Temp in the 40s, overcast, occasional rain, mostly drizzle, some dry spells, Wind N 10-15 mph

Still no Asian birds at any of the feeders, but activity has built up at each one.

We had a Wood Sandpiper at the Airport Ditch this morning.

At the marsh, as we were talking with Wendy and John (part of Cassity’s group), snipe — presumably of both Wilson’s and Common — were performing overhead!

At the Adak National Forest, as I walked up to refill the feeder, a Short-eared Owl flew out and quickly disappeared down the hill.

At the north end of Clam Lagoon, the terns were gathered on the rocks like yesterday, but this time there were both Arctic and Aleutian. However, they were segregated. The Arctics to he right and the Aleutians to the left.

Arctic Terns, Clam Lagoon, May 27, 2019

Arctic Terns, Clam Lagoon, May 27, 2019

Aleutian Terns, Clam Lagoon, May 27, 2019

When we got around to the East Side Ponds, there was a flock of five Northern Shovelers! We have had Shovelers on only 10 of our 24 trips. The most we ever had was 6 back in May 2014. We usually have only one or two, so this was an unusual number.

Northern Shovelers, East Side Ponds, May 27, 2019

Shortly after passing Lake Shirley, another Short-eared Owl flushed from beside the road and – as usual – quickly disappeared around the hillside. Two in one day! Not only have we never had two in one day on Adak, we have never had two sightings in one trip! So that was nice.

At Candlestick Bridge, a flock of 4 Black Oystercatchers flew by.

Earlier, when we had stopped at the Palisades Overlook, I saw a large flock of dark waterfowl way over near the shore east of Candlestick Bridge. They were too far away to identify, so when we got to the bridge, I walked down to the beach, around the bend and far enough down the shoreline so I could scope them. They were mostly Harlequins, but there were also 8 Black Scoters and 2 White-winged Scoters. As I said yesterday, most of the migrant waterfowl has left, so any lingering birds like these help the trip list.

As we were going around the lagoon, we ran into Peder’s group who informed us they had 8 Pacific Golden-Plovers and the Pectoral Sandpiper at the marsh this morning. When we were there earlier, the other group was walking the marsh, so the plovers apparently had moved. When we got back there this afternoon, we found 7 of the plovers and the pectoral in the usual location.

After a break at the house and refueling ($5.91/gal — up $.10 from last year, but still a bargain compared to $6.87 a few years ago!) the car (a Ford Expedition, by the way), we headed down to the Hilltop Quarry in search of Snow Bunting for the trip. We were successful.

So we are up to 43 for the trip list. No new Adak birds or lifers so far.

Still north winds…

Temp in the 40s, overcast, then an occasional spot of sun, winds N at 10-15 mph

We started seeing birds at our feeders this morning. Mostly Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, but that’s a start.

At the Airport Ponds, a group of Aleutian Terns were feeding. This is a favorite spot for them. Up at Contractor’s Camp Marsh, we found three Pacific Golden-Plovers at their usual spot. Although we have seen these plovers in many locations around the island, no other spot is as dependable as this one — the eastern edge of the marsh area at the northeast quadrant, one road west of the main road bordering the marsh.

Pacific Golden-Plover, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, May26, 2019.

We went to Lake Andrew and had the usual suspects, but also had a little bit of drama.

As we were driving back along the edge of the lake, we saw an eagle hovering over an adjacent pond with several ducks not thrilled with the idea. As the waterfowl took off, the eagle pursued a teal out over Lake Andrew, making several unsuccessful passes at it. However, the duck decided to try putting down in he water to try to avoid the eagle — NOT a great idea!

The eagle again swooped in, forcing the teal to dive to escape. When the teal surfaced it was attacked again by the eagle — which was hovering overhead like an Osprey — and again had to dive to escape. This time it stayed under longer, but eventually had to come up, and this time the eagle landed right on it, held it underwater until it died, and then flew off to the shoreline with it for a tasty meal. Unlike the young eagle we saw a few years ago that landed in the water while trying to catch a fish, and then couldn’t figure out how to take off, and then ignominiously paddled with its wings to shore, this bird had no trouble lifting straight up out of the water — teal in hand.

We headed up to Clam Lagoon and, as we drove around the west side, we ran into the Peder Svingen group (the other is the Kris Cassity group). They told us they saw a Common Merganser on the lake between Shotgun Lake and Lake Andrew. They weren’t sure if it were the Asian variety, so we headed up there to take a look. By the time we got there, the bird had flown. However, as we continued the drive towards Lake Andrew, we spotted a Wood Sandpiper in a small wetland visible from the road.

Wood Sandpiper, near Andrew Lake, May26, 2019.

The other groups and the Johnny and Shari Powell (who were here last week) have had several so far.

At the northwest corner of Clam Lagoon, there were several cormorants sitting on the pilings. Usually, these would be pelagic, but today a Red-faced joined them.

Red-faced (left) and Pelagic cormorants, Clam Lagoon, May26, 2019. Note larger size and stouter bill on the Red-faced.

As we continued around the lagoon, a bunch of Arctic Terns were sitting on the rocks near shore. As I stepped outside the car to get photos, they rose up and flew overhead, calling and dancing in the air.

Arctic Tern, Clam Lagoon, May 26, 2019

Arctic Terns, Clam Lagoon, May 26, 2019

Arctic Terns, Clam Lagoon, May 26, 2019

There were half-a-dozen or so Pacific Loons off the Seawall and one Red-throated Loon.

Back around on the west side, we found a pair of Northern Shovelers — not a rare bird, but uncommon on Adak.

Northern Shovelers, near Clam Lagoon, May26, 2019.

We drove down to Contractors Camp Marsh, where we met Kris Cassity’s group. We told them where we had seen the plovers earlier and they headed over there. We joined them shortly, and while scanning, I spotted a shorebird in the grasses that stumped me. I wasn’t sure of its size (there were only grasses around it, not something easily sizeable like a log or piece of trash!). However, it seemed like a medium-sized shorebird. I alerted the other birders, tried to direct them to the bird — which was difficult as there were no landmarks nearby.

I took several photos and, when I looked at them, the bill and overall impression made me think Least Sandpiper — a very uncommon species up here. But I wasn’t convinced. When we got back to the house, I sent photos to Isaac and he responded that it was in fact a Pectoral Sandpiper. We see many Pectorals here each fall, but they are unusual in spring.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, May26, 2019.

That only worsened my confusion — an unexpected species…

We headed into town for a quick break and then went back up to the marsh. Kris’s group was still there. After chatting a bit, we parted ways, but a minute later, he radioed that they had a swan flying in. It landed not fifty yards away. It was a Tundra.

Tundra Swan, Contractor’s Camp Marsh, May26, 2019.

We went back towards town and went down to the Airport Ditch to look for shorebirds. There were no shorebirds, but we did find a Green-winged Teal mixed in with the Common Teal.

Green-winged (left with vertical white stripe) with Common teal (horizontal white stripe), Airport Ditch, May26, 2019.

Our trip list is a paltry 39, which is to be expected this late in the month. Most of the waterfowl are gone, and they usually help pad the list.

We are getting northwest winds right now, and although we prefer southwest winds in spring, we will take anything with a westward bent!

More tomorrow.

Hello from Adak!

Our flights were uneventful.

After checking in at Anchorage and doing our shopping, we headed down to Potter Marsh, where a Falcated Duck had been seen two weeks earlier. Although there were no reported recent sightings, hope springs eternal…

We spent a bunch of time there, but did not see the bird. We later found out that it was reported the same day we were there!!! Oh well…

However, when we pulled into one of the viewing areas, we saw a pair of Gadwalls reproducing! I wasn’t quick enough with the camera to catch them in the act, so you will have to settle for post-coital photos.

Gadwall, Potter Marsh, Anchorage, May 24, 2019

Gadwall, Potter Marsh, Anchorage, May 24, 2019

Saturday morning, we headed up to Arctic Valley as usual. The highlights were a nice Wilson’s Warbler and a Gray-cheeked Thrush.

Wlson’s Warbler, Arctic Valley Rd, Anchorage, May 25, 2019

Gray-cheeked Thrush, Arctic Valley Rd, Anchorage, May 25, 2019

We headed over to Lake Hood and found the Red-throated Loon in its usual spot. If anyone wants to see a Red-throated Loon up-close-and-personal, this is the spot! The bird has been returning here for the past few years (without a mate) and is extremely friendly, coming within a few feet of onlookers on shore.

Red-throated Loon, Lake Hood, Anchorage, May 25, 2019

No new Alaska birds.

We headed to the airport and met several of the other birders who were going out at the same flight. The flight arrived early. At the Adak airport, we met John and Shari Powell. They had been out here since the 18th and were leaving today.

They let us know that they had seen at least two Wood Sandpipers at Contractors Camp Marsh, a large flock of Bar-tailed Godwits around Clam Lagoon, and three Whimbrel (Siberian Race) near Clam Lagoon. So  few a few nice birds have moved in since the tour groups left on the 18th.

We did a quick Clam Lagoon drive this evening, but didn’t find any of the afore-mentioned birds. However, one of the other groups that came out with us did have a Wood Sandpiper at the marsh.

We came a week later this year, since the past few years have produced some nice birds during the first week of June (after we left!). We thought we would give it a try. And — it turns out — we didn’t miss anything skipping a week. There have been relentless northerly winds most of the month, making it anathema to Asian vagrants.

We are hoping for a change to southwesterlies…

More tomorrow.