Barrow
Wildlife Viewing

Description

America’s northernmost city and Alaska’s largest Inupiat Eskimo village, Barrow is encircled by ice and snow for nine months of the year. Spring arrives with an explosion of life: millions of birds and thousands of bowhead and beluga whales migrate through the area. Ringed and bearded seals, walrus and other marine mammals swim the sea; caribou and foxes roam the land. The Inupiat call the area around Barrow “Ukpeagvik,” which means ‘the place of the snowy owl.” Great numbers of these huge, silent birds feed and nest here when food is plentiful. The area is also one of the few known nesting spots for Steller’s and spectacled eiders. The passage of Ross’ Gulls from Siberia in late fall heralds the return of snow and ice.

Viewing Information

The road system provides the majority of viewing opportunities. Point Barrow, a spit of land northeast of town, is an excellent area for observing seabirds, such as glaucous, Sabine, and ivory gulls, black guillemots, shearwaters, and murres.

Directions

Barrow is served by commercial jet from Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Contact

Barrow municipal offices or (907) 852-2511