Fairbanks—June 13

The rain from yesterday and overnight gave way to sunshine this morning.  I headed out to Creamer’s Farm NWR here in Fairbanks.  It was pretty cool in the low 50s and there was a fairly strong wind blowing.  I decided to take the side trail through the taiga and I didn’t count on the mosquitoes.  So far the mosquito population has been very low to non existant here in Alaska, but they were here in numbers.  I didn’t prepare well for this since I left the repellant in the car.  So I swatted my way around the loop.  As I came back to beginning I heard a calling Western Wood Pewee calling continuously.  I finally located him high in a dead tree but the picture is not good because he was backlit.  Shortly after that I noticed a small flycatcher low down in the bush.  It turned out to be a Hammond’s Flycatcher which I did get good photos of (see on my Facebook page).  From there I headed back to the car to get my repellant.  From there I decided to head to Westwood Lake, a private sanctuary that is open to the public and adjoins the Creamer sanctuary.  There is where I located the gull, grebe and I also had calling Alder Flycatcher and Orange-crowned Warbler.  This whole area is home to a very vocal and large group of Sandhill Cranes as well.  After lunch I headed to Tanana Lakes Recreation Area and was very disappointed.  The wind by afternoon was very strong so I’m sure this had much to do with the total lack of birds at this location.  So this ended the day.  Tomorrow I will re-visit Creamer’s and check some other local hotspots.