During the late spring months of April and May, Alaska is
such an exciting place to visit, especially if wildlife viewing is at the top
of your list! There are countless
opportunities for viewing from air to sea and even land! Wildlife from as far
as the south Pacific migrate up to the arctic region to take advantage of the
abundance of available resources. Migration
is the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.
such an exciting place to visit, especially if wildlife viewing is at the top
of your list! There are countless
opportunities for viewing from air to sea and even land! Wildlife from as far
as the south Pacific migrate up to the arctic region to take advantage of the
abundance of available resources. Migration
is the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.
If you are an avid birder there are several must see hot spots in Alaska. One of the
most spectacular locations for birding is the Island of St. George in the Pribilofs, where over 3 million sea birds come to nest forming one of the largest colonies of sea birds in the
northern hemisphere! Species you will see include common murres, thick
billed murres, tufted and horned puffins, black legged kittywakes, and most of
the world’s population of red-legged kittywakes.
Other notable birding locations include Denali National
Park, where you could spot pine grosbeaks, ptarmigan, and northern goshawk;
Kenai Fjords, Copper River Delta, and Glacier Bay National Park. See the National Park Service for more view
information.
Park, where you could spot pine grosbeaks, ptarmigan, and northern goshawk;
Kenai Fjords, Copper River Delta, and Glacier Bay National Park. See the National Park Service for more view
information.
Birding locations closer to Anchorage
include, points along Turnagain Arm, to Girdwood and Portage Valley, as well as
north to Palmer Hay Flats Reservation Area.
include, points along Turnagain Arm, to Girdwood and Portage Valley, as well as
north to Palmer Hay Flats Reservation Area.
There are also many opportunities to view marine species migrations
including grey whales, humpback whales, orcas, and you can even see the
federally endangered Cook Inlet population of the beluga whale at points various
within Cook Inlet. Some migrants you can
even take home with you if you’re so lucky.
Five species of salmon head up the streams and tributaries to return to
the same breeding grounds they were hatched to lay eggs.
Quite impressively one of the US’s longest
terrestrial migrations occurs right here in Alaska without ever leaving the
state. Caribou can travel over 400 miles
each year and never make it out of Alaska.
Other Alaskan mammals migrate much shorter distances including the black
bear, brown bear, moose, and various small mammals travel back and forth each
year between there wintering and summer grounds. All of these species can be viewed almost
anywhere in Alaska, and most of them right in Anchorage, with just a little
luck and watchful eye.
If you’re visiting Alaska during April and May, and beating
the great crowds of tourist migration, visit the links below to find out more
about where you can be sure to witness some of the world’s most spectacular species
in action.
Alaska Wildlife Migration Links
Krista & Zack are Innkeepers at Alaska House of Jade and are members Anchorage Alaska Bed & Breakfast Association