Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:38 am, sunset 4:47 pm, for a total day length of 8 hours and 9 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 0 seconds shorter.
Yesterday’s winter storm hit with ground blizzards, howling north winds gusting to 32 mph, and temps ranging from a low of 27 to a high of 29. After all that, only about 2” of snow fell in town. The north wind continued today with a low of 23, a high of 31 and scattered snow showers. Saturday is forecast to be partly cloudy with similar temps and north wind.
While trying to avoid the ground blizzards where exposed to the north wind, I found several ROBINS and one VARIED THRUSH eating Mt Ash berries on Second Ave. I heard a few PINE GROSBEAKS as well.
Then I headed out Lowell Point Road where the king tide of 13.55 feet peaked at 1:41pm, bringing the seabirds close to the road. On the way back from Lowell Point Beach, I spotted a small, dark seabird that was not a Murrelet. Two plumes stuck up from its forehead marking it as either a WHISKERED AUKLET or a CRESTED AUKLET!
I pulled over, grabbed my camera, opened the window, and tried to get some shots from inside the car. The wild auklet didn’t hang around to pose. Pattering along the surface and stroking mightily, it finally lifted off and veered out to the bay.
When I checked my photos, terrible as they were, the Crested Auklet winter adult most closely resembled the description and underside pattern shown in the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Thanks to Tasha for the verification!
The recent storms must have blown this plump seabird from the North Pacific Ocean or around Kodiak Island where they are reported to overwinter regularly.
Who knows what else may have blown in with these winter storms? Keep looking!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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