Sunday, January 31, 2016 Killdeer still here!

Seward, Alaska

The KILLDEER is still here, poking through the intertidal zone at Afognak Beach. That plucky vagrant survived through torrential rains and surging surf since it was spotted for the Christmas Bird Count on January 3^rd.  Thanks to Kerry who was curious enough to check and let me know.

The resident TRUMPETER SWAN family is also still here, feeding diligently. I received a report of about 30 swans in the Upper and Lower Trail Lakes area by Moose Pass. That number seems much higher than normal.

Kerry also reported an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at Ava’s, but I was unable to refind it. Nice to know it’s around.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, January 30, 2016 Dipper flying underwater!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:17 am, sunset 5:05 pm for a total day length of 7 hours and 48 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 56 seconds longer.

Sunshine and spectacular starry skies for the past two days! What a difference that makes after the dreary monotony of rain and gray skies!

Temps a little cooler today, but still unseasonably warm with a low of 28 and a high of 36º with a brisk north wind. Snow/rain showers in the forecast starting tomorrow for the next week as another huge low moves in from the Bering Sea.

I hiked out to Tonsina Point in the Seward Alaska State Parks this weekend and saw something I have never seen before. A DIPPER stood in the middle of Tonsina Creek on a shallow gravel bar, dipping as usual. Then it jumped off into the deeper water and chased a small fish, likely a salmon fry. Both pink and chum salmon spawn here in the late summer.

I know Dippers often dive underwater in their amazing waterproof armor, but I thought they were just walking along or flowing with the current. But no, the water was so clear I could see the Dipper’s wings as it flew underwater like an Alcid. Flick, flick, flick, the wings propelled the Dipper in a tight pursuit of that fast little fish. 

Up popped the Dipper with the struggling fish in its bill. As the little gray fisher bobbed and paddled against the current with its skinny, web-free feet, down the hatch it went. Then off again, flying to get another fish. It was so cool to watch!

Another Dipper came barreling down the creek and they both ricocheted away, disrupting yet a third Dipper downstream. Dippers do not like to share, except when they are parenting.

All in all, it was a very exciting peek into the life of this phenomenal songbird that flies underwater.

My video was terrible, but search for “dipper swimming underwater” and you’ll find some good ones. Check out this excellent video of a dipper diving in slow-motion and narrative by Bob Armstrong:
https://www.audubon.org/news/a-dipper-dives And more Dipper videos on his website at http://www.naturebob.com/videos?field_category_value=All&field_sub_category_value=Dipper

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Brown Creeper and Rusty Blackbird

Seward, Alaska

First bird today was a BROWN CREEPER that lives in the ‘hood. It busily investigated the nooks and crannies in the potato chip spruce bark as it deftly spiraled up the trunk in quick hops. The dainty curved bill fit neatly behind the gaps and in the cracks to extract tiny, well-hidden tidbits to eat.

After a few excursions up and around the spruce trunks, it flew over to the sunflower seed feeder and clung to the wire side. All around, on every side, CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES zipped in, grabbed a seed, and took off with their prizes. Perched on a nearby branch, they pounded it open in short order with their short, sturdy beaks, gobbled up the meat, and hustled back for more. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES made countless trips, stashing the seeds.

I think the Brown Creeper was bewildered about all this fast food action. Its beak did not fit into the wire mesh, nor could it open a sunflower seed even if it managed to find one. After a while, back it flew to the spruce trunk, traveling easily up and down the vertical sides and on the undersides of the branches. Try that, chickadees!

Later in the afternoon, I drove over to Fourth of July Beach. As I was walking through the leafless alder grove, I heard a soft call. Searching through the dense branches, I found a pale-eyed, female RUSTY BLACKBIRD perched near the top, slowly pumping her tail. I tried hard to get a photo, but the camera could not find it. The bird flew down to the soggy leaf litter and quickly disappeared.

I don’t recall seeing a Rusty Blackbird pump its tail. That was interesting. I tried to refind the bird, but failed. I will keep trying; maybe she will have a companion with her next time.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 Swans and River Otters

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:25 am, sunset 4:55 pm for a total daylight of 7 hours and 28 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 44 seconds longer. Even though the days are wet and dim and gray, the additional minutes per day are making a noticeable difference. Even more wet and dim and grayness!

The unseasonably warm temperatures, still in the mid 30s to lower 40s, has partially thawed local wetlands, ponds, and lakes. Nothing makes me smile more on a wet, dim, gray day than the sight of six beautiful TRUMPETER SWANS feeding in an open lead between the ice at the Nash Road wetlands.

Yesterday, a COMMON MERGANSER drake paddled around the family, hoping to benefit from anything these long-necked grazers might dislodge. Here, and there, this side and that, just looking. Finally, one of the parents took offense to this intrusion and, beak open, paddled after him when he surfaced for air.

The handsome drake paddled furiously, putting out quite a wake, the Swan not far behind and intent on harm. With a decidedly undignified splash! the Merganser dove, spraying water on the angry Swan. I didn’t see where he surfaced, but I suspect it was a new world record for underwater duration and distance.

I was quite surprised, therefore, upon my return an hour or so later, to see 30 COMMON MERGANSERS lounging around well within striking distance of the swan family members. It all looked so peaceful! Had I not just witnessed the eviction, I would have mistakenly assumed that the Swans were benevolent landlords. Maybe so, but watch out for bouts of crankiness!

Speaking of Swans, I received a report of 8 TRUMPETER SWANS at Grant Lake area, apparently two family groups. I suspect these are not Seward’s resident swans, but it’s good to know there are other swans overwintering in the Moose Pass area.

This afternoon, I checked out a recent landslide on Lowell Point Road that closed the road for several hours this morning. The recent Iniskin earthquake and saturating rain caused yet another section of the steep, unstable mountainside to slide.

While parked by the Lowell Creek waterfall, I noticed three RIVER OTTERS steaming along in their undulating manner. It is not unusual to see the river otter family, but it’s always a treat. They seemed pretty focused, so I leap-frogged ahead. Sure enough, here they came, making good time, showing their long, strong tails whenever they dove.

They popped out along the rocks along the road, investigated the shoreline almost up to the road (!), and then resumed their journey south to an unknown destination. I decided to turn back rather than run the gauntlet down and back, feeling enriched by their presence.

A pair of COMMON MURRES (yea!) and a pair of MARBLED MURRELETS  also paddled by, especially wonderful to see. Smiles for another rainy day!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter