Seward, Alaska
The dead and bleached beach rye grass held secrets: 20 LAPLAND LONGSPURS! I had heard a report of a large group seen on April 11, but hadn't yet found them. They flitted through the grasses and picked through beach wrack, rose up as one and touched down repeatedly with rattle and tew calls.
Duck numbers continue to increase daily. I was admiring the elegant NORTHERN PINTAILS when I discovered I wasn’t the only fan. An adult BALD EAGLE flew straight and low over the tide flats like a missile, stroking powerfully, scattering ducks in its path. Its target, a handsome drake Pintail dabbling at the tide’s edge, minding its own business.
The Pintail wasted no time getting airborne. An incredible aerial chase ensued, the Eagle close behind the frantic duck one moment, the duck behind the Eagle the next, then far ahead and within reach.
The Eagle proved remarkably agile for such a large bird, twisting mid-air, then diving, swooping, flipping and reaching with those deadly talons, failing then resuming the chase. There was no escape for the duck, no safe haven. He just had to keep flying and hope the Eagle would soon tire before he did.
Then another adult Bald Eagle joined the chase! With both Eagles hot on its tail with talons outstretched, the Pintail abruptly plunged into the water. Not bad for a dabbler!
One Eagle overshot and plunged into the water a yard away. As the big bird floundered about, the other flew in tight circles then turned to attack the half-submerged, larger Eagle. She managed to turn and face the attack with her talons before falling backwards into the water with a splash.
As the other Eagle flew off, she momentarily floundered then spun around and powered her way aloft with those mighty wings. The male Eagle returned and they skirmished, apparently forgetting about the Pintail which had prudently disappeared. First one, then the other flew back to shore to recover from the strenuous exertion.
The life and death drama only lasted a few minutes, but seemed much longer. Time likely stood still for that terrified Pintail. Afterwards, the idyllic scene resumed with dabblers dabbling, divers diving, and gulls screeching overhead. Whew!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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