Date: 11/7/26 7:52 pm From: rainyday via AKBirding <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Saturday, November 7, 2026 Trumpeter Swans bathing
Saturday, November 7, 2026 Trumpeter Swans bathing
Seward, Alaska
Eleven TRUMPETER SWANS including four cygnets converged at the Nash Road Mile 1 wetlands last week. At first, the resident family with their one cygnet occupied the west side, possibly patrolling and guarding the ol’ nest territory while they dined.
The visitors bathed vigorously in the still water, dunking underwater, rolling over with one black webbed foot flailing midair, splashing, and stretching their powerful angel wings.
Gradually, the residents and visitors shared the east side, continuing their amicable bathing, preening and stretching. It wasn’t hard to get a photo of the classic pose of outstretched wings. First one, then another, and another opened their wings like fans, and beat the air, barely missing their neighbors. Then more preening, and more beating. Feathers drifted away on the pond.
When the gray cygnets joined in, their outstretched wings flashed patches of white feathers and white primaries. At about 5 ½ months-old, they are fully grown, capable fliers. Yet, the Swans who choose to overwinter will remain a family unit until the parents drive them off in the spring.
As if in confirmation, the resident Swan family took off together and managed to avoid the hazardous powerlines strung along the road between the divided wetlands. THAT takes skill!
As temperatures drop and ice seals off these bathing and feeding opportunities, they will need to seek open fresh and saltwater for the rest of the long winter. The cygnets still have much to learn about survival.
Date: 11/5/26 7:10 pm From: rainyday via AKBirding <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, November 5, 2026 Townsend’s Solitaire!
Thursday, November 5, 2026 Townsend’s Solitaire!
Seward, Alaska
A break in the rain! Fog ghosted around town and in low-lying areas this morning, but soon dispersed to reveal new snow on the surrounding mountains. A dip in the temperature last night created beautiful patterns like bird feathers on shallow puddles.
The clear night and north wind also dispersed the Anchorage Lesser Canada Geese and the Taverner’s. Tasha reported that half of the remaining collared Geese left Alaska last night. Fascinating data!
Instead of Geese, I found three GREAT BLUE HERONS at the head of the bay, including one that flew right overhead. It was so cool to see its round yellow eyes and large black pupils on either side of its long bill.
A female BELTED KINGFISHER hovered over the open pond, hunting/fishing.
Back at home, a great ruckus raised by several STELLER’S JAYS and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES roused my curiosity. Still carrying my camera and binocs from the car, I eased my way to the side yard.
Not involved, a TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE perched conspicuously on the power line then flew to a nearby Mt Ash. Click, click! I haven’t seen this handsome species with the gray suit and white spectacles since 2023. It quickly disappeared, hopefully not too far. The Jays escorted the cause of alarm, possibly a stray cat, into the neighbor’s yard and out of sight. Good job!
Date: 11/4/26 11:41 pm From: rainyday via AKBirding <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Anchorage Lesser Canada Geese and a Taverner’s Cackling Goose
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Anchorage Lesser Canada Geese and a Taverner’s Cackling Goose
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:29 am, sunset 4:54 pm, for a total day length of 8 hours and 23 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 6 seconds shorter.
Rain squalls, heavy at times, all this dark, gray day, dumping 1.55” of rain in the last 24 hours. Temps remained mild with a high of 39 dropping steadily by evening.
As the rain slackened and the sky brightened imperceptibly this afternoon, I made a break for it. As I approached the tide flats, a mixed flock of 27 Anchorage Lesser Canada Geese and at least one Taverner’s Cackling Goose flew low over the beach rye grass and landed at the ebbing tide’s edge in the distance. ’Bout time some Geese landed here!
I took several photos then walked away, not wishing to make these tired and wet migrants fly.
Later, I checked my photos. As I needed help with the ID, I sent the best of the bad-light/rainy conditions photos to ADFG waterfowl expert Tasha.
Fortunately, part of Tasha’s job is to identify and band these very Geese and then track them with transmitters to determine their flyways for informed management decisions. She noticed two Geese with bands and one with a possible black collar, and a definite family group.
She noted that there are still many Lesser Canada Geese and a few Taverner’s Cackling Geese in Alaska wearing transmitters that have not yet left the state.
The Anchorage Lessers nest in the Anchorage bowl and are the last group of geese to leave the state, often staying until every bit of grass in the Anchorage Bowl is covered with snow and ice and all the fresh water is frozen.
This group is extremely late, likely due to the continued mild temperatures. These Geese may have departed from the Susitna or Chickaloon Flats where they intermingle, and the heavy rain pushed them to land here.
