Sunday, February 28, 2021 Glaucous Gull, Barrow’s Goldeneyes

Seward, Alaska

Yes, the north wind shouted today, blasting away at 25 mph with gusts up to 36 mph. Snow streamed across the mountain faces and swirled high above the peaks in gauzy, spinning clouds. Fortunately, the sun shone longer and stronger, and the temp hovered just above freezing making it quite pleasant out of the wind.

 

COMMON MERGANSERS, a few RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, MEW GULLS, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS found that refuge in the lee of the Harbor Uplands breakwater. There, they lounged comfortably on the rocks and preened, or bobbed in the waves.

 

In the icy gravel parking lot just above, it was a different story. The wind raked across the huddled Gulls and Crows, riffling through their feathers though they all faced north like aerodynamic wind vanes. During the numerous reshuffles, they merely had to raise their wings and instantly became airborne, needing only to steer.

 

The first cycle GLAUCOUS GULL took its place among the mostly GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS. The young GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING GULL hybrid rested and waited as well, all hoping for a handout.

 

I noticed the young Glaucous Gull has lovely frosty-white eyelids; perhaps a beauty mark retained in the adult plumage. It is indeed a pretty gull with its bicolored black and pink bill, subtle off-white plumage, and pink legs and feet. I enjoyed trying to get photos of it suspended and buffeted in the wind against the brilliant blue sky, white mountains and blue-green bay.

 

BARROW’S GOLDENEYES paddled and dove just offshore at the high tide. Waves splashed over them as they rode up and down the riled-up sea unperturbed in their beautiful waterproof coats.

As I drove along the Waterfront, I was astounded to see a female BELTED KINGFISHER flying into the teeth of the wind about eye level, right alongside the road.  By the time I had processed this information and turned around, she had vanished. 

 

I was glad for my warm winter gear and the luxury of the car and heater which made windy winter birding and photography very enjoyable.

Farewell, February!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 

Saturday, February 27, 2021 Good News, Bad News

Seward, Alaska

The female KING EIDER paddled on the west side of Resurrection Bay this afternoon by Spring Creek Beach, spotted by alert birders Deb and Dan. It then disappeared behind the SMIC breakwater, overseen by a GREAT BLUE HERON hunkered down in the rocks. HARLEQUIN DUCKS, HORNED GREBES, COMMON MERGANSERS, PELAGIC CORMORANTS, and two COMMON LOONS fed in the calm nearshore waters.

 

That was the good news.

 

The bad news is an AMERICAN CROW (formerly Northwestern Crow) with a deformed bill at the harbor Uplands (by the Mariner’s Memorial.) The upper mandible is starting to cross over the long lower mandible. Apparently, this deformity makes preening difficult; the feathers around its legs look like bloomers, loose and unkempt. 

It’s been several years since the virus attacked our waterfront Crows; the birds were studied and color banded. I hope this is an isolated case, but it’s worth checking the other Crows’ bills.

Report beak deformities and banded birds at USGS:

https://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/landbirds/beak_deformity/observerreport.php

Happier Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, February 25, 2021 Brambling and company

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 8:08 am, sunset 6:16 pm for a total day length of TEN hours and 7 minutes. Woo-woo! So much light! Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 28 seconds longer.

 

Fabulous day today! The ever-higher sun beamed benignly in a rare blue sky, unperturbed by trifling clouds as the temperature steadily rose to 41 by early afternoon. The north wind uncharacteristically dwindled to a light breeze. It felt like Spring popped in to visit Winter. February is returning to normal with snow showers in the forecast starting tonight, and yes, a strong north wind will speak on Sunday.

 

This morning in Two Lakes Park, I first heard the high octave “see-see” calls. I looked up to find four bark-colored BROWN CREEPERS steadily ascending a large spruce tree. They paused to inspect the cracks and crevices, probing under the potato-chip bark for invertebrates, then magically continued upwards. Or outwards on the undersides of the branches, defying gravity. Such an amazing species!

 

This afternoon on a whim, I checked out the alley feeder south of Marathon Drive. I immediately heard the creaking conversation of a RUSTY BLACKBIRD in a nearby cottonwood. I also spied the stripy female BLACK-WINGED BLACKBIRD concealed in the tangle.

 

As I waited and watched from my car blind, a few DARK-EYED JUNCOS plopped down to glean sunflower seeds from the bare ground under the spruce trees. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW cautiously joined them. Then three Rusty Blackbirds, giants by comparison, eagerly pecked millet out of the ice. A flash of orange! The male BRAMBLING joined the party, snacking on sunflower seeds. My, how he glowed in the sunshine! 

 

I haven’t seen the Blackbirds or Brambling in many weeks; what a pleasure!

 

Over at the Harbor Uplands, the immature GLAUCOUS GULL perched on top of the small mountain of stored snow with GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS and a few HERRING GULLS (or hybrids). It seems to be a regular here or nearby, in the company and security of the other gulls.

 

Just before the sun regretfully bid farewell, a sensational, almost full moon rose majestically above the snowy peak of Mt Alice. What a day!

 

Other reports:

The SIBERIAN ACCENTOR has not been reported since February 10.

