The goal of the Fairbanks Birding Challenge is for everyone to get out and enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of spring migration in Fairbanks. Here are some resources to get you started identifying birds and the finding the local hotspots.
Looking for people to go birding with?
Arctic Audubon Society hosts a series of free Fairbanks bird walks on Saturday mornings in May. Birders of all levels are welcome. Visit www.arcticaudubon.org/spring-field-trips for a schedule.
Interested in birding with your smartphone?
We recommend Merlin, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s free birding app! Merlin offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers by answering a series of questions or using its photo ID tool. It works offline and includes great range maps, photos, and sound recordings. Download it for free: www.merlin.allaboutbirds.org
Looking for help choosing the right binoculars and field guide (online or print?)
Check out ASI’s how-to video series on birdwatching and identification. https://aksongbird.org/education/birdwatching-videos/. The 3-minute video Birdwatching Basics: How to get started, and why! includes links to choosing the best bird guide for you and binoculars for every budget. On this same webpage you’ll also find ASI’s four-part series on how to identify Alaska birds using: (1) shape, (2) color, (3) habitat and behavior, and (4) songs and calls. www.aksongbird.org/education/birdwatching-videos.
One of our very favorite resources for everything related to birds and bird watching is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Their online guide to birds is an incredible resource. www.allaboutbirds.org
Finally, check out ASI’s Birding Fairbanks webpage. You will find a google map of local birding hotspots, the official 2021 Alaska Bird Checklist, a list of average first arrival dates for common local species, and a link to join Boreal Birder, an email list of local bird sightings. www.aksongbird.org/birding-resources/birding-the-fairbanks-area/