Saturday, October 29, 2016 White-throated Sparrows, Redheads

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:14 am, sunset 6:07 pm for a total day light of 8 hours and 52 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 14 seconds shorter.

Mild weather returned with clouds, light rain, and calm. The overnight low was 42º and the daytime high was 49º.  The forecast calls for continued clouds and rain with mid-40s temps through Wednesday, then a gradual slide to the low 30s.

The male ANNA’S materialized this morning shortly after sunrise at 9:25 and fed periodically throughout the morning. It then disappeared and a male Anna’s was reported this afternoon a block away, likely the same one. I suspect when the temperature warms up, he goes cruising.

The Burkes reported seeing a hummer at Benny Benson Park by Dairy Hill Lane on Thursday. This is close to the other hummer location on the Cliff, so maybe he was also cruising around. Ava still has her young male. The female has not been verified for a while.

A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, another bird listed as rare in the 2016 Checklist of Alaska Birds, showed up in town today. This species has become almost an annual occurrence in Seward, but it’s always special to find one. It was associated with a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and two WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. They hopped along a hedge of alders and short spruce and rested in the safety of a brush pile.

ROBINS and VARIED THRUSHES are feasting on Mt Ash berries. I encountered a large mixed flock in the alley, guzzling on berries. They were very skittish, however, and kept flying back and forth and away. With so many berries, they have a lot of places to dine. I heard the CEDAR WAXWING yesterday, but not today.

Friday, October 28:

Ava reported an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER a very late sighting. I spotted a COMMON LOON and, very exciting, a YELLOW-BILLED LOON at Fourth of July Beach. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a yellow-billed loon. It was far away, but I watched it eat a fat fish. In the alders along the way, a whitish bird flashed near the top. A NORTHERN SHRIKE! Another fine winter visitor. Bear Lake birder reported 17 TRUMPETER SWANS at 5:30 pm.

Wednesday, October 26: A SPRUCE GROUSE exploded off the trail at Two Lakes Park.

Monday, October 24: A new state bird for me, the REDHEAD! Thanks to Tasha for the heads-up! It was a cold and windy day, and the ducks were far from the public boat launch, but I got very good looks through my scope and camera. Bobbing in the waves with them were the much larger MALLARDS, tiny BUFFLEHEAD, 2 RED-NECKED GREBES, and an assortment of RING-NECKED DUCKS, including juveniles. I wonder if they nested here this summer? Thanks to Tasha for identifying the juveniles as they sure resemble Scaup to this untrained eye.

Also on October 24th, while searching for the Hooded Merganser at the Stash and Store pond, I heard and saw two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS flying into the wind.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter 

Friday, October 28, 2016 Trumpeter Swan saga continues

Seward, Alaska

On Saturday, October 22, I drove past the Lagoon and caught a glimpse of the TRUMPETER SWAN family. I turned around and parked at Benny Benson Park to get a closer look.

The north wind was brutal; the sun shone brightly but provided no warmth without a windbreak. A thin layer of ice covered most of the Lagoon, restricting the COMMON GOLDENEYES, COMMON MERGANSERS, MALLARDS, and SWANS to the north end where Scheffler Creek kept it open.

I only saw four swans: two adults, two cygnets. FOUR! I anxiously scanned the grassy uplands for the two missing cygnets. Were they tucked in, napping in the sunshine? No. My heart sank.

These phenomenal parents do not abandon their precious babies. Period. At six months, the cygnets are adult-size, but not savvy enough to be independent. I started blowing down the boardwalk, searching once again for bodies under the power lines. Nothing. I walked back into the wind, eyes watering both from the cold sting and this new loss. Nothing.

I got back to the car and drove to Nash Road, parked near the Mile 1 nest site, and walked both sides of the road. Nothing. The ponds on both sides were mostly frozen, and perhaps no longer available to the swans. On my way home, I checked the airport ponds, mostly frozen, but did not see any cygnets. Their absence was ominous.

