The Utqiaġvik Migratory Bird Festival Returns for a Fourth Year

UTQIAĠVIK, Alaska—The fourth annual Utqiaġvik Migratory Bird Festival will be held at the Fred Ipalook Elementary School and birding hotspots throughout the community from June 12 to 14, 2026. The festival, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Directorate Fellows Program initiative, is a collaboration between Audubon Alaska and other organizations to bring attendees a fun and educational migratory and shorebird-centered experience. Registration is now open.

For 2026, organizers plan to bring back the trivia night, drawing workshops, science talks, and of course, birding tours—among other activities. All events are free and open to the community. Still, there is opportunity to purchase merchandise with the 2026 logo featuring the King Eider (Qinalik) designed by Utqiaġvik-based artist Alaina Bankston.

This year’s festival organizer, Max Nootbaar, says local community members and visitors alike are encouraged to attend the festival and learn about the incredible array of migratory birds nesting in the North Slope of Alaska. “Our festival primarily aims to highlight the value of, and threats faced by, migratory birds nesting in the high Arctic and celebrate Inupiat tradition and connection to the natural resources of the region,” he says.

The Utqiaġvik Migratory Bird Festival is also the inspiration behind the Utqiaġvik Birding Trail—a collaboration between USFWS, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Ilisaġvik College, Iñupiat Heritage Center, North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, UIC Science, Tuzzy Consortium Library, and Audubon Alaska. Many thanks go to input from previous festival organizers Lindsay Hermanns and Aaron Yappert, as well as Iñupiat language resources like Iñupiatun Uqaluit Taniktun Sivuniŋit, the official website of the North Slope Borough, and Indigenous Knowledge Liaison Robin Monġoyak.

The trail details 10 sites throughout town, including the Stevenson Street Beachfront, Freshwater Lake at the end of Imaiqsaun Road, and Nunavaaq Gravel Pit. Site descriptions come with driving directions, special travel notes, and possible bird species sightings for bird tourists and local residents. Utqiaġvik is the economic, transportation, and administrative center of the North Slope Borough. The Utqiaġvik Birding Trail was created as a community asset to grow Alaska's economy through bird tourism and for educational purposes.

Imagery can be found here. Please see file names for photo credit.

Media contact: Lauren Cusimano, Audubon Alaska Communications Manager, lauren.cusimano@audubon.org, 907-433-5300

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