When they are finally ready to leave, they will fly non-stop straight to Oregon without staging. Incredible!
I hope they will give me another opportunity to photograph them tomorrow when it’s not supposed to rain so much.
Thanks to Tasha for her expertise and information!
Date: 10/30/26 7:51 pm From: rainyday via AKBirding <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Friday, October 30, 2026 Long-billed Dowitcher and Greater Yellowlegs!
Friday, October 30, 2026 Long-billed Dowitcher and Greater Yellowlegs!
Seward, Alaska
Seward recorded 3.85” of rain in the last 24 hours on top of 1.65” yesterday. More rain is in the forecast for the next forever.
A short break in the rain mid-afternoon lured me outside to the head of the bay. Much to my surprise, I discovered a very late LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and the larger GREATER YELLOWLEGS standing in the rising waters of the pond.
The two buddies took off and flew around and around in great circles, calling. They could have made it halfway to Mexico for all the effort.
Two GREAT BLUE HERONS flew ponderously past followed by a rattling BELTED KINGFISHER.
Finally, the two shorebirds landed in the sedges at the edge of the pond, resting until the tide lowered the water levels back to a reachable depth.
Although it was fantastic to see them, I hope they can push south together before the temperatures dip to freezing on Sunday and Monday.
Date: 10/30/26 6:53 pm From: rainyday via AKBirding <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Friday, October 30, 2026 Brewer’s Duck, a hybrid
Friday, October 30, 2026 Brewer’s Duck, a hybrid
Seward, Alaska
When is a Gadwall drake not a Gadwall drake? When he’s a BREWER’S DUCK, a hybrid between a Gadwall and a Mallard.
Waterfowl expert Tasha took a look at my recent post of a Gadwall pair and tipped me off to a bird I had never heard of. She noted the robust size (he is indeed huge), the long body length, and the oddball coloration of the cheeks and head.
The Ducks Unlimited duckDNA website notes this is the most common hybrid combination outside of the Mallard family. It was once thought to be a separate species, illustrated by John James Audubon in 1822 who observed in his text that it might be an accidental variety, a hybrid of Mallard and Gadwall. Audubon named it after his ornithologist friend Thomas Mayo Brewer.
In 1943, ornithologist Francis Kortright determined that it was a hybrid, a fact documented by duck DNA. There is a wide variation in appearance and distribution of Brewer’s ducks.
Keep an eye out for duck hybrids, a duck that looks different: too big, too long, odd bill shape or patterns. They may be overlooked, as I did!
Date: 10/29/26 7:58 pm From: rainyday via AKBirding <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, October 29, 2026 Common Goldeneyes, Kingfisher
Thursday, October 29, 2026 Common Goldeneyes, Kingfisher
Seward, Alaska
“A strong frontal system with an atmospheric river of moisture…will begin Thursday morning...with a storm total between 3 and 4 inches of rain likely with the event...before the rain slowly tapers off Friday afternoon.” National Weather Service
Earlier in the week however, was the calm before the storm, with mild, sunny days.
On Monday, the TRUMPETER SWAN family tipped bottoms-up in the shallows at Bear Lake, one parent draped in a salad garland. The mostly gray cygnet, now full size with a pink patch on its bill, imitated the parents perfectly. Two other adults fed nearby.
Hummingbird bander extraordinaire Todd Eskelin drove over on Tuesday afternoon but the Anna’s Hummingbird was busy elsewhere. Insects, including the beneficial Brown Lacewings, fluttered in the sunshine, possibly distracting the hummer from the feeder.
A brilliant crimson male PINE GROSBEAK perched at the very top of a spruce tree while a flock of ten gleaned Mt Ash berries below. The usual suspects flitted through: RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, STELLER’S JAYS, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES.
At the head of the bay, the full moon’s high tide overflowed into potholes, creating short-lived but spectacular reflecting mirrors of the surrounding snowy mountains. MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, and a few GADWALL dabbled in the intertidal area and pond. BUFFLEHEAD numbers are increasing.
On Wednesday at the Lagoon by the boardwalk, the recently returned COMMON GOLDENEYES dove with BARROW’S GOLDENEYES and BUFFLEHEAD. COMMON MERGANSERS napped in the sun on shore, and MALLARDS poked through the inlet stream for salmon eggs.
Best of all was a perky juvenile BELTED KINGFISHER perched on the power lines, intently hunting for small fish. Both male and female juveniles have some rusty brown on their white bellies, and both sport the rakish spikey hairdo.
Robin C reported two female HOODED MERGANSERS at Bear Lake. Maybe they will join the others at the Lagoon when the lake freezes.
