An Apology...

This is an apology to all the readers who have been following this blog recently but due to Essential Maintenance works this blog may not be updated for a few days, however every effort is being taken to try to make a posting when possible.

The video below contains video clips from the "Arctic Expedition Diary" so far with some footage you have already seen but also some new footage you haven't so sit back, relax and hopefully enjoy.

Arctic Expedition Diary: Day 10

A cloudy start to the day and another full day of nest searching followed after breakfast, 3 American Golden Plover's were close by in the area of east peninsular. I found nests of both Sandhill Crane and a Tundra Swan today but struggled with locating any Shorebird nests. The Swan eggs are huge and I am surprised that the nest does not get pre-dated as it is so large and obvious to anything flying over the area.

The above photo shows 1 of 17+ Long Tailed Skua's new in today. They fly low over the tundra (and they remind of when Hobbies are new in during the spring flying low over lakes and marshes in small groups) they are extremely agile and move fast. They are aggressive in behaviour and the resident Arctic Skua's are uncomfortable with their arrival. There is plenty of aerial activity between the birds and then the Dark phase Arctic appears and seems to draw my attention as it such a smart bird but then an intermediate phase Arctic Skua appears and seems to take pole position in looking smart. I thought that maybe the Long Tailed Skua's were new in just arriving to settle and nest in the area but I am advised they won't settle and that they just patrol through vast areas of the Tundra looking for food causing disruption along the way. I must admit they are rather cool to see.

Whilst searching for nests I thought that this Western Sandpiper could be a potential but the bird was just holding territory as it buzzed about.I like the way they fly up calling and then hover above giving song. They are reminiscent of Skylarks just flying up high and hovering over their territory in full song, something I am totally drawn in to. I have never seen any Stints or Peep's giving display flights or song and it really is something to witness. I remember being told this with Temminks in Finland. It is a sight worth seeing.

The Black Turnstones re-appear at Camp Lake this evening but are constantly on the move and I find it difficult to try and get some photos of them. As usual, all details are entered in to the log books and after dinner I take a stroll down the bar of land that separate's Camp Lake and Camp Lagoon and on to the Point. A single American Golden Plover is feeding in the area presumably one of the 3 birds from this morning. The point protrudes out in Camp Lake and I scan the area of mud in the bay opposite where I filmed the Western Sandpiper & Long Billed Dowitchers a few nights back. I then realised that I have not seen the Dowitchers since the original sighting. I had hoped that they would nest in the survey area as i really wanted to gain more information of these birds. A few Red Necked Phalaropes fly in and out of the pool at the end of the Point and a single Dunlin (presumed to be of the race Pacifica) feeds close by (see video below). After this I walk back to the office tent for a hot drink. I can't help but scan the area where we saw the Bear and I think to myslef "maybe it was just a one off" After a drink I head off to my tent, write the journal for the day as Sandhill Cranes call throughout the night.....