Temps in the 40s-50s, Partly sunny, Wind NW 5-10 mph
Weather, September 24, 2024
A beautiful day on Adak, but no new rarities.
All of us had few waterfowl yesterday (don’t know why). Today was the opposite, many birds, many locations.
We got to the “mystery bird” location at dawn, but could not find any bird. We searched nearby (State Park, National Forest) to no avail.
Sunrise, September 24, 2024
We walked the Clam Lagoon peninsula (no shorebirds). Then Tim and Andy walked the marsh edge while I ventured north.
They had the usual mix of Sharp-tailed/Pectorals.
All of the feeders are now active. Just hoping some Asian stray notices.
At the Seawall, a Pectoral Sandpiper preferred the roadway instead of the shoreline.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Seawall, September 24, 2024
This was a banner year for Rock Ptarmigan breeding. They are popping up in large numbers all around the area. I counted 68 today!
Among the wigeon flock today, I spied two male American Wigeon (uncommon on Adak).
I checked most of the spruces/willows today multiple times (as did Tim and Andy), but no rare passerines were found.
Considering the number of rarities popping up on the Pribilof Islands (about 450 miles northeast of Adak), it is disappointing that we are not getting anything here. Check the ebird lists. We have had favorable winds for several days.
Unlike those islands, Adak is surrounded by nearby islands, affording vagrants multiple places to put down.
I forgot to mention on Saturday that after coming down from Arctic Valley (is that an oxymoron?), I went over to Ship Creek where I found Zak Pohlen, who was viewing a Ring-billed Gull. I quickly got on it and added it to my Alaska life list!
The Rosy-Finches are finding the feeders. No rarities, yet.
After checking feeders, etc. I went over to Lake Andrew and found where all of the Greater Scaup were hiding. 53 of them. I had missed them up to now.
At the Seawall, a Steller’s Sea Lion was working on lunch.
Steller’s Sea Lion, Seawall, September 23, 2024
A lot of Aleutian Cackling Gese were flying over today.
The Yellow-billed Loon is still off Bayshore Highway.
Tim and Andy had walked out the Clam Lagoon peninsula early this morning and had no shorebirds.
In mid-afternoon, as I was coming back around the lagoon, I decided to give it a try. Good thing I did!
At the first bend I found a Western Sandpiper and a Red-necked Stint.
Red-necked Stint (left) and Western Sandpiper, Clam Lagoon, September 23, 2024
Red-necked Stint, Clam Lagoon, September 23, 2024
I had a mystery passerine in the spruce tree across from the Thrush Feeder late this evening, but never saw it well enough to even speculate on what it was. We are going to try for it at dawn tomorrow. Stay tuned…
Temps in the 50s, overcast with an occasional spot of blue, occasional drizzle in the AM, Wind N 10-20 mph
Weather, September 22, 2024
Went out before first light and installed two feeders. Then joined Tim and Andy to walk Clam Lagoon (low tide is early in the day).
We had the usual Pectoral/Sharp-tailed sandpipers, but no rarities.
On the Peninsula, we had a flock of 8 Rock Sandpipers.
I then headed north while Tim and Andy pursued a possible Garganey in the flock of teal that flushed when we first walked out onto the flats. Andy got photos of one (maybe two) Garganeys there! I assume these were the same birds that were here when I left in May.
As I drove along the lagoon, I flushed a Gray-tailed Tattler. He did not pose for photos.
I installed the Blue Building feeder and then headed towards the Seawall.
At the north end of the lagoon, I spotted a young Red-faced Cormorant.
Red-faced Cormorant, Clam Lagoon, September 22, 2024
Off the Seawall, I saw multiple Short-tailed Shearwaters going by. But the visibility was poor, so I did not linger.
After eating lunch at Candlestick Bridge, I headed back around and installed the final feeder at the National Forest.
The feeder is just left of the newly-painted sign.
After checking the Warbler Willows (nothing new), I went down to Sweeper Cove.
As I was scanning the bay, I heard a raven call, looked up and saw a Gyrfalcon chasing the raven.
The raven flew off, but the Gyrfalcon obligingly perched on a nearby utility pole.
Gyrfalcon, Sweeper Cove, September 22, 2024Gyrfalcon, Sweeper Cove, September 22, 2024Gyrfalcon, Sweeper Cove, September 22, 2024Gyrfalcon, Sweeper Cove, September 22, 2024
VERY COOPERATIVE BIRD!
In Sweeper Cove, I found two Crested Auklets.
Crested Auklet, Sweeper Cove, September 22, 2024
And I picked out at least one Thick-billed Murre out of the many Commons.
After checking the Quarries, I headed back up to Warbler Willows (always check it at least two times per day!). Along the way, Andy and Tim followed me around the Sweeper Creek area where they spotted a flock of Cackling Geese going over.
Cackling Geese, Sweeper Creek area, September 22, 2024
They then headed south as I continued up to the willows.
As I drove in to the Warbler Willows, a Wood Sandpiper flushed from the side of the road. I was unable to relocate it.
As I was headed back to town, Andy called to tell me they had a Yellow-billed Loon at the Sweeper Cove Jetty area.
I hurried down there and got a glimpse of it before it disappeared around the bend.
I went back home and had dinner. As I was eating, Andy called to say he thought he had another Garganey at the Airport Ditch!
After finishing, I went down there and, sure enough, there it was!
Garganey, Airport Ditch, September 22, 2024Garganey, Airport Ditch, September 22, 2024
Again, this was probably the same one that was here in May.
Finally, here is the Annual Fall Mandatory Eagle Head-shot.
Temp in the 50s, overcast, rain, Wind East 20-25 mph
Weather, Adak, Sept 21, 2024
The trip from home to here was interesting…
Yesterday’s flight form Philadelphia to Seattle was uneventful until we landed. We arrived about 25 minutes early, but then sat on the tarmac for an hour because the gate was occupied! And then, when we finally got to the gate, there was no JetWay driver!. So we had to wait another 10 minutes…
Good thing I had chosen a two-hour layover instead of the one-hour option.
Then today, as we approached Adak, we circled around to land from the west (there were east winds), but the visibility was so bad, the pilot aborted the landing.
We circled around and made another approach from the east this time and landed successfully.. On top of that, the flight had left about 20 minutes late and was fighting headwinds all the way, so we ended up arriving about 45 minutes late.
This morning, before the flights, I drove up to Arctic Valley. I had no unusual birds, but a Black Bear was waddling up the road in front of me.
Black Bear, Arctic Valley Road, Anchorage, Sept 21, 2024
Up at the top, a Magpie posed nicely.
Black-billed Magpie Arctic Valley Road, Anchorage, Sept 21, 2024
Then, on the way down, a Spruce Grouse stood in the middle of the road.
Spruce Grouse Arctic Valley Road, Anchorage, Sept 21, 2024
I was met by Tim and Andy at the Anchorage Airport. They will be on Adak until the 28th.
As mentioned above, we arrived late on Adak and the weather was not very cooperative. So we made a mad dash around some of the hotspots, but did not find anything of note.
The weather is expected to improve tomorrow, so we should have better results.
Also, I chose not to stand out in the rain to assemble my bird feeders, so they will be erected t (and stocked) tomorrow.
Temps in the 40s, Partly Sunny, Occasional light sprinkle, Wind W 5-15 mph
Weather, June 1, 2024
Final day
No new birds today.
The Emperor Goose, a Brambling, and a Hawfinch were still present.
It was a great trip!
One lifer — Long-toed Stint.
75 species — fourth best spring record.
Three Asian passerines — Hawfinch, Brambling, Taiga Flycatcher
Two Asian ducks — Tufted Duck, Garganey
Eight Asian shorebirds — Siberian Sand-Plover, Whimbrel (Siberian race), Far Eastern Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Long-toed Stint, Red-necked Stint
Two uncommon Gulls — Black-headed, Herring
Lowlights:
I saw only three Common Murres — low for May
The Common Ravens were very scarce
No Asian passerines visited the feeders except for a brief appearance by a Hawfinch the first day and then two others at the end of the trip. Usually, Brambling(s) and Hawfinch(es) will find a feeder early on and feed at it for the duration.
Only one American Green-winged Teal.
Only 5 Northern Pintails. I have had as many as 50 in the spring. And they normally breed here.
No Horned Grebes.
Thew Aleutian Terns were most uncooperative. Giving no :close up and personal” views until the end of the trip.
I missed the following species which were seen by other birders. Ruddy Turnstone, Wandering Tattler, Peregrine Falcon, and Short-eared Owl
Highlights
Long-toed Stint — My last stint!
Siberian Sand-Plover — Only my second Spring record.
Far Eastern Curlew — Only my fourth record and there were two and one stayed for 6 days!
Temps in the 40s, overcast, steady drizzle after 11 am, Wind SSE 5-15 mph
Weather, May 30, 2024
I checked the local feeders, but did not see either Hawfinch.
At the Airport Ditch, I finally found an American Green-winged Teal for the trip.
American Green-winged Teal, Airport Ditch, May 30, 2024
There are usually one or two around each May, but this one took almost two weeks to find.
Also at the Airport Ditch, a pair of Wood Sandpipers were in courtship display — the male calling continuously and flying up and hovering above the female on the ground.
Wood Sandpiper in courtship flight, Airport Ditch, May 30, 2024
Courtship displays by Wood Sandpipers have been seen previously on Adak, but there have been no confirmations of nesting. Wood Sandpipers have been confirmed nesting on Attu and Amchitka and suspected on other western Aleutian Islands.
The Tufted Duck was on Haven Lake again this morning.
Tufted Duck, Haven Lake, May 30, 2024
The Far Eastern Curlew continues on the Clam Lagoon East Side Flats.
Two Pacific Golden-Plovers remain at the Marsh.
Pacific Golden-Plover, the Marsh, May 30, 2024
The Emperor Goose was on Goose Rocks again today.
Emperor Goose (with Common Eiders), Goose Rocks, May 30, 2024
When we arrived on Adak two weeks ago, I told Don not to worry about the terns flying by at a distance because we would soon enough see them up close and personal…
Well, that has not been the case. In past years, over the course of two weeks, we would encounter the following four scenarios:
At the Airport Ponds, Aleutian Terns would be feeding on the ponds and then fly up the hill (frequently right over us).
Aleutian Terns would perch on some of the various rock outcroppings along the west shore of Clam Lagoon, providing up close viewing.
Both Aleutian and Arctic terns would sit on the East Side Mud Flats at Clam Lagoon (but not too far out) where they could be scoped easily to see the distinct facial patterns for identification.
They would both be giving their distinctive calls
None of these scenarios happened the ten days that Don was here. And in fact there were several days when we did not include Aleutian Terns on our list for lack of identification opportunities.
Today scenario #3 took place.
Aleutian Terns, Clam Lagoon, May 30, 2024
And they were also photographable off of the Seawall.
Aleutian Tern, Seawall, May 30, 2024
When I arrived back at the house, went into the kitchen and looked out at the feeder, I was greeted with the following!
Hawfinch, Adak, May 30, 2024
This was my first Hawfinch at my feeder.
The Trip List is now 75 (I count the two teal as separate species — like the Brits).
I was on my own today, as Don was preparing to leave and wanted to do some more scenery photography.
I decided I would check Sweeper Channel and the Airport Ditch and then head up to Clam Lagoon.
At the north end of the Airport Ditch, a Whimbrel flew out. I couldn’t get a photo, but as the morning went on, two other birders heard it calling nearby (although they did not see it).
This has been a good year for loons (although I still haven’t found a Yellow-billed) and these three Commons were in Clam Lagoon.
Common Loons, Clam Lagoon, May 29, 2024
At the Seawall, I found a Long-tailed Duck (different plumaged than last week’s bird).
Then, as I was just getting to the East Side Flats, a lone goose flew by. Any lone goose on Adak is suspect and, sure enough, it turned out to be a Brant. This was my fourth record of Brant on Adak.
Brant, Clam Lagoon, May 29, 2024
I returned to town to see off the departing birders.
