Date: 12/2/25 10:33 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Update on Anna’s, Killdeer, Rock Sandpipers, plus a Pintail
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Update on Anna’s, Killdeer, Rock Sandpipers, plus a Pintail
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:37 am, sunset 3:59 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 22 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 5 seconds shorter.
Mild temperatures in the mid-30s, light rain, and generally calm winds continued for the past several days. Yesterday, the sun broke through and lifted everyone’s spirits for a glorious day.
Even the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD seemed to react to the brighter dawn of a clear day, appearing at my heated feeder almost 45 minutes earlier than on the previous dark Sunday morning.
He continued to be very suspicious, zooming in, ticking loudly as he surveilled the airspace around the feeder. Up, down, this side, and that, even hovering and staring at my kitchen window. Oops! How did he know?
When he tentatively touched down, he just as quickly zoomed away into the nearby spruce. It took several reconnaissance flights before he finally settled down to drink. I wonder how long he will remember the abduction by aliens and my complicity!
The KILLDEER flew in yesterday with a loud “dee, dee!”, last seen on November 22. I was happy to see that he, like the Hummer, survived the recent storm. As the tide ebbed, he foraged along the tidelands gleaning amphipods hidden in the mud.
18 ROCK SANDPIPERS chittered excitedly as they too foraged in a tight flock along the ebbing tide line. They seemed to exclaim over every tidbit they found, like treasures at a garage sale, very fun to hear.
At the Mile 1, Nash Road wetlands, 19 TRUMPETER SWANS, including a family with two dark cygnets, rested in the sun, snorkeled for salad, or even took a bath in the open water at the far side of the otherwise frozen pond.
Also of note on Sunday, November 30, I found a NORTHERN PINTAIL with a small flock of MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, and GADWALL at the tidelands. A drake LONG-TAILED DUCK and COMMON LOON dove at Fourth of July Beach.
After that sunny break in the huge low rolling across the Gulf of Alaska, the dark clouds and rain showers returned today, concealing the stunning beauty all around.
Date: 12/2/25 2:23 am From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kenai Flats: COMMON POCHARD
There is a COMMON POCHARD hen frequenting the lower Kenai River. It spends nearly all its time among the resident Mallard flocks, foraging (dabbling) and roosting with them along river banks and on exposed intertidal mudflats. We have NOT seen it far out in deeper water foraging (diving) among other divers. It is a difficult bird to observe because of low light winter conditions or the unfavorable glare of the south sun when it is infrequently out. It's also hard to get close to the bird as the waterfowl of the Kenai Flats are subjected to considerable Fall and early Winter hunting pressure and thus are intolerant of humans being easily spooked. And being smaller and dull it often remains hidden in dense Mallard flocks. Because it is not a bright, conspicuous male you really have to work to find the bird as it blends in very well. That said, we have found the bird five times over the three days that we have looked for it. We first saw the bird on Nov 14 yet did not resight it again until Nov 28. But now that we know its habits it has been easier, yet not easy to refind. So if you make a trip to look for the bird expect a challenge.
There are six eBird checklists with observation details within.
Good Birding, Toby and Laura Burke Kalifornsky, AK
Date: 11/26/25 4:05 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Anna’s Hummingbird banded
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Anna’s Hummingbird banded
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:22 am, sunset 4:09 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 46 minutes. Tomorrow will be 3 minutes and 52 seconds shorter. Civil twilight start 8:30 am, end 5:02 pm.
The temperature hovered around 17 most of the night until 9 am then gradually rose to around 22 for the afternoon. Resurrection Bay steamed for the first time this winter as the warmer ocean released heat to the frigid air. Fortunately, the north wind mellowed out to 4-5 mph with gusts to 13.
And the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD zipped over to my heated feeder at 9:30 am, raring to go.
Todd Eskelin, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge biologist and hummingbird bander extraordinaire, arrived around noon after driving 94 miles from Soldotna in hopes of banding the tiny explorer.
In a short time, he set up his banding station on the tailgate of his truck and then secured his custom ¼” wire mesh cage close to the original feeder site with my unplugged heated feeder hung inside.
The Pledge-oiled sliding door was held open with fishing line on a reel leading to our watching station 20 feet away. The trap was set. We didn’t know if it would be a fruitless 4-hour vigil or a success, but the time passed quickly. Fortunately, though it was chilly, it did not snow and the wind was calm.
A few Red-breasted Nuthatches and Chestnut-backed Chickadees trickled into the adjacent seed and suet feeders, but no hummer. Eight Robins flew overhead; Pine Grosbeaks sang from treetops and a Bald Eagle screeched, but no hummer.
Almost an hour later, a flicker of green appeared, checking out this suspicious-looking contraption with his familiar feeder inside. The instant he finally went in, Todd slackened the fishing line and the door slid shut in the nick of time. That was one fast hummer!
Todd carefully climbed the stepladder and expertly caught the frenzied flier in his hand. He gently popped the suddenly placid hummer in a mesh bag and carried him over to the tailgate banding station and scale.
Imagine how light a nickel is, only 5 grams. This immature male weighed a speck more: 5.2 grams. Todd thought he was slightly underweight but not the lightest of the six he has banded recently.
After carefully transferring the quiet hummer to a soft pouch made from a cut-off pantyhose toe, Todd expertly crimped the impossibly tiny silver band, #U23487, on the matchstick-thin hummer’s right leg. Ta dah! Next was a dab of blue white-out on top of his head for easier spotting. The important data was collected and now, a scant 5 minutes after capture, it was release time.
I was allowed to lightly touch the breast and feel the sharp keel bone not cushioned by fat. Then Todd laid the living jewel on my outstretched palm. He felt surprisingly warm on this cold day. His heart beat so fast, it was more of a hum than a beat. There he rested. And rested.
I don’t know how long he would have stayed; I would have gladly cradled him forever. Todd kindly suggested that I give him a little shake. It was time for him to rustle up some spiders, an essential food source for protein. Apparently, tiny spiders are abundant in the surrounding trees and shrubs but I would starve in a minute with my inability to find any. I jiggled my hand and he shot off into the nearby spruce. Wow. What a thrill!
The Anna’s returned for a sugar hit at 2:00 pm; I was relieved he was not too traumatized by his bizarre encounter with aliens.
Thank you, Todd, for your expertise and effort to further understand the biology of the Anna’s Hummingbird and document their incredible range extension to Alaska. It was a pleasure to share this special encounter with you!
Date: 11/23/25 10:02 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, November 23, 2025 Rufous retraction
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Rufous retraction
Seward, Alaska
Hummingbird expert Todd Eskelin is doubtful of the Rufous ID, and is studying the photos. Could be an Anna's after all, which would make more sense. The mystery continues. Sorry for the false alert!
Carol GriswoldSeward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
Date: 11/23/25 8:21 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, November 23, 2025 Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds!
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds!
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:18 am, sunset 4:13 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 54 minutes.
Civil twilight 8:26 am rise, 5:05 pm set. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 4 seconds shorter.
Sunny again today but chilly in the north wind, temperatures ranged from 20 to 23.
Just before sunrise this morning at 9:08 am, I turned on the baby monitor that I rigged up with the receiver outside by the bird feeder. I heard a “tick-tick-tick” and then the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD flew in to the heated feeder. Yay! He survived another long, cold night! As always, he chose the plastic yellow flower on the right side, maybe so he can keep track of the action at the sunflower seed and suet feeders.
But that wasn’t the best part of the day. Today, I solved a Hummingbird mystery!
On November 7, a neighbor a block away mentioned she has had a large hummingbird and a smaller hummingbird since October 10 at her unheated 2 oz cup feeders stuck to her east-facing window with suction cups. I first saw the Anna’s checking out my house on October 19 and then set up my feeder.
We figured out that we shared the large male ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, but the smaller one remained a mystery as it never visited my luxury, heated feeder.
Just before sunset today, I visited her home and watched a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD feed regularly in the dusky light from 4 pm to almost 4:30 pm. He was very noticeably smaller, and fidgety, flying up and back several times before settling down to drink. He prefers the left feeder and the yellow plastic flower.
Several times, he flew to a nearby tree after feeding to sit on a snow-covered branch in the heart of the tree, such a tiny being in that winter landscape! I took photos through the window until it got too dark.
Rufous Hummingbirds are migratory. The males are supposed to leave first and all should have left by mid-July, August at the latest. The last date I saw a Rufous female was July 17. This plucky but clueless guy looks like a hatch year bird that may have been here since summer and never left!
I slipped him a miniscule engraved invitation to visit my feeder any time. I eagerly await his arrival!
Date: 11/22/25 10:16 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Saturday, November 22, 2025 Snow Buntings, Killdeer, and a Hummingbird
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Snow Buntings, Killdeer, and a Hummingbird
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:15 am, sunset 4:15 pm for a total day length of 6 hours and 59 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 9 seconds shorter.
Instead of the forecasted several feet of snow, we had a week of mostly dreary rain on a few inches of crusty snow. Today, the sun triumphed and almost felt warm as it arced low across the southern sky.
The overnight high of 31around midnight gradually fell to daytime temps in the mid 20s. More sunshine with lower temps predicted for the next few days, then back to the “dismal wintry mix.”
No rarities today, aside from the sun. I spotted the KILLDEER, still hanging on after those miserable days and nights, feeding at the tideline.
Four SNOW BUNTINGS waltzed out of the beach rye grass right in front of me at the beach. They glanced at me then posed on a nearby stump to preen and fluff up in the sunshine. One ate snow off the stump while another plucked a beach ryegrass seed fresh from the stalk for breakfast. Yesterday a flock of about 40 flashed overhead in the gloom.
At high tide, a lone drake LONG-TAILED DUCK dove in the flooded estuary creek. Uncommon here, I’ve only seen LTDU in the ocean, not freshwater. Closer to the bay, two TRUMPETER SWANS plunged their long necks into the creek to feed on submerged salad.
Over in the Clearview Subdivision behind Safeway, a GREAT BLUE HERON flew over the neighborhood homes from the northwest towards the bay. I wondered where it flew from? A secret spruce tree roost in someone’s yard?
33 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS perched high in a look-out cottonwood. These are likely the same flock that was downtown a few days ago. After chirring and chiming, they flashed a block away to devour Mt Ash berries.
Two RAVENS enjoyed the frozen red berries on another tree, and a small flock of PINE GROSBEAKS feasted on yet another. Plenty of Mt Ash Berry Diners to choose from!
Along Lowell Point Road, along with the usual suspects, I found a distant COMMON MURRE and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER diving. Two River Otters swam steadily, headfirst like smart otters, close to the rocks.
At Lowell Point Beach, a young BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE strutted unconcerned at my feet, almost too close to photograph. The sun highlighted the gorgeous iridescence of its green and blue finery.
Back home, three SLATE-COLORED JUNCOS scrounged below the sunflower seed feeder when the territorial resident SONG SPARROW allowed. A few RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES flitted back and forth, enjoying the suet and seeds.
To top off a lovely day, the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD zoomed in to the warm sugar water feeder, another survivor of the lousy weather. I hadn’t seen him at all on Wednesday or Thursday. What a joy to see this resilient little green spirit!
Date: 11/16/25 7:49 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, November 16, 2025 Palm Warbler! Short-eared Owl
Sunday, November 16, 2025 Palm Warbler! Short-eared Owl
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 9:01 am, sunset 4:26 pm for a total day length of 7 hours and 25 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 35 seconds shorter.
Starry sky last night featured Venus to the south then Jupiter to the east with Orion rising over the silhouetted mountains. Clouds moved in by morning. 5 am low of 18, rising to 28 by 5 pm. Five to eight inches of snow predicted this evening with more on the way.
This afternoon at the head of the bay, a small bird flushed from the grasses as I passed and flew about a block away towards some spruce trees. While wondering about finding this needle in the haystack, I turned back just in case.
