Gambell, Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska

“Gambell 2”
Trip Report
May 27 – June 3, 2009

“Year of the Rustic Bunting”

by Phil Davis
Davidsonville, Maryland
High Lonesome BirdTours

1. Introduction. This year marked my thirteenth birding to western Alaska and eleventh trip to
Gambell, This year, prior to Gambell, I first led a group to St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands for a
six-day tour (see separate report). On Gambell, I served as a birding leader for the High
Lonesome BirdT ours second (“Gambell 2”) six-day spring trip. After a nice dinner at Orso the
night before, I arrived at Gambell from Anchorage, via Nome, with our clients the early afternoon
of 28 May. Our group and staff departed Gambell on 3 Jun. During this 6-day period, we shared
the island with other birding groups, including Wilderness Birding Adventures [WBA] (leaders
Bob Dittrick and James Huntington); WINGS (leader Jon Dunn); and NatureScape Tours (leader
Kim Risen), and several independent birders. For those of you that are following the saga, I
replace my DSLR camera that I broke on St. Paul with an All-in-One superzoom (24x optical)
that I purchased in Anchorage between trips (very different techniques!)

Rustic Bunting (female) in the far boneyard at Gambell. Photo by Phil Davis.

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2. The Weather and the Environment. NOAA charts of weather conditions for the period 20
May (a week before our arrival) though 5 Jun (two days after our departure) are shown, below.

Weather History for Gambell (GAM): 20 May – 04 Jun 2009.

Temperatures. In general, the temperature was typical and rather mild (for Gambell). The
temperature at the airport during our stay ranged from a low of 24 F to a high of 39 F . The daily
averages during our stay were a low of 31 F and a high of 37 F.

Winds. Southwest winds blew for the three days prior to our arrival, contributing to presence of
several Asia birds that greeted us on our arrival. During our “Gambell 2” trip, the winds generally
blew from the north for the first day (28 May), the northwest on the second day (29 May), and
from the south gradually swinging around to the west on the third day (30 May). On the fourth
day (31 May), the winds shifted to the east, followed by the next three days of generally
southeast. Wind velocity was generally light, averaging around 10 mph on the first day and then
around 5 mph for the next two days. On 31 May, the sustained wind velocity began to increase
from around 5 mph to around 30 mph on 3 Jun, the day we left.

Visibility and Precipitation. Most of the period was clear with long-range visibility when the
winds were calm or light out of the west. The mountains of the Russian Chukota Peninsula were
visible on most days, except during foggy mornings and brief periods of reduced visibility. We
did experience snow showers on our first day (28 May). On 1 -2 Jun we had some light rain.

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Snow Cover. When our Gambell 2 group arrived, there was considerable snow cover left on the
ground where the snow had drifted; however, the boneyards were mostly clear.

Lake Ice. Troutman Lake was totally frozen upon our arrival and thawed only at the south end
during the period. South Lake was basically open the entire time. The northeast and south
marshes were also open the entire time. The roadside gravel ponds at the south end of
Troutman Lake were mostly frozen during the period; however, the shallow ponds in the
vegetated areas were open.

Bering Sea Ice. Drift sea ice was present during much of our visit. The westerly winds, although
light, and sea currents kept the west beach packed with ice for a large portion of the time
inhibiting seabirds from passing close to the point. Later in the week, the ice moved offshore,
improving sea watch. Shore-fast ice was very heavy. The locals hunted seals on the nearby drift
ice.

3. Staff and Clients. Our Gambell-2 tour included ten clients. Our leaders were: Dave MacKay
(Sonora, Mexico), Phil Davis (Davidsonville, Maryland), and executive chef, Jennifer MacKay
(Sonora, Mexico). Our clients were from Texas, Ohio, Montana, Virginia, North Carolina,
Ontario, and British Columbia. Four clients extended over from our “Gambell 1” tour.

4. Arrivals and Departures. All of our arrivals and departures were on-time this year.

5. The Birding. “Good” westerly winds preceded our arrival and brought a variety of Asian
vagrants for the High Lonesome BirdT ours “Gambell 1” tour. A few lingered, but a number of the
“megas” had departed prior to our “Gambell 2” arrival. The shore ice impacted and impeded sea
watch, especially during the first days of our tour, but then the ice moved out somewhat and
birds began flying more closely to the point.

Western Alaskan Specialties and Asian Vagrants. During our “Gambell 2” tours, 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, Red-necked
Stint, Rock Sandpiper, Vega Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, all three jaegers, Dovekie (a Gambell
specialty for the Bering Sea), all three expected auklets (Parakeet, Least, and Crested), both
puffins (Horned and Tufted), Bluethroat, Northern Wheatear, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White
Wagtail, Red-throated Pipit. Asian vagrants included the Far Eastern subspecies of the White-
winged Scoter, Wood Sandpiper, Eyebrowed Thrush, Rustic Bunting, and Brambling. We
recorded a total of 68 species during our six days on the island, four less than last year’s
“Gambell 2” tour.

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” or “the
point”), the cliffs, the north and west beaches, the boat yard, the walrus “pull out area”, “old
town”, the 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 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).

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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.

Emperor Goose. We saw flocks of four flyby at sea watch on both 28 and 29 May.

Snow Goose. A single bird was seen on 29 May at sea watch.

“Black” Brant. This species was seen most days in small numbers.

Tundra Swan. Three birds were seen heading toward Russia 28 May and single bird was seen
flying overhead on 1 Jun.

Northern Pintail. Seen commonly at the northeast marsh, far marsh, on South Lake, and even
from seawatch.

Green-winged Teal. This year, only Eurasian “Common” Green-winged Teal (A. c. creca) were
observed at the northeast marsh on 29 May.

Steller’s Eider. This species was seen only in low numbers this year. A flock of three birds was
seen at the cove down near Oonyik Point on 1 Jun and a flyby flock of seven birds afforded
good looks at the point on 2 Jun.

[Spectacled Eider]. This species was not observed by us during this period; however at least
one was seen by others on 31 May. Generally, at Gambell, seeing them is basically a function
of the time invested in sea watching vs. chasing other rare land birds; however, the numbers
were low this year. A number of birds were seen during our first High Lonesome BirdT ours
group so the species probably migrated earlier again this year. It appears that the first tour is
shaping up better for seeing 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 an earlier
migration and/or the icy conditions this year.

Common Eider. A few small flocks of Common Eiders were seen most days throughout the
period. A male was on the water at South Lake on 30 May.

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

White-winged Scoter. We saw small flocks on three separate days. On 1 Jun, six birds were
seen in the cove near Oonyik Point. One of the male birds observed was of the Asian “Far
Eastern” White-winged Scoter ( M. d. stejnegeri) subspecies, which has been recorded a handful
of times from Gambell and is a possible candidate for a future split. This subspecies has all
black sides (vs. brown sides of the North American subspecies) and a relatively larger bill knob
and a different color pattern on the bill.

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Black Scoter. A pair flew by the point on 1 Jun.

Long-tailed Duck. Common and in moderate numbers.

Red-breasted Merganser. Seen in small numbers on two days at sea watch.

Loons (general): Again this year, loons passed the point during our stay in relatively small
numbers, apparently due to the impact of the proximal sea ice, or perhaps indicating a later
migration this year.

Arctic Loon. Our first three Arctic Loons were seen on our first day (28 May). One more close
flyby was seen by our group at sea watch on 2 Jun.

Pacific Loon. This Only two birds of this species were seen from sea watch on 28 May and 1
Jun. This is an uncharacteristically low number.

Yellow-billed Loon. This year, we only saw one bird (!); a bird on the water on 2 Jun.

Red-necked Grebe. A pair was seen at South Lake on 29-30 May.

Northern Fulmars. This species was common at sea watch daily. This is the Pacific Fulmar
(rodgersii subspecies) which has a dark tail and concolorus bill and tubes, unlike the Atlantic
Fulmar.

Pelagic Cormorant. Present daily.

Rough-legged Hawk. At least one bird, observed on 30 May, seemed to be attending a

possible nest at the upper reaches of the mountain, on the central spire, similar to last year.

Sandhill Crane. A flock of five Sandhill Cranes was seen heading toward Russia on 30 May.

Pacific Golden Plover. We found only two birds this year on 29 May near South Lake.

Common Ringed Plover. This species is becoming more elusive at Gambell. This year two of
our clients were photographing birds at
the ponds at the south end of Troutman
Lake late in the evening of 29 May and
photographed a female. We searched
extensively the next morning and each
of the following days but did not relocate
it or find any other birds.

Semipalmated Plover. This species

was seen most days at various
locations.

Wandering Tattler. One bird was

present most days at various locations
around the Troutman Lake.

Wandering Tattler. Photo by Phil Davis.

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Common Greenshank. The High Lonesome “Gambell 1” tour
had this species. On our tour, we found a dead bird, shot in the
head, in the near boneyard on 29 May. The bird was preserved
by someone in another group and will be deposited in the
collection of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.

Wood Sandpiper. We had one bird on our first day, 28 May.

Ruddy Turnstone. Two birds flew by the point each day on 1

and 2 Jun.

Western Sandpiper. This species was seen daily at various

locations, mostly along the east side of Troutman Lake. Many
were vocalizing and displaying.

Common Greenshank specimen.

Red-necked Stint. Two cooperative birds were found at the culvert at the south end of
Troutman Lake on 28 May.

Red-necked Stint at the culvert. Photo by Phil Davis.

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Pectoral Sandpiper. A few birds were seen daily mostly around the far (south) marsh.

Rock Sandpiper. Birds were seen displaying and heard vocalizing daily at various locations.
This is the “Bering Sea” subspecies ( tschuktschorum) which is visibly different (smaller and
darker) from the Pribilof’s form.

Dunlin. This species was also seen displaying and singing daily at various locations daily.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Birds were seen at South Lake on 29 and 30 May.

Wilson’s Snipe. One bird was heard calling at the south marsh only on 29 May. This is a
location where one has also called during previous year. [Common Snipe have also been
recorded on the island during previous years and one was present during our Gambell 1 tour.]

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

Red-necked Phalarope (male). Photo by Phil Davis.

“Vega” Herring Gull. This taxon (“Siberian Gull”) was 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. Birds were seen on two days: a third cycle bird was seen at the point on 29
May and an adult was seen at the same location on 30 May.

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Glaucous-winged Gull. At least one subadult was seen from sea watch on 29 May.

Glaucous Gull. These were the most common gulls around the island.

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

[Ivory Gull.] We did not encounter any Ivory Gulls during Gambell 2; however, our first
“Gambell 1” tour did find them. Other groups did spot birds once or twice, but we were not in the
proper place to see them. We search each time in the direction that they had flown, but were
unsuccessful in relocating them. Last year was the “Year of the Ivory Gull” at Gambell. During
that “Gambell 2” stay, we saw several birds, at killer ranges, all week.

Jaegers. Jaegers were present in small numbers. The expected northerly migration of
Pomarine Jaegers was not observed in huge numbers this year during our stay; however, a few
birds were observed from sea watch. A few Long-taileds were seen from the Point or on the
tundra at the South Lake. Only one Parasitic Jaeger was seen on 2 Jun from sea watch.

Seabirds – General. Conditions were mostly clear and clam during most sea watch sessions,
with a few foggy mornings that later cleared up. However, drift ice was present until near the
end of our tour which seemed to push some seabirds out further as they flew between the
nesting cliffs and feeding grounds.

Dovekie. On 29 May we searched for and found two birds on the side of the mountain in the
general “usual” area. We searched again on 2 Jun and found them again.

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

Guillemots. Last year was the

year of the Black Guillemot; but
not so this year. A few birds
were seen flying by sea watch by
other groups; however, only one
bird was spotted by one of our
leaders, so we did not include it
on the trip list. Pigeon Guillemot
numbers seemed higher this
year and were seen daily both
from the point and at the cliffs.
Least Auklets on the mountainside. Photo by Phil Davis.
Auklets. All three species (Parakeet, Least, and Crested) were seen daily at seawatch (in flight
and on the water) and on the side of the mountain.

Puffins. Both species (Horned and Tufted) were seen from sea watch daily.

Short-eared Owl. One bird was seen near South Lake, flying north, on 30 May.

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Common Raven. Birds were seen or heard daily.

