Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Animals
Birding
Because of its endless summer sunlight, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the summer destination of many migratory birds. In addition, there are a number of year-round residents such as the ptarmigan. A total of 133 species of birds have been observed in the Park and Preserve over the past 30 years. Aquatic birds, raptors, song birds, and many others can be seen and heard. Bird watching is a common activity for hikers and boaters in the Park. Others will find opportunities for bird-watching in Bettles, Anaktuvuk Pass and Coldfoot, as well as all along the Dalton Highway.
Birding Tips:
- Nearly half of the birds recorded in Gates of the Arctic live and nest in aquatic habitats.
- Like many animals, birds are often more active in the morning and evening. Because the sun never sets in the summertime, the earlier you start or the later you stay up, the more success you will have.
- Free information about birding in Alaska and books for sale are available through the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center.
Common Birds of Gates of the Arctic
| Hawks, Kites & Eagles (Accipitridae) | Jaegers, Gulls & Terns (Laridae) | Wood Warblers (Parulidae) |
| Northern Harrier | Long-Tailed Jaeger | Orange-Crowned Warbler |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Bonaparte's Gull | Yellow Warbler |
| Northern Goshawk | Glaucous Gull | Yellow-Rumped Warbler |
| Rough-Legged Hawk | Herring Gull | Wilson's Warbler |
| Red-Tailed (Harlan's) Hawk | Glaucous-Winged Gull | Blackpoll Warbler |
| Golden Eagle | Sabine's Gull | Northern Waterthrush |
| Bald Eagle | Mew Gull |
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| Osprey | Arctic Tern | Blackbirds (Icteridae) |
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| Rusty Blackbird |
| Falcons (Falconidae) | Kingfishers (Aldedinidae) |
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| Gyrfalcon | Belted Kingfisher | Finches (Fringillidae) |
| Peregrine Falcon |
| Pine Grosbeak |
| Merlin | Wagtails & Pipits (Motacillidae) | White-Winged Crossbill |
| American Kestrel | Yellow Wagtail | Common Redpoll |
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| American (Water) Pipit | Rosy Finch |
| Grouse & Ptarmigan (Phasianidae) |
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| Spruce Grouse | Dippers (Cinclidae) | Sparrows, Longspurs, Buntings & Juncos (Emberizidae) |
| Ruffed Grouse | American Dipper | Savannah Sparrow |
| Sharp-Tailed Grouse |
| Dark-Eyed Junco (Slate-color) |
| Willow Ptarmigan | Waxwings (Bombycillidae) | American Tree Sparrow |
| Rock Ptarmigan | Bohemian Waxwing | Golden-Crowned Sparrow |
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| White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Typical Owls (Strigidae) | Shrikes (Laniidae) | Lincoln's Sparrow |
| Great-Horned Owl | Northern Shrike | Fox Sparrow |
| Short-Eared Owl |
| Lapland Longspur |
| Great Gray Owl | Chickadees (Paridae) | Smith's Longspur |
| Snowy Owl | Black-Capped Chickadee | Snow Bunting |
| Boreal Owl | Boreal Chickadee |
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| Northern Hawk Owl |
| Old World Warblers (Sylvidae) |
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| Arctic Warbler |
Gates Of The Arctic In Depth
News from the Parks
Civil Rights Leaders Declare Fundraising Success for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
December 4, 2008 - 3:10pm
Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
December 4, 2008 - 3:10pm
Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.
Wildlife Biologist Cites Reasons Behind Bear Attacks
December 4, 2008 - 3:08pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver said bear management and education of the public must take place in order to decrease harmful bear and human encounters.
December 4, 2008 - 3:08pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist Bill Stiver said bear management and education of the public must take place in order to decrease harmful bear and human encounters.
Park Develops Plan to Preserve Outcrops
December 4, 2008 - 3:05pm
Shenandoah National Park asked for comments on a study it did on how people affect rock outcrops and the rare vegetation that grows on them. Visitors have damaged some popular rock outcrops and the park is trying to decide how to best protect pristine areas while still allowing visitors to enjoy them.
December 4, 2008 - 3:05pm
Shenandoah National Park asked for comments on a study it did on how people affect rock outcrops and the rare vegetation that grows on them. Visitors have damaged some popular rock outcrops and the park is trying to decide how to best protect pristine areas while still allowing visitors to enjoy them.
White House Christmas Tree Lighting Closes Streets, Limits Parking
December 4, 2008 - 3:04pm
D.C. police are warning travelers of street closures near the White House during the afternoon rush hour for the lighting of the National Christmas tree.
December 4, 2008 - 3:04pm
D.C. police are warning travelers of street closures near the White House during the afternoon rush hour for the lighting of the National Christmas tree.
Officials Prepare for Chronic Wasting in Deer
December 4, 2008 - 3:01pm
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, could devastate local deer populations, and National Park Service officials want to be prepared if the disease makes its way inside the boundaries of Monocacy and Antietam national battlefields.
December 4, 2008 - 3:01pm
Chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, could devastate local deer populations, and National Park Service officials want to be prepared if the disease makes its way inside the boundaries of Monocacy and Antietam national battlefields.
