Seasonal Wildlife Calendar
(This calendar is according to the State of Alaska, Department
of Fish and Game, all links on this page will lead you to the State of Alaska's
official website)
Spring: March, April, May
In March,
ptarmigan migrate to central Alaska river valleys. Millions of waterfowl and
shorebirds return to the Stikine River Flats, Copper River Delta, and other
wetlands in April. As spring progresses, the migration north intensifies.
Bears begin to emerge from dens.
Mountain goats and
Dall sheep move to lower elevations, and
caribou begin migrating toward calving areas. In May, migratory songbirds
begin to arrive, and seabirds appear at southcentral nesting colonies.
Steller sea lions begin to gather at coastal rookeries.
Walrus and
bearded and
ringed seals are visible along the western coastline.
Gray whales pass through the Gulf of Alaska. In late spring,
wolves,
caribou,
moose,
muskoxen,
Dall sheep and
goats bear their young.
Summer: June, July, August
Dall sheep congregate at mineral licks in late June.
Deer fawns are born. June is the best month to spot unusual birds such as
Asian accidentals in western Alaska and to look for nesting
sandhill cranes. July is the best month to visit seabird colonies from
Southeast to Northwest Alaska.
Fur seal pups are born on the Pribilof Islands;
Steller sea lions bear their young in coastal rookeries.
Pacific salmon begin entering fresh water in June; most spawning takes place
from July through November.
Bears frequent salmon streams and berry patches.
Caribou form spectacular aggregations on arctic and alpine tundra. In July,
walruses haul out on Round, Little Diomede, and King islands. July is also
the best month to observe
humpback whales. Starting in July,
muskoxen begin their rut. In late summer, the southward migration begins for
waterfowl,
shorebirds, and songbirds.
Autumn: September, October
September is the peak of waterfowl and
sandhill crane southward migration.
Harbor seals haul out on Gulf of Alaska coasts.
Gray,
bowhead, and
beluga whales migrate along the west coast. In September,
moose and
caribou begin to rut. In October,
ivory gulls appear near Point Barrow;
brant,
emperor geese, and
Steller's eiders congregate at Izembek Lagoon.
Ptarmigan also form large flocks in sub-alpine areas.
Hares,
arctic fox,
ptarmigan, and
lemmings turn white.
Caribou migrate to their winter ranges
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