Seward, Alaska
Happy Earth Day!
Sunrise 6:21 am, sunset 9:33 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 11 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 22 seconds longer.
Summer arrived on Wednesday, April 19, for a four-day cameo with sunny skies and temps “soaring” into the 40s; balmy without the wind. And with that gift came an even bigger one: the first ARCTIC TERNS! I snapped to attention when I heard their much anticipated mellow “chirp, chirp” followed by the sound of an engine revving. The top guns are back!
Three at first offshore, then more arrived to cruise the shorelines and along the Waterfront. Their buoyant flight made every other species seem like tanks. The cloud of frenzied Gulls at the fish waste outfall shrieked and shouted without dignity; the Terns did not join them. On Friday, I saw one parading around with a dejected stickleback in its beak; courtship had begun!
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterflies emerged from their hiding places where they overwintered as adults and fluttered and basked in the sunshine. I took their cue and basked in the sunshine too! Patrolling their territories, two males often swirled around and around in battle, somehow able to maneuver decisively with those paper-thin wings.
Only two CANADA GEESE have stopped over so far, continuing from Wednesday. Of the shorebirds, I have only spotted GREATER YELLOWLEGS, in increasing numbers.
Three TUNDRA SWANS linger, a wonderful sight with their “island” eyes and yellow spots on their black bills.
On Wednesday, one TUNDRA and six TRUMPETERS fed passively in the flooded intertidal sedges and stream at the tidelands. Suddenly a pair took offense at the proximity of another demure swan. They conferred with ominous low posture, fluttering and arcing of their wings accompanied by serious head bowing and plotting. Then one shot off, wings beating furiously, bugling loudly in the charge, driving the target away. It was over in a blink, peace suddenly restored, celebration, congratulations, and much stretching. Incredible power and ferocity in those angel-like wings!
Over at the Waterfront, a single DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT sporting loose, white “eyebrows” stood on the B Street pilings that are so favored by this species they have to take turns. No competition for now.
On Thursday, I spotted a handsome solo BONAPARTE’S GULL, possibly the next most graceful flier, plucking tiny morsels from the water’s surface. Its low, growly voice is always a surprise.
Thursday evening, I heard my first VARIED THRUSH ringing from the mountainside forest, and another on Friday. Love it!
A friend reported a second sighting of SANDHILL CRANES around 5:30 pm on Friday. We’re hoping more will fly our way soon on their way north.
The wind picked up this evening and the forecast calls for snow, snow showers, rain, and wind for the next week. Bah. Yet, the optimistic birds are on their way bringing hope and joy. Be sure your Swallow boxes and Hummingbird feeders are clean, ready, and waiting. They’ll be here soon!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
No comments:
Post a Comment