J.P. Vaug (1980) Journal Atkasook on Meade River, North Slope, Alaska 2 June (cont'd) river and headed directly to the Tryngita grid (24,42). First I tracded Pleum at 1030 ad for the next 1/2 hrs I tromped around it looking & unsuccessfully for buffleated Sandpipers. After that I went south to (25,36), East to (28,36), NE and then NE along a lichen bluff paralleling the river as far as (29,39). From there I returned to the Tryngita grid, searched unsuccessfully again, and then headed back to camp following the river the whole way. Arrived at 1600. Weather improved beginning 1430, when sun began to break through patches in the low 100% cover that had held all day. Temp reaching 30-32°F with snow becoming soft. Wind slackening. At 1554 I heard the first Calaeius song of the year, a happy fellow behind camp. Soon Henry, I saw a Pluvialis dominica in flight display back behind the runway. SPRING!? 3 June This was one of those days that, as you live it, you know you'll remember it. It wasn't as spectacular a spring arrival as 29 May 1978. But it was a solid second, and it made clear its intentions within 3 min of my having left camp as a Whistling Swan flew over sleeping. Temperature at 0600 was ~28 with a 5-10mph NE wind. Not ideal, but compared to the last 3 days who would complain? Calaeius were singing all around camp [although curiously this was their hottest area— save for scattered individuals here and there all others are quiet.] No one else but the Lagopus were displaying when I left camp (0815) but by 1pm I'd heard Pluvialis dominica and P. squatarola, Calidris pusilla (10:15), Calidris (1145), C. maculata (1050) and S. mareri (300). In none of these was the displaying persistent but even still it was a volume change. 2 Limnodromus scolopaceus singing. Both Stercorarius parasiticus and S. longicaudus in territorial disputes; S. pomarinus beginning to move by in number (low spaccent) By 1300 snow was melting in the sun and the (winds slackened) even further. Temp probably 35°. Snow is muddy and twice I went on to my thighs. Yet despite all this, no Tryngita (one spaccent).