Sunday, February 9, 2020 Herring frenzy!

Seward, Alaska

Cloudy, calm, and balmy today at 34º. 

I tried to beat the high tide at Afognak Beach this morning but failed. Nonetheless, I felt rewarded by the sight of 38 BRANT (BLACK) feeding at the tideline by the point, gabbling softly. As the tide submerged their dining table, they split into smaller groups. Some paddled across in front of me, seeking other fare. After a time, they all flew off around the corner. So amazing to see Brant in these numbers, especially in February!

I checked out the Lagoon at the Benny Benson Park in town and found a lovely COMMON GOLDENEYE hen and one BUFFLEHEAD hen. A recently killed and lightly scavenged duck lay under an ice cornice in the shallows. Despite the recent tragedy, the remaining ducks carried on, probably grateful it wasn’t yet their turn in the food web.

Cruising along the Waterfront, a flurry of gulls caught my attention. I pulled up to find about a dozen Steller Sea Lions surging and splashing quite close to shore (thanks to the high tide). So cool to hear them breathe explosively as they surfaced and dove. The MEW, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, and at least two immature THAYER’S GULLS cried in excitement as they hovered over the sea lions, hoping for scraps. 

To my surprise, about ten BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, including one in breeding plumage, joined the fray. It seemed early to have so many Kittiwakes in town. Completely disappearing when they plunged in, they frequently emerged with a small, slender fish which they gobbled down before it was stolen. 

Chuck at the ASLC said the fish were herring. Another local said they were hatched from here, not migrating from afar, and that they were on time. I know the harbor is a popular nursery for herring. If these babies were on a Sunday outing, it sure turned into a bonanza for the birds and sea lions!

Of note, fishing boats are not delivering pollock to local seafood processors due to reduced quotas, so the birds (and sea lions) are especially hungry and appreciative of the herring. 

More birds paddled or flew in: COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, HARLEQUINS, and BARROW’S GOLDENEYES. About 10 MARBLED MURRELETS called and dove farther offshore.

It was a birding bonanza!

A wild-eyed black Lab swam out to visit the boiling cauldron of sea lions. When he got right in their midst, he must have realized there was much, much more than met the eye from shore, and he slap-splashed back to safety. Dangerous passion!

A short time later along Lowell Point Road, I spotted three GREATER SCAUP, two males and a female, diving in a raft of about 40 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES. More Marbled Murrelets paddled off shore, as well a very small raft of 7 SURF SCOTERS. Their numbers are much, much lower than normal.

Meanwhile, Sulli at last found three SHORT-EARED OWLS simultaneously at the airport, hunting. Counting the one the Ravens killed, and the one at Tonsina, there may have been five in the area this winter. Outstanding!

He also relocated 30 Brant, 2 EURASIAN WIGEON, 3 AMERICAN WIGEON, 3 pair NORTHERN PINTAIL, and 17 GADWALL (!).

On his way from Anchorage, he verified the CASSIN’S FINCH female is still at Jonah’s feeder in Moose Pass.

Ava reported a single GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH at her feeders, a rare bird this winter for Seward. She said the Sharp-shinned Hawks have been stirring up her feeder birds. Lots of excitement today!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, February 8, 2020 Ravens v Bald Eagles

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 8:57 am, sunset 5:39 pm for a total day length of 8 hours and 32 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 13 seconds longer.

Mid-winter mild temperatures reached to 37º today, with a promise of spring when the snow showers stopped and the warm sun peeked out from an eerily blue sky. Good time to wear waterproof boots for the 8” of slush that was recently fluffy snow. Southerly winds forecast to shift back to the north with a more seasonal dip into the high 20s as the winter washer cycles from clouds to sun to snow to snow-showers to showers and back.

I spied some BALD EAGLE and RAVEN action at the Harbor Uplands this afternoon and drove up through the slush to check it out. A giant wall of dumped street-snow lined the south side, completely blocking the view of the bay and the brisk south wind. Perched on top were two adult Bald Eagles and a youngster. Another Eagle perched on a nearby street light.

A gang of Ravens mercilessly taunted the young Eagle, swooping past, dive-bombing, landing just out of reach, poking even pulling its tail feathers, and generally enjoying themselves. The undignified Eagle, obviously rattled, fended them off as best it could, beak open wide, screaming unprintable remarks. The more he reacted, the bolder the Ravens.

