Alaska Trip ~ June 1, 2007

The first of June started out with the early-morning ritual of doing a seawatch at "The Point" where we added Red-breasted Merganser, a young Glaucous-winged Gull, and a Black-bellied Plover to the trip list. Nearby in "Old Town", the oldest section of town nearest the point, a few Pacific Golden-Plovers were feeding in the short grass.

Wade, the owner of the house we were staying in, offered to shuttle us down to the bottom end of the lake with his ATV. Little did we know that this offer would be a big break. Halfway down the "road along the mountain", we noticed a group of birders looking part way up the mountain and discovered that they had refound the Hawfinch that hadn't been seen for a few days. Thanks to the birders there, we all managed to get good looks at it through their scopes. Numerous pairs of Snow Buntings were evident along the base of the mountain.

A pair of Snow Buntings (the male on the left and the duller female on the right) just off the road between Troutman Lake and the mountain.

At the marsh just south of the lake, we refound the Gray-tailed Tattler, a few pairs of Red-necked Phalaropes, and a very cooperative Long-billed Dowitcher.

Red-necked Phalarope in the marsh at the south end of Troutman Lake. Note this male's chestnut sides on the head and neck surrounding the white throat patch, the buffy stripes on the dark gray back, and the thin bill. Note that male phalaropes are duller than the females since they sit on the eggs and raise the young, a reversal compared to most birds.

Long-billed Dowitcher in the marsh at the south end of Troutman Lake. Note the heavy barring on the flanks, the white spotting on the back, and the dark neck markings.

A Yellow Wagtail was claiming territory nearby, finally allowing me much nicer looks than I'd had before. Along the first pond beyond the marsh, I got excellent looks at my first Rock Sandpiper.

Rock Sandpiper at the first pond beyond the marsh at the south end of Troutman Lake. Note the black breast patch, the chestnut-colored crown and back, the thin, dark streaks on the flanks, and the pale head and unmarked white throat.

After taking a number of photos, we continued on down past the two ponds towards Ooynik Point, also known as "South Beach", which has a much different view than what is found at the one in Miami, Florida. Red-necked and Horned Grebes were present just offshore. On the return hike, Jason and Devich spotted one of the best birds of the trip, a Great Knot! It was a 'lifer' for all of us. Radio calls quickly went out to the other birders and within a half-hour all the birders on the island were assembled, looking at this Asian stray.

Great Knot at the first pond beyond the marsh at the south end of Troutman Lake. This fantastic photo, taken by Jason Horn, shows the black mottling on the head, breast, and back, the band of rufous scapulars, and the black 'arrow' spots on the flanks.

Common Raven and Hermit Thrush were noted on the way back to town.

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