Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:52 am, sunset 4:20 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 27 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 26 seconds longer.
Finally, a reprieve from the deep freeze, wind, and snow today! A more typical winter temp in the 20s prevailed by afternoon, the snow-laden clouds spit then fizzled out under sunny skies, and the gale winds calmed to 3-9 mph with gusts to 20.
I checked out the tidelands this morning in a blustery snow shower and found 20 ROCK SANDPIPERS eagerly feeding at the receding shoreline before I turned back.
Afognak Beach was sheltered from the north wind. The wild cries of two BALD EAGLES rang out from the tree tops. While walking along, I happened upon a mixed flock of song birds foraging along the beach.
To my surprise, the resident bossy SONG SPARROW accompanied two AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and a pair of OREGON JUNCOS.
These last two species were not found during the December 27 Christmas Bird Count. They were persistent and hungry and immediately returned after being chased away.
As I was leaving, I spotted a single, wary Rock Sandpiper which flew off, perhaps to join its flock.
Before yesterday’s storm dumped 4-5” of snow in town, the fructivores easily found fallen Mt Ash berries on the mostly bare ground. Today, snow berms covered the recent hotspot on D and Third Ave by the community garden. The birds scattered.
By midday, it seemed warm in town, sunny and calm. What a delight! In the 200 block of Second, about 12 ROBINS, 5 PINE GROSBEAKS, and 2 VARIED THRUSHES hopped on the crusty snow, picking up frozen berries recently fallen from the trees. It was so peaceful watching them, fluffed up and glowing in the sunshine, calling and clucking. The two vibrant male Varied Thrushes frequently squabbled, but otherwise the birds seemed tolerant.
A little bit of sunshine sure lifts the spirits!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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