Bird watching in the Nome region is wonderful. With three distinct habitats (Ocean, wetlands, 
and high alpine tundra) the region is a haven for more than 150 migratory species. The three roads out of Nome allow the viewer to do much observation from a vehicle.
CLICK HERE to see a current list of bird sightings that are occurring in the Nome area!!
Resident birds year round include Willow Ptarmigan, Common Ravens, and Snow Buntings. During late fall through spring it is a terrific place to see McKay's Buntings when they migrate to the mainland from the Bering Sea islands. It is during the advent of spring, as the ice and snow begin to melt, that the migration begins. Mid May to mid June is the prime time to observe the many species that will nest in the region or beyond. Then in mid-August the fall the migration south begins. This is a great time to see very large groups of Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, and Tundra Swans.
Nome area: tundra, small ponds and the Bering Sea surround Nome. Pacific and American Golden-Plovers, Parasitic Jaegers, Pacific and Red-throated Loons are not uncommon. On the power lines next to the road along the beach you'll see Arctic Terns and occasionally the Aleutian Tern. Whimbrels, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Arctic Warblers, and Common Redpolls may also be seen.
Safety Sound & Council Road: Much of this road follows the Bering Sea Coast at Safety Sound. The road is on an isthmus with the ocean to the south and the spectacular wetlands/estuary to the north. Emperor Geese, and Steller's Eiders, Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Arctic and Pacific Loons may be seen in this area. Many other shorebirds and waterfowl use the area for nesting. Several species of gulls abound such as the Glaucous gull, Herring/Vega Gulls, Mew Gulls and sometimes Slaty-backed gulls. The road ends at the Niukluk River at the small "town" of Council. Council and its environs are the only boreal forest on the Seward Peninsula. Boreal Chickadees, Northern Goshawks and owls have been viewed in the area.
Kougarok or Taylor Road: As you leave Nome you head north. About 85 miles of good road awaits you as you gain elevation and drive through the Kigluaik Mountains. Look hard for the Bluethroat near Salmon Lake and Gyrfalcons, among others. Willow Ptarmigan, Northern Wheatear, both Pacific Golden-Plovers and American Golden-Plovers occur along this road. The elusive Bristled-thighed Curlew can often be found towards the end of this road.
Teller Road: Teller is the only village in the area connected by road. The drive is beautiful and birds abound: You can see Northern Wheatears, American Pipits, Horned Larks, Yellow Wagtail and Snow Buntings, American Golden-Plovers and Baird's Sandpipers. With some luck you might view the Bluethroat, and in Teller itself, the White Wagtail. Rock out-croppings are common, look for Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks and sometimes Gyrfalcon.
Remember Nome is located just below the Arctic Circle. The temperature can vary greatly (see Nome weather) as can weather conditions. Layering your clothing is the best. A pair of long johns, comfortable walking shoes, light gloves and a stocking cap are a good idea. A T-shirt and sweater or good heavy shirt and a water/wind proof outer jacket will keep the occasional rain and wind off of you. Be Safe and Have Fun!!
Record Your Sightings: When you return from the field, please stop by the Visitors Center and share your bird sightings with us! We maintain data on all bird and animal sightings!
Current Happenings in the Nome Birding World
14 MAY 2010
- Slaty-backed gull (1) - Nome Landfill
- Vega Gull (2) - Nome Landfill
- A possible smithsonianus Herring Gull (1) - Nome Landfill
- Rock Pigeon (2) - End of Fore and Aft Dr. (Icy View)
16 MAY 2010
- Parasitic Jaeger (2) - Council Road at Mile 12
- Long-tailed Jaeger (8) - Council Road at Mile 12
- Lots of Red-throated Loons flying over - Council Road at Mile 12
- Cliff Swallow - Council Road at Mile 12
- Brant - Council Road at Mile 12
17 MAY 2010
- Swans - "Chicken Hill" behind A.C. Grocery
- Rough-legged Hawk - Teller Highway
- Long-tailed Jaeger (8) - Teller Highway
- Canada Geese - Teller Highway
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Highway
- Snow Buntings - Teller Highway
- Lesser Yellowlegs - Near Swanberg Dredge (approx. one mile east of Nome)
- Whimbrels - Near Swanberg Dredge
- Dowitchers - Near Swanberg Dredge
- Warblers (species not recorded)- Teller Highway (thickets around Snake River)
- Waterfowl (species not recorded)- Along coast at Fort Davis
19 MAY 2010
- Gyrfalcon - Council Road at Mile 14.5.
- Bar-tailed Godwit - Council Road at Mile 14.5.
- Greater White-fronted Goose (6) - Council Road at Mile 14.5.
- Northern Wheatear (1); Female - Council Road at Mile 14.5.
- Short-eared Owl - Council Road at Mile 14.5.
19 & 20 MAY 2010
- Emperor Goose (5) - Safety Sound
- Greater White-fronted Goose (20) - Safety Sound
- Snow Goose (30) - Safety Sound
-
Harlequin Duck (10) - Safety Sound
- Common Merganser (2) - Safety Sound
- Black-bellied Plover - Safety Sound
- American Golden-Plover - Safety Sound
- Pacific Golden-Plover - Safety Sound
- Gyrfalcon - Council Highway by Solomon
- Golden Eagle - Council Highway by Solomon
- Black Turnstone - Council Highway by Solomon
- Rock & Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Highway
20 MAY 2010
- Eastern Yellow Wagtail - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Greater White-fronted Goose (1) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Common Merganser (4) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Lesser Yellowlegs - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Parasitic Jaeger (80) - Council Road at Mile 14.5; flying off shore
21 MAY 2010
- Emperor Goose (2) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Peregrine Falcon (2) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
22 MAY 2010
- Pacific Golden-Plover - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Pomarine Jaeger (40) - Council Road at Mile 14.5; flying off shore
23 MAY 2010
- Emperor Goose (11) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Pacific Loon (2) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
24 MAY 2010
- Sandhill Crane (20) - East Beach, flying towards Cape Rodney
- Sabine's Gull (4) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
25 MAY 2010
- Emperor Goose - Council Road at Mile 17.25
- Sandhill Crane (20) - East Beach
- Lapland Longspur - Council Road
- Hoary Redpoll - Council Road
- Tundra Swan - Council Road
- Brant - Council Road
- Willow Ptarmigan - Council Road
- Arctic Tern - Council Road
- Red-necked Phalarope - Council Road, close to town park
26 MAY 2010
- Emperor Goose (17) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Brant (110) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Rock Ptarmigan - Teller Road, just outside of town
- Northern Waterthrush - Teller Road, just outside of town
- Sandhill Crane - Teller Road, just outside of town
- Long-tailed Jaeger - Glacier Creek spur and Glacier Creek Road
- Snipe
- Arctic Tern - Near Sinuk River towards Teller
- Western Sandpiper - Teller Road at Mile 40
- Black-bellied Plover
- Bar-tailed Godwit - Council Road at Mile 25
27 MAY 2010
- Red-necked Phalarope (1) - Front St. Approx one mile east of town by picnic shelter
- Red-throated Loon (4) - Front St. Approx one mile east of town by picnic shelter
- Scaup (Lesser?) (2; one male/one female) - One mile east of town by picnic shelter
- Bluethroat - Kougarok Road at Mile 25
- Savannah Sparrow - Kougarok Road at Mile 25
- Tree Sparrow - Kougarok Road at Mile 25
- Black-bellied Plover - Kougarok Road at Mile 30
- Gray-cheeked Thrush - Kougarok Road just before Grand Central River
- Whimbrel - Council Road, one mile before Hastings Creek
29 MAY 2010
- Harlequin Duck - Teller Road at Penny River
- Harlequin Duck - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Mallard - Council Road approx Mile 44
- Mallard - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Green-winged Teal - Teller Road; Safety Sound
- Green-winged Teal - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Northern Shoveler (pair) - East End pond
- Northern Pintail (2 males) - East End pond
- Harlequin Duck (pair) - Council Road approx Mile 44
- Brant (~60) - Council Road at Mile 27
- Snow Goose (~26) - Council Road at Approx. Mile 32
- Tundra Swan (3) - Solomon
- Northern Shoveler - Little Creek Road and Center Creek Road intersection
- Greater Scaup (pair) - Little Creek Road and Center Creek Road intersection
- Greater Scaup - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Northern Pintail (2) - Between cemetery and harbor
- Widgeon (1) - Teller Road; approx one mile west of Glacier Creek Rd.
- Tundra Swan (~70) - Council Road at Mile 27
- Canvasback Duck - Council Road at Mile 27
- Black Scoter - Council Road at Mile 27
- White-winged Scoter - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Red-breasted Merganser - Council Road at Nome River bridge
- Red-breasted Merganser (5 male; 4 female) - Council Road approx. Mile 44
- Red-breasted Merganser - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Brant - Council Road
- Common Eider - Safety Sound bridge
- Herring/Vega Gull - Along coast near Council Road
- Mew Gull - Little Creek Road and Center Creek Road intersection
- Glaucous Gull - Little Creek Road and Center Creek Road intersection
- Arctic Tern (2) - Council Road; on sea ice near transmitter site
- Arctic Tern - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Sandhill Crane (2) - Teller Road near Snake River Bridge
- Sandhill Crane - Safety Sound bridge
- Sandhill Crane - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Red-throated Loon (4) - East End pond
- Red-throated Loon - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Pacific Loon (2) - Teller Road; approx one mile west of Glacier Creek Rd.
- Pacific Loon (2) - Council Road at Nome River bridge
- Parasitic Jaeger (2) - Council Road at Nome River bridge
- Long-tailed Jaeger (1) - Council Road at Nome River bridge
- Long-tailed Jaeger - Little Creek Road and Center Creek Road intersection
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Road at Mile 6
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Road near Snake River Bridge
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Road at Penny River
- Willow Ptarmigan - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Rock Ptarmigan - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Red-necked Phalarope (25) - Solomon
- Red-necked Phalarope - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Semipalmated Sandpiper - Council Road at Nome River bridge
- Turnstone
- Black Turnstone - Council Road at Mile 24.5
- Long-billed Dowitcher - Safety Sound
- Dunlin – Safety Sound
- Bar-tailed Godwit (3-4; one banded) - Near Nome River bridge
- Yellow Wagtail (2) - Solomon
- Eastern Yellow Wagtail - Council Road
- Pacific-golden Plover - Little Creek Road and Center Creek Road intersection
- Semipalmated Plover - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Say’s Phoebe - Council Road approx. Mile 44
- Northern Waterthrush - Teller Road at Penny River
- Yellow Warbler (1) - Teller Road at Penny River
- Wilson’s Warbler - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Fox Sparrow (1) - Teller Road at Penny River
- White-crowned Sparrow - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Tree Swallows - East End pond
- Bank Swallow (3) - Teller Road at Penny River
- Lapland Longspur - Council Road at Mile 27
- Horned Lark - Council Road
- Common Redpoll - Council Road approx Mile 44
- Gray-cheeked Thrush - Council Road approx Mile 44
- Gray-cheeked Thrush - East End pond
- Peregrine Falcon (2) - Council Road
- Gyrfalcon - Council Road
- Northern Harrier - Kougarok Road, up to Mile 50
- Golden Eagle - Council Road
- Goshawk - Council Road
- Rough-legged Hawk - Council Road
- Rough-legged Hawk (1) - Teller Road; approx Mile 10.25
- Short-eared Owl (1) - Council Road at Nome River bridge
30 MAY 2010
- Ruddy Turnstone - Teller Road; Wooly Lagoon
- Black-bellied Plover (5) - Teller Road; Wooly Lagoon
- Western Sandpiper - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Wilson’s Snipe - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- White-crowned Sparrow - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Yellow-crowned Sparrow - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Northern Harrier - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Parasitic Jaeger - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Long-tailed Jaeger (both nesting at the 24 Mile marker; Teller Road)
- Cliff Swallow - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Rough-legged Hawk - Teller Road up to Mile 43
- Kittlitz’s Murrelet - Council Road up to approx. Mile 15
- Northern Pintail - Council Road up to approx. Mile 15
- Spotted Sandpiper - Council Road up to approx. Mile 15
- Tree Swallow - Council Road up to approx. Mile 15
- Brant - Council Road up to approx. Mile 15
- Black-capped Chickadee - Council Road up to approx. Mile 15
31 MAY 2010
- Harlequin Duck (3) - South side of Cape Nome
- Bar-tailed Godwit - Council Road at Mile 24.5
- Pacific-golden Plover (2) - Pond by Bypass Road/Nome Beltz Road by airport
- Bluethroat - Kougarok Road, Salmon Lake, road to picnic tables
- Common Merganser - Council Road at Mile 15
01 JUN 2010
- Northern Wheatear - Entrance to Wooly Lagoon & Council Road at Mile 15
- Rock Ptarmigan - Entrance to Wooly Lagoon
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Road
- Golden Eagle - Teller Road
- Bristle-thighed Curlew - Kougarok Road at Mile 72
- Red Phalarope - Nome dredge pond
- Aleutian Tern (2) - Council Road at Mile 15
- Peregrine Falcon (2) - Council Road at Mile15
- Red-necked Stint (1) - Council Road at Mile 17.5
- Ring-billed Gull (1) - Council Road at Mile 17.5
02 JUN 2010
- Red Knot - Teller Road at Mile 34
- Bar-tailed Godwit (3, 1imm.) - Kougarok Road at Mile 25 (Sinuk R.)
- Red Phalarope (2) - Council Road at Mile 15 (off shore)
- Red-necked Phalarope - Council Road at Mile 15 (off shore)
03 JUN 2010
- Red-necked Stint - Council Road at Mile 18
- Mew Gull/Larus canus - Council Road at Mile 16
- Red Knot - Council Road at Mile 18
- Bar-tailed Godwit (10) - Council Road at Mile 18
- Black Turnstone (pair courting) - Council Road at Mile 18.5
- Surfbird (2) - Council Road at Mile 15
05 JUN 2010
- Tufted Puffin (1) - Council Road at Mile 15
- Aleutian Tern (4) - Council Road at Mile 15
- Pomarine Jaeger (1) - Council Road at Mile 15
- Red Phalarope - Council Road at Mile 18
06 JUN 2010
- Horned Puffin (6) - Council Road at Mile 15
- King Eider (4) - Council Road at Mile 15 & Mile 24
- Spectacled Eider (female) - Council Road approx Mile 24
- Common Eider - Council Road at Mile 24
07 JUN 2010
- Bar-tailed Godwit - Kougarok Road at Mile 73; approx 1km opposite Coffee Dome
- Bar-tailed Godwit - Teller Road; north of Snake River
- Arctic Warbler - Kougarok Road at Mile 23
08 JUN 2010
- Long-tailed Jaeger (no road or milepost provided)
- Aleutian Tern (no road or milepost provided)
- Northern Wheatear (no road or milepost provided)
- Bristle-thighed Curlew (no road or milepost provided)
09 JUN 2010
- Common Murre - Cape Nome
- Common Eider - Cape Nome
10 JUN 2010
- Bar-tailed Godwit (8) - Council Road at Mile 28.5
- Red Phalarope (1) - Council Road past the Train to Nowhere
- Red-necked Phalarope - (8) - Council Road past the Train to Nowhere
- Gadwall (male and Female) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
11 JUN 2010
- Slaty-backed Gull - Ponds by the new hospital
- Emporer Goose (2) - Council Road
- Bar-tailed Godwit (1 male) - Council Road, Nome River Bridge
13 JUN 2010
- Sabine's Gull - Safety Sound
- Spectacled Eider (female) - Safety Sound
- Common Eider - Teller Road
- Bar-tailed Godwit (6) - Safety Sound
- Slaty-backed Gull (1) - Safety Sound
- Northern Shoveler (male) - Teller Road
- Arctic Loon - Safety Sound
- Yellow-billed Loon (2) - Council Road at Mile 14.5
- Black Turnstone (2) - Safety Sound
- Black Turnstone - Council Road at Mile 17
- Sandpiper - Council Road at Mile 17
- Dunlin - Council Road at Mile 17
- Pacific Golden-Plover (nesting pair?) - Bypass Road & Nome Beltz Road
- Aleutian Tern (several) - Safety Sound
- Arctic Tern - Teller Road
- Jaeger - Teller Road
- Merganser - Teller Road
- Phalarope - Teller Road
- Baird's Sandpiper - Teller Road
- Greater Scaup - Teller Road
- Swans - Teller Road
- Willow Ptarmigan - Teller Road
- Cormorants - Teller Road
- Peregrine Falcon - Council Road, Solomon
- Snow Goose - Council Road, Safety Sound
14 JUN 2010
- Eurasian Wigeon - Council Road at Mile 17
15 JUN 2010
- Bluethroat - Kougarok Road, at the end of Rd.
17 JUN 2010
- Common Loon - Council Road at Mile 23
- Eurasian Wigeon - Safety Sound
18 JUN 2010
- Arctic Warbler - Kougarok Road at Mile 16
- Bluethroat - Kougarok Road at Mile 20
- Northern Wheatear - Pilgrim Hot Springs Road, about two miles in
19 JUN 2010
- Aleutian Tern - Council Road; Nome River up from Mouth
- Bar-tailed Godwit (1) - Council Road; Nome River up from Mouth
- Bar-tailed Godwit (Male) - Teller Road; Sinuk River
- Ruddy Turnstone - Council Road; Nome River up from Mouth
- Pacific Golden-Plover - Council Road; Nome River up from Mouth
- Spectacled Eider (1 male) - Council Road at Mile 25
- Common Eider - Council Road at Mile 25
- King Eider (3 males) - Council Road at Mile 25
20 JUN 2010
- Steller's Eider (male & female) - Council Road just past Safety Bridge
- Slaty-backed Gull - Council Road just past Safety Bridge
- Canvasback Duck (6 male; 1 female) - Council Road just past Safety Bridge
- Northern Wheatear - Council Road; Skookum Pass
- Horned Lark - Council Road; Skookum Pass
- Surfbird (3) - Council Road; Skookum Pass
- Peregrine Falcon - Council Road; Solomon
21 JUN 2010
- Bar-tailed Godwit (2 males) - Kougarok Road at Mile 72
- Bar-tailed Godwit (10, male & female) - Council Road at Mile 30
- Bristle-thighed Curlew (5) - No location mentioned
- Slaty-backed Gull - Council Road after the bridge
- Arctic Loon (2) - Mile 23.5; No road name mentioned
22 JUN 2010
- Dunlins (4) - Council Road at Mile 33
- Blackpoll Warbler (1 male) - Council Rd.; ~Mile 67 (1/4 mile past last Fox River Bridge)
- Gyrfalcon (1 immature) - Council Road; Skookum Pass
- Peregrine Falcon (1 male) - Council Road at Mile 26.5
- Bluethroat (1) - Kougarok Road at Mile 46.5
- Bristle-thighed Curlew (1) - Teller Road; Wooly Lagoon
23 JUN 2010
- Black-legged Kittiwake (2 immature) - Council Road; Mouth of Nome River
- Mew Gulls - Council Road; Mouth of Nome River
- King Eider (1 male) - Council Road at Mile 20.5
- Common Eiders - Council Road at Mile 20.5
- Scaup - Council Road at Mile 20.5
- Slaty-backed Gull (1 immature) - Council Road at Mile 22
- Glaucous Gull - Council Road at Mile 22
- Mew Gulls - Council Road at Mile 22
- Arctic warbler (1) - Kougarok Road at Mile 20
- Black-bellied Plover (3) - Osborn Mountain Hike; Mile 30
- Bar-tailed Godwit (5) - Council Road at Safety Sound Bridge
24 JUN 2010
- Yellow-billed Loon (1 male) - Council Road at Mile 28
- King Eider (1 male) - Council Road; Post #916 (not a mile post)
- Common Eiders - Council Road; Post #916 (not a mile post)
- Bluethroat - Kougarok Road; 3 miles past end of road
- Wheatear - Kougarok Road; 3 miles past end of road
- Jaegers (4) - Kougarok Road
25 JUN 2010
- Surfbird (1 male) - Council Road at Mile 17
- Least Sandpiper (1 male); with two chicks - Council Road at Solomon sign
- Common Loon (2) - Kougarok Road
27 JUN 2010
- Trumpeter Swans (20-30) - Council Road at Safety Sound
- Sandhill Cranes (10) - Council Road at Safety Sound
- Golden Eagle (1) - Council Road at Mile 66
- Peregrine Falcon (1) - Council Road
- Gyrfalcon (6) - Council Road
28 JUN 2010
- Jaeger (1) - Teller Road
- Tundra Swans (2) - Teller Road
- Willow Ptarmigan (1) - Teller Road
