Bird Watching at Kobuk Valley National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park is a 1,750,716 acres park located to the north of the Arctic Circleexactly at a distance of 25 miles. Basically, it is in northwest Alaska. The part acts as a preservatory for the high Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. The surrounding area is also under protection as it is the immigration route for a species of caribou Reindeer.

Major Attractions at Kobuk Valley National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park pretty much has little to no road access. As a result, one of the most popular ways to travel in the park is to fly by getting on one of those cool helicopters. The park offers an amazing view of the sand dunes.

Backpacking and hiking are some of the park’s most popular activities. A surprise, considering we cannot find a campground or a proper road in the park. People who hike here are serious about it and tend to carry all the important stuff that can be of use when you are left in the wild.

The Kobuk River, the ever slow-moving friend, allows you to boat or paddle to travel through it. Many people fish on this river, catching the likes of Northern pike. The park is home to caribou, wolves, black and brown bears, moose, etc.

In winter, the park is frequented by people who like skiing, snowmobiling, etc. Though, you should only do this if you have the right gears. Aurora-viewing is another popular activity in the park, the one you should do with a trusted ranger.

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Bird Watching at Kobuk Valley National Park

There are 564 bird species in Alaska in total, of what has been recorded to date. In winter, you can barely spot 3 species in the park. In summer, this rises to a 16. Actually, at least 33 species form colonies in the park during summer. In winter, the colonies rise to 11 at most.

The park is not a place where most people visit for birdwatching. While a large number of birds can be seen by the lakes in summer, it is almost always the same couple of species rather than a huge diversity. However, the ones that do nest here are interesting to observe. For a beginner birdwatcher, they might be the perfect starting point.

Among the species spotted in the park, there are Common Ravens, Common Redpoll, and Canada Jay. Ravens are easy to spot due to their dark feather colors against the backdrop of the otherwise white snow or the blue lakes in the park. Common Redpoll and Common Jay are harder to recognize as they have a white plumage for the most part that easily blends in with the park’s scenery.

10 Birds to See at Kobuk Valley National Park

American Wigeon

American Wigeons are brownish-gray with a green stripe behind the eye and a white cap. You can find them throughout North America. Their population is stable with their range expanding into the northeast and Canada. American Wigeons have short bills that help them eat vegetation from fields easily. They make their homes in marshes, lakes, and fields. American Wigeons eat mostly plants such as algae, eelgrass, and wild celery. They migrate in flocks, moving during the day.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warblers are an all-around yellow bird with some light brown stripes on their chest. You can find these birds throughout North America. Their population is stable and not at risk of endangerment. They make their homes in gardens, streams, and along swamp edges. Yellow Warblers have a distinct whistle. They feed on insects in willows, wet woods, and even by the roadside. Yellow Warblers migrate early in the fall.

Northern Harrier

Northern Harriers are brown and gray with a white underside and black wingtips. They also have a white patch on their tail at the base. The face of a Northern Harrier is similar to an owl. Northern Harriers are found throughout North America. Their population is declining; however, they are still common. They make their homes in marshes, fields, and prairies. Northern Harriers eat small rodents and birds. The ones found in the south are permanent residents, while the ones found in the north migrate in both fall and spring.

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.

Canada Goose

Canada Geese are brown with a black neck and white marks along their chin. They live all throughout North America. Their population continues to increase as many are managed in wildlife refuges. Canada Geese enjoy making their habitat in open water and also on lawns near a water source. They move through the sky in a V-formation. Their diet is mostly plants of all kinds and occasionally seeds, berries, and small fish. They lay 4 to 7 eggs on the ground near
water. At one time they followed a strict migratory pattern, but now many are permanent residents in refuges.

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes are tall, large, and gray with long necks and long legs. They also have red crowns and long bills. Sandhill Cranes can be found throughout North America. They have made a recent comeback in population. Sandhill Cranes are not endangered but are definitely being watched. They live in the prairie region of North America. Sandhill Cranes are known for their dancing skills and trumpet sounds. They eat the roots of plants in water. They will also eat insects, frogs, snakes, rodents, seeds, and berries. Sandhill Cranes usually lay 2 eggs in a nest built on the ground. They will sometimes build a nest that floats on water that is anchored to plants. Sandhill Cranes that reside in the north migrate more than their southern counterparts.

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.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Long-billed Dowitchers have a brown-black body with a scalloped underbelly. As their name indicates, they have a long, thin, bill. Long-billed Dowitchers live in Alaska, Siberia, and South America. You can only find them in the United States when they migrate. Their population is widespread and common. They make their homes in shallow pools and mudflats. Long-billed Dowitchers eat insects, mollusks, and plants. They migrate from the far north-west to the southeast.

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.

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.

Final Thoughts

If you visit Kobuk Valley National Park with the exclusive purpose of birdwatching, you cannot forget your binoculars. It would also not make sense to visit the place in winter, when birds are scarce rather than in summer when birds immigrate there to nest in the 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 Kobuk Valley 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.