Birding
Unalaska is a birders delight, Birdwatchers from around the world flock to the Aleutian Islands when searching for beauty and rare species. The Aleutians consist of many deep protected bays, inlets, straits and passes scenic shoreline.
Unalaska can boast about having a bounty of birds, from graceful pelagic to melodious songbirds. High cliffs and fish filled waters help create ideal habitats for a variety of birds, some unique to the area. With our mild temperatures in the summer and great hiking opportunities along the hills birding in Unalaska is fun and challenging as there is always a chance of seeing that rare bird people search a life time for.
One of the rarest birds in the U.S. is the Whiskered Auklet, a small, grey; diving bird with long whiskers and it can be found in the nearby baby islands particularly at the eastern end of the Unalaska Island. Tufted and horned puffins are very common to the islands and are frequently seen in the waters around Unalaska. Their brightly colored beaks make them easily recognizable, and their stubby bodies make them comical fliers.
A number of seabirds and waterfowl can be viewed year-round, including numerous species of gulls, murres, murrelets, loons and grebes. Song birds found around the island include snow bunting, Lapland longspur, and gray-crowned rosy finch. Other species include ptarmigan, the black oystercatcher, belted king fisher, and rock sandpiper. On land, and in all seasons, abundant populations of eagles and ravens provide endless entertainment and photo opportunities.
What To Bring:
Where to Go:
- Captain’s Bay
- Mt. Ballyhoo
- Pyramid Valley
- Beaches
- Open Water
- Summer’s Bay