JPMYERS 1979 Journal 8 The Loop, Atkasook, Nlecall River, North Slope Borough, Alaska 15 June (cont'd) Pyrola, and Aulocheniunium (moss). Saxifraga bicolorfolia is also on the shoof, and in a few places Salix pulchra becomes abundant. Salix reticulata is distributed throughout, as is Cassiope tetragona ponds + lakes - rattlesnake River sand bar active wetland ridge w/lichens WEST → more detailed For a description of the habitat from the patch wetland region see transect 9 description (Myers notes + data 1977). The birds using the area are quite limited in diversity: Pluvialis squatarola - the most evident shorebird. w/ (lux) down P. dominica - a few pairs Calidris alpina - common along the ridge + especially the slopes C. pusilla - abundant on the wetlands, just above them on the ridge slope, and on the backside of the ridge to the west beside all the ponds. They will forage in the ditches. C. melanotos - rare - saw me 8 today, although my eyes post 80 have occupied territories along the ridge. C. bairdii - heard one singing a few days ago Tryngites subflavicollis - occupying sites above the wetlands to the top of the ridge. They seem to prefer areas with sparse Bromus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Salix phyllophylla and Carex obnupta as the ground cover plus a smattering of taller Salix (both pulchra and glauca to 30 cm high). See Tryngites species account.