Sunday, June 14, 2026 Black-backed Woodpecker, Whimbrel, Wandering Tattler, mating Arctic Terns

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 4:34 am, sunset 11:24 pm for a total day length of 18 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 1 minute and 10 seconds longer as we approach the summer solstice on June 21 with the maximum of 18 hours and 54 minutes.

 

A big storm blew in last night with the first real soaking rain (sorely needed), south winds gusting to 40 mph, and temps in the low 40s. It must have been a tough time for incubating birds and newly hatched nestling in exposed nests.

 

On a stroll around Two Lakes Park on Tuesday afternoon, June 9, I lucked into Woodpecker Alley by the First Lake outlet stream. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER flew ahead of me, landing about 10’ up successive spruce trees. It was huge compared to a male DOWNY WOODPECKER that followed in its wake. I returned the next day with optics, but alas, no woodpecker sightings.

 

In the mysterious ground fog at the tidelands on Wednesday morning, I found a lone HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL foraging along the tide’s edge. This is a late bird. A male WILSON’S SNIPE winnowed overhead, adding to the eerie scene. That’s a challenging dot-speck to photograph!

 

I heard my FOS ALDER FLYCATCHER singing and enjoyed watching a SAVANNAH SPARROW belt out his song from a lichen-encrusted snag.

 

Around 11 pm, the lonesome SAW-WHET OWL beeped from the forest of Mount Marathon.

 

Another late sighting of a WANDERING TATTLER on Friday, June 12 made me wonder if they are nesting somewhere along our numerous gravel riverbeds or up in the subalpine tundra. 

 

ARCTIC TERNS may have some hatchlings; one Tern caught a tiny fish perfect for a baby and flew it home. Most of the catch still seems to be larger salmon smolt. On June 13, much to my surprise, I happened upon the intimate scene of two Terns mating. While this is likely evidence of failed nesting, it seems much too late in the season for a second attempt with their tight traveling schedule.

 

A dainty immature BONAPARTE’S GULL, a two-year gull, loosely associated with the bigger SHORT-BILLED GULLS.

 

Back home, the male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD finally got perch at the feeder, though he proved very wary and elusive. I snuck some photos through the rain-spattered window while he dined. What a beauty!

 

As we reach mid-June and bird parents busy with their babies, birdsong has greatly diminished. Much to my delight, I heard the long song of a tiny PACIFIC WREN yesterday. 

 

Still serenading/celebrating today after the storm was a lusty FOX SPARROW, fluting HERMIT THRUSHES, the occasional sweet ROBIN, TOWNSEND’S, YELLOW-RUMPED, and WILSON’S WARBLERS. 

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, June 8, 2026 Unexpected Geese, and Spring progressing to Summer

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 4:38 am, sunset 11:17 pm for a total day length of 18 hours and 39 minutes. Tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 10 seconds longer. It' hard to go to bed when it is so light!

 

Seward experienced summer for three amazing days last week when the temperature finally rose into the 50s and even mid-60s. My journal notes: “Perfect day!” Brand-new leaves erupted in a lovely spring-green color; alder and cottonwood flowers burst forth; dandelions opened their mini-sun flowers.

Parking is getting difficult at Afognak Beach due to the popular red salmon snag fishery. I managed to “snag” a spot on June 2, probably my last visit for a while. 

The thick algal wrack continued to provide a buffet for birds including the usual HERMIT THRUSHES, FOX and SONG SPARROWS, AMERICAN CROWS, AMERICAN ROBINS, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. No Pipits observed.

A bright YELLOW WARBLER caught my eye, also enjoying breakfast chez The Wrack. It was fun to be able to actually see him, instead of the usual flitting behind leaves and branches.

I also heard a BELTED KINGFISHER.

A black bear was reported rummaging though an irresponsible homeowner’s garbage can down the block on June 3. I reluctantly removed my sunflower seed feeder and suet, known bear attractants. 

The bewildered resident RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES landed on the hummingbird feeder that replaced them. It was tough to quit cold turkey, but they adapted within a few days.

The early-blooming willows continue to attract insects for warblers. As bumblebees bounced from flower to flower, a WILSON’S WARBLER darted about as well, hopefully on smaller, more expendable insects.

Apparently, Seward can’t handle too much heat, so the mysterious fog rolled in on June 5, shrouding the mountains to the sea. The gigantic quantum-class cruise ship and double-berthed smaller cruise ship docked at the port almost disappeared.

ARCTIC TERNS jetted though the mist and occasional blue-sky windows. Some enjoyed a complete soaking bath in a warmed intertidal stream. Nesting and incubation continued for most; no sign of meal delivery yet.

On June 6, an immature BALD EAGLE chased three CACKLING GEESE, stroking powerfully and maneuvering to follow the slightly faster and loudly honking geese. Finally, they outflew him and all the birds landed to rest. Peace returned for now, though the geese continued to exclaim about the excitement.

Seven alert and silent GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE watched the drama but wisely did not move. It seems unusual for these geese to linger in Seward long after their brethren migrated north. No signs of nesting.

On June 7, I watched a dozen or more GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS picking off conveniently exposed mussels at low tide from the sheet pile breakwater at Fourth of July Beach. 

On June 8, at least 15 Eagles lined up along the Resurrection River, probably combat fishing for red salmon, just like the humans. Maybe the unsuccessful goose hunter joined them for an easier meal. Despite the availability of salmon, an adult eagle expended a lot of time and energy pursuing a Glaucous-winged Gull without success.

I am really enjoying listening to the beautiful birdsongs from my bagged baby monitor when inside. A tireless ROBIN serenades the neighborhood for hours with his cheerful song. HERMIT THRUSH, VARIED THRUSH, FOX SPARROW, PINE SISKINS, WILSON’S, TOWNSEND’S, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, the Nuthatches, Chickadees, even the STELLER'S JAYS and raucous BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, plus the chitter of competing RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS bring joy inside and out.

Happy Spring Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

 

Friday, May 29, 2026 More Afognak Beach Birds, Rufous Hummers

Seward, Alaska

A few more surprises at Afognak Beach yesterday, proving how serendipitous birding can be: 

 

A WANDERING TATTLER popped up by the pond outlet, posing as I clicked away. 

 

A close SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and three SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS stealthily stalked flies sunning in the wrack. 

 

The number of AMERICAN PIPITS seems to be diminishing, but there were still at least a dozen patrolling the beach and intertidal area, blending in perfectly.

 

I heard, but did not find a GREATER YELLOWLEGS.

 

I finally photographed a female YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Myrtle), a much more subtle version of the flashy male’s crazy quilt of yellow, black, white, and gray. Males sang in the alders and hopped through the wrack and shallow tidal pools.

I also heard my FOS NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH singing away on the far side of the pond.

 

A flock of five industrious AMERICAN CROWS also gleaned food from the beach buffet.

 

Back home, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD activity really picked up. Today, two females hungrily drank sugar water, actually sharing the same feeder. Normally, they seem too territorial and aggressive to share. Maybe that explains why a male has yet to feed, resigned to wishful flybys.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter