Thursday, May 23, 2019 Exit Glacier

Seward, Alaska

Bright bits of the tropics sang from leafing-out willows and cottonwoods at Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Occasionally, I spotted the virtuoso, head thrust back, beak open wide, throat pulsing with life, vigor, and hope. I can’t imagine their treacherous journey from Central America and beyond, especially with all the storms along the NW Coast.

With the exception of the VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS that fed, flew, and nested in the recently deglaciated valley by the glacier, and the BLACK-BIILLED MAGPIE and RAVEN cleaning up the parking lot, all the birds were found on the main, paved trail and at the start of the Harding Icefield Trail.

DOWNY WOODPECKER, GOLDEN EAGLE (on May 16 ), WILSON’S SNIPE, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, COMMON RAVEN, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, AMERICAN ROBIN, VARIED THRUSH, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBER, WILSON’S WARBLER, FOX SPARROW, COMMON REDPOLL.

I am still listening for the ethereal songs of the Swainson’s Thrush and Gray-cheeked Thrush. Maybe next time!

Also spotted on May 24 on the mountainside, a Black Bear momma with her two tiny cubs.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold

Seward, Sporadic Bird Report Reporter







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