Monday, November 21, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:11 am, sunset 4:15 pm, length of day 7 hours, 3 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 16 seconds shorter.

Weather: A waning crescent moon sailed the sky, a bright sideways smile, above the dark bank of clouds hovering over the Gulf of Alaska. The winter sun rose above the curtain by 11 am, instantly changing the mood, casting its sparkling light on the fresh snow. Despite the 15º temperatures, it actually felt a tiny bit warm out of the buffeting 20 mph north-northwest wind with gusts over 30 mph.

The eastern Kenai Peninsula north to Girdwood is bracing for another blizzard for the next 24 hours, with temperatures 10 to 20 above, blowing snow with accumulation of 8 to 17", north to west winds from 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 at times, white-out conditions and dangerous travel conditions. The National Weather Service did not mention the chances of more rare birds blowing into Seward, but we're ready!

The very cooperative REDWING remained reliably in its new home at Lowell Point Beach. For long periods of time, it rummaged through the seaweed with the Northwestern Crows and occasional Magpie, hopping along looking quite small and out of place. When thirsty, it flitted to the cliffs to sip at the seeps, and then flew straight back to the fence between the summer homes. There it rested, then hopped on the snow, gobbling up red Mt Ash berries.

Only a few fans came today to admire the Redwing and take photos. The bird seems well aware of its visitors, and content to eat, rest, and preen in view. The driftwood and rocks along the property lines form a perfect boundary that satisfies the birders and the bird.

Given the nasty weather, I may not be able to check on this beautiful guest for a while. I strongly discourage any travel on the Seward Highway until this blows over.

Ed Clark researched the Redwing and based on the photos, determined that it is the Eurasian subspecies. For an interesting lesson in geography, get out the globe! He calculated that this bird weighing 80 grams (or 2.8 ounce or 16 nickels) flew, or was blown, over 3,000 miles!

According to Ed, the most likely route from the eastern Siberian coastal plain was over the Sea of Okhotsk, down the Pacific side of the Kamchatka Peninsula, over the Commander Islands, up the Aleutian Chain, along the Alaska Peninsula, across Cook Inlet, along the southern edge of the Kenai Peninsula, and finally to a short fence line with tiny Mt Ash trees next to the beach at Lowell Point.  As the Brits say, "What a cracking little bird!"

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, November 20, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

For the sixth day in a row, the mere sighting of the Seward REDWING has given joy to every visiting birder, and a life bird for most. Scott and I heard its short flight call today as it sailed over the roofs and back. It seemed non-musical and dry, and perhaps on two or more pitches. It will be interesting to try to hear it again as my sound memory is fleeting.

Despite being thousands of miles away from home and all alone, this adventurer has figured out how to survive in a foreign land in the dead of winter. At least for now, it enjoys the Mt Ash berries by the fence, industriously flips the seaweed for protein-rich invertebrates delivered twice daily by the tide, and sips fresh water from a icy seep next to the cliff at the end of the beach. The spruce trees provide a safe roost for the night. It's all good!

Last night's snowfall covered most of the Mt Ash berries blown to the ground. It would be wonderful if visitors could bring Mt Ash berries when they come. Just scoop up the loose clusters and single berries and put them in a 5-gallon bucket or plastic bag. I'd be happy to transfer them to my bucket and distribute them as needed to help keep the bird here.

Overcast skies today brought the temperature up to the low 20s and the north wind moderated to around 15 mph with occasional gusts to 26. A blizzard watch is in effect from late Monday through Tuesday afternoon, so it's best not to travel until that blows through. Who knows? Maybe it will bring something else!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter  

Saturday, November 19, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

A steady stream of birders enjoyed great views of the REDWING again today. It has been active from dawn to dusk (meaning about 8:30 am to 4:30 pm).

It is most easily found resting and feeding on the Mt Ash berries along the fence line to the west of the second beach house, with good views from both the road and the beach. If it's not there, wait for it to return from a short visit to the beach where it picks through the seaweed buffet left by the receding tide.

It appears to be healthy and well fed, despite the low temperatures and bitter winds the past several days.

The wind died down this evening as the snow-laden clouds rolled in. The temp as of this post at 10 pm is 20º and snowing.

Safe travels to all who come to see this beautiful bird. It is a pleasure to have you here!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, November 18, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

The REDWING appears to be a drive-up bird, at least today. Two parties of birders reported seeing the bird before the sun eased over the mountains shortly before 10 am. The fierce north wind has died down as has the thermometer, a chilly 10º. The bay is smoking!