The two adult Eagles sitting on the snow wall not far away seemed to avoid persecution by simply ignoring the Ravens. One or two shot past, and even landed nearby, but did not linger. No fun to tease a stoic adult when much livelier prey was handy. 

Not that the adults didn’t notice everything with their yellow high-beams, turning their regal wind-blown white heads up to observe the squadron of Pigeons sailing overhead, down to check on any unobservant ducks swimming below, to the left to watch the show, to the right for pedestrians walking a block away, and over the shoulder to view paparazzi.

After a while, I drove closer to the Mariners’ Memorial where NORTHWESTERN CROWS busily polished off scraps of handouts. 

An empty, flattened and torn cracker box lay on the dirty ice near the snow wall and all the action. This, I deduced by all the tracks, had also attracted the Ravens; it doesn’t take much. I scooped it up. 

That simple gesture seemed to say, “Game Over” for the Ravens. They soared off in search of another novelty freed by the breeze.

I left the Eagles in peace at last, ever watching, watching, watching.

Meanwhile, Jonah L scored a fabulous yard bird this afternoon, a female CASSIN’S FINCH at his home in Moose Pass, feeding with a flock of PINE GROSBEAKS. Good score!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, February 3, 2020 44 Brant and Northern Pintail drake!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:05 am, sunset 5:19 pm, for a total daylength of 8 hours and 14 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 5 seconds longer.

The past several weeks of single digit temperatures, strong winds, winter weather advisories, and a 6-8” snow dump finally relented. Temps reached a surprising 38º today with 12 mph north wind. Snow/rain with temps in the low-mid 30s forecast for the week.

Ever-vigilant Tasha discovered a remarkable 44 BRANT feeding in the tide flats at the head of the bay this morning. Coincidentally, eBird Alert for February 2 reported BRANT in Sitka 4, Skagway 1, Gustavus 2, Homer 2, and Kodiak 2.

When I found them a short time later feeding at the tideline, a single TRUMPETER SWAN walked warily along the flats accompanied by hopeful MALLARDS. Jonah L spotted a NORTHERN PINTAIL drake nearby, a rare winter visitor.  At 3 pm, 4 Trumpeter Swans were reported along with the Brant.

On Tuesday, Robin C reported that a BALD EAGLE killed a GREAT BLUE HERON at the Lagoon. I haven’t even seen a Great Blue Heron since the Christmas Bird Count! 

On Wednesday, Robin C reported a female NORTHERN PINTAIL at the Lagoon in town. 

As strong winter storms continue to roll across the Gulf of Alaska, keep an eye out for the potential delivery of other unusual visitors.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Tufted Duck Lifer!

Cooper Landing, Alaska

I sure was hoping to see the rare Eurasian TUFTED DUCK at Cooper Landing. It would be a Lifer. Found by Tim Stevensen 25 days earlier on December 29, 2019, time was ticking away. Rare birds are lost birds, and as such, are unpredictable. Buoyed by recent reports, it was worth a try.

As I crossed the bridge over the Kenai River at Cooper Landing, I noticed a nice flock of ducks milling in the short stretch of open water on the left (east) side of the bridge. Swans fed next to the ice on both sides. I continued to the closest access, the Alaska State Parks boat launch, and parked by the river.

Good thing I brought my scope as the light was dim and the birds far. I scanned the mixed flock of Scaup, COMMON MERGANSERS, and COMMON GOLDENEYES. Most were actively diving and feeding. It felt like “Where’s Waldo?” Then I saw a suspiciously white-flanked duck, napping. The pattern was distinctive. But when the wind blew just right, his fancy tuft flew out and cinched the identification. Yay!

The TRUMPETER SWANS in the background caught my attention next: two adults and three cygnets. I wondered if these could be the missing Seward residents which I haven’t seen in a while. If so, how did they know to fly north to find this small stretch of productive open water? Is this knowledge passed on through the generations? 

On my side of the bridge were two adults and one cygnet. Could these be the Tern Lake swan family? Tantalizing thought, and not quite as far to fly. I noticed the cygnet led the parents, as did the very independent Tern Lake cygnet. One can only speculate, but it seems very possible.

