Birding

[basser]

has any one birdied the cruise ports on your own? Are there places to walk to?

[mapleleaves]

The Alaska Fish and Game site has info by area.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=birdviewing.checklists

[basser]

Thanks Mapleleaf. 

[Glaciers]

If you'll be spending any time in Anchorage there is a spot about 10 minutes south of downtown called Potter Marsh. It can be a jackpot of birds during the summer. Swans, geese, yellowlegs, arctic terns, dowitchers, cranes. There are also at least 3 bald eagle nests on the back side of the marsh and there is usually one occupied until the chicks fledge.

 

Although its hit and miss, there are loons on Jewel Lake and it is a fishing spot for the ospreys primarily in the early evening.  Cheney Lake always has several nesting grebes and frequently has loons., always geese.

[basser]

Thanks Glaciers. I have been to Potter Marsh once. Unfortunately we are flying in on the day of the cruise and we don’t have time to go there. 

[Northern Aurora]

We have been traveling -- including four weeks on a cruise ship -- so I am late in responding.  But for those interested in birding there are several active Audubon groups in the state.

 

In Juneau, the Juneau Audubon group has a great website (www.juneau-audubon-society.org).  Their section on regional birding information contains southeast Alaska checklists.

 

In Anchorage Audubon Alaska (www.akaudubon.org) has information on Anchorage area bird walks and interesting articles covering the entire state.

 

In Fairbanks we have the Arctic Audubon (www.arcticaudubon.org).  In addition to an article on  birding in interior Alaska this website has a Fairbanks area hiking and birding guide.