Birds of Dutch Harbor, Alaska

The two days (July 10-11) we were in Dutch Harbor were a bit drizzly and chilly, but I (and Carolyn and Madelyn some too) managed to get out several times, exploring the areas in the harbor and climbing up Strawberry Hill, and driving up the side of Ballyhoo Mt.  I noticed when looking over my photos that these birds are much duller in color than those of the more southern latitudes. Not sure why, but I bet there is a good reason.

Here is a sampling of birds I am quite familiar with (and many of you will be too!)….

Bald Eagle – all wet from the drizzle

Bald Eagle – immatures

Bald Eagle – immature

Bald Eagle – finally one that wasn’t so straggly

All Bald Eagles – they were everywhere! I estimated seeing over 50 during one morning walk.

Belted Kingfisher

Semipalmated Plover

Savannah Sparrow

Ruddy Turnstone

Pine Siskin

Least Sandpiper

And here are the birds that are not so familiar to me, or are lifers….

Pacific Wren – too bad it was so foggy out

Pigeon Guillemot – they look an awful lot like our Black Guillemots in Maine

Lapland Longspur – I’ve only seen brief glimpses of these guys in the winter time in Maine

Lapland Longspur – serious preening going on here

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (male)

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (male)

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch – immature begging dad for food

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (female)

Rock Sandpipers

Rock Sandpipers

Rock Sandpipers

Black Oystercatchers – gotta love those brilliant orange bills!

Black-legged Kittiwake

Rock Ptarmigan (mama)

Rock Ptarmigan (and chick)

And then there were the cute little Murrelets.  They were really far off shore, but I managed to get a few blurry shots and id them (with the help of cousin Tom in Anchorage!).  The only one I didn’t get that is in the area is the Ancient Murrlet – darn it!

Kittlitz’s Murrelet – this was by far the most common one seen from shore

Marbled Murrelet

And WAY OUT in the harbor were the Horned Puffins….

Horned Puffin

And very close in was my pet seal….

Harbor Seal