East winds all night raised hopes for something new. The day dawned cloudy, but quickly gave way to mostly sunny skies.
Although we did not get any new birds today, we did get some good photos.
We had another Vega Gull. This one a first-year bird.
Vega Gull, Clam Lagoon, 9/24/2011
The Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in the Clam Lagoon marsh have been uncooperative up til now. However, today they didn’t mind Frank’s presence and he got a few good shots, including a photo of a Pectoral and Sharp-tailed together!
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Clam Lagoon, 9/24/2011
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Clam Lagoon, 9/24/2011
Pectoral Sandpiper (left) and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Clam Lagoon, 9/24/2011
The verdict is still out on Isaac’s mystery shorebird. However, we don’t think it is a Broad-billed. It could be just another Dunlin, as they are highly variable in bill shape and length (however, we are certainly no experts!).
The trip list stands at 56.
We will be leaving Adak at 6 pm Sunday and be on airplanes and in airports for the next 16 hours or so, arriving in Philly around 2:15 pm Monday (we hope).
We will not be updating the blog until Monday evening (if awake). We hope it has news of a good last-day bird!