Saturday, September 28, 2013 Spruce Grouse and Trumpeter Swans

Seward, Alaska

This morning just after dawn at 8 am, I flushed a SPRUCE GROUSE off the gravel lot near my house and up into a spruce tree. I finished the morning walk and returned with my camera to find it in the same place. What a considerate bird to wait for me!

I watched it walk slowly along the branch, gobbling spruce needles. It was hard to tell which needles were preferred, but the bird seemed to be selective and did not strip any branchlet clean. I wonder how much nutrition is in spruce needles compared to the nearby Mt Ash berries and the spruce cones that feed so many other species.

The grouse was a beautifully patterned brown, tan, and white ball; I guess its tough diet works. As I left it calmly enjoying breakfast, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK shot across the sky, chasing STELLER'S JAYS, and generally announcing its presence and the start of a new day. The fat little grouse did not seem alarmed in the least; I hope its camouflage serves it well.

Later in the afternoon, I checked for the pair of TRUMPETER SWANS that have graced the wetlands at Mile 1 Nash Road all summer without nesting. They were still there, busily preening their angelic luminous white feathers, standing companionably together on a partially submerged log.

Such long, flexible, sinuous necks! One majestic swan reared up and beat its impressive, powerful wings back and forth, getting all the feathers aligned just right. They both looked fit and healthy, capable of undertaking a long and treacherous migration south any day. 

May they return next spring and find conditions better for nesting and raising a fine family.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, September 27, 2013 Rusty Blackbirds

Seward, Alaska

Thanks to a hot tip from Robin Collman, I found one of his two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Lowell Point. I heard the telltale creaking call, found the bird at the top of a spruce, and then watched it fly down onto the gravel road at the intersection of Beach and Border Drive right behind my car. The dark-eyed juvenile seemed very interested in either gravel, or some small food item in the road.

It was wonderful to get such good views of the bird on the ground, instead of hidden in the heart of a dense spruce tree, as usual.

The FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS moved closer to the boat harbor, but many gulls, including BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, HERRING, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING HYBRIDS mobbed the Lowell Point seafood processing plant and lined up in a feeding frenzy along a tide rip in the bay. Robin also reported a possible THAYER'S GULL, very dark, but I was unable to find it.

Also reported by Robin today, a MERLIN and the 4 DOWITCHERS at the head of the bay. No sign of the WESTERN TANAGERS. Two SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS continue to patrol town. 

Yesterday, I spotted the two local TRUMPETER SWANS at the Mile 1 wetlands at Nash Road and a COMMON LOON at Lowell Point. 

Since noon, the wind has returned, stirring things up. It's great to see new species moving in!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, September 26, 2013 Fork-tailed Shore Petrels

Seward, Alaska

On a routine drive on Lowell Point Road, I just had to pull over and whip out my camera. FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS fluttered erratically like butterflies, glided like balsawood airplanes, walked on water like St Peter, picked at tiny tidbits like phalaropes, and even dove completely underwater. 

It was hard to get a count as in addition to the dozens right along the shore, there were clusters of others sitting on the calm water in Resurrection Bay. Hosting tiny tubenoses in the inner bay is very unusual; it must mean there is a big storm brewing in the Gulf of Alaska.

Suddenly, I heard a loud "Cronk!" and looked up to see three GREAT BLUE HERONS winging south towards Lowell Point. What a contrast between these large, ponderous, and deliberate flyers and the little sprites flitting below me!

Two NORTHWESTERN CROWS walked along, inspecting the rocks for snacks. A Kenai SONG SPARROW popped up nearby, then flew over to a promontory and sang its lovely melody.

Then, quietly going about its business, a Harbor Porpoise momentarily surfaced to catch a breath, then slipped back into its oceanic universe, leaving only a watery "footprint" in the gentle sea.

What a place, Alaska!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Tuesday, September 24, 2014 Songbirds and Dowitchers

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:47 am, sunset 7:49 pm, for a total day length of 12 hours and 2 minutes.

This should be Seward's Fall Equinox! Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter.

