Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:15 am, sunset 7:18 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 2 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter.
High tide of 10.45’ at 3:40 pm.
Lovely day today after all the days of heavy rain and strong winds. Mostly cloudy with occasional peeks of sunshine, a high of 53º, with light winds from the north. Forecast for Tuesday about the same with cooler temperatures, then several days of rain.
Yesterday evening around 7 pm, in the growing dusk, spitting rain and wind, a local birder photographed 2 or 3 mystery birds and an AMERICAN KESTREL from the Spring Creek Beach parking lot at Mile 5 Nash Road, flying over the wetlands. Sulli Gibson identified them via telebirding as PURPLE MARTINS!
Purple Martins are listed as a Casual bird on the Alaska Bird Checklist, more rare than Rare and less rare than Accidental: “these species are beyond the periphery of annual range, but recur in Alaska at irregular intervals usually in seasonal and regional migration.”
As the news spread, the birders gathered. Local birders Tasha, Robin C and I were joined by Pat and Jennifer around 9:30 am; they had left Anchorage at 7 am. Crossing Spring Creek which drains from the wetland pond challenged the various footwear. And this was at low tide!
We walked north along the beach berm, scanning over the adjacent beach rye grass and wetlands habitat until we emerged at a desolate, gravel boat yard. Note this is private property and visitors are not welcome.
After looking for an hour, we decided to walk back and recheck the wetlands. Just as we found a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE perched at the top of a small spruce, Pat and Jennifer, who had stayed behind, texted that they found them. We rushed back the short ways and as we watched hopefully, suddenly two birds swooped into sight, Purple Martins! They were easier to spot up against the light gray sky, fluttering then swooping. Then they disappeared. After waiting for another long time, we all headed back.
We all crossed back across the stream with varying degrees of dryness in the rising tide. Tasha spotted a very colorful and late AMERICAN PIPIT in the rocks of the nearby jetty.
Ryan from Fairbanks who just happened to be in Seward, arrived. He found them as well, flying above the boat yard.
I went back and watched for another hour or so without success, then I drove to Fourth of July Beach to check it out. Two first of fall SURF SCOTERS, but nothing else.
Shortly after 2 pm, I passed Aaron Lang and David Sonneborn parked alongside Nash Road, scoping the boat yard from above, no luck. They had just driven over from Homer. They decided to walk the beach, and after a brief deliberation, I turned around too. These two were rare birds!
An hour before the 10.43’ high tide, the stream was now hip water height. Both wore sneakers. Nonetheless, they decided to wade across the cold, over-the-knee, rushing creek. I have never seen this before! It’s this determination that marks a truly dedicated birder. It helps explain how David secured his legendary status of seeing the most species in Alaska: 424 of the 528 (numbers subject to change). Aaron is a legend as well.
After crossing the rising creek without the needed hip waders, Aaron and Dave texted they found an AMERICAN REDSTART, a species I have never seen here.
That nailed it for Robin who waded across in the thigh-deep water in his wool pants and greased leather boots. Wool is warm when wet, but you’re still wet! I being a wimp, did not cross.
Shortly before high tide, White Keys arrived from Anchorage. He called from the parking lot just as I finally got home. He did not pack chest waders. I have not yet heard the rest of the stories. There will be some tall tales told, I’m sure!
Later in the afternoon, Aaron reported a PALM WARBLER at the airport, listed as a Rare species, “Annual or possibly annual in small numbers; most such species occur at the perimeter of Alaska, in season; a few are scarce residents”!
Those storms really stirred things up! It's so great to have help finding these needles in a haystack. The more eyes and ears the better!
If you decide to come to look for the Purple Martins, note there will be delays from road construction on the Seward Highway. As you approach Seward, turn left on Nash Road. Then take the first right turn at mile 5 on Nash Road to Spring Creek Campground. Park in the lower parking lot by the beach. Scan the wetlands and beach rye habitat first. Then walk north along the beach to the pond outlet. Watch the tide; you will be drier with knee-high boots, and as the tide rises, will benefit from hip boots. Or be a tough birder and sport two-toned pants and squishy shoes. Keep walking north, heading for the abandoned dock crane, listening and looking.
Please respect the private property as you approach the gravel boat yard. The area is viewable from the edges.
Good luck!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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