Temp in the 40s, Partly Sunny, Wind SE 5-10 MPH

Our final day.

Nothing new. The Hawfinch has not been seen since early yesterday. The Godwit and Brant are still here.

However, we did have a Common Snipe pose for us this morning.

Common Snipe, Contractor’s Camp Marsh. June 8, 2019

Chris Feeney is staying until the 12th, so we hope he gets some new birds. And the Adak Pelagic birders will be around after their trip (depending on weather).

We ended up with 70 species (slightly better than average).

Our strategy of coming a week later this year paid off in what was certainly not a good year. We got several Asian birds after all of the earlier groups had left — Common Greenshank, Eye-browed Thrush, Brambling, Hawfinch, Wood Sandpiper, (Siberian) Whimbrel.

And we had some unusual birds for Adak — Snow Goose, Brant, Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveler, Herring Gull (American), Bank Swallow.

A Long-tailed Duck lingering well into June was interesting, as was the Horned Grebe (of which there were only 2!).

We had only two Bar-tailed Godwits, but the earlier groups only had one!

There were a lot of snipe around this year (both Common and Wilson’s) and no one had any trouble seeing both.

On the other hand, there were very few Rock Ptarmigans.

The spring Long-billed Dowitchers were new for our spring trips (and beautiful birds, to boot).

Two Wandering Tattlers and a Thick-billed Murre were nice finds.

Our best bird however was the Bank Swallow, as that was a new Adak bird for us.

Our trip home was uneventful and we will be planning our September trip shortly. However, the military is planning on running some exercises on Adak this September and have not yet settled on a date. So we can’t plan until we know — it would not be fun to be scanning seabirds at the Seawall and have a thousand marines storming ashore!

We will let you know…

Temp in the 40s, partly sunny, Wind SE 5-10 mph

A fishing boat came in this morning, so we hoped there would be stuff coming out of the Fish Factory outflow off the Sweeper Cove Breakwall, thus attracing gulls. We checked several times in the morning and later in the afternoon, but saw no activity. However, there are always a few gulls hanging around – just in case – and this morning we had two Herring Gulls (American subspecies).

Two days ago, our Ford Expedition had a flat ire, so we got a late start that morning. Today, down at Finger Bay, our vehicle failed to start! Luckily, Bill and John were there and gave me a ride up to the top of the hill where I could get a Cell Phone signal and call for assistance! Otherwise, it would have been a one-mile uphill climb! Anyway, we got another truck (lost two hours of birding time) and soldiered on.

While waiting for the calvary, I got some nice oystercatcher flight photos.

Black Oystercatcher, Finger Bay, June 7, 2019

Black Oystercatcher, Finger Bay, June 7, 2019

Puffins, all of a sudden, are showing up all over. We had several close Horned Puffins today and many Tufteds farther out.

Horned Puffin, Sweeper Cove Breakwall, June 7, 2019

We saw the Hawfinch briefly this morning, but not later in the day.

The Bar-tailed Godwit and Brant were still on Clam Lagoon, and the Long-tailed Duck was still at the Seawall.

Long-tailed Duck, Seawall, June 7, 2019

We leave tomorrow afternoon (around 5 pm) and expect to arrive home around 5 pm Sunday.

So my next posting will be Monday morning.

Jon is leaving with us, but Chris will be here until Wednesday. Also, the boat from Attu arrives tomorrow. We don’t know if any of them will remain on the island or just fly out with us. However, the three birders who arrived two days ago should be joined by other birders coming in on the flight for the pelagic trip, and they usually get a day or two to bird on the island after the boat trip. So there will be some coverage for a few days after we leave.

Our trip list stands at 69.

Temp in the 40s, partly sunny, wind SE 5-10 mph

A sunny, balmy day. Not exactly “good bird” weather…

A flock of Rock Sandpipers have been hanging around the Landing Lights Jetty and nearby beach. We had 16 today. Here are a few of them.

Rock Sandpiper, Landing Lights, June 6, 2019

The Brant and Hawfinch are still here, but we did not see the godwit today.

The American Wigeon continues to hang out with the Eurasians on Haven Lake.

And the Long-tailed Duck is still at the Seawall.

We hadn’t seen Buffleheads since June 1, so it was a surprise to see two today at Clam Lagoon.

Bufflehead, Clam Lagoon, June 6, 2019

As we were heading home late in the afternoon, Jon called to say he had a Wood Sandpiper. We went and saw it, but couldn’t get John and Bill on the radio. The bird was down the little road near the Power Plant. It had flushed when they drove down the road and eventually flew behind a warehouse there where there is a very tiny wet area. The very same thing happened to us a couple of years ago – same flush-spot, same end-spot — only there were 3 instead of 1 sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper, near the Power Plant, June 6, 2019

After leaving there, we were able to finally raise Bill and John, but the bird was gone when we got back there. This was the first Wood Sandpiper in several days.

Late in the day, Jon and Chris had a King Eider and a Herring Gull at the Seawall.

Our Trip List remains at 67.

Temp in the 40s, overcast, Wind SE 5-10 mph

The Brant, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Hawfinch are still here.

The latest record for the godwit on Adak is June 15, so we are creeping up on it. Unfortunately, we leave on the 8th and Chris leaves on the 12th, so if this bird stays beyond the 12th, we will not know.

This is the first June record for Brant on Adak, but there are a couple of June records for other Aleutian Islands (Nizki and Amchitka).

We had an American Wigeon hanging out with the Eurasian Wigeons on Haven Lake.

At the Seawall, the Long-tailed Duck was still here. There are records of this species remaining all summer. Also, 2 Pacific and one Common Loon (we had another Common Loon on Lake Leone).

Shearwaters were still flying by the Seawall at the horizon.

As mentioned in a previous post, there are fewer than normal ptarmigan around. Here is one who stood still.

Rock Ptarmigan, Adak, June 5, 2019

Rock Ptarmigan, Adak, June 5, 2019

We had three Ancient Murrelets in Sweeper Cove.

The Horned Grebe was still in Sweeper Cove. There are no Horned Grebe records for June on Adak, so this is a late date.

Up at the North Quarry, a Snow Bunting posed a second.

Snow Bunting, North Quarry, June 5, 2019

Finally, at the Seawall, we had a Thick-billed Murre. The inverted “V” neckline was visible, but it dove and emerged too far out for photos. Maybe tomorrow. They are uncommon this time of year.

Jim Deforge left today, but two more birders arrived early for the Adak Pelagic trip which starts on Saturday.

Trip List is 67.

Large waterfowl and passerines…

Temp in the 40s, overcast, occasional drizzle, Wind SE 5-10 mph

Not as many Tufted Puffins and other alcids off the Sweeper Cove jetty this morning. The feeders continue to attract Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, but nothing else (except the Hawfinch at the Thrush Feeder).

The Snow Goose did not leave after all. It just moved to a different part of the Marsh, where we saw it this morning. This is only the third record for Adak (and we’ve seen two of them!).

Snow Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, June 4, 2019

As mentioned above, the Hawfinch is still around, but the Brambling has not yet discovered a feeder.

At Clam Lagoon’s West Lookout, I spotted a Brant on the east side. We called the guys and met them on the east side, where we all got nice views. This is our second Brant record for Adak and one of only a dozen or so overall.

Brant, Clam Lagoon, June 4, 2019

Brant, Clam Lagoon, June 4, 2019

After viewing the Brant, we continued back along the Seawall and saw the (a) Long-tailed Duck again.

As we were heading back to town, the Low Tire Pressure light came on, so we headed for the house and called for assistance. I measured the tire pressure and it was on 27 – the other tires were 45. They came over, removed the tire, inflated it and looked for leaks. None were found. So they put the tire back on and we will keep an eye on it.

While we were waiting, the guys called and said a Tundra Swan was at the Airport Ponds. After getting back on the road, we went over there and saw it. By comparing the photos, we determined this was the same bird we had last seen on the 29th.

Tundra Swan, Airport Ponds, June 4, 2019

Earlier in the day, the guys told us they had a breeding-plumaged Horned Grebe down at the Marina. It wasn’t there when we checked, but they later refound it out in Sweeper Cove, where we got to see it. The one we had on the Seawall was still in winter plumage, so this makes a total of 2 for the trip.

Horned Grebe, Sweeper Cove, June 4, 2019

We then went to the Sweeper Channel. While scoping some waterfowl upstream, I spotted a swallow! We called the guys and they arrived shortly. After searching downstream, where I thought I last saw it, Barb spotted it back upstream, just where we found it before. It was quickly identified as a Bank Swallow (or Sand Martin as the Brits call it). I went and sat on the bank of the channel for a half-hour or so attempting to get identifiable photos of this VERY fast-flying little bird. After a couple hundred photos (many of them blank!), here are my best efforts.

Bank Swallow, Sweeper Channel, June 4, 2019

Bank Swallow, Sweeper Channel, June 4, 2019

Bank Swallow, Sweeper Channel, June 4, 2019

Bank Swallows are circumpolar, so this guy could have arrived here from either the east or west! This as an Adak bird for us. And it is one of only a few for Adak.

Our Trip List is 66.

Keep ‘em comin’…

Temp in the 40s, partly sunny, wind variable 5-15 mph

A very pleasant day on Adak. Less wind, some sun, and no rain.

Kuluk Bay was flat and calm this morning, so alcids that normally are too far off shore to see in choppy or wavy seas were visible today. We had 80+ Tufted Puffins and one Horned Puffin.

We were cruising around town this morning (looking for passerines) when Jon called us about a Snow Goose up at the Marsh. We got there shortly, and yup, there was a Snow Goose! We have only seen Snow Goose out here once before, in May, 2012. So this was a pretty good bird.

Snow Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, June 3, 2019

Snow Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, June 3, 2019

Snow Goose, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, June 3, 2019

It flew around a bit and then landed back in the marsh again. It was gone this afternoon. Of course, where we come from — Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — two months or so ago, we had thousands of these at the nearby Middle Creek Wildlife Management  Area. A beautiful sight, but hardly rare. It’s all relative…

After viewing the goose, we checked the Thrush Feeder and the Hawfinch was still there. By the way, the boat from Attu is due back here on the 8th and they have not seen a Hawfinch there, so they are hoping this bird hangs around! Come to Adak where the good birds are…

We started heading towards Clam Lagoon, when the guys called again to tell us they had a Brambling at Warbler Willows! It had flown off by the time we got back there, but we hope it will find one of the feeders and settle in for a few days.

While looking for the Brambling, Chris pointed out a Pacific Wren for us. These wrens can be difficult to find in the spring, unlike in the fall when young’uns are about and you are tripping over them!

The guys walked out the Peninsula and had the Bar-tailed Godwit being pursued by a Parasitic Jaeger. So I don’t know if we will see her again…

At the northwestern quadrant of the lagoon, many murrelets were enjoying the calm water. Both Marbled and Kittlitz’s were courting and calling.

Up at Lake Ronnie, I had a Lesser Scaup hanging out with the Greaters.

The Lapland Longspurs have been particularly accommodating this year for photos. In the past, they always seemed too fidgety. This year, they are standing on their posts or rocks and standing still between changing positions. Here are a few shots.

Lapland Longspur, Palisades Overlook, June 3, 2019

Lapland Longspur, Palisades Overlook, June 3, 2019

Lapland Longspur, Palisades Overlook, June 3, 2019

Lapland Longspur, Palisades Overlook, June 3, 2019

Last fall, I mentioned how I found the fall Long-billed Dowitchers in a different posture (and hence “jizz”) than spring birds. Spring birds looking more snipe/woodcock-shaped, while fall birds were tall and slender. Here is a prime example comparing this year’s birds with one from a few Septembers ago.

Long-billed Dowitchers. May 28, 2019 (left), Sept 13, 2009 (right)

See!

Our Trip List is 62.

Temp in the 40s, partly sunny, occasional light drizzle/rain, Wind variable 10-15 mph

The winds are shifting. Sometimes today they were from the northwest, other times northeast, sometimes calm.

However, the birds didn’t change much.

We saw another Red-throated Loon at the Seawall and a couple of Common Loons elsewhere.

The guys had two Wandering Tattlers at the same location where we found one two days ago.

The Hawfinch is still here, as are the Whimbrels and Bar-tailed Godwit.

Bar-tailed Godwit, Clam Lagoon, June 2, 2019

Whimbrel (Siberian race), Bayshore Road Beach, June 2, 2019

Whimbrel (Siberian race), Bayshore Road Beach, June 2, 2019

These three Whimbrels are extremely flighty. Whimbrels that we have found here in the past have usually been fairly approachable. Not these guys! Just poking your head over the dunes to check the shoreline sends these guys flying. Yet, they keep sticking around…

The Lupine is beginning to bloom and I found a new flower to add to my flower photos page – Lyrate Rockcress (Arabidopsis lyrata). I found it while walking over the dunes to look at the Whimbrels!

Lupine beginning to bloom, June 2, 2019

Lyrate Rockcress (Arabidopsis lyrata), June 2, 2019

Jon had a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and a couple of Wood Sandpipers at the Marsh today. We get a lot of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in the fall, but this my be the first spring record for Adak. Unfortunately, we did not see it.

Our bird feeder at the house consists of an old cable spool that the guys rolled over from nearby. The Rosy-Finches love it, as do the ravens. However, the ravens have now started to tear it apart to get at the seeds between the boards!

Raven damage to feeder (with a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch looking on).

Trip List is stuck at 59.

Temp in the 40s, partly sunny, wind N 10-20 mph NO RAIN!

This is our first Adak trip in June since 2008. In that year, we came out on May 29 and stayed until June 12. The plan was to stay late enough so that when we got back to the mainland, we could spend a few days up at the Denali Highway looking for Arctic Warblers, Smith’s Longspur, and Willow Ptarmigan. Unfortunately, we were still too early because the warbler and longspur had not yet returned, and we did not get up early enough to find ptarmigan out on the edge of the road. So we dipped out on all three, but still had a good time and saw a lot of other Alaskan birds.

On Adak that year, we were still novices at finding “goodies”, the weather was balmy, and the only bird of note was a Northern Wheatear. However, we did have a number of notable June records for Adak – Emperor Goose, Bufflehead(1), Gadwall.

For the mandatory Bald Eagle photo for the year, I present our national emblem in all his glory!

Peekaboo!

We found that the Hawfinch had moved down the hill to the Thrush Feeder (probably because the rat at the National Forest was eating all of the bird seed!).

Hawfinch, Thrush Feeder, June 1, 2019

The Eye-browed Thrush was not seen today.

At the Warbler Willows, we did not have any warblers, but this Lapland Longspur posed nicely.

Lapland Longspur, Warbler Willows, June 1, 2019

At Lake Andrew, we had a Common Loon and another one from the Palisades Overlook.

Up at the Seawall, we finally found a lone Black-legged Kittiwake out on Goose Rocks and a lone Horned Grebe at Janet’s Cove. We normally have dozens of Red-necked Grebes and a dozen Horned Grebes here in May, but this is the only grebe we have seen so far. And the other birding groups before us did not do much better. Don’t know why…

Parasitic Jaegers are hard to photograph because they are an all-dark bird. So this pair in decent lighting was a treat.

Parasitic Jaegers, Clam Lagoon, June 1, 2019

As we were going back to town, we stopped to scan the beach near where the Whimbrels were yesterday and found one out on the beach. As we continued down the road, the other two flushed off of the sand dunes, were joined by their beach-mate and flew back up the beach.

After dinner, I went back out with Chris and Jon and we had a pair of American Wigeons in Sweeper Channel. A species we had missed so far this trip. Eurasian Wigeons are the “common” ones out here, but each year, a few Americans show up.

American Wigeon, Sweeper Channel, June 1, 2019

The Trip List is at 59.

No new lifers or Adak birds so far, but still not a bad first week.

One to go.