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.
