Seward, Alaska
I did not see the flashy green Anna’s Hummingbird today. However, I did refind the CACKLING GOOSE, MIA since Friday, hanging out with MALLARDS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and GADWALL.
Hundreds of Silver Salmon returned home last week, flooding into Scheffler Creek the Lagoon, and into the small tributaries. The fish-viewing platform just north of the Gateway Hotel on Fourth Ave provided great views of a dense formation swimming in the middle of the stream. Salmon spawned right in front of the interpretive signs.
The bonanza attracted many predators. Harbor Seals lurked at the mouth of Scheffler Creek and Steller Sea Lions patrolled in deeper water. BALD EAGLES, RAVENS, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, AMERICAN CROWS, and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES in turn feasted on fresh salmon on the sandbar in the Lagoon. DIPPERS and MALLARDS dined on salmon eggs. It’s the last hurrah before winter.
On Thursday, October 16, I found seven GREAT BLUE HERONS perched on the fuel tanks stacked in the industrial zone near the airport wetlands; adaptable birds! A late-date SNIPE flushed from the sedges.
On Friday, on an end-of-season ebike ride on Exit Glacier Road, I had the pleasure of hearing PINE GROSBEAKS singing in the distance. I have yet to hear them in town.
Over at the seafood processing plant on Lowell Point Road on Saturday, I found an immature RED-FACED CORMORANT fishing with a single DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, and several PELAGIC CORMORANTS. The species trio made for great comparisons. The Red-faced Cormorant’s light-colored bill, thicker than a Pelagic Cormorant’s, really stood out.
An immature RED-NECKED GREBE paddled along shore. A few dozen BARROW GOLDENEYES rafted and dove among the scattered BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, and SHORT-BILLED GULLS.
Seeking refuge from the chilly blast of the north wind, I hunkered down at Fourth of July Beach. It seemed really quiet bird-wise. Then, I saw a male BELTED KINGFISHER successfully spot, dive, catch, and eat several small fish in succession from his perch at the top of the sheet-pile breakwater. What a superb fisher!
On Sunday, two distant Swans circled the head of the bay and then flew off to the northeast. When I checked my photos, I discovered one was a TRUMPETER SWAN, as expected. But the other, smaller Swan, sported a yellow spot in front of its eye: a TUNDRA SWAN!
That afternoon, the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD visited my feeder.
What a stunning week!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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