Date: 10/19/25 9:47 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, October 19, 2025 Anna’s Hummingbird!
Sunday, October 19, 2025 Anna’s Hummingbird!
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:49 am, sunset 6:38 pm for a total day length of 9 hours and 48 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 22 seconds shorter.
After almost a week after I put up my sunflower seed bird feeder and four days after I added peanut butter suet, the little songbirds finally found it. CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and a SONG SPARROW flitted back and forth from the nearby spruce trees through the big-bird exclosure made with wire fencing. By the afternoon, the Nuthatches didn’t even bother to perch on the wires before entering; they just expertly shot right through.
A too-big STELLER’S JAY squawked in frustration, perched precariously on the outside. I didn’t feel bad; these guys are well-fed with peanuts and other snacks from other neighbors. So far, the pigeons have not yet found it.
While casually enjoying the busy scene from my kitchen window, I snapped to attention when an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD suddenly appeared, hovering on the outside of the exclosure! Though I grabbed my camera quickly, I was too late.
What a dilemma! Should I try to feed this wayward wonder, likely doomed to perish over the long, long, winter, and agonize over its welfare? Or simply marvel at its presence and wonder where it might be finding tiny insects, spiders, pollen, and nectar in mid-October.
I didn’t ponder long. Soon, I had retrieved a hummingbird feeder from storage, mixed up a sugar solution, and hung the feeder up outside the exclosure with sigh of resignation and a tingle of anticipation. I hope I’m lucky with the camera if it returns!
Date: 10/18/25 12:43 pm From: Sara Taylor via groups.io <loveashark...> Subject: [AKBirding] Snow Goose in Mountain View 10/17
Spotted a snow goose munching on mud and grass with a flock of Canadians at the Clark Middle School field next to the Spirit Halloween store. We got pretty close and watched until the sun went down.
Date: 10/18/25 2:22 am From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Anchor Point: Western Grebe 10/17
A WESTERN GREBE was seen from the Anchor Point SRA main oceanside parking lot on Friday morning. The bird was observed just outside of the surf zone off the northwestern corner of the parking lot. Despite the rapidly increasing tide the bird remained actively feeding in a discreet area and did not drift northward with the incoming tide. It was viewable from the parking lot from 0930 to 1130. At one point we did see the bird in flight, not to be seen again. On October 13, 2022 another Western Grebe was photographed from the same parking lot feeding in the same area.
Date: 10/13/25 7:51 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Monday, October 13, 2025 Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebes, Common Loons, Bufflehead
Monday, October 13, 2025 Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebes, Common Loons, Bufflehead
Seward, Alaska
As Typhoon Halong slammed catastrophically into Western Alaska, Seward dozed under a misty gray cloud blanket today with temps in the mid 40s and calm. About 2” of rain is forecast for Wednesday, with rain for a week (possibly snow on Sunday.)
The lone CACKLING GOOSE, the smallest and darkest subspecies minima, remained at the tidelands possibly lost from its flock. Tasha thought there's still hope that it may attach to other migrating geese as juveniles do not know the way instinctively.
Eight GADWALL paddled in an intertidal stream with a dozen MALLARDS.
As if fall were here to stay, so was the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, plugging away in the pond with its GREEN-WINGED TEAL companions.
Six GREAT BLUE HERONS stalked the shallow waters or stood like statues, immobilized. They will likely stay, but the Dowitcher, Teal, and Goose should book a flight south soon.
Overwintering seabirds continue to return to Resurrection Bay. I was excited to find two COMMON LOONS fishing at the Harbor Uplands around noon. One caught a very slender, long fish that could be a Bay Pipefish. The fish was much thinner than a sand lance.
A juvenile RED-NECKED GREBE, still sporting camouflage stripes on its head paddled and dove nearby. I haven’t seen this species in a long time, much less a zebra-striped juvie.
10 red-eyed HORNED GREBES in their black and white winter plumage dove in a loose raft. Their numbers are steadily increasing. A single handsome drake BUFFLEHEAD foraged by itself.
There might be a bait ball here attracting BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, PELAGIC CORMORANTS and the other seabirds, plus a Harbor Seal, Steller Sea Lion, and Sea Otter. Quite the show!
Though the light was dim, the birds and sea mammals sure brightened my day!
Date: 10/11/25 11:27 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Saturday, October 11, 2025 Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Saw-whet Owl
Saturday, October 11, 2025 Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Saw-whet Owl
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:29 am, sunrise 7:01 pm for a total day length of 10 hours and 32 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 24 seconds shorter.
Welcome sunshine returned on Thursday even as low temps slid into the mid-30s. I refound the lone LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, steadily feeding with two GREEN-WINGED TEAL at the estuary pond. It probed deeply, head almost submerged, and then emerged with a mud-covered meal; a marine worm? Good eats, and fresh!
