Birding Eagle Summit: July 18, 2010

WC drove back out to Eagle Summit Sunday. The weather was dicey in Fairbanks, but the web forecast for Central wasn’t as discouraging. And there isn’t much time left; migrants will be leaving soon. WC’s readers will recall it was windy and wet on June 13, 2010.

It was still a bit windy, and there was one shower, but generally the weather was good and the birding was terrific. Mixed flocks of juveniles and the occasional adult. Some sample shots follow:

Lapland Longspur molting to non-breeding plumage

WC expects this guy to be leaving for Arizona in the next week or two.

Northern Wheatear Juvenile

This little guy has a longer flight. Wheatears winter in Africa, an amazing migration for a songbird.

This last bird is a bit of a mystery. The consensus in WC’s household is that it is probably a Horned Lark Juvenile, but the face pattern is pretty different from what’s shown in Sibley and in BNA.

If any of you birders have an opinion, WC invites your comments.

All in all, a very pleasant Sunday.