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/
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