Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Flipping Dipper, Awkward Raven, Serene Swans

Seward, Alaska

The north wind blew into town on Monday afternoon; all the Robins and their coveted associates (Western Tanagers (2), Cedar Waxwing) disappeared.

While looking for the Warbling Vireo by Benny Benson Park/Lagoon (no success), I spied on a very industrious AMERICAN DIPPER working away in a small salmon stream. He stood almost up to his belly in the cold water, expertly flinging alder and willow leaves over his shoulder. Then he’d pause and stick his head underwater to take a look around. 

Sometimes he found a macroinvertebrate to eat. If not, he resumed flinging leaves aside. Rocks proved no obstacle for him either, even if they barely fit in his bill, flip! Tiny fish and slower-moving insect larvae quickly went down the hatch. Life was good for this successful hunter!

Winter is in the air, but the BUFFLEHEAD and MALLARDS seem to think its spring. Two very handsome male Bufflehead chased each other around and around at the Lagoon, diving underwater to goose the other, both chasing the hen which had to keep flying to evade them. Nearby Bufflehead possibly just shook their tiny heads and kept diving for fish.

A Mallard drake and hen bobbed their heads up and down like Swans communicating a decision. After the bobbing became more and more synchronized, the drake mounted the hen and held her head underwater by her nape. After this brief mating, they both stretched and shook off, seemingly very satisfied. I won’t be looking for ducklings anytime soon, however.

Searching the berry-laden Mt Ash trees, I found a RAVEN perched precariously on a thin branch, awkwardly reaching for the red fruit, wings akimbo, tail up, barely recovering his balance. Very entertaining! I’m sure I did not laugh out loud, but nonetheless, he finally noticed me and took off in a huff.

After not finding the TRUMPETER SWAN family for several days, they materialized on the east side of Nash Road across from the nest site, close to the road. The two 5-month old cygnets are almost as large as their doting parents. The water was so clear, I could see the white Swan necks snaking underwater to reach the aquatic plants.

Rare birds are exciting and enticing (and frustrating), but the regulars provide sustaining contentment like old friends.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter 

Sunday, October 25, 2020 Western Tanager, and Common Loon

Seward, Alaska 

Sunrise 9:05 am, sunset 6:20 pm for a total day length of 9 hours and 14 minutes. Tomorrow will be five minutes and 18 seconds shorter.

Low of 34, high of 41, and calm. Gloomy clouds and rain, heavy at times, made the day seem even darker. More rain in the forecast until Wednesday, then night-time temps in the low teens for the next several days will freeze area ponds and lakes, concentrating some water birds in the remaining open water and moving others along.

The WESTERN TANAGER (assuming there’s only one) relocated from Clearview to the 500-block residential areas between Madison and Monroe west of Third Ave. I spotted it this morning with a few Robins in the same scraggly Mt Ash where the Cedar Waxwing was first seen. Apparently, the few remaining berries beckoned.

A few hours later, it was refound up the alley by Madison, joining about 20 Robins to feast on Mt Ash and Mayday tree berries. No sign of the Hermit Thrush reported here on Thursday.

Thanks to the warm soil, Robins actively hunted in a nearby yard for invertebrates, hopping along, easily whisking away the concealing moss and leaves to reveal their prize.

Robin C found a COMMON LOON south of the Harbor Uplands; I haven’t seen one for a month or more. This one, now in winter plumage, snorkled for fish, then slid smoothly underwater and emerged quite a distance away. I was lucky to get a closer look as it approached before heading back out. Ancient, mystical loon.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Update: After careful photo scrutiny, Sulli determined that there are TWO Western Tanagers in Seward! Thanks, Sulli!

"Photo analysis has revealed that the first WETA is much brighter than the current bird in town, so there are two individuals so far this season! Pretty exciting. Compare the breast coloration, and also note how the upper wing bar is yellow on the brighter individual, but white on the duller one. Another difference is that the duller individual has a somewhat subtle grayish patch in the middle of its face, not shown by the brighter bird. I suspect the brighter bird is a young male, but I am not certain and need to do more research."