Good luck and..

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

PS If you're in Seward tonight, "The Big Year" is showing at the Liberty Theater, Friday and Saturday at 6:30 and 8:40 pm, Sunday through Wednesday at 7:30. What great timing!

Thursday, November 17, 2011 Redwing Update

Seward, Alaska

The Redwing Rush is on! Birders from all over Alaska and beyond quickly recovered from the shock of a rare Life Bird discovered not only in State but on the road system. No expensive flight to Adak, Nome, or Gamble; this was a DRIVE-UP bird!

Important meetings, jobs, commitments, and schedules suddenly seemed trivial. A Fairbanks birder started the 500-mile drive in minus 40º temperatures at midnight. A Homer birder left at 5:30 am to for the 176-mile drive, arriving in the predawn dark after being up all night with his infant daughter. Anchorage birders, a mere 120 miles away, arrived soon after, joining Kenai and Soldotna birders from central Kenai Peninsula.

After a lot of desperate and futile searching up and down the beach, into the teeth of the biting north wind far up the east shore and back into the calm of the forested center, all the birders enjoyed excellent views of the beautiful REDWING right back by the summer houses at the beach. This is the third day in a row the bird has been seen.

We had GREAT views from the beach looking towards the fence line east (right)) of the second beach house. There are a few Mt Ash trees and small spruce where the bird can find food and shelter.

The Redwing repeatedly flew to the seaweed wrack line at the very west end of the beach, but soon returned to the Mt Ash tree area. It also flew across the road nearby and basked out of the wind in the sunshine on a snow bank for a bit. The neighborhood black-billed magpies made it move around, but fortunately they were not overly aggressive and it stayed.

The sun rises around 9 am and sets behind the mountains at 2:30 pm so the light is best then. Twilight lingers until around 4:15 if you can't come earlier. I prefer around 11 am for the best light for photographs, but whenever you can get here is the best time!

The fierce north wind seems to be diminishing, but dress for cold and wind, bring hand warmers, etc. Please do not crowd this bird. Excellent views for all are easy without trespassing onto private property.

It's a beautiful bird, well worth the trip.

Good luck!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 RARE Bird Report: Redwing!

Sporadic Bird Report from Seward, Alaska

Another overcast, cold, windy winter day with temps around 12- 16º, north-northwest winds to 29 to 35 mph with gusts to 56 mph.

The short: There's a REDWING at Lowell Point Beach! This is a new Alaska State record!

The long: Today I tried to escape the bitter blast and headed to Lowell Point Beach. On the way, I gaped at the ominously flapping green ridge cap on the Episcopal Church. I gasped when I saw that the entire steep south roof had been ripped away, blown past a busy apartment complex and homes, then thrown in a heap at the bottom of the hill a block away. Those giant metal pieces could have killed someone!

Watchful for other dangerous debris sailing on the wind, and wary of potential rockslides, I negotiated the 2 ½ mile icy and narrow road to Lowell Point. The wind howled, the whitecaps steamed and frothed, but in a small section on the west side of the beach, it was tolerable.

Though my eyes were tearing up, I checked the wrack line for any signs of a bird besides the mew gull and Northwestern crows. The flapping scraps of seaweed fluttered like birds, and suddenly one turned into a bird! I checked it out through my binoculars and forgot about the cold and wind.

The good dog (the reason for the outing) was puzzled when we  abruptly whizzed back to the car and she had to load up. I grabbed my camera and blew back. Ah. The bird was still there, looking cold, picking through the seaweed, hopping along. I wondered if something was wrong with its feet as it seemed to be hobbling a bit. Perhaps it was the occasional dunking in the swash, or just the cold. I sat down on the cold sandy beach and fired off several images and then it flew up and away, swirling in the wind, farther east. I looked for it for about 15 minutes in vain.

Back at the car, I quickly searched my Sibley Guide and just as quickly remembered it contained no such rarities. I tried to use my emergency-use-only cell phone but not surprisingly, the batteries were dead. Calm on the inside but totally excited inside, I dashed  back down the icy road into town to show the photos to my local bird expert Peregrine Joe. I tracked him down at work and showed him a few photos on the camera. He didn't have a bird book either and took a "stab" at it as a Dusky Thrush.  Abandoning everything, he dashed out to find it while I attended to a most unfortunately timed short meeting. Shortly afterwards, he and Robin C refound the bird between two summer houses near the beach.