To my amazement, the warbler-sized bird popped up on top of a snag and calmly posed, bobbing its tail up and down. The distinctive, bright butter-yellow undertail coverts flashed on this otherwise rather drab bird. PALM WARBLER! A Lifer!
Further research indicated that this was a Western aka Brown palmarum subspecies that should be overwintering under the swaying palms of the Caribbean, not frigid Alaska.
The 2025 Checklist of Alaska Birds lists the Palm Warbler as Rare.
Kai Reising in Halibut Cove posted photos similar to this one on November 8, 2025. Could it be the same bird? The species was also reported in Seward on October 26, 2015, and October 5, 2020 but I missed it both times.
Just as I started the car, I noticed a SHORT-EARED OWL hunting in the far field. I leapt out and enjoyed watching it rise then waft lower and lower, cruising just above the ground. Suddenly it flared, dove, and disappeared. I hope it found a fat vole to tide it over the long cold night.
Date: 11/13/25 10:56 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Thursday, November 13, 2025 Rock Sandpipers, Common Loons, Grebes, Sea Ducks, and a Hummingbird
Thursday, November 13, 2025 Rock Sandpipers, Common Loons, Grebes, Sea Ducks, and a Hummingbird
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:53 am, sunrise 4:33 pm for a total day length of 7 hours and 39 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 45 seconds shorter.
Partly cloudy and cold with a low of 20 and a high of 27, north wind 4-6 mph with gusts to 15. The low sun, when it peeked out, shone like a spotlight on this winter day.
17 First of Season ROCK SANDPIPERS materialized this morning at the tidelands, feeding at the edge of the ebbing tide. Rock Sandpipers generally overwinter in Resurrection Bay in small numbers up to around 40; may their numbers soon increase.
The boat harbor bustled with activity today: two COMMON LOONS, a juvenile and adult RED-NECKED GREBE, nine HORNED GREBES, a large raft of COMMON MERGANSERS, COMMON GOLDENEYES and BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, a few PELAGIC CORMORANTS, BELTED KINGFISHER, SHORT-BILLED and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, and BALD EAGLES.
The Mt Ash berries in the 500-block of First again attracted ROBINS, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, and a VARIED THRUSH. The birds flew back and forth from the shelter of the dense spruce forest in the backyards, or perched high in a cottonwood across the street.
Best of all, the ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD survived another 16-hour cold winter night!
Date: 11/12/25 10:47 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Bohemian Waxwings, and Robins
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Bohemian Waxwings, and Robins
Seward, Alaska
The 500 Block of First and Second Avenues were hopping today with the First of Season BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and lingering (or newly arrived) ROBINS!
I first saw about a dozen Bohemian Waxwings perched high in a cottonwood tree, silhouetted against the cloudy sky. A neighboring tree hosted about as many Robins. Individuals and twos and threes shot off the branches and sailed to nearby Mt Ash trees to pluck and gobble the juicy red berries whole.
The Waxwings chimed their tiny bell-like songs, a sound I did not have the pleasure of hearing at all last winter. Robins clucked and a few unleashed a full spring-time song, so marvelous to hear on a cold winter day.
Counting these active foragers proved difficult as they zipped between First Ave, the alley, and Second, but I’d estimate about 20 each, maybe more.
The Mt Ash trees in town are loaded with berries for their dining pleasure. I hope they stick around for a better count and further search for a Cedar Waxwing or other uncommon companions in their midst.
Sunday, November 9, 2025 Snow Buntings, Killdeer, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Anna's
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:43 am, sunset 4:42 pm for a total day length of 7 hours and 59 minutes. Tomorrow will be 4 minutes and 56 seconds shorter.
Clear, cold, and windy conditions continued today with a low of 23 at 8 am and a high of 28 at 2 pm. Creeks and ponds were mostly frozen. The north wind, gusting to 24 mph, blew away the loose snow on the ground then reached to the mountain tops to shoot snow streamers to the moon.
Yesterday, I rejoiced to find that the KILLDEER survived the recent winter storms as well as at least two SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS. No Cackling Geese seen since Tuesday; maybe they finally did blow south.
