Saturday, January 9, 2021 Siberian Accentor, Brambling, Common Loon, Goshawk

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:55 am, sunset 4:17 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 22 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 14 seconds longer.

 

Stormy weather continued with periods of rain, snow, and sleet, temps in the mid-30s, and 17 mph winds out of the north by mid-afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement until 6 pm Sunday for a long duration snow event for parts of the Seward Highway with up to 12 inches of snow for Turnagain Pass, and rain/snow mix for Turnagain south. Another 12 inches of snow is possible for Sunday night through Monday.

 

Despite the terrible roads, several birders from Mat-Su and Anchorage materialized in Seward to seek the elusive SIBERIAN ACCENTOR. After not being seen for the past two days, some got a glimpse of it at Second and Madison, and the alley between Second and Third Ave in the 500 block. Also spotted, the LINCOLN'S SPARROW and the first VARIED THRUSH reported this year.

The BRAMBLING, five RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and the female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were also reported around noon in the alley south of  Marathon Drive.

 

When I checked Second and Madison at 3:20 pm, I found a beautiful, very alert, adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK intently birding the site from a nearby  cottonwood branch, swaying in the wind, its feathers ruffled. The hot spot was completely silent and devoid of any visible birds. 

 

After the imposing raptor flew off, it took a full seven minutes for the first BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE to come to life, giving its cheery “all clear, let’s eat!” signal. As if by magic, the hidden and frozen DARK-EYED JUNCOS, PINE SISKINS, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES sprang into action, feeding enthusiastically in preparation for the impending long night. A small flock of REDPOLLS flew in to feed on the tiny alder seeds, clinging upside down from the cone clusters. I did not see the Accentor.

 

Earlier in the afternoon, I checked the Harbor Uplands. A COMMON LOON paddled along in the harbor mouth, heading into the harbor. It paused a moment to stretch, then dove and emerged swallowing a small fish.

 

Suddenly, a cloud of raucous AMERICAN CROWS (aka Northwestern Crows) abandoned their feeding station by the Mariner’s Memorial and streamed to the coal dipper. They absolutely mobbed it, perching on the structure and guy wires like ship flags. I have no idea why. No food nor obvious predator lurked there, not even the anticipated Great Blue Heron(s). I counted over 200 Crows when I enlarged a photo later.

 

A few Crows remained. One took a fancy to a small round ball at the top of an antenna. It managed to perch, with difficulty, while simultaneously trying to grab the ball. Fortunately this stunt failed, but it was very entertaining to watch the acrobatics. Google identified the ball as an aluminum “corona ball” used to prevent static discharge off the tip.

 

Nearby, the restroom roof provided a resting spot and lookout for an assortment of Gulls, mostly GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. Sulli kindly helped me sort them out. One GWGU adult had light eyes, but apparently dark enough to be in range. One was a first cycle GWGU,  overall a typical “dishwater” brown. One was a second cycle GWGU, changing from brown to gray. 

 

The last was a puzzle, a first cycle Gull, likely one of those pesky hybrids between a GWGU and a HERRING GULL with wingtips too dark for a GWGU and not black enough for a HEGU, and oddly dark legs.

 

Endless anticipation, entertainment, challenges, and surprises, these birds!

 

Happy Birding and safe travels!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

 

Sunday, January 3, 2021 New Year’s wonder and joy

 Seward, Alaska

What a pleasure to bird and photograph in the New Year’s bright sunshine for the first two days! Everything glowed under its spotlight, made even more special by the warm, low angle. Huge flat snow crystals delicately perched like glittering ice butterflies, coating arched beach rye grass stalks and every surface of bowing alders. 

 

Yesterday, the sun peeked above the eastern mountains and chased the shadows down the western mountains and across the flats as it rose. I was thrilled to watch two DUNLINS feed voraciously in a freshwater stream in the tidelands as the sunlight finally reached them at 10:50 am. For a good three seconds, one stopped feeding while a waterdrop grew at the tip of its long, droopy bill, as if to acknowledge the wonder of the dawn. Then it resumed its rapid stitching in the sand.

