Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:03 am, sunset 7:33 pm, for a total day length of 11 hours and 30 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter.
Another HUGE storm hit Seward today with SE winds at 10 to 20 mph. The wind is forecast to increase to 35 to 45 mph tonight. NOAA issued a flood watch in effect from this afternoon until Sunday afternoon October 4, with heavy rain leading to a sharp rise in local rivers and creeks, and large amounts of gravel and sediment transport.
NOAA noted this series of storms is similar to the October 2018 event.
We’ll be watching for flooding at the Seward Airport, and washouts along other streams. Lowell Creek is surging brown as it cascades over the Diversion Tunnel exit. Thanks to all the workers who keep us safe with the power and water on and roads clear!
Fortunately, the temperature is quite mild, with lows in the upper 40s and highs in the low 50s.
Super-saturated steep slopes caused a large rock slide that closed Lowell Point Road this afternoon just south of the usual big land slide zone. Due to slope instability, it will not be cleared until tomorrow, safety permitting for the crews.
Full moon tomorrow but there’s no chance of seeing it.
And the silver lining of this angry dark cloud? FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS!
Hurricane force winds in the Gulf outside Resurrection Bay blew these little butterflies into close view from the Seward Harbor Uplands.
As the green surf surged against the breakwater and white spray erupted, the Storm-petrels glided along, daintily dipping their tube-nosed bills into the water to snatch a morsel. At times, they demonstrated how they seemingly “walk on water”, dancing along the surface.
This behavior gave them the name “Petrel” after St Peter who was said to have walked on water. Luckily, these birds have wings for assist as needed.
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, MEW GULLS, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS also targeted this seething cauldron, but with less grace. A HARBOR SEAL popped up and got smacked in the head with a wave, but didn’t seem to mind. More birds, including DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, worked the waves farther out.
In a brief interlude between the rain, Tasha spotted a SAVANNAH SPARROW blowing across the parking lot, too quick to snap a photo.
The rain is tough on optics but the storm sure is exciting to witness.
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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