lowell Point Road just south of the seafood processing plant. One even circled around my car when I first arrived! Though they frequently flew over the rocks below me, they never landed. 

 

This pocket is protected from the north wind. I marveled at the ever-changing patterns in the gently rolling water, a mesmerizing and lovely background for the dainty tubenoses.

 

The BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE numbers continue to diminish, now concentrated in a small, raucous flock. 

 

A raft of four Steller Sea Lions lazed past, then a Sea Otter, smacking on a prickly sea urchin. Yesterday, a Harbor Seal joined the fray, poking its head up like a periscope, nostrils flared wide open to breathe, then sealed shut as it silently submerged.

 

Just as I was about to leave, a resident SONG SPARROW hopped up on a nearby rock. He will probably still be here, long after the flashy visitors are gone.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter 

Thursday, September 25, 2025 Exit Glacier Beauty and the Beast

Seward, Alaska 

On Monday, September 22, I celebrated the Autumn Equinox with a scenic hike at Exit Glacier. Under cloudy skies, the flaming cottonwoods in Resurrection River valley and along the outwash plain glowed next to their still-changing neighbors clad in various hues of green and gold. No wind or rain, and mild temperatures made for a perfect fall day in Kenai Fjords National Park.

The rushing waters of Exit Creek and the gurgling smaller streams in the area made birding by ear challenging; I only heard one BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE and saw no birds. 

 

I joined a few other visitors at the Glacier Overlook to admire the blue-ice glacier in its bedrock cradle, striped with a prominent medial moraine. Though greatly reduced in size, Exit Glacier was still an impressive, wild and beautiful glacier. Shutters clicked to commemorate the moment. 

I felt special to be a local, knowing that I could return anytime, maybe the next day and the next, whereas it was a once-in-lifetime experience for the visitors from around the world. 

 

But I was mistaken. 

 

Two days later the park suddenly closed due to a brown bear mauling on Wednesday evening! Today’s news reported that a man and woman were returning from a hike on the Harding Icefield Trail at dusk when they encountered a brown bear on the main trail about a quarter mile from the parking lot. 

 

They had no bear spray. Details have yet to emerge, but after being attacked and bitten on the legs and butt, they somehow managed to escape and drove themselves to the Seward medical center emergency room for treatment. Wow! What a terrifying encounter!

 

The Park Service closed the trails and the boundary gate at the Resurrection River Bridge while the investigation continues in conjunction with the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

 

No matter how peaceful and lovely the surroundings, this terrible incident is a vivid reminder to be bear-aware and carry bear spray.

 

Carpe diem!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, September 21, 2025 More Fork-tailed Storm-petrels Photos

Seward, Alaska

At high tide today, the FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS swooped and paddled close to shore for excellent views by the cannery on Lowell Point Road. Ten tiny tubenoses pirouetted, landed lightly, pecked at the smooth water, and then left watery footprints as they leapt into flight. Raindrops glistened on their waterproof feathers like glass beads.

 

An AMERICAN CROW briefly tried to attack a Storm-petrel as it slowly paddled along. Fortunately, the seabird quickly took flight and easily out-maneuvered the pesky land lubber. Danger lurked everywhere, even in seemingly peaceful surroundings.

 

The number of BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES was significantly reduced from yesterday, resulting in a somewhat quieter backdrop for the silent sprites zipping among them. Who knows how long they will grace us with their presence? It’s such a pleasure to watch and photograph them.

 

An enormous Steller Sea Lion exhaled explosively, took a deep breath and dove as he leisurely swam back and forth along the shore. Another slightly smaller one followed, their rhythmic breathing punctuating the air. What a thrill to see and hear these powerful sea mammals so close!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, September 20, 2025 Wandering Tattlers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:39 am, sunset 8:05 pm, for a total day length of 12 hours and 25 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter as we approach the Autumn Equinox on Monday, September 22.

 

Clouds continued today with temps ranging from 45-53, and occasional light showers. 100% chance of rain tomorrow and rain in the forecast for the next 10 days.

 

I refound the 27 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at the estuary pond, chittering and probing the shallows. An unseen GREATER YELLOWLEGS called. It’s getting late for these shorebirds to linger, but very nice to see and hear them. A juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER patrolled the area and flew right overhead!

 

I checked for FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS and found only a few swooping around by the pullout south of the seafood processing plant on Lowell Point Road. Hundreds of Gulls, mostly BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS paddled and dined in the calm water. A few PELAGIC CORMORANTS plowed through them. A Harbor Seal poked its head up to take a look.

 

As I peeked over the edge, I was surprised to see first one, then two WANDERING TATTLERS walking along the rocks close to the water, bobbing their tails. I thought these shorebirds were long gone on their way to their wintering grounds in Hawaii and other Pacific islands, or down the Pacific coast to California or farther south to South America.

 

Across the road, a PACIFIC WREN piped up from its hiding place in the woods, a songbird the size of a minute competing with the racket in the water and the BALD EAGLES perched above.

 

The seafood processing plant is scheduled to move across the bay and completely close operations by next March. The spectacle and cacophony of gulls and other seabirds, especially when stirred up by Eagles, will likely cease. Perhaps the show will relocate across the bay, but will not be as accessible to birders and photographers.  Enjoy it while it lasts!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter