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Arctic Birding Tour
Arctic Photo Safari provides an opportunity for the bird watching community to photograph and catalog many species of birds. They utilize a spacious, 4-wheel-drive van, suitable for carrying your photo equipment and spotting scopes. The 4-wheel-drive capability allows access to areas beyond the reach of the general public. Large windows are un-tinted, and the height advantage over other vehicles allows it to serve as a viewing platform. Although the usual birding season is during the warmer months it is advisable to bring coats, gloves and hats as the arctic winds usually prevail. Tours are preferably limited to an eight person maximum per van. This allows each guest a window seat and space for their equipment.
Spring opens with the arrival of Snowy Owls, and following with a short time Eiders. Swans, geese and the rest of the ducks are right behind them. Parasitic Jaegers, gulls, loons and terns become more common as the weather warms up to 30 or 40 degrees Fahrenheit. With the warmer weather, the variety increases to around 150 or more birds, including Sandpipers, Phalaropes and Plovers. Steller's Eiders, Spectacled Ediers, King Eiders, Sabine's Gulls and Yellow-billed Loons are commonly found throughout the Barrow area. Ross' Gulls and Ivory Gulls are usually only seen in the fall.
Important Information:
Tour leaves from the King Eider Inn located at 1752 Ahkovak Street.
Image Credit: Alaskan Arctic Adventures
Notes: Family
Bird Watching in Barrow
Travel to the Arctic when lush tundra is alive with over 250 species of birds including snow owls, jaegers, swans and arctic terns. Barrow is one of the top five birding spots in Alaska, one of the top 100 in America and the annual visitors to Barrow are spectacular.
All four species of Eider ducks migrate along the coast and nest in the tundra around Barrow. Numerous other ducks and waterfowl also nest in the millions of small puddles and lakes across the tundra. Barrow is also prime habitat for many shorebirds. Perhaps the most spectacular summer visitor and breeder is the snowy owl, from which comes the Inupiat name for Barrow, Ukpeagvik, which translates to "place to hunt snowy owls".
Library Ant-ics
Saturday at the library means fun! They will have guest speakers, special demonstrations, games and more.
Nalukataq - Blanket Toss Festival
This spring festival celebrates the importance of whaling and the role it plays in the local community. As ships return with their catches, whale meat, blubber and skin are divided among all residents. One of the most famous festival traditions is the blanket toss, where one person is thrown into the air from a blanket held by a group of people.
Notes: Family, Things to Do
Northern Lights
Your chances of seeing the northern lights will be much greater in Barrow if you come late in the winter. The best environment for viewing the northern lights is when it is at its darkest, coldest and clearest - late in the evening. The sun does not rise between the end of November and the end of January. If it's not cloudy, and the stars are out, there is a great chance for viewing of the northern lights.
The aurora borealis is always present, but for most people it rarely stretches far enough for them to see. If a bright display occurs early in the evening, there's a chance that another display will follow a few hours later.
Important Information:
Visible within Barrow city limits.
Image Credit: Dick Hutchinson
The People of Whaling
The People of Whaling exhibit tells about traditional and modern life and values, philosophical beliefs, hunting practices and tools. Whaling is the focal point, since Inupiaq life centers on hunting the bowhead whale. The seasonal round of other subsistence activities, such as fishing, seal and caribou hunting, are also key to their way of life.
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