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
No comments:
Post a Comment