Sunday, April 23, 2017 Canvasback, Ring-necked Ducks, Pipits, DC Cormorants

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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