Sunday, January 20, 2013 Rock Sandpipers and Snow Buntings

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

Sunrise 9:36 am, sunset 4:41 pm, length of day 7 hours, 4 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 24 seconds longer.

Weather: The snow showers held off until the Polar Bear Jump in the Seward Boat Harbor was over. As the temperature climbed steadily to 35º, the mix was more rain than snow over an already icy layer. But this morning, despite a wet forecast, only the pearly blue-gray skies remained. The wind snoozed and it turned out to be a very fine day for both optics and birding. I again shot at ISO 3200 as it was so dark. The waxing half moon peeked over Mt Alice late this afternoon and brought along Orion and Jupiter to ride with her across the night sky.

The exciting news that the BRAMBLING was spotted in town yesterday lured me over to check out the lucky yard. I did not find the elusive finch, but was pleased to find a GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH, feeding on the ground under the spruce trees and Niger seed feeders. Chattering PINE SISKINS steadily lowered the seed supply, spilling enough to entice the DARK-EYED JUNCOS and COMMON REDPOLLS. It was quite amusing to watch the Pine Siskins take a birdy bath in a handy puddle under the gutter, splashing and twittering as if it hadn't been raining for the past several days. Then the disheveled puffs all took to the treetop to preen and regain their identity.

Many feeders around town have reported a recent invasion of Pine Siskins, feeding up to 100-200 at a time. The Common Redpolls are definitely in the minority now.

Next I checked the Benny Benson Lagoon, ice-locked except for the culvert outlet on the south and the stream inlets on the north. Two female BUFFLEHEAD dove in the icy water. The 4 COMMON GOLDENEYES nearby seemed huge by comparison. When the tiny DIPPER popped up, diving and paddling around like a sea duck, even the Buffleheads seemed big.

Across Dairy Hill Lane in the horse corral, a dozen ravens decorated the ghost trees. Some birds looked like they too had just taken a bath and needed some serious preening to get everything back in order. Yesterday, I heard the RUSTY BLACKBIRDS creaking in the trees. Peregrine Joe saw about 30, the whole flock, drinking at the edge of the Lagoon.

Around 4 pm, an hour past low tide, I ventured out on the tide flats. Though the light was dimming, it was just too nice to be inside. About a mile out, I spotted a small flock of suspicious-looking little birds working the incoming tide line. As I drew closer, I counted about 30 ROCK SANDPIPERS probing and picking in the sand and popweed. I did not see the Dunlins. 13 MEW GULLS stood quietly as the tide gently lapped over their yellow feet. One yawned, showing his surprisingly red mouth lining.

The sandpipers flew off to another patch of promising seaweed and I turned back to shore. In the distance, 21 SNOW BUNTINGS flashed up and down, then disappeared from sight. It's great to know both the rock sans and the snow buntings are still here. 

Yesterday, I finally saw the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, sitting quietly in a young Mayday tree. Periodically, it lurched forward and grabbed some black fruit, then gobbled it down. Five WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS shared the nearby bushes with a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and many PINE SISKINS. (Do Pine Siskins even come in singles?)  A dapper male DOWNY WOODPECKER enjoyed a suet snack. A ROBIN flew over head, leading one's eye up to a neighboring spruce tree. There, perched near the top roosted two adult GREAT BLUE HERONS. What a surprise! It's such a huge bird, a wading bird, and so secretive no one sees them for weeks at a time. And then there they were, taking it easy until the excitement at the boat harbor calmed down.

On the way home, I spied a lone River Otter preening at the edge of the ice at the Lagoon. It's just amazing what one can see if you keep your eyes open and your mind receptive. Plus, it sure helps to have a few tips on where to look!

Other notes:

January 16: HERRING GULL at Fourth of July Beach with one GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. We don't usually have Herring Gulls here in the winter.

January 17: FOX SPARROW at a feeder in town.

Ava reported several fluffed up and lethargic Pine Grosbeaks at her feeders recently. It could be from salmonella. This bacteria is easily spread from one sick bird to others on platform and ground feeders through the droppings. Outbreaks are best prevented by keeping all the feeding areas and water containers clean with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

Be sure to wear gloves and clean all contaminated feeders outside. To be sure the salmonella is gone, remove the feeders for two weeks. Sick or birds should not be handled with bare hands as salmonella can spread to humans and pets. Double bag any dead birds and dispose in the trash. There is more information on the 'net.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, January 9, 2013 First Gray-crowned Rosy-finch

Seward Sporadic Bird Report

I heard an incomplete but cheery "zoo-zippity zee zee zzzzz" yesterday and immediately searched the bushes for the happy singer. Sure enough, a perky WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW perched low on the raspberry stalks, sang as he looked around, apparently pleased with himself and the world.

Perhaps it was because the sun really came out for the first time this year, nice and bright, and even a little bit warm. It was a beautiful sight at sunset just before 4 pm when the eastern mountains glowed a delicate pink all the way down their rugged spine to the Gulf of Alaska.

Duane reported the first GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH of the season and New Year this morning at 10 am, just before the lovely pink dawn. This the second latest showing, as they usually arrive in November or December. January 31, 2009 is his record late date. Fierce winds earlier this winter blew all the snow off the mountains, exposing frozen insects and seeds in the rocks and turf to eat. The recent crusty snow cover may drive the finches down to feed. We are all hoping to see many more.

Jim reported 25 ROBINS at Second and Adams by the Episcopal Church.

The past several evenings, I've heard the repetitive, mono-pitch of either a far away and ignored beeping smoke detector, or a SAW-WHET OWL high on the slopes of Mt Marathon. I'd much rather it be the owl.

Lots of bird action of all the usual suspects. It's hungry time and the Mt Ash and spruce trees have lots of feathered customers.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, January 7, 2013 Respite from the Rain

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

Sunrise 9:56 am, sunset 4:12 pm, length of day 6 hours, 16 minutes; tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 2 seconds longer.

Weather: Practically balmy today, up to 38º, cloudy and calm. I was sorry to miss the brief thunder and lightning this morning around 6:30 am; we rarely get such a collision of fronts. Our recent snow showers top-coated the ground with a white crust, and cloaked the surrounding mountains in sparkling white splendor. Just after noon, the sun peeked out from behind a dense gray blanket as the perpetual precipitation hose spritzed out just enough sprinkles to generate a small but brilliant rainbow. Quite a treat!

At dusk yesterday, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK showed up in the 'hood, looking hungrily at all the well-fed feeder birds, but it flew off without supper.

Today, First Lake behind AVTEC fairly buzzed with bird activity. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS sang from the spruce tops, COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS flocked between the cottonwoods and the bare ground under the spruces. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS churred and PINE GROSBEAKS sang then fluttered down to feast on snow-capped Mt Ash berries. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES and DARK-EYED JUNCOS chipped and called from the smaller spruces. A few ROBINS clustered cautiously nearby.

Although I already have a lot of photos of the Pine Grosbeaks, I couldn't resist taking a few more as first a female then a gorgeous male leaned down, such a gracefully curved neck! what a nicely patterned back! to reach yet another red berry. It was so interesting to watch them work the pulp off of the desired seed. The male had red berry juice all down his front. It was tough to leave!

Over by the Waterfront Park, a small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS flew out from the beach rye along the bike path. The lone hybrid GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING GULL perched on the pilings. SURF SCOTERS, BARROWS-GOLDENEYES, HARLEQUINS, PELAGIC CORMORANTS, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS paddled just off shore in the calm bay while a nonchalant sea otter steamed backwards.

The recent storms washed up a lot of debris including a tropical-looking red alder tree, its trunk fairly glowing, warm reddish-orange against the snowy beach. I found a plank with two neat circles and made a little beach person, waving hello. Fun at the beach!

I was fortunate to get a photo of a COMMON MERGANSER hen when she circled right overhead, looking for her relations. A bit later, an adult BALD EAGLE flew purposefully past, too close to fit in the frame. I was glad that the new puppy was safely snuggled away.

All in all, another beautiful day in Seward!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Mt Marathon in her new winter cloak

Sophie at 7 weeks

Friday, January 4, 2013 Snow Buntings and Yard Birds

Seward Sporadic Bird Report

Finally! The slanting sleet stopped! Today was calm and foggy, very mysterious and alluring. The birds seemed to be everywhere, eating and calling, no doubt even more happy than I for the respite.

I set my camera ISO to a ridiculous setting of 3500 as an experiment and was quite amazed to be able to capture birds in flight in the dim light.

At the beach, about 40-50 SNOW BUNTINGS flew back and forth, landing briefly to eat gravel, then shot off again. BUFFLEHEADS dove. Two adult and one juvenile BALD EAGLE perched on stumps, waiting for opportunity to knock.  Two RAVENS showed off their aerial acrobatics, tucking one wing to flip, then fly in synchrony, all at top speed.

