How do you top two Smews?
Overcast, moderate southwest winds, on and off rain (more on than off…)
We started the day filling feeders and checking Sweeper Cove. We met up with the Sitka contingent at Sweeper Creek and headed up to check the Airport Ponds again. This time the Tufted Ducks cooperated as a male and female were seen well by all.
Haven Lake had no surprises. We stopped at Adak National Forest to fill the feeders and headed towards Clam Lagoon. There were 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Dunlin. Lots of Eurasian Wigeon, pintails, Greater Scaup, Mallards, Common Teal, etc.
The Haas Law of Adak says “You MUST stop at Shotgun Lake every time you get near it.” So we did. And, not only was the female Smew from yesterday still present, it had been joined by another female and an adult male!!!!! We had never seen a male Smew before, so this was tantamount to a lifer. The male Smew is an iconic black and white bird that most birders just dream about seeing. We drove around to the back side of the lake so I could sneak up to the edge of the lake behind a berm and get closer photos than can be had from the other side. Here are a few…
Smews, 1 male, 2 female, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, (female) ready for lift-off, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
Smew, ready for lift-off, Shotgun Lake, May 15, 2015.
That’s how you top two Smews…
We continued around Clam Lagoon, went up to check Lake Ronnie, and came back around. No new birds of note. We spotted this Black Oystercatcher “catching” clams.
Black Oystercatcher, having “caught” a clam, Clam Lagoon, May 15, 2015.
We headed back to town to get gas and pick up some stuff at the store.As we were driving back from the gas station we stopped to check some waterfowl in a nearby pond. As we were doing so, a Bar-tailed Godwit flew in and landed on the roadside.
Bar-tailed Godwit, near the airport, May 15, 2015.
We parted ways with the girls and checked out Sweeper Creek, where we found our first Semipalmated Plover for the trip and flushed a Sandhill Crane! Up at NavFac Creek, we spotted a Common Loon offshore.
Our trip count is 41.
What will tomorrow bring?