On Location from the Bering Sea Jun 21—Jul 05, 2006
Posted by Barry Lyon
Barry Lyon
Barry Lyon's passion for the outdoors and birding has its roots in his childhood where he grew up in southern California. Through his early and teenage years his develo...Related Trips
We have covered a huge amount of territory. After leaving Hall and St. Matthew Islands, we headed south to St. Paul and Chagulak Islands. The seas became a bit rougher so we couldn’t make a landing there, but the birding and scenery have been incredible. The Aleutian Islands seem to be about as remote a place in the world as there could possibly be. Wild, rugged, stark, and stunningly beautiful are all terms that could be used to describe this volcanic archipelago.
Low overcast and fog have predominated throughout the trip, but it hasn’t dampened anybody’s enthusiasm, and for good reason! While we were still north of Chagulak, we had three bird species in one day that electrified the passengers on board the ship, and that were all new for me: Short-tailed Albatross, Mottled Petrel, and Whiskered Auklet. These are three birds that most birders have never seen, and that are reason alone to come to the Bering Sea. In North America they are not found outside the far north Pacific.
After leaving Chagulak we steamed toward Little Tanaga Island. Though the seas were still rough, and wind and rain prevailing, we had a wonderful time in the Zodiacs skirting the edge of the island. There were some new birds for the group, but it was the overall experience of visiting a wild, little-known island that sealed the deal. It was exhilarating and I loved it. I know that most of our clients did too.
After leaving Little Tanaga we headed west, passing Adak and Tanaga Islands before nightfall. Tanaga was the visual high point of the trip, most likely. The fog was low that afternoon and visibility obscured. Finally, late in the day, the clouds began to lift, and exposed a steep-sided island with towering cliffs, large, remnant snow fields, gushing streams, and waterfalls plunging directly into the sea. It was spectacular, and many people were outside to witness it.
We made it to Kiska and did a combination of birding and sightseeing. The weather was overcast again, but we enjoyed several hours around a highly scenic bay. Yesterday we went ashore on Attu. The birding was only fair, but the historical aspects of the trip were worth it alone. Al Currier, one of our participants, was stationed here in World War II following the American invasion of the island to evict the Japanese. He is something of a minor celebrity because of it. The Coast Guard gave him a private tour of the facility, and he addressed the entire ship last night and spoke of his experiences here during the war. He was on Attu 60 years ago and has spent the last 20 trying to find a way to make it back. It was quite a story.
We left Attu last night to the tune of some of the best seabirding I have ever had. Laysan Albatross have been around the boat in good numbers, and our enthusiasm has drawn in many of the non-VENT passengers. One afternoon Victor, Dion, and I held an impromptu session in the main lounge, in which people were invited to learn about VENT and our upcoming large departures. It was well-received.
Clipper is doing a wonderful job. Their staff is superbly trained and talented. In lecture after lecture, and in all organized events, they have excelled, and have bent over backward to please us.