Temps in the 40s, mostly cloudy, rain late in the day, wind SW 15-20 mph
I started out before sunrise to fix the Seal Drive and Thrush feeders.
I then went up to Warbler Willows, then the National Forest. No new birds.
I headed down to Finger Bay and Creek. There were tons of gulls and cormorants, harlequins, mergansers, eagles, and eiders, but nothing new. The salmon were still running.
I went back up to the National Forest to eat lunch and try for the Redpoll that had been reported there. No Redpoll, but three Pacific Wrens entertained me — one bouncing around my car.
This is a frequent experience of mine — young wrens and sparrows climbing on my car. I’m never fast enough to get photos of them doing this, but it is a fun experience.
The Slaty-backed Gull was at NavFac Creek Beach this morning.
I only saw one Gyrfalcon today.
The Seawall was most productive today.
A Steller’s Sea Lion prowled the coastline.
I had three species of loon, 3 Pacific, 1 Common, and 1 Red-throated.
I also found the Long-tailed Duck that had been reported yesterday.
On the way back around, I ran into the girls who told me they just saw one of the immature Gray-tailed Tattlers at Tattler Corner. I looked and looked, but could not find it.
Closer to town, I spotted two Red Phalaropes on the Kuluk Bay Kelp Bed.
Wilderness reported 4 Tufted Ducks at Lake Andrew today. I will try for them tomorrow.
Usually, this time of year, there are hundreds of Common Teal up at Clam Lagoon. They hide out much of the day in the teal ponds nearby, but venture out onto the southwest corner of the lagoon late in the day. But sometimes they are out there earlier. So far I have not seen that occurrence this trip.
I have only seen scattered teal here and there. One of these evenings I will go up there to confirm the numbers (as my body accommodates to the 5 hour time difference…).
Everyone leaves tomorrow, so unless some other birders show up that I don’t know about, I will be the only birder out here for the next week-and-a-half.
The trip list is at 42.
You can see the total list at https://ebird.org/tripreport/576221