Seward, Alaska
Yesterday afternoon, Tasha alerted me to a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE not far from my house. I raced down and found it sitting calmly in a Mt Ash tree. From the back, it might easily be mistaken by the casual observer for a Robin, except for its smaller size and distinctive bright white eye-ring.
Though surrounded by Mt Ash berries, it seemed to be more interested in insects, and acted like it was fly-catching, waiting and watching then darting down to the ground and back up to the branch. The last time I remember seeing a Townsend’s Solitaire was January 19, 2013 when it was eating Mayday berries. This species is noted for its preference for juniper berries, which are not common in the Seward area.
17 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, including two handsome OREGON JUNCOS, chased each other around and around the bare branches of nearby shrubs. A SONG SPARROW alternately sang and scolded on its patrol through its territory. 26 ROBINS flew between this site and other Mt Ash trees up the street. It was nice to see and hear 8 PINE GROSBEAKS, juicing the Mt Ash berries. (Thanks to Tasha for the exact count.)
Today as snow pellets turned to light rain, I found a single SNOW BUNTING searching for beach ryegrass seeds on the ground at Fourth of July Beach. While I was excited to see it, I was sad there was only one as they should be happily hanging out in a flock, riding the stalks to the ground like little cowboys. Maybe more will show up with this next winter weather front moving in.
Also spotted off shore: a single COMMON LOON, 5 SURF SCOTERS, 2 HORNED GREBES, a small raft of BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, and a few KITTIWAKES and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS pouncing on a bait ball.
About 60-70 COMMON MERGANSERS paddled around in the Seward Boat Harbor, a nice-sized raft.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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