St.

Paul Island, Alaska

Spring 2009 Trip Report
May 21 – May 27, 2009

“Year of the Black-tailed Godwit”

by Phil Davis
Davidsonville, Maryland
High Lonesome BirdTours

1. Introduction. This year marked my thriteenth birding trip to western Alaska (previous
destinations included Attu, Adak, Gambell, and Nome) and my fourth trip to the Pribilof Islands.
This spring I led a group of three birders to St. Paul Island for a six-day trip for High Lonesome
BirdT ours. During our stay, we shared the island with another birding group, Wilderness Birding
Adventures [WBA] (Aaron Lang, leader) and several groups of independent birders. Our local
TDX guides and hosts were the trio of Scott Schuette (lead), Stephan Lorenz, and Sean
Hegarty.

Black-tailed Godwit at Polovina Wetlands, 23 May 2009. Photo by Phil Davis.

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2. The Weather and the Environment. NOAA charts of the St. Paul Island airport weather
conditions for the period 14 May (a week before our arrival) until a few days beyond our
departure date on 27 May are shown in figure 1, below.

Figure 1. Weather History for St. Paul (SNP): 14 May – 28 May 2009.

Winds. During the first three days of the week before arrived (14 – 17 May), the winds shifted
from the north to the east and then to the south. Beginning on 17 May the winds shifted from the
south to the southwest for two days and then to the west for two days. These winds brought in a
pulse of Asian birds that turned up the day before we arrived on the island. After our arrival, the
winds shifted to the east and southeast before going north for reminder of our tour. During our
time on the island, the winds at the airport averaged 13 mph; from a low of 0 mph to a sustained
high of 29 mph. Occasional gusts were recorded at the airport at 33 mph.

Temperatures. The temperature was mild, within normal ranges, during the period with an
average mean of 36 F; ranging from minimum of 27 F to a max of 51 F .

Precipitation. We experienced no measurable precipitation, at the airport, during our stay.

Snow Cover. When we arrived, the snow cover was minimal, with some snow banks and snow
cover in low areas. Pump House Lake was not easily circumnavigable due to snow drifts on the
back side.

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Lake Surfaces. Ponds and lakes were mostly open. Earlier in the spring the snows were heavy
and were the followed by relatively high temperatures which resulted in high lake and pond
water levels.

3. Staff and Clients. Our High Lonesome BirdT ours group included three clients from T exas,
Ohio, and British Columbia.

4. Arrivals and Departures. After a nice dinner at Orso in Anchorage on 21 May, our group
departed the next day from Anchorage on a Pen Air Saab 340B and refueled at Dillingham. Our
return to Anchorage on 27 May was non-stop in the Saab aircraft.

5. The Birding. Several vagrants arrived the day before we did and were still present when we
arrived and these were our first priorities to locate.

Western Alaskan specialties seen during our stay included Eurasian Wigeon, King Eider, Red-
faced Cormorant, Pacific Golden Plover, Rock Sandpiper, Vega Herring Gull, Slaty-backed Gull,
Red-legged Kittiwake, Ancient Murrelet, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, all three expected
auklets, both expected puffins, Northern Wheatear, and Hoary Redpoll.

Asian vagrants seen included Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper,
“Siberian” Whimbrel (subspecies), Black-tailed Godwit, Red-necked Stint, Common Snipe,
“Kamchatka” Mew Gull, Common Tern (longipennis subspecies), Eyebrowed Thrush, Dusky
Thrush, and Brambling. For those of us that keep St. Paul Island lists, it was nice to see the
return of a Bald Eagle, one that probably came over from St. George Island. We recorded a total
of 68 species during our six days on the island.

General. Each day, we were escorted to various birding locations in TDX vehicles (vans or
busses) and accompanied by one of the TDX guides. We took all three meals in the cafeteria of
the Trident Seafood Processing Plant.

Birding Areas. The birding areas we covered on the island included the locations and habitat
shown in figures 2 and 3.

Daily Highlights. On our first day (Fri 22 May), we immediately set out to chase the Dusky
Thrush in town but first we saw the Common Greenshank in Salt Lagoon. Then after cruising
around town briefly, we found the Dusky Thrush near the Seniors’ Center. Next, we found a
Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Common Snipe, and the two Common Terns
(longipennis ssp.) at the Little Polovina Lake.

On Sat 23 May, we found a adult Slaty-backed Gull at the town pond. At Ridge Wall, we saw a
nesting Red-legged Kittiwake and a small flock of four flyby Emperor Geese. After dinner, at Big
Polovina Lake we refound the Black-tailed Godwit.

The next day (Sun 24 May), we found four Emperor Geese (likely the same four) in the water at
North Point. After lunch, T olstoi Point afforded us great up close looks at nesting Red-faced
Cormorants. In the quarry, we found two Winter Wrens of the endemic subspecies. This was
also the day I dropped and broke my camera, so no photos were taken after this day!

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 Figure 2. St. Paul Island birding locations. Map courtesy of TDX Corporation.

On Mon 25 May, we found a Brambling at Reef Point and the recently arrived Bald Eagle near
town. After dinner, we found two Hoary Redpolls that appeared to be interested in nesting in a
bird house (!) immediately behind the town crab pots.

On our last full day (Tue 26 May), we watched a great procession of Red-legged Kittiwakes
flying by the Southwest Point sea watch. At Antoine Slough and Lake we found a Common
Greenshank. Later that day, the Brambling was still present at Reef Point. In the afternoon, we
chased a small “mystery” passerine on the hillside above Pump House Lake but were unable to
relocate it; however, we did flush and observe two Common Snipe. After dinner, at Northeast
Point, we found an Eyebrowed Thrush, a Northern Wheatear, two Slaty-backed Gulls, and two
more Common Snipe.

On our last morning (Wed 27 May), we (finally!) found two Ancient Murrelets in the harbor. Near
Marunick Pond, we saw two more Slaty-backed Gulls and another Common Snipe. In Salt
Lagoon, a Black-tailed Godwit was present. While we were waiting for our plane to arrive, Scott
took us to town to look at two Kamchatka Mew Gulls that were loafing in the harbor.

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 Figure 3. St. Paul Island birding habitats. Map courtesy of TDX Corporation.

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

6. Notable Species. Accounts of notable Asian, western Alaskan, Alaska mainland, and Saint
Paul Island, or other species of note are presented, below. (See separate Trip List for all
species seen.)

Emperor Goose. We first saw a flock of four flying by the cliffs at Ridge Wall on 23 May. The
next day, we found four (presumably the same four) on the water at North Point. Apparently this
flock of four birds had been circling the island since 19 May.

Cackling Goose. Two birds of the Aleutian form (B. h. leucopareia) were seen briefly and at a
distance at Northeast Point.

Eurasian Wigeon. One or two were seen most days at various locations.

Green-winged Teal. Both forms, the Eurasian “Common Teal” (A. c. crecca) and the American
Green-winged Teal (A. c. carolinensis) were seen at various locations daily. Most of the birds

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seen were of the Eurasian form. These two taxa have been split by the British and may be a
potential candidate for a future AOU split.

King Eider. Despite being the mascot of our hotel, we saw only a few small flocks on the water
at various locations on three separate days. A few adult males were in some of the flocks.

Harlequin Duck. Good numbers of this species were seen on all days. Quizzically, this species
is resident, but does not breed, on St. Paul Island.

Black Scoter. A good island species, a few were seen on the water on 24 May.

Northern Fulmars. This species was seen nesting on the High Cliffs and in flight on 25 and 26
May. This is the Pacific Fulmar (rodgersii subspecies) which has a dark tail and concolorus bill
and tubes, unlike the Atlantic Fulmar.

Red-faced Cormorant. This species

was seen daily and at especially close
range at Tolstoi Point on 24 May.

Pelagic Cormorant. A few birds were

seen on three separate days,
especially on the jetty at the harbor,
where they nest.

Bald Eagle. Beginning on 24 May,

after several years of absence, an
adult Bald Eagle was seen around the
island. Speculation is that it just
arrived from St. George Island, where
several pairs are known to nest.

Pacific Golden Plover. Two birds

were seen on 23 May on the eastern
side of the island.

Common Sandpiper. We found one

bird the first evening (22 May) at Little
Polovina Lake. Red-faced Cormorant at Tolstoi Point. 24 May 2009.
Photo by Phil Davis
Wandering Tattler. Birds were seen daily either at the edge of Salt Lagoon or on rocky shores.

Common Greenshank. One bird was seen our first

evening (22 May) in Salt Lagoon. Other sightings were on
25 and 26 May at Antone Slough. Up to 13 birds were
seen just prior to our arrival.

Wood Sandpiper. One bird was found our first evening

(22 May) at Little Polovina Lake.

Common Greenshank at Salt Lagoon.

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Whimbrel. On our last three days (25 - 27 May) up to three birds were seen at a time at various
locations, mostly in Salt Lagoon, but also at Northeast Point. All of the birds except one was of
the Asian subspecies, variegatus. The other individual was of the North American hudsonicus
subspecies.

Black-tailed Godwit. We found one bird on our second day (22 May) at the Polovina Wetlands,
where it afforded us close views. This was probably the same bird that was first found on 21
May. On 26 May, we found it (or another?) in Salt Lagoon and it was reported after we left until
1 Jun. Black-tailed Godwits reported in western Alaska are of the Asiatic melanuroides
subspecies.

Red-necked Stint. On 26 May, we found two different Red-necked Stints at the Polovina
Wetlands, close to the Black-tailed Godwit.

Rock Sandpiper. This

species was seen every
day at various
locations. Courtship
behavior and singing
was observed daily.
This is the Pribilof’s
subspecies,
ptilocnemis, which is
larger and paler with a
broader wing stripe
than the Bering Sea
subspecies that is
found on Gambell. It
also differs from the
cousei subspecies
found in the Aleutian
Islands.
Pribliof Rock Sandpipers. Photo by Phil Davis.
Common Snipe. Two birds were located our first evening at Little Polovina Lake and three
were found on 26 May; one near Marunick Pond and two at Pump House Lake.

Red-necked Phalarope. Birds were seen each day at various locations.

“Kamchatka” Mew Gull. On our last day, while we were waiting for our plane to arrive, Scott
located and took us to see two individuals (one adult and one subadult) loafing on the water at
the harbor.

“Vega” Herring Gull. Individuals were seen daily. Vega Gulls are darker mantled than
“American” Herring Gulls with wing patterns that are more similar to Slaty-backed Gulls and they
also have dark eyes.

Slaty-backed Gull. Adults were seen on 23 and 24 May at the town pond. Other birds were
seen on 25 May near Marunick Pond (3 birds) and 26 May at Northeast Point (3 birds, two
adults and 1 subadult).

Glaucous-winged Gull. Seen daily.

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Glaucous Gull. Common and present each day from our second day on.

Black-legged Kittiwake. This species was commonly seen. In addition to adults, some first-
year birds were also frequently seen. This is the Pacific Kittiwake ( pollicaris subspecies), which
is a larger bird whose bill size is larger than the Atlantic subspecies and also has more black on
the wingtips.

Red-legged Kittiwake. We found our first bird perched nesting on Ridge Wall on 23 May. We
found many more flying at the sea watch at Southwest Point, including a few first-year birds.

Common Tern (longipennis subspecies). We found two birds our first evening (22 May) at Little
Polovina Lake. Later (25 May), we found one bird at a different location. There are currently
three recognized subspecies of Common Tern in the world. The “Eastern” Common T ern
breeds in central Siberia east to Gulf of Anadyr and south to ne. China; winters in w. Pacific
south to Australia; straggler to w. Alaska. Compared to nominate subspecies found in the new
world and in Europe, its underparts are darker gray, with central 2 pairs of rectrices with paler
gray outer webs, wing longer, bill shorter, bill wholly black (some with reddish base), legs and
feet dark reddish brown to black in breeding adults. Mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment
profiles of birds from Kamchatka ( S. h. longipennis) and Louisiana (S. h. hirundo) had
nucleotide divergence of 0.0075, a level of differentiation usually interpreted as between
populations and species. Therefore, this taxon is an excellent candidate for a future split.

Parasitic Jaeger. Single dark morph birds were seen on 22 and 25 May.

Murres. Both Common and Thick-billed were seen daily, affording good opportunities to study
their differences on the cliffs at Reef Cliffs and the Ridge Wall, with Thick-billeds being more
common.

Pigeon Guillemot. Single birds were seen on 23 and 25 May.

Ancient Murrelet. After looking all week, we finally found a pair in the harbor on 26 May.

Auklets. All three species (Parakeet, Least, and Crested)

were seen daily at sea watch and on the cliffs at various
locations.

Puffins. Horned and Tufted Puffins were seen daily. Horned

Puffins arrived at St. Paul Island one day before us.

Winter Wren. The endemic subspecies of Winter Wren

(alascensis) was found several days, but only in or around the
quarry, on 24-26 May.

Northern Wheatear. On 26 May one female was found at

Hutchinson Hill on Northeast Point.
Parakeet Auklets at Reef Wall
Eyebrowed Thrush. Also on 26 May, a male Eyebrowed Thrush was found at the “cut” at
Hutchins Hill on Northeast Point. This or another individual were seen at this location prior to our
arrival on 20 May and three more were seen starting the day after we departed on 26 May.
Others were also seen later at Zapadini Ravine and Webster Lake.

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Dusky Thrush. A male of the eunomus
subspecies was relocated in town around the
Seniors’ Center on our first afternoon (22 May)
after having been first found nearby that same
morning next to the Post Office.

Lapland Longspur. The most abundant

passerine on St. Paul Island; males were
displaying and singing daily.

Snow Bunting. We found our first one at the

Hillside on 23 May and then a number later in the
quarry.

Dusky Thrush near the Seniors’ Center. Phil Davis.

Brambling. We found an adult male at Reef Point on 25 May and then relocated it the next day.

Gray-crowned Rosy-finch. This ubiquitous species (the “House Sparrow of St. Paul”) was
seen at many locations, especially around buildings. This taxon is the umbrina subspecies that
is unique to the Pribilof Islands. With the increased use of DNA analysis for phylogenetic
determination, indigenous subspecies are always worth watching for potential splits.

Hoary Redpoll. Two birds were seen behind the crab pots on 25 May showing interest in
nesting a bird house. Other redpolls were heard flying over the next two days.

6. Misses.
This year, we did not find any Bar-tailed Godwits (which arrived after we left, with up to 12 birds
at once at Salt Lagoon the following week).

Other species of note, seen after our departure, included the following:

28 May: Multiple Rustic Buntings at Antone Slough and other locations throughout the following
week
29 May: Taiga Flycatcher at Hutchinson Hill (for only a few hours).
1 Jun: Bristle-thighed Curlew fed along the side of Ridge Wall Hill.
1 Jun: Red-throated Pipit at Ridge Wall.
2 Jun: Black-headed Gull flew over the harbor.
3 Jun: Black-tailed Gull at Marunich Pond.
5 Jun: Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Salt Lagoon.
10 Jun: Bluethroat at Marunich Pond.
14 Jun: Ruff (brown male) at Tonki Point wetlands.
14 Jun: Northern House Martin, identified by photos taken by USFWS personnel on Otter
Island, only 8 mi south of St. Paul Island.

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7. Mammals. Species seen during our stay included: Arctic Fox, Northern Fur Seal, Harbor
Seal, and the island Reindeer herd of ~300 animals to the north of the Ridge Wall on 26 May.

Northern Fur Seal at Reef Point. Phil Davis.

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