Bird Watching at Gates of the Arctic National Park

In northern Alaska, the Gates of the Arctic National Park work to protect parts of the Brooks Range. This park is the United States’ most northern park and is basically at the Arctic Circle’s north. The 8,472,506 acres makes it the US’ second largest park. To give you a good idea, the park is a bit larger than Belgium.

Major Attractions at Gates of the Arctic National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park is simply a stunning place. The place is mostly mountains and rivers. A lot of these places are frozen in winter. There are so many things one can do in the park. For one, sightseeing in itself is an
enjoyable activity. In the process, you can observe the birds and the wildlife, too. There are not that many trees in the place. It is all open land. You can do things like go on a boat ride or hike up to the mountains. There is the option of going rock climbing, too. The mountains are not too tall if you are scared of heights. In a place with this amount of frozen ice, there is one thing that you must do. You guessed it! It is ice sledding. Camping and backcountry visits are some of the best parts of the park.

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Bird Watching at Gates of the Arctic National Park

Alaska has a total of 564 species of birds. In the past 30 years, Gates of the Arctic National Park has had the fortune of hosting 145 species on its grounds and waters. Because of the long summers and the daylight that never seems to fade, many migratory birds end up in the park in summer.

Songbirds, raptors, aquatic ones can be both spotted and heard in different areas of the park. For those who come to hike or boat in the rivers, birdwatching is a part and parcel of the activities. If one specifically wants to birdwatch, places like Anaktuvuk Pass, Bettles, Coldfoot, and the path of the Dalton Highway are good points.

About half of the birds in the Gates of the Arctic National Park appear to be the aquatic type, so rivers are your best friend while birdwatching. Additionally, birds are always more active in the early hours of the day or in the evening. The sun never sets in summer in the park so you can either begin early in the morning to find birds or roam
the park late to spot some. Year-round, you may find the Willow and Rock Ptarmigan. Lapland Longspur, Northern Wheatear, and American Golden-Plover have all chosen this as a stopover point.

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American Golden-Plover

American Golden-Plovers are graceful, gold, and black speckled shorebirds. They also have a white stripe from the crown of their head to their neck. They live in the midwestern region of North America. American Golden-Plovers make their homes on prairies, shores, and in the tundra. Their population is limited now due to the loss of their wintering habitat in South America. American Golden-Plovers eat insects such as flies, beetles, and snails. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and once they hatch the young birds find their own food. They migrate from Canada to South America. American Golden-Plovers make the longest migration journey of any shorebird.

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawks are mostly gray with white stripes and orange-red eyes. They have short, but broad wings with long tails that help them fly. Northern Goshawks live in the northern region of North America. Their population in the north has seen a recent increase; however, the birds in the southern mountains are threatened. Northern Goshawks are secretive birds that live in forests, which makes them hard to see. Their diet consists of small mammals and birds. They lay 2 to 4 eggs in platform nests high up in trees. Not all Northern Goshawks migrate, but the birds that do, migrate south in late fall and early spring.

Arctic Tern

Arctic Terns are a pale gray color with a black cap, red bill, and red legs. They have long, pointed wings when seen in flight. You can find them in northern Canada and also in Antarctica. Arctic Terns have declined in population, but they are not endangered. They eat mostly fish, some crustaceans, and insects. This Tern lays 1 to 3 eggs in a nest on the ground. They make their home along rocky coasts and islands. They migrate offshore.

American Kestrel

American Kestrels are very colorful. They have a blue-gray head, with rusty-red wings, back, and tail. These birds live throughout North America. Their population in the north has declined by a small amount, but everywhere else their population is steady. They make their homes in open country, farmlands, and wood edges. American Kestrels are the smallest falcon in North America. They can be found on wires or poles hunting for food. American Kestrels mostly eat large insects and some small mammals. They lay 4 to 6 eggs and build their nests in dead trees, cliffs, or dirt banks. American Kestrels found in the north migrate to the south; all others are permanent residents.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Juncos have a gray-brown body with bright white tail feathers. You can find them throughout North America. They are abundant and widespread with no risk to their population. Dark-eyed Juncos make their homes in open or partially wooded areas. They have a twittering call and a trilling song. These birds eat insects and seeds. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and build their nests on the ground, hidden under branches or rocks. Dark-eyed Juncos are migratory birds; however, those already residing in the south are permanent residents.

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrows are a gray birds with black and white stripes on their head and a yellow bill. They live throughout North America. Their population is widespread and common. They make their homes in forest edges, thickets, gardens, and parks. White-crowned Sparrows are winter birds that frolic in fields and along roadsides. They can be found on the ground looking for insects to eat. White-crowned Sparrows along the Pacific Coast are permanent residents. The ones from the north and mountain regions migrate south.

Great Gray Owl

Great Gray Owls are covered in gray feathers with a white “bow tie” across their neck. They live in the north, mainly in Canada. Their population is stable, although they have seen some declines in the south. They make their homes in dense forests and in meadows. Great Gray Owls are powerful Owls that can be hard to spot. They like to feed on small animals, like mice and gophers. These Owls lay 2 to 5 eggs and likes to reuse the same nest for many years. They do not have a migratory pattern; however, they sometimes will move south in the winter.

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadees are gray and white with a black cap. You can find them throughout North America. They are a common bird with an increasing population. They live in shade trees and groves. Black-capped Chickadees are easy to attract to backyard feeders because they like seeds. They also like insects and berries. These birds lay 6 to 8 eggs in holes they make in trees. They are not a migratory bird; however, some groups have been seen going south in the fall.

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owls are white with some brown or black markings on their wings. They live in the High Arctic areas of North America. They are not endangered, but have decreased some in population. Like most Owls, the Snowy Owl has yellow eyes. They are the largest Owl, by weight, in North America. Their habitat is in prairies and fields in the Arctic Tundra. Their diet is mostly mammals and birds. They lay anywhere from 3 to 11 eggs. Their nests are usually small depressions in the ground, out in the open. There is not much information about the Snowy Owls’ migratory pattern, but some have been seen migrating south in the winter. Harry Potter’s owl is a Snowy Owl.

Osprey

Ospreys are brown on top with white underneath. You can find them all throughout North America. Their population was endangered, due to pesticides, but since being banned, the Osprey population has recovered. They make their homes near rivers and lakes. They dive into the water to catch live fish. Ospreys lay about 3 eggs and build stick nests high up on telephone poles and other nest platforms. They migrate along coastlines and lake shores; however, the Ospreys found in Florida are permanent residents.

Final Thoughts

Bird watching at the Gates of the Arctic National Park is a fruitless activity in winter. While there are species present in winter, the diversity we see in summer due to it being a popular stoppage for migratory birds is unparalleled. If you want the best of birding in the area, summer is the best season.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at Gates of the Arctic National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.