Birding Trips

Check the Captain's Blog for current bird and mammal sightings

 An avid naturalist and serious birder himself, Karl has enjoyed taking people on customized bird watching trips of Kachemak Bay for many years. Often the sightings are up close and unhurried, as he takes care to schedule his tours with plenty of time and flexibility, accommodating the interests and needs of each particular group. Birders he has taken have been pleased to add Kittlitz's Murrelets, Aleutian Terns and Red-faced Cormorants to their lists. In 2012 and 2013 Red-faced Cormorants were no longer nesting on Gull Island. In 2013 there were no sightings of adult birds. That may change and you may check the Captain's blog for updates on current bird sightings. It is recommended that you check with Karl before making plans to visit Homer since the chances of seeing some of the bird species are much better during very limited time periods during the year. To see a complete listing of other pelagic species and your chances of seeing them on Kachemak Bay check out the Species List. Water taxi service is also provided for hikes on the many trails in Kachemak Bay State Park to see Spruce Grouse, Northern Three-toed Woodpeckers, plus many nesting passerines.

Local Birding Resources

For more information birds in Kachemak Bay we recommend the following publications by noted ornithologist and former Homer resident, George West:

• A Birder's Guide to Alaska
• Checklist of Birds of Kachemak Bay, Alaska
• Shorebird Guide for Kachemak Bay and Homer, Alaska
• Discovery Guide to Birds on the Marine Waters of Southcoastal Alaska

These guides may be purchased from the Pratt Museum Store in Homer. See their online store, call them at 907-235-8635 or e-mail info@prattmuseum.org

For more information about birds and where to find them in Kachemak Bay visit the website Birders Guide to Kachemak Bay. This website lists specialties, links to birding information, an updated checklist of birds found in the Kachemak Bay area and the bird hotline information.

For up to date information on birds in the Homer area, call the bird hotline number (907)235-PEEP (7337), which is maintained by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, or contact Karl at (907)235-7525 or e-mail bay@xyz.net

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival

The annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the US Fish & Wildlife Service is held on the second weekend of May. Over 100,000 shorebirds pass through this region and great viewing opportunities exist on the Homer Spit. Bay Excursions participates in the Shorebird Festival by offering daily pelagic trips on Kachemak Bay. These trips are called "Seabird Sidetrips" and they usually fill up quickly, so it is a good idea to register early. For more information on the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival contact the Homer Chamber of Commerce at telephone number (907)235-7740, visit the website

To look at a listing of birds that we have seen on our boat trips or from the Homer Spit please see the Species List.