... so you can learn how the birds, fish, frogs, and mammals survive in interior Alaska’s tough climate. Moose Pond. Its continental climate is a study of extremes - extreme cold in the winter (it is not unusual for temperatures to be in the -50's) and extreme heat in the summer (often in the 80's). Fairbanks has a similar group on the Chena. Birds. See long range weather forecasts for the next 60 days for the Alaska Region. In the early days this part of Alaska was the home of the Athabaskan people, and … As of January 2020, there were 528 species on the official list. The town of Homer is a birding hotspot, easily accessible (for Alaska) at the end of the Sterling Highway, 210 miles from Anchorage: “where the road ends and the sea begins,” as folks here say. Winter Bird-Feeding in Alaska. The islands and coastal lands of the Alaska Maritime Refuge are bird magnets: For seabirds whose only other home is the ocean. This path was constructed to provide a place for hikers to view the plantlife around interior Alaska. From the Arctic pack ice to the rainforests of Southeast to the windswept Aleutian Islands, nearly 500 bird species populate or pass through the Great Land seeking breeding, overwintering, resting, and refueling sites. Cloaked in blankets of white snow and days of little sunshine, winter is a long season in Alaska. Here's our guide. Interior Alaska has some of the harshest environmental conditions in the world. The center part of Alaska is known as the Interior. View Items on Map. Photo courtesy of American Eagle Foundation. Waterboots are recommended in spring. Chickadees and redpolls occupy bird feeders… Some travel great distances to spend the summer in the wetlands, tundra, and coastal shores, and after successful parenting, … Alaska is a birder’s paradise thanks to its diversity of habitats, location on migratory routes, and boundless wild lands. Species information is provided in one of two formats: a PDF, or a user-friendly species profile with tabbed webpages designed to include photos, sounds, sign, range maps, comments on management and research, and much more. If you are a birdwatcher, you should come to Alaska for the 246 native species and the dozens of migratory species that pass through the state. In fact, many beautiful and unusual birds are eager to visit feeders in the winter because of scarce food supplies. Birds. While their daytime cousins hawks and eagles migrate south during the dark winter months, great horned owls, great gray owls, northern hawk owls, and boreal owls all live in the Interior year-round. Check out four amazing wildlife cams -- they’re sure to keep you riveted! Sightings are greater during the spring and fall months as thousands of birds make their annual migration to and from their nesting grounds. Alaska Birds Alaska has 246 native bird species. Alaska’s second largest town, Fairbanks, will reach temperatures of -50 Fahrenheit nearly every winter. About 100,000 people live in the Interior, most of them centered around Fairbanks. According to average arrival dates for Creamer’s Field, trumpeter swans usually arrive around FAIRBANKS - After such a mild winter, it’s no surprise birds are already returning to Interior Alaska. Fairbanks & Interior Birding Locations. This is a unique trail that allows hikers to view things that would be impossible to hike without a trail. View photos, learn how to identify them, and discover in what season viewing is best. An ideal way to explore is during the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival held in May, Alaska’s largest wildlife-viewing festival. Alaska has some of the world's most unique trees. 2 View on Map. Alaska provides a prime habitat for many migratory birds that choose its food-rich and light-filled summer environment to raise their young. #DCEagleCam at the U.S. National Arboretum. There are all types of wildlife and small plants. twitter email print. Learn about some of Alaska's most well-known bird species. The willow ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska. A common winter birding misconception is that there are few birds to enjoy during the coldest months. Filter Choices. Winter is a quiet season for birds in Alaska. Some 40 million of those nest on Alaska Maritime Refuge lands – more than found anywhere else in North America. In the two most populated areas, snow generally is present from late October through early April.