Last night's clear skies did not linger and soon the clouds returned. After a chilly start with areas of light frost, it was a calm, mild day, with highs in the mid 50s and sprinkles.

The neighborhood SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS are dining well on migrating FOX SPARROWS, with two documented strikes today. Many more songbirds, including VARIED THRUSHES, ROBINS, HERMIT THRUSHES, and FOX SPARROWS, are dying from window strikes, a very sad and avoidable situation. Check out

< http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1184> for suggestions.

I found four DOWITCHERS today, feeding steadily in the rich wetlands at the head of the bay. They watched me, but did not seem to mind my camera or me. I am not sure which species or age they are; if anyone can identify them please let me know.

Update: Thanks to Sadie Ulman for identifying these as juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. 

Also of note, a juvenile BALD EAGLE feeding on a freshly killed NORTHERN PINTAIL, 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS, a few AMERICAN PIPITS, and 5 LAPLAND LONGSPURS flying overhead, First of Fall.

In town, I checked for the Western Tanagers without success, but I did relocate the CEDAR WAXWING feeding on Mt Ash berries in the yard of the former Forest Service house on Fifth and A Street with several VARIED THRUSHES and ROBINS.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday evening September 23, 2013 Trumpeter Swan Family

Monday evening, September 23, 2013 Trumpeter Swan Family

As the wintry clouds cleared away on Monday evening, I just had to check on the TRUMPETER SWAN family who were, until recently, residents of the Mile 15 wetlands. After walking south 1 ½ miles in the ditch along the highway, they were reported to have relocated in a long, narrow wetlands on the west side of the highway.

I drove the long 15 miles, marveling at the beauty of the brilliant white mountains spotlighted by the low sun. I parked at the pullout opposite the Grayling Lake trailhead at Mile 13.5 and walked a short ways south.

At first, I just saw a pair of white adults and one light gray cygnet, busily feeding in the numerous pond lilies. The cygnet looked almost as big as the adults. I wondered if this was THE family, or another swan family. Then I looked farther down the pond and saw three other gray cygnets, almost camouflaged, feeding independently. Yea! The whole swan family was here and doing well.

Like the dipping bird toy, the swans rhythmically tipped down, then up, down, and up, and down, rummaging around in the water lilies and other vegetation. The watchful adults seemed to take turns, discreetly checking on their babies and surroundings before leisurely tipping over again. It was almost hypnotic, watching all six swans feeding according to their individual breathing cycles.

After a time, the regal adults decided to move to the end of the pond. Without a sound, one adult simply bobbed its head a few times, and the whole family gathered together and paddled away. The four cygnets looked very healthy and should soon be ready for the big migration.

Also spotted at the pond, a SCAUP that made little disapproving grunts and paddled off into the pond lilies and an AMERICAN WIGEON that eagerly snapped up tasty morsels floating past the swans.

It has been such a pleasure to watch this majestic family from the mid-May nest building, through incubation, to the hatching and subsequent growth of all four babies throughout the summer. What extraordinary parents!

Later that evening, I watched the moon rise and pose on the top of the dark silhouette of Mt Alice, a large slice cut off its upper right side, already waning. High overhead, the constellation Cygnus the Swan, flew eternally on the Milky Way, its long neck stretching to the southwest.

Throughout the winter, Cygnus will remind me of the Mile 15 Trumpeter Swan family, and I will wish them well, wherever they are.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, September 23, 2013 Seward Sea Hawk

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:45 am, sunset 7:53 pm for at total length of day of 12 hours and 7 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter.

Wintry weather this morning! Lacy light snow dusted the mountains then hit town with snow flurries, a dash of sleet, a bit of rain, and stirred the crazy concoction with a brisk NNE wind. But the surprised grass remained green and the trees bravely clutched their fading leaves, so it must still be Fall.

It was fairly quiet this noon at Lowell Point beach. Similar to yesterday, 2 HORNED GREBES dove and swam into the waves, 1 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flapped laboriously into the wind, a MARBLED MURRELET popped up nearby and dove in surprise. A curious Harbor Seal watched for several minutes, then stealthily submerged.

I watched the gulls winging into the wind, mostly BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and immature GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. One distant bird seemed unusually dark with a longish tail. I fumbled for my binoculars, buried in my parka. A white rump flashed, a nice warm chestnut brown breast…a NORTHERN HARRIER! The hawk flew with the gulls, then veered towards land and headed over the beach rye grass at Lowell Point beach. Hmmm, says I, that must be a crazy quirk, flying over the seething sea.

About 20 minutes later, while driving back to Seward on Lowell Point Road, I spotted a dark bird towards the middle of the bay, winging low over the waves heading NORTH. I pulled over and checked it out. The HARRIER! Was there any chance of catching a surfing vole or a flying fish? Did it think it was a Seward Sea Hawk? Birds do the most amazing things!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, September 22, 2013 Horned Grebes return to Rez Bay

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:43 am, sunset 7:56 pm, for a total of 12 hours and 12 minutes. Today is the Fall Equinox, but the day and night are not quite equal yet. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 26 seconds shorter, so maybe Seward could celebrate Fall Equinox on Tuesday or so…

The strong NNW wind continues, rising from 20 to 25 mph today to 40 mph predicted for tonight. Friday morning I awoke to find a cottonwood treetop had fallen on my garage roof, piercing it in three places with its stout branches. Yikes! The bay is a froth of surging whitecaps, the sky a solid gray. A peek when the clouds lift momentarily reveals termination dust extending far down the mountainsides. Temps are dropping from the mid 40s in the day to freezing at night.

The grass is still green and probably growing, even as the wind throws leaves, ready or not, all over it. I looked for the Western Tanagers this afternoon in the wind and cold spitting rain without success. But "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."

ROBINS and VARIED THRUSHES hopped along the lawn, listening and looking for invertebrates as if it were summer. Perhaps they should take a look at the snow on the mountains and hitch a lift with the wind while they can!

I birded Lowell Point beach to get out of the wind. Three little heads bobbed up and down in the angry waves; the first of fall HORNED GREBES have arrived, still molting into winter plumage. Another one dove close to shore. A DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flew heavily into the teeth of the wind. I'm surprised they are still here. KITTIWAKES and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS gathered in a feeding frenzy by the seafood processing plant on Lowell Point Road. Other than that, it was hard to see much in the turbulent sea.

I heard an update on the amazing Mile 15 TRUMPETER SWAN family. A few days after their trek along the Seward Highway, they were seen 1 ½ miles south in a much smaller pond. It is likely the four cygnets walked the whole way with the protective parents, who perhaps scouted out the route in advance. I sure hope they get strong enough to fly soon!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, September 18, 2013 Western Tanager update

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:36 am, sunset 8:05 pm, for a total length of day of 12 hours and 29 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter. Full moon tonight; moonrise was officially at 7:45 pm, but she didn't peek over the mountains until 8:26 pm, and then rose like a helium balloon into the deep indigo blue night sky. What a lovely sight!

After a few days of calm and clouds, a brisk north wind cleansed the stratus cobwebs, revealing a brilliant blue sky. Splashes of gold and red blazed in the Mt Ash trees; fluttering yellow cottonwood and willow leaves all mimicked Western Tanagers; alder leaves skipped the finery and dropped dead dressed in faded green and drab brown. The temps hovered in the low to mid- 50s, after dipping into the high 30s at night.

First things first: A WESTERN TANAGER was refound today around 4:30 pm in the 700 block of Fifth Avenue at the corner of Monroe. Either a bright female or winter male, it was busy juicing serviceberries in the wonderful hedge in the middle of the yard. After plucking a single berry, it really worked it over, squeezing it thoroughly, providing wonderful views during the process. I still didn't see if it dropped the berry's skin when finished, it was so quick, but suspect it ate the whole enchilada. Then it went back for another sweet ripe berry.

Earlier in the afternoon, a SPRUCE GROUSE suddenly whirred up from around a curve in the Tonsina Trail, and disappeared into a stately tree bearing its name. I haven't seen a spruce grouse in a long time; other times, it's hard to get them off the trail.

A few PACIFIC WRENS chipped unseen from the dense woods along the trail. A VARIED THRUSH sang tentatively, and two FOX SPARROWS jump-scratched in the dead leaves. HARELQUIN DUCKS dove for fish eggs in Tonsina Creek as a few late spawning pink salmon swam past along the shore. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, both young and adult, and an adult HERRING GULL sunned on a remnant stretch of beach just out of reach of the high tide.

I scanned the fall colors of the mountainside and watched an adult BALD EAGLE shoot over the crest, sailing in the wind on its broad wings.

In other news, I received a report of the Mile 15 TRUMPETER SWAN family. Apparently this past weekend, the whole family was spotted walking in the ditch alongside the road, the four cygnets bookended by the adults, heading south. Speculation ranges from a lack of clear water to take off; the cygnets can't fly yet but can walk; they just wanted to go for a little stroll. One never knows with birds. I'd be interested in any further updates of this unusual and fascinating swan family. So far, the reports are that they are gone.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, September 13, 2013 THREE Western Tanagers, Cedar Waxwing, and a Hummer

Seward, Alaska

Another exciting day, birding berry heaven in Seward. Three WESTERN TANAGERS have now been identified. Using Sibley's Guide to Birds, one is likely a pale adult female, another is likely a bright adult female. The third, and one that eluded yours truly, is a bright yellow nonbreeding male. All three were seen at various times throughout the day by multiple observers. It is possible that there could be more, spread around town.

Of historic interest, Lee Post photographed a WESTERN TANAGER in Homer on June 8^th and 10^th in 1987, verified by George West, and published in American Birds, Volume 41, Number 3. At the time, it was noted as new to South-central Alaska, and the 4^th record anywhere west of SE Alaska.

I noticed the TANAGERS spent a lot of time manipulating the red Mt Ash berries, separating the pulp from the seeds, and, I believe, eating the seeds and discarding the pulp. The Robins and Varied Thrushes just gobble the whole berry right down. The Tanagers were also observed eating Serviceberries, but as the birds were barely visible in the thicket, I could not tell if they ate just the seeds or the pulp.

The whole town is probably a hot spot; there are so many Mt Ash trees! Look for birds flying from one tree to another to get to the scene of the action. One hot spot is at the corner of A and Fifth Ave. Glass through the Mt Ash, birch tree, serviceberry hedge, and adjacent Mt Ash trees to the north. Binoculars yield a lot more action than just casual looking.

Another hot spot is the large Sitka Willow and tall Mt Ash at the corner of Monroe and Sixth. This is where the CEDAR WAXWING has been spotted consistently.  Today, it sat contentedly in the middle of the willow, preening. When it looked down at me, it looked like it was wearing designer sunglasses. Very cool looking dude!  ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS flitted through, gleaning insects and spiders off the leaves and twigs. Also check all along Fifth Avenue between these two spots.

Just west on Monroe, along the alley between Fifth and Fourth, check for CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, and SONG SPARROW. Cruise along the alleys from A to Jefferson Street, between 6^th and 4^th.

Two MERLINS birded with hungry passion, and chased each other at high speed when not swooping around the block or perched at the top of a spruce spire. Most bird activity immediately ceased when the Merlin visited.

If you are tired of waiting for life to resume, and want to see another area, check out the Mt Ash trees along Second Avenue by AVTEC, between Monroe and C Street and on the north side of the building and in the parking lot behind. It's not far away, but can be inundated with ROBINS, VARIED THRUSHES, and other birds in the trees and on the ground.  GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS were found here on a rooftop. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS may be on the ground. It is astounding how many birds there are!

Another great find today was the HUMMINGBIRD that Ken and Connie found, silhouetted against the sky. We were unable to refind it, but noticed several lilacs still in bloom, and many nasturtiums and other flowers in flowerbeds and hanging baskets. Keep an eye out for a possible Anna's this late in the season.

During the feast, a ROBIN burst out in sweet song, either unable to contain his joy, or attempting to claim the whole paradise for himself and his kin. I don't blame him!

