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.