Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:43 am, sunset 6:44 pm for a total day length of 10 hours even. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 22 seconds shorter.
After squalls of heavy rain and wind yesterday, today dawned (leisurely) overcast and mirror-calm, offering mere occasional showers until 5:30 when more serious rain returned. The temp range remained mild with a low of 37 and a high of 42. We may see some sunshine midweek, alternating with rainy days, accompanied by strong NNW winds.
I finally found the juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER at the salt marsh that was discovered during the Rare Bird Rush at the end of September and sporadically since, (if it’s the same one.) It was reported yesterday along with a solo GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.
Although the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper refused to turn around to show off an unstreaked buffy breast, its distinct rufous cap and large white eyebrow differentiated it from the very similar and more common Pectoral Sandpiper. It seemed healthy and after observing me observing it, calmly walked away to resume feeding in the muck at the edge of the pond.
I first photographed a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in this same salt marsh habitat on September 18, 2015 when it was a Lifer, and haven’t seen one since as they are very uncommon in our area.
As noted then, a long-distance migrant, "the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is primarily an Asian species that nests in NE Siberia, and migrates to Australia, New Zealand, and nearby islands. Curiously, and uniquely, the adults fly from the breeding grounds overland through Mongolia, China, and Manchuria to coastal Asia, while the juveniles fly east across the Bering Strait to western Alaska, and then fly nonstop directly to Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and nearby islands)." (Website link no longer available,)
The Condor study of this extensive migratory detour suggested that the most likely reason for the western Alaskan detour is that is allows juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers to put on large fuel stores at exceptionally high rates. Some individuals more than doubled their body mass in September, allowing nonstop flight of between 7100 and 9800 km, (4,411-6,089 miles) presumably including a trans-oceanic flight to the southern hemisphere.
As for this individual? It was likely blown off course during one of our many fall storms. I hope it finds enough fuel to power it to Australia!
The Greater White-fronted Goose seems late and lonely. It’s time to head for California.
Other species seen included three SONG SPARROWS, two singing; 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL (2), NORTHERN PINTAILS, SHORT-BILLED GULLS, RAVEN, MAGPIES (3), BALD EAGLES (2), and a GREAT BLUE HERON.
Two Great Blue Herons were also spotted perched quietly on the defunct coal loader, aka Blue Dipper by the harbor.
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE numbers are increasing as overwintering birds arrive, paddling about in small rafts. A few BUFFLEHEAD and HORNED GREBES have also returned to brighten the fall and winter.
Rare, unusual, or expected and common, visiting or resident, large or small, it’s a pleasure to watch birds.
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
No comments:
Post a Comment