The day started with some rain early morning and an overcast sky. After the usual wash I checked out the nearby Semi Palmated Sandpiper nest and also the pair of Black Scoter on the nearby fresh water pool. I was lucky today to be able to make a couple of personal calls back home via the Satellite phone . I checked up on the status of England in the world cup and was advised that we only managed a draw against the USA. It surprised me on how hearing a couple of friendly & welcoming voices from back home could act like a "pick me up" and the slight hint of home sickness that was just beginning to set in had been quickly banished. After this I walked out on to the Tundra with my kit and a day of nest searching followed for myself. I managed to find 1 Semi Palmated Sandpiper, 1 Western sandpiper & 2 Red Necked Phalarope Nest's.
Activity on the Tundra was quiet today although the Black Scoter have increased to 4, (2 pairs). The Long tailed Skua's were not present throughout the day but re-appeared as I was heading back to camp just on 22:00 hrs. The Long Tailed Ducks seem to be nesting on the edge of the fresh water pool and the male is constantly vocal.
I enjoy watching the resident base camp Semi Palmated Sandpipers and I find them quite cool and interesting. I realise that I am learning their behaviour's and I am pleased with the fact I am actually gaining knowledge of these birds. I had a nice moment today when at one point in time there was a pair of Red Necked Phalaropes to the left of me, a Dunlin in front of me, a pair of Western Sandpiper's copulating behind me, a 3rd Western sandpiper singing from a mound close by and a Wilson's Snipe drumming overhead all within 30 Metres in a 360 degree circle and all at the same time and all under a clear blue sky and a burning sun with a nice warm breeze.
"I must say that it is here on the Tundra that I have had my first real deep and untroubled sleep in a very long time. I find myself appreciating the quiet and the hassle freeness of the Tundra. I feel drawn to it as if it is almost pulling me in, I can't explain it and maybe I never will understand it but I sense it has some powerful force yet remaining so empty and wild but comforting at the same time"
