Tuesday, April 22, 2014 Arctic Terns!

Seward, Alaska

Happy Earth Day!

Ching! Another gold coin! Five actually! Joyous, buoyant, rocketing ARCTIC TERNS repossessed the beach airspace, out-classing the Mew Gulls, Ravens, and even the mighty Bald Eagles. Welcome home, incredible travelers!

I watched one Arctic Tern swoop overhead, proudly carrying a small herring for his intended beloved. Suddenly the fish slipped and began a short free fall. The tern expertly snatched it up and sailed off to continue the show and tell, feeling mighty fine.

John M reported finding 3 yesterday, FOS, looking very tired. A good night's rest, and they're good as new.

Also reported today by Robin C, FOS SAVANNAH SPARROW.

Thanks to Richard Hocking of the ASLC for the fish identification.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Monday, April 21, 2014 Black-bellied Plovers and DC Cormorants

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 6:22 am, sunset 9:32 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 9 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 23 seconds longer.

First day of summer! Or at least it was a remarkable imitation. It seemed much warmer than the official 55º.  The unblemished blue dome graciously allowed complimentary puffy white clouds to adorn its perfection. The snowy mountains, gleaming in the sun, kissed the sky. Buds swelled, vigorous green leaves shot through the brown turf, anxious to get going. Milbert Tortoiseshell butterflies emerged in numbers, so bright and beautiful.

Mostly sunny is forecast for the next few days, then rain and a chance of snow by the weekend. Go figure. It can't last.

Recently arrived and First of Season, a pair of elegant, breeding-plumage BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS dared to land in Mew Gull territory, i.e. the whole beach. The mew gulls lurked nearby, more like bouncers than bodyguards. Occasionally, a gull nonchalantly eased closer and closer, then suddenly struck out with its bill, making the alert plover move off. The tired migrants really had to watch out for these tin-horn tooting bullies.

Two ravens raced overhead, performing a high-speed chase mixed with acrobatics that included flips, flying upside down, and 360 synchronized spins. Raven sure know how to celebrate!

Four BALD EAGLES, perhaps inspired by these commandos, chased each other across the sky, throwing in a few spins and talon-to-talon flips.

Cruising past the old pilings south of the Uplands, I spotted two large black cormorants, yellow-faced with sea-green eyes and poufy eyebrows. FOS DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS! What a nice surprise! The nearby MEW and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS did not disturb their preening, nor did the newcomers relinquish their chosen roost. It must help to be bigger.

While scanning the mountains for mountain goats and bears, I noticed black specks like fruit flies swarming above the rugged peaks. I counted over 30 RAVENS soaring and sailing on the afternoon breeze. My theory is these are female ravens on a freedom flight, all taking a break from incubating those darn eggs while the sun kept them warm. Who knows? Why not!

Like Mario collecting gold coins, I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter 

Saturday, April 19, 2014 Western Screech Owls!

Seward, Alaska

A pair of vocalizing WESTERN SCREECH OWLS was reported on Wednesday, April 16, and verified on Thursday evening by sight and sound in the Lost Lake Subdivision north of Seward. I drove around the subdivision on Friday night from about 9 to 10:15 pm, parking, listening and walking. I thought I heard GREAT HORNED OWLS at various locations, hooting from a distance above the noise of traffic and rushing streams, but no Western Screech Owls. Many VARIED THRUSHES rang out, no doubts there!

On the way home, I decided to check out the location on Exit Glacier Road where the screech owl was found in March of 2005. (Thanks, Todd E., for the records). I parked by the 40 mph sign, 1.5 miles past the first bridge, and got out. In this peaceful and wild location, I heard the distinctive "bouncing ball" call of the owl not far away! Another owl answered in the distance across the road. It was so exciting to hear these birds again. I hope they stay and nest!

Today, I asked the Lost Lake Subdivision birder if the owls had been heard on Friday night; no, they had not. It is possible there are more than two, but reports will have to be correlated to date and time to try to figure it out. If you hear them, please let me know.

As for etiquette, PLEASE do not use electronic devices or voice imitations to call them in. If they are there, you will hear them. Please do not disturb their critical territory establishment, courtship, and feeding routines by causing them react to a perceived intruder for your convenience. If we are careful to observe without disturbance, we may be lucky to not only have them establish residency here, but also to raise a family.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, April 12, 2014 Spring is Trickling In

Saturday, April 12, 2014 Spring is trickling in

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 6:48 am, sunset 9:09 pm for a total day length of 14 hours and 20 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 28 seconds longer.

Spring and Winter are fiddling with the thermostat. Spring inches it up to the mid 40s; suddenly ice is melting in rivulets down the street and mud makes its first appearance. Milbert Tortoiseshell butterflies emerge from their hiding places and flit about looking for a mate. Crocuses fling open their lovely petals, enticing a bumbling over-wintered bumblebee to dine. Then, bang! Winter dials it down to the mid-20s and throws in 3" of snow for good measure. Back and forth, they tussle. Yet the birds are on their way, slipping in, arriving in little spurts, assuring us that Spring will indeed, win the thermostat war. Eventually.

Shortly after the first day of Spring, on March 21, I watched a pair of RAVENS carry a load of moss and grass as a lining for their hidden nest. Eggs are next! A single GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH shared the fallen seeds and suet under a feeder on Second Ave with a beautiful red male PINE GROSBEAK.

March 22: FOS GREATER SCAUP dove by the boat harbor entrance. The usual winter BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, COMMON MERGANERS, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and a barrage of noisy gulls hung out nearby.

A lot of Euphasids, a type of krill, washed up in lines at the high tide on area beaches recently. They resemble little shrimp and when fresh, are very tasty. Bring crackers! The gulls and crows feasted on them at the Greenbelt beach. I wonder why this rich resource is not instantly gobbled up at the other beaches?

March 25: PIGEON GUILLEMOT in breeding plumage, just one.

March 28: HERRING GULL migration continues with loud, joyous gull cries.

March 29: A pair of wary TRUMPETER SWANS stopped over briefly.

April 1: GREATER SCAUP still by boat harbor entrance. A few FOS NORTHERN PINTAILS, AMERICAN WIGEON, and GADWALL joined a large flock of over-wintering MALLARDS at the tidelands. Also refound 6 DUNLINS that have been here all winter.

April 2: Several Longnose Skate egg cases, called "mermaid's purses" washed up on the beaches. I opened up one purse and found an exquisite sea-green lining, but the treasure, the single baby skate, had hatched and flown off to seek adventures in the mysterious sea.

April 6: Robin C reported FOS 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS. Otherwise, except for the  boisterous gulls, it's been very quiet.

April 7: A cheerful AMERICAN ROBIN sang sweetly in the morning. FOS bumblebee. FOS 3 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS fed in the intertidal zone at mid tide at Lowell Point.

April 8: 3" new snow! No more cheerio Robin!

April 9: Report of a 1000 white birds flying high past the moon around 6:30 pm; maybe gulls?

April 10: SAW-WHET OWL calling from Little Bear Mountain around 10:30 pm. I haven't heard him in such a long time. While it made me very happy, I hope he will soon have a mate and a family. Saturn now sails across the sky following Jupiter. Orion is fading until next November. I will miss the stars!

April 11: Salmon fry swimming in Tonsina Creek.  7 TRUMPETER SWANS reported at the head of the bay.  A single female LAPLAND LONGSPUR scurried around the bedraggled beach ryegrass by the Greenbelt bike path, looking for fallen seeds. Robin C reported a single SNOW BUNTING in the same area.

April 12: FOS GREEN-WINGED TEAL pair joined dozens of NORTHERN PINTAILS, and 100 MALLARDS. HERRING GULLS, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, MEW GULLS, KITTIWAKES created a gull snow squall when an eagle flew through. Another eagle snatched a fish and hauled it back to the trees, accompanied by another screeching eagle. Feast time!

Winter birds still dominate, but Spring is on her way!

Interesting websites:

Longnose Skate (they do have wings)

<http://juneauempire.com/outdoors/2013-03-01/trails-mermaids-purses#.U0mNXShs5e4>

True Facts about the Owl (with some odd asides)

< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeFxdkaFzRA/>

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Raven Entertainment

Seward, Alaska

For the past week, I have watched RAVENS flying overhead, carrying small sticks quite a distance to a hidden nest site. I wondered where they got all those sticks, and why, with dead sticks available on every tree, they had to fly at all.

This afternoon at the beach, I received one answer as I watched a pair of glossy Ravens actually shopping for their building supplies. Together, they slowly sauntered down the stick aisle, surveying an assortment of bleached, smooth sticks. The female fiddled with a single thin, fancy, curved stick while the male industriously gathered several stout timbers.  With a beak crammed full, he took off to the construction site.

The female continued shopping, evidently very particular. She carefully added several sticks as she walked, all much thinner than the male's selections. Suddenly, she found a real treasure, a string! It was hard to pick up, but she managed to delicately pinch it with the very tip of her bill. I don't know how she could even see it, the other sticks protruded so much. Maybe she felt it with her tongue.

She stood for a few moments, considering the value of this unexpected prize and its precarious location. Then she dropped the whole load on the ground. The first thing she picked up was the string; mmm, it even had a knot on one end! Next, she regathered her load of sticks, thoughtfully reconsidered the placement and dropped it all. Once again, she picked up the string, and restacked the sticks. Now satisfied with the configuration, she flew off to join her mate at the nest site. I wish I could have been there to hear her tell the story of her incredible find. It would rival Antique Roadshow!

Meanwhile, some slackards at the Seward dump lounged about, pilfering trash and exclaimed over marginally edible items from the transfer facility floor.  Others hung out on the nearby trees cracking jokes, watching for opportunity to knock. Then here it came.

Two majestic adult BALD EAGLES soared along the nearby mountain, then veered over towards the building. One wisely kept flying while the other unfortunately chose to land on the roof. The delighted Ravens immediately leapt into action and hovered just above the Eagle, riding the wind expertly. At first, Eagle tried to ignore them, but it was hard with the taunting jeers and those outstretched claws dangling so close. Eye to eye, beak to beak, separated by just enough air to avoid contact, the Ravens played a dangerous game of bravado. Whenever the Eagle glanced away, the Ravens dropped down. When the Eagle stretched up, the Ravens lifted higher. All in all, a very entertaining time for the Ravens.

I had to leave before the game was over, but guessed that it might continue for quite some time… or at least until the next load of garbage arrived and untold wonders disgorged from the truck.

Watching Ravens is never boring!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

 Check out this interesting website about ravens:

<http://ravenlifebycarmenmandel.blogspot.com>

Friday, March 14, 2014 EAgulls in the storm

Seward, Alaska

A terrific storm moved in this morning, bearing hard rain on a strong southeasterly wind. Resurrection Bay seethed with white caps and breakers, pounding in from the Gulf of Alaska. The serious sky melded with the sea, reducing visibility to a gray wall. By mid-day, the temperature dropped; sleet alternated with some version of white precipitation. The rain froze to an extremely slippery ice sheet. Soggy birds must have suffered greatly in this extreme weather.

In between the squalls, however, was a slim chance for the birds to shake off, preen, and blow dry. I lucked out on a beach venture, comfortably cocooned in my car-blind. Two BALD EAGLES flew directly down the beach and over my parked car. One settled on the beach just ahead, the other landed precariously in the tiny upper branches of a small cottonwood nearby.

I enjoyed watching the younger, grounded bird preen and dry out while white-capped waves crashed against a Samson barge that was holed up just offshore. It didn't seem to mind this paparazzi clicking away, documenting its various wild hair-dos. Meanwhile, the treed adult eagle swayed in the wind, trying to hold on and simultaneously deflect mobbing NORTHWESTERN CROWS that didn't care for its company. Eventually, both eagles took off into the wind to pursue other needs.

I too left and passed a very brown, first year BALD EAGLE perched in yet another cottonwood. This bird soon flew out over the bay over a small flock of gulls and Goldeneyes. After they dispersed or dove, it flew down to join the relocated adult Eagle on a lookout perch on the historic pilings.

A white gull in a flock of gulls in the parking lot just ahead caught my eye. Ah ha! A first year GLAUCOUS GULL with dark eyes mingled with GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, mostly adult, but with a few youngsters. It was fun to watch this beautiful gull. It preened, walked around, daintily took a drink, plucked some tidbit out of the puddle and contemplated its edibility, then finally dropped it. (Is anything inedible to a gull?) 

A small HERRING GULL stood off on the side. For some gull reason, a few Glaucous-winged Gulls took offense to its presence and ran it off. Then an eagle overflight stirred them all into the air. Fortunately, they soon circled back and landed for more observations. Yet another eagle flyby sent them on their way.

Late in the afternoon, the precip suddenly stopped, the angry sea subsided, but the cold south wind felt like someone had left the freezer door open. I headed out to Lowell Point to look (unsuccessfully) for that Black Oystercatcher. The seafood processing plant was deserted, the opposite of yesterday's excitement.

Halfway to the Point, an adult Bald Eagle sat on the ground next to the road, looking perfectly groomed and dry. A line of SURF SCOTERS paddled about with one female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. The usual BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, PELAGIC CORMORANTS, COMMON MERGANSERS, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, and a few MALLARDS patrolled along the shore.

A pod of 7 or so Steller Sea Lions rolled past. Three Sea Otters bobbed in the waves, eating, eating, eating. A curious Harbor Seal popped up.

I didn't see anything new at the beach, but on my way back, that Bald Eagle was actively hunting. From high in a snag above the road, it plummeted to the water and flew low and fast, circling around the sea ducks, farther and farther out from shore. Finally, it gave up and cruised back to the perch to rest and reconnoiter. Remarkably, at 7 pm, there was still time for a life-sustaining exchange of energy for both predator and prey.

I rolled on home, impressed by the fury of the storm, and very pleased with the EAgull show and study on this tumultuous late winter day.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter