Enjoy our triplist below! For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please visit our TOUR PAGE.
Click on the link at right to see this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
Alaska's
spectacular scenery is reason enough to visit the state,
never mind all the fantastic birds! (Photo by guide Jesse
Fagan)
Alaska is big country. The views stretch endlessly from north to south, east to west, and the wildlife is on a grand scale. From the spinning seabird cliffs of St. Paul, porpoises bowriding in Resurrection, lynx melting into the understory at Denali, and jaegers prowling the tundra in Barrow, we did it all, and saw a great deal of what Alaska has to offer.
Our birding highlights were many, including walking across the tundra to enjoy scope views of a pair of Spectacled Eiders at Barrow, a rare White-tailed Eagle flyover on St. Paul, and who could forget the entire alcid show and seabird cliffs on St. Paul? Plus both golden-plovers on the tundra at Nome (where we birded until nearly 10 pm with the sun well above the horizon), the Bristle-thighed Curlew march up Coffee Dome, and the amazing Bluethroat singing along Kougarok Road outside of Nome.
Chris and I had a great time guiding you all. Thanks for sharing in all these wonderful experiences and being a great group, fun and energetic. We can't wait until the next big adventure.
--Jesse and Chris
For more information about this tour, including future departures, visit our website at www.fieldguides.com. And to see this same triplist online, go to https://fieldguides.com/triplists/aka12aLIST.pdf and you will find the list in its entirety.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for
individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I =
introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b =
boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons) – A few small groups around Barrow this
year. Despite having orange-yellow bills, these birds were
not from Greenland populations (also showing orange-yellow
bills; subsp. flavirostris). EMPEROR GOOSE
(Chen canagica) – A few on St. Paul this year, but never
very many and missed some years.
SNOW GOOSE
(Chen caerulescens) – A few small groups seen around Barrow
this year, but mainly in flight.
BRANT (BLACK)
(Branta bernicla nigricans) – Good numbers on St. Paul this year,
around Nome and Barrow. We saw the lighter bellied
"American" Brant (subsp. hrota), which winters in the East.
CACKLING GOOSE
(Branta hutchinsii) – This small-bodied, short-necked goose
resembles a Canada Goose. In fact, a couple of smaller
subspecies of Canada Goose approach Cackling size (or larger
Cacklings approaching Canada) making identification
difficult. We saw Cackling on St. Paul (subsp. minimus) with
small white collars and dark chest/bellies. "Tavener's"
Cackling Goose (subsp. taverneri), seen around Nome, is
larger bodied, but still showed a small, delicate bill.
CANADA GOOSE
(Branta canadensis) – Fairly common in Anchorage. Outside
Anchorage we saw a few smaller bodied individuals that had
us puzzling about subspecies and differences from Cackling
Goose.
TRUMPETER SWAN
(Cygnus buccinator) – Larger, and heavier billed than a Tundra
Swan; this is the species whose bill is all black. We saw it
a few different spots on the tour.
TUNDRA SWAN
(WHISTLING) (Cygnus
columbianus columbianus) –
The bill shape is slightly different than Trumpeter, plus it
shows just a bit of yellow on the maxilla. This yellow spot
can be very difficult to see at a distance. Our first
individuals were at Nome.
EURASIAN WIGEON
(Anas penelope) – Wonderful studies of two pairs on St.
Paul.
AMERICAN WIGEON
(Anas americana) – Common throughout the tour.
Choosing the most
beautiful of the 4 eider species is a difficult task, but
at least this tour gave us first-hand experience with all
4 species, including these stunning Steller's Eiders at
Barrow. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
NORTHERN SHOVELER
(Anas clypeata) – Fairly common throughout the tour.
NORTHERN PINTAIL
(Anas acuta) – The most common duck during the tour;
encountered at nearly every spot and in good numbers. We
understand now why they call it "Northern" Pintail.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL
(Anas crecca) – This subspecies was found on St. Paul
along with a few intergrades.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL
(AMERICAN) (Anas crecca
carolinensis) – The
subspecies found on the mainland.
CANVASBACK
(Aythya valisineria) – A dozen or so were at Nome.
RING-NECKED DUCK
(Aythya collaris) – Four on the drive to Denali NP.
GREATER SCAUP
(Aythya marila) – Like Northern Pintail, this is one of the
more common ducks (a diver) on this tour. Seen in most
places in good numbers. This tour is a great place to learn
the differences between Greater and Lesser Scaup.
LESSER SCAUP
(Aythya affinis) – Comparison with Lesser were made in
Anchorage at Westchester Lagoon (where both occur).
STELLER'S EIDER
(Polysticta stelleri) – Great studies of several pairs during our
time in Barrow.
SPECTACLED EIDER
(Somateria fischeri) – One of the more important birds to try
and see while at Barrow. We approached one pair pretty
close, creeping along the tundra while trying to look
inconspicuous in the flat landscape, and we were rewarded
with "spec"tacular views. It was recently discovered that
this species winters on open water in the Bering Sea,
keeping the hole ice-free with their body heat and feeding
on plankton, mollusks, crustaceans and other bits near the
ice edge. Incredible.
KING EIDER
(Somateria spectabilis) – This species was seen pretty well in
larger flocks off St. Paul. There was also a pair or two at
Barrow.
COMMON EIDER
(PACIFIC) (Somateria
mollissima v-nigra) – Large
flocks were seen from offshore at Nome.
HARLEQUIN DUCK
(Histrionicus histrionicus) – This species was quite common in the
coastal waters on St. Paul (still on wintering grounds). On
the mainland, where they breed along mountain streams, we
saw them on their breeding habitat at Denali and Seward.
SURF SCOTER
(Melanitta perspicillata) – A pair on a freshwater lake outside of
Denali were our first. A few more in Nome. Most people are
used to seeing these in coastal waters, but they breed on
freshwater lakes in the interior of Alaska.
WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER (SIBERIAN) (Melanitta
fusca stejnegeri) – Chris
picked out this pair near the shoreline in coastal waters at
Nome. This Siberian subspecies, "Stejnegers," is quite
possibly a separate species having a different breeding
ground, different calls, and plumage differences. We noticed
the large knob of the male's bill, the darker flanks, and
yellowish tip to the bill.
WHITE-WINGED
SCOTER (NORTH AMERICAN) (Melanitta
fusca deglandi) – This
subspecies was seen at Denali (along with Surf's), Nome, and
again in Anchorage.
BLACK SCOTER
(Melanitta americana) – Mainly at Nome where we saw several large
rafts.
LONG-TAILED DUCK
(Clangula hyemalis) – A striking duck, and thankfully seen
repeatedly on this tour, including out at St. Paul.
Horned Puffins
were common on the seabird cliffs at St. Paul, one of 10
species of Alcids seen on the island. (Photo by guide
Jesse Fagan)
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
(Bucephala islandica) – This species was seen on our trip to
Denali, and a few were around the pond at the hotel in
Anchorage.
COMMON MERGANSER
(Mergus merganser) – Just one female in St. Paul Harbour.
RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER (Mergus serrator)
– Along the rivers and streams outside
of Nome.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and
Allies)
WILLOW PTARMIGAN (Lagopus lagopus) – Wonderful looks at different individuals
starting in Denali, but again outside of Nome, where one
flew over our vehicle! Bagel! Bagel! Bagel! Get this man
some cream cheese! ROCK PTARMIGAN
(Lagopus muta) – It was worth getting stuck for a few
minutes on our long drive outside of Nome. We found one
cooperative Rock Ptarmigan that flew close to the vehicles.
They were in their "dirty snow" winter garb.
Gaviidae (Loons)
RED-THROATED LOON (Gavia stellata) – So elegant a species. Wonderful studies
were had at several sites, but our best (and closest) in
Nome. ARCTIC LOON
(Gavia arctica) – In Nome, we had a pair just offshore for
close studies. The white flanks were obvious as well as the
darker nape in comparison with Pacific Loon.
PACIFIC LOON
(Gavia pacifica) – The silver napes really stand out on this
species. Our best studies were around Barrow.
COMMON LOON
(Gavia immer) – Not super "common" on this tour. Singles
on our drive to Denali and again outside of Seward on a
nest.
YELLOW-BILLED LOON
(Gavia adamsii) – We swept all the loons on this tour. A
five-loon tour! As well, we had our most Yellow-billed Loons
possibly on any tour done in the past. We had one on St.
Paul, numerous around Nome, and another four or so in
Barrow.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus) – A few different places (and all in
splendid breeding plumage), but our best was at a rest stop
on our drive to Seward. Very close. RED-NECKED GREBE
(Podiceps grisegena) – A few different places as well, but our
best were just a few feet away at Westchester Lagoon in
Anchorage.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
NORTHERN FULMAR (Fulmarus glacialis) – Flying around and breeding on the sea
cliffs on St. Paul. Plumage was quite variable from dark
morphs, intermediates, and light morphs (which were the
dominate morphs). However, the pale secondary/primary
"window" was always visible. Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus) – Our only ones were on the Seward
boatride. RED-FACED
CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax
urile) – These were fairly
common on St. Paul and a few were around on the Seward
boatride. This is the one with the puffy white flanks.
PELAGIC CORMORANT
(Phalacrocorax pelagicus) – This species was found in the same spots
as Red-faced. It was slightly more common in numbers at
Seward.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Unusual among
shorebirds, female phalaropes are more brightly-colored
than the males; the brilliant colors of this Red Phalarope
thus marks it as a breeding-plumaged female. (Photo by
guide Jesse Fagan)
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
(Haliaeetus albicilla) – This rare Asian stray had been seen on
St. Paul a few days before, but not since. While we watched
non-native Caribou, it decided to fly right over our group.
Incredible.
NORTHERN HARRIER
(Circus cyaneus) – We had a couple of Gray Ghosts (male
harriers) on our Denali ride.
RED-TAILED HAWK
(HARLAN'S) (Buteo jamaicensis
harlani) – This is the dark
subspecies of Red-tailed (split by some authorities) which
we saw very well at our rest stop on the way to Seward.
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
(Buteo lagopus) – A few were seen in the Nome area.
GOLDEN EAGLE
(Aquila chrysaetos) – Not many on the tour. However, sharp-eyed
Kim spotted our first while driving on the Denali Highway.
We also had a pair on a nest outside of Nome, which was way
cool.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MERLIN (Falco
columbarius) – Singles in a
just a few spots. Mainly in Denali. GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus) – Two different nesting birds were seen
outside of Nome at traditional eyries.
PEREGRINE FALCON
(Falco peregrinus) – Singles on two different days.
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Grus canadensis) – A few were around Nome. Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – Just one in the tundra outside of Nome.
It was nice to see all the shorebirds in their breeding
plumage. AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis
dominica) – We had nice
comparisons of both golden-plovers while at Nome where both
are a breeding species. In general, Pacific lower elevation
and moist slopes with taller vegetation; American being
found on the flatter, less vegetative tundra (also at
Barrow).
PACIFIC
GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis
fulva) – This species is
brighter above than American (larger white and gold spots),
but shows more white below along the sides and flanks.
SEMIPALMATED
PLOVER (Charadrius
semipalmatus) – A few on St.
Paul and again at Denali and Anchorage doing their display
flight, which involves a different call and a floppy flight.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus bachmani) – One on the Seward boat ride. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – We lucked out on this one. A tip to some
birding friends on their flight back to Anchorage, they
called and left us a message at the hotel. We went out the
next morning and there it was! A rare Asian stray. SPOTTED SANDPIPER
(Actitis macularius) – Singles on different days. They already
had their spots.
WANDERING TATTLER
(Tringa incana) – Fairly common during our time on St.
Paul.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS
(Tringa flavipes) – This species breeds along the Denali
Highway. Odd to hear them calling from the tops of spruce
trees.
WHIMBREL
(AMERICAN) (Numenius phaeopus
hudsonicus) – Heard and seen
at a distance while on Coffee Dome.
BRISTLE-THIGHED
CURLEW (Numenius tahitiensis)
– Great studies and looks at bird that
was settled into the grass, but pretty close to our group.
It later got up and walked around so we could at least try
to see the bristled thighs! No luck.
HUDSONIAN GODWIT
(Limosa haemastica) – Wonderful flock at Westchester Lagoon on
our last afternoon.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT
(Limosa lapponica) – Singles in Nome.
RUDDY TURNSTONE
(Arenaria interpres) – One at Nome and another in Barrow.
SANDERLING
(Calidris alba) – Nice breeding plumaged individuals were
around Barrow.
SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)
– This species was fairly common around
Barrow. They breed on the open tundra and males chase
females with one wing open, exposing the silver wing lining.
Pretty cool stuff. They also do a fluttering display flight.
WESTERN SANDPIPER
(Calidris mauri) – Also fairly common around Nome and
Barrow. There were some splendid breeding plumaged
individuals at some freshwater pools outside of Barrow. We
had close studies (and photos!).
LEAST SANDPIPER
(Calidris minutilla) – Just a few around St. Paul.
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER
(Calidris bairdii) – An uncommon breeder in the Barrow area
where we had excellent, close studies. They sort of approach
Semipalmated Sandpiper in plumage, but are larger, with
longer wings, and larger spots on the scapulars.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER
(Calidris melanotos) – The Pectoral Sandpiper display in Barrow
is something to behold. Males with puffed out chests,
standing on little hills in the tundra, or making direct
flights toward females.
ROCK SANDPIPER
(Calidris ptilocnemis) – This is the most common shorebird on St.
Paul (at least it seems that way).
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) – Mainly around Barrow where they were
looking sweeeet with their red backs and black bellies.
STILT SANDPIPER
(Calidris himantopus) – Three in breeding plumage were at the
freshwater ponds outside of Barrow.
SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
griseus) – Nice studies of
the caurinus subspecies were made on our final afternoon in
Anchorage.
LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
scolopaceus) – Wonderful,
close studies on the tundra at Barrow.
WILSON'S SNIPE
(Gallinago delicata) – Lots of snipe winnowing in the spruce
forest around Denali and again in Nome.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE
(Phalaropus tricolor) – This species showed up on St. Paul for a
first Bering Sea record. A three phalarope day. Quite
possibly the first time that has ever been done.
RED-NECKED
PHALAROPE (Phalaropus lobatus)
– Seen at nearly every location on the
tour.
RED PHALAROPE
(Phalaropus fulicarius) – Singles on St. Paul, but more common in
the tundra pools around Barrow.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla) – Very common at St. Paul (the dominate
gull) and again some flocks around Barrow. RED-LEGGED
KITTIWAKE (Rissa brevirostris)
– Only on St. Paul. Great looks and
comparisons with the previous species.
SABINE'S GULL
(Xema sabini) – A few outside of Nome on the coastal
highway. Most in adult breeding plumage.
BONAPARTE'S GULL
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia) – Distant, but adequate looks at several
individuals sitting on the mud flats at Westchester Lagoon
in Anchorage.
BLACK-HEADED GULL
(Chroicocephalus ridibundus) – A regular, but good Asian stray to find.
We had one on the ice at St. Paul.
MEW GULL
(AMERICAN) (Larus canus
brachyrhynchus) – A common
gull around Denali, Anchorage, and in Nome.
HERRING GULL
(AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus
smithsonianus) – Not many,
but a few around Anchorage and one in Seward. In Anchorage,
they seem to hybridize with Glacous-winged Gull. Intergrades
have darker eyes and less black in the primaries as adults.
THAYER'S GULL
(Larus thayeri) – One on St. Paul was a good find; though
not many people in the group seemed deeply interested. Ha ha
ha...ahhhh, gulls. ;-)
SLATY-BACKED GULL
(Larus schistisagus) – One adult was in Nome.
GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULL (Larus glaucescens)
– "Pure" birds were seen in a few
places including St. Paul and Seward, but lots of
intergrades (X Herring) around Anchorage.
GLAUCOUS GULL
(Larus hyperboreus) – Fairly common on St. Paul, but it was the
most common by far around Barrow.
ALEUTIAN TERN
(Onychoprion aleuticus) – Around Nome in a few different spots
where it is fairly common, but outnumbered by Arctic Tern.
ARCTIC TERN
(Sterna paradisaea) – The common medium-sized Sterna on this
tour. In fact, the only one seen!
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
POMARINE JAEGER (Stercorarius pomarinus) – Great studies of several birds on/near
nests (and in flight) around Barrow. PARASITIC JAEGER
(Stercorarius parasiticus) – We had migrants over St. Paul, but this
species was also nesting in Nome and Barrow.
LONG-TAILED JAEGER
(Stercorarius longicaudus) – The Long-tailed Jaeger show in Nome was
unforgettable. Amazing views. Such an elegant bird when seen
on the tundra.
Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
COMMON MURRE (Uria aalge) –
We saw 13 species of alcids on this tour. A pretty
remarkable total. How many tours offer that many?! This
species was seen in good numbers on St. Paul, and a few
birds off the coast in Nome. THICK-BILLED MURRE
(Uria lomvia) – Large numbers nesting and rafting in the
water at St. Paul.
BLACK GUILLEMOT
(Cepphus grylle) – A good bird for St. Paul where we had
singles or more each day. Not seen in Barrow.
PIGEON GUILLEMOT
(Cepphus columba) – Good numbers on St. Paul and again in
Seward.
MARBLED MURRELET
(Brachyramphus marmoratus) – Good numbers on our boat ride out of
Seward, including in the harbour near the hotel.
KITTLITZ'S
MURRELET (Brachyramphus
brevirostris) – This species
was only found in the really cold waters near the glacier.
However, we had a number of individuals. Great looks and
photos. The frosty head and white outer tail feathers really
stood out in comparison with Marbled.
ANCIENT MURRELET
(Synthliboramphus antiquus) – A few in the St. Paul Harbour, but better
looks out of Seward.
Tufted Puffins
offered up wonderful close photo ops at the St. Paul
seabird cliffs. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
LEAST AUKLET
(Aethia pusilla) – St. Paul, where they easily out-number
any other alcid species.
CRESTED AUKLET
(Aethia cristatella) – Good numbers on St. Paul.
RHINOCEROS AUKLET
(Cerorhinca monocerata) – One on the Seward boat ride.
HORNED PUFFIN
(Fratercula corniculata) – The flying footballs were fairly common
on St. Paul and uncommon on our Seward boat ride.
TUFTED PUFFIN
(Fratercula cirrhata) – Ditto above. Great, close photos and
studies from the seabird cliffs at St. Paul.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Anchorage. Strigidae (Owls)
SNOWY OWL (Bubo
scandiacus) – Not a great
lemming year, which meant the jaeger and owl numbers were
lower than in other years. We had probably 10 or so
individuals on our various drives through the tundra at
Barrow. Most were away from the road. SHORT-EARED OWL
(Asio flammeus) – Great looks at several birds during our
drives around Nome.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – One on our drive to Denali. Picidae (Woodpeckers)
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens) – One was seen well at Westchester Lagoon
in Anchorage. HAIRY WOODPECKER
(Picoides villosus) [*]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
ALDER FLYCATCHER (Empidonax alnorum) – One seen well and close during our stop
to view Mt. McKinley. Laniidae (Shrikes)
NORTHERN SHRIKE (Lanius excubitor) – We searched up and down Kougarok Road,
eventually finding a few individuals including one chasing a
male harrier (but they weren't super common). Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GRAY JAY (Perisoreus
canadensis) – Only in Denali
where fairly common. STELLER'S JAY
(Cyanocitta stelleri) – Several small groups during our forest
walk near Seward.
BLACK-BILLED
MAGPIE (Pica hudsonia)
– Common on the mainland in most
places.
NORTHWESTERN CROW
(Corvus caurinus) – A few on the Seward portion of our trip.
The feathered
feet and toes of ptarmigan (like this Willow Ptarmigan)
gave rise to their generic name Lagopus, which means "hare
foot." They are also a great adaptation to life in the
cold and snow. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor) – Around Anchorage and Seward, but possibly
less common than Violet-green. One was on St. Paul. VIOLET-GREEN
SWALLOW (Tachycineta
thalassina) – Seen at several
different sites including around the hotel in Anchorage.
BANK SWALLOW
(Riparia riparia) – In singles at several different sites,
but one flying down the beach on St. Paul was a little
unusual.
CLIFF SWALLOW
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – Along the Denali Highway and again in
Nome.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Poecile atricapillus) – Our first was in Anchorage at Westchester
and again outside Seward in the spruce forest. We swept the
chickadees on this tour (at least the ones that were
possible for us!). This species ranges all the way down the
Pacific coast into California. CHESTNUT-BACKED
CHICKADEE (Poecile rufescens)
– A pair were found in the spruce
forest outside Seward.
BOREAL CHICKADEE
(Poecile hudsonicus) – Fairly common at a few different sites on
the tour. We had all three species outside of Seward.
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis) – A pair were outside of Seward reacting
nicely to our scold tape. Troglodytidae (Wrens)
PACIFIC WREN (ALASKAN ISLANDS) (Troglodytes pacificus alascensis) – Once lumped with Winter Wren in the east
and even the Old World equivalent, Wren, this is now a
separate species. The St. Paul Island birds, where we saw
ours, is an interesting isolated taxon with a different
call. Another split? Cinclidae (Dippers)
AMERICAN DIPPER (Cinclus mexicanus) – Seen nicely at its nest under the eaves
of the salmon farm outside of Seward. It was also calling a
few times. They were Red Salmon, btw. Regulidae (Kinglets)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) [*] RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET (Regulus calendula)
– Common in the spruce forest around
Nome and Sewad, at least by voice.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
ARCTIC WARBLER (Phylloscopus borealis) – A number were outside of Nome, having
arrived only the day before. Allison finally got a good
look, too. ;-) Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
BLUETHROAT (Luscinia
svecica) – We worked on this
one. The first individual we found wasn't very cooperative
(though quite vocal!), but the second pair responded so so
nicely. A flashy looking bird in an Old World family,
Muscicapidae. NORTHERN WHEATEAR
(Oenanthe oenanthe) – A pair were at our dump-truck lunchspot
near Coffee Dome. These were the only ones we saw.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Catharus minimus) – Quite common in the spruce forest along
the Denali Highway. SWAINSON'S THRUSH
(Catharus ustulatus) – On our day to Denali, but that was the
only one. Its "wip" call was heard a few times.
Bohemian Waxwings
are the default waxwing in most of Alaska, as Cedar
Waxwings are pretty much restricted to the south coast. We
saw several small groups around Denali. (Photo by guide
Jesse Fagan)
AMERICAN ROBIN
(Turdus migratorius) – The song was heard outside our hotel in
Anchorage among a few other sites.
VARIED THRUSH
(Ixoreus naevius) – We had this lovely species at a few
different spots, our first on the drive to Denali.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) – Not common (thankfully?), and just around
Anchorage. Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla tschutschensis) – Finally tracked down some cooperative
individuals around Nome, then again (surprisingly) one was
in Barrow. Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus) – Nice looks at several small groups near
Denali and again on the Denali Highway. Calcariidae (Longspurs and Snow Buntings)
LAPLAND LONGSPUR (Calcarius lapponicus) – The common breeding passerine on St.
Paul. It was also seen displaying on the tundra in Nome and
Barrow. SNOW BUNTING
(Plectrophenax nivalis) – Common on St. Paul, seen again in Barrow
where one was nesting under the footpath of our hotel.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – Common by voice in the riparian areas
along streams and in the marshy bogs. ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata)
– Also fairly common in taller riparian
forest along rivers or streams. Our first was on the first
day at Westchester Lagoon.
YELLOW WARBLER
(Setophaga petechia) – Not too common, but a few were around
Nome.
BLACKPOLL WARBLER
(Setophaga striata) – Super common in the spruce forest around
Denali. The location of their high-pitched song can be
difficult to pinpoint at times.
YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLER (Setophaga coronata)
– Seen in Denali all three days and
again in Seward. A common spruce forest breeder, these were
"Myrtle" warblers which is the eastern most occurring
subspecies.
One of a handful
of mainly Old World songbirds that breed in Alaska, the
gorgeous Bluethroat is a highly sought-after target on
this trip. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)
WILSON'S WARBLER
(Cardellina pusilla) – Fairly common, at least by voice, on the
mainland. Seen a few times.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and
Allies)
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (Spizella arborea) – Nice looks on the Denali Highway and
again in Nome. SAVANNAH SPARROW
(Passerculus sandwichensis) – Most places except St. Paul and Barrow.
FOX SPARROW
(SOOTY) (Passerella iliaca
sinuosa) – This was the
form/subspecies seen around Seward. It has more of a
Catharus thrush like appearance. Songs between the two
subspecies seen on this tour were remarkably different.
FOX SPARROW (RED)
(Passerella iliaca zaboria) – This was the form seen on the Denali
Highway. It is of the eastern "red" variety.
LINCOLN'S SPARROW
(Melospiza lincolnii) – One seen in Anchorage at Westchester
Lagoon on Part I.
WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW (GAMBEL'S) (Zonotrichia
leucophrys gambelii) – There
are several different subspecies of White-crowned. The one
seen throughout this trip have gray lores and yellow-orange
bills.
GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROW (Zonotrichia
atricapilla) – Great looks in
Nome. A flashy looking sparrow.
DARK-EYED JUNCO
(SLATE-COLORED) (Junco
hyemalis hyemalis) – Fairly
common throughout the tour. A few were singing outside the
hotel in Anchorage.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Euphagus carolinus) – Singles in Denali (where one responded
quite nicely) and in Nome. Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH (PRIBILOF IS.)
(Leucosticte tephrocotis umbrina)
– One of the more common passerines on
St. Paul. PINE GROSBEAK
(Pinicola enucleator) – A few around Seward. We had our first, a
female, sitting atop a spruce tree during our rest stop.
WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILL (Loxia leucoptera)
– A flock flew over us at the bus
station in Denali. Unfortunately, our only ones.
COMMON REDPOLL
(Acanthis flammea) – Common around Denali, but less common
further north where Hoarys were around.
HOARY REDPOLL
(Acanthis hornemanni) – The more common redpoll around Nome and
Barrow. The white rumps really stood out in flight.
PINE SISKIN
(Spinus pinus) [*]
MAMMALS
SNOWSHOE HARE
(Lepus americanus) – One on our drive along the Denali
Highway. It was already starting to shed its winter coat.
ALASKAN HARE
(Lepus othus)
HOARY MARMOT
(Marmota caligata) – One was giving a long whistled bark from
his/her rocky perch near the Polychrome Mountains in Denali
NP.
ARCTIC GROUND
SQUIRREL (Spermophilus
parryii) – Pretty common in
Denali NP.
RED SQUIRREL
(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
TUNDRA RED-BACKED
VOLE (Clethrionomys rutilus)
BROWN LEMMING
(Lemmus sibiricus) – A few of you tracked down the lemmings in
town during our stay in Barrow.
NORTH AMERICAN
PORCUPINE (Erethizon dorsatum)
– One wattled off the road quickly
during our drive along the Denali Highway.
ORCA (Orcinus orca) – We saw dorsal fins from the St. Paul
cliffs, but much better looks were had of a small pod in
Seward from the boat.
DALL'S PORPOISE
(Phocoenoides dalli) – A beautiful species, and especially fun
when they start to bowride.
GRAY WHALE
(Eschrichtius robustus)
HUMPBACK WHALE
(Megaptera novaeangliae) – Nice humpback action was had during our
Seward boatride.
RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes)
ARCTIC FOX
(Alopex lagopus) – I heard that this species on St. Paul
never really gets pure white in the winter. Most were in a
sooty black coat, but I imagine they put on a paler coat in
the dead of winter?
GRAY WOLF (Canis lupus) –
One sauntered down the road past our bus in Denali NP. I
guess that's what you do when you are a wolf...you saunter.
BROWN (INCL.
GRIZZLY) BEAR (Ursus arctos)
– Nice looks at several distant
grizzlies in Denali NP, and later one very close to the bus.
A great grizzly show!
POLAR BEAR
(Ursus maritimus) – Seen well by half the group at the bone
yard, but later one was offshore in the pressure ridge (and
not bad looks in the scope). All in all, a good Polar Bear
show in Barrow.
SEA OTTER (Enhydra lutris) – Nice Sea Otters lazily floating in the
water during the Seward boat ride.
CANADIAN LYNX
(Lynx canadensis) – Highlight of the trip for many. A lynx
walked across the road in front of our Denali bus. It later
vanished into the spruce understory. Still, awesome to view
this amazing, and mysterious creature.
STELLER'S SEA LION
(Eumetopias jubatus) – Paler overall (more of a golden brown)
than the next species. They both were seen on St. Paul, and
Steller's again in Seward.
NORTHERN FUR SEAL
(Callorhinus ursinus)
HARBOR SEAL
(Phoca vitulina)
MOOSE (Alces alces) –
Lots of moose around this year.
CARIBOU (Rangifer caribou)
MOUNTAIN GOAT
(Oreamnos americanus) – Distant scope looks on a few mountain
ridges near Seward, but closer from the boat (one with a
kidd).
MUSKOX (Ovibos moschatus) – Prehistoric. Such a strange creature. A
few were around the perimeter of Nome.
DALL'S SHEEP
(Ovis dalli) – The northern equivalent of Big Horn
Sheep. We had a number in Denali and again down around
Seward.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 174 bird taxa and 27 mammal taxa