Monday, August 3, 2020 Marbled Murrelets commuting at dawn

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 5:45 am, sunset 10:24 pm for a total day length of 16 hours and 39 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 58 seconds shorter. Intermittent showers today; calm, temps in the upper 50s. Might see some sunshine Tuesday and Wednesday, then back to rain.

The good dog roused me from a sound sleep at 5:32 AM. As I waited in the doorway listening to the green new day waking up, a ROBIN scolded briefly. 

Then loud, piercing cries rang out overhead. MARBLED MURRELETS! It sounded like a family commuting from its forest roost to the bay to fish. Back in bed with the window open just in case, I heard another small flock calling ten minutes later. There may have been more earlier and later, but if so, I missed them. 

It’s so amazing to me that this chunky seabird chooses to not only nest in the forest, but to commute every day throughout the year from the ocean to the forest, even when nesting is done. 

On July 18, 1998, I found an unhurt but dazed fledgling Marbled Murrelet by the white shoulder line at the Mile 12 divide. I scooped it up and delivered it to the fledgling Alaska Sealife Center. They fed it and released it by Fox Island the next day. 

No one knows how far our Marbled Murrelets commute, but at least this one family commuted 12 miles twice every day.

It also seems odd to be so vocal about it. Why advertise to predators? "Honk, honk! Coming through! Here I am, where are YOU?" Nonetheless, I’m happy to hear them. What a great day to start the day!

Other special sightings:

Tuesday night, July 28: a camper reported two GREAT HORNED OWLS screeching and hunting at the South Fork Tonsina Creek just south of Lowell Point. The reporter even got a photo of a ghostly GRHO looking at her from the bridge. 

Wednesday afternoon, July 29: Robin C spotted a GREAT BLUE HERON flying across the road heading towards the abandoned coal ship loader (blue dipper). GRBH have proven as elusive as owls lately; it’s nice to know they are still around.

Friday, July 31: a hiker spotted a family of four MERLINS perched in a tree on the lower slopes of Mt Marathon.  

Sunday, August 2: a PEREGRINE FALCON flashed past me at the tidelands, heading west where it quickly disappeared.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, July 31, 2020 Greater Yellowlegs hunting

Seward, Alaska

After not seeing any GREATER YELLOWLEGS for several weeks, two waded into view along the shore of a wetlands and continued hunting. I immediately sat down to watch, camera at the ready. 

Wading up to their bellies and probing past their eyeballs into the decomposing leafy sediment, they gobbled up small invertebrates. I held still, amazed, as one continued to approached closely, unconcerned. 

The long bill plunged underwater as it caught another one, then thrashed the prize back and forth in the water. I snapped a photo of the de-cased caddisfly larva just before it went down the hatch. Who knew there were caddisfly larvae here in this tidally-inundated water?

According to field guides, adults in non-breeding plumage and juveniles both have a bi-colored bill with a paler base and mostly clear white flanks and belly. Juveniles have more streaking on the neck, crisper markings, and a browner back. If any experts would like to help clarify the plumages, please do.

The two shorebirds lit up the overcast day, not only with their long yellow legs, but by letting me observe them and trusting that all was well.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, July 30, 2020 Trumpeter Swan update

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 5:36 am, sunset 10:34 pm for a total day length of 16 hours and 58 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 49 seconds shorter.

Cloudy skies returned today after several days of sunshine, veiled by the haze of catastrophic wildfire smoke from Siberia. Today’s high crept up to 60 from a low of 54 at 6 am. Showers in the forecast for the next week; we need the rain.

I caught a glimpse today of the elusive Nash Road TRUMPETER SWAN family, paddling across the far side of the pond. The remaining two of the original four cygnets are growing fast, about two-thirds the size of their parents with ever-longer necks.

Last year’s three cygnets have found an unlikely home at Preacher Pond where at least two can reliably be found peacefully paddling or tip-up feeding. Sometimes, they walk up the denuded shore to feed like geese and rest amid the stubble of the clear-cut alders, willows. 

One thoroughly preened this afternoon while standing in shallow water; delicate white feathers fell like autumn leaves and gently floated away. Its reflection, heads almost touching, made a lovely, looping shape. The year-old Swan bodies are mostly white, but the head and neck retain many gray-brown feathers. Next year, I probably won’t be able to discern them from adults.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, July 9, 2020 Sorrow to Elation!