The juvenile male ANNA’S hummingbird also survived the winter storms and another long, cold, windy winter night, appearing at my heated feeder at 9:33 this morning and again in the twilight around 4:30 pm.
I checked but did not find the Killdeer or Sharp-tailed Sandpipers today. Instead of one SNOW BUNTING, a flock of about 20 rose up from the beach rye grass and as quickly vanished into the grasses. One called and rose above me, its pure white body and bold black wing tips flashing against the brilliant blue sky. He was close and o so beautiful but the wind wrestled with my camera, leaving me with only the fleeting memory.
Date: 11/7/25 9:25 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Friday, November 7, 2025 Crested Auklet!
Friday, November 7, 2025 Crested Auklet!
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 8:38 am, sunset 4:47 pm, for a total day length of 8 hours and 9 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 0 seconds shorter.
Yesterday’s winter storm hit with ground blizzards, howling north winds gusting to 32 mph, and temps ranging from a low of 27 to a high of 29. After all that, only about 2” of snow fell in town. The north wind continued today with a low of 23, a high of 31 and scattered snow showers. Saturday is forecast to be partly cloudy with similar temps and north wind.
While trying to avoid the ground blizzards where exposed to the north wind, I found several ROBINS and one VARIED THRUSH eating Mt Ash berries on Second Ave. I heard a few PINE GROSBEAKS as well.
Then I headed out Lowell Point Road where the king tide of 13.55 feet peaked at 1:41pm, bringing the seabirds close to the road. On the way back from Lowell Point Beach, I spotted a small, dark seabird that was not a Murrelet. Two plumes stuck up from its forehead marking it as either a WHISKERED AUKLET or a CRESTED AUKLET!
I pulled over, grabbed my camera, opened the window, and tried to get some shots from inside the car. The wild auklet didn’t hang around to pose. Pattering along the surface and stroking mightily, it finally lifted off and veered out to the bay.
When I checked my photos, terrible as they were, the Crested Auklet winter adult most closely resembled the description and underside pattern shown in the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Thanks to Tasha for the verification!
The recent storms must have blown this plump seabird from the North Pacific Ocean or from around Kodiak Island where they are reported to overwinter regularly.
Who knows what else may have blown in with these winter storms? Keep looking!
Date: 11/6/25 9:44 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Snow Bunting, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Dunlins, and Cackling Geese
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Snow Bunting, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Dunlins, and Cackling Geese
Seward, Alaska
Calm today with a low of 26 and a high of 32. Though the snow line is descending on the mountains, there is still no snow on the ground. (Yet.)
Tides this week were among the highest of the year (king tides) thanks to the influence of the stunning Beaver Moon, the closest, largest, and brightest supermoon of the year.
This morning, I refound two of the SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS feeding in shallows of the estuary pond with the two DUNLINS. The five CACKLING GEESE foraged on the edges until flushed by a BALD EAGLE.
Two NORTHERN SHOVELER hens filtered the water with their amazing large, orange, spatula-shaped bills. All these birds (except the Eagle) seem late and might consider booking the next flight south, first class.
The highlight of the day on the ebbing tide was a single, handsome, nonbreeding male SNOW BUNTING, foraging along the high tideline. Normally found in flocks, I wondered if his buddies would soon join him.
A dozen PINE SISKINS flittered through the alders by the road, hanging upside down on the cones and feasting on the tiny seeds. Siskins and Redpolls have been scarce this past winter; it’s nice to see them again.
Over at the harbor uplands, an enthusiastic Steller’s Sea Lion ripped into a large silver salmon, flinging fish scraps for the equally frenzied Gulls. Quite the show!
Date: 11/5/25 1:35 am From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kenai River Common Murre
Today we observed a lone COMMON MURRE in the lower Kenai River. We have not seen any Common Murres there since the big "Blob" related seabird die-off of 2015. This is likely coincidental but it makes one wonder about the huge warm water "Blob" currently sitting in the north Pacific now.