Bluethroat. Five different birds were observed and heard calling on 28 May. Two birds were
seen on 29 May and single birds were seen on 30 May and 2 Jun in the boneyards. This
species is generally quite “flighty” in migration and better views come from visits to Nome when
they are “on territory.”

Northern Wheatear. Four birds were present on 28 May, two on 29 May and 2 Jun and a single
bird on 3 Jun at various locations. Mostly in the boneyards.

Gray-cheeked Thrush. Several single birds of this trans-Beringian species were seen in the
boneyards seen during the period. We saw one well on 2 Jun on the hillside.

Eyebrowed Thrush. Single birds (or the same bird) were seen on 1 – 3 Jun on the hillside.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail. Birds were seen flying, calling, and occasionally singing at various
locations almost every day. None were seen perched, this year. This is another species were
the best looks are to had at Nome where birds are “on territory.”

White Wagtail. This species was present daily this year. Four were seen on 28 May, three on
29 May, and one or two on subsequent days. A pair was observed investigating the eves of the
teacher’s quarters where a pair had nesting a few years ago.

Red-throated Pipit. Birds were observed from 28 – 30 May at various locations, mostly in the
boneyards.

American Pipit. An American Pipit of the pacificus subspecies was present on 30 May.

Lapland Longspur. This is the most abundant

passerine around Gambell. Males were
displaying and singing.

Rustic Bunting. This was the bird of the trip

(for the “Gambell 2” tour). Multiple birds (both
male and female) were seen almost daily in
the far boneyard and the hillside. These birds
vocalized frequently, tipping off their location.

Snow Bunting. This is the second most

abundant passerine around Gambell. Males
were also displaying and singing.

Brambling. Males were found on 28 and 29

May in the boneyards.

Rustic Bunting (male) in the Far Boneyard at Gambell.

Photo by Phil Davis.

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Hoary Redpoll. This year, Hoary Redpolls were common. No Common Redpolls were identified
this year.

Hoary Redpoll in the far boneyard. Photo by Phil Davis.

7. Misses. A pair of Smew was present for our Gambell 1 tour, but had departed prior to our
arrival. See the species account, above, for comment on Spectacled Eider.
Lesser Sand-Plover has been found many years, but not this time. Common Sandpipers which
had been somewhat regular for several years have not been recorded for the past several
years; however, our Gambell 1 tour did have one, prior to our arrival. Shorebird misses included
Long-toed Stint; this was the third year we have missed this species in as many years. The
Green Sandpiper, found during the High Lonesome “Gambell 1” tour did not stay for our arrival.
This is one of the few years that we missed Gray-tailed Tattler despite closely searching the
lake shore for it. Ivory Gulls were present during our stay and were seen by others; however, we
did not happen to be in the right place at the right time to see any; despite them having been
seen on the Gambell 1 tour (see comments above in the species accounts). Ross’s Gulls are
always hoped for, but are not found regularly; they tend to visit the island very early, before any
birders are present. No murrelets were found. Sky Larks are sometimes found, and were seen
during Gambell 1; however, none were found during our tour. Stonechats are seen some years
and are always hoped for but none were located this year.

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8. Mammals. Marine mammals observed included Bearded Seal, Ringed Seal, two Pacific
Walrus, Gray Whales (some feeding only 50 yards off of the Point!), and a pod of at least six
Orcas attacking a baby Gray Whale about 300 yards off the point. Land mammals included
Arctic Ground Squirrel, Saint Lawrence Island Collared Lemming, and Red-backed Vole (no
Arctic Foxes were seen this year!).

Male Orca attacking a baby Gray Whale at NW Point, Gambell. Photo by Phil Davis.

9. Nome. Arriving at Nome from Gambell on our return, we

had a few hours to do a bit of birding. Notable species seen
included: Arctic Loon (one next to a Pacific Loon) at the
Safety Sound inlet, Emperor Geese (2) at the Nome River,
Sabine’s Gull at the inlet, and a young Grizzly Bear about 20
feet from our van along Council Road at Safety Sound. We
tried for but missed the Tufted Duck and Aleutian T erns.

Arctic Loon (L) and Pacific Loon (R) at Safety Sound, Nome.
Photo by Phil Davis.

Grizzly Bear at Safety Sound, Nome. Phil Davis.

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