I called the Alaska Sealife Center Wildlife Rescue to see if any cygnets had been reported or picked up. As I feared, two cygnets had hit the power lines at the Lagoon by the parking lot, on Friday evening. Not again! One died, but miraculously, one survived.

When the ASLC responded, the cygnet, walking down the boardwalk, was easily captured and taken to the ASLC. It had minor scrapes on its wings and head, and bruises. It was given pain medicine and held overnight for observation and further recovery.

On Sunday morning, staff reported, “It was appropriately perky and hissed off at us. X-rays showed no obvious fractures and recheck showed the scrapes already starting to scab over.” Further detainment was no longer necessary.

It was expected that the cygnet would not want to fly for the next several days as it recovered and so the cygnet was released at the airport pond, a familiar place where there was food and NO power lines. The swan family was nearby but in an area closer to the bay. I’m not sure if they reunited at that time or not. The cygnet swam and preened upon release, all good signs.

At 1 pm, I checked the Lagoon and found the swan family with only two cygnets, preening and feeding close together. I wonder if they missed the two siblings, or were puzzled where they went. Or the other three that died from recent power line collisions.

If they were distraught, they didn’t show it. It was calm and pleasant there. Even though ice was closing in, there was room enough to find submerged plants to eat. Except for the glaring absence of the other cygnets, it was a beautiful, peaceful scene.

I headed to the airport and encountered a completely different scene. The cold north wind was howling, and there, in the middle of a diminishing lead of open water, facing the wind, was the rescued cygnet. It looked so alone and abandoned, stoically dealing with its situation. I did not see it preen or feed.

I imagine the swan family, if they were reunited, had flown back to the Lagoon. This one could not fly yet, and had to stay behind. The ASLC assured me that the cygnet was very healthy and had excellent body weight. That was reassuring, but so much could happen! The ravens circled, an eagle flew overhead. So alone, this youngster!

I worried all night, picturing the ice creeping ever closer and tighter, wondering if the cygnet had enough energy to keep it open to prevent freezing in. I was ready to launch my kayak and break ice if needed.

Monday morning, I headed back to the airport, full of apprehension. It was still cold and windy. Was the cygnet iced in? Was it alive?

BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE OUTCOMES! The whole swan family was there, feeding together as if nothing had happened. What a relief! The open lead was even wider than yesterday, giving them more options to feed.

I checked again on Tuesday at 5 pm and the whole swan family was there feeding. The cygnet I call “Daddy’s Girl” fed right next to her daddy (maybe.) Yea!

On Thursday, I did a quick check and found the family hunkered down close together in a feathered pile against the brisk north wind. One parent kept guard, eyes open with its beak tucked under a warm wing.

I sure appreciate the Alaska Sealife Center’s response and help. If you would like to help the ASLC Wildlife Response Program with donations of clean towels, plastic dog/cat kennels, large fish totes, or money, please visit their website at <http://www.alaskasealife.org/how_you_can_help> In the comments section, specify that you want your donation to go to the Wildlife Response Program.

It is obvious that more diverters are needed along the Lagoon power lines. I can’t wait for this dangerous killer to be buried next year.

Meanwhile, I celebrate every day graced by the swan family.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward, Alaska

Thursday, October 27 2016 Cedar Waxwing and Anna’s

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:09 am, sunset 6:12 pm for a total day light of 9 hours and 3 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 16 seconds shorter.

It felt chilly this morning, but was just above freezing at 34º. A gray lid of clouds advanced over town but then retreated by mid-afternoon, allowing the golden sunlight to warm things up to a balmy 46º. The wind remained calm in most areas, which made a tremendous difference. Chance of rain and snow showers for the next week.

Yesterday, the hummer showed up at 9 am during a splendid pink sunrise. Yea! He survived another night! He was steady but flighty for about 30 minutes, refueling mid-air instead of perching. Then I didn’t see him for the rest of the day whenever I was home, nor at the usual end-of-the-day time slot from 5:45 to 6:30 pm when he tanks up for the night.

