Birding Tour USA: Alaska – Vast Beauty, Nome, Denali, Seward

Alaska: Vast Beauty – Nome, Denali, Seward
June 2026/2027

Alaska birding tours offer one of the world’s most amazing combinations of stellar birds, jaw-dropping mammals, and breathtaking scenery, which will leave any nature enthusiast ecstatic! The variety of habitats offer a constant scenic backdrop as we travel through the arctic tundra, along numerous pristine lakes and rivers, past an assortment of distant (and some near) glaciers, and of course through sections of the mighty boreal forest. A stunning mountain view is never too far away, with the mightiest coming from Denali itself, North America’s highest peak. Do not forget the incredible experience of near 24-hour days with the sun almost never truly setting. The list of large-mammal possibilities is an impressive one, ranging from the tundra of Denali National Park to the waters of Resurrection Bay with Grizzly Bear, Moose, Orca (Killer Whale), Humpback Whale, Sea Otter, Reindeer (Caribou), and Thinhorn Sheep (Dall’s Sheep) all on the list, as well as many others.

Then of course there is the wide array of fantastic birds that use these bountiful summer Arctic habitats for their nesting and breeding season. Birds include Bald Eagle, Horned and Tufted Puffins, Ancient and Kittlitz’s Murrelets, Long-tailed and Harlequin Ducks, Aleutian Tern, all four amazing Eider species (Steller’s, Spectacled, King, and Common), all three Jaeger species (Parasitic, Long-tailed, and Pomarine), Bristle-thighed Curlew, Emperor Goose, and many others which can be found on or above the waters and bays, not to mention true stunners like Snowy Owl, Arctic Warbler, Gyrfalcon, Bluethroat, American Dipper, and Willow and Rock Ptarmigans in the tundra and alpine areas. There are indeed very few places that could challenge the scenery, birds, and other wildlife found in the majesty of Alaska.

We will visit a large colony of Horned Puffins while in Seward.

This trip can be combined with our extension tour Utqiagvik (Barrow): Top of the World, which immediately follows this one.

Itinerary (13 days/12 nights)

Day 1. Arrival in Anchorage

You arrive at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport by 6 p.m., where you will use the shuttle to the hotel. There will be introductions and an orientation about our upcoming trip during our first dinner together.

Overnight: Anchorage

The striking Willow Ptarmigan is one of the top targets on this trip.

Days 2 – 4. Birding the wonders of Nome

Using the hotel shuttle we will arrive at the Anchorage airport and catch our flight to the amazing birding destination that is Nome. Some of the best birding in all of Alaska can be found here during the tail end of migration, with breeding birds setting up territories and the potential of a stray species still high. Species such as Arctic Loon, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Aleutian Tern, Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers, Bluethroat, and Red Phalarope are a few of the top targets for our time here. There are three main roads that extend from the central town, and we will spend each of our days exploring these 60-plus-mile (97-plus-kilometer) roads that stretch through the beautiful arctic tundra. The evenings will be spent around the town with time for some birding. There is so much birding potential here in Nome with additional species like Alder Flycatcher, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Pacific Golden Plover, Common Eider, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Northern Wheatear, plus a shot at Muskox. During our three-plus days in Nome we will be able to fully explore everything that this amazing location has to offer.

Overnight: Nome

The dainty Long-tailed Jaeger

Day 5. Back to Anchorage

We’ll spend the morning birding around Nome for the final time, targeting any potential species we might be missing. From there we will take an afternoon flight back to Anchorage and pick up our rental vehicle, when we will likely see a few species near the airport and in town like Black-billed Magpie and Northern Raven. The remainder of the evening will be spent on dinner and getting comfortable in the hotel for a good night’s rest and recovery after a great time in Nome.

Overnight: Anchorage

Day 6. Kenai Peninsula

Today we will be traveling a few hours south to Seward with plenty of birding stops planned along the way. First is a morning of birding around the Anchorage area at Westchester Lagoon. A few pairs of Red-necked Grebes nest on this good-sized lake, with the possibility of other waterfowl and shorebird species like Hudsonian Godwit, Northern Shoveler, and Greater Scaup. Next we will head to another local park for a relaxing stroll that should produce Boreal Chickadee, Two-barred (White-winged) Crossbill, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and many others. From here we will continue working south toward Seward with a brief stop in the small town of Whittier. In order to access the town we must drive through America’s longest tunnel, just over 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, where we will be treated to views of Prince William Sound. We will scan the waters for species like Pigeon Guillemot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Harlequin Duck, and Harbor Seal, while enjoying American (Northwestern) Crows scattered around town. We’ll then make the rest of the drive to Seward, where we will eat dinner and settle into the hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Seward

Day 7. Seward Pelagic trip and Resurrection Bay

Today is very exciting as we spend most of it on the waters of Resurrection Bay, looking for loads of amazing seabirds and the potential for incredible marine mammals as well. The scenery of the bay is simply stunning, with large rock outcroppings scattered throughout and various glaciers in the surrounding mountains. We will visit colonies of both Tufted and Horned Puffins as well as Thick-billed and Common Murres. In addition, In addition, Red-faced Cormorant and a few other alcids are likely, like Ancient Murrelet, Marbled Murrelet, and even the rare Kittlitz’s Murrelet spends time in these waters during the summer. Thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes enjoy the bay and are always a treat to see in their various plumage states. The chance at amazing marine mammals keeps the excitement alive, with Steller Sea Lion and Sea Otter as likely species with the chance at Dall’s Porpoise, Humpback Whale, and even the incredible Orca (Killer Whale)! After our time on the boat we will check out a few areas nearby before having dinner in town and settling in for the evening. This is also a good time to catch up on rest if needed or do a bit of laundry.

