The Birding

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What to Expect

The Birds

Where to Go

What to expect...

The key to birding on Adak is to cover as many areas as you can every day. It is very repetitive, constantly driving the same routes, scanning the same mudflats, walking the same marshes, but you never know where or when something new will show up. Many birds are just passing through, so, if you are not at the right spot at the right time, too bad!

Except for Glaucous-winged Gulls, Bald Eagles, Common Ravens, and Lapland Longspurs, birdlife is not abundant on the island. There is usually a lot of stuff in the sea, but land birding can be very frustrating. The various ponds, lakes and marshes can have hundreds of birds at a time or nothing at all. It frequently changes from day-to-day, depending on the weather. On Adak, patience is a virtue.

One strategy used by most birders is to take bird seed along and scatter it in strategic locations (usually near trees or shrubs) to attract passers-by. See the photo gallery for "feeder" spots.

On a typical day in late May, you should see the following:

  • Hundreds of Lapland Longspurs (I think their territory consists of one square yard!)
  • Many Ravens, Bald Eagles, Green-winged (Common) Teal, and Glaucous-winged Gulls
  • A dozen or more Gray-crowned Rosy Finches and Song Sparrows
  • Several to dozens of Rock Ptarmigan
  • A few to dozens of Rock Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalaropes
  • A few Snow Buntings
  • A Winter Wren or two, if lucky.
  • Several to dozens of Aleutian Terns, depending on how late in the month it is (later equals more).
  • Several to dozens of Arctic Terns.
  • A dozen or two Red-faced and Pelagic cormorants.
  • Several pairs of Kittlitz's Murrelets in Clam Lagoon
  • Several to many Marbled Murrelets, mostly in Clam Lagoon and Kuluk Bay.
  • Lots of Pigeon Guilemots
  • Ancient Murrelets, Horned and Tufted puffins in variable numbers.
  • Mallards, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Common Eider, and Red-breasted Mergansers in variable numbers
  • Several Semipalmated Plovers and Black Oystercatchers
  • A couple of Parasitic Jaegers
  • Depending on the date, there will be an assortment of migrating waterfowl including Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck (earlier is better).
  • There may be an extra shorebird or two, although counts of Bar-tailed Godwits can be up to 20-plus. You might get a half-dozen Ruddy Turnstones or Pacific Golden Plovers. Most other shorebirds occur singly (and are often goodies!). Do not expect large numbers of shorebirds. Although the tidal flats in Clam Lagoon look enticing, most shorebirds do not migrate through the Aleutian Islands, preferring coastal Alaska or the east coast of Asia.
  • Common and/or Wilson's snipe can be found with work or luck in Contractor's Camp Marsh (and elsewhere).
  • If you are lucky, you might run into a Gyrfalcon or Peregrine Falcon (Peregrines are more numerous in the fall).
  • If you take a boat trip in early to mid-May, you should get Whiskered, Crested, and Parakeet auklets. Other pelagic species are likely.

    Anything else is a bonus (and probably well worth it!).

In fall (September) the numbers change and phalaropes, Semipalmated Plovers, terns, and jaegers have left and Snow Buntings are up on the mountainsides. There are even more (if that is possible) Lapland Longspurs in large flocks that scatter ahead of your vehicle as you drive the roads. Migrating and wintering waterfowl have not yet arrived so the variety is reduced. It has been our experience that the breeding passerines are more easily approached (and photographed) in the fall because of all of the immature birds around. In most of our fall trips, a flock of 30-40 Sanderlings lingered in Clam Lagoon most of the week and attracted other shorebirds (singles), including Little Stint, Baird's Sandpiper, Dunlin, etc. The visitors changed day-to-day, so examining the Sanderling flock closely every day (and several times per day) was mandatory.

In both spring and fall, the occurence of rarities is a crapshoot. It is different every year. An example is Wood Sandpiper. On our first trip in May 2005 there were a half-dozen or so that hung around much of the month. In 2006, there were about a hundred. In 2007 and 2008 there were maybe two, and in 2015 they were everywhere!

The Birds

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The following breeders are easy to get with little effort. (A) = Adak or Aleutian subspecies or race

Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal (Most are the eurasian race, but a few of the North American race also occur.)
Greater Scaup
Common Eider (Nest on small rocky islands off-shore)
Harlequin Duck (Does not breed on Adak, but present in good numbers year-round)
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Ptarmigan (A)
Red-faced Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Semipalmated Plover
Black Oystercatcher
Rock Sandpiper (A)
Wilson's Snipe
Red-necked Phalarope
Parasitic Jaeger
Glaucous-winged Gull
Arctic Tern
Aleutian Tern
Pigeon Guillemot
Marbled Murrelet (Clam Lagoon and Kuluk Bay)
Kittlitz’s Murrelet (mostly in Clam Lagoon)
Horned Puffin
Tufted Puffin
Common Raven
Winter Wren (A)
Song Sparrow (A)
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (A)

The following breeders are harder to get as they do not breed there every year or require a boat trip.

Northern Shoveler
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (generally only seen on boat trip)
Whiskered Auklet (generally only seen on boat trip)
Short-eared Owl

The following are common migrants which should be seen.

Eurasian Wigeon
Bufflehead
Red-necked Grebe
Horned Grebe
Northern Fulmar (generally only seen on boat trip)
Short-tailed Shearwater (visible from shore, but most easily seen on boat trip)
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (generally only seen on boat trip)
Peregrine Falcon
Pacific Golden-Plover
Wandering Tattler
Bar-tailed Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Pectoral Sandpiper
Common Snipe (breeds)
Black-legged Kittiwake
Common Murre
Ancient Murrelet
Cassin’s Auklet (generally only seen on boat trip)
Parakeet Auklet (generally only seen on boat trip)
Least Auklet (generally only seen on boat trip)
Crested Auklet (generally only seen on boat trip)

The following are uncommon migrants which are often seen.

Emperor Goose (common in winter)
Cackling Goose
American Wigeon
Tufted Duck
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Red-throated Loon
Arctic Loon
Pacific Loon
Laysan Albatross (seen from shore, but easier on boat trip)
Mottled Petrel (generally only seen on boat trip)
Leach’s Storm-Petrel (generally only seen on boat trip)
Gyrfalcon
Wood Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper
Dunlin
Black-headed Gull
Slaty-backed Gull

The following rarities (rare for Adak!) have been recorded on Adak. (H) = hypothetical

Tundra Bean Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Brant
Tundra Swan (and Bewick's Swan)
Whooper Swan
Gadwall
Falcated Duck
Spot-billed Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Garganey
Redhead
Canvasback
Common Pochard
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Steller’s Eider
King Eider
Surf Scoter
Smew
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser (and Goosander)
Yellow-billed Loon
Western Grebe (H)
Black-footed Albatross
Cook’s Petrel (Recorded on a ship "near Adak")
Sooty Shearwater
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Osprey (H)
Northern Harrier
Rough-legged Hawk
Merlin
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover
Lesser Sand-Plover
Common Ringed Plover
Gray-tailed Tattler (Fall)
Common Greenshank
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Marsh Sandpiper
Spotted Redshank
Common Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Bristle-thighed Curlew
Far Eastern Curlew
Black-tailed Godwit
Black Turnstone (H)
Great Knot
Red Knot
Red-necked Stint
Little Stint
Temminck’s Stint
Long-toed Stint
Least Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Ruff
Long-billed Dowitcher
Red Phalarope
Pomarine Jaeger
Long-tailed Jaeger
Bonaparte’s Gull (H)
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Glaucous Gull
Sabine’s Gull
Red-legged Kittiwake
Ross’s Gull
Common Tern
Thick-billed Murre
Long-billed Murrelet
Rhinoceros Auklet
Common Cuckoo
Oriental Cuckoo
Snowy Owl
Fork-tailed Swift
Northern Shrike
Sky Lark
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Wood Warbler
Dusky Warbler
Gray-streaked Flycatcher
Siberian Rubythroat
Taiga Flycatcher
Northern Wheatear
Eyebrowed Thrush
Dusky Thrush
American Robin
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Gray Wagtail
White Wagtail
Olive-backed Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
American Pipit
Bohemian Waxwing
Blackpoll Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Tree Sparrow (H)
Savannah Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Rustic Bunting
McKay’s Bunting
Rusty Blackbird (H)
Brambling
Common Rosefinch
White-winged Crossbill (H)
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
Pine Siskin
Oriental Greenfinch
Hawfinch

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Where to Go

Print Version (includes maps)

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The following is a list of some of the birding areas on Adak starting in the south and working north. See the maps for locations. The month and year in () indicates when a particular species was seen. Only records since 2004 are highlighted. Some of the names of the locations are names adopted by birders and not necessarily official names that you would find on a map.

Finger Bay and Finger Creek (map)

The bay harbors waterfowl, cormorants, alcids, and an occasional shorebird. As you drive along the shore, watch for two access points that you can drive down to get better views of the bay. Drive up the bay until you come to a road that switches back to the left (down the hill). Take that down to the bayside and follow it by car or foot upstream. Cars can only get so far depending on the wetness conditions. At the first ford, a trail goes to the left and follows the stream up to the second ford. This trail is the best area to look for shorebirds such as tattlers (both species) and Common Sandpiper. Continue walking upstream looking for passerines, etc.. This stream hosts a huge salmon run in the fall.

Quarries (map)

On the road between the marina and Finger Bay there are two quarries. The north one has nesting Winter Wren and is good for Snow Bunting. Brambling (Sept 2007). The Hilltop one is good for Snow Bunting.

Marina (map)

Check the marina for close alcids and the shoreline for shorebirds.

White Alice and Shagak Bay (map)

The road that goes west from the marina leads up to White Alice (the bluff on which the cell phone towers are located). It goes by several lakes and marshes. We get few birds here, but you never know. The bluff affords a great view of Shagak Bay and the islands to the west of Adak. You can hike down to Shagak Bay from several points on this road (or use an ATV - but not all the way). Shagak can have good birds, but is difficult to get to and takes most of the day to bird because you are on foot.

Crane Fields (map)

This area on the west side of the gas station can host Sandhill Cranes, shorebirds and passerines.

Sweeper Creek (map)

Sweeper Creek is divided into three portions. The section from Sweeper Cove to the second bridge is called the Sweeper Creek Estuary. The section from the second bridge to a dead end has a road following the eastern side of Sweeper Creek for a hundred yards or so. We call this portion Sweeper Channel. Take the road just west of the bridges and turn right to go down to the western side of the creek where you can follow the creek looking for shorebirds and passerines. We call this area Sweeper Creek. Check all of these areas for shorebirds and waterfowl. Terek Sandpiper (May 2007). Brambling (May 2006 and May 2008), Common Greenshank (May 2006, May 2008, May 2015),etc.

High School Willows and Spruces (map)

There are several clumps of willows on the hillside just south of the old High School. Good for passerines. Also check the spruces behind the old High School. The spruces is where we had the Eurasian Sparrowhawk!

Bering Hill (map)

Behind the barracks on the west side of Bering Hill are a few stunted pines worth checking.

Airport Ponds (map)

These ponds are good for waterfowl and Aleutian Terns. Tufted Duck (most Mays). Smew (May 2007).

Marine Memorial (map)

This consists of a couple of large spruces worth checking for passerines.

Airport Escarpment (map)

This area can harbor an occasional shorebird in the small wet areas along the road side. It is also good for Snow Bunting. At the end, it provides a view of Airport Creek (waterfowl) that flows from the Airport Ponds.

Redpoll Building (map)

The double-fenced buildings at the southwest approach to Contractors Camp Marsh hosted a large flock of redpolls one year – hence the name.

Sweeper Cove (map)

Follow the road along the north side of sweeper cove and scan for alcids, cormorants, and waterfowl. The jetty (breakwall) at the mouth of the cove can be driven. Behind a salmon-colored building is Cormorant Jetty which can be walked to for a view the cove. Just east of there is Phalarope Cove, which usually harbors a flock of Red-necked Phalaropes in late May. Early morning is best for looking for alcids. You can also view the cove from the south side from the road that goes down to Finger Bay. There is also an overlook on the left (the road is hard to see), just past the road to the North Quarry. Slaty-backed Gull (Sept 2007)

Bayshore Highway (map)

Follow the road along Kuluk Bay stopping and scanning for alcids, gulls, cormorants, waterfowl, and shorebirds. One of the small rocky islands off this section hosted a Bristle-thighed Curlew in May 2007. Black-headed Gull (May 2007).

Town of Adak (map)

Drive around town looking for passerines in the few shrubs and trees. Scatter bird seed at the few trees and shrubs located next to abandoned houses. Although you might see a birdfeeder or two, the people living on Adak usually do not bother to fill feeders. Hawfinch and Brambling (most Mays)

Sandy Cove Bluff (map)

The bluff between the town and Kuluk Bay is known as Sandy Cove Bluff. Towards the north end is a large flat rock that we put seed on. This sheltered area has hosted Brambling (2008) and Hawfinch (2010)

Landing Lights Beach (map)

Park next to the landing lights and walk out to the beach. The rocks under the pier frequently host Rock Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstones. It also gives you a view up the beach towards NavFac Creek. Ruff (May 2005)

Contractors Camp Marsh (map)

An extensive area that is good for marsh-loving shorebirds. However, you need to get your boots on and slog through the marsh if you want to see much. Common and Wilson's Snipe (identified by underwing pattern and tail feather position or the different winnowing call), Wood Sandpiper (some years -- many, other years -- none), and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Fall) are fairly regular here. Park at the white building at the western end of the road and walk around from there. The area is quite extensive and some areas are deeper than others. Even the small wet areas next to the road can harbor shorebirds. Be sure to scope the large pond at the western end for waterfowl (most easily scoped from the road coming from the Airport Ponds).

Navfac Creek (map)

Where Navfac Creek empties into the bay, scan the beach for shorebirds and gulls.

Adak National Forest (map)

Check this clump of spruces and a clump of stunted spruces just down the road (dubbed the State Park) every day for passerines. A good place to put bird seed (on the steps and on the feeder in the willows). Oriental Greenfinch (Sept 2007), Brambling, Eurasian Kestrel (Sept 2012).

Pectoral Marsh (map)

Check this small wetland for shorebirds.

Haven Lake and Warbler Willows (map)

Check this lake (also known as Boy Scout Lake) for waterfowl from the upper road (east side) and for occasional shorebirds from the lower road (west side). Just west of the lake is a road to the left which goes down to some cabins with a willow-lined stream (Wood Warbler, Sept 2014, Blackpoll Sept 2015, Gray-streaked Flycatcher Sept 2017, Golden-crowned Sparrow Sept 2017). Upstream is a gorge with scattered spruces which looks enticing for passerines, but is not easy to access.

Lake Andrew and Lake Jean - south and west shore (map)

After passing the road to Haven Lake, take the next right to go down to the southern tip of Lake Andrew (this cove is known as Lake Jean). After birding there, return to the road and continue on to the western shoreline of Andrew Lake. You can only go so far, as the area bordering Lake Andrew is off-limits because of unexploded ordnance. There are small ponds along this road which are good for waterfowl and phalaropes. The vegetation can harbor passerines and the lake has waterfowl (usually not many).

Elfin Forest (map)

This stand of small spruces should be checked for passerines. Oriental Greenfinch (Sept 2007) The small pond at the south end had a Baikal Teal once.

Palisades Overlooks (map)

There are three overlooks of the palisades between the Elfin Forest and Clam Lagoon. Each affords a view of a different section. Be careful driing up to the Mid-Palisades Overlook as there is a serious pothole halfway up.
Scan Kuluk Bay for waterfowl, gulls, alcids, etc.

Palisades Lake (map)

This lake occasionally has a duck or two.

Smew and Teal Ponds (map)

These long thin ponds, viewable from the road approaching Clam Lagoon, have occasional waterfowl (mostly teal, but at least once had a Smew!).

Clam Lagoon - south mud flats access (map)

This is THE place to check as often as possible. Scan the flats for shorebirds, waterfowl, terns, jaegers, etc. When the tide is out, the flats can be walked easily. Some of the shorebirds will allow close approach, but many will flush. Be sure to walk the marsh along the western shore (especially in the fall), as many shorebirds will hide in there. (Too many species to list!)

Clam Lagoon - Candlestick Bridge (map)

This bridge was closed a few years ago and prospects for its re-opening are poor. So going around Clam Lagoon means driving all the way around and then back again (What a pain!) Although you can drive partway to the bridge from the west side. Stop before the sand drift!! Then walk down from there (easier from the east side). Check the mudflats in the lagoon and the rips just off shore. You can also walk the shoreline of Kuluk Bay from there.

Clam Lagoon - West Shore Observation Platform and Peninsula (map)

Scan the flats from here. This is the access point for walking out the peninsula and mud flats. The peninsula is good for stints, but has to be walked as much of it is hidden from the road and too far to scope. Only the southern side is easily walked (and has birds).

Clam Lagoon - West Shore (map)

Check for passerines as you drive along this stretch and waterbirds in the lagoon. Tattlers will hug the shore, so get out and scan the near shoreline when you can’t see it from the car.

Shotgun Lake and Pistol Lake (map)

A MUST STOP! These two small ponds frequently harbor waterfowl. As you drive up the road towards Shotgun take the small road to the right to view Pistol. If you continue on that road, you can drive around to the north shore of Shotgun where you can frequently get closer looks (especially for photography) by crawling up on the dike that lines that side. Garganey (Sept 2007) Smew, Tufted Duck.

Seal Rock Cove (map)

Just before the Blue Building Complex is a cove good for waterfowl and shorebirds (with a rock in the center that often hosts a seal).

Clam Lagoon - Blue Building Complex (map)

The blue-roofed building at the top of the drive has several small spruces in front that can harbor passerines. Good place for bird seed. Approach slowly and check the trees out before getting out of the car. Hawfinch (May 2005), Eye-browed Thrush (Sept 2007), Northern Wheatear (June 2008), Taiga Flycatcher (Sept 2015)..

Clam Lagoon - North Shore (map)

The pebble beach can harbor tattlers. Strong southerly winds churn up waves that offer fishing opportunities for gulls and terns. Slaty-backed Gull (Sept 2007)

Clam Lagoon - East Shore Ponds (map)

There are several small ponds lining the east shore of the lagoon that can harbor waterfowl and shorebirds.

Clam Lagoon Breaches - Sitkin Sound (map)

Towards the north end of the Seawall are several breaches where winter storms have washed away some of the dike. Walk up to one of these spots to view the beach and Sitkin Sound. When there is a lot of kelp washed up on shore, this can be a good place for shorebirds. The water off the east side is Sitkin Sound. Great place for sea-ducks, loons, grebes, alcids, gulls, terns, and kittiwakes. Frequently, shearwaters, albatross, or petrels can be seen from shore here (but way out!).

Clam Lagoon - Goose Rocks and Cormorant Rocks (map)

These little rocky islands usually have Pelagic and Red-faced Cormorants and other stuff. Although common in winter, occasional early-spring and late-fall Emperor Geese seem to prefer the many rocky islands off shore, so check them regularly. Also, the rocky islands just south of here have nesting Common Eider.

Clam Lagoon - Seawall (map)

This beach is topped with large boulders and pebbles, but when the tide is low, you can clamber over the rocks and get down to the sandy beach to walk along it. Good shorebird spot, especially if a lot of kelp has washed up on shore. The rotting kelp attracts bugs, which attract birds.

Clam Lagoon - Lake Shirley (map)

This lake is good for scaup, wigeon (both), gulls, terns, and occasional shorebirds. Just before the lake, a road goes up the hill to the east. You can drive part way up it and then walk to the edge of the escarpment to scan Sitkin Sound and the many rocky islands just off-shore.

Clam Lagoon - Southeast Shore (map)

This stretch of road, from Lake Shirley to Candlestick Bridge, can have passerines (Siberian Rubythroat sept 2007). It is also a good vantage point to scan the flats.

Zeto Point and Lake Ronnie (map)

Just before Candlestick Bridge, two roads go to the left and join on their way up to an overlook where you can scan the bay and rocky islands.Just before the top, a path goes to the left, leading to a bluff from which you can scan Lake Ronnie (a scope is needed)(Smew). This lake frequently harbors interesting waterfowl. An Eye-browed Thrush was seen on this road in May 2006.

Lake Andrew - East Shore (map)

The road that leads west from the Blue Building complex goes to the east shore of Lake Andrew where there is an old recreation area. There are a few small spruces and a couple small wet areas. Check this area for shorebirds and passerines.

Loran Station (map)

The farthest north point that is accessible on the island. Good spot for a seawatch, as you are a hundred feet or so above the sea. If you are adventurous, at P1 you can clamber down the cliffside, work your way around to the left to a Hot Spring. There is a rope that goes down the cliff here to facilitate going up and down.

Other Areas

There are numerous other roads and trails that can be explored. The sites above have been the most productive in the past, but who knows? The two thirds of the island south of Finger Bay is only accessible on foot or ATV and has been little-birded.

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