 

As the sun sank behind Bear Mountain to the west at 4 pm and shadows crept up Mt Alice to the east, Alpenglow tinged her snowy cape pink. A magnificent RAVEN atop a street light bid farewell to the day in his secret, ancient tongue, his shaggy throat feathers puffed out and horns erect.

 

The starry sky, with a lopsided moon rising over the jagged silhouette of Mt Alice as Mars drifted to the west, bookended Seward’s clear skies for a long while.

 

Yet, even in today’s snow flurries and sn’rain, the SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, BRAMBLING, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, HOODED MERGANSER, and other unusual and expected species brightened the day for me and many visiting birders.

 

This afternoon I enjoyed the simple pleasure of watching COMMON MERGANSERS and Gulls bathe exuberantly close to shore. Water sprayed everywhere as the Mergansers rocked side to side, rose up, and shook off. The Gulls were more demure, dipping their heads underwater to let the water flow down their backs, then tipped over sideways to preen the belly and legs. Must have felt mighty fine!

 

I identified the HERRING GULL by its pale yellow iris and black on the primaries, and the GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING GULL hybrid by its dark iris with a touch of black in its primaries, but both may be hybrids. No doubt Gulls will continue to be a fun and frustrating challenge in 2021, all part of the wonder and joy of birds.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, January 2, 2021 More feeder bird photos

Seward, Alaska

Here are a few more photos of the BRAMBLING, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, ROBIN, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW from the alley feeder behind Marathon Drive on January 1, 2021. 

 

The 5 Rusty Blackbirds chose to perch low in a nearby tree, talking and cracking jokes in their wonderful, creaky voices. What a treat to eavesdrop! After some research, I realized that the females are the bright, rusty birds. The much darker-plumaged birds are the males, on their way to becoming all black as their feathers wear down after their once-a-year molt.

 

On January 2, 2021, I checked out the DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, PINE GROSBEAKS, PINE SISKINS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES feasting on sunflower seeds and homemade suet at Ava’s Place. There’s always something interesting happening at Ava’s Hot Spot and the birds can be enjoyed up close.

 

Ava welcomes birders; park on the side of her long driveway so as not to block access to other users and bird from around the fenced yard. Check out the surrounding trees and shrubs as well. If there aren’t any birds, look for a predator like a Shrike, Sharp-shinned Hawk, or Merlin.

 

There is no need to knock for permission, just quietly enjoy her birds. She will come out if she is not busy. As she feeds year-round and goes through a ton of black oil sunflower seeds and other feed, donations are greatly appreciated. 

 

Directions: turn on Nash Road, take the first left on Salmon Creek Road, go over the bridge and take an immediate right down her driveway. Her house has cedar siding and a blue roof, with feeders all along her porch railing and in the fenced yard. 

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Saturday, January 2, 2021 Cardinal HOAX, Siberian Accentor REAL

Seward, Alaska

Much to my, and others’ deep disappointment and dismay, the reported NORTHERN CARDINAL photograph was actually taken in Toronto, Canada. It’s hard to get away with such deception for long with internet! I have no idea why the person showed eager and anxious birders, who devoted a whole day of their valuable time and energy, exactly where she took “her” photograph. 

 

Not a hoax is a real SIBERIAN ACCENTOR found this morning around 11 am at the Second and Madison hotspot: sparrow-sized, orangish body, black mask, hanging out with DARK-EYED JUNCOS. The rare bird was subsequently verified by many birders with photographs. Thanks, Deb and Dan!

 

Homer’s first Siberian Accentor showed up for their December 19, 2020 Christmas Bird Count and was reported yesterday as continuing. Seward, including at this hotspot, hosted one in January and February of 2013.

