Gambell, Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska

“Gambell 2”
Trip Report
May 28 – June 2, 2007

by Phil Davis
Davidsonville, Maryland
High Lonesome BirdTours

1. Introduction. This year

marked my ninth birding trip to
Gambell and eleventh to
western Alaska. This year,
prior to Gambell, I led a group
to St. Paul in the Pribilof
Islands for a five-day tour and
then afterwards co-led a trip to
Nome (see separate reports).
On Gambell, I served as a
birding leader for the High
Lonesome BirdTours second
(“Gambell 2”) six-day spring
trip. I arrived at Gambell from
Anchorage, via Nome, with our
clients the early afternoon of
5/28. Our group and staff
departed Gambell on 6/2.
During this 6-day period, we
Polar Bear hide and seal meat on a drying rack in Gambell. Photo by Trish
shared the island with other Schumacher.
birding groups, including
Wilderness Birding Adventures [WBA] (leaders Bob Dittrick and James Huntington); VENT
(leaders Kevin Zimmer and Dave Wolf), WINGS (leaders Jon Dunn and Paul Lehman); a group
led by Kim Risen (MN), and several small groups of independent birders.

2. The Weather and the Environment. NOAA charts of weather conditions for the period 5/21
(a week before our arrival) though our departure date on 6/2 are shown in Figure 1, below.

Winds. During our “Gambell 2” trip, the winds generally blew from the north with a few calms
and low velocity shifts to the south, which brought in fog. During our stay, the steady winds
ranged from calm to a high of 18 mph at the airport. On Tuesday afternoon, 5/29, the winds
shifted and within a hour we witnessed a very clear but windy day turn into socked-in fog
conditions that lasted until the next day.

Temperatures. In general, the temperature was mild (for Gambell). The temperature during our
stay ranged from a low of 28 F to a high of 48 F at the airport. The daily averages during our
stay were a low of 32 F and a high of 41 F.

Visibility. Most of the period was clear with long-range visibility while the winds were out of the
north. The mountains of the Russian Chukota Peninsula were visible on most days, except
during the foggy conditions of 5/29-30.

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Snow Cover. When our Gambell 2 group arrived, there was not much snow cover left, except in
the usual drift locations (such as at the gas pump).

Lake Ice. Troutman Lake was totally frozen upon our arrival but thawed around the edges
during the period. South Lake was mostly open when we arrived.

Bering Sea Pack Ice. Drift sea ice was present during much of our visit. The northerly winds
kept the north beach packed with ice for a portion of the time. Ice floes were usually present,
offering roosting perches for gulls. The locals were seen hunting seals around the ice. However,
for walrus hunting, the locals had to travel quite a ways out to reach the edge of the ice pack.

Figure 1. NOAA Gambell Weather Data: 21 May – 2 Jun.

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3. Staff and
Clients. Our
Gambell-2 tour
included twelve
clients. Our
leaders were:
Dave MacKay
(Sonora,
Mexico), Phil
Davis
(Davidsonville,
Maryland), and
executive chef,
Jennifer
MacKay
(Sonora,
Mexico).

4. Arrivals and
Departures. All
arrivals and
departures were
on-time this
year. However, Our High Lonesome BirdTours "Gambell 2" group. L-r: Trish Schumacher, Peggy Harger-
on Saturday 6/2, Allen, Sandy Fittinghof, Paul Cozza, Susan Clark, Phil Davis, Don Whitehead, Jennifer MacKay,
Dave MacKay, Rose Leach, Sam Febba, Steve Bullock, Lorrie Looper, Nick Fittinghof, and Jim
the day we left, Shafer.
the winds
shifted just after our departure lightly to the south and brought in fog that prevented the
afternoon flights to the island from landing. Had we been scheduled for the afternoon flight,
rather than the morning flight, we would have been stuck overnight.

5. The Birding. The high pressure and north winds that dominated the Bering Sea during and
before our stay did not contribute many Asian vagrants during our tour. When we arrived on
5/28 a Wood Sandpiper and Hawfinch were already present. Ivory Gulls were reported earlier
that morning, although we did not see our Ivory Gulls until a few days later.

Western Alaskan Specialties. Western Alaskan specialties seen included Emperor Goose,
Steller’s Eider, King Eider, Common Eider, Arctic Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, Pacific Golden
Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Gray-tailed Tattler, Wood Sandpiper, Great Knot, Red-necked
Stint, Rock Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Vega Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Ivory Gull, all three
jaegers, Dovekie (a Gambell specialty for the Bering Sea), Black Guillemot, all three expected
auklets (Parakeet, Least, and Crested), both puffins (Horned and Tufted), Snowy Owl, Asian
subspecies rustica of Barn Swallow, Northern Wheatear, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White
Wagtail, Red-throated Pipit, Asian subspecies japonicus of American Pipit, and Hawfinch. I
recorded a total of 75 species during our six days on the island.