Overnight: Seward

Sea birds, like Red-faced Cormorant, can be seen in Resurrection Bay.

Day 8. From Seward back to Anchorage

We start the day birding around the town of Seward, exploring the airport mudflats for species like Mew Gull, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and other shorebirds. We’ll also check out the areas surrounding Lowell Point, which hold a small population of Chestnut-backed Chickadee as well as other species like Varied Thrush, Pacific Wren, and Steller’s Jay. There is also the chance for a Sea Otter being close to shore or some auk species hanging close to nearby rocks. On our way back to Anchorage we’ll make several stops along the famous Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary as we scan for nesting Arctic Terns, Green-winged Teal, Wilson’s Snipe, and others plus some amazing scenic views. We will have dinner in Anchorage before making our way to Wasilla for the night to help give us a head start for the next day.

Overnight: Wasilla

Day 9. Hatcher Pass to Healy

Today we’ll make the long, but scenic, drive toward Denali via Hatcher Pass. We’ll pass through a variety of habitats and elevations on this drive through the south-east Talkeetna Mountains. Fast-flowing streams along the roadside are common, with nesting American Dippers taking residence. Eventually we will reach some large open areas of tundra, where we will stop along the road when we spot something like perhaps a flock of Grey-crowned Rosy Finches or a Willow Ptarmigan strutting along. Once we are back on the main road we will stop again briefly at Byer’s Lake in Denali State Park for a brief hike, hoping for the likes of Northern Goshawk to bust through the forest and for a scan of the lake, where Trumpeter Swan and Common Loon should be nesting. Finally we’ll arrive in the small town of Healy for dinner and check into the hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Healy

This tour will feature some stunning Alaskan scenery.

Day 10. Denali National Park

On one of the most exciting days of the trip today we will travel into the pristine Denali National Park. There is only a single, 90-plus-mile (150-plus-kilometer) road into and out of the park, and standard vehicles are not allowed past mile number 15. We will instead take one of the park’s tour buses, with our final destination of the day being at mile 66. Denali is best-known for its large-mammal sightings, spectacular tundra views, and of course Mount Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) itself. The odds are good of seeing incredible wildlife like Grizzly Bear, Moose, Reindeer (Caribou), and Thinhorn Sheep (Dall’s Sheep) with the off chance at a rare mammal sighting as well. Views of Denali can be hit-or-miss, since it is so tall (20,000-plus feet/7000 meters) that it regularly creates its own weather conditions, often obstructing views with clouds and only occasionally peeking out. Then of course there are chances for some great birds like Golden Eagle and Gyrfalcon soaring in the thermals or a Willow Ptarmigan hopping through the scrub. Overall this national park is certainly a memorable one. After our bus returns, we will explore the nature center a bit and then head for dinner.

Overnight: Healy

Day 11. Birding the Denali Highway

We’ll spend the day cruising along the 135 miles/216 kilometers of scenic alpine tundra on the Denali Highway. This mostly dirt road offers some amazing opportunities to experience some of Alaska’s nesting species in a peaceful solitude. We will make stops in a variety of habitat zones. Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, and Harlequin Duck are found on the multitude of lakes and ponds along with various nesting shorebirds such as American Golden Plover, Whimbrel, and Wandering Tattler. We will become weary of Long-tailed-Jaeger nests while we search carefully for nesting Smith’s Longspur. Throughout the drive we should see and hear recently arrived Arctic Warblers as well as the chance for a ptarmigan or grouse crossing, with numerous species possible. Eventually we will arrive in the Paxson area for the evening and dinner.

Overnight: Paxson

Day 12. Back to Anchorage

We will return to Anchorage today via the Richardson and Glenn Highways. Today we will target and focus on any tundra/alpine species we may have missed on previous days. The drive takes us through some beautiful sections of the boreal forest, giving us a chance for a Northern Hawk-Owl perched up high or a Spruce Grouse on the edge of the road. There are a few campgrounds to wander through that host all the typical boreal species, like Boreal Chickadee, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, and Pine Grosbeak. We will finally make it back to Anchorage for our final dinner of what was surely an amazing trip.

Overnight: Anchorage

The cute Canada Jay is one of our many boreal targets.

Day 13. Tour concludes, extension begins

The main Alaska tour concludes this morning with transport to the Anchorage airport. Some of the participants may fly back home, while others may board the flight to Utqiagvik for the tour extension.