I contacted my friend by the Lagoon who saw an Anna’s at her feeder from 11:00 to about 11:45 am. She did not see him in the evening either. But maybe we are sharing the same hummer when it is not too cold or windy to travel. My other neighbor a block away had a hummer on Monday, unknown gender, and Ava still has her juvenile male. Interesting!

On the walk around the block, I enjoyed watching at least 12 VARIED THRUSHES feeding in the Mt Ash trees along my street, 5 JUNCOS gleaning around alders, heard several PACIFIC WRENS scolding and one singing, and saw PINE GROSBEAKS whistling from spruce tips. It was another great start to a new day.

Mid-afternoon, I finally found the male HOODED MERGANSER at the Stash and Store Pond, mile 3.5. By the time I turned around, he had vanished, leaving behind 2 COMMON MERGANSERS. He sure looked exactly like the beautiful male that has been overwintering here for the past several years.

While checking the feeder after “hummer bedtime”, I noticed that the yellow “flowers” on the new feeder were slowly dripping when the 60- watt bulb was shining up from beneath, even at 8” away. Maybe the heat loosened them too much. Now I know the first feeder was not defective. I think a saucer type feeder would be ideal for heating from below, but I can’t seem to find mine. Darn!

As the Anna’s didn’t really seem to like the lamp underneath, I moved it back to the side. I also adjusted the timer to come on for 30 minutes every couple hours during the night to make sure the solution did not get too cold. The temperatures have really warmed up since last week, so this may not be important, but it seemed worthwhile. I also removed the sock cozy to better monitor the sugar solution level.

Just at dusk, 7 ROBINS perched quietly in the neighbor’s cottonwood tree, silhouetted against the sky, and 4 VARIED THRUSHES sat in my Mt Ash. I thought I heard a WAXWING, but it was too dim to see. The “chirring” was a lovely bookend to the day.

This morning, I watched expectantly, full of hope and a bit of dread. 9 am and dawn. YES! So exciting! Again, he was flighty, but oddly, he was very interested in the red cap on the top of the feeder. He hovered at the bottom edge of the cap, and I couldn’t see what was so enticing. Were tiny insects stuck in some sugar water that collected there? Whatever it was, it was more interesting than the actual sugar water.

Below him, 4 VARIED THRUSHES hopped along, then 5 ROBINS, a PACIFIC WREN, and a SONG SPARROW. Busy dawn!

Mid-morning, I spent an hour or so outside, monitoring the hummer and the helistop across the street. A friend had been walking his dog at the airport in the dark at 6:45 am and surprised a brown bear sow with two cubs that was hunting voles. In an instant, she was upon him, and after a brief mauling to neutralize the perceived threat, left. He was able to call for help on his cell, and was taken to the local emergency room.

While I was waiting  to watch the transfer to the helicopter, the hummer sang his happy, buzzy song from the spruce tree. That made me smile! A PACIFIC WREN hopped up on the deck railing, checking me out. So little!

Then, I distinctly heard that Waxwing again. Yes! There it was sitting in a tangle of cottonwood branches. I watched and eventually it flew to another tangle of Mt Ash branches. At least the light was better and I was able to get some diagnostic photos of a juvenile CEDAR WAXWING. Two rare birds in my yard today!

The medevac helicopter arrived at 10:47 am to deliver him to the Anchorage hospital for further care. He waved at me as they trundled him to the helo. He’s a very brave and lucky man!

The day was bright and beautiful, not only for all the gifts I received, but because my dear friend was still in it. I look forward to his swift and complete recovery, and return home. Until then, there’s always that amazing Anna’s to anticipate at dawn.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, October 27 2016 Cedar Waxwing and Anna’s

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:09 am, sunset 6:12 pm for a total day light of 9 hours and 3 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 16 seconds shorter.

It felt chilly this morning, but was just above freezing at 34º. A gray lid of clouds advanced over town but then retreated by mid-afternoon, allowing the golden sunlight to warm things up to a balmy 46º. The wind remained calm in most areas, which made a tremendous difference. Chance of rain and snow showers for the next week.

