Gavin Bieber and Evan Obercian on their just-completed tour, Alaska: Majesty of the North

The 2016 Alaska Majesty Tour found above average temperatures and sunshine virtually everywhere on the itinerary.  The very mild winter of ’15-’16 seemed to shift a lot of bird breeding activity to earlier in May.  Great birds and sweeping landscapes were found at every turn.  On the main tour this year we started around Denali National Park, where the mountain was a near constant companion. 

Here too were iconic mammals of the north, such as Grizzly Bear and Moose.  

Nome was, as ever, amazing, with point blank views of birds like Willow Ptarmigan, and remarkably good views of Bristle-thighed Curlews, even for those who did not make the hike! 

The beautiful Resurrection Bay and Seward were under full sun this year, with Humpback Whales and Bald Eagles really putting on a show, and good sightings of Kittlitz’s Murrelets.  

The richness of the environment here was highlighted by the incredible number of Common Murres that we encountered near the head of the bay. 

The variety and abundance of birdlife and wildlands that we see on this tour is staggering, and contribute to making western Alaska one of the best birding tour destinations in the North America.