I watched the fat waning moon fall across the blue sky in graceful slow motion. As it approached the rocky profile of Mt Benson, it seemed to accelerate, briefly balanced on the edge, and then quickly slipped like a bright coin into a hidden slot and vanished.
As deep mountain shadows crept over town, I headed to Fourth of July Beach, eager to grab a few more precious rays of late afternoon sunshine. In the silt-laden plume from Godwin Glacier, I watched six BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES dive with noisy excitement. Suddenly, a Loon popped up, fishing in their midst. Squinting into the glaring sunshine, I saw the white throat and chin strap of a PACIFIC LOON!
I was unable to look for the Loon until today. Instead of a Pacific Loon, I found an adult COMMON LOON, partially changed into its drab winter plumage. The Loon snorkeled, head submerged, and dove several times. Then, it dove and resurfaced with a flailing fish! It held the fish headfirst for just a few seconds then tossed it down the hatch. I don’t doubt that it continued to wriggle all the way down. The moving meal didn’t seem to bother the diner, and without delay, it was again snorkeling and diving.
Last night, the neighborhood SAW-WHET OWL beeped hopefully from the mountainside. Whether inspired or confused by the photoperiod, it is always a pleasure to listen to the wild nighttime solo.
Date: 10/8/25 12:07 am From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Swans, Dowitcher, Kingfishers, River Otters, and Exit Glacier
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Swans, Dowitcher, Kingfishers, River Otters, and Exit Glacier
Seward, Alaska
The dreary clouds parted late yesterday; the full Harvest Moon sailed across a clear sky last night, and today dawned bright and sunny!
Great day today! At the tidelands this morning, three adult TRUMPETER SWANS amicably shared a small pond. They will likely hang together with other overwintering Swans.
A surprised momma River Otter near the beach bounded away across the tide flats, followed by her three long-tailed pups. I was surprised too and barely got my camera focused before they turned into undulating dots.
A late DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT approached from behind and flew overhead, away from the ocean. A dozen GREEN-WINGED TEAL dabbled in the pond, feeding horizontally while a single, lingering DOWITCHER, likely a LONG-BILLED, probed vertically like a rotund sewing machine.
Two rattling BELTED KINGFISHERS continued an argument from yesterday, chasing each other around. One male circled wide then flew overhead. I got lots of overhead shooting practice today!
The day was so fine and rare, I headed to Exit Glacier. The gate was reopened three days after the September 24 brown bear mauling, following an investigation and all-clear. I spotted a black bear from the parking lot, blacker than ink, foraging on the mountainside, comfortably far away. RAVENS called in the distance.
From a vantage point on the Glacier Overlook Loop Trail, I found a single Mt Goat lying down on the steep mountainside, enjoying the sunshine and maybe the view.
As I came around a bend, I heard BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and caught a flash of what I believe was a NORTHERN SHRIKE chasing one! It all happened so fast I couldn’t get a photo and though I waited and watched, all was silent.
The fall colors, blue sky, shadowed glacier, and wildlife gave the few visitors, and me, a spectacular and memorable experience in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Date: 10/5/25 9:48 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, October 5, 2025 Cackling Goose, Northern Shrike, ASLC
Sunday, October 5, 2025 Cackling Goose, Northern Shrike, ASLC
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:14 am, sunset 7:19 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 4 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter.
Intermittent showers and moderate rain continued today with temps in the mid-40s and calm. During a break in the weather late yesterday afternoon, I chanced to find a single CACKLING GOOSE circling the estuary before landing out of sight. I wondered what happened to the rest of its flock as it seems strange to see only one. I did not refind it today.
This morning during another break, I caught a glimpse of a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE perched on a spruce spire lookout. Three aggressive BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES joined forces and quickly drove it away. They were not at all pleased to share their neighborhood with a bird-eating predator.
As the rain returned, I headed to the Alaska Sealife Center to check out the aviary. No one gasped with excitement or pointed out the KING EIDER drakes now clad in deep brown hues instead of their vibrant blue, green, and white breeding colors. A smaller orange shield and the cool “jet fins” remained.
The RHINOCEROS AUKLET still had his rhino “horn” but the side whiskers were mostly gone. Gone too, were the white face and most of the golden head tufts of the TUFTED PUFFINS. One tough guy in black still managed to look rakish while sporting much shorter tufts, oozing with personality.
The white-bellied HORNED PUFFINS have also exchanged their bright white faces for darker shades. The gaudy bill plates that they no longer need for courtship were loose and looked ready to fall off. One Puffin yawned wide, showing the backwards-facing spines called denticles on the roof of its mouth that allow it to grab and hold multiple fish without dropping them.