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes have to use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

USA – Alaska: Vast Beauty –Nome, Denali, Seward Birding Trip Report

12 – 24 JUNE 2024

 By Jacob Roalef

Our group enjoyed stellar views of this Eastern Yellow Wagtail in Nome.

Overview

This 13-day set departure tour of Alaska commenced in Anchorage, Alaska on the 12^th of June 2024 and concluded back in Anchorage. The tour traveled throughout this massive state, including the Kenai Peninsula, the Denali region, and the old gold rush town of Nome. Numerous fantastic birding locations were visited, including Resurrection Bay, Kincaid Park, the Seward Mudflats, West Chester Lagoon, Potter Marsh, Hatcher’s Pass, Denali National Park, the Denali Highway, and many birding sites of Nome.

This tour connected with some fantastic species, including some true Alaskan specials, and many allowed us ample views to really study and appreciate each species. Visiting diverse habitats yielded a high-quality list over our 13 days in this arctic state. Avian highlights included Horned and Tufted Puffin, Red-faced Cormorant, Spruce Grouse, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Parakeet Auklet, Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Willow, Rock,and White-tailed Ptarmigan, Arctic and Aleutian Terns, Long-tailed Jaeger, Arctic Warbler, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Bohemian Waxwing, Boreal Chickadee, Northern Hawk Owl, Gyrfalcon, Varied Thrush, and many more.

A total of 155 bird species were seen, with one additional heard only species, so the total recorded was 156. In addition to the birds, there were some amazing mammal highlights, including Black and Grizzly Bears, Moose, Humpback Whale, Sei Whale, Orca, Sea Otter, Steller Sea Lion, Muskox and Mountain Goat. Full bird and mammal checklists can be found at the end of the report.

This spunky Spruce Grouse was certainly one of the more memorable birds of the trip.

Detailed Report

Day 1, 12^th June 2024. Arrival and Anchorage birding

Today marked our first day of what was to be an amazing adventure in the wilderness of Alaska. Everyone on the tour had arrived early, so we met up in the afternoon to get some extra birding before dinner. We all said our hellos and introductions and were then off to Kincaid Park, a fantastic Anchorage park and birding location. We set off on our loop trail hike and quickly noted our first few species of the trip, Black-billed Magpie and Orange-crowned Warbler. As we got deeper into the coniferous forest, we were greeted by a very territorial Spruce Grouse, which trotted out onto the trail and began chasing us and pecked at our boots! It even followed us up the trail for a few hundred feet. As soon as the grouse had left us, we got onto an excellent flock of Two-barred (White-winged) Crossbills. However, the mosquitoes became thick and our pace through the park quickened. We did spot a few other great species though, like Boreal Chickadee, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Swainson’s Thrush. We escaped the mosquitoes and still had some time before dinner, so we did a quick scan of the nearby Lake Hood and Lake Spenard. Here we picked up our first water birds of the trip, which included American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Red-necked Grebe, and Pacific Loon. With nearly 30 species in the bag already, we capped our successful first day with dinner and then went back to the hotel.

We scored some nice views of American Three-toed Woodpecker at Kincaid Park.

Day 2, 13^th June 2024. South to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula

After breakfast, we headed out to do another quick scan of Lake Spenard to see if anything new had turned up. We managed to tick a few nice species like Greater Scaup, Spotted Sandpiper, and Bonaparte’s Gull before heading off to Potter Marsh, just outside of Anchorage. These gorgeous wetlands offer some incredible views from the boardwalk, with stunning mountains as the background. Here we picked up Alder Flycatcher, Bald Eagle, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Sandhill Crane, and a bull Moose working its way through the marsh with ease. From here we had some ground to cover to get to Seward with enough time to bird around town. A quick stop at Tern Lake yielded a distant Common Loon, but other than this, we simply enjoyed the views during the drive. Around mid-day we arrived in Seward, just in time for a tasty lunch next to the water. While waiting on the food, we noted Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, and Glaucous-winged Gull.

After lunch we headed off for the Seward mudflats and wetlands. The shorebirds today were sparse, but we picked up Greater Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Plover, as well as Savannah Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. For the rest of the afternoon, we focused our efforts on the specialty species that nest in the temperate rainforest habitat of the Kenai Peninsula. We headed to Two Lakes Park, a hidden gem behind the neighborhoods of town. We set off on the loop trail through the huge coniferous forest full of ferns in the undergrowth. It wasn’t long before we heard the eerie call of a Varied Thrush echoing in the woods. We worked hard for visuals, but unfortunately never got great looks, so we pressed on. We came across a small mixed flock, including Townsend’s Warbler, Brown Creeper, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Golden-crowned Kinglet, all great species for this habitat. As we finished the loop, we scored nice views of Steller’s Jay and American Dipper, two more classic species. Just before dinner we cruised along the water’s edge and found a nice group of Harlequin Ducks. A nice species to cap off our first full day of birding in Alaska.

Townsend’s Warbler,with its striking colors, is always a favorite.

Day 3, 14^th June 2024. Resurrection Bay pelagic to Northwestern Fjord

This morning was full of anticipation and excitement as we prepared for a full day on the water. We fueled up with some coffee and breakfast at a nearby Starbucks and then headed out for the docks to check in and board our boat. As we left the harbor, a Wandering Tattler jetted by, and we noted some of the more common species as well, like Black-legged Kittiwake and Double-crested Cormorant. The morning was dominated more by impressive mammals than birds as we watched a pod of Humpback Whales bubble net feeding, a very cool experience. After this we picked up on several other fantastic mammals, including Orca, Sei and Fin Whales, Sea Otter, Dall’s Porpoise, and Steller Sea Lion. While the mammals were incredible, our focus shifted back to birds as we approached Rugged Island. Here we picked up some excellent trip birds like Horned and Tufted Puffins, Surf Scoter, Common Murre, and a quick flyby Red-faced Cormorant. Just before lunch we approached the Chiswell Islands, another fantastic area for birding. Plenty of puffins were swimming in the water near the boat and then we picked up on a few Parakeet Auklets! As we patrolled the waters around the islands we picked up on several other key species like Thick-billed Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Ancient Murrelet.

It was time for a picnic style lunch on board, and we took in the jaw-dropping scenery around us as we approached the Northwestern Fjord and glacier. As we got closer, large chunks of glacial ice floated by and some pieces were even large enough to support some Harbor Seals. We took in the stunning views of the glacier and then circled back out, with our focus now on a key species. Luckily, we managed to spot up to half a dozen Kittlitz’s Murrelets working the waters in this fjord. As we left the fjord, we spotted two Black Bears on the mainland, trotting along the bushes. Always a funny mammal to spot from a boat. On the way back to Seward, we made a few more stops at various islands, where we picked up on another Red-faced Cormorant. By the time we deboarded, it was already early evening, so we headed off for dinner and then off to bed.

These Kittlitz’s Murrelets were one of the many highlights on our pelagic trip.

Day 4, 15^th June 2024. Seward and flight to Nome

Today we were up and out early to get some pre-breakfast birding in. We headed off to the southern end of Seward at Lowell Point, more old growth temperate rainforest habitat. As soon as we opened the doors, we heard the echoing Varied Thrush, happily, this morning provided much better views of one as well. We hiked a short way up the hill and picked up Brown Creeper and some close views of a Sooty Fox Sparrow. Back in the parking lot, we played hide-and-seek with a pesky Pacific Wren before loading back up and heading for breakfast. While we waited in line to order, we spotted a Grizzly Bear family up on a nearby mountain and managed to scope them from down below. This made waiting for food a little more exciting! After breakfast we loaded up the van and headed to one final stop just outside of Seward, called Ava’s place, a lovely feeding station area. Sadly, we learned that Ava had  recently passed, but her niece was keeping the place up and welcoming birders. It was so good of her to do this, and we enjoyed loads of nice species in her yard, like Red Crossbill, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Pine Grosbeak, Rufous Hummingbird, and Pine Siskin. This was all an ode and testament to Ava’s hard work and dedication to these birds, for which we are certainly forever grateful.

This Aleutian Tern made a close fly-by one evening in Nome.

The rest of the morning and into the afternoon was spent driving back to Anchorage, dropping off the van, having lunch, and all getting checked in at the airport for our mid-afternoon flight to Nome. While in the air, it was possible to see Mount Denali in all its glory out in the distance. As always, it was stunning to fly over Alaska’s incredible landscape. When we arrived in Nome it was already evening, so we got our things,  sorted out the vehicle and hotel, then went for dinner. Since the sun never really sets this time of year, there was plenty of light for some optional post-dinner birding. We loaded up and headed to the Nome River mouth for about an hour or so of bonus birding. As we approached, we came across a birding friend who informed us of a rarity right where we were headed! We walked the beach and ticked some of our first Nome species, like Glaucous Gull, Red-throated Loon, and Common Redpoll. The mudflats here were loaded with birds to pick through and it wasn’t long before we spotted the rarity, Siberian Sand Plover! A fantastic species to kick off our Nome birding. Of course, there were many other fantastic species here as well, like Bar-tailed Godwit, Western Sandpiper, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Long-tailed Duck, Sabine’s Gull, and a pair of mating Aleutian Terns. We were even lucky enough to have an Aleutian Tern flyby right overhead. Our time in Nome was off to a fantastic start, but we needed to rest before tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 5, 16^th June 2024. Nome – Teller Road

Today our goal was to go as far down Teller Road as time would allow. We filled up on some tasty breakfast, packed our gear and hit the road. Just outside of town we made our first stop when we spotted a herd of Muskoxen, our first of the tour. While we were out of the van, we noticed quite a bit of bird activity, so we spent some time here to nail down the more common species now and then focus on the more difficult and specialty species later. These common birds included American Yellow, Blackpoll, and Wilson’s Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Common Redpoll, and Grey-cheeked Thrush. We also picked up a few less common species like Great Grey (Northern) Shrike and Rusty Blackbird. A solid first stop of the day.  As we continued along, we noted plenty of Wilson’s Snipes on top of poles and roofs, and one was even perched on a wire! We also picked up Northern Harrier, Long-tailed Jaeger, and Cliff Swallow from the van. As we drove, we heard the song of an Arctic Warbler singing from the window, so we all filed out to search for it. Thankfully, it gave multiple views, for everyone to see it well. While we were stopped, we spotted a Red Fox Sparrow as well.

Eventually we made it to a rocky outcrop which proved to be a good spot to stop and have our picnic lunch. While we ate, we were serenaded by a stunning Bluethroat as it put on quite the show, a true specialty of Nome. We also enjoyed Lapland Longspur and Golden-crowned Sparrow during lunch. Back on the main road we stumbled across a large covey of Willow Ptarmigans, a species we regularly saw along the roads in Nome. While the willow was common, its cousin the Rock Ptarmigan proved to be very elusive. We spent several hours searching diligently for one, in fantastic habitat, but all we came away with were several American Golden Plovers. We continued a bit further up the main road, always with eyes peeled for ptarmigans, until we made it to the Crete Creek and Wooley Lagoon area. Here we got out, enjoyed some cookies, and resumed our search. In no time at all, Rita was on an interesting bird, perched way out on a rock, so we all rushed to investigate. A female Northern Wheatear sat there quite nicely for all of us to enjoy, and then we discovered the male, another fantastic Nome specialty, nearby as well. Our time was running low, so we loaded up and began the journey back to town, albeit slowly because of the good habitat. Finally, a white rock shape began to move. Rock Ptarmigan! After so much painstaking searching, our persistence paid off and we finally had our silly chicken-like bird in the bag. This made the long drive back to town much easier. When we arrived, it was time for dinner, so we shared some tasty pizza and went through our checklists. We called it a night, as we were all feeling tired after a long day on Teller Road.

Rock Ptarmigan eluded us for a long time, but we were successful in the end.

Day 6, 17^th June 2024. Nome – Kougarok Road

This morning, we hit the road early because we had a lot of ground to cover on the Kougarok Road to get to Coffee Dome during morning hours. After about 40 minutes, we made a stop for a little birding while we ate breakfast. This was a known spot with an active Gyrfalcon nest on the cliffside. After some quick scanning we spotted one adult way up on the ridge. An excellent start to the morning. As we drove, we noted some waterfowl species that were new for the trip, like Tundra Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Cackling Goose. We arrived at Coffee Dome, a local name for a nearby mountain in the tundra, just before 10am. As we exited the van, we spotted a Northern Harrier being harassed by a Short-eared Owl out in the distance. It was time to begin our hike up the mountain, through the tricky tundra terrain. Slow and steady was the name of the game when it came to this hike. As we ascended, we picked up a few American Tree Sparrows, a new species for the trip. Eventually, we made it to the flat top, where we began our more in-depth search for our top target. We carefully navigated the terrain and had a few false alarms with Hudsonian Whimbrel and American Golden Plover on the tundra. Out in the distance, a Long-tailed Jaeger flushed up several large waders and gave us lead onto which direction to walk. Shortly after, we heard the whistle call of our target, a Bristle-thighed Curlew, as it passed by overhead! With some effort we managed to spot another one, this time on the tundra ground, where we could see its bristle-thighs in the scope. A great reward for our efforts.

After we climbed back down, we began the long journey back towards Nome. We made a stop along the Kuzitrin River to have our picnic lunches and stretch our legs. There were some nice birds to enjoy, like American Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers, Sand Martin, Cliff Swallow, and a Say’s Phoebe, new for the trip. We loaded up and continued along the Kougarok Road until we made it back to the falcon nesting area. Another stop, this time with better light, yielded views of the nest with three young, plus a view of the other parent, a nice white Gyrfalcon. By late afternoon, we made it back to Nome and made a quick stop at the dump to search for gulls. There were plenty of Common Ravens, Short-billed and Glaucous Gulls and, after some careful scanning, we turned up a Glaucous-winged Gull, a nice Vega Gull, and a Sandhill Crane picking through the garbage. We still had some time before dinner, so we made a quick stop for a scan of the Nome River mouth. We spotted loads of nice species like Pacific Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Western Sandpiper, Red-breasted Merganser, and more. With our last few minutes before dinner, we decided to do a little driving through town to check on some wetland areas and around the harbor. As we pulled up, a White Wagtail flew over the wetland, and we watched as it headed for town. Unfortunately, we were unable to relocate it and gave up for the day, to have dinner.

After a tough tundra hike, we were rewarded with a Bristle-thighed Curlew.

