Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:34 am, sunset 9:22 pm, for a total day length of 14 hours and 47 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 24 seconds longer.
Despite the stubborn, lingering patches of crusty snow and ice, and the continued efforts of the north wind, mounting evidence proved beyond any doubts that Winter finally, if reluctantly, conceded to Spring.
Under sunny blue skies, the temperature shot up to an amazing 57ยบ. A female RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH closely examined my row of stored bird houses, peering inside each one, debating the amenities.
Milbert Tortoiseshell butterflies emerged from their winter shelters to dance with prospective mates. Gray, rotten-looking ice is finally receding from the Lagoon, ponds, and lakes. Pussy willows decorate once-bare branches like cotton balls. Gulls shriek from early morning to late at night.
Waterfowl numbers continue to increase daily: GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (a few), CANADA GEESE (a few), GADWALL, MALLARDS (lots!), AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELERS (a few), NORTHERN PINTAILS (lots!), and GREEN-WINGED TEAL (a few). The new arrivals nap, so tired after their long journey.
While walking the tidelands this morning, I snapped to attention at the familiar and fierce cry: ARCTIC TERN! Two splendid Terns stroked gracefully past, the first of the year, a most welcome sight! Another slipped past, silently, intent on fishing.
Near the mouth of a small stream, a flock of GLAUCOUS-WINGED, HERRING, and MEW GULLS squabbled over an unidentified food source. Among them, I saw a dozen brownish, smaller triangular shapes. What kind of duck was this? As I approached closer, I verified it was a pod of Steller Sea Lions, just sticking their noses above water.
As other tide-walkers with dogs gathered to watch, the giant marine mammals rose half out of the water, gazing with curiosity at us as we did them. An impressive, large bull, his massive head easily twice the width of the females, rose up as well. After a time, they tired of us and began diving and thrashing about with gusto. I was unable to see what fish they were catching, but it was an exciting spectacle!
The resident TRUMPETER SWAN family survived the challenging winter and late spring. The two 10-month old cygnets, their heads, necks and bellies still brownish, now feed and fly independently of the parents, but they still gather as a loose family group.
I set out my hummingbird feeder yesterday. FB reported first sightings last Saturday a few miles out of town. Todd Eskelin noted that they may be Anna’s, requiring a closer look.
Todd has a great FB site on Humming Bird Banding on the Kenai Peninsula at https://www.facebook.com/groups/271338450887253.
He will be giving a presentation on his hummingbird banding project on Wednesday, April 21 at 7 pm. If you would like to join in, the link to the Zoom meeting is at:
Happy Spring, Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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