Sporadic Bird from Seward, Alaska

Thursday, November 12, 2020 Yellow-billed Loon, Rock Sandpipers, Dunlins, and yes, Wood Duck!

Seward, Alaska

After a scant inch of crusty snow overnight, today dawned bright and clear with a high of 35 and light north wind.

Most of the rest of Bear Lake froze last night, concentrating the ducks in the small remaining open area. Birders from Anchorage and Kenai (need a guest book!) found the WOOD DUCK drake from a vantage point about ¼ mile down the Iditarod Trail. A scope was mandatory for the best views of this incredibly beautiful bird.

The KING EIDER female remained a scope bird as well, just offshore from Spring Creek beach at mile 5 Nash Road in the company of SURF SCOTERS. Two COMMON MURRES and several MARBLED MURRELETS actively dove beyond the Eider. A single GREATER SCAUP female paddled along closer to shore.

I was glad Sulli showed up to scrutinize a far-off Loon, possibly a YELLOW-BILLED LOON. The bill was not obviously turned up nor yellowish, but the bird was light overall with what I call a “blank” face.

Then a much darker COMMON LOON with a straighter, grayish bill conveniently popped up right next to it! The contrast was convincing and verified his ID. Winter scope birds are certainly a challenge!

Later in the afternoon I found a small mixed flock of 15 ROCK SANDPIPERS and DUNLINS busily feeding at the receding tideline at the head of the bay. The yellow legs of the Rock Sandpipers shone in the sunshine. I didn’t want to disturb them by getting too close so I estimate at least 4 Dunlins with dark legs and a longer, droopy bill.

On the way back, I heard lots of twittering overhead as at least 30 SNOW BUNTINGS flew high across the blue sky, white and black wings flashing.

Seward’s winter birds are returning; it’s so fun to see them again!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 Wood Duck! King Eider!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 8:49 am, sunset 4:37 pm for a total day length of 7 hours and 50 seconds. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 50 seconds shorter.

In the midst of this week’s tumultuous weather cycle, two exciting visitors landed in Seward. Yesterday, a female KING EIDER was spotted from Spring Creek on the east side of Resurrection Bay, loosely associated with a small flock of SURF SCOTERS. She remained a scope bird, very far away. On December 30, 2019, a female King Eider was spotted much closer, also with Surf Scoters along the Seward Waterfront. I hope she decides to stay!

A COMMON LOON dove nearby and a PIGEON GUILLEMOT in winter plumage preened in the boat basin.

Today, during a most welcome break in the rain and wind, news flashed about a crazy WOOD DUCK drake at Bear Lake! I have never seen this gorgeous species anywhere near Seward. According to Sulli, it appears to be a first record for the Kenai Peninsula with records from Kodiak in 1986, 1994, and 2013, and Cordova in 1988 and 2003.

I wished I had a blue flashing emergency light, but nonetheless got there in time to admire him paddling in the company of a CANVASBACK and MALLARDS. He was especially breath-taking in the scope. What a bird!

Juneau has hosted a pair of Wood Ducks for several years, but most of this species should be south of the Canada border.

Who knows when the ice will refreeze on Bear Lake and where the divers and dabblers will go? With above freezing daytime temps for the next few days (and rain/snow, wind), the birds may stay. As most residents along Bear Lake value their privacy, bring a scope and check any open water from the public access at Old Sawmill Circle and along the Iditarod Trail paralleling Bear Lake at the Bleth Street access to the north.

A HERMIT THRUSH flew through the yard at Second and Madison this morning; nice to know it’s still here. Tasha and Sadie hiked out to Tonsina Beach and found 14 SNOW BUNTINGS and 1 AMERICAN PIPIT. Then four GREAT BLUE HERONS perched on the blue coal dipper by the boat harbor.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, November 7, 2020 Townsend’s Solitaire, Snow Bunting

Seward, Alaska

Yesterday afternoon, Tasha alerted me to a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE not far from my house. I raced down and found it sitting calmly in a Mt Ash tree. From the back, it might easily be mistaken by the casual observer for a Robin, except for its smaller size and distinctive bright white eye-ring.

Though surrounded by Mt Ash berries, it seemed to be more interested in insects, and acted like it was fly-catching, waiting and watching then darting down to the ground and back up to the branch. The last time I remember seeing a Townsend’s Solitaire was January 19, 2013 when it was eating Mayday berries. This species is noted for its preference for juniper berries, which are not common in the Seward area.

17 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, including two handsome OREGON JUNCOS, chased each other around and around the bare branches of nearby shrubs. A SONG SPARROW alternately sang and scolded on its patrol through its territory. 26 ROBINS flew between this site and other Mt Ash trees up the street. It was nice to see and hear 8 PINE GROSBEAKS, juicing the Mt Ash berries. (Thanks to Tasha for the exact count.)

Today as snow pellets turned to light rain, I found a single SNOW BUNTING searching for beach ryegrass seeds on the ground at Fourth of July Beach. While I was excited to see it, I was sad there was only one as they should be happily hanging out in a flock, riding the stalks to the ground like little cowboys. Maybe more will show up with this next winter weather front moving in.