I followed the webbed footprints of a herd of dabbling ducks, probably MALLARDS or GADWALL, up the bank and into the snow where they walked around, leaving an interesting pattern of tracks accented by green, plant-based poop.

I have never seen dabblers poop like geese, but it must be an equally quick turn-around!

A DIPPER sat forlornly on the snow above an opening in a salmon stream. I hope he found something good to eat!

Back home, I enjoyed an amazing yard bird show from 2:40 to 3 pm as the birds fueled up for the long night. A male DOWNY WOODPECKER "peeked" and tapped away on an old willow truck festooned with red jelly fungus and green lichens.

A large flock of melodious PINE GROSBEAKS plucked ice-festooned Mt Ash berries and worked them around in their beaks, spitting out the pulp. Several DARK-EYED JUNCOS joined them, also enjoying the frozen fruits. A busy SONG SPARROW (where were you for the CBC?) hopped up on a branch and then explored the deck, with a comment or two before flying off.

Seven ROBINS sat in another Mt Ash tree, preening. I even heard one robin sing its sweet spring song, "cheer up, cheerio!"  A flock of about 40 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS churred overhead and landed at the top of a spruce before descending like a cloud into the Mt Ash berry feast. What a magnet for birds!

BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES complained and RAVENS croaked at the juvenile BALD EAGLE sitting on a branch, hanging its wings out to dry. Two adult eagles circled overhead; one landed briefly in my spruce.

Tiny CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES found a suet feeder that had fallen during the recent windstorm, and pecked away at the remaining fats. COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS chattered overhead in small mixed flocks, then landed to glean tidbits from the now exposed grass under the spruce trees. The ever-present STELLER'S JAYS flew back and forth, hauling peanuts to new hiding places in the dead leaves.

Despite the foggy, gray skies, it was a marvelous, birdy, January day!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

January 2, 2013 Smews at the Alaska Sealife Center

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

Sunrise 10:00 am, sunset 4:04 pm, length of day 7 hours, 57 minutes; tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 17 seconds longer.

Weather: Dark, gradually brightening to a monochrome palette around noon, then dimming by mid afternoon. Slanting rain showers marched up the bay, a gray wall o'water, with brief breaks. Moderate winds from the southeast, temperatures well above freezing, heading towards 40º.  More of the same in the forecast with slightly lower temperatures favoring snow showers.

Streets are slushy with huge puddles. Most of the snow is reduced to a soggy crust except where it was piled up. Brown grass is once again showing under the sheltering trees. Recent strong winds knocked large branches to the ground as well as many clusters of Mt Ash berries. The fructivores will be hungry later this winter.

Casual birding today while repairing wind damage and on walks: BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, PINE GROSBEAKS, DOWNY WOODPECKER, PINE SISKINS, COMMON REDPOLLS, NW CROWS, RAVENS, STELLER'S JAYS, ROBINS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES.

A rainy day is a perfect time to visit the Alaska Sealife Center. Wednesdays are free to Alaskan residents and a visit should encourage anyone to join on the spot. 

I was curious how the newest residents, the SMEWS, were doing and was not disappointed. The male is now in his "cracked ice" breeding plumage and is truly elegant. The male KING EIDER, also resplendent, puffed out his chest and bowed his head as he "cooed" a melodiously to his adoring females. The LONG-TAILED DUCKS in their breeding finery sang, "owl-ome-lette!" The intricately patterned HARLEQUIN DUCKS squeaked like little toys. It was a most amazing sea duck concert.

The auks were overall pretty quiet: COMMON MURRES, RHINOCEROUS AUKLETS, HORNED and TUFTED PUFFINS, preened and bathed. But the PIGEON GUILLEMOTS were in a tizzy, flying low then plunging instantly underwater, zipping around and popping up under some other bird, keeping things quite interesting. Overhead, the RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKES flew in circles, sometimes quite low over visitors' heads, perhaps trying to get a reaction. Always something to watch!

It was hard to leave the birds, but it was getting too dark to photograph. As twilight settled in, the sea lions and seals swam around and around, lively, graceful shadows fading into the night.

If you haven't visited recently, make it a New Year's Resolution to check out the wonders of our ocean world at the ASLC in 2013. 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter