Seward, Alaska
The forecasted rain slowly
crept in last night as if unsure of its welcome. Yes! We need the rain to magically
convert brown to green, open buds, activate flowers AND melt the remaining stubborn
snow piles. It’s a big job!
Yesterday I refound the
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER hanging out with a GREATER YELLOWLEGS. A FOY NORTHERN
HARRIER, flashing its white rump, teetered over the brown sedges and grasses,
hunting voles.
Today, the FOY RING-NECKED
DUCKS, about 24, and a single drake CANVASBACK joined the Pintails,
Green-winged Teal, and Mallards. Two AMERICAN PIPITS rocketed up and away from
the beach.
I checked the old B Street
pilings along the Waterfront and found 8 of them occupied by DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS, preening and generally looking quite at home. There were no others
paddling around below and a few pilings were vacant, so this may be all of the
first arrivals. Many sported the fancy, fluffy eyebrow tufts characteristic of
the western birds.
Around 9 pm, I received a
report of SANDHILL CRANES flying over town. At the same time, a GREAT HORNED
OWL hooted softly from the mountainside while a ROBIN sang its cheery song.
Quite the juxtaposition of birds!
I’m heading to Juneau for the
week and will be off the computer. While that is exciting, I will miss greeting
the new Seward arrivals. It will be very fun to see the changes when I get
back. That snow better be gone!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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