Grand Alaska: Jun 09—24, 2009

Denali — Photo: Barry Zimmer

Set amidst the finest scenery on the planet, participants can expect exhilarating birding through the forests, tundra, and coasts of one of the world's truly elite destinations. Focus on all Alaskan specialty birds and mammals, with possibility of Siberian vagrants at Nome and St. Paul Island.

After overnighting in Anchorage, our longest Alaska trip heads straight to the gold-rush capital of Nome. Here we may find a Slaty-backed Gull from Siberia loafing on the town waterfront, or a belligerent White Wagtail calling from atop a traditional Eskimo fish-drying frame. Regal pairs of Harlequin Ducks ride the rapids of the many rivers while Wandering Tattlers teeter along the gravel shores. Bar-tailed Godwits and other shorebirds gather in impressive numbers at the river's mouth, as elegant Long-tailed Jaegers patrol the adjacent tundra. The hills inland from Nome provide nest sites for lordly Gyrfalcons, as well as for their principal prey—Rock and Willow ptarmigans. Traveling still further inland, we may be treated to the exuberant flight songs of the dazzling male Bluethroat.

We will also visit the Pribilof Islands, which offer an incomparable seabird experience. Thousands of Least, Crested, and Parakeet auklets, murres, puffins, and fulmars, nest along its towering cliffs and can be observed almost within touching distance, as can Red-faced Cormorants and Red-legged Kittiwakes.

Three days spent in the magnificent Denali Highway wilderness will acquaint us with the grandeur of the Alaska Range and some of the continent's finest scenery. Based out of a comfortable lodge set amidst dazzling surroundings, we'll be treated to all of the birding and wildlife viewing possibilities of the Denali region without the congestion of cruise line tour buses and rampant commercialization that is coming to dominate the National Park itself. We'll bird tall boreal forest, taiga, subalpine and alpine habitats for Trumpeter Swan, Spruce Grouse, Rock and Willow ptarmigans, Northern Hawk Owl and Great Gray Owl (rare), Northern Shrike, Northern Wheatear, Bohemian Waxwing, Arctic Warbler, Smith's Longspur, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, and many others. Moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly, red fox, beaver, and porcupine are all good possibilities as well.

A boat trip to Kenai Fjords National Park will offer spectacular scenery—immense ice fields, glaciers cutting into the sea, sheer-walled fjords, fog-draped spruce forests, and rugged headlands awash with nesting seabirds. Alcids are the primary attraction with such possibilities as Kittlitz's, Marbled, and Ancient murrelets competing with guillemots, puffins, and murres for our attention.

Gambell/Nome, Grand Alaska, and the Barrow Extension may be taken separately or in combination. Taken in concert they comprise the most complete and exciting Alaska birding tour available.

Good to excellent accommodations; easy to moderate terrain; easy, short walks with one optional hike involving difficult terrain; internal flights to Nome and the Pribilofs, with a full-day boat trip to Kenai Fjords; some long drives; full birding days with optional post-dinner birding at some locations; cold to mild climate.