Monday, May 20, 2013

Mid-40s, south winds, raining all day.

The weather did not help the birding today. At the various feeders, all we had were Gray-crowned Rosy Finches (and a Raven!). On the water tank cliffside, we spotted a Raven’s nest with three almost-fledged young.

Common Raven nest, Adak, May 20, 2013

At Clam Lagoon, two Dunlin joined the flock of godwits on the flats (too far for photos). Along the west shore of the lagoon, a Common Eider stayed close enough for a portrait (you can never have too many eider photos!).

Common Eider, Clam Lagoon, May 20, 2013

Red-breasted Mergansers are abundant on Adak, but fly off at the nearest approach, so it was nice to get a photo of this pair at Lake Shirley.

Red-breasted Mergansers, Lake Shirley, May 20, 2013

We stopped early today (4 pm) as it kept raining and we were having car troubles–the engine died several times today. Cindy (the person we are renting housing and the truck from) promised to have it fixed or get us a replacement vehicle by sometime tomorrow. We suspect it is just condensation in the gas tank, as this vehicle has not been driven for several months. We will see.The wind is supposed to shift to the southwest and then west tomorrow. That should bring some new migrants in.
I hope we have a longer report tomorrow.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

We are here to serve…

Mid-40s, pouring rain, 20-25 mph S winds. The sun made brief appearances in the afternoon, but the rain continued off and on throughout the day.

We birded the usual spots around Sweeper Cove and Creek, then headed up to the Airport Ponds and found a flock of Aleutian Terns–our first for this trip.

At the Elfin Forest, we found an unwelcome visitor on the feeder.

Norway Rat on feeder at Elfin Forest, May 19, 2013

At Clam Lagoon we counted 41 godwits through the rain and fog. At Shotgun Lake, we had 28 Buffleheads, which was a high count of any waterfowl we have ever had on that body of water. Later in the day, we only had a pair of Eurasian Wigeon there.

On the east side of the lagoon we had both Arctic and Aleutian terns. Along the Seawall, we had a flock of 15 Ruddy Turnstones–our first for the trip.

Ruddy Turnstone, Clam Lagoon Seawall, May 19, 2013

We also had two Pacific Loons (we had another at Sweeper Cove later in the day).

At the Seawall Breaches, a small flock of Common Eider were close to shore.

Common Eider, Seawall Breaches, May 19, 2013

Common Eider, Seawall Breaches, May 19, 2013

Zugunruhe Bird Tours (Ie. John Pushock) runs the only tours to Attu currently. This year he is running two trips–one starting today and the other starting May 26. The boat (the Puck Uk) arrived last night and John arrived on the plane this afternoon along with several members of his tour group. Four others arrived with us on Thursday and birded Adak for a few days before getting on the boat for Attu. This morning one of the other tour groups on the island took the Puck Uk out for auklets and had a very successful excursion, getting all of the expected species (Whiskered, Crested, Least, Parakeet, and Cassin’s auklets and more).

We had hoped the Pine Siskins would hang around until John got here, as he needed them for his Adak list. Unfortunately, we had checked the feeder five times today with no success, and none of the other groups had seen them today.

We met John at the airport, had a nice chat, wished him well on his Attu trip, and headed down to the pier to say goodby to the other birders leaving on the trip..We then headed back to our dwelling, and went by he siskin feeder. Lo and behold! Siskin #1 was there! Barb dropped me off there to keep my eye on it and then went to find John. He had just arrived at the boat, so he climbed into the truck and they raced back to the feeder. A minute before they arrived, a pair of eagles swooped low over the feeder, causing all of the birds to flush. But just as they pulled up, the birds returned, including the siskin.

As we said, “We are here to serve!”

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Mid 40s, 10-25 mph S wind, occasional sprinkle.

The siskin population on Adak doubled overnight!

When we checked the Sandy Cove Bluffs feeder this morning there were two Pine Siskins! The new bird was more heavily streaked than the first and the yellow in the wing was less bold, looking more like the siskins we are used to back home.

Pine Siskin #1, Sandy Cove Bluffs feeder, May 18, 2013.

Pine Siskin #2, Sandy Cove Bluffs feeder, May 18, 2013.

You can see why there was some uncertainty about the identification of the first bird on Thursday.

While watching these guys, a couple of ravens decided that the bird seed was too much to pass up and intruded.

Common Raven, Sandy Cove Bluffs feeder, May 18, 2013.

At Sweeper Cove, we had our first Common Murres of the trip. At Phalarope Cove, we had our first Red-necked Phalarope for the trip.

We decided to go down to Finger Creek. While driving up the south side of Sweeper Cove, we stopped to view some alcids out in the cove. While we were standing there, a Bald Eagle decided to let us know that we were a little too close to his (her?) nest.

Bald Eagle, Sweeper Cove, May 18, 2013.

Bald Eagle, Sweeper Cove, May 18, 2013.

Bald Eagle, Sweeper Cove, May 18, 2013.

Nothing new at Finger Creek, so we headed north. We stopped at the Elfin Forest and spotted a duck in the small pond there. It was an American Green-winged Teal — a rare bird on Adak. Unfortunately, it flew before I could get photos. Maybe tomorrow.

We had the usual suspects on Clam Lagoon, with he godwit flock down to 31. As we drove south along the east side, we noted that the Emperor Goose was still there. (Note: several members of the other tour groups got it as a lifer) We went up to Zeto Point, and on our return, the goose was gone. However, birds do wander around the island, so it may still be in the vicinity.

We counted 8 Arctic Terns at Clam Lagoon and a Common Loon off the seawall.

Our trip list is at 42.

The weather is supposed to be 25-35 mph SE winds tonight into Monday morning, gusting up to 60 mph! We hope it blows some new birds in.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Mid-40s, partly sunny, increasing NW winds.

We got a late start today (still recovering from the trip out). Gassed up the truck ($6.11 a gallon!!). Headed down to Sweeper Cove which was practically void of birds. Sweeper Creek had a pair of Rock Sandpipers. No sign of the siskin this morning. After reviewing photos online last night, we agree that it was a Pine Siskin. A new bird for our Adak list, but not a lifer.

We headed north and stopped by Adak National Forest to admire the new sign!

New Adak National Forest sign, May 17, 2013.

At Clam Lagoon, I walked out the peninsula, but didn’t find anything new. However, while out there, the Bar-tailed Godwits flew by.

Bar-tailed Godwits, Clam Lagoon, May 17, 2013.

We get Bar-tailed Godwits every May, but the numbers have ranged from two to scores. This year is apparently a good one.We passed the other tour groups along the way and shared sightings. When we got to the southeast side, we spotted the Emperor Goose sitting with gulls out on the flats trying to blend in. We radioed the nearest tour group and they raced back to get it as it was a lifer for two of them! The other tour group was out of range, but when informed that the bird was still here later in the day, they went looking for it, also. We haven’t heard back from them yet as to whether they found it and if any of their group needed it for a lifer.

As we returned along the seawall, a group of gulls, ravens, and eagles were feasting on some creature washed up into the rocks. We couldn’t see what it was, but the birds were getting their fill.

Common Raven and Glaucous-winged Gulls, Clam Lagoon Seawall,May 13, 2013.

Bald Eagle with fine repast, Clam Lagoon Seawall, May 17, 2013

Back on the west side of the lagoon, in one of the small roadside ponds, a Northern Pintail hustled her brood along the edge.

Northern Pintail with ducklings, near Clam Lagoon, May 17, 2013.

Other birds of note today included 3 Arctic Loons, 4 Arctic Terns, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Marbled and Kittlitz’s Murrelets, Glaucous Gull, and at least 8 Eurasian Wigeon.Our trip list stands at 36.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

We started off our trip with a bang (or maybe just a pop)! But more abut that later…

We tried a new air route this year, flying from Philly to Seattle to Anchorage (all on Alaska Airlines). The advantage was we didn’t have to leave Philly until 5:40 pm. The disadvantage was we didn’t get into Anchorage until midnight. That meant no afternoon birding. This morning, we got our shopping done, stored the food in our motel room and went out for a little birding before our afternoon flight to Adak.

At Westchester Lagoon we had two Barrow’s Goldeneyes, but they flew off before I could get their picture. At Ship Creek, we had two Bonaparte’s Gulls and a cooperative Hermit Thrush.

Bonaparte’s Gull, Ship Creek, Anchorage, May 16, 2013.

Hermit Thrush, Ship Creek, Anchorage, May 16, 2013.

At Potters Marsh, we had an assortment of ducks, Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitchers, Northern Harrier, Sandhill Cranes and a couple of Boreal Chickadees. The only other Boreal Chickadee that we have had previously in Alaska was a dead one we found at the airport terminal several years ago! It was nice to see live ones…

Our flight to Adak was highlighted with a distant view of the Pavlof Volcano spewing ash and steam into the air. Our first erupting volcano!

Erupting Pavlov Volcano, May 16, 2013

We arrived at Adak and after unpacking, heard that the other tour group had an unidentified finch of some sort. We quickly found them at the Sandy Cove Bluffs rock feeder viewing a Siskin, but unsure as to whether it was a Pine or Eurasian.

After much discussion and looks at the bird and photos of the bird, most of the birders present were leaning towards Pine. We will have to do some online research tomorrow (too tired tonight) and see if we agree.

Pine(?) Siskin, Sandy Cove Bluffs, Adak, May 16, 2013.

Whichever species it is will be a new bird for our Adak list and if it is a Eurasian Siskin, a lifer.

We headed up to Clam Lagoon for a quick survey and were surprised to find a flock of 35 Bar-tailed Godwits out on the flats (we had fewer than a dozen last year).

We continued around the lagoon to the seawall, where I spotted a Stellar’s Sea Lion thrashing a bird to death. The bird had a lot of white on it and we suspect it was a Common Eider. The Sea Lion disappeared below the surface with its prey, and as we were scanning for it to surface, we spotted an Emperor Goose flying right towards us! It flew low directly overhead and into the lagoon, where we spotted it a short time later. Of course I was out of the car scanning with the scope without the camera in hand!

More tomorrow (its 11:08 pm!)