Temps in the low 50s, overcast until late in the day, rain until mid-afternoon, Wind SW 20-40 mph diminishing late in the day
The day started out on a sour note. The power went out in the middle of the night again, but this time the backup generator at this set of houses wouldn’t start. Mark finally got it going later in the morning, but it made for a cold breakfast by flashlight to start the day.
As soon as it was light enough to see, I headed out, even though the conditions were not too freindly.
However, I was able to tally some birds and the weather turned nicer (but still not nice) later in the day.
The first highlight of the day was three Stellar’s Sea Lions off the Seawall. I had never seen three here (although I had seen a bunch on their rookery on our first Whiskered Auklet boat trip many moons ago) so it was a treat.
On my way back towards town I stopped at the Palisades Overlook and spotted a Yellow-billed Loon (trip bird). Of course it was too far for a decent photo, but even in an impossible to focus, waves bobbing, wind blowing photo, you can see the yellow bill and odd head shape.
Back down at the Sweeper Cove bay watch, five Black Scoters were not too far out.
I took an early afternoon nap and then ventured out again as the rain ended and the sun actually appeared for a (very) few minutes.
As I was scanning the waterfowl on Clam Lagoon, I spotted a large shorebird. It turned out to be a late Bar-tailed Godwit (I tried to make it into a Black-tailed…).
It was with a flock of 175+ Common Teal, which ebird said was too many… Their algorthym has never been to Adak!
Again, on the way back, at the Palisades Overlook, a Gyrfalcon posed nicely.
I leave Adak at 3 PM tomorrow and will be home Sunday afternoon.
My final post for this trip will be either Sunday or Monday, depending on how tired I am.
The trip list is 61.
Today’s list can be viewed at https://ebird.org/checklist/S277101254
The Trip Report can be viewed at https://ebird.org/tripreport/413629?welcome=true