Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 4:37 am, sunset 11:27 pm for a total day length of 18 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 1 minute and 20 seconds shorter.
Rain continues in the forecast with a break on Saturday, then back to rain and showers including the Fourth of July celebration. The temperature hovers around 50.
I got my second peek at the resident TRUMPETER SWAN family this afternoon. As the parents emerged from the tall water horsetails at the far end of the Nash Road Mile 1 wetlands pond, I strained to see the almost two-week old cygnets. Only three. Was the errant Peter Rabbit cygnet still exploring away from the family? I kept watching and hoping.
The family continued to forage among the horsetails, disappearing into their greenness, then emerging into view in open water. Still only three. My heart sank. As they gradually approached, with many detours for the babies to glean invertebrates off the stems, and the adults to stretch deep for salad, my concern was confirmed. Only three, but looking very healthy, alert, and well-guarded by the parents.
While watching the Swans, I saw a male ROBIN futilely chase a dragonfly over the pond. The portly Robin was no match for the zippy insect, but he sure tried!
I heard a WILSON’S SNIPE winnowing, and the lovely song of a SWAINSON’S THRUSH. A drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL napped on a partially sunken log, seemingly oblivious to the Swan family cruising by, the Robin chasing an elusive prey, or the pattering rain.
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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