Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:55 am, sunset 4:17 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 22 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 14 seconds longer.
Stormy weather continued with periods of rain, snow, and sleet, temps in the mid-30s, and 17 mph winds out of the north by mid-afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement until 6 pm Sunday for a long duration snow event for parts of the Seward Highway with up to 12 inches of snow for Turnagain Pass, and rain/snow mix for Turnagain south. Another 12 inches of snow is possible for Sunday night through Monday.
Despite the terrible roads, several birders from Mat-Su and Anchorage materialized in Seward to seek the elusive SIBERIAN ACCENTOR. After not being seen for the past two days, some got a glimpse of it at Second and Madison, and the alley between Second and Third Ave in the 500 block. Also spotted, the LINCOLN'S SPARROW and the first VARIED THRUSH reported this year.
The BRAMBLING, five RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and the female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD were also reported around noon in the alley south of Marathon Drive.
When I checked Second and Madison at 3:20 pm, I found a beautiful, very alert, adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK intently birding the site from a nearby cottonwood branch, swaying in the wind, its feathers ruffled. The hot spot was completely silent and devoid of any visible birds.
After the imposing raptor flew off, it took a full seven minutes for the first BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE to come to life, giving its cheery “all clear, let’s eat!” signal. As if by magic, the hidden and frozen DARK-EYED JUNCOS, PINE SISKINS, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES sprang into action, feeding enthusiastically in preparation for the impending long night. A small flock of REDPOLLS flew in to feed on the tiny alder seeds, clinging upside down from the cone clusters. I did not see the Accentor.
Earlier in the afternoon, I checked the Harbor Uplands. A COMMON LOON paddled along in the harbor mouth, heading into the harbor. It paused a moment to stretch, then dove and emerged swallowing a small fish.
Suddenly, a cloud of raucous AMERICAN CROWS (aka Northwestern Crows) abandoned their feeding station by the Mariner’s Memorial and streamed to the coal dipper. They absolutely mobbed it, perching on the structure and guy wires like ship flags. I have no idea why. No food nor obvious predator lurked there, not even the anticipated Great Blue Heron(s). I counted over 200 Crows when I enlarged a photo later.
A few Crows remained. One took a fancy to a small round ball at the top of an antenna. It managed to perch, with difficulty, while simultaneously trying to grab the ball. Fortunately this stunt failed, but it was very entertaining to watch the acrobatics. Google identified the ball as an aluminum “corona ball” used to prevent static discharge off the tip.
Nearby, the restroom roof provided a resting spot and lookout for an assortment of Gulls, mostly GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. Sulli kindly helped me sort them out. One GWGU adult had light eyes, but apparently dark enough to be in range. One was a first cycle GWGU, overall a typical “dishwater” brown. One was a second cycle GWGU, changing from brown to gray.
The last was a puzzle, a first cycle Gull, likely one of those pesky hybrids between a GWGU and a HERRING GULL with wingtips too dark for a GWGU and not black enough for a HEGU, and oddly dark legs.
Endless anticipation, entertainment, challenges, and surprises, these birds!
Happy Birding and safe travels!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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