Temps in the 40s, Mostly cloudy, Wind NNE 5-15 mph
Weather, May 30, 2026
No last-minute surprises.
But what a great trip!
I ended up with 88 species. My best spring trip ever. My biggest year list on Adak was 94 in 2017, so I only need 7 year birds this fall to beat that.
I got five-and-a-half lifers.
Lifers: Falcated Duck Great Knot Fieldfare Common Gull Eurasian Hobby
Semi-lifer: Common Tern (subspecies longipenis)
Life list now 739.
Adak list now 176.
I’ve been coming out here since 2005, and to get 5 lifers is just ridiculous… The last time I had that many was in 2007, when I got 7.
Not only were there a lot of Asian strays, many of them were not just singles. Bramblings, Hawfinches, Wood Sandpipers, Red-necked Stints, Temminck’s Stints, Common Greenshanks, Tundra Bean Geese, Tufted Ducks, Siberian Sand-Plovers, Eurasian Whimbrels, Terek Sandpipers, Common Gulls (one seen after I left), Black-headed Gulls, Great Egrets (Asian subspecies?) all had more than one individual.
Other Asian strays (singles) included Garganey, Falcated Duck, Great Knot, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby, and Fieldfare.
I also saw 2 auklets (Crested and Parakeet), which is rare from land.
It was a wonderful trip with a lot of birders (many whom I have gotten to know on Adak).
My fall trip this year will be from September 23 to October 7.
NOTE: I saw a Cackling Goose with a neck collar. I sent the info to the Birdbanding Lab and am waiting for the results. When I get the info, I will add it to this post. So check back in a few weeks.
Temps in the 40s, mostly cloudy, wind NW 10-15 mph
Weather, May 29, 2026
The cloud cover was weird today. Several layers. Some low-hanging clouds almost touching the ground. Moving at different speeds. Occassionaly letting the sun peek through.
Sunlight, May 29, 2026
Not much bird activity today, but I did add Crested Auklet to the trip list. This is the first 2-auklet species trip I have had since the last Whiskered Auklet boat trip many years ago.
I also had an Arctic Loon.
The Common Gull is still around as are the Garganey, Great Egret, Hawfinches, and Brambling. The Hobby was not seen again today…
The Bar-tailed Godwits were a little closer today.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Clam Lagoon, May 29, 2026
The most exciting sighting today was a Steller’s Sea Lion up on Navfac Beach. Most of the Sea Lions I see out here are patrolling just off the Seawall. The only Sea Lions that I have seen out of the water were on my first Whiskered Auklet boat trip, when the captain took us by a rookery. So this was pretty nice.
Steller’s Sea Lion, Navfac Beach, May 29, 2026
The closeup shows it is sleeping…
Steller’s Sea Lion sleeping, Navfac Beach, May 29, 2026
At Sweeper Channel, I found one of the few American Green-winged Teal that are around.
American Green-winged Teal, Sweeper Channel, May 28, 2026
At the seawatch at Sweeper Cove, I found the White-winged Scoters that I saw yesterday.
White-winged Scoter, Kuluk Bay, May 28, 2026
The big excitement was a couple of Parakeet Auklets found at the Kuluk Bay Kelp Bed. They were between the Kelp Bed and the shore, so a decent view.
However, they spent more time underwater than above, so they were very difficult to photograph. I didn’t get any photos, but some of the others birders did. None of the auklets are regularly seen from the Adak shoreline, so this was a nice trip bird. I have had one other shoreline sighting.
The Common Gull was more cooperative today and I got some better photos.
Temps in the 40s, mostly cloudy, rare sprinkle, Wind WSW 10-15 mph
Weather, May 27, 2026
Not much new today. However, other birders keep seeing the Hobby… And I don’t!
I picked up White-winged Scoter and Thick-billed Murre today for the trip list.
The Common Gull was still at Clam Lagoon.
The only photo ops were of Bramblings and Hawfinches.
Bramblings (4) with Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Seal Drive Feeder, May 27, 2026
Hawfinches, Thrush Feeder, May 27, 2026
In the afternoon (after the plane left without Vicky and Jen, who chose to stay three more days!), they followed me around Clam Lagoon. When we got to the Blue Building Feeder, I showed them the pellets that I had mentioned in a previous post.
I had speculated that they were from a Short-eared Owl, but once I had the Eurasian Sparrowhawk at that location, I thought maybe that was the source.
Vickie pointed out to me that if the pellets have bones, they are from an owl. If not, they are from a hawk.
So we dissected one of the pellets. No bones.
Vicky, me, and Jen with the aforementioned analyzed pellet.
I learned from some of the other birders here that had come out to Adak this winter to see the Sparrowhawk that it had been roosting inside the Blue Building. So we went inside and found lots of large poops and many pellets.
As much as I would like a nicer photo of that bird. I am not going to go in there when it is roosting.
The jet came and went today, taking home 16 birders. There are still a dozen or so out here, with more coming Saturday and next Wednesday!
Note: I changed the Id on two previous reports. The Gray-tailed Tattler is a Wandering Tattler, and the Siberian Pipit is just an American Pipit. I updated the relevant posts. That did not change my species total, however.
Temps in the 40s, partly cloudy, occasional slight drizzle, Wind N 15-25 mph
Weather, May 26, 2026
Spent much of today on a “Wild Hobby Chase!”
In late morning, I heard a call that the Eurasian Hobby was seen at The Marsh.
I raced down there (from Clam Lagoon). The bird had disappeared, and most of the birders started roaming the area looking for it.
I decided to stake out the Thrush Feeder which is at the northeast corner of the Marsh (this is where I got my Merlin. They know a good diner when they see one!).
Anyway, I was sitting there when Sam stopped by and, as we were talking, Sam spotted a falcon and quickly identified it as the Hobby.
I tumbled out of the car, camera in hand, but neither of us got photos.
I did see it with my naked eye, but only to tell it was a falcon. Sam got a better look and was able to identify it.
We radioed everyone and they all decided to stake out the area in case it returned again.
I stayed near the Thrush Feeder.
I got a call from one of the other birders saying they had relocated it and it was at the south part of the Marsh.
I raced down there, but when I arrived (maybe 20 seconds!) no one was there! I called and asked where they were, and finally determined they were at the NORTH side of the Marsh!!!! AAARGHH!!
Of course, by the time I got back up there, the bird was gone!
I stayed in the area for another hour or two, but did not see it again.
I saw a Hobby in Europe back in 2016, so it is not a world lifer, but it is an ABA and Adak lifer. No really happy with what I saw, but maybe over the rest of this week, I’ll get lucky.
In other news, Jen and Vicky fund a Common/Short-billed Gull yesterday. They thought it was a Common, but waited for the experts to check in. They got terrific photos.
It was reported at several locations today. Moving around a lot.
The word cam down that it was a definite Common.
I finally caught up with it on Clam Lagoon East Side Flats.
Common Gull, Clam Lagoon, May 26, 2026
Not a Lifer, but an Adak bird.
I got a distant shot of the Bar-tailed Godwit flock.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Clam Lagoon, May 26, 2026
A few mild days plus two days of rain lessened the snow cap on Mt Moffet. Note: these photos were taken from different angles.
Mount Moffet Snow Melt
The trip list is at 83.
This is now my best Spring Adak count ever! And there are still at least 7 species that were seen by others while I’ve been here that I have not caught up to yet. And I have three-and-a-half days to go!
Temps in the 30s and 40s, overcast, rain, lessening in late afternoon, Wind NW 15-30 mph
Weather, May 25, 2026
Not much happening today.
I picked up Lesser Scaup for the trip.
Lesser Scaup (rear) with Greater Scaup, East Side Ponds, May 25, 2026
Note on the Lesser that the eye is in front of the high point on the head, while it’s behind on the Greater.
An interesting side note. I had scattered some mealworms at the Fieldfare location (BTY, it hasn’t been seen since Saturday). Today, while checking to see if the Fieldfare was around, I saw a Lapland Longspur eating them! Unusual for what I thought was a seedeater.
Photographing these Wood Sandpipers is just too easy.
Wood Sandpiper, Adak, May 25, 2026
I had been mentioning to all of the birders that I met during the past few days that there hadn’t been any Bar-tailed Godwits. I’ve never had a May trip without them!
Well, today they arrived. Seen in multiple locations and in flocks.
