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.
