Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 4:53 am,
sunset 10:59 pm for a total daylight of 18 hours, 5 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3
minutes and 39 seconds longer. Temperatures ranged from around 40 to as
high as 59ยบ. Though rain has been in the forecast for a solid 10 days, the clouds
occasionally parted to let the ever-higher sun shine in. It’s been a cold May.
Thanks to the rain,
everything is as green as possible, in every possible hue, tone, tint, and
shade, and growing while-you-watch. Spruce bud caps recently popped off,
revealing bright green, soft, new needles. Brown male spruce flowers erupted
today, showering plumes of yellow pollen into the wind. Magenta female cones await cross pollination. Regrettably, legions of enthusiastic
dandelions in full first bloom cheer from along the roads, in yards, and every
open area; they win again.
Yesterday, I
noticed both Trumpeter Swan parents sitting together at the nest. Very
suspicious behavior! This afternoon, they paddled slowly through the horsetails
near the nest. I looked closely and counted three tiny white cygnet puffs exploring
their world, pecking at the water and horsetails, lovingly tended by both magnificent
parents. Both parents stirred up the sediments with their large webbed feet, to
bring more tidbits to the surface for the babies. Unlike baby Robins, baby Swans
have to feed themselves, so sampling everything is critical to their survival.
I believe May 25 or
26 is the earliest date of hatching for Seward’s resident swans. Mom diligently
sat and fasted through rain, the May snowstorm, cold, wind, and more rain while
dad guarded (and ate and lounged). Meanwhile, last summer’s six cygnets have
been spotted as far away as the Mile 14.5 Lily Pond and boardwalk, and at Bear
Lake.
This morning, I
watched a Violet-green Swallow erupt from one of my swallow boxes, carrying off
a fecal sac. Wow! Shortly afterwards, the other parent swooped in and the eager
recipients clamored to be fed. I had no idea this particular nest box was in
use, or that the family was so far along.
Seems the Swallows just arrived!
Spring sure doesn’t wait for us to notice.
Happy Birthday,
little ones! Welcome to the world!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic
Bird Report Reporter
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