Apologies for bombarding you with blogposts today but I promise….this is IT for awhile. Besides, I need to keep doing something to fight the red-eye jet lag:)
After the excitement of Mr. Middendorff, my mind immediately shifted to: #800 has to be special. Really special. But I cannot control things out there in Gambell….so relax. Yeah, right. I couldn’t sleep that night as I imagined the possibilities for #800. The Gray-tailed Tattler (code 3) was the most likely statistically but not what I envisioned. Lesser Sand-Plover? Maybe. Another possibility was returning home stuck at 799. Not a bad outcome. But I was there to rack up new birds and I didn’t want to go ”oh-for” the last four days.
The day after Mr. Middendorff’s appearance started like every other Gambell day. Coffee, two hours at the Sea-watch followed by a sweep of the Far & Circular bone-yards. The elusive Stonechat was on our minds as several of us climbed rocky slopes looking for that specialty. Nada. After lunch we kept to the routine of marching through the Near bone-yard when the call came. Far bone-yard, SIBERIAN ACCENTOR. What a cool name I thought. I only knew a little about this Code 4. A native of northern Siberia, it’s a small, shy, sparrow-like bird with beautiful streaked patterns on its head.
Aaron shuttled most of the participants via ATV while two of us power-walked the 3/4 mile at a very brisk pace. The entire group viewed this migrant up close. S-A-T-I-S-F-A-C-T-I-O-N.
SIBERIAN ACCENTOR (#800!)
SIBERIAN ACCENTOR in wormwood vegetation
GCW & Guide extraordinaire Aaron Lang
Truth be told, we found that Tattler two days later. #801. Now what?!
Gray-tailed Tattler (Troutman Lake, Gambell, Alaska)
birdtalesblog 
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Life time achievement. Cannot wait to very.
Thanks for following along!
You are so awesome!!! Congratulations!!!
Much appreciated!!
Amazing!!!
Miss you!
Huge congratulations, George!! Great little bird for 800. And yeah, now what? One goes for 900?
Love that you follow this. Flattered!! Need 45 for “ABA Continental 800” (I had 46 in Hawaii)
Congratulations George. Thanks for letting me follow you every step of the way! I can’t help but compare the photo of your 800 with Wilt CHamberlain’s 100 point game with the handwritten 100 in his photo!!!
EXACTLY Mace. You are good. Wilt’s 100 was in my mind. Hope to catch up this fall. Back at work……as is
Congratulations George, You make it so exciting for us readers, I love hearing about your adventures, please keep them coming,!!!!
Thank you Choppy! I am flattered you follow. I think of you (and John) more than you know.
Congratulations George — what an awesome accomplishment!! Chris and I are looking forward to hearing all about your trip.
Thanks Jess! Can’t wait to download with you both. Need to make a dinner plan (if Covid permits).
Kah-BOOM!!!
Was thinking along those lines for blog-post title! Chickened out.
Really proud of you Woodie! And the Iggles won opener so wonders never cease. Hope to see you soon in Philly
YES!!! Thanks Puss
Fantastic! Congrats, Georgette!
Thanks Syd!!! Miss you. Hope you are smiling somewhere…
#800!!!!!!!!! Incredible achievement, brother George! Prunella Montanella, great bird!!!
Well done Sir George! Congrats from Maine!
Thanks Dan and Hi to Jill. Miss you both
Congratulations! What an accomplishment!
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Cheers Michael!!
801 Wonderful ! Congratulations ! Now get back to work !
Hah! I am AT work in a coat and tie. lunch break:)
Thanks Scott. Hope you are well.
Wow wow wow! Amazing achievement, George!!!
Happy Happy…but what a change – now sitting at my work desk in a coat & tie.
UNREAL!! Congrats. You are a stud.
Many Thanks. VERY satisfied.
Congratulations George! Jeff told me the 46 or so birds from Hawaii don’t count so you’ll just have to keep going which is good news for your fans. Really enjoy your reading your posts and look forward to many more. Chuck
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Thanks Chuck! Hawaii now counts but “old-school” birders still like to define the ABA AREA as only Canada and the first 49 states. So there is a “Club”, a very small one, of living 800er’s excluding Hawaii. So, yes, another Club to aspire to join:)
Wow!!! After your ABA Continental, you’ll have to go on to your Whole World list!
Thanks Sis and you are right. WORLD List is the Big-Time. But there are “obstacles”.
Congratulations George. Wish you were a 58 member.
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Because of Shel, I am in spirit…..
Yes! Just awesome!
Cheers, Anne and Baird
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Thanks Anne and Baird. (Our new Head is a Yalie)
Yay George! Such fun to read about your birding exploits! XO
Thanks so much Lisa. xxx
Congrats George! So excited for you, what an achievement
THANKS KIRK!
Congratulations George! Thank you for sharing your adventures