Eagle River Nature Center - Anchorage



Potter Marsh Viewing Area- Anchorage


Swan - Potter Marsh, Anchorage


Arctic Tern - Potter Marsh, Anchorage


Red-necked Grebe - Potter Marsh, Anchorage


Partial View of Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage


Moose on Coastal Trail, Anchorage

Anchorage Bird Viewing

Visitors to any part of Alaska will encounter many species of birds in their natural habitat. Here are some top bird watching locations. For more information about Alaska bird viewing please click here.

Over 229 species of birds have been recorded in the Anchorage area. Anchorage is strategically situated at the edge of several different Alaska regional flora systems, and is at the intersection of several different natural migratory pathways. Many bird species that have been recorded in the Anchorage area are casual or accidental visitors that are either passing through or got blown off course but at least 150 species occur annually as either regular passage migrants or breeders. The best season for birding in Anchorage is the beginning of May until the end of September.

And bird viewing visitors are sure to see plenty of other wildlife in Alaska, especially moose--the official Alaska state animal.

 

Potter Marsh - Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge

Thousands of people stop to view wildlife at Potter Marsh each year. It is easily Anchorage's most popular wildlife haven. Parking areas, an elevated boardwalk, and interpretive signs along the New Seward Highway provide wildlife enthsiasts with an excellent vantage point for viewing and photography. It is located about 15 km south of downtown Anchorage on the Seward Highway.

Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, with its extensive tidal flats, marsh communities, and alder-bog forest, supports some of the greatest numbers and diversity of birds in the Anchorage area. At least 130 bird species have been sighted in the refuge. Premier viewing occurs at Potter Marsh. Peak concentrations can be viewed during the spring migration from late April through mid-May when waterbirds stop on their way to breeding grounds to the north and again in late July and August when shorebirds begin to flock up in preparation for their migration to southern wintering grounds.

A diversity of waterbirds can also be found nesting in Potter Marsh. The most conspicuous and well-known is the lesser Canada goose, one of five subspecies of Canada goose found in Alaska. There are approximately 15-20 nesting pairs that provide entertainment each summer with the antics of their large ˇ§gosling nurseries.ˇ¨ Other waterbirds commonly found in the marsh include mallards, northern pintails, northern shovelers, American wigeons, canvasbacks, red-necked grebes, horned grebes, yellowlegs, and northern phalaropes. Arctic terns and mew gulls are common nesters at the marsh. During migration, trumpeter or tundra swans, snow geese, short-earred owls, and an occasional pair of Pacific loons may be sighted. Northern harriers and bald eagles are often seen as well.

 

Westchester Lagoon

Westchester Lagoon right outside of downtown Anchorage is an excellent location for waterbirds from late April through end of September. A variety of waterfowl and shorebirds can be spotted in the lagoon or on the islands in the middle of the lagoon. Birds that have been spotted at the lagoon include common loons, red-necked grebes, wigeons, scaups, green-winged teals, goldeneyes, arctic terns, Bonaparte's gulls, Hudsonian godwits, dowitchers, turnstones, and many other species of shorebirds. Westchester Lagoon is just 1 km south of downtown Anchorage off of Minnesota Drive.

 

Eagle River Nature Center - Anchorage

This location is wonderful for both resident and migratory species. Commonly seen species include hairy and downy woodpeckers, gray jays, boreal chickadees, pine grosbeak, common redpoll, northern dipper, Wilson's warbler, northern waterthrush, and boreal and saw-whet owls.

 

Goose Lake

Goose Lake is located in central Anchorage adjacent to the University of Alaska Anchorage. Goose Lake is a wonderful location to view nesting Pacific loons in an urban area. Rent a paddleboat or just bird from shoreline. The loons nest at the far end of the lake but can be seen very easily from mid- May to mid-September. Other species that are common around the lake include mew and herring gulls, Canada geese, mallards, American wigeons, and various songbirds.

 

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

The 18 km Coastal Trail follows the coast south from downtown Anchorage. The coastal trail is great for viewing shorebirds during spring and fall migration especially during low tide when shorebirds can be viewed feeding in the mudflats (one to two hours before high tide is best). The forest bordering the coastal trail is productive for many species of boreal songbirds including boreal chickadees, blackpoll warblers, alder flycatcher, and a variety of warbler and sparrow species.

 

Chugach State Park

The Glen Alps trailhead of the Chugach State Park offers access to incredible scenery and unique alpine bird species. Many alpine bird species can be found here. Alpine bird species that can be found here include hermit thrush, golden-crowned sparrow, willow ptarmigan, Townsend's solitaire, Wilson's warbler, white-winged crossbill, American pipit, gray-crowned rosy-finch, and northern harrier.

 

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