P. DeBenedictis #966 Journal - 80 8 June Meade River Coal Mine, 153°25'W, 70°27'N, Alaska Sandpipers. There were about 10-15 of the latter running on the snow (7 in a tight cluster). Dowitchers and a few pectorals feeding in the Cany pools, and a few dunlin in the well higher polygonized areas. Red Phalaropes in the pools, (large) All birds except Semipols scarce. In the pool on the Meade Below the ice dam there was a loon (eg ?) and 10+ Arctic Tern + 8+ Sabine Gulls were about. At least 8 Pectoral Tern and 6-8 Long-Tails seen, and 1 Pomarine (a pair at dinner time). Geese now landing on the tundra. On the ridge saw a few dunlin and semipals, and heard a Western Sandpiper. Two terns, one here. Near the village a few geese and Semipale gulls. Dunlin more numerous here than elsewhere, and a few dowitchers. Saw a & Western Sandpiper. In this area dunlin seem to be in the dryer, more exposed Tundra (ridges, flats) and the pectorals more in the Cany pools. Came back through camp but not much here. Ray shot a h.-Tail Jaeger for me. The River is ice free (below the next bend as far as I can feel. Saw longspurs carrying nest material and 1 courting a ? who did not respond, and a little P.T. fighting. An occasional ? acts like it has come off a nest but I can't find any. Ptarmigan kills in this area also.