Day 6—I’m still in Nome and today I did the Kougarock Road out to Pilgrim’s River.  Along the way we encountered Kim Risen and his group stopped looking and photographing a Bluethroat.  I got some of the best pictures of this bird I have ever taken.

 He came within 30 feet and perched for our photos.  That was clearly the best part of the day.  Other than that I encountered the same basic species of Dickie birds (small birds) as on the other days.   The weather was mild again although the wind was more apparent.  Some of the other birds included a nesting pair of Golden Eagles (although the nest is concealed from view), a nice singing Gray-cheeked Thrush, 

and a somewhat cooperative Willow Ptarmigan

Another bird of interest this day was found near town, a Northern Shrike. This bird was here last year in the same area.  For the first time in the many times I have been in Nome I drove the road into Pilgrim Hot Springs.  I was a bit disappointed in I found there.    The is a good field on the way in for Northern Wheatear. 

As an interesting side note at dinner this evening we observed a highly intoxicated man passed out on the rocks outside our window.  The police eventually came and roused him and made him move on.  Alcohol is a major problem here in Nome.  There are numerous bars and liquor stores up and down Main Street.  It is very different in Barrow in which there is no alcohol and therefore less drunks.