Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:53 am, sunset 9:05
pm, for a total daylight of 15 hours and 43 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes
and 27 seconds longer.
White slush covered the
ground this morning. The migrating earthworms picked a bad night to move,
almost frozen in their tracks. As the day warmed to a high of 44ยบ, the ice soon
melted. Squall after squall moved in from the Gulf of Alaska; the sky was a
quilt of grays of every hue and tone.
Just before noon, I heard
something more musical than the background sound of gulls crying. Then, 15
TUNDRA SWANS materialized out of the gray sky, flying in a long line, eager to
splash down. What a beautiful sight! They stretched their mighty wings, and
settled down to feed. Among them was one light gray cygnet.
The Sibley Guide to the Birds
notes that the Tundra Swan cygnets acquire their 1st summer white
plumage by December, and all do by April. This one is just a little bit behind.
In contrast, the resident
Trumpeter Swan cygnets still have some gray-brown. Sibley notes this plumage
lasts from October to July.
The birds were very wary,
watching me. I gave them a wide berth and tried hard to not disturb them. About
an hour later, they suddenly took flight, stroking back up into the swirling
clouds, and disappeared.
According to ADFG, the
western population of Tundra Swans nest along the west coast of Alaska from
Kotzebue Sound to the Alaska Peninsula. They migrate coastally through Cook
Inlet and also through the Interior from wintering grounds in southern BC to
central California. These birds may be part of that western population.
I received a report about
8:30 pm, that 30 swans flew over Seward but did not land.
Those dark clouds may be full
of migrating birds, glad to be back home in Alaska. Get on your rain gear; it’s
happening!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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