ALASKA 2024 part 2: Barrow (14-16 June)
Friday 14 June. It remained light all
night. I looked out a few times but our room's view was not inspiring while at about 05:30 it looked decidedly murky. It was brighter at 07:30 and I went out and scanned the nearby pack ice for half an hour but saw nothing. We were due to be leaving at 08:00 but our guides didn’t show
until 08:15, not overly professional for the first day. We drove back along Cakeater Road
and continued less than a km past where we’d turned back yesterday to a big lagoon. The light
was very poor as we were looking directly into a lowish sun (yesterday afternoon it would have been perfect). We all started scanning and Paul picked up a fairly distant pair of Spectacled Eider. Walking further down the road improved
views, they weren't much closer but the light was better. Big relief all round although distance and light initially left much to be desired.
Views improved somewhat as we and they moved but never close and photographic efforts basely
identifiable. Later Paul picked up a second pair of Spectacled Eider which were a bit closer with Steller's and King in the same field of view.. We continued
birding until returning to a supermarket for lunch (I stayed in car. Out to 18:00,
fish & chips, then 19:15-22:00 back to Spectacled Eiders where there now 5 on a distant
island. A telescope was essential but the legs on my lightweight tripod were playing up a bit - very gritty dust not helping . Birds I saw around Barrow were 15 Snow and 30 White-fronted Geese, 4 Black Brant, 6 Tundra
Swans, 15 Pintail, 2 Green-winged Teal, 4 Greater Scaup, 14 Steller's, 5 Spectacled and 15 King Eider, a Black Scoter, 100+ Long-tailed Ducks, single Grey, American Golden and Semipalmated Plovers, Red-necked Stint, Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, a Baird's, 10 Pectoral, 20 Semipalmated and a Western Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, 15 Red-necked and 20 Red Phalaropes, Grey-tailed Tattler, 7 Pomarine and 3 Arctic Skuas, a distant adult Sabine's and 18 Glaucous Gulls, 2 Arctic Terns, 3 Red-throated and 8 Pacific Divers, a Raven, 2 Barn Swallows, a Common and 2 Arctic Redpolls, 10 Lapland and 20 Snow Buntings and a Savannah Sparrow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq82gXajhJil1ZsC5FePZ2SSS2BT9m8hqnjlF_QdGonh27K04RyheXPvL0ZiNUtQIGPc2gkHAPkTYX4u5jXfd7kWCCeLurhnpBVEkQrAW08bC4CjWKz0RgOHJ6BS6XmmEW8eRhCUZ5kl8vTfKD-B7ZUPbO6mXBInUED8oXaLNYMZ6eHroz1WcGWQ9M3I/w640-h480/DSC05197%20Snow%20Bunting%20Barrow%2014un24.JPG) |
Snow Bunting in Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekum_hnZQiSwJ0l38XawWkfCvgltZEjMrcEWj54Jbo0omTf5I5PrxzOhOEucqJor4aTKH1Vw_dYshWvcIWNKDOCDWjkhFnvdCybl52EedoKD4YIf3rhSRWo387ju_9_yJqzBltyLjTCHCraHOh88jrhlolBhk3JOFY-rAmcMf3P8KlGKpWB7fZqw6nx8/w640-h480/DSC05207%20Grey%20Plover%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Grey Plover along Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN31u7fPSQwp-xbWbpIqG11IOBj53wAeVybocZ5ZU2mkxDzGyj7Df_wMUks8lAAmTDexWa35Lry8LYBB3zjU-M2AUB_ayITE3Oxp7PbyM-jLEHsTSJeZsxuH4GYm8jZhKeWM0DCQ_AfhBd1-Ema_4lGKgTmAbnWfrsl1TG2c-y2cmKLv-vQvduUsF-m8/w640-h480/DSC05221%20Grey-tailed%20Tattler%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Grey-tailed Tattler at Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEbwEAdMdoWbKoigQqwWghAuLyFHBavhBSAlS9rM-eZv00T-UHqF4gVbC1c6VeU1JcAHOdmZtrjfgAkWws1Afh9mu0daZp_uBbhIbIGd1zHqdpiigkYR7Yb5qb46gNA4u-BiTWFc361rm7F-BUlyeKLwaXu3y0EIz89kcCrg2n7ajv-mtUWJJMWSVGUs/w640-h480/DSC05231%20Long-tailed%20Duck%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Long-tailed Duck on the Cakeater Road lagoon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSA0axqsM0eJWeLkc9C9A6xhDTuZWcJY3uLMZ7hlCzHM0omSR-p0CxLugyJAOOcMx29P8xkALuUEdrpb42bTWgp-yEFUpQoqBxs9BZ7oKUTP5Kv0MVJmFZgPArd2fAiEJf6j1raKY4sVp_FrkqgGaKMtw83BLrBt7toHbE5L3joVuV8Jp63sN2w2Ukgk/w640-h480/DSC05231%20Long-tailed%20Duck%20Barrow%2014Jun24a.jpg) |
it's debatable whether males are smarter in summer or winter plumage |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6pIQoVl1zmJIt_JFYEmJngvk_DFJu6Z19klNg9fHLbNFGDYGJ5vQYzgl2Wr08gt9XhWqyf6U2vMu1fp7IxzPzuAGwjWi_PR0RVIrGfCkm1tFjTIyJMV-lHlBLXswRNkCaedluIy1wztcOQlhf7w73fQH87r6nnZ4RUQOXifEwueMBmzFhJMUyOMBov8/w640-h360/DSC05242%20Steller's%20Eider%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Steller's Edier (left) with Long-tailed Duck |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbWgYfGrA8nT0oEvfssgLmD470m5skIv8EiuOHNLbbq4qdMDVjMT9efLIjf6TDor5-uz4_5l6a-itOaqNXQ2hT9fKlsYmO8NvdnL8lkGyAfMyTtmCg1Z7tfcJTwukdTNIq6rjUVzu1LS-icXQgDekEglflcBdHW-oGlNnxKsrraMR8hFlMN_5GewpgQo/w640-h360/DSC05246%20Spectacled%20Eider%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Spectacled (rear) and King Eider on Cakeater Lagoon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MtMvx-fiDZiAxdzKA3vmvQAKAvY60giS1BT-pg0M-WAOj2FKBcqS1TA03gDehfZU9Y3LKwf6qcjtsUOHzLkcgpFG4Jyu_leFYNM7uwRDadvRLR4SZAR_BskO12r2gZTD5ixxoV_r6ZkWjT5F9Iq3EFXC-n3amHWFq4M3E1yOunw8D5o6Nv7867uhyphenhyphenN8/w640-h360/DSC05255%20Three%20Eider%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
spot the Eider |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXEAsmKdcGV92ViGEp5knyjUAWMIcAu_zrw00edSkH22Xw1389ulqzBXPuqXEbe3-zMMlukvrKPN65mVNX3BbPjw80iDNDoikpouG_o7zzxXVh8cedfE4SEd0xWUaZu6t_-5vjUfj_OU0ddd64cIwKEtAQSZ_5qQUgoIY9B0Lv78VfeR634LUBj7oF90/w640-h480/DSC05489%20Snow%20Bunting%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
female Snow Bunting near Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0nfl7LIJURQ3uJKea2_SOa9VVT_DBJq72_al5Isj1o3ixaRzl4XIlBEwgIqXzy3G7V0BW5_ZayaqTz0cdnnb2E9Vu2LxdJ3tlWtlWkfbdY-HS9-qPK0l-ySpVk2pQGWXw1V9wfGhwaU5H8jUJFWRGxjNGrUC0-leBkfkl_tmC4nWxzJqN0P-Q4gVQL8/w640-h480/DSC05285a%20Snow%20Bunting%20Barrow%2014Jun24.jpg) |
male Snow Bunting at Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iuNX5jSaTESsz-2OFyvgda9bWL5M9gzyFIt1sJBh2tyk69VUGktjq2t8gQYzfGLzLfxLjefDo-oF690j4vnXXTY3kFL0Md7UJcDgO690Vp_7znS0PwRCuVvTDp5WBRKNjndh_gcOHDUQ61EFsShGElrBeLkXsgESiix81KaU1ZKmHNLlZ6USkvCyGQs/w640-h480/DSC05373a%20Lapland%20Bunting%20Barrow%2014Jun24.jpg) |
Lapland Bunting at Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL8bnpYQ7RbFQVkLNpA1DClk8oOuUSW0HUSk6Wiw593pD4JG582gfWsDlMGvXQiBv__6UeeIktulygvpRqZupxyLiIRFbGPP259AXZjIuY15scpghXP7nn_SS77bwfzUbylxd__RkvUHZ_j3x4J21S-gSKt8YKfCCnV_7N2kjSPMOK61hWLsm2rqH7GE/w640-h480/DSC05428%20White-fronted%20Goose%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
White-fronted Goose near Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VhIwuQte3P18gfg11fAqfSQeFM7UvrjS1JAET0iqQgG3uEloXH-5xuTKQYKBZhPB618BALRqc5VFQqqvnArJnJ0XZwygij6mVci9SSp2AYDVlbxeEprLzsYxYGImZOH07KR9U-oFSb7Jv7OJohb04ycAlavbrIPEoQzrgBsb5JsbKt0wD9mItq8gG54/w640-h480/DSC05453%20Red-necked%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Red-necked Phalaropes along Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUj2OAdTKwiB5NbhaStUc45JpaFz9uir0Wb8Q2MBFoI_qOR0DrmQxnhyphenhyphen0k3pe0akyhOzHqXqRpMxdfZ5i8GoziCT4pc_bnzpMNora5GWAbF7KqtOqs6qXc2bILQ4uKX6jEewTBUHfQC7AkbCZNEB082ZFo_b0rOSkzKASz0UL7x1z6m8NrGUXivX-_wc/w640-h480/DSC05473%20Red-necked%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4gTYaYbGFnRKsmrhcOSCtCh4GQwFRWhCLgM9jy-alzJ-CngYmbrevWIvXyqMqIIqYQQyIXck1L0GAamdqPw1ITV3HBEso1F3UzgFMu6HQ-hpF3FXmILG2Kn-2Vj0bFwvddfrbw8EZgPDPvKgmCQbIVx4wKk_Hhs8s_GSYkaURrvM4bnDNGo9Pl5R4_4/w640-h480/DSC05391%20Grey%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Red Phalaropes along Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySU5vbT3biXfAIIThcQERvr0cHFNe963vrXd0E-kCmFxSwhRhKMNF7_Kj6OC5PfAWiJFhhZCnc8Vd2YxkDXotOKwPnAhaPfsRzQvZB5bYMfP6YMeK4uSnXDXWC04fpJmsKK4FIqZ2pxUJtITRup9agaygQv1yl9wlLMdlDBdtQdE9PytjhmIclhoPfDo/w640-h480/DSC05495%20Cape%20Barrow%20road%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Cape Barrow road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcuGF0Ce6CwonEs4WrnUs3wxqHx1QiVDzgo9JUDD68FaHpmBoKjfQ2X2Cu9CgdO2IJ6TR7Jx-CoiHRR2Uf-L5GNCD50xQs7CmFXrRNieLBSC7r65q8mmwBff4Lpd0nnfBI4mYmQNl80XackQ_khqALxHIAweUxN77Dea34dwHlxuw1qbstEgo0UNVd3w/w640-h480/DSC05497%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
pack ice near Cape Barrow, 4WD (and permits) necessary to go much further than this |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAegcZXFFo1aoUDJfGOJpjSeeiRc8fYvvSipBgYkBFFteXAVhfYu6rheYVhs_vDWnu_K8nZeg4hIXXzpkEYWOuUbhwYvMFMfFeRu9DbNaBnfAVXzvRE_OoP7NrsRWMc8s3xMZF7eOOFe-6WcVYXYcr0jNuIWMUSrJI_XjX6577UVsVuR8RNuQnppLoqI/w640-h480/DSC05504%20Pomarine%20Skua%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Pomarine Skua near Cape Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YSq5NH2PV-FlZTh3WS-LvYSR76gExO_RgSs_ZSqtNB_N64V3rraJf_agdXl5v_g4-pPElvDF3vqcoQz3YKHX8ICYqRrccUiHok3BdC9IO9yGFWmCHRxBiwoVJnzMPEhyphenhyphenXgmZR4cVLr6xxWJi8ZIy2m6X_thOA0piiC0sVQAd7JyQSBq42dU6V-9MucQ/w640-h360/DSC05514%20Bowhead%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Pete and Paul studying part of a Bowhead Whale skeleton |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMr4q5s0UpYAW_02Rc6mPLy30vM8BUilNmDokvrlJmZAvbuje9Xv-mkEZBnkdGVNg-PgME53-Mua6FdDjTvWFg465gKPxsn-SI1OZYMS-Lui3JaWl5_zN3kkW3RjwAjf34klTR0YTUpiUnXJH6d6Md8_b0fVs23Q0Zy3AM6cj2MgDVuk0HCnAlRoutXo/w640-h302/IMG_9443%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Malcolm and Paul checking the ice flow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a2wzrAk9JCUmxd-e2QsuLbw0gKcLBoFySy4P7fO6y2oB3TfcAIDr5Q4ZOTOlRcjztJVOo9-BNPqJcYqlAJWTzeQvpz1izmWs06V9Pa-rVA0aTXe45MZe3_wA64ZgnB9epVEpcpbO54E8eIu04smxpfYFyCc3GzthvlNGecv7pKGE83AsWEOp3IrINEw/w640-h162/IMG_9443%20Barrow%2014Jun24a.jpg) |
panoramic view |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOlihOAfXaAYzj-je8Vx7453xBfCyzc_DGRlgrnZzAYQs2YtJalDmdLetAmpfTQtg2cWSeI3W2oK5r3Lqv9Y92VSVCiOp4X4GktswEjSsp1yZbl_GVdKEi6Ia8LefVZEFqEVkirWspvUnGfNGjWsEbVFJ-NfQfdlv63Ln4VFUJHwCzv0RXwkbyxoT1jE/w640-h480/DSC05523%20Pacific%20Diver%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Pacific Divers near Cakeater Road, they often appeared to have inflatable heads |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW_y_h-zy6iTVww0_582jhsY4CbhYRKvms0YGCh5Yh2Qu76SVSWuJ68fvFzXu3dqpOSz7pXd25FkMS2pAvD49lhyphenhyphenQcjn7os01bA91AjWW-rkydJ-L4VAyw3HBWJZnjHYugOl_u1VGePpAO6c5221VgF903ATl-T2QmXdxVQy6cKsMWfw9GPWfdZsIkbo/w640-h360/DSC05531%20Spectacled%20Eider%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
very distant Spectacled Eider (two males and three females) back at Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s1joTDf_do9ZPDnWPUxTE97-BX3lKeKtWOGiPsli0mDiudyLDH-8XomzHiQmdp2lsle_2M3qIs22-FHNyPqOqFYRZRzcBuiQP6KvDyDP3-zYQ8HP7O2DtnxQXsO2XflVRRdvwUZZHpMsI_oAgsNmuFXssT1oZ85sjX2ZWtbaKsltV0KI9gfBqPiNDm8/w640-h480/DSC05538%20Steller's%20Eider%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
a pair of Steller's Eider |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKszCTt9f5yteQJReMKPSV0LBjYBeLLCtDM8YghCMHySCwdRmDDnvgwcG6MiKjS9Hh3eX4HleMx4HuoOuytVX8NqbgxQ4YZUl1PZCQ2Zh7zQ0nykmJXdtOSFeZJ_I7SonvHzzJMgbZOGbPzAyN6ZgvizBT2ZIWhDfrkGLhLTguxLMiI-az4zHYHWqhoA/w640-h480/DSC05550%20King%20Eider%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
a pair of King Eider |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2I5oM-RBilFGIR6C3zNvi5pCfysPzKnnqMQyYS9lDgLFwxsJjHAAXhIIaVtHkr-6cuK5yyMH7-vAFV28WKYhvI1jo-_Ymhzd1Duk6wVMfXEhRlvB2lJ0xYpHm2n90XADjHzRHh2XoHFgAq5UMdLRvyUA6SxCnwc4CnQjx1OFi_EoxswExCtNbA83qJo/w640-h480/DSC05556a%20Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%20Barrow%2014Jun24.jpg) |
Semipalmated Sandpiper along Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0Yczxd8guA7E-L-KzsEzfYnvpDePoh-mIdd6uqES4RS5xt9fK2aeAAWO0_NnUbVH3i9F0xaly67-q02VbPi1fK_XAWC-CMZ2Yl6JYzMNQ7K8J_aNlIPqSSThu9VB5p6tVcUfcQygVbYtltLJg8ch8ORKPWh7gHGu3rIEvX8nfzgZ_8PWCKOOhpZPRSo/w640-h640/DSC05589%20Semipalmated%20Sandpiper%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
flashing its semipalmations, a feature shared with the more rufous, longer billed Western Sandpiper |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULFQIWD4CJd-fNY6XX5ihtSIOtsIp15QnHMHyQ38s96QlQOkMoOxLg07h8DbPtEbHCz2SSksNlCgjbNtyzI_edcSq7TQc2H6X1bDRDlA82JMhSNuSIiE_urX_yuM6Vxo43xIUHi7C9l_POh8DaAlYH5EifBck_HDGnNTBDS8urT8psdzH_PK6Euxvmno/w640-h640/DSC05595%20Stoat%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Stoat or Ermine, through van windows |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhLgAnnWFEyKKPF2n7Gw5uYpxQU5ogCATymExaYoWkQSILCCOnyqNYizKR6x2G_7hyCh1aDY7kpv-uhb_m4VaKK45q9P7tWN2LmzjBKzPnNXcQ0uIUzMG3lsSYyIpqoMl0I9d4fEebF3jgsGT0_0E7G53sn662lOezUXZ99KelohvCL_Tw1-bxd3JynI/w640-h480/DSC05608%20Pectoral%20Sandpiper%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Pectoral Sandpiper at Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg2xMLPXOYHAtmuyW16csrBqftjUspQcYlad6y498kFRrW2EPtwapvr1-iJR-o41bqfMV7Zyue5-1U17IXpM-zstESlHp2pRNqWe283jFz7aQuDKBWmiAHnF-tClT4aWcnsOMSTHS-ceDzGL5W-gMJoptBANjQNTDhmf-fP3QGTnQ5b02Qxe_xnXv1Vk/w640-h480/DSC05613%20Wilson's%20Snipe%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG) |
Wilson's Snipe at Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo4aqGr96bBuKKJ2bVu9utZ6JBuD4SsZJd_L5ha_a7nE-pGU2y_MHzN7Gwl2MPIWA2w0vj_pIs_Izkuq_vAyk-O2dO2XAKr5puLGdBugafxqu9slqxT6UbH0Gfv8O0madfVgI3dnXoAYHOwnGrQqgHaBx2PObOwxKiJGTzOC_xGVQiu4NcBjegEuvna8/w640-h480/DSC05633%20Arctic%20Redpoll%20Barrow%2014Jun24x.jpg) |
Arctic Redpolls at Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPP_MTz5GtafBujdsXNb1uOXuki_Nj7q449_kbCV_nmyGJMaJSI7V8SuBfcm2jHyhTvtg5ygjZtypUVKB5d4e2siFHsuu3w_fsJJl6YBILUQMhjKdOVbu9hc-XG0IBNNjg6Hg0gAJuf6NBjFvk42DrOGlgI5dFeyN6PdVkoj_8xJhQmXEItbJ2dbyI7k/w640-h480/DSC05649%20Arctic%20Redpoll%20Barrow%2014Jun24x.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2p_o9XHMLm50kBtTD22h1NEkcSv67VKwhylDbFdUYvFO61d7KlT7LmCrcI1-WuU-REIDYP1e7E84WqIYXnRj1pBNa2CQGLBsLlppSNDRN5_-jwh-uV2n-1Vo7XjXOsNT59v-TJsg_HFIzbER-VAc7eKxfd7f8va94_Ck-bM25AvHk-LzVFFsCc_7nEk/w640-h480/DSC05653%20Arctic%20Redpoll%20Barrow%2014Jun24.JPG)
Saturday 15 June. I was out just
before 06:00 ice watching from near hotel seeing little. We left at 08:15 (another hoped for 08:00 start that slipped) and drove to a slightly raised promontory at the western edge of town near Mario’s Pizza which allowed
distant views to the nearest ice flow. It was excellent with Malcolm picking up a distant Polar Bear at the far edge of the nearest ice flow. It was at least a km away, probably more. Further scanning revealed another three or four Polar Bears and an even more distant Walrus. A passage of auks and King Eider at a similar distance was equally frustrating. We continued to the Cemetery where we saw one of the same or another Snowy
Owl then back into town to visit the supermarket for lunch. We spent the afternoon on Cakeater Road
but there were just 2 King Eider on the main lagoon which had noticeably thawed out since yesterday's visits. We continued to Landfill Road but couldn't go further than the Landfill itself as the road beyond was under 2-3 feet of compacted snow. We walked into the Landfill hoping to see some close gulls but they remained distant and all appeared to be Glaucous Gulls. Scanning the tundra pools from the top Paul picked up a distant
pair of Spectaled Eider. They appeared to be closer by some distance to a continuation of the road we had been on so after a brief discussion we drove back to the snow drift and continued walking down the road. We relocated them, not
as close as we’d hoped, but walked part way out and had better views without disturbing them. Still not close but a big improvement and pretty stunning through a telescope. We were back in Barrow at 19:00 and I had fish and chips again for
