Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Trip report: Gambell, Fall 2002 - part 2a (list) (fwd)
Date: Nov 4 10:17:00 2002
From: Ian Paulsen - ipaulsen at krl.org


HI:
FYI again

Ian Paulsen
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
ipaulsen at krl.org
A.K.A.: "Birdbooker"
"Rallidae all the way"

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 12:55:43 -0500
From: Laurie Larson <llarson at PRINCETON.EDU>
To: BIRDCHAT at listserv.arizona.edu
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Trip report: Gambell, Fall 2002 - part 2a (list)

SPECIES ACCOUNTS


RED-THROATED LOON: total of only 4 between 24 Aug- 27 Sep was
somewhat fewer than normal.

ARCTIC LOON: none again this year, with now still only one bird
seen by me in four years (on 22 Sep 1999), surprising given how
regular they are here in spring. Do they take a different route or
come later in October?

PACIFIC LOON: total of 188 between 24 Aug- 1 Oct was fewer than
normal.

YELLOW-BILLED LOON: total of 46 between 24 Aug- 1 Oct, with only 8
of these before 25 Sep, and then 16 birds on both 27 and 28 Sep
each. Peak counts in 1999 and 2001 were also made on 28 Sep. As in
other years, almost all birds in alternate plumage (only one in
basic plumage, 8-10 Sep) and seen flying from W or SW to E or NE.

RED-NECKED GREBE: sightings on 17-18 Sep and 24 Sep could easily
have involved just one bird. This species has now occurred in the
Point area four falls in a row.

NORTHERN FULMAR: up to 75/day during August, including a rare
dark-morph bird on 23 Aug (north of normal), then only 1 to 4/day
seen sporadically after that, with none after 19 Sep.

SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER: typically huge numbers present, although
the truly large counts were made less frequently than normal,
probably the result of the lack of strong north winds most days.
Peak numbers in late Aug were up to 150,000/day, quickly increasing
in early Sep to a high count of 600,000 on 7 Sep (video), then
dropping to a max. of 400,000/day in mid-Sep and 50,000/day in late
Sep.

PELAGIC CORMORANT: as in past years, numbers increased later in
season, with up to 85/day, except for 250 on 27 Sep and 200 on 28
Sep; these latter two counts made up mostly of mid-sized migrant
flocks flying south at moderate height.

BEAN GOOSE: 1 flew by the Point from W to E on 7 Sep (PEL). This
may be only the second or third fall record for the state. See
separate details.

EMPEROR GOOSE: according to local residents, our arrival on 23 Aug
just missed the main out-migration in late August by a couple days,
a time during which the first strong north winds of the season had
blown. We had only 1 bird on 28 Aug and 22 on 31 Aug.

SNOW GOOSE: a flock of 20 on 17 Sep was the only sighting and was
fewer than normal; according to local residents who hunt this
species on the southern and eastern parts of the island, this
species arrived somewhat late this year, but by the latter part of
Sep many thousands were present, as is typical.

?BLACK? BRANT: total of 119 seen on five dates between 27 Aug and
28 Sep. Somewhat unusual was one on Troutman Lake, 28 Aug.

EURASIAN WIGEON: the third year in a row with small flock(s) past
the Point, with 2 birds seen on 18 Sep.

NORTHERN PINTAIL: total of 144 seen between 23 Aug and 29 Sep, with
most seen in late Aug and early Sep.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL: total of 14 seen from 23 Aug- 21 Sep, with up to
6 birds remaining for most of this period (video). All birds were in
eclipse/female plumage but were probably ?Eurasian? Green-wingeds
based on the boldness of the white borders to the speculum and on
distributional grounds.

STELLER?S EIDER: total of 80 seen 24 Aug- 2 Oct, with a one-day
high count of 18 on 28 Aug.

SPECTACLED EIDER: total of 39 seen 24 Aug- 28 Sep, with only 3 seen
before 7 Sep, the date of the one-day high count of 14. Unusual was
the single bird that remained on Troutman Lake from 19-25 Sep
(video).

KING EIDER: total of c. 610 seen between 23 Aug and 1 Oct, with a
high one-day count of 90 on 26 Sep. Amount of duplication probably
fairly low but must occur to some degree.

COMMON EIDER: as in previous years, numbers low early in period,
with only 5 seen before mid-Sep, then increasing in late Sep, with
107 seen in all, but the highest one-day count being only 13 birds.
Some duplication likely.

HARLEQUIN DUCK: seen daily, with most counts between 6 and 20
birds; large amounts of duplication likely from day to day; highest
one-day count was 46 on 13 Sep.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: 2 on 31 Aug.

BLACK SCOTER: 2 on 31 Aug.

