Seward, Alaska
Rain, rain, snow, rain, snow, rain, sn’rain, rain! The bright side of lousy weather is that migrating birds tend to land, rest, and feed for a bit. Sunny weather seems to entice the eager birds to keep flying, popping up in Palmer and Fairbanks without being seen in Seward.
The rain dwindled to sprinkles by mid-day. I ventured out to look for Spring and found two first of season geese: a napping CANADA GOOSE, and two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE hungrily pulling at the bases of the nearby sedges. A juvenile BALD EAGLE surveyed his realm from one driftwood sculpture while a MERLIN (FOS) dashed off from his lichen-encrusted perch.
Two LAPLAND LONGSPURS (FOS) popped up from the grasses (related to the Merlin?); one male posed, well on his way to breeding plumage. Among the newly arrived ducks, I found a few NORTHERN SHOVELERS (FOS).
After searching for an alleged Short-eared Owl in vain, I got back to the car, put away my optics, and took one last casual look to the soggy field.
What!? A gorgeous male NORTHERN HARRIER serenely glided along hunting voles, his long silvery wings tipped with black, white rump and long-tail streaming behind. He patrolled up and down, making long loops, and occasionally dove into the grass. I hope he found ample food to fuel him on his journey.
The evening cleared even more, and the sun even peeked out shyly. Eager for more signs of Spring, I returned and after a short time, refound the hunting Harrier.
The peaceful scene did not last long. Five juvenile delinquent RAVENS with nothing to do but harass the newly arrived ducks, seized on the opportunity to bully yet another migrant. They were merciless, chasing the beautiful raptor low and high, reaching out with their powerful bills to nip and grab his wings. I’m pretty sure they would have killed him if they caught him. After eight long and excruciating minutes, the bully Ravens gave up. Whatever the reason, I was very relieved and suspect the Harrier was exhausted but ecstatic.
Tasha pointed out a pair of beautiful PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERS stop-starting in the short grass as they fed. First of Spring!
As before, I glassed the area one more time before leaving. To my utter astonishment, I saw the tall, strong dorsal fin of an ORCA slicing through the calm bay! What an incredible finale!
I tried to find the pod from the Waterfront, but instead found the sun illuminating the snowy mountains backdropped by glowering blue-gray clouds. A fishing boat puttered down the bay through the reflections.
Ah, Spring! Gifts just keep coming!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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