Seward,
Alaska
After
days of rain punctuated by torrential cloudbursts mixed with sn’rain, the
precipitation finally stopped this afternoon. BALD EAGLES seized the
opportunity to perch with their wings hung out to dry. Mixed flocks of
passerines emerged to seek soggy invertebrates and cold insects on tree
branches: DOWNY WOODPECKER, CHESTNUT BACKED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, JUNCOS, and GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLETS. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, PINE GROSBEAKS, and PINE SISKINS feasted on
freshly washed Mt Ash berries. At least one VARIED THRUSH called with a convincing spring song. CROSSBILLS flocked overhead.
I
spied a PACIFIC LOON over at Fourth of July Beach, the first of the winter with
its white throat and thin, dark necklace. A COMMON LOON drifted nearby. Three
SURF SCOTERS, a dozen HORNED GREBES, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, PELAGIC CORMORANTS, and
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS spread out in front, following small schools of fish.
A
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flew past with a small flatfish, a flounder (?) for a
feast. A staccato outburst alerted me to a DIPPER in the rushing stream.
The
Nash Road wetlands has once again melted. The TRUMPETER SWAN family returned
home to rest and feed.
Shortly
after dawn yesterday, in a short interlude before the rain resumed and the wind
kicked up, three BALD EAGLES soared overhead. One chittered to another in
greeting. Soon another joined in, then another and another until there were
seven eagles spiraling upwards, higher and higher. What
a great way to start the day!
Happy
Birding!
Carol
Griswold
Seward
Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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