Seward, Alaska
Quite a surprise to first hear then see a single WHIMBREL flying over the wetlands at the head of the bay. I haven’t seen any since spring migration and didn’t expect to see one here now. Yet, there it was, a distinctive, large-bodied shorebird with the long decurved bill. It’s one of my favorites as it is so easily recognized with the tantalizing exception of possibly being a Bristle-thighed Curlew. Not this time.
Thanks to a tip from Robin C, I refound 18 BLACK TURNSTONES flipping over rocks at Afognak Beach, initially seen on Friday. Several poked through the green algae clinging to a long-embedded tree in the intertidal zone. Food is anywhere you can find it.
I almost missed seeing these amazingly camouflaged shorebirds, but their chatter gave them away. It was fun to eavesdrop. When all but one suddenly flew off to the tideline, their dramatic white wing stripes and tail band flashed.
The remaining bird flew a short distance away. After it landed, it stretched both wings straight up revealing the bright white underside, and held them for several moments like a beacon. When the wings were refolded, the bird virtually disappeared. Quite a puzzle why it would want to be so obvious after landing.
Never know what is going to show up next in the bird world!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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