We were out at
7am, travelling the short network of roads that are open due to the snow and
ice covering most of the surrounding tundra. As yesterday Red Phalaropes were amazing and everywhere, often beside the road
and gave excellent photographic opportunities. The standout sighting was the 3
pairs of Steller’s Eiders loafing
around one of the few roadside pools. We watched the males giving a short
display, bobbing their heads and swimming around the females. The views in the
scope were awesome! Later in the day we saw a group of 10 on a distant lake…
Will post some reasonable eider photos at a later date....
Our day comprised
checking all the open roads where the tundra or pools were visible and we
enjoyed fine looks at Snow Buntings,
numerous Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, Sanderlings in breeding finery etc
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| Sanderling |
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| Dunlin in breeding plumage - stunning |
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| Red Phalarope |
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| Semipalmated Sandpiper |
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| Greater Scaup - female |
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| Greater Scaup - drake |
A walk across the
tundra produced a single Buff-breasted
Sandpiper that fed totally oblivious to our presence some 20 metres away.
 |
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper |
After lunch we
had a siesta before venturing out both sides of dinner and returned to the
hotel again at 11pm. There was another flight view of Snowy Owl, some showy Short-eared
Owls (at least 9 sightings), a distant Bearded
Seal, Long-billed Dowitcher, a
fine White-rumped Sandpiper, some Red-necked Phalaropes, and several Pomarine and Arctic Skuas amongst others.
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| Short-eared Owl |
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