Seward, Alaska
I managed to make it to Kenai
Fjords National Park, at 8:30 this morning before the traffic picked up, in
search of the elusive NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH.
Barely inside the boundary, I parked at the pullout by the park sign and
wandered along and in the road nearby and back to the bridge. This area is a
rich riparian area with wet lowland thickets interspersed with cottonwoods,
willows, and alders. Perfect habitat for warblers and many other species.
The “skulking ground dwelling”
Waterthrushes sang loudly and emphatically from perches high in the cottonwoods
and willows on both sides of the road. The few I could actually see did not
exhibit any characteristic rapid tail bobbing, and were the “whitish” variety,
ie no yellow wash. The males sang, then listened as other males nearby
answered. It was a lovely, musical exchange of territorial declarations.
YELLOW, ORANGE-CROWNED,
WILSON’S, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS joined the morning concert, their songs
entwined with the Waterthrush as they darted through the willows, gleaning
insects. Tiny RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS belted out their song, one from the very
tip of a spruce tree, about the same size as a cone. VARIED THRUSHES blew their
umpire whistles, HERMIT THRUSHES played their sweet flutes, the notes floated
gently through the trees. FOX SPARROWS sang about the beautiful day. A distant
SNIPE winnowed in the air. PINE SISKINS and COMMON REDPOLLS flew overhead.
As I approached the bridge
over Resurrection River, I heard the ringing “tew-tew-tew!” of a GREATER
YELLOWLEGS. The shorebird landed at the very top of a spruce tree and stood
there, calling, while he watched me walk past. It always seems odd to see a
shorebird in a tree, especially one with such long, yellow legs and long, black
bill.
Closer to the spruce forest
at the Resurrection River Trail, I heard another warbler, the TOWNSEND’S.
Missing today was the Blackpoll Warbler’s thin, insect-like song.
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES fussed about the spruce branches.
While reading the trail
register, I heard a massive splashing over the normal gurgling, rushing sound
of the river. I slammed the cover down and ran back towards the bridge just in
time to see a giant moose (aren’t they all?) walking steadily across the river
against the current. The water was surprisingly shallow, barely below the moose’s
belly. When it reached the opposite shore, it stopped to take a long look at
me, then easily climbed up the bank and quickly disappeared into the willow thickets.
What a thrill to watch!
By 10:00 am, traffic was
increasing, and so I headed to the main parking lot. Scanning the mountainside
for bears, instead I found an adult GOLDEN EAGLE hunting just above the newly
emerging false hellebore and grasses.
Knowing there was so much
more to see and hear, but out of time, I reluctantly drove away. But I will be
back to visit my National Park!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
