Friday, May 12, 2023 Surfbirds, and Western Wood-Pewee

Seward, Alaska

Fourteen SURFBIRDS materialized at Spring Creek Beach yesterday. I refound them today, foraging through the short, algae-covered rock jetty as the tide receded. They reminded me of the Surfbirds patrolling the Homer harbor breakwater. In time, the new breakwater for the adjacent SMIC boat basin may become a valuable feeding habitat for these and other sandpipers.

A small, dark flycatcher perched quietly on a driftwood log at the upper tide line. It swooped away but immediately returned as if tethered by an elastic string, hopefully catching an insect. I crept up and managed to get a few photos before it vanished into the nearby alders.

Thanks to Sulli and Luke for verifying the identity as a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE. Sulli noted the super long primaries, wing bars, and dark face. It’s a first for me for Seward; the only other one I have seen was in Yakutat. Like other tyrant flycatchers, including the Olive-sided Flycatcher, it did not have an eye-ring. 

Empidonex flycatchers (empids), like the more expected Alder Flycatcher, usually have pale eye-rings and more prominent wing bars. Tricky species to ID, especially when they are silent!

Also of interest, a large raft of about 80 SURF SCOTERS dove in synchrony just offshore. It was larger than any flock I saw this winter. 

Peeps, including WESTERN, LEAST, and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and one WHIMBREL flushed from the rocky beach.

Dozens of BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, and COMMON MERGANSERS paddled on the nearby freshwater pond, perhaps transitioning from salt water to fresh water for the nesting season. A single TRUMPETER SWAN napped on the far side, a surprise to see.

Spring famously delivers many surprises if one is lucky enough to receive them.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 







 

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