Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Redwing update

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

In brief: the REDWING was spotted again today for the eighth day in a row, in the same place by the row of trees along the fence between the second and third house at Lowell Point beach.

The blizzard shut down school buses from Girdwood to Anchorage this morning, but spared Seward and the 55 mph winds that were forecast. Temps dropped to 9º with blowing snow from a brisk north wind around 20-30 mph in the am. Ghostly sea smoke obscured the bay and streamed around a waiting tug and barge as the warmer ocean reluctantly released its heat to the frigid air. The winds diminished by late afternoon as a light snow began to fall.

I raked up another 5-gallon bucket of frozen Mt Ash berries from some town trees for the Redwing. It's getting harder to find whole ones and many have been de-seeded. It's lucky that pine grosbeaks prefer the seeds and spit out the pulp, whereas the Redwing eats the whole fruit. At least it will get a little snack if the crows and magpies don't eat them all first. I tossed the berries along the whole fence line to spread out the competition.

On the way back, I stopped to watch an adult BALD EAGLE rip into a fresh duck dinner laid out on a piling without benefit of tablecloth or cutlery. Its deadly yellow talons anchored the feast firmly. Wow. No delicate table manners here either! A MAGPIE danced around just out of reach of that deadly beak, hoping for scraps. Another adult eagle flew in and perched at a barely respectful distance. It too had blood on its forehead, evidence of a recent meal. Maybe it was still hungry or just enjoyed being part of the royal dining ambiance.

Robin C watched a PEREGRINE FALCON chase pigeons by seafood processing plant on the north side of the harbor around noon today, and saw a PACIFIC LOON in the harbor.

Of special note over the past few days: Tasha reported 2 CEDAR WAXWINGS feeding with BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at Lowell Point. On Sunday, Luke, Nick, and Wendy found a THAYER'S GULL hanging out with the mallards at the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon. Peregrine Joe spotted a GLAUCOUS GULL and has an OREGON JUNCO at his feeder.

Watch for a few more Oregon juncos with the DARK-EYED JUNCOS and the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE reported by Scott H by the hospital on First Ave. Luke et al also found a single GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH with the numerous PINE GROSBEAKS along Second Ave.

Yes, Seward does have a few birds besides the REDWING!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, November 21, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 9:11 am, sunset 4:15 pm, length of day 7 hours, 3 minutes; tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 16 seconds shorter.

Weather: A waning crescent moon sailed the sky, a bright sideways smile, above the dark bank of clouds hovering over the Gulf of Alaska. The winter sun rose above the curtain by 11 am, instantly changing the mood, casting its sparkling light on the fresh snow. Despite the 15º temperatures, it actually felt a tiny bit warm out of the buffeting 20 mph north-northwest wind with gusts over 30 mph.

The eastern Kenai Peninsula north to Girdwood is bracing for another blizzard for the next 24 hours, with temperatures 10 to 20 above, blowing snow with accumulation of 8 to 17", north to west winds from 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 at times, white-out conditions and dangerous travel conditions. The National Weather Service did not mention the chances of more rare birds blowing into Seward, but we're ready!

The very cooperative REDWING remained reliably in its new home at Lowell Point Beach. For long periods of time, it rummaged through the seaweed with the Northwestern Crows and occasional Magpie, hopping along looking quite small and out of place. When thirsty, it flitted to the cliffs to sip at the seeps, and then flew straight back to the fence between the summer homes. There it rested, then hopped on the snow, gobbling up red Mt Ash berries.

Only a few fans came today to admire the Redwing and take photos. The bird seems well aware of its visitors, and content to eat, rest, and preen in view. The driftwood and rocks along the property lines form a perfect boundary that satisfies the birders and the bird.

Given the nasty weather, I may not be able to check on this beautiful guest for a while. I strongly discourage any travel on the Seward Highway until this blows over.

Ed Clark researched the Redwing and based on the photos, determined that it is the Eurasian subspecies. For an interesting lesson in geography, get out the globe! He calculated that this bird weighing 80 grams (or 2.8 ounce or 16 nickels) flew, or was blown, over 3,000 miles!

