Seward, Alaska
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:57 am,
sunset 9:02 pm for a total daylight of 14 hours and 5 minutes. Tomorrow will be
5 minutes and 28 seconds longer.
Undecided April cycled
through frost, snow, rain, and sunshine this weekend, with repeats of favorite
phases. I took my umbrella and sunglasses on the same field trip and needed
both. Despite the freezing temps at night, puddles and melt water flowed by
mid-afternoon and brave purple crocuses peeked out though the thinning snow
next to the house. Gradually warmer temps and sunshine in this week’s forecast,
with snow/showers by next weekend. It’s April!
Today at the thawing
saltwater estuary at the head of the bay, three FOS (First of Season) TUNDRA
SWANS fed peacefully in an open lead. One handsome bird sported the maximum
amount of yellow on its upper bill. The other two had just a trace of yellow.
Such beautiful birds!
The resident parent
TRUMPETER SWANS fed at the other end. I only saw two cygnets today (three
yesterday) and hope the third was just out of sight. All seemed idyllic
until something triggered the Trumpeters, and a terrific chase was on as the
huge birds rip-snorted down the open lead, black webbed feet flailing on the
water, wings beating powerfully, trumpeting excitedly.
The Tundras wisely did
not linger to discuss the matter, and took off. They circled around and around,
obviously wishing to land to feed and rest, but didn’t dare. The Trumpeter
parents celebrated their victory with a swan version of high five.
Finally, the three
Tundras landed in the ocean to rest. Flying takes a lot of energy! After about
15 minutes, they once again took off and circled and circled before finally
risking a splash down in the open lead. For now, the Trumpeters permitted it,
and transient peace returned.
Far ahead on the beach
a tiny brownish flicker caught my eye. Was it a leaf, tumbling along? Blending
in perfectly, the flicker turned into a bird as it jumped up into the dead
beach rye grass then back to the wrack line. I finally got a good look: FOS
SAVANNAH SPARROW! He was all alone, and very active. So great to welcome him
home! Jonah heard and spotted a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR in the
winter-bleached tangles of beach rye grass.
Way off at the mouth of
Resurrection River, a blizzard of gulls suddenly swirled up like a shaken snow
globe. An overfly by a Bald Eagle? It was too far to tell why, but something
sure riled them up. I couldn’t count and so will just conservatively estimate a
bazillion.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report
Reporter
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