Also spotted off shore: a single COMMON LOON, 5 SURF SCOTERS, 2 HORNED GREBES, a small raft of BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, and a few KITTIWAKES and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS pouncing on a bait ball.

About 60-70 COMMON MERGANSERS paddled around in the Seward Boat Harbor, a nice-sized raft.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, November 5, 2020 Bohemian Waxwings, and a Short-eared Owl

Sunrise 8:33 am, sunset 4:51 pm for a total day length of 8 hours and 17 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 4 seconds shorter.

This afternoon, the brutal north wind that shook the town and rattled every window for the past wintry week finally stopped howling. A collective sigh of relief followed as the temperature rose from the recent single night-time digits to a balmy 30º.

A variety of mixed weather is forecast for the next week as the meteorologist’s darts hit the spinning weather disk: snow showers, mostly sunny, snow, rain, mostly sunny, rain/snow, snow showers, mostly cloudy, and partly cloudy. Someone is messing with the thermostat again!

Ava’s Place had the first young BOHEMIAN WAXWING on October 30, followed by a second the next day. I failed twice to find them. However, today on my morning walk, I heard their lovely chirring and counted 50 perched in a bare cottonwood with several ROBINS. They flew down to nearby Mt Ash trees and devoured the red berries, then back up into the cottonwood to preen, wait, and repeat.

I looked for the Cedar Waxwing, Western Tanager, and Hermit Thrush among them without success. A report of Robins and a possible Western Tanager on the Jeep Trail gives me hope that they did not blow away!

This afternoon, I chanced a walk at the tidelands, still windy but tolerable with the rising temperature. Aside from the MALLARDS feeding at the far edge of the tide and the usual BALD EAGLE flying overhead, I saw no other birds. The frozen jellies however, lured me to take yet another series of photos. Amazing animals from another universe!

I reached the end of the beach where the good dog wisely decided against swimming in the chilly creek. After checking for any waterfowl (nothing), we turned around. I headed for the shelter of a stand of beach rye grass to get a break from the sharp wind.

Suddenly, an explosion of wings from the grass not 8 feet away made me jump! A SHORT-EARED OWL shot up and away, and in a second was a speck blowing towards the cruise ship dock. I couldn’t believe it! The Owl had apparently watched us walk past. Neither I nor the two eagle-eye dogs noticed the brave bird. When we turned around, I missed a second chance for an incredible closeup view. I doubt very much if I would have had the presence of mind to even think of trying to take a photo!

This Owl was first reported on October 29, but the wintry blast discouraged further sightings. I’m relieved it survived! Of note, another amazing raptor, a NORTHERN HARRIER, was spotted on October 28 at Spring Creek, but not seen again.

Just before sunset today, Robin C reported a COMMON MURRE by the Lowell Creek waterfall. Winter sightings of Murres are very unusual and troubling as it may indicate a starving bird. If the sablefish processing continues, it may fatten up and return to the Gulf of Alaska. All very interesting!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Flipping Dipper, Awkward Raven, Serene Swans

Seward, Alaska

The north wind blew into town on Monday afternoon; all the Robins and their coveted associates (Western Tanagers (2), Cedar Waxwing) disappeared.

While looking for the Warbling Vireo by Benny Benson Park/Lagoon (no success), I spied on a very industrious AMERICAN DIPPER working away in a small salmon stream. He stood almost up to his belly in the cold water, expertly flinging alder and willow leaves over his shoulder. Then he’d pause and stick his head underwater to take a look around.

Sometimes he found a macroinvertebrate to eat. If not, he resumed flinging leaves aside. Rocks proved no obstacle for him either, even if they barely fit in his bill, flip! Tiny fish and slower-moving insect larvae quickly went down the hatch. Life was good for this successful hunter!

Winter is in the air, but the BUFFLEHEAD and MALLARDS seem to think its spring. Two very handsome male Bufflehead chased each other around and around at the Lagoon, diving underwater to goose the other, both chasing the hen which had to keep flying to evade them. Nearby Bufflehead possibly just shook their tiny heads and kept diving for fish.

A Mallard drake and hen bobbed their heads up and down like Swans communicating a decision. After the bobbing became more and more synchronized, the drake mounted the hen and held her head underwater by her nape. After this brief mating, they both stretched and shook off, seemingly very satisfied. I won’t be looking for ducklings anytime soon, however.

Searching the berry-laden Mt Ash trees, I found a RAVEN perched precariously on a thin branch, awkwardly reaching for the red fruit, wings akimbo, tail up, barely recovering his balance. Very entertaining! I’m sure I did not laugh out loud, but nonetheless, he finally noticed me and took off in a huff.

After not finding the TRUMPETER SWAN family for several days, they materialized on the east side of Nash Road across from the nest site, close to the road. The two 5-month old cygnets are almost as large as their doting parents. The water was so clear, I could see the white Swan necks snaking underwater to reach the aquatic plants.

Rare birds are exciting and enticing (and frustrating), but the regulars provide sustaining contentment like old friends.