 

The 2020 Checklist of Alaska Birds notes it as “Casual” which is more rare than “Rare” and less rare than “Accidental.” According to Wikipedia, it breeds in northern Russia from the Ural Mountains east across Siberia, and overwinters in Korea and eastern China. The Siberian Accentor is the only member of its family, Prunellidae, Accentors, documented in Alaska. The family is endemic to Africa, Asia, and Europe. The recent series of tremendous fall and winter storms likely swept these tiny but tough survivors to Alaska.

 

Today, the Accentor was found in the company of DARK-EYED and OREGON JUNCOS, mostly feeding on the ground near the security of the nearby brush. The slightest disturbance, like a vehicle or someone walking on Second Ave sent them all into hiding. For a while, it also joined the Juncos in the sunshine at mid-level in the tall spruce trees behind the house and near the alley. They seemed to be nibbling on ice or maybe gleaned some cold insects/invertebrates.

 

It was amazing how many birds dropped down from the trees and shrubs when all was clear. Other birds included: an out-of-season LINCOLN’S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, DOWNY WOODPECKER, and a BOHEMIAN WAXWING.

 

The BRAMBLING, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD continued at the alley feeder behind Marathon Drive.

 

Another banner day for real birding in Seward!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold                                         

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Friday, January 1, 2021 Hoar Frost, and Alpenglow

Seward, Alaska

I researched the incredibly beautiful feathery crystals that greeted us on New Year’s Day and decided it was hoar frost, not rime ice. After days of rain, sn’rain, and snow, the sky had cleared and the temperature dropped in time for the New Year’s fireworks. The humid air crystallized into a glittering wonderland on branches, grasses, and the snow, the frozen equivalent of dew. The cheery but chilly low-angle sun lit them up without melting them, so the phenomenon lasted several days.

 

https://www.dtn.com/rime-ice-or-hoar-frost-there-is-a-difference/

 

https://wgntv.com/weather/weather-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-hoarfrost-and-rime-ice/

 

On January 1, the sun slipped behind the western mountains far down Resurrection Bay at 3:06 pm, igniting fiery snow streamers off the mountain flanks, blown by the north wind.

 

By 4:00 pm, the sun’s last rays gently touched the eastern mountains, gracing them with Alpenglow’s ever-changing spectrum from pink to violet to deep blue and then purple. 

 

A phenomenal day of phenomena!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Friday, January 1, 2021 Northern Cardinal report!!!!!!

Seward, Alaska

I received a fragmented report this morning followed by scant details of an incredible and unmistakable NORTHERN CARDINAL sighting. The handsome male, perched like a glowing red ruby amidst snowy branches, was photographed by local resident Maja Watson on December 30, 2020 on Old Exit Glacier Road.

 

This bird is so rare in Alaska only its family, Cardinalidae, is listed in the 2020 Checklist of Alaska Birds. It has NEVER been documented in Alaska.

 

Thunderstruck birders responded with incredulity, debate, and action. 

 

Dave S noted the species is non-migratory, with a number of records for Washington and California that are considered escapees from captivity. Sulli G countered with the fact keeping a Cardinal in captivity is very illegal, that birds do weird things, and most extralimital records in Canada are winter, so the timing at least seems right. Add to that the number of strong winter storms that may have helped relocate the Cardinal to Seward. Only the Cardinal knows, and he’s not talking.

 

Several birding parties shot down the highway from Anchorage and patrolled Old Exit Glacier Road and environs all day without success. Their dedicated effort is greatly appreciated!

 

We can only hope that this mega-rarity will settle down at an accessible bird feeder and let us enjoy the marvel.

 

The BREWER’S BLACKBIRD and DOVEKIE also remain at large and unsubstantiated, ie no photograph, audio recording, or specimen, throwing down the gauntlet to tease and challenge us to find and photograph them. The BRAMBLING, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and female RED-WING BLACKBIRD remain cooperative. Yay!

 

The New Year in Seward got a head start with a bang bigger than any fireworks!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter