Southeastern AK - Arizona Birding Guides

Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan

Birding Southeastern Alaska

The southeastern Panhandle of Alaska is a land of glaciers, fjords, and temperate rainforests, where steep mountains rise directly from the sea. Hemlock–spruce forests shelter breeding thrushes, chickadees, and hummingbirds, while estuaries and tidal flats host thousands of shorebirds during migration. Offshore, nutrient-rich waters support alcids, storm-petrels, and whales, and ice-free channels attract sea ducks through winter. Birders can explore by road, ferry, or small boat, linking coastal forests to open water within a single day. The long summer daylight fuels intense breeding activity, while spring and fall bring waves of migrants from the Arctic and beyond. Even in winter, sheltered inlets remain alive with loons and grebes. What makes this region stand out is its seamless blend of rainforest, marine, and glacial habitats—offering world-class birding set amid Alaska’s most spectacular scenery.

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Southeastern AK

Key Counties & Hotspots

The counties and hotspots listed below represent well-known birding areas within the region and are provided for planning and reference. Specific trip locations vary based on season, access, and local conditions.

Juneau Borough, Alaska

Juneau combines accessible wetlands, forests, and alpine slopes. Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge (Airport Dike Trail, Fish Creek Delta, Sunny Point) supports thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl each spring and fall. Nearby Tongass National Forest trails around the Mendenhall Visitor Center host warblers, woodpeckers, and thrushes, while the Auke Recreation Area (Point Louisa, Statter Harbor) adds sea ducks and gulls. Point Bridget State Park and Amalga Harbor offer coastal birding amid mountain backdrops, and the Mount Roberts Trail transitions from spruce-hemlock forest to alpine tundra, ideal for breeding sparrows and ptarmigan.

Sitka Borough, Alaska

Sitka blends rainforest trails with expansive marine vistas. Sitka National Historical Park, including the Totem Trailand Indian River tidal flats, attracts thrushes, kinglets, and shorebirds. Starrigavan Estuary Recreation Area and the Mosquito Cove Trail offer close encounters with waterfowl, grebes, and loons. Offshore, Sitka Sound, including St. Lazaria Island and the Kasiana Islands, hosts colonies of puffins, murres, and storm-petrels. Inland routes such as Blue Lake Road and Harbor Mountain Road add alpine breeders and raptor viewpoints. Sitka’s mix of sea cliffs, wetlands, and subalpine forest makes it a compact showcase of Panhandle birding.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Ketchikan sits at the rainiest edge of Alaska, but its birding rewards are immense. Ward Lake and Settlers Cove State Park host warblers, crossbills, and flycatchers. Ketchikan Creek and Rotary Beach Park support gulls and shorebirds, while Mountain Point and Herring Cove offer views of Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, and Harlequin Duck. Totem Bight State Historical Park and the Saxman area provide forest trails rich in passerines, and Misty Fjords National Monument, reachable by boat or floatplane, offers pristine coastal fjords supporting Marbled Murrelet and Barrow’s Goldeneye.

Planning Your Trip

Travel access and seasonal timing are key considerations when planning a visit to the Southeastern Alaska region.

Getting There

Nearest Airports
Juneau International Airport (JNU)
Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT)
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN)
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

Flight Connections
Anchorage to Juneau: direct flights
Anchorage to Sitka: direct flights
Anchorage to Ketchikan: direct flights
Juneau to Sitka: regional flights

Timing Your Visit

Spring (Apr–Jun) brings major shorebird and waterfowl migrations through wetlands and estuaries under cool, often rainy conditions.

Summer (Jun–Aug) features mild, damp weather and long daylight, perfect for observing breeding songbirds, alcids, and waterfowl throughout the archipelago.

Fall (Sep–Oct) offers crisp air and rich color as southbound migrants pass through forests and coasts, with increasing sea duck concentrations offshore.

Winter (Nov–Mar) brings frequent rain and short days but steady opportunities to view loons, grebes, and sea ducks in sheltered, ice-free waters.

Hire Your Guide

From Juneau’s tidal wetlands to Sitka’s offshore islands and Ketchikan’s rainforest trails, our guides know Southeastern Alaska’s birding inside and out. Whether you’re seeking puffins and murrelets, spring shorebird spectacles, or winter sea ducks, we’ll design your trip to match the season and conditions. Contact us today to plan your Southeastern Alaska birding adventure.