Alaska Trip ~ May 31, 2007

First thing in the morning, we headed back out to the seawatch and I cashed in with two 'lifers'----a few breeding-plumaged Arctic Loons and 5 Steller's Eiders----four males and a female in a tight group. White-winged Scoters of the 'Asian' form were also noted in the event of a future split. Other new 'trip birds' seen from there included Yellow-billed Loon, Greater White-fronted Goose, 'Black' Brant, Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup, King Eider, Common Merganser, Black and Pigeon Guillemots, and Tufted Puffin. Another long trip to the south end of the lake produced the same Gray-tailed Tattler along with breeding Red-necked Phalaropes and 'fly-over' Sandhill Cranes. Back at "The Point", Jason spotted a Black-headed Gull, a pretty unusual find at Gambell. A young Ivory Gull was also there.

Black-headed Gull at "The Seawatch" west of town. This photo was taken by Jason Horn. Note the dark underwings (especially the inner primaries), the dark-hooded head, and the dark red bill.

On the southwest edge of town, the "Near Boneyard" harbored a Red-necked Stint and a Swainson's Thrush among the numerous Dunlin, Lapland Longspurs, and Snow Buntings.

The town of Gambell with the "Near Boneyard" in the foreground and the snowcapped seabird cliffs out beyond it.

Red-necked Stint in the "Near Boneyard" on the southwest edge of town.

Next, I made the long walk over to the seabird cliffs that were just east of town and got great looks at the tiny Least Auklets and the larger Parakeet Auklets.

Least Auklets at the seabird colony, just east of the town. Note the white chin, mottled breast, very dark red bill, and the white plume extending behind the eye. These auklets are tiny, even smaller than a Dovekie.

Parakeet Auklets at the seabird colony, just east of the town. Note the dark throat, white underparts, the orange-red bill, and the white plume extending behind the eye. This is the largest of the three auklets normally found at Gambell.

Crested Auklet at the seabird colony, just east of the town. Note the overall dark appearance, the bright orange bill, and the crest plumes extending up from the forehead, and the white plume extending behind the eye.

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