Every spring, Alaska explodes with migrating birds all around the state. There are seven incredible birding hotspots that you need to put on your radar if you love birds. Take a trip to any of these areas to see a vast array of amazing birds that just may put on a show for you!
Keep your eyes peeled on the beautiful cliffs in Resurrection Bay, in Kenai Fjords National Park. You'll find all manner of bird species, especially murres, kittiwakes, puffins and other seabirds. Because the nutrients are high in this area, and there's perfect nesting spots in the rocks, you'll see many species the next time you're out visiting this park.
Adak is located in the Aleutian Islands, and is filled with rugged coastal that attractions migrating birds. This spot is a hugely popular one for birders, with 182 interesting species. In fact, 44 of those species are usually blown in from Asia. This is truly a birder's paradise!
Kodiak has over 240 species of birds that migrate and nest on this wonderful little island. Offering a mild climate and a generous food supply, birds love to come here from all over the world. You can even find species from South America on the shores of Kodiak!
The Copper River Delta is home to a wetland that is abundantly fed by six different glacial rivers. It's actually the only known breeding area for dusky Canada geese and hosts over 12 million shorebirds who migrate in to rest on their way north.
Nome is located on the Seward Peninsula, which is home to many bird species, especially North American waterfowl. You can expect to see about 200 species during birding season, and you can spot favorites like swans and cranes.
The Pribilof Island is famous for their huge amount of shorebirds. With an estimated 3 million birds nesting here each spring, you will be surrounded by over 220 different species. You'll spot murres, least auklets, parakeet auklets, horned puffins, tufted puffins, and black and red-legged kittiwakes on this gorgeous island.
There aren't as many species here to be found as in some of the other birding hotspots, but the ones you do find are very rare and fascinating. The most famous is without a doubt the snowy owl. In fact, the name Utqiagvik roughly translates into "place to hunt snowy owls." These beautiful creatures are in abundance in this area, and are no longer hunted, but rather studied.
Have you gone birdwatching at any of these birding hotspots? What did you think? Did you see any unusual species? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on the edge of the world, surrounded by the sound of waves crashing, birds calling, and maybe a puffin waddling by, then pack your binoculars and head to Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Located along the state’s rugged coastlines and stretching across the vast Aleutian Islands, this refuge is not just a collection of isolated islands — it's a birdwatcher's utopia and one of the most spectacular marine ecosystems in the world. With its rich history, vibrant wildlife, and jaw-dropping views, it’s a spot where nature lovers, especially bird nerds, can lose themselves for hours … or days.
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The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of more than 2,500 miles of coastline and spans from the Aleutian Islands to the Southeast Panhandle. It's as vast as it is breathtaking. And if you’re into birdwatching — or if you’ve never given it a shot but secretly know you’d rock a pair of binoculars — this place is sure to convert you to a birder in no time. (It happens to us all, eventually!)
Of course, with so much ground to cover, it's nearly impossible to see every corner of this spectacular refuge. Your best bet is to start your adventure in Homer, the charming small town on the Kenai Peninsula that serves as the gateway to this remote paradise. Homer itself is worth exploring too (fish tacos, anyone?), but the real treasure lies just up the road at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, your launchpad for exploring the refuge and a fantastic gateway to one of the most expansive, wild, and bird-filled refuges on the planet.
The Center is an incredible one-stop shop for learning about the diverse seabird populations that call the refuge home. Inside, you'll find exhibits that cover seemingly every bird imaginable, plus interactive displays, films, and dioramas that make you feel like you're out in the wild — without getting your boots muddy.
But that doesn't mean it's all indoors. Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s time to hit the trails and see Alaska's feathered residents out in the wild.
Just outside the visitor center, you'll find the Beluga Slough Trail, a short but sweet route through the wetlands that’s perfect for a relaxed stroll and some casual birdwatching. This 1.2-mile gravel and boardwalk trail leads from the visitor center, through the slough, and down to Bishop’s Beach. Keep your eyes peeled for sandhill cranes, ducks, or shorebirds. The accessible trail gives you a small taste of what the entire refuge offers, even if you don't venture out to the more remote islands.
That said, the real heart of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is out on the islands themselves, and if you’re lucky enough to visit by boat or plane, you’ll be in for a treat.
The refuge protects some of the most remote and wild places in the world, stretching from Southeast Alaska all the way to the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea. It’s a mind-bogglingly large area, with 4.9 million acres of protected land, and all that rugged beauty makes for a serious birding paradise. The islands are a global hotspot for seabirds, with over 30 million birds calling the islands home during the breeding season.
Let that number sink in for a moment: 30 million birds.
From leggy cranes to the sleek black-legged kittiwakes soaring above cliffs, the refuge offers a front-row seat to some of the most incredible bird spectacles on Earth. But while the refuge is home to around 40 species of seabirds, in total, more than 200 bird species can be seen here, including both resident and migratory birds. This makes it one of the most important bird habitats in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Common murre spreads its wings before taking flight on the waters of Prince William Sound, soutcentral, Alaska.
Can't decide where to visit first? There are a few hotspots for bird enthusiasts looking to head off the mainland, with many of these tours offering opportunities to view sea otters, seals, and whales as well.
Dutch Harbor (Unalaska Island) is ideal for viewing seabirds like murres and cormorants. It's also a great base for birding trips to nearby islands. Kachemak Bay offers even more excellent views of seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes, as well as bald eagles perched along the shore. St. Paul Island is a remote birding location that offers incredible opportunities to view migratory seabirds in particular, and the island’s cliffs and tundra are home to millions of birds during the nesting season.
Kittiwakes are cliff-nesting gulls that winter on the open ocean. They can cover the rugged cliffs of the coastline in Alaska.
This is a place where nature reigns supreme, and part of the magic of visiting is just how untouched it all feels. However, if you’re not planning to hop on a charter flight anytime soon, Homer and the visitor center offer plenty of birdwatching action.
One star of the show is the least auklet, the smallest seabird in North America, which flocks to the rocky cliffs in huge numbers. The sight of thousands of birds swirling above the islands as they return to their nests is enough to make even the most casual observer gasp in awe. And, of course, you can’t forget the puffins, who waddle around like they own the place, because, well, they kind of do!
Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) perched on a boulder in the Cook Inlet, Alaska
Visiting the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is a bit like stepping into another world — a world where the air is filled with the sounds of seabirds, the water teems with marine life, and the landscapes are wild, rugged, and awe-inspiring. Whether you’re exploring the exhibits at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, strolling along the trails in Homer, or setting sail for the far-flung islands of the refuge, you’re bound to leave with a newfound appreciation for Alaska’s rich and diverse wildlife.
And who knows? You might just catch the birdwatching bug, in which case, we hope you have a strong pair of binoculars and a sturdy hat because once you start chasing seabirds, there’s no going back.
If you're searching for an unforgettable adventure in a nature sanctuary in Alaska, look no further than the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area. Nestled in the pristine wilderness of Admiralty Island, this wildlife sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to observe majestic brown bears in their natural habitat. From the lush greenery to the captivating wildlife, a trip to Pack Creek is sure to be a highlight of your Alaskan journey.
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Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
This protected area provides a safe and natural environment for the bears. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Pack Creek is dedicated to preserving the delicate balance of its ecosystem while offering a glimpse into the wild beauty of Alaska.
To access this incredible nature sanctuary in Alaska, you'll need to plan ahead.
A permit is required, which can be obtained through the U.S. Forest Service. Most visitors choose to take a guided tour departing from Juneau. Visitors can only access the sanctuary on a guided trip or by applying for a permit, which is available between June 1st and September 10th. The journey involves a 30-minute scenic floatplane ride that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Once you arrive at the sanctuary, a short hike through lush forest trails brings you to the viewing area.
The Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is within a federally designated wilderness area, which means development is minimal to preserve its natural state.
There are no facilities on site. Visitors have two main options for bear viewing: you can either stroll along the beach to the viewing spot or take a one-mile hike to an observation tower that offers an elevated perspective of the bears below.
The main attraction at Pack Creek is, of course, the brown bears.
During the peak viewing season, which runs from late June to early September, you can expect to see plenty of bears fishing for salmon in the creek or roaming the meadows. It's a photographer's paradise, with lots of opportunities to capture these magnificent creatures up close while maintaining a safe and respectful distance.
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Incredibly, over 95 percent of visitors to Pack Creek successfully spot at least one bear.
The peak viewing period is from July to August, coinciding with the pink and chum salmon runs in Pack Creek. During this time, visitors often enjoy close-up views of five or more bears throughout the day, with the possibility of seeing multiple bears simultaneously. The optimal times for bear viewing are during the morning and evening hours.
In addition to brown bears, visitors to Pack Creek might also spot Sitka black-tailed deer in the old-growth spruce and hemlock forests surrounding the area.
Other wildlife sightings can include river otters, minks, martens, and harbor seals, with occasional appearances of orcas and humpback whales offshore. Admiralty Island boasts the highest concentration of nesting bald eagles in the world, often seen feeding on spawning salmon at Pack Creek. The area is part of the Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary, named after an Alaskan woodsman who lived in the area on a float house for almost 40 years. This sanctuary, which has been closed to hunting since the mid-1930s, ensures the preservation of this unique and vibrant ecosystem.
Admiralty Island, known as "Kootznoowoo" or "Fortress of the Bears" by the native Tlingít people, is home to approximately 1,500 brown bears—more than all the Lower 48 states combined.
At Pack Creek, you can observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Whether you're a photographer, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply looking for a tranquil escape, Pack Creek provides an experience that showcases the wild beauty of Alaska.
Have you ever visited this nature sanctuary in Alaska? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for another incredible wildlife sanctuary? We’re huge fans of the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.
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