Sunday, July 24, 2016 Warbler Waves

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 5:20 am, sunset 10:46 pm for a total day length of 17 hours and 40 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 32 seconds shorter.

Summer is whizzing past! Whether due to the hot weather the past week (up to 80ยบ!) and lack of rain, or the passing season, the formerly green-green-green vegetation now has a yellow/gold component. Fireweed flowers have bloomed up to the last inches of its flower fuse, while the lower end is ready to ignite the next round with silky seeds. Most other native plants are busily producing fruit and seeds as well.

Bird song is virtually absent, reduced to twitters and calls. Most of the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, and VIOLET GREEN and TREE SWALLOWS have migrated, though individual birds are still spotted.

However, today was a banner day for mixed flocks as wave after wave suddenly flitted through neighborhoods in Seward and at Ava’s Place. A well-timed sprinkler and blooming garden flowers proved to be irresistible at some hot spots.

The birds included: TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, WILSON’S WARBLER, BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, PINE SISKIN, PINE GROSBEAK, STELLER’S JAY, DARK-EYED JUNCO, ROBIN, HERMIT THRUSH, MAGPIE, and SONG SPARROW.

Many of the mixed flock included families with fledglings still begging. This flocking behavior seems to indicate that migration for many is not far away.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter









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