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Page 159
P.DeBenedictis 1965 Pluvialis dominica 6 July Barrow, Alaska - found a four-egg nest along NEST 3 Eloon lagoon. As with the nest seen yesterday, the attending bird arose from the nest, went off about a foot and began calling an excited "kulee" note, and walked slowly, directly away from the nest. When I got near the nest I once went in to the tail down crouch posture. In spite of all the yelling it did, no 2nd bird appeared. Another pair was near the CREEK shock. There were two small groups totaling about 20 birds along the E side Central Marsh and a large group, mixed with Dowitchers at the SW end of the Marsh; they behaved as yesterday, but frequently bursts of "wee kit kit wee" type song were heard by birdson. On the ground, often as they entered a group. The posture I called "alarm" is also frequently assumed by birds looking for food and may indicate only a state of "tension" or anxiety; the two might better be called "alert" - "thick necked" and "alarm" - thin necked. One group along the W side of the marsh got up and circled the Marsh several times, splitting into 2 groups until a fork of Oldsquaw flew across the marsh; the plovers joined the quickest disappeared to its east, although I suspect they landed in Holmes' Mear rather than emigrated. 7 July There were about 6 birds loosely spread out over Micronet Marsh feeding in wet areas; one gave the quid with the "kit" syllable; and about 10 in the polyurized area resting silently, E of Micronet Marsh in DAH.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Charadrius Mongolicus 30 June Barrow, Alaska ~ found a single plover out in central marsh which I could not recognize. It was 1st seen on a ridge out in the marsh in fair light and when I got to about 80 feet away it got up and flew to the Beach Ridge and landed on a table where I could see it against a dark bare ground; as I approached it jumped up and landed with a group of Golden Plovers and I could see it against the sky; when I approached further it got up and flew out into the marsh where I lost it. I never got closer than about 80-100 feet. It was clearly a plover, smaller than a Golden (larger than a Semipalmated (about the size of a Pintail)), and its bill was proportionally the same size as a Golden Plover and appeared thin. Basically it was uniform dark sandy brown or grayish-brown and ventrally it was white except for a dull buffy-gray band across the breast, wider on the sides than medially. It had a black line through the eye but I didn't notice any other markings; in flight it showed a fairly strong, slant wing stripe and the sides of its tail (outer rectrices) were lighter than the centers of the tail; the rump was apparently somewhat lighter than the back so it looked white-rumped the 1st but not the other 2 times I saw fly. The only call I heard was a roll rather like the display note of a Dowitcher. Went back in the afternoon to try and get it but Dr. P. Telka missed; it is only slightly larger than a Phalarope and the breast band appeared buffier; its bill was black, as noted in the am, and its legs also appeared to be black.
Page 247
P. De Benedichis 1965 Calidris pusilla 30 June Barrow, Alaska - or in from over the Beach Ridge. The birds stayed in rather disturbed areas and associated beachably with Rufous-necked and Western Sandpipers. I didn't check all nests and no change in these cheched - didn't see as many this time as yesterday. 1 July found 2 additional nests and discovered Birds Nest NEST 11-14 2 = Semipal Vest 14! No change in any nest in the E part of the Barrow area, all attended; the 15 two nests (3+6) only have single birds near them and I can't find this note; only one at 14 and 13, Nest 15 pairs at 12 and 13. McLean found another nest near 14, which I had been aware of earlier - and there are still birds to come! 2 July. The small group is still present in Central Barrow, probably in about the same numbers as June 30, but there was not as completely checked. I checked all the nests (except 5) in this area from the pub to Mirenet, seeing McLean's NEST 16 West and finding one more - they are not many to go now! There were enough Js to account for all nests except Nest 3, which seems to be occupied by a lone f. The situation around Nests 11-15 is confused as there sometimes appear to be too many Js. The males now often arise up as if to give this flight song but instead fly silently around (? the periphery of their territories). In this area there is not so much wandering as I had thought but the territories are large and it is easy to confuse pairs; never saw more than 3 together. Here were the above confusion was noted. Some birds sit very tight
