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
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