Southeast Alaska Birding Trail Gustavus

Gustavus Dock

An easy birding experience is to visit the town dock and look out toward the waters of Icy Strait.

An easy birding experience is found at the town dock. Look out toward the waters of Icy Strait. Many species of migratory waterfowl and loons can be seen in the strait, along with summering Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Pelagic Cormorant, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet, Black-legged Kittiwake, Mew Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, and Caspian Tern.

Shorebirds are also common in migration and many remain to nest. Other birds are in the near-shore environment including eagles, Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier and shorebirds including Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher and Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel and dunlin, and are common on the tidelands during spring and fall migrations. Also, watch for whales including humpback whales and orca.

Directions:

From the Gustavus Road, head east to State Dock Road and drive 1.4 miles to the ferry terminal parking lot.

Northern Harrier.
Northern Harrier. Photo: Tom Koerner, USFWS

Birding Resources:

Species Checklist:

Other Resources:

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