More than 500,000 seabirds nest on this 65-acre island making it one of the most productive seabird colonies in Alaska. Rising only 160 feet above the Pacific Ocean at the entrance to Sitka Sound, St. Lazaria Island was established as a refuge for seabirds in 1909. It later became part of the Wilderness system in 1970 and was added to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge system in 1980. The island has two low summits forested with old-growth Sitka spruce. Grassy areas top the cliffs on the island.

Among the tangle of tree roots are the abundant burrows of nesting Fork-tailed and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Ancient Murrelet, Tufted Puffin, and Rhinoceros Auklet. In the rocky crevices and on the cliffs of the island other bird species nest including Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, Glaucous-winged Gull, and Pelagic Cormorant. Albatross and Shearwaters also feed in waters off St. Lazaria.

The island should only be viewed from the boat and people are asked not to land or walk on the island as nesting burrows are easily destroyed and nesting birds will abandon nests when disturbed.

Directions:

Contact a charter or tour boat business to arrange a boat trip to St. Lazaria Island.

Birding Resources:

• eBird Hotspot: St. Lazaria Island NWR (Sitka Sound)
• Audubon Important Bird Area: St. Lazaria Island

Bird Species Checklist:

• Sitkat checklist

Other Resources:

• US Fish and Wildlife: Wildlife Viewing 
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Wildlife Viewing