Good luck and Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

bright female

pale female

Friday, September 13, 2013 Kenai Song Sparrow

Seward, Alaska

John Morton, USFWS biologist at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, wrote an interesting article on plants and animals named for the Kenai. Our Song Sparrow, the Kenai Song Sparrow, is the smallest and brownest of the seven subspecies currently recognized in Alaska.

Check out the article, published in the Kenai Peninsula Clarion at

<http://peninsulaclarion.com/outdoors/2013-09-12/marketing-kenai-int-he-science-world>

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Western Tanager, Cedar Waxwing, et al

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:17 am, sunset 8:29 pm for a total of 13 hours and 12 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 26 seconds shorter.

It stopped raining! After two days of torrential downpours triggering flood advisories for area streams, the clouds parted, the sun smiled, and a benign peace "reigned" instead. The forecast is for clouds and showers, with temps continuing in the mid 50s.

One never knows what the storms and whims of Nature will deliver. On Sunday, September 8^th, bird watchers near the high school saw a yellowish bird with wing bars in their backyard. At first, they thought it was a white-winged crossbill, but the bill wasn't crossed. It was a mystery bird.

On Monday, a mile away, another birder, Jen Linkhart, happened to look out her window at the pouring rain while eating lunch. A pretty yellow bird with wing bars flew into the nearby willows and sat there. Jen did not recognize it, but had the presence of mind to run for her camera and snapped a few shots before it flew. She sent the photos to me, I sent them to Peregrine Joe, and her guess of WESTERN TANAGER was verified, the first known record for Seward, perhaps even for the Kenai Peninsula.

The bird was refound Tuesday in the same area, but eluded me and several others. The fledgling Moose Pass Bird Club pulled up to some Mt Ash trees by Fourth and B in the evening and spotted it. A homeowner on Fifth stepped outside at 8:15 this morning and saw it. What luck!

Others, including me, spent hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, patrolling the alleys and streets, probing the practically impenetrable Mt Ash trees, and scanning cottonwoods and birches bearing suspicious yellowing leaves.

Looking for "The Bird" was enormously rewarding. The Mt Ash berries are a magnet for scores of migrating ROBINS, VARIED THRUSHES, and HERMIT THRUSHES. ORANGE-CROWNED, YELLOW, TOWNSENDS, and WILSON'S WARBLERS, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS flitted through the alders and willows gleaning insects and spiders. I even heard one RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET sing a sweet phrase! FOX, GOLDEN-CROWNED, SAVANNAH and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS poked through the underbrush.

A MERLIN perched conspicuously at the top of a spruce tree this morning, freezing the action for quite a while. The Mt Ash trees seemed lifeless until scanned with binoculars. The Robins and Varied Thrushes sat absolutely still, willing themselves to be invisible, and succeeding. When the Merlin flew off, the thrushes looked like bees swarming into the trees to grab a berry, then away to a nearby spruce to eat it. Some just stayed to gobble them down in place, which seems like a much safer option.

I finally saw The Bird this afternoon at Bill Shuster's former house, sitting alone in a Mt Ash tree, after Robin C spotted it and called me. It did not linger, and flew off to the south, where it was again briefly refound by Robin. Good job, Robin!

This evening, Tasha and Sadie spotted a juvenile CEDAR WAXWING sitting in a Mt Ash with the thrushes. This is likely the earliest record for this species in Seward.

The WESTERN TANAGER seems to be hanging out near "ground zero" on Sixth Avenue between A and Monroe, extending a block west on Fifth, and a block north to B Street. There is a lot of quality habitat including willows, alders, highbush cranberry, elderberries, Mt Ash, cottonwoods, and spruce. The wooded Pat Ray Williams Park and campground is also nearby. 

This is a productive, overlooked area that could provide even more surprises under the continued scrutiny of many binoculars. Hopefully, the pretty yellow bird with wing bars will stay for a few more days.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

PS Report of 100 SANDHILL CRANES over Bear Lake, north of Seward at 3:30 this afternoon, and two more larger flocks later!