Seward, Alaska
Thick clouds slipped in overnight, dimming the daylight to dusk. What a contrast to yesterday’s bright sunshine!
Today turned out to be GREAT BLUE HERON day with many surprising sightings of this normally stealthy, elusive species.
First Heron of the day flew directly overhead this morning at Lowell Point Beach heading north and squawking, not so stealthy!
I found four perched on the former coal loader “Big Dipper” while another circled and circled looking for a landing spot, long landing gear and wings outstretched. How they can perch on the guy wires with those giant feet is amazing.
As the 12.37’ tide rolled in around noon, four Herons, likely commuting from the Dipper, flew to the tidelands slough for a little slow-motion fish stalking and lunch. Eventually, one by one, they took off and flew to a nearby stand of spruce trees, landing with a small crash in the upper branches. A brownish immature Heron graced the top like a Christmas tree angel with an adult perched below. The other two chose separate trees to lurk, unlikely ornaments.
These birds are talented acrobats, defying expectations for a long-legged, long-necked, long-billed wader of shallow waters. It’s always a treat to see them, whether flying overhead, perched like circus aerialists on the wires, fishing in the shallows, or roosting in treetops.
The two SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER juveniles are still here, feeding and preening as if their flight to Australia or New Zealand hadn’t already left. The current mild weather is deceptive; a big storm is forecast with below freezing temps for next week. Good luck, handsome but lost, Asian sandpipers!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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