Friday, August 29, 2025 Flood and Wind

 Seward, Alaska

A big storm rolled in on Wednesday evening starting with 1.5” of rain and a flood watch advisory. The sky hoses really opened up by the next afternoon accompanied by strong south winds with gusts to 33 mph. 3.65” of rain fell by evening. The deluge on the nearby mountains surged down the short watershed, overflowing and gouging the riverbanks.

 

Lowell Creek became a raging brown beast, gorged on stolen sand, gravel and rocks. All day and night, the heavy equipment operators labored to remove the load thundering over the waterfall. Rocks bounced as they hit the basin. 

As the tide ebbed, the bulldozers and excavators followed it out, carving channels to improve flow, and pushed gravel into deeper water. Other excavators scooped out the basin below the fall and bulldozers pushed it away in a synchronous dance.

 

The water quickly rose under the little bridge connecting Seward to the Lowell Point community, the only land access. The machines toiled, their operators working past the point of exhaustion. 

 

Fortunately, by Friday afternoon the storm passed, the wind sighed, and the sun rolled out into a blue sky as if nothing had happened. The waterfall, shed of its load and no longer angry, turned white again. The bridge was intact.

 

The mounds of gravel surrounding the rerouted creek channel and the giant piles stashed along the roadside and spilled over onto the beach stand in mute testimony of the drama. 

Cheers!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 Mystery Duck-- Solved!

Seward, Alaska

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, I photographed a small, crestless, chocolate-brown duck paddling around with four larger MALLARD ducklings in a freshwater creek near the tidelands. Who was this mystery duck? 

 

Many thanks to waterfowl expert Tasha who identified it as a female HOODED MERGANSER! A female Hoody has white under the chin, dark eyes, and a bicolored bill. She noted that her distinctive crest is not present during a molt or in a young bird. Without the bird in hand, she said it’s hard to differentiate between a molting adult or a juvenile. 

 

She also noted that a lot of ducklings are now flying, so there’s no telling where this unusual Hooded Merganser female came from. If she is an adult, it would be fantastic if she were considering taking up residence in a convenient nest box waiting for her with her handsome beau.

 

We are lucky to see a male or female in the winter and sometimes in the fall or spring. If we’re really lucky, we score on a pair. The last time I saw a pair was on April 5, 2025, at Nash Road wetlands. For photos, see the Sporadic Bird Blog athttps://sporadicbird.blogspot.com/2025/04/sunday-april-5-2025-hooded-mergansers.html

 

The Mallard ducklings were pretty cute too, with bits of baby fuzz still sticking out from their heads. Tasha also noted that their primary wing feathers are not yet fully grown.

 

This is the first time this summer that I’ve observed a Hoody in this stream with the assorted duckling families and the first time I’ve seen a Hooded Merganser without a crest; she looked so different!

 

I hope she graces us with her presence again.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, August 24, 2025 A Disturbance in the ’Hood

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 6:35 am, sunset 9:27 pm for a total day length of 14 hours and 51 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 20 seconds shorter. Note: civil twilight was at 10:14 pm and soon after, it was deep dark.

 

At 9:55 pm in the dusky twilight on this overcast, mild evening, I heard at least one ROBIN clucking at the edge of the forest across the street. This was very weird as not only have I not seen any Robins in my neighborhood recently, but they do not usually vocalize at night when they should be roosting and snoozing. Something alarmed them.

 

However, on Wednesday evening around 11 pm in slightly darker dusky twilight, I heard a couple BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES sounding the alarm in the trees near my house. I circled back and stopped to listen and watch. Again, they cried out from their invisible perches, then silence. Then once again. I looked hard, barely able to distinguish sky from dusk, but saw no movement. Could there be an Owl?

 

The next evening on my neighborhood walk around 10 pm, much to my delight, a SAW-WHET OWL suddenly started beeping in a quavering voice in the trees near my house, but then stopped. He was very close, but I failed to find him. 

 

Again, around 10:30 pm on Friday as the first stars began to appear, he boomed for several minutes from what seemed to be the roof of my neighbor’s house, raising a racket. And then around 11:15 pm on Saturday, I again heard him through my open bedroom window, but more distant.