Birding Areas. The birding areas we covered on the island included the following: the “near
boneyard”, the “far boneyard”, the “circular boneyard”, Northwest Point (aka, “sea watch”), the
cliffs, the north and west beaches, the boat yard, the walrus “pull out area”, “old town”, the “near
(or northeast) marsh”, Troutman Lake, the hillsides above and below the lake road, the hillside
between the far bone yard and the cliffs, the “far (or south) marsh”, the runway road, the south

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end of Troutman Lake (including the ponds, and grassy areas), the gravel ponds, the berms,
South Lake, the tundra east of South Lake, and the rocky outcroppings at the beach at the
south end of South lake (Oonyik Point).

Trip List. A daily trip list of species seen is provided as a separate document.

6. Notable Species. Accounts of notable Asian, western Alaskan, Alaska mainland, and Saint
Lawrence Island species are presented, below.

Greater White-fronted Goose. A single was seen as a flyby on 5/28 and a flock of three was
seen on 5/31.

Emperor Goose. This species was seen in small

numbers at seawatch on three of our six days.

(“Black”) Brant. This species was seen daily in small

numbers this year.

Tundra Swan. A few birds were seen heading north

next to the mountain on 5/31.

Northern Pintail. Seen commonly at the near marsh,

far marsh, on South Lake, and even from seawatch.
Emperor Goose at seawatch. Photo by Steven
Green-winged Teal. Several Common (C. c. crecca) Bullock.
and American Green-winged Teal (A. c. carolinensis)
were observed at several locations. These taxa have been split by the British.

Greater Scaup. Three birds were in flight at the south end of Troutman Lake on 5/29.

Steller’s Eider. This species was seen this year only in moderate numbers on about half of
days. A small flock was found sitting on the water off of West Beach, affording good looks.

[Spectacled Eider]. This species was not reported during this period. Generally, at Gambell,
seeing them is basically a function of the time invested in seawatching vs. chasing other rare
land birds; however, there seemed to be none present this year. We do not know if they
migrated by the island earlier or had not yet begun to pass. Due to the dominate north winds,
the later seems more likely. A most unusual year for this species!

King Eider. This species was seen regularly most days at seawatch during the period;
however, the numbers seemed much lower compared to previous years, likely due to the
prevailing north winds.

Common Eider. Flocks of Common Eiders were seen most days throughout the period. This
species seemed more common to me than previous years.

Harlequin Duck. This species was seen on a majority of the days, but only in small numbers;
down from previous years.

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White-winged Scoter. We saw small flocks on three separate days. On 5/31, a male flew past
sea watch that appeared to be totally jet black (with no brown on the sides) indicating a likely
“Far Eastern” White-winged Scoter (M. d. stejnegeri), which has been recorded a handful of
times from Gambell. This is a possible candidate for a future split.

Black Scoter. Small flocks were seen at seawatch, on South Lake, and on the water off of West
Beach.

Long-tailed Duck. Common and in large numbers.

Red-breasted Merganser. Seen in small numbers on three days at South Lake and at
seawatch.

Loons (general): Loon passed the point during our

stay in relatively small numbers this year, likely due
to the north wind conditions.

Red-throated Loon. Only one was observed by

our group this year, on 5/31.

Arctic Loon. Our first Arctic Loon was seen on

5/30. Several more birds were seen by our group
on 5/31 and 6/1. Total numbers were small this
year during our stay, again likely due to the north
winds.
Yellow-billed Loon at seawatch. Photo by
Pacific Loon. The most common loon at seawatch, Steven Bullock.
seen daily.

Yellow-billed Loon. Numbers were also low this year, certainly due to the winds. Our first was
on 5/29 and several more were seen on the last three days.

Northern Fulmars. This species was common at seawatch daily.

Pelagic Cormorant. Present daily.

Rough-legged Hawk. A pair was attending a nest at the upper reaches of the mountain.

Falcons. A Merlin was reported by other groups. A Peregrine was recorded on 5/30 and 6/1.

Sandhill Crane. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes were seen on a majority most days either as fly-bys,
at the point, or over Troutman Lake.

Pacific Golden Plover. We found this species in the near boneyard and at the south end of the
boatyard in small flocks of up to three or four birds on four separate days.

Common Ringed Plover. We saw our first bird on 5/29 and another on 5/30. Other group(s)
also reported the species on 5/31. Single birds were being “harassed” by Semipalmated
Plovers; perhaps not a good omen for the species at Gambell (?)

Semipalmated Plover. This species was seen most days at various locations.

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Gray-tailed Tattler. A cooperative single bird
was found at the south end of Troutman Lake
on 5/29. The bird was seen again on 5/30
through 6/1 at the south Marsh.

Wood Sandpiper. One bird was present in the

near marsh when we arrived on 5/28.

Whimbrel. A single American (hudsonicus) flew

by the point on 5/30.

Great Knot. A single bird was found on 6/1 on

the dry flats at the south end of Troutman Lake.
The bird was cooperative and all birders on the
island got great looks. Gray-tailed Tattler at the culvert 5/29. Photo by Phil
Davis.
Western Sandpiper. This species was seen
daily at various locations, many were
displaying.

Red-necked Stint. A cooperative pale (fresh)

breeding plumage bird was found in the near
bone yard on 5/31. Another bright (worn) bird
was found the next day at the ponds at the
south end of Troutman Lake. (Pale birds such
as this sometimes are confused with Little
Stints.)

Pectoral Sandpiper. A few birds were seen

mostly around the far marsh on 5/28 - 29. Wood Sandpiper at the Near Marsh 5/28. Photo by
Paul Cozza.
Rock Sandpiper. This species was seen every
day at various locations. Courtship behavior
and singing was observed daily. This is the
“Bering Sea” subspecies (tschuktschorum)
which is visibly different from the Pribilof’s form.

Dunlin. This species was also seen displaying

and singing daily at various locations.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Birds were seen at the

south marsh on three different days.

Wilson’s Snipe. One bird was flushed on 5/30

at the south marsh. [Common Snipe have also
been recorded on the island during previous Red-neck Stint in fresh (pale) breeding plumage at the
years.] Near Boneyard 5/31. Photo by Paul Cozza.

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Red-necked Phalarope. Birds were seen daily at
various locations. Some were very cooperative
for photography.

Red Phalarope. A single bird, the first of the

season, was seen on 5/29 at the southern Rocky
Point.

Black-headed Gull. Once adult was seen sitting

in the water at the point on 5/31.

Boneparte’s Gull. Reported by one observer on

5/29.
Red-necked Phalarope at the Culvert. Photo by
Paul Cozza.
“Vega” Herring Gull. This taxon (“Siberian Gull”)
was seen daily and is a candidate for a split from
the “American Herring Gull” since it is more
closely related to the other Siberian species
rather than the North American smithsonianus.

Slaty-backed Gull. Several birds of various ages

were seen on or around the ice at seawatch on
most days.

Glaucous-winged Gull. A few variously aged

birds were observed on several days.

Glaucous Gull. These were the most common

gulls around the island. Red Phalarope at the southern rocky point 5/29.
Photo by Paul Cozza.
Sabine’s Gull. Reported by one observer on 5/31.

Black-legged Kittiwake. This species was commonly seen. In addition to adults, first-year birds
were also occasionally seen.

Ivory Gull. Birds were reported on most days

during our stay by various birders; however, our
two sightings of this species were on 5/30 and 31.
One bird was seen the first day and two on the
second day. Generally the birds were seen
perched on the ice floes or flying by the Point.
The continued hunting of seal and walrus by the
locals and the presence of north winds and shore
ice certainly contributed to these continued
sightings since they were first reported in early
May.

Jaegers. Jaegers were present in small numbers.

The expected northerly migration of Pomarine
Jaegers was not observed in huge numbers this Ivory Gull off West Beach 5/30. Photo by Phil
year during our stay (likely due to the wind Davis.

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conditions), however, we did see a few medium-sized flocks. Parasitics were seen daily. A
handful of Long-taileds were seen from the Point or on the tundra at the South Lake.

Seabirds – General. Conditions varied during various trip to the point. One evening, I went
back out to the point after our group turned in and was treated the possibly the largest number
of auklets I have ever witnessed during a seawatch period in all of my eleven trips to Gambell.
Birds were “pouring” out from behind the mountain and forming into flocks. The procession
pasted by for the entire 90 minutes that I was present. I estimate that at least a million, mostly
Crested Auklets but also Leasts, were moving from the back side of the cliffs probably to
feeding areas to the south. It was incredible!

Mixed flock of Tufted Pufffins and Thick-billed Murres passing the Point. Photo by Phil Davis.

Dovekie. On 5/28 we found one bird flying around the point at seawatch. The next day we
found seven birds on the side of the mountain near the “usual” location.

Murres. Both Common and Thick-billed were seen daily, affording good opportunities to study
their differences.

Guillemots. A few Black Guillemots were seen early during our stay. One 5/31 one bird was
sitting in the water off the point, affording good looks to all. Pigeons were seen in large numbers
early during our stay both from the point and at the cliffs.

Auklets. All three species (Parakeet, Least, and Crested) were seen daily at seawatch and on
the side of the mountain.

Parkaeet Auklets in flight at the Point. Photo by Phil Davis. Crested Auklet on the cliffs. Photo by Paul Cozza.

