| Day 10- June 11, 2008
No matter how many times I'm out in the same tundra areas, there is
something new to see. Today
started off with me finding a Dunlin nest right away. As I was
walking toward the next plot, I saw an Arctic Fox, my first one, still mostly
white, running around the ridge that separates the plots. It was scaring
up geese and shorebirds. Later in the day, I found a goose nest that had
egg shells scattered all around, possibly victim to the fox.
I found another American Golden-Plover nest with 4 eggs, outside
the plot, but one of the birds was banded, so we will monitor the nest
anyway. Then, I saw a Snowy Owl hunkered down on a mound, staring
me down. I figured there was a nest, so I walked over and, sure enough,
5 eggs!

There were a lot of feathers and pellets around it too. As I walked back
to my stuff, there was a Weasel, probably Short-tailed, running
around. He wasn't very shy, and let me get his picture before he jolted
away. They are extremely fast!

Here is a picture of a pair of the many Northern Pintail around.
They are very common this time of year.

And, finally, here is a picture of the tundra as it looks in some spots.
Quite a difference since when I first arrived!

Tomorrow is more nest searching, hopefully I'll find a few more! Back
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