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Tundra
Swans
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Rock
Ptarmigan |
Bohemian
Waxwing
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In
McKinley Park the visitor has the rare opportunity to
enjoy northern landscapes, a variety of
lichens and flowers, and grizzlies, caribou, Dall
sheep, perhaps a wolf or a wolverine, and a number
of birds in their northern breeding grounds. Of special
interest among the birds are the three species
of ptarmigan, each with a specialized voice and an inclination
to use it. There are shorebirds, two of which, the surfbird
and wandering tattler, are of special interest because
most of the nesting data on them have been gathered
in the park. The arctic warbler and the wheatear, visitors
from Asia, are relatively common. The golden eagle,
unmolested and free, may frequently be seen soaring
in the blue sky over its mountain home. May this magnificent
bird and other migrants, survive the many new hazards
in the south and continue returning each spring in the
future, to contribute beauty and spirit to this northern
wilderness."
| --Adolph Murie,
1963 from The Birds of Mt. McKinley. |
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The great
foresight of Adolph Murie is evident in this passage
from his book The Birds of Mount McKinley,
Alaska. Back in 1963, Murie realized that
Denali is not an isolated island, free from the
environmental hazards created by humans and that
its migratory birds faced an increasing number
of threats on their migratory journeys and wintering
grounds. Murie was not alone in these thoughts.
Back in the early 20th century, naturalists and
scientists Charles Sheldon, Joseph Dixon, and
George Wright all realized the importance of preserving
Denali in the rapidly changing world.
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Denali's avifauna includes migratory birds
from all over the globe and a hardy group
of residents. The abundance of birds in Denali
ebbs and flows across the seasons, increasing
significantly as migrants return to Denali
in spring and decreasing when they depart
on their autumn migration. Summer birding
in Denali rewards visitors with opportunities
to view these migratory species in this spectacular
northern environment. Birding in winter is
slim by the numbers, but high in rewards as
observations of pine grosbeaks, mixed flocks
of ptarmigan, and perhaps a gyrfalcon or northern
goshawk awaits the hardy winter birder. |
| While we revere the beauty of Denali's birds, we must also acknowledge the threats to their existence. Denali's migratory birds face a multitude of hazards along their migratory journeys and on their wintering areas. In Denali, they return to ecosystems that are relatively pristine, but where the impact of humans is more prevalent with each passing day. Broad scale hazards such as persistent organic pollutants, large-scale climatic changes, and habitat loss may have long-lasting and far-reaching effects on migratory and resident birds in Denali. On a local level, increases in human activities may alter habitats and habits of different species as more and more humans visit Denali. |
| The
goal of this web page is to introduce you
to some of the birds and bird habitats in
Denali. We hope that this information stirs
your interest in Denali's birds and fosters
a strong stewardship for conserving Denali's
avifauna and their habitats.
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| Carol
McIntyre, Wildlife Biologist Denali National
Park & Preserve |
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