 

 

Monday, October 19, 2020 Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, Wilson’s Warbler

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 8:50 am, sunrise 6:27 pm for a total day length of 9 hours and 47 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 21 seconds shorter. 

Brisk, sunny day with overnight lows hovering around freezing, rising to 41º by 4 pm, north wind 12 to 18 mph. More sunshine in the forecast until Friday brings rain/snow mix.

 

At 10 am on the increasingly later morning walk, I spotted several ROBINS enjoying breakfast in a scraggly Mt Ash in the 500-block alley between Third and Second. Suddenly a smaller bird landed among them. Luckily, I was able to get my binocs on it as it chowed down on the bright red berries: a juvenile CEDAR WAXWING! 

 

The most recent Seward record was November 13, 2017, and before that September 11, 2013 with a few previous scattered sightings since 2005.

 

Sulli happened to be in town birding (of course). The bird was still there for him, and actually returned several times during the afternoon. What made this particular tree so very special among a vast number of other, much more bountiful Mt Ashes? By late afternoon, it was almost picked clean.

 

After that excitement, we walked around the neighborhood. In the elderberry thicket on the mountainside on First Avenue, a bright WILSON’S WARBLER popped up, about the same hue as the cottonwood leaves. This midget from the tropics needs to get going south!

 

Shortly after 1 pm, the tsunami siren went off followed by a cancelation by text and subsequent repeated siren. Garbled verbal attempts to communicate over the siren system were not helpful. Then it was canceled again by text at 1:45 pm. What a failed warning system! We learned later the 7.5 earthquake occurred right off Sand Point in the Aleutians and no tsunami was generated.

 

However, the fantastic consequence was that Sulli did not venture down Lowell Road and instead wandered over to AVTEC on Second Ave. Around 2:43 pm he found and photographed a WARBLING VIREO in the brush next to the little salmon stream running along the road. Other local birders rushed over, but try as we might, we failed to refind this lost bird.

 

Around 5 pm, Robin C texted that a female HOODED MERGANSER was feeding in the small pond on the west side at Mile 3 Seward Highway. I ended an amazing birdy day with a glimpse of her before she flew off; hopefully she’ll be around this fall and winter.

 

However elusive, there’s a good chance the Warbling Vireo is still around, as was the Western Tanager still hanging around in Clearview. Not to be greedy, but there may indeed be other birds of great interest waiting to be discovered. Can’t wait for the sun to warm things up tomorrow!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

 

Saturday, October 17, 2020 Western Tanager!

Seward, Alaska

Late this afternoon, I got a text from Brad Benter about a WESTERN TANAGER he and Melissa spotted in a Mt Ash at Resurrection Blvd and Marathon Drive in Seward. I was there ASAP!

 

It was buried in the yellow leaves and red berries, but fortunately it moved occasionally and with their help, I finally saw it. Then it flew to a dense spruce tree and disappeared. 

 

While I scoured the tree, it flew unnoticed a few blocks away. Brad again texted me he had refound it. I hustled over and finally got some decent views and photos of the beautiful, sleek, yellow female. She was busy gleaning caterpillars and winged insects from the branches and leaves.

 

Looking through my records, I realized I saw a much duller plumaged Western Tanager shortly after a big storm on September 11, 2013.

 

This lost bird could be anywhere as it only needs insects and invertebrates which are everywhere, hiding in bark crevices and under leaves, and Mt Ash and Mayday berries for dessert.

 

What a pleasure to see this bird and the birders!

 

Happy Birding!

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Carol Griswold

 

 

 

 

Friday, October 16, 2020 Great Horned Owl tragedy, and Anna’s Hummingbirds

Seward, Alaska

My neighbor called at 5 pm and told me there was a dead GREAT HORNED OWL in the rose bushes across the alley. I rushed outside with gloves and a cardboard box. To my amazement and consternation, there indeed was a giant owl, face down in the leaves, wings spread wide, surrounded by a tangle of rose bush branches. It was impaled on a sharp, broken off rose shoot, possibly through the heart. 

We speculated on how this adult, experienced hunter could have died, diving after a small rodent at the side of the alley, never saw the menace, hit hard, broke its neck and died instantly. Given the tangle of branches, perhaps it spun around before it died to rest as we found it.

