See long range weather forecasts for the next 60 days for the Alaska Region. The willow ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska. Alaska is a birder’s paradise thanks to its diversity of habitats, location on migratory routes, and boundless wild lands. Photo courtesy of American Eagle Foundation. twitter email print. Fairbanks & Interior Birding Locations. Most migrate south to wintering areas in the Lower 48, Mexico, South America, and Polynesia. Moose Pond. 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. Filter Choices. Throughout the Sanctuary’s trail system there are 14 interpretive signs, so you can learn how the birds, fish, frogs, and mammals survive in interior Alaska’s tough climate. 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. At least 445 Alaska birds species have been documented and an additional 37 have been reported but … 2 View on Map. 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. Come visit and you might see up to 15 different kinds of mammals—from beavers to red foxes, flying squirrels, snowshoe hares, and even moose—and several species of birds. Interior Alaska has some of the harshest environmental conditions in the world. This is a unique trail that allows hikers to view things that would be impossible to hike without a trail. The islands and coastal lands of the Alaska Maritime Refuge are bird magnets: For seabirds whose only other home is the ocean. #DCEagleCam at the U.S. National Arboretum. 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). 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. FAIRBANKS - After such a mild winter, it’s no surprise birds are already returning to Interior Alaska. Winter Bird-Feeding in Alaska. Largely wild and undeveloped, this is the State's frontier. As of January 2020, there were 528 species on the official list. An ideal way to explore is during the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival held in May, Alaska’s largest wildlife-viewing festival. A common winter birding misconception is that there are few birds to enjoy during the coldest months. There are all types of wildlife and small plants.