Tundra Swan with cygnets in the Arctic Refuge.
Migratory birds travel through six continents, all 50 US states and all Canadian Provinces to reach important habitat in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We thought it would be fun (and informative) for people to keep track of birds that could be Arctic Refuge migrants when they fly through. Please tell us about your sightings and we’ll post them on this page!
How can you tell a migratory bird that flies to the Arctic Refuge? The short answer? You can't (unless you happen to be in the Refuge!) You can make educated guesses though, even though there has been little or no bird banding done in the Arctic. Field guides range maps will help. For example the summer range of Yellow Warblers extends across North America - it is unlikely that one seen in South Carolina would be heading to Alaska. However, one seen in New Mexico could be on its way north. The Sibley Guide to Birds gives regional differences of plumage that will help with some birds. For example, the adult male Horned Lark that nests in the western Arctic is distinctly different from those in other regions.
We only want to identify individual birds that could be going to the Arctic Refuge, so do your best and have fun.
January 28, 2007 — American Pipits (seen by Christianne Hinks in Albuquerque, New Mexico)
January 28, 2007 — Common Redpolls (seen by Malkolm Boothroyd in Whitehorse, Yukon)
February 17, 2007 — Hoary Redpoll (seen by Wendy Boothroyd in Whitehorse)
April, 20, 2007 — Snow Bunting & Tundra Swan (seen by Malkolm at Marsh Lake)
May 1, 2007 — Red-breasted Merganser, Northern Pintail & White-crowned Sparrow (seen by Malkolm in Whitehorse)
May 3, 2007 — American Tree Sparrow (seen by Malkolm in Whitehorse)
May 4, 2007 — Canada Goose (seen by Malkolm in Whitehorse)
May 10, 2007 — Arctic Tern (seen by Ken Madsen in Whitehorse)
May 13, 2007 — Lapland Longspur (seen by Wendy and Ken on the Klondike Hwy)
May 14, 2007 — Smith's Longspur (Seen by Wendy and Ken at Lake Laberge)
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