Day 7, 18^th June 2024. Nome – Council Road and back to Anchorage

On our final day in Nome, it was time to explore the final road, Nome-Council Road. After some tasty breakfast and coffee in town we set off, our first stop being the Nome River bridge. We spotted an Aleutian Tern out on the sand bank, a nice bird for those who missed it on the first night here. We continued until we reached Cape Nome, a small jetty out into the Bearing Sea, to do some sea watching. Right away we noticed a raft of Harlequin Ducks floating along the rocky shore. Our seawatch produced some nice species like Thick-billed and Common Murres, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Horned Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Brant. After about an hour, freezing from the cold wind, we filed back into the van to warm up. As we drove along Safety Sound, we stopped anytime we saw something interesting. These stop and scans produced some excellent birds like Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Common Eider, Semipalmated Plover, Pacific and Red-throated Loons, Dunlin, and over 100 Tundra Swans! Eventually, we reached our terminus for the day, a collection of houses known as Solomon. Before we even got out, we had eyes on an Eastern Yellow Wagtail, another fantastic Nome specialty. We decided to eat our lunch here and enjoy three of these Eastern Yellow Wagtails singing and flying about. We also noted Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, and Savannah Sparrow while we ate.

After lunch, it was time to begin our journey back to town since we had a late afternoon flight to catch back to Anchorage. We did have time for some birding and stops on the way back. First, we checked out the Last Train to Nowhere, a popular tourist stop. We made another quick scan from Cape Nome, but unfortunately, nothing new was seen. As we approached town, we noticed a larger, heavier looking jaeger species flying low. When it appeared over the horizon again, it was clear that we had a Parasitic Jaeger, a first for the trip. We spent the remainder of our time here preparing for the flight, sorting out our luggage, and getting to the airport. We boarded our flight, landed in Anchorage, caught the ferry shuttle, and had a late dinner after a long day of birding and traveling.

Seemingly every other pond had a Red-throated Loon on it this year.

Day 8, 19^th June 2024. Anchorage to Palmer

Everyone enjoyed a more leisurely start to the day, after the fast-paced start to the trip and the long night getting back to Anchorage. We all slept in some and enjoyed breakfast at the hotel before loading up. The plan for today was a bit more relaxed with our final destination of Palmer. First up was some birding at local Anchorage parks. We made our usual check of Spenard Lake, hoping for something new. We turned up a few Horned Grebes along with the usual suspects, like Lesser Scaup, Red-necked Grebe, and Black-billed Magpie. Next, we made our way over to the lovely Westchester Lagoons. It was a gorgeous day, the park was full of happy local folks riding bikes or walking, so we followed suit and enjoyed a pleasant walk around. There were plenty of birds to look at, like American Wigeon, White-crowned Sparrow, and Sandhill Crane. The favorite though might have been the baby Short-billed Gulls still fluffy with down feathers. From here we headed for lunch and stopped at a local store to replace some boots that had bitten the dust back in Nome. After we ate and shopped, we did some afternoon birding at the Palmer Hay Flats boardwalk trail. There were plenty of nice birds on the trail, including a new one for the trip, Western Wood-Pewee. Other species included Alder Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Bald Eagle. After a little over an hour, we packed back into the van and headed over to our hotel in Palmer. We all enjoyed a short break before dinner. Overall, we had a relaxing day of birds and perfect weather, just what we needed to recharge after an eventful first seven days.

This dapper Golden-crowned Sparrow gave some nice views as it sang.

Day 9, 20^th June 2024. Hatcher Pass to Healy

We started the morning with a hearty breakfast and coffee at the Noisy Goose café, and then hit the road to Hatcher Pass. Our first birding stop was at a nearby bridge overlooking some fast rapids. After a brief wait, we spotted an American Dipper working the rocks of the river. It is always incredible to watch this bird navigate the fast-flowing waters. We continued to the Gold Mint Trailhead to stretch our legs and use the restroom as needed. Here we spotted a few nice birds, like White-crowned Sparrow and Wilson’s Warbler. Next up was the Independence Mine, a former gold mining operation. Here we scoured the tundra habitat and cliffs and spotted Golden-crowned and Savannah Sparrows. Back by the van, a couple of Hoary Marmots were seen going in and out of burrows. While we watched these interesting mammals, we spotted a Golden Eagle soar up and over the cliffs. As we continued along Hatcher Pass, enjoying the amazing scenery and views, we spotted another friendly group of birders. All their scopes were pointed in the same direction, always a good sign for a good bird. We quickly hopped out and were on an incredibly camouflaged White-tailed Ptarmigan! A very difficult species for Alaska, and a great one for us since it gave us the ptarmigan sweep for our trip. We spent some time here to enjoy this great species, and some of us even clambered up the rocky slope to get a better view of the accommodating White-tailed Ptarmigan. The remaining sections of the pass served mostly as breathtaking views up in the tundra-mountains. As we climbed down, we spotted a pair of Common Mergansers along a small stream, a nice new species for the trip. Eventually, we joined back to the main road, highway three, and headed towards Willow for lunch.

There was still a lot of ground to cover after lunch, so we hit the road and made it to our next birding stop, known as the sockeye burn area. This recently burned section of conifers looked like great habitat for woodpeckers and other forest species. We birded all along the roadsides here and picked up Hairy and American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Junco, Swainson’s Thrush, and Alder Flycatcher. Sadly, no new species for our trip list, so we continued along until we reached Denali viewpoint south. This was an excellent stop to stretch our legs and, since it was a clear day, we could see Mount Denali out in the distance. About 100 miles (161km) further, we reached the entrance to Denali National Park, where the customary Moose was waiting to welcome us. We handled the check-in information for our trip into the park the next day. It was already evening, and some rain started falling, so we called it a day and headed for dinner.

This White-tailed Ptarmigan gave us the ptarmigan sweep for the trip!

Day 10, 21^st June 2024. Denali National Park

Our scheduled trip into Denali National Park was on an afternoon bus, so we had some time this morning for other birding and activities around the park. We started off before breakfast at the nearby Otto Lake and picked Bufflehead, new for the trip, as well as Lesser Scaup, Spotted Sandpiper, and Semipalmated Plover. After our quick scan, we headed for Rose’s Café for a tasty breakfast. In the parking lot, we spotted a Canada Jay, another new trip species. The day was already off to a great start. We decided to head into the park and check out the Denali sled dog rescue team. On the way in, we spotted a Great Horned Owl perched nicely on a conifer. With some quick investigation, it turned into a family affair, with a few recent fledglings nearby as well. After watching the interesting dog demonstration, we had some time to check out the main visitor center of this impressive national park. We then headed off to the bus depot to line up and wait for our tour into Denali National Park.

Our Tundra Wilderness Tour took us through the beauty of this pristine and wild park, all the way to mile-marker 43 (km-63) on the road where an extreme washout happened and is currently under repair. Regular vehicles are not permitted past the Savage River checkpoint. On our trip, we saw and experienced all the amazing habitats firsthand, and learnt about the history of the park, which was really what this day was all about. We spotted Dall’s Sheep several times throughout the day, as well as Moose, Arctic Ground Squirrel, and Northern Harrier. Towards the end of the road, we managed to get onto a family unit of Brown (Grizzly) Bears, a mom and two cubs. This is always a special sighting inside Denali. On our way back to the depot, we spotted a nice Willow Ptarmigan, as well as an adorable North American Porcupine trotting along the side of the road. A couple of nice sightings to cap off an excellent day inside Denali National Park.

The Arctic Ground Squirrel was common throughout the Denali region.

Day 11 22^nd June 2024. Birding the Denali Highway

This morning, we loaded up the van and hit the road for a 30-minute drive before our first stop at a lovely local café for breakfast. After filling up on tasty food, we spotted our first Northern Flicker of the trip, in the parking lot. We hit the road and began our long journey down the scenic 135-mile (217 km) Denali Highway. Our stop was at a lovely lake about 10 miles (16 km) down the road. Here we noted Trumpeter Swan, Green-winged Teal, Red-necked Phalarope, and White-winged Scoter, a new species for the trip. We continued and made stops and scans anytime we saw water, or anything promising. This yielded species like Canada Jay, Northern Pintail, Common Redpoll, White-crowned Sparrow, and more. One of our stops was at a higher point in the road, where we looked down over the incredible landscape, with stunning mountains in the distance. We picked up a small flock of Bohemian Waxwings, always an impressive species.

The journey continued with much of the same, picking up more species as we went, like Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Gull, Red-throated Loon, and Arctic Tern. At a pleasant river crossing along the road, we stopped for a break from driving and to enjoy our picnic style lunch. A few songbirds, like Wilson’s and Myrtle Warblers, were active in the nearby bushes. Some of us went for a short hike through the tundra habitat, but the birding was slow, so we headed back and finished our route along the Denali Highway. It was already late afternoon when we arrived at the other side, and we still had a long journey to reach our hotel in Glennallen. We buckled down and hit the road, with few stops along the way. When we reached the hotel, we relaxed, enjoyed a tasty dinner, and hit the hay.

It was great to see a Red-necked Phalarope spinning in the water.

Day 12, 23^rd June 2024. Back to Anchorage

After our long day in the van yesterday, we enjoyed a more leisurely morning, with breakfast at our hotel and time to do any extra packing.  Around mid-morning we set off on our journey back to Anchorage, along the Glenn Highway. Again, we had a lot of ground to cover due to Alaska’s huge size. As we drove, we constantly scanned the coniferous forests in hopes of finding our final target species. A very rounded Canada Jay provided an exciting false alarm. Fortunately, our efforts eventually paid off, when we spotted a distant Northern Hawk Owl teed up on top of a pine. It stayed just long enough for everyone to see in the scope, before disappearing. A stunning Bald Eagle flew by and perched, to keep us entertained. We pressed on and spotted another new species, American Kestrel,  which was unexpected here. Around mid-day we made it to a nice pull-off area with restrooms and a scenic view of the Matanuska Glacier, a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. The remainder of the day consisted mostly of driving and getting to our hotel. Some of us enjoyed a little birding around Spenard Lake, where we noted the usual suspects, like Lesser Scaup, Pacific Loon, and Red-necked Grebe. At our final dinner together, we shared some of our favorite species and moments of the trip, then called it a day and headed back to the hotel.

Day 13, 24^th June 2024. Tour conclusion and start of extension

Our final morning saw the end to our main Alaska tour adventure and the beginning of our Alaska Extension to Utqiagvik. For some, this was the final morning, with breakfast at the hotel and the shuttle service taking them to the Anchorage airport for departure towards home. For the rest of us, we relaxed and then headed to the airport, to meet up with several new group members who were joining us, and to catch our flight north for our next adventure. Of course, this main tour was quite an adventure in itself, full of fantastic birds, mammals, and scenery.

