NPS Photo Did you know that Klondike Gold Rush NHP established long-term bird monitoring programs work together to provide essential information about park avian resources? Special bird studies provide short-term intensive investigations of birds when needed to address management, scientific or conservation needs. Birds and the habitats they use are important natural resources and indicators of environmental health and change. Each year from May through September birds are surveyed and monitored in the park. Birds are surveyed through coastal waterbird surveys (in Dyea, along the Dyea road, and in the Skagway area), through breeding bird surveys on an established route, and on two established off road survey routes. The Coastal Waterbird Survey (CWS) has been conducted every year at Klondike Gold Rush NHP from 2003 to 2019 and resumed again in 2021. However, there has been variation in the number of surveys and length of monitoring season between years. In 2013, surveys counted over 14,000 waterbirds with 49 species represented and 9 species of raptors.
In 2020, none of the studies were performed due to COVID-19 protection measures and staff
vacancies, however, a special bird use survey of a site in Dyea was accomplished by contract. Fifty-five species of birds and thirteen Klondike Gold Rush NHP species groups were counted between 2021 and 2022.
Twenty surveys were conducted between April 14 and September 29, 2023. Every survey had at
least one proficient birder assisted by two to three field assistants who were composed of park staff or volunteers. Fifty-two species of waterbirds were identified in 2023 with a total of 7,104 individual birds counted. Fifteen Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park multi-species groups were identified with a total of 787 individual birds. A total of 7,891 birds were counted throughout the entire season.
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Last updated: August 5, 2024