Seward,
Alaska
Sunrise
8:26 am, sunset 4:55 pm for a total day length of 8 hours and 26 minutes.
Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 8 seconds shorter.
The
CAPE MAY WARBLER survived a night of freezing rain that coated the streets and
ground with ice until it melted by mid-day. He looked very healthy as he
flitted quickly from twig to twig, gleaning spiders, other invertebrates, and
insects hiding in the bark and lichens. About the size of an alder leaf, he
resembled one tumbling through the branches with unseen updrafts landing him in
new territories to explore.
Several
local birders and four Anchorage birders got good looks at this rarity this
morning. He seems to like the alders and willows lining Dairy Hill Lane between
the Lagoon and horse corral, but also disappeared at times and then returned.
While
waiting for him to return, check out the THAYER’S GULL(S) feasting on salmon
eggs and sushi with HERRING GULLS, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, and RAVENS. The Thayer’s
is smaller, has a more slender bill, a dark tail and dark primary tips,
patterned back, rounded head with a dark eye, and pink legs. It’s quite a
challenge to figure out the different gulls. Don’t forget to check for that
warbler now and then!
SONG
SPARROWS sang with gusto. A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW peeked behind some low alder
branches. Two GREAT BLUE HERONS flew over the Lagoon, watched by a BALD EAGLE
perched in a spruce. A DIPPER sang to the stream and the silver salmon
splashing their way ever upstream to spawn and strew coral-colored eggs like
Mardi Gras beads. About 50 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS flew overhead, then about 30
PIGEONS.
The
“Little-Sit” was a lot of fun with so many eyes to pull birds out of the
thickets, water, and sky.
I
checked the alley between First and Second Avenues by Jefferson Street; sure
enough, the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was busy tending his sap wells. I pulled
forward and stopped at the top of the hill. A SONG SPARROW popped up within
arm’s reach and sat on the elderberry branch, totally unconcerned. A large
flock of DARK-EYED JUNCOS flowed along the shrubbery along the road. As I
checked for the White-throated Sparrow, my cell rang. Pat and Eric had indeed
found the STELLER’S EIDER on the east side of the bay at Spring Creek Beach and
were very pleased with their Seward trip.
Just
then the Juncos abruptly disappeared in a flurry of feathers. A second later, a
stunning SHARP-SHINNED HAWK flashed in and perched on a branch, its long,
slender, bright yellow legs gleaming. Finding nothing to eat, off he flew. What
a great surprise!
Back
home, I froze as a perky, petite PACIFIC WREN hopped around my front yard,
busily checking out the spruce tree trunk, and the site of the former and
future bird feeder, his little tail jauntily cocked upwards. That was another
treat.
CHESTNUT-BACKED
CHICKADEES and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES did find my small sunflower seed feeder
and swarmed it periodically with tiny, excited remarks. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS seeped from the
spruce branches, passing through. I was glad that I could spend time outside
taking care of chores while listening and watching to the bird activity all
around. Someday, I should do a “Little Sit” in my yard!
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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