The pelagic full of wildlife, like these Common Murres, was a top highlight for everyone.

Bird List – Following IOC (14.1 – December 2023 version)

Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen.

The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International: EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable.

Mammal List

Please see the downloadable PDF above with the full species lists included. This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.

BIRDING TOURS USA: ALASKA GENERAL INFORMATION

PASSPORT AND VISA

For US citizens, no visas or passports are required. You will need to bring along a government issued ID as they are sometimes required for hotels.

Non-United States citizens will require a valid passport to enter the country, and some may require a tourist visa. Please consult with your local US Embassy for more details and information. You may need to show your ID/passport at various hotels and for the boat departures on this tour.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly encourage you to purchase trip cancellation or interruption insurance in case you have to cancel due to illness or for any other reason, as tour payments are non-refundable as per our terms and conditions. We advise you to get a plan which covers all your medical care and evacuation back to your country of residence, repatriation, and trip cancellation due to illness just prior, or any other reason.

HEALTH

Alaska does not pose any major health risk. Ample layers will help combat the unpredictable weather conditions and colder temperatures/wetter days. Water will be available throughout the tour and please feel free to bring your own reusable bottle to refill throughout the tour as the drinking water here is safe. There is always the potential for encounters with large mammals on this tour, however, they pose minimal risk if encounters with them are handled correctly. Your tour leader will give instructions and help with any questions to prepare for any potential encounter. Insects can be an annoyance and an issue in June, so we recommend bringing along repellent with higher levels of DEET and appropriate clothing.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Please make sure that you are covered by medical insurance in case of an emergency while on this trip. Without insurance the cost of medical care can be extremely high. Please notify us at the time of registering for this tour of any medical conditions you think we should know about (including allergies, heart conditions, epilepsy, etc.). This will greatly help us to cater to your needs and update emergency services if required.

WEATHER/CLIMATE

The weather in Alaska in June can vary drastically from 70° F (21° C) down to the 20° F (-7° C). The coasts are generally cooler/cold ranging from 30-50° F (-1-10° C) and the interior is a bit warmer from 50-70° F (10-21° C). Temperatures can get into the freezing levels in Nome all the way through late June. Layers and warms clothing options are a must to help with the wide range of conditions. Waterproof and rain gear are essential to ensure comfort while on the tour as it can rain or snow at any time and staying warm and dry during your time in Alaska will help you enjoy the tour. Issues with climate generally stem from inadequate gear. Proper waterproof layers, hats, gloves, and shoes/boots are highly recommended. Everyone is different with their tolerances to weather conditions so please bring along what you will need to help yourself stay comfortable.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We will be staying at comfortable hotels throughout the tour. Some may be slightly more basic than standard for mainland USA but still comfortable and providing everything needed.

COMMUNICATIONS

Our hotels should have decent access to Wi-Fi throughout the trip and phone service is typically fine near these areas and in the larger more populated cities. There are times throughout the trip where we will be out in the wilderness so do expect to lose coverage at some points. Nome is also a remote area so service and Wi-Fi can be questionable at times, depending on carriers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND PACE OF TOUR

Most of the birding will be done along roadsides or paved trails with hiking/walking requirements considered easy aside from one or two specific hikes for target species including Bristle-thighed Curlew and Smith’s Longspur. These hikes involve difficult and uneven terrain and potentially wet conditions and channels to cross.

There is also a lot of driving involved with this tour as we are covering a huge amount of ground (Alaska is massive), but of course there will be birding stops along the way. We will be stopping at restrooms whenever possible, however some drives and locations are fairly remote so a stop with nature may be needed at times.

Most mornings will begin around 6:30-7:00am with potential for a few earlier starts. We will continue birding for most of the day with some optional after-dinner birding at times. The days are very long at this time of year with sunset sometimes not occurring until midnight or later.

LUGGAGE

There should be enough space for each participant to bring one medium-sized suitcase as well as a personal bag to keep at their seat with them. Please do be mindful with large cameras or tripods if you choose to bring these along.

WHAT TO BRING

Please kindly read the general list of what to bring on a birding tour, here.

Layers and waterproof gear are always a good idea when preparing for a wide variety of possible weather conditions, and we consider them essential on this tour. We also do recommend bringing Dramamine or other motion sickness medications if you need them as there are long drives in the vehicle and a scheduled boat trip out of Seward.

Do not forget – Binoculars, prescription drugs (also bring the generic names for these drugs), toiletries, prescription glasses (and a spare pair), sunglasses, camera, batteries (for electronic equipment and chargers for re-chargeable batteries if required), alarm clock, money pouch, field guide(s), and a daypack.

Key Documents and Cash – Passports, your travel or health insurance cards, photocopies of which can be carried by the tour leader in case of emergency, credit cards (see info above). US dollars for drinks, gifts, tips, items of a personal nature, etc., which are not included in the tour cost.

Download Alaska General Information