Yesterday, the hummer showed up at 9 am during a splendid pink sunrise. Yea! He survived another night! He was steady but flighty for about 30 minutes, refueling mid-air instead of perching. Then I didn’t see him for the rest of the day whenever I was home, nor at the usual end-of-the-day time slot from 5:45 to 6:30 pm when he tanks up for the night.

I contacted my friend by the Lagoon who saw an Anna’s at her feeder from 11:00 to about 11:45 am. She did not see him in the evening either. But maybe we are sharing the same hummer when it is not too cold or windy to travel. My other neighbor a block away had a hummer on Monday, unknown gender, and Ava still has her juvenile male. Interesting!

On the walk around the block, I enjoyed watching at least 12 VARIED THRUSHES feeding in the Mt Ash trees along my street, 5 JUNCOS gleaning around alders, heard several PACIFIC WRENS scolding and one singing, and saw PINE GROSBEAKS whistling from spruce tips. It was another great start to a new day.

Mid-afternoon, I finally found the male HOODED MERGANSER at the Stash and Store Pond, mile 3.5. By the time I turned around, he had vanished, leaving behind 2 COMMON MERGANSERS. He sure looked exactly like the beautiful male that has been overwintering here for the past several years.

While checking the feeder after “hummer bedtime”, I noticed that the yellow “flowers” on the new feeder were slowly dripping when the 60- watt bulb was shining up from beneath, even at 8” away. Maybe the heat loosened them too much. Now I know the first feeder was not defective. I think a saucer type feeder would be ideal for heating from below, but I can’t seem to find mine. Darn!

As the Anna’s didn’t really seem to like the lamp underneath, I moved it back to the side. I also adjusted the timer to come on for 30 minutes every couple hours during the night to make sure the solution did not get too cold. The temperatures have really warmed up since last week, so this may not be important, but it seemed worthwhile. I also removed the sock cozy to better monitor the sugar solution level.

Just at dusk, 7 ROBINS perched quietly in the neighbor’s cottonwood tree, silhouetted against the sky, and 4 VARIED THRUSHES sat in my Mt Ash. I thought I heard a WAXWING, but it was too dim to see. The “chirring” was a lovely bookend to the day.

This morning, I watched expectantly, full of hope and a bit of dread. 9 am and dawn. YES! So exciting! Again, he was flighty, but oddly, he was very interested in the red cap on the top of the feeder. He hovered at the bottom edge of the cap, and I couldn’t see what was so enticing. Were tiny insects stuck in some sugar water that collected there? Whatever it was, it was more interesting than the actual sugar water.

Below him, 4 VARIED THRUSHES hopped along, then 5 ROBINS, a PACIFIC WREN, and a SONG SPARROW. Busy dawn!

Mid-morning, I spent an hour or so outside, monitoring the hummer and the helistop across the street. A friend had been walking his dog at the airport in the dark at 6:45 am and surprised a brown bear sow with two cubs that was hunting voles. In an instant, she was upon him, and after a brief mauling to neutralize the perceived threat, left. He was able to call for help on his cell, and was taken to the local emergency room.

While I was waiting  to watch the transfer to the helicopter, the hummer sang his happy, buzzy song from the spruce tree. That made me smile! A PACIFIC WREN hopped up on the deck railing, checking me out. So little!

Then, I distinctly heard that Waxwing again. Yes! There it was sitting in a tangle of cottonwood branches. I watched and eventually it flew to another tangle of Mt Ash branches. At least the light was better and I was able to get some diagnostic photos of a juvenile CEDAR WAXWING. Two rare birds in my yard today!

The medevac helicopter arrived at 10:47 am to deliver him to the Anchorage hospital for further care. He waved at me as they trundled him to the helo. He’s a very brave and lucky man!

The day was bright and beautiful, not only for all the gifts I received, but because my dear friend was still in it. I look forward to his swift and complete recovery, and return home. Until then, there’s always that amazing Anna’s to anticipate at dawn.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter