Sunday, July 20, 2008

July 6

After the wind died down in Reid Inlet we moved back aboard Deception and went ashore. I was pretty anxious to see the plants that were growing near the glacier, in fact I was almost ready to swim by the time we were able to go.


We first went to the eastern shore which was closest to the boat. Found Shephardia canadensis, several willows, Dryas drummondii with fruit and Hedysarum alpinum.


Shortly after we started walking on the beach, the Black-legged Kittiwakes started dive bombing us. We didn't see any young Kittiwakes in the area. We did see Semi-palmated plover adults and chicks amongst the Dryas.
Also was able to get fairly close to a pair of Oystercatchers on the beach. Again I didn't see any young or a nest, but we didn't look for long as we were trying to escape the Kittiwakes and avoid stepping on any nests.
We went across to the other side of the glacier to meet the other folks who wanted to see the ice up close. I wandered off looking for more plants and birds. I was told that there were Snow buntings in the area last year.
No luck on the buntings, but I did see several American Pipits and Golden crowned
sparrows amongst the willows.
Plants on the west side included: Dryas drummondii (blooming), Chamerion latifolium, Pyrola chlorantha, Antennaria, ARabis hirsuta, Hedysarum alpinum and 5 species of willows and a ground cover of Philonotis fontana in the seeps.
Found pink macomas on the beach and a reasonable amount of Fucus. Impressive in the silty, cold water.
On the way back to the boat, passed a small flock of Harelequins.

No comments: