Alaska Birding Tour (Jun 10 – 22, 2026)
June 10 – Day 1
Our tour began with an evening welcome at our hotel in Anchorage. We met our fellow travelers, reviewed the itinerary, discussed target species, and went over the plan for the days ahead. After a nice welcome dinner, we turned in early to prepare for tomorrow’s flight to Nome.
June 11 – Day 2
We departed early for the airport after breakfast and boarded our flight to Nome. Following check-in at the hotel, we loaded our vehicles and began birding. Our first sightings included Redpoll and Gray-cheeked Thrush singing from utility wires near the hotel.
With cool temperatures and light winds, we opted to head inland to visit the breeding territory of one of Alaska’s most iconic raptors. After a scenic drive, we arrived at a rocky outcrop where we were treated to excellent views of a magnificent Gyrfalcon.
On our return, we added Red-throated Loon and Lapland Longspur before heading back to town for dinner and a good night’s rest.
Gyrfalcon © Joakim Ed
Red-throated Loon © Joakim Ed
Lapland Longspur, female © Joakim Ed
June 12 – Day 3
With breakfast and packed lunches in hand, we spent the day exploring one of Nome’s three main roads. Just outside of town, we encountered a sizable herd of Muskoxen grazing alongside the road, providing excellent photography opportunities.
Muskox © Joakim Ed
As the day progressed, we added Red-necked Phalarope, Lesser Yellowlegs, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird. Warbler diversity was excellent, with Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Wilson’s Warbler all observed.
Farther along, we found Wilson’s Snipe and enjoyed outstanding views of a Brown Bear as it wandered across the tundra roughly 200 yards away. Nearby ponds held Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, and Long-tailed Duck, while additional highlights included Bank Swallow, Arctic Warbler, Arctic Tern, and Short-billed Gull.
Brown Bear (Grizzly) © Joakim Ed
Late in the morning, our efforts were rewarded with fantastic views of a singing male Bluethroat. We also observed Parasitic Jaeger, Short-eared Owl, Willow Ptarmigan, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Red Fox Sparrow, Bar-tailed Godwit, Savannah Sparrow, Cliff Swallow, and a beautiful Rough-legged Hawk. Near the end of the road, we finished with excellent looks at Rock Ptarmigan and Northern Wheatear.
Following dinner, we birded the river for Aleutian Tern, Bar-tailed Godwit, and several shorebirds.
Late that evening, excitement spread through the group when an Ivory Gull was reported at the harbor. Around 11:30 p.m., a small group consisting of Ben, Benny, and three participants made the quick trip and successfully connected with this remarkable Arctic rarity—a memorable end to an outstanding day.
Thumbs up © Benny Jacobs-Schwartz
Hudsonian Whimbrel © Joachim Ed
Rock Ptarmigan © Joakim Ed
Willow Ptarmigan © Joakim Ed
Ivory Gull
Ivory Gull twitch © Benny Jacobs-Schwartz
June 13 – Day 4
After breakfast and packed lunches, we explored another section of Nome’s tundra. Early highlights included Gray-cheeked Thrush, White-crowned Sparrow, and White Wagtail.
Continuing along another road, we added Alder Flycatcher, Arctic Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Greater White-fronted Goose, Northern Shoveler, an immature Bald Eagle, and another flyby Rough-legged Hawk. It was another enjoyable day exploring the tundra and adding to our growing trip list.
Arctic Warbler © Joachim Ed
June 14 – Day 5
Following breakfast, we began the morning birding the river, where we observed American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Semipalmated Plover, Wilson’s Snipe, Western Sandpiper, Glaucous-winged Gull, Arctic Tern, and Aleutian Tern.
Aleutian Tern © Joakim Ed
Farther along the coast, we added Brant (Black), Common Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Black-legged Kittiwake, and numerous Red-throated Loons.
Additional coastal birding produced Long-tailed Duck, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pacific Loon, Say’s Phoebe, and another opportunity to enjoy excellent views of the resident Gyrfalcon. We then returned to the airport for our flight back to Anchorage, where we enjoyed dinner before turning in for the evening.
Common Eider © Ben Stephens
Pacific Loon
June 15 – Day 6
Today, we began our journey south toward the Kenai Peninsula. Before leaving Anchorage, we birded a local park where the boreal forest produced Downy Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Swainson’s Thrush, American Robin, Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and our morning highlight—a flock of White-winged Crossbills.
After lunch, we stopped again in a suitable habitat and successfully found both Varied Thrush and Townsend’s Warbler. Later, an American Dipper near Seward proved to be a favorite for many in the group.
Following dinner, we added Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, Wandering Tattler, Black-legged Kittiwake, Arctic Tern, Black-billed Magpie, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Marbled Murrelet, Common Murre, Pelagic Cormorant, and Song Sparrow (rufina Group).
White-winged Crossbill
American Three-toed Woodpecker
June 16 – Day 7
After an early breakfast, we boarded our wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. En route, we observed Gadwall, Pigeon Guillemot, Arctic Tern, Pelagic Cormorant, and Double-crested Cormorant.
Calm weather made for excellent conditions throughout the day. Birding highlights included Horned Puffin, Tufted Puffin, Marbled Murrelet, Ancient Murrelet, Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Parakeet Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Thick-billed Murre.
Marine mammals were equally impressive, with Harbor Seal, Sea Otter, Steller’s Sea Lion, Fin Whale, Humpback Whale, and Coastal Mountain Goat all observed.
Kenai Fjord cruise © Robert Clark
Horned Puffin © Ben Stephens
Tufted Puffin © Joakim Ed
June 17 – Day 8
Our morning in Seward was dedicated to several remaining target species, and we were successful in finding Rufous Hummingbird, Coastal Steller’s Jay, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee.
On the drive back toward Anchorage, we added Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Common Loon, and Boreal Chickadee. Before dinner, we birded around Lake Hood and Lake Spenard, where Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Bonaparte’s Gull, and Red-necked Grebe rounded out another productive day.
Stellar’s Jay © Joakim Ed
June 18 – Day 9
Before departing for Barrow, we spent the morning birding around Anchorage. Highlights included Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, and Sandhill Crane.
Following our flight north, we began birding around Barrow. Our first afternoon produced Brant, Tundra Swan, King Eider, Red Phalarope, Pomarine Jaeger, Glaucous Gull, Pacific Loon, Snow Bunting, Savannah Sparrow, and a brief sighting of Snowy Owl.
Later, we added Spectacled Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Pectoral Sandpiper, making for an excellent introduction to Alaska’s North Slope.
Snowy Owl © Ben Stephens
Red Phalarope © Joakim Ed
Spectacled Eider © Joakim Ed
June 19 – Day 10
Our first full day in Barrow produced Snow Goose, Northern Pintail, American Golden-Plover, and one of the day’s highlights—a Ruff. We also observed Parasitic Jaeger, Pomarine Jaeger, King Eider, and Long-tailed Duck throughout the day.
During the evening, we enjoyed additional views of Wilson’s Snipe, Parasitic Jaeger, Snowy Owl, and Steller’s Eider.
Ruff © Jim Rowoth
Steller’s Eider © Ben Stephens
June 20 – Day 11
A relaxed breakfast was followed by another enjoyable day exploring the tundra. We observed Long-tailed Duck, Pomarine Jaeger, Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, Lapland Longspur, Steller’s Eider, Red-necked Phalarope, Northern Pintail, and Dunlin.
Additional King Eiders and Brant were welcome sightings. During the evening, we added Baird’s Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, American Golden-Plover, and three Ruff to conclude another rewarding day.
King Eider © Ben Stephens
June 21 – Day 12
Our final morning in Barrow featured an extended seawatch in hopes of finding Yellow-billed Loon. While that species eluded us, we enjoyed Black-legged Kittiwake and Glaucous Gull before returning to the airport for our flight back to Anchorage.
Following hotel check-in, we gathered for our farewell dinner to celebrate a successful tour and say our goodbyes.
June 22 – Day 13
Departures throughout the day marked the official conclusion of our Alaska Birding Tour.
Our group © Ben Stephens
Our group © Benny Jacobs-Schwartz
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