LONG-TAILED DUCK: total of only 32 seen, 25 Aug- 27 Sep. Larger
numbers occur later in the season, according to local residents, and
the species even over-winters locally in leads in the pack-ice.
Somewhat unusual were 2 birds on Troutman Lake on 16 Sep.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: this species is surprisingly scarce here in
early fall, and this year actually produced more than normal, with 8
on 28 Sep and 1 on 30 Sep.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: up to 3 present daily along the slopes of
Sevuokuk Mtn., from our arrival on 23 Aug through 18 Sep (video),
were likely a locally nesting family group.

GYRFALCON: total of three birds: 1 on 1-2 Sep, 1 from 14-21 Sep
(video), and 1 on 19 Sep.

PEREGRINE FALCON: 1 on 25 Sep was probably fairly late for this
latitude (?); previous late date was 15 Sep (2000).

SANDHILL CRANE: flock of 12 on 18 Sep were the only ones seen this
year.

PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER: total of 139 between 23 Aug and 2 Oct, with
a one-day high count of 34 on 29 Aug. Fewer than in past years
present on a daily basis around Old Town and the near boneyard. The
last adult was seen on the early date of 27 Aug. A late influx of 11
birds were seen on 1 Oct (video), with 5 still present when I
departed the next day.

MONGOLIAN PLOVER: 1 juv on 31 Aug (PEL).

WANDERING TATTLER: 1 on 25 August. As in past years, this seems to
be the dominant tattler in Aug, but all tattler records in Sep have
been of Gray-taileds.

GRAY-TAILED TATTLER: total of 5 juvs seen and heard as follows: 1
on 31 Aug (GLA), 2 from 1-4 Sep (PEL video, GLA), 1 on 2 Sep (PEL
video), and 1 on 7 Sep (PEL).

WHIMBREL: 1 hudsonicus on 1 Sep (PEL video, GLA) was only my second
for Gambell. There are several other local records.

SANDERLING: 2 juvs on 29 Aug (GLA); rare but annual.

RUDDY TURNSTONE: 4 on 25 Aug were the only ones seen, a low total.

WESTERN SANDPIPER: total of 37 from 23-30 Aug was a mediocre total
and an early departure.

RED-NECKED STINT: up to 2 juvs from 24-26 Aug (WINGS, PEL video).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: total of only 31 between 24 Aug- 24 Sep was a
very low total. Previous years recorded from 150-375 individuals.

SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER: a very poor year for this species as well,
with only 4 juvs seen as follows: 1 on 9 Sep, up to 2 from15-17 Sep,
1 on 18 Sep. Past years have averaged some 45 birds.

ROCK SANDPIPER: a mediocre year for this species, with up to 11
/day seen in late Aug and early Sep, but then none seen around town
after 7 Sep, but 5 at the first headlands to the south on 16 Sep.

DUNLIN: a low total of c. 50 seen 23 Aug- 8 Sep.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: a low total of 17 seen 25 Aug- 16 Sep.

SNIPE SP.: 1 briefly seen on 11 Sep (BD).

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: total of 9 seen 24-29 Aug. Typical to have
all birds gone by early Sep.

RED PHALAROPE: following spectacular concentrations present in 1999
and 2001, this year was very poor for this species, with a total of
only 21 birds seen 23 Aug- 26 Sep.

POMARINE JAEGER: total of 200 seen 25 Aug- 30 Sep. The highest
one-day count was 60 on 7 Sep. The first juvenile appeared 22 Sep. A
flight of 35 birds on 25 Sep, of which 90 percent were adults, was
unusual for that late a date.

PARASITIC JAEGER: total of c. 70 between 24 Aug and 18 Sep, with a
one-day high count of 22 on 27 Aug. Several birds lingered in the
Point area for extended periods.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER: total of 17 adults this year, with 1 on 26 Aug,
a record one-day count of 15 on 27 Aug, and a slightly late bird on
10 Sep. As seems typical, no juveniles were seen.

?KAMCHATKA? MEW GULL: one juvenile from 24-27 August (WINGS, PEL
video). This bird frequented the afternoon gull roost along the
northeast shore of Troutman Lake. See separate details. This is the
second fall record, the first being another juvenile at the same
spot in late August 1997.

HERRING GULL: one adult smithsonianus on 9 Sep (PEL). See separate
details. There were also a couple probable immatures. Very rare
visitor, though exact status uncertain.

?VEGA? HERRING GULL: counts during late August and early September
were 25-40/day, with a one-day high count of 60 on 1 Sep; then
smaller numbers of 10-25 day into late Sep, and only 4-7/day after
28 Sep.

SLATY-BACKED GULL: seen about half the days, 23 Aug- 2 Oct, with a
season total of 10 birds and no more than 3 in a day; several birds
remained for extended periods of time.

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL: record numbers present this year. Previous
years had high one-day counts around 12-14 birds. This year, late
Aug and early Sep were typical, with less than 10/day. But then 31
were counted flying N past the Point into brisk N winds on 7 Sep,
and 74 were counted heading S into SW winds on 10 Sep (PEL video),
which must be a record count for the northern Bering Sea (?). About
90 percent of the birds were juveniles. Numbers were still 15-20/day
from 26 Sep- 2 Oct, when I departed.