Instead of remaining dark, the face and throat of the COMMON MURRES were changing to white. A pair gently preened each other, fine-tuning the new feathers while reinforcing the pair bond. Of all the seabirds, the Murres were the noisiest today, circling in a tight raft, calling their name.
It was fun to watch the two male Steller Sea Lions in the outdoor pool: Forrest now 11 years old and 1400 pounds, and Kuliak, 8 years old and 1200 pounds. They lounged on the pool deck like tourists at the beach, almost immobile. Then suddenly, Kuliak launched into the pool and the two roared at each other, baring their teeth. The game was on as they chased around the pool and tussled on the deck. Such powerful, enormous, yet graceful animals!
I will be back soon to enjoy the seabirds and other animals, especially if this rain keeps up!
Date: 9/27/25 11:41 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Saturday, September 27, 2025 Storm-petrels, Sea Mammals
Saturday, September 27, 2025 Storm-petrels, Sea MammalsSeward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:55 am, sunset 7:43 pm for a total day length of 11 hours and 47 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 29 seconds shorter.
The phenomenal FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS are still flitting and pattering in Resurrection Bay. I counted at least 70 from my favorite viewing spot at the pullout on Lowell Point Road just south of the seafood processing plant. One even circled around my car when I first arrived! Though they frequently flew over the rocks below me, they never landed.
This pocket is protected from the north wind. I marveled at the ever- changing patterns in the gently rolling water, a mesmerizing and lovely background for the dainty tubenoses.
The BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE numbers continue to diminish, concentrated in a small, raucous flock.
A raft of four Steller Sea Lions lazed past, then a Sea Otter, smacking on a prickly sea urchin. Yesterday, a Harbor Seal joined the fray, poking its head up like a periscope, nostrils opened wide to breathe, then firmly sealed as it silently submerged.
Just as I was about to leave, a resident SONG SPARROW hopped up on a nearby rock. He will probably still be here, long after the flashy visitors are gone.
Date: 9/21/25 11:02 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, September 21, 2025 More Fork-tailed Storm-petrels Photos
Sunday, September 21, 2025 More Fork-tailed Storm-petrels Photos
Seward, Alaska
At high tide today, the FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS swooped and paddled close to shore for excellent views by the cannery on Lowell Point Road. Ten tiny tubenoses pirouetted, landed lightly, pecked at the smooth water, and then left watery footprints as they leapt into flight. Raindrops glistened on their waterproof feathers like glass beads.
An AMERICAN CROW briefly tried to attack a Storm-petrel as it slowly paddled along. Fortunately, the seabird quickly took flight and easily out-maneuvered the land lubber. Danger lurked everywhere, even in seemingly peaceful surroundings.
The number of BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES was significantly reduced from yesterday, resulting in a somewhat quieter backdrop for the silent sprites zipping among them. Who knows how long they will grace us with their presence? It’s such a pleasure to watch them.
An enormous Steller Sea Lion exhaled explosively, took a deep breath and dove as he leisurely swam back and forth along the shore. Another slightly smaller one followed, their rhythmic breathing punctuating the air. What a thrill to see and hear these powerful sea mammals so close!
Date: 9/20/25 11:14 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Saturday, September 20, 2025 Wandering Tattlers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs
Saturday, September 20, 2025 Wandering Tattlers, Dowitchers, Yellowlegs
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 7:39 am, sunset 8:05 pm, for a total day length of 12 hours and 25 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 25 seconds shorter as we approach the Autumn Equinox on Monday, September 22.
Clouds continued today with temps ranging from 45-53, and occasional light showers. 100% chance of rain tomorrow and rain in the forecast for the next 10 days.
I refound the 27 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at the estuary pond, chittering and probing the shallows. An unseen GREATER YELLOWLEGS called. It’s getting late for these shorebirds to linger, but very nice to see and hear them. A juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER patrolled the area and flew right overhead!
I checked for FORK-TAILED STORM PETRELS and found only a few swooping around by the pullout south of the seafood processing plant on Lowell Point Road. Hundreds of Gulls, mostly BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS paddled and dined in the calm water. A few PELAGIC CORMORANTS plowed through them. A Harbor Seal poked its head up to take a look.
As I peeked over the edge, I was surprised to see first one, then two WANDERING TATTLERS walking along the rocks close to the water, bobbing their tails. I thought these shorebirds were long gone on their way to their wintering grounds in Hawaii and other Pacific islands, or down the Pacific coast to California, or farther south to South America.
Across the road, a PACIFIC WREN piped up from its hiding place in the woods, a songbird the size of a minute competing with the racket in the water and the BALD EAGLES perched above.
The seafood processing plant is scheduled to move across the bay and completely close operations by next March. The spectacle and cacophony of gulls and other seabirds, especially when stirred up by Eagles, will likely cease. Perhaps the show will relocate across the bay, but will not be as accessible to birders and photographers. Enjoy it while it lasts!