Seward, Alaska

My worst fears about the loss of the three TRUMPETER SWAN cygnets were recently confirmed by another birder. He saw two BALD EAGLES sitting near the Nash Road nest site on Monday afternoon, June 29, eating something. He could see a bit of white in the grasses, likely a cygnet. The parents swam back and forth around them without being aggressive; no cygnets were seen, or other Swans. At one point, one of the Eagles took off with talons full of vegetation and quite possibly a cygnet carcass. So, so sad.

What a bleak week without the family! One day, three 2-year olds napped on the wetlands on the east side of the road, and another day, a single Swan fed in the main pond. But overall, the pond, so recently filled with the joy of new life, then the distress of the five invading siblings, followed by the two marauding Eagles, now seemed abandoned.

When I drove past this morning, nothing had changed. Quiet and empty. Sigh.

But when I drove past in the early afternoon, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I turned around as soon as safely possible and starting taking photos of the unbelievable sight of two cygnets steaming across the pond accompanied by the mom. Where had they been hiding all week???

I watched anxiously for the dad, who soon paddled into view. Was the third cygnet with him? As he paddled across to join the family, it soon became clear that alas, the third cygnet had indeed perished. The confirmation dimmed my joy, but I felt so ecstatic that two survived. Two babies to watch as they grow bigger and become more competent. Two to stretch ever longer necks and wings, and learn to fly. Two to learn how to survive a long Alaskan winter.

The future is never certain, but now one can hope!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Friday, July 3, 2020 Trumpeter Swan Update

Seward, Alaska

I checked the Nash Road wetlands on Monday, June 29 and only saw two adult TRUMPETER SWANS, hanging out on the nest site. Tall vegetation may have hidden the nearby cygnets. A single adult Swan fed quietly far to the side of the pond.

The massive weekend eviction of the five unwelcome two-year olds must have been an incredible battle, given the ineffectiveness of all previous attempts. Wish I had witnessed it!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday drive-bys and quick checks failed to find or count cygnets. The casual behavior of the Swan pair was not normal for parents; no adorable babies paddling close by, no watchful guarding with them bookended front and rear, no careful guidance to the choicest water horsetails or tidbits raised from the deep. I became worried.

Today, I stopped and really searched for those precious babies.  Still, just three adults: one swan fed on the far side of the pond, the pair claimed the main center section. 

On this hot sunny day, one enjoyed a very thorough and serious bath. Huge black webbed feet stabbed the air and wings flailed underwater as the undignified Swan soaked upside down. Then flipped back upright to flap one wing underwater then the other. Head and neck dips, tail shimmies, stretches, shakes, fluffs, you name it. That Swan must have been happily soaked to the skin! Eventually, the pair retreated to the nest site to preen and stretch together. No sign of the cygnets eagerly waiting there either.

The Swans seemed to be on vacation, relaxing, taking a spa, paddling leisurely without a care in the world. I don’t even know if they are the parents. Who is that third Swan? Who drove off who?

This entire time, I did not see any cygnets. I can only hope they were happily feeding independently in the vegetation, but fear something tragic has happened. Sure hope I am wrong.

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Thursday, July 2, 2020 Kingfisher Altruism

Seward, Alaska

Sunrise 4:42 am, sunset 11:24 pm, for a total daylength of 18 hours and 42 minutes. Tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 7 seconds shorter. 

Sunny skies continued all week. Today’s low at 6 am dipped to 54º; the high peaked at 78º at 5 pm. The heat seemed sweltering to this Alaskan, but fortunately a brisk north wind with gusts to 15 mph eased the stress. More sunshine forecast for the Fourth of July weekend. Note: the celebration was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns with crowds: no fireworks, Mt Marathon Race, parade, or street vendors. 

While swimming the good dog whose hot fur coat does not zip off, I spied two BELTED KINGFISHERS sitting on an alder branch over the water. The female proudly held a fish in her powerful beak, a large fish, about ¾ her length. I think it was a salmon smolt. She held it, and held it, and held it. I saw absolutely no movement from the fish, long since suffocated. 

The other Kingfisher, a male, sat quietly on his branch, looking around, down at the water, and up at a passing Bald Eagle. He looked at the female and the fish too, but made no moves towards this feast.

