Tuesday, June 11, 2019 Exit Glacier stroll

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 4:36 am, sunset 11:21 pm for a total daylength of 18 hours and 45 minutes. Tomorrow will be 1 minute and 43 seconds longer.

Despite the persistent forecasts for constant rain, benevolent June so far has refused to allow any precipitation beyond a mysterious foggy morning and passing clouds. So, we’ll just have to wait and see if the forecast for week-long showers starting Friday pans out. Temps ranged from the high 40s overnight to the 60s by day, even up to 66.

I took a little stroll at Exit Glacier today, only making it as far as the 1926 bench on the paved trail. I heard fewer birds than last week as families are now busy with incubation and feeding new babies. I did enjoy watching a handsome male YELLOW WARBLER sing from his willow perch. Hidden in the full leafy canopy, I heard ORANGE-CROWNED, YELLOW-RUMPED, and WILSON’S WARBLERS. 

Not far from the bench across the trail, a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH sang his downward spiraling melody. Farther away, the blast of the VARIED THRUSH, and a lovely liquid HERMIT THRUSH. In the far distance, I heard a faint upwards spiraling SWAINSON’S THRUSH. 

Near the picnic tables behind the Nature Center, a ROBIN snatched invertebrates from the dirt, including a fat caterpillar. Beak crammed full, she flew off to her waiting babies.

Nearby, a SLATE-COLORED JUNCO, and the raspberry blow of COMMON REDPOLLS flying overhead.

While near the 1917 bench, a beautiful Canadian Tiger Swallowtail fluttered past then landed on nearby dandelions to feed. I did not expect to see a swallowtail butterfly at Exit Glacier! Soon, an Arctic White (I think) butterfly arrived and aggressively chased the much larger swallowtail around and around in circles. How they can maneuver! However the dispute was resolved, the swallowtail soon returned and resumed feeding. What a treat!

Later, I learned that the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail overwinter in the chrysalis and emerge in May and June. This one must have emerged early as the forewings were already fading. 

Nonetheless, the spectacular butterfly inspired and made my day, especially when I felt the light puff of air as it flew past. A butterfly kiss!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, June 3, 2019 Long-tailed Jaeger, Whimbrels, and a Snipe

Seward, Alaska

While watching an immense white cloud of gulls rise and fall like a snow storm at the far-off water’s edge, a dark bird shot overhead, flying swiftly due north towards the mountains. I whipped out my camera and started firing off images. Nothing but mystery tail-shots until finally, it turned sideways: a LONG-TAILED JAEGER! 

What a surprise! I wonder if it is nesting in the alpine tundra feeding on small mammals and insects then commuting to the bay to steal fish? What a stunning bird with those long streamers! Watch out, Gertrude McFuzz!

Soon afterwards, I first heard, then saw two WHIMBRELS flying up and away towards the mountains to the east. They circled high, framed by snowy mountains in the background, then flew back to the wetlands. Five were seen on Sunday, way out at low tide. It seems late for them to still be here; I am not aware of any previous nesting Whimbrels in the Seward area.

A WILSON’S SNIPE rocketed out of the grasses, the first glimpse of one relatively close. All the others have been winnowing specks in the sky. This species is known to nest here. 

Later in the afternoon, visiting birders Toby and Laura Burke estimated that there were at least 20,000 gulls out on the tide flats, a truly incredible number.

Never know what you’re going to find in this surprising place!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, June 2, 2019 Exit Glacier Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Swan Surprise

Seward, Alaska

It’s been over a week; this bright morning was time to check for SWAINSON’S and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES at Exit Glacier. As I entered the park, I began hearing the upwards spiral of the Swainson’s almost immediately upon crossing the Resurrection River Bridge. Yay!

Driving very slowly with the windows down, (very little traffic) I passed through many territories marked and defended by melodious singing: NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, WILSON’S WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. 

Fortunately, at 9 am, there weren’t many people on the trails yet so I could stop to look for hidden birds and record (video) bird songs without interruptions. What a beautiful morning, especially after so many rainy days, and what a lovely concert!

I enjoyed the sweet song of a ROBIN, interspersed with the haunting HERMIT THRUSH and blast of the VARIED THRUSH. Then I followed one faint Swainson’s Thrush to the start of the Harding Icefield Trail, just before the first small creek. Although I had little hope of actually seeing one of these elusive thrushes in the dense foliage, he sure sounded close. I scanned through the leafy cottonwood branches, and to my amazement, found him! He sang, then preened, rubbing his bill on the branch. His buffy eye ring stood out. 

After a bit, he flew and I followed, refinding him high in another cottonwood, singing, listening, and responding. He sure put his whole heart and soul into the song! I hope a smitten female was listening to the concert, ready to deliver her calling card.

Far in the distance, I heard a flurry of notes: the GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH! I wandered back down the trail to listen closer. At least two were listening and responding, but neither was close to the trail. I was satisfied to just be able to hear these far northern, shy thrushes. Ears attuned, I heard a few more as I drove slowly back to the bridge. 

Back in town, six large white birds at the far end grabbed my attention at the Lagoon. The TRUMPETER SWAN cygnets! I haven’t seen them for quite a while! I quickly parked and walked back down the boardwalk to watch them feed.  Now a year old, they still retain gray necks and darker gray heads though their bills and legs are black. Their bodies are mostly white with some light gray feathers. When they tipped up, their bellies were stained orange.

They sure looked healthy! They seem to be sticking together as a family, booted from the bosom of their once-doting parents. It will be interesting to see how they fare as they continue to mature and reach breeding age in four to five years.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, June 2, 2019 Berserk Bull Moose

Seward, Alaska

While checking on the Nash Road Trumpeter Swan family, I spotted a large moose standing at the back of the wetlands. Usually, the occasional moose grazes placidly, moving imperceptibly if at all. Not this one! 

Almost as soon as I pulled over, the moose pranced up to the water and plunged in. MALLARDS and at least two male RING-NECKED DUCKS scattered in alarm ahead of the unusual intrusion into their peaceful pond. On he came, water splashing as he half-swam, half-trotted across to a shallow area lush with water horsetails. He slowed momentarily, grabbed a bite but then began bucking like a bronco at a rodeo. 

As he zig-zagged closer, bucking and splashing, I could see his emerging antlers like thick dowels covered in dark velvet. Definitely a mature bull. Whenever he stopped and posed, he was magnificent, water dripping from his long bell and belly. Then, as if a swarm of invisible bees stung him, he shot off into the pond, sometimes plunging into the deep where he was forced to swim, and then through shallow areas where he kicked up volumes of water.

He emerged, dripping, on the south side of the wetlands in the green sedges. He stood for a bit, posing again, and then suddenly seemed to become aware of the road and passing traffic. Caught by surprise, he turned and galloped away from the road and disappeared into the trees. Wow! What a show! Never think you can outrun one of these guys!

Now that the berserk moose was gone, I wondered where the Swan family was during all this action. Waaayyy back, an alert white periscope head peered over the sedges. Luckily, the little family was safe, tucked away to the side. Lucky for the moose, that is. He is big, but they are fierce!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter