Sunday, September 21, 2025 More Fork-tailed Storm-petrels Photos

Seward, Alaska

At high tide today, the FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS swooped and paddled close to shore for excellent views by the cannery on Lowell Point Road. Ten tiny tubenoses pirouetted, landed lightly, pecked at the smooth water, and then left watery footprints as they leapt into flight. Raindrops glistened on their waterproof feathers like glass beads.

 

An AMERICAN CROW briefly tried to attack a Storm-petrel as it slowly paddled along. Fortunately, the seabird quickly took flight and easily out-maneuvered the pesky land lubber. Danger lurked everywhere, even in seemingly peaceful surroundings.

 

The number of BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES was significantly reduced from yesterday, resulting in a somewhat quieter backdrop for the silent sprites zipping among them. Who knows how long they will grace us with their presence? It’s such a pleasure to watch and photograph them.

 

An enormous Steller Sea Lion exhaled explosively, took a deep breath and dove as he leisurely swam back and forth along the shore. Another slightly smaller one followed, their rhythmic breathing punctuating the air. What a thrill to see and hear these powerful sea mammals so close!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, September 20, 2025 Wandering Tattlers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 7:39 am, sunset 8:05 pm, for a total day length of 12 hours and 25 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter as we approach the Autumn Equinox on Monday, September 22.

 

Clouds continued today with temps ranging from 45-53, and occasional light showers. 100% chance of rain tomorrow and rain in the forecast for the next 10 days.

 

I refound the 27 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at the estuary pond, chittering and probing the shallows. An unseen GREATER YELLOWLEGS called. It’s getting late for these shorebirds to linger, but very nice to see and hear them. A juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER patrolled the area and flew right overhead!

 

I checked for FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS and found only a few swooping around by the pullout south of the seafood processing plant on Lowell Point Road. Hundreds of Gulls, mostly BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS paddled and dined in the calm water. A few PELAGIC CORMORANTS plowed through them. A Harbor Seal poked its head up to take a look.

 

As I peeked over the edge, I was surprised to see first one, then two WANDERING TATTLERS walking along the rocks close to the water, bobbing their tails. I thought these shorebirds were long gone on their way to their wintering grounds in Hawaii and other Pacific islands, or down the Pacific coast to California or farther south to South America.

 

Across the road, a PACIFIC WREN piped up from its hiding place in the woods, a songbird the size of a minute competing with the racket in the water and the BALD EAGLES perched above.

 

The seafood processing plant is scheduled to move across the bay and completely close operations by next March. The spectacle and cacophony of gulls and other seabirds, especially when stirred up by Eagles, will likely cease. Perhaps the show will relocate across the bay, but will not be as accessible to birders and photographers.  Enjoy it while it lasts!

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, September 18, 2025 Fork-tailed Storm-petrels!

Seward, Alaska

Thanks to a tip from Robin C, I found FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS flitting just above the water from the harbor Uplands to south of the cannery on Lowell Point Road. A quick count found at least 30 by the “bird feeder” just south of the harbor entrance, and another 30 between the Lowell Creek waterfall and the cannery.

 

Recent fall storms apparently drove them from offshore to the relatively calm waters of Resurrection Bay and the abundant ground-up fish waste from the two area seafood processing plants. Could they smell the food with their amazing tubenose nostrils?

 

The small, bluish-gray seabirds zipped around, almost invisible against the gray water unless you knew to look and look hard. Their quick wing beats alternated with short glides as they pirouetted around the larger nearby Gulls. They sometimes pattered along the surface (like St Peter walking across the water) tiny webbed feet outstretched, or landed momentarily then easily launched more like a butterfly than a bird.

 

The rain spattered down, with a promise of more to come. These tiny “sea swallows” of the North Pacific Ocean sure brightened my day.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, September 14, 2025 Long-billed Dowitchers

Seward, Alaska

The rain returned but I caught an interval in the afternoon almost between showers. I even saw a glimpse of the last quarter moon before the clouds engulfed the blue sky once again.

 

Two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS fed at the receding high tide line, a pleasure to view so close. A HERRING GULL (or possibly the Cook hybrid), GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, and a SHORT-BILLED GULL strode behind them like giants for a size comparison. 

 

Once again, a GREAT BLUE HERON flew past; we must be on the same schedule! The juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON made a cameo appearance flying high towards the west. A NORTHERN HARRIER scored on a vole.

 

Over at Fourth of July Beach, I watched a very late BALD EAGLET stretch its wings and take a short flight from the nest to a nearby spruce branch, crying and exclaiming the whole time. Learning to fly is a feat worth bragging about! I did not see the second sibling or the parents.

 

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, September 13, 2025 Bonaparte’s Gull, Usual Suspects, Sunshine and a Gibbous Moon

Seward, Alaska

The clouds lifted for a glorious day revealing termination dust on Mt Alice and fall colors on the mountainsides. A waning gibbous moon hung in the western sky almost 230,000 miles away, a rare sight lately with all the storms.

At the beach I found a single, dainty, adult BONAPARTE’S GULL in its non-breeding pure white plumage with black wingtips. It stood reflected in the calm water of an intertidal stream. 

A FOX SPARROW popped up on the beach driftwood in the territory of the resident Song Sparrow, interrupted from picking off dancing beach flies warmed by the sun. Momentarily, a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW photo-bombed the background then flitted away.

The juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER continued to patrol the area and harassed a flock of perturbed ducks without making a meal. Three adult TRUMPETER SWANS nearby continued to feed, unconcerned.

Two GREAT BLUE HERONS cruised past on their mysterious mission. The juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON vaulted two of the four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS into flight. A male BELTED KINGFISHER hovered over the pond, calculating, watching, then diving.

Hidden in the sedges, a LAPLAND LONGSPUR flushed as I approached calling once as it vanished.

I photographed one of the last Dragonflies of the year basking in the sun, a phenomenal insect whose adult lifespan is all too short.

We all savored this reprieve from the wind and rain.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter