Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:06 am, sunset 9:46
pm, for a total day length of 15 hours and 40 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5
minutes and 18 seconds longer.
The winter that almost wasn’t
arrived in April with unwelcome snow surprises, and day after day of chilly
temps in the low to mid 30s. Repeated squalls punctuated with strong winds,
hail, and even a dash of unusual, rolling thunder was a terrible challenge for
both local and migrating birds.
Now, brave new green leaves
poke through the brown lawn thatch, Tiny, perfectly folded origami shrub and
tree leaves unfold a bit more every day. Dandelion rosettes of course, are
looking perky and ready to rip. As the calendar eases into May, more seasonal
April showers are in the forecast with steadily increasing temperatures into
the mid to high 40s, possibly even the low 50s.
In the midst of all this wild weather, I
have received several reports of baby birds. Already! Ava reported her first
baby of the year, a PINE SISKIN, on April 17th. Another reported fledgling PINE
SISKINS, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, and PINE GROSBEAKS on April 23.
The squalls and dark clouds
delivered birds mixed with snow. On April 15 I received a credible report of
about 75 SANDHILL CRANES flying north up Resurrection River valley towards Exit
Glacier. The first bumblebee took a test flight. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
and 2 AMERICAN WIGEON were reported.
April 16: An excited flock of
32 swans including TRUMPETER and at least 14 TUNDRA SWANS touched down for a brief rest, also 50 CANADA
GEESE, and 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS.
April 17: First report of
BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS at Lowell Point. 32 SANDHILL CRANES spotted, and 2 GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.
April 19: the hard rain,
hail, and southerly squalls delivered several dozens of STORM PETRELS to the
inner bay. They danced so lightly on the surface amid the hulking gulls, like
delicate gray and white butterflies. The opportunistic BALD EAGLES added them
to their menu, strewing their feathers and small carcasses along the roads and
into the forest.
April 20: first RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD, male, reported at a waiting feeder on Nash Road at 6 pm, right
after it stopped snowing. That person was a real optimist and she was right!
150 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE reported as well as flocks of birds overhead.
April 21: ROBIN singing
sweetly in the snowstorm. Ava reported her first RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, male, near
Nash Road.
April 22: First PACIFIC
GOLDEN PLOVERS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, a few more GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
April 23: First BONAPARTE’S
GULL, 2 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 2 TUNDRA SWANS.
April 24: First ARCTIC TERNS
(5)!
Three large flocks of
SANDHILL CRANES flew high over town about 7 pm, milling about, seemingly
uncertain of which route to take. One group split up and the leaders formed a
small but tidy V. The rest of that flock formed a straight line connecting to
the V in an absolutely perfect arrow pointing north! And north they all flew.
It was astonishing!
April 25: First RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET, singing in my yard.
Report of SNIPE winnowing over
wetlands. Large flock of geese migrating north about 9 pm.
April 26: First RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRD, male, reported in town.
April 27: A few more PACIFIC
GOLDEN PLOVERS, and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS spotted at a distance. Report of a
few WESTERN and LEAST SANDPIPERS trickling in.
Despite the inclement
weather, Spring is definitely here. Bravo!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