Dabbling MALLARDS and a diving DIPPER rounded out the species list.

I shot a few documentary photos and packed up to the soft honking of the Tern Lake Trumpeter Swan family as they paddled regally along the edge of the river ice. A sweet, familiar, and wild sound to top off an exciting mini-expedition. 

Seward reports:

Monday, January 20: two SHORT-EARED OWLS were reported hunting in a vacant property near the highway just south of Sea Lion Avenue. The same afternoon, a very white (male) Short-eared Owl hunted at the airport then disappeared. A few minutes later, an adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK suddenly appeared, landed in a spruce tree, waited and watched, then flew off.

Tuesday, January 21: the unusual female RING-NECKED DUCK (hybrid?) was seen at the Lagoon with 5 MALLARDS and 3 BUFFLEHEAD. 

Today: the male RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER suddenly reappeared after an unexcused absence since December 27, 2019.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, January 17, 2020 Birds in Flight, Underwater (BIFU)

Seward, Alaska

Kinglets, Warblers, and Swallows, so quick and erratic, make challenging subjects to photograph. Ramp it up with birds in flight, underwater, in dim light, behind reflecting glass, at the Alaska Sealife Center. 

As the once-frozen fish or squid drift slowly down, the seabirds fly or paddle after them. Then, prey in beak, they spiral effortlessly to the surface like little jets with silvery air bubbles streaming behind.

I joined the first day I saw this incredible sight back in 1998 when the Center first opened. I’m still fascinated, and persist in trying to capture BIFU on camera.

Descending abruptly from above, the large-bodied COMMON MURRES slice the water with their long, narrow wings like powerful oars, their bodies often silvery with air bubbles. They frequent the deepest parts of the 21.5’ deep tank, mere child’s play for a species that can dive 600’ or deeper.

Slender PIGEON GUILLEMOTS and HORNED PUFFINS with even smaller wingspans, stroke quickly, easily spinning and changing directions. They seem to prefer the mid to upper levels, though they too will investigate possible food on the bottom.

Sea ducks, like the COMMON EIDER and LONG-TAILED DUCK, undulate underwater, using their heads, necks, body, and large webbed feet to propel themselves underwater. Paddling seems much more laborious than flying. These ducks seemed to poke and pry at the rocks more often, investigating other possible food sources. Then, up they go, back to the surface.

I didn’t see the RHINOCEROUS AUKLETS, TUFTED PUFFINS, SMEW or HARLEQUIN DUCKS underwater this time, which gives me yet another excuse to go back. Even if the vast majority of the photos (thankfully digital) end up in the trash, it’s fun to try!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Friday, January 17, 2020 Spectacular Winter De-Light

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:44 am, sunset 4:33 pm for a total daylength of 6 hours and 48 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 2 seconds longer.

After two weeks of single digit temperatures, strong north winds and sunshine, the thermometer rose steadily today from 12º to 20º while the wind mercifully dropped to a mere 8 mph. A dark gray blanket of clouds lurked at the mouth of the bay by late afternoon, possibly bearing the snow and warming temperatures forecast for Sunday-Tuesday. 

The short, cold, clear-sky days since the CBC provided ghostly streamers of rising and blown steam from the warmer bay; inspiring vistas of blue-shadowed snowy mountains; an almost regular opportunity to watch the moon wax fat and wane thin as it rose, sailed across the starry sky, then set over those spectacular mountains bookending the bay; frozen jellies lining the beach with their amazing spoked-wheel patterns overlaid on their solid white ice bodies. The low, golden, northern winter light makes me take photos like a tourist.

The day after the Count, the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD disappeared, likely a victim of the bitter cold and long nights. What a marvel to last so long, giving all so much joy at his very existence. I spotted the lone TRUMPETER SWAN reported on the ice at the Lagoon nine days after the Count but not since, neither the RING-NECKED DUCK. The SHORT-EARED OWL continued at the tidelands, but no one has reported from Tonsina to see if that owl is still there with the Three-Toed Woodpecker.

Ava’s RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET(s) is still active, squeezing in suet snacks between the much larger and more aggressive DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. While his bright ruby-red crown is indeed impressive, his golden feet are astonishing! So big and bright! There’s a good case for renaming the species to Golden-slipper Kinglet.

Enjoy de-light and Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter