Temps in the 40s-50s, partly sunny, wind SW 2-5 mph in the AM, increasing to 15-25 in the PM
Another fine day on Adak for a fruitless search for Asian passerines…
Down at the Sweeper Channel, a couple of Wilson’s Snipe stood out on the mudflat.
When I got to Clam Lagoon, I scanned the flats for birds and saw a flock of Sanderlings swirling about. I lost sight of them and headed up to the peninsula.
On the way, I got a call from Andy saying they had just seen a flock of Sanderlings on Clam Lagoon… I acknowledged that and told them I had also.
There were no birds on the peninsula, so I continued on.
I found the female Black Scoter on the lagoon in a similar place that one was seen this spring. Probably another holdover, like the Garganeys.
After eating lunch while watching the Blue Building Feeder (nothing new), I drove out to the Loran Station.
I saw a couple thousand Short-tailed Shearwaters (way out) and one Black-footed Albatross.
I drove back to Clam Lagoon and headed for the Breaches to look for the Sanderlings. I don’t know what it is about this spot, but Sanderlings like to feed and roost there. I was rewarded with a nice little flock.
I couldn’t find any other species mixed in.
Down at the south end of the Seawall, there is a fenced-in building. When I got there, I saw a Peregrine Falcon doing a ‘dance’ on the barbed-wire that lined the top of the fence. It appeared to be hanging on and spreading its wings in the wind. At first I thought maybe it was caught up in the barbed-wire, but it soon just lifted up and went its merry way. I think the wire was just so narrow that it couldn’t get a solid grip to steady itself.
The Trip List is 48, Year’s List 86
Today’s List: https://ebird.org/checklist/S196495933