Seward, Alaska
I heard a rich, liquid
bubbling song today at the former horse corral across from Benny Benson Park on
Dairy Hill Lane, and came up blank. Who WAS that? The songster proved hard to
spot, even as the little skulker flew from one low bush to the next. At least I
caught a glimpse of something brownish! Finally, he flew to the middle of a
taller budding willow and I recognized the LINCOLN’S SPARROW. Of course!
Welcome home!
At Lowell Point Beach State Recreation
Site, a bright male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD zinged past. Yea! My first hummer
sighting!
Busily feeding in the shallow
water near the beach were 7 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS including one male, and 8 noisy
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES. I wonder what small fish they were targeting there,
gunnels?
Along Lowell Point Road, I
found about 20 more Red-breasted Mergansers feeding near the intertidal rocks;
numbers are increasing. Farther out, at least 70 SURF SCOTERS swam in long
lines. About 30 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES preened and paddled in between. HARLEQUINS
dotted the shoreline. I don’t expect many of these sea ducks to stay much longer.
Report of the first COMMON
LOON calling at Bear Lake, and dippers nesting.
The alder male catkins are
bursting out, dangling like fancy tassels, waiting for the wind to disperse
their pollen. Cottonwoods are almost done, their reddish flowers, both male and
female, decorate the ground. Insect pollinated willow flowers, both male and
female are in bloom, ready for warblers to feast. I’m ready for warblers too,
arriving any day.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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