Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:39 am, sunset 8:05 pm for a total day length of 12 hours and 25 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter as we approach the fall equinox on Wednesday at 11:21 am.
Summer ended with a spectacular warm and sunny weekend with a high of 57º. While many trees are still wearing green, others have changed into gorgeous golds, reds, and yellows as overnight lows reach close to freezing. Subalpine areas glow maroon and gold below the fresh snow on the summits.
A big windstorm is forecast to hit tonight through Wednesday with sustained winds between 30 and 40 mph, gusting to 50 mph. That might blow a few birds in!
A late family of SANDHILL CRANES with one colt landed at the head of the bay this afternoon ahead of the storm and fed voraciously among the sedges. A bonus was an adult GREAT BLUE HERON fishing in the background.
These are the first Cranes to land this fall; the other large flocks spotted September 7 and another wave September 12 passed high over Seward heading southeast, taking advantage of fair skies. Stormy weather often encourages a stop-over in Seward during spring and fall migrations.
On my way out to Lowell Point this afternoon, a Pine Martin shot across the road and dove into an opening at the bottom of a rusty dumpster by the seafood processing plant. What a cute little face! So bright-eyed and perky! He rummaged about for a few minutes, popping up to check on the paparazzi from various peep holes, then dashed back across and disappeared into the brush. It’s been a long time since I last saw one; so special!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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