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Gavin Bieber on his recently concluded tour to the Pribilof Islands, Alaska



September 21: Gavin Bieber on his recently concluded tour to the Pribilof Islands, Alaska

These beautiful islands, so verdant in the fall, showed off to great effect this year, with many a picturesque rainbow, and a really rich green color pallet. 

Although we were were largely under the influence of North and Northeast winds with frequent (and unseasonable) rain we were happy to see numbers of beautiful Sharp-tailed Sandpipers daily, with at least three Wood Sandpipers and a truly rare Solitary Sandpiper providing an excellent supporting cast. 


Handsome juvenile Sharp-tailed Sanpipers


A Pribilofs rarity - Solitary Sandpiper

The cliffs were quiet compared to the full swing of summer, but provided good opportunities for Tufted (and Horned) Puffin photograph, and with a bit of luck, even a chance at Northern Fulmars in flight.  The cute and globally very rare Red-legged Kittiwakes were still present in numbers, often with their rangier Black-legged cousins along for comparison. 


The elegant Tufted Puffin


A Bering Sea specialty, Red-legged Kittiwakes

Although we failed to locate any asian passerines this trip - the winds were from exactly the wrong direction for much of our stay - a first for the Pribilof Islands (301st species here!) in the form of a Purple Finch provided some consolation, and the numbers of mainland North American migrants were impressive.


A Pribilofs first - Purple Finch

Any trip to the Pribs in fall also features mammalian subjects, and the hundreds of thousands of Northern Fur Seal pups playing in the shallow waters of sheltered bays never fails to impress.  Can’t wait to see what next years trip brings in!


Young Northern Fur Seals at play

Posted: September 21, 2015