Seward, Alaska
The north wind howled all night and most of the day, spinning my windvane in dizzy circles with gusts to 36 mph. The temperature rose from an overnight low of 7, to 13 by noon, and then 24 by evening. Snow scudded from the low gray clouds and twirled into snownadoes. Whitecapped waves pounded the bay and the harbor. It was a miserable dark winter day.
The only birds who seemed to relish the wind were the RAVENS. A dozen soared and spiraled high above the Lagoon, doing tricks and showing off. Irrepressible Ravens!
Today, for the first time since October 19, I did not see the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD. I will watch diligently tomorrow and hope for the reappearance/resurrection of that little sprite. Last night and this morning were the toughest conditions yet. How could he fly in such conditions?
Despite the depressing weather, I found joy this afternoon in the bright colors and music of a mixed flock of PINE GROSBEAKS, ROBINS, and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS.
I watched the Pine Grosbeaks struggle to keep their balance while juicing the Mt Ash berries, letting the hulls and seeds drizzle down their fronts. They plucked them from the tree and also from the frozen grass, mostly bare of the powder snow now blown into small drifts. Their warm, sunset hues glowed even in the dim light.
Chunky Robins hopped among them or clung to the tree twigs, tossing the whole frozen berries down the hatch. They sighed and occasionally clucked; no singing today.
Tinkling chimes rang from the Mt Ash trees where about 20 Bohemian Waxwings fought the strong wind to reach the berry clusters and eat them whole. Several elegant birds landed on the ground, not to eat berries, but to gobble up beakfuls of snow. I have never observed this interesting behavior before. They seemed to relish the cold refreshment.
Even a diminutive CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE plucked a few berries and ate them one after the other.
I looked without luck for Cedar Waxwings, Starlings, Hermit Thrushes, and any other unusual species for Count Week. Tomorrow is the final day. While a rarity would be sweet, the return of the Hummingbird would be the sweetest sighting of all.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
No comments:
Post a Comment