Friday, May 8, 2026 FOS Dunlins, Marbled Godwit, Wandering Tattler

Seward, Alaska

The drizzle returned but delivered exciting First of Season birds including small numbers of bright breeding plumage DUNLINS sporting black bellies feeding among the WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS.

The big excitement was a magnificent MARBLED GOTWIT strolling and feeding on the mudflats. The largest of the Godwits, it stands at 18” high, with a very impressive, long bi-colored bill. We heard its call, but did not find until it flew farther away. Great camo! The outstretched wings revealed distinctive cinnamon-colored linings.

A large flock of about 30 HUDSONIAN WHIMBRELS landed in the estuary pond to preen and probe. Other smaller flocks flew overhead. 

About 20 DOWITCHERS, too far to determine species, clustered in the shallows, stitching away like mechanical sewing machines.

The single SAVANNAH SPARROW finally had company as a small pulse joined him to pluck sluggish flies from the beach sand.

ARCTIC TERNS flew back and forth from the tidewater to the shore, many carrying small fish including salmon smolt. A proud male seemed reluctant to relinquish his prize and teased his waiting lady as he paraded around and around, close then far, then close. She repeatedly opened her lipstick-red bill and begged before he finally forked it over. What a guy has to do!

Robin C alerted me to a FOS WANDERING TATTLER at Scheffler Creek south of the boat harbor Uplands by the pedestrian bridge. It took me a while, but I finally found one, poking along the edge and in the wrack-covered rocks.

The search was productive, however, as I found two or three Hudsonian Whimbrels stalking secretively through the rocks. One took offense at another and aggressively flew in to chase it away. This was interesting; all the other Whimbrels I’ve seen seemed to tolerate each other in close proximity.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Swallows, Least and Western Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Merlin

Seward, Alaska

Unexpected and much appreciated sunshine today! FOS 4 SWALLOWS swooped high above my yard, too far to ID or photograph. Fortunately, they were back in time to catch the slow-moving, recently emerged female mosquitoes.

At the head of the bay, the lone SNOW GOOSE persisted, with CACKLING GEESE and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.

Eight PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERS stalked through the grasses.

In the shallow pond, smaller numbers of HUDSONIAN GODWITS and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS fed voraciously. 

At the tidelands, a pulse of WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS probed the rich intertidal. Up close, it was easy to compare the black legs and coppery rufous on the Westerns to the rather drab plumage of the leastest sandpiper with its yellowish legs. Most of these peeps were actively feeding, but at least one stole a much-deserved nap.

A few dapper SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS joined the peeps for mudflat treats.

I spied a MERLIN perched on a snag, also interested in the new arrivals. A few years ago, a friend reported their yard littered with shorebird parts from a nesting pair in the Forest Acres neighborhood. Not a pretty sight!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Hudsonian Godwits, Long-billed Dowitchers, Whimbrels

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 5:44 am, sunset 10:06 pm, for a total day length of 16 hours and 21 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 6 seconds longer.

 

The pattern of gray, overcast skies with light showers continued today, with temps ranging from 34 to 41. Thanks to the long hours of daylight, green spears poke ever higher among the dead grasses, pussy willows popped, and buds are swelling, but it’s still early Spring.

 

The songs of VARIED THRUSHES, ROBINS, and FOX SPARROWS greeted me this morning, recent arrivals to the ’hood.

 

Robin reported two Surfbirds and two Black Oystercatchers at low tide at Spring Creek Beach. I failed to refind them in the drizzle, but found two FOS DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS at Fourth of July Beach and an impressive surf.

 

The rain lifted at the head of the bay where I enjoyed watching four gold-spangled PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERS stop/start as they plucked invertebrates from the mud. A stealthy GREAT BLUE HERON cruised past. Skydiving WILSON’S SNIPE winnowed eerily, trying to impress hidden females.

 

A single SNOW GOOSE joined small flocks of continuing voracious GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and CACKLING GEESE, even as more Geese arrived and others continued their narrated migration north.

 

To my great delight, two small flocks of SANDHILL CRANES bugled and circled before ultimately deciding to move on. HUDSONIAN WHIMBRELS trilled from the dead grasses, blending in perfectly. 

 

In the shallows of the estuary pond, 7 FOS HUDSONIAN GODWITS and 7 smaller FOS LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS prodded and poked in the water. 

 

The long bi-colored Godwit bills remained mostly submerged, but emerged briefly as if to take a breath before plunging underwater again. When they flew, their black tail and bright white rumps flashed and they revealed the diagnostic black underwings.

 

A flock of bright WESTERN SANDPIPERS swooped and swerved in synchrony to feed among the Godwits in exposed mud.

 

Pesky RAVENS roused the ire of SHORT-BILLED GULLS and ARCTIC TERNS, perhaps amused by the acrobatic challenge to avoid their sharp bills as they repeatedly invaded the nesting territories.

 

Back at the parking lot, a FOS RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET belted out his chipper song.

 

Later, around 11 pm, I again heard a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL beeping from Little Bear Mountain.

 

Though possible snow is still in the forecast, Winter is doomed with these beautiful and vocal harbingers of Spring.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Semipalmated Plover, Western and Least Sandpipers, and more!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 6:01 am, sunset 9:51 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 15 seconds longer.

Winter and Spring continued to battle out the last few days of April with hard rain, sleet showers, drizzle, sprinkles, chilly winds, then a surprise blast of warm sunshine, and repeat. Temps ranged from 27 to 38 with more rain and even snow in the forecast.

The turbulent weather did not seem to deter migrating birds and many First of Season (FOS) species arrived this week, along with more flocks of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, CACKLING GEESE, and ducks. 

ARCTIC TERN numbers increased every day, several toting Stickleback gifts for courting.

On Saturday, April 25, I heard the growly voices of BONAPARTE’S GULLS and photographed two with their distinctive black hoods looking petite next to SHORT-BILLED GULLS. One tired migrant enjoyed a well-deserved a nap. 

On Sunday, April 26, I found a single BRANT, a male and female NORTHERN HARRIER, and heard the complaint of a WILSON’S SNIPE. 

On Monday, April 27, I flushed a Snipe from the side of the road by Dairy Hill. Tasha reported five BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS at Spring Creek Beach. Ten SNOW GEESE lingered at the head of the bay.

On Tuesday, April 28, two SANDHILL CRANES continued their flight north while another pulse of AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL dabbled along the beach. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON mingled with the Teal, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARDS, GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and NORTHERN SHOVELERS.  

I heard the SAW-WHET OWL beeping from Little Bear Mt around 11 pm.

This morning, I heard the haunting flight call of a COMMON LOON heading north though the clouds. A single PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER called as it circled high in the sky; it was a challenge to photograph the speck! 

FOS GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS sang their plaintive “Oh, dear me” song at Lowell Point.

This evening, the FOS SEMIPALMATED PLOVER arrived, quietly hanging out with a dozen peeps including LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS.

More shorebirds and songbirds are on their way. Clean and fill your hummingbird feeders for the Rufous Hummers! 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter