We started re-sighting color banded birds today. I was assigned plots 1 and 2 and spent many hours wandering the tundra. The rain from last night started to melt the snow a little faster. I really enjoy re-sighting banded birds and checking them up in the data base. It seems like a puzzle or game. The first two birds on my plot were banded Dunlin. I ended up seeing and re-sighting 9 color banded birds. The shorebirds usually let you approach fairly close, and I brought my scope, so re-sighting was pretty simple, but a challenge for some of the birds. I ended up not re-sighting on plot 1 because it is still completely under snow! Here is what plot 1 looks like, still a lot of snow here too!

Jaegers are abundant this year as the lemming numbers seem to be high. All 3 Jaegers in the same day is easy. Still saw two Snowy Owls, and watched them copulate! Also watched American Golden-Plovers copulate. The tundra really is starting to come alive and birds are starting to make scrapes in the ground. Nests should be here soon.!

Here is a pair of American Golden-Plovers, the left one being banded. We searched the data base and he was banded in 2005 and re-sighted in 2007. I got to watch them copulate, so hopefully I'll find the nest soon.


This Long-billed Dowitcher was one of about 5 or 6 on my plot today. They let me get very close and did not seem disturbed by my presence. I went out birding around the outside of town last night for a while. Had another White-rumped Sandpiper and some Greater Scaup.

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