Adak Island in the Central Aleutian Islands is well known as a birding hot spot during spring and fall migration. However, many birders may not be aware of the island’s late fall and winter potential. The island’s proximity to Asia, low latitude (Adak is the southernmost city in Alaska), and relatively mild winters make it the perfect wintering grounds for some very classy waterfowl. Emperor Geese graze in Clam Lagoon, Eurasian Wigeon dot the ponds and creeks across the island, Tufted Duck and Smew occasionally make the island their winter home, and the grandest of all waterfowl, Whooper Swan, regularly winters on the island! Recent late fall and winter trips to Adak have yielded such rarities as Common Pochard, Eurasian Bullfinch, Rustic Bunting, and incredible records of Hen Harrier and Eurasian Sparrowhawk, both of which spent the winter in 2024-2025.
A main focus of this trip will be to track down a Whooper Swan. This species regularly winters on Adak Island in small numbers, with a family group present most winters on one of the many lakes on the island. The swans do move around and are not found on every trip. However, with a concerted effort over five days, we have a reasonable chance of finding these incredible birds. Our time on the island will be divided between checking all available ponds, lakes, and sloughs for swans and other waterfowl, seawatching for alcids and other seabirds, and scouring the stands of conifers for passerines and raptors. Who knows what our searching will produce!
As on our spring and fall trips, we’ll stay in comfortable housing that once housed naval officers and their families and bird the island in rented vehicles. We bring all of our food to the island with us, and we’ll enjoy home-cooked meals at the house. Sound like fun? Join us for this one-of-a-kind birding adventure!
Notes: The trip price includes: round trip flight from Anchorage to Adak; ground transportation, lodging and all meals on Adak; WBA guide(s); permits. You are responsible for your Anchorage lodging, meals, and other Anchorage arrangements. The trip begins and ends at the Anchorage airport. Single occupancy may or may not be available at Adak, depending on the group configuration. See here for a note on considerations to make when planning a trip to Adak Island.
