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

We woke up to Mount Moffet topped in a dusting of snow. It was melted by mid-afternoon, but the new snow on Mount Sitkin (1800 ft higher) remained.

We went down to Finger Creek where the salmon run seems about done and smaller than usual. We didn’t find anything new there, but on the way back we found a Gyrfalcon at the Hilltop Quarry, sitting on the same pinnacle that we saw one on in June.

When we got back to town, we heard from Bob and Steve that they went to the clinic and got diagnosed with a bad sprain (NOT broken!). So he is still in pain, but relieved.

We had two Aleutian Cackling Geese fly over and land at the airport (NOT a good idea!).

At Contractors Camp Marsh, we kicked out a flock of 6 either Pectoral or Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. They flew off into the central part of the marsh. We couldn’t get a good enough look at them or get them in the camera.

Then five Pacific Golden-Plovers flew out. But they landed nearby.

I also flushed a snipe, but could not determine the species.

At least one Short-tailed Shearwater continues in Kuluk Bay.

A marine biologist, who was out here to monitor sea mammals while the Marines were playing, confirmed that we were seeing a (or several) Minke Whale(s).

Our Trip List is up to 51 (54 is average). No change to the Year List.

Today’s eBird checklist is at: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60071844