Date: 8/27/25 10:00 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Wednesday, August 27, 2025 Mystery Duck---Solved!
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 Mystery Duck---Solved!
Seward, Alaska
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, I photographed a small, crestless, chocolate-brown duck paddling around with four larger MALLARD ducklings in a freshwater creek near the tidelands. Who was this mystery duck?
Many thanks to waterfowl expert Tasha who identified it as a female HOODED MERGANSER! A female Hoody has white under the chin, dark eyes, and a bicolored bill. She noted that her distinctive crest is not present during a molt or in a young bird. Without the bird in hand, she said it’s hard to differentiate between a molting adult or a juvenile.
She also noted that a lot of ducklings are now flying, so there’s no telling where this unusual Hooded Merganser female came from. If she is an adult, it would be fantastic if she were considering taking up residence in a convenient nest box waiting for her with her handsome beau.
The Mallard ducklings were pretty cute too, with bits of baby fuzz still sticking out from their heads. Tasha also noted that their primary wing feathers are not yet fully grown.
This is the first time this summer that I’ve observed a Hoody in this stream with the assorted duckling families and the first time I’ve seen a Hooded Merganser without a crest; she looked so different!
Date: 8/26/25 11:59 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Last Kasilof River Curlew Sandpiper Sighting
It seems James Levison was the last to have seen the Kasilof River CURLEW SANDPIPER, on the afternoon rising tide of Saturday, August 23. The STILT SANDPIPER and RED KNOTS were still being seen through Monday, August 25.
Date: 8/26/25 10:37 am From: Birds800 via groups.io <Birds800...> Subject: [AKBirding] Curlew Sandpiper - No
The Curlew Sandpiper reported from the Kasilof River was not found on 8/24 or 8/25. Two Red Knots continued among many other shorebirds. The number and diversity of birds was excellent.
Date: 8/24/25 11:57 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Sunday, August 24, 2025 A Disturbance in the ’Hood
Sunday, August 24, 2025 A Disturbance in the ’Hood
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:35 am, sunset 9:27 pm for a total day length of 14 hours and 51 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 20 seconds shorter. Note: civil twilight was at 10:14 pm and soon after, it was deep dark.
At 9:55 pm in the dusky twilight on this overcast, mild evening, I heard at least one ROBIN clucking at the edge of the forest across the street. This was very weird as not only have I not seen any Robins in my neighborhood recently, but they do not usually vocalize at night when they should be roosting and snoozing. Something alarmed them.
However, on Wednesday evening around 11 pm in slightly darker dusky twilight, I heard a couple BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES sounding the alarm in the trees near my house. I circled back and stopped to listen and watch. Again, they cried out from their invisible perches, then silence. Then once again. I looked hard, barely able to distinguish sky from dusk, but saw no movement. Could there be an Owl?
The next evening on my neighborhood walk around 10 pm, much to my delight, a SAW-WHET OWL suddenly started beeping in a quavering voice in the trees near my house, but then stopped. He was very close, but I failed to find him.
Again, around 10:30 pm on Friday as the first stars began to appear, he boomed for several minutes from what seemed to be the roof of my neighbor’s house, raising a racket. And then around 11:15 pm on Saturday, I again heard him through my open bedroom window, but more distant.
No wonder the Magpies and Robins were a tad upset. An OWL in their midst! No matter that he was just starting his day by practicing his courtship calls before hunting a tasty vole or shrew, or possibly a young red squirrel or a small songbird for breakfast.
While I always hope to hear the Saw-whets Owls in the breeding season from late February to May, the late August photoperiod may have fooled him. Whatever the reason, it was a pleasure to be tuned in to the wonders in the twilight.
Date: 8/23/25 12:02 am From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kasilof River 8/22: Curlew Sandpiper Continues
Aaron Lang found the CURLEW SANDPIPER again on the rising afternoon tide at the Kasilof River mouth on Friday 8/22. This makes five consecutive days birders have reported finding this species in case others are considering making a try for this bird.
Date: 8/21/25 6:37 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] Kasilof River 8/21: Curlew Sandpiper Persisting
A group of Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula birders relocated the CURLEW SANDPIPER (CUSA) on the rising tide without too much trouble. The bird exhibited the very same use pattern as in previous days - working the advancing tidal edge from well offshore almost into the gravel beach. When the final mass of Greater Yellowlegs and associated shorebirds depart en masse for the river mouth and upland wetlands the CUSA also departs. It then continues to forage along the south side river bank along the water's edge working upstream on the rising tide - sometimes alone and sometimes with dowitchers and or yellowlegs.
Of course, the bird can also be successfully "worked" on a falling tide. Of note: the tides are continuing to grow until Sunday the 24th with the tidal "window" for working the bird generally shrinking until then as the advancing or retreating waters steadily accelerate. Other notable shorebirds at the Kasilof River mouth include RED KNOTS and a lone STILT SANDPIPER. No Sharp-tailed Sandpipers yet. Twenty-three shorebird species have been tallied in the past five days at this site and 27 total shorebird species this August.
Date: 8/19/25 12:18 am From: akredgreen via groups.io <pat...> Subject: Re: [AKBirding] KASILOF RIVER FLATS 8/18: CURLEW SANDPIPER
Tonight we watched the rising tide till it was at gravel as sun was
setting. Lots of shorebirds but alas, no curlew sandpaper. Light not good.
On Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 6:26 PM Kathleen Eagle via groups.io <katheagle=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> This is awesome! I'd love to go down and try to find this bird... seems
> like a long shot!
>
> So cool you found this and thanks for the beautiful photo...
>
> Kathleen
> Kathleen Eagle
> 1276 Beluga Ct.
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1276+Beluga+Ct.++Homer,+AK%C2%A0+99603?entry=gmail&source=g> > Homer, AK 99603
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1276+Beluga+Ct.++Homer,+AK%C2%A0+99603?entry=gmail&source=g> > 907 232-3789
>
> “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
> --J. R. R. Tolkien
>
> *><((((º>`.¸¸.´¯`.¸.´¯`...¸><((((º> ¸. ´¯`.¸. , . .´¯`.. ><((((º>¸. ´¯`.¸.
> , . . ><((((º>`.¸¸.´¯`.¸.´¯`...¸><((((º>*
> *This e-mail is a natural product made from recycled electrons. The slight
> variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and
> beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. *
> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..
> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
> ¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> A molting CURLEW SANDPIPER, showing a substantial amount of red, was seen
>> late morning on the rising tide at the mouth of the Kasilof River -
>> north side, foraging on the intertidal mudflats. While on the mudflats the
>> bird was in view and very conspicuous for over an hour as the tidal change
>> is minimal thus a very slowly advancing tide. The bird worked the tide all
>> the way from 200+ meters offshore to the gravel beach, giving exceptional
>> views. After the intertidal mudflats were completely covered and shorebirds
>> dispersed, we later refound the bird foraging along the muddy banks at the
>> river mouth.
>>
>> If others intend on chasing this bird we recommend optimally working the
>> intertidal mudflats on a rising or falling tide. The sweet spot for this
>> area is between +10 and +14 feet. Lower than +10 feet the bird will be too
>> far off for satisfactory viewing. Higher than a +14 feet the intertidal
>> area is completely covered, with shorebirds largely dispersing up river
>> along river banks and to upland freshwater marshes. Shorebirds will
>> occasionally persist after high tide on the gravel beach for a short period
>> and shorebirds will also start to assemble on the gravel beach in
>> anticipation of the dropping tide and soon exposed intertidal mud. Of
>> course, these beach gatherings are often prematurely dispersed by loose
>> dogs, four-wheelers, helicopters, marauding falcons, etc. Plan accordingly.
>>
>> Toby and Laura Burke
>> Kalifornsky, AK
>>
>>
>
>
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
--J. R. R. Tolkien
*><((((º>`.¸¸.´¯`.¸.´¯`...¸><((((º> ¸. ´¯`.¸. , . .´¯`.. ><((((º>¸. ´¯`.¸.
, . . ><((((º>`.¸¸.´¯`.¸.´¯`...¸><((((º>*
*This e-mail is a natural product made from recycled electrons. The slight
variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and
beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. *
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>
On Mon, Aug 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> A molting CURLEW SANDPIPER, showing a substantial amount of red, was seen
> late morning on the rising tide at the mouth of the Kasilof River -
> north side, foraging on the intertidal mudflats. While on the mudflats the
> bird was in view and very conspicuous for over an hour as the tidal change
> is minimal thus a very slowly advancing tide. The bird worked the tide all
> the way from 200+ meters offshore to the gravel beach, giving exceptional
> views. After the intertidal mudflats were completely covered and shorebirds
> dispersed, we later refound the bird foraging along the muddy banks at the
> river mouth.
>
> If others intend on chasing this bird we recommend optimally working the
> intertidal mudflats on a rising or falling tide. The sweet spot for this
> area is between +10 and +14 feet. Lower than +10 feet the bird will be too
> far off for satisfactory viewing. Higher than a +14 feet the intertidal
> area is completely covered, with shorebirds largely dispersing up river
> along river banks and to upland freshwater marshes. Shorebirds will
> occasionally persist after high tide on the gravel beach for a short period
> and shorebirds will also start to assemble on the gravel beach in
> anticipation of the dropping tide and soon exposed intertidal mud. Of
> course, these beach gatherings are often prematurely dispersed by loose
> dogs, four-wheelers, helicopters, marauding falcons, etc. Plan accordingly.
>
> Toby and Laura Burke
> Kalifornsky, AK
>
>
>
Date: 8/18/25 3:30 pm From: Toby Burke via groups.io <kenaibirder...> Subject: [AKBirding] KASILOF RIVER FLATS 8/18: CURLEW SANDPIPER
A molting CURLEW SANDPIPER, showing a substantial amount of red, was seen late morning on the rising tide at the mouth of the Kasilof River - north side, foraging on the intertidal mudflats. While on the mudflats the bird was in view and very conspicuous for over an hour as the tidal change is minimal thus a very slowly advancing tide. The bird worked the tide all the way from 200+ meters offshore to the gravel beach, giving exceptional views. After the intertidal mudflats were completely covered and shorebirds dispersed, we later refound the bird foraging along the muddy banks at the river mouth.
If others intend on chasing this bird we recommend optimally working the intertidal mudflats on a rising or falling tide. The sweet spot for this area is between +10 and +14 feet. Lower than +10 feet the bird will be too far off for satisfactory viewing. Higher than a +14 feet the intertidal area is completely covered, with shorebirds largely dispersing up river along river banks and to upland freshwater marshes. Shorebirds will occasionally persist after high tide on the gravel beach for a short period and shorebirds will also start to assemble on the gravel beach in anticipation of the dropping tide and soon exposed intertidal mud. Of course, these beach gatherings are often prematurely dispersed by loose dogs, four-wheelers, helicopters, marauding falcons, etc. Plan accordingly.
Date: 8/15/25 11:58 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Friday, August 15, 2025 Two Swans Too Many
Friday, August 15, 2025 Two Swans Too Many
Seward, Alaska
Sunrise 6:13 am, sunset 9:53 pm for a total day length of 15 hours and 39 minutes. Tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 15 seconds shorter.
Sunny with a ripping NNW wind at 20-30 mph with gusts to 35. Trees flailed as loose leaves swirled to the ground. Whitecaps roiled the bay, hammering the Silver Salmon Derby boats. Pleasant temperature ranged from a low of 48 to a high of 62. Fair tomorrow with aa continuing strong NNW wind.
This morning at Mile 1 Nash Road there were two Swans too many. The dominant TRUMPETER SWAN pair though without cygnets, still claimed ownership of the coveted wetlands nursery.
One Swan, likely an offspring, nonchalantly preened and nibbled on horsetails, feigning complete indifference, baiting them. The other, more cautious, waited in the background.
These two adults were recently seen feeding at the Lagoon in town, a favorite diner for our resident Swans. Apparently, they decided on a change of venue and “went home” to hang out with the folks.
The “folks” would have none of it. The indignant pair, side by side, consulted for many minutes, discussing the intruder, bobbing their long white necks. First one, then the other, then together, and faster and faster, they vocalized in angry honks. They really worked themselves up into a lather.
Just as the furious Swan launched his intimidating charge, black feet slapping the water, powerful wings stroking towards the intruder, long neck and spear-like bill open and honking, my phone rang and I had to answer it.
Meanwhile, the charge routed the nearby target who wisely fled to the rear of the pond. Looping around, he blasted the more timid bystander into flight as well. Greatly satisfied, he returned to his appreciative mate and they celebrated with high fives and much honking.
I was so sorry I was unable to photograph the drama.
The surplus Swans, however, impudently remained in the rear of the establishment. As I left, the owners were paddling purposefully, side-by-side, heading their way. More drama in the works for this continuing saga!
Over at Fourth of July Beach, noisy BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES plunged into the milky glacial water pouring into Resurrection Bay from Godwin Glacier. The strong freshwater lens held its tongue-like shape against the strong wind, waves, and currents.
Afognak Beach featured three GREATER YELLOWLEGS poking along the wrack line, perhaps a family group. Pink and Chum salmon surged past to spawn in the small but important Afognak Creek, off-limits to human fishers.
A BELTED KINGFISHER dove for its prey; BALD EAGLES soared above, RAVENS croaked, and a young BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE flashed its iridescent new feathers as it strode confidently along the beach.
Date: 8/8/25 9:11 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Tuesday, August 5, 2025 The Very Late Violet-Green Swallow Family
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 The Very Late Violet-Green Swallow Family
Seward, Alaska
On Saturday, August 2, the parent VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS seemed to be urging their reluctant babies to join them. They circled the airspace in front of the east-facing nest box, calling repeatedly, “Jump! Jump! It will be fun!”
One bright-eyed youngster peered out of the nest box opening, leaning far out as if about to take the big leap, then popped back into safety. No dice. What will finally trigger these reluctant babies to launch and discover their incredible and joyous gift of flight?
I could almost hear the conscientious parents sigh as they resumed swooping around catching insects to deliver to the eager, wide-open bills (at least two.)
Again on Sunday, the bright-eyed eager babies peeped enthusiastically, still stuck in the box, and still receiving deliveries by both parents. I noticed, in the brief exchange, that sometimes the parent fed the baby hogging the opening, then quickly reached past to deliver to one behind.
On Monday, August 4, I didn’t observe much activity. Finally, one anxious little head appeared in the next hole, but I didn’t see any food deliveries. Had the frustrated parents abandoned their babies and fled?
On Tuesday, August 5, there was no activity. It was an abrupt change. While I felt glad they had finally left, I felt sad to not watch the newly fledged youngsters perch precariously on the nearby cables and practice take-offs and landings. Or see the amazing mid-air food transfers from the competent adult to the fluttering fledgling. Maybe in their haste to get gone, they just practiced en route.
Bon voyage, beautiful Swallows! Hope you have a good winter and a safe journey back!