Date: 10/28/26 3:59 pm From: S W via groups.io <ak.au.crew...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tr Swans
Approximately 45 trumpeter swans/cygnets in ponds west of seward highway at mile 76 just past Ingram creek.
10am and 2 pm 10-28-26 Obs. Scott Wharton Also a yellow crowned kinglet on mtn west of tincan mtn. In the cedar woods abt 2500 elev. Also today at 1 pm
Date: 10/26/26 11:01 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, October 25, 2026 5 Great Blue Herons, 1 Goshawk
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:03 am, sunset 6:19 pm, for a total day length of 9 hours and 15 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 17 seconds shorter.
The weather dial spun wildly the past two weeks delivering rain of varying intensities, dark clouds, warm sunshine, darker clouds, strong wind, more rain and clouds, calm, and even ice. Temps lingered in the chilly mid-30s in the morning, warmed to mild mid-40s by afternoon, and dipped down into the mid-20s overnight.
A highlight on October 23 was five GREAT BLUE HERONS perched like giant holiday ornaments in a spruce tree. The stealthy and elusive herons remained there, motionless from the time of my discovery while on a walk to my departure 45 minutes later. Birds of mystery.
Another highlight was a juvenile AMERICAN GOSHAWK that was reported on the ground late yesterday afternoon. The Alaska Sealife Center had responded, but was unable to catch it. The fierce young bird managed to fly about 15’ up into a spruce tree, and remained there all day today. The homeowner had to point it out to me, well hidden in the tangle of branches.
Out in the open nearby, another raptor shot across the sky chasing a smaller bird. It was too quick to grab a photo. Two PINE GROSBEAKS flew up to the top of a nearby spruce, probably glad it wasn’t them. They called melodiously, so nice to see and hear them after a long absence.
On my way to the Post Office, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK soared overhead, cruising for dinner.
Add two COMMON LOONS fishing for lunch at Fourth of July Beach, a sea mammal sculpture, and a report of an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD in town for a pretty nice wrap for the last half of October.
Date: 10/16/26 10:43 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Friday, October 15, 2026 Snow Goose, Snipe, Northern Harrier, and Starlings
Friday, October 15, 2026 Snow Goose, Snipe, Northern Harrier, and Starlings
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:40 am, sunset 6:44 pm, for a total day length of 10 hours and 3 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 22 seconds shorter.
Rain, heavy at times, dominated the weather these past two weeks. Then, as if in apology, the weather gods granted a day of reprieve between storms to celebrate the new snow on the mountains and vibrant fall colors. Highs ranged from the low 40s and lows into the low 30s.
During this period, though I slogged through many gray, rainy days known only to birders and ducks, I missed many cool birds: the two Mourning Doves, a Common Yellowthroat, a Northern Flicker, Townsend’s Warbler, a Sabine’s Gull, a Slaty-backed Gull, and 5 Black Turnstones.
While disappointed to know what I missed, the few birds I did manage to find lifted my soggy spirit.
On October 13, I flushed a WILSON’S SNIPE while another birder reported a single AMERICAN PIPIT.
The SNOW GOOSE lingered, still alone, its white coloration making it as obvious as a snowball in fall can be. Non-birders couldn’t miss it and they too marveled at the tolerant goose.
The young bull moose sauntered into town, wandering through yards and along the Waterfront bike path, surprising dog walkers and startled drivers.
Today, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS called from the treetops at Two Lakes Park and a DOWNY WOODPECKER “pikked” down below. A couple BROWN CREEPERS walked up the potato chip bark of the spruces, gleaning spiders and other tidbits hidden in the crevices.
Along with the Snow Goose feeding in the grass, a GREAT BLUE HERON squawking overhead, and a BALD EAGLE ripping into lunch at the Intertidal Deli, a brownish immature or female NORTHERN HARRIER gracefully patrolled the estuary. So nice to see this fall visitor!
Thanks to a distressing tip from Robin C, I found 31 invasive EUROPEAN STARLINGS feeding on invasive EUROPEAN MT ASHES in town. A mob of AMERICAN CROWS alternately harassed then tolerated their presence as they both tossed down the red berries.
The vocal Starlings creaked, squeaked, and twittered. When they descended on a neighbor’s green lawn, I managed to get a photo of one eating an insect of some sort. It appeared they were all hunting invertebrates as there were no berries on the grass.
Later at home, I heard a VARIED THRUSH sighing like a spent teakettle. I hope it too, finds juicy invertebrates to eat.
Keep looking for late-migrating birds; who knows what else is out there?