I had been told by a local that a nest of Bald Eagles down on Sweeper cove had eaglets in it. I had looked at the nest yesterday, but it appeared the eagle was on eggs. No feeding activity and no nestlings apparent.
So I tried again today and there they were. It looks like the parent was sheltering the eaglets from the bad weather yesterday.
Bald Eagle with young, Sweeper Cove, May 29. 2024
Everyone was leaving today except Jason and Manuel.
I bid farewell (collected loaned radios and surplus bird seed) and returned to the search for lifers…
I then went back up to the lagoon and walked both the peninsula and the marsh edge.
I did not find a single shorebird…
As the tide was going out, I decided to continue around to the East Side flats and see if the Far Eastern Curlew was there. I had not seen it this morning during high tide.
As I was driving by the East Side Ponds, another Whimbrel was on the road. After a few futile attempts, I finally got some pics, including a fuzzy one showing it to be the Siberian race (white up the back).
Siberian Whimbrel, East Side Ponds, May 29, 2024
Siberian Whimbrel, East Side Ponds, May 29, 2024
Siberian Whimbrel, East Side Ponds, May 29, 2024
When I got to the East Side Flats, the Far Eastern Curlew had returned.
Far Eastern Curlew, East Side Ponds, May 29, 2024
An unprecedented 6th day!
On the way back around the lagoon, as I approached the barracks building near the “Blue Building,” it looked like they had a row of lights on the roof.
It turned out to be just the sun reflecting off the conical chimney caps.
The trip list is an amazing 74. This is my 4th best spring trip total. (81, 80, 76).
Temp in the 40s, mostly cloudy, sunnier in the PM, occasional light sprinkle, wind NW 10-20 mph
Weather, May 28, 2024
The off and on sprinkles produced another rainbow for us.
Rainbow, May 28, 2024
I usually get to a point in these trips where the weather (ie. winds) turns against us and we get into the doldrums. This is it.
No new birds today (trip or life).
The Far Eastern Curlew was still present for an unprecedented fifth day.
I verified that Ravens still exist on the island (we were beginning to worry!).
Common Raven, Adak, May 28, 2024
The decline in the number of residents on the island has resulted in fewer scavenging opportunities for the birds, so they aren’t hanging around town as much.
There are several Bald Eagle nests easily seen as we drive around and it appears they are still sitting on eggs. At home in Pennsylvania, the young are about to fledge.
We had one of the Hawfinches at the Seal Drive feeder this morning, but later on the feeder was mobbed by the aforementioned ravens…
One of the Hawfinches has started visiting the Kuluk feeder as well, which is only 1400 feet. away — as the Hawfinch flies…
This has been a good year for Pacific Loons, with many hanging off the Seawall and in Clam Lagoon.
Pacific Loon, Clam Lagoon, May 28, 2024
Don (and most of the other birders) leave tomorrow, but there will still be a couple in addition to me.
Temps in the 40s, overcast, occasional very light sprinkle, Wind NW 10-20 mph
Weather, May 27, 2024
The Far Eastern Curlew, Common Greenshank and Common Sandpiper were all seen today.
At Haven Lake this morning, we found a Tufted Duck which actually stayed while we viewed it!
We saw one Red-necked Stint still lingering at the Airport Creek Bridge.
We still had three Wood Sandpipers.
The waters of the northern part of Clam Lagoon have been calm enough the past two days to permit easy spotting of Murrelets. Both Marbled and Kittlitz’s were calling today.
Also at the north end of the lagoon were two Red-throated Loons (trip bird).
The Seawall was overflowing with loons. We counted 16 Pacific and 2 Arctic. My all-time high for Pacific Loons was 25 in 2021.
Later in the day while scanning the Kuluk Bay Kelp Bed, 2 Short-tailed Shearwaters flew by just past the Kelp Bed! I usually see hundreds or thousands, not 2…
And finally, in town, we saw three Common Ravens.
I posted the above 2 hours ago.
About 25 minutes ago, we got a call that a Hawfinch was at the Seal Drive feeder.
We highballed it over there and not one, but TWO, Hawfinches were there (a male and a female)!
We assume these were new birds, as the single seen a week-and-a-half ago was extremely skittish and hasn’t been seen since.
