Rarities from Asia
Arranged by date with the most recent sightings at the top of the page.
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, Bristol Bay, 7 October 2009.
This bird flew by the NOAA ship Miller Freeman approximately 73 miles south-southwest of Cape Newenham, the nearest point of land. The Brambling flew in from the east or northeast, checked out the bow, and then made a few laps around the ship before heading off to the southeast not to be seen again. The nearest point of land in the direction it was flying is the east end of Unimak Island, 162 miles away.
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, Strawberry Hill, Unalaska, 22 September 2009.
One of 6 present. More photos here.
Black-headed Gull Croicocephalus ridibundus, Troutman Lake, Gambell, 5 September 2009.
“Asian” Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica rustica, Gambell, 4 September 2009.
Female Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, Far Boneyard, Gambell, 3 September 2009.
Juvenile Pallas’s Bunting Emberiza pallasi, Far Boneyard, Gambell, 2 September 2009. More photos here.
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola, Far Boneyard, Gambell, 2 September 2009. More photos here.
Female-type Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, Far Boneyard, Gambell, 1 September 2009.
Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni eunomus, St. Paul Island, 22 May 2009.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, St. Paul Island, 22 May 2009.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo longipennis, St. Paul Island, 22 May 2009.
This is the Siberian breeding form of the Common Tern. It occurs as a vagrant in the Bering Sea in spring and summer.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, St. Paul Island, 22 May 2009.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, St. Paul Island, 22 May 2009.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Adak Island, 15 May 2009.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata, Beluga Slough, Homer, 2 October 2008.
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are regular fall migrants in western Alaska and most years a few are found in southeast Alaska as well. Almost all of the birds found are juveniles. It’s a bit of a stretch to post it on this rarity page.
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris flava, Gambell 7 September 2008.
The Asian subspecies flava differs from the Alaskan breeding race arcticola with its yellow throat and eyebrow.
Stonechat Saxicola torquatus, Gambell, 5 September 2008.
File this one in the “rotten photos of great birds” category. This bird was observed for about and hour and was never seen again. It was the 2nd documented fall record for Gambell.
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus, Gambell, 4 September 2008.
Photographed here on its last of 3 days in the far boneyard.
Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea, St. Paul Island, 25 May 2008.
This beautiful male was only the 2nd record for the Pribilof Islands. It spent 2 days at Marunich Beach.
Smew Mergellus albellus, Adak, 20 May 2008.
Smew are fairly regular in winter and spring on Adak.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Gambell, 11 September 2007.
This Willow Warbler fed in the relative open for over an hour, giving great views at fairly close range.
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus, Gambell, 3 September 2007.
A regular migrant and rare breeder in western Alaska, and so a bit of a stretch for the rarity page.
Ruff Philomachus pugnax, Barrow, 8 June 2007.
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Hastings Creek, Nome, 2 June 2006.
Female Ruff Philomachus pugnax, Situk River, near Nome, 3 June 2006.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Lake Eyak, Cordova, 5 December 2006.
Cordova is one of Alaska’s most reliable wintering areas for Tufted Duck where they occur during most winters. When present they are nearly always found with wintering Greater Scaup. These flocks can also include the odd Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and Canvasback (twice).
Stonechat Saxicola torquatus, Gambell, 6 September 2005.
Here is a slightly better photo of a Stonechat. This was the 1st documented fall record for Gambell. It was found only one day later than the 2008 bird.
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, Gambell, 30 May 2003.
Another bird that was only observed for a single day.