According to Ed, the most likely route from the eastern Siberian coastal plain was over the Sea of Okhotsk, down the Pacific side of the Kamchatka Peninsula, over the Commander Islands, up the Aleutian Chain, along the Alaska Peninsula, across Cook Inlet, along the southern edge of the Kenai Peninsula, and finally to a short fence line with tiny Mt Ash trees next to the beach at Lowell Point.  As the Brits say, "What a cracking little bird!"

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Sunday, November 20, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

For the sixth day in a row, the mere sighting of the Seward REDWING has given joy to every visiting birder, and a life bird for most. Scott and I heard its short flight call today as it sailed over the roofs and back. It seemed non-musical and dry, and perhaps on two or more pitches. It will be interesting to try to hear it again as my sound memory is fleeting.

Despite being thousands of miles away from home and all alone, this adventurer has figured out how to survive in a foreign land in the dead of winter. At least for now, it enjoys the Mt Ash berries by the fence, industriously flips the seaweed for protein-rich invertebrates delivered twice daily by the tide, and sips fresh water from a icy seep next to the cliff at the end of the beach. The spruce trees provide a safe roost for the night. It's all good!

Last night's snowfall covered most of the Mt Ash berries blown to the ground. It would be wonderful if visitors could bring Mt Ash berries when they come. Just scoop up the loose clusters and single berries and put them in a 5-gallon bucket or plastic bag. I'd be happy to transfer them to my bucket and distribute them as needed to help keep the bird here.

Overcast skies today brought the temperature up to the low 20s and the north wind moderated to around 15 mph with occasional gusts to 26. A blizzard watch is in effect from late Monday through Tuesday afternoon, so it's best not to travel until that blows through. Who knows? Maybe it will bring something else!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter  

Saturday, November 19, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

A steady stream of birders enjoyed great views of the REDWING again today. It has been active from dawn to dusk (meaning about 8:30 am to 4:30 pm).

It is most easily found resting and feeding on the Mt Ash berries along the fence line to the west of the second beach house, with good views from both the road and the beach. If it's not there, wait for it to return from a short visit to the beach where it picks through the seaweed buffet left by the receding tide.

It appears to be healthy and well fed, despite the low temperatures and bitter winds the past several days.

The wind died down this evening as the snow-laden clouds rolled in. The temp as of this post at 10 pm is 20º and snowing.

Safe travels to all who come to see this beautiful bird. It is a pleasure to have you here!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, November 18, 2011 Redwing update

Seward, Alaska

The REDWING appears to be a drive-up bird, at least today. Two parties of birders reported seeing the bird before the sun eased over the mountains shortly before 10 am. The fierce north wind has died down as has the thermometer, a chilly 10º. The bay is smoking!

Good luck and..

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

PS If you're in Seward tonight, "The Big Year" is showing at the Liberty Theater, Friday and Saturday at 6:30 and 8:40 pm, Sunday through Wednesday at 7:30. What great timing!

Thursday, November 17, 2011 Redwing Update

Seward, Alaska

The Redwing Rush is on! Birders from all over Alaska and beyond quickly recovered from the shock of a rare Life Bird discovered not only in State but on the road system. No expensive flight to Adak, Nome, or Gamble; this was a DRIVE-UP bird!

Important meetings, jobs, commitments, and schedules suddenly seemed trivial. A Fairbanks birder started the 500-mile drive in minus 40º temperatures at midnight. A Homer birder left at 5:30 am to for the 176-mile drive, arriving in the predawn dark after being up all night with his infant daughter. Anchorage birders, a mere 120 miles away, arrived soon after, joining Kenai and Soldotna birders from central Kenai Peninsula.

After a lot of desperate and futile searching up and down the beach, into the teeth of the biting north wind far up the east shore and back into the calm of the forested center, all the birders enjoyed excellent views of the beautiful REDWING right back by the summer houses at the beach. This is the third day in a row the bird has been seen.

