Alaska Species Accounts, Part. 2, v4425

DeBenedictis, Paul A.
Unknown
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley
Original Source
Source Material:
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org

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P. De Benedictis 1965-1966 Alaska Species Accounts - Part 2 Birds: Laridae - Fringillidae Mammals
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P. De Benedictis 1965 - 1966 Alaska Species Accounts – Part 2 Birds: Laridae – Fringillidae Mammals
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P. De Bensdolte 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus June 8 Barrow, Alaska - almost all the birds seen today were well within the area by the old AFB radar installation remains. Most of the rest of the area is snow covered and scattered jaegers were seen sitting in the snow or behind the few tufts of soil present; a few flying low over the tundra, not more than 10 birds away from the AFB area. In the AFB are counted 23 birds in sight at once but I believe at least 10-15 more were present as there were at least 6 and probably 8 pairs of territorial birds in the area. Aerial fights were not common feet were seen regularly, and the wing up display was given by many birds on the ground as other flew over. Saw very little V-flying. Only one food chase and several of the birds were sitting on the ground. As we approached one Snowy Owl nest, the 3 flushed at about 30 feet distance. Immediately 3-5 jaegers descended on the nest and began to peck at the eggs, obviously eating the egg contents. At one time there were 3 jaegers at the nest, a 4th hovering over and a Glaucous Gull (which never got anything) nearby with at least 700-900 birds eventually got some egg material. 3 whole eggs were carried off (after they had been broken) and an additional large piece of shell was carried out of the nest, leaving 500 eggs behind. Dr. Pitselka and I stood 12-15 feet from the nest at one time and 3 jaegers landed nervously + repeatedly by the nest but would not get into it. After we left they returned only slowly to the nest area and did not appear to get any additional eggs; AFB = VOTH
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P.Benedicts,P 1965 Stereocarins Povanni 9 June Barrow, Alaska, cont. A jogger was struck by the J Owl, although Caitlin's tag had not been bothered. The jagers here are much whiter below and have less [illegible] on the wings than do most of the birds I have previously seen in Wollong Bay; Only saw 1 Black phase bird aid us "jud your" plumy. Saw 2 joggers eating ice and seen Snowy Owl for additional account of running feeding. 10 June. none about ATL area; all birds seen today were South+ cost of the Beach ridge. The 1st large concentration seen was 18 sitting on the snow in the SE part of the central marsh in a large area; about 10 territorial birds could be seen in the same area to the SW; there were scattering birds along the Beach Ridge and elsewhere in the Central Marsh and towards Elson lagoon from this area, again mostly apparently territorial birds. There was a group of about 12-17 birds on the N part to Wohlschlag Slough and a slightly smaller group (8-12) near Grant Point; about 8 additional birds were feeding or flight-displaying over Wohlschlag Slough. Saw only 1/2 melanistic birds and very few (2-3) aerial combats. 11 June Saw much territorial flight but no concentrations although 6-8 birds could be seen at one time; those are neither evenly spread out in the areas south of the Beech ridge.
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P. DeBevedilis 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 12 June Barrow, Alaska - birds were scattered and in Teni- torial flight over much of the tundra today. In the A.H. when chasing lemmings I grabbed one which Mullen didn't want and threw it out on the ice. It appeared to be shunned; eventually a jaeger came along, grabbed it and shook it well before eating the beast. In the afternoon no concentrations were seen except in the Voth area, where a group of 12 and another of 18 were seen resting on exposed grassy tundras; they were about 2/3 the standard # of jaegers flying around although many appear to be territorial. Saw 2 lemming fights, one involving two birds, only one of which got the lemming; the victor flew into the air and subdued the lemming in flight. Only saw 2 or 3 Black phoebe birds today. The concen- tration today clearly corresponded to the amount of exposed tundra. 13 June These were a little more conspicuous around the Barrow Area this morning and one black [illegible] was present. Along the Wiscle Family logoon no concentration noted but the # of birds flying about was higher than elsewhere. Saw several lemmings in the area and at least 3 lemming picks; one was followed by a fight and all the jaegers swallowed the lemming in the air. Saw a pair sit in an open area repeatedly attack a Pomogyrod, they dove at her, always peep on and were fairly
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 13June Barrow, Alaska noisy during the periods. The Fowl appeared to be snapping an arising claw to the jaegers; finally the conflict was ended when the jaegers quit. 14June. Numbers of jaegers flying over the Central Marsh & Beach ridge areas seem little changed from yesterday; we worked along the slope of Elson hoggon where the density of birds flying about 2/3 about 1/2 times that elsewhere. Much territorial flight seen and long ups given by birds on the ground; saw 2 or 3 leuunning kills and some aerial gulping; no other display behavior. Saw a jaeger continuously dive at a F Snowy Owl, which twice to claw the jaeger or the latter made its passes. Three large groups of jaegers on the ground were seen, the birds sitting very low in the snow, and in both cases consisting of two groups, with scattered individuals around. In the SE part of Central Marsh there were 56+ jaegers, in Wohlsholy Slope 41+ jaegers, and in Skpik Slope 70+ jaegers. as usual all these were only a few dark phase birds, not more than or 8 seen during the day. Saw one that I would all an "intermediate" phase today for the 1st time. 15June In the morning went out to Elson hoggon with D. Mullin, saw relatively few Jaegers. There was a group of about 15 on the flats at the Nend Houses' Marsh and a few oorking along the shore of Elson
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P. De Benedick 1965 Steneorannis pomarinus 15 June Barnes, Alaska Lagoon. Saw no birds but one bird in a posture that looked like a gull regurgitation posture. Only about 6-8 near the Barrel and about 2 black birds. 16 June Only 2 birds seen between ARL and the Beach ridge; At least 50 birds out on Central Marsh, feet the birds almost all on the snow and only 10-12 birds flying about in its morning. In the afternoon there was a group 33(2 Flocks 19414) of 27 in the SE part Central Marsh, a group of 44 in the SW side, and about 15 on Wolfskill Slopes. There was more fterger activity along Elson Lagoon than elsewhere in the area, and Central Marsh and the area W of Slip Beach Ridge was quiet. No change in display from yesterday: one leumming flights, The birds not entering the beach, seen. 17 June The largest group seen was 7 near the W side Family Lagoon on a patch of [illegible] tundra: There were a few scattered pairs flying about but numbers were below what is usually seen in the area between Family & S. Salt Lagoons. In the afternoon Hamilton walked up to a pair which protested his presence by circling and screaming at him; but no attack. We eventually found one egg in a depression (indented) in rolling tundra about 1/4 feet from a trough and in frozen soil. We were able to turn the nest with a yellow rod
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P. DeBenedetti 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 17 June Barrow, Alaska - marker and the East most pole of its areal complex in Barrow Village. The 2 settled on the nest soon after, we left, both otherwise stayed away from us. No special display seen otherwise. 18 June Saw one Copulation and patrol together. In the 1st the male remained mounted for 1-2 minutes but the pair seemed uncoordinated & the vents made contact only twice. Each time the male placed both wing tips on the ground, and after the 3rd time they separated. There were two groups, about 50 ± 30, on the S part of Central Marsh and a group of 15 on Fresh Lake today, and somewhat more territorial birds there yesterday although still below what was found before the last storm period. 19 June No concentration noted today. The nest from June 17 still contains 1 egg according to Hamilton and a second probable sitting I also seen. Watched the 2 of the 17 June nest fly in territorial boundary with a 2nd & the two going back and forth over a 100 foot area, turning in remarkable synchrony and on two occasions appearing to make a brief contact in air. One bird seen in a puddle was playing with what appeared to be an old shirt, picking it up and dropping it in to its water with its beak in quail-like fashion.
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P. De Benedetti 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus Stercoraria 20 June Barrow, Alaska - Saw one sham copulation. There were groups of 12-15 on S (one group) and 11 (2 groups) Salt hagoons in addition to territorial birds, and the nest found June 17 now contains 2 eggs. 21 June Nothing on B. Salt hagoon except about 60 near the opening in the ice, a bat about 35-40 on South Salt hagoon, all just sitting. No special behavior was seen other than territorial flights and the nest was not checked. 22 June Only a group of about 15 on S. Salt hagoon in the above area in addition to territorial birds; only sign of a nest is the 2 egg one above. In the evening went towards Elson hagoon: a group of ~40 out on Central Marsh and ~10-15 on Wohl Scholz + territorial birds. Found 4 nests 3 in 1 egg, 1 with 2 + Steve had found 2 1 egg and 1 2 egg nest in the same area. Saw one copulation. 23 June A group of about 40 birds on the S part of Family hagoon near an opening in the ice. 24 June No change in above area. See Pat. Jaeger. In the afternoon spotted a large group on Central marsh and counted 69 on the ground and at least 10 overhead. There were about 15 on the mouth of Wohlschlag Slough. Found 5+ nests today, 3 already marked and 2 not checked. I saw about 100 yards WSW of the Cull Foremost Point now contains 2 eggs (one or the 22nd) and the
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P. De Benedetti's 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 24 June Barrow, Alaska - two seen earlier (both with 2 eggs) early had the same while the new nests were both 1 egg nests. Saw no copulation and no fight. but much aerial display. Glaucous gull success- fully robbed jaegers of ternning on two occasions. None of the birds seem bombed me. One of its pairs have a black 8, the rest of the 5 pairs are all light birds. 25 June Still good numbers in Central Marsh, and widely distributed but not very active elsewhere. Not many on Family hagoon. Found a pair passing over a scape 6 feet west of a pole left over from last year. 26 June Saw birds in "regurgitation" postures on 2 occasions and believe they are casting pellets but couldn't verify this. Most nests now seem to contain 2 eggs. See Snowy Owl. Only about 1/2 as many on Central Marsh Now, due to the flooding there. 27 June Found 2 nests and saw 2 other s. thing 8's which we didn't check. The nest near Voth Slough had a black 8, and the nest in the NORTH area was observed by a 9 which repeatedly dove at me the feet dangling and yelling wildly. There are about 20 or so out in Fresh Lake and in S. Salt hagoon but do not seem to be the territorial birds that were present earlier. Found 3 sets of Pom. jaeger wings dissociated from bodies. 28 June A nest with 2 eggs near a pool in Miceonet Marsh: Some pairs don't seem to be settled yet. (see journal for today).
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P. D. Benedicts 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus June 24 Barrow, Alaska - found a nest with 1 egg in Bullton's area which I saw June 27 and found a shell that had been pecked open about 35 feet from this nest. There are at least 2 pairs here but the adults are very wary, settling on "dummy nests" and not being willing to play hot and cold with us when we approach the nest areas - perhaps they have not started. They are quite scarce around the lagoons by the hub and there do not seem to as many pairs even in the USNH area as I had expected would settle out; there are more in the areas where the non-breeding owls hang out but these areas are surrounded by pairs. Saw them harassing long-tailed on two occasions. June 30 Someone has recently been potting these birds in Central Marsh as 6-7 dead birds were seen. There are still 2-3 small groups out on the marsh as well as a few pairs; elsewhere this area is occupied by pairs which do not now appear to be filling the entire area occupied by breeding birds. Density, as yesterday, do not appear to be as high as they appeared at first they might become. July 2 Still small groups of birds out in Central Marsh settling along the edge of "pools". They are very inactive. Most of the birds that were hanging out around the lab are gone and one of the birds still present was giving the stiff-winged territorial flight. Still no sitting birds in this Miconet area.
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P. DeBenedichs 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 4 July Barrow, Alaska - found two new nests, both with eggs, new VOTH slough. The pair at the 1st nest attacked me viciously but the 2nd pair just flew off and left me. On 3 different occasions a 3rd Pomarine which was flying by all of assiduella made pass at my head, silently and usually from behind. When I am being hounded the jaegers always will stop to chase off an intruding bird. Density is very low. Found a egg shell, too broken to see the cause, in the Hotel area and another near the Gooline Ridge; I suspect they are wild eaten. Saw no groups of Pomarine anywhere. 5 July A group of gulls which peculiar near mines III was flying towards a jaeger, territory - a small group of gulls wandered off and one of these was attacked by the jaegers + quickly gave way; the main fork at the same time turned back. 6 July Checked 4 nests along Elson bayoon and found 2 eggs in all; at two I was attacked that 2 was left alone. I was attacked by lone birds on 4 diff. ocasions. Saw Poms, attacking Snowy Owl and L-Tail Jaegers today. 7 July Found a nest that McClean had marked previous by dAACS slough. It contained 1 egg. The parents followed me around and when I check a semi-pal. nest as I swooped down at the 3rd which was giving a distraction display, and tried to catch it. It was no far from a Pectoral nest & 9 Pectoral came up,
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P. DeBenedictis 1961 Stercorarius pomarinus 7 July Barrow, Alaska - went into a distraction display and was attacked by this same jaeger, again unsuccessfully. There were about 12 birds (1 group 8) at the head of Faresh lake but no many other non-territorial birds in the area from the hub to lines IETE. A nest with a very dark and a very light egg was found near Calidris pusilla Nest 18; the parents were only moderately vicious, and the (egg) nest found June 29 still has 1 egg. The pair that was opposite (east of) the FAA tower seems to have disappeared, Pairers moved across the road to the nest found by Hamilton. No groups of jaegers seen in the afternoon. 9 July There is a group of about 6 in Footprint lake. The pairs, although widely spaced are somewhat denser than I had suspected, about 17 pairs/sq mi in the area from VSTH Creek to the gas line. We found 85 2 egg nests today and saw 3 sitting birds which we were unable to check. One pair located earlier in the year seems to have disappeared and the nest could not be located. Two pairs I suspect are replacements for birds just earlier in the year, as they did not seem to have a nest.(I have been wrong on this before). The reaction of the birds to approach was variable, about 1/2 the pairs leaving us alone and the others fighting ferociously. Should check for black birds soon. All feeding seen today clearly involved burrowing and the jaegers did not seem to be having any trouble finding prey.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus July 10 Barrow, Alaska - the birds on the Beach ridge and the area to the N and in Central Marsh appears to be occupying territories ~ 3/4X those of birds elsewhere - or there are large unoccupied area. They are comparatively scarce in the Meadow Lakes area although considering [illegible] area they might be comparatively sized territories as well. Holme's Mora proper has a low population [illegible] area along Woldbelling Sought Elson wagon is a densely occupied as any place else. One nest found had only one egg, and 2 light-dark egg nests were seen. Still a considerable variation in their reaction to intrusion. About 3-5 black birds in this area. 11 July Birds in the region South of Footprint Lake were obviously nesting and were seen in densities quite comparable to the area just N of Footprint. They were fairly quiet and were frequently seen in aerial chases. No nests were found but many setting [illegible] were seen. A two egg nest seen in [illegible] must have been fairly recent as the area it was in had been flooded up to Long [illegible] and the "group" there seems to have split up as the group on Central Marsh. No sign the birds are having any probable yet. 12 July Steaked a two egg nest East of hine IT and saw another sitting bird. The nests on pikelha's plot either destroyed or given up. 13 July The birds on Central Marsh in the Northeast part
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P. D. Benedictus 1945 Stevcorarius pomarivius 13 July Barrow, Alaska appear to have flacked up again and were seen fighting over something on the ground. A group of 3 replaced a "f" seen earlier in this area. The last nest found in the U8TH area (7 July) was empty and one of the pair had been shot. 14 July The nest near the 10 steaks on Pitella's plot seems to have been broken up and the nest along the woeol road still contains one egg. Still flacked out in the WE part of Central Marsh. (The 1st nest (July 17) we found has been unsteaked again - parents no longer aggressive till might have been broken up July 13) 15 July The birds at the nest near HACS again close at the Semipal. Sandpiper at Nast 13 when it went off in a distraction display, missing it on two occasions. 16 July Found 2, 2 egg nests where the Elor Lagoon woed road crosses the Beach Ridge, one nest with a piped egg. One nest along here has been broken up, the egg ? cut in wolf and one adult dead. The incubation patches are quite interesting, obviously for 2 eggs only A nest found 22 June and probably the one sleaked again 24 June contained one egg, I check each and the shell of its egg. The nest had been marked and the steak was lying on the ground; even if this nest was wrong it's only other steaked nest in the area
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P. Le Benedicts 1965 Skovorovius pomonivus 16 July Bawoo, Alaska, was also a legg ren on 22 June. This igave a incubation period of 24+ days, and the date for the 2nd egg should be checked; if normal it is probably indicative of a long interval between eggs. 17 July There was 1 chick out of the nest and a piped egg in the Jaque nest found 27 June (with 2 eggs then). The adults still boubbed me. There appear to be two new pairs of jaegeys in the area where the road crosses DOTH creek to the goalwell, and one acts like they came eggs but I have not seen them sitting. Other nests checked with eggs. The 1st nest found can't be located as the marker is gone but the adults are in the area, the nest almost certainly having hatched. 20 July The nest just N of Gouline Ridge contained 1 young and 1 cracked egg. Shells in the nest, but the young bird quite dry. 21 July Checked nests along Wohlschlag and Olson Lagoon. The nest on Pitelka's plot was gone the last time the side nest checked and the fruit in the area, though birds from Holmes' Marsh have moved into the area. The birds in the N part Central Marsh not nesting and no indication of hatch in birds in the East part of the marsh. The pair with a piped egg 16 July now far from nest stalk. The next 3 pairs along the road each had 1 young and 1 egg, this cracked but no hole in 2 cases; a one egg nest in from the road unchanged; the 7 of this pair almost eaten on my head. The 1st brood nest along the lagoon with 1 (probably 2
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P. De Bensdicks 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 21 July Barrow, Alaska - (not found only 1) and 2 chicks, the latter fairly small, and the nest in the River from there with 2 eggs. The next pair, possibly two pairs, down are gone and 2 snowy owls were in the areas they occupied. Saw fights over the 2 part of Holmes's Marsh but didn't check nests there. Should get back to VDTT pretty soon now. The largest young can move around pretty well but don't seem to be more than 3-5 days old. They don't bother the long-billed cur in Central Marsh. 22 July The one egg nest near AACS not yet hatched. The pair close to the road south of S. Salt hagoon gone + white feathers (op?) and Ham/Don found a broken egg by the nest; this pair farther in 511 there but well away from the nest marker (nest not checked) as were all other pairs. No signs of any hatching except for the 2nd chick at the 27 June nest (see 17 July). The pair at the latter nest were quite nasty, especially, so I was near the 10.5 end of time [illegible] TTA, where one did hit me 3 times. Who says they calm down when the eggs hatch?! When I was checking the pectoral nest near AACS that pectoral when & into a distraction display on numerous occasions. The pair of jagers, whose nest is only 100 yards away were bombing me and when they saw the pectoral they dove at her, obvious- ly trying to catch her, on 5 different occasions. Each time the pectoral flew when their jags were about 2
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 22 July Barrow, Alaska - three feet away and avoided the jaegers without much trouble. The act was quite effective as the jaegers took off then & as soon as they saw her, even leaving me alone. Broth huddled where I guessed several semipal chicks to be in the VOHH area and the adult semipals would fly noisily to about 6 feet from the jaeger and run off giving a mixture of the "cheek" and trill calls, very loud. As these semipals never doing this the jaeger was constantly wobbling the adults and found no young (more based any pusillus adults.) It (the jaeger) eventually got up and (wound) about 30 feet away, where the semipals also quieted down. 23 July Saw lone chicks at the nest on the weasel road to USC+GS and at the end of LINE III, and all others in this area appear to have chickled young. No pairs missing. The young move quite far from the nest. The pair of the nest at the 100 foot of LINE III were quite mean; the J struck me 4 times, the 1st time so hard that it appeared to injure itself, for there was blood on my parka and on the jaeger's flank. When they bonk you, the BONK you! 24 July. One nest along the gasewell road missing but two pairs present & the others with eggs in the VOHH area. The nest near the forks in VOHH creek three empty, shells near by, as the next street inland, the pairs
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Streocorax pomarivus 24 July Barring Alaska - present at each, found an unwatched nest with 1 chick and 1 egg, the parents present but not demonstrative, to the west of Gaslin Ridge across the gaslin - this pair noted earlier and it may be the long missing nest. No evidence of any missing pair but the 1st extant nest along the gaslin road on the east side no longer vigorously defended through the egg warm. 25 July In the area south of Ikrowik the population appeared to be somewhat less dense than N and W of Ikrowik although I suspect this due to the low wet terrain rather than scarcity of food; they are concentrated in the areas of high centre polygon and the upper lake margins and fringe out around the lake. Estimate populations in the 10-15 pairs per square mile level in their area. Several birds sitting on nests. Flocks were seen on Footprint and Sungoohah lakes. 26 July Two nests near VOTH and each with one egg (piped and a hole ~1/2 inch in diameter and the other cracked and one with a freshly hatched young, the other egg outside. One egg nest near where the weasel road crosses VOTH creek, the pair not demonstrative and arrived in this area about July 17. 27 July The 1st nest along the gaslin Road (2 piped eggs yesterday) with 1 chick, 1 egg. The one egg nest found yesterday and by AACS unwatched.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Stercorarius pomarinus 29 July Barrow, Alaska - There appears to be little indication yet of the fate of the green crop though some signs are ominous. The pairs along the westward road to a Central Marsh area are very inconspicuous and the pairs to the W and S of the Cell Shack seem to be gone: On the other hand all others present and a few large through downy young seen. One at the end of two ft begged for food with a high rolling chatter and was fed by regeneration (onto the ground) by the F. A pair was seen to catch a LEAST WEASEL, q.v., which nearly fended the jaegers away. Judging from the difficulty they had they do not normally eat weasels and the fact that two jaegers from outside tried to get the weasel may be indication of a food scarcity. A pair was seen pulling on a dead Lemming. after it had been nearly pulled in half, one of the pair ate the lemming. Jaegers widely distributed over the area south of Wohlschlag, about in the 15-20/mi² level of population. All appear to have young and 2 chicks seen, both 5-10 days old.
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P.D.Benedicti 1962 Stercorarius pomatorius 5 June Meade River Coal Mine, 152°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska. 4 light phased birds seen flying east over camp about 9 A.M and 3 light and 1 dark bird about noon. Two light birds about 5 P.M. Surprising to see this species here! 8 June One flew over camp about 4 P.M. A ? seen about our dorm (color) and a (?) landed along the Meade river about 3:30. All light phase bi 9 June One flew over in the A.M. 10 June One near camp about noon. 11 June a pair flying over camp about 10 A.M. 12 June One over h. Again? about 2 P.M. Stercorarius pomarinus
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Steverranus parvus 24 June Barrow, Morley - a dark bird a dark-brested bird appeared behind the lab in the parcel area today, and were seen on two occasions before and after noon. The 1st time seen they viciously attacked, striking in flight, three Pomarines that passed through the lower parcel area, and succeeded in chasing 2 (but not a 3rd) away. They appear to be covering a large area but are clearly interested in the parcel area. Didn't hear any calls, and saw one brief wing up when the dark bird landed. 26 June The same (?) two birds seen briefly in this area in the evening. 27 June Same pair still present; saw a light coloured singer in the VOTH area. 28 June Saw 2 pairs together over the parcel area, both of one light and one dark bird. The call is a "kirow" intermediate in pitch between S. longicaudus + pomarines. Neither pair remained in the area very long. 29 June Saw one behind the lab and one in B. Hou's Area. 30 June One dark bird seen on the Beach Ridge and another behind the lab. 2 July Two dark phase birds seen over Central Wash along the Beach Ridge in the morning. 5 July One light phase bird seen near hines IIIA-B in the evening 8 July None light and dark phase birds seen near Farnell bog.
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P. D. Benedicks 1965 Stercorarius parasiticus 10 July Barrow, Alaska - a light phased bird was seen chasing a phalarope over central Alaska; both rose to ~150 feet in the air, and the phalarope then dove & screwed, losing the jaeger. A dark phased bird over Wohlshky. 21 July 1 flying west high over Central Alaska. 26 July 1 light phased bird along the shore of the Chuckchi Sea in the afternoon. 24 July dark phase bird along Chuckchi Sea in the morning.
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Stercorarius parasiticus 30 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°39'N, Alaska A dark-phased adult [illegible] along the due face. 2-3 km. N of camp flew directly over my head, and continued on, about 11:30 A.M. 31 May A light phased bird hanging about the camp area most of the day, one seen with a dark bird. Several flicks of "jaegers" seen at a distance from camp. A different light phased bird seen in the afternoon and once cooling beaded. They seem to be working the tundra but not trying to catch anything in particular. At 5 PM Ray spotted a light and a dark bird together surveying a Ptarmigan near my "census plot". 1 June A pair - a dark and a light bird - seem to be establishing themselves behind camp. Patrolled all day long, more or less actively patrolling, but not obviously bothering any of the small birds. A Long-tail Jaeger which went through the area they patrolled was vigorously attacked until it left the area. About 3 PM Phil Johnson spotted the light bird diving at a Glaucous gull; the dark bird perched near by. The jaeger scooped at the gull about 20 times in 3-5 minutes, hitting it several times, then landed near the dark bird. The gull did not leave the area (q.v.). 2 June The "local pair" seen near the large lake N of camp in the morning, and midday. 2 Dark birds seen about 1/2.
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Stercorarius parasiticus -2 2 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°025'W, 70°229'W, Alaska They coral pair occ. holds the wings up for a bed when they land, but never as pronounced as as Pomarine. When a odel jaeger intrudes Both birds set off a terrible screech ooh awwnah ooh awwnah ooh awwnah ... but don't seem to be terribly inclined to chase. Patrolling birds do not typical show deep wing beat, and they square small (Chionyspier) trials. 3 June The light phase bird was circling about over the village, stirring up all the hunters, about 11 AM and there were an old plannigan kill The jaeger does not seem to chase any of the shorebirds. The local pair noted near camp during the rest of the day. 4 June The local birds still here. Ray said he saw 2 chasing a "small bird" and were joined by a 3rd bird which caught and ate this small bird. 5 June About 6-7 birds came through camp from 8 to 9AM and a fifth about noon. The local pairs range from South ridge to the village, over an area along the river about 1.5 km wide. The local pair both seem being mobbed by 4 longtails near the village about 7 and later by 2 longtails on the village ridge; the longtails don't seem to be staying here, though. 6 June The local pair and a few probable migrants seen in camp and near the village in the A.M. The local birds seen eating garbage in the village with long tails
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Steatornain parasiticus - 3 7 June Aleche River Coal Mine, (67°25' W, 71°24' N), Alaska The local pair seen attacking 2 graucous gulls behind camp in the A.M. A few seen around the camp area during the rest of the day. 8 June. A single and 2 light birds near the campplot, after settling on the ground. One seen working along the river shore apparently checking the willow trees closely, but not finding any thing. Supprisingly lane #1 near the village, at least 3 light and 2-3 dark birds there. Possibly the "local pair" is more than one pair. Early garbage. One long- tail / Parasitic chase seen, and a little Parasitic / Parasitic figure. The ground cack quire from an oblique posture with the wings folded, most pronounced in the 2. See Yellow Waytail. 9 June 3-4 light birds and a couple of dark birds near the village. Quiet and little display. Don't have the impression of paired birds there anywhere. Little Activity in the evening. A dark bird chasing long-tails over the village about 6 PM. 10-19 June A few near the village and occasionally over to camp area. Fight with longtails in the evening by the village. Only light phase birds seem to be around now. Eating garbage!
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Stercorarius parasiticus 12 June Meade River Coal Mine, 15°025'W, 70°29'N. Alaska Very well in evidence. Day said he found a nest with one Egg at the South end of L. Agassiz. I suppose that's why they not around though occasionally see them chasing k-Tail at the village. 13 June There seems to be 1° pair near the village bluffs, at least 3 seen together. The pair is a light and dark bird. No evidence of a nest 16 June Found the nest at the S end of L. Agassiz. (Pale?, dark?) Two eggs. When we got near the nest the birds flew our screaming much like pomarine, except that they did not try to hit us, and also went into a display, display with the wings open and weakly flopped; the head up and the tail down. They called a low weezy, wing call that sounded like a side puppy or a whining dog. [sketch of bird in flight] Later we saw this pair on a high polygon. The ? begging and the male feeding by regurgitation. The ? begging posture was a low arch with upward protrus beak, and the ? a upright erected posture. These birds cover an area about a square mile from south ridge to village creek.
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Stercorarius parvus 17 June Meade River Coal Mine, 150025',70029'N, Alaska Went out to the nest, which we couldn't find, and got a show like yesterday when we approached. The birds flying over and giving distraction display. The f seldom close together, acting in unison. This pair must range over a large area. 18 June One fighting with a long-tail Taegu in the village 19 June One chasing a h-Tail over the cemus plot for two birds about evenly matched, and the fight undecided until the L-T. flew off. The Parus [illegible] seen on the cemus plot. A ?B with bluffs 2mi. Sofcap. 20 June A pair SW of the village as usual. 21 June The pair S of camp seen hunting over the cemus plot much of the A.11. Their style is very characteristic. They seem 6-10 feet up going slowly with little wing beat; the head pointed down and ahead and occasionally looking prowed. When they see something interesting they circle back over an area without hovering. A number bird will come a run area of ~20 acres at a [illegible] back and forth over strip ~20 yard apart. They seem to be looking for shorebird nest. The light bird ate both remaining eggs of the Pekaral not on the plot, and was then chased off by a L-T. Taegu. This bird returned in the afternoon about 2PM and spent about 10 minutes circling over the area before leaving the cemus plot for the day. See S. longicaudis
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Stercorarius parasiticus 22 June Whade River Coal Mine, 157°35'W, 70°20'N, Alaska Two light phase birds near camp in the evening don't seem to be birds I had known about earlier. 26 June Still brooding on the census plot. 27 June Two bright birds on the flats opposite camp The 3 of the three birds seen on the census plot briefly, later over Lake Agassiz, where it was shivering up the Arctic Terns. 28 June Still on the nest at the S. end of Lake Agassiz. Ant said the natives have been shooting birds out in the dump at the village. 30 June A dark phase bird landed on a root at the E end of the flats opposite the North Bluff area. A light phase bird near there. Didn't check the nest. 5 July Seen over Lake Agassiz. 6 July Seems to be spending most of the day over Lake Agassiz. 9 July Went over to the nest to see what was going on. The adults were in the area and gave strong distraction displays and attracted me, but did not sit anywhere. Ray later found 2 chicks, as I had suspected. A second light and dark bird in the area, which were chased out by the nesting pair. When a Glaucous gull flew over it was attacked immediately, and went off as fast as it could. They seem to be still brooding over the lake, and also on the Eriophora flats of South ridge.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Stercorarius longicaudus 20 June Barrow, Alaska; - one seen flying from the FATE Tower area tower the S end M. Salt lagoon; I landed on the rim of its lagoon for a short time and then took off by NE across the lagoon out of sight. The back was a little darker than the other two long-tails I have seen briefly; tail feathers vibrated up & down in typical fashion as it flew. 21 June In contrast to the other shearbirds, this species appeared to be somewhat more numerous today than yesterday. (Applies to Red Phalarope ?). 21 June A single bird in plumage similar to the one seen yesterday flew in and landed between M & S Salt lagoons; it flew in from the W and remained 3-5 minutes; it first preened, then walked over to a polygon and began to pick up something that looked by cobalt guts to a bird (carion) and dropped it; I went to this spot chasing its jaeger away before it had been able to eat this and was unable to find anything except clumps of reddish-brown lichen or moss. The tarsi are almost bluish-white and the rest of the legs & feet are black; 24 June Saw one over family lagoon and one carrying a lemming high in the air (above), dropped the lemming, then gobbled it again and swallowed it, in the AM and two together near the S entrance to Wohlgeschlag Slough in the afternoon. 25 June A short-tailed individual was seen on two occasions (about noon & 10 P.M.) near ATE. 26 June A "no tail" bird allowed very close approach on Dr. Pickel's plot.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Stercorarius longicaudatus 27June Barrow, Alaska - 2 single birds and a "flock" of 3 were seen over the Barrow area and 1 was seen over the VOTh area, another over Family Lagoon. It (the last) was in a chase involving a Br. Pomarine and called loudly, the calls much higher than Pomarine and longer, like the protests Pomars give near the nest. All seen today had fairly good tails except the 1st bird which was rather dirty below and had short "tails". 28June One seen towards the N end of Family lagoon was going after a very dead, small Lemming, and was bothered (but not actually attacked) by a pair of Pomarines in the area. A medium-light and a very light individual were seen near the barrow area. 29June Only one seen in the morning but at least 8 (3 over this lead, 2+ near Family lagoon, and a group of 3 including one subadult near Bullton's area). I Toured a call which sounds like a Amer. [illegible] (whistled "wee kee") to an individual of this species being chased by a Pomarine J. near Micomet in the evening. 30June An adult + subadult seen over Central Marsh in the morning. 2July An adult and a slate-tailed subadult seen over Micomet Marsh in the afternoon. 4July at least 5 sitting on the ground between S+H. Salt Lagoons and 2 seen over VOTh slough. 2 were seen along this ice on this lead, flying slowly about 10 feet up and dropping
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P. DeBenedicts 1965 Stercorarius longicaudus 4 July. Barrow, Alaska - like terns as if to feed, and one seeled in the water. One of the birds seen on the grass was a dull gray-buffy job, probably 2nd summer, and all but this which were seen in flight had good tails. 5 July Two seen near Family Lagoon between this & S. Salt. 6 July Two seen along Elson Lagoon and at least 2 on Central Marsh. One, chased half-heartedly by a Pom. Jaeger, called "wëh wëw wë" (---?). Another circled tern like over a berm of the Beach Ridge and twice dropped down for a food item which it either missed, or was so small that it ate it immediately. Its feeding actions attracted a Pomarine Jaeger which chased the k-Taabr away. 7 July Two long-tailed & one short-tailed bird seen along the E side of Family Lagoon. Three seen between Family and S. Salt lagoons in the afternoon; they were quiet. 9 July One sitting on the tundra by Family Lagoon 10 July One along the shore of Elson lagoon. 16 July Two seen along Elson lagoon. 19 July One near P Headwark lake and another (or more) along the lead in the evening. 20 July A three-egg nest. A group of 6 seen along The Beach ridge near USC & GS shack and when we looked over the marsh we found it to be the commonest species of jaeger (a bird). They were most landed and appeared to be feeding, prone like in the tall grass which nearly concealed them. They were all adults, most with tails and 1 showed.
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P.D. Benedicht 1965 Stercorarius longicaudus 21 July Beebe's Alcaka - signs of primary flock. The Cue people say they were present yesterday. Counted 21 from one spot, and Hamilton said he saw at least 50. 23 July 3 along the NE end of Cautal Marsh and 5 on the Bauli Ridge near USC. These were all that remained of its above flock. They feed from the ground, walking slowly through quasy areas and occasionally picking up and eating some small food. Few, which I was never able to identify. The Birds on the Ridge were chased off by a Pomarine Jaeger (while I was trying to photograph them) and all were gone by 4 PM. All had good long tails. 27 July 5 in the dump near S. Salt wagon and 6 in Cautal Marsh. All adults feeding on small objects on the ground, in wet grassy area, away from Pom. Jaegers. 29 July One along the Chicchi Sea behind the lab and one along Olson wagon, both adults with tails.
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Stercorarius longicaudus 1 June Made River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 69°29'N, Alaska A nice adult was pushed along the creek near the village. When it was approached it flies off to the area where two Parasitic Jaegers have been hanging out, and was attacked by the jaegers. It flies off. N only the rleade. seeming to hover once Kestrel-like over the creek a mile N of camp. 2 June One seen near the blowing dunes N of camp about 11:00 AOT and one over camp about 3pm. Two circling over the "census" plot area and tenable flies over me silently in the evening, but they don't appear to be staging around. 3 June One or two present near the village, seen in flight only. One seen 1 mi. S of camp about 10:24. 5 June Two were scraping the meat off an old Ptarmigan kill that its quills were working on 1 June. Three overall, a little skin with meat on the leg bones. One bird would gulp this and pull, occasionally knocking off bits of meat which the other bird picked up. When they pull the tail feathers really bopped up and down. They walked a funny waddle and one, which seemed nervous, would "paddle its feet" up and down. The two worked on the carcass for several minutes. 4 longtails were chasing the local Parasitic Jaegers near the village, circling loudly, and diving at and striking downwards the feed. Later Two longtails were chasing these Parasitic Jaegers one or two others trying which were pushed on the village ridge near the cemetery.
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Stercorarius longicaudus 5 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'N, 70°29'N, Alaska One or two other seen flying, and present in the area most of the day. 6 June Two birds near the Plannigan body again, today and 4f and a 2nd year bird in the village eating garbage. They are really neat, waddle like ducks. The calls includes a metallic "plip plip" and a toy-siren-like "wreayyyy reayyy reayyy", usually given in flight and often preceded by the "plip plip" call. Upright posture on the ground, but not aggressive behaviour in the air. No wing flapping. Can't tell them with #9 shot. Birds soaring over the area most of the day, occa- sionally turning after passing shrubrid but never attacking them. 7 June Adults conspicuous locally, especially along the Meade River near the village. Only adults seen. Watched one hovering like a kestrel over the slope behind camp. 8 June Fewer in #8. One seen. Parasitic Jaegers near the village, this attack begun by adults and latter a 2nd bird joined it. Noisier as usual. All adults. 9 June Several adults seen in the village and over the pools on the Meade. Some aerial, intra- specific chasing, a call "Kyow" rather like but high-pitched parasitic notes from one. Don't seem to be bothering terns. One seen at an old Plannigan kill. Little activity in the evening.
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Stercorarius longicaudus Macke River Cool Muis, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska 10-11 June A few along the river and near the village. Fight now, the Parasites seem to be getting the Beets of things. Saw a (3) in terrific flight, calling as it went, near the mouth of South creek on Afternoon of June 11. Only adults around now. 12 June A pair on the knuckle near the 1st lake on village creek, one off after an intruder which came by, but no territorial flight. Not many along the river anymore. 16 June Less in evidence but still occ. pair along the river. Not vocal and seldom near the village. 17 June A pair landed on the knuckle W of the village, allowed very close approach. A few flying over, but some lone birds evident and none seen recently attached to any area. 18 June 4 birds together on the village flats, no individuals. A fight with Parasitic (10 of each) over the village S. 19 June I saw one landed on the census plot acting like it was going to squintulate. The neck was inflated and the bird arched the neck, head down. It did this 3-4 times and then disappeared into a depression. I went up to it to find a pied Sandpiper with wet egg and a partly broken shell nearby. The jay was in the area in the covey, but 4 hrs. later hadn't finished direct - neck swollen
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Streocornis parvigulaeandus 19 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25" W, 70°24' W, Alaska Shortly before the nest incident, the Parastic and a L-T. Jaeger were seen fighting over the plot. 21 June A pair on the census plot all day. They hunt very unlike Parasitic Jaegers. Flying a short distance - 30 feet or so - then hover 1-2 seconds like a big kestrel, and dropping down for something, and dipping and then going an 80° feet and hovering again. They are getting something from the ground - adult hybrids? which are out now. and may be looking for bird nests. When the local parasitic takes the Pectoral eggs at 11 AM, a ♀ L-T. chased it away, and then the 2 came up and flew along the 1 row with a very deep loose wing beat calling "Kraa" at each steal. The two were on a near the plot all day but are clearly not now nesting. 22-25 Occasional birds in evidence. No signs of web 26 June One Dimitry Kestrel cube on the census plot 28 June Two along Sweet Ridge, Dimitry in the upland area and resting on its ground. No territorial flights. 29 June A pair present along village creek chased a parasitic, then another L-T. Jaeger out of the area, and gave a poor territorial flight. A bird to the NW of there also gave a brief territorial flight. Not seen else where, and none sitting yet. Territorial patrol not seen.
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P.D. Buedele 1966 Stercorarius longicaudus 4 July Whales River Coal Mine. 157°25'W, 20°24'S, Alta. A bird choosing a Glaucoes gull near Sweet creek began acting suspiciously like it had a nest. When I went to check I found 1 egg. The bird flew over yelling at us but didn't attack. Didn't see the other side of the pain. 6 July One of the local birds seen over the area plot briefly. 11 July Couldn't find the nest though adults still in the area.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Larus hyperboreus June 8 Barrow Alaska - saw 5 sitting on the pack ice near the west end of camp near the beach line, 4 Ad + 1, 2nd year. 3 more flying about farther out. June 9. several birds sitting out in the exposed tundra near South Area should ATB radar installation. about 4/5 were adults and the youngest were 2nd year. largest group was 12-15 together. Very social + not much if any aggressive behavior. June 10 2 birds were seen flying over ARK and not more than 5 birds were seen out on the tundra in the Meadow hakes - Woldeddag Slough area; they were singles often with groups of Pomarine Jaegers, mostly adults. June 12 Still a few [illegible] on the SOUTH Area and along the pack ice N of Family Lagoon. Saw only 3rd / 3rd year birds, the rest adults. One bird, subadult had much gray like the mantle forming a band across the tail tip and some gray out towards the wing tip, which I take to be towards the bird called "L. melonii." Birds very social + non aggressive. June 14 There are several large group (10-20 birds) located along the shore of Elson Lagoon and a number of others were seen in with groups of Pomarine Jaegers. The birds as above are very social and show little display behavior. Saw one catch a lemming. June 15 saw eagle catch a lemming. June 17 a group of about 15 in S. Salt Lagoon. June 20 a few molting irides primary, secondaries.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 harens hyperboreus 24 June Barrow, Alaska - a group of over 82 was present in Central Marsh in the early afternoon, including the 1st 2nd year birds I have yet seen, although the majority (barely) were adults. On two occasions two were seen to attack Pomarine Jaegers carrying lemmings and succeeded in getting the lemming from the jaeger. The jaegers fought back but were not successful. According to Dr. Pitelka, it is highly unusual for the gulls to outnumber the jaegers. Additionally, there were 20+ birds on the St. Salt lagoon and about 15 along Weldsiklak through, so that the gull population here is really quite high. Many are clearly non-breeders as evidenced by most of the inner primaries. 25 June The large group still present in Central Marsh 26 June Virtually gone from the Marsh Now. 27 June About 500 on Barrowville dump, very noisy and more immature involved than I had thought. Found a dead 1st year bird near the FAA Tower. 28 June Found Two dead immatures in the area across Voth Creek from the VOTH area, a 1st year bird eaten by jaegers and a 3rd year bird which appeared to have been shot. Birds flying over the area seem to pass for the most part unchallenged. 30 June One small group out in Central Marsh. 2 July A group of 125±25 were present in the Center of Holmer's
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P. DeBenedictis: obs 1965 Larus hyperboreus 2 July Barrow, Alaska - first time and was not bothered by jaegers at all for all intents and purposes although the whole group was up when they were 1st noticed. Gulls fly over the Central Bluff-Beach Bridge being noticed only occasionally. A group of 75±25 (prob. +) has been at the N end of Fresh Lagoon for the past 2-3 days. Both groups contain fair numbers of subadult birds, and many are beginners, the primary molt. 4 July no groups seen today. 5 July a large group near lines JTA-73 towards the Barrow Dump. 6 July no groups seen. 7 July do.; a few flying over the area and about 10 on Fresh Lagoon in the A.M., and now spilled towards the VOTH area from the Barrow Dump. 11 July Two probable breeders seen on the ice of a small lake W of Kroavik and a few more seen in flight. 19 July A number seen flying east along the lead, the largest group 10, in the evening. 20 July [illegible] on the ice behind the lab, and few seen flying along the shore in the evening. 22 July A group of 10-15 on the ridge behind S Salt Lagoon contained 1 small & 2 well dark mantled dark-tailed immatures, which had typical Glaucous bill bills (pinkish with black tip). They are badly discolored and I suspect that they are the "nelsoni" phase of this species rather than Heining gulls.
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De Benedicts 1966 Larus hyperboreus 15 May Barrow, Alaska - Saw one adult circling over the exposed gravel along the Church. Saw; it didn't stay around long. 16 May F. Durhan said he had seen one at the point 1 or 2 days ago. 19 May An all-white bird seen at the bar. 12 replied by the microwell people - on Family hogson. 20 May Two together behind the bar, an ad. and a 2nd year bird. 21 May about 2 with Tchayei's Gulls along the edge of the pack ice about noon. 23 May → Meade River Coal Mine, Alaska. Saw 4 or 5 birds near camp today from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. They didn't seem to stay around long, however. 25 May A large group assembled in a lake bed N of camp. Yesterday I saw one attacking a small brown animal that acted like a Lemmus. 27 May A few seen near camp but the big group sitting in a snow-covered lake bed a distance from camp. They are very shy and get up when I am a quarter mile away. All the birds blue seem to be adults, but some look like they might be Tchayei instead of this species, as I have still not been able to get a good look at them. 29 May Gulls flying about and now very vocal, but no large groups seen anywhere, and none on the ground today. All were definite this specia
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Larus hyperboreus -2 1 June Meade, Rivers Coal Mine, 15°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska A small group of adults assembled behind the village. Ray says they are eating the leftovers from the dog-Teams that were here. In the afternoon about 3 P.M. Phil Johnson spotted one being browed by a Parasitic Jaeger. It panted its wilt at the jaegers and occasionally tried to bite it (the jaeger) but would not leave the area. 8 other gulls came in and the 1st acted very aggressively to them. Then noticed it was eating a Barnswig so I went out to check. Two breasts and pectoral muscles had been eaten out. The head was not damaged, but cold and wet, as if the bird had been dead awhile. There was blood on snow 3 feet from the gull and a patch of breast feathers about 6 feet away. Moving in a line from this I found a trail of white Barnswig feathers. I suspect the jaegers did the 1st kill and the gull later took over. 2 June A few adults about camp, roosting behind the village. Still have not seen any immature here. 3 June A few near the village, flying about and making weak noise; and along the Meade R. 4 June Adults along the Meade, beginning to congregate in water puddles forming on the meadow. 5 June Congregating on the Meade, and pairs scattered on distumba. Still only adults here. Par. Jaeger seen chomaging.
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Larus hyperboreus 5 June Micaele River Coal Mine, 137°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska As mae and mae with comes to the surface of the river, the gulls become more numerous here. Up to 20 together. A few pairs on the flats north far tside of the river. Many eating garbage in the village. 6 June Up to 50 birds on the river together and feeding behind the village when there are no jaegers there. Jaegers and gulls don't seem to get along even where this is enough food for all, as far as it can see, and even the long-tailed seems to be dominant over the gulls. Still no immatures. 7 June The local pair of Jaeger harassed 2 glaucoma gulls behind camp in the A.M. Many feeding near the village. A few congregated on the river until break up. One saw fishing a large brown object out of the river. 8 June Decreased in #8. Congregating near the village and along the river, but widespread. A few #s, on the landia. Only adults seen. 9 June Further decrease in #8. Mostly at the village and the village pond. All adults. A few young, along the river. No pattern to movement. 11 June A pair out in the lake basin north of Stewart ridge when I got along them on the ridge, one came out to look me over. 12 June A pair on an island in Lake Agassiz. One took off at an instant before it got to the pair.
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Larus hyperboreus 16 June Meadele River Cool Muis, 15°20'25"W, 70°29'N, Alaska No groups any groups here. A few birds settled in islands in the S. part of Lake Agassiz, but none appeared to be sitting. They look at us when we come by but no attack. Few lone birds flying over. Still all adults here. 17 June One sitting on a sphagnum mound on the SE side of Lake Agassiz, ? nestrix. Ray said his wife found gull eggs. 21 June Lone birds seem to be about to coin more, and many are? unsettled but no longer any sign of flocks. ? a 2nd year bird seen 19 June, but in poor light. 23 June Birds flying over the shallow lake basin here, but not out on the moss hummocks. Several with pronounced inner primary- outer secondary molt. As small, all adults. 25 June See Sterna paradisaea. 28 June Several of the gulls in the area with pronounced primary molt. 29 June One on an island in lake Agassiz flew out to investigate me, but a second bird goes not seen. It returned to its island but didn't sit. It, unlike birds seen along the river, showed no sign of molt. 30 June Ray shot a caribou (Lew A.1) set in lake Agassiz by 10 about 20 gulls had gulltunes about the carcass, much to the consternation of the local pair. Another
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P. deBenedetti 1965 30 June Meade River Coal Mine, 15°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska Gathering of birds south of the cairn plot also was probably on a cairn. There are evidently more birds about than I had thought, but with poor by 1/2 exceptions, all were adults. By the afternoon most of the birds had gone, with about 6-8 in the lake. 1 July A few birds on the mudflats in the Meade R. resting. 4 July Only 1-2 birds near Lake Agassiz and evidently not resting on the island where they were 30 June. One was attacked by the local Black-belly gull. 5 July One or two on the flats opposite North Line. 6-11 July Two to 4 birds in the lake Agassiz region, all adults. Were incubating. Most molting for the inner primaries, outer secondaries.
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P. DeBenedictus 1965 Xemîu sabini 11 June Barrow, Alaska - saw one flying over the leads to the east from Family Lagoon about 11:30; going low & paying little attention to anything 12 June one seen flying east over the Barrow area behind the ARK about 11:30 today. 13 June one seen along the shore feeding in the open waters near the entrance to Family Lagoon. 16 June Two seen near the entrance to Wohlsebag Slough, both of which landed on the ice. 19 June One seen flying W far out over the ice on the Chuckchi Sea about 2 PM. 21 June One seen flying E over the Nicanut area in the afternoon. 24 June 4 birds were seen along Elson Lagoon N of Wohlsebag Slough, paired and quite vocal, the and a trem-like "kemcet" (Forster's tern). Saw no ground display at all, but saw 3 in a shore, one later turning back to a 4th bird and one repeatedly diving at a Snowy Owl. 25 June One seen flying along the lead in the late evening, near Family Lagoon. 27 June One seen at the N end Family Lagoon, 4 July Two seen flying N over Voth Slough, 6 July One flying east over Wohlsebag Slough. 11 July At least 4 birds seen foraging Bonaparte's Gull-like (trem-like) over a fairly large lake West of I/Kroavik where they have nested in the past but the colony" could not be located. The birds were silent.
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P.D.Benedict's 1965 Xenia sabini 12 July Barrow, Alaska - two seen flying west along the lead in the evening. 25 July Two colonies located, one of 12-15 pairs and the other of 2-4 pairs. The smaller colony was about 1mi W of the old gas well near Sungivoach and the larger, about 1½ miles N of there. Both were in wet grass lake with marshes, water 2 to 8+ inches depth, where drumworks of peat provided nest sites. The nests were grass lined cups, and appeared to have huddled as 1 young was found in one cup and 2 chicks that may have been this species were found on another mound; no other chicks seen but several egg shells noted. Both colonies associated with 2-3 pair of Arctic Terns. They drove away any gullies that came near the colony, 6-8 gulls taking part. They flew about over head while we were in the colony, occasionally diving directly at us when we got near nests or chicks and would sit on nests when we were about 35 yards away; the whole colony was about 400-100 feet and the nests widely spaced, many on Islands in the lakes. Birds landed in the later and were often attacked by member of another pair. In addition to the tern-like call they gave a series of stark rough "kat" notes ---- when alarmed. In the brief time I watched them I noted a upright posture with bill somewhat below horizontal, head tossing following a definite forward and a forward also seen from the water.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Xema sebini: 28 July. Barrow, Alaska - The Black-headed gull, with vocalization probably rather close to L. philadelphia. The forward was seen twice given by one bird defending a nest island and the bill tossing were given by both member of the pair one after another bird passed by. or the water birds in forward position set low so that the open wing leading edge fricled the water. The birds were quite aerial and little ground display seen. I had the impression that some of the birds in the colony were not breeding and an anomalous plumage - a bird with adult wings but a black-tipped bill was seen. One or two lone birds seen away from the colonies. Bob induced a distraction display from one bird be approached.
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Semea sobrius 31 May Heade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska A breeding plumage adult flew east our camp about 11 A.M. 2 June A adult seen clearly at 11 P.M. and possibly another seen about 2 hrs earlier, both in flight. 4 June Two flew over camp about noon. 5 June Several Scaled group - 4 to 2 - seen flying again in the AS. and two on a sand pair in the River. One seen about + noon and one about 4, flying along the river. 6 June Becoming quite conspicuous, and the calls, intermediated between Bonaparte's gull and Arctic Tern heard after dusk of this day. Birds flying over and occ. landing on the rivers, in small groups, no more than 8 together at one time. All seen have been adults in good plumage. 7 June A few seen flying along the village in the evening as the river broke up. 8 June 34 near the edge of the water and over the tundra Sof camp in the afternoon. One resting on the ice, about 8 resting on the ice with Arctic Terns near the pool N of the ice gain in the evening. 9 June Finally saw several migrating SE with Arctic Terns in the evening, 5 to 10. Small bore flakes, 1647 occ. with Terns. No very noisy. Occ. stopping to check something on the tundra but not landing.
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Zema sabinei 10June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska 5 birds feeding with h.T. Jaegers on garbage behind the village. Some aggressive display noted. Upright posture weed full down saw 1-2 hairs In rest post the rope is white. a silent, almost hummocked posture seen by one bird supplanting two others. The whole profile horizontal and rounded. A very aggressive bird went into an upright calling "Kwak Kwak Kwak" when another will beat up to it A long call given to a 3rd bird flying up to flee a pair was: Kwoek Kewak kewak kewak alter posture (like rest but caps out). The flight calls are a few like "Kwosow" or "Kywow" No interaction with the jaegers.
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P.d Benedetti 11466 Vema Sabini 10 June Meade River Coal Mine, 15°02'N, 78°29'W, Alaska A few in flight in the South Ridge area, often well inland of the river. 4 on a lake with some water on top of the ice (not display saw). Very vocal as they go by. ? Not around here. 12 June Two or 3 on Lake Agassiz, swimming, and some seen flying over land. Not as noisy as usual. 16 June Now definitely sitting on eggs on the largest island of lake Agassiz. Our flew up to attack a parent Taeag going over, then directly back to the nest. Only dunlin and Arctic Tern on the island otherwise. 17 June Still sitting at least 4's nesting, little display saw though not much watched for. 21 June Only occasionally seen on the census plot area, always flying from the lake Agassiz basin to the river E. or vice-versa and never landing. 23 June Still sitting on the island on the SW part of lake Agassiz. 27 June An ?incipient colony of 3 pairs forming in one of the large lakes in the far opposite camp. The birds were seen catching insects on the ice and one hawked an insect from the air. One landed on a sparsely sphagnum island and in a slight upright posture scolded "tsch tsch tsch..." for several minutes, then flew off. None sitting. Associated with Arctic Terns as usual. 29 June Only noted once away from lake Agassiz, and only briefly.
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Xema sabinii 30 June Apparently still sitting on nests and not much bothered by the local glamorous quills. Occasionally seen going towards the Meads 4 July Few birds seem to be sitting, but they were conspicuous out in the marsh areas, walking about on the sphagnum and swimming on the water in shallow areas evidently catching insects. They were not seen on the Lake Basin near South Ridge in the afternoon. 8 July Still only a few birds on Lake Agassiz, and no sign of any sitting. The big cloud of birds clearly gone. A few over the Lake Basin south of South Ridge. 11 July No change on Lake Agassiz 13 July A few more evident than usual, but not so many as in early June.
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Rissa tridactyla 26 July Barrow, Alaska - all birds on the Chuckchi Sea flying east, one right along the shore and the others farther out. All were adults. They were mostly in groups, widely scattered, of 3-5 but a group of 13 saw and 1-2 of up to 10, and one of its large groups was quite vocal, calling "it-a-ake" loudly and repeatedly as they flew. 27 July Most were seen between 4 and 5 pm, about 3/4 flying west, the rest east. The largest group was 32. All but one immature good plumaged adults. Two flocks of about 12 calling as yesterday. One seen to circle as if to feed, flight down then continue on out. None as close to shore as the one yesterday but the wing tips could be seen on all. 28 July Flock of 8 adults flying east fairly far out, 29 July one adult flying east fairly well out.
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P. De Benedichis 1965 Stena Paradisaea 24 June Barrow, Alaska - One seen flying S along Elson hoggon in the afternoon, the flight flopping with deep wing strokes. The dark underparts were clearly evident and the primaries were indeed translucent except for the margin as they are accidied to be. 25 June Two seen flying South over Ark area in the morning, one "feeding" (no captures seen) over the WSE part of Central Marsh and one seen along Elson hoggon in the morning; one seen flying along the E part of Family hoggon in the afternoon. The call is a high "kee aarr" 26 June One seen crossing Dr. P. Kelha's plot. 28 June One seen over Fresh hoggon. 5 July One flying along the shore in the evening. 11 July Two lone birds seen in the 1Kroasit region. 12 July Two flying west along the beach in the evening. 16 July Two along Elson hoggon going S (exit) 19 July Four seen flying west along the shore by th kobs. 20 July One seen in Central Marsh and two feeding close to shore on Elson hoggon near Wollischag's cough. 25 July Birds seen today were with Sabine's gull colonies, thrusts (more certainly found). In addition to the "keearr" call birds would occasionally rise high in the air flying with a deep wing stroke and calling a high pitched "kit kit kit kit......" Only one bird seen on the ground.
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Sterna paradisea 3 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska One seen flying over the village in the AM. Tern-like calls heard through the fog on several occasions. 4 June One seen flying along the Meade about 10 A.M. 6 June Two or three seen flying along the Meade River. 7 June Seen along the river. 8 June Against 8 resting on the ice and 3-5 fishing on the pool on the Meade R. N of the ice jam. Fairly noisy. With Sabine Gulls. 9 June They have moved off the pond on the Meade R and were over Carey marshes at the village flats and seen flying inland near Iknakmak lake. Don't seem to be getting much. Calls "Keww" or "kip kip kip", Small groups - 1-6, flying SE with Sabine Gulls, 8 to 10 P.M., after well inland of the river. Quiet. 10-14 June Birds beginning to move out on the tundra when they are seen flying about in small # and ? fogging over the small ponds. Noisy but little display in evidence. They are ignored by jaegers. 12 June Two on a spongy mound in Lake Agassiz and small groups flying over and fishing in the open water during most of its afternoon. 16 June Much courtship on lake Agassiz and fishing on the lake and nearby shallows. More opponents fighting. 17 June Little change. Feeding in some very shallow (3") pools.
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Sterna paradisaea 20-21 June Meadee River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska Occasional lone to groups of 5 birds flying over the census plot area and along the river. One seen in the evening flying over the diner 4 mi. A death of camp stopped over every puddle to fish without even trying for anything. 23 June Feeding on the shallow lake cum of becks Agassiz but not going after food often. None seen on the ground - ? nesting here,? yet. 24 June One seen feeding in Sassy pools only 4-5" deep on the census plot. It moved 6-10 feet up, then dipped to water and up again. Whatever it was often was small, because the only thing I saw was a 4" piece of carrion steak in its bill. ? after emerging tipulids. 25 June Two birds over one of the larger mossy lakes opp. the North dunes regularly attract 2 Glaciarous gulls in this area, but the terns did not land anywhere, 26 June One hovering over pools on the census plot felt not seen to pick. 27 June Three birds hovering over the large lakes in 30 feet opposite camp. 28 June Chewing a [illegible] Paecotic Jaeger, q.v., on Agassiz. 29 June Scattered birds seen feeding on and near most of the lakes inland of here but no evidence of nesting. 3 July One "fishing" in the pools on the census plot.
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Sterna paradisaea 4 July Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska About 20-25 birds out on lake Agassiz, hovering over the water and fishing. Can't find any nests no see any birds sitting. A couple on the lake basin South of South ridge. 5 July 3-4 birds on cliffs opposite North America coast, over the large shallow lakes. They chase the local glaucous gull, wherever it with come by.
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Uria (lomvia) July 26 Barrow, Alaska - about 5 minutes seem to far out To identify over the ice on the Chuckchi Sea near Duvall camp. July 27 Flakes of up to were seen along the Chuckchi sea some as close as 400 yards off shore. Two landed not far out and could be identified as thick-bills on the basis of the white on the breast forming a deep V pattern. [illegible] typical of this species Most of them were going east and all but one (which had dark auricules) were in breeding plumage. July 28 All but 6 in one flock, and all going east. July 29 One seen going east about 400 yards out, in flight the back appears: and the head is darker than the back. The bill mark impossible to see. With a flock of King Eiders along Elson bayon in the afternoon, going north. When the eiders shot, 5 turned back and landed off shore all appeared to be thick bills.
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P. DeBenedetti 1965 My Tree Scandiacas 7 June Barrow Alaska - saw my first birds of this species today. They fly somewhat between a Short-eared & a Great Gray Owl, depending on how much wind they Beetle. Saw 2 nests close one with 7 eggs the other was near the old #1 Radar installation. When approached to about 50-30 feet the 9 flew off and a number of Bwainian Jaegers (g.v.) quickly attached (as nest destroying certainly 2 and probably 3 eggs (clean, 2 intact). The Owl remained about 100 yards away but the 9 came to within about 25 feet of the nest. When the jaegers I approached they had a leaning which they device dropped. The second time it was dropped the Fox picked it up and carried it away, perched only loosely by a jaeger, the cut having turned to the nest. The Owls must have been disturbed by our presence for when we (seemed off) the pair (which copulated once shortly before) quickly returned to the nest & the 9 landed near by, 1st looking it over and then settling on the eggs. About 3 jaegers who attempted to get at this nest were quickly discouraged by the owls, the 1 striking one; they turned to the food we had already taken and finished them off, then settled down again. 10 June Visited one nest and saw several additional birds. Dr. Pikelka's 11 egg nest now contains only 9 eggs and 2 henness carcass were nearby. No sign of egg shells nearby. Saw one pair, the 9 injury flying and the male in a deep-winged display flight near the Beach Ridge; the 11 egg nest is near
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Nyctea scandiaca 10 June Barrow, Alaska - (cont.) the Central Marsh area, along the shore of Elson Lagoon about ½ way between Woldshdag Slough and Brait Point overlaid 7 birds in sight at one time, some twins with 2 9s in fairly close proximity; no evidence of a nest was found, but 2 9s giving the "Dracula" display were seen and some injury feigning was seen. The birds were not completely concerned about our presence, as they often landed to rest in 30 feet of the Wessel (But only one possible bird appeared to be at a nest site. A 9 flew high into the air over this area calling a soft "hoo-oot" repeatedly (about 1/second) and a female on the ground squealed several times during this period. 2 forrunning birds by Owls were seen. 11 June found a nest at the southeast end of the Family Lagoon on a mound on a polygon ridge overlooking the Lagoon. It contained 8 eggs + a 9th was nearby in a pile of pellets; the 9 didn't stay on when we were near and was not attacked at the nest. Saw the "Draculaing" near the nest. No population seen today. 12 June little activity seen in this area. Our pair seen on the Eastside Family Lagoon and showed no nest signs or display; found a feeding, pellet pellet casting area.
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P. D. Benedicts 1965- Nyctea scandiaca 13June Barrow, Alaska - found at least 5 birds, 3♂ +2♀, between Fanny's & S. Salt Lagoon. None seemed to be nesting and one ♂ is apparently unattacked. Found a scrap on which a ♀ had been sitting, on a small, bare raised polygon surrounded by a few feathers and pellets, but no signs of eggs. This pair was notable that the ♀ attacked two ♂ on 2 occasions, the 1st time knocking off a feather the second time chasing him away and was then attacked by a pair of Pomeranians. g.v. 14June Saw 4 nests today, one with 2, one with 3, one with 9+ one with 10 eggs. They were at least 3 additional pairs and 2 others unattacked ♂s. One of the pairs posed a "scape" upon which the ♀ was sitting. Saw one male flying about conspicuously carrying a lemming near a female, of the above pair, and another (10 egg nest) ♀ give "dracula" display. 15June Found a nest with 6 eggs on a mound on the top of the ridge along Elton Lagoon due East of the CHILL Tower at Barrow Point. The nest was surrounded by feathers as usual & the ♀ seemed quite concerned by my presence although was not dive-bombed. Saw a second pair out on the lake area, 2♂ low on a mound but no nest.
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P. De Benedittis 1965 Nyctea scandiaca 17 June Barrow, Alaska - 7 birds were seen at one time in the area between Family Lagoon & the SE South end of S. Salt Lagoon, 58°3' and 24°; none of these appear to be nesting, and no courtship activity was seen. 19 June didn't notice as many owls in the above area today, but not as careful attention was paid to the species. 20 June a P catching a lemming merely flew 7-8 feet and flopped down on the beast and began to eat it. Still a few unattacked birds in the VOTD-Britton area, probably only 3 or 4 P's and 24s now. 22 June The area along Elson Lagoon is obviously a 2nd center for non-breeding P's or we saw 5 on one mound and 3 others nearby. Host are P's. Still 4-6 in Britton's area. 23 June a very white P seen in the distant Barrow area and a P4 seen out toward the SE end Family Lagoon in a high polygon area. 24 June On the mound where there were 5 owls June 22 Today there were 14!!!! The mound is oblong and about 100 feet long; P's out numbered Ps by about 2:1. There were two others on the ice and 3 across Woldsebølg Stream for a total of 19 non-breeders + 2+ pairs in the area. Only saw one owl near the Miconel shark and there is a 4 egg nest on P. Itelka's census plot, plus a P4 (couldn't find a nest) south of them.
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P. De Benedictis 1965 Nyctea scandica 26 June Barrow, Alaska - a 3 seen crossing the N end of Holmer's Mraa from Elson hogoon high in the air with a slippingy direct wing beat - so it coursed it was attacked in order by each successive Jaeger Pair. In the evening a male was seen flying directly and W over the ARH (no jaegers to bother it) in addition to this of that has been hanging out there for several days now. 27 June At least 8 owls on the continuation of the Beach Ridge W of Family hogoon and about = # of 3s and 4s. The nest on VOTH area is probably gone as this 3 has been ?shot and the 4 is gone. Saw a 4 by the Barrow dump. 28 June Saw both of the pair at Family hogoon (SE end) and the one in the basin area is a 4 now. Found a death-springaliv 4 in the level area across VOTH Creek from the VOTH area, and brought it in for autopsy. There was a live remining under it when I picked it up! It was thin, weigh 1460 gm., and had no subcutaneous fat and its stomach was empty. The ovary was inactive. It was badly bruised on the right shoulder and about the tail, which was broken. 29 June The pair out in Central Marsh is actively going back and forth from the nest now, although this 4 stays close to the nest and remains longer than does this 3. The group of non- breeders at the W end of Family hogoon numbers at least 19, for I saw 11 on the W side of the mouth
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P.D. Benedict, 1965 Nyctea scandica 29 June Barrow, Alaska - of both creek and 5 on the E side (where they are more scattered) and 2 on the continuation of the Beach Ridge W of Family Lagoon. None hunting but they were motionless when I approached them than they usually are. 4 July The above group has somewhat diminished, only 15- being seen, most across (on the E side) Family Lagoon. The pair is still pursuit active in Central Marsh and a (one?) is hanging on in Goshare Ridge; one pair at the W end of Footprint Lake. 6 July Checked the Brunt Point nest, finding 6 eggs, 1 newly hatched chick and 2 dead lemmings in the nest. I was not bothered by the parents. I stood at the N end of the mouth of Wollh slag slough and counted 37 Snowy Owls from there - none to the NW, 9 to the NE, 16 to the SE and 8 to the SW; this includes the members of at least 2 pairs but the rest are non-breeders, which were seen up to 2½ mile off shore on the ice of Elson Lagoon. 7 July The owls have moved back from the district area to the mouth of 80TH creek. I counted 18 in this area in the afternoon; combined with the above Total that makes about 55 non breeding Owls in the area around here! 9 July The nest at the N end of Footprint was empty and no dead birds nearby. A nest about ½ mi. S of the lake contained 4 young [illegible] the bowl and one egg. The 2 did not attack. 25 owls were counted from the
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P. De Benedictis 1965 Nyctea scandica 9 July Barrow, Alaska - continuation of the Beach ridge Family lagoon and there were 6-9 birds around Foot print lake. There are a lot of owls around here! Owls were much more active in the evening than during the day. 10 July The group along Elson lagoon is smaller now; only about 20 ± 5 birds. The Brent Pt. nest contains 3 chick + 3 eggs. 11 July Didn't notice as many around Foot print as on July 9 (but not so careful attention paid). A nest with 7 young (two left the bowl when disturbed) was found along the stream channel at the SW part of Kroavik and a nest with 6 young about ½ mile from here. The 3 at the 7 owl nest bombed once twice ineffectually. One of the young off the nest snapped its beak at us + went into a "dracula"-like posture when approached; Only the 6 owl nest continued humming. 3 in the bowl. A pair at an unclarked nest along the E side of a large lake W of Kroavik were the only other owls seen. 16 July about 20 ± 5 along Elson lagoon. The Brent Pt. nest not chucked but am told now 6+ young. 19 July The nest by 12 Headman Lake well along. 4 young, all large, 3 are still downy, 1 has fairly long feathers and I can almost fly (bob-tailed). 20 July Found a egg on the ground outside Pitkha's owl nest but no young. The 9s still in the area. The Brent Point nest contains 6 young and all well groomed but and 7-8 Lemmings
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Nyctea scandica 21 July Barrow, Alaska - without flight feathers. About 15 adults, including the parents of this bird, along the shore but more dispersed, moving into the area occupied earlier by jaegers. 22 July The group that had been at the Send Family hayson dispersed, but the Vinnell people working here, which must account for it. One behind the lab had a lemming. 23 July The owls that had been set by the Send of Family's hayson appear to have moved into the area along the ridge by blizzard. 24 July The nest on the polygons SSE of line II with 5 small young in the bowl and 1 much larger bird struggling about outside - cetera, one off licking or three was quite a gap between the 1st hatch and the others. Obviously no lemming shortage as at least 17 dead ones, all moderate to large, on the bowl's edge, 25 July Two additional nests seen west of Iktuavik. The only one checked with 6 young and 1 egg; the egg evidently infertile as the smallest young was several days (10½) old. Adults were seen regularly and one loose centration was seen SE of Iktuavik. They appear to be in about the same density as closer to the lab. 29 July Only 3-4 along Elson hayson and 4-5 across Woldoslay Slough. The pair not around the Beart Point Nest. Found a nest, no adults present, with two jaeger-eaten eggs in the polygonised area south of lines XIII, XIV, and saw quite a few adults in the area.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Asio flammeus 11 June Barrow, Alaska. one was flushed from the Banel area along the E side Family lagoon in the afternoon about 4:30. It flew off giving little sign of attachment to the area. 13 June one seen fly from Family lagoon toward South salt lagoon, landed in a low area between its calls + the ocean. Picked up the left primaries and a tail of a bird Dr. P. Kelka identified as a male. The feathers were not weathered and were on a raised polygon in an area of Snowy Owl feathers + pebbles. 19 June One seen flying high up in the air (80+ feet up) flitting from the region of Bowersville to the Barrow area along the road to Ark. It alternated the typical floppy wing beat with long, spiraling glides the wings out straight Buteo-like, and it spent more time gliding than flapping. I saw no dives nor any evidence of a second bird. The bird looked mother like a proaging Red-tail Hawk as it flew but other Short-eareds I have seen do not flit like this. 20 June Beliue. Two birds to be present. Saw a very white colored (above or wings) bird flying high but in very felian accents. M. Salt lagoon and later a second, more russet-colored bird was seen going the same directions from the same area-the dumpy S. Salt lagoon. It, too, flapped most of its time but flew high and 1d twice glide very briefly, beat very Buteo-like.
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P.D.Benedict's 1965 Asia flammeus 21 June Barrow Alaska - clearly two birds present as saw one with good flight feathers and 1 with a gap in the inner primaries on one side, both flying fairly high but no spring. The 1st bird is better than the second. 25 June One seen flying over the low area between the Beach Ridge and the POW site in the morning. It was in good plumage and fairly dark; as it flew over a pair of jægers attacked it. [illegible]
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Asio flammeus 31 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska One flying over the lake basin W of camp about 10 AM and one flying N along the river about 6 PM. Both very light birds. 5 June One flew directly over camp about 8 AM.
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Turdus migratorius 31 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'N, 70°24'N, Alaska A grubby looking, dark headed bird with [illegible] a no white in the tail was feeding in the bare areas near the village along the creek about 8 P.M.
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P. D. Benedich 1945 Motacilla flava 27 June Barrow, Alaska - Heard a warbler - a rough but singing call rather like a redpoll but higher pitched, and looked up to see two birds about the size of longspurs but thinner, bright yellow bellows with dark olive backs and black tails, fly past over the Barrow area with a strongly undulating flight. They certainly have been this species, judging from what I know about them and from what we saw. 29 June One heard (and a lot seen) flying N over Miccosukee Marsh in the evening.
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Motacilla flava 29 May Micaule River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°39'N, Alaska Found two birds feeding "with longbeaks" on exposed [illegible] bare chickweed-Dryas-?Poa flats along the creek. They were very active, walking along through the vegetation picking up food items and then flying to another patch. Their soft call notes are very pipit-like, but the [illegible] is distinctive. Later saw one in camp and Francis Kirstner saw two near the CO2 shack, but couldn't find any after 8 P.M. quarter down along the ridge. 30 May One in camp about 8:15, one feeding in exposed rather bare sandy-Dryas flats near the village, and one flying S along the Head in the A.M. one or two heard over camp in the afternoon, and one seen near camp about 11:30 P.M. flying S along the river. 31 May At least 3 to 5 birds are present and two are singing notes near the AF Wannigan. They are very shy and fly off when I try to stalk them. They tend to feed out in very exposed areas and often fly up at the ground. The song is a high-pitched rapidly repeated "seeee" given in the air, 30 feet from the ground, the bird quickly to the ground, wincing in a dihedral and feet dangling at the close of each beat of song. They are all over the camp area, and a frustrating bird to try and collect. A very dull bird came through camp, feeding at the edge of snow and flying up from the
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Motaicela flavo -2 31 May Meacle River Coal Mins, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska the ground and moving about actively all the time. One a two bright birds still near the AF Wanningan. 2 June They are still about, but only 2 birds now seem to be near camp, working the area from camp to the village, and another pair is near the flowing stream, where I heard some song, north of camp. About 5:30 I managed to collect the 4 of the local pairs. She was in pre laying condition, the belly base and the largest ova were about 4 mm and becoming yolk, the cut smalles and pale yellows. The oviduct was enlarged but not apparently used. She was fat! Stomach contents well chewed up but there are too heads that looked like sweet feeds. The male is much more active and noisier now, covering a large area from the village to the coal mine, calling a lot but not singing much, which was the case from 5:30 to 6 after I got the 4. 3 June The 2 at the AF Wanningan already remated by 11 AOT and both birds flying about though not sticking together as closely as before. A little song. A lone ?B seen over willows grown polygon from the coal mine to the creek mini. 5 of camp, may be a different bird from the pair at the AF Wanningan. 4 June Saw the 2 of the AF Wanningan pair carrying nest material and there is lots of activity by the mouth of the creek There
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Motacilla flava - 3 4 June. Heacle River Coal Mine, 152°25'W, 70°28'N, Alaska are at least two pairs here, probably using the creek as a territory boundary. There is also an odd bird near the CO2 Warrique which may be a different pair. Birds feeding actively in open areas and probably taking small flying insects, jumping up to flycatch to get them. They are always on the move. The tail is wagged up and down but not fanned. Call is a loud, characteristic "tochew", a soft fidget-like "chit chit", and the song, a rolling, rapidly repeated, high pitched phrase: "[illegible]" (oooo) 5 June No signs of them except one on the camp plot south of camp. All are the camp-village area. Saw 3-4 Together once and 2-3 pairs are here. Act like they are starting to nest and they now give a hard, slither-like "toch" when approached, occasionally. Feeding actively, especially by day. Both sexes, if they can be served by plumage, sing as if twice saw dull colored birds in song flight. There is some chasi, and the birds tend to stay in two's when they move about. 6 June Very inconspicuous today, possibly only 4-5 birds about, near the village and near camp. feeding less actively than before. None seen carrying nest material etc., and little song. Be damned if I can sneak up on the citters. 7 June. Only on the village flats, near the village and near camp. 3-4 pairs, probably.
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Motacilla flava -4 8 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°025'W, 70°029'N, Alaska About two pairs active south of camp, flying back and forth along the river and landing on the willows. Not much sing. 3-4 birds around the village, going out on the village flat and ridge. When a peregrine falcon flew over, one flew up, calling excitedly, and "mobbed" ineffectively the falcon. 9 June 1-2 pairs active about the village. Can't tell while going on, but they are spending time in the old sod house foundations. 10 June Active in the village. They yell at you when you get near them, a whining "weeat!". Saw a female with a bill full of ptarmigan feathers near the 1/4 stakes of the cerns plot, but she was very upset by my presence and eventually tore the feathers up and flew away. She was banded on its left foot. In the evening I was attacked by a longtail and when getting food I saw her fly into a nut. The nut is of grass, partly domed, and unribbed. Once this bird landed near by. The I came out and went in to a very fluffed posture, until the leekap, which was intensified when the other bird approached.
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Motacilla flava .6 12 June. Meade River Coal Mine, 15°025'W, 70°29'N. Humber The nest had 1 egg at 10 A.M., and the same at 5:30 P.M. marked with ink 1. The nest is on the top of a polygon ridge under a tuft of Eriophorum, and is composed of ?bany stems, partly domed and cullined. The & not concerned when I check it but it often comes in and yells when I go towards the village. A 3?, not carrying Damarigan feathers, near the start of phil's transect but I can't see where they are going. The members of this pair are nearly identical in color. 13 June Two eggs in the nest. A 3? on the North Bluff area, but which didn't really get upset about me 14 June Three eggs in the nest. Only the & appears to incubate. Still can't find the nest by the coal mine. 16 June Five eggs. & apparently incubating now. Wayfaring at the coal mine and by south creeks. For the evening a 3? flew over excitedly near where I saw the bonded & but I couldn't find any sign of a nest, and were saw two birds together. 17 June 5 eggs according to Steven. A pair near the village. One on the far side of the meadow opposite the village dances. 19 June Saw the bonded & at the cross plot. She cover an area from the 1,2 strike to 280 ± m. Sopla plot and to across the mine. Helen returned with Steven to get her, without luck, but saw with bird.
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Molacit/a flava 21 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°025'W, 70°24'N, Alaska The banded ♀ fussing at every the censer plot as usual, but this time she went on a nest which is under a large Sapix puching in a clump of eriophorum. It contain 5 eggs and is well feather lined. I'll get lay yet. The pair near the coal mine seems to be in its disturbed area rather than by phil's trams as I had believed. The pair in camp still incubating, but this flusher, readily and spend a lot of time off its nest. 22 June Slit 5 eggs. ♀ on, but flushed at a great distance. 23 June The banded ♀ flushed early and went. 5 eggs. 25 June One across the Meade spp. North bluff. 26 June The stupid bird by camp has laid a 7th egg while my back was turned. The vassa!! 27 June Trapped the banded ♀ by putting a mouse trap in part of the nest. She went in twice and out twice before I got her. Collected its nest. The band from Hong Kong! Birds still buzzing around camp. 28 June ♀ still incubating. She still sits very tight. The 3 on the censer plot singing most of the morning. 29 June A bird dead near the outlet of the 1st lake or village creek was the farthest inland I have observed this species. The bird near camp now was 8 eggs, but not sure when she laid it.
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Motacilla flava 30 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°24'N, Alaska The pair by camp still with eggs. The pair by the coal mine very fitly now and whenever I get near them they get up and scold. 2 July The nest near camp has produced young, but can't tell how many. Probably hatched yesterday. 3 July The pair by the coal mine still actively up through. They don't give much indication of next location. 4 July No change. There is still a bird by the census plot and the pair by South Creek are even more active than the pair by the coal mine, flying over head and scolding constantly. 5 July One pair on cliff top opposite north bluff, evidently based on the far side of the mine. A pair by the bluff opposite South Creek. 6 July Chit gangs in the nest by camp. There was one bird by the census plot that went out to the 3,3 post. No song singing. The pair by the coal mine scolds as before. 7 July One pair on the dunes opposite South Creek. 9 July Two fledglings jumped from the disturbed area by the coal mine. The adults were challenging from a long distance away and are becoming a nuisance. The solar bird by camp coming along, and most of the eggs appear to have hatched. The adults scold more violently now than they did
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Motacilla flava 9 July Meade River Coal Mine, (57°25'40", 78°28'N), Dawn before I took off feeding. They had water there foraging within 30 metres of the nest. Flushed one young from along the creek: Zita. Evidently the birds near the spot where Lake Agassiz empties were a separate pair. 10 July Sh/1 scolding near camp and by the village. Young in the nest yet. 11 July When I went by the coal mine, 2 adults and a young got up. There were young got up and eventually 2 adults + 5 young were flying overhead and scolding before wood. They are wide spread. Their young usually fresh from wet areas, and are noticeably stubby tailed. The yard by camp still going actively, the parents scolding all aways. They seem to become more and more j.they as incubation progresses. There are at least 6 young in the nest (7 hatched). Skinned one more. Both parents fed. 12 July Sh/1 feeding young in the nest by camp. When I looked in the evening, the adults were off + the young huddled up together, this back to the outside of the creek. Both parents back 13 July Still feeding young by camp by 9:30. When I got back about 12:30 the young were gone (one egg in the nest) and there was no sign of any of the birds. Still 3-4 young by the coal mine.
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Anthus spinolaetta 28 May Meade River Coal Mine, 15725'W, 7029'N, Alaska One seen feeding in a very sandy area with a little grass and blupas just S of camp near the mine, along the river, about 9 AM. 30 May One heard flying over and seen in flight about 1 mi. N of the village at 6 AM. 31 May One seen and heard flying over the camp area about 2 PM. (Some of the birds described only may be Yellow Wagtails, which do have a pipit-like note). Anthus spinolaetta is now Anthus rubescens per tou 1998
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Vernissage celata 12 June Neagle River Coal Mine. 157025'W, 70°29'N, Hawk. When a bright green warbler zipped by the kitchen and landed on an oil drum, I thought I had a Phylloscopus at last but when I finally got a good look at it (at the village!), it was clearly this species. "No facial pallor and blurry streaks on breast seen. Legs dark. No calls. It feeds in willows and tall Elymus. Seen going south through camp (again) about 1 hours later.
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Deudorix coronata 5 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska A bright [illegible] with clear-breasted bird feeding on the ground near the A.F. Wannigan, along the river bluff, usually around willow clumps. Apparently catlike, flies. Seen only in the A.M. When I decided to chase it, I jumped a waibler that appeared to have a dark rump and all white outer-tail feathers, but could not get a good look at it. All waiblers gone by now.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Wilsonia canadensis 22 July Barrow, Alaska - a dead bird was found between two rows of cowclover crates directly behind the lab. It had been dead for a while but the area where it was found had been graded about 1/2 week ago. The feathers broke down probably from the period of 17-19 July. Saved in mummified condition.
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P.DeBenechicu 1965 Spizella arborea 11 June Barrow, Alaska.- Found my first spitz species today; it was hopping along on the edge of a mound out a polygon ridge feeding in the water covered areas about 20 feet from me, and only about 10 feet from a Snowy Owls nest at Family logoon. I noticed its bright red cap & latter could see the red mark on the sides of the breast & black spot on the breast. It was duller on the head than a dippier sparrow and the back was brighter and more strongly streaked, especially with light; the "shoulders" were bright stripes but the rest of the back was rial brown. It was silent, and worked toward the ARKANSAW, I judge without comparison that it was slightly smaller than a longspur 12 June Still present in same area. 13 June found an additional bird along the NE side of S. Salt Logon in an area of rubbish and drift mounds. It fed on the ground and was not very shy. The breast spot was more distinct than on the other bird. 17 June one present in the same area as above, feeding on mounds a raised polygon on his side near snow level. Heard a clam "seep", the [illegible] noise I have got from one of its hearts.
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Spizella arborea 2 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 20°29'N, Alaska One flushed from a pile of 4-6" willows at the mouth of the creek near the village. The bird jumped upon the willows, then flew up into the village.
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Passerceilus sandwichensis 25 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska I found one bird feeding with a few longspurs in a grassy, willow ridge-top along the River, SE of camp in the AM, and later saw 2 birds, one of which chased the other, giving a short song while in flight, in grassy riprap ridge behind the lab. The birds seem to be afternoon were 3 with longspurs in grassy-willow high polygons c. 2 mi. N of camp along the river and 4 in tall-grassy polygon ridges along the river in the feet just NE of the village, all the birds were quiet. It evident could be a fairly common bird there. 29 May One seen near the lab in grassy-loam polygon areas and possibly another along the Meade River in grassy-willow dunes c. 2 mi SE of camp in the evening. 30 May One or two near camp and along the creek and two or three in the polygonized sand dunes 3-4 km N of camp. One bird chase and o will song observed. These birds seem to like grassy areas more than the longspurs. One flushed from the grass along the river near camp about 10:30 P.M. 31 May At least two were along the creek and around camp this am. Heard one song. One seen in the "creek plot" area. They seek safer areas where the grass is tall and they can get out of sight. I now wonder if they are going to stay around.
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Passerules sandwichensis 2 June Meade River Coal Mine. 157°25'N, 20°24'W, Alaska SEE DONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRY S for AM observations. birds still prefer gneissy, low polygonal areas 3 June 2 singing near the village and one a two other seen in grass areas. They are now getting to be fairly secretive. 4 June 2 singing near the village and la flashes from areas of tall grass. They are especially #s along the airstrip and in the flat N of the village 5 June 7 singing from the lake basin S of the South Ridge and a few near the village as usual, in the very heavily grown open barren meadows, especially where there is mats of low willows. 6 June Singing near the village creek as usual. Present in weedy gany areas, but shy when on the ground. 7 June Heard and seen near the village and on the village flats 8 June Wide spread but scarce over the village flats, One singing S of South Creek. 9 June 3-4 singing and flushed in the village flats and where they are widespread. 10 June One a two near the center plot, A 5 near the generator shack and 1-2 #s in the flats south of South ridge 11 June At least 3 #s in the flats near the South Ridge, #s not singing a lot. Birds in quarry area, usu. with
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Passerellus sandwichensis 16 June Meadle River Coal Mine, 157025'W, 70024'N, Alaska Wide spread in quarry areas, the's singing. Mostly along L. Agassiz. 17 June Several's in the cottage flats. Not singing on the far side of the river. Bad? weather? 21 June One singing on the census plot for the first time. Listably from a pair by the coal mine. 23 June Two males singing from the west side of lake Agassiz in quarry-willow areas. 25 June Found a partly domed one nest - [illegible] - under a tuft at tall grass containing 5 pale blue, heavily spotted eggs. The nest was well lined. I was never able to see the bird flushed off the nest, but a pair of Savannah sparrows were very excited about my presence near the nest. 26 June Found a 5-egg nest near the coal mine. The nest was a simple cup, feather-lined, nearly covered over by tall Elymus. The 4 flushed at 3 feet and was very hard to see. She didn't come back until some time later. 28 June All but one egg in the nest by the coal mine has hatched. Parent's shipping, possibly at the area. 3 July Only two young in the nest by the Coal Mine now. 1 July Again, carrying food, about 3/5 of the way down the cottage flats. Apparently nesting at an inland side of the willows, not good about keeping the nest hidden. 6 July Still two large young in the nest by the coal mine. [illegible]
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Passerculus Sandwichensis 6 July Meadow River Coal Mine, (57°25'20", 70°29'24"), Alum Collected one. They nearly flushed when I reached for them, and have only tracks of down.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Passerella illiacce. 9 June Barrow, Alaska - found one on a gravel pit with turnstones feeding on the ground. It was bright, very gray head with a rufous-reddish back bright tail and bright rufous streakings ventrally - according to Dr. Pitell this is the "local" race zabovices. 10 June still present, saw about 2PH in the same area, scratching in the exposed grassy area near snow drift. 11 June still present in same area. 13 June a Foxsparrow in the same area was of the same general pattern but in a much duller plumage, the streaking quite dark and the dorsal reddish; looked unlike the bird previously seen but could have been the same bird much dirtied up. 15 June still present; not checked yesterday.
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Passerella iliaca Time Meade River Coal Mine, 157°025'W, 70°029'N, Alaska One feeding along a cat road near the village, out in its open scratching in crushed Elymus, about noon. It was the grey-headed, rusty-backed type of central Alaska. One seen near the centre plot about 11 PM was in the same plumage as the bird seen in the village, and resting in a small clump of willows.
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Zonotrichia leucophrys 30 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska Two feeding with longspurs in grassy regions along the creek N. of camp by the village. Both fairly shy, but covering much territory in their activities. 31 May At least two in camp (one here last night) and along the creek and one in the "canna plot" area. No song. They feed most along the edge of grassy areas where the ground is bare, and are more active than the average longspur. They appear much slimmer in flight. Two together include AF Wannigan about 9 P.M. 1 June Still at least one near camp. Thought I heard song once. SAVANNAH SPARROW 2 June There are more here than I though. Two or three singing on the far side of the Meade River of camp and 2-3 around camp, 3-4 in the flats N. of the village along the river, 1-2 in the polygonal area W. of the village, and 2-3 in stapolized dune-bluff area 2-3 miles N. of camp. I suspect not are paired and no flocks are evident. 2 June There were two+ birds along the creek, one in the flats N. of the village, and one+ on the bluff 2 mi. N. of camp this A.M. Still no song. Still one near the "canna plot." There are a lot around! 3 June One between camp area the AF Wannigan about 1 P.M. 4 June Two in the village, both with gray lores and unjoined eye stripes.
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Zonotrichia leucophrys 5 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25' W, 70°24' N, Alaska To my surprise they have begun to sing. One near the river by the coal mine began singing, about midnight and continued off and on until at least 5 A.M., and another singing on the far side about 1 mile south. A bird came through camp and sang from the wires. At least one in the village. 6 June. One or two in village. One singing a little in the A.M. ? Will they breed here? 10 June One singing about 1 mi S of camp on far side of the Meade River. 11 June One singing and feeding in willows along the edge of the Meade River from the census plot to South Creek area. Say. 12 June One singing near the coal mine c. 11 A.M. and a ? seen there in the evening. A ? sparrow with Pterinigus feathers in its back was seen here. 13 June One singing on the far side of the Meade about 2 mi N of camp and two near the 1 stake of Phil's transect. One in camp. 14 June One near Phil's transect, singing from the top of the stakes 16 June One near Phil's transect. Singing from the far tide of the Meade about 1½ miles from here. 17 June Singing from the far side of the Meade. Observed some and scatterers along the Meade. 4+ ?s here.
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Dorothicus leucophrys 14 June Made River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°24'N, Alaska A bird singing from the census plot north of St. A.M. in the afternoon saw two together right along the edge of the bluff. One singing by the coal mine. 20 June One more singing from the village. Song from near the coal mine. 21 June Found a nest with 4 eggs under a tussock of Elymus in a patch 1/3 foot tall Salix pulchra by the coal mine. The female bird flushed gave no distraction display and was very inconspicuous. A bird singing along the river by the 1/3 ridge in the A.M. 22 June 5/7/ 4 eggs in the nest, a bird on. 26 June " " " " " " " " A bird singing in the willows across the Pleade opposite the census plot. 27 June At least one in the willows opposite camp. 28 June Still incubating. Its tighter than before, 30 June Still incubating. Birds occasionally singing from the far side of the pleade. 3 July The nest has yours now, but they are sweet, not sure two days old.) probably only one. Beak seen near the start of Phil's transect in the mid afternoon 4-5 July Occasionally singing from the far side of the Pleade 6 July Still 4 small young in the nest, all downy. One bird incubating.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Θ Junco oregonus 12 June Barrow, Alaska - one was found in a highly polygonized area along the NW end of Family Logoon adjacent to the next Logoon; it was feeding on the lee of the convex polygon and was hard to approach. It was pale-gray, gray with a darker face and the hood was clearly set off against pink sides; the back was dull brown. I suspect it was a J.o. meansi due to the darkness around the bill.
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Junco hyemalis 3 June Meacle River Coal Mine. 157°25'W, 70°29'N. Alaska A male feeding in a rare patch along the creek about 11 A.M. A well marked bird. 4 June Still in the same area this A.M. 5 June A f that looked like cismontanus was in camp today—much brown on the back and the side a bit pale. Clearly a slate-colored bird. Only one was seen. It was in the same area the two were seen.
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DeBenedicks P 1965 Calcarius lapponicus 9 June Barrow, Alaska. saw a few birds near ARH feeding in open patches of tundra and around the animal shelter. There were more males than Fs and they look to be paired, saw an occasional 3 give flight song, reath like a snow bunting but more trilling with a tail forwardish end. heard notes given from the ground, the "few" and the rattle and a rather Carpodacus finch like chip. 10 June a few birds were seen out in the Nisbet lakes area, but they were generally quiet, in the late evening; not as much activity around the ARH area. 11 June saw a bird carrying nest material but light was not good to tell its sex; there is about a 50% increase in Fs from yesterday PM. in the ARH in the barrel area. Watched one fight. the birds first were fighting on the ground, jumping towards each other and locking claws. Two postures, one that looked like a begging juvenile and one that resembled the hunched posture of a gull, but with the wing 1/4 open and dropped were seen on the ground; in the latter the tail was raised somewhat, and fanned 1/2; when quiet they fell flat on the snow and often opened their wing, flat on the snow, away from their opponent. In this air they flapped slowly, and project humbled as they did on the ground; after the fight one sang; birds sing both on the ground and in the air; they are increas- ingly noisily, this tree of all their vocalizations. A similar fight seen about 4 PM; involved birds which
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P.D.Benedict's 1965 Calcaium Laponices 11 June Barrow, Alaska remained in a more upright position; saw both fiddler on the snow one with the wing towards the opponent open. Birds very quiet in the afternoon 12 June Other than there being some song, little feeding, activity seen; my values seemed more balanced today. 13 June little change from yesterday. 14 June Saw several birds hop instead of the usual walking. They were quieter than in the past few days (due to wind?) and no signs of nesting as yet. 15 June Very little song + other activity considering # of birds seen. 16 June a little song flight near the bar area. Only one or two birds, lugging up Kudua, on the Kach ridge in the morning. Birds not noisy at all in the afternoon. A female feeding out in a sweet (6 sq') of exposed grass was flushed by a lemming which ran under the longspur. 18 June Some what more song but little change in activities from previous dates. 19 June Saw no unusual display yet the species were quite noisy. An egg found out on the ground was apparently this species, as today I kicked a f off a freshly lined but empty nest. On June 17 this grass cup had been completed; this cup was better developed and deeper, 4-6 small white (?) (Sow) feathers in the cup, on which the & were sitting. The cup was placed back
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P. De Benedittis 1965 Colcerius laponicus 19 June Barrow, Alaska - a overhang on a high polygon facing W and was open only to the west. The egg was cool when found and now cold; I was about 4 inches from the nest & may have been kicked out when I flushed it, 7:30 12" true. 20 June Today when I looked in the nest there was a lemming looking out at me! Found a 2nd egg outside the nest (after the 1st found outside the nest) and an egg (brighter, more-ruptious spotted) inside the nest. Don't quite know what is going on here! No other evidence of nesting except for song. 21 June The nest now empty. Hamilton found a 2nd nest containing 5 eggs. It is in a lemming (vireo?) on the W side of a raised polygon at the top of the slope; the nest is bulky and lined with 2-4 owl feathers. Considerable song but no other note- worthy display. 22 June A lemming has run its Barrow down through the 5 egg nest above, destroying the entire contents. Song was little in evidence today and there was little other display noted. Some birds are still for from being attached to an area. 23 June Very silent. One seen being chased by a Dunlin. 24 June Saw one being chased by a dunlin, g.v. Little change in activity today. 25 June Not very noisy today. Hamilton found 3 nests than not seen, ? now.
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Calcaris haplochirus 26 June Barnes, Alaska - Watched 38's & 29s on Pitelka's plot - one male covered 8 acres in flight songs but seemed to be attached to the area. Both females were loosely associated with a male but showed interest only in feeding while I watched them. In the evening Hamilton and I saw a female carrying grass and found a nearly completed cup in the Bavel area behind the lobs. Saw 23's side by side on 2 separate occasions. 27 June Saw several feeding pairs and 29s together 3 occasions in the Bavel area and flushed at close range a female sitting on a nest with 4 eggs; the nest was well lined with feathers and down in the tallest grass on one of the undisturbed ridges in an area heavily traversed by foxesels, etc. Pairs seen in the afternoon were feeding and the only nests seen had been found earlier by Hamilton. 28 June Found a nest with 5 eggs about 100 yds. S of it above nest located under a tuft of grass on a very disturbed clump of mud! No change in the above nest. Birds don't look very territorial but saw one male silently and successfully displacing a 244 male by hopping towards the latter. 29 June The nest we found June 26 is now complete but empty. These birds are very variable in breeding conditions as it is still possible to find groups of 2-3's together and 2-3's together with much trouble. They were not very noisy today and no large groups were seen. No change in any clump.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Calcaius lapouicus 2 July Barrow, Alaska— the pair behind the lab is gone and the nest still empty. Almost no song today and most birds appear to be non-breeding. 3 July A nest with 4 eggs was found in the VOTH area by Dr. Pitelka. The 4 come in and (which my concerned nest no I was seen. 6 July for a change heard we song today, even though the weather was fairly good. 7 July didn't hear a song. The nest found June 26 probably abandoned. Birds were not singing in the VOTH area in the afternoon. A 2-egg nest found by Hamilton between semi, pel. Nests 1+2 now contains 1 egg + 1 chick. little other evidence of nesting seen, but also little flocking. 9 July Above nest unchanged; a nest near pustillus 20 contains 3-4 live and 1 dead chick yesterday and all were dead today; no longspurs seen in this area or eelthudate, 11 July longspurs were widely but sparingly distributed in the Throak' region and a nest, attended by the ♀ contoured 3 large chicks (pulli) and 1 egg, probably infertile. No song. 13 July The 4 egg nest found July 3 broken up. 15 July The nest found 27 June contains at least 3 young about ready to leave the nest and they were seen in it. area. The nest found 25 June appears to have been woken up. 17 July This nest empty and a ♂ in the area, alarmed by my presence; Hamilton's (y) nest empty. No young seen.
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R. DeBenedictis 1965 Calcarius laponicus 23 July Barrow, Alaska - saw 1 a 2 in such heavy molt they can barely fly. Is getting very ratly in plumage. 26 July About as common in the Ikaovik area as anywhere, and little indication of this nesting. Several seem with very stubby bills but they appear to be adults. Two seem toched the median head strips and appeared very strange, almost like Savannah Sparrows. 29 July Saw at least two bob-tailed young by AACS about 6 pm.
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Calcaris lopponicus Alaska 23 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°02'5"W, 70°29'N, heard a song which was this species (? probably) singing from the Village, about 4:30 P.M. Ray earlier said he had seen 4 small dark birds flying over. 27 May. Heard and saw about 15 birds, most 3 together, along the Meade R. They were flying about, fairly noisily, and there was a little can, but not much of it prolonged. Saw at least 4 Rs, all foraged in with 7s. They were feeding mostly on exposed areas barely grown to Elymus and scattering willows, on dry sandy soil, (but some points were seen on the snow and small tufts of Poa sticking out of the snow). Birds flying over generally stop and feed on the large patches of exposed ground, and they seem to prefer the barest spots, although that are now the most exposed area — i.e., the preference may be improved rather than choice. 28 May Most of the birds were seen in the area of exposed polygon ridges and sandy- Dryas ridges near the 1st creek entering the Meade R. SE of camp this AM. There were at least 3 Rs in the group, and several of the 7s sang a little, probably from the ground after the sun came out. One or two seen flying along the river. In the afternoon a small flock was seen on
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Calcerius logoponies -2 28 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'W, Aloha exposed sandy Dyas.-Stymus flats on the dense K of camp and a larger group in lichen- chickweed-grass (?Poa or Carex) grown high polygon. Here were 58s and 24s in one group and at least 37s and 68s than the other. Saw several isolated males. little song. Around camp they commonly feed around exposed tufts of Poa, but seem to prefer areas where this is much exposed moss between grass rifts. 29 May. There were fewer birds flying about and possibly a few individuals have left, but basically not much change from yesterday. Mostly 3s, in flocks of 3 to 12 birds, and feeding in sandy areas where much soil exposed for the most part, but some are now moving out to the poor polygon ridges - grown to Carex and Poa, which are now becoming exposed. Very little song, and no flight song. 30 May. Birds very noisily and they have really begun to move out into the exposed bunches of grass in the lower areas inland from the river. Flight song and 37 chases seen regularly all day long. but the flocks are still evident, although now looser in organization. In the evening birds were singing and feeding actively along the Meade's SW of camp, after about 10:45 PM almost all activity stopped
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Calceris lopponicus x3 30 May Neerle River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 28°29'N, Alaska and I began fleeing obviously unaware birds from clumps of willow 4-5" tall and from places where they grow over along the spaces between clumps. The birds jumped up and flew off about 12-15" feet, fanning their tail like they were coming off nests, and pecked out on the ground. They did not become very active after this but I didn't see any go to bed again later. A few birds were jumped like this between 10 + 10:15 as well. Birds do sleep in the arctic! 31 May Perhaps a little increase in #s but hard to tell considerable songflight and the flocks have essentially broken up entirely. Lots of JST chasing but little courtship. If this is all we get, they will be scarce when they move north to the tundra. No sign of nesting activities. 1 June Birds fairly quiet today, probably because of the weather. Not much change in behavior from yesterday. I occasionally hear a high pitched signal which I think is part of the courtship, but haven't seen a bird in the air yet. 2 June Little change. More dissociation of the flocks and some birds seem to be paired. Little song in the AM but lots in the mid- day period. No nesting activities noted. They are everywhere the land is exposed, and probably a little increased in #s from yesterday.
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Calcanis lopponicus - 4 2 June Sweet Meadow River Coal Mine, 15°025'W, 70°029'N, Alaska Little change in the PM. Saw several long fights between birds near the village. The two would face each other, then fly up 1-3 feet, feet at each other and both trying to peck the other on the head. Lots of song from individual males, most nest birds are quiet. They have one note that sounds a lot like the call of a Boreal Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). 3 June Birds still active near the village but quiet near camp. Some song and a few 30+ fights seen. Little evidence of flocking. In the evening worked along the Meadow S of Camp. These birds are less local and more social. Several groups of 6-8 birds were seen and no fights. Flush birds from close at hand frequently but move act like they are meeting. Hang out on the snow where the polygon ridges are being exposed. 4 June No change from before by the village. Lots of song, and a few fights. Birds breeding was dispersed as the melt progresses. 5 June Only 3-4 pairs on the 30+ acre census plot and this seems to be a chance Triassic density except at the village where they are much more common. Song began about 2 AM and was essentially done by 4 AM south of camp. Saw a 9 soliciting but the Boreo not interested. None carrying nest material yet.
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Calcerius lopophorus - 5 6 June Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska Birds seem particularly concentrated near the village, where they are especially common in the dense stands of Elymus, 1-4 ft high. They fight quite aggressively between competing males. Carey seeds; not very successful at finding food. 7 June. This is probably the most widespread of the locally breeding species; est. mate density around 1 pair / acre in the big stands and a few birds in the open areas. Not much song in 8 June the afternoon and they are hard to see. In the evening. Occasionally jump a female that looks like it might have a nest, but can't find any thing. In the evening while looking for the ground, I saw a ? with gray in its beak, which it quickly dropped and another male courting a non-receptive ?. The head raised and the wings fluttered. This is similar to our ? aggressive posture, except that the wings are fluttered, which I also saw several times. One or two figures. They are out on the snows nearby spring-falls with Semipalmated Sandpipers. courting aggressive posture.
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Calcorius lopponicus -6 9 June Meacle River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 20°29'N, Hachin Widespread. quite a bit of singing in the A.M. No courtship activity noted. Still highly concealed near the village in the Sylvania. As the ground is littered with seed here, this is understandable. Flushed a & that went into a distraction display twice, but couldn't find a nest. Both birds of the pair lightly disturbed by my presence. & looks like it has an incubation patch - ragged belly. 10 June Flushed two different &s carrying grass around camp in the evening but didn't find any nests (I did they very hard, either). &s singing a lot. 11 June Found a nest of a pair pair on the census plot. & carrying Ptarmigan feathers. & (empty) NEST 2. about 10 AM and an egg there about 2 AM. Saw one & with grass on Smith ridge and a & with Ptarmigan feathers seen on the air strip. 12 June Saw little activity W of camp in the afternoon through they are #ores and the &s singing. Good action on the census plot. NEST 1 with two egg, marked 1+11 today. One is larger than the other. No longspur in the area but a & with grass in its bill seen 50 ft from the nest. No other nesting &s on the plot and few &s seen at all. &s very noisy. about 9 pairs/30 acres, probably about average density here, but they seem more #ores near camp.
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Calcaeus hypoxicus -7 16 June Meade River Coal Mine, 15°025'W, 70°24'N, Alaska Very little in evidence during the afternoon. Found a nest with 5 eggs on the SW side of a burrow under a willow or a polygon trough margin. The next on the census plot had 6 eggs, and this & here was the only one I saw the entire census period, except the 2 between Phil's transect and the 1/4 stake, as last time, and couldn't find 1/2 the 5s that were here before. 17 June Found a 5 egg nest on a high polygon ridge under a willow to of the village. L.H.L. activity. 18 June Found two 5 egg nests on the village flats. Both on polygon troughs under Eriophorum tufts, one under willow, one not. Both nests used feather weed. Several other 5s seen here. 19 June The 2 still incubating, and gives a distraction display when I approach. One other I seen on the plot and only a few males. Essentially no song any longer. Yesterday saw group of 35's in the village fleets and today saw 28's, prob. both non- breeding, near the census plot, together. I now suspect few birds actually nesting on the plot, but why? 20 June A small group of birds by the village bent the large assemblage of 3s are gone. Found a 5 and a 4 egg nest near the far end of Pitelka's Trough at Lake Ikkamaknak, with wide Eriophorum tufts on polygon troughs (near the top). Little song.
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Calcaris lopponicus 21 June Meade River Coal Mine, 15°025'W, 70°24'N, Alaska A group of 3-4 Fs and 1-2 Ts on the census plot obviously non-territorial birds, the Fs going long distances when flushed, the whole group watching, S along the wire. By watching every 7 hours I could find. I found 3 nests, all under Eriophorum tussocks on the tops of polygon ridges. 5, 5, and 4 eggs. The Ts are covering large areas around the nest in their foraging, and sit very tight when they are on. All nests are well feather lined. In the afternoon watched a T feeding and preening. Then fly soared nearly a mile. Little song all day. Fs followed me through the plot giving a two part answer note and gurgling in 2's and 3's, without fighting, even when all appear to be territorial. Obviously, nests are the only way to be sure of breeding population here. 23 June Caught a T in the trap by the coal mine. The tracing of the wing is fully opened and flattened. I had evidently laid 1 clutch and was just starting the 2nd, 1 egg laid, 1 egg enlarging.
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Calcaris lappaceus 26 June Mleade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 20°29'N, Alaska. One nest on the census plot now has 2 young and two eggs. The 6-egg nest robbed, the other with eggs. 9 There is a 4 just off the plot that almost certainly is not nest and one scantly SW corner that probably is but which eludes me. Probably 6-10s on the plot, in addition to 8s associated with 4s. They feed in a greater variety of habitats than any other species on the plot. 27 June Wide spread across the River. A few feeding, on the muddy surfaces between the willows along the river. 28 June Found a 3-egg nest on the census plot, possibly a just clutch. One more nest starting to hatch. The 4 by the 1,1 stake still doesn't seem to be nesting, and couldn't since the 4 by the 5,5 marker. Birds are going 200-250 m. away from their nests to feed. Still eg, minute 3-6 even 8s on the plot but hard to be sure when they are so mistite now. 29 June Very common in the Salix pulchra along Otter Creek. More 8s than 4s were seen, and none were seen on nests. One along the lake 3/5/11/Wahe Agassiz. Lured a Redpoll that landed near it. 30 June The 3-egg nest on the census plot with 3 eggs still. 2-3 birds seen, eating mosquitoes on the flats Corrugularia-Citaria flats by the census plot. Is now much more conspicuous on the foundation
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Calcaria [illegible] 30 June Needle River Coal Mine, 15°02'5"W, 70°02'4"N, Alaska before and seagull has stopped. 1 July Very common on the village flats and a few on the village alders. Both F's and Fs out, and rather social. Didn't see any nests and no sign of its carrying food. 3 July All the nests on the censer plot now have [illegible], the 3 egg nest with 2 young and 1 egg. Didn't see any odd F's, and its return to any going a few so 100 m. from its nest to get food. The pair near the '5 marker and at 7 years (6 1.1 marker not seen. Yet still 2-3 F's in the area. 4 July Sh/1 3-4 birds feeding on the Cornicularia Celtaris flats by the black-belly nest and also several birds out on the sphagnum drape and wounds in lake Agassiz. They are widely distributed near the river everywhere and across the conspicuous bird island in the region south of Sweet Creek. As on the censer plot, there seems to be about 3 F's for every 2 Fs. No nests found. 5 July Conspicuous but not singing on the flats opposite the North dunes. More seen with food. They are mostly in the dryer Eriophyllum flats and the Cornicularia flats, but also in the willow along the river to a considerable extent. Not conspicuous out in the lakes, perhaps because this is less open
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Calcaris lopponicus 5 July Needle River Coal Mine, 75°0'25"W, 78°29'21"N, Atala sphagnum tham at lake Agassiz. A 4 could food seen along the river bluff in steeve. 6 July There now appear to be 2-3 non breeding 4's on the census plot including the 4 were clo 1, 1 number. The 3's were scattered, mostly in the Zephyrane flats by the place next, and along the river bluff near the 1,6 marker. The net closest to the river evidently has been robbed, the lining and inner part of the carp pulled out and about 1 foot from the original site. No young kids found in the area, but a 3 was still present. The recent net totality had only 1 large young and a pair was in the area; couldn't find any other young. The other nests appear not to have fledged any young. They are getting large enough to leave in mid but the 3-egg nest. No song.
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P.D. Benedict 1965 Plectrophanes nivalis 15 June Barrow Alaska. Saw 2 hids together fight "tooth & claw"; one pulling on wing feathers of the other and the two tumbling on the ground and low off the ground for several seconds. When they separated they resolved into a ? which chased an extra ? away. They were silent saw a pair investigating a hole in an old oil drum and have seen this on several additional days; The song is itself reminiscent of a Geospiza and the calls include a longspun like rattles and a throats "fews". 18 June Saw a male and a ? fighting near the hab in the morning and still many birds apparently investigating nest sites. 19 June Saw one fight and a male with a large ? insect in its beak, which it appeared to eat. 20 June Saw of carrying wet, muddy grass blade to a beat up old can along a road, into which the took and deposited the grass. Saw two sexual fights and the ?s are very vocal. 22 June The nest in the case is increasing in size, now a well defined but unlined cup. No unusual behavior noted - just song and occasional fights between members of pair. 25 June a ? landed on a old oil drum near a ? and went into a bag posture, but was ignored by the male.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Plectrophanes nivalis 7 July Barrow Alaska. - As still singing but not as loudly as earlier in the spring. They sometimes give a sharp "peep" note, rather like a Black Phoebe, in flight. 11 July Very scarce, almost absent, south of Footprint Lake. 15 July a fledgling begging food seen behind the cab. Shortly before noon today. 21 July A nest in the hub area contained 2 eggs and 1 small young bird. 1 Fledgling seen 20 July,
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DeBenedictis 1962 Plectrophenax nivalis Barrow, Alaska 14 May I Singing in camp. May 1 or 2 other here. 15 May do. Saw one today 16 May do. About 4 P.M. found a flock of about 30±5 feeding on exposed high polygons near S. Salt lagoon. The area they were in was mostly lichen covered, with little grass but much ? willow mixed in. The birds were very shy and flew off when I started towards them from 100 yards away, calling noisily. Disappeared towards the village. 17 May There were at least 4 birds singing in the lab area this evening. Didn't see any females. 18 May Quiet today. Two or 3 birds singing near the lab. Nothing on the tundra 19 May Little change. Still all birds present appear to be males. 20 May At least 4-5 birds in camp. Saw a little fighting behind piketa's lab. 2 Bs, snow-bathing close to each other, kept about 6 feet between themselves, except when one B would posture, a crouch with its wings closed, head down tail up and closed, towards his ollus, calling a low "zzzzzzzt" repeated 2 to 6 times. No song. This whole would then get up and fly at the 2nd, diving at it to within 1/2 foot. The 2nd B would then fly away. This repeated 4 times in c. 3 minutes, when 2nd B left. A 3rd B came in and was ignored.
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Plectrophenax nivalis 24 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska One bird singing outside the Dumbanigan, in the AM c. 7:30. Not seen again. 26 May One flew over the camp area when the AM plane from Barrow came in, Not seen again. 27 May Two birds were feeding in a patch of expired funder with a group of Ptarmigan behind one of the generator shelters in camp, about 5:30. Hiking along the Meade R., I saw two together just beyond the village with a flock of longspurs and a lone birds somewhat beyond there. Only one was a §. No song. 28 May I singing in the village. Phil Johnson said he saw one in camp about noon. 29 May At least 3 birds near Atsastuk, including one § singing vigorously from an old building, but none seems to be spread much this about camp. Feeding birds with longspurs on exposed grassy-Dryas flats along the creek S of the village 30 May All birds noted were in the native village and along the creek near there. 31 May One a trio near the village. One was singing. 2 June Two in the village. 3 June Not much in evidence at the village 4 June A pair in the village, that § cooking over oil drums, Very inconspicuous now. 5 June A male now singing from the coal mine building.
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Plectrophenax nivalis 7 June Meade River Camp Mine. 152025'W, 70029'N. Alaska The 3 of the pair in its village feeding near A.F. Warrigan. 8 June do. 9 June do. Do I seen near the village. Nothing recently. Very inconspicuous and uncommon here. 10 June Only near the village.
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Euphagus carolinus 1 June. Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°25'N, Alaska. A well marked & well deep yellow gold eyes seems feeling on a polygon trough between camp and the AF Waningan. Frank said he had seen it in camp earlier. It flew off giving typical blackbird call, landing near the creek and was later in the flats N of the village. The rusty rump to the back was evident, and eye color is so unlike Brewster's Blackbird I don't see how the two can be mistaken at close range.
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P. De Beveedichts 1965 Acanthis 25 June Barrow, Alaska - one was heard giving the characteristic "cheet cheet cheet..." flight call and seen flying from opposite BOTH Creek to the vicinity of Barrowville. It was pish ventrally. Acanthis sp. is now Carduelis sp. pr AON 1998
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Acauthus baremawae 28 May Neale River Coal Mine, Alaska One seen flying over head, calling siskin-like, in the A.M. SE of camp. 31 May Two or more heard over the village and one heard over the "census" plot area. 1 June A least one heard near the village in the A.M. 2 June Finally saw them landed. 3 came into the village and landed in a garbage dump and began eating Elymus seeds. I was not impressed by them. The creep was pale on one, but all had three toes sides curved backs, None showed red. They stayed around a white bird flew off when my gun misfired. 4 June One came into the village and landed on a wire. Sounded like two or 3 feet off (but didn't hear them). 5 June One heard 2-3 x on south ridge; it came in and landed at my feet when I squeaked. It seems more stretched on top backs than flamminea, but its sides are shredded. No red. Two heard near the village in the A.M. 6 June One in the village in the A.M. 10 June One heard in flight near the coal mine. 12 June One heard in flight near L. Agassiz. 14 June Again landed near the runway at the airport. None showed any evidence of having "pure" honey, characteristics. Though they seem lighter than Milk, and Fairbanks birds, and are more conspicuously pale-rumped.
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Acanthu havemanni 20 June Mleacle River Coal Mine, 157°25'25", 70°24'N, Alaska Birds near Camp finally really coming, down to feed. Heard them near the village also. Two feeding near the coal mine on a sandy flat. When approached they are quiet. A f? probably by plumage, the 3 brighter and clearer marked than the 4, and shown, here when they get close together. Later a 3rd appeared and the 7 closed it for several minutes. Singing here heard in the willows directly across the mine. 21 June 5h71 around the mine, and across the river. and much singing. 3 birds seen together. Evidently this is a late breeder. 25 June A 4 collected had a well developed (but poorly calcified) brood patch, but was long away from laying any eggs. No sign of regurgit or pellets. The crop contained several small [illegible] slightly hairy diptera, larvae, ? gleaned from the mud under the willows along the river, when they are feeding. The 8's singing loudly. but the group seen - 5+6 - was quite social. The bird collected was a dark bird with streaked upper tail coverts, nearly plain lower tail coverts, and strong flank streaking. Theirs were much clearer, lest the one it "shot" flew off when I picked it up. 26 June Occasional near the coal mine and across the river. 8's singing loudly now. They have a odd raucous buzzy phase which I have not heard from recipalls before - but they are 15 breeding birds I have seen.
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Scantius houwemanni 27 June Meacle River Coal Mine, 15°02'F'W, 70°02'N, Alaska Two or three flying over the flats opposite camp. Lots of singing 28 June A pair along the bluff on the creek flat in the Sali's pletcher. The 3, the 1st pink bird I have seen, singing. Present all day. A little activity in the coal mine area in the evening. 29 June Noted in willows along the bluff on the large lobe hill of R. Agassiz, where a 3 were feeding together and another 3 singing. The 3 I saw were pink on the breast, and looked like it was bleeding, the pink fading out on the flanks. Heavily streaked on the feathers and rump. 30 June Heard 1 or 2 flying overhead. 1 July At least 6 birds together in the willows on the village flats, feeding on the ground circles. 2 were pink, the rest not. One was singing a lot. Here there were camp occasionally 3 July A couple of redpolls near the coal mine, flying over. 4 July Birds flying over near the coal mine, singing from the far side of the Meacle. 5 July Scattered in the willows along the Meacle. The 3's are in breeding condition but not incubating. Didn't get any 3's. They are feeding in the willow and on the ground here, still eating the same small fly larvae they were before. Singing a lot now,
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P. De Benedictis 1965-1966 Alaska Species Accounts - Part 2 Mammals
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Lemmus trimucronatus 15 June Bearow, Alaska - estimate density at about 20-30/acre on the ridge along Elron hogon. Animals quite noisy. Caught 7 animals from one position and jumped 5 from an area of 10 ft square. 16 June On the beach ridge in this area when Mullin & I collected them on June 12 the beasts were a little more conspicuous than last Tuesday; we got 11 animals from an area about 100 x 40 feet and got 3 without moving the weasel (Mullin is "clonulig"), and without beginning to hurt the population; missed 4 to 5. All were singles and saws at least twice as many others. They are digging mainly in the tundra along the edge of the quells & seem less inclined to flight than on the 12th. Density was higher, 77 June Dondon #1 of ridges seen along clearings on the south part of the Beach Ridge & Elron hogon. Some grubbing seen here, and they are fairly noisy under the ice. 17 June In the area between S. Salt hogon & Family hogon saw only 2 Lemmings, sawt about 25 in an equal sized area (120 acres) to the south of this; 18 June Almost no signs thus in the Barrel areas (but they are common on the Beach Ridge, the few animals we have taken being unnoticeable got 30/3s and handle 2 about 10/4s from an area about 1 acre and didn't to tell pop.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 hemmus trivirgatus 18 June Barrow, Alaska Fs are a lot more conspicuous now than earlier in the season. Their scream lacks the wheezy quality of a F. 19 June (They are migrating towards the sea) Two were seen on the gravel along the NE end of Family hoggon and then were more in this area between 04.5. Salt hoggon than usual, although this species is far from numerous there, pop only 1/8 to 1/4 that on the Beach ridge. 20 June No change from yesterday. Saw 2 chases between Larimnets and kills by Targe, Sawrey Owl and Least Weasel. See the latter. 21 June Saw one in Athll this noon and they are increasingly conspicuous near Button's Area due to the increase in melt. Saw 4-6 chases and found an animal in a Burrow that had really been in a scrap as the lower jaw was broken. It sounded off when I was 6 feet away instead of often I had almost stepped on it as they usually do. Peacefully stepped on two. 22 June Hemming very active on the surface near Elson hoggon. Two near each other clapped each other on the face, then one ran around the other and they copulated briefly. The female ran off about 3 feet & this was repeated 3-5 times lots of clairing now, and hemming are fairly vocal.
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P. DeBenedictis 1965 Lemnus trinacronator 24 June Barrow, Alaska - Still present in large number, at least 100 / acre on the beach ridge and along Elson hogon. Not at all hard to see 25-31 at one time within 50 feet in front of you. They are riding in the bluff and excavating short burrows, from which their familes usually protrude, in the degre ridge areas; they are quite keen to extract from these when they go in. Not easy to make them go into defense posture. They are about as common in the newly exposed areas of Central Marsh. There is considerable persist, as if breeding, is about to begin, and dead animals are appearing, on the tundra with increasing frequency. 25 June The Lemmings do not seem to be a numerous today as yesterday, only about 7/3's the # seen. The burrow systems are being rapidly enlarged. Saw one on the beach ridge which appeared to have paralyzed hind limbs. They are frightful than usual and quite vocal; about 8-10 closes were seen. Most seen seem to be fairly large. 26 June They are now very strikingly hidden on highlands, and burrow workings are extensive. Still gentle common. Saw 2 in Allagash, 3 in the tundra area for the 1st time today evening. 27 June Lemmings in about constant numbers everywhere in the north area but not heavily dug in. There are more in the Barrow area than I had thought; judging from the plant damage there are only a fraction of what we
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P.D.Benedict's 1965 Lemmus trimucronatus 28 June Barrow, Alaska - They do not seem very conspicuous although it seems I tried on one (almost) every 25-30 feet a 50, so that actually #s must still be fairly high. Teggers not having much trouble finding them and a # of dead ones about; the flesh one fairly large and the only small ones seen very old. 30 June Although central marsh is rather badly flooded they are still fairly numerous of lemmings out in it, although they are quite a bit more numerous along its periphery than in the centre. They enter the water readily when approached and swim well. Populations on the whole do not appear to be as high as elsewhere in drier areas. 2 July Now as last time the small individuals rather inconspicuous. Some burrow systems are getting quite extensive and are no-longer seen tufts of lemming fur protruding from burrows. A herdsy from the lab spent much time chasing them this afternoon; lemmings bounded off at the approach of the dog, which usually caused the dog to move in. When passed on the surface the lemming attempted to run for cover, screening all the tufts but as the dog came near they would turn around and face it causing the dog to back off - it obviously had great respect for the lemmings as it was very careful about how it made each kill, going in slowly and frequently playing for some time before a capture was made. The lemmings did not escape very often - only when they got to a burrow system that the dog couldn't dig out.
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P. De Bendict 1965 Lemmus trimucronatus 4 July Barrow, Alaska - one was seen out in Vottl slough, giving a muffled squeak and digging in a pile of cuttings: on closer inspection a 2nd lemming was seen in the pile. The animal digging in appeared to be a 3rd and it would dig in until the face of the buried lemming, was exposed. Then ran around to the back of the animal and began to dig again. At the same time the 2nd lemming would turn around in its grass pile so that the two always ended up facing each other. This kept up for 2-3 minutes, then the 3rd quit and ran off down a runway. Then did not seem to be any change in #s seen any of the area covered today. 5 July A few were seen well out in Central Marsh and they are well maintained runways in other parts of the marsh that are drier. They are probably not too common due as they are in higher places. 6 July There seem to be about as many along the shore of Elson Lagoon as any other, but there seemed to be very few in Holmes' Marsh and Central Marsh although some runways were well maintained and a few of the burrows were seen. 12 July lemmings seem to be about as common around I know with as close in the station. Very little change in #s after this time no young seen to at least 29 July.
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P. De Benedictis 1965 Red Fox Vulpes fulva 18 June Barrow, Alaska. A large animal with an almost all red tail seen on an area of high Polygons at the SE side of Family Logoon about 4 PM. It sat out in the open for 5 minutes and went off slowly as I worked toward it. It often looked unmistakably Cat-like, and is shortly noted than Red Foxes I am used to. 24 June One seen crossing the eastern part of the tundra area about noon. It had a very mangy tail. 21 July One seen in the tundra area behind the lab. It was not skinned in bright pelage than earlier and the tail is still mangy!
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Least weasel 29 July Barrow, Alaska - She carried the young by its side of the rope and the young beast was clearly and roughly dragged along; the 4 stayed to runways while carrying the young. After about 1-2 seconds, the 4 returned, repeated the procedure and carried off a 2nd young weasel the same way; the jaeger returned at this time so the 4 ditched the weasel under some cuttings and hid; the jaegers moved off, and the 4 came back to us and going through the same procedure, carried off a 3rd young weasel, making it to a hole about 20 from the hole the 1st young was taken to, and here was cornered by the jaeger. She kept popping up and going down & and the jaeger stayed off; they were scared off by one of the small people and the weasel took this opportunity to go after the ground that had been ditched, getting it to the little to which she broke the 2nd young. She was again cornered by the jaegers, both of the pair standing about 1 foot off; the weasel went through the same procedure of popping up and down and the jaegers were clearly hesitant to attack. After about a minute of this it appeared the weasel took the initiative and attacked the jaeger, running towards the jaeger and jumping towards the jaeger's throat. The jaeger balked off and the 4 soon left. The weasel over played her hand because the jaeger eventually got hold of the weasel, after 1-2 minutes, holding it behind its head, and flying up about 15 feet; the weasel squirmed and the jaeger
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P. De Benedicts 1965 Least Weasel 29 July Before Alaska - cause dorm and dropped the weasel, which immediately attracted the jaegers, and this was repeated 4 times, the weasel clearly being overcome and the jaegers staying closer in and becoming less hesitant to attack. The 7 jaeger stayed near the 4 but did not assist in the "kill" and after the 1st time the weasel was dropped the jaegers from the pair to the north came in and tried to "horn in"; it was not closed off until after it had a half minute or so period to get at the weasel which was on the ground fending off the jaegers. At the 2nd time. After the 7 jaeger got the weasel, her mate chased the intruder away. The 3rd time the weasel was dropped a jaeger from another pair (a non-breeder) appeared and was immediately closed off. The 4th time the weasel was dropped, she (the weasel) got away, and the jaegers flew away without attempting to pick up the weasel; they apparently chased an intruder on their territory instead. I went to the spot where the weasel was dropped and found nothing. There were no more young in the hole whence she got the 3 and the last young morsel was caught and released. It barked a loud, rough "yaff-yaff" when cornered and attempted clumsily to defend itself. When the 4 appeared after the jaegers got the 1st two young she appeared to be searching for them, running actively in and out between us completely; after the 3 young were found, she moved very rapidly and
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