Alaska: Fall at Adak & Utqiagvik - October 2026
Dates: October 2 – 12, 2026
Leader: Raymond VanBuskirk
E-bird
Total Species: 75 birds
Click Here to view list.
Overall Summary
Our October journey across Alaska took us from the rugged, volcanic landscapes of the Aleutian Islands to the vast Arctic coastline at Utqiaġvik, exploring two extraordinary destinations renowned for their remote beauty and remarkable birdlife.
We began on Adak, where powerful winds and horizontal rain offered an immediate introduction to the Aleutians. Despite challenging conditions, we explored coastal bays, open tundra, and the island’s many lakes, finding Aleutian Cackling Geese, Emperor Geese, Pacific Common Eiders, Harlequin Ducks, Rock Ptarmigans, Pacific Wren, and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches. The island’s potential for vagrants was on full display with the discovery of a first-year Magnolia Warbler—a remarkable record for Alaska and a first for Adak Island.
One of the trip’s standout experiences was a boat trip through Little Tanaga Strait among the Andreanof Islands. Surrounded by dramatic volcanic scenery, including the active Great Sitkin Volcano, we encountered an exceptional array of seabirds, including 128 Whiskered Auklets (a species rarely seen in the nonbreeding season), Tufted and Horned Puffins, Least Auklets, and a late Parakeet Auklet. Pigeon Guillemots, Common Murres, and Red-faced Cormorants added to an unforgettable day on the water.
We returned to Anchorage, tracked down a rare Western Palm Warbler and several local resident species, and then continued north to Utqiaġvik, where the Aleutians’ rugged terrain gave way to open tundra and the Arctic Ocean.
In Utqiaġvik, our days centered on scanning the nearshore waters and immense flocks of gulls and waterfowl at Point Barrow and along the coastal bluffs. Thousands of Glaucous Gulls, hundreds of Black-legged Kittiwakes, abundant Common and King Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, and Yellow-billed Loons kept us busy. Other highlights included Slaty-backed Gull, Snowy Owl, Short-tailed Shearwaters, and Least Auklets offshore, as well as several amazing sightings of Polar Bears. We recorded Ross’s Gull on two separate days, although not everyone saw them because they were far offshore—a reminder of the challenges and excitement of Arctic seawatching, where conditions and bird movements can change in an instant and are often dictated by wind direction and weather.
Day-by-Day Summary
October 2 - Anchorage
Our group gathered in Anchorage to prepare for our journey to two of Alaska’s most exciting birding destinations: the Aleutian Islands and the Arctic coast.
October 3 - Arrival on Adak
Adak welcomed us with 50-mph gusts and horizontal rain. Despite the weather, we found Pacific Common Eiders, Harlequin Ducks, Pigeon Guillemots, and Pelagic Cormorants around Sweeper Cove, plus four Rock Ptarmigans along the road.
October 4 - Clam Lagoon
Clam Lagoon produced Emperor Geese, large flocks of Aleutian Cackling Geese, Northern Pintails, Black Scoters, and Red-breasted Mergansers. En route we found a Common Snipe (not common anywhere else in North America). Two Gyrfalcons harassing, and being harassed by, Common Ravens made for an excellent day of birding.
October 5 - Adak Rarities
Waterfowl and seabirds kept us busy at Clam Lagoon, including more Emperor Geese, Harlequin Ducks, Marbled Murrelets, and a nonbreeding Slaty-backed Gull. A first-year Magnolia Warbler was a remarkable first record for Adak Island.
October 6 - Boat Trip Among the Andreanof Islands
A beautiful boat trip through Little Tanaga Strait delivered one of the tour’s greatest highlights: 128 Whiskered Auklets. We also found Tufted and Horned Puffins, Least Auklets, a juvenile Parakeet Auklet, Red-faced Cormorants, and numerous Pigeon Guillemots and Common Murres amid spectacular volcanic scenery.
October 7 - Travel to Anchorage
We departed Adak and returned to Anchorage, transitioning from the windswept Aleutians toward our next destination in Alaska’s far north.
October 8 - Anchorage Birding
A brief stop in Anchorage produced Boreal and Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and another rarity, a Western Palm Warbler, before we headed north.
October 9 - Point Barrow
At Point Barrow, thousands of Glaucous Gulls mingled with eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, and Yellow-billed Loons. Highlights included an adult Slaty-backed Gull and a distant first-cycle Ross’s Gull, although the latter was seen by only part of the group. Bird of the day was a Polar Bear!
October 10 - Arctic Sea-Watching
Large flocks of Common Eiders, Glaucous Gulls, and Black-legged Kittiwakes dominated the coast. We recorded 17 Yellow-billed Loons, nine Short-tailed Shearwaters, two Least Auklets offshore, and a Snowy Owl.
October 11 - Final Scans at Point Barrow
Our final sea-watch produced abundant eiders, nearly 2,000 Glaucous Gulls, Yellow-billed and Pacific Loons, and another close view of a Least Auklet. Another Ross’s Gull was seen briefly and distantly. We returned to Anchorage this evening and said our goodbyes to the group.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Arctic Fox
Polar Bear
Sea Otter
Harbor Seal
Steller Sea Lion
Red Fox
Ringed Seal