Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:38 am, sunset 6:42 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 3 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 29 seconds longer.
Spring is in the air! The sun rises higher every day, peeking over the western mountains to cast welcome afternoon light on winter shadows in town.
The high of 34 today created puddles in the street and cracks widened in the frozen ponds. A few Sitka willows popped their tight buds; the first flowers of the year. Though snow showers are in the forecast starting on Sunday, winter is on the run.
Last night around 9 pm, I heard my first-of-year SAW-WHET OWL calling from Little Bear Mountain. What a joyous beeping! The Owl night life has been very quiet this winter.
Today, I found dozens of GADWALL with about ten AMERICAN WIGEON and two adult TRUMPETER SWANS paddling offshore among the bits and blocks of beach ice stolen by the tide. A flock of very tired MALLARDS napped soundly onshore; I wonder if they are recent arrivals?
Farther out, many dozens of newly arrived BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES commandeered floating ice shelves like pirates on a prize, watching the seas for action. Their distinctive clamor is a sure sign of spring. Two Harbor Seals rested on a nearby ice raft. When they suddenly dove into the water, the Kittiwakes roared off to join them; something’s afoot!
Even as March tries to intimidate Spring with snow and wind, fearless migrants are on their way!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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