Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:01 am, sunset 9:51 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 50 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 15 seconds longer.
Winter and Spring continued to battle out the last few days of April with hard rain, sleet showers, drizzle, sprinkles, chilly winds, then a surprise blast of warm sunshine, and repeat. Temps ranged from 27 to 38 with more rain and even snow in the forecast.
The turbulent weather did not seem to deter migrating birds and many First of Season (FOS) species arrived this week, along with more flocks of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, CACKLING GEESE, and ducks. ARCTIC TERN numbers increased every day, several toting Stickleback gifts for courting.
On Saturday, April 25, I heard the growly voices of BONAPARTE’S GULLS and photographed two with their distinctive black hoods looking petite next to SHORT-BILLED GULLS. One tired migrant enjoyed a well-deserved a nap.
On Sunday, April 26, I found a single BRANT, a male and female NORTHERN HARRIER, and heard the complaint of a WILSON’S SNIPE.
On Monday, April 27, I flushed a Snipe from the side of the road by Dairy Hill. Tasha reported five BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS at Spring Creek Beach. Ten SNOW GEESE lingered at the head of the bay.
On Tuesday, April 28, two SANDHILL CRANES continued their flight north while another pulse of AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL dabbled along the beach. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON mingled with the Teal, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARDS, GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and NORTHERN SHOVELERS.
I heard the SAW-WHET OWL beeping from Little Bear Mt around 11 pm.
This morning, I heard the haunting flight call of a COMMON LOON heading north though the clouds. A single PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER called as it circled high in the sky; it was a challenge to photograph the speck!
FOS GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS sang their plaintive “Oh, dear me” song at Lowell Point Beach.
The evening, the FOS SEMIPALMATED PLOVER arrived, hanging out with a dozen peeps including LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS.
More shorebirds and songbirds are on their way. Clean and fill your hummingbird feeders for the Rufous Hummers!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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