Rarities from the Bering Sea
Here are a few highlights from recent Wilderness Birding Adventures trips to Adak and St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs.
Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni eunomus, St. Paul, Pribilofs, 22 May 2009.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Big Polovina Lake, St. Paul Island, Pribilofs, 23 May 2009.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola, Polovina Wetlands, St. Paul Island, Pribolofs, 22 May 2009.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo longipennis, Polovina Wetlands, St. Paul Island, Pribilofs, 22 May 2009.
The only race of Common Tern to be recorded in Alaska is longipennis, a vagrant from Siberia. It differs from the North American race hirundo in its slightly darker gray upperparts, black bill and dark legs. It is recorded nearly every year from the Pribilofs, especially during periods of strong west winds.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Contractor’s Marsh, Adak, 15 May 2009.
This very cooperative bird was winnowing side by side with the similar Wilson’s Snipe. In flight the white stripe on the under wing was obvious, as was it’s distinctive winnow which is at least an octave lower than that of the Wilson’s Snipe. It’s a regular spring migrant on Adak.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, Polovina Wetlands, St. Paul Island, Priblofs, 22 May 2009.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Salt Lagoon, St. Paul Island, Pribilofs 22 May 2009.
This Common Greenshank was one of at least 4 present on the island.
