Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Beringia > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Monday, March 15 at 05:25 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Rock Bunting,©Tony Disley

15 Mar sightings [alice sullivan ] 4 Feb omission [alice sullivan ] 14 Jan Carrie McLain Memorial Museum Request [Ken Stenek ] 14 Jan Bird Photos [Ken Stenek ] 9 Jan CBC [alice sullivan ] 21 Dec Christmas Bird Count [alice sullivan ] 21 Nov Christmas Bird Count [alice sullivan ] 17 Oct McKay's [4 Attachments] [Ken Stenek ] 17 Oct McKay's [Ken Stenek ] 27 Sep Serpentine Meandersings [Ken Stenek ] 17 Sep Re: Shishmaref Meanderings ["kstenek" ] 16 Sep Shishmaref Meanderings [Ken Stenek ] 4 Sep Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 2 Sep Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 19 Aug Re: Shishmaref Report [Chris Maack ] 19 Aug Re: [AK Birding] Shishmaref Report [Chris Maack ] 19 Aug Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 19 Aug Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 18 Aug RE: Call ID? [WILLIAM HUBER ] 17 Aug Call ID? [Ken Stenek ] 17 Aug Call ID? [Ken Stenek ] 17 Aug Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 14 Aug Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 06 Aug Re: Shishmaref/Serpentine River Report ["Ken Stenek" ] 6 Aug Shishmaref/Serpentine River Report [Ken Stenek ] 6 Aug Shishmaref/Serpentine River Report [Ken Stenek ] 26 Jul birding by ear workshop in Unalaska [Beth Peluso ] 25 Jul Prudhoe Bay, Deadhorse and the Dalton Hwy ["Steve W." ] 19 Jul Chevak Birds ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 17 Jul Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 17 Jul Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 14 Jul Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 06 Jul Short-tailed Shearwater at Nome ["dotandruss" ] 5 Jul unusual behavior [alice sullivan ] 06 Jul Chevak Birds ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 2 Jul Shishmaref Off-Island Report [Ken Stenek ] 26 Jun Chevak Birding ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 25 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 24 Jun Another new species [Ken Stenek ] 23 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 22 Jun Chevak Birding - Yukon Trip ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 19 Jun Shishmaref Rare Bird Sighting [Ken Stenek ] 19 Jun Shishmaref Rare Bird Sighting [Ken Stenek ] 12 Jun Barrow birds (rare/vagrants) [Emily Weiser ] 13 Jun Shishmaref Off-Island Report [Ken Stenek ] 12 Jun Chevak Birding Update ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 12 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 11 Jun Chevak Birding Update ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 10 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 08 Jun Re: Chevak Birding [Chris Maack ] 08 Jun Chevak Birding ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 08 Jun Chevak Birding ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 7 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 6 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 6 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 05 Jun Chevak Birding ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 5 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 1 Jun (unknown) [alice sullivan ] 1 Jun Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 30 May Common Mergansers [Jim Dory ] 29 May Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 28 May Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 28 May A phalanx of phalaropes ["beringsue" ] 27 May Nome river [Jim Dory ] 27 May Chevak Camp ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 26 May Re: Nome Report by a Shishmaref Birder ["Ken Stenek" ] 26 May Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] 26 May Re: Nome Report by a Shishmaref Birder ["beringsue" ] 26 May Nome Bar-Tailed Godwits ["craig.steed" ] 25 May Nome wish list ["brdnrd" ] 24 May Nome Report by a Shishmaref Birder ["Ken Stenek" ] 24 May Chevak Camp ["Ulric J. Ulroan" ] 23 May just birds [alice sullivan ] 18 May Birding sites around Nome ["rolshansky" ] 21 May Brief Nome update ["beringsue" ] 20 May Shishmaref Report [Ken Stenek ] Subject: sightings From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:19:04 -0700 (PDT) Hello from Nome. While waiting for the Iditarod mushers to arrive I wanted to share with you two sightings a couple or weeks ago. A snowmachiner, who regularly goes to Council reports that for the fourth year in a row he has seen a drake Mallard on a small open stream just beyond Solomon. Also, a report was made of a Long tailed Duck on Bonanza creek just off the NOme river. There are no reports of waterfowl on the Iditarod trail. Alice Subject: omission From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:06:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Carrie McLain Memorial Museum Request From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:57:58 -0900 I actually goofed in including the Beringia Birders e-mail in my earlier post and it did not include what the museum is looking for, so here is Laura Samuelson's e-mail looking for some photos. I know some of you out there (Monte and others) have much better lenses and training than I do. If you can donate something, it would certainly help in giving back to Nome and the Seward Peninsula. > We are working on a birding exhibit for the Museum. Does anyone out > there have any quality photos of the following birds?: > > SIBERIAN BLUE THROAT > PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER > NORTHERN WHEATEAR > BAR-TAILED GODWIT > ARCTIC WARBLER > > Please reply to this e-mail or call us at the number below. > > Thank you, > Laura > > > Laura Samuelson > Director > Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum > 223 Front Street > Box 53 > Nome, Alaska 99762 > Phone: 907-443-6630 > FAX: 907-443-7955 > E-Mail: museum AT ci.nome.ak.us Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Bird Photos From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:42:58 -0900 One of your best bets is to post on the beringia_birders yahoo group which I will do for you. I have some good photos of all but blue throats as we don't have them here in Shishmaref but I am sure that anyone of my professional photographer friends might donate to the museum. I will put out a feeler as well as send you some of my best. I also have a profound collection of McKay's Bunting, which are my pride and joy. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: CBC From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 21:26:51 -0800 (PST) Well, six faithful birders did the CBC for Nome on Dec. 27th. It was a sunny day with almost no wind. We found a grand total of four species which included: 150 Ravens, 1 Willow Ptarm. 35(6) McKays Buntings and 11 Snow Buntings. The Raven count was exceptionally low. Previous years we had counted up to five or six hundred Ravens. They have changed the way they are handling refuse in the town landfill. There is now very little garbage as they cover the landfill frequently. Where did all the Ravens go? I think the smart ones went to the south of France where, not only is it warm, but there is Cordon Bleu garbage. Next time. alice Subject: Christmas Bird Count From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:00:52 -0800 (PST) This is a reminder to Nome, alaska birders that we will have  a Christmas Bird Count on sunday the 27th of December. We will be rolling out of the parking lot of Airport Pizza at 1:p.m.. For those who like some of us gather at the restaurant for a pre-birding brunch. Call me (Alice-443-2094) if you have any questions. Alice Subject: Christmas Bird Count From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:08:44 -0800 (PST) I don't know if all of you are familiar with the Christmas Bird Count run by the Audubon Society.  They run this count to get a picture over the entire country of birds completely native to an area. It is a nation wide effort and it is really interesting to follow on their web site as people like ourselves report bird sightings in their area. You need to pick one day between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5th. You report only the birds you have seen that day. Report numbers also. We have done it several years now in Nome. It would be great to have reports from rural Alaska. To report go to Christmas Bird Count Audubon. Then click on COMPILERS. There are a lot of rules but most of them don't apply to us. The final results appear in Birding Magazine but it is fun to watch the count progress across the country on the web site. Alice Subject: McKay's [4 Attachments] From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:37:32 -0800 The McKay's Buntings have finally arrived in Shishmaref! I found 50 buntings hanging around the seawall this afternoon, at least 20 appeared to be McKay's. This is usually the time of year that the earliest arrive here. Unfortunately, this pretty much ends my calendar year of birding, outside of a few stray species, including gulls, I usually won't see much else. I did see some interesting gulls today as well. There was a very dark Slaty-backed Gull on west beach and among a large flock of Glaucous Gulls and immature gulls I believe I teased out a Glaucous-winged Gull, which would be the first I have seen this year and and second one I have identified since I started (with the help of Nick Hadjukovich and Luke DeCicco. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: McKay's From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:37:32 -0800 The McKay's Buntings have finally arrived in Shishmaref! I found 50 buntings hanging around the seawall this afternoon, at least 20 appeared to be McKay's. This is usually the time of year that the earliest arrive here. Unfortunately, this pretty much ends my calendar year of birding, outside of a few stray species, including gulls, I usually won't see much else. I did see some interesting gulls today as well. There was a very dark Slaty-backed Gull on west beach and among a large flock of Glaucous Gulls and immature gulls I believe I teased out a Glaucous-winged Gull, which would be the first I have seen this year and and second one I have identified since I started (with the help of Nick Hadjukovich and Luke DeCicco. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ ---------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Serpentine Meandersings From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:38:56 -0800 Our family took maybe our last trip of the year to the Serpentine River. As I had predicted many of the waterfowl had left for warmer climates. There were some Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup and Black Scoters still around but not near the numbers as there were two weeks ago. There were 5 Tundra Swans, some flocks of Canada Geese and some unidentified black water fowl at the mouth of the river that I believe were Brant. There were plenty of Common Ravens and Glacous Gulls as well as some large flocks of redpolls as well as some Pacific Loons and Red-throated Loons. No owls or other birds of prey were spotted. We did see a grizzly bear and a red fox but no moose or caribou that we were hoping to find. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Re: Shishmaref Meanderings From: "kstenek" <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:44:57 -0000 I forgot to add that several juvenile Pacific Golden-Plovers have been seen as well as reports of Long-billed Dowitchers near tundra ponds on the east end of the island by students. --- In beringia_birders AT yahoogroups.com, Ken Stenek wrote: > > Over the past couple nights we have driven our 4-wheeler to take the > kids out since it's been so nice here. Spring tides are exposing > sandbars more than normal bringing out many Dunlin, Western Sandpipers > and even a few Sanderlings. In the west channel waters there have > been phalaropes, which I believe our Red Phalaropes. > > There were three Short-eared Owls last night patrolling the grassy > area on the southeast end of the island, we only saw one the night > before. Many gulls of different ages, nothing I could say to suggest > anything other than Glaucous except for some very dark juvenile gulls > that were either Herring Gulls or possibly Glaucous-winged (which is a > species I have not been able to document this year). Some Redpolls > still lingering. But there appears to be more Snow Buntings around > (one of our year long species), and a few Common Ravens. > > There was also a Long-tailed Duck in the east channel two nights ago > as well as a hen Common Eider in the west channel. > > Ken Stenek > Shishmaref > > Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: > http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ > Subject: Shishmaref Meanderings From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:14:58 -0800 Over the past couple nights we have driven our 4-wheeler to take the kids out since it's been so nice here. Spring tides are exposing sandbars more than normal bringing out many Dunlin, Western Sandpipers and even a few Sanderlings. In the west channel waters there have been phalaropes, which I believe our Red Phalaropes. There were three Short-eared Owls last night patrolling the grassy area on the southeast end of the island, we only saw one the night before. Many gulls of different ages, nothing I could say to suggest anything other than Glaucous except for some very dark juvenile gulls that were either Herring Gulls or possibly Glaucous-winged (which is a species I have not been able to document this year). Some Redpolls still lingering. But there appears to be more Snow Buntings around (one of our year long species), and a few Common Ravens. There was also a Long-tailed Duck in the east channel two nights ago as well as a hen Common Eider in the west channel. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 13:48:24 -0800 My wife and I went for a ride along the West side beach down to the channel. Found some birds of interest to me. There were 3 Black Turnstones (2 were juveniles), the adult appeared to be wounded or something else going on with it. Was wishing I had had my camera with me to see just what was wrong. There were plenty of Glaucous Gulls (juvenile and adults) loafing all over. Quite a few Dunlin probing in the sand at the end of the island on the lagoon side as well as Sanderlings and quite a few Red Phalaropes in their non-breeding plumage, which is not very red. A single Northern Wheatear showing off its white rump. Two flocks of Golden-Plovers totaling about 50 birds. And a flock of Western Sandpipers, about 15. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 22:31:57 -0800 The island reports by Paul and Scott had me excited to see what I might see here. My wife and I walked on the east beach. We started off with a flock of about 90 brant flying west along the coast. Quite a few juvenile and adult Glaucous Gulls and 4 Black-legged Kittiwakes. There were 3 Sanderlings chasing the waves. One stayed just in front of us for quite some time. We came up through the drying racks and had a flock of 15 Long-billed Dowitchers fly around us showing off the white stripe on their backs. A few Pacific Golden Plovers were feeding in a grassy area near the drying racks and a small flock of Green-winged Teal were in a nearby pond. Not overly exciting but at least I tried. One thing that surprised me was the lack of passerines except for some Snow Buntings on the seawall. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Re: Shishmaref Report From: Chris Maack <cmaack AT gci.net> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:51:30 -0700 Ken, can you explain the 2cy and 3cy abbreviations, please. Chris Maack Anchorage On Aug 19, 2009, at 9:32 AM, Ken Stenek wrote: > Thanks to all who sent me many species to look out for. The majority > were for Bristle-thighed Curlew and Upland Sandpiper both would be > awesome species to document here. Jason Rogers sent me a recording > that is just about what I heard of a Bristle-thigh that he recorded > showing loud and clear the tee-oo-weet (Jason's mnemonic that I like > better than the one I presented). > > On further note my family made a dump run last night. There were > quite a few Northern Wheatear, Glaucous Gulls a young Herring Gull > (maybe 2cy or 3cy) and two Slaty-backed Gulls (one subadult and one > adult). I also heard the call of some Eastern Yellow Wagtails and saw > some Lapland Longspurs, Western Sandpipers, Dunlin, Red-necked > Phalarope, Common Raven, and a nostalgic sighting of a juvenile > Pacific Golden Plover. > > Ken Stenek > Shishmaref > > Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: > http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: [AK Birding] Shishmaref Report From: Chris Maack <cmaack AT gci.net> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:51:30 -0700 Ken, can you explain the 2cy and 3cy abbreviations, please. Chris Maack Anchorage On Aug 19, 2009, at 9:32 AM, Ken Stenek wrote: > Thanks to all who sent me many species to look out for. The majority > were for Bristle-thighed Curlew and Upland Sandpiper both would be > awesome species to document here. Jason Rogers sent me a recording > that is just about what I heard of a Bristle-thigh that he recorded > showing loud and clear the tee-oo-weet (Jason's mnemonic that I like > better than the one I presented). > > On further note my family made a dump run last night. There were > quite a few Northern Wheatear, Glaucous Gulls a young Herring Gull > (maybe 2cy or 3cy) and two Slaty-backed Gulls (one subadult and one > adult). I also heard the call of some Eastern Yellow Wagtails and saw > some Lapland Longspurs, Western Sandpipers, Dunlin, Red-necked > Phalarope, Common Raven, and a nostalgic sighting of a juvenile > Pacific Golden Plover. > > Ken Stenek > Shishmaref > > Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: > http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ > > > Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:32:39 -0800 Thanks to all who sent me many species to look out for. The majority were for Bristle-thighed Curlew and Upland Sandpiper both would be awesome species to document here. Jason Rogers sent me a recording that is just about what I heard of a Bristle-thigh that he recorded showing loud and clear the tee-oo-weet (Jason's mnemonic that I like better than the one I presented). On further note my family made a dump run last night. There were quite a few Northern Wheatear, Glaucous Gulls a young Herring Gull (maybe 2cy or 3cy) and two Slaty-backed Gulls (one subadult and one adult). I also heard the call of some Eastern Yellow Wagtails and saw some Lapland Longspurs, Western Sandpipers, Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, Common Raven, and a nostalgic sighting of a juvenile Pacific Golden Plover. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:32:39 -0800 Thanks to all who sent me many species to look out for. The majority were for Bristle-thighed Curlew and Upland Sandpiper both would be awesome species to document here. Jason Rogers sent me a recording that is just about what I heard of a Bristle-thigh that he recorded showing loud and clear the tee-oo-weet (Jason's mnemonic that I like better than the one I presented). On further note my family made a dump run last night. There were quite a few Northern Wheatear, Glaucous Gulls a young Herring Gull (maybe 2cy or 3cy) and two Slaty-backed Gulls (one subadult and one adult). I also heard the call of some Eastern Yellow Wagtails and saw some Lapland Longspurs, Western Sandpipers, Dunlin, Red-necked Phalarope, Common Raven, and a nostalgic sighting of a juvenile Pacific Golden Plover. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: RE: Call ID? From: WILLIAM HUBER <greatscottwhatarealtor AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:20:24 +0000 Hi Ken, listen to a recorded call of pacific golden plover, your description fits this species vocalization quite nicely. Love your website Scott Huber Forest Ranch, Ca. To: beringia_birders AT yahoogroups.com; AKBirding AT yahoogroups.com From: kstenek AT shh.bssd.org Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:43:33 -0800 Subject: [AK Birding] Call ID? I heard a call last night that caught my attention because it was simple and memorable. It sounded like when you whistle at someone to get your attention. Three tone higher pitch like fee-uhh-ree (bad with mnemonics). Any guesses that I could check with my electronic guide? Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Call ID? From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:43:33 -0800 I heard a call last night that caught my attention because it was simple and memorable. It sounded like when you whistle at someone to get your attention. Three tone higher pitch like fee-uhh-ree (bad with mnemonics). Any guesses that I could check with my electronic guide? Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Call ID? From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:43:33 -0800 I heard a call last night that caught my attention because it was simple and memorable. It sounded like when you whistle at someone to get your attention. Three tone higher pitch like fee-uhh-ree (bad with mnemonics). Any guesses that I could check with my electronic guide? Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:27:56 -0800 My family took one of our new teachers blue berry picking along the Serpentine River today. Beautiful weather to go boating and picking. Before we even got to the boat, a NORTHERN WHEATEAR flew across our path. That was the first I have seen this year after seeing many last year in the spring. Near the mouth of the river all three of our loons were in force: Yellow-billed, Pacific and Red-throated. Glaucous Gulls and a Mew Gull were flying around as well as Black Scoter and Greater Scaup hens with families swimming around. There were also several Northern Harriers flying along the river's edge. We went in to a creek called "South Fork" after picking some blue berries. There were a few interesting shorebirds along the river that I didn't recognize as well as a few passerines one of which I believe may have been a White Wagtail but couldn't confirm it. It was certainly a lighter-colored belly with a long tail that it was bobbing up and down. What I wouldn't do for another pair of birding eyes. The shorebirds were medium-sized, certainly appeared bigger than golden plovers but smaller than godwits. But didn't get enough eyeball or camera lens to see what it was. The highlight of my day was while taking some silhouetted photos of Northern Harriers a (Taiga) MERLIN flew right in front of us. I immediately though Merlin because of its size and range and after getting some photos, was able to document it. Two new birds for the year, possibly could have had one or two more but great fun regardless. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:03:20 -0800 I took my kids to the east-side beach of the island today and conducted a COASST survey. I found my first Slaty-backed Gull of the year. It appeared to be a 3 year bird. There was also a young Herring Gull that I thought might have been a 2 year bird. Plenty of young Glaucous Gulls as well as adults. About 20 black-legged kittiwakes, some common ravens as well. There were also some sanderlings, dunlin, black turnstones, and red-necked phalaropes too. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Re: Shishmaref/Serpentine River Report From: "Ken Stenek" <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:56:21 -0000 Confirmed, there were Hudsonian Godwits in the photos I took. --- In beringia_birders AT yahoogroups.com, Ken Stenek wrote: > > My family went down to the Serpentine River/Estuary this past week to > pick berries and I did some birding as well. There were a few > highlights as I found a new bird for me to the area and an FOY bird as > well. I may also have another first for the area and for me if a > shorebird turns out to be what I think it might be. If you are good > with godwits, let me know and I will send you some photos. As of > right now they are posted on birdforum.net for identification help. I > am thinking I found some Hudsonian Godwits is all. > Subject: Shishmaref/Serpentine River Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 11:35:08 -0800 My family went down to the Serpentine River/Estuary this past week to pick berries and I did some birding as well. There were a few highlights as I found a new bird for me to the area and an FOY bird as well. I may also have another first for the area and for me if a shorebird turns out to be what I think it might be. If you are good with godwits, let me know and I will send you some photos. As of right now they are posted on birdforum.net for identification help. I am thinking I found some Hudsonian Godwits is all. On the first night we arrived, I went for a walk behind the family cabin and found 3 adult MEW GULLs with a juvenile and later two more adults near a friends camp. I have seen plenty of Mew Gulls in both Fairbanks and Nome but never here. I talked to a "neighbor" in the cabin near us and there is an Inupiaq name for them so not anything new to them. but had me pretty excited. Also nearby were some NORTHERN SHOVELERs that were in a pond nearby. I was able to take a photo of one that I couldn't identify that turned out to be an eclipse version. I just couldn't put my finger on what it was, it just didn't look like anything that I was used to. There were plenty of Greater Scaup and Black Scoter hens with families. The males must have all left because I didn't see one male version of either species. There were also families of Long-tailed Ducks. Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes were scattered over the tundra and flocks of Canada Goose were flying around. It was a great trip and I wish I could have devoted more time to birding but we were there to pick berries as my wife let me know many times. Here is a list of what I was able to positively identify so far during the trip...hopefully I will be able to add the correct godwit id later. I will post a photo to my album and maybe you can have some fun or contact me and I will try and send it to you. Pacific Loon Red-throated Loon Sandhill Crane Tundra Swan Canada Goose Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal NORTHERN SHOVELER Greater Scaup Common Eider Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Semipalmated Plover Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Phalarope Long-billed Dowitcher Dunlin Western Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger MEW GULL Herring Gull Glaucous Gull Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern Northern Harrier Common Raven Eastern Yellow Wagtail Savannah Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Lapland Longspur Redpoll sp. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref/Serpentine River Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 11:35:08 -0800 My family went down to the Serpentine River/Estuary this past week to pick berries and I did some birding as well. There were a few highlights as I found a new bird for me to the area and an FOY bird as well. I may also have another first for the area and for me if a shorebird turns out to be what I think it might be. If you are good with godwits, let me know and I will send you some photos. As of right now they are posted on birdforum.net for identification help. I am thinking I found some Hudsonian Godwits is all. On the first night we arrived, I went for a walk behind the family cabin and found 3 adult MEW GULLs with a juvenile and later two more adults near a friends camp. I have seen plenty of Mew Gulls in both Fairbanks and Nome but never here. I talked to a "neighbor" in the cabin near us and there is an Inupiaq name for them so not anything new to them. but had me pretty excited. Also nearby were some NORTHERN SHOVELERs that were in a pond nearby. I was able to take a photo of one that I couldn't identify that turned out to be an eclipse version. I just couldn't put my finger on what it was, it just didn't look like anything that I was used to. There were plenty of Greater Scaup and Black Scoter hens with families. The males must have all left because I didn't see one male version of either species. There were also families of Long-tailed Ducks. Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes were scattered over the tundra and flocks of Canada Goose were flying around. It was a great trip and I wish I could have devoted more time to birding but we were there to pick berries as my wife let me know many times. Here is a list of what I was able to positively identify so far during the trip...hopefully I will be able to add the correct godwit id later. I will post a photo to my album and maybe you can have some fun or contact me and I will try and send it to you. Pacific Loon Red-throated Loon Sandhill Crane Tundra Swan Canada Goose Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal NORTHERN SHOVELER Greater Scaup Common Eider Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Semipalmated Plover Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Phalarope Long-billed Dowitcher Dunlin Western Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger MEW GULL Herring Gull Glaucous Gull Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern Northern Harrier Common Raven Eastern Yellow Wagtail Savannah Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Lapland Longspur Redpoll sp. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: birding by ear workshop in Unalaska From: Beth Peluso <bpeluso AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:58:53 -0700 (PDT) I'll be giveing 2 presentations in Unalaska next week (through my job as Watchable Wildlife Program Coordinator for Alaska Department of Fish and Game):   Alaska’s Wildlife Viewing Trails: Opportunities for Communities Tuesday, July 28 7:00pm Museum of the Aleutians Wildlife viewing trails are growing in popularity across the country. The Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail, which follows the state ferry routes, reaches from Unalaska all the way to Ketchikan. What is a wildlife viewing trail? How do these trails benefit communities? Alaska Fish and Game’s newest guidebook for the Coastal Trail, which includes Unalaska as a featured stopover, will be available after the presentation.   Bird Karaoke (and other ways to learn bird sounds) Wednesday, July 29 7:00pm Museum of the Aleutians This 1-hour workshop provides tricks and tips for learning (and remembering) bird sounds. Whether you’re a beginner who wants to learn about birds at your feeder or an experienced birder who wants to go beyond binoculars, learning how to listen will expand your horizons.   If anyone is in Unalaska those days, hope to see you there!   Beth Peluso Juneau Subject: Prudhoe Bay, Deadhorse and the Dalton Hwy From: "Steve W." <swinak AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:13:51 -0000 I had the opportunity to visit Prudhoe Bay, Deadhorse and the Dalton Hwy for work related matters and was able to do a little birding as well. 7/23/09 - 7/24/09 Rain, wind, & temps 32 up north & very smokey south of Coldfoot to just north of Fox, AK, 70 in Fairbanks Deadhorse 400 Greater White-fronted Goose 200 Brant 500 Canada Goose 12 Tundra Swan 2 Mallard 1 Spectacled Eider 2 Common Eider 50 Long-tailed Duck 25 Pacific Loon 1 Yellow-billed Loon 8 Sandhill Crane 6 Black-bellied Plover 1 Semipalmated Plover 4 Semipalmated Sandpiper 2 Western Sandpiper 1 Baird's Sandpiper 200 Red-necked Phalarope 40 Glaucous Gull 2 Parasitic Jaeger 5 Long-tailed Jaeger 6 Snowy Owl 10 Common Raven 1 Eastern Yellow Wagtail 2 Lapland Longspur 50 Snow Bunting 1 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Dalton Hwy North Slpoe to Atigun Pass 15 Greater White-fronted Goose 100 Canada Goose 8 Tundra Swan 6 Pacific Loon 1 Golden Eagle 2 Sandhill Crane 2 Black-bellied Plover 6 Glaucous Gull 2 Arctic Tern 2 Parasitic Jaeger 40 Long-tailed Jaeger 8 Snowy Owl 4 Short-eared Owl 15 Common Raven 6 Cliff Swallow 1 Eastern Yellow Wagtail 1 Wilson's Warbler 2 American Tree Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow Atigun Pass to Coldfoot 1 Northern Shrike 8 Gray Jay 1 Black-billed Magpie 10 Common Raven 40 Cliff Swallow 4 American Pipit 2 American Tree Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Common Redpoll Coldfoot to Fairbanks 1 Merlin 4 Gray Jay 20 Common Raven 20 Cliff Swallow 1 Gray-cheeked Thrush 2 American Robin 1 Yellow Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Fox Sparrow Steve W. Subject: Chevak Birds From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:51:50 -0000 Bristle Thigh Curlews are staging in our rivers close by to Chevak. They started coming here about last week. I was laying in bed about 7:30am and I heard a distinctive bird call, "Cheeweet" come to realize that is the Bristle Thigh Curlew calling flying down to Kashunak from it's nesting grounds around the Yukon River. I know of a few locations where they like to gather, they will be around here for two to three more weeks, then they are heading off to their wintering grounds. There are thousands of little birds swimming around with their parents, not too many foxes around to there is a good number of little birds that are surviving. I have some good pictures of little Spectacle Eiders swimming in lakes. Plenty of little Sabine's Gulls, Black Turnstones, Bar-tailed Godwit's, Emperor Geese, Black Brants, Cacklers, White Front's, Galaucus Gulls. Let's just say that there are still birds everywhere and on every river bend and 360 degree birding. Bank swallows are flying around the banks of the river encouraging their little chicks to take their first flight. Yellow Wagtail chicks, Redpolls, Savanah Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, and Gray Cheek Thrushes are all on their own now flying around town fending for themselves. I can't believe that July is already almost over, about a month left of good birding, soooo fast! Well, it's been a wonderful birding season as always here in Chevak. I believe that June is the best birding month around here because there are thousands of birds and no pesky mosquito's, July (Now) is good to see the Bristle Thigh Curlews and all the little birdlings. Take care everyone and I'll post a note after next week Bristle Thigh Curlew tour is done with. