Thursday, October 29, 2026 Common Goldeneyes, Kingfisher

Seward, Alaska

“A strong frontal system with an atmospheric river of moisture…will begin Thursday morning...with a storm total between 3 and 4 inches of rain likely with the event...before the rain slowly tapers off Friday afternoon.” National Weather Service

 

Earlier in the week however, was the calm before the storm, with mild, sunny days. 

 

On Monday, the TRUMPETER SWAN family tipped bottoms-up in the shallows at Bear Lake, one parent draped in a salad garland. The mostly gray cygnet, now full size with a pink patch on its bill, imitated the parents perfectly. Two other adults fed nearby.

 

Hummingbird bander extraordinaire Todd Eskelin drove over on Tuesday afternoon but the Anna’s Hummingbird was busy elsewhere. Insects, including the beneficial Brown Lacewings, fluttered in the sunshine, possibly distracting the hummer from the feeder.

 

A brilliant crimson male PINE GROSBEAK perched at the very top of a spruce tree while a flock of ten gleaned Mt Ash berries below. The usual suspects flitted through: RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, STELLER’S JAYS, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES.

 

At the head of the bay, the full moon’s high tide overflowed into potholes, creating short-lived but spectacular reflecting mirrors of the surrounding snowy mountains. MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, and a few GADWALL dabbled in the intertidal area and pond. BUFFLEHEAD numbers are increasing.

 

On Wednesday at the Lagoon by the boardwalk, the recently returned COMMON GOLDENEYES dove with BARROW’S GOLDENEYES and BUFFLEHEAD. COMMON MERGANSERS napped in the sun on shore, and MALLARDS poked through the inlet stream for salmon eggs. 

 

Best of all was a perky juvenile BELTED KINGFISHER perched on the power lines, intently hunting for small fish. Both male and female juveniles have some rusty brown on their white bellies, and both sport the rakish spikey hairdo.

 

Robin C reported two female HOODED MERGANSERS at Bear Lake. Maybe they will join the others at the Lagoon when the lake freezes.

 

Stay dry!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, October 25, 2026 5 Great Blue Herons, 1 Goshawk

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:03 am, sunset 6:19 pm, for a total day length of 9 hours and 15 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 17 seconds shorter.

The weather dial spun wildly the past two weeks delivering rain of varying intensities, dark clouds, warm sunshine, darker clouds, strong wind, more rain and clouds, calm, and even ice. Temps lingered in the chilly mid-30s in the morning, warmed to mild mid-40s by afternoon, and dipped down into the mid-20s overnight. 

A highlight on October 23 was five GREAT BLUE HERONS perched like giant holiday ornaments in a spruce tree. The stealthy and elusive herons remained there, motionless from the time of my discovery while on a walk to my departure 45 minutes later. Birds of mystery.

Another highlight was a juvenile AMERICAN GOSHAWK that was reported on the ground late yesterday afternoon. The Alaska Sealife Center had responded, but was unable to catch it. The wild and fierce young bird managed to fly about 15’ up into a spruce tree, and remained there all day today. The homeowner had to point it out to me, well hidden in the tangle of branches. 

Out in the open nearby, another raptor shot across the sky chasing a smaller bird. It was too quick to grab a photo. Two PINE GROSBEAKS flew up to the top of a nearby spruce, probably glad it wasn’t them. They called melodiously, so nice to see and hear them after a long absence.

On my way to the Post Office, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK soared overhead, cruising for dinner.

Add two COMMON LOONS fishing for lunch at Fourth of July Beach, a sea mammal sculpture, and a report of an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD in town for a pretty nice wrap for the last half of October.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Commander in Chief Mr. Whitekeys aka "Keys" passed away on October 15, 2026

October 19, 2026

Dear Readers,

I just received this sad and shocking news from the Anchorage Audubon Society: 

Dear Friends,

With great sadness, we are letting you know that Mr. Whitekeys or “Keys” passed away late last week, surrounded by family in Anchorage, after a brief illness.

Keys lived in Alaska since 1971. He was always interested in wildlife, but birds became a serious pursuit for Keys in the 1990’s. He rapidly became a recognized local bird ambassador and was elected to be President of the Anchorage Audubon Society in 2009. He contributed substantially to building a devoted membership at Anchorage Audubon through many outreach and educational activities. He promoted events that brought people together, that highlighted the amazing lives of birds, and that raised awareness and support for habitat protections for birds in Anchorage.

Most recently, he spearheaded the donation of significant resources to the new Potter Marsh Watershed Park, which protects wildlife habitat and wild spaces for people to enjoy. He encouraged citizen science by helping to lead the annual Anchorage Christmas Bird Count and by promoting events that taught people how to use eBird to record their bird sightings. He also spread his love of birding with people by hosting group events like the Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch and the Potter Marsh “Summer Smackdown” that allowed for some friendly ribbing and competition.

His enthusiastic leadership inspired many people to begin or renew their fascination with birds and the outdoors, wherever they might be. In a news article in the Mat-Su Sentinel about this spring’s Gunsight Mountain hawkwatch event, Keys said, “No matter where you are, there are going to be birds. Once you start paying attention to what is around you, it just sort of opens up the whole world.”

More information will be shared as it becomes available.

May his buoyant spirit continue to inspire birders everywhere. 

RIP, Keys. You are missed! 

Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter