Seward, Alaska
Cool and cloudy conditions persisted this week with scattered showers.
On Sunday, April 20, I first heard a clear whistle then located my FOS BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, a very dapper and distinguished-looking male in full breeding plumage. He steadily foraged in the mudflats and shallow puddles. When he turned towards me, his body outline was a perfect circle. I don’t get to see them every year, so it was a real treat. On April 19, 2020 I saw several; they are right on time.
On Monday, April 21, I counted 15 LAPLAND LONGSPURS diving towards the bleached grass in the distance. I heard a familiar growl of a BONAPARTE’S GULL. Ten SANDHILL CRANES flew high overhead, bugling excitedly as they stroked northwards.
Tuesday, April 22 was Crane Day as wave after wave passed overhead, some in strings of over 100, others in small flocks, and one all by itself. One large flock was so high, they looked like tiny stitches in the clouds, their voices floating to earth. So exciting! Happy Earth Day!
Wednesday, April 23, seven GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE landed to feast on sedge corms and other vegetation. Two CACKLING GEESE circled around and around and landed out of sight. Seven GREATER-YELLOW LEGS cried out, “ridley, ridley, ridley!” as they flew across the sky. More Cranes flew ahead of the glowering clouds and kept going.
Today, while watching a GREAT BLUE HERON stalk fish for brunch, I heard a call that seized my attention. A large brown shorebird landed in the grass in the distance. I watched and waited until it finally flew far away to the west.
I resumed walking and to my joy, it again called, and landed much closer. Finally, I could verify my FOS WHIMBREL! I have many, many favorite birds, but I am especially fond the these long-billed, long-legged, exotic-looking shorebirds.
37 laughing GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE flew overhead in a well-organized “V”. And later, I received reports of more Cranes that I was sorry to miss.
Spring is sprung!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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