 

Local birders Deb and Dan photographed the female KING EIDER on February 20 from Tonsina Beach, and watched her eat a crab! Then they were buzzed by about 40 SNOW BUNTINGS.

 

Robin C photographed a MCKAY’S BUNTING with 9 Snow Buntings at Tonsina on February 22.

 

After an absence since early February, I watched about 70 PINE SISKINS swirl from spruce top to spruce top on February 24. Many bird feeder hosts commented on their sudden disappearance. Redpolls are scarce as well.

 

A ROBIN, two HAIRY WOODPECKERS and two DOWNY WOODPECKERS were reported at a feeder in Forest Acres recently.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Siberian Accentor, Greater Scaup

Seward, Alaska

A couple inches of fluffy snow today covered birdseed scattered under feeders. This may have enticed the hungry SIBERIAN ACCENTOR to feed from a hanging platform feeder, reported for the first time by the homeowner at the Madison and Second hotspot. A few DARK-EYED JUNCOS joined him, but overall there were fewer birds.

 

A silent silhouette of a raptor, likely a Goshawk perched in a nearby cottonwood this morning, may have something to do with the scarcity of prey birds.

 

Wherever the Accentor has been for the past week, it’s great to see him again even though I had to wait for almost FIVE minutes. 

 

No sign of the Orcas today, but the gray snowfall curtain hindered visibility.

I did find a single drake GREATER SCAUP feeding by the Uplands. I haven’t seen any since the ten spotted on January 1 at SMIC.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Orcas in bay!

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 8:53 am, sunset 5:34 pm, for a total day length of 8 hours and 41 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 16 seconds longer.

 

After a sunny but chilly Sunday with temps in the low teens, snow-laden clouds rolled in but few snowflakes sifted down. Actual snowfall measured in inches is forecast for the next several days as temps rise to a high of 30.

 

The news spread fast and small crowds gathered along the Waterfront around noon: three ORCAS in the bay! The trio swam from the freight dock almost to Lowell Point then returned. One had a smooth, strong dorsal fin, another’s was nicked and gouged. Sadly, the normally tall dorsal fin of the male, which can grow up to six feet high, was flopped over to the left side, completely collapsed, a sign of an injury, age, stress, dehydration, toxin accumulation, or general poor health. 

 

A local whale researcher noted these are definitely transients, frequently seen in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) area. They are likely hunting for Steller sea lions (often seen lounging by the Uplands/Sheffler Creek area) and harbor seals (also there and scattered around the bay).

 

The North Gulf Oceanic Society webpage notes: http://www.whalesalaska.org/killer-whales-southern-alaska.htm

GOA (Gulf of Alaska) transients

“The transients in this population, unlike the Chugach transients, are seen infrequently and sporadically in Prince William Sound and more often in Kenai Fjords, usually in the ocean entrances or along the outer coast. Eight of these transients have been genetically sampled. 

 

“All differ in mitochondrial DNA from both the Chugach transients and the West Coast transients of British Columbia and southeastern Alaska. 

 

“It is not uncommon for many years to pass between sightings of individuals within this group, although some matrilines are seen more frequently. The detailed habits and range of these whales are unknown, but the infrequent resightings suggest a large, perhaps offshore range. Their population is not large but seems stable from our recent analysis (Matkin et al 2012). 

 

“From photographs contributed by other mariners and biologists we have tracked many of these whales to the Kodiak archipelago, but none have matched photos of transients from the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. 

 

“This supports genetic work that indicates transients in western Alaska are a separate population(s). Tagging data indicates they venture well offshore, at least to the shelf break. Gulf of Alaska transient whales may remain in an area for days or weeks, especially in regions where there are harbor seal or Steller sea lion haulouts. Then they may move on and not be seen again in that area for extended periods; sometimes for years. 

 

“Matushka (AT109), her probable daughter AT111 and the daughter’s offspring AT125 and AT 159, are seen in Hinchinbrook Entrance, Prince William Sound and at the Steller sea lion rookery at the Chiswell Islands, Kenai Fjords. 

 

“In general, the Gulf of Alaska transient killer whales seem to have more nicks or gouges in their dorsal fins than resident killer whales or the Chugach transients. These wounds may result from encounters with Steller sea lions, which are larger and more aggressive than harbor seals or Dalls porpoises.”

 

I overhead some observers calling them, “Kodiak Killers” a transient group that includes a male, Sasha, AT127 whose fin flopped over in 2005.

 

Check out this article on another male with a flopped over fin on the left in BC Canada: https://wildwhales.org/2014/07/07/the-case-of-the-flopped-over-fin/

 

While watching for the whales from Lowell Point Road, I heard a sudden rustling behind me and turned in time to watch an adult BALD EAGLE launch from a nearby spruce tree. It flew purposefully out into the bay over the head of a startled PELAGIC CORMORANT and nabbed something from the water. Then it flew back to its perch. It was difficult to see what it had; just hope it was a fish and not a Marbled Murrelet.

 

I continued out to Lowell Point Beach to see if the Orcas went around the point. No, but a MEW GULL foraged at the edge of the ebbing tide. A larger immature THAYER’S GULL swooped in, almost on top of it, and took over that particular small stretch of beach. Other than the Gulls, I only saw a few PELAGIC CORMORANTS from the beach.

 

On Sunday, I watched a HORNED GREBE wrestling with something that looked like a glob of seaweed A closer look revealed a Sculpin with all its spiny fins extended, trying to make itself too large to swallow, fighting for its life. The Horned Grebe persevered and finally got the subdued fish arranged head forward, tail back. I was amazed to see it go down the small Grebe’s throat. It must have felt a bit prickly heading to the stomach!

 

As for the BRAMBLING, he has been seen in the same neighborhood and often the same yard as before in the alley south of Marathon Drive, sometimes with the 5 or 6 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and the single female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.

 

The SIBERIAN ACCENTOR has proven more elusive; no reports for about a week. I hope he’s still around.

 

Happy Birding (and whale watching!)

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, February 1, 2021 Glaucous Gull

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:12 am, sunset 5:12 pm for a total day length of 8 hours, zero minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 2 seconds longer.

 

While neighbors to the north experienced below zero temperatures, Seward remained relatively balmy with an overnight low of 5 and daytime high of 21. The raging north wind, at 20 to 30 mph, whisked away any actual heat from the bright sunshine, leaving only the psychological boost.

 

Our sunny interlude is forecast to be interrupted tomorrow with a chance of snow by evening, then alternate between snow showers and sunshine.

 

Even the sea birds sought refuge from the wind. A toasty raft of COMMON MERGANSERS preened and bobbed in the lee of the Uplands breakwater. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS and a few MEW GULLS joined them on the rocks. 

 

In the blast by the Mariner’s Memorial, hungry NW CROWS (aka AMERICAN CROWS) braved the elements for handouts. A smattering of Gulls joined them, then sat down facing north, hunkered down on the ice and frozen snow. Among them was a first cycle GLAUCOUS GULL, first spotted nearby yesterday by Sulli and Dave S. 

 

Sulli and Dave also refound the BRAMBLING at the usual location in the Marathon Drive alley, and the female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD with the five RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.

 

The SIBERIAN ACCENTOR continues at Second and Madison, but requires patience and luck. The female ROBIN that dined on freeze-dried Mt Ash berries among the decorative greens in the window box and on the door wreath, was apparently nailed by a hungrier SHARP-SHINNED HAWK moments after Sulli and Dave saw it. Sure wish Pigeon was on the menu instead.

 

Swirling in the wind, small flocks of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS managed to land in the tops of the swaying spruce trees to dine on the cone seeds.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, January 23, 2021 Feeder birds

Seward, Alaska

Completely calm yesterday; the spectacular reflections of the snowy mountains doubled my joy.

 

I watched a female HAIRY WOODPECKER probe for suet in Ava’s suet logs, expertly balance on the suspended stuffed pine cone, rap experimentally on the battered porch post, and then explore the hidden contents of the dollhouse feeder. Hungry bird! 

 

A male DOWNY WOODPECKER also found food in the dollhouse, much to the annoyance of the entitled BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT BACKED CHICKADEES and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES who had to wait their turn.

 

A few PINE GROSBEAKS, including a brilliant red male, feasted on the sunflower seeds in the porch railing feeders.

 

Thanks to a tip from Tasha, I recognized a DARK-EYED JUNCO as a young bird, hatched last summer. These youngsters have a tiny black spot on the tip of the bill which is not seen in adults. The juvenile birds’ feathers are worn and their primaries are thin as this plumage is still their first real feathers.

 

Always more to learn!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Siberian Accentor and friends

Seward, Alaska

A delightful sunny day with temps in the 30s today, a welcome reprieve after yesterday’s steady rain.

 

I stopped by the Madison and Second hotspot to check for the Siberian Accentor. The afternoon sailed along with the whims and needs of the visiting birds. A small flock of Pigeons descended warily and were as quickly shooed away only to return a short while later to grab a few pecks of bird seed, and again be shooed.

 

A female ROBIN watched from the nearby spruce trees, then bravely flew down to the wreath on the front door to snatch a few decorative freeze-dried Mt Ash berries. Clever Robin to find this stash of now-scarce berries.  

A single BOHEMIAN WAXWING lingered momentarily then flew on, probably also looking for scarce berries.

 

Around 2:00 pm, DARK-EYED JUNCOS dropped down from their hiding places in the surrounding vegetation to gather seeds from the icy snow. At 2:05 pm, the SIBERIAN ACCENTOR appeared just for a few minutes to feed, then vanished. He reappeared at 2:56 pm, and again at 4:27 pm.

 

Near dusk, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK flashed through after a fleeing WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and disappeared, leaving the conclusion unresolved. 

 

Alongside the bird activity, vehicles occasionally drove past on Second and pedestrians strolled up and down, often briefly flushing the birds. Then came a RAVEN striding up the street just like a very short person, with a huge prize in its beak. It kept walking, even across the intersection and past, pleased and confident. Ravens do what they do, and it’s always interesting to see!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter