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!

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