GLAUCOUS GULL: up to 150-200 seen most days, with a high count of
250 on 1 Sep. Numbers were lower after early Sep, with maximum
counts around 100/day, except for 150 on 27 Sep. These numbers are
lower than normal.

SABINE?S GULL: none seen...

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: up to 500/day throughout the period, with
the maximum count being 600 on 1 Oct. The first juveniles appeared 6
Sep and quickly became fairly numerous.

ARCTIC TERN: none seen...

ALCIDS: alcid numbers this year dropped off earlier than in other
years, indicative of either an early or a poor nesting season. The
former is the probable reason, as I heard from a biologist that
alcids were ahead of schedule this year at Little Diomede Island. In
past years at least the puffins were still coming to the cliffs when
I departed at the beginning of Oct, but this year even they were
mostly finished by the third week of Sep.

COMMON MURRE: up to 10,000/day during late Aug, 4000/day in early
Sep, then quickly dropped off after 11 Sep to 10-15 from 14-16 Sep,
only single digits on 17-18 Sep, and single individuals on 22 and 27
Sep.

THICK-BILLED MURRE: up to 1500/day during late Aug, then up to
300/day through 5 Sep, but only 1 or 2 every few days after 7 Sep
through 29 Sep.

BLACK GUILLEMOT: none seen...

PIGEON GUILLEMOT: up to 120/day during late Aug and early Sep, then
only up to 40/day after that, except for days with stronger north
winds when 145 seen 18 Sep and 156 seen 26 Sep, all flying north
into the wind, as in 2001.

KITTLITZ?S MURRELET: 1 on 26 Sep. Rare visitor, with one or two
seen every other year; this bird also possibly late at this latitude?

ANCIENT MURRELET: 1 on 9 Sep and 4 on 10 Sep; this species is
proving to be a rare but annual fall visitor from the south in very
small numbers.

PARAKEET AUKLET: up to 1000/day in late August, quickly dropped off
near the end of the month, with only single digits the first week of
Sep and none seen thereafter except for 1 on 18 Sep.

LEAST AUKLET: departed nesting sites early this year, with only up
to 70/day during late Aug and the only bird seen after 28 Aug being
1 on 27 Sep. Although many birds probably head south during Sep,
there are probably also many remaining locally offshore into the
late fall, far more than this very low total indicates; numbers
appear from shore in late fall if wind conditions appropriate, which
they were not this year. Unlike last year, juveniles did not linger
in the Point area.

CRESTED AUKLET: also departed nesting sites early this year.
Although up to 300,000/day seen in late Aug, numbers dropped off
rapidly after that, with maximum counts in early Sep not exceeding
5000, and only single birds seen sporadically from mid-Sep onwards,
except for 40 on 18 Sep and 30 on 21 Sep. As in Least Auklet,
numbers of this species probably remain locally offshore later into
the fall but are seen from shore only during stronger north winds,
which were very rare this year. Also unlike last year, juveniles did
not regularly frequent the Point area.

HORNED PUFFIN: up to 4000/day through early Sep, up to 100/day
through mid-Sep, but only fewer than 10/day through 24 Sep and none
seen after that, which is an early departure. More non-breeding
plumaged birds seen passing the Point beginning in early Sep than in
past years.

TUFTED PUFFIN: as with Horned Puffin, this species appeared to
finish nesting early this year, with up to 800/day through early
Sep, then up to 100/day during mid-Sep, and only single digits after
that through 29 Sep. More immatures, sub-adults, and otherwise
non-breeding-plumaged birds seen this year passing the Point than
in previous years.

ORIENTAL CUCKOO: 1 hepatic-morph in both near and far boneyards on
15 Sep (DWS, PEL video, DC). See separate details. Second fall
record for Gambell.

SNOWY OWL: 3 present at bottom end of lake 30 Sep- 1 Oct (video).
According to local residents, this species is found regularly in the
Gambell area most years in late fall and winter.

SHORT-EARED OWL: 1 on 15 Sep (PEL, DWS). Rare migrant; I had seen
only one previously.

WARBLING VIREO: 1 in far boneyard on 22 Sep (PEL video, DC). See
separate details. This is only the second Bering Sea record, with
one previous fall record from Wales.

COMMON RAVEN: seen daily, with up to 15/day early on, then numbers
increasing as the season progressed, and a high count of 27 on 28
Sep.

SKY LARK: 1 in Old Town on 28 Sep (PEL video) for the second fall
record. See separate details.

HORNED LARK: 1 of Asian race flava at bottom end of lake on 1 Sep
(GLA, PEL video) and 4 flava together near runway on 13 Sep (PEL
video). See separate details. There are at least a couple previous
fall records of this race.

For BirdChat guidelines, go to
http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
For BirdChat archives or to change your subscription options, go to
http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
To contact a listowner, send a message to
mailto:birdchat-request at listserv.arizona.edu