Plover Fun for Everyone

Our third group of Kōlea Questers returned from their end-of-June trip to Nome, Alaska, carrying with them the thrill of another memorable journey.

The adventure began with a visit to a muskox herd grazing in the Nome cemetery, continuing with a historical tour of Nome and a visit to the local museum. Travel weariness disappeared from all at the sight of a nesting male kōlea, his breeding plumage glowing in the tundra twilight.

On our second day, shorebird biologist and University of Massachusetts PhD candidate, Rozy Bathrick, guided us through a listening and observation activity that deepened our connection to the landscape. Rozy led us to two kōlea nests in terrain different from the one we saw the day before. The day ended with Rozy’s talk about her dissertation, the migration patterns of six shorebirds species, including the Pacific Golden-Plover.

Day three brought a surprise treat. As we stopped to admire a known gyrfalcon nest, we discovered wildlife biologists about to band the nest’s two resident chicks. The researchers generously let us watch the event, giving our team a rare close encounter with gyrfalcons.

The day ended with members of the King Island community welcoming us at the Katirvik Cultural Center for a traditional dinner, accompanied by traditional songs and dances. Hawaiʻi Audubon’s outreach manager, Elena Arinaga, and her husband (of one week) Keahi Renaud, shared their aloha with a traditional Hawaiian chant and hula.

On our final day, we spotted some of Alaska’s famous wildlife, including moose, foxes, more muskoxen, Rough-legged Hawks, and American Golden-Plovers. Standing in this pristine wilderness, we took a moment to breathe in the crisp Arctic air, and fully appreciated the local saying: There is no place like Nome.