Occasionally the female juggled it with finesse, flipping it around, repositioning it, I presumed, to eat it head first. But no, she only continued to hold it, and hold it, and hold it, as if making a very big decision. Finally, she flew a short ways deeper into the alder where I lost sight.

The male flew to her previous perch and waited. Soon, the female returned, still carrying her prize. When I heard a soft, rattling, begging, I realized this was her son, and would he ever like something to eat!

Mom seemed to have had a little chat with her better self, and finally edged closer to her beloved offspring. His begging grew louder and more insistent until she could not resist and plunged the fish, headfirst into his waiting bill. 

She flew off, presumably to fish for her lunch, while he dealt with the monster sticking in his throat. It took some time, but finally, he managed to chug it down. What a fish! He had to wait at least 25 minutes to get it, but he’ll probably never forget that lunch with mom!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

Saturday, June 27, 2020 Unprecedented!

Seward, Alaska

I about went off the road on Wednesday when I saw seven (!) adult TRUMPETER SWANS at the mile one Nash Road wetlands. Normally, the resident pair, especially with babies, aggressively and effectively drive off any other Swans who dare to land on their pond. Were five too many?

The two parents were indeed going nuts, trumpeting and bobbing their heads up and down like yo-yos in a very threatening manner. The five other adults pretended not to notice. Several preened while others tipped up to feed in a display of non-aggression or even utter distain. I did not see the four cygnets, hopefully hidden, but not otherwise protected as normal.

Much to my dismay, I did not have my camera. I whipped around and drove the five miles back home to get it.

By the time I got back, the parents were reunited with their babies and feeding off to the side in the horsetails. I counted and recounted. Waited, watched, and looked. Alas! there were only three!  For the first time I can remember, a flightless cygnet did not survive. So sad!

The five intruders had made themselves at home, brazenly lounging on the ol’ nest, (still used for the cygnets) preening and napping, totally at ease. Hmmm. I wonder if these are five of the six cygnets hatched in 2018? As two-year olds, they would be old enough to look like adults, but maybe not quite ready to breed. That would explain their familiarity with the place, and perhaps the reluctance of the parents to truly drive them off. Kids!

The next several days played out about the same. The parents, continually distracted by the intruders, trumpeted, vigorously head-bobbed, feinted rushes, and threatened. The intruders behaved peaceably, preening, feeding and ignoring their parents. Occasionally, I noticed what I think was passive-aggressive behavior, purposefully paddling straight at the parents in pairs, getting a robust reaction of trumpeting and head-bobbing, then paddled past, smirking. The young cygnets tagged along behind the raging parents, huddled together. Or they seemed to be left to fend for themselves, heading for the horsetails to eat while this crazy family tried to figure it all out.

These cygnets will have to be very lucky to survive this delicate period of vulnerability while the parents are so continually forced to defend against the older siblings. If they survive, they will likely be the most independent Swans ever. I wonder if this unusual cygnethood will affect their parenting skills?

On Thursday, I found last year’s three cygnets feeding together at the recently clear-cut Preacher Pond. Their heads and necks are still distinctly gray, which makes them somewhat easier to identify. Seven adults, three one-year-olds, and three cygnets for 13 swans in all!

On Friday, I watched the momma MALLARD fly aggressively at one of the young adult Swans, taking the trouble to fly halfway across the pond to give it a piece of her mind. The Swan only scoffed. Her efforts were laudable but futile, and she soon returned to her five ducklings.

Today, that same momma duck continued to demonstrate her diving skills. Much to my astonishment, one of her little ducklings popped underwater repeatedly as well! Perhaps diving for dabblers is a learned behavior. Very impressive regardless!

The seven adults and three cygnets continued their family squabble as before. Then two Swans circled high around the pond twice, noted the drama, and wisely did not land. That would have added even more stress to the beleaguered parents. I subsequently found the two 2019 yearlings at Preacher Pond. I wonder what happened to the third sibling?

This unprecedented concentration of resident, year-round Swans may reflect that the prolific and successful rearing of Trumpeter Swans at the Nash Road wetlands has finally exceeded the carrying capacity of the Seward area. The Nash Road site is the best and only local place for the Swans to nest. Other potential places like Bear Lake and the Lagoon are heavily impacted by humans. It’s an interesting situation. Stay tuned!

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter