SPVayus 1978 Journal_ Atkasook on the Meade River, N. Slope Borough, Alaska 30 May (could) With taying so I returned to camp + got my gear in order, etc., The plane did not come. So at 1830 after a light dinner I walked north part Atkasook along the river to ~(7,52), crossed the river there, and returned along the east bank. Snow is melting in a broad belt on the west side of the river, extending up to the top of the cliff and some 100-200 m inland. But otherwise cover exceeds 90%. Birds seen along the ridge include displaying Motacilla flava (see sp account), flocks of Calidris alpina (sp accent) paired with a sprinkling of Pluvialis dominica, P. squatarola, Arenaria interpres, Calidris bairdii (sp accent), C. quilla (sp accent) and Tryngites subruficollis (sp accent). Longspurs abound in display. The habitat is lichen ridge: High cushion polygon lichen barrens Alechoris, Diapensia, Dryas, Silene Covered marsh w/ Salix pulchra Salix pulchra Alchemilla, Vaccinium v.v., Betula, Betula, Ledum Ericophorum vaginatum <-- WET K < 100-150 m --> The uppermost part of the ridge is more barren, and in places is devoid of vegetation - particularly on or downwind of blow-outs [the ridge is heavily comprised of sand]. In these sites the lichen gives way to a thin covering of Carex obnata, Elymus, Selene acaulis, and Dryas rubra. Behind the ridge on the east in a well-developed high center polygon system, in which to date the tops have melted but snow still fills all troughs. Along the East bank snow cover is much more extensive, and the ground is cleared only along a thin (3-5m) strip running along the border of the bank, one which is much lower in height than the west bank. The exposed vegetation is a more mesic version of lichen ridge, heavy on the Alechoris (Corniculata?), with various shrubby heathers and even a smattering of Eriophorum vaginatum to stock. BIRDS: the shorebirds were largely in a large expanse of sand dune-ridged ridge top right down by Atkasook Village (7,51). In fact there were 3 flocks of C. alpina totaling over 100 individuals (60 in one flock). By the time that I returned, at least one Stercorarius longicaudus had set up in territorial defense on the W bank that is quite rapid, as I saw more until this a.m.