Alaska: Utqiaġvik Ross’s Gull Migration

Description of Alaska: Utqiaġvik Ross’s Gull Migration

The arctic outpost of Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) is the northernmost city in the United States. This small Iñupiat town is literally at the edge of the World! The enormous tundra and scattered lagoons of Alaska’s North Slope abruptly end in Utqiaġvik, where the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas meet at Point Barrow. The winter is long, dangerously cold, and extremely windy. When the sun sets in mid-November it will stay below the horizon until late January, resulting in ~66 days of total darkness! During fall storms, waves crash against the gritty beaches, threatening homes and tearing away at the town’s coastal roads. Living in such an extreme environment is difficult, but each summer hundreds of thousands of birds return to nest on the fertile tundra, and the Iñupiat people have also managed to carve out a living there for over 1,500 years! In fact, the name Utqiaġvik literally translates to “the place where Snowy Owls are hunted”!

We will definitely keep an eye out for Snowy Owls, but our primary quarry will be one of the World’s rarest birds – the stunning Ross’s Gull! During a brief window in October, a large percentage of the entire population of these tiny, pink gulls migrate past Point Barrow as they move between food-rich areas in the Arctic Ocean. Ross’s Gull’s, also known as “Rose-breasted Gulls”, are largely inaccessible to North American birders. Their extremely restricted range, mysterious habits, striking plumage, wedge-shaped tail, and adorably small size make them incredibly unique and easily one of the most sought-after birds! Although they were previous thought to ‘paint’ themselves pink, the coloration actually comes from eating large amounts of red-pigmented crustaceans during the breeding season. Juvenile Ross’s Gulls have their own charm; lacking the pink wash to their undersides but showcasing a bold, black M-shaped pattern across the topside of their wings. This tour aims to put us at exactly the right place and time to have the best odds at seeing Ross’s Gulls up-close and in good numbers!

In addition to Ross’s Gulls we also have the chance to see migrating Yellow-billed Loons, King Eiders, Spectacled Eiders, “Pacific” Common Eiders, Red Phalaropes, Pomarine Jaegers, Sabine’s Gulls, Glaucous Gulls, “Thayer’s” Iceland Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Short-tailed Shearwaters, and possibly very rare Ivory Gulls! Searching the town and tundra can often turn up Snow Buntings, Snowy Owls, Hoary Redpolls, and maybe a vagrant songbird or two! Beyond the birds, we also have an opportunity to see Arctic Foxes, Spotted Seals, Ringed Seals, Walrus, and of course – the holy grail of arctic animals – Polar Bears! The annual Iñupiat hunt for Bowhead Whales typically ends in early October, and any remnant whale meat scattered along the coastline is a major draw for gulls, foxes, and bears.

This 7-day tour begins and ends in Anchorage where we will briefly spend time birding before flying to Utqiaġvik. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, and is nestled between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Several city parks and nearby reserves provide a great introduction to the region. Barrow’s Goldeneye, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Glaucous-winged Gull, Short-billed Gull, Canada Jay, Varied Thrush, Boreal Chickadee, American Dipper, Spruce Grouse, and White-winged Crossbill will be searched for as time allows. Moose are common, and Dall’s Sheep may be seen. If we are really lucky we might even see Belugas at Turnagain Arm.

This tour is designed to be part 2 of an 11-day tour in combination with ALASKA: St. Paul Island Fall Vagrants. We certainly suggest joining us for the full double-tour to really make the most of a fall visit to Alaska, but you are also welcome to sign up for just the St. Paul Island half or the Utqiaġvik half. More details are explained in the itinerary below, and you are welcome to contact us any time if you have questions!