Field notes, v1379

Johnson, Richard E. (Richard Evan), 1936-
1968
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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Johnson, R.E. 1968 (Part) catalogue #284-410 Amchitka Isl., Alaska
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K.E.Johnson 1968 Amchitka Island, Alaska May - July 1968
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from CLIR https://archive.org/details/fieldnotesv137900john
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1968 2 Catalog R.E. Johnson Newport Upper Harbor, Orange Co., California March 25, 1968 284 ♀ Savannah Sparrow beldingi race 5x4mm 285 ♂ " " " 8x6mm 18.5g. March 27, 1968 286 ♀ Savannah Sparrow beldingi race (brood patch) 8x9mm 5x5mm 21g. 287 ♀ " " " 6x6mm 1x1mm 19g. 288 ♂ " " " 9x6mm 19g. 289 ♀ " " " 8x7mm 4x4mm 19.g 290 ♂ " " " 12x6 mm 20g Hurricane Ridge, 5200ft. Olympic National Park, Washington May 13, 1968 291 ♀ Rosy Finch very fat. 4x3mm brood patch skull os. 29.5 292 ♂ " 4x5mm skull os. 27.5 293 ♀ " 4x3mm no broad patch skulls os 26.0 294 ♀ " " brood patch 4x3mm skull os 27.0 no broad patch 295 ♀ " 5x2mm skull os. 27.5 Amchitka Island, Rat Island group of Aleutian Islands, Alaska May 14, 1968 near Old Camp 296 ♂ Rosy Finch 9x9mm skull os. 43.2 297 ♂ " " 3x15mm skull os. 44.2 May 15, 1968 near Site B 298 ♂ Rosy Finch skullsos. 9x6 lon lon 42.8 299 ♂ Rosy Finch skull os. 8x5 in m 45.1 300 ♀ Rosy Finch 44 ``` ```json {
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3 Catalog R.E. Johnson Anchitka Island, Rat Island group of Aleutian Islands, Alaska May 16, 1968 beach near Clevenger lake 300 ♂ Rosy Finch skull os. 9x6mm 41.9 g. 301 ♂ " " skull os. 9x7mm 45.3 302 ♂ " " skull os. 9x7mm 45.1 303 ♂ " " skull os. 9x7mm 41.2 304 ♂ Winter Wren Vista Islet, 1/2 mi. e. 4/10 mi. no. of Chitka pt., Anchitka Island. 8x4mm 11.7 May 21, 1968 305 ♂ Song Sparrow 14x11 mm 47.0 Anchitka Island, Alaska May 22, 1968 Clevenger lake brood patch 306 ♀ Rosy Finch skull os. 8x5mm, 1mm 46.5 g 307 ♂ " " skull os. 8x6mm 44.4g May 23, 1968 - Constantine Harbor 308 ♂ Rosy Finch skull os. 9x7mm. 44.7 309 ♂ " " skull os. 9x7mm 46.5 310 ♂ " " skull os 10x7mm 42.8 May 30, 1968 311 Rosy Finch nestling (Nest 24) alcoholic 42.4 May 28, 1968 312 Rosy Finch nestling alcoholic May 30, 1968 313 ♀ Lapland Longspur ovary largest ovum no brood patch 6x3mm 1mm skull os. May 31, 1968 314 Rosy Finch nestling (from Nest 10) alcoholic 5.4 g developing brood patch 315 ♀ Lapland Longspur shell os. largest ovum 27.9 7x6mm 2mm no brood patch ovary 316 ♀ " " skull os 8x5 largest ovum 27.4 1mm flat skin for F.S.I. Williamson
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Catalog 4 R.E. Johnson Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) May 31, 1968 317. ♂ Lappand Longspur 9x6mm {prepared skeleton only} 27.7 318. ♂ Lappand Longspur skull os. 9x6mm {flat skin for Williamson} 27.3 June 1, 1968 319. Rosy Finch nestling 25.5 320. 11 11 June 2, 1968 (west end of island) 321 ♂ Rosy Finch buccal pouch 10x12mm skull os. 49.7 322 ♂ 11 11 buccal pouch 11x9mm skull os. 45.5 June 3, 1968 323 Rosy Finch nestling (Nest 20) alcoholic 11.4g. 324 11 11 11 (Nest 34) 11 25.1 325 11 11 11 (Nest 32) 11 27.5 g. June 5, 1968 326 Rosy Finch nestling (Nest 6) alcoholic 27.7g June 6, 1968 skulls os. 327 ♂ Rosy Finch paired 12x10mm broad patch skull os. 46/4 buccal sac full 328 ♀ 11 11 9x6mm 1mm 47.4 329 11 11 nesting of above pair (Nest 42) alcoholic 35.8 buccal sac full 330 ♂ Rosy Finch 9x12mm skull os. 49.1 331 11 11 nestling from Nest 20 11 alcoholics 28.7 332 11 11 11 11 11 15.7 333 11 11 nestling from nest 13 4.0 334 11 11 11 11 11 3.9 335 11 11 11 11 11 5.0
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Catalog R.E. Johnson June 7, 1968 336 Rosy Finch nestling (Nest 14) alcoholic 31.9 337 " " " " 31.9 338 " " " " 28.0 339 " " nestling (Nest 41) captured June 6 & killed June 7, '68 42.2 340 " " " " (skull not ossified) 41.5 341 " " " " 41.5 June 8, 1968 342 Rosy Finch nestling (Nest 16) alcoholic 25.0 343 " " " " (Nest 35) alcoholic 29.5 June 9, 1968 344 ♀ Lapland Longspur large but unvascularized brood patch ovary 12x9mm; several 3mm ova of one large), but broken; oviduct in oviduct (no shell). Two collapsed follicles in ovary. The large ovum is perhaps the last egg to be laid, the rest of the clutch having preceded it. 32.5 345 ♀ Lapland Longspur well developed brood patch developing ova 3,5,+10mm; 2 collapsed follicles; 1 egg in oviduct (with shell) 36.0 346 ♀ Lapland Longspur mod. developed brood patch. developing ova 3,4,6,+8mm. egg with shell in oviduct. 1 collapsed follicle. 34.2 June 10, 1968 347 Rosy Finch nestling Nest. 38 alcoholic 25.7 348 ♀? Rock Sandpiper (?) winter plumage 77.0 349 ♂ Rosy Finch mated to #350 brooded sacs full skull os. 8x5mm 46.5 350 ♀ " " mated to #349 9x3mm 1mm brood patch 49.8 351 Immature " " Nest 43 42.6 352 Immature " " 45.0
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Catalog R.E. Johnson Bird Cage, Amchitka Island, Alaska June 14, 1968 353 Rosy Finch nestling alc. 43.0 354 n " alc. 34.2 355 n " alc. 41.1 356 ♂ Rosy Finch 11x8mm skull os. 45.0 357 ♀ " " 10x8mm skull os. 51.2 358 ♀ n " brood patch 8x6mm 1mm incubating nest of eggs 42.8 359 ♂ " " 11x9mm skulls. 46.6 East end, Amchitka Island, Alaska June 15, 1968 360 Rosy Finch nesting (Nest B) alc. 26.7g Constantine Point, Amchitka Island, Alaska June 16, 1968 361 Slender-billed shearwater - skeleton Makarius Point, Amchitka I., Alaska June 18, 1968 362 ♂ Arctic Tern 5x3mm 3 brood patches 104.8 363 ♀ Arctic tern 7x4mm (prepared as skeleton) 3 brood patches 112.6 Amchitka Island, Alaska (1 mi. n + ½ mi. w. of Old Camp) June 21, 1968 364 Rosy Finch nesting (Nest 37) 35.9 June 23, 1968 365 ♂ Rosy Finch 10x4mm skull os [skeletonize] 46.3 366 ♀ Rosy Finch brood patch 8x6mm skulls. for M.L. Hogg 50.2
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Catalog R.E. Johnson Charlie Core, Anchitka Island, Alaska June 25, 1968 367 ♀ Rosy Finch brood patch but not very edematous 42.1 1.6 mi. e of South Hanger, Anchitka Island, Alaska June 25, 1968 368 ♀ Rosy Finch brood patch 10x4mm 1mm largest follicle 52.0 0.4 mi. so. and 0.1 mi. e. of South Hanger, Anchitka Is. Alaska June 25, 1968 369 ♂ Rosy Finch 12x9 mm [skeletonized] for ML Hess 46.5 370 ♂ Rosy Finch 10x8mm 44.0 371 ♀ " " brood patch largest fol. 11x8mm 2mm 46.7 372 Imma " " 40.7 373 Imma " " 42.0 offshore from Anchitka Island between Bat Island & Kiriłof Point, Alaska June 26, 1968 (collector) 374 ♀ Horned Puffin largest follicle 3mm 2166 DWT 551.8 375 ♂ Tufted Puffin 15mm (2170 DWJ) 851.2 Clevenger Lake, Anchitka Is., Alaska May 22, 1968 376 ♂ Tufted Duck 18x8mm 749.3 Beach e. of Silver Salmon Creek, Anchitka Is., Alaska. June 5, 1968 377 Seal skull
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Catalog R.E.Johnson 1/2 mi.e. of Old Camp, Amchitka Island, Alaska June 29, 1968 378 σ Rosy Finch 10x9mm skull os. no food in buccal sac 41.9 379 σ n n ovary brood patch partially 18x9mm edematized 59.9 skull os. no. food in buccal sac. 3 collapsed follicles; largest ovum 9mm; large punctured egg in lower end of uterus. 380 σ Rosy Finch 9x5mm buccal sacs empty 46.2 [skeletonize] for M.H. Hess Amchitka Island, Alaska (near Johns Lake) May 11, 1968 381 σ Rock Ptarmigan largest ovum 543.2 3mm 555.0 (collected by Wm. Emison) skeletonize above Cleverger Lake, Amchitka Island, Alaska June 24, 1968 382 σ Rosy Finch 10x8mm 49.5 (collected by D.W.Johnston # 2163 + skin kept by him. I obtained the heart, lungs + G-I tract) 1.8 mi. s. & 1.8 mi. w. of Chotka Point, 850 ft, Amchitka Island, Alaska. June 30, 1968 383 σ Rosy Finch 9x8mm [skeltonize] ) 47.2 Sgt. Cleverger & Infantry Rd, Amchitka Is., Alaska July 2, 1968 384 σ Rosy Finch 10x8mm buccal sacs empty + small 43.6 skull os. 385 σ " " ovary largest (brood patch 10x6mm ovum developed but empty 43.3 2mm skull os. (well developed) buccal sac
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9 Catalog R.E.Johnson Lot, Cleverger Rd. & Infantry Rd, Amchitka Is., Alaska July 2, 1968 386 ♂ Rosy Finch 11x8mm buccal sacs large but near empty shell os. 44.2 0.8 mi. e. & 0.6 mi. n. of Rifle Range Pt., Amchitka Is., Alaska July 2, 1968 387 ♂ Aleutian Tern 3 brood patches. 5x6mm 118.9 Granman Lake, Amchitka Island, Alaska July 3, 1968 388 ♂ Rosy Finch 11x8mm buccal sacs small, empty shell os. 43.5 389 ♀ " " ovary 15x10mm largest ova 6mm egg in uterus well developed brood patch 56.4 17.5mm 2 collapsed follicles Rifle Range area, Amchitka Island, Alaska July 3, 1968 390 ♂ Rosy Finch 9x8mm buccal sacs half full. shell os. 46.7 391 ♀ " " 8x5mm largest oval well developed brood patch 43.2 1mm shell os buccal sacs empty. Rifle Range beach, Amchitka Island, Alaska July 3, 1968 392 ♀ Rosy Finch 14x8mm largest ova 6 & 4mm well developed brood patch shell unos. 50.0 393 Immna " " 48.4 394 ♂ " " 9x8mm buccal sacs empty 41.5 Granman Lake, Amchitka Island, Alaska July 6, 1968 395 ♂ Rosy Finch 9x7mm buccal sacs full shell osr. 46.1
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10 Catalog R E Johnson Vista Iset, 1 1/2 mi. e & 1/2 mi. n. of Chitha Pt, Anchitka Is. May 21, 1968 396 Sea Otter Skull 397 " " " Anchitka Island, Alaska late May, 1968 398 Sea Otter complete skeleton quarry no. of Jones Lake, Anchitka Island, Alaska July 10, 1968 399 ♀ Rosy Finch 13x8mm buccal sacs empty skull os. 47.2 400 ♂ " " 11x2mm buccal sacs empty skull os. 50.1 401 Immra " " [skelotonized] skull unoz. 45.1 402 ♂ " " 12x9mm skull os- buccal sacs empty ] 47.9 403 ♂ " " 12x8mm skullsos. buccal sacs empty 47.4 404 Immra " " alc. 46.9 405 ♂ " " alc 45.3 July 13, 1968 ovary brood patch largest ova 406 ♀ Rosy Finch 22x13mm 12,5 mm 52.5 407 ♂ " " 41.4 408 Immra " " 42.9 near Jones Lake, Anchitka Island, Alaska May 11, 1968 409 ♂ Rock Ptarmigan 14x9mm 601 (collected by Wm Emison).
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R.E.Johnson Catalog 11 Midden SE of Makarius Point, Amchitka Island, Alaska July 6, 1968 410 9 Bird Bones (probably several species)
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Johnson, R.E. 1968 (Part) Journal Washington Amchitka Isl., Alaska
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R.E Johnson 1968 Amchitka Island, Alaska May - July 1968
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Length & Time of Residence on Amchitka Island of Bird Personnel for BMI. April May June July August 14 30 4 14 16 2 4 15 16 12 25 15 William Emison Charles G. Yarborough Richard E. Johnson David W. Johnston Robert LeResche Robert C. Wood
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Journal 2 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 12 Berkeley, Calif. to Seattle, Wash. Took Western Airlines flight from San Francisco airport at 8:20 AM & arrived in Seattle Tacoma airport at 10 AM. Rented a great little Avis car & drove to Univ Presbyterian Church where I heard a great sermon by Dr Mungen. Then visited the U of Washington campus which is very beautiful with many lawns, trees, and flowers. Robins dotted the lawns. Starlings, English Sparrows, swallows, & starlings were common (my binoculars were too deeply buried to get out for the occasion). Drove about town a bit, then to the Seattle Center & a brisk walk about the grounds, a mono-rail ride & a walk back to Seattle Center & finally a ride up the Space Needle for a dollar (a great view that helps orient one to the complexity of the area). Took a full roll of 36 slides today. Then back to Univ Presby Ch. to witness an odd & probably experimental type of church service called: "The Folk Mass" "Rejoice - Communion Meditation." In an era when church seems to have lost relevancy to most people, innovation is in order I suspect and this was certainly innovation. New songs told ones set to new jazzy tunes played by a gutared & bearded lot. Also a group of 10-15 singers. Well done & with no resemblance to traditional church.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 12 Berkeley, Calif. to Seattle Wash (cont.) Several speakers intervened from the audience to speak out with world news reports and/or relevant scripture. Finally Dr. Munges spoke briefly, then passed French bread loaves which each of us tore a chunk off of! The breaking of the bread became real “breaking” or better “tugging”. Next drove downtown to see the locations of Recreational Equipment Inc (Coop). The 11th st. store covers a block along 11th st. & a half block deep! More driving, then back for night pictures of the Space Needle, etc. A postcard view prompted me to try to reach a point inside the confines of the Science Exhibit area & a whistle blowing cop pursued. Got the pictures, cop not withstanding. He didn’t seem too happy. That’s a first; never had a cop’s whistle blown at me before. My day was complete. Bedded down at the nearby Travel Lodge. May 13 Seattle & Olympic National Park Wash. Departure this morning delayed so that I could go to the bank at 10AM. Then drove south on Interstate 5 to Olympia where I had lunch & the cashier got my BankAmericard stuck in the machine. Twenty minutes later I ate my cold hot lunch & departed west then north along Hood Canal The drive was
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal 4 May 13 Seattle & Olympic Nat. Park, Wash. (cont) pretty but uneventful. Mud flats off bays of the Sound contained no birds, but a few ducks were off shore in the bay & out of easy sight range. Port Angeles turned out to be a much bigger city than I expected. Clouds were too low to see up the mtns which I presumed to be snow covered & I couldn't see across the Sound. Drove up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic Nat. Park, & there really is snow up there! & lots of clouds too. A light snow was falling. Visibility was 20 to 50 Feet. No one else was there. Vegetation appeared to be patchy trees up to 20 ft tall (sort of krumholtz, but taller tree than usual) & low tundra like vegetation. No flowers up yet & in fact, little veg. exposed from under the snow yet. Snow mostly 2-5 ft deep. A Raven sat at the edge of the road & appeared tame. Robins & Oregon Juncos worked along the snow margins. 4:30 PM (50) A Flock of Rosy Finch, worked the snow margins also. Some Robins & Rosy Finchers also fed in the centers of the melted out areas but the concentrations were at the snow margins. I quickly unpacked & assembled my shotgun & collected 5 rosy finches on two shots before they all flew off into the clouds. Elevation: 5,200 feet. Perhaps the finches would normally be higher in good weather.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 13 Seattle & Olympic National Park Wash. (cont.) Drove back to Port Angeles & west to Crescent Lake. Took a nature trail to get familiar with the vegetation in the rain forest. The Marymere Falls Nature trail starts just east of a ranger station on the lake & wanders 3/4 miles to a 90 ft. beautiful waterfall. Vegetation: Rainforest Overstory: Western Hemlock - Tsuga heterophylla Douglas Fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii Western Redcedar - Thuja plicata Understory: Salmonberry - Rubus spectabilis Salal - Gaultheria shallon Vine Maple - Acer circinatum Yellow Violets Devil's Club Oregon Grape Ferns Stream bed: Red Alder - Alnus rubra Salmonberry Bigleaf - Maple - Acer macrophyllum Western Red Cedar Winter Wrens could be heard near the streams and I thought I heard a Dipper. Drove on down toward Port Angeles & Stopped at Dawn Lake near the park entrance. There were 2 Swans (tame?), 2 Biddy Ducks, & a & Bufflehead on the lake. Swallows were very-
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Journal R. E. Johnson 1968 May 13 Seattle & Olympic National Park, Wash (cont.) where and included Violet-green (most common), Barn & Tree (least common) Swallows. Drove further west around Lake Crescent & beyond to Sappho & Pleasant Lake. From this area one can see logged over barren mnts to the SE. Perhaps there are logging scars cleewhere but were missed due to the poor visibility earlier. The clouds are now higher. Drove east again through Port Angeles & took Hwy 104 across Hood Canal to the Kingston-Edmonds Ferry. I totally repacked (gun, ammo, etc) while waiting. Then back to Seattle & put the Finches on ice in a waste paper basket. Weights of finches at 10:15 PM while waiting for ferry: #291 29.5 grams 292 27.5 293 26.0 294 27.0 295 27.5 May 14 Seattle, Wash to Anchorage & Amchitka Is., Alaska Flew out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport on Western Airlines Flight 725 for Anchorage. Due to a time change it only took 1 1/2 hrs! The Flight to Amchitka was delayed a bit due to fog.
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R.E. Johnson 1968 7 Journal May 14 Seattle, Wash. to Anchorage & Amchitka Is., Alaska The flight is via Reere Aleutian Airlines. Left Anchorage at 11:45 AM. While in Anchorage I tried to dig up information regarding the possibility of going to Kodiak Island in July when I return from Amchitka. (Hybrid finches between littoralis & griseonucha probably occur there). Western Airlines flies to Kodiak Is. twice daily: (10:15 -> 11:55 AM) and (6:50 -> 8:55 PM) [with stops in between]. Cost: $52.50. Tickets may be impossible to get in July without reservation. They may be obtained by mail at: Western Airlines 525 South Ave. Anchorage, Alaska Apparently rent-a-car service is available on the island but there are only a few short roads. Unfortunately I forgot to bring along information on just where previous finches were seen. Brilliant! My 5 finches are riding in ice & dry ice supplied by a stewardess on Western carrier today. Pretty cold last time I checked. Arrived on Amchitka Is [and] 1/2 hrs but with time changes, etc it was still early in the afternoon. Met Charles Yarbrough upon arrival and he gave me a tour over some of the areas we will work in. I saw a few birds: Pintail, Rosy Finch, Lapland Longspur &
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 14 Seattle, Wash. to Anchorage & Amchitka Is., Alaska (cont.) Bald Eagle. I collected two Rosy Finches near the barracks and noted their huge size. They weigh well over 40 grams! (nearly twice the wt. of Sierra Nevada birds). The weather on Amchitka is cool, windy, & foggy - all normal conditions. May 15 Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska Again windy, cold, foggy. Continued my tour of the island. Visited 3 of the Four Study plot areas on the island and drove as far west as test site F (end of good dirt road) & east nearly to the east end of the island. The 4 study areas are listed below, only the first 3 were visited: 1. Wet Meadow or Carex meadow tundra. Spongy ground covered with Sphagnum & Hylaconium mosses. Carex is said to be characteristic of this meadow type, but it hasn't appeared yet. Our plots cover 13 acres of this type. 2. Dry Meadow or Empetrum - Cladonia Tundra. Spongy ground. Well drained sites. Plants include Empetrum nigrum (Crowberry), Cladonia pacifica, Loiseleuria procumbens, Carex, Cornus, Erigeron, & Pedicularis. Plots cover 25 acres 3. Riparian Meadow. Plants include Caltha, Ranunculus, Rumex,
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Journal 9 May 15 Anchitka Island Alaska (cont.) Cystopteris, Mimulus, Streptopus, Carex, & Calamagrostis. Plots are along Bridge Creek. 10 acres. 4. Beach Ridge A grassy transition between beach & tundra. Plants - Elymus arenarius, Senecio pseudoarniug, & Honckeya peploides. Plots - 4 1/2 acres sticking out along 1872 ft of shoreline on Rifle Range Point. [Notes for remainder of May 15 & also for 16-19 were made from very sketchy notes & were written at a much later date. See Charles Yarbrough notes for details.] Big Lake Visited Gull nesting area on the west side of this lake. Charly had found several nest sites previously, one of these contained 3 eggs on May 12 & again today. It was located 100 yds from the lake shore & out of sight but, near a small marshy pond. The nest is a very shallow wide cup (really just a depression) in the tundra. Eggs are olive green spotted with large irregular dark-red-brown spots. This blend very dark well with the tundra background and are not at all easy to spot. We found one other nest 50 ft. away & 2 more nearer Big Lake. See
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) May 15 summary sheet for Big Lake Grill meets for details. Charlie had noticed nests under construction along the lake shore at an earlier date but these now appear to be abandoned. We walked 1/4 of the total lake shore & found no nests. Rosy Finches Noted several in core of beach near Bridge Cr. Collected 2 or near 2 small roadside snakes near drillsite B. Wounded a third which crawled under one bldg & couldn't be returned. Immediately thereafter I found a ? on a nest of 4 eggs (Nest 1) on a shelf 6 1/2 ft. above the floor in one of the bldgs. It's amazing that the 3 gunshots didn't flush her from the nest. One of the birds shot may have been her mate. I wouldn't have collected any birds there had I realized the nest was there. Preliminary searches by myself yesterday evening of 10-15 bldg & by Emison & Yarbrough of 50+ bldg at a previous date suggested that this species was not breeding yet. Other species seen today: Pintail - Bridge Creek Cove
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal May 15 Anchutka Island, Alaska Common Teal - Bridge Creek Cove, Constantine Harbor Mallard - Jones Lake Greater Scaup - Jones Lake, Mason Lake Bufflehead - Jones Lake, Grauman Lake Common Goldeneye - Bridge Cr. Cove, Constantine Harbor Red-breasted Merganser - Grauman Lake Common Eider - Bridge Cr. Cove. Red-throated Loon - near New Camp - Flying Bar-tailed Godwit - Floche - Bridge Cr. Cove. Glauconous-winged Gull - Big Lake & nearly everywhere. Parasitic Jaeger - Big Lake Pelagic Cormorant - Kirilof Islets, Bridge Cr. Cove area. Rock Sandpiper - near Bridge Creek. Tufted Puffins - Constantine Harbor, Kirilof Islets (perhaps nesting in burrows beneath turf at top of cliffs of islets) Bald Eagle - sea stack near Bridge Creek - nest 2 downy young Marsh Hawk - near Big Lake Winter Wren - Constantine Harbor - cliffs. Snow Bunting - Constantine Harbor - cliffs. May 16 Anchutka Island, Alaska Circled Clerenger Lake & walked the beach of nearby Mahonius Bay. Collected 3 ♀ Rosy Finches from a flock of 10-15 birds feeding on the grassy steep hillside which slopes to the beach. Birds were also seen on the rocks in the intertidal area.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 16 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Walked a stretch of sea coast (rocky, little "beach") east & west of G.F. Cove. Winter Wrens were common so collected one since Kenyon indicates that there is now some question as to the race present. Apparently the original race was wiped out by rats & later a specimen of another race was collected. Which of the 2 races is now present in such large numbers? Species recorded: European Widgeon - one nw of Makarius Pt. Greater Scaup - Clavenger Lake Common Teal - Clavenger Lake Bufflehead - Clavenger Lake Red-throated Loon - Clavenger Lake Bar-tailed Godwit - Makarius Bay - flock Mallard - Makarius Bay Pintail - nw of Makarius Pt. Bald Eagle - Makarius Bay or sea stacks May 17 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Censused the Wet Meadow, Riparian, & Upland Tundra plots. Saw 2 Rock Sandpipers at Grauman Lake & more at Bridge Creek Cove. Other species noted at Bridge Creek Cove: A Goldeneye - 13 ?, 30? Common Eider - 11 ?, 30?
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Journal 13 R.E.Johnson 1968 May 17 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Bar-tailed Godwits -14+ Common Teal Pintail - 40 Harlequin Duck 12 ♀, 3 ♂ Snow Bunting - 2 Rosy Finch - 6 G.W. Gulls. Pelagic Cormorants - 1 Other species seen at Grauman Lakes Mallard 2 ♂ Common Goldeneye [illegible] 10 ♀, 2 ♂, 1 pair Bufflehead 4 ♂, 3 ♀ Greater Scaup 8 ♂, 6 ♂ [illegible] May 18 Amchitka Island, Alaska Beach Ridge Census Lapland Longspur Rosy Finch Rifle Range Beach Ruddy Turnstone -4 Golden Plovers - 4 (3 in summerers, 1 winter plumage) Bar-tailed Godwit - flock of over 100 Wandering Tattler -1 Rock Sandpipers - 6 pairs on beach. We searched the creek drainage thoroughly for 2 hrs t
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Journal 14 R-E.Johnson 1968 May 18 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) turned up no nests. Twenty birds flew over this area headed inland (toward site B). Black Oystercatcher - pair Charlie Runway Core Pelagic Cormorant colony - no eggs. according to Charlie, but nests were built 2 wks ago. 25+ nests Peregrine Falcon - one on cliff top, very active, circling & calling overhead while Jim in the area. Song Sparrow - Charlie & I independently thought we heard this species at different times but neither of us could see the bird. Leroy Sowl (Fish & Wildlife Service) says he has also heard but not seen a bird at this location. Winter Wren - several singing along cliffs. Arctic Tern - 1 Common Eider - flock of mixed sex Oystercatcher - pair Harlequin Duck - flock of mixed sex Coastal Invertebrates - comment notes from Charlie Core & G.E. Core:
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal May 18 Amelutka Island, Alaska (cont.) Sea anemone Littorina sp. Limpet - Acmaea Hermit Crabs Kelp Flies Thais Mytilus edulis Sponge (Vase sponge) - Esperiopsis quarteinoensis Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis Sea urchins - small (up to 3/4 inch diam.) green Barnacles Isopods Coraline algae Sea Weed: Laminaria Fucus Ulva Lithothamnion - calcareous algae on holdfasts of other species. May 19 Amelutka Island, Alaska Jones Lake Grasses Greater Sculpin - 6 pair, 5 ?, 4 ? Common Goldeneye - 1 pair, 10? Bufflehead - 3 pairs, 16 ? Island of Makarinus PT. Tufted Puffins - 100+ Commons - 20+
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R.E-Johnson 1968 Journal May 19 Anclutka Is, Alaska (cont.) Sea Lions 20+ G.W. Gulls - some in Juv. plumage. Charlie Cove Tufted Puffin - flock of 60+ off shore. Another group sw along coast. Pelagic Cormorants - as before (May 18) Common Eider - 40-50 of mixed sex. Harlequin Ducks - 20+ Song Sparrow - our return to Charlie Cove was to locate this bird but we saw or heard no sign of it. Winter Wren Peregrine Falcon Rosy Finch Kirilof Islets & Constantine Harbor Tufted Puffins - many flying to & from islets Old Squaw - pair in Constantine Harbor.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 20 Amchitka Island, Alaska We wanted to take a boat out to the Kirilof Islets today & we spent a good portion of the day trying to arrange this but couldn't do so because the small boat lacks a motor the large can't be moved to the harbor just now due to reconstruction work at the harbor & etc. in morning Drove out Engineers Rd to South Right, & climbed down to water level and went around the base of the cliffs for some distance. Saw 3 or 4 Rosy Finches & heard a Winter Wren. Our primary concern was to get a better look at the Alcidae type water birds. Identified some distant birds on the ocean as Horned Puffins but couldn't be 100% certain due to the great distance involved. The color pattern, size compared to other birds, & body shape appeared correct. Saw 40+ Tufted Puffins in flight over the water & a few also on the water. These birds fly continually in rapid flight, apparently in wide circles. Seems this would take considerable energy?! Adaptive value? When & what do they eat? Pigeon Guillemots were also common on the water & occasionally in flight. Also saw a Relic Cormorant, 3 Red- breasted Mergansers (1?, 2?), & a number of Harlequin Ducks. A Bald Eagle [adult] was seen sitting at the top of a cliff.
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal May 20 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) In the afternoon we drove to Kirlof Point, just north of Constantine Harbor to check out a report that Puffins were beginning to nest in that area. On the west facing cliffs of this point we found 2 species of Puffins. Tufted Puffins occured high on the cliffs where Elymus grass grows down over the cliffs. Apparently they burrow back in under the grass into the soil to nest. Birds of this species were continually flying in fount & circling in rapid flight. Others floated offshore in the water. Horned Puffins (the 1st seen this year except for the questionable identification, this morning) floated in the water in groups of 2 to 4 or sat on the lower cliffs & boulders. There were perhaps 40 Tufted & 20 Horned Puffins. Pigeon Guillemots were common & in the water & were occasionally seen flying pair of near the cliffs. An Kosy Finch & a Winter Wren were heard on these same cliffs. A Peregrine Falcon flew over & Garbrough says he also saw a second bird. Cormorants were seen & one of special note perched for some time in good sight but not in a position to be collected. It was larger in body, browner & with less iridescence, had a thicker bill (no white patches on flanks) than the Pelagic Cormorants sitting near it. It was definitely a Double-Created Cormorant.
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RVE Johnson 1968 Journal May 20 Anchutke Island, Alaska (cont.) This is a new species for the island. A short ways further toward the tip of Kirilof Point we located a large cleft in the cliffs & here we found both Pelagic Cormorants and Red-faced Cormorants building nests, over water, in the vertical west facing side of the cleft. These are the 1st of the latter species recorded for the island. The Pelagic was the only species recorded for the island until today, even though the Red-faced species is considered most common in the Aleutian Islands. We followed the contours of the point around until we overlooked Constantine Harbor & encountered a few additional birds of species named above, then returned to our truck & drove to the dock area in Constantine Harbor. We noted Common Eiders, Glaucous-winged Gulls, a Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorants & a Buteo hawk on the island. The hawk was perched facing us on a grassy ridge toward the top of the island & it was periodically dived upon by gulls. It would lower its neck & open its bill & follow the attack as if ducking under it, yet ready to grab a gull if it came too close. The hawk was unlike any we have seen on the island. It was decidedly smaller than an Eagle and had a very light plumage suggesting a light Red-tailed
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{ "text": "Journal\n19\nR.E. Johnson\n1968\nMay 20 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.)\nHawk. Unfortunately we were never able to\nsee its tail, as it dropped to the rear of\nthe ridge out of sight without ever taking\nflight on our side of the islet. Its breast was\nwhite, with dark markings only occurring on\nits neck & upper breast. It also appeared to\nhave considerable white on the back of the neck.\nThe bill was yellowish toward the base & growing\ndarker (black or brown) toward the tip. Of the North\nAmerican fauna it resembles only the Red-tailed\nHawk, a rather variable species. We do not know\nif there are Asian species that are similar.\nThis is the 1st record for a Buteo on the\nisland.\nSea Otters were watched carefully several\ntimes from directly above on the cliffs. They followed\na sequence approx as follows: dive down to or\ntoward ocean floor & obtain food; surface & lay food\non chest (otter lies on its back) holding it with both\nforefeet if it is live food; bite or tear off pieces of\nfood from main \"chunks\" while folding it in forepaws;\noften additional chunks are lain on chest; roll over\ncompletely & reappear chest up -- the food, is\nclutched shortly after roll is begun & is released\nwhen roll is complete; feeding continues; new roll;\nmore feeding; etc until food is gone & then new\ndive occurs. Food is occasionally lost if their\n``` ```json\n{\"text\": \"Journal\\n19\\nR.E. Johnson\\n1968\\nMay 20 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.)\\nHawk. Unfortunately we were never able to\\nsee its tail, as it dropped to the rear of\\nthe ridge out of sight without ever taking\\nflight on our side of the islet. Its breast was\\nwhite, with dark markings only occurring on\\nit's neck & upper breast. It also appeared to\\nhave considerable white on the back of the neck.\\nThe bill was yellowish toward the base & growing\\ndarker (black or brown) toward the tip. Of the North\\nAmerican fauna it resembles only the Red-tailed\\nHawk, a rather variable species. We do not know\\nif there are Asian species that are similar.\\nThis is the 1st record for a Buteo on the\\nisland.\\nSea Otters were watched carefully several\\ntimes from directly above on the cliffs. They followed\\na sequence approx as follows: dive down to or\\ntoward ocean floor & obtain food; surface & lay food\\non chest (otter lies on its back) holding it with both\\nforefeet if it is live food; bite or tear off pieces of\\nfood from main \"chunks\" while folding it in forepaws;\\noften additional chunks are lain on chest; roll over\\ncompletely & reappear chest up -- the food, is\\nclutched shortly after roll is begun & is released\\nwhen roll is complete; feeding continues; new roll;\\nmore feeding; etc until food is gone & then new\\ndive occurs. Food is occasionally lost if their\"}``` ```json\n{\"text\": \"Journal\\n19\\nR.E. Johnson\\n1968\\nMay 20 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.)\\nHawk. Unfortunately we were never able to\\nsee its tail, as it dropped to the rear of\\nthe ridge out of sight without ever taking\\nflight on our side of the islet. Its breast was\\nwhite, with dark markings only occurring on\\nit's neck & upper breast. It also appeared to\\nhave considerable white on the back of the neck.\\nThe bill was yellowish toward the base & growing\\ndarker (black or brown) toward the tip. Of the North\\nAmerican fauna it resembles only the Red-tailed\\nHawk, a rather variable species. We do not know\\nif there are Asian species that are similar.\\nThis is the 1st record for a Buteo on the\\nisland.\\nSea Otters were watched carefully several\\ntimes from directly above on the cliffs. They followed\\na sequence approx as follows: dive down to or\\ntoward ocean floor & obtain food; surface & lay food\\non chest (otter lies on its back) holding it with both\\nforefeet if it is live food; bite or tear off pieces of\\nfood from main \"chunks\" while folding it in forepaws;\\noften additional chunks are lain on chest; roll over\\ncompletely & reappear chest up -- the food, is\\nclutched shortly after roll is begun & is released\\nwhen roll is complete; feeding continues; new roll;\\nmore feeding; etc until food is gone & then new\\ndive occurs. Food is occasionally lost if their\"}``` ```json\n{\"text\": \"Journal\\n19\\nR.E. Johnson\\n1968\\nMay 20 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.)\\nHawk. Unfortunately we were never able to\\nsee its tail, as it dropped to the rear of\\nthe ridge out of sight without ever taking\\nflight on our side of the islet. Its breast was\\nwhite, with dark markings only occurring on\\nit's neck & upper breast. It also appeared to\\nhave considerable white on the back of the neck.\\nThe bill was yellowish toward the base & growing\\ndarker (black or brown) toward the tip. Of the North\\nAmerican fauna it resembles only the Red-tailed\\nHawk, a rather variable species. We do not know\\nif there are Asian species that are similar.\\nThis is the 1st record for a Buteo on the\\nisland.\\nSea Otters were watched [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal May 20 Amukta Island, Alaska (cont.) are several chunks, but the impressive thing is that the otter seems to keep hold of all of them most of the time & with no apparent effort or difficulty. She rolls always begin before the food is grasped & yet the food didn't lost. The occasional stray food item is picked up rapidly by gulls which either watch closely from the air or a nearby cliff or which swim in the wake of the otter waiting for scraps. Gulls were observed to follow an otter for as much as several hundred yards. Two otters were observed to feed on live fish caught on dives. There was no difficulty in hanging onto the fish. They rolled with them as with other food, but appeared to keep hold of them until they were dead, at which time they would leave the carcass on their chest while chewing up smaller chunks. They bit the fish & ripped pieces away by pulling in opposite directions with head & with forefoot. One fish was shaped much like a giant tadpole, that is a very fat round body & smaller slender tail. Another was a very spiny orangeish fish. Weather was a bit unusual today. It snowed briefly in the morning & the air temp. was cold, but there was little wind. The clouds lifted so that two islands could be seen: Little Sitkin & Semisopochnoi, as well as the
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal May 20. Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) mountainous end of this island (1st time since I arrived that I could see this far). The sun came out in the late afternoon on the east end of the island. May 21 Anschetka Island, Alaska Visibility still better than normal. Can see the west end of island (mtus) again and also L, the Sitkin & Semisopochnoi Islands. A census of two small ponds at 9AM near Mason Lake had 1 pair + 5 other & Pintail ducks on one and 2 Red-breasted Loons on the other. There were no birds on Mason Lake. Drove to the Dry Meadow plots and noted a large number of Longspurs (23 plottings on map) but only [illegible] other species were in the area. A Rock Ptarmigan flew from somewhere in the center of the area and a group of 7 Rosy Finches flew past the corners of the area. During the previous census only 8 Longspurs were plotted & one rosy finch. It appeared that there were territorial disputes today & much aerial display (glide & sing). Females are not seen often, perhaps because they arrive later than males, but they may simply be more secretive. Time will tell. Noticed a male give his typical aerial flight & song to a female only 10 ft. away do the same with only a slight time lag between the two (both displays in air together). This was the 1st female I have noted giving a display. Looks like it could be a sex ritual reinforcing the pair bond. 21
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal 22 May 21 Anchitlka Island, Alaska (cont.) Censused Silver Salmon Lake near the dry meadow plot: Red-breasted Mergansers 4 pair + one single ? Bufflehead - 1 pair Mallard - 1 ? and 3 young! [This suggests that the absence of ?'s on lakes has [illegible] ment they are on meats] unidentified ducks - 1 The Wet Meadow plots are becoming very dry and this may explain the absence of birds_ on them, as well as the particular assortment of birds present. Only 5 birds were plotted, 5 Longspurs + 1 Rosy Finch. No Rock Sandpipers were seen_ though a wet meadow should have them. The number of Longspurs has not increased over last week. After lunch we noted several Rosy Finches around the south Hangar perching in windows + on the roof an an adjacent bldg. We drove the BMI Boston Whaler from Constantine Harbor to Vista Island off Chitka Point (1.5 miles east & 0.1 miles north of ChITKA Pt.). We stopped several places in route to & from the island. Total round Trip approx. 40 miles. There were many Sea Otters around the island_ & several were worked up on shore. We obtained 4 good skulls + a healthy perfume to accompany the rest of the trip. Before landing on the island we encountered several hundred Tufted Puffins floating in 2 or 3 large groups on
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 21 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) the water. After landing on the island we found that they nest in burrows along the top of the cliff under the Elymus grass which covers the top of the island. Burrows encircled most of the cliffs. [illegible] In one of them we found 3 dead Leach's Petrels. Another was found on the shoreline. Kenyon (1961) had not seen this species but Murie refers to early (late 1800's) records for Anchitka & nearby sites. The puffin colony is the largest that we have located so far & suggests that the total population for Anchitka Island must be very large (several thousand) since they birds have also been seen in good numbers at Kirilof Point, Kirilof Islets, & Charley runway core. The total for these few locations alone totals only a little short of a thousand & represents only a fraction of the available shoreline for nesting, most of which we haven't explored as yet. Glaucous-winged Gulls were very common on the island. One Wandering Tattler & 2 Oystercatchers were seen on the rocky shoreline. Five Song Sparrows were seen and one was collected. No rosy finches were seen. On the return boat ride a Murre sp., 30+ Ancient Murretets, 100 Pigeon Guillemote, several Horned Puffins & 3 species of Cormorant were seen (Red-faced, Pelagic, & Double-crested).
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal 24 May 22 Amchitka Island, Alaska Again fairly clear & still in the morning. Clouds are above 1000 ft & can see Semisopochnoi Island, but not Little Sitkin. The morning was spent stuffing Rosy Finches and trying to collect a Tufted Duck in Cleverger Lake. There were 2 pairs & one lone male among Greater Scaup & Buffleheads. Tom Abbott called our attention to them yesterday. However we were not able to get in range & they finally flew out over the ocean & disappeared. I collected two Rosy Finches (of a group of 3) on the east shore of the lake. One was a female with a brood patch & active ovary but no ova over 1mm indicating she hadn't laid yet. This was only the second ? identified this year. The other two individuals were males. In the afternoon we drove to the Beach Row & Riparian plots & censused them. The Beach Row plot had many Lapland Longspurs using the Tundra (inland) part of the plots. Few actually land in the tall Elymus grass. Three Rock Ptarmigan were seen & a Rosy Finch. On the Riparian Plot Lapland Longspurs were singing (and glide display) in attendance. Rock Ptarmigan (pair) & a Rosy Finch were also seen. Returned to Cleverger Lake to try to collect a Tufted Duck. We used somewhat different strategy this time and [illegible] did get one male. The Tufted Duck is an old world species that has been reported
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 22 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) only twice from islands along the Bering Sea (attu Is.: Wilson, 1948; Condor, 50: 126-7; St. Paul Island: Evermann, 1913; Auk, 30: 17). It has also been reported from California (Peterson Field Guide). I believe the birds have been present for sometime & have gone unnoticed. I had noticed a tuft on the head of several birds on previous occasions, but hadn't realized the significance of the observation. I'd never heard of the Tufted Duck & mistook them for Greater Scalp. Actually there are several other differences to be noted but I didn't! The backs of the males are darker than in Scamp (more like Ring-necked Ducks) and the females lack the light markings around the bill. Neither Kenyon (1961; Auk, 78: 305-326) nor Krog (1953; Condor, 55: 299-304) reported this species from Amchitka. We also censused Clerenger Lake (see Table) Skimmal birds in the evening. May 23 Amchitka Island, Alaska Back to normal foggy weather + wind. Collected 3 Rosy Finches & prepared them) from Constantino Harbor. They were feeding along the shore area, mostly in the green vegetation zone just upslope from the rotten kelp & sandy beach, but also on algae covered rocks. I walked the entire sandy beach at the head of the harbor & saw a dozen Bar-tailed Godwits. Censused Jones Lake & discovered there were 13 Tufted Ducks in the lake, as well as Scamp & other species (see Table). Then
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 26 May 23 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont) drove past Mason & Clevenger Lakes. Discovered that there were still Tufted Ducks(4) in Clevenger Lake. This means that the total population on the island must be at least 18 (13+4+ the one collected). This strongly suggests that the presence of this species is not accidental but regular & that it had previously been overlooked because of its similarity to Greater Scaup when viewed at a distance, the usual condition of observation. I also tried to collected a Tufted Duck at Jones Lakes from an excellent "blind" on the west side where the birds often come close to shore, but a passing vehicle apparently saw me & stopped to watch, scaring the birds away. Spent the afternoon & evening skinning birds, writing notes & letters, etc. May 24 Amchitka Island, Alaska A windy but unusually sunny day (60% cloudy). Slept late to catch up on late hours kept the last 3 days. Did laundry, etc. Then checked for Rosy Finches in the old bldg just SE of the south hanger. It has a high (20+ Ft.) ceiling and I climbed up among the rafters. There are two old nests at opposite ends of the bldg. Each is filled with excrement. Since rosy finches practice nest sanitation, it seems likely that these nests have been used in winter as roosting sites since their use as nests. Another nest was found on the ne wall which was active. It contained 3 half grown young & 1 egg.
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Journal 27 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 24 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) I waited from 1:15 PM until 1:50 for the adult to return. It landed in an old window & chirped for 15 minutes, then flew outside, then returned again, being reluctant to go into the nest while I was present. The nest is on a ledge [illegible] 6 x 24 inches with a wall behind & 2x6 inch stand on either end. A front lip is provide by a 6inch board which forms the top rung of a ladder nailed to the wall & reaching up 20 ft, the ht of the nest from the floor. The nest was clean, circular, and fashioned of grass, not dissimilar to those I'd found in Montana except that this one is larger to match the larger race of bird here. At 2:10 PM a second adult appeared in another window & chirped. The 1st adult flew closer to the nest. Now an occasional peep was heard from the young. It was not possible to tell which adult was the Female because the adults of this race differ only slightly & this degree of difference could not be told with the present back-lighting. Both adults moved close to the nest & one into it. I can't be sure if the second one also entered the nest. I could not see actual feeding of the young but I presume it occurred even though it was done more quietly than any I'd previously witnessed among rory finders. Both adults flew out of the ldg & landed while chirping, apparently still in response to my presence. Outside I could distinctly verify that one was a male & the other a female. I left at 2:15 PM.
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Journal 28 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 24 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Checked at the airport regarding the possibility of visiting others of the Aleutian Islands and spending one or two nights at them. This information was not readily available & I will check back tomorrow. Plane stops to the east are both on islands in the refuge & the several islands outside the refuge (Unnak, Unalaska). Cold Bay on the Peninsula [illegible] is on the edge of a refuge but provides ready access to non- refuge areas. Collecting outside the refuge would cause less difficulty. All the islands To the west are inside the refuge. Only Attus & Shemya have landing fields, both are military. I wrote a letter to the Commander of the base at Attus. The island is large but only 40+ people are on it (Navy & Coast Guard) meaning that there is plenty of wild habitat to collect in. Shemya, on the other hand, has 4000 people & is a small island which is nearly covered with people & buildings. Drove up the island & censused the dry tundra plots and Silver Salmon Lake. The only species seen on the tundra was the Longspur and there were less sightings than last time. It appeared that all the birds were blown into the leeward side of the hill in the plot. Display flights were usually with the wind. Few females were seen. There were few birds on the lake (see table). Returned to camp area & censused Cleverger
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R.E. Johnson 1968 29 Journal May 24 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Lake (see Table). May 25 Amchitka Island, Alaska Worked on field notes & nest cards, then went to airport to check on the possibilities for traveling to other islands to collect ray finches. Information left by the Reeve Aleutian Airline stewardess suggests Unmak Island (Aleutians) & St. Paul (Pribilof Is.) are great for birds & have good accommodations. Contact Gene Craig, Central Transportation Office, Reeve Aleutian Airways, Anchorage. Radio contact with Attu indicates that visitors are allowed on the island but that Attu Command will have to clear it with Juneau headquarters, thus it may be a couple weeks before I hear word. Censused Mason Lake (no birds), & the 3 sets of plots not done yesterday. The Wet Tundra plots are still dry (no rain since I arrived in Amchitka Is. 11 days ago). More Longspurs were seen than on previous occasions, & ½ of those sighted were females. No females were seen on previous censuses (May 17, 21). Two Rock Sandpipers were seen, each along the margin of an evaporated, but still moist pond. Tracks were common in the mud in each muddy pond in the area. Riparian Meadow Plots. There were more sightings of Lapland Longspur than on previous trips (May 17: 15 bird; May 22: 31 birds; May 25: 36 bird sightings). These sightings do not
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Journal 30 RE. Johnson 1968 May 25 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) necessarily represent [illegible] the same number of different birds, but they do indicate the relative population sizes to activity. Also of interest is the increase in number of females: May 17, none; May 22, 9 f : 22 m; May 25: 16 f : 20 m. Two Rosy Finches & 3 Rock Ptarmigan (1 pair & 1 female) were also seen on the plots. Beach Ridge Plots - increased activity and numbers of Lapland Longspurs (May 18, 3 f : 8 m; May 22, 2 f : 7 m; May 25, 9 f : 14 m). Two Rock Ptarmigan (pair) were seen just off the plots. Rifle Range Lake Census 2 pair Common Goldeneyes 1 pair Red-breasted Mergansers 2 m Mallards 4 m Pintails 7 f Pintails Rifle Range Beach. Hawcous-winged Gulls - common 100 yds off- shore. Bald Eagle - one [illegible] perched on top edge of cliff. Bar-tailed Godwit - 7 on beach (gravel) Common Eiders - approx. a dozen 100 yds off- shore near rock outcrops just breaking water surface (high tide). Pintail - approx. 3 m, 6 m; 100 ft off shore in partially protected beach (rocks farther out break surf).
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 25 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Black Oystercatcher - one on rocks breaking the surf, located 100 yds out from beach. Least Sandpiper - Charley Yarbrough recognised this small sandpiper by its notes. I only can vouch for its small size (definitely smaller than a Rock Sandpiper). There were two birds 100 yds out from shore on rocks breaking the surf. This is too far for me to identify these birds. 1st sighting this ys. Aleutian Tern? Again Charley was certain of this identity having seen the Arctic Tern with a bright red bill only the day before. However they (6) I'd guess were arctic terns. They were close but had strong back lighting & definitely could not be sure of the bill color, nor could I see the white on the forehead. The gray on the upper wing was darker than in Foresters Tern but having never seen either the Aleutian or Arctic Tern before, I can not judge which of these 2 species this gray shade matched. They were slender graceful birds & had a call resembling Peterson's description of the Arctic Tern, not the Aleutian Tern. Needless to say that I do not know which species this was. The Arctic Tern has been known on Anchitka (Kroq) & is a common breeder
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Journal 32 R.E.Johnson 1968 May 25 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) on the Aleutians. The Aleutian Tern has only been reported once from the Aleutians! Glauconis-winged Gulls - many sit near the road along ponds on either side of the road to rifle range point. We stopped to look for nests & found many empty nests on tundra tundra mounds & elsewhere. The gulls few up into large flocks over my head & I was dived upon twice, suggesting that nests were in the area. Drove back to the Camp area & then out Engineer Rd to Big lake to check the Gull colony there. Previously we had found 4 nests there, with (1) (2) (3) (4) with 3, 2, 1, 1 eggs each. These same nests now have (1) 3, (2) 3, (3) 1, and (4) 0 eggs. Apparently the latter 2 are now abandoned since the one egg was cold, whereas the nests with 3 eggs were warm. a Parasite Jaeger, a pair of Greater Scaup, 2 Red-throated Loons, a male Common Teal, & a pair of Pintail were seen along our route on Engineer Rd. After supper I investigated the Rosy Finches near Old Camp where I live. Several rosy finches were encountered around old quarant hut along the power cable running north from Old Camp. They set chirping from poles & roof tops & eventually 6 Rosy Finches, a pair of Iceland
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R.E.Johnson 1958 Journal 33 May 25 Andutka Island, Alaska (cont.) Longspurs and a Snow Bunting gathered to chirp at me. I examined all the buildings in the area & found no nests though the protesting birds followed me about making vigorous protests. In one building I found an old nest that was actually 3 in a row, i.e. three good nest depression in sequence made in one huge linear mass of nest material. The mass nearly filled the 18 inch wide ledge. The ends of the ledge were formed by 2x6 studs, the back by a wall, & the front had a 3 inch lip formed by another piece of wood. Thus this nest site was much like the one in south hanger, i.e. enclosed from all sides but the top. After considerable hunting I finally found an active nest with 4 eggs (flushed the ?) in a large oil drum which was partially filled with earth & laying on its side facing north. The nest was a large mass of grassy vegetation stacked on top the dirt in the far end of the drum from the entrance. There were other cans in a row next to this one & perhaps still another was occupied since several birds hounded me while I was near them, but without a flashlight I could not investigate them properly so I went on. Another group of buildings lie north of North Hanger & I examined them. This time I was followed by 2 rosy finches at maximum. I finally
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Journal 34 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 25 Andrithka Island, Alaska (cont) located their nest on the top shelf of an old book shelf in a quonset hut. There were 3 eggs in this rather huge nest which nearly filled the shelf! Size: inches deep & inches wide. This quonset hut is the only one in the area that is attached to another by an arcade nest[4] & it is located just south of the quonset hut which has a large flagpole in front. In this cluster of buildings there were 2 old nests of the type mentioned previously with 3 nests in one. This were obviously very old. One was on a hanging shelf on a quonset hut wall affording no side & front protection. The other was on a shelf lacking front protection only. May 26 Andrithka Island, Alaska. Walked from Old Camp to South Hanger & discovered a rosy finch nest[5] in an enclosed ledge in a little shack just north of south warm Hanger. This nest had 4 eggs (2 flushed the ♀, the male had followed by approach while chirping & in fact almost led me to the nest). This nest location was like the other active nests in building ie. enclosed on all sides with entrance from above, but, of course, with a roof above also. After I left the male sat chirping 10 yds away from the nest bldg & the female hopped about on the bldg roof peering over the edge into the bldg
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Journal 35 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 26 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) as if to see if I were really gone. I continued on to the nest site found May 24 in the bldg south of South Hanger. I set up a blind of old doors & boxes, checked the nest & found the female off the nest & the young now grown & covered with feather quills bursting with new feathers. I returned to the new blind & waited. The birds were absent from 10:50 to 11:07 AM when I heard a chirp outside. At 11:08 a bird entered & fed the young, at first apparently not noticing me. Then suddenly I was spotted & the bird flew toward me chirping. From then on one or two birds chirped continually & flew from perch to perch in the building. Later only one bird chirped (the q?), then the q returned & the male appeared to try to chase her away each time she approached. He would rush her & push her away, not with the vigor of fighting but the intention was clear. This happened at least 8 times before 11:50 AM. At 12 noon it appeared the chirping would never end & the young would never be fed while I remained, so I left. Explored the rooms & some of the rafters of the South Hanger. A sextet of rose finches followed me through the rooms on the second floor south side/side near the bldg where I had been watching the nest) implying nests somewhere near. Nests could have been in the
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 26 Anacchitta Island, Alaska (cont.) ceiling which is covered with ripped acoustic board so that it formed many shelves with openings down to the room below. No way of checking them since the ceiling is very high (20 ft.). Next started exploring all old buildings south # of Baker runway and tabulating new & old nests according to type of bldg, etc. In the process I found a Rosy Finch nest in an old messhall on a 2x4 rafter. Nest contained 5 young (downy) & the q was flushed from the nest. The nest was enclosed on sides & back, but not front. Strangely, though I had encountered a chirping q in the area, he did no follow me & complain as I entered this bldg nor did the q chirp & attracts a male to complain as I investigated the nest & next bldg. There was an old nest on the next rafters. On a pond outside this bldg # a Northern Phalarope landed (breeding plumage, q). This is the 1st seen this year. A Rosy Finch nest (7) was found in a metal quarant hut marked "Headquarters" with 55 gal drums lined up around it. This nest was in a unique location. Some quarants, including this one, have a space above the center (high pt of ceiling) of the ceiling & below the roof, which affords space for a nest & access via the hole once occupied by a stove pipe or air vent. This nest was
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Journal 37 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 26 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) just a few (3-4) inches from the edge of the hole & it adjoined an old nest. That is this nest was a double one; one old, one new. A Rosy Finch nest was located in a square bldg 8 where the rafters join the wall, approx 7½ ft up. The bldg is sw of the South Hangar & the Hdgtrs bldg which had the last nest. This one had 4 young (downy & small) & one egg. The Female was on & chased me & chirped. A Rosy Finch nest with 9 downy young was found on a rafter where the ceiling meets the wall of a mess hall nw of the last nest & w. of South Hangar. This is a long building, near a second one like it & se of White House. An old nest was located on top a water heater. A Rosy Finch nest with 10 eggs was found where wall meets rafters in long wooden messhall just nw of 9. This nest was a double nest (old one & new one). The bldg contains many good nest sight locations & a number of old nests: a double one, & 2 single one. Even these singles appear to be built upon older ones, but vertically & not to the side of the older one. A Rosy Finch nest with 11 eggs on a shelf 6ft up on wall of quarret hut so. of 9 & 10 & sw of South Hangar. Female off nest but eggs warm. A Rosy Finch nest with 12 downy small young located so. of White House & all previous nests; on a shelf 6 ft up. Female fluked from nest. Bldg has partly collapsed & was quite large. Near large rock pile.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 26 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) A Rosy Finch nest [13] was found in the wall of a timbered scaffolding used for loading trucks just south of the building containing[12]. The nest is on dirt & rock substrate but reached via a hole in the timbers. 4 eggs. The adults were nearby & dove close while chirping out their complaints. Nest is 9 feet above the ground. at 7:30PM saw a flight of about 20 Bas- north tailed Godwits in a V pattern flying over New Camp. at 7:58am - 2 dark phase Parasitic Jaegers flew low (5-10 ft) over the tundra south of New Camp. at nest of a Rosy Finch[14] found in the outer wall of a building where most of the siding was gone but one slap 6 inches high remained in front of this nest. The adult was on the nest. 2 eggs small 2 young. The most exposed nest site I've seen. The bldg is located beside a large, metal, collapsed quarset hut & is so. of New Camp. A Rock Sandpiper nest of 4 blue eggs heavi blotched with dark red brown, eggs pointed down to center in nest, was located on ground of [illegible] old dirt road on shoulder - in midst of patch of crowberry & grass. The nest is depressed. The vegetation is ground level & only 2 ft. across. Nest located south of Rosy finch nest[14] & of New Camp. a Rosy Finch nest [15] on a small corner shelf in a closet of a small shack west of New Camp & the
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Journal 39 RE. Johnson 1968 May 26 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) old communication tower. Nest contains 5 warm eggs. May 27 Amchitka Island, Alaska Nest of a rosy finch [16] on a shelf in a quanut hut on the at the w. end of a pond rt side of road to Makarius Pt. Nest has 5 warm eggs and is 5 ft up from floor. Nest of rosy finch [17] on a shelf in shower stall in small shack on end of quanut located out of sight to lt on road to Makarius Pt. Nest 5 1/2" up. 4 eggs, warm. Nest of rosy finch [18] in ceiling of shack on end of quanut located just east of quanut of nest [17], ie to left of Makarius Pt. road & perhaps (barely) in sight of rd. Nest is 7 ft up & has 4 warm eggs. Nest of Rosy Finch [19] on shelf in quanut hut on side rd (to lt) from Makariius Pt. Rd. Shelf 6 ft up. 3 young + 1 warm egg. ♀ returned. Nest of Rosy Finch [20] on beam on side of overturned out-house on rd to lt. from rd to Makarius Pt. Nest 5 ft up & has 4 young (clowny, small). Parents nearby chirping. Nest somewhat exposed from above because half of upper side of bldg is open. Rain with the proper wind could nearly hit the nest. Rosy Finch nest [21] on beam at top of wall of old shack to lt. of rd to Makarius Pt. Flushed ♀ from 4 young + 1 egg. Nest 8 ft up. Location is east of nests [19] + [20]. Rosy Finch nest [22] is located to lt. of Makarius Road & e. of nest [21] in quanut on shelf 5 1/2 ft up. Fire
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Journal R.E Johnson 1968 May 27 Anchutka Island Alaska (cont.) May 27 warm eggs one old nest on another shelf in bldg. In the afternoon I started censusing bldgs north of Old Camp for rosy finch nests. Bldgs with nests will be marked with red numbered streamers to facilitate location + identification. Nest of Rosy Finch 23 in cubical in wall of cubicals for tools & parts in a long wooden workshop. The nest is 5 1/2 ft up & contains 4 large downy young, eyes not open, feathers don't appear to break sheaths yet. There are 56 cubicals & 26 of these have some nest material, 3 have full sized nests. The amount of material decreases as one goes away from the active nest in all directions. Cubicals are 5 x 9 x 10 inches ht x width x depth. There is also another old nest on a rafter in the bldg. A rosie finch egg shell was on the floor 20 ft. away. Rosy Finch nest 24 on shelf 7 ft up in gunmet containing 4 large young with eyes will open + feather sheaths large. Rosy Finch nest 25 on shelf 6 ft up in gunmeet containing 4 large young with eyes open. Rosy Finch nest 26 on ceiling of old shack beside lake. One egg. 8ft up. One broken egg outside. Weather changing to rain by 6 PM. The following is a summary of nests encountered during the day. Most nests appear to be used over & over & to
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 27 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) grow with each use. Most of these grew upward in layers making a taller than usual nest but a few annexed rooms to the side forming an apartment house, i.e either 2 or 3 old nest cups in a row. There were 3, triple nests, 2 old double nests and 2 double nests with one cup currently occupied. Most nests were in rafters or on shelves safe from rats, howerver one old nest was located in a sunken (below-ground level) ledge and another was in a barrel (drum) horizontal on the ground. Most old nests were clean, but some contain dung clear up to the brim & must have been used as winter roost sites. Three others contained remains of the actual nest activities. Two contained one buried egg each & another contained an egg & a small (2 day old) young bird. Some buildings contained several old nests or old nests plus a new nest, but no building contained two active nests at once. Each building searched was tabulated as to presence & absence of old + new nests, presence of suitable nest sites, and type of building. The data for the area south & west of South Hanger for May 26 & for the morning of May 27 was tabulated separately from data collected north of Old Camp on the afternoon of May 27. The data for s + w. of South Hanger is below:
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42 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 May 27 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Type of Building Quonset Other Buildings Hut with shelves Hut with no shelves Roof nest Only poor nest sites available Bldg. with shelves or rafters Bldg. without shelves or rafters Only poor nest sites available No nest 111 HH HH HH HH HH 111 1 111 HH HHIII # bldg 3 # bldg 28 — # bldg. 1 # bldg 3 # bldg 5 # bldg 9 # nests 0 # nests 0 — # nests 0 # nests 0 # nests 0 # nests 0 Old nests only HHIII 22226 1 HH HH 1 33 # bldg 13 # bldg 1 # bldg. 13 # nests 22 # nests 1 # nests 17 New nests only 11 1 HHIII # bldg 2 # bldg 1 # bldg 8 # nests 2 # nests 1 # nests 8 Old & New nests in same bldg ◎◎ ◎◦◭ # bldg 2 # nests 4 # bldg 3 # nests 10 all nests 30 all huts 51 new nests 5 huts with nests 19 9.8% = \frac{5}{51} = bldg that have a new nest 37.3% = \frac{19}{51} = bldg. with nests. all nests 35 all bldg. 41 new nests 11 bldg with nests 24 26.7% = \frac{11}{41} = bldg. with new nest 58.5% = bldg with nests
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R.E. Johnson 1968 May 27 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Journal 43 Ninety two bldg were searched and 16 active nests were found. That is, 17.4% of all buildings had active nests and 46.7% had either active or old nests in them. Slightly more than half of the buildings examined were quonset huts and yet less than a third of the new nests were found in them. There were also less old nests in quonset huts than in other buildings but the difference was not nearly so great. Percentage figures in the last two lines of the previous page document these trends. One possible reason for this great difference is that a lower percentage of quonset huts contain suitable nest sites (shelves hanging from wall are usually the only suitable nest site in a quonset hut & these are absent from many of them). When percentages are refigured on the basis only those of huts with shelves (ie. none without shelves), then the percentage with nests increases from 9.8% to 20% and the percent with nests (new or old) increases from 37.3% to 85%. The percent for new nests is still below the figure for "other bldge", but the percent for all nests is higher. However when buildings lacking good nest sites are excluded the figure for all nests (new & old) raises from 58.5% to 88.9% which is similar to the quonset hut figure. However the figure for new nests is now raised from 26.7% to 40.8% which is double that for quonset huts. It quonset hut is not clear why nests should lag behind
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R.E-Johnson 1968 Journal May 27 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) in new nests yet be on a par with “other buildings” in old nests. Even if my judgement on what makes for “good” nest sites is not correct, the pattern outlined above, i.e. relatively more new nests to old nests in “other bldg” to quonset huts, would still be true & need explanation. One explanation could be that nests may last longer in quonset huts, thus increasing the “old nest” figure. Another would suggest that,^ since they only seem to nest on top of an old nest site, the condition of the old nest may figure in their choice. This might mean that they only select nests in good condition to rebuild & that quonset nests fair poorly (the reverse of the 1st explanation). A third reason could be that recently the quonset huts have deteriorated rapidly & have suddenly fallen into disfavor whereas previously they were used more often. Finally it could be that The last 2 suggestions are more reasonable than the first since the quonset huts are in a bad state of repair, many lack the roof piece that runs their length down the center, and many have collapsed or are about to (those collapsed were tabulated but they lack nests). Finally there is the possibility that my judgment on good nest sites is incorrect & that quonset & “other bldgs” are equal in # of new nests per [illegible]
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R.E. Johnson 1968 45 Journal May 27 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) [illegible] bldy with good nest sites - that the difference in old nests is caused by a greater tendency to build nests in new locations (to use old nests less often) or to build a second unused nest, in the quonsets. If this were the case one would perhaps expect nests to be less bulky in quonset huts since they would be added to less often. If any- thing, the opposite appears to be true: the largest nest masses have usually been in quonset huts. The table below summarizes the figures. Structure Type Quonset Other Buildings % [illegible] with new nests 9.8 26.7 % with nests (old + new) 37.3 58.5 % with good nest sites that have new nests 20.0 40.8 % with good nest sites that have nests (old + new) 85.0 88.9 Four dead rosy finches were found in a 55 gal. drum full of water located next to a window in a quonset hut that contained an old nest on a shelf near the same window. It was not from the plumage (note) possible to be sure of the age of the birds, but they were
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R.E. Johnson 1968 46 Journal May 27 Anchivka Island, Alaska (cont.) of adult body size but with the corners of the juvenile bills remaining, suggesting they may have been in flight from the nest shelf to the window but missed? Why did all miss? Perhaps they were flushed by the presence of a predator (man) and were too young to fly? Several Terns were again seen near Makarinie PT but I couldn't be sure of the identity. Charley Yarbrough began his studies of the ontogeny of thermoregulation in rosy finches. He has located some additional nests to mine but may also use May 27 more of mine see also next pages May 28 Anchivka Island, Alaska In the morning Charlie & I censused all 4 plot locations under rather wet conditions (heavy mist). Fewer birds were plotted partly do to our inability to function well, I suppose, but mainly because the birds were less inclined to fly & sing. Data summarized below: Upland (Dry) Tundra - only species seen was Lapland Longspur. Half of observations were of pairs. Wet Tundra - only species seen was Lapland Longspur. Half of observations were of pairs. No Rock Sandpipers seen this trip but fresh tracks could be seen in mud along one pond. Riparian Meadow- only species seen on plots was Lapland Longspur, though Rock Ptarmigan & Rosy
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Journal 47 R.E.Johnson 1968 May 28 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Finches were seen nearby. As before, there were more Longspurs recorded in the plots near the Bering Sea. Beach Ridge - only 5 birds (Layland Longspur) seen. In the afternoon I checked nests in an area north of Old Camp. This was begun on May 27 and the locations of nests in the area are plotted below. Legend 23 = Nest # = Nest locations - major roads - minor roads. N W E 5 to Harbor one way Jones Lake Constantine Harbor up island Officers Club 28 A B C E F Mason Lake G one way Clevenger Lake Fox Runway Old Camp North Hanger
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Journal 48 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 28 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) rosy Finch On the 27th, 4 nests were found (#'s 23-26) while areas A & the north part of B were checked. Today I checked 14 more buildings in the NW corner of B & none had nests. One new nest was # [illegible] found however in the Officers Club building just north of area B. This nest was near a window where the wall meets the roof rafters is is located 8 ft above the floor. It contained 1 egg & 3 young. There were several old nests in the same building. Charlie also visited the building later on & felt there [was a nest] [illegible] in the opposite end of the building (the largest bldg we've checked) because he appeared to flush a bird from that area. If so this would be the 1st case of 2 in one building but not too startling considering the size & rambling nature of the building. Rosy Finch A Nests with eggs that were discovered on previous days were rechecked to determine if hatch occurred. Results are as follow: Nest# 3 Eggs 4 Young 2:45 PM ♀ off 4 4 2:48 PM ♀ flushed (2 day olds) 5 4 2:58 ♀ off 7 4 3:06 ♀ on 8 1 4 3:12 ♀ on 10 5 3:20 ♀ on cold Abandon? 11 5 3:30 ♀ off.
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49 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 28 Cinchitha Island, Alaska (cont.) Eggs young 13 4 (2 day old) 3:40 PM ♀ on 14 1 3 3:55 PM ♀ on 15 4 1 4:00 PM ♀ on measured length of leg & wing (outer unit only) 16 warm 5 4:11 PM ♀ on 17 warm 4 4:15 PM ♀ on 18 warm 4 4:13 PM ♀ off 22 Forgot to look at this nest. Therefore eggs were still being laid in nest #4 so that it may be used to determine incubation period. All the eggs in Nests #5,4,13 have hatched and 3 of 4 eggs in nest #14 are now hatched (2 were hatched on May 26). One of 5 eggs in nest #15 has hatched. These results pretty well assure that I will get some good data on length of nesting period since there are no predators (except rats & man) on the island to destroy the nestlings. In addition there are 8 other nests with eggs which might provide additional data. One or two of these may be abandoned (#s 3,11). The Rock Sandpiper nest which was found on May 26 was checked at 3:45 PM & the eggs were cold & the ♀ was not present suggesting that it may be abandoned, especially since Charby has also
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Journal 50 R.E. Johnson 1968 May 28 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) checked it once and found the same thing. He watched from a distance & noted 2 (?) adults within ear shot but none near the nest or interested in his presence. May 29 Amchitka Island, Alaska Again the nests with eggs were checked to see if any had hatched. These nests were #'s 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, & 22. Four of the five eggs in Nest 15 have hatched since the previous day. Charley Yarbrough is going to weigh these daily to determine a growth curve to go with his temperature data. None of the other nests had eggs hatch. I examined 11 quanset huts & one other building 1/2 mile east of North Hanger on Engineers Rd and located one nest rosy finch nest (28) on the middle shelf of a set of three, only 3 1/2 ft above the floor. There was some nest material on each of the other shelves. The female was on the nest of 5 small young. The building was a quanset hut attached to two other quansets. Returned again to the area north of Old Camp and examined 8 more quansets & one other building and located 2 more nests in area B. Rosy Finch nest (29) contained 4 large young (the oldest I've seen) with feathers (primaries) breaking the sheaths. The nest was on a shelf 5 1/2 ft up in
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Journal 51 R.E.Johnson 1968 May29 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) a quonset hut next to the road dividing area A+B. Rosy finch nest [30] was in a quonset beside the lake + only a short ways from nest 29. It was on a shelf 5 1/2 ft up and contained 5 large young. Another quonset contained a rosyfinch nest with a mummified adult rosy finch in it. Spart morning with the fish people shooting fish, etc. May30 Anchitka Island, Alaska Once again returned to area B of the area north of Old Camp to finish the censusing of old buildings for Rosy Finch nests. I examined 50 buildings (45 were quonset huts) in the southern part of area B & located three additional nests. Rosy Finch nest [31] was on a shelf 7 ft above the floor in a quonset. Clutch size was 5 or6. Three large young were in the nest + another was walking about on the shelf. A smaller dead one was on the edge of the nest and an egg was on the floor below & appeared to be this years egg but unhatched. Rosy Finch nest [32] was 6 ft. up from the floor in a cupboard of a quonset near the Masonic Lodge. It contained 4 large young. The bldg also contained an old nest with 2 old eggs in it. Rosy Finch nest [33] was 6 ft up on a shelf area in a quonset beside a lake centrally located in B.
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Journal 52 R.E.Johnson 1968 May 30 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) The female flushed from 4 eggs. Data for areas A & B will be summarized at the end of todays notes. I returned to camp & obtained my bird bands & then banded young in nests # 24, 29, 30, 32. One young in nest 24 kept crawling out of the nest & it finally fell to the floor below & broke its leg. I took him to camp & pickled him in 70% alcohol (specimen # 311). Charley Yarborough had also lost 2 young in a nest he was studying (died on the 29th) & he brought them to me today. One was in poor shape & [illegible] was discarded. The other became # 312 (in alcohol). I also collected a female Lapland Longspur to determine her reproductive condition since they don't appear to be nest building yet on our plots. I expected some activity before now. She had an active but small ovary with now growing ova & no brood patch. She was paired but I couldn't obtain the male. Censused Jones Lake today for the first time in a week. There were fewer Greater Scaup & Bufflehead than usual & no Tufted Ducks. See Table on Jones lake for details. Checked [illegible] nest 3 and found the eggs had hatched! I had expected they had abandoned the nest.
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R. E. Johnson 1968 53 Journal May 30 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) The Fish people (no relation to mermaids unfortunately) brought in a Red-throated Loon on the evening of May 28 that had gotten caught in their gill net in a small lake near Test site B. I kept outside in a large wooden box provided with water until this evening when I fastened him down to a board by first wrapping his body with a fish net in such a way as to hold his wings to his body & then continuing to wrap the net around the board also. His legs were tethered out behind him in such a way that I could make get at them to injections in the veins of the webbing. The bill was taped shut & then down to the board & the neck was also fastened down. This prevented him from stabbing everyone in sight with his sharp bill. The loon was injected with 4.5 cc of 3.5% saline solution. Injections were made into the vein of the webbing of the left foot & no trouble was encountered except for the occasional unexpected struggles of the loon which made 3 separate punctures necessary. The veins were easy to find & to puncture with a 25 gauge needle. Salt secretions were picked up from the nostrils of the loon with a thin catheter tube a foot long connected to a syringe. The tube was filled & sealed by heat treatment, to be analyzed
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Journal 54 R.E.Johnson 1968 May 30 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) later for total salt conc., as well as Mg, Na, t K conc. This is the first time salt secretions have been obtained from any member of the Order Gaviformes. Gaviformes & Podicipediformes are the only two orders of birds when spend time in salt waters that had not been tested for presence of a functional salt gland. In the future the procedure should be modified to hold the foot more firmly. Also a higher conc. of salt or a larger volume of solution must be injected since the secretion obtained was minimal. Secretion occurred in very small amounts starting 1/2 hour after injection & lasting for another 1/2 hour. No external drops formed & much of the liquid probably evaporated at times when my tube was not in the nostrils. The Loon was released in Clerenges Lake immediately after the experiment & he swam away a short distance & then proceeded to dive for short distances as he receded into the fog. Odds & ends notes on rosy finches or their nests seen in area B, mentioned earlier in the notes. Eggs were found on the floor in 3 buildings (1 egg, 1egg, & 2 eggs. An egg was found in one old nest not previously mentioned. This has been noted several times before. Active nests also appear
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R.E. Johnson 1968 May 30 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) to retain unhatched eggs. It is not clear how the eggs reached the floor - accident or intentional by parent. A dead spay finch was found in a paint can in a barn and another was found on a shelf in a quonset hut. Another such bird had been noted in the notes of May 29. No nests have been noted on metal shelves though many quonset huts have them. Perhaps these are avoided? - due to their greater conductivity as a nest substate? The data on nest location with regard to type of building in areas A+B north of Old Camp (see map under May 28) are tabulated on the next page. As with data for the area SW of South Hanger (see table under May 27), the quonset huts percentage wise are used less frequently than are other buildings (Frame structures). However the quonset huts (88.2%) comprised a much higher percent of the total # of buildings in areas A+B than they did in the South Hanger area (55.4%). Therefore the majority of nests were in quonset huts of necessity. The percent of quonsets with new nests + with new/old nests is lower in A+B than it was in the South Hanger area, but the same percentages for frame buildings is nearly the same in both areas. When however the percentages are figured on the basis
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R.E.Johnson 1968 Journal 56 May 30. Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Type of Building Areas Quonset Other Buildings A & B north of Old Camp Hut with shelves Hut with no shelves Roof nest Only poor nest sites available Bldg with shelves or rafters Bldg. without shelves or rafters Only poor nest sites available No nest # bldg .57 # nests 0 # bldg 37 # nests 0 1 2,3 # bldg 4 # nests 0 1111 # bldg 4 # nests 0 Old nests only # bldg .11 # nests 12 1 # bldg 3 # nests 6 New Nests only # bldg 7 # nests 7 11 # bldg 2 # nests 2 Old * New nests in same bldg. 4 2 # bldg 2 # nests 8 all nests 19 all huts 112 new nests 7 huts with nests 17 6.2% = 7/112 = bldg. that have new nests 15.2% = 17/112 = bldg with nests all nests 16 all bldg 15 new nests 4 bldg with nests 7 26.6% = 4/15 = bldg. with new nests 46.6% = 7/15 = bldg with nests
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M.E. Johnson 1968 May 30 Anacitka Island, Alaska (cont) Journal 57 South Hanger Area Quonset 26.7 37.3 20.0 85.0 Other Buildings 26.7 58.5 40.8 88.9 Area A & B Quonset 6.2 15.2 9.3 24.0 Other Bldgs 26.6 46.6 36.4 58.3 % with new nests % with nests (old + new) % with good nest sites that have new nests % with good nest sites that have nests (old + new)
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Journal 58 R.E.Johnson 1968 May 30 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) of buildings with good nest sites, the figures are considerably below those in the South Hanger area. This simply means that the buildings in areas A & B are in better condition in general & their shelves are still intact [all quonsets had shelves to begin with + these fall after sufficient weathering]. The statistics show that the shelves are more numerous in areas A & B. Visual appraisal confirms that in fact the buildings have been more recently occupied or have suffered less from weathering, etc. Many were boarded up sufficiently to keep wind from blowing threw them to any great extent. The increase in available nest sites did not result in a, [proportionate (i.e., in fact, a decrease occurred)] increase in number of nests suggesting that nest sites are not limiting population size in these areas. Clearly where there are no buildings, off the island, there are no nests + no rosy finches. Prior to WWII rosy finches were no doubt limited to the sea cliffs around the margins of the island. During WWII buildings were built, usually in high densities, & [there was subsequent] the rosy finches subsequently invaded the interior of the island. Apparently these densities exceed that necessary for maximum densities of rosy finches. Perhaps the reason for the decrease in nest frequency per building is related again to maximum density of rosy finches. The
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 30 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) buildings in area A & B are close together compared to the South Hanger area. In the latter area buildings were sometimes close together, but in one dimension only, suggesting that spacing alone is not the important factor, but total amount of adjacent land per pair is. The major function of this "land" would be Foraging. Though I have not measured the areas of the total A+B area & of the South Hanger area, it is obvious from the topographic map that the latter area is nearly 3 times as large. One would expect more nests in a larger area & this occurs (16 nests to 11 nests) but not to the extent predicted on the above analysis. The densities of buildings should also be figured when the area figures are available. As a premature analysis one might suggest that good nest sites are limiting in the South Hanger area (or else the site is poorer than area A+B) & that food limits density via spacing in areas A & B. Studies of food in the 2 areas would therefore be worthwhile. Since there were plenty of unoccupied nest sites, as I judged them, it appears that nest sites do not limit in either area. However rosy finches may see it differently. Against this is the fact that finches had built nests in 85% of the places I judged scutable in the South Hanger area, but
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 May 30 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont) 1/4 of these (ie, the 20% figure) were current nests. Therefore it seems most likely that food is the limiting factor & that the areas differ in this regard. Nesting appears to be earlier in areas A+B than in the south Flambier area. May 31. Anchutka Island, Alaska Checked nests with eggs (# 4, 7, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, 33) for hatch. Hatch occurred in 7, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, & 22. Checked 4 buildings in area 12 (see map under May 28) (3 quonsets without shelves, 1 frame bldg) and located one new rosy finch nest (34) in the frame building, 9 ft up on center rafters of a long room. Four large young. Collected 4 Lapland Longspurs (2 ?, 2 ?) from Makarius Point to see what their reproductive condition would be. One ? was developing a brood patch (little vascularity yet & probably not full size) & the other was not. The former was diverted and had an active ovary but ova were not large (2mm was largest). Even so this was twice the size of those in one examined yesterday. The other 3 birds were frozen for the present. Pickled a nestling rosy finch which apparently fell from Nest 10. I found it dead on the floor, but in perfect condition. Young Eggs in this nest had hatched since I last examined it. One nestling was much smaller than the rest. The dead one was between
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Journal 61 RE Johnson 1968 May 31 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) The small one to the rest in size. The evening was amazingly clear for Anchitka so I spent considerable time taking pictures of the area. June 1 Anchitka Island, Alaska Censused the 4 plot areas again. Results are approx as usual i.e mostly Lapland Longspurs, but one major difference was obvious - the birds seem to fly less. The remain on the ground + walk about feeding or eradic our path. Perhaps this indicates they are nearing the nesting period - perhaps now they are locating a nest site. No sign of nest building. Much less aerial flight displaying + singing. Checked nests with eggs (4, 33) + neither hatched. Completely censused area C (see map under May 28) for nests. The area contains 29 bldgs, 11 old nests and 2 new ones. Rosy Finch West [35] was on a shelf 5 ft up in a granset + contained 4 large young. Rosy Finch nest [36] was within the wall of a long frame building + contained 3 very large young + 1 egg. Censused Clearer, Brauman + Silver Salmon Lakes (see Tables) + the most notable observation was that no Tufted Ducks were seen. None were
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal June 1 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) seen on Jones lake on May 30. This implies that they have migrated on + do not breed here. Saw a Gyrfalcon flying over Cleringer Lake. unthawed + Stuffed the first 2 Rosy finches I collected on this island! June 2. Amchitka Island, Alaska Charley + I drove the length of the island to Alert Point + Bird Cape areas. The only bird species noted in the high country was the Snow Bunting which was more common there than on the low east end of the island where most of our work is concentrated. The buntines seem to prefer barren areas. This high country probably has less than 50% ground cover & most of what is present is low and not spongy vegetation in contrast to the low east end of the island. Snow buntings occur only in gravel pits, cliffs, & [illegible] road sides on the east end of the island. As we dropped down again toward the Alert Pt. area we began to encounter other species - first Rock Ptarmigan, a single Rock Sandpiper, + then Lapland Longspur. The west end itself has vegetation not unlike the east end, but less extensive. Bald Eagles, Glaucous-winged Gulls, + Rosy Finches were seen and 2 Rosy Finch males were collected from
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 2 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) the slopes leading toward the beach. These were skinned when we returned. A Cliff Swallow was plainly seen by both of us at Bird Cape. It was perched beside the road & we drove to within about 20 ft of it & looked at it with binoculars before it took flight. Then it flew up & down the coast along the cliffs several times before disappearing. This is the 1st record for this species on the Aleutian Islands or Alaskan Peninsula, though one was reported from St. Paul Island in the Pribilof Islands (see: Gabrielson & Lincoln, Birds of Alaska). On the return trip we took many pictures & ran out of film. Noted a pair of Pintail in a small lake as we descended again from the mths returning toward the east end of the island & camp. This is the first time I've seen any ducks on any of the lakes beyond sight F. June 3 Amchitka Island, Alaska Checked Glaucous-winged Gull nests at Big Lake (see May 15 + 25 for earlier data) at 11:30 AM. Nest ① has 3 warm eggs, one cracked a bit. Nest ② has no eggs. Nest ③ has a broken & empty egg. Nest ④ was not examined in that it was already empty on May 25. Nest ⑤ is a new nest containing 4 warm eggs. Examined Kirilof Point area again for nesting
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 64 June 3 Anchutka Island Alaska (cont.) Puffins, cormorants, etc. Tufted Puffins were flying in & out of cliffs west of the location we noted them at on May 20. None were seen at the old location. Charley had checked the area a week or so ago and seen no Puffins anywhere along the point. There present numbers are equal to those of May 20. At least 5 Horned Puffins were also seen flying in the water. It appears that their numbers have decreased. Next we checked the Cormorant colony on Kirilof Point & found new birds & no nests with eggs. It appeared that some of the nests had been destroyed. An occasional Pelagic Cormorant flew by. Five gull nests were found along the grassy rims of gun implacements on top of the point and on grassy humps in the slope down to the south (away from the Bering Sea coast). These contained: K1 3eggs - one with crack (located on rim of gun implacement) (K2) 3 eggs - one with crack (on rim of gun implacement) (K3) 1 egg - cold - a few feet from K2 (K4) - 3eggs - below rd (so.) on grassy hump. K5) - 3eggs - as above
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Journal 65 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 3. Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) Examined Kirilof Islets with field glasses: Common Eiders - 3 \u2642 Harlequin Duck - 20 \u2642 Glaucous-winged Gulls. Tufted Puffin - perhaps 15 seen in flight, + leaving apparently entering burrows on the opposite side of the island. Only two were seen to fly from burrows on our side (west). Cormorants sp - 3 on ledges of cliff. Pigeon Guillemot - 1 Censused Jones, Mason, & Cleverger Lakes (see Tables for details). Notable were 2 \u2642 Tufted Northern Ducks on Jones Lake & 2 \u2640 Phalaropes on Mason Lake. Checked the Rock Sandpiper Nest (see May 26, at 4:30 pm. 28), and the eggs were warm! We had thought the bird had abandoned the nest. Spent the afternoon & early evening checking Rosy Finch nests. The eggs in nests 4, 11, & 33 have not hatched, those in 11 were cold. Banded birds in nests 12, 19, 23, 25, 27, 31, 34, 35, & 36. previously Also checked all nests with banded birds & most are almost ready to fledge. Those in nest 2 "fledged" on my approach! Details for nests checked can be found in catalog of nests. Several dead young were found & 3 were picked.
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Journal 66 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 3 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) A new Rosy Finch nest [37] was found in the Officer's Club at the opposite end of the bldg. from nest [27]. Charley had suggested this nest possibility on May 28. The nest was placed on a 5 ft square piece of ceiling insulation hanging from the rafters. The ? was flushed from 4 eggs. June 4 Anchitka Island, Alaska. a light rain last night and more drizzles this morning, the 1st real "drops" of the year. Spent 2 1/2 hrs on the Upland Tundra plots trying to define the boundaries of Lapland Longspur territories. saw a pair of Rock Sandpipers on the plot, acting like a nest was nearby, or raising wing on side toward me showing white wing tip and then drove Charley to the air terminal. Today he leaves for home (Florida) & is replaced by Dr. David W. Johnston (U. of Florida). The plane arrived on schedule (2nd day of charter new flight service by American Flyers Airline of Oklahoma). Charley was so great we needed two to replace him - thus both Dr. Johnston & Robert LeResche, a grad student from Johns Hopkins Univ. Gave them a tour of the east end of the island. We censused Clerenger Lake (again found Tufted Ducks) & checked the Rock Sandpiper nest (the ? was on the eggs and remained on them even when we approached to within a foot!)
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 4 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) We weighed the birds in Rosy Finch nests 15-6 16, to continue the growth curve determinations started by Charley. Had periodic conversations with Cliff Amundsen (Botanist, U.of Tennessee) in the evening. He is to leave for 3 weeks, starting tomorrow. Played John Palmisano (a "Fish-man") in 5 games of pong-pong and won by a landslide. I had hoped this heroic finish of the day would leave me sleeping like a baby & fresh for the next day. Instead, near midnight Cliff appeared saying that Robert F. Kennedy has been shot just after winning the Calif. primary election. Its hard to say anything meaningful in such a setting. I often doubt if the USA will hold together for another decade. Things aren't getting better & they "aren't doing it" at a rapid rate. As Cliff said the strange & fairly new mentality that would elect an RFK, has now risen to strike him down. I'm inclined to agree. June 5 Anchitka Island, Alaska Mason Lake Census (see Table) Up & off to survey the plots by 8 AM. We covered the upland tundra plots & saw numerous Lagland Longspurs, as usual. The highlight of the morning came when Dr. Johnston saw a ? carrying nesting material & was able to follow her to her nest (no eggs yet). The
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June 5 Anditka Island, Alaska (cont.) male was close by but didn't not accompany her to the nest itself; rather he sang & fed on the tundra 20 or more feet away. The nest was in an extensive slope area of Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) sloping into a gully leading toward Silver Salmon Lake. This is the 1st nest we've located of the Longspur & indicates that we are catching the nestings just at the right time. We'll probably concentrate on these plots so as to be sure to get detailed data on all phase of Longspur nesting & ecology. Censused Silver Salmon Lake (see Table) Censused the Riparian Meadow plots: Lapland Longspurs, Rock Ptarmigan, Tern sp. (one), Parasitic Jaeger (one, dark phase, overhead). Next walked the coast SE to the Bald Eagle nest. Adults were near & squawking. I couldn't see the young in the nest but Charley & I had seen downy young in it on May 15. They are no doubt still present but hidden from view by all the food items stacked on the nest edge. Noted 3♂+1♀ Pintail, 1 pair of Mallards, 1 ♂ Common Teal, & a pair of Oystercatchers along the shoreline. Returned to the track over the tundra (cross country) and then drove back for lunch. In the PM we weighed the ruddy finches in
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Journal 69 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 5 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) nests 15 & 16, then took body temperatures on rosy finch nestlings in his nests C & D. We also checked the gull nests at Big Lake (see: May 15, 25, June 3). Nest 1 now has 2 eggs with cracks (hatching in process, we think) & one not cracked. all eggs warm. Nest 5 has 4 warm eggs. Dr Johnston has numbered these 2 active nests B.L. 1 & BL 2 (Big Lake). Later on we visited the gull nests on Kirilof Point & all nests are as before & all eggs were warm, except nest K3 which now has 2 eggs instead of one, indicating that laying is occuring & the nest isn't abandoned as we had guessed! The nest is only a few feet from nest K4. These 5 nests were numbered in the same sequence as I listed them before (June 3) but are now called KP (Kirilof Point) instead of K. Gull data is summarized on separate tables [which see]. We also visited the Rock Sandpiper nest again at 3:07 PM. The & was again on the nest & allowed approach to within a foot. She did not flush. Visited Rosy Finch nests, 4,5,6,8,9,11,14,21, 23,24,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37. banded nestlings in 5,6,8,9,14,21 and 28. Birds had fledged in 31 & 34 & eggs had hatched in 33.
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal 70 June 5 Anchitka Island Alaska (cont) One of the nestlings of nest 6 had fallen from the nest since I last visited it & was dead for at least 2 days before today's visit (judging from its lag in development behind those still in the nest + alive) & yet it was in excellent shape & was picked (# 326). The Rosy Finch nests C+D used by Charley will be described here & numbered into my sequence. Rosy Finch nest (38) (Charleys # 3 or C) is located on a rafter, 8ft. or the center of [illegible] a frame shower building located NE of nest 4 & of North Hangar. Nest now contains 2 young. Rosy Finch nest (39) (Charleys # 4 or D) is on a shelf 5 ft above the floor in a gunset attached to a large frame structure a short ways north or NW of [illegible] nest 38. Nest now contains 3 young. June 6 Anchitka Island, Alaska Breakfast at 7:10AM, then drove to Grawman Lake. where we saw a Tufted Duck & several other species (see Table). Census Wet Meadow plots: Lapland Longspur - at least 3 pair on plots, Rosy Finch, Common Teal - 1 pair Located a Rosy Finch nest in a gunset hut (shelf 5 1/2 ft up). [illegible] Four young were flying about the gunset and I suspect one others were outside judging by the chirping sounds outside.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 6 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) We captured the 3 [illegible] & these were weighed & kept alive overnight + killed & stuffed the nextday (June 7). These are # 339, 340, & 341. Due to a mistake in handling there is some confusion as to weights of two of the birds. Number 340 & 341 weigh 41.2 & 41.7 grams, but I'm not sure which weight goes with which bird. I have recorded the weight on the tage as approx. 41.5 grams. A Glaucous-winged Gull nest was found on the left [west] side of the dirt road leading from Infantry Road to Rifle Range Point. It was located on a large grassy hummock 50 ft or so from the road & contained 3 eggs. Rifle Range Lake had a pair Pintails + one & Mallards (flying & circling over lake, with a brief landing, followed by takeoff), & 2 Gulls. Censused the Beach Ridge plots and observed Lapland Longspurs, Rosy Finches, a & Mallard duck (flushed from Elymus grass), & Rock Ptarmigan. Walked along Rifle Range Beach [west of Rifle Range Point] and observed the following: Black Oystercatcher - 1 Common Eider - 1 Scoters? - group of 50 far off the coast. Glaucous-winged Gull - many Pintail - 3 Least Sandpiper - (
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R.E. Johnson 1968 72 Journal June 6 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Rock Sandpipers - 6♂, on rocks 100 yds off shore. Rosy Finches - single individuals common. Common Loon - 100-200 yds off shore. The first I've seen on Anchitka Is. A Sea Otter skeleton was found on the beach east of Rifle Range Point. Another large group of black ducks [Scoters?] were seen in Constantine Harbor. In the afternoon we picked up supplies from the warehouse and then I continued work on the rosie finches - collecting several adults, visiting nests, etc, while the others weighed rosie finches & took body temperatures. First I visited Charley's rosie finch nest 1 (or A). It was located in a frame bldy north of the Officers Club. The nest was on rafters 7½ ft above the floor. It now contains only 1 large nesting, which I collected (#329). I don't know the original clutch size as yet. No remembered this nest #42. I also collected both parent birds. He had full buccal sacs & a brood patch. Also collected another adult. I attempted to locate plants in the tundra that resemble those found in the buccal sacs & crop of rosie finches and which look like horsetail. Cliff Amundsen
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 6 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) suggested it may be Lycopodium instead. I brought back several species of plant from the Tundra that resemble the crop contents. Need a microscope to compare them. Visited snowy finch nests 13 + 20 and found all the young birds dead. More pickles! June 7 Amchitka Island, Alaska Visited snowy finch nests 4,6,9,12,14,17,18,19,22, 23,25,27,29,30,32,35,36,37. Took color slides of a Bald Eagle sitting on a tall telephone pole with my telephoto lens (350mm) and also some pictures of Semisopochnoi Island. This is the 1st day which has been clear enough to see both the base & tops of the peaks on the island. Usually the low ceiling of clouds allows a view only of the base (& even those days are few), but occasionally the snowy 4000 ft tops show but their bases are out of sight. Meanwhile Bob & Dr. Johnston censused the lakes (Jones, Clenenger, Mason) & also located a dead Slender-billed Shearwater on the beach at the head of Constantine Harbor. An Inmm. Bald Eagle had been standing near it, before they spotted it. They also found a Common Teal nest with 9 eggs (& incubating) on road to Makarius Point. In the vicinity of the garbage dump they found
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74 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 7 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) a Glaucous-winged Gull nest containing 3 young. In the afternoon I stuffed 3 nestlings which were in the process of fledging when we found them yesterday (Nest 40). After supper we all drove to Big Lake & found that Gull Nest BL1 had 3 chirping young. Took pictures & Dr. J took body temps. Egg shells were in nest & also nearby. Adults were nearby & called often. TB's were 39.4, 39.8, & 39.8. TJ was 9.6. At supper Dave Nordmeyer described the location of a Rock Ptarmigan nest 53 paces down stream from where the white power cables cross the stream running into Silver Salmon Lake. The nest is close to the stream & on the right side as one faces downstream. He flushed the female while walking down the stream. It contained no eggs or young. Rock Sandpiper nest. 2 off, but eggs warm. June 8 Amchitka Island, Alaska The 3 of us drove to the riparian plots & censused them. Predominantly Lapland Longspur as usual. Also 10 Common Teal, a Rasy Finch, & a ♀ Ptarmigan. The latter's behavior suggested a possible nest in the area. A dark phase Parrotic Jaeger flew over the area. Along the beach of Cyril Core we saw
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Journal 75 R.E.Johnson 1968 June 8 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Two Rosy Finches & 2 ♀ Common Teal. One ♂ Lapland Longspur was seen collecting nesting material on the plot area. Lapland Meadow Censuses Lapland Longspur - birds feeding in pairs, suggesting little or no nest building yet. However one ♀ was observed to collect nest material for a brief period, then it resumed feeding. I could not tell if it placed the nest material in a nest or dropped it or what. One male flew about in acrobatic fashion, about 1 to 4 feet above the ground as if trying to catch an aerial insect. The entire flight was confined to an area 6x2 ft. and lasted 20-30 seconds. Later two shorter flights of this sort were observed when we were much further away (50 yds). Initially we had thought it might be evoked by our presence some sort of display, but perhaps not. Silver Salmon Lake The nest located on June 5 is still empty & no birds were seen in the area suggesting that it may be abandoned. Rosy Finch one foraged on the area for over 10 min.
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76 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 8 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) Silver Salmon Lake Censors Mallard - one pair Beach adjacent outlet to Silver Salmon Lake Rock Sandpipers - Bob collected 3 along a rocky stretch of beach (low tide). Red-throated Loons - 2 were 20 ft from shore. Bald Eagle - one adult sitting on a rock surrounded by water, perhaps one of the parents from the nest located a short ways further se. along the shore. Two Immature birds flew over the creek mouth together. Pintail - 3 or Mallard Terns - sp - 4 flying just offshore & calling. Sea Otter - dead skeletonized one on beach. We saved skull. Skate (raddish) were common in one small core. Harbor Seal - one dead & partially decomposed seal on beach. Saved skull. (#377). Winter Wren - Dr. Johnston found a singing adult & nearby, 2 fledglings that could fly 10-15 ft at a stretch. P. tarmigan nest reported by D. Nordmeyer could not be located. Spoke to Dave later and it is clear that the one hole we saw was not the nest location he spoke of. The correct spot does have nest material in it,
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 8 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) our spot did not. After lunch John Palmisano showed me the location of two Glaucous-winged Gull nests he had found. Each contained 3 eggs. The location is directly south (by compass reading) from the White House & New Camp nearly to the shoreline where there are many large lakes close together. A road leads from the water settling plant to this area. The nests were nearly all on rich- crowberry-grass tundra and were either on high high points (ridges separating lakes) or close to the waters edge. Nest contents: Nest contents: # of nests 1 egg 1 2 eggs 2 3 eggs 12 1 young 1 1 young + 1 egg 1 Dr. Johnston & Bob weighed the ringfinches in nests 16 & 15 & found one nearly dead nestling crawling about outside nest 16. It was 9 days old & weighed 25.0 grams. I later pickled it (# 342). They also drove out to Omega Point. After supper we drove down to the Gull nest area & saw 2 Northern Phalaropes on a small pond & a duck nest (Pintail) with 7 eggs in a grass nest beside the road near its terminus at a wooden frame bldg.
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R.E. Johnson 1968 78 Journal June 8 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) In the evening I examined nests where Rosy finches were approaching fledging (Nests # 6, 9, 12, 23, 30, 32, 35, +36) and more had fledged. at 10:40 PM I visited nest 9 and the young was quiet & an adult roosting above the doorway I entered, but didn't rouse until I passed out the door again, at which time it flew suddenly out a window behind me. It was dark inside the bldg, but quite light outside & Longspurs were still active. Bob collected a Tufted Duck in Graman Lake this evening. Weather today, and for past 2 days, has been exceptionally good. Semisopochnoi Island is again visible. In afternoon checked the Rock Sandpiper Nest again, & on nest, but flushed when I was 2 feet away taking pictures. Still has four unhatched eggs. June 9 Anchitka Island, Alaska Slept in till near noon. We are finally having a real rain storm, the 1st since I've been on Anchitka. Feels good on the face. Put off censusing the Beach & Dry Tundra plots due to the rain. Checked Rosy Finch nests 4, 6, 9, 12, 23, 27, 30, 32, 35, 36, 37.
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Journal R. E. Johnson 1968 June 9 Anchutha Island, Alaska (cont.) Collected 3 ♀ Lapland Longspurs (see catalog). It appears that birds near camp are laying now. These specimens of Longspurs are for F.S.L. Williamsop, not MVZ. Bob returned from an afternoon jaunt & said he found a nest under construction. Checked out a duck nest found by Dr. Helm on the shore of a lake north of Jones Lake. It contained 10 eggs & the ♀ flushed as I approached. It appeared to be a Tufted Duck. If so this is the 1st North American breeding record. Went to "Mary Poppins" this evening. Lets go Fly a kite! Better yet, I need her magic umbrella, its still pouring rain outside. June 10 Anchutha Island, Alaska Thick fog this morning. Rain present but a slight let up in intensity. Censused the Wet Meadow plots (Lapland Longspurs only), Grauman Lake (see Table), Beach Ridge (Lapland Longspurs only), & Rifle Range Lake (pair of Mallards, Red-throated Loon, one unidentified duck). Walked west along Rifle Range Beach & saw about 20 Rock Sandpipers close to lower high tide line among the rocks (now a very low tide) Collected one with a dark area on the breast (darkest
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R.E. Johnson 1965 June 10 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) I've seen here yet nothing at all like the black patch shown in the field guides). Also collected a bird that resembles winter plumage for this species or it may be a Purple Sandpiper from the east coast of the US. In either case it is unique, we've seen nothing like it. These 2 species look very much alike & I can't distinguish them in this plumage. Both have yellow at base of bill, white eye rings, etc, but differ in leg color. I collected one Lapland Longspur ? that lacked a broad patch of the largest ovum was imm'd Skinned by 1306. Checked rose finch nests 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 21, 23, 27, 30, 32, 35, 36, 37 & banded birds 7, 10, 15, + 16. Need to band at nest 3 also. Checked the large cluster of buildings east of South Hanger several miles on the rt. side on Engineers Rd. There are 54 quonset huts standing (there had been over 100 buildings at one time). Only 2 of these buildings have shelves & and one of these had a nest. The birds were freshly fledged & I collected 2 nestlings + both adults. Nest was on a shelf 6 ft. up in quonset, an old nest was beside the present one. Dr. Johnston brought in a dead nestling from nest 30 & I pickled it (# 347). The bird was crawling with small worms which I collected & saved in alcohol. June 11 Anchitka Island, Alaska Rain has stopped but island is now fogged in - visibility 50 ft. ±. Mist falling now & then. Censused plots this morning. Bob & Dr. J did the Dry Meadow plots and found that the nest
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Journal June 11 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) we had thought was abandoned, now contains 1 egg! They also noticed a rock sandpiper on the plots where I'd seen a pair on June 4. I censused the Riparian Plots. Much aerial singing by male Lupland Longspur, saw fewer ♀'s than usual. One Rock Ptarmigan flew over. Censused Jones, Mason, + Clerenger lakes (see tables). No tufted ducks: Also checked the duck nest north of Jones lake (see June 9). It still contains 10 eggs (tan). We flushed the ♀ & she appears to be a Greater Scaup & not a Tufted Duck. Checked the Gull nests on Kirilof Point. KP 1 - 3 warm eggs. KP 2 - 3 " " KP 3 - 2 " " KP 4 - 3 " " KP 5 - 2 young, 1 egg with, broken large dead chick inside. 1 Leech's Petrel cadaver at the nest.(DWJ 2145) Saw a Gyrfalcon on the hill west of Clerenger Lake. It soared briefly, then landed & sat overlooking the valley from a large mound, then took flight & circled nearby while we were nearby, then landed downhill always on another mound. After lunch I checked Rosy Finch nests 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28, 32, 35 & banded birds at 3. flying I saw a Parasitic Jaeger ½ mile from
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Journal 82 June 11 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Makarius Point at 3:10 pm. Stuffed birds part of day. Weather remained very foggy & cold all day. June 12 Anchitka Island, Alaska Strong NW winds blowing & foggy (fog high), mist falling. census Beech Ridge plot: 8:45 - 9:15 AM Lapland Longspur - 1 pair & 1 ♂; also a dead female with incipient broodpatch. Wet Meadows census 9:30-10:15 AM Lapland Longspur - 3 pairs Dry Tundra - stopped here briefly to check Lapland Longspur nest. It now (10:40 am) has 2 eggs. Tried to locate the Ptarmigan nest again (see June 8) and found none. Many fresh ptarmigan droppings in the area however. Dr. Johnston noticed that one ♂ longspur hung very close to one small area & that no female appeared suggesting she might be incubating. Crawman Lake Census Greater Scaup - 1 pr & 1 ♀. Rifle Range Lake Census no birds Mason Lake Census Common Teal - 1 ♂ In the afternoon I checked Rosy Finch nests 5, 6, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 21, 27, 28, 32, 38, 39, while
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 12 Anchitha Island, Alaska (cont.) Dr. Johnston weighed the birds in nests 16, & 15. We saw Bob off on the Reeve Alutian Airways Flight for Anchorage at 2 PM, then back to work. Dr. Johnston & I visited the gull nests south of New Camp. He measured body temperatures of young at 3 minute intervals in nests 11a & 12. Nest 11a had a very newly hatched wet nestling. Nest 12 had a newly hatched but dry nestling & it could nearly temperature regulate already. The wet bird did less well as would be expected. Newborn dry nestlings have a thick fluffy coat of down. It was discovered that 2 nests had previously been numbered 11 so they are now 11 & 11a. In addition to the 18 nests found on June 8, we found 11 more nests today. The nests are summarized on a separate sheet by date & individual nest & are summarized here as to timing of nesting, hatching, etc. Nest Condition # of Nests 1 egg 3 2 eggs 3 3 eggs 19 1 young 1 2 young 1 2 eggs, 1 young 2
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 12 Anchutha Island, Alaska (cont.) One of the nests with one eggs has already fledged at least one young bird. Bulls have 3 brood patches, one for each egg. What happens when a bird lays 4 eggs? One nest at Big Lake had 4 eggs! Most have 3. Two egg nests may all be results of a 3 egg nest which only hatched out & subsequently fledged 1 young. Dr. Johnston pointed out to me this evening the old brood patches on a Rock Sandpiper he was skinning: 2 long narrow parallel brood patches! At the Glaucous-winged Gull nests we found an assortment of different foods which included the following: Fish bones (the most common food item judging from refuse - appear to be 90% of diet or more), a large fish head which can probably be identified to species & thus was saved, sea urchin tests up to 2cm, a bird wing, a Crested Auklet head, another aleid skeleton (with skull), a 2 cm amphipod, a 4 inch chiton (pinkish, with the mantle grown up over the shell), a small cancer crab, limpets (Acmaea sp.), Periwinkles (Littorina sp.), Thais sp, another snail species, & Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). June 11 Anchutha Island, Alaska - addenda to Journal.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 11 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Dave Nordmeyer brought us a ? Tufted Duck (or perhaps an alertant Greater Scaup ?) - lacks white around bill but no sign of tuft either) caught in one of their gill nets in a lake located a mile or more to the left of Infantry Rd as one drives between sites B & C. They had found a nest at the opposite end of the lake that contained 2 eggs. This was first seen on June 10 when they flushed a bird which looked like a Tufted duck ? (or scaup ?) from the nest with 2 eggs. The next morning there were still 2 eggs. Then the duck was caught in the net as mentioned above and later still the eggs in the nest were found broken. We presume that the captured duck is from that nest but this cannot be determined for certain. June 13 Amchitka Island, Alaska Brought notes + nest cards up to date while Dr. Johnston made temp. regulation studies on nesting gulls, then I checked Ross Finch nests 3,5,6,7,8,12,19, 21,22,27,28,38, 11 & washed the truck. After lunch we rode to the Kirilof Islets in the boat & examined the area for nests. On the largest island we found many gull nests and several Common Eider nests. Two Eider nests were under construction in the Elymus grass that crowned the higher parts of the island.
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86 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 13 Amclutka Island, Alaska (cont.) These were judged to be Eider nests by the dark gray down that [illegible] characteristically lines the nest. For nests with eggs were found: 4 egg nests - 1 5 egg nests - 2 6 egg nests - 1 Glaucons-winged Gull nests were common: Nests with 1 egg 7 2 eggs 1 3 eggs 7 1 young 1 2 young 1 3 young 1 1 egg + 1 young 1 2 eggs + 1 young 1 1 egg out of nest 1 recently occupied nests (now empty) 7 28 A Tufted Puffin was seen in a burrow facing Kiribf Pt. and there were other burrows of similar size in the vicinity. A flashlight would be needed to determine the contents of these burrows. They are located along the top of the island as holes [horizontal] back under banks crested with Elymus or [illegible] holes through the Elymus into the dirt on which it grows. There were perhaps 150 tufted Puffins either in flight or floating in a large raft
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Journal 87 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 13 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) of birds (up to 75 on the water in one place) NW of the island. Among the Tufted Puffins were a few Horned Puffins. Dr. Johnston said had seen no more than 4 at any one time. Two Oystercatchers were seen on a rocky shore or flying about us complaining. A Lapland Longspur was heard singing in flight above our heads. Looking east to the next island nesting cormorants could be seen. We walked the sea weed covered rocky connecting istmus to this island & examined it. There were at least 20 cormorant nests on the cliffs forming the west side of the island & of these at least one was a Red-Faced Cormorant nest. The majority were Pelagic Cormorant nests. 43 birds were the most seen at one time including non-breeders (lack white patches) & of these the majority were Pelagic. Only 3 Red-Faced birds were seen at any one time. Nest contents could be checked for some nests by looking down from above: Nests with 1 egg - 1 Nests with 3 eggs - 6 Nests with 4 eggs. - 3/10 nests Eggs were tan to very light blue. The Red- Faced Cormorant nest contained 3 eggs. One Common Eider nest containing 3 eggs was found in the Elymus grass.
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Journal 88 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 13 Anduitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Glaucon-winged Gull nests were also common on this smaller island: Nests with: 1 egg 1 2 eggs 1 3 eggs 5 1 young- 0 2 young 1 3 young- 0 1 dead young 1 1 egg, 1 young 1 1 dead + 1 live young 1 11 nests There was a small patch of turf on a high point on the east end of the connecting ismus that also had a few gull nests: Nests with: 3 eggs - 2 1 dead young- 1 3 nests This adds up to 42 gull nests found. It appears that nesting here is a little ahead of the nest area south of Newcamp. Ten nests had one or more young & 7 more were recently active & presumably already fledged their young. Several (& perhaps all) of the 1 egg nests had already fledged their young as evidenced by broken egg shells in the proximity of the nest. Food items noted around the gull nests
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 13 Anchuitka Island, Alaska (cont.) included: clitons, limpets, fish, garbage from the dump across the harbor (steak bones & blubber, a corn cob), a Least Auklet? (complete body head), head of a Crested Auklet. One Rosy Finch was seen on the smaller island. Two other islands (one to east & the other to the west) weren't visited. Only the 2 red crosshatched islands below were visited. After dinner we weighed the nestlings in nests 15 & 16. Kirilof Point Owl Ruffs Cormorants Constantine Harbor June 14 Anchutka Island, Alaska Riparian Meadow Plots - Lapland Longspur, Rosy Finch (one flew over), Mallard (1 ♀ in bridge creek), Parasitic Jaeger (one flew over), Pintail [♀ on nest of 4 eggs beside bridge creek in tall (2 ft) grass]. Cyril Core - Common Teal (4 ♂, 1 ♀) & Mallard (pair). Upland Tundra - Lapland Longspur - pairs common; Rosy Finch - 3, as usual near top of hill in plots.
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90 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 14 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Longspur nest of June 5 now has 4 eggs. Trip to Bird Cape small lake past site C - Mallard - 20? Pintail - 10? Glaucous-winged gull 1 Large pretty green lake - nesting Glaucous-winged Gulls - 3 nests with 3 eggs each; approx. 20 gulls present. Lake located 1 mile NW of site C. Bird Cape Examined 15 buildings on Bird Cape and located 4 Rosy Finch nests (#s 45-48) containing eegs in one case + young in the other cases. Quonset Frame shelves no shelves Bldg No nest 44 111 Old nest 211 New nest 1 old + New nests 3/2 3/1 4/ Rosy Finch nest (45) contained 4 young, 2 of which were larger than the others of was located 6ft. above the floor on a shelf in a quonset hut. Rosy Finch nest (46) contained 2 young who
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Journal 91 R.E.Johnson 1968 June 14 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) flew from the nest on my approach. Other may have been outside. The nest was 6 ft above the floor on a shelf in a quonset. Rosy Finch nest 47 contained 3 young & was located in a quonset on a shelf 6 ft above the floor. Rosy Finch nest 48 contained 5 eggs & was located in a frame bldg on a beam at one end of the bldg & 12 feet above the ground (floor gone). I collected the ♀ (#358). Later I returned to nests 45+46 which were in adjacent quonsets & collected 2 adult males (#356+357), presumably the males ♂ belonging to these nests. Collected 3 of the young of nest 45 (#353,354,355). The larger young were 7-9 grams heavier than the light ones. Also collected one other male in the vicinity of nests 47+48 but can't be sure to which he belonged or if he was unmated. Other species seen at Bird Cage: Cormorant sp - 2 flying over the ocean Mallard - 1 Bald Eagle - 2 or 3
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92 R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal June 14 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Snow Bunting - a few Lapland Longspur - common Common Teal - 10 on pond At dinner at Top Camp & returned to Old Camp. The mountains were fogged in as we drove through them, both going & coming. Only a few Snow Buntings seen. June 15 Anchitka Island, Alaska Clingers Lake Census - see Tables Mason Lake Census Upland Tundra plots - checked Lapland Longspur nest of June 5 at 9:30 AM. - 5 eggs. [illegible] A new Longspur nest was found off the plots by Dr. J. [illegible]. It contained 5 eggs. Silver Salmon Lake Census - 9:45 AM Mallard - 2 pairs Common Teal - 20, 1 pair Red-breasted Merganser - 10 Checked Rozy Finch nest 27 at 10:30 AM & birds had fledged (see Nest 27 summary sheet). Saw a Peregrine Falcon flying north while I was standing on the steps of the Officers Club. Lake Ten Census - Red-breasted Merganser - 18
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93 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 15 Amchitka Island Alaska (cont.) Checked the Greater Scamp nest of June 4 & it still contains 10 eggs & the q was incubating. Explored the coast just nw of Tin Lake, hereafter called Tin Point : Common Eider - 3 pairs, 1 q Bald Eagle - pair of a nest on a sea stack. I was dived upon many times & 3 times it came within a foot! Swish! Parasitic Jaeger - 1 dark phase. Flying west along coast. Rosy Finch - 5 adults seen in usually intertidal area, on rocks which are above high tide line. Hornet Puffin - 5 floating at sea. Tufted Puffin - 50 approx. Floating in a large group at sea. Winter Wren 2 Guillemots - 5 floating 100 yds out from cliffs. Cormorant Colony on large sea stack 19 nests were seen. 2 were Red-Faced Cormorant nests & the rest were Pelagic Cormorante nests. One nest had young birds in it. Jones Lake Census - One male Tufted Duck was seen. See table for other birds.
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94 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 15 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Krilof Point Gull nests: KP 1 - 3 warm eggs KP 2 - 3 warm eggs KP 3 2 warm eggs. KP 4 3 eggs. KP 5 empty (fledged) Cormorant colony - still looks abandoned as noted on an earlier date (June 3). Puffins - around 10 Horned Puffins & perhaps 100 Tufted Puffins again are flying in front of the cliffs on the north side of Krilof point. Small groups of each species were also noted on the cliffs but not near areas where nests might be expected (i.e. near the cliff tops where there is soft earth & grass). In the afternoon I checked the Rozy Lunds nests 3,5, 7,8,10, 17,18,19,21,22,28,& 38. Number 27 was examined in the morning. A dead young bird was found in the doorway of the nest bldg of Nest 8. He only weighed 26.7 grams when 40 grams would be more proper for a bird in his plumage. This was the only bird left on the nest 2 days ago when the other birds were on the floor & could fly fairly well. He had attempted
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Journal 95 R.E.Johnson June 15 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) To leave the nest at that time but I prevented it. Apparently the others left the building & this bird was left to starve. Rosy Finches just can't count to four! Returned to the Tin Lake Point area and reexamined the Cormorant colony. Located 2 more nests on the main sea stack & 5 on an adjacent stack facing the first one. The eagle nest is directly above the colony on the main stack. Two Juvenile Rosy Finches were found chirping from rocks in the intertidal area. At one time one was on a rock 30ft out to sea. They did not appear to feed for themselves but sat quietly waiting for an adult to return. They would usually fly off with the adult & land in a new location to be fed while in begging voice & posture. They could fly at least 100 yds & gain altitude with ease, appearing to fly as well as the adults. These 2 juns were not together but 200yds apart at times & I could not be sure if they were fed by the same pair since I saw at least 3 adult birds at one time in the vicinity. Meanwhile Dr. Johnston & Tom Abbott hiked to the Pacific shore line from the road Terminus near the gull colony south of New Camp. Tom had
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 15 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) reported seeing a Short-eared Owl there. They did not relocate this bird but they did see a Golden Plover flying with a Rock Sandpiper, and also noted many Arctic Terns flying from the coast inland toward the gull colony & carrying food, suggesting they may have nests near the gull colony. June 16 Anchitka Island, Alaska Slept in while Dr. Johnston worked! He censused the Dry Tundra & Beach Ridge plots. After lunch we drove to Constantine Point & I walked the beach toward Constantine Harbor, while Dr. J. walked in the opposite direction. The following species were noted: Common Teal - 7 in one group, both sexes present; 10 at another point - in water. Winter Wren - 7 singing birds spaced along sea cliffs. Black Oystercatchers - 9 ; watched one pair for some time. She walked, in slow advances, toward me approaching to 20 Ft away. Each advance was punctuated by the bird settling down on the rocks as if on a nest. Common Eider - 2 groups seen on the rocks of points projecting into the Bering Sea: 1) 8 ?, 10 ?, 2) 10 ?, 9 ?. Males often performed a display (3 variations): (1)
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R.E. Johnson 1968 June 16 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) head raised + neck straightened, then head cocked back, then back to normal position, (2) as above but breast raised out of water when head raised, (3) head brought forward + back to normal. The latter was noted least frequently. Females also performed a display: the bill was cocked up & down, one to 3 times in succession. Males made a cooing sound, suggesting a dove in quality. Rosy Finch - adults with at least 1 young fledgling were seen on 5 occasions. Young were on tops of boulders in the intertidal zone. On one occasion a bird was on a rock surrounded by water but in other cases they were not since these rocks were out of the water at this very low tide. Harlequin Duck - 20, 2q in group off shore 200 yds. Arctic Tern - 3 Bald Eagle - 2 Immats + 1 adult in one "group", another adult seen later. Guillemote - 2 offshore Cormorants - several Pelagic or Red-Faced offshore swimming or flying. Slender-billed Shearwater - one washed up on Constantine Pt. Skeleton prepared. Aleiide - a group of 39 small alcidae swam
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Journal 98 R.E.Johnson 1968 June 16 Amchitka I., Alaska (cont.) single fill several hundred yards out. See Otter - 10 on trip of Constantine Point, 5 had young. One dead young Otter (approx 16 inches long) on beach. Seal - 2 offshore. June 17 Amchitka Island, Alaska Censued the Upland Tundra plots between 9 + 10 AM approx. Checked both Longspur nests & both contained 5 eggs before with evidence they have not been abandoned. Attempts to find additional nests failed. One Rosy Finch flew over the plots. Censued the Riparian Meadow plots & located 2 Lapland Longspur nests, both with 5 eggs. Each nest we have seen is a deep cup well below the surface vegetation so that the incubating female is probably not protruding above the surface. Longspurs are common, a Rosy Finch + a or Rock Ptarmigan were also seen. After lunch I checked Rosy Finch nests 3,5, 10, 16,17,18, 19, 22, + 28. Many had fledged. (see individual nest accounts). Located two Glaucus-winged Gull nests 1/2 mi. sw of New Camp on the road past a water tower toward Makarius Point. Both nests were on a strip of elevated tundra separating
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal June 17 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) two small lakes. One had 3 eggs, the others contained 1 cold egg & a single young bird was hiding a few feet away. Three to 5 adults circled over my head as I searched the area. Examined buildings in areas D & E (see map under May 28) for Rosy Finch nests. Three were found: Rosy Finch nest [49] was located in a ground hut on a shelf 6 ft above the floor. An incubating q was sitting on 5 eggs. Rosy Finch nest [50] was located 8 ft up in the ceiling paneling of an old Marshall. It contained at least 3 young who crawled off in all directions in response to the notes of the complaining adult birds. Rosy Finch nest [51] contained 5 cold eggs & appears to be abandoned. It is located in a long frame building on the rafters over the center of the building. Another very old nest was found in a similar situation in the same building, but at the opposite end & it contained several old rotten eggs. Another building, which lacked a nest, contained Rosy finch young fledgling barely able to fly & an old Junimile that was an excellent flier & was in full fur plumage.
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100 R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal June 17 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) A rosy finch fledgling (↑Rrt) was found ~~at the ~ on the roof of the building containing his nest (#34). He had been fledged for 12 days! Summary of buildings examined for rosy finch nests in areas D+E. Quon set Frame shelf no shelf nest sites no nest sites No LLH LLH LLH LLH LLH III 1 1 nests Old LLH 22 12 nests New 1 1 nests Dr J. located another (our 5th) Longspur nest today. June 18 Anchutka Island, Alaska Cleverger Lake Census - see Table Walked Coast from Cleverger Lake to Makarius Pt. Rosy Finch - 1 pair feed exclusively on dead sea weed deposited on beach. (Common Teal - 3♂, 6♀ (2 groups) Winter Wren - one pair with 3+ young; 3 other singing males spaced widely along cliffs. Arctic tern - two groups encountered along cliffs + grassland above them.
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 18 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Each group had about 15 individuals. Two were collected (362, 363). Aleutian Tern - several fly among Arctic Terns, yet are separate from them. They seem to fly higher. White forehead, dark bill & voice clearly observed. Bald Eagle - 2 nests - each on a sea stack & each with 2 young. I was attacked by both adults but kept them at bay [illegible] by raising my shot gun straight above my head & keeping it there. Oystercatcher - 10 seen scattered in pairs along the rocky parts of the coast. Parasitic Jaeger - one light phase bird. Mallard - one pair & 1 Drin [illegible] small bay. Checked Ross Finch nests 10, 16, 49, 51. Then examined the few buildings in area F (see map on May 28). No nests but saw one unbanded juvenile bird. Returned to Makaries Point & walked toward cast The Gull colony (the one so. of New Camp) looking for [illegible] Terns. Observations on Terns flying inland from the coast so. of the Gull colony by Dr Johnston & inland from Makaries point by myself suggest a nesting colony could exist just north of the
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Journal 102 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 19 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) gull colony area. Examination from the high point se of Makarius Pt. (a spur rd ends here at some collapsed bldgs) revealed a group of circling terns in the direction of South Blanges. I headed in that general direction & examined lakes & marshes in route. An Arctic Tern colony was located on a dry hilltop & south slope - not the sort of area I'd expected at all. Nine nests were found & very likely others exist. 2 eggs/nest - 8 3 eggs/nest - 1 There were also several nest cups with no eggs. Nest cups were very slight depressions in the ground with a trace of nest material added. This consisted of dry lichen, grass, Empetrum, & a white hollow vegetative material [probably a lichen also]. Most nests were very well camouflaged since the depression was only 2 inch or so, & no nest material of any consequence (5-10 individual pieces of material) was present. The eggs were irregularly blotched & olive to blue gray, thus matching the tundra well. Two nests contained the white nest material previously mentioned & these nests were easy to spot. The terns circled high above & gave their coarse calls but never dove down upon me. The intensity of their calls did
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 18 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont) tell me when I was getting “warm”, however. Two Aleutian Terns passed over & circled briefly, giving their distinctive call, then flew on southeast. The largest number of Arctic Terns seen at one time was 16 overhead. They actively pursued Gulls flying into the vicinity of the nests & drove them from the area. Two Parasitic Jaegers drove a Bald Eagle west toward the coast. This took place south of the Tern colony & perhaps so. & E.V. of the Gull colony. Perhaps there is a Jaeger nest in that area. Meanwhile Dr. Johnston had gone to the area north of Makarius Point where I had seen Aleutian terns in the morning. He collected two adult birds & located two nests! I visited the area a little later & located a third nest: Nest Contents # Nests 1 egg 1 2 eggs 1 1 egg, 1 young 1/3 I saw 14 birds overhead at maximum but Dr. Johnston says he'd seen 25 during his longer sojourn there. The setting of the nests appears identical to those that described for the Arctic Terns: dry hill top & south slope, almost negligible nest depression & nest material, & very well camouflaged
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R.E. Johnson 1968 June 18 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) eggs (+ young). Dr J. says there are probably nests on the north slope also judging from the positions of setting birds as he approached the area. Small Island so. off Island of Makarius Pt. Common Eiders - at least 80% on rocks Corrmants - south end of island is white with commant feces. 8 birds could be seen. Mergansers Nest - The fish people located a Red-breasted Merganser nest along the inlet stream to Silver Salmon lake. It is located between, stacks #13 & 14. Dave Nordmeyer informed us that he was unable to locate the Rock Ptarmigan nest he had told us about (and that we couldn't find) on the inlet creeks to Silver Salmon Lake. (see June 7,8, 12). June 19 Anchutka Island, Alaska Examined 10 building in area @ (see map under May 28) north west of Old Camp and found no active rosy finch nests. I did find 2 june in a quonset hut with no nest in it & also encountered june on the tundra near buildings on two other occasions. One old nest contained 3 rotten old eggs and another contained a dead thin young bird about 8 days old. Data for old nests is summarized in the following chart: 104
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105 Journal RE: Johnson June 19 Anchithea Island, Alaska (cont.) | | Quonset | Frame | |---|---|---| | | no shelf | shelf | Bldg. | | No nests | LH LH LH 1 bldg. 16 | LH LH LH LH LH LH III bldg 3# | LH 1 bldg 6 | | Old nests | | LH LH 1 22 bldg 13 | 3 bldg 1 | Located 2 Lapland Longspur nests in area G: Nest 1 - 5 eggs in nest on ground in deep grass cup a few feet in front of the entrance to a metal quonset across the road from Masonic Lodge. ? incubating Nest 2 - 5 eggs in nest on ground in deep grass cup in front of a quonset hut near ~~ one way return road of Infantry Rd. (0.7 mi. w & 0.1 mi. n. of Nav Camp). After lunch Dr. Johnston & I took the snow track from Bridge Creek up the creek drainage to large lakes on a flat west of Infantry Road. Parasitic Joesgers were common around the lakes & as many as 6 were seen at one time in close proximity to each other. On several occasions ~~ pairs went through distraction displays on the ground suggesting nests nearby but we could not find any. We parked the snow-track on top the cliffs abov
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Journal 106 R.E.Johnson 1968 June 19 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) the ocean at a point sw of the triangulation marker marker #103 on the US Corps of Engineers 1:25,000 topo map. I walked west along the shore & into the ocean Dr.J. walked east. I waded out beyond the pt.where we parked the snow-track to a flat rock barely exposed above the water on which there were 15 Oystercatchers. The rock was covered with empty (freshly eaten) limpet shells & a smaller # of mussel shells (approx. 10:1, limpets:mussels). Two Arctie Terns flew over head calling. Three or Harlequin Ducks flew out from the ocean side of the rock. Eight Glaucous-winged Gulls were sitting on a nearby rock. A pair of Mallard ducks, 2 or Pintails,10 or+ 2pair of Common Teal were feeding in shallow water amid projecting rocks in the next cove west. Two pairs of Rosy Finches were seen along the cliffs between the point & the creek entering from [illegible] the large lakes we passed which flows past several square peaked buildings a short ways up stream. We visited these huts later & all but one had collapsed. That one had 3 old rosy finch nests in it & one still contained an egg, (probably of this years laying). On the return trip, we saw a pair of Greater Scap on one large lake & 10 Red-throated Loons on the
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Journal 107 RE. Johnson June 19 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) 1968 largest lake. (R.T. Loon nest found on edge of pond. Nest contained 2 eggs.) June 20 Anchitka Island, Alaska Censused the Dry Tundra plots in the morning, concentrating on following & Lapland Longspurs. Two nests were found, both off the plots: 1. upstream from Silver Salmon Lake near fish stake # 10. Nest of 5 eggs, ♀ incubating main stront stake # 10 nest 2. deep cup in Empetrum under cow parsnip plant. 3 eggs, ♀ incubating. Noticed a pair of Rozy Finchess [illegible] carrying food across the plots to one or more fledglings just outside the plots. Adult finches have been seen in this spot regularly & this strongly suggests that the nest was on the tundra & that these birds did not move to the tundra from the sea cliffs after fledging. Checked the Red-breasted Merganser's nest found by Nordmeyer (see June 18) & it contained 9 eggs & was located beside the stream leading into Silver Salmon Lake between stakes 13 & 14. Next 14 13
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R.E. Johnson 1968 June 20 Anchither Island, Alaska (cont.) Prepared specimens all afternoon. After dinner checked rosy finch nests 3, 33, 49. Then drove to Bridge Creek to check the nest 2-1 found on June 17 & it is now empty (had 5 eggs) meaning it was destroyed. The nearby vegetation has been tramped down excessively by some two legged beast! Checked the Lapland Longspur nest opposite the Masonic Club & it contained 5 warm eggs at 8:10 PM. Drove about exploring and located fledged a Rock Sandpiper with 2 or more young. Very cute little birds. They crouched & remained stationary while the female performed a broken wing act & scuttled away from me rapidly several times trying to lead me away. In the process I found a Longspur LN on a nest with 4 eggs in a deep cup under a cow lined with ptarmigan feathers parsonip at 9:28 PM. It appears that they choose sites under parsnip rather regularly (at least 3 of our nests out of 11 are so located). Prepared another specimen & hit the sea. Dave Nordmeier told us of a Greater Scaup nest on Silver Salmon Creek near stake 11. 8 Eggs. June 21 Anchuthus Island, Alaska Up late. Make minor repairs on truck. Then out to visit the Longspur nest I found last night. The q was off (perhaps due to the approach of the trucks) at 10:45 AM but returned at 10:58 AM. While off the nest she fed on the ground near the nest with the male. Hester flew off, however, to chase a Journal 108
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Journal R.E. Johnson June 28 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) other males away, it appears that these are 2 other's that keep trying to reach the ♀. Her mate is constantly on the more chasing them away. Most of the feeding & chase activities took place within 50 ft of the nest. Males displaying high over the nest were generally ignored. The Rock Sandpiper seen last night was on the dirt road with at least 2 young. As before, she went through vigorous displays to distract me from the young. Back to Longspur nest: ♀ off nest to feed at 11:16 AM. Again she remains close to nest & is accompanied by the ♂ during most of the time. She returned to the nest via a longer flight to the immediate vicinity of the nest & then several shorter ones (plus short walks). The male flew to a lúpine above the nest & sang just as she entered at 11:27 AM. Spent a good part of the afternoon in the White House attending to matters of red tape. Checked the Masonic Longspur nest at 5:30 PM - 5 warne[illegible]s, ♀ off nest. Began checking buildings in the area west of area G (see map under May 28) & north of Clinger Lake for Rosy Finch nests. Checked 15 bldgs & found 3 old nests. One was on a shelf in an underground building. Data for this area will be summarized when the census is completed. In the evening John Palmer (fireman) reported that a nestling rosy finch had been found in the old Officers Club by another fireman and was brought in. Also a dead one was on the floor. I returned to
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R.E.Johnson 1968 June 21 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) to nest 3? The live bird, and pickled the dead one (#364). Two live birds were still in the nest or with the returned bird there are now 3. June 22 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Wet Tundra plot census Located 4 Lapland Longspur nests: (3-1) 4 eggs in deep cup in grass in depression (walkway) to a quonset hut near Grauman Lake. Nest cup points up, ♀ incubating. We marked the location with a leaning pipe whose top is only 3 ft from the nest. (3-4) 5 eggs in deep cup pointing up, located on higher ground ne. of the plots and is nearest to plot stake 3/5. The nest is marked by a red tipped stake. (3-2) 5 eggs } found by Dr. Johnston. (3-3) 4 eggs } Dr. Johnston also located a Common Teal nest with 1 egg & an incubating ♀ near our plots. It was located in a short tunnel under a clump of glass. Grauman lake census (see table) Makarrins Bay Common Eiders - 9 ♂, 6 ♀ Harlequin Duck - 75 in tight cluster in middle of bay. Tin Lake Red-throated Loon - 1 Pin tail - 3 (sex?) Flush from lake. Lapland Longspur - nest of 5 eggs facing up, containing P'tarmigan feathers in
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R.E.Johnson 1968 June 22 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) clump of Elymus grass on road side. f incubating. Scarp Nest on small lake near Tin Lake (see June 9) - 10 eggs covered with down Aleutian Tern colony revisited/see June 18) Nest contents June 18 June 22 1. 1 egg 1 egg broken 2. 2 egg empty, egg nearby 3. 1 egg, 1 young empty 4. 1 egg, 1 young new meets this trip. 5. 2 eggs Longspur Nest near Aleutian Tern colony. 4 eggs facing north (approx, no compass with me) in grassy bank of a large hole. June 23 Amchitka Island, Alaska Slept until noon, but made lunch on time! Drove west past site C & hiked 1/2 mile or so to the Bering Sea where Christy Turner (Archaeologist) had told us he had seen a cormorant colony (location is 0.6 mi wt 1.5 mi. n. of Site C). A rock bluff extends out into the water at this point. The following species were seen: Peregrine Falcon - pair flying & calling over head strongly suggesting a nest was present among the cliffs.
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Journal 112 R.E.Johnson June 23 Anchithea Island, Alaska (unt.) Winter Wren - at least 2 singing males, one on either side of the cormorant colony along the coastal cliffs. Rosy Finch - one pair collected, a young fledgling escaped capture by flying to a protected ledge above on the cliffs. Tufted Puffin - at least one seen (several observations of 1 bird flying in & out of the cliffs). Red-faced Cormorant - probably at least 70 seen but difficult to get an accurate head count since birds & are coming & going and some parts of the cliff are out of sight from any one point. This species predominates at this location, unlike Kiri'lof Pt. & Kiri'lof Islets. On a near section of cliff that could be seen clearly there were 33 red-faced & [illegible] Pelagic Cormorants. Nests in this area were 30 to 60 ft. up from the water. The outermost section of cliff contained even more nests & individuals & again red-faced birds predominated. However there was a tunnel through the [illegible] bluff at the juncture of the outer & inner cliffs & in this pocket was a concentration of Pelagic Cormorants numbering 13 nests & a larger # of individuals. Interestingly enough nests were
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K.E.Johnson 1968 June 23 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) also found at the opposite end of the tunnel [east side of bluff]. Nests were of both species I believe. There are a few birds of large body & bill size which have little or no apparent red on the face & have only + lack the crests on the head the faintest trace of white on the flanks. At first it appeared that these might be Double-crested Cormorants. However since closer looks revealed these birds mated to others with more red or with more white in some cases & since the brightness of red on the face varies considerably, it seemed more likely that these birds were Red-Faced species, perhaps 1st year birds ('sub.adults') - but they were nesting. They tended to be mated to birds of similar coloration. Several of these were seen carrying nesting material to a specific nest, as was also on distinct red-faced individual. Nests contained eggs, small young, or large feathered young. Usually clutches of 3 to 4. Several dead nestlings & one adult Pelagic were seen beneath the nests. Pelagic Cormorant - present & nesting in lesser numbers than Red-Faced cormorants as noted above. Nests in the tunnel area were only 10 ft
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R.E. Johnson 1968 June 23 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) above the water level in some cases & were easily reachable. Common Eider - 2 Ø seen on the shore of the bluff on the west side. Four Ø + 3 or 4 ♀'s were seen on offshore rocks just east of the bluff. Glaucous-winged Gull - 2 nests were found in grass topping a large rock directly beneath the cormorant colony. One contained 1 cold egg, the other contained nothing. Two young of differing size (perhaps differing one or two days in age, but each of the order of a week old) were hiding in a hole in the turf - ostrich-style. June 24 Anchutka Island, Alaska Riparian Meadow plots Rock Ptarmigan - one pair foraging in dry grass Mallard - pair on creek above road Pintail - ♀ incubating 4 eggs (see June 14) in nest on Bridge Creek above road. Common Teal - ♀ & 6 or more young in Bridge Creek above road. Seen first near junction of the 2 main forks, then later near the road crossing. Rosy Finch - several seen on the east side of the creek flying high to & from the coast. Longspur - 2 new nests 2-3 ♀ incubating nest of 4 eggs in
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Journal 115 2. E. Johnson June 24 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) deep cup which faces up. Nest located under a single flower (+ one bud) of Marsh Marigold 13 steps west of stake 1/2 at the edge of the tall green grass lining the creek drainage. [illegible] q incubating 5 eggs in a deep cup facing up under a cow parsnip plant. Nest lined with ptarmigan feathers. Nest located 25 steps east of stake 4/1 [illegible]- abandoned & empty (see A pair were noted foraging up & down the slope in an area which includes this nest site. Perhaps it is the same pair. Three other males accompanied the pair & kept the [illegible] busy chasing them. Often they would feed as close as 3 ft away from the [illegible] or q before he would give chase. The q could easily be located by looking for the center of this male activity. Once it appeared that the pair copulated (one upon the other & considerable fluttering) but gross obscured the view. Afternoon Check Rosy Finch nests 33 & 49. Check Lapland Longspur nest near Masonic Lodge. 5 warm eggs, q off. 2:35 pm. Checked Lapland Longspur nest 1 mile n. of Cleverer lake (see June 20)- 4 warm eggs. Checked Snow Bunting nest found by Dr. O.W. Johnston this morning. The nest is in [illegible]
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 24 Anaktuvak Pass, Alaska (cont.) Woodpile under some boards contains 4 eggs. It is lined with white feathers. Eggs are light blue with red-brown spots on the large end. 2 incubating. Nest located beside dirt road connecting Infantry Rd with Upland Tundra plots. Set marker stakes at [illegible] Longspur nests 2-3 & 2-4. 9" off in each case. Check [illegible] Longspur nest 2-2. Empty! (had newborn young). Bald Eagle - two flying above Riparian Meadow plots at 3:45 PM. An adult was diving at an Imma & chasing it about. Half the time the dive would be craded but at other times the adult would extend its talons & the Imma would roll 180° over in the air with Talons outstretched to defend itself! On one such occasion on the road they hooked talons & spun a wide circle downward, but broke when a car was approaching (before they reached the ground). The Imma then flew inland & the adult back toward the sea from whence it came. Checked buildings west of area G (see map under May 28) for Rossy Finch nests. There are few frame buildings in this area but a good density of quonset huts. There were many old nests but none with eggs or young in them. One old nest was in an old building located underground with a stairway leading down into
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117 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 24 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) it. The Table below summarizes all bldgs & nests found in this area on June 21 & 24 : | | Quonset | Frame Bldg | |---|---|---| | | Shelves | no shelves | | No Nests | UNUNUNUNUN | UNUNUNNNN | 1 | | | bdy 31 | bdy 19 | | Old Nests | UNUN | | 3 | | | 222 | | 1 | | bdy 18 | | bdy 2 June 25 Amchitka Island, Alaska Wet Tundra plots - spent morning censusing Longspurs & trying to locate new nests. Nest 3-1 is [illegible] empty (destroyed). The other 3 nests remained the same as on June 22 (which see). Two new nests were found: (3-5) - 5 eggs - see Dr. Johnston's notes. (3-6) - 4 [illegible] young in nest in center of snow-track ruts. A deep cup in grass under Angelica. Nest facing north. Nest lined with white feathers. Location is no. 5 Take 2-2, just off our plots & near Grauman Lake. Common Loon - 2 in breeding plumage on Grauman Lake. In the afternoon we escorted Bob Wood (Johns Hopkins Univ.) around the east end of the island.
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Journal 118 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 25 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) He arrived this noon via Reeve Aleutian Airlines charter flight & will work with us on Longspurs, as well as starting some work on Jaegers. Tin Lake Longspur nest 5 warm eggs - 3 pm Tin Lake Censuses Red-throated Loon -1 Greater Scaup nest near Tin Lake (see June 9) & was incubating eggs - none hatched. Kirilof Point Gull nests (see June 3,5,9,11,15 KP1 leg out of nest KP2 empty KP3 2 warm eggs. KP4 1 empty egg shell KP5 empty - 2 dead large young under box 10 feet away (work of a rat?).
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 25 Amelutca Island, Alasca (cont.) ment overlooking Kirilo f Harbor. Horned Puffins - perhaps 20 in water or flying to & From small islets (mostly bare rock) west of Kirilof Islets & north of Kirilof Point. Tufted Puffins were floating in even larger numbers (50+) further off shore beyond the Horned Puffins. Horned Puffins were also seen on the west side of the point in good numbers (30+). This was the most we're seen at any one time. Charlie Core Dr. Johnston hiked SW toward The Peregrine Falcon & Bald Eagle nest, while Bob Wood & I walked in the opposite direction to the Cormorant Colony & beyond. Before descending the cliffs we all could see & hear the Falcons screaming to the eagle nest which appeared to contain 1 (or more) young. Several times the Falcon dove upon the soaring eagle & The latter rolled over & extended its talons up & to the side. Also many Common Eider could be seen along the shore. 20 9, 9 Q plus 1 Q with 5 young. Later Dr. Johnston found 2 Eider nests with 3-5 eggs & I found another with 6 eggs, all
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120 Journal RE: Johnson June 25 Anchitha Island, Alaska (cont.) were in Elymus grass. Mine was located [illegible] above the water. The ? was incubating. There were 3 ? Mallards next to shore in the core. Three adult Rosy Finches were seen flying back & forth & one was collected (#367). Thirty four Harlequin Ducks were in 2 tight groups in one core & slowly swam out as we approached the area. Charlie Core Cormorant colony 28+ nests were seen & contents of 17 of these could be seen either from a rock top below or from the Elymus crested cliff top above. These contained: 1 egg - 1 nest 3 eggs - 8 nests 4 eggs - 6 nests young - 2 nests 17 All birds seen were Pelagic Cormorants but one, which flew out from the cliff when I got close. I do not know if it had a nest. Mason Lake Census 3 ? Teal Pump House Lake Census ~ 8 PM
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Journal 121 R.E.Johnson 1968 June 25 Amclutka Island, Alaska (cont.) Pump house lake Northern Phalarope - 3 (1♀ + 2 probably♂) Rock Sandpipers - pair + 2 large young Greater Scaup - pair + 8y Common Teal - 6 ♂ Long Lake across rd from pump house on Pumphoret. Greater Scaup - 2 ♂ plus pair + 5 young Common Teal - 1 ♂ Mallard - 1 pair Collected 3ad (2♂ + 1♀) + 2 young Rosy Finches on south shore of lake. (#'s 369-373) Observations at Longspur nest ③-⑥ at midday in the wet tundra area. I watched this nest immediately after finding it for about an hour & recorded the times the ♀ came & went from the nest. The number of trips to the nest impressed me as unusually large for that length of time, but the bird didn't go far (never over 150 ft & usually only 60 ft) to feed so that quick trips were feasible. I could not see well enough (I was 100 yds away) to tell if food was carried (visibly) in the bill & if fecal sacs were removed in the beak. The bird spent longer feeding the young (2.6 minutes/trip) than collecting food for them.
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122 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 25 Anchiotka Island, Alaska (cont.) Longspur nest 3-6 Arrival at Nest Departure From Nest Time away from nest feeding Time at Nest (minutes) Flushed by me 11:40 AM 11:50 (10) 11:56 (6) 11:59 3 12:00 noon 1 12:02 PM 2 12:05 3 12:08 3 12:12 4 12:13 1 12:14 1 12:15 1 12:18 3 12:21 3 12:23 2 12:25 2 12:29 4 12:30 1 12:32 2 12:33 1 12:36 3 17 min 23 min 17/9 = 1.9 min/trip 23/9 = 2.6 min/trip
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Journal 123 K.E. Johnson 1968 June 25 Anchutka Island, Alaska (cont.) (1.9 min trip). The first two intervals (see Table) were excluded since they were longer than the rest & immediately followed my visit to the nest. The male never accompanied her to the nest but was usually singing somewhere in the vicinity of where the ♀ foraged. I did not determine if she always selected to forage in a location near the male, but this could easily be determined. June 26 Amchitka Island, Alaska Bob, Dave & I took the Boston Whaler out from north Constantine Harbor, to Bat Island. Cliffs ring the island except the seaward side & the top is talk covered with Elymus grass. No birds were seen in the central part of the Elymus top, but puffin burrows ring the edges of the Elymus at the cliff tops. However it was not always possible to tell rat from puffin burrow. On two different occasions a puffin was seen flying from [illegible] a burrow. When we 1st arrived many puffins were flying wide circles from the cliffs out over the sea back. These departed while we were present but returned as we left. All were Tufted Puffins. A dead baby sea otter was found at one burrow entrance. It was chewed in half suggesting it was eaten by rats. At another was the synecdrum of some bird of puffin size.
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Journal RE.Johnson 1968 June 26 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) A few comorants were seen flying near the cliffs on the west side when we lst arrived but not thereafter. One & Lapland Longspur was seen on the Elymus area that slopes toward the water on the north end of the island. An eyrie was found on top a promontory over the west cliffs but it was apparently quite old. An egg (dull white, 5.2 x 7.3 mm, ovate) was buried 2 or 3 inches down within it and a humerus & a portion of body skeleton of a comorant sized bird were found among the old nest material. The egg may have belonged to a Puffin, but certainly the nest did not. Glaucous-winged Gull nests (approx. 10) were found on the east & north sides of the island where the cliffs did not extend all the way straight down into the ocean but rather tapered off to form rocky ridges, ledges, etc. on which nests could be placed. Nest were in spots where at least some vegetation was found, but this was usually scant & patchy making nest locations rather conspicuous. Most nests were empty & young were often hiding nearby, but twice nests contained eggs (one with 1 pipped, another with 2 pipped). On the boat trip back to the harbor we stopped to collect Horned (3) & Tufted Puffins (5),
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Journal 126 R.E.Johnson 1968 June 26 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Longspur Nest 3-6 Arrival at Nest Departure From Nest Time away from nest - feeding Time at nest (min.) 4:11 PM 3 4:14 PM 4:14\frac{1}{2} 5\frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{2} 4:20 4:26 4 6 4:30 4:31 2 1 4:33 4:33\frac{1}{2} 3 \frac{1}{2} 4:36\frac{1}{2} 4:38 1 1\frac{1}{2} 4:39 4:46 4 7 4:50 4:51 3 1 4:54 4:54\frac{1}{2} 2\frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{2} 4:57 5:00 10 3 5:10 5:13 2 3 5:15 5:17 3 2 5:20 5:22 2
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125 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 June 26 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Collected by Dr. J. from large flocks sitting on the water ½ mile or less off shore. Tufted Puffins outnumbered Horned Puffins by at least 5 to 1. The 2 species mixed very little, flocks usually being pure species groups. One ♀ Tufted Puffin contained a collapsed follicle indicating she had laid already, but the other birds showed no indication of being reproductively active now or in the recent past. In the afternoon I drove to the wet tundra plots & again watched the feeding female Lapland Longspur at nest 3-6 to determine feeding rate (trips of ♂ to nest to feed young). from the same direction but I watched from slightly further away than on the preceding day. Longspur Nest 3-6 Arrival at Nest Departure from Nest Time away from nest feeding Time at nest [min] My arrival 3:38 PM (8) 3:46 PM 3:46 ½ 2 ½ ½ 3:49 3:49 ½ 4 ½ ½ 3:54 3:54 ½ 6 ½ ½ 4:01 4:03 3 ½ 2 4:06 ½
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal June 27 Anchitka Island, Alaska day. Rained slowed down in afternoon but continued through night. June 28 Anchitka Island, Alaska Rain continues. Spent most of day in lab working on specimens, notes & records. June 29 Anchitka Island, Alaska Rain continues all day. Spent most of day in lab working on specimens. Also collected 3 Rosy Finches near camp. One was a female and it was in the process of laying (1 collapsed follicles, one egg in uterus). The brood patch was not fully edematized but was advanced over some I have seen in the past 2 weeks. This bird is the first indication of a second wave of nesting. A female was collected on June 25 that had slightly enlarged follicles (2mm) instead of the small (<1mm) size that most g's have had since the first nesting wave. Today a pair with well developed fledged young were seen copulating on the roof of the bldg which contained nest 28. This is probably the 5 time pair that nested here before. Because of the rain I couldn't see well enough to see color bands on the legs of the juvenile birds. These three records constitute the 1st evidence for second nesting found this season.
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Journal 127 R.E. Johnson 1968 June 26 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) The results of this afternoon observation period differ from those in the morning yesterday. The time feeding away from the nest was increased from 1.9 to 3.75 minutes & the time at the nest was decreased from 2.6 min. to 20 min per nest visit. Perhaps there are differences that occur regularly according to the time of day. Grassman Lake Census Common Loon - 2 Greater Scaup - 9 ♀ Common Teal - 1 ♂ Mallard - 1 pair Pond near Longshot turnoff Common Teal - 2 ♀ with 1 or more young each; 1 ♂. Mallard - 1 ♀ + young. June 27 Anchitka Island, Alaska Dr. Johnston censused the Dry Tundra plots while Bob & I censused the Riparian plots. Rain made it a wet & unproductive morning. No new nests were found. 4 dark phase Parasitic Jaegers were seen flying over the Riparian plots. Very few ♀ Lapland Longspurs were seen, suggesting they were on nests sitting tight during the rain. Prepared bird skins & skeletons remainder of
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129 R.E.Johnson 1968 Journal June 30 Amchitka Island, Alaska Slept in until 9:30AM this drippy Sunday morning, then up to do some work in the lab. The rain stopped, so after lunch Bob, Dave & I visited the Rifle Range area to try to locate a Rock Sandpiper nest with 2 eggs and an Aleutian Term colony we were (Richard) fold about by Skip Wallen. We found four Aleutian Term nests & there were certainly more judging from the number of terns flying high overhead & calling. The nesting area dry tundra with Lichen, Carex, & Angelica being the most conspicuous, plant species. Aleutian Term nests: 1. 1 egg piped, 1 young (2 days old) 2. 1 hatched egg with wet young nearly free of egg., 1 egg. 3. 2 eggs. 4. 1 egg longspur nest barbed wire fence Road to Rifle Range Point
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 30 Amchitka Island, Alaska Aleutian Terns fly very high (compared to Arctic Terns) over the nest area & give their characteristic high pitched sandpiper-like notes while their nest area is being trespassed by people. They do not dive on the intruder. However they attack & chase Gulls which fly through the area. One Lapland Longspur nest was also located. It faced the ocean (SW?) and contained 5 very small young. The female was on the nest. A Rock Sandpiper near the longspur nest was quite disturbed at my presence but I couldn't find its nest. * see end of account Dave & Bob visited the beach area while I drove west beyond all the drill sites & over the 1st 900+ ft. peak & down to the creek valley separating this peak from the rest of the range. The elevation of the creek crossing is 300 ft. A Lapland Longspur was seen on the meadow here & a close look revealed the first White Heather (Cassiope sp.) I've seen on the island. I drove back east again partway up the hill I'd descended & parked & hiked SE up side creek drainages to the ridge top & then north to the top of the highest mtn. Vegetation in this area is very
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131 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 30 Anchitka Island, Alaska unlike that on the east end of the island. There is no thick spongy cushion here. Instead there are rocky outcrop, bare soil in patches, & thin layers of Empetrum in large patches on slopes. Along the creeks there is a rich green layer of vegetation, but it is not thick & spongy. Species of plants include Golden Thread (Coptis trifoliata), Angelica, buttercup, & a Pink Saxifrage. Several Rock Sandpipers were seen along the creek bottom & adjacent meadows. These often followed me complaining as if a nest was near. Lapland Longspurs sang & feed in the vicinity of the meadows & sometimes up into the rocky areas upslope. Rock Ptarmigans droppings (woody, old) were everywhere indicating they probably use the area in winter. In the rocky areas I encountered one Rosy Finch which I collected. This was 1.1 miles from the coast. Perhaps a few finches nest in the mountainous part of the island? Snow Buntings were common and I found 2 nests, both on the ground under rocks. Each nest cup was set, well, beneath ground level & was lined with white feathers. The nests were 460 ft apart and were out of sight of each other. One nest contained 4 large young & the other contained 3 medium sized young. The g feed
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132 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 June 30 Anchitka Island, Alaska young in the 1st nest several times (at least 3 times) & it appeared the or feed them once but I couldn't actually see him carrying food or putting it in the mouths of the young. Food was seen in her bill twice. The q hunted food up to 200 ft away whereas the male stayed within 50 ft, chirped complaint notes, probably due to my prior visit to the immediate vicinity & to my continued presence 100 yds away. She would sometimes chip the same notes & act concerned, but more often she fed on the meadow. Chirps were a well spaced series of 3 or 4 at one pitch followed by one of a lower pitch [- - - ] The male vigorously chased a Lapland Longspur from the nest area & make a brief flight at a Rosy Finch which ignored it! The male also chased one or two other Buntings several times. At the other nest site it was the q that did most of the chirping & she fed the young twice. The male was nearby & chirped once or twice, but mostly was out of the nest vicinity & unseen by me. at Rifle Range * Also found a dead Lapland Longspur with extra long "spurs". Will prepare this as a skin. Found a long narrow bird skull (2 1/4 x 13/16") with prominent salt glands in a Gull pellet. Feathers remaining on forehead are long & black.
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 1 Anchitka Island, Alaska Rainy again & fairly low fog. Spent early morning checking on air transportation to Unimak & Cold Bay. Then Dave & Bob checked some Longspur nests while I checked area A & [illegible] an adjacent part B for Rosy Finch re-nesting. The bldg which contained nest 23 earlier in the season also had an old nest on the rafters. This nest was empty earlier but now contains 3 cool eggs! Perhaps a re-nest of the pair that nested in the bldg earlier. Three adult Rosy Finches & 7 or Lapland Longspurs were seen immediately adjacent to or on the Quonset formerly containing Rosy Finch nest 24. There was no indication of any new nesting inside this building. Three adults were seen near the long frame building in the south corner of area A (Set. with areas B & C) & they acted particularly disturbed when I explored the inside of the building. The building contains one old nest but I couldn't find any active one. The birds flew across the road into area C when I left the bldg. This bldg had not contained a nest earlier this season. In the afternoon [illegible] we drove to the Riparian & Wet Tundra plots to check the Longspur nests & to locate new ones. These data are summarized on the nest cards.
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134 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 1 Anchutka Island, Alaska (4 eggs) One new Lapland Longspur nest was found on the riparian plot area by Bob & Dave. Another was found as we were driving west of the plots where a ? flushed from a roadcut. The nest contained 4 young of good size. Otherwise, the day was a bit slow & damp (foggy & mist clouding the glasses, etc.). Grauman Lake Census - see Table. July 2 Anchutka Island, Alaska Bob & I divided the plot censusing & Longspur nest checking between us. I will census the Riparian & Wet Tundra plots plus checking additional Longspur nests at Rifle Range & a few other locations. We will check these each morning routinely. Grauman Lake Census Greater Sand - pair + 3 young; 9/7 Riparian Plot new Lapland Longspur nest (# 2-7) in a creek bank facing NW. Contains 5 large young. Dominant vegetation: Empetrum, grass, fern. at 1PM Dave left via Reeve Aleutian Airways charter for Anchorage; Seattle (& Florida). Collected 3 Rosy Finches (# 384-386) near the junction of Infantry Rd & Clerengor Rd at 2:05 PM. A fourth bird escape collection. These were feeding &
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135 R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 2 Anchitka Island, Alaska Flying together. Reproductive condition suggests they are breeding birds (but without nests at the moment I'd guess). The one ♀ had small but growing ovary. Checked the Aleutian Tern colony near Rifle Range (see June 30). [3 Nests were found by Wallen on June 26 but we do not know that we have located his same nests]. Colony is ½ mile from the coast. We saw 20 or so birds [illegible] 2 days ago, Wallen estimated 45. Today there appeared to be 20 birds. An occasional Arctic Tern was among them (2:25 PM) Nest 1 empty 2. 1 egg 3. 2 eggs 4. 1 egg. I collected one Aleutian Tern (♂ with brood patches), one Arctic Tern, & [illegible] 4 Lapland Longspurs (2♂, 2♀) for flat skins for Williamson. Checked rosy finch nest (52). The female was incubating 4 eggs, one more than the nest contained yesterday when the ♀ was absent & eggs were cool. Skinned birds the rest of day. July 3 Anchitka Island, Alaska Checked Longspur nests on Riparian, Wet Tundra + Rifle Range areas & censused Grauman Lake (see
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 3 Anchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Table). Watch Lapland Longspur nest 3-6 on the wet tundra plots for about an hour (see below). The female did all the feeding of the young as before. Time spent at the nest was greatly decreased, averaging about 8 seconds per visit (range 4-10 seconds). For this reason only arrival times were recorded: 2:07 PM I arrive 2:12 2:15 2:20 removes white fecal sac 2:22½ 2:24½ removes fecal sac 2:27 2:28 2:29 2:32 2:36 2:37 2:39 2:40½ 2:42 removes fecal sac 2:46½ removes fecal sac 2:49 2:51 2:59 3:01 3:02 3:03½ 3:04½ 3:06½ 3:09 There were 23 visits in 57 minutes (not counting the last visit, so that there equal numbers of visits & intervals between them) or the visits were spaced 2.48 minutes apart on the average. Thus trips were made very rapidly & over a very short distance. I saw the female fly from the nest with a white fecal sac in her bill on four occasions
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137 Journal R.E. Johnson 1969 July 3 Anchitha Island, Alaska (cont.) but she may have removed them more often. flights directed away from me when leaving the nest would not allow observation of the fecal sac & about 1/3 of the flights were in that direction. In the four cases observed she flew away with her load and landed with it, rather than dropping it while in flight, a procedure common to rosy finches. I have heard young birds chirp only once in my many visits to nests. On that occasion my presence near the nest set them to stretching their necks & chirping before we actually were in visual contact. On a few other occasions they have been observed to stretch their necks & peep for a moment when being handled. Usually when handled they sit quietly with legs tucked up against their bodies & can be turned over, etc without the slightest struggle or noise (unusual in my experience with birds). Rosy Finch nestlings for example make much more noise when fed & struggle more at all ages when handled. They crawl out of a nest or hide their heads when being approached. Perhaps the "frozen" appearance of these ground nesters is important to survival as a ground nester as opposed to rosy finches who are out of reach of most predators. I noticed the same freeze reaction displayed by the Snow Buntings in nests
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 3 Anchorage Island, Alaska (cont.) found in the mths (nest of June 30). There I was fairly close to the nests during several feedings & couldn't hear the young chirp at all. When handled the young responded exactly as did the young longspurs. On the other hand the ♀ appears to be much longspur less wary than Water Pipits (also groundnesters) did watch at nests in Montana. Both species look about before flying toward the nest & both make several short flights (following a longer flight from where they were feeding) here & there before entering the nest; however the pipit spends more were time looking while standing motionless & it rarely makes the final approach on a direct flight to the nest but rather lands some distance away & sneaks (walking) in via a torturous route in & around concealing grass clumps, etc. On the other hand it is much more obvious that a ♀ pipit is on her way to the nest because they usually carry fairly large food items (caterpillar, butterfly) in their thin bills & these may be easily observed even in flight. Food is rarely noticeable in the bill of a Lapland Longspur. Nests are usually well hidden by grass or Angelica while eggs are in the nest and a person could stand looking directly at the nest & not notice it or once having been told of the exact location may still not see it without 1st parting the vegetation. However once there are nestlings in the
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139 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 3 Anchutha Island, Alaska (cont.) nest, the frequent trips of the ? widens the opening and the nest becomes very obvious. At this time a careful observer can't help noticing the nest as he walks in the general vicinity. Thus the "freeze" reaction may be very important in making this dark [illegible] hole in the grass look like a rat hole & not a nest with squirming, [illegible] young. For some reason these nests are much more conspicuous that puffy nests constructed in glass tufts in the alpine zone of Montana. Of course other puffs nest under rocks much in the manner of the 2 Snow Bunting nests (see June 30) & for these cases the nest entrance remains equally inconspicuous throughout the life of the nest. Grannom Lake Census Greater Skua - 1 ? , !Q + 2 young Rosy Finch - collected a pair on tundra between Infantry Rd & the lake shore. She contained an egg (minus shell) in uterus & 2 collapsed follicles indicating she had already laid 1 egg. Thus more evidence for a second wave of nesting. Clevenger Road to Rifle Range area Rosy Finch - 2 ?, !Q collected near roads end sitting on a frame building with a number
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140 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 3 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) of juvenile birds. There may have been other adults. This may not be a mated pair. Collected 8:30 PM. I haven't skinned the ? yet, nor have I worked on the subsequent 3 birds (one a ?). These were collected from a flock of 10 or more along the cliffs of Rifle Range Point. The group was mainly immatures but included at least 4 adult birds. All 3 were collected before 4 PM. Aleutian Tern colony meet # 2 1 young 3 2 warm eggs (1 cracked, 1 pipped) 4. 1 warm egg Rifle Range Beach Common Teal 70?, 1 ? Bald Eagle 1 adult on promontory of Rifle Range Point until I fired the 1st shot at a roxy finish. Then it moved west & sat [illegible] at a new location - a small sea stack. Glauconis-winged Gull - common along shore in water Rosy Finch (as above) Lapland Longspur - several ?'s & ?'s feeding [illegible] together on smelly rotten sea weed. Checked Rosy Finch nest 52 - no new eggs.
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Anchutha Island, Alaska Checked Lapland Longspur nests on Riparian, Wet Tundra, & Rifle Range areas (see summary sheets). Also took a few slides of Dogwood & Orchid flowers. Visited the Aleutian Tern colony at Rifle Range: nest # 2 - 1 young 3 - 1 young, 1 egg. 4. - 1 cool egg Noted plant species present in more detail than on June 30: Lichen, grass, Empetrum, Angelica, Rubus stellatus (Nagoon Berry). Cull colony at Rifle Range (north east of tern colony). We have never searched this area for nests (except once Charlie Yarbrough & I examined part of the area, perhaps before laying, & found some nests that were empty - May 25). One nest was located (June 6 - egg) at a later date. This one was beside the road on a ridge covered with Elymus grass. I now checked this area and located 2 dd nests & 2 egg shells (not in nests) in a brief search of some other, ridge Elymus covered further from Cleverger Rd. The area is dotted with ponds on both sides of the road. North of the road I was followed by
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Journal 142 R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Amelutka Island, Alaska (cont.) at least 40 adult birds at all times. They circled & complained overhead & occasionally dove upon me as I walked around 3 of these ponds: (1 foot long) large pond - 4 large, but downy young hiding under overhanging pond banks. small pond - 1 large young as above. small weedy pond - 1, Common Teal, South of the road there were fewer disturbed gulls flying over my head, perhaps 15-20. One small pond had 2 medium [8 inch] sized young under banks. Another pond had a Red-throated Loon, with 1 young. A third pond had a pair of Red-throated Loons. A light phase Parasite Jaegers flew over the area. Gulls dot the landscape in all directions, nearly every hummock in sight. The colony is probably of the same order of magnitude as the one south of New Camp where we found 28 nests. Grauman Lake Census Greater Scamp - 10 ♂ Common Loon - 1 Officers Club Rosy Finches no new nests of rosy finches in the sites of nests 27 & 37. Four adults chirped on roof.
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143 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Amchitka Island, Alaska (cont.) Lapland Longspur - one big juvenile with a short tail flew up hill from a fence top to the hill above. Quarry nw of Jones Lakes Lapland Longspur - 2 bather in shallow puddle. another (?) seen carrying food in her bill. Snow Bunting - 20, 1 ? seen. One chased the other out of the quarry. Rosy Finch - several juvs. One was banded (Blue-Yellow Lt. - from nest 35) & was with at least 2 others that were not banded. This location is about ½ mile from its nest site. Arctic Tern Colony (see June 18) (1.1 mi. e & 0.1 mi. n. of Makarius Pt.) Revisited the colony site. No active nests found & all previous ones that were relocated (8 of 9 had red flagging & 7 of the 8 were found) were now empty. Two eggshells were found in one & an eggshell was near another. Measured distances between nests to contrast with the two Aleutian Tern colonies. One of the 2 not located nest fell within the existing figure constructed below & one other nest fell outside this probably by 50 ft. Spacings of in this Arctic Tern colony are similar to those
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Amchitka Island, Alaska of the Aleutian Tern colony near Makarius Point. However the 5 nests found in the Aleutian Tern colony at Rifle Range are much more widely spaced. At each of these 3 colonies one hears the voices of both species of tern. At Rifle Range there is little doubt that the Arctic Tern is either absent or greatly outnumbered (20 or 30 to 1) & perhaps the wide spacing may be taken as characteristic of this species. On the other hand the colony of Arctic Terns south of New Camp has closely spaced nests and rarely does one hear an Aleutian Tern here. However the Makarius Pt. Aleutian Tern colony has a mixture of voices & I failed to record on previous visits what these proportions might be. I believe the Aleutian Tern dominates. The 5 nests we had found have all terminated now & few adult birds remain in the area, but 5 birds were seen today & 3 of these were Arctic Terns. This colony had close spacing like the Arctic Tern colony & it is possible that Arctic Terns nesting within this colony resulted in this closer spacing. It is also possible that the spacing at Rifle Range would appear more compact if we searched the area more carefully. However with each visit to the Rifle Range area I have devoted some time to canvassing new portions of the area lying between nests & I have found me
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145 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Amchitka Island, Alaska additional nests. Based on observations today I would guess that nesting of both species of tern in the southern corner of the island (Makarios Pt + vicinity) is seasonally ahead of that at [illegible] Rifle Range. Only six Arctic Terns were seen flying above at the Arctic Tern colony at one time & usually there about was one or two. On June 18 there were 16 seen continuously while I was in the area. Similarly at the Aleutian Tern colony today the maximum number of birds was five (3 were Arctic Terns) and Dr Johnston had seen 25. Whereas at Rifle Range a sizeable group of terns still congregates over the area when I cross it(20 on July 2) & a few nests are still active. Arctic Tern Colony hill top N 23' 28' 38' 65' 48' 10' 60' 48' 90' 75' creek
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146 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Anchitka Island, Alaska Aleutian Term Colony Makarius PT. (nest #'s in circles) 195' 105' 120' 70' 80' 70' 100' Aleutian Term Colony Rifle Range (nest #'s in circles) 425' 180' 285' 430' 125'
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147 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 4 Anchitka Island, Alaska There appears to be a sizeable number of gulls along the road that most nearly approaches the Aleutian Tern colony on Makarini Pt. I saw one large young scuttle across the road as I drove up the road. Many gulls "escort" the track through the area & some even dive upon it. There are a number ponds on either side of this road. I've never looked for nests here but there obviously must be some - surely over a dozen, judging from the number of obvious adults. Earlier (June 17) I located 2 gull nests beside a pond near this area & which is probably the nw. end of this concentration of gulls. Dave Nordmeyer reported seeing a pair of Common Loons on a lake in the "lake country" located 1.4 mi. w & 0.8 mi. s. of where Bridge Creek crosses Infantry Road. July 5 Anchitka Island, Alaska Checked Lapland Longspur nests at Rifle Range, Riparian plots and Wet Tundra in that order (see Longspur summary sheets). Rifle Range Aleutian Tern colony Nest # 2 - chick 2 ft from nest 3 - 1 young, legged 4 - 1 warm egg
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148 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 5 Amchitka Island, Alaska Saw 3 Parasitic Jaegers flying inland over Bridge Creek at 10:00 AM. (all dark phase). Grossman Lake Census Common Teal 10\u27a1 Red-throated Loon - 1 Greater Scaup 80\u27a1 Kirilof Point Gull colony KP3 - 2 chicks, each hiding a foot from nest KP6 - 3 eggs (warm) An adult gull was seen carrying nest material as I approached the area. Two dead 9 inch young were found north of the known nest area. Kirilof Point - Rosy Finches - 12:30 PM 3 young (unbanded) + 2 adults were seen along the road which is lined with old planes. Adults left the young to collect food, then returned to feed young which fluttered their wings in begging posture). These are full sized juves. One wonders how long they are dependant on the adults especially if renesting occurs here?? I observed no attempt by the young to sample foods for themselves. Another group of adults + young
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Journal 149 R.E.Johnson 1968 July 5 Anchitka Island, Alaska were flushed from roadside between the dock and the head of the harbor. Constantine Harbor Horned Puffin - 3 were floating in the water close to the dock and another was perched back in under the old wooden dock. Pigeon Guillemot - 3 in water near dock Tufted Puffin - 20 in water off dock & 200 ft. north of the Horned Puffins Rosy Finch - area B Continue examining old buildings in area B for rosy finch nests on this rainy afternoon. Rosy Finch nest (53) - 5 eggs in large old nest on sloping metal shelf 6 ft above ground floor. Bldg is near old nest 31 (now unoccupied). 3:20pm & off. Rosy Finch nest (54?) - 1 egg in nest in same bldg that held nest 32. This nest had 2 eggs in it when the [illegible] earlier nest was occupied. This might be a renest. Must check this one tomorrow. Census of Pumphouse Lake Common Teal, 1& +3 young dabbling at shore line. 2 & nearby, 4 & at opposite end. In the adjacent lake (nearby the east half of the lake which is cut off by a narrow band of vegetation): 9 & in water 2 & on shore, 1& +4 young hiding in
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Journal 150 R.E.Johnson 1968 July 5 Anadutka Island, Alaska shoreline vegetation, + 1 pair. oo Total = 1 pr., 17o, q+3yng, q+4yng. Greater Scaup - 3 pair, 4 o Mallard - 1 pair Northern Phalarope - 1 o ; another o in a Red-throated Loon - one small adjacent pond. Lapland Longspur nest containing 5 young with the q on the nest (raining) located a short way from road toward strip of veg. that almost separates Pumphouse lake into two lakes. Nest at edge tall grass. of Looked at Clover Lake at 7 pm - no birds. The waterline has dropped so that shoreline vegetation, which might otherwise provide shelter for bird, is no longer available to them but is perched 1-2 feet above shoreline. July 6 Anadutka Island, Alaska Longspur Checked nests on the riparian plots. One nest (2-4) had been destroyed by rats (5 yng 6-8 inches from nest badly dead). chewed & Drumner Lake census Greater Scaup - 8 o Rosy Finch - collected one o with full buccal goudes. Lapland Longspur - collected 2o & 2 q for Williamson. Ran out of gas! Late to lunch. Bald Eagle Nests on Constantine Harbor - south side:
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 6 Anchutka Island, Alaska 1) Nest on sea stack containing 2 young (1 dead). Located w. of G.E. Point & is reach via dirt loop road branching left from G.E point road. 2) Nest on sea stack containing 1 young. Located north of dump & reached via road just east of dump. Peregrine Falcon nest with fledged young nearby. Located between the 2 Bald Eagle nests Parasitic Jaeger (dark phase) - ¼ mile sw of Clover lake. Clover Lake Census - Red-throated Loon - 2 Pumphouse Lake G. Scamp - 8 ♂ C. Teal 9♂, 3♀ R.T. Loon 1 Mallard 1pr, 1♀ Check Roy Finch nest 53 & 54? (see July 5). Nest 54? is apparently not an active nest. Checked Longspur nests at Rifle Range & also Alcatian Tern nests: Term nest #2 - empty 3. lying 4. 1 warm egg. Birds seen on so side of Constantine Harbor Common Eider - 1♂, 4 Imm ♀, 13♀ Lapland Longspur - 10♂, 1♀ collected on tundra above cliffs. Walked beach from Makarius point south, then east toward Communications center (but not to center). Common Teal 3 ♂
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 6 Anchutka Island, Alaska Cormorants - 16 on low island SE of island off Makarino pt. unknown bird - one white bird on same island as above. Definitely not an Eider or Gull. Could only see it face on. Seals - 15 seen close to shore around southernmost point of shore before coast turns east. Sea Otter - I nearly stepped on one before noticing him (o). Apparently it was asleep. It jumped back "hissing" & sat 6 ft away watching me. We had a 10 minute chat (I sat down) & it relaxed + continued chewing on the base of some seaweed. Occasionally it turned its back on me to groom + seemed very relaxed. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera. Mallard - 1 pair Bald Eagle - 2 nests were found. (1) a single adult was defending a nest with 2 large young on a sea stack on the east-west running shore line (E. of the pt. described under "Seals" above). The adult usually perched on the roof top of a pyramidal bldg next to a lake. (2) I returned overland to Makarino pt.
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153 Journal K.E. Johnson 1968 July 6 Amchitka Island, Alaska to check out a pair of Eagles that perch inland (one on top a tall hill top pole) & fly out to great beach walkers but don't appear too excited as long as you stay near the beach. They are several hundred yards from the beach & there are no sea stacks along the beach in the stretch nearest them. I walked directly under the pole on which one sat. Both birds were very excited & dove on me progressively more as I continued down the hill from the pole to an eyrie on the west hill slope on the tundra & clearly seen from the pole. This nest was empty (no eggs, yug, or food items) but was clearly the object of their concern. I escaped with no cuts & scratches & headed up the Far hill. Here I crossed over a lulltop hummock with a eyrie [illegible] sized depression in it. This could have been an old eyrie but it has not been used recently. Again I was divied on by both birds, but was left alone once I was 100 yds
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal 154 July 6. Anauluka Island, Alaska Beyond this point. Neither location is conspicuous from anywhere but directly above. The "active" eyrie can be seen from the hill with the pole because it overlooks the nest but from 20 ft downslope below the nest you'd never notice it. July 7 Anauluka Island, Alaska Sunday - slept in. Checked Pump House Lake: G. Scamp 8♂, 1♀, 1? C. Teal 7♂, 1♀ + 1 chick Mallard - 1? Lots! Drove up the island toward the west end & parked near where I had parked a week ago when I found the 2 Snow Bunting nests. He biked me to Chitka Cove while I biked down creek SW to the Pacific Ocean. Near the truck on the tundra I found a small but very agile young Rock Sandpiper & an excited attending adult. The adult tried to lead me away. The young bird squatted down & "froze". I picked it up & set it down again & then it ran, on long spindly legs (for such a tiny body). Lapland Longspur & Rock Sandpipers were common along the creek drainage. Where the creek enters the sea there were 3 Common Teal (♂). Several Rose Finches & a Winter Wren could be [illegible] heard. To the right an Eagle
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R.E. Johnson 1965 July 7 Anchitna Island, Alaska nest was visible on an Elymus covered cliff top. It contained 2 large young birds. The adult was usually perched 70ft upslope on a hill top. A second adult arrived from the SE + then both perched 30 ft from the nest. A seal + 4 sea otters floated in the bay in front of me which was rather calm. Breakers were pounders off- shore rocks which protected the bay + an inspiring roar of these breakers plus the gentle wind moving the grass provide background for voices of the several species of birds. The sun tried to shine several times, but the everpresent fog turned away these bids + enveloped the sky like a thick wool blanket. I climbed out on the cyrie. The nest contained very little food material: some fur of otter(?), the base of a bird skull, 2 similar bird sternal elements & a bird coracoid attached to a humerus. I collected the bones. The 2 eaglets posed beautifully up until I was 6 ft from the eyrie (6 on grade with them throughout my approach) when they rised, spread their wings, turned + walked to the far side of the eyrie and down a steep Elymus slope out of sight. Adult eagles circled above but never dove or even complained with vigor. Between the Eagle nest & White House Core the Following species were seen: Common Eider - 40, 40 on protect rock Commonant - 1 flying over the sea, 2 on an offshore rock Rosy Finch - 2 adults
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 7 Amclithen Island, Alaska Black Oystercatcher - 6 Winter Wren - 1 singing bird White House Cove - probably so-called because of the one white quonset sitting at its head near a large pretty stream. Several young winter wrens were exploring the debris inside the quonset for insects & seemed unconcerned at my presence. A large side creek has a 20-25 ft waterfall (cascade) that is very pretty. Harlequin Duck - 4 ♠ Common Eider - 1♠, 4♠ (one with 5 young) Common Teal - 3 ♠ Glaucous-winged Gull - 2 Cove beyond White House Cove (or outer part or western part of White House Cove). Common Eider 1 ♠ Common Teal - 1 ♠ Pigeon Guillemot - 1 G-W Gull - 3 Bald Eagle nest on sea stack around point that forms the western terminus of the above mentioned cove (beyond or west of the bench mark shown on the top map). 1 large [illegible] in nest crouching down low & barely visible. It doesn't appear that there could be a second nesting but I couldn't see the entire nest cavity either. A Black
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R.E.Johnson 1968 Journal 157 July 7 Anchutka Island, Alaska Oyster catcher called from below. Both adult Eagles circled & called above but did not dive. Bald Eagle nest on sea stack off a point east of the [illegible] point forming the east boundary of the core & 1st saw & entered after proceeding down creek from the car. One large young in nest, one adult attending which circles me & calls. There were 3+ Harlequin Ducks below the stack in the water. July 8 Anchutka Island, Alaska Checked Lapland Longspur nests as usual. Grauman Lake Census Greater Scaup . 7δ, 1φ + 2 yng, 1 pair Mallard - 1 φ Rosy Finch - a pair copulating on top of a phone pole. Aleutian Tern Colony - Rifle Range Nest #3 1 chick (1 Ft. away from nest 4 1 warm egg Approx. 15 adults flying about. Clerenger Lake Census - NAM Mallard 1 φ Common Teal 4 δ, 1 φ Greater Scaup 1 φ Red-breasted Merganser 1 φ + 9 yng.
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158 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 8 Amclitka Island, Alaska Pumphouse Lake Censuses Greater Scaup 1 pair, 6 \u20ac Teal 22 \u20ac, 9 \u26a1 Red-throated Loon - 1 Northern Phalarope - pair Collected 1,N. phalarope & 3 Longspurs near lake shore. Several Glaucous-winged Gulls chased a Bald Eagle (adult) for over \u00bd mile & then chase it back again toward Pumphouse Lake. The Eagle landed & the gulls dove on at endlessly while the eagle sat poised for their attack. Finally it flew on & they left it alone. It was pretty obvious that the gulls had pushed the eagle to its maximum flapping speed & it probably landed to rest. July 9 Amclitka Island, Alaska Very foggy day. The Reers Mail Plane didn't land this morning & the Alaska Airline (1PM) charter is still waiting on the ground in Anchorage for better weather. This is the first time Reers has refused to land since I came here 2 months ago. He could even see the runway lights when he made a low pass! I'm not surprised I could see them from one side of the runway to the other. Checked Longspur nests. Most have now
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159 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 7 Anchitka Island, Alaska Fledged. Aleutian Tern colony - Rifle Range Nest # 4 1egg. Prepared Otter skulls & skeleton. July 10 Anchitka Island, Alaska Again foggy & some heavy showers, however the planes did get in today. Checked the Longspur nests & the one remaining Aleutian Tern nest at Rifle Range - Nest # 4 1young. Collected 7 Roxy Finches and a Lapland Longspur in a quarry no. of Jones Lake. There were many juvenile Roxy Finches but I collected minimally on them & tried for adults. All were males (5). Two pair of Snow Buntings were also in the quarry. Spent remainder of day preparing the skins. July 11 Anchitka Island, Alaska Fog lifting & some sun shining through! Mason Lake Census - no birds Gramman Lake Census - 9:30AM Greater Scamp - 70', 28 (one & with 2 young) Aleutian Tern Colony - Rifle Range Nest # 4 - 1young Checked remaining Longspur nests & all birds have fledged except one nest with young only 1-2 days old (2-5). One dark phase Parasitic Jaeger seen along the road
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160 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 11 Anchitka Island, Alaska west of Grassman Lake. Snow Bunting nest near upland tundra plots is now empty (fledged). Alverger Lake Census Common Teal - 13 ♂, 1♀ Red-throated Loon - 4 Bob found an Ancient Murrelet dead on the beach near the Red-faced Cormorant colony no. of site C. Jones Lake Census Greater Scaup - 4 ♂, 1♀ + 7 yng, 1♀ + 8 yng Red-throated Loon - 1 Common Goldeneye [?] - 4 ♀ (too far in poor light)
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 12 Anchitka Island, Alaska Spent bulk of morning + early afternoon encouraging completion of my 3 packing boxes for bottles, skeletons, & skins. Also made "3M" type copies of approx. half of my Field notes. Shortly after 3PM the helicopter returned from a trip up the island to obtain sea otters caught in traps up there. Since the days was not windy & was reasonably clear, Bob + I dashed up to the copter area to arrange a trip before dinner. We obtained permission from John Vania (Alaska Fish & Game) & from Marty Curran (Holmes & Nayers site boss), then flew around the west end of the island in the copter in about 2 1/2 hours (3:45PM - 6:15PM approx). The route followed was from North Hanger copter site to Cleneger lake & adjacent coast, then now along the Pacific shore to Alert Point, thence around the end of the island past Bird Cape & SE along the Bering Sea side of the island to Kirilof Pt area where we increased altitude & cut overland again to the hanger. The pilot had to return down the Bering sea coast more rapidly than we had down the Pacific shore because we were short on time. He had yet to eat dinner & fly again at 7PM for the Fish & Game. I sat in the cockpit to the left of the pilot which gave an excellent view in all directions except down. Bob occupied the larger cabin below & could
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162 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 12 Amchitka Island, Alaska not see forward. His side vision was also restricted by the pontoons which are placed to either side of the copter. He did improve his vision by opening the side door (right side) which was always the landward side since our flight was primarily over water just off shore & slightly above the elevation of cliffs & sea stacks. Our observing procedure changed partway along until we reached the route. From take off, the mtns, we flew at a rather high speed. Although I saw 6 nests (5 unplotted, 1 in Makarius Bay) I could not follow the unfamiliar topography on both map & ground fast enough to plot the nests & also record their contents. Consequently I only recorded contents of nests plus number of adults seen along the route. One additional factor effected my efficiency. I was using the small map segments 3M copied from those of Leroy Bowl & these do not provide sufficient perspective to keep oriented without constant turning back & forth from one map to the next. Bob had the larger maps below where he had more room, but seeing as he had a poorer view, he couldn't use them. He had seen only 2 nests while I had seen 6 from my better vantage point. On the other hand his count of adults was similar to mine. We landed before reaching the mtns proper & discussed possible changes in
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 12 Amchitka Island, Alaska procedure (it is impossible to converse while the copter is operating due to the noise level. Communications with the pilot beside me were only possible via hand motions. The copter has no intercom system & earphones & unfortunately). We decided that I would use the large maps in the cockpit & that we would fly more slowly & follow the shore line more exactly. This resulted in the actual plotting of nests on the map in approx. the correct locations (in most cases). It still appeared that a more leisurely trip would allow location of additional nests as well as puffin & commonant colonies. However time didn't permit such slow speeds. In route we did circle each island which had cliffs or sea stacks and we were able to note something of their fauna and physiognomy. The return trip se along the Bering coast was more rapid, however, because of lack of time & although we did not specifically locate the nests & stacks seen by the Painters (June 23) & Christy Turner (June 25), there may certainly be present. Contributing to our lack of detail along this coast was a mix up on the maps and my feeling a bit air sick from the dual role of spotter & plotter. Eagle Nests located on this trip & previous ones are plotted on the accompanying map. It can 163
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164 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 12 Amchitka Island, Alaska be readily seen that the spacing of nests in areas where we have walked the shore is much closer than where the helicopter was the only means of locating nests. This strongly suggests that a quick scan with the helicopter does not result in an accurate census. On the other hand, walking the shore- line quickly reveals whether a pair of eagles is nesting via their behavior & a search will lead to the nest. From the helicopter many adults were seen between nest locations whereas when walking almost every adult eagle was found to have a nest. I believe, however, that the helicopter could be much more effectively used than we used it. A slow rate of search via helicopter should turn up most of the nests in an area and it would be much faster than walking the shoreline on foot. The helicopter pilot seemed reluctant to believe that a slow speed was of any value. The point would best be made to him before any subsequent trip, that we wish to cover a certain unit of shoreline in some definite amount of time so that he doesn't set off as if on a cross- country race. The ideal rate for the stretch from North Hunger to the coast near site E is probably 1 1/2 hrs whereas the copter can easily make this in 1/2 hour while following the shoreline. In the future it would be best to census
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165 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 12 Amchitka Island, Alaska from the cockpit & using the regular 1:25,000 topo maps prestacked in the order in which they will be used. The Pacific coast SE of Alert Point is very precipitous and there are probably many colonies of cormorants on those huge & beautiful cliff faces, however there were very few adult eagles & no nests (see map) seen. On the other hand there were many adult eagles seen along the shoreline SE from Bird Cape to Chitka Point on the Bering coast and even though we found [illegible] few nests, the presence of eagles suggests that nests mature were present. Very few adult eagles were seen SE from Chitka Point to Crown Reefs Point. My total count of mature adult birds for the trip was 51. For immatures - 8. This differed somewhat from Bob Wood's data (he had more Imma., less matures) but the total count was about the same. Unlike me, he kept separate counts of the birds along the Pacific & Bering coasts & these confirmed the preceding idea that we saw more birds along the Pacific taken as a whole (but we also flew slower). Some nests appeared to have dead young in them or one dead & one live bird. These need to be checked carefully however. On one occasion I'm reasonably certain that a bird which was sprawled
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166 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 12 Amchitka Island, Alaska out flat & looked dead when we 1st passed low over the nest, was later upright & hiding in the tall grass (but still visible) when we circled over for a second look! Perhaps some birds respond to this odd noisy whirly bird by playing dead(?). Eagle Nests: In all 23 nests are plotted on the map & the contents of 7 others are known (5 seen by helicopter & seen by the painters). These are summarized below. nest contents # nests empty 1 1 young 12 2 young 15 3 young 1 contents unknown 1/30 In the above tabulation dead young were counted with live young to give # of young per nest. Since not all nests have been viewed from above, it is possible that when this is done an additional dead bird will be found. One problem with any future recheck of nests we have flown over in the helicopter is that such flights cause some birds to fledge. We noted 2 cases of this. If they do not return to the nest stack, a subsequent count will reveal fewer young than
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167 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 12 Amchitka Island, Alaska the previous count. The toe of the boot of Amchitka Island has yet to be checked for Bald Eagle nests and this would appear to be a good investment of time via copter.
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 13 Anchither Island, Alaska Gramman Lake Census Greater Scaup 10♂, (♀+2yrng), (♀+8yrng. R.T. Loon -1 C. Teal -1pairs Parractic Jaegers - 2 dark phase Flew over Rosy Finch - pair on no. shore. Lapland Longspur - collected 3♂ from no. shore. Rock Sandgiper - Very common, perch on roof- tops and act "concerned" over the presence of humans in the area. Often see 3-5 adults at once on a roof or encircling me in the meadow. Checked Longspur nest at the Riparian plots. Drove 1.6 miles beyond Bridge Creek toward site C & turned right into an old quarry, following this rd to the far end of the quarry. Parked the truck & followed snow track marks out the end of the quarry & then to the right down slightly & then up again. Here I located the Rock Ptarmigan nest Leroy Sowl had told me about. It is just to the right of the right track rut & partially hidden by large cow parsnip leaves. It contained 14 tan eggs that were densely speckled with dark brown spots. I flushed the ♀ when it was standing 8 ft away. It allowed Leroy to approach much closer.
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169 Journal R.E-Johnson 1968 July 13 Amchitka Island, Alaska Jones Lake Census C. Teal 2♂, 1♀ C. Scamp 2♂, 1♀+7y C. Goldeneye 3♂ Rosy Finch - collected 1 heavy (52.5gram) ♀ & 1 ♂ & 1 young (banded G& left). The young was from nest 36 which is 0.7 miles from point of collection. The bird was with several other young birds & the two adults I collected plus at least 2 other adults. The ♀ appears to be ready to lay again since she has a brood patch & is very heavy. Lapland Longspur - collected 2 ♀ for Williamson & both were very heavy (32.1, 32.2) & had expanded cloacas & large brood patches suggesting they are now laying! Are these second nesting?? The 2 ♀'s collected earlier this morning still had brood patches but lacked expanded cloacas & weighed much less (24.1 & 24.2 grams). Winter Wren - one in the quarry where the Rosy Finch & Longspurs mentioned above were found. Longspurs (cont.) - Several fledged young birds
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 13 Amchitka Island, Alaska were seen in the quarry & these may have belonged to one of the 2 q's collected though they need not have. There were several other o's & at least one other q in the immediate vicinity. None was seen with the young birds. Kirilof Point Gull nests KP 6 - one cold egg buried in nest material. One egg shell 2 ft away. Many adult gulls complaining overhead. July 14 Amchitka Island, Alaska Spent most of day preparing specimens, packing to travel, and etc. Bob Wood went in field in afternoon and he had a grand slam last day. He saw Parasitic Jaegers (dark phase) capture prey (Longspur?) twice & noted that a pair team together trip the prey items apart tug-of-war style. He also found a Northern Phalarope nest with fledging young.
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171 Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 15 Anchitka Island, Alaska Pumphouse Lake Census R.T. Loon - 7 Common Teal - 13♂, 4♀ Greater Scaup - 3♂, 1♀, 1 pair; also 1♀+5 young, 1♀+5 young, 1♀+2 young Clover Lake Census R.T. Loon - 2 Spent remainder of morning packing to leave & taking Bob Wood to the airport. His plane (Alaska Boeing 727 jet) left at 1pm. Checked Rose Finch nests 52 & 53 Took color pictures of lupine and others of general green scenery to contrast with yellows & browns of May & June. Things are finally green & the flowers are near peak. Checked Lapland Longspur nest 2-5 at 2:15pm. Still has 3 young. Photographed the ♀ Rock Ptarmigan on her nest 1.6 mi. nw of Bridge Creek (see July 13). I approached to 6 ft & stood for 10 minutes, before she flushed from a nest of 10 eggs (2 pipped), 2 wet young & 2 dry young (2:40pm). I watched a dark phase Parasitic Jaeger fly over a nearby area & land. Shortly it flew again & landed out of sight but quickly arose carrying a light colored
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 15 Anchitka Island, Alaska object of Longspur size. I flew 100 yds & landed on a mound where it riped at the object for a short time then it flew 100 ft & landed in the middle of a shallow pond where it floated for several minutes. Occasionally it put its beak beneath the water (but not its face) & moved it vigorously. I was too far away to tell the nature of this movement. Finally it flew up & away in the distance. Examination of the mound showed that a bird had been the food item eaten. Most of the feathers were gray downy feathers, but there were also many brown flight feathers which were only half out of the sheaths and obviously still growing. This suggests that the bird was a young Lapland Longspur, perhaps newly fledged. [illegible] On the same mound I found wing parts (primaries & skeleton) of another bird from an earlier meal. Since there were also numerous gulls in the area, I can not be sure the Jaeger [illegible] was associated with the older food remains. The gulls became very excited as I crossed the tundra near the Jaeger but seemed to pay little attention to the Jaeger. Mason Lake Census Common Teal - 4 ?, 3 ? Scamp 1 ? Mallard - 3 ?
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R.E.Johnson 1968 Journal July 15 Amchitka Island, Alaska Clerenger Lake Census Greater Scamp 10?, ? +2 young, ? +6 young. Mallard ? +4 young Common Teal - 20?, 2 ? Checked the remainder of area B (north half) for Rosy Finch re-nesting. No active nests! July 16 Amchitka Island to Anchorage, Alaska A very foggy & wet day, but the Alaska airline plane did come in, but it was several hours late. Great fun this dense fog. Had to leave for better country. Rented a National Rent-a-car at the Anchorage Airport. Visited town briefly and visited with Martha Brewer, Alice Puster's long time roommate. Alice is apparently hauling in the money as the total photographic dept. of the Anchorage Times, Alaska's largest newspaper. Alice was in McKinley Park for vacation, so I missed her. Drove out of town to a campground on Eagle River (12 miles north of Anchorage on Alaska Hwy 1 toward Palmer). Camp is in trees, beside the river, has tables & fire places, but no faucet water. Only one mosquito! July 17 Anchorage to Seward, Alaska, & return Ran a few errands in town (film, cash check, etc.) & then drove se to Portage Glacier area. There are several glaciers which may be seen from the road before reaching Portage Glacier visitor center (US Forest Service). These are Explorer Glacier, Middle Glacier and earlier several
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal July 11 Anchorage to Seward, Alaska & return glaciers on Twenty Mile River. The road stops a couple miles short of Postage Glacier at a lake into which the glacier terminates & melts out. Icebergs float across the lake & lodge near the parking area. Burns Glacier joins Postage Glacier from the left. To the left of the lake is Placer Creek Valley & to the right Byran Glacier. After writing down the names of birds seen that summer by naturalists in the area, I hiked up the trail to Byran Glacier and then went cross country up the glacier until I was nearly as high as the 2 large waterfalls on the right of the lower part of the glacier. At this point I was just into the lower part of the icefall coming down from the left. From here I could see 3 adult & 1 young Mtn Goat on a sloping meadow high above the two waterfalls that I mentioned earlier. The whistles of Marmots could be heard from above and I believe I also heard a Pika near the base of the glacier. I had hoped to locate alpine bird species, especially rosy finches, but time did not allow climbing up the slopes beside the glacier into more alpine conditions. It does not appear that rosy finches descend the mtns with these large valley glaciers but that they remain in more typical habitat near the tops of the ridges above. The glaciers descend 1000 ft ([?]) below the alpine zone here. Bird species seen in the Postage Glacier area were few: Black-
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R.E Johnson 1968 Journal July 17 Anchorage to Seward, Alaska & return billed Magpie, Arctic Tern, Common Redpole, Mew Gull, Fox Sparrow. The Naturalists' list for the area also included: Bald Eagle, Raven, Wilson's Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Robin, Pine Grosbeak, Double-crested Cormorant, Spotted Sandpiper, Wandering Tattler, Winter Wren, Varied Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Northern Waterthrush, Savannah Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Parasitic Jaeger, Common Goldeneye, Harlan's Hawk, Least Sandpiper, Glaucous-winged Gull, Common Mergansers, & Common Snipe. The local flower list included: Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), Liver-leaf Wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia), Goats' Beard* (Aruncus vulgaris), Cucumber Root (Streptopus amplexifolius), Nagoon Berry (Rubus stellatus), Arnica (Arnica lessingii), Poppy (Papaver alberseum), Poppy (Papaver nudicaule), Hornemann Willow-herb* (Epilobium hornemannii), Fireweed* (Epilobium angustifolium), Dwarf Fireweed* (Epilobium latifolium), Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium acutiflorem), Nootka Lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), Northern Yarrow (Achillea borealis), Sea Coast Angelica (Angelica lucida), Devils Club. The five species marked * were seen along the Byron Lake trail. I drove on to Seward over an excellent paved
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176 R.E. Johnson 1968 July 17 Anchorage to Seward, Alaska & return highway & had dinner before returning to camp near Portage in one of 3 forest service public camps near there. The scenery was beautiful. Unfortunately there was no time to hike & explore the area. July 18 Anchorage to Kodiak, Alaska Drove back to Anchorage airport and took a Western Airlines flight to Kodiak Island. Took the bus ($1.50) 3 miles to town (airport is on the military base 3 mi. so. of town). Rent-a-car facilities could not be used for 2 reasons: (1) they were all taken (2) only Avis & Hertz have cars here & neither will accept any of my credit cards in Alaska whereas both will in the south 48 states! Unfortunately National does not have cars on the island. I was told that roads were very poor & a car couldn't go over most of them anyway. So I was stuck immobile in town. Stayed at the Kodiak Hotel (cheaper than Kodiak Inn). The town is currently receiving a new face after the Tidal wave following the big earthquake 3 yrs ago. New streets & shopping center are going in & I believe the hotel will be removed. Alaska I checked with the Fish & Game offices to see if they could tell me where I might find Ross finches. It appears that everyone there is specialized in salmon or king crab work & noone knows that birds are vertebrates! Following the advice of one fellow who thought he knew what I was
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 18 Anchorage to Kodiak, Alaska after, I hiked via Mill Bay Rd, Benson St, the new reservoir on the hill & an old road run down the opposite side of the hill - to Pillar Creek. The hills are wood with conifers but the creek area is more open but still covered with tall vegetation (grass head-high, alder thickets, etc) & was entirely inappropriate for rosy finches. I did see Pine Grosbeaks & this was probably what he had in mind. I explored a few wooded areas along Mill Bay Rd, had dinner, & then hiked via a road past the previously mentioned reservoir area to Pillar Pk (1200 ft) The view was great. Clouds hovered close above but I could see the town below & the wooded offshore islands. The very top of the peak is capped with subalpine vegetation (mate). No alpine birds were seen. July 19 Kodiak Is., Alaska Returned to Alaska Fish & Game offices to check further on rosy finches. Spoke with several more people mostly in King Crab research [Guy Powell & others]. Again no one knew birds. They suggested I see Wally Steness, editor of the Kodiak Mirror who might know of someone in town interested in birds. He was very helpful. He called several people [David Savoie of the Bank, & others], introduced me to the publisher (Wayne Kotula) who is an outdoorsman, & finally drove me up to the house of Marcel Sanday,
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178 Journal July 19 Kodiak Is., Alaska a local carpenter who is interested in the out-of-doors & is currently out of work awaiting materials. In the late afternoon Marcel drove me out Mill Bay Road & around to a point overlooking the ocean where grass tops the cliffs & extends laterally for 1/4 mile. However the strip of grass was never over 100 yds wide (from ocean to forest). I checked the cliff for rosy finches and found none. The grass was 2 to 4 feet high and not too likely a place to find a rosy finch foraging. A bird list for July 18-19 was kept. This list includes birds from the forest, tall grass, the ecotone between these, and the ocean. Pigeon Guillemot Tufted Puffin Cormorant sp? Raven Bank Swallow Black-billed Magpie Winter Wren Black-capped Chickadee Wilson's Warbler (feeding fledged young) Yellow Warbler (feeding fledged young) Hermit Thrush Gray-cheeked Thrush Varied Thrush Golden-crowned Kinglet Pine Grosbeak
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R.E. Johnson 1968 Journal 179 July 19 Kodiak Island, Alaska Pine Siskin Fox Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow In addition a red fox was seen running (?) on rocks on the beach below the cliffs. It was startled at the sight of me & crawled down beneath some rocks. In the evening Marcel showed me slides excellent of wildlife taken on his recent trip sight seeing & hunting in Africa. July 20 Kodiak Day, Alaska Up early & out at 6:30AM to go to another corner of the island to look for Rosy finches. We drove over good dirt roads Roger Page's VW Bus to Narrow Cape on the se corner of the island. Roger stayed near the vehicle & photographed flowers, while Marcel & I hiked around the cape examining the area for rosy finches. It was high tide, so 70% of the time was spent on top the cliffs rather than along the beach. Above the cliffs the land is flat & covered with short grass (1 ft tall). Such an area might have rosy finches, but none were found. We left the area at 2PM. Birds seen along the shore, offshore, or in the grassland were: Lapland Longspur
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R.E.Johnson 1968 Journal July 20 Kodiak Island, Alaska Harlequin Duck - 4 \phi , 5 1 \varrho drifts. Pigeon Guillemot - 54, some apparently nesting in Bank Swallow - common. nest 1-3ft below -turf of top of sea cliffs. Fox Sparrow - feeding at shoreline amid help. Western Sandpipis - 27 Mallard 1 \varrho Savannah Sparrow - common in grassland Song Sparrow - fairly common - feed amid help on beach. Red-faced Cormorant - 1 Pelagic Cormorant - 1 Black-billed Magpie - adult(s?) feeding 203 Full grown young on beach. Young have a blue sheen to plumage. Adults have a less metallic look and are black. These differences may relate to plumage wear. Horned Puffin - 13, appear to be nesting in crack in cliff. Whimbrel - 29 We also saw a Seal offshore and 2 Black-tailed Deer, one with a pair of velvet prongs, on the beach. In the vicinity of Lake Rose Tead (near Pasagshak Bay) we saw several ducks, Arctic Terns, and one
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181 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 20 Kodiak Island, Alaska Greater Yellowlegs. The remainder of the day was spent scouting out possible locations for a hike into the alpine zone tomorrow. Two locations were considered: (2000+ ft.) Shaft Peak near Passagish Bay (has steep cliffs on west & a little snow) and Center Mtn (3400 ft.) which is approachable from the Saltery Core road. The latter is out of sight but the lower country near it had considerable snow. Also the alpine habitat is easily reached from this road which because it ascends to about 700 ft. This reduces the amount of alder thicket that must be hiked through before escaping into the alpine zone. We decided upon Center Pk for tomorrow's trip. July 21 Kodiak Island, Alaska Up early & off at 6 AM to the Saltery Core Rd & cross country to Center Pk. Unfortunately the clear warm weather of yesterday was replaced by clouds hanging at 1800 ft. We hoped it would burn off but instead it thickened, congealed and drenched us with rain most of the day. Since most of the trip was made above 2000 ft. we rarely could see over 100 ft in any direction. This complicated cross country navigation on the way since the ridges were broad & often [illegible] made up of several parallel
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Journal R.E.Johnson 1968 July 21 Kodiak Island, Alaska ridges. The best rule to follow was to follow the sharp edge of the Saltery Creek drainage northward & then swing left around the head of this drainage to Center Peak. We were soaked to the skin all day. We were not prepared for this type of weather. The wind didn't help the situation at all. Even so the day was a fantastic one for both Marcel & myself. The flowers above 1600 ft. were spectacular. They occurred in small clumps, each of a different species and this formed one of the most colorful displays I've ever seen. A few of the species involved were a Red Azalea, 2 species of white heather (one Cassiope with runners; another Phyllodoce with fir needle-like leaves), Lupine, Empetrum, Geum, Menziesia (dwarf), Carpet Pink, Polomonium. There was little to no vegetation above 2500 feet, especially as we approached Center Peak. The area around the peak is barren broken rock. Snow lay deep in large fields west of most ridges over 2000 ft. These were often cliffs on this side whereas the east slopes were usually steep but easily ascended. Thus the idea Rosy Finch habitat would appear to be these west faces & the basins below them. Twice I heard rosy finches toward the upper part of these cliffs but I couldn't see them in the fog. We never descended far
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Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 21 Kodiak Island, Alaska down the west face but I did descend to try to locate the finches I had heard. Probably a more thorough search in these areas during good weather would be successful. A rufous finch was also heard on the upper flat [illegible] barren area east of Center Peak. Again he could not be located. Hermit Thrushes were common in the thicket up to tree or brush line and occasionally one was seen higher up. Golden-crowned Sparrows were also distributed in this manner but less commonly seen above the thickets. Snow Buntings adults & fledged young were common. Savannah Sparrows were common on the lower alpine of the east slopes & saddles. Water Pipits & Rock Ptarmigan were the most regular species of the upper vegetated alpine. The pipets were also seen in the more barren areas. Three Sandpipers landed in a small pond in the barren area but left before I could identify or collect them. A Black-billed Magpie was seen flying at 2000 ft over the snow filled upper valley of Saltery Creek. We reached the car again at 8:15 p.m. Only 2 other parties had left notes in the bottle on top of Center Peak since 1960. On the road back we saw a Northwest Crow perched along the shore of Middle Bay.
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184 Journal R.E. Johnson 1968 July 21 Kodiak Island, Alaska Addendum: We found Mt. Goat wool in several places above 2000 ft on the west step face of the ridge. July 22 Kodiak Island, Alaska Up early & Flew (6:30 AM) to Anchorage via Western Airlines. Then after a long wait, off again via the Holmes & Nares chartered Alaska Airlines Boeing 727 Jet to Seattle.
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Color-bands - Rosy Finch 12 RT. Y G B R W LT. Y G B R W RT. VY VG * died YR YW GY GG GB GR GW BR BG BB BR BW RY RG RB Nest 2 May 26 Nest 30 May 30 Nest 29 May 30 Nest 32 May 30 Nest 24 May 30 GG broke leg, killed + placed in alcohol Nest 19 June 3 Nest 12 June 3
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13 2 Color Bands - Rosy Fincher Rt. RR Nest 23 June 3 RW WY WG WB WR WW Lt. YY Nest 25 June 3 LT. YG Nest 27 June 3 YB YR Nest 34 June 3 YW GY GG Nest 36 June 3 GB GR GW Nest 35 June 3 BY BG BB BR Nest 31 June 3 BW BT RG RB Nest 5 June 5 RR RW WT Nest 6 June 5
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14 Color Bands - Rosy Finches Rt. W Lt W } Nest 18 June 7 Rt. yG Lt. y } YG G Nest 22 June 7 B R W Rt RB Lt Y } Nest 7 June 10 G B Nest 16 June 10 R W Rt. RW Lt. Y G } Nest 15 June 10 B R W Rt. yB Lt. Y } Nest 16 June 10 G B Nest 3 June 11 R W Rt. GW Lt Y G } Nest 33 June 22 B R W
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Color Bande - Rosy Finches Lt. WG { Nest 6 June 5 WB WR WW } Nest 9 June 5 Rt. Y - Lt. Y Rt. Y - Lt G } RtY B { Nest 8 June 5 RtY R RtY W Rt. G - Lt Y Rt. G - G } Nest 14 June 5 G B G R G W { Nest 21 June 5 Rt. B Lt. Y G B R } W. Rt. R Lt. Y G B } Nest 17 June 7 R W Rt. W Lt. Y G B } Nest 18 June 7 R
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16 A Rosy Finch Nest 1 (shack near drillsite B) Eggs May 15 4 ♀ on. Collected several birds nearby before finding nest. 16 4 eggs cold, Abandoned.
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17 F Rosy Finch Nest 2 (bldg. s.o.. of So. Hanger) Eggs Young 1+ May 24 1 3 3+ 26 1 3 Banded the 3 young. 11+ June 3 3 Young in nest & Fledge when I approached & handled one. 4:20 PM
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18 F Rosy Finch Nest 3 (drum no. of old camp) Eggs Young May 25 4 28 4 q off 2:45PM (29) (4) 1 20 4 q on 9:28 AM 13 June 11 3 Banded 3 young, large 6:40 PM 15 13 3 not fledged. 7:50 PM 17 15 not fledged 2:45 PM 19 17 2+ present 3:59 PM 21 19 2 in nest & 1 in adjacent bldy 9:20 AM 22 20 fledged 10:00 PM
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19 Rosy Finch Nest 4 (bookshelf in quarsct no. f No. Hanger) Eggs Young May 25 3 (26) (4) 28 4 5 31 4 Incubation Period 6 June 1 4 f flushed 2:48PM 8 June 3 4 f flushed 9:49 PM 10 June 5 4 f flushed 10:30 PM 12 June 7 4 cggs warm 4:45 PM 13 June 9 3 (8) (6) [illegible] f flushed 8:37 AM June 9 3 1 (looks day old) f flushed 6:58 AM 2 10 3 1 2:25 PM 3 11 3 1 2:30 PM 13 21 3 1 July 4
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20 F Rosy Finch Nest 5 (small bldg. no. of South Hanger) May 26 Eggs 4 Young 2 28 4 (2 day olds) ♀ off 2:58 PM 10 June 5 3 5:12 PM band 3 young (med. size.) 16 11 3 not fledged 2:36 PM 17 12 3 { 11 11 3:34 PM RBLT - tail 35 mm long 18 13 3 10:15 AM 20 15 { one flies out with good flight as ♀ approach. at least one is in nest. 2:50 PM 22+ 17 fledged 2:25 PM
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21 F Rosy Finch Nest 6 (marshall so. f SO. Hanger) Eggs Young 14 May 26 5 (small) 10+ June 5 4 +1 dead band 4 will fledge soon 12+ June 7 not fledged 8:45AM 13+ June 8 not fledged 10:25PM 14+ 9 not fledged 7:04PM (at least 3 present) 15+ 10 not fledged 2:54PM 16+ 11 {not fledged 2:48PM chirping very loudly. 17+ 12 {one on floor & flies out of bldg. Flies to. wall to catch. Two or more others are in bldg. 3:45PM 18+ 13 {2 chirping young beside bldy, fly well 10:20 AM
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22 F Rosy Finch Nest 7 (metal graniset so. of So. Hangar) Eggs Young May 26 4 28 4 ♀ on 3:06 PM 29 4 warm 30 4 (1 day old) ♀ off, but near, eggs lukewarm 3:35 PM 31 ♀ near on 9:04 AM 11 June 10 3 band 3 large young 3:10 PM 14 13 x at least 2 visible from below (didn't climb up) 10:35 AM 16 15 RBRt- G Lt. & RBRt- ylt. are chirping outside bldg. No birds in nest. 2:55 PM
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23 F Rosy Finch Nest 8 (showeroom so. of So. Hanger) Eggs young 1+ May 26 1 4 (small) 3+ 28 1 4 gon 3:12PM 11+ June 5 0 4 band 4 young 2:30pm 16+ 10 x not fledged 3:38pm 17+ 11 x not fledged 2:46pm at least 2 percent, chirpy. 18+ 12 x at least 3 percent 3:49 PM 19+ 13 4 3 on floor in next room & one still in nest (Rt. y, Lt. W) but attempts to fly out, which I prevent. The others can fly up from floor to window. 21+ 15 {one dead bird in doorway (y rt, L lt.) # REJ #360 None in nest or rest of bldg. 2 adults scold. 3:10pm
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24 F Rosy Finch Nest 9 (westhall so. of #10 & Whitehouse) Eggs Young 1+ May 26 5 (small) 11+ June 5 3 very large young band 3 8:40PM 13+ June 7 not fledged 8:50AM 14+ June 8 not fledged 10:40 PM 15+ 9 not fledged 7:13PM 16+ 10 Fledged 3:10PM 2 in bldg & one out. One flies out, the other flies less well but makes it out (Rt. Y, Lt. Y). The tail on this bird is 40 mm long.
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25 F Rosy Finch Nest 10 (Merrell so. of White House) Eggs Young May 26 5 28 5 Q on 3:20 PM 29 5 Q near, but off. 3:38 PM (30) 4 adults near 9:10 AM 31 One dead on floor. Pickled as #3/4. 11 June 10 3 banded 3 young 3:25 PM tails 16 15 {2 in nest (RBrt, BLT; + RWRT, YLT). 4 adults scold, 3:05 AM 18 17 {one(RBrt-BLt) bird still in nest 2:30 PM 19 18 one bird still in bldy 6:20 PM 20 19 fledged 9:37 PM
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26 A Rosy Finch Nest 11 (quonset so. of White House) Eggs Young 1 May 26 5 3 28 5 cold eggs 3:30 PM 4 29 5 cold egg 3:25 PM 6 31 5 warm eggs 8:58 AM 9 June 3 5 cold egg 4:14 PM 11 5 5 cold 8:45 PM 19 13 5 cold 10:25 AM
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27 F Rosy Finch Nest 12 (building near quarry) Eggs Young 1+ May 26 4 (small) 9+ June 3 4 band 4 young 13+ June 7 not fledged 14+ June 8 not fledged 10:30 PM not fledged 7:07 PM (at least 3 present) 15+ 9 not fledged 16+ 10 4 not fledged 3:45 PM 17+ 11 4 not fledged 3:49 PM 18+ 12 2 in nest (BW Rt, RB Rt) whose tails are 46 & 42 mm long respectively. They fly from nest. Easy to catch(fly poorly). fledged 10:40 AM 19+ 13
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28 A Rosy Finch Nest 13 (rockpile nest) Eggs Nest May 26 4 2 28 4 (2 day olds) & on 3:40 PM 11 June 6 4 dead (1 in - 3 out of nest) 5:45PM pickle # 333, 334, 335
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29 A Rosy Finch Nest 14 (so. of White House near Rock Sandpip) Eggs Young May 26 2 2 (27) (1) (3) 1 28 1 3 f on 3:55 pm 2 29 1 3 f on 3:46 PM 9 June 5 1 3 (banded 3 med. to) 8:55 pm (large young) 11 June 7 1 3 dead in nest (pickles#336-338) 8:58 AM
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30 F Rosy Finch Nest 15 Dates wts taken Eggs Young May 26 5 28 4 [illegible] 1 q on. 4:00 PM 29 1 4 q on 3:00 PM age 1. 30 wts taken by Charley Yarbrough & later Dr. Johnston 3 June 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 7 5 8 6 9 7 10 8 11 9 12 June 10 4 bird 4 4:00 PM tails 1/2 - 3/4 inches out of sheaths One with 3/4 inches out of sheaths has a 25 mm tail. 13 11 14 12 4 5 all jump from nest, 3 caught (Lt. G, B, R) & replaced in nest. One dropped back on floor. 15 13 Young can't be replaced in nest. Scramble out in all directions after weighing. 17 15 young can't be found around or in bldg.
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31 F Rosy Finch Nest 16 (quonset near Makarius Pt.) Wts taken Eggs Young May 27 5 28 5 ♀ on 4:11 PM 29 5 ♀ on 3:55 PM (30) 31 1 (1 day old) 4 ♀ off 7:25 PM 1 2 ✓ June 1 0 5 3 2 Charley began weighing these birds 4 3 today (June 1) 5 4 6 5 7 6 8 7 9 8 {Half dead nestling crawling outside 10 9 nest. Now picked - # 342 11 ✓ June 10 3 band B 4:15 PM tails ½ inch out of sheaths 12 ✓ 11 5 13 ✓ 12 3 14 ✓ 13 3 16 ✓ 15 3 one lost in handling & goes under floor boards. 18 17 young 2 in nest, 2 birds at back door & they fly off. 2:38 PM 19 18 1 bird in nest (HB RT-GLT) 20 19 fledged 9:30 PM
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32 F Rosy Finch Nest 17 (quonset - Makarine) Eggs young May 27 4 28 4 eggs warm, & on 4:15 PM 29 4 eggs warm, & on 4:00 PM (30) 31 (4) 4 (day old) & off 7:37 PM 8 June 7 4 band 4 young 9:10 AM 13 12 not fledged 4:05 PM (at least 2 present) 16 15 3 (birds with left foot bands of G, Y, + R) in nest & jump out! 3:35 PM 18 17 fledged 2:45 PM
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33 F Rosy Finch Nest 18 (quonset - Makarius) Eggs Young May 27 4 28 4 eggs warm 4:13 PM 29 4 egg warm, & near 4:08 PM (30) 1 day old 31 4 & off 7:38 PM 8 June 7 3 bind 3 young 9:25 AM 13 12 { not fledged, at least 2 present 4:06 PM 16 15 not Fledged 3:37 PM 18 17 fledged - 2:50 PM
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Rosy Finch Nest 19 (Makarius quonset) Eggs Young 1+ May 27 1 3 8+ June 3 1 4 band 4 med. sized young. 12+ June 7 not fledged 16+ 10 3 young in nest + fly to floor. One goes under floor boards, 2 replaced in nest 3:10 PM 17+ 12 {at least 2 in bldg; one on floor in corner opposite the nest & another on nest shelf. 4:12 PM 18+ 13 {1 at nest + 2 on floor. may be others. One flew length of quonset hut flight is labored. 10:49 AM 20+ 15 {one bird in bldg, can fly length + gain a little altitude, but still a poor flier. (BG & RT) 3:28 PM 22+ 17 fledged 3:12 PM
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35 A Rosy Finch Nest 20 (Makarius - outhouse) Eggs Young May 27 4 (small) June 3 2 +1 dead young(pickle)#323 June 6 2 dead pickle #331,332
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36 F Rosy Finch Nest 21 (shack on Makarinus) Eggs Young 1+ May 27 1 54 3+ 29 1 4 4:19 pm 10+ June 5 4 9:10 PM 15+ June 10 4 band 4 med. to large young. 3 fly down from nest when I enter. Tail 39 mm long 16+ June 11 4 all on floor 17+ 12 {at least 2 in bldy on floor 18+ 13 1 in bldy on floor, poor flier. Another seen outside bldy. I can fly 100 ft but not good flight yet. 10:55 AM 15 no birds in nest or nest bldy. One young heard chirping outside. 3:22 PM July 18 alive BRT, YLT found on Makarinus Island by D.W. Johnston on July 18, 68. This is 1.2 miles (approx) from nest location.
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37 F Rosy Finch Nest 22 (quonset - Makarius) Eggs Young May 27 5 29 5 2 31 5 (small) warm eggs 4:15 PM (Znd day) f on 7:55 PM 9 June 7 5 banded 5 9:45 AM 13 11 not fledged. 3:20PM 15 13 " " 4:01 AM 17 15 " " 3:46 PM 19 17 fledged 3:18 PM
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38 F Rosy Finch Nest 23 long frame bldg - area A Eggs Young 1+ May 27 4 (large) ♂+ June 3 4 banded 4 young. 10+ June 5 not fledged 6:30pm 12+ June 7 not fledged 10:55AM 13+ June 8 not fledged 9:40 PM 14+ 9 not fledged 2:49 pm 15+ 10 fledged 4:38pm
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39 F Rosy Finch Nest 24 (quonset - area A) Eggs young 1+ May 27 4 (large) 4+ 30 4(3) 3 banded & one other fell & broke his leg & was picked (# 311) 8+ June 3 3 close to fledging 10+ June 5 not fledged 6:30PM 12+ June 7 2+? 2 birds running around on floor of bldg. Perhaps one outside? 11:00AM
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Rosy Finch Nest 25 (quonset in area B) Eggs Young 1+ May 27 4 (large) 8+ June 3 4 band 4 young (vary close to fledging) June 5 10+ June 5 ? 12+ June 7 4 young all jump from nest as I neared the door, judging from the sounds & location of birds below nest, Run (mostly) rather than fly around on floor. Probably would have fledged yet in my absence. 11:00 AM
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41 A Rosy Finch Nest 26 (shade in area B) Eggs Young May 27 1
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42 F Rosy Finch Nest 27 Officer Club Eggs Young 1+ May 28 1 3 7+ June 3 1 2 + 1 dead (pencil) bad shape Band 2 young 9+ June 5 young present 11+ June 7 young present 11:05 AM 13+ 9 " " 2:38 PM 14+ 10 " " 4:48 PM 15+ 11 " " 7:10 PM 16+ 12 " " 3:10 PM 17+ 13 " " 11:30 AM 15 fledged, 1 bird 10:30 AM on steps + returns in bldg to escape.
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43 F Rosy Finch Nest 28 (triple qwnet w.of No.Hanger) Eggs Young 1+ May 29 5 (small) 8+ June 5 5 banded 5 young 14+ 11 not fledged. 15+ 12 5 " " 16+ 13 " " (at least 4 pment) 18+ 15 2 outside bldy (Rt. R- Lt. G; Rt R-Lt.Y), other 3 are in nest box. 4:05 PM 17 birds fledged 2:15 PM
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44 F Rosy Finch Nest 29 (charley's nest 5) (quonset-area B) Eggs young 1+ May 29 4 (large) 2+ 30 4 banded young 3+ 31 4 charley measures T & Wt. 6+ June 3 4 approaching fledging 8+ June 5 4 " " (on shell " (out of nest) 6:40pm 10+ June 7 2 young in bldg & they fly out when I entered. 11:20 AM
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Rosy Finch Nest 30 (quonset-area B) Eggs Young 1+ May 29 5 (large) 2+ 30 5 Banded 5 young. 6+ June 3 5 approaching fledging 8+ June 5 " " (on shelf) (out of nest) 10+ June 7 young still on shelf. 6:40pm but out of nest. 11:15AM 11+ June 8 not fledged 9:50 PM 12+ 9 not fledged 2:45 PM (one is on floor & flies half length of body on my approach. Others are on nest shelf behind nest hiding in corners. 13+ 10 one bird on floor in nest but flies out upon my approach. Can fly at least 40 ft.
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46 F Rosy Finch Nest 31 (quonset - area B) Eggs Young 1+ May 30 (1) 4 + 1 dead large young floor 5+ June 3 4 band 4; jump to floor from nest 7+ June 5 fledged 7pm [illegible]
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47 F Rosy Finch Nest 32 (Masonic quonset - area B) Eggs Young 1+ May 30 4 (large) banded 4 young. 5+ June 3 3 +1 dead ~~ dead bird outside nest cup, probably crawled out on May 30. # 325 in pickler coll. 7+ June 5 not fledged 7:05 PM 9+ June 7 not fledged 12:05 PM 10+ June 8 not fledged 10:15 pm one bird has jumped from back of nest the last 2 visits & I have replaced it. Don't really know if others are present this time. They were yesterday. 11+ June 9 3 on floor in corner. RR, RW, GT present 12+ 10 3 on floor 5:16 PM 13+ 11 " 7:05 PM 14+ 12 fledged 3:00 PM
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48 F Rosy Finch Nest 33 (ground by lake - area B) Eggs Young May 30 4 31 4 ♀ off 3:50 PM June 1 4 ♀ on 10:50 PM June 3 4 ♀ on June 5 4 (dayolds) 7:18 PM 20 4 all jump from nest. 8:25 PM 22 4 all on floor Band all four. 7:05 PM 24 fledged. None in bldg, 1 outside that crawls under bldg when I speak to it! 2:50 PM
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49 F Rosy Finch Nest 34 (long frame bldg in area D) EGGS Young 1+ May 31 4 (large) -piddle#324 4+ June 3 3+1 dead on floor beneath nest Banded 3 young. Flew down from nest. 6+ June 5 fledged. 70M June 17 R r.t. on roof of bldg #34.
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50 F Rosy Finch Nest 35 (quonset-area C) Eggs Young 1+ June 1 4 (large) 3+ June 3 4 banded 4 young. Approaching fledging. 5+ June 5 not fledged 6:52 PM 7+ June 7 not fledged 12:00 Noon 8+ June 8 not fledged 10:05 PM Lt. GW onedeadonfloor,3 in nest. Picked dead bird - #343 9+ 9 not fledged - can hear young chirping from 200 ft. away over sound of wind train. 2:50 PM 10+ 10 2 not fledged, 5:00 PM. 2 birds fly from shelf but I returned them & they stay put (heads in cover) (BB, BG) tail 45 mm long. 11+ 11 fledged 6:55 PM July 4 BY LT. with 2+ other Immx, at least one of which was unbanded. In quarry NW of Jones Lake.
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5/ F Rosy Finch Nest 36 (longframe bldg - area C) Eggs young 1+ June 1 1 3 (very (large) June 3 3 Banded 3 young. Nearly ready to fledge. June 5 not fledged 6:45 PM June 7 not fledged 11:30 AM June 8 not fledged 9:58 PM but one nestling flew out the window. 9 not fledged. 2:56 PM can hear young chirping loudly [for] great distance even over sound of rain & wind 10+ 10 Fledged, adults near & still complain as before 4:58PM July 13 collected G-G LT in quarry N.W. of Jones Lake which is 0.7 miles from the nest site
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52 F Rosy Finch Nest 37 Officers Club May 28 Eggs Young June 3 4 reach it there, but couldn't - Charley guess nest was. flushed 6:05 pm. June 5 4 ♀ on 6:22 PM June 7 4 ♀ on 11:05 AM 9 1 3 ♀ on; 2:40 PM (day old young) 1 10 4 ♀ off 4:45 PM 12 21 3 2 in nest & 1 alive on floor, a 4th dead on floor. Fireman brought the live one in; I returned it to the nest. The dead one is now # 364 (pibble). July 4 — — several (4+) adults cairp & follow me around bldg.
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53 F Rosy Finch Nest 38 (Charley Yarbrong's nest C23) young TB Measure- ments 1+ May 29 5<- wt. 15.7 to 23.0gm. - 2+ 30 5 - 4+ June 1 5 - 6+ 3 2 - 8+ 5 2 - 10+ 7 2 - 13+ 10 1 { dieal is pidle #347 other out of nest on floor flying about } wt. 39.6gm 15+ 12 1 on floor, tail 32mm long. 16+ 13 1 on floor, tail 11:10AM 18+ 15 morning fledg 4:10PM
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54 F Rosy Finch Nest 39 [Charley Yarbrough's nest D on 4] Tb & Wts taken young 1+ May 29 4 <- wts 17.8-20.5gm L 2+ 30 4 L 4+ June 1 3 L 6+ 3 3 L 8+ 5 3 L 11+ 8 3 <- wts 38.5-40.5 gm. L 14+ 11 2 found, one of which was outside bldg. Perhaps the 3rd bird was outside & unseen. 15+ 12 1 bird in a shack nest to rd & 40 ft from quadrant where nest was located. Its tail was 32mm (12mm out of sheath). No birds in nest bldg.
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55 F Rosy Finch Nest 40 (quonset - wet meadow plots) Eggs young June 6 4 On floor of quonset & can fly nearly to ceiling. Apparently in process of fledging. It is possible there was another bird that I didnt see but it would have to have been outside. We captured 3 & 1 flew out a hole in the roof. spec. # 339, 340, 341
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56 F Rosy Finch Nest 41 Eggs Young June 7 + 3 in bldg & caught, others may have been outside. spec. # 339, 340, 341 Error
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57 collected Rosy Finch Nest 42 (Charlys nest 1 or A) Young Tems taken 5 May 27 3 28 3 June 6 1 only one bird in nest. Could others have been slightly larger & fledged already? Collected this nestling & both adults (# 327-329)
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58 F Rosy Finch Nest 43 (quonset town) Eggs Young June 10 2 Fledged young collected may have been more. Also collected adults.
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59 A Rosy Finch Nest 44 (Charley nest Bor2) young measured Ta May 27 5 28 3 29 1(+?) - K wt. 19.7 Abandoned location north over hill from Nest 42 in shack on end of quadrant. Nest 8 ft up.
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60 Rosy Finch Nest 45 (Bird Cape) June 14 4 young
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Rosy Finch Nest 46 (Bird Cape) June 14 2+ young. fly out of bldg.
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62 Rosy Finch Nest 47 (Bird Cape) June 14 3 young.
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Rosy Finch Nest 48 (collected) (Bird Cape) June 14 5eggs. collected q.
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Rosy Finch Nest 49 Abandoned Eggs Young June 17 5 ♀ on mid afternoon 20 5 ♀ off; eggs warm; 8:05PM 22 5 ♀ off, eggs cold 6:55PM 24 5 ♀ off eggs cold 2:44PM July 1 5 ♀ off, eggs cold
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Rosy Finch Nest 50 65 F June 17 Eggs Young 3+ Fledging
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Rosy Finch Nest 51 64 Abandoned Eggs June 17 5 cold 18 5 cold July 1 5 cold
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67 Rosy Finch Nest 52 Eggs Young July 1 3 φ off 1 2 4 φ on 3PM 2 3 4 φ on 14 15 1 3 day old φ on 1:50 PM
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68 Rosy Finch Nest 53 Eggs Young July 5 5 6 5 ♀ on, 6:15 PM 11 5 ♀ on, 7:00 PM 15 5 ♀ off, warm eggs 1:30 PM
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Grauman Lake (S - F - pairs - yng) Observations by: x = C.G. Yarbrough 0 = R. LeRescho t = D.W. Johnston 69 Mallard Bufflehead Greater Common Goldeneye R.B. Merganser Tufted Duck R.T. Loon C. Loon Scamp Teal x May 5 6-0-0-0 7-7-0-0 2-1-0-0 0-4-0-0 ---- ---- ---- - - x May 6 ---- 6-9-0-0 1-0-2-0 ---- 0-0-1-0 1-2-0-0 ---- - - x May 10 2-0-0-0 20 2-2-0-0 0-0-1-0 1-2-0-0 0-3-0-0 ---- - - May 15 ---- 0-0-2-0 ---- ---- ---- 2-4-1-0 ---- - - May 17 2-0-0-0 4-3-0-0 6-8-0-0 ---- 1-2-1-0 ---- ---- - - May 23 ---- 2-0-1-0 0-2-2-0 0-0-1-0 ---- 0-0-1-0 0-1-1-0 - - June 1 ---- 0-7-0-0 0-0-2-0 ---- ---- 0-1-1-0 ---- 2 - June 6 ---- ---- 3-1-3-0 1-0-0-0 ---- 0-0-1-0 1-0-0-0 0 - 0 June 8 ---- ---- 6-0-5-0 1-0-0-0 ---- ---- 1-0-0-0 - 2 June 10 ---- ---- 3-0-2-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - June 12 ---- ---- 0-1-1-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - t June 16 ---- ---- 6-0-2-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - t 19 ---- ---- 9-0-1-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 22 ---- ---- 11-0-1-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 26 0-0-2-0 ---- 9-0-0-0 1-0-0-0 ---- ---- ---- - 2 t 28 ---- ---- 6-0-1-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - July 1 0-0-1-0 ---- 8-1-0-3 ---- ---- ---- ---- - 1 2 ---- ---- 9-0-1-3 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 3 ---- ---- 16-1-0-2 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 4 ---- ---- 10-0-0-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - 1 5 ---- ---- 8-0-0-0 1-0-0-0 ---- ---- ---- 1 - 6 ---- ---- 8-0-0-0 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 8 0-1-0-0 ---- 7-1-1-2 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 11 ---- ---- 7-2-0-2 ---- ---- ---- ---- - - 13 ---- ---- 1-2-0-10 0-0-2-0 ---- ---- ---- 1
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Mason Lake (♂ - ♀ - pair - young) observations by + D.W. Johnston * R. Wood 70 Mallard Greater Scamp Common Teal R.T. Loon PinTail Northern Phalarope G.W. Gull May 15 - 0-1-2-0 - - - - 21 - - - - - - 23 - 0-1-1-0 - - - 2 25 - - - - - - 27 - - - - - - June 3 - - 3-0-0-0 - - 2 - 5 0-0-1-0 0-0-1-0 - - - - 8 1-0-0-0 0-0-1-0 2-0-0-0 - - - - 10 - 1-0-0-0 - - - - 11 - 1-0-0-0 - - - - 12 - - 1-0-0-0 - - - - 15 3-0-0-0 1-0-0-0 2-0-0-0 - - - - + 19 - - - - - - - + 23 - - - - - - - 25 - - 3-0-0-0 - - - - + 26 - - - - - - - + 28 - - - - - - - + July 1 - - 1-0-0-0 1 - 2 - 4 0-0-1-0 - - - - - - 8 - - - 1 - - - 11 - - - - - - - 15 0-3-0-0 0-1-0-0 4-3-0-0 - - - -
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{ "text": "[illegible]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n [TRANSCRIPTION_TRUNCATED_DUE_TO_LOOP]
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Jones Lake (α - β - pairs - yng) observations by: x = C.G. Yarbrough t = D.W. Johnston '71 ★ = R. Wood Mallard | Bufflehead | Greater Scaup | Common Teal | Goldeneye | R.B. Merganser | Tufted Duck | R.T. Leon | G.W. Gall x May 6 - - 4-2-0-0 7-5-12-0 1-0-0-0 0-1-0-0 - - - - May 15 1-0-0-0 5-8-0-0 8-9-0-0 - - - - - - - - May 19 - - 0-16-3-0 5-4-6-0 - - 1-0-1-0 - - - - May 20 - - 0-1-2-0 0-0-5-0 - - 1-0-0-0 - - - - 23 0-10-2-0 - - 1-0-7-0 1-0-0-0 - - 0-0-1-0 4-0-4-0 1 - 30 - - 0-5-0-0 0-1-3-0 - - 1-0-0-0 1-2-0-0 - - - 1 - June 3 - - - - 8-2-7-0 - - 3-6-0-0 - - 2-0-0-0 2 - t 9 - - - - 7-0-1-0 0-0-1-0 1-0-2-0 - - - - - - 11 0-0-1-0 - - 15-0-0-0 - - 4-4-0-0 - - - - - 1 15 - - 0-1-0-0 13-1-0-0 1-0-0-0 3-4-0-0 - - 1-0-0-0 - - - t 18 - - - - 11-0-0-0 2-0-0-0 1-2-0-0 - - 1-0-0-0 1 - t 23 0-0-1-0 - - 22-0-4-0 1-0-0-0 - - - - 1-0-0-0 3 - t 28 0-0-1-0 - - 18-1-0-0 4-0-0-0 2-1-0-0 - - - - - - t July 1 1-0-0-0 - - 17-2-0-0 9-1-2-0 2-2-0-0 - - - - - - ★ 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - ★ 6 - - - - 0-1-0-9 - - - - - - - - - - ★ 11 - - - - 0-2-0-14 - - - - - - - - - - 11 - - - - 4-2-0-15 - - 0-4-0-0 - - - - 1 - 13 - - - - 2-1-0-7 2-1-0-0 3-0-0-0 - - - - - -
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72 Pumphouse Lake (♂ - ♀ - pair - yng) Mallard | Greater Scamp | Common Teal | Pintail | B.T. Loon | Northern Phalarope June 25 | — | 0-0-1-8 | 6-0-0-0 | — | — | 3 27 | 2-0-0-0 | 5-1-1-7 | 2-0-0-0 | 0-1-0-0 | 1 | — July 5 | 0-0-1-0 | 4-0-3-0 | 17-2-1-7 | — | 1 | 2 6 | 0-1-1-0 | 8-0-0-0 | 9-3-0-0 | — | 1 | — 7 | 1-0-0-0 | 8-1-1-0 | 7-1-0-1 | — | — | — 8 | — | 6-0-1-0 | 22-9-0-0 | — | 1 | 2 15 | — | 3-4-1-12 | 13-4-0-0 | — | 7 | —
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Clevenger Lake (♂ - ♀ - pairs - young) observer by: 73 x = G.G. Yarbrough () = differing # by another observer + = D.W. Johnston ★ = R.C. Wood Mallard | Bufflehead | Greater Scaup | Common Teal | Goldeneye | R.B Merganser | Tufted Duck | Pintail | R.T. Leon May 10 | --- | 0-3-5-0 | 1-0-2-0 | 2-0-2-0 | --- | --- | --- | --- | 1 16 | (x) | --- | 0-6-4-0 | 2-2-3-0 | 3-0-2-0 | --- | --- | --- | --- | 2 22 | 1-0-1-0 | 0-0-0-0 | 0-7-3-0 | 1-1-3-0 | 5-1-0-0 | 1-0-0-0 | 5-0-0-0 | 0-0-0-0 | 2-0-3-0 | 1-0-2-0 | --- | 3 23 | --- | 0-9-3-0 | 3-4-6-0 | 3-0-0-0 | --- | --- | 0-1-0-0 | 0-0-2-0 | --- | 24 | (x) | 1-0-0-0 | 1-13-2-0 | 2-0-6-0 | 1-1-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | 0-0-2-0 | --- | June 1 | --- | 0-2-0-0 | 0-0-5-0 | 4-0-0-0 | 0-0-1-0 | 0-0-2-0 | --- | 0-1-1-8 | Q 3 | 1-0-0-0 | --- | 0-0-5-0 | 7-0-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | 3-0-0-0 | 2 4 | 0-0-1-0 | --- | 1-1-4-6 | 9-0-0-0 | --- | --- | 2-0-0-0 | 1-0-0-0 | 11 | 0-0-2-0 | --- | 7-0-2-0 | 2-0-0-0 | --- | 1 | --- | --- | 15 | 2-0-1-0 | --- | 5-1-5-0 | 10-0-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | 1-0-0-0 | 18 | 2-0-0-0 | --- | 8-5-0-0 | 7-0-2-0 | 0-1-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | + | 23 | 2-0-0-0 | --- | 6-0-0-0 | 7-0-0-0 | 1-3-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | + | 26 | 2-0-0-0 | --- | 3-0-1-0 | 11-0-0-0 | --- | 0-1-0-0 | --- | --- | + ★ | 27 | --- | --- | 4-2-0-0 | 5-2-0-3 | --- | 0-1-0-0 | --- | --- | 1 + | 28 | --- | --- | 4-0-0-0 | 2-0-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | --- | ★ July | 1 | --- | --- | 4-0-0-0 | 7-0-0-3 | --- | --- | --- | --- | ★ | 6 | --- | --- | 0-1-0-0 | 11-0-0-0 | --- | 0-1-0-9 | --- | --- | 8 | 0-1-0-0 | --- | 0-1-0-0 | 4-1-0-0 | --- | 0-1-0-9 | --- | --- | 11 | --- | --- | --- | 13-1-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | --- | 4 15 | 0-1-0-4 | --- | 1-2-0-8 | 2-2-0-0 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
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7/21 Observations by: x = C.G. Yarbrough * = R.C. Wood ( ) = differing #'s by another observer Silver Salmon Lake (α - β - pairs - young) Mallard | Bufflehead | Greater Scamp | Common Teal | Goldeneye | R.B. Merganser x May 8 | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- (x) | 1-1-0-3 | 0-0-3-0 | 0-0-1-0 | | 1-0-0-0 | 0-0-4-0 21 | 0-1-0-3 | 0-0-1-0 | | | | 0-1-4-0 | 24 | | 2-3-0-0 | | | | 0-1-1-0 (x) | | | | | | 0-0-3-0 June 1 | | | | | | 0-0-2-0 5 | 0-0-1-0 | | | | | 0-0-2-0 8 | 0-0-1-0 | | | | | 15 | 0-0-2-0 | | | 2-0-1-0 | | 1-0-0-0 * July 4 | | | | | | 0-1-0-0
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Tin Lake 75 observations by: ★ = R.C. Wood June 15 1♀ R.B. Merganser 25 1 RT. Loon ★ July 2 2 RT. Loon ★ 3 2 RT. Loon ★ 8 1 RT. Loon 130° C. Teal ★ 9 no birds
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Glaucous-winged bull Nests south of New Camp 76 e=egg y=young c=crack p=pip o=out of nest Nest # June 8 June 12 June 13 1 3e 3e 2 3e 3e(1c) 3 3e 3e 4 2e 2e 5 3e 2yo 6 3e 3e(3c) 7 3e 3e 8 3e 3e 9 1y 1y(big) 10 1e 1e 11 3e 3y Tempering 11a 3e 2e5,1y(wet) 12 3e 2e,1y 13 3e 3e 14 3e 3e 15 3e 3e 16 2e 2e 17 1e,1y 1e 18 2e,1eo 19 3e 20 3e(1c) 21 3ep 2y,1e 22 3e 23 2e 24 3e 25 3e 26 1e 27 3e
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Glauconis-winged Gull Nests south of New Camp (cont.) 77 Nest # June 8 June 12 28 3e
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Glaucons - winged Gull Big Lake Nests e = egg y = young 78 c = crack p = pip o = out of nest E = nest empty D = nest destroyed 1 (BL1) 2 3 4 5 (BLII) May 12 3e May 15 3e 2e 1e 1e May 25 3e 3e 1e E June 3 3e(1c) E D 4e June 5 3e (2o) 4e June 7 3y 4e June 8 2y 4e
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79 Glaucous-winged Gull Krilof Point Nests KP1 KP2 KP3 KP4 KP5 KP6 June 3 3e 3e 1e 3e 3e 5 3e 3e 2e 3e 3e chick 9 3e 2e 2e 3e containing 11 3e 2e 2e 3e 2y, 1 cracked egg 15 3e 2e 3e empty 18 1e, 1pe, 1y 1e, 1pe, 1y 2e 1pe, 2y 25 empty 2e empty 3e 30 2e(2c) as above 3e July 1 2y 3e 5 3e 13 1 cold egg burned in nest. Egg shell 2 ft away.
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Glaucous-winged Gull Nests (Misc.) 80 Number of nests with Nest Contents of: June Location Eggs 1 2 3 2eggs 1yng 1egg 1yng Young 1 2 3 Empty 6 Rifle Range 7 e. of Garbage Dump. 9 13 Kikilof Islets 8 2 14 1 2 1 4a 1 9b 14 1 mi. nw of Site C 3 17 1/2 mi. sw. of New Camp 1 1 26 Bat. Island 2 a = includes one nest with 1 dead + 1 live yng. b = includes 1 nest with 1 dead & another with 1 egg out of nest.
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Summary Gull Nests 81 Clutch Size 1 2 3 4 14^a 14^b 54 1 a = eggs often cold & apparently abandoned. Eggs often left in nest after young fledge. Only two of these are nests with 1 yng; the rest had one egg. b. One nest was followed through laying & found to have a full clutch of two.
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AMCHITKA ISLAND, ALASKA Bird Rock BIRD CAPE Christy Turner - 3 nests (?) on sea stacks. ALEUT POINT Chapel Cove CHITKA COVE CHITKA POINT Painters - 2 nests on bluff, 1 on stack SITE "E" SITE "F" BERING SEA Bald Eagle Nests x = nests located via helicopter - July 12, 1968 circle = other nests White House Cove 5 nests on stacks SITE "D" SITE "C" PACIFIC OCEAN Crown Reefer Pt. Bridge Creek Silver Salmon lake DOCK KIRILOF BAT ISLAND KIRILOF POINT CONSTANTINE HARBOR IVAKIN POINT SITE "A" Rifle Range Pt. TIN LAKE Makarius BAY 350 MAN CAMP ST. MAKARIUS POINT SOUTH BIGHT OMEGA POINT EAST CAPE 82
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Bald Eagle nests
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83 AMCHITKA ISLAND, ALASKA BIRD CAPE ALEUT POINT PACIFIC OCEAN CHITKA COVE CHITKA POINT SITE "E" SITE "F" SITE "D" SITE "C" Arctic Tern(1) (Ultra Drainage) Makarius Aleutian Tern (4) (Rifle Range) SITE "B" MAKARIUS BAY 350 MAN CAMP Arctic Tern (9) BERING SEA Tern Colonies (numbers = nests located) KIRILOF BAY KIRILOF POINT DOCK CONSTANTINE HARBOR IVAKIN POINT SITE "A" EAST CAPE SOUTH LIGHT OMEGA POINT ST. MAKARIUS POINT
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Tern Colonies [illegible]
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84 AMCHITKA ISLAND, ALASKA BIRD CAPE ALEUT POINT CHITKA COVE CHITKA POINT SITE "E" BERING SEA Cormorant Colonies x = located via helicopter July 12, 1968 = other SITE "F" SITE "D" PACIFIC OCEAN SITE "C" DOCK KIRILOF BAY KIRILOF POINT CONSTANTINE HARBOR IVAKIN POINT SITE "B" MARIUS BAY 350 MAN CAMP EAST CAPE SOUTH SIGHT OMEGA POINT ST. MAKARIUS POINT SITE "A"
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84 Cormorant Colonies [illegible]
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85 AMCHITKA ISLAND, ALASKA BIRD CAPE ALEUT POINT CHITKA COVE CHITKA POINT SITE "E" SITE "F" BERING SEA Glaucous-winged Gulls (numbers = # nests found) PACIFIC OCEAN SITE "D" 3 1 SITE "C" SITE "B" 1 MAKARIUS BAY 350 MAN CAMP 2 ST. MAKARIUS POINT 28 Bat Island 10 KIRILOF BAY 1 6 KIRILOF POINT CONSTANTINE HARBOR 35 Kirilof Islets 1 IVAKIN POINT Big Lake SITE "A" 4 5 EAST CAPE SOUTH BIGHT OMEGA POINT DOCK
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Gull Nests [illegible]
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Rosy Finch Nests 86 Date Eggs Young Ht Location A 1. May 15 4 6 1/2 ft. near drillsite B alandon 2. May 24 1 3 20ft. bldge so. of South Hanger 26 1 3 barks: Rt. Y, Rt. G, Rt. B. A? 3. May 25 4 ground drum no. of Old Camp 28 4 30 4 4. May 25 3 4 ft. book sheff. in guarnet no. of North Hanger 5. May 26 4 7ft. Hdg no. of South Hanger 6. May 26 5 8ft mess hall si. of South Hanger? 7. May 26 4 11 ft Hdgts. guarnet, sw of south Hanger. 8. May 26 1 4 7 1/2 shower rm. sw of nest 7
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87 South Hanger paved metal garment telpt. dirt shower mushall mushall mushall 11 tribute veous water rpgan
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88 Date Egg Young Ht. Location 9 May 26 5 8 near hall nw of ⑧ 10. May 26 5 7½ near hall nw of ⑨ A? 11 May 26 5 6 gravel s of ⑦ & ⑩ 12. May 26 4 6 dly. rock pile. so. of White House, near 13. May 26 4 9 scaffold just south of [12] 14. May 26 2 2 2 story bldg next collapsed large gravel s. of New Camp. 15 May 26 5 6½ shade w of New Camp & old commutation Tower
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89 faced rd. New Camp water res. to South Kanges map Rock Sankpipes x Nest Queen of cy? H 0 water tower water tower old communication tower end of rd. trunway [illegible] [illegible] 22 21 16 Pohomanic pt. 9 5
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90 Date Eggs Young MT. Location 16. May 27 5 5 quanset shelf rt Maharama Pt - w 17 May 27 4 5 1/2 student - lt. side rd to Maharams 18 May 27 4 7 in ceiling of shack on end of quanset just e. of # 17 19 May 27 1 3 6 shelf in quanset on rd to Lt. of Makaria Rd. 20 May 27 4 5 in turned over anthume on rd to Lt. of Maharama Rd. May 21. May 27 1 5 8 in shade . Makarissa Rd. 29 22 May 27 5 5 1/2 in quanset Makarisa Rd, e. of 20
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91 Date Eggs Young Ht. Location 33 May 27 4 5 1/2 long workshop, 24 May 27 4 7 quanset 25 May 27 4 6 quanset 26 May 27 1 8ft on ceiling of shack next to lake. 27 May 28 1 3 8 Officers Club 28 May 29 5 3 1/2 triple quanset 2. of So. Ranger. 29 May 29 4 5 1/2 quanset 30 May 29 5 5 1/2 quanset 31 May 30 5+ 7 quanset
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92 A pond 23 24 35 C 14 29 30 25 31 3W 33 6 74 Bloom yield
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93 beach rosy finches May 16 .301, 302, 303 Makarius Bay May 23 308, 309, 310 Constantine Harbor
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Oull egg - 2 slides
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1 5649-B
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