We headed up the Kougarok Road in order to look for the rest of the Nome area specialties. Along the way, we got out of the truck to check out a Grizzly Bear that was sleeping in a distant meadow. A little farther along, we quickly stopped when we noticed a
Willow Ptarmigan along the edge of the road. I've always thought that this ptarmigan's call was one of the funniest-sounding among North American birds, so getting to actually hear this 'lifer' call in real life was a special, comical treat. Before reaching the Grand Central River bridge, my other 'life' ptarmigan, a
Rock Ptarmigan, was seen standing on a snow field.
Rock Ptarmigan on a snowfield below the Grand Central River bridge. Note the mostly winter plumage with the black line running from the bill through the eye.
A stop to look for Bluethroat produced an American Golden-Plover instead.
At mile marker 72, we met the WINGS tour and joined them for the walk up the hill opposite Coffee Dome. It was a real challenge to walk through the tussocks without tripping or falling. Near the top, we found our target bird, a
Bristle-thighed Curlew, flying around and calling as it went over us. After some extensive searching, we finally got to see one on the ground well enough through scopes to see the buffy rump and tail and actually get glimpses of the 'bristles'.
Bristle-thighed Curlew on the hilltop opposite Coffee Dome. This poor 'digiscoped' photo still manages to show the buff-colored rump exposed between the wings, the stripes on the head, and the long, downcurved bill.
The view from atop the hill was amazing. The Kougarok Road is barely visible just to the right of center in the photo.
Another cooperative Willow Ptarmigan was seen on the walk back down to the truck.
Willow Ptarmigan on the hillside opposite Coffee Dome. Note the chestnut-colored head and neck and bright red eye combs.
Four miles farther out the road, we stopped at some old buildings and got great looks at a displaying male
Bluethroat. This 'lifer' is appropriately named as it appears to have a hummingbird gorget that glows bright blue in the sun. It was definitely one of my favorite birds of the trip. A Say's Phoebe was also present there.
On the way back to Nome, we took a short side trip down the road to Pilgrim Hot Springs and found a pair of Northern Wheatears along with Long-tailed Jaeger and Whimbrel.
Whimbrel along the road to Pilgrim Hot Springs. Note the bold stripes on the head.
A stop near Salmon Lake produced another Bluethroat on territory. This bird was much more cooperative than the first one, so I was able to get a few half-decent photos of it.
Bluethroat along the Kougarok Road near Salmon Lake. Note this male's striking blue throat bordered by black and brown breast bands and the whitish eyebrow stripe. The rufous area at the base of the tail is barely visible in this photo.
Bluethroat along the Kougarok Road near Salmon Lake. Again, note the male's striking blue throat bordered by black and brown breast bands and the whitish eyebrow stripe.
Other birds seen along the Kougarok Road included Tundra Swan, Harlequin Duck, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Varied Thrush, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow, Wilson's, and Orange-crowned Warblers, Golden-crowned, White-crowned, and Fox Sparrows, and Common and Hoary Redpolls. After grabbing a meal in Nome, we headed back out Council Road to Safety Lagoon and managed to add Surf Scoter to the trip list.
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