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!