dinner. Birds I'd seen during the day were 3 Snow, 60 White-fronted and 3 Canada Geese, 14 Black Brant, 8 Tundra Swans, 30 Pintail, a male Green-winged Teal, 2 Spectacled and over 200 King Eider (5 on pools off Cakeater/Landfill roads and an estimated 200+ flying east along the main lead in the ice flow), 80 Long-tailed Ducks, single Grey, Semipalmated and Ringed Plovers, Red-necked Stint, 4 Dunlin, 12 Pectoral, 30 Semipalmated and 4 Western Sandpipers, 23 Red-necked and 14 Red Phalaropes, 11 Pomarine and 8 Arctic Skuas,20 Kittiwakes, a Sabine's and 50 Glaucous Gulls, 3 Arctic Terns, 250+ distant auks (Guillemots?? flying east along the main lead), 10 Pacific, a fly-past White-billed and 10 distant unidentified Divers, single Snowy Owl, Raven and Arctic Redpoll, 15 Lapland and 45 Snow Buntings and 2 Savannah Sparrows.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj9oINJsl4aSnnH2EfqHS2LNtrfayijEpu9k6OnbxVO4JGWhLEdAs28Y7QDWNBkGFAOQjxbYPHUlKPbw9BEiEc-q9tY9Hn2y5WRprYU_UnSnhx5JptIvIs4FKu-WqB7zRzjSm8lVSnhZWyq9DUIXotgLPpTqF1Sb5YXN96FvFGLE4mlfqbKN_1wHxnyY/w640-h480/DSC05663%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG) |
early morning seawatch |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5eLiyhnNOA0ey6ahDZ29Fr7nOQvNRj8TjTvhMsHKz53GcMs5lF3fBHVVVM6IpcG5WbyJ3ZIZ-DRy8Ux3X1yCX-a0ZkB6rb-Eeryx5gMxlSWmbzkiKbBVXTZ6fGKiYBUHLBltS2pxqgE-GdPHt8OEE1ZEgOffyFSPrt4MDJ3n-ECPQ3mWLdG08nuNEFc/w640-h360/DSC05664%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Barrow pack ice |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1OxSzzj0twvR4EwbNbQrEy5YQMb9Eps0tymfA0onwSp1mxeF7PVysg3l1qD3KDFLDADk_fUef9S5QQSCc5wrh3OttV31rq2Ci1uT4Ev1npcF9rSntcgdMTNw-3-0Rpb36dzDfFcepqmvnrnv6LwJpM89q3ln4SjOHhDXqoxN-uyELajq-Y0Ju_vML9c/w640-h360/DSC05668%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8cyNdLNm3KJ2oRlxOMIvX84RBO88x_NmUx1r_s0_5HvboinMzJADtXioU3YNQZjcoaYLHhBQNql4lEuI73UqC_XYeWEEokE71NnrzqbyNZch3IReEUiHABzu3h-Z_lOGNQ7rySLSwxJumx-LekMqpGdRBmhYA8Zgr1xw4z1VrWZg_EJ-nWAv-20SBDs/w640-h360/DSC05667%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
one of the tidier areas of Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItynaX-HCgTe2s5JZ_mCWju8XyiH1c4gRq1O4335GdQqqkB6HSRuK0-Sr2d0Z_75q7CrtLVYVZta6usi2jC682Z0DJjFKnmveJT3zIVS7pnENq7mol8AhyphenhyphenMc9y_NNhIX_C1tcmugHsvxFGzRs4yhw-n7YOgVvUAJ4xSJZwSuRutgd6poOTkSPzP5JkmQ/w640-h480/DSC05681%20Snow%20Bunting%20Barrow%2015Jun24.jpg) |
Snow Bunting in Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt47pqUjuxIfNoe_IB8p4WZ2snMFbV-7DGVzjsMZTpys8MmQfzV8eFtdDghAj92isQSrlfe4glJizevAW9NzvLXWT62W-9DS9aEMDcw4zqwdRQJt28urcrRh0mHEtTDPZuag2OjHr4K9cFg6c1zJMdZx2De0tsUa22DuPKWRI8vB4cuERA66Rw5NV1F_c/w640-h480/DSC05710%20Pomarine%20Skua%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Pomarine Skua over the ice flow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLy-jpuwq-4TvPZtyLGLWwPb6_VXu_hoTG0z9axf_v598OXFtoZL0SvKdXzL8j0xXEj9p8oTDzihX_O0dJm_eiah9aJcINbtEQ1_wxVHsEpb3PRpa7ihF6itNTjKv4mk7xcfSX-2lPekCkg8RmyoRGIfWbG-w_ghE8xczk-o5skWxp5FiaHOAg8bEmXHc/w640-h360/DSC05720%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG) |
distant leads in the pack ice |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2nYNCaQk9EZsUYkZTCLmU7giqbt7QT4_jt1mUehUEqSD9dcGgZQLUpqHwf2-Cidu5pwQKOkic091kHCHr36ZHO-hl-gIJbXpAXXKeDsdBvsYBbI9IUCAJgcxhOUMDJkNpTuVcBqzSpu-FpOh_0vAobOJUCNRMODdu8z354U6Iu6Q1hQ4uoHuH1ci3BI/w640-h420/DSC05735%20Polar%20Bear%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Polar Bear on the ice flow (centre left) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzmTfMh3ORzUUaM3cxEQcLPxci6zoYDMrutCFffoXJJymkET2v71LPcwqNZGJJbWo1YiJO545BiiOc_WsZ0xMPw6oNCIrfA3Gzred2Vs-brW1KlYcj8Fs2VABGO4ySUrDOFp62GXemn9hYLYIxMhrkmW6cZWxT-zNEHARcVvDSRWW8_YZ_AdTJpy6tWo/w640-h360/DSC05751%20Polar%20Bear%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG) |
regally floating past on its ice throne |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPziMdXZCEIkmdHfQsSK9VVdLSFcX3s7Ia7q86dwUkeDtVhhoI5Nc-OX8WkaXjf9wN7Cg6ZjWuX6j-C39mmcO3lrkV2Qoehm5VFmA0o_NW7Jy70zSbqo4UKrKnF4Z_6Wl3Y10IvupG-IxVLMMmNtPIkse_6Riz_6tm-dcPJfwQYIa9i1JsPrWbL8aFD8/w640-h360/DSC05764%20Walrus%20Barrow%20pack%20ice%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Walrus (imagination needed) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUakZF0etirbbMqtBEXh-bIS-3o-D4huEQkaXc2PiHfHguoz_w_pZ6WeKyTgXtWnIYH5t_eGmsmzj1vHzUCg03VLEIh6hqKVeAOLMwm3SoNX8aIjf8MEjt1Jq7LyBcjik14Efho6NqjaU01PHRjXsvvZO8R2O0QJDG7xGbhvZCCjkUD5u-naYRQmRLZo/w640-h480/DSC05785%20Snowy%20Owl%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Snowy Owl at Barrow Cemetery |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSRNNchtw5cA6ncKOClYbeujzqPzWKjSJulnllsAsDmWMN9sKXHAFYZoszR8tkaD5THpXABt8-DqagF76in7-6JEKmEoXamWxRYX3DImp7cHsppphxKtBKD0h69uJbMmRwv7Yukxle2R-3JDEHwCsYAoK0ud1B-tqTDSGud3GfUvmyqx4j-rI2s-8E4I/w640-h480/DSC05821%20Ringed%20Plover%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Ringed Plover at Barrow Gravel Pits, a rarity we were only interested in for direct comparison with nearby Semipalmated Plovers |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvKiC1aqQ2kyrumTKLWloVuLVgeYFax-DECLNdvEf4LxVRfugJ3Qhlxst2SvE6o9exbLiGABn52resbHq6bbTL-N0TqsRyIiFXX3EuLue9f89sTje9ind5v6Kz4bnITiOqtfxnVI6yEfis3JhOB2dxZzysBJS-W2mYUADifbDsVc5RhbGv9jujuCyRgk/w640-h360/DSC05823%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Barrow Gravel Pits |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqsEz9EUbTVV3ue6kCzrFBBzll88HU0glO57n2AcLK6aawpI48Yuw_l5GYgZo37d8PAIpz22F8AUIJB9Y4SvVmrLCJ3ufukI0Pg37Ps1Lq3E4ENMpS_JIPbnZCcqZ-rc4c2FzKDhynfdi2IwVFKn7KHwmhZLseTTHGv44hnhIko5vAMeMVeR6gc-Fnm8/w640-h480/DSC05825%20Pectoral%20Sandpiper%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Pectoral Sandpiper on Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj6HXvXbqSzi993KbeYnV4TaFSBw6pOmLSs5uQL1g_XyL2xeA3EL4VCfljYKv4eDZd-jugm_eCQMc_CJppyqjaSulfBXujlHDAkYTL7upbhOmyXiFGYmMjCYIfNsSsRaUxK-SGq6IqBQOMnJImOdnihy4bIsA4vIS3ZMt_8gp5wPmRSyU6RO38O0WVGU/w640-h480/DSC05851%20Red-necked%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Red-necked Phalarope along Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj8I_7Gj98yYeINVE5B807-xM_7UDhgE6d-FfoZJMeiy8m2GAYJFHgNvMkIZUG5L99gBFw3MCgqu8xvsd4HO9DLm9Rg_AseVHXM0G4ZN-OVvZYZay4rtibza37H_1Z47hcJ5wN93hyphenhyphenSeLaS7KzX5DkuWCJOGeVDxWnVtyuUImyITm1vtWeQxxWUVEUqs/w640-h480/DSC05861a%20Grey%20Plover%20Barrow%2015Jun24.jpg) |
Grey Plover on Landfill Road, Paul whistled it in from at least 400m away - impressive! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEgCJd6FFpEAuvnYINk1ctl42IAgE7kC5-lZteTRC_PGdxec7nbeUJ3tIpUVzyzVgnykvV_G3reI0jcPi_Vc1koAwqhL6WCjGTmIjrtOnHOLwFmaD8fcn9N6hYITz7c-1V6ZTOFXwy3pH0zY4eZSgTn15MUg7GA4me6Epnv0vS4FUt6GVPUbVP2yNT6Y/w640-h480/DSC05869%20Glaucous%20Gull%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Glaucous Gull over Landfill Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoQB78yBhIx0leohNoZPpVqANdO7uf90BR8MTj1spiVNww8OUUN1tDVSQAELc0BqEYtla41cDqT0Sc5-MedxwltZhCkuX4ArDo3ENeqvtQq69Y9Pp4zalQfJsFeOzYIyIQEmRqfIFxCcqcR0wT-7U4ZtxTdxqLGbl78Q9hFilV5SIySTZJPyI1ufYQ_c/w640-h360/DSC05888%20Tundra%20Swan%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Tundra Swans off Landfill Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qszc1a6xw5zeHZdYSjGgyhJwk6ZCtifVBJhMxEuE2FWs0pel4LhQ3ugTCk5fMayiGSp-V36zzm0rAb0DpIZ33OKkDbEZHNS3qhwRClEvEEkQtzUKmh-S6YgG9RLbCyq_WmxfKTbS_JY-fSKhrS27nrB8frvV3IXRezymBMLfnB43ETFgCPyAwHGKbZk/w640-h480/DSC05976%20King%20Eider%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
King Eider off Landfill Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ612XKXQN1gsPUBo-rN6NxBhQm7uNiUgAOgVuIXCYgwUoCP-j9pkC6hB3Z6g9eyb9_8c_ouS-51Rq68yMoCLsLtD0PfJohNs_JAcuJ68Qa4MEmiIMqX5YSJpuQOmwqmBUeGw6agCOuuWENokatJEFuedfwh62MC5y72Tug_q_8omxKhYZM9UuRb9dLHA/w640-h480/DSC05917%20Spectacled%20Eider%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Spectacled Eider off Landfill Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbfBL3VccLy_t4YS2Mrj7C62oYOEK4OwuC71Dj_zk8EvpsI2DH8sqNSvOi3CfBXqgmEmSdbnunGQsz_ARm386DmPgRWruKvxECiyVQ_haSOYfBV6GCru_awVgOCXUtrbTGdz7w5DiGVLMJFP9qp2MWJf-XfDla60Y0BduBrw8j92eiV3DlCJcuUz_Qjc/w640-h480/DSC06105%20Long-tailed%20Duck%20Barrow%2015Jun24.JPG) |
Long-tailed Duck at Cakeater Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmpveFhtrhMjsTpFDvWZ1_fy63LRwem9jq-6ioUb9BRmEgpv2-_W2i75pyqquELtN1VwF8jjBwJwDh7OF0RVvSI8t6rQZqjhUDFM7bOC5JdICftJXdWRRbAZ8JIQSX_fKcuU9z91Kt_bFwdgWNst-4cWDH61T5dSnQIwiajaAXIA5DwQQvYnJaUZui4g/w640-h360/DSC06110a%20Arctic%20Skua%20Barrow%2015Jun24.jpg) |
Arctic Skuas at Barrow |
Sunday 16 June. We were out from 06:00-08:00 driving out to Cape Barrow which was very quiet. We returned to the 'Mario’s Pizza' promontory
where channels in the ice flow appeared to be further out and narrower. It started
to drizzle and as little was moving close enough to identify we soon returned to the
hotel for breakfast and storing bags. The weather improved so I seawatched to 09:00 when we drove around
Barrow seeing similar birds to previous days. Lunch in supermarket again then we visited the gravel pit west
of town seeing a pair of Baird’s Sandpipers but otherwise it was quieter than yesterday. Back to hotel to
collect stored luggage, then to airport in two trips. Check in was fairly chaotic
especially when arriving passengers from the incoming fight were exiting through the same
room. Birds seen around Barrow were 15 White-fronted Geese, 15 Black Brant, 2 Tundra Swans, 20 Pintail, 2 Greater Scaup, 8 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 2 Baird's, 2 Pectoral and 8 Semipalmated Sandpipers, Wilson's Snipe, 16 Red-necked and 7 Red Phalaropes, 6 Pomarine and 3 Arctic Skuas, 20 distant auks, 15 Kittiwakes, 4 Glaucous Gulls, 2 Red-throated, 3 Pacific and another fly-past White-billed Diver, a Raven, 2 Cliff and 3 Barn Swallows, 2 Arctic Redpolls and 6 Lapland and 30 Snow Buntings.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_whV6ubrOROkcD-Ao5dUEq3woBp_3cfGTySAthtPZToejoKYMac8Tb_QQeuLVFQkWe9La6CgegDhE3gVAph2F2x6xjEXqXvqUW7tlZikPFyEW9lsrPqnduWr2W2FH8roqF0P8X_qwLffSC_O3rM187oeyZzXFYDHJhvCvhSSfU3Zi73tpLaLJmcOPoo/w640-h360/DSC06117%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lKujYK-x-wm77i1OEsFigZcn3ticvWoYP5NiB-IpBbWklK6_RMQuTboSAUx2pthf0t0j_r_LdtiUTG1LaEldzJREHmQGLxOTzLKHxz7hg_aMECUmnrCwrq6nP4RgkHmfkyhcEzTtCvXtymWpKESbFP-BHqfZYS_TQx5Wu94IpEd5OLjxykNNwv_IzHI/w640-h360/DSC06126%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
sea ice along the Cape Barrow Road |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TRWvaPi0DqSQ2sds5Q6Pa99112GIt6KBo4ARLDtv7ec7-Rbc6hB00UGkirN1z4CMgWwqhetsZNNlo5-Ji0AlwyKQAE97tk5Qlpm-VDZITXDc2MLMZWWQCKJfBymYt9QJodjphYPjuWOJzd0jl3R-G8EBNBeau31btqwqM0H8GoU0vn-Hjrb4iQfC0eA/w640-h360/DSC06133%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
The Top of the World Hotel, Barrow and attendant minibuses |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddslNmXp3lB8VTFn1ytB1P71MA-rL-NzJL_t0Bm8jT-ILzxdShbRjgjqd1Due0lgG5ayMJue4CReUW7jUR9AXpwhSpQfoUHtnhiSQ7v2-aVLzaiWqNbEOgoJ2Bc2XvYwImE3phDx8c6E5En5LE7hUaZvCYQmNn0tiVYUH-_HBHja34oz6mBQ2wVdhJJo/w640-h480/DSC06134%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
Bowhead Whale bones |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabzCrB7xt1ZC4x_GZSHdCdUoDAZZBbfkWsf6FNa9l6EhyphenhyphenPXt1vSdnn0GDx08hcWm7sV3tUtlW6Luq_WAQ6Mj01wH-axij2PaD8BHB_fRRAuz0uExbFhrXWh47y-tlAMjP3cYQ54o20h5Eah77F_-ERyh9qZ7K6cjEpyk0weTbgPvb7Rk8eAh6kQ3jzuE/w640-h360/DSC06242%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
at least eight Red-necked Phalaropes on this pool on the edge of Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMZpc-5y-nH0QbqoUqY9kg48HyhgyiUo0kp3LRy8aZQy1XGosputRi8F4kikBIecibBrtdwcG6vUbJR5TjmOKs-4Czvy9WPIAGcr2SCUUa6iw1b0btfcppvZS5AypYYmuwdOlAu6HGAfNhy01j9SzouzArJAWTrAH8tO9kD5ybAZg2l-AF62OLL_nkE4/w640-h480/DSC06253a%20Red-necked%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2016Jun24.jpg) |