 

No wonder the Magpies and Robins were a tad upset. An OWL in their midst! No matter that he was just starting his day by practicing his courtship calls before hunting a tasty vole or shrew, or possibly a young red squirrel or a small songbird for breakfast.

 

While I always hope to hear the Saw-whets Owls in the breeding season from late February to May, the late August photoperiod may have fooled him. Whatever the reason, it was a pleasure to be tuned in to the wonders in the twilight.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

Friday, August 15, 2025 Two Swans Too Many

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 6:13 am, sunset 9:53 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 39 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 15 seconds shorter.

 

Sunny with a ripping NNW wind at 20-30 mph with gusts to 35. Trees flailed as loose leaves swirled to the ground. Whitecaps roiled the bay, hammering the Silver Salmon Derby boats. Pleasant temperature ranged from a low of 48 to a high of 62. Fair tomorrow with a continuing strong NNW wind.

 

This morning at Mile 1 Nash Road there were two Swans too many. The dominant TRUMPETER SWAN pair though without cygnets, still claimed ownership of the coveted wetlands nursery. 

 

One Swan, likely an offspring, nonchalantly preened and nibbled on horsetails just out of reach, feigning complete indifference, baiting them. The other, more cautious, waited in the background.

 

These two adults were recently seen feeding at the Lagoon in town, a favorite diner for our resident Swans. Apparently, they decided on a change of venue and “went home” to hang out with the folks.

 

The “folks” would have none of it. The indignant pair, side by side, consulted for many minutes, discussing the intruder, bobbing their long white necks. First one, then the other, then together, and faster and faster, they vocalized in angry honks. They really worked themselves up into a lather.

 

Just as the furious Swan launched his intimidating charge, black feet slapping the water, powerful wings stroking towards the intruder, long neck and spear-like bill open and honking, my phone rang and I had to answer it.

 

Meanwhile, the charge routed the nearby target who wisely fled to the rear of the pond. Looping around, he blasted the more timid bystander into flight as well. Greatly satisfied, he returned to his appreciative mate and they celebrated with high fives and much honking. 

 

I was so sorry I was unable to photograph the drama. 

 

The surplus Swans, however, impudently remained in the rear of the establishment. As I left, the owners were paddling purposefully, side-by-side, heading their way. More drama in the works for this continuing saga!

 

Over at Fourth of July Beach, noisy BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES plunged into the milky glacial water pouring into Resurrection Bay from Godwin Glacier. The strong freshwater lens held its tongue-like shape against the strong wind, waves, and currents.

 

Afognak Beach featured three GREATER YELLOWLEGS poking along the wrack line, perhaps a family group. Pink and Chum salmon surged past to spawn in the small but important Afognak Creek and pond, off-limits to human fishers. 

A BELTED KINGFISHER dove for its prey; BALD EAGLES soared above, RAVENS croaked, and a young BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flashed its iridescent new feathers as it strode confidently along the beach.

 

What a lovely day!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 Exit Glacier

Seward, Alaska

This afternoon, on another spectacular summer day, (three in a row!) I enjoyed another ebike ride on Exit Glacier Road. I rode along the mighty Resurrection River, in a valley carved by the ancient glacier, and through the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Chugach National Forest, and Kenai Fjords National Park public lands. 

 

Exit Glacier, though visibly retreating, was still an impressive sight. The rock-strewn medial moraine flowed down the icy center in sinuous curves; rugged blue seracs met the gray, scoured, bedrock cradle.

 

As I zoomed in to check my photos, I was surprised to find a group of adventurers standing on the glacier, tiny dark figures dwarfed by the surrounding looming ice and crevasses. A handy reference for scale.

 

At the glacier overlook, visitors snapped photos and marveled at the river of ice flowing imperceptibly from the Harding Icefield in a self-made cradle between rugged mountains.

 

A mom gently guided her little girl back to the waiting car. I wondered where Exit Glacier will be when this little one is an adult?

 

Though I am witnessing the inevitable exit of this aptly named glacier, I appreciate being able to visit frequently, and take photos and marvel like a tourist.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

 

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 The Very Late Violet-Green Swallow Family

Seward, Alaska

On Saturday, August 2, the parent VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS seemed to be urging their reluctant babies to join them. They circled the airspace in front of the east-facing nest box, calling repeatedly, “Jump! Jump! It will be fun!”