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P. De Benedictis 1965 Calidris pusillus 7 July Barrow, Alaska - number at any of the nests. There was a lone, extra bird (♀) between Nests 16+5, and extra ♂ between 4+5 and 15 and 12. Additional a flock of 9 flew in from Fresh Lake directly over Nest 5 (receiving no challenge) and landed in the uncropped area between Baird Posts 1 and 6; and at least 4 birds were present with 20 feet of Nests 15; one of these birds was challenged by a member of the pair (given a double wing-swing-up) but after this they were tolerated. This group plus a group of 3 seen in the weasel tracks going to the USGS shack were in company with 4 Pectorals. Two displays were heard and 3♂s were seen around nests 12+15 but otherwise they were fairly quiet. When nesting birds are flushed they often give a, slump, rough "tscherk" or "tscherek." When I disturbed the ♂ off nest 15 a jaeger which was attacking me saw her in the distraction display and flew down & tried to catch her; that particular would get up and fly only far enough to avoid the jaeger. The situation is but less complicated in the North Anna. I checked all the nests; saw no birds at Nest 2, one at Nests 1, 7, 9, 17 and 20, all of which were believed to be ♂s, and single ♂ (by song) at nests 10 and 18. Pairs were noted at 8 and 19, but at least they were only loosely associated. Additionally a group of 3♂s and a ♀ was seen between Nest 7-8 and 18, and a ♂ was seen west of Nest 7 across the weasel tracks. The bird on Nest 9 flew in to the nest from the head of the small streamlet near that nest. The ♂ at nest 19 displayed frequently
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P. De Benedich's 1965 Calidris pusillus 7 July Barrow, Alaska - as did males in the early spring, leading me to suspect it was of a recently established pair. The whole picture was complicated because it + another (2 others, one the 07/Post 8) P displayed together (to each other) on several occasions, and a 1P aerial display was seen on one occasion. See July 4. These "upstart Ps" have greatly troubled the 07 to Nest 8; a suspicious P was seen on the ground, in an alkit post- we, then it went into a tuill given the tail up and walked forward. The tuill, low of pitch and volume continued; the P went into a groy area and went into a nest up posture, the tail up, wings closed and heart to its ground, but no turning, then rose and continued the tuill. After a short time it stopped, then after an interval and hovered 8-12 feet up giving the "moto- boat" song for about 30 seconds, landed and went into the tail up and worked to Nest 8, trilling occa- sionally (once ½ ft from the nest) and sat. The whole procedure was done about 20 feet from the nest & the P was 10 feet away on the other side of the nest, 30 ft. from the P, and gave the short wildious tuill anxious birds after give. The nest contained 4 eggs when found June 27, and I am at a loss to explain all this, other than it must be worked by by the other birds in the area. July 8 A flock of at least 8 birds still in the area around 07/1-8 and a little display noted although I suspect the heavy wind depressed it quite a bit. Nest 20 still has 3 eggs but nest 19 has 3 too well, much
Page 351
P. DeBenedictis 1965 Calidris puscicollis 25 June Barrow, Alaska - a single bird was seen in a high polygonized area giving a low flight display and then landed and fell. A pair was watched for some time across the gas line W of the Neul of gasoline ridge. When 1st seen the 7 was chasing a dunlin and 3X gave a wing up (one wing only) when its dunlin came near. Sometimes the associated 7 was involved in the chase. Later a male flew up into the air to a height of 40 to 60 feet and hovered for 15 to 20 seconds giving a still wing beat, the head level forward, the tail opened & level, the wing beat rapid and bluny [illegible], and at the beginning of its (1 1/4 sec) call "po-oit po-oit po-oit po-oit po-oit wee-zit wee-zit" the 'po-oit' note low and rough and the 'wee-zit' high pitched and buzzy; then it flew down (landing near a 2nd bird, going into a "grouse posture" and running at the head (in small circles) of the 2nd bird, calling "po-oit po-oit po-oit" as it landed; otherwise it appeared to be silent. The grouse posture was main- tained for 2-3 seconds, when the 2nd bird flew off, shortly after which the 7 flew as well. Shortly after this I flushed the 7 which landed on a low-polygon ridge. The 7 about 15 feet away got up and flew over calling "pz-wee-zit pz-wee-zit po-oit it..." and landed and went into the "grouse posture" running at and around the 2 for 3-5 seconds, continuing the call "...po-oit it po-oit it 22222222" the buzz very soft and the grouse posture lasting longer than the call, and
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Calidris pavidil 28 June Barrow, Alaska - found a nest with one egg NEST 2 on a levee grassy area. The nest was in low grass (=C. pusillus) and fairly well concealed. Saw a # of birds flying inland over dispersed area both in the morning and in the evening but couldn't find any but 2 (both of which appeared to be disturbed) feeding. The 1st nest we found was empty in the evening & no birds were in there. 29 June Barrow Alaska - saw a 4 egg nest in a grassy area on high polygonal ground at the end of gasoline Ridge. There are a few more pairs to be found but they are clearly not as common as they were age Semipals, (cyc.). They seem to prefer higher ground for feeding than do Semipals and feed in a similar way although remaining in one area for longer periods of time. Still have a little flight song although they were much less noisy today than compared to recent days. One was seen chasing a Semipal, usually giving a wing-up when it approached the water, and latter Semipal was seen chasing a Pavid's. In the evening birds in the Micronest Marsh area, although scarce, appeared to be quite notable [and Nest 2 had 2 eggs. = C. pusillus] 30 June One pair seen on the Beach Ridge and the rest in the area from Micronest to the Lab; no change in the nest & heard only one aerial display. 2 July Heard two aerial flight songs, both from mated or 2nd fall clutch. All the nests are accompanied by pairs and one new nest was found; no changes from yesterday
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P.D.Benedict's 1965 Calidris melanotos 28 June Barrow, Alaska - placed in tall dead grass and fairly well concealed. No distraction display and the 4 did not appear alarmed except when the jumped up. Saw one flying in over the Barrow area in the evening (02). The 4's present now are very pale and I have mistaken several for Baird's Sandpiper until I saw their yellow legs. None of the 4's seen today seemed very localized. 29 June The nest found yesterday has eggs now and the 4 went into a strong distraction display like C. pusillus in all aspects when I checked it. Birds near gasline Ridge and in the UOTH area but saw 18 chasing a flock of 4 females. There were males widely distributed today but heard very little booting; rather the birds flew silently with inflated throats or gave the snipe-like rasping calls; 4's still tend to be flushed and saw 2-3 small groups in the area of Klicomet Marsh; when I flushed a group of golden Plovers a few Pelecani got up and flew off with them, and birds seen were fairly restless. Chases seem between 4's were remarkably silent. 30 June This was the best day yet for the species so far as numbers go. The species was widely distributed but many individuals were still in flocks, which were of 4-10 birds in #. Although there was considerable chasing by 4's with the "garret" chopped choir was almost no booting; rather the rasping calls were the predominant ones heard. Flocks were usually one or only and when missed birds often appeared to be chasing others. On the ground the birds dispersed rather widely
Page 489
P. DeBenedictis 1965 Limnodromus scolopaceus 4 July Barrow, Alaska - the phrases being fast, low and nothing, almost staccato. Couldn't tell which was calling. There were about 45±5 birds in VOTH slough, mostly silent. The majority (80%) feed out in the stream or in pools, the remainder didn't feed or were in boggy-greasy- mud. The bill was only shallowly inserted into the ground. The "keek" note was the one most often given, but occasional segments "pl pl pl pl...." of the song were given, under uncertain circumstances. One group of about 20 was very flighty and kept jumping up and flying & landing again - they gave only the "keek" note. The rest were more slow and from these only were given the song phrases. A lone bird of this group was seen to get up and fly rapidly and strongly along the creek about 3 feet from the ground - 3 times it sidely twisted swipe like, rose 10-20 feet up and descended to the original level, continuing to twist as if it were being or were chasing; it finally landed along the creek and fed. It seemed to be a male. Two lone birds were seen, one W of Gasline Ridge & the other along Central Marsh, that allowed close approach. The only other seen were a group of 80±10 in the SE part of Central Marsh and 39 in the W-central part of the marsh. They acted much like those in VOTH slough, but were not so flighty and were associated with Golden Plowes. A ♀ was seen to chase a ♂ in a hunched posture similar to many Calidris, and a ♂ was seen to rise from a flock & fly towards another group giving a partial song, but nothing else happened.
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Limnodromus scolopaceus 23 June Neale River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska certainly have nests, but I can't tell where. In the center of a lake I was attracted by 2♂s surging a little and chasing a ♀. A male, then a 2nd pair formed and all settled landed and feed in an area 40 x 10 yards, Tagging close together. I saw the ends of 3 copulations and its probable, but unfinished start of a 4th. The ♂ mounted the ♀ and remained on her for 5 to 10 seconds, making little contact with the vent, usually at the end of the period. He did not group her head or nape at any time, but did lean back, tail down over her, as she crowded and raised his tail. In one case the male's wings were down (folded) and in the 2nd two attempts the wings were up and fully opened - almost straight over the bird, perhaps due to the wind. When the ♂ jumped off, he did not utter, but the ♀ flushed and shook her back on two occasions and noticing the 3rd time. They fed a short while - 10 to 15 sec - after this. Then rested quietly 1 to 2 minutes, and began feeding actively, close together. All copulations seen were preceded by a song, which I may have been given by a non-involved ♂, and the ♀ gave a soft call, "pleedee pleedah", when together. The probable starts to copulation began when the ♂ flew up and hovered over the ♀, legs dangling, like a phalarope, and sang "pleee deladalebo ple deladalebo ple deladalebo" 2-3 x, then landed in groups of dowitites, including 2♂s and his ♀.