it was stacked out with emerging midges |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSu4yCGUzfzu6nHvVLPd5KsEP-3yGymA9tu_GC7lzWeNI9E5uEsBTdTmj9eh70ctELELlMqCOMDxzE20tZrP1WMySGnQkiyYoxdkDzWFeHsNMbDQYOnTL6u7Se7sny_FW0byUE9Uv054JShCrX-2Na3ADFuuFQLOrHLrMofd8KScbXZ01j9K2cxBEXX0/w640-h480/DSC06155%20Red-necked%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
another Red-necked Phalarope nearby
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebUD1dpdHLP0B4qK7x0cSbC-gMKHbAfV5FKqiSRN3em3YFSBx003tydjYWd6_xYlFAAWlnWP4Cg08O8jWfOX_OMwm60kS1SUrB9oCpOT6qyuETJNbDtw_TrZVl2ZwoykTkggVPjk7Q4UE8lkqbUrYw1DbRoX5BaRV5TTesrVToe-4usQrCs96AUAfGic/w640-h360/DSC06232%20Phalaropes%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
Red-necked and Red Phalaropes on another pool |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmJoLY8EIZazYqhwp7o2_2BicX9Eui-zyt6F7Fg1X2FqT7Tyl3cf4DDSiyXWyq4Qm4Snn-j-GyusajfZponGhf_YQq5iLaDP5359fR81k1jsHQYdeOy2K-NZJxH-EBjjQ6Skoeb4fSAgBwlN6imm1oSr2iM249vPf8XoN2q2EXReSPpBx4N0RrHGrqeg/w640-h480/DSC06178a%20Red%20Phalarope%20Barrow%2016Jun24.jpg) |
Red Phalaropes on the edge of Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KH1M3kdV0UAoHF_AJkvp1qgzp2ne5dcFOQxk_rB1Fh8YFQHj1akUcsqxPFtnEXrjv8eF9MKvLYSm2ldvGmtDVL87Lmk_dnLHohFxBGfF51xzNu8OOLe9mm2_ZQaHgqAQcUUnZ1KzqOV33UnhPsEOlZdgOwGtPuYLewyrtGmjjYEDspcNwk41VMnHUvk/w640-h480/DSC06271%20Scaup%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
Greater Scaup at Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbr8jdfpZXu92uvcmV8_BgVuObWQXXp1XAGhgPUJU9J2QKTeOchcll8cP2fwxUMVJWTjD97EYMBiO0HhFdAkPkuaE72WPwYanJyKnnvn1CHNxCXfZ542JQKwrN2wKJmbTa6MVJnQ_SsoNfx7DXk6Dskfidgm-BGDiQoiDC5qYwNCnOe9cvkUPgUYlyZU/w640-h360/DSC06273%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
chasing Palearctic rarities: we made a couple of half hearted visits for a Common Snipe (once was more than enough for most of us) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP5JXkJ19YBZMqflgyL34nh4ipVfsrKtD-uH34E9DSLBi6nWkFGR2YPRj39L_MAdPy-bhWOtTRf0zqaPlo5xZVPKY3gLDtIT0ZX6VcBZj90f4MXXar9_3NFiFWKcxxZseD4ygdJG4V9pCVm3gvKPHRcP3jXsPL-rfig1XjoHB6C09q2RGDB8jymrzHys/w640-h480/DSC06297%20Baird's%20Sandpiper%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
Baird's Sandpipers at Barrow Gravel Pits |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAejc6vsN9SLfV1KePp6cYzTZDhZxwEwN-vVQdY7iP8kWofdjlIph4wRpXHXIWcHbiz5iYkOIPZqXHwftSg5nc9BorD_N4otpUcTeflA8OqCa_vJOaN_oisMgeAUtCMu5meGRoVzE37sagBKVEAafp8dvCm8AbKkpkRl-ZYIlCCGcp3sF1ZQHH_Th1OsQ/w640-h480/DSC06326%20Long-tailed%20Duck%20Barrow%2016Jun24.JPG) |
Long-tailed Duck at Barrow Gravel Pits |
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Fairbanks wasn't on our itinerary |
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closer to London than Florida! |
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Cape Barrow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAW8wWGbRQAt674rLZwNi_8iC9TuxEM4DLl11LuS6BRxU_MnjkPtC9r9OA67lmnvmio_X91Dy8gC3vj9gAfxtWXhgiSiGyzxFZEgIDn3LdMuDb951Vy3wAIq_ap1Ub0Ae7vNt4QKa3VQPigJ7O4RHtt6CZdRm_fs_9-hHEkVx-AZYEf4HQlBrmMIg0Xc/w480-h640/IMG_9455%20Barrow%20tundra%2016Jun24.JPG) |
frozen tundra |
Our flight to Anchorage was on time but we had to wait 40 minutes to be collected by American's Best Motel's minibus. While the others were in McDonalds/Subway I followed the cycle track opposite, as recommended by Pete on our first visit, and saw a Moose. Birds seen in Spenard were: 5 Mallard, Wilson's Snipe, 6 Short-billed Gulls, Alder Flycatcher, Black-billed Magpie, 2 Violet-green Swallows, 3 Black-capped Chickadees, American Robin, 5 Starlings and single White-crowned Sparrow and Myrtle Warbler.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwkG1O6bSYGkFzUb7b0yODxcIZgGbGKuGz1daQSBLuOefq0rbJlfhtW4hF36M6c4r7fUO2LXslLWwCnBRvnxMgGX9NuuFtLlfTV193oPsYGNXM28-QNvpfN8Aoi4mADJUTAdeqgVkMfg8dsyOUfN-8fU738q8VFay7O7DYlllb0vpGK84XSVWrRSNVtw/w640-h480/DSC06375a%20Moose%20Spenard%2016Jun24.jpg) |
Moose in Spenard |
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