Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:14 am, sunset 8:01 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 46 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 30 seconds longer as we approach Spring Equinox on March 20 at 1:37 am.
March knows how to blow. That cold north wind refuses to stop. Today, it took a little rest by gusting to a mere 21 mph. Overnight lows hover in the teens, and daytime highs might reach mid 20s. Several feet of snow blanket the ground over a layer of ice making footing treacherous. I don’t envy the hungry birds and other wildlife struggling to find food and shelter.
Mostly sunny in the forecast for the week, with continuing strong north winds. The trick is to get out of the wind, and then the sun is warm and high and delightful. I found a few daring elderberry leaves budding out and even more pussy willows. Spring is on its way!
Sunday, March 8, was the last sunny, calm day I recall. I ventured out to the tidelands to walk the ocean floor. An industrious RAVEN allowed me the honor of observing it clamming, something I have never seen before. Holding her strong bill open about an inch, she thrust it into the sandy substrate and raked back and forth. Finding nothing, she looked closely and tried again in a nearby spot, raking, raking, leaving little upturned sand hills and sand on her bill.
Occasionally, she stopped to talk about the situation. In fact, we had a little discussion in which she critiqued my Raven or whatever I mistakenly said about her efforts. In a short time, she found a dandy clam, quickly dug it out, and flew off with it in her bill, chortling. What a treat (for her to eat and me to watch)!
I rambled on and spied a flock of 33 shorebirds, mostly ROCK SANDPIPERS and at least one DUNLIN feeding at the tide’s edge, chittering excitedly and squabbling. These hardy winter residents have survived thus far; it would be interesting to learn when they migrate to their summer breeding grounds in western Alaska (ssp tschuktschorum and nominate ptilocnemis) and Pribilofs (nominate ptilocnemis).
Thanks to Dave S for the info. He noted that the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds has fun subspecies maps in the back showing the ranges of the four subspecies of Rock Sandpiper and other birds.
Meanwhile, around noon over at the harbor Uplands, tragedy struck for the immature GLAUCOUS GULL. Other birders reported a BALD EAGLE swooped down and hauled off a gull to the nearby harbor entrance dolphin dinette. I last saw this pretty and uncommon gull the day before, hunkered down in the wind with the other gulls as usual. Though I searched every day since, I fear this one was eaten and recycled back into the food web. Thank you for the joy you brought during your short life, just seeing you.
On Friday, March 12, I found 7 MALLARDS dabbling in the relative calm of the boat harbor right at the water’s edge. The drakes’ heads glowed a gorgeous iridescent green; what a handsome and underappreciated duck! Several AMERICAN CROWS walked about nearby, busily prying under small rocks and gleaning something to eat. I could not tell what was on the menu for either species.
On the other side of the harbor Uplands, dozens of COMMON MERGANSERS and a few RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS tucked out of the wind and snoozed.
Saturday, March 13, I discovered freshly deposited rows of pale krill (Euphausiids), about an inch long with big black eyes, washed up at the high tide line at Fourth of July Beach. This is an annual spring occurrence noted and enjoyed by hungry Gulls, Crows, and likely others. A possible ID is Thysanoessa spinifera, an important prey for fish, birds, and whales.
Today, I enjoyed the creaking whistles of the RUSTY BLACKBIRDS hidden in the dense spruce branches in the usual alley location behind Marathon Drive. About a dozen DARK-EYED JUNCOS hopped along the bare ground feeding on scattered birdseed (thanks, Robin C).
Suddenly, the BRAMBLING materialized for a few seconds then vanished. He’s still here! Even though I didn’t really get to see those Rusties, it was a pleasure to listen and know they too, were still here,
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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