Top of the World!
Our post tour extension to Barrow was superlative, even if the ocean was still locked up with solid sea ice. Eiders were a bit thin on the ground, perhaps due to the lack of open ocean but we eventually tracked down excellent views of King, Steller’s and Spectacled Eiders. A beautiful starch-white Snowy Owl was hanging around town, although it seemed reluctant to provide the customary close views, and all three jaegers (here a lovely dark morph adult Parasitic) were hunting along the road edges.
We especially enjoyed the amazing array of birds in their breeding habitats including the always popular Pectoral, Long-billed Dowitchers, our only Red-necked Stint of the trip, lots of handsome Red Phalaropes, roadside pairs of Long-tailed Ducks and even a lovely visiting species from the east; three stunning male Ruffs in their breeding finery. Seeing the silver and black and red and black males strutting around and foraging within meters of our admiring eyes was a great way to cap off our tour through this magnificent state!
