Thursday, December 31, 2020 Blackbirds and Brambling but no Brewer's

Seward, Alaska

A small group of birders converged again today in the alley hotspot south of 211 Marathon Drive, hoping to refind and photograph the female BREWER’S BLACKBIRD. 

 

Sulli Gibson noted a documented Brewer’s Blackbird would be a first for Seward, the Kenai Peninsula, and all of Southcentral Alaska. The species is approximately annual in Southeast with at least five records scattered around the rest of the state in places like the North Slope and St. George Island.

 

Unfortunately, the rare bird proved elusive. The streaky female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD again hung out with five RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, periodically descending from the treetops to snarf down birdseed scattered on the snow. It was fun to hear the creaky-hinge calls of the Rusty Blackbirds and occasional chucks while perched in the cottonwoods, preening and pecking at the ice encrusted branches.

 

After a flock of DARK-EYED JUNCOS arrived, the BRAMBLING briefly flew down to grab a sunflower seed then disappeared. Later, the Brambling was refound nearby, hidden in the midst of a dense thicket of branches. 

 

Perhaps the Brewer’s Blackbird is hanging out with the two or three other Rusty Blackbirds in another location, or going rogue, braving this new land by itself.

If you come, consider parking along Marathon Drive so as not to block anyone’s driveway, and walk south on Resurrection Blvd to the alley south of Marathon. Resurrection Blvd is much busier and lacks a shoulder. If you park in the alley, you may be blocked in by other cars. Please respect the very tolerant neighbors and their private property. A scope is handy for those mystery birds perched high in the trees. 

 

Next year tomorrow will be a new day to find birds for the January 1 checklist. If we’re lucky, the Brewer’s Blackbird will be included!

 

In other exciting news, the Alaska Sealife Center bay survey crew discovered an extremely unlikely DOVEKIE south of Tonsina Point (south of Lowell Point). Too fast and crafty for the boat, it evaded the cameras. Keep an eye along the waterfront for this tiny, short-necked, stubby-billed alcid!

 

Happy New Year and Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

For photos and edits, please visit my blog at http://sporadicbird.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Blackbirds: Rusty, Red-winged, and Brewer’s! (and the Brambling)

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 10:02 am, sunset 4:00 pm for a total day length of 5 hours and 57 minutes. Tomorrow will be 1 minute and 44 seconds longer. Whoo-wooo!

 

No precip for brief periods then bouts of light showers, brief hail, flurries, sn’rain, heavy snow showers, and snow today as the thermometer wobbled around the mid-30s. Cooler temps in the forecast for the New Year on Friday and Saturday in the mid-20s and mostly sunny, which would be much appreciated.

 

Despite the dim light and the variety pack of precipitation thrown down from the heavens, intrepid birder Jonah Lindquist was out spotting rare birds. Yes, the BRAMBLING male was still here and five or more RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, as well as a female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD spotted a few days ago. He then found and called a female BREWER’S BLACKBIRD: plain gray-brown, dark eye, no streaking.

 

The Brewer’s Blackbird is listed as Casual on the 2020 Checklist of Alaska Birds, more rare than Rare, but not as rare as Accidental. I’ve never seen one in Seward or Alaska.

 

Local birders joined by several surprise out-of-town birders materialized on the site in the alley south of Marathon Drive. Most missed it; a few were lucky to see it but alas! did not get a photograph. The Red-winged Blackbird flew in and fed under the spruce tree feeder, joined by the Brambling, while a Rusty Blackbird gleaned cracked corn from the snow under another feeder. It was a wonderful show but the Brewer’s was not to be lured in to join them.

 

Finally, five Rusty Blackbirds and the female Red-winged Blackbird circled over the area and landed high in a nearby cottonwood, teasing us. Two more blackbirds perched in another tree farther away; hard to tell who. As the light grew even dimmer and a small blizzard began in earnest, we dispersed, hoping for another chance tomorrow.

 

According to the Cornell Lab Project FeederWatch, the Brewer’s Blackbird prefers hulled sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet on the ground or in platform feeders. Look for them on open ground looking for crumbs, seeds, and insects, and perched up high on utility lines and in groups in the tops of trees.

 

Red-winged Blackbirds, in addition, also like black oil sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, oats, and milo in large tube feeders, large hoppers, platform, and on the ground.

 

The Rusty Blackbirds have been found patrolling the bare patches under spruce trees and feeding on seeds scattered on the ground.

 

And the Brambling, former star of the show? He seems to prefer the ground under the feeders, today in the company of DARK-EYED and OREGON JUNCOS and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. He even tolerated three much larger and more aggressive STELLER’S JAYS.

 

Never know WHAT will show up in Seward!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

 

 

Monday, December 21, 2020 Thayer’s Gull!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 10:02 am, sunset 3:52 pm for a total day length of 5 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 7 seconds LONGER! (Haven’t written that for 6 months!)

 

As a huge low lumbered across the Gulf of Alaska towards the eastern Kenai Peninsula, the temperature steadily rose from 25 this morning to 37 by evening, transforming the steady snowfall to sn’rain. 

 

The National Weather Service issued an unusual trio of Hazardous Weather Conditions: high winds and blizzard conditions especially Moose Pass north through Tuesday, and a flood advisory for Seward to Moose Pass through Wednesday. A good time to hunker down!

 

On my morning walk, a dozen chirring BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS converged on a crabapple tree with apples too big to toss back as usual. The hungry birds pecked at the shrunken fruit, hopefully finding some calories to sustain them. 

 

I braved the flat light conditions midday, trying to follow others’ tracks just to drive along the Waterfront and to the Harbor Uplands. A somber gray curtain of snow melded with the calm gray waters of the bay, obliterating the surrounding mountains in a monochrome land and seascape.

 

At the Uplands, a hunched GREAT BLUE HERON perched stoically on the coal dipper in the snowstorm. At least 50 COMMON MERGANSERS and about 7 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS skittered over the surface then dove almost simultaneously. I wondered what they found to eat and what app alerted them to the location? 

 

One tiny black and white MARBLED MURRELET chose to dine alone. Four SURF SCOTERS placidly drifted nearby; the males’ whimsical orange and white bills shone like beacons. All the birds sported white spots and dots until they shook off or dove.

 

A GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL and a likely GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING GULL hybrid with dark eyes and some black primaries patrolled nearby, watching closely, ready to squabble over any findings. More seabirds paddled along farther out, too dim and obscured to identify.

 

I spied a new species for Count Week perched on the roof of the Craftsman-style restroom: a THAYER’S GULL juvenile, with a rounded head, slender bill, darker brown primaries, and pinkish legs. This lookout seems to be popular with the Gulls (except on Count Day) and a good place to check.  

 

The storm may indeed bring in some fabulous Asian rarities; I hope someone will find them in time for the last day of Count Week tomorrow. I’ll be trying!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Sunday, December 20, 2020 Count Week birds (and a few more)

Seward, Alaska

 

Sunrise 10:01 am, sunset 3:52 pm for a total day length of 5 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 seconds shorter. Winter Solstice welcomes the official start of winter at 1:03 am Monday.

 

As forecast, the sun beamed as if just as pleased to see us as we were thrilled to see it. Drifted snow sculptures from yesterday’s snow blizzard glittered in the transformed landscape. Temps ranged from 19 to 25, with a light north wind. By mid-afternoon, dark clouds gathered in the Gulf and crept up the bay. A huge winter storm with snow and rain is forecast for the next week.

 

Count Week has been a lot more productive and fun than Count Day. Birds that proved invisible yesterday practically flew in to be noticed and posed for photographs. 

 

On my morning walk today, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flew past then perched at the top of a spruce tree to make sure I had time to get my binoculars focused. ROBINS flocked in to a neighbor’s Mayday trees, at least six, joined by a three or four BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. A SONG SPARROW popped up and sat on the fence. I saw none of these species yesterday.

 

Over by the harbor Uplands, I noticed two GREAT BLUE HERONS perched on the coal dipper. Then another took off from the rocks below. Suddenly, I noticed another Heron’s head peeking above the rocks! I crept around to get a better shot with the sun from the side instead of behind it. The Heron, an adult, remained for several minutes, calmly looking around despite the nearby vehicles, people, and loose dogs. Finally, the majestic bird had enough and flew off to join the other three. Where were they yesterday?

 

I found the LAPLAND LONGSPUR at the head of the bay that eluded me yesterday, a very late record. A single PIGEON GUILLEMOT paddled and dove in the SMIC boat basin with eight HORNED GREBES and two PELAGIC CORMORANTS. 

 

Back at the harbor Uplands, a stately COMMON LOON surfaced among the COMMON MERGANSERS and BARROW’S GOLDENEYES. Along the Waterfront in the twilight, a single RED-BREASTED MERGANSER hen surfaced, my last bird for this memorable day. 

 

What an amazing day! Two more days to go in Count Week in case any other species want to be counted! 

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

 

Saturday, December 19, 2020 Brambling!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 10:10 am, sunset 3:51 pm for a total day length of 5 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 15 seconds shorter as we approach Winter Solstice at 1:02 am on December 21. 

 

What a challenging day for the Audubon Seward Christmas Bird Count! Blizzard conditions in exposed areas with stinging horizontal snow and limited visibility, north wind 15-24 mph, and temperature in the mid 20s. Due to rough seas, low visibility, and for safety, the boat crew was grounded. In stark contrast, it was almost enjoyable out of the wind, though visibility was still limited and the light was dim. Just to tease us, Sunday is forecast to be partly sunny but cooler.

 

After slogging through the ground blizzard at the beaches for a couple hours and not finding much, I received a most exciting text: BRAMBLING!

 

Luckily, I was ready for a break and headed for Clearview behind Safeway. There on the ground under tall spruce trees, was a male Brambling in the company of 6 DARK-EYED JUNCOS scratching through the almost bare ground. My last record of one Brambling was February 11, 2014.  Previous records include one on November 27, 2012, four on January 25-29, 2013, and two on April 18, 2013.

 

PINE GROSBEAKS were another treat on this gray day, juicing shriveled up Mt Ash berries. The bright male looked like a beautiful Christmas tree ornament, a round red and white ball with head, wings, and tail sticking out.

 

As I retired as CBC Compiler, I have no other CBC information to post. Thanks, Tasha and Sadie for taking that on!

 

Three more days of Count Week to look for other rarities that may have blown in with the Brambling. It’s about time Seward hosted another Siberian Accentor!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, December 3, 2020 Swans, Goldeneyes, Crow mystery

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:40 am, sunset 3:58 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 18 minutes. Tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 54 seconds shorter.

 

Seward has nothing to complain about the weather considering the horrific landslides and flooding that hit Southeast Alaska and Haines in particular. Unseasonably warm temperatures and rain melted away last week’s snow dump in open areas exposing the ground; possibly good news for owls and bad news for voles. 

 

Then the wind shifted to the north and temperatures dropped to a more normal mid-20s. If the forecast can be believed, we may actually see the sun for the next few days before another warm cycle with rain, sn’rain, and snow showers returns.

 

Yesterday after another squally morning, an immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (yellow eyes) took a little bath in a puddle in my driveway then flew to a cottonwood across the alley to hang its wings and spread its tail to dry. It’s hard to look fierce when all fluffed up and hanging out, but afterwards, it took a little victory lap overhead in case anyone was watching.

 

I was, but so were about 30 PINE SISKINS (with possibly one COMMON REDPOLL), 40 or so BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and a dozen PINE GROSBEAKS.  The silence was deafening until the coast was clear, and then the birds resumed their zipping, chirring, and whistling as they feasted on Mt Ash berries. The ground is littered with the red skins discarded by the Pine Grosbeaks. Surely some bird will enjoy them?

 

This morning, I checked the tidelands in a light snow flurry. As I walked along, six magnificent adult TRUMPETER SWANS calling softly, stroked across Resurrection Bay and huge webbed feet outstretched, splashed down in the gentle waves. Two more arrived a short time later, and another two checked out a watery lead in the pond ice. Ten! What a stirring sight and sounds!

 

Two shorebirds zig-zagged over the beach ryegrass and landed on a finger of sand far out. My best guess is two ROCK SANDPIPERS, but they were distant and flighty.

 

As I came around the point, a LAPLAND LONGSPUR and a SNOW BUNTING flushed up but soon landed to glean fallen beach rye grass seeds together.

 

The birds brightened the desolate landscape and dampened the chilly north wind. I felt so enriched!

 

Along the town waterfront by the Founder’s Monument, a tight raft of about 40 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES gathered. The males tried some courtship moves, throwing their heads back and extending them in front. The hens seemed more interested in fishing and often disappeared during the display leaving the drakes to follow somewhat belatedly. Such beautiful ducks!

 

Robin C alerted me to dozens of NORTHWESTERN (aka AMERICAN) CROWS feeding on insect larvae on the Marine Science Center lawn near the community garden. I have never seen this before: hundreds of small larvae lay scattered across the remaining snow and in the sodden grass. The Crows marched along, plucking the protein packets as they went. I assume the rain flooded them out of the ground, but oddly no earthworms were present. The feast may sustain thrushes, sparrows, and other birds; a good spot to check.

 

I braved the falling rock and avalanche zones on Lowell Point Road to walk the beach at Lowell Point State Recreation Area. (Yay public land!) I spotted the YELLOW-BILLED LOON slipping gracefully underwater by Pinnacle Rock. A pair of HARLEQUIN DUCKS, a single HORNED GREBE, one PELAGIC CORMORANT, and a small raft of BARROW’S GOLDENEYES dove nearby.

 

Beauty, entertainment, music, mystery, and magic. Birds never fail to inspire.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report