ALASKA WJLDLJf£ KiFU^£,'r.onclusiniv^Ac
BIRDS Sea birds in the Refuge number in the millions while land birds are not
generally abundant. The sea birds are remarkable because of their colonial"^
habits. Perhaps among these the most striking are the kittiwakes because of
their white plumage. When many thousands of these birds are gathered in one
small area the dazzling appearance cannot fail to attract the attention of the
most casual observor. The millions of shearwaters, in and near Unimak Pass,
are noteworthy because during the Aleutian winter they are nesting in Aust
ralia and New Zealand (where, incidentally, they are important as a humanfood
species) and fly to the Aleutians during the Austrailian winter. The reverse
is true of the Arctic tern for this feathered thunderbolt nests in the north
ern summer and flies to the Antarctic area for the winter. The flocks of Nor
thern phalaropes that migrate through the Aleutians in September split the./
difference and settle for a winter along the Mexican coast. f P *
Two albatrosses, the Laysan and the black-footed, are found in the waters/
of the Aleutians throughout most of the year. These, and the fulmars and A
shearwaters, are the most graceful of sea birds when in flight for their pass
age is frequently on motionles wings. -s
Of the smaller sea birds there are several species of auklets and murrelets
excellent swimmers all, but poor fliers. The ubiquitous puffins and the more
colonial murres are the comics of the clan for they are frequently unable to
fly from the water when closely pursued. They go churning along,bouncing from
wave top to wave top, unable to gain flying speed and then reverse their field
and dive straight down. A .** „,
Certain waterfowl are relatively common and one species, the emperor goose,
makes the Refuge its principal wintering ground. Another, the Aleutian teal
(a subspecies of the European teal) rarely is found outside "the Chain". The
bird list of the Aleutian Refuge is available so that birds are not further^
discussed here. If you are interested in seeing pictures of these birds that
are mentioned the Bering. Library has several good books with pictures. Other
inquiries may be addressed to Refuge Headquarters, Refuge Manager, Cold Bay,
Alaska (a neighbor of ours here on Adak) or to the Regional Director, Bureau
of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U. 5. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau, Al
aska. They will be glad to answer your questions regarding the Refuge and A,
the items discussed within these articles. This ends the series on Alaskan ^
nformation on Adak, including the "hotspots" when the w'
fish start to bite, fishing regulations, history of Adak are some of the new'7
articles that will be published in the SUN, space permitting in the future.
with
PAT
THI
AND
HAT
There will be a movie social for all FRA members and their invited guests on
Wednesday, February 22nd at 2000 and Saturday, February 25th at 2000, The
Home will open at 1730 Saturday and 1330 Wednesday. Any other news will be
announced over AFRTS.
Word has reached Adak that over in Cordova Alaska the fabled ICE WORM was
present at their festival for hirn and has now returned underground for hiber
nation until next years festivities# Also from Cordova comes the word that
the "Hooligan" or better known to Adakians as the candlefish'are running and
being taken by the hundreds. A scouting party reveals that none are yet in
Adak waters, however, it shouldn*t be long before they arrive. A favored &
almost necessary bait for the big Dolly*s,stock up when you can for Adak*s
fabulous fishing season which is forthcoming around May.
Lucky men who were able to make a trip to Anchorage for R&R this weekend.
Be nice if somehow a schedule could be set up to send deserving men regularly.