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Puffin. Both species (Horned and Tufted) were seen from seawatch daily.

Snowy Owl. Two different birds were seen on 5/29 and 30 on the hills at the south end of the
Troutman Lake. An interesting territorial (?) interaction was witnessed between one of the owls
and a raven.

Common Raven. A pair was nesting at the top of the mountain.

Barn Swallow. A single bird of the Asian subspecies rustica was seen on 5/28-29.

Northern Wheatear. A single male was seen on 5/28 and 59.

Gray-cheeked Thrush. Several of this trans-Beringian species were seen during the period.

Hermit Thrush. A single bird was present on 5/31.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail. A bird was singing and displaying around the far and circular
boneyard from 5/31 through the end of our stay. Other birds were seen at other locations, such
as at the berms at the south end.

White Wagtail. This species was reported on several days but was elusive for our group.
However, on 6/1, we saw a single bird at the edge of a snow field at the base of the mountain, in
a location were this species had been reported earlier. Subsequently, on the same day, we
witnessed a single bird appear to arrive from Russia, land briefly on the ice blocks at the point,
and then hop up onto the gravel to give everyone a good look. Next, the bird flew into the dump
and then into the septic ponds (where we had checked for that species there several times a
day!). Everyone finally got good looks.

Red-throated Pipit. A cooperative bird was seen on 5/30 in the circular boneyard. Flyovers
were heard on other days or were observed by others.

American Pipit. A pink-legged, white-underparts, heavily-streaked American Pipit of the

Siberian japonicus subspecies (an excellent candidate for a future split) was seen on 5/29 on
the hillside above the far boneyard. Other American Pipits of the pacificus subspecies were also
present.

Lapland Longspur. This is the most abundant passerine around Gambell. Males were
displaying and singing.

Snow Bunting. This is the second most abundant passerine around Gambell. Males were also
displaying and singing.

[McKay’s Bunting]. We did not positively identify any McKay’s; however, an interesting
[probably] hybrid was seen along the mountain road near the Hawfinch sighting.

Redpolls. This year, redpolls were all but non-existent; with a few elusive single birds mostly
heard as flybys. A Common was present in the near boneyard during the early days of our stay.
Hoarys were reported by other once in the boatyard, but we did not relocate them. This was the
most unusual year for redpolls in all of my trips; generally Hoarys are somewhat common.

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Hawfinch. A female was seen by
everyone on 5/29 above the mountain
road.

7. Misses. As noted, we did not find any

Spectacled Eiders during our times at
seawatch. No Lesser Sand Plovers
were found. Common Sandpipers which
had been somewhat regular for several
years have not been recorded for the
past several years. In spite of the Great
Knot, shorebird misses included Long-
toed Stint; this was the first year we
have missed this species in many years.
Ross’s Gulls are always hoped for, but
are not found regularly. No murrelets Female Hawfinch along the Mountain Road 5/29. Photo by Paul
were found. Sky Larks had been found Cozza.
the past two years, but not this spring.
No Bluethroats were found by our Gambell 2 group, although they were reported the previous
week and later by others. Eyebrowed Thrushes have not been seen by us for the past several
years. No Bramblings were seen this year, which are almost annual at Gambell.

Earlier Reports. At least 12 Ivory Gulls were present earlier in May along with three Bean
Geese [B Benter and E Clark]. One Bean Goose flew by the point only two days before we
arrived [F Davis and P Lehman]. Ruffs were reported earlier; Bluethroats appeared to have
mostly passed through earlier; and a few McKay’s Buntings were also seen earlier [P. Lehman].

Later Reports. A Temminck’s Stint was found on 7 Jun [P Lehman]. Other later highlights
include some Spectacled Eiders (finally!), Bristle-thighed Curlew, Kamchatak Mew Gull, a few
more Bluethroats, some Wheatears, some Red-throated Pipits, and an Arctic Warbler [P
Lehman].

The White-tailed Eagle Saga. About three hours after we left this island on 6/2, a group of
independent birders at the southern rocky point,
observed a White-tailed Eagle soaring above them,
in the foggy conditions, heading north toward the
mountain. They passed the word via radio and the
WBA group (Dittick and Huntington) got on the bird
through a hole in the cloud cover. Identifiable
photographs were taken. The WINGS group was
eating a late lunch (around 2 pm), they dropped
their food and took off for the bird. Some of their
group did see it. Timing is everything!!!

8. Mammals. Mammals observed include several

Gray Whales (some feeding only 50 feet off of the
Point!), Orca, Pacific Walrus, Arctic Fox, Arctic
Ground Squirrel, Saint Lawrence Island Collared
Lemmings, and Red-backed Voles.
Baby walrus heads fermenting -- the brains to be
served later as a Gambell delicacy. Yum, yum! Photo
by Trish Schumacher.

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