Mid-40s (this is getting  repetitive, isn’t it?), partly cloudy, light winds.

After checking the usual spots around Sweeper Cove and Creek, we headed up to White Alice–a promontory west of town on which the cell phone towers are located. It usually doesn’t have many birds (except for Snow Buntings) but affords a nice view of Shagak Bay on the western side of Adak Island.

As we neared the top, a shorebird flew in front of us and up to the summit. We quickly reached the top and, as we got out of the truck, a Wandering Tattler called and flew off! Not a bird we were expecting up there…

My experience with Snow Buntings on Adak has been mostly from afar, as they rarely allow close approach. Today was finally different, as one stayed close-by and allowed me to get some stunning photos!

We headed back down, and at the Airport Ponds, there was a flock of Aleutian Terns feeding.

Aleutian Terns feeding at Airport Ponds, May 22, 2013

At Clam Lagoon, the godwit flock has dwindled down to eleven birds, as the nice weather has provided incentive for the departure of most of the flock. As she was scanning the lagoon, Barb picked out an American Green-winged Teal. It was too far for pictures, but if it was there on our return swing around the lagoon, I would walk out on the flats and try to get some.

We then headed out to the Loran Station–the northernmost point on Adak. A Pacific Wren serenaded us as we did a seawatch for pelagics. The only ones we saw were Short-tailed Shearwaters at the limit of our visibility.

We returned to Clam Lagoon and headed over to the seawall. There, Barb (again!!) spotted an Emperor Goose out on one of the rocky islands just south of the seawall. We hadn’t seen one since Saturday.

At the Seawall Breaches, two Black Oystercatchers were present.

Black Oystercatcher, Seawall Breaches, May 22, 2013

When we got back to the south end of the lagoon, I walked out on the flats towards the feeding teal in hopes that the American was still there. It was.

American (left) and Eurasian Green-winged Teal, Clam Lagoon, May 22, 2013

Our trip list stands at 56.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another nice day before the next storm arrives Friday.