Alaska Birds: Afognak Island Edition

An Alaskan bird, the double-crested cormorant, snags a fish out of the water.

For many birdwatchers, Alaska presents an untapped treasure trove of opportunities. First of all, the Last Frontier’s pristine wilderness offers excellent habitat for several species. Secondly, some birds, like horned and tufted puffins, are difficult to find anywhere outside Alaska. And although many Alaska birds thrive elsewhere, very few places provide such an immersive experience for spectators. The abundance and diversity of birds near Afognak Wilderness Lodge is undoubtedly an attractive amenity for nature lovers hoping to add a few of these feathered friends to their list.

Getting Ready for Birdwatching in Alaska

Before you head out in search of Alaska’s beloved birds, you’ll want to do some preparation and research. If you consider yourself a birding enthusiast, you may wish to skip straight to the action. Still, birdwatching in Alaska is much different than your typical outing. Here are a few things you’ll want to have with you:

• An Audubon Field Guide or other reputable references

• Water-resistant notebook

• Binoculars

• Camera

• Insect repellent

• Warm clothes and extra layers

• Rain jacket

• Waterproof boots

Common Alaska Birds on Afognak Island

Like many animals in Alaska, birds greatly benefit from the state’s relatively unscathed environment characterized by shallow bays, craggy inlets, bountiful reefs, and dense vegetation. Remote areas like Afognak Island are home to a wide range of specimens, some of which only reside here during certain seasons. Here are a few unique Alaska birds that we’ve spotted over the years:

• Barrow’s Goldeneye

• Black Oystercatcher

• Black Turnstone

• Black-legged Kittiwake

• Double-crested Cormorant

• Glaucous-winged Gull

• Harlequin Duck

• Horned Puffin

• Marbled Murrelet

• Parakeet Auklet

• Pelagic Cormorant

• Pigeon Guillemot

• Pine Grosbeak

• Red-faced Cormorant

• Rock Sandpiper

• Steller’s Eider

• Tufted Puffin

Afognak Island Alaska: A Bird Lover’s Paradise

A seemingly smiling puffin greets onlookers at Afognak Island State Park.

Now that you have a few ideas of what to expect, you can start crafting your Alaska birds checklist! Afognak Wilderness Lodge has all-inclusive resort packages featuring guest-cabin accommodations, quality dining, outdoor gear, and seemingly endless adventures to make the trip more inviting! To learn more about how you can have the Alaska vacation of a lifetime, please reach out to us online or call 360-799-3250.