Pad Rehabilitation

The only visual representation of the work with
 pad rehabilitation sites in the oilfields. 

The artificial nest project is only a small part of the work that we are doing out here.  My crew is also working on evaluating the effectiveness of the pad rehabilitation work that BP has begun. To build infrastructure and roads on the tundra, they have to build up gravel pads.  The gravel is mined from different areas along the rivers here and we often drive past one of the main mining sites. When these pads are no longer used they remove some of the gravel and form the remaining gravel pad in a way to mimic the natural tundra and replant vegetation.  So, we go out on these pads and survey for birds that are utilizing them. Some of the pads are in better shape than others, but some are just a hazard zone. A few of them have so much trash and debris from buildings, that we have to avoid stepping on rusted metal and wood pieces, while keeping an eye out for birds. Many of the pads also have gravel areas that are raised up and dip into deep channels that are impassable. They really just look like something out of a post-apocalyptic world.

Pad known as "Hurl State" used to be an airstrip with some buildings surrounding it. 

Looks as if a giant hurled on it. (I know, bad pun)

The pictures don't really reflect what it feels like to be walking around on these pads.

When we first checked some of the pads, there was a lot of bird activity.  Mostly because they are lower than the tundra and snow packs and they flood pretty easily.  Which creates good habitat for waterfowl and phalaropes.  However, once the snow melted, the pads are quite barren.  A lot of birds are on the outskirts of the pads, but aside from the occasional Semipalmated Plover nest, it is unlikely that we will see birds nesting on the pads.  I can appreciate what BP is trying to do, but it just goes to show that once you disturb this unique and wonderful place, it takes years upon years for it to recover.

On a positive note, we were visited by a solitary Sandhill Crane, which was pretty magnificent.  Notice that it is on the tundra and not on the pad.

Sandhill Crane, binocu-scoped

Day off tomorrow!  Which is much needed, and will probably be our only day off for a few weeks to come. However, we still have some work to do getting the resupply out to the airport for the remote camp crew.  But starting it off right with a Star Trek movie marathon on HBO!