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:05:33 -0800 My wife and I took some of our kids down to the Serpentine River today and didn't see the number of birds that I thought I would see but did confirm a few female NORTHERN HARRIERs along the river. Pretty breezy today but calmed down later in the evening. One interesting thing we observed was a small shorebird being chased by a pair of Parasitic Jaegers. A few times it used the boat for cover. We saw a few bank swallows but like many people around Anchorage has observed is that I am not seeing the numbers that I saw last year and in some areas where there were colonies of swallows, there are none. Species to report: Yellow-billed Loon Pacific Loon Red-throated Loon Red-necked Grebe Sandhill Crane Tundra Swan Greater White-fronted Goose Greater Scaup Common Eider Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Phalarope Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern NORTHERN HARRIER Short-eared Owl Bank Swallow Common Raven Eastern Yellow Wagtail American Tree Sparrow Lapland Longspur Redpoll sp. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:05:33 -0800 My wife and I took some of our kids down to the Serpentine River today and didn't see the number of birds that I thought I would see but did confirm a few female NORTHERN HARRIERs along the river. Pretty breezy today but calmed down later in the evening. One interesting thing we observed was a small shorebird being chased by a pair of Parasitic Jaegers. A few times it used the boat for cover. We saw a few bank swallows but like many people around Anchorage has observed is that I am not seeing the numbers that I saw last year and in some areas where there were colonies of swallows, there are none. Species to report: Yellow-billed Loon Pacific Loon Red-throated Loon Red-necked Grebe Sandhill Crane Tundra Swan Greater White-fronted Goose Greater Scaup Common Eider Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Phalarope Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern NORTHERN HARRIER Short-eared Owl Bank Swallow Common Raven Eastern Yellow Wagtail American Tree Sparrow Lapland Longspur Redpoll sp. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:53:04 -0800 Finally I was able to take the family out after getting ready for my younger daughter's birthday party all last week. We went down to Kougaruk River, which is about 12 miles to the West along the coast. No new species to report but quite a variety of birds seen on the trip. Quite a few Eastern Yellow Wagtails along the river in the willows. There were several families of Greater White-fronted Geese grouped together. 25 or more goslings, left by their parents, scurried in front of our boat as we kept pushing up river. There were probably many passerines that went unidentified including what I believed were American Tree Sparrows. We also saw a moose and several muskox on the trip. Pacific Loon Red-throated Loon Sandhill Crane Tundra Swan Canada Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Greater Scaup Common Eider Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Red-breasted Merganser Red-necked Phalarope Dunlin Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern Common Raven Eastern Yellow Wagtail Redpoll sp. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Short-tailed Shearwater at Nome From: "dotandruss" <dotandruss AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:49:34 -0000 Greetings, On July 5, while driving along the Nome Council Road near mile 24, we spotted what we believe to be a Short-tailed Shearwater swimming within 20 feet of shore. We have no prior experience with this species. But we got good photos, one of which we posted to the miscellaneous folder. This was the last day of our 4-day trip to Nome. We had 12 life birds, although the other 11 were to be expected in the area. The highlight was along the road to the Salmon Lake campground, where we saw an Arctic Warbler on the left side of the road and 4 Bluethroats on the right. Russell and Dorothy Stone Los Angeles, CA Subject: unusual behavior From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 21:47:58 -0700 (PDT) On a sightseeing trip with a visitor we drove to the top of Skookum Pass. This is well over a thousand feet high on the road to Council. I had pulled off the road at the parking area and started meandering down the mountain. I caught a glimpse of movement on my left. This is rocky, very dry mountain top type of terrain, practically no vegetation. I kept seeing movement but was unable to identify its source. Finally I realized that several small birds were half running and half flitting up the mountain. They appeared to be eating something and working their way up the mountain. To my surprise they were Semi palmated Plovers. When they neared the top they flipped down the mountain and started back up again. I saw a second group of three doing the same thing in a different area. I casually approached this group and one of the birds went into extensive defensive behavior with the broken wing routine. Usually these birds are seen on gravel banks along rivers and streams. Yet, here they were high in the mountains foraging. A thick fog began to roll over the top of the mountain and I made sure to head back towards the car. Interesting experience. Alice Subject: Chevak Birds From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:03:08 -0000 Greeting everyone, I've been at fish camp drying and now we are just starting to smoke our fish. About one more week of fish camp, so fast! Many of our usual birds all around us, many goslings swimming in the rivers and lakes. One thing I would like to mention is the Sabine's Gulls that hang around our fish camp to eat the fish guts and eggs. We can get within 5 feet from the Sabine's Gulls while they are eating and they will not fly away. Talk about the best close up for photo's for the Sabine's and Mew Gulls. Many Emperor, Cackling, and White Front geese swimming around all over the rivers and slues. Getting ready to head back out to fish camp for the last week of smoking the fish. When I am done I will post a picture of the Sabine's Gull with a mouth full of Salmon eggs in it's mouth! Cool ah? Take care everyone. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: Shishmaref Off-Island Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:40:29 -0800 Been able to do some boating recently. I have verified with some close-up photos that at least some of the Herring Gulls around here are of the Siberian Vega race. The majority of the gulls around are Glaucous Gulls. Yesterday we were able to take a trip up to the Serpentine River/ Estuary. Lots of water fowl to be seen. Including some first of season birds. Many BLACK SCOTERs paired up as well as GREATER SCAUP. I also found a family of PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERs. Along the river there were also a few PACIFIC LOONs as well as a RED-NECKED GREBE. There were some raptors that I believe were Northern Harriers but I was not able to confirm. Other notable species seen were: PACIFIC LOON Red-throated Loon RED-NECKED GREBE Sandhill Crane Tundra Swan Canada Goose Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal GREATER SCAUP Common Eider BLACK SCOTER Long-tailed Duck PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Phalarope Long-billed Dowitcher Black Turnstone Dunlin Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Herring Gull Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern Bank Swallow Common Raven Gray-cheeked Thrush Eastern Yellow Wagtail Northern Waterthrush Savannah Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Lapland Longspur Redpoll sp. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Chevak Birding From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:35:02 -0000 Took my kids out to the Chevak Bird Camp to check up on the Spectacle Eiders. Seen three males sitting around on the side of the lakes. The males are pairing up so courting the females are over. It will be a week or two before the male Spectacle Eiders move away from here and start gathering out in the Bering Sea. Seen the Western Sandpiper and Semipalmated Sandpiper with their little hatchlings. Soon the geese eggs will start hatching and we will see a lot of little chicks running around, great for picture taking for close up shots. About mid July the Bristle Thigh Curlew start congregating in some slue's close by to Chevak. They gather in the hundreds to fatten up for their migration. We have a two week period where there are a lot of Bristle Thigh Curlew's around Chevak, not to mention a lot of all the other birds with their little chicks running around with them. Birding around Chevak is always great even in July. Happy Birding. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours Po Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:42:19 -0800 Went for a walk this morning and right away I saw two PELAGIC CORMORANTS flying along the coast. There was also a flock of about 75 Canada Geese flying along the coast to the Northwest, which would take them over to the Russian coastline if they maintained their direction. The only other odd sighting was a Common Raven hanging out with some jaegars out over the ice. Also the new additions are starting to come out. There was a young Snow Bunting hopping around on the seawall this morning as well as the redpoll nest this morning had 4 little bundles of joy for the parents to feed. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Another new species From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:37:37 -0800 I found two pairs of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERs in some open water on the beach-side of the ice. The ice is broken up but packed against the shoreline due to some Northwesterly winds. Quite a few of the other birds I have seen lately as well. I also took some pictures of the Short-eared Owl on its nest and hope to get some photos of its young after they hatch. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:36:23 -0800 I followed my wife to go pick young willow leaves (suzra), which locals eat with seal oil and found my first golden-plover of the year when I found an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER probing on the tops of little dry hills. Another highlight of the afternoon was when one of our young students took me to a nest they believed was an owl's nest. She was having a hard time relocating the nest when all of a sudden she flushed a Short- eared Owl off its nest in some tall dead grass. Four eggs that looked like small chicken eggs. There are lots of mice this year so the owl parents should have plenty of food. Other species seen were: Red-throated Loon Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Common Eider AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER Red-necked Phalarope Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Arctic Tern Short-eared Owl (on 4 eggs) Eastern Yellow Wagtail Savannah Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Hoary Redpoll Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Chevak Birding - Yukon Trip From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:16:47 -0000 Hello everyone I just came back to Chevak from my family Yukon Trip. I picked up my boat in Anchorage and my dad drove us to Nenana. From Nenana my wife Mary Ulroan and my kids Aaron, Summer, Jaden, Haley, and my baby boy Kendall along with a teacher who stayed here in Chevak to bird and camp came along with, we drove to Tanana through the Tanana river. That leg took us 7 hours to Tanana, we set up camp 8 miles down river from Tanana. During the night my family had a picnic around a camp fire, roasting some hot dogs and marshmellows. The next day we drove down the river with stops is Ruby, Galena, passed through Nulato, and Koyukuk and camped up river from Kaltag. The next day we went into Kaltag and took a much needed shower in the washeteria. After the showers we continued down the river to Anvik, Holy Cross, and finally into Yupik country Russian Mission where we spent the night at my wife's cousins place. The next day we drove down to Marshall to gas up and then on to my wife's hometown of Mtn. Village. We spent the day up river around a camp fire making smores. The next day we drove out of the Yukon River into Kashunak right across from Pilot Station and down towards Chevak. The whole trip took us five days. Some of the most enjoyable moments were drifting down the Yukon and making lunch during clear blue skies, glass calm waters, and enjoying my time with my wife and kids. Drifting down the Yukon, I felt like Huckleberry Finn. Well, that sure was an adventure and we have over 800 pictures spanning over the whole trip. Right now I have to get going to fish camp with my family in our new boat. That boat will be an excellent boat for bird watching, that's what I got it for. Take care everyone. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: Shishmaref Rare Bird Sighting From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:37:46 -0800 Went to the dump to collect a dead Long-tailed Jaeger for the COASST program and on the way back I found a WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba), which is listed as rare to Alaska by the "Checklist of Alaska Birds 15th edition--2009" by Gibson, Heinl, and Tobish. The White Wagtail was hanging out with some Eastern Yellow Wagtails in and around the dump. This is the 5th species this year that is the first I have documented here in Shishmaref, which includes Orange- crowned Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Pomarine Jaeger. It is also the 2nd rare bird of the year, the other being a male House Sparrow, which I believe did not survive the big storms in early March. Also seen over the past couple days: Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Semipalmated Plover Red-necked Phalarope Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Snipe Black Turnstone Dunlin Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Arctic Tern WHITE WAGTAIL Eastern Yellow Wagtail Savannah Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Common Redpoll (nesting with 4 eggs) Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Rare Bird Sighting From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:37:46 -0800 Went to the dump to collect a dead Long-tailed Jaeger for the COASST program and on the way back I found a WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba), which is listed as rare to Alaska by the "Checklist of Alaska Birds 15th edition--2009" by Gibson, Heinl, and Tobish. The White Wagtail was hanging out with some Eastern Yellow Wagtails in and around the dump. This is the 5th species this year that is the first I have documented here in Shishmaref, which includes Orange- crowned Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Pomarine Jaeger. It is also the 2nd rare bird of the year, the other being a male House Sparrow, which I believe did not survive the big storms in early March. Also seen over the past couple days: Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Semipalmated Plover Red-necked Phalarope Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Snipe Black Turnstone Dunlin Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Long-tailed Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Arctic Tern WHITE WAGTAIL Eastern Yellow Wagtail Savannah Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Common Redpoll (nesting with 4 eggs) Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Barrow birds (rare/vagrants) From: Emily Weiser <emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:50:42 -0800 Hi everyone, Just joined the list. I've been in Barrow since June 7th; this is my third summer up here. I'm seeing a large number of vagrants out at NARL (research hub just NE of town) and I thought I'd share them with you. Golden-crowned Sparrow (singing male, 6/7) Varied Thrush (singing male, seen/heard repeatedly; these are somewhat regular in Barrow but it's the first I've seen at NARL) Lesser Yellowlegs (6/8 and 6/9; apparently mated pair, very defensive toward me, but never before known to breed here--as far as I know) Cliff Swallow (6/9) Hermit Thrush (6/10 and 6/11) Western Wood-Pewee (6/11; 95% sure on this ID) Iceland Gull (6/12; 95% sure on this ID... would be 100% sure except I don't think it's ever been recorded here! I do have pretty good photos of it if you're interested) I've had second-hand reports of Blackpoll Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and American Robin here as well. If any of you are in Barrow I'd be interested to know what you're seeing. -- Emily Weiser M.S. Student Department of Biology and Wildlife University of Alaska Fairbanks 907-378-9640 (cell) emily.l.weiser AT gmail.com Subject: Shishmaref Off-Island Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:29:50 -0800 Was able to take the boat for a ride down the coast last night and ended up 9 miles to the west. A few notables were a pair of Bar- tailed Godwits, Red Phalaropes, and a four Emperor Geese. Here is a list of birds seen: Red-throated Loon Sandhill Crane Brant Emperor Goose Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Common Eider Long-tailed Duck Bar-tailed Godwit Red-necked Phalarope Red Phalarope Wilson's Snipe Western Sandpiper Pomarine Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Herring Gull Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Sabine's Gull Arctic Tern Savannah Sparrow Lapland Longspur Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Chevak Birding Update From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:13:52 -0000 WOW!!! Is the most common phrase during the three days out at camp. There was one guy from Amsterdam Holland and the 5 others are from all over the US. For a quick update, we lost count on the Sabine's Gulls, 21 Spectacle Eiders - 15 males and the rest females, Lost count on the Emperor Geese, seen many Bar-Tailed Godwits, Aleutian Terns, Black Legged Kitiwakes, Countless Black Turnstones, Red Phalarope, and I think those were the most notables not counting all the other birds. Everyone had a wonderful time and are sad to be leaving already. The two Salmon Fish cooked in tin foil and my secret spices over the fire was a special treat and there was not a piece of salmon left when we were done eating. Now I am getting ready to go to Anchorage to pick up my boat, I'll start driving down the Yukon River starting tomorrow. Take Care Everyone. Ulric J. Ulroan PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Chevak Bird & Culture Tours Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:52:18 -0800 An interesting night as I got some help getting my boat into deeper water to go for a ride and help my brother-in-laws out when they returned from a hunting trip. Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly and we had to ferry their snow machines from the east-side channel as well as their catch two large bearded seals. On the way to the channel there was a HERRING GULL sitting amongst quite a few 2 cy Glaucous Gulls and Arctic Terns. This was the first I had seen this year. It's darker back and black wing-tips with set it apart from the many Black-legged Kittiwakes that are around. I did see a sub adult kittiwake as well. On the ice I found a pair of Pomarine Jaegers, Common Eiders, and Long- tailed Ducks. But while coming back I found my most favorite of the gulls when I came across a SABINE'S GULL. Beyond their general overall appearance, I believe their wing pattern is beautiful. I had to make some noise to get the bird to fly just to see its wings. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Chevak Birding Update From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:45:17 -0000 Hello Everyone, The birding with the birders is going excellent. Have birders from all over the US and one from Denmark and they are all very happy birders. We seen 19 Spectacle Eiders in two days, most of the Eiders are located behind my camp. Seen more on the boat ride. Plenty and Plenty of Sabine's Gulls, Emperors, and the list goes on and on. To look up the website look up Wilderness Birding Adventures (WBA) not Alaska Wilderness Birding, my mistake, I should have known better. I was just too excited to be taking out some clients to my camp for birding. I ran up to Chevak from my camp really quick and I'm getting ready to head back down to camp. I'll be back in Chevak on Friday with the update. Take care everyone. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, Alaska 99563 Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:26:48 -0800 Most interesting thing that really happened lately was my brother-in- law had taken a picture May 31 of a bird he had never seen before, which turned out to be a GRAY JAY. I have seen many "camp robbers" before but never around here, a first for him and me. I also had a jaeger that as it fly my initial reaction by looking at the tail was Pomarine but the coloration was more like a Long-tailed. Are they known to hybridize? See the attached photo below if you are able. Here is a list of species seen today in taxonomic order. Red-throated Loon Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal Common Eider Long-tailed Duck Semipalmated Plover Red-necked Phalarope Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Snipe Dunlin Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Parasitic Jaeger Longtailed Jaeger or a Pomarine??? Glaucous Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Arctic Tern Short-eared Owl (lots of mice this year, shouldn't be hungry) Common Raven Eastern Yellow Wagtail Savannah Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll Jaeger??? Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Re: Chevak Birding From: Chris Maack <cmaack AT gci.net> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:12:18 -0700 I saw that hoopoe in the museum in Fairbanks, Ulric. A bunch of us birders were up there one winter to see a Brown Thrasher (saw it after freezing for a while near somebody's dog yard), and Dave Sonneborn got us into the museum to look at the bird collection. I still remember my amazement at seeing the hoopoe. Chris Maack Anchorage On Jun 8, 2009, at 1:10 AM, Ulric J. Ulroan wrote: > > > Greetings everyone, > > I took a couple from Anchorage out to my camp today and did some > bird watching and filming and a lot of picture taking. On our way to > the camp by boat we came across about 30 Sabine's Gulls feeding on > the freshly laid herring eggs along the river bank. At the camp e > took some really good picture's of the Spectacle Eiders that were > sitting in a lake right behind my camp. There were others around my > camp, but these two were close and were pretty brave. We were able > to get withing a 100 feet from the Spec's and they were giving us > all kinds of poses for the camera. We even got some pictures of the > Spec's both dipping their heads into the lake for food. There were > all sorts of birds nesting behind my camp, Emperors, Cacklers, White > Front's, Long tailed Ducks, Bar-tailed Godwits, Pintail Ducks, > Tundra swans, Gulls, and a few others. Seen the Bar-tailed Godwits > chasing the Long Tailed Jeagers, the Bar-tailed Godwits are > everyother birds big buddy along with the Black Turnstones cause > they like to chase the Jaegers away. The Spectacle's were sitting on > the side of the lake minding their own business until the Jaeger > came around pestering them. Good thing the Bar-tailed was not far > off. Also nesting around Chevak is the Wilson's Snipe, Yellow > Wagtails, Red Polls, Hoary Red Polls, and the list goes on and on. > Seen the Bank, Tree, and Cliff Swallows around town. Seen an Arctic > Warbler, White-crowned sparrow, and a Gray Cheeked Thrush on the > Electric poles around town. Yellow Warbler and Wilson's Warbler > along the bluffs by the boats. So far my bird count is at 73 birds > this season. I'm keeping my eye out for the Eurasian Whoopoe. The > one and only North American sighting of a Eurasian Whoopoe was in > the 70's by Old Chevak. Next time I'll tell the story of how the > Eurasian Whoopoe was identified. In case you are interested check > out Alaska Wilderness Birding and take a look at the Chevak > Spectacle Eider Camp, you can read a little about my bird camp on > that website. Take care everyone. > > Ulric J. Ulroan > Chevak Bird & Culture Tours > PO Box 325 > Chevak, Alaska 99563 > > > Subject: Chevak Birding From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:10:39 -0000 Greetings everyone, I took a couple from Anchorage out to my camp today and did some bird watching and filming and a lot of picture taking. On our way to the camp by boat we came across about 30 Sabine's Gulls feeding on the freshly laid herring eggs along the river bank. At the camp e took some really good picture's of the Spectacle Eiders that were sitting in a lake right behind my camp. There were others around my camp, but these two were close and were pretty brave. We were able to get withing a 100 feet from the Spec's and they were giving us all kinds of poses for the camera. We even got some pictures of the Spec's both dipping their heads into the lake for food. There were all sorts of birds nesting behind my camp, Emperors, Cacklers, White Front's, Long tailed Ducks, Bar-tailed Godwits, Pintail Ducks, Tundra swans, Gulls, and a few others. Seen the Bar-tailed Godwits chasing the Long Tailed Jeagers, the Bar-tailed Godwits are everyother birds big buddy along with the Black Turnstones cause they like to chase the Jaegers away. The Spectacle's were sitting on the side of the lake minding their own business until the Jaeger came around pestering them. Good thing the Bar-tailed was not far off. Also nesting around Chevak is the Wilson's Snipe, Yellow Wagtails, Red Polls, Hoary Red Polls, and the list goes on and on. Seen the Bank, Tree, and Cliff Swallows around town. Seen an Arctic Warbler, White-crowned sparrow, and a Gray Cheeked Thrush on the Electric poles around town. Yellow Warbler and Wilson's Warbler along the bluffs by the boats. So far my bird count is at 73 birds this season. I'm keeping my eye out for the Eurasian Whoopoe. The one and only North American sighting of a Eurasian Whoopoe was in the 70's by Old Chevak. Next time I'll tell the story of how the Eurasian Whoopoe was identified. In case you are interested check out Alaska Wilderness Birding and take a look at the Chevak Spectacle Eider Camp, you can read a little about my bird camp on that website. Take care everyone. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, Alaska 99563 Subject: Chevak Birding From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:37:09 -0000 Greet Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 16:47:16 -0800 After my huge day two days ago, the weather has been cold and windy but I did find my first ARCTIC WARBLER of the year. There are still some Golden-crowned Sparrows calling around town and a couple White-crowned Sparrows. Quite a few Savannah Sparrows, Snow Bunting, red polls, Lapland Longspurs, etc. A few Grey-cheeked Thrushes were flying around where I found them the other day as well as the Northern Waterthrush. I didn't see any Long-billed Dowitchers and only two Pectoral Sandpipers this morning. Many and I do mean many Red-necked Phalaropes this year. People are finding Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Dunlin eggs lately. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 01:36:18 -0800 What an incredible day, 7 new species, 3 of which were the first I have documented here. The weather was warm although it looked like it wanted to rain, but it didn't. I took my 2 month old son out for a walk thinking to look if the Grey-cheek thrushes had arrived. Before I could get to where I wanted to look I found a WILSON'S WARBLER. I quickly ran back to the house and dropped my son off and was able to get some very nice photos of it and a few others (at least 4, which is the most I have ever seen). The GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHes were there as well, at least a pair maybe as many as three. There was also another bird that I am almost positive was a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and am awaiting confirmation as this would be a first that I have ever seen here. Not too long later I found another I am trying to confirm as a OLIVE- SIDED FLYCATCHER sitting on a telephone wire. This is another species I have never documented here. I went towards the beach and chased around another warbler that I thought was an Arctic Warbler but am now convinced that it was an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, which is another first for me here. My wife picked me up and we went down to the end of the runway so that she could show me a "yellow-bellied" bird (Eastern Yellow Wagtail) and at the same time we were egg hunting. There had been a large hatch of insects. Flying along a creek beside the runway were two BANK SWALLOWS sporting their banker's vests. A hunter also reported an EMPEROR GOOSE as well. Anyone willing on weighing in on confirming the photos are more than welcome, see below. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Northern Waterthrush Orange-crowned Warbler Olive-sided Flycatcher [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 01:36:18 -0800 What an incredible day, 7 new species, 3 of which were the first I have documented here. The weather was warm although it looked like it wanted to rain, but it didn't. I took my 2 month old son out for a walk thinking to look if the Grey-cheek thrushes had arrived. Before I could get to where I wanted to look I found a WILSON'S WARBLER. I quickly ran back to the house and dropped my son off and was able to get some very nice photos of it and a few others (at least 4, which is the most I have ever seen). The GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHes were there as well, at least a pair maybe as many as three. There was also another bird that I am almost positive was a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and am awaiting confirmation as this would be a first that I have ever seen here. Not too long later I found another I am trying to confirm as a OLIVE- SIDED FLYCATCHER sitting on a telephone wire. This is another species I have never documented here. I went towards the beach and chased around another warbler that I thought was an Arctic Warbler but am now convinced that it was an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, which is another first for me here. My wife picked me up and we went down to the end of the runway so that she could show me a "yellow-bellied" bird (Eastern Yellow Wagtail) and at the same time we were egg hunting. There had been a large hatch of insects. Flying along a creek beside the runway were two BANK SWALLOWS sporting their banker's vests. A hunter also reported an EMPEROR GOOSE as well. Anyone willing on weighing in on confirming the photos are more than welcome, see below. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Northern Waterthrush Orange-crowned Warbler Olive-sided Flycatcher Subject: Chevak Birding From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:38:13 -0000 The Chevak's Ninglikfak River is finally open. I went out with my wife, kids, and aunt for a boat ride yesterday and seen some Red Phalarope's swimming around with the Red Neck Phal's. Red Phalarope's used to be plenty around Chevak when I was a young kid, and for some reason they started to be far and few along with the Spectacle Eiders. The Spec's are making a come back and we are still waiting for the Red Phal's to make a come back as well. I have a bit of some good news, I just bought a boat from Anchorage and after the Bird watchers leave Chevak on the 12th of June I am going to fly to Anchorage, drive my boat to Fairbanks to drive my boat down the Yukon River starting in Fairbanks on the Tanana River all the way to Chevak. I am going to take my wife and kids on this trip and that should be an adventure! I just bought a 21' North River Seahawk with a Yamaha 4 stroke 150hp. The boat has a cover so if it is raining we are still nice and cozy. Should take 5 to 6 days to drive to Chevak. It will be interesting to see what type of birds I will see while camping along the way down the Yukon. I'll give an update of the Chevak Birding once the bird watchers are done here. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 01:41:55 -0800 My wife and I went egg hunting the past two nights looking for peeps eggs While driving along the beach we found a few BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES tonight there was a LONG-TAILED JAEGER. Quite a few Eastern Yellow Wagtails around as well as the usuals. Still no golden- plovers, Gray-cheek thrushes, or some other spring birds I am used to seeing. Should be seeing Arctic Warblers anytime now as well. Shore ice is still strong enough to travel by snow machine but lots of melt water on top. Hope to see some sea birds as the ice breaks up and am able to boat around. If anyone wants to join me, come on up. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: (unknown) From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 19:58:15 -0700 (PDT) Yesterday, the first of June, was a glorious spring day in Nome. One of the first we have had this year. Two intrepid NOme birders took off following their bliss to Safety Sound. It was truely overwhelming. Although the Sound is not completly clear of ice yet, the water was covered with birds. On the western end of the Sound, closest to Cape Nome was a happy mixture of: Harlaquins; Long tailed; NOrthern Pintails; and literally hundreds of Scaups (probably Lesser Scaups as those are common to this area); a few Mergansers; Common Eiders and Shovelers. In the area of the Safety Sound Bridge the bird population abruptly changed to all Tundra Swans. They covered the water until the easternmost point of the Sound. One unusual sighting was of a flock of Yellow Wagtails. There were about twelve of them right in the road. They appeared to be eating some bug or insect in the gravel roadstead. Neither of us had ever seen Wagtails in a flock. When we turned around and headed back to Nome we started scanning the sea. There was some ice which was being blown back to shore by a strong south wind. Only then did we realize that the ocean also was sprinkled heavily with waterfowl. With our scope we could barely make out the closest ones which turned out to be the same mix as mentioned above.  However, we could see that the waterfowl went as far as our binoculars could allow us to see. We could identify one Cormorant. Ah! the Glory of spring! alice Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 13:36:59 -0800 Raining this morning but found another new species in a pair of SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS also last night there were a pair of LONG-TAILED DUCKS. This puts me at 47 species a little more than half way to my goal of 85 for the year. I also found a lone Sanderling this morning too. Plenty of Red-necked Phalaropes, Pectoral Sp, Western Sp, Long-billed Dowitchers (inlcuding one shorter billed individual that made me look twice), Wilson's Snipe, GW Teal, Northern Pintail, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, a few Golden-crowned Sparrows, Glaucous Gulls, and Arctic Terns. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Common Mergansers From: Jim Dory <jim.dory AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 16:50:41 -0800 This morning we saw two male Common Mergansers at our camp by Hastings Creek - I don't usually see them and not sure I ever have. Also saw a Yellow Wagtail zipping about on the beach hunting insects. First we've seen this season. Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 17:04:53 -0800 Although not as exciting as some of the birds that Gambell has been reporting, I have yet two more new species to report. SNOW GEESE are here in numbers and a hunter showed me his catch of one this morning while I was on a quick walk to take a photo of my Black-bellied Plover (which I did find as well). But another new shorebird was on the beach on my way back when I found 3 plump little SANDERLINGs probing the sand. Very nice day after a couple days of snow showers. There were also plenty of Long-billed Dowitchers, Pectoral and Western Sandpipers, a few Golden-crowned Sparrows, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, Green- winged Teal, Arctic Terns, Glaucous Gulls and Ravens to be seen as well. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 18:13:20 -0800 Snowing for the past two days with light winds from the North but two newbies made it in. I snuck out with our family honda this afternoon in between loads of laundry (don't tell my wife). I found one visitor I have never seen before in the spring when I found a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (I have seen some in the fall), and a BAR-TAILED GODWIT. There were also plenty of Pectoral Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, Snow Buntings etc. during my quick trip. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: A phalanx of phalaropes From: "beringsue" <susan_steinacher AT fishgame.state.ak.us> Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 16:10:37 -0000 We were also at the Nome River last evening, a mile above the bridge and below the VOR site walking the dogs - without binoculars! Nonetheless I was able to count upwards of 30 phalaropes slowly circling in a large eddy picking away at the upwelling food. I've never seen such a large congregation. Fun! Subject: Nome river From: Jim Dory <jim.dory AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 23:48:02 -0800 Carol and I went down to the mouth of the Nome river this evening and braved a stiff wind at 34 degrees, dressed for springtime. Along the way saw a bunch of Dunlins and Bar-tailed Godwits (maybe some Hudsonian or Marbled Godwits - unconfirmed), Semi-palmated Plovers, Semi Palmated Sandpipers and Western Sandpipers, Red-necked Phalaropes, 3 Sabines Gulls along with Mew and Glaucous, and assorted ducks including Harlequins, Long-tailed, Northern Pintail, some Red-throated Loons, Greater Scaups, Red-breasted Merganser, American Widgeons and Green-winged Teal, a probable Cackling Goose and two Canadian Geese, 3 Parasitic Jaegers, and a chill to top it off. Subject: Chevak Camp From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 02:02:38 -0000 Hello everyone, there is currently no more snow on the tundra near Chevak and the river ice is starting to break up. Looks like about a week and a half till the river opens up to my camp, just in time for the first group of birders coming to Chevak scheduled for June 9-12. Last year right behind my camp had birds nesting such as: Bar-tailed Godwits, Spectacle Eiders, Emperor Geese, White Front Geese, Cackling Canada Geese, Willow Ptarmigan, Long Tailed Jaeger, Long Tailed Ducks, Pintail Ducks, Dunlin, Western Sandpiper, Semipalmeted Sandpiper, Lapland Longspur, Savannah Sparrow, Pacific Loon, Black Bellied Plover, and Red Polls. I will give an update at the bird species around my campsite and I will also give an update at birds when traveling by boat. Currently around Chevak there are Hoarry Red Polls, Red Polls, and Longspurs nesting. Cranes, Geese, Ducks are also starting to nest out in the tundra. Seen some Yellow Wagtails flying around the Chevak Bluffs. Tree Swallows are getting into the Bird Houses getting ready to nest. Chevak Bird & Culture Tours Ulric J. Ulroan PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: Re: Nome Report by a Shishmaref Birder From: "Ken Stenek" <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 20:29:23 -0000 I should add that I did see plenty of Arctic Terns and in addition there were several Sandhill Cranes flying around, as well as swallows (pretty sure they were Tree Swallows but not 100% certain). --- In beringia_birders AT yahoogroups.com, "beringsue" wrote: > > I wanted to add several hundred tundra swans to Ken's list for Safety Sound. I was out there Monday morning and large numbers of swan were between the Safety Sound bridge and the Bonanza Bridge. Also saw long-tailed jaegers, breeding terns, pintails, red-necked phalaropes, widgeons and common eiders. Hunters have been getting Canada (Taverners) geese and brant. In the coastal waters were mergansers, harlequins and large rafts of scoters. Also, had a rusty blackbird for the third year in a row near the Snake River bridge. Happy spring, all! > > --- In beringia_birders AT yahoogroups.com, "Ken Stenek" wrote: > > > > My wife and I flew into Nome for her cousin's graduation and niece's promotion to high school. We had several opportunities to drive around down the coast to Safety Sound bridge, Salmon Lake, and 30+ miles up the Teller Highway. > > > > Birds are surely arriving so here is a list of what I was able to identify: > > > > Red-throated Loons > > Northern Pintails > > Green-winged Teal > > Greater Scaup > > Long-tailed Ducks > > Northern Shoveler > > Common Merganser > > Canada Geese > > Brant > > Whimbrel (behind Martinson Subdivision) > > Wilson's Snipe > > Red-necked Phalarope > > (and many other shore birds that I wasn't able to sit still long enough to id) > > Glaucous Gull > > Mew Gull > > Long-tailed Jaeger > > Parasitic Jaeger > > Willow Ptarmigan (counted 36 on our way back on the Teller Hwy) > > Short-eared Owls (quite a few actually) > > Rough-legged Hawk > > Common Ravens > > American Robins > > American Tree Sparrows > > Redpolls > > Fox Sparrows > > White-crowned Sparrows > > Golden-crowned Sparrows > > Lapland Longspurs > > And many others my eyes still need to learn... > > Quite a bit of mammalian wildlife as well including many reindeer, some muskox, a very light golden moose (near Dexter), red fox, many arctic ground squirrels, etc. > > > > A very fun trip but I am ready to go home and see what I am missing out on. > > > Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 12:18:25 -0800 A few new birds arrived since my trip to Nome. When I arrived on the flight there were many Pectoral Sandpipers flying around. This morning I was able to go out and make a run to the dump and found quite a few Long-billed Dowitchers, a pair of Red-throated Loons, an Eastern Yellow Wagtail, a pair of American Wigeon, and a Red Phalarope were all new birds spotted. All are FOY and the Wigeon are the first I have seen on the island although not the first I have seen in the area. Good birds to find. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/ Subject: Re: Nome Report by a Shishmaref Birder From: "beringsue" <susan_steinacher AT fishgame.state.ak.us> Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 19:31:31 -0000 I wanted to add several hundred tundra swans to Ken's list for Safety Sound. I was out there Monday morning and large numbers of swan were between the Safety Sound bridge and the Bonanza Bridge. Also saw long-tailed jaegers, breeding terns, pintails, red-necked phalaropes, widgeons and common eiders. Hunters have been getting Canada (Taverners) geese and brant. In the coastal waters were mergansers, harlequins and large rafts of scoters. Also, had a rusty blackbird for the third year in a row near the Snake River bridge. Happy spring, all! --- In beringia_birders AT yahoogroups.com, "Ken Stenek" wrote: > > My wife and I flew into Nome for her cousin's graduation and niece's promotion to high school. We had several opportunities to drive around down the coast to Safety Sound bridge, Salmon Lake, and 30+ miles up the Teller Highway. > > Birds are surely arriving so here is a list of what I was able to identify: > > Red-throated Loons > Northern Pintails > Green-winged Teal > Greater Scaup > Long-tailed Ducks > Northern Shoveler > Common Merganser > Canada Geese > Brant > Whimbrel (behind Martinson Subdivision) > Wilson's Snipe > Red-necked Phalarope > (and many other shore birds that I wasn't able to sit still long enough to id) > Glaucous Gull > Mew Gull > Long-tailed Jaeger > Parasitic Jaeger > Willow Ptarmigan (counted 36 on our way back on the Teller Hwy) > Short-eared Owls (quite a few actually) > Rough-legged Hawk > Common Ravens > American Robins > American Tree Sparrows > Redpolls > Fox Sparrows > White-crowned Sparrows > Golden-crowned Sparrows > Lapland Longspurs > And many others my eyes still need to learn... > Quite a bit of mammalian wildlife as well including many reindeer, some muskox, a very light golden moose (near Dexter), red fox, many arctic ground squirrels, etc. > > A very fun trip but I am ready to go home and see what I am missing out on. > Subject: Nome Bar-Tailed Godwits From: "craig.steed" <haysteed AT inspire.net.nz> Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 04:24:43 -0000 Hi to all birders heading to or living in Nome! I am part of a group of researchers from Massey University in New Zealand that are heading up to Nome from 11th June 3rd July, particularly looking for Bar-tailed Godwits. We would be very keen to hear from anyone who has sighted these birds, particularly if they were nesting somewhere. If you were able to give any indication of location (distance up road etc) or better still GPS localty, we would be very keen to hear from anyone. Thanks Craig Steed Subject: Nome wish list From: "brdnrd" <brdnrd AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 17:39:28 -0000 A group of us will be visiting Nome for the first time June 3-9 and would welcome any and all advice on finding the following species: Spectacled Eider Rock Ptarmigan Arctic Loon Bristle-thighed Curlew Horned Puffin Arctic Warbler Bluethroat Eastern Yellow Wagtail Hoary Redpoll We also would welcome the company of any local birders who would like to join us in the field. Thank you for your assistance. Ken Burton Arcata CA Subject: Nome Report by a Shishmaref Birder From: "Ken Stenek" <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 11:35:14 -0000 My wife and I flew into Nome for her cousin's graduation and niece's promotion to high school. We had several opportunities to drive around down the coast to Safety Sound bridge, Salmon Lake, and 30+ miles up the Teller Highway. Birds are surely arriving so here is a list of what I was able to identify: Red-throated Loons Northern Pintails Green-winged Teal Greater Scaup Long-tailed Ducks Northern Shoveler Common Merganser Canada Geese Brant Whimbrel (behind Martinson Subdivision) Wilson's Snipe Red-necked Phalarope (and many other shore birds that I wasn't able to sit still long enough to id) Glaucous Gull Mew Gull Long-tailed Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Willow Ptarmigan (counted 36 on our way back on the Teller Hwy) Short-eared Owls (quite a few actually) Rough-legged Hawk Common Ravens American Robins American Tree Sparrows Redpolls Fox Sparrows White-crowned Sparrows Golden-crowned Sparrows Lapland Longspurs And many others my eyes still need to learn... Quite a bit of mammalian wildlife as well including many reindeer, some muskox, a very light golden moose (near Dexter), red fox, many arctic ground squirrels, etc. A very fun trip but I am ready to go home and see what I am missing out on. Subject: Chevak Camp From: "Ulric J. Ulroan" <kash44ulroan AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 07:21:03 -0000 On Friday I set up my Chevak Bird Camp 10 miles south west of Chevak just two miles up river from Hooper Bay is the Keoklievik River. The rivers are still frozen so we are still traveling by snow machine to the coast. While my uncle Mark Ulroan and I were traveling to my camp site along the Ninglikfak (Chevak) River I thought I could try count all the geese that I see. Since there are sooo many birds that fly when we drive by I started counting by tens. The first huge flock of birds were somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 geese and few ducks. Then next bunch on birds I came up to around 100 geese and 150 Tundra Swans, the next bunch of geese was around 250, then I finally gave up counting around 750 geese, and 200 Tundra Swans. I just gave up counting, too many geese, swans, ducks, cranes, and I was not going to count all the shore birds. I saw about 6 Sabine's Gulls, then are still out along the coast. Once the river breaks up the Sabine's Gulls will flock around all the fish camps eating the fish guts and heads. Some Sabine's Gulls will come up and land about 5 feet from the women cutting the Salmon. After setting up my camp I went to the coast with my uncle. While in the boat about 7 miles from my bird camp I saw a 4 pairs of Spectacle Eiders fly towards my camp, 4 females and 4 beautiful males. I saw some bar-tailed godwits flying around the coast waiting for the nesting season to start. Plenty of Emperor Geese, Black Brant's, Cacklers, White Front, and saw a few Canada Geese (Larger One's). My uncle and I saw a couple flying together, Cackling Canada Goose and a White Front Goose. My uncle has told my that in the past he has seen a half White Front half Cackling Canada Goose. It looked like a White Front, but it also had the white mark across the cheek like that of the Cackler. Yesterday out along the coast there was a huge flock of Gulls flying and diving into the Bering Sea. We decided to boat over to check it out and when we approached the area we seen about 16 seals heads out of the water, not counting the seals that were under water. There must have been around 30 seals in that area feeding on Herring. This was about 4 miles out in the Bering Sea. Beluga Whales still have not passed by, usually hundreds and hundreds of Beluga's pass by and once the herring come around. No more snow on the Tundra, just ice on the river. Birds are starting to spread around getting ready to start nesting. There is already a Red Poll nesting on a wreath on one of the crosses at the Cemetery. There are 4 little green eggs in the nest. First nesting bird of the year around Chevak goes to the Red Poll. Okay everyone, have a happy Memorial Day. Ulric J. Ulroan Chevak Bird & Culture Tours PO Box 325 Chevak, AK 99563 Subject: just birds From: alice sullivan <sullyinnome AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 19:53:02 -0700 (PDT) I have been green with envy all these past two weeks as people up and down the Northwest Coast have been seeing all the birds I long to see...Nome's roads have been  blocked by our record snowfall. They are working on the roads but some are still closed. Additionally, we have had a very cool spring and the ponds are slow to open up. Finally, yesterday a couple of us went exploring down to Safety Sound. Nothing. Everything is covered with ice-no birds. In desperation we went up Kougarok road. Where the road is right next to the Nome river, which is open, we saw a weird gathering of birds. The river ice had jammed. On the edge of the ice and on the river just before it were loads of Sandpipers, Turnstones, Red necked Phalaropes. All sorts of seashore birds ten miles inland! Mixed with them were Grebes, Long tailed Ducks, Harlaquins, Mallards, Northern Pintails. All these birds milling about feeding in a very small area. I figured out the river current must be bringing food down and it washes up on the ice. The sandpipers were busy feeding on something at the very edge of the ice. The ducks also just in front of the ice. The tundra still has quite a bit of snow and the small tundra lakes are not open-so these birds must be very hungry! Hope the snow melts fast or these birds will be toughing it out for awhile. Alice Subject: Birding sites around Nome From: "rolshansky" <bob.olshansky AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 19:25:05 -0000 I will be in Nome June 3-10. Can someone provide list of best birding sites? Thx. bob ADDED FROM THE JUNEAU_BASED MODERATOR: The Nome Visitor Center is a good first-stop for visiting birders. There is a birder bulletin board where you can post (old fashioned, pen and paper style) and read the latest sightings. http://www.nomealaska.org/vc/birds.htm provides a brief introduction to Nome birding. The major birding tour operators are listed at the web site above as well. Most of them have detailed trip reports from prior years at their web sites to get you started with an idea of the birds along the three roads. Subject: Brief Nome update From: "beringsue" <susan_steinacher AT fishgame.state.ak.us> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 16:41:30 -0000 I SO enjoy the posts from Cheval and Shishmaref - Quyana! I finally got accompany Alice Sullivan on her raven survey Monday - in the sleet and snow. As Ulrich says, the weather doesn't seem to be stopping the birds! Nothing rare to report, but at the small pond near the airport we saw a pair of tundra swans, a pair of mergansers, a pair of widgeons, a pair of red-throated loons, a pair of shovelers, a pair of long-tailed ducks, and a pair of nesting glucous gulls. A wonderful sampler of what is to come! We are also hearing the winnowing of the snipe and the gargling of cranes, and seeing longspurs, long-tailed jaegers, red-necked phalaropes, short-eared owls, northern harriers, and the gaping red mouths of raven young. I even have a redpoll nesting in a 3' high spruce tree I transplanted in my yard that I can watch with binoculars from the laundry room window. Spring is here! Subject: Shishmaref Report From: Ken Stenek <kstenek AT shh.bssd.org> Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 16:14:51 -0800 Foggy morning so I took my two younger kids for a bike ride on the runway (no planes due to fog). Plenty of Longspurs chattering away, a dark morph Parasitic Jaeger (or as some like to them Darth Jaeger), 4 GW Teal, 2 Mallards, 2 Northern Pintails, 2 Savannah Sparrows, Dunlin, and two FOYs 3 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (I was pretty sure it was but had my daughter look at it for rufous color in the scapularies, which she said it had brown feathers). And the usual suspects Snow Bunting, Ravens, and Glaucous Gulls. Ken Stenek Shishmaref Check out my new "Birds of Shishmaref" page at: http://shishmaref.bssd.org/birdsofshishmaref/