Friday, April 24, 2020 Arctic Terns, Pacific Golden-Plovers

Seward, Alaska

The Seward Harbor is a great place to watch birds and other wildlife. The exuberant ARCTIC TERNS reclaimed the skies, pursue courtship, and plunge after tiny salmon fry. They noisily careen around the tall sailboat masts and perch on the pointy bird-excluder cones on top of the harbor pilings. 

I caught a harbor seal napping with a grin on its face, so relaxed! A PIGEON GUILLEMOT in breeding plumage dove nearby. 

At the tidelands, I found my first-of-season PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER, flying and calling from a distance. Her belly had such interesting large, black spots.

A pair of GREATER YELLOWLEGS called as they flew from one feeding spot to the next. NORTHERN SHOVELERS, GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAILS, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARDS, and GREEN-WING TEAL numbers increase daily. 

At home, a CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE inspected a swallow nest box. I hope a happy couple finds it to their liking!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter