Last updated: August 22, 2021
Thing to Do
Go Birding

NPS Photo Mary Lisa Carenza Keenan
The estuary, shores and forests of Sitka are excellent places to watch birds that are migrating through in the spring and fall. We also boast a fabulous array of birds that are hardy enough to stay all year around. From the common American Robin to the long travelled Bar-Tailed Godwit, there is a chance of seeing a wide variety of birds here, depending on the time of your visit. If you get excited about majestic bald eagles and raucous ravens, this place is a "guaranteed" opportunity to see them in action most of the year.
Bring your binoculars, pencil and your favorite bird identification book and get ready to check birds off your list!
You can learn more about the birds in the park and download a bird checklist here. You can also stop by the visitor center for a bird checklist.
There is a great diversity of bird species that live in or pass through the park! A variety of habitats support both migratory and resident populations of birds.Intertidal and shoreline areas support a variety of migratory waterfowl and shore birds during spring and fall.Many passerine, or song birds, use the park for breeding, wintering, or a migratory stopover on their long journey.Resident birds include common mergansers, mallards, sandpipers, and great blue herons. Bald eagles are common along the tree line and can often be spotted soaring above the water or searching on the tide flats for food.
The trail has a broad, gravel surface and minimal elevation change, and is appropriate for all hikers.The coast is uneven, slippery and rocky, and accessiblity varies with the tides. Dogs must be leashed.