I saw 17 at Clam Lagoon (too far for photos).
That brought my trip list to 81, which ties my biggest Spring trip list!
And there are at least 9 other species that have been seen since I arrived that I haven’t caught up to yet!
Temps in the 40s, partly cloudy, Wind N to E 10-15 mph
Weather, May 23, 2026
I wasn’t even suited up to go out birding yet (7:15 AM), when Sam called to say he found the Fieldfare!
I threw my jacket on, grabbed my camera and raced out.
It was nearby, across from the Administration Building.
As I pulled up, Sam radioed me that it was up on the flagpole. Sure enough!
It flew down to a fence, where I got some identifiable (but not great) photos.
Fieldfare, Adak, May 23, 2026
It flew off from there and we kept getting word out to the other birders in the area.
An army of birders quickly arrived and the search was on.
It was like whack-a-mole. It would be found in one place, but quickly fly off to be found again, and so on…
It eventually returned to the school parking lot where it was originally found.
I got a closer (but back shot only) photo there.
Fieldfare, Adak, May 23, 2026
This was the pattern the rest of the morning. But it always returned to the parking lot.
Did I say it was a lifer?!!!
The plane was due today to take home the tour groups, but bringing in another bevy of birders.
Once they arrived, I gave them the info, and some headed right over, while others had to unpack some gear first.
Suffice it to say, after a wait, most got it.
I had put some mealworms in the area it was feeding most, hoping that would convince it to stick around. We will see…
This is the first record for Adak, and only the second record for the Aleutians (Shemya this past winter). St Paul had one in October 2024 and Gambell has had two records (1982 and 1985).
In other news, I finally got 2 of the 3 Siberian Whimbrels that had eluded me for several days.
The trip list is at 76.
I’ve had only 2 spring trips higher than this one. The highest was 81 in 2017.
The sea was calm today, allowing me to see some of the alcids I was missing. I added Common Murre, Horned Puffin, and Tufted Puffin. And saw a lot more alcids in general.
I went up to the Seawall for a morning look-see.
As I got near Clam Lagoon, I saw the Egrets perched on the Sparrpowhawk Grove of spruces.
Great Egrets, Clam Lagoon, May 22, 2026
As I approached the new Breaches by-pass, a Wandering Tattler flew up from the road and posed for me.
Wandering Tattler, the Breaches, May 22, 2026
I had two Pacific Loons at the Seawall. The number of loons is down this year. It is not unusual to see 4 loons on the Seawall of multiple species. This year this is the first day that I saw 2 in the same location.
There was one Tufted Duck on Lake Shirley and two on Lake Ronnie.
After that, I headed out to the Loran Station.
In the short time I was there, I had 4 Laysan Albatross.
The drive to and from Loran is always an adventure — especially the last quarter mile or so.
This section of road — carved into a cliffside is extra fun.
Loran Station Road, May 22, 2026
You never know what you will encounter. For instance, this rock was new.
Loran Station Road, May 22, 2026
As was this one…
Loran Station Road, May 22, 2026
When I got back to town, I got a call from Sam that he had just flushed a Fieldfare, but had lost it. I joined him in the search, to no avail. Maybe tomorrow someone will stumble on it.
When I got back to the house, a Hawfinch was on my feeder.
Hawfinch, My feeder, May 22, 2026
After dinner, I went out again. As I was scanning Sweeper Channel, Stephan’s group arrived and told me they had a Terek Sandpiper a few hours ago, but not everyone in their group saw it, so they were back to try again. As they scoured the estuary and delta, I drove up the Channel. I spotted the bird at the pipeline bridge and alerted the others.
When I first saw and identified it, it was on the west side of the channel. It flew to the east side (out of view). I waited in my car before walking up to where it flew to so that I wouldn’t flush it before the others arrived.
When they got there and we peered over the side of the channel, the bird was gone. However, they soon spotted it way upstream. They hiked up the channel as it kept flying ahead of them.
I didn’t get photos, as the bird had flown across the channel before I was ready.
BREAKING NEWS! The Haas Department of Road Maintenance announces improvements to the road at the Breaches!
We (myself, Cody Brons, and his skid-loader) spent a few hours removing rocks and sand, widening and smoothing (a relative term) the road that was covered by the winter storm last winter. I supervised…
Here is what it looks like now.
Breaches Roadwork, May 21, 2026
Breaches Roadwork, May 21, 2026
We will see how it holds up with all of the birders running over it each day. If after a week, it needs some refining, we will return.
Now back to the birding…
When I checked the Seal Drive Feeder this morning, there were 3 Hawfinch on the street there.
Hawfinch, Seal Drive Feeder, May 21, 2026
Hawfinch, Seal Drive Feeder, May 21, 2026
Hawfinch, Seal Drive Feeder, May 21, 2026
These were not three different bird, just three different views. But there were three there.
Down at Sweeper Cove, the Back-headed Gull cooperated nicely.
Black-headed Gull, Sweeper Cove, May 21, 2026
When I got up to the National Forest, there was a Hawfinch there as well as two Brambling (later, one of the other groups had 6 Bramblings there!)
Brambling, Adak National Forest, May 21, 2026
I headed up to Clam Lagoon to meet Cody there to work on the road. I got there early and the High Lonesome group was just in front of me. As we neared the Breaches, Stephan spotted a pipit. It was an American.
American Pipit, The Breaches, May 21, 2026
They went ahead and plowed through the gap. I waited for Cody to arrive. He arrived and we set about improving the road so getting stuck wasn’t an option anymore.
As we were just about finished, Stephan came back and got the privilege of trying it out.
Kudos to Cody! See above…
After we finished it up, I gave it another test run and it was 1000% better.
I started back and went to the Andrew Lake Rec Center and ate lunch (No, that is not an active Rec Center. It is abandoned. I bring my lunch with me).
On the road leading from there to Shotgun Lake, I flushed two Common Mergansers from a pond on the side of the road. It happened too quickly for me to get photos, but I believe they were Goosanders (the Asian subspecies of Common Merganser).
I stopped at the house and took a nap (all of that supervising was exhausting!).
I then headed up to the Marsh. On Redshank Drive (see the May 25, 2018 post), I saw a small shorebird which turned out to be a Temminck’s Stint.
Temminck’s Stint, The Marsh, May 21, 2026
It was soon joined by a Wood Sandpiper and they were feeding peaceably together.
Then another shorebird flew in. It was a Least Sandpiper (uncommon out here). It ran right at the two other birds and chased them off! I guess this was his feeding territory…
Least Sandpiper, The Marsh, May 21, 2026
Shortly after that I heard Stephan talking to his group about a pair of Shovelers. I called him and he gave me the location. I needed Shoveler for my trip list.
Northern Shoveler, The Marsh, May 21, 2026
I returned to the house, showered, had dinner, and worked on this post.
After posting the first draft of the post at 8 PM, I headed back out.
I went up to Clam Lagoon. Along the way, I ran into Stephan’s group. They were heading up to the Blue Building to see if the Eurasian Sparrowhawk might be roosting there.
At the lagoon, after scanning from the south side and not finding anything new, I went up to the peninsula to scan from there.
As I was approaching it, the two Great Egrets that have been hanging out around the lagoon flew out of one of the side ponds. I have seen the two who were hanging out at Andrew Lake, but not these guys.
I started scanning and I found a light-phase Parasitic Jaeger. As I have mentioned previously, 99% of the jaegers out here are dark. So it draws attention when you see a light jaeger.
I continued scanning and, low and behold, I spotted the Falcated Duck!
It was too far out for photos, but it was still a better view than I had on Saturday.
So I decided to walk out there and see if I could get close enough for better photos.
Yes! Not Nat Geo winners, but good enough.
Falcated Duck, Clam Lagoon, May 21, 2026
And a side bonus was that Jaeger didn’t like me out there and kept circling me.
Parasitic Jaeger, Clam Lagoon, May 21, 2026
Good thing I went back out.
AND, the others got the Sparrowhawk!!
Although I already posted a rainbow shot, this one was a double…
Double Rainbow, May 21, 2026
And Mt Moffet looked fine on this sunny day.
Mount Moffet, May 21, 2026
The trip list is at 68. This is my Spring Trip average and I’m not even through the first week!
There are at least a half-dozen species that others have seen that I have not and there are some local species that I have missed so far. So this will be a banner trip when all is said and done.