 

One bright-eyed youngster peered out of the nest box opening, leaning far out as if about to take the big leap, then popped back into safety. No dice. What will finally trigger these reluctant babies to launch and discover their incredible and joyous gift of flight?

 

I could almost hear the conscientious parents sigh as they resumed swooping around catching insects to deliver to the eager, wide-open bills (at least two.)

 

Again on Sunday, the bright-eyed eager babies peeped enthusiastically, still stuck in the box, and still receiving deliveries by both parents. I noticed, in the brief exchange, that sometimes the parent fed the baby hogging the opening, then quickly reached past to deliver to one behind. 

 

On Monday, August 4, I didn’t observe much activity. Finally, one anxious little head appeared in the next hole, but I didn’t see any food deliveries. Had the frustrated parents abandoned their babies and fled? 

 

On Tuesday, August 5, there was no activity. It was an abrupt change. While I felt glad they had finally left, I felt sad to not watch the newly fledged youngsters perch precariously on the nearby cables and practice take-offs and landings. Or see the amazing mid-air food transfers from the competent adult to the fluttering fledgling. Maybe in their haste to get gone, they just practiced en route. 

 

Bon voyage, beautiful Swallows! Hope you have a good winter and a safe journey back!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, August 1, 2025 Shorebirds, Merlin, Trumpeter Swans Bathing

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 5:40 am, sunset 10:30 pm for a total day length of 16 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 53 seconds shorter. 

 

Mostly sunny today with temps ranging from 49 to 60, a brisk south wind, and rain in the forecast for this evening and tomorrow morning.

 

It seemed quiet in the bird world today, but upon reflection, I found many special birds after all.

 

About four LESSER YELLOWLEGS strode along the tide flats and another couple waded in the wetlands plucking morsels. Ten DOWITCHERS busily probed like sewing machines in the shallows. A WILSON'S SNIPE burst from the sedges and upon landing a short distance away, again became invisible.

 

A MERLIN perched precariously at the tip of a spruce, swaying in the wind. When it zoomed off, I did not see what it was pursuing, anything from a dragonfly to a shorebird.

 

I watched a frenzy of BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES plunging after baitfish near shore at Fourth of July Beach. Several DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew in to join two PELAGIC CORMORANTS for the feast. 

 

Ten HARLEQUINS bobbed on the waves and dove in synchrony nearby. MARBLED MURRELETS piped up shrilly then dove with a tiny splash. Three Sea Otters floated nonchalantly on their backs, lazily paddling backwards as they dined.

 

The big surprise was the TRUMPETER SWAN pair at the Nash Road Mile 1 wetlands. I believe they hang out here in the summer, even without cygnets, as it is a known haven with good eats. But they mostly remain hidden in the tall vegetation in the back, their long necks only occasionally visible like white periscopes.

 

Today, however, was bath day showtime in the middle of the pond. While one Swan enjoyed lunch, the other bathed with gusto. 

It preened sedately at first, delicately fine-tuning this and that. Then suddenly, it plunged its head underwater, shimmied side to side, and flipped over, water drops flying everywhere, enormous black webbed feet flailing in the air. What an undignified sight!

 

Surfacing, it then proceeded to stroke partially underwater, thoroughly drenching its wings and back. At times, it looked like a Swan’s head and neck stuck on a bedraggled down comforter. It’s hard to wash those many pounds of buoyant feathers!

 

The wash, rinse, and repeat cycled several times, interrupted by quiet preening. Abruptly, it just took off, pattering on the water like a maniac motorboat, wings flapping, flinging spray, barely able to rise. Almost as soon as it cleared the surface, it splashed down again towards the back of the pond and resumed preening, dunking, and spraying water.

 

Meanwhile, the other Swan cruised out of the greens and it too, began preening and bathing, though not as vigorously as the first. Both stretched and flapped those magnificent, powerful wings several times.

 

I left them to enjoy their bathing, happy for the entertainment and to see them again.

 

Back home, “my” two VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS circled around, calling. I heard the staccato begging of at least one baby still in the nest box and watched a parent fly in for a little fast-food delivery. This is a very late brood; I have not seen any other Swallows in several weeks. I wish them well!

 

Busy bird day, after all!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter