Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Sharpie, and Northern Shrike 

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:52 am, sunset 3:52 pm for a total daylight of 6 hours. Tomorrow will be 1 minute and 46 seconds shorter.

About an inch of snow transformed the landscape to winter overnight, though the temperature hovers around freezing in a delicate dance between rain and snow. 

This morning, shortly after sunrise, I heard a strangled “squawk!” and glanced down the block. A couple hundred yards away, I saw two dark bird shapes struggling in the snow in the middle of the quiet street. I whipped out my little point and shoot and tried to document the scene, wishing for my binocs and telephoto lens. 

The larger bird, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, soon subdued the smaller bird and all was still. The Hawk shrouded his kill, holding his wings in an arc around the dinner table, glancing around fiercely. Satisfied there were no uninvited guests, he then began preparing breakfast by ripping out beakfuls of feathers.

Rather than disturb this exchange of life forces, the dogs and I turned and went the other way. About 25 minutes later, on the way back home, I examined the kill site. I could see the imprint of the hawk’s wingtips in the snow, the depressions where the struggle occurred, and a sprinkling of feathers and a single large drop of bright red blood. Wow. 

I searched unsuccessfully for the Hawk perched in a nearby tree, quietly digesting his meal. Tomorrow will be another precarious day, another hunt, perhaps another death to sustain this life. Nature red in beak and claw!

Later in the afternoon, over near Fourth of July Beach, I chucked a green tennis ball for the good dog. Suddenly, a NORTHERN SHRIKE swooped down from the nearby alders after the flying ball and almost hit the racing dog! He then realized neither were suitable prey and veered off and away, probably hugely disappointed and disgusted. Hope he finds something more suitable to sustain him. Pretty slim pickings now; no Pine Siskins or Common Redpolls yet.

As for the Pied-billed Grebe, I have not seen it since December 2. That was also the first and last day to see TWO HOODED MERGANSER hens and one male at the Lagoon with three TRUMPETER SWANS.  

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter