Just another sunny day on Adak…
Temp in the 40s, sunny!, wind N 5-10 switching to SW 10-20 in the afternoon
As mentioned in a previous post, the ravens have taken over the Sandy Cove Bluff Feeder.
At Sweeper Creek, we finally found a Northern Shoveler. We have had a pair there each of the last few years, so we were wondering if they had finally died or left for nicer environs. Apparently, at least the male has survived.
Since it was a sunny day, we decided to make the annual pilgrimage up to White Alice (the bluff west of town where the cell towers are). As we were enjoying the view (not many birds usually up there), a flock of Cackling Geese flew by.
We spotted some Red-necked Phalaropes in some of the small ponds on the way up, but on the way down, one was particularly cooperative.
We headed north and at the Palisades, a couple of Black Oystercatchers were carousing, so Frank hiked down to the beach and caught one napping.
While I was down on the beach, Barb was scanning the bay and saw a whale surface briefly, but it dove and we never relocated it.
With sunny skies and good visibility, we went out to the Loran Station to scan the sea for pelagics. The view was fine, but no pelagics. However, three young Bald Eagles were cavorting overhead.
Also, a Glaucous-winged Gull flew by for a photo-op.
Five more birders arrived tonight — JJ, Scott, Eric, and Rita together and Don to join Bill, Chris, and Cathy. Don arrived, but not his luggage!
After settling in, they headed over to the feeders and found there were now two Hawfinches! The flock is growing…
There was a lot of snow this winter, and the local mountains show it. Notice the different amount due to elevation.
There is even a patch of snow at the Warbler Willows, which is under 200 feet elevation.
Our trip list is 58, just 5 shy of our average May trip.