Adak weather at its finest!
Temp in the 40s, overcast, drizzle most of the day, wind WSW 30-40 mph!
It was so lovely out, that Jon decided to take a stroll on the beach…
Jon Boone out for a leisurely beach stroll on a balmy day on Adak…
Notice the tilt towards the WSW…
We headed up to Clam Lagoon first thing to see what might have blown in overnight.
The Little Stint was still there, but not the Red-necked.
Little Stint, Clam Lagoon, May 29, 2018
Along the marsh edge, we found a Pectoral Sandpiper.
Out from the South Lookout, an adult Slaty-backed Gull was sitting with the Glaucous-winged Gulls.
Slaty-backed Gull, Clam Lagoon, May 29, 2018
We headed south, had a Hawfinch at the Adak National Forest, then went down to the marsh. Just as we were approaching, Jon called to say the Spotted Redshank was back!
We raced over to the area, but just as we arrived, it took off and disappeared. Barb saw it fly out, but I missed it. Although we all searched the area for some time, it was not refound.
By the way, the Greater White-fronted Goose that had relocated to the marsh the day before, watched with befuddlement at these strange beings racing around the marsh…
Down at Sweeper Creek, we found a Hawfinch in the lone spruce tree there, This is where we saw our first Adak Brambling.
Hawfinch, Sweeper Creek Spruce, May 29, 2018
The weather was horrible all day, so we took a break mid-afternoon.
When we went back out, we were driving up Bayshore and stopped to check the beach. I saw a small gull next to a large gull and my first reaction was “What’s the large gull?”
It should have been “What’s the small gull?”
It turned out to be a Mew Gull. Only the second that we have seen out here. The question then was “What subspecies?”
After checking the guides and the photos, we determined that it was the North American subspecies Larus canus brachyrhynchus.
Mew Gull Larus canus brachyrhynchus, Sandy Cove Beach, May 29, 2018
Mew Gull Larus canus brachyrhynchus, Sandy Cove Beach, May 29, 2018
Mew Gull Larus canus brachyrhynchus, Sandy Cove Beach, May 29, 2018
How this North American bird found its way out to Adak during a week of strong southwest winds is beyond me. It should have been one of the Asian subspecies.
Jon and Jim had three Sandhill Cranes today.
At 79 species so far, this is already our second-best May total.
One more day to find another good bird.
NOTE: This will be my last post until Friday morning, eastern time. We leave tomorrow evening around 6 pm and don’t get home until Thursday around 5 pm (which is noon Adak time)!