We had GREAT views from the beach looking towards the fence line east (right)) of the second beach house. There are a few Mt Ash trees and small spruce where the bird can find food and shelter.

The Redwing repeatedly flew to the seaweed wrack line at the very west end of the beach, but soon returned to the Mt Ash tree area. It also flew across the road nearby and basked out of the wind in the sunshine on a snow bank for a bit. The neighborhood black-billed magpies made it move around, but fortunately they were not overly aggressive and it stayed.

The sun rises around 9 am and sets behind the mountains at 2:30 pm so the light is best then. Twilight lingers until around 4:15 if you can't come earlier. I prefer around 11 am for the best light for photographs, but whenever you can get here is the best time!

The fierce north wind seems to be diminishing, but dress for cold and wind, bring hand warmers, etc. Please do not crowd this bird. Excellent views for all are easy without trespassing onto private property.

It's a beautiful bird, well worth the trip.

Good luck!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 RARE Bird Report: Redwing!

Sporadic Bird Report from Seward, Alaska

Another overcast, cold, windy winter day with temps around 12- 16º, north-northwest winds to 29 to 35 mph with gusts to 56 mph.

The short: There's a REDWING at Lowell Point Beach! This is a new Alaska State record!

The long: Today I tried to escape the bitter blast and headed to Lowell Point Beach. On the way, I gaped at the ominously flapping green ridge cap on the Episcopal Church. I gasped when I saw that the entire steep south roof had been ripped away, blown past a busy apartment complex and homes, then thrown in a heap at the bottom of the hill a block away. Those giant metal pieces could have killed someone!

Watchful for other dangerous debris sailing on the wind, and wary of potential rockslides, I negotiated the 2 ½ mile icy and narrow road to Lowell Point. The wind howled, the whitecaps steamed and frothed, but in a small section on the west side of the beach, it was tolerable.

Though my eyes were tearing up, I checked the wrack line for any signs of a bird besides the mew gull and Northwestern crows. The flapping scraps of seaweed fluttered like birds, and suddenly one turned into a bird! I checked it out through my binoculars and forgot about the cold and wind.

The good dog (the reason for the outing) was puzzled when we  abruptly whizzed back to the car and she had to load up. I grabbed my camera and blew back. Ah. The bird was still there, looking cold, picking through the seaweed, hopping along. I wondered if something was wrong with its feet as it seemed to be hobbling a bit. Perhaps it was the occasional dunking in the swash, or just the cold. I sat down on the cold sandy beach and fired off several images and then it flew up and away, swirling in the wind, farther east. I looked for it for about 15 minutes in vain.

Back at the car, I quickly searched my Sibley Guide and just as quickly remembered it contained no such rarities. I tried to use my emergency-use-only cell phone but not surprisingly, the batteries were dead. Calm on the inside but totally excited inside, I dashed  back down the icy road into town to show the photos to my local bird expert Peregrine Joe. I tracked him down at work and showed him a few photos on the camera. He didn't have a bird book either and took a "stab" at it as a Dusky Thrush.  Abandoning everything, he dashed out to find it while I attended to a most unfortunately timed short meeting. Shortly afterwards, he and Robin C refound the bird between two summer houses near the beach.

Once home from the meeting, I quickly uploaded the photos and posted on AKBirding.com. Almost instantly, Buzz Scher responded that it was not a Dusky Thrush but an even rarer bird, a REDWING! Ah! Had I only taken a moment in my haste to post to verify the ID in my National Geographic Field Guide. It has a perfect image of the Redwing.

This bird was spotted on Tuesday in the same sheltered west end of the beach by Jim Herbert but due to poor views, misidentified as a juvenile American Robin. I hope that it will hang around so others can have the pleasure of seeing it. Please respect its urgent need to feed and observe the rules of etiquette so others can enjoy it too.

Keep your eyes peeled for more treasures delivered by this crazy wind!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter