Birding season is upon us! Each spring in Nome, tourists visit for a short season in hopes of viewing a number of different migratory bird species passing through western Alaska. Usually packed in white 18-passenger vans with a guide, birders travel Nome’s extensive road system with their eyes to the skies.
Nome’s roads offer a unique opportunity for birders to spot a great variety of species over very different environments, from mountains and beaches to lagoons and rivers.
There are many different bird species that pass through the region, it can sometimes be difficult to know for sure what you observed. For understanding the birds, Nome resident Carol Gales recommended asking a series of questions to isolate specific characteristics and behavior. “What kind of bill does it have?” Gales asked. And maybe color: what color are the feet, are there any markings on the side, the wings?” She encouraged making a note of birds’ behavior as well.
Gales said as she learns more about birds, she also gains more of an awareness and appreciation for them. “Birding is really interesting,” Gales said, “and it’s just a good way to engage in the landscape that we live in.”