I gently lifted it off the stem and smoothed its disarrayed feathers. We admired its soft, feathered feet ending in impressive, sharp and powerful talons and the non-slip sole. The hard, sharp, curved black bill with sensitive bristles. The half-open, fading yellow eye, staring blankly. The pair of feather tufts on its head that give its name, hardly horns. The fringed leading edge of the primary feathers, designed to completely muffle any flight sound. So soft and beautiful and yet so hard and fierce.

We don’t normally hear owls until late winter, and rarely get to see them unless we are really, really lucky to get a glimpse just before dark as they fly over, silhouetted against the deepening night sky. Yet they too are our neighbors, quietly hunting in the alternate universe of night.

We were all deeply saddened by the loss of this mysterious and powerful Owl, but felt enriched to see and touch it. The Nature Channel is often hard to watch.

On a positive note, I was delighted to first hear, then see the reunited TRUMPETER SWAN family trumpeting as they paddled down the Lagoon yesterday morning.

Also, Todd Eskelin succeeded in recapturing the bright male ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Questa Woods today. He was amazed to learn the little guy had gained a gram this fall. Another Anna’s in town remained elusive despite several hours of watching and waiting. 

Todd expects even more Anna’s in November and encouraged the neighbors to set up feeders. Be sure to clean and change the sugar solution once a week or more often if it gets cloudy. The nasty black fungus that can grow in the sugar water causes their throat to swell and they die. 

Heated feeders work better than heat lamps, at considerable savings with an 8-watt bulb secured inside a repurposed salsa bowl (still with feet!) glued to the bottom of the feeder. Once the feeder is set up, they know exactly where it is. If you must move it, do it gradually. When not at the feeder, they go “bugging” and glean insects and spiders from trees and shrubs for protein. 

I learned that this species has gradually expanded its breeding range from Mexico north along the coast to British Columbia and now Sitka. A small percent of the population continue to try to expand the range, the ones we enjoy in the fall and sometimes winter. They do not migrate, unlike the Rufous Hummingbird, and most likely perish in the long winter though they can survive very cold temperatures. 

Breeding Anna’s and their young have not yet been documented in Southcentral. Young Anna’s have a corrugated bill edge which gradually gets smooth from the tip towards the base. Not sure why that is advantageous for the youngster.

I also learned that decoys, no matter how realistic, do not attract live Hummingbirds to the banding trap.

Todd is a wealth of information. So much more to know about these tiny marvels!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

Sunday, October 11, 2020 Red-breasted Sapsucker!

Seward, Alaska

This morning at 9:30 on a walk around the block, I heard an unusual sound from a treed vacant lot, possibly a very angry Hairy Woodpecker. Then, bam! I was startled to see the bright red head, nape, and breast of a  RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER appear from behind a tree! Still upset, it scolded from the tree then took off, flying right over my head!

This is the first time I’ve seen this species in my neighborhood; other sightings have been reported by the post office, the schools and, of course, at Ava’s off Nash Road. It's not unexpected, but never common, and always a thrill!

Due to bear activity, few people have feeders up, but there are nice old Mountain Ash trees just about everywhere. I’ll be watching for the characteristic horizontal sap wells. 

Around noon at Afognak Beach, my dog suddenly looked up as we both heard a whooshing zoom. I never saw it, but I’m sure it was a hummingbird, most likely an Anna’s. How amazing!

Shortly afterwards, a BALD EAGLE, perched midway down a spruce, raised its regal head to the heavens and cried out as its mate landed at the top. The commanding sounds rang and echoed. It felt like a wilderness moment except for the faint sound of vehicles in the distance.  

Another series of powerful cries! Here came another adult hauling a huge silver salmon in its talons. That was a classic Alaska scene. 

On the way home, I found one lonely TRUMPETER SWAN cygnet sitting on the ol' nest site at mile 1 Nash Road. It looked like he was waiting for the rest of the family to show up. "If we ever get separated, meet at the nest." I hope they reunite soon.

As for the Purple Martins, it was raining when I checked this morning. They may have been roosting, but the Spring Creek area sure seemed empty.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

Friday, October 9, 2020 Purple Martins, Western Wood-Pewee

Seward, Alaska

Hard rain last night must have drained most of the clouds. Despite the gloomy forecast, today was a fine day to bird: no wind, brief showers then WARM sunshine peeked through, followed by high overcast, with a high of 49º.

Many more birders streamed in from Homer and Anchorage to see the very cooperative PURPLE MARTINS at the Spring Creek Campground. These two have become superstar crowd-pleasers, flying over people’s cars and heads as if to greet them. They proved as challenging to photograph as ever but even rested a few times in the same tall spruce tree, albeit a bit too far to really appreciate them.

The BANK SWALLOW was spotted briefly, no longer hanging out with his larger buddies.

A few birders sought the elusive American Redstart, possibly catching a tantalizing glimpse with some BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES at the edge of the spruce forest behind Spring Creek pond. The SHARP-SHINNED HAWK returned as did the BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES to harass it as a gang of six. The BELTED KINGFISHER perched on its snag, undisturbed.

After enjoying the sunny interlude and visiting with the wonderful birders, just like old times but farther apart, it was finally time to go home. But no! The Palm Warbler had been spotted at the Airport cul-de-sac. 

Only exceeding the speed limit by a hair, Gary and I raced back across the bay. Robin and Lisa were on the prowl and saw it. As we approached, a shotgun blast scared it off. We searched and searched in the spruce and alder thicket, madly taking photos of anything that moved.

In the end, I had a wonderful documentation of a female or juvenile YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, very nice I’m sure. Humph. And, a surprise WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. Both were fly-catching, but the Wood-pewee very consistently returned to the same snag multiple times. 

The lack of an eye-ring, a bit of yellow on the base of the lower bill, and no flicking of the tail cinched the ID for me. The Eastern Wood-pewee is under consideration, but what a tough call if it doesn’t sing! I leave that to others to ruminate.

I hope to look for that Palm Warbler tomorrow. I now know a lot more about who exactly I’m searching for.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 Purple Martins and Bank Swallow

Seward, Alaska

After such a conspicuous absence on Monday afternoon, we figured the lost birds kept moving and were long gone, dashing birders’ hopes all along the road system. 

But no! The two PURPLE MARTINS and one tiny BANK SWALLOW reappeared this morning. As if in apology for making several intrepid birders cross the creek and get soaked on Monday without success, today the trio fluttered and soared over the Spring Creek pond and close overhead in the parking lot. 

As the word spread, birders peeled down the highway from Talkeetna and Anchorage. I’m pretty sure the unposted speed limit was about 50 on the gravel cutoff to the parking lot, judging by the arriving vehicles. They screeched to a halt, leaped out, and with a sigh of relief, saw The Birds.

Then out came cameras and a scope. What a challenge it is to follow a Swallow! Darting, erratic, swooping, soaring, fluttering, leaving, returning, too close, then too far. Add the dim light and gray sky. One could feel seasick trying to track them, and get warbler neck looking.

The three hunted together, often all visible in the binoculars. I saw one Purple Martin dodge as another almost hit it, both intent on catching an insect. The Bank Swallow, the smallest Swallow at 4 ½” was dwarfed by the much larger Purple Martin at 8” long.

They rarely vocalized, these silent and intent hunters, though I heard a gurgling voice twice, briefly.

At one point, an adult BALD EAGLE flew majestically to a large spruce tree and landed. Soon after, a Purple Martin made a pass at it, close enough to make the Eagle flinch. Amazing audacity!

The calm of the morning was not to last. Around 2:15 pm, the south wind kicked up and an hour later it started to rain. To our delight, the two Purple Martins landed in a nearby small spruce and rested. We all finally got to see them as other than darting silhouettes. 

The happy birders kindly posed for a photo before we loaded back into our warm and dry vehicles and headed home.

And hours later, around 5 pm, who should stop by on his way back to Anchorage? David Sonneborn checked off another bird for his astounding Alaska bird checklist. And he didn’t even get his feet wet!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

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