Once home from the meeting, I quickly uploaded the photos and posted on AKBirding.com. Almost instantly, Buzz Scher responded that it was not a Dusky Thrush but an even rarer bird, a REDWING! Ah! Had I only taken a moment in my haste to post to verify the ID in my National Geographic Field Guide. It has a perfect image of the Redwing.

This bird was spotted on Tuesday in the same sheltered west end of the beach by Jim Herbert but due to poor views, misidentified as a juvenile American Robin. I hope that it will hang around so others can have the pleasure of seeing it. Please respect its urgent need to feed and observe the rules of etiquette so others can enjoy it too.

Keep your eyes peeled for more treasures delivered by this crazy wind!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, November 14, 2011 Smashing news!

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report 

I enjoy having interesting birds delivered to my house. Meaning, of course, Cassin's finches in the front yard, Cedar Waxwings in the surrounding cottonwoods, and other benign but exciting sightings. Today's delivery was smashing!

When I returned home this afternoon from the monthly COASST survey, I shucked my winter gear, gathered my two cameras, and headed upstairs to return a phone call to a friend. Engrossed in the conversation, I casually looked out the window and saw a little gray feather stuck to one of the two windows. Hmmm. Pine grosbeak window strike? I thought I had enough stuff hanging in the window to discourage any hits. We chatted some more and eventually my gaze shifted to the adjacent window.

GOOD GRIEF! The window looked like a rock had been hurled through it! There was a huge hole, with jagged pieces of glass barely hanging on, the previously invisible protective membrane flapping stoically as if to say, "I tried!" Glass shards glittered menacingly, strewn all over the cabinet under the window. I stood up abruptly and looked closer. A large brownish, streaked bird about the size of a fat raven sat stunned on the roof, all fluffed up, a foot away. I had no idea what it was, except a raptor of some sort but not an owl. I hastily excused myself and hung up. Wow! The glass was everywhere, from tiny sparkles to larger shards blasted over 6 feet away from the window, on the carpet, on top of papers, in open boxes.

But of more interest was this quiet, stunned bird. It sat there, deep brown eyes closed, then open, just resting. Whatever enticed it to hurtle at high speed with enough force to break two panes of glass was no longer of interest or even in memory. As I watched, fascinated, I remembered my camera. What a unique opportunity for close-ups of a raptor! The through-the-glass photos were a bit cloudy. Then I noticed the convenient access through the split plastic membrane. I got some great shots of this magnificent bird.

Suddenly, it gathered enough reconnaissance to realize what was happening and managed to fly off to the nearby Mt Ash tree and crash land. It hung there, almost suspended, wings out, unable to really get a grip on a branch for a proper landing. After a short time, it let go and flapped towards the ground. I rushed to the downstairs window and saw it resting near the house on the deck. Bird 911 time.

I called the Alaska Sealife Center rescue number and talked to Tim. He gathered the information and mercifully agreed to send a crew even though it was not a marine mammal or seabird. Then the interminable wait began. How agonizingly slow it seems before aid arrives! It was not long however, before an inquisitive Steller's jay discovered the inert raptor, sitting on the deck. Up went the alarm and soon five jays danced around the eerily quiet predator. Black-billed magpies answered the call and joined the taunting and outcry. The only positive result of all this harassment was I could determine that at least the bird's neck wasn't broken. It could turn and look this way and that at first one tormentor then the other. Luckily, the alarmed birds kept a safe distance, but I did not know how long their fear would last. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

After an interminable (but in reality probably short) time, Seth and Julie arrived with a small crate, blanket, and long-handled net. Sneaking around the side of the house, it was almost anticlimactic to gently lay the net over the unprotesting bird and bag it. After untangling the formidable looking talons, the bird was wrapped in a blanket and transferred to the crate. Off to the ASLC for observation.

I cleaned up most of the glass shards and installed a temporary cover over the shattered window, then emailed photos for ID. Opinions were mixed, but either a PEREGRINE or GYRFALCON. That bird could have hit the window at 200 mph! It sure looks that way! It's incredible that he survived. Wow!

In the future, I will be content to travel a bit to find awesome birds in lieu of replacing any more windows!

Many thanks to the Alaska Sealife Center for taking care of this magnificent bird.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter