How to Go Bird Watching in Alaska

Alaska is a gigantic state and it boasts a giant number of species for bird watching. Over 470 species have been identified in Alaska's amazingly diverse habitat, including arctic, tundra, boreal forests, rain forests and seacoasts. These ecosystems attract an equally diverse range of bird life. Bird watchers should plan an Alaskan vacation far in advance to make the most of their birding opportunities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Bird watching guide
• Binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Notebook

1. Start your Alaskan birding trip by selecting an area of the state or habitat. The state is too large to spend less than ten days to two weeks there if you truly want to see the widest range of species. Alaska's Inside Passage area offers a fantastic opportunity for bird watchers to see a rich variety of bird species and also the largest population of bald eagles of anywhere on earth.
2. Visit southeastern Alaska's coastal region for some exceptional migratory bird watching. Enjoy the area's Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on the Seward-Chiswell Islands. This unbelievably beautiful area is home to such marvelous species as the horned and tufted puffins. You will always see humpback whales and Stellar sea lions.
3. Journey to Sitka and visit St. Lazaria Island. The 65-acre island is a rain forest and home to over 500,000 nesting seabirds. Local boats will take you out to view the seabirds up close. You should not go ashore on the island because you might destroy the underground tunnels and burrows of burrowing nesting birds such as storm-petrels.
4. Make a dream come true and visit the remote island of Attu. At 1,500 miles from mainland Alaska in the Aleutian chain of islands, Attu is the westernmost destination in America. This extremely remote island is home to an unbelievable variety of rare birds. You will have to make very special arrangements to get to Attu, but if you can afford it you will not be disappointed.
5. Print out species maps and guides as well as information on other wildlife in the area. You may see such rare species as the Bluethroat, Whiskered Auklet and Bristle-Thighed Curlew.

Tips & Warnings

• The temperature extremes of Alaska make this bird watching destination more challenging than others in America. You should research the best time to travel and avoid the winter months unless you are experienced.