Another fine day on Adak…
Temp in the 40s, partly cloudy, much sunshine, occasional drizzle, NW wind 10-15 mph.
We checked the feeders and looked for the Hawfinches. No luck.
At Sweeper Cove, an Ancient Murrelet was close enough to photograph.
Ancient Murrelet, Sweeper Cove, May 20, 2015
They are here in good numbers now.
We went to Finger Bay and Creek, but had nothing new there.
We met the High Lonesome group at Palisades Overlook and they reported having seen the Brambling this morning and a Short-eared Owl.
We ran into the Sitka crew near Clam Lagoon, and they reporting having seen the Brambling this morning and some Wood Sandpipers, and 18 Pacific Golden-Plovers. They also said they saw three geese (one of which was different) flying towards Shotgun Lake, but they could not relocate them.
We continued around Clam Lagoon to Shotgun Lake, where the Smew was still present. We then went towards Lake Andrew in case the geese made it over there. No luck.
But, on the way back towards Clam Lagoon, the Gyrfalcon graced us with his presence!
We found 9 godwits and the Dunlin on the east side of the lagoon.
Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin, Clam Lagoon, May 20, 2015
Bar-tailed Godwits, Clam Lagoon, May 20, 2015
When we got back around to the west side again, the godwits and Dunlin had moved back over there also. While scanning the flats, Barb picked out the Black-headed Gull again.
Frank walked out the peninsula to see what other shorebirds might be out there. Instead of shorebirds, however, he found a Glaucous Gull.
Glaucous Gull (left) with Glaucous-winged Gull, Clam Lagoon, May 20, 2015
We went back down to Contractor’s Camp Marsh to look for the Brambling. While we were there, the other groups arrived. As the High Lonesome group drove off, they spotted the Tundra Bean Goose just a short distance away! This time, he was much more cooperative. In the photos, you can see the definitive short, thick neck and bill shape and grin patch.
Tundra Bean Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, May 20, 2015
Tundra Bean Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, May 20, 2015
Tundra Bean Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, May 20, 2015
Everyone was thrilled — except those that wanted a Taiga Bean Goose.
We did not see the Brambling.
We went back to town, had dinner and went over to the High Lonesome group’s house to share war stories, as this was their (and Sitka’s) last night on the island.
Afterwards, we went back out to check feeders, including the new Brambling one. No go, but we had a Wood Sandpiper up at the marsh.
On the way back to town, a flock of 37 Cackling Geese flew off the roads onto the airport.
Our trip list is now 61, which is the average number we get on our May trips, and we still have a week to go!