Keep em coming…
Today’s weather was intermittent. Intermittent clouds, Intermittent sun, Intermittent drizzle, Intermittent snow, Intermittent sleet. The only thing not Intermittent was the wind, SW 15-25 mph.
I started off my usual day by checking feeders and Sweeper Cove. I then headed to Sweeper Channel.
I first noted the usual Rock Sandpipers, but then a Wood Sandpiper appeared, then another one, and so on. Eventually I had 17 there.
Then I saw a Common Greenshank!
Later, when I got up to the end of the Sweeper Channel Road, I saw another one, but I think it was the same one I saw earlier. Later on, Aaron only had one Greenshank there.
The next thing I saw was a Red-necked Stint.
Then another…
In the afternoon, I returned to look for a Dunlin that Aaron had. I got it.
I headed north and stopped at the High School Spruces, where a freshly fed Short-eared Owl was perched.
I ran into Aaron’s group. I told him about the birds at Sweeper. He had been walking the marsh edge at Clam Lagoon and added Temmink’s Stint. He also had a Wood Sandpiper.
I headed up to Clam in hopes of getting better photos of the Garganey and Falcated Duck.
A tiny bit better on the Garganey, but couldn’t find the Falcated.
I next headed over to Andrew Lake, where I went through a snow squall. Hoever, I did find a Common Loon and two Great Egrets.
On my wat back from Andrew Lake, I got a call from Aaron that there were three Siberian Sand-Plovers at Landing Lights Beach!
I was only 3 minutes away.
By the time Aaron’s group left there, there were 4!
I visited a few more spots and called it a day.
At 7:15 PM, as I was editing these photos for this blog, Aaron called me and told me there was a Great Knot at Clam Lagoon!
Off I flew…
Sure enough, another lifer!
There are two previous records for Adak: June 4, 1971 and June 9, 1982.
Also up at the lagoon were 10 or so Dunlin, 9 Red-necked Stints, a Temminck’s Stint, some Sanderlings, and who knows what else. I saw the Red-necks and Dunlins, but not the Temminck’s or Sanderings.
I haven’t updated my eBird list and trip list yet, but will add those stats to these blog posts once I do.
A side note: When I went to fill the Blue Building Feeder yesterday, there were pellets on it.
I assume a Short-eared Owl, but maybe a Eurasian Eagle Owl…
One can dream!
Clam Lagoon Road
As some of you are aware, the Breaches on the east side of Clam Lagoon were breached last winter. The storm washed a lot of large rocks, sand, pebbles, and other debris over the road, making it impassable. So you couldn’t get to the Seawall, Lake Shirley, etc.
Upon hearing about this, I contacted some people on Adak in an effort to repair the road, enabling vehicles to drive through it.
I finally found an individual (Cody) who felt he could do it (for a fee). I agreed and asked him to proceed. I then created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for this project.
The fundraising was successful ($5000!) and Cody got to work. However, it was more daunting than he imagined. He was able to clear a lot of the large rocks, etc., but the sandy soil that was washed over has proven to be more difficult.
The problem is that a large puddle (when it rains) was created that you have to drive through. However, at the south end of this puddle is an embankment that you have to drive up to get back on to the old road. This embankment consists of that sand and pebbles I mentioned, making it very slippery and easy to get stuck in.
I have not yet tried to drive it, as I don’t want to try it alone. In the next day or two, Aaron’s group will try and I will join him. So if there is a problem, help will be on hand.
I am working with Cody to find a solution.
Meanwhile, the Aleut Corporation, who owns the road, has agreed to assay it for long-term improvements. Time will tell.