Alaska Trip ~ June 3, 2007

After a rather uneventful seawatch (by Gambell's standards), we acted on a radio call and got to see a Common Ringed Plover that was found in "Old Town". Semipalmated Plovers were also in the vicinity, giving us a nice comparison between the two species.

Common Ringed Plover in "Old Town". This photo, taken by Jason Horn, shows the white eyebrow, the black line meeting the bill at the gape, the lack of an obvious eye ring, and the extra wide breastband that all help distinguish it from Semipalmated Plover.

Devich and Jason standing next to the immense whale jawbones that are on the beach near "Old Town".

After getting many fleeting glimpses during the previous few days, I finally good great looks at one of the White Wagtails along the road by the "Far Boneyard". This 'gray-backed' form gave the impression of a huge Hooded Warbler as it would be seen on a black-and-white television. Yes, I remember black-and-white TV's, and no, it's not funny. The boneyard itself held an American Tree Sparrow.

Later, with Jason's help, I was able to get a look at four breeding-plumaged Dovekies standing on the rocks two-thirds of the way up the alcid cliffs. I was thrilled to be able to spend ample time watching this 'lifer' while standing on solid ground (those who know me know how much I enjoy rocking boats on pelagic trips).

During the day, one of the tour groups had left for the mainland, so we were able to get rooms in the 'annex' of the Sivuqaq Inn, the only lodge in town. The 'annex' was a meat locker trailer (complete with freezer door handles) that was converted into rooms with two single beds in each room and a built-on, shared bathroom----not exactly AAA-rated, but it was warm and dry.

The last several days of our stay in Gambell was spent at the Sivuqaq Inn, the only 'lodge' in town. We got to stay in the luxurious(?) 'annex', which is the small white building to the right of the main (blue) lodge. The entrance door is just to the right of the rusty tank. Note the two ATV's parked in front, the only mode of transportation around town through the loose, rolling gravel seen in the foreground.

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