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Look Closer . . . Barren Islands

Mountainous islands
– far from "barren" –
teem with marine life

Deceptive Name

Named the Barren Islands by Captain James Cook in 1778, these islands between Kodiak and Homer are far from barren of life. Here the waters of Cook Inlet violently collide with the Gulf of Alaska. The churning currents mix a rich gumbo of food. Nesting seabirds feast with shearwaters from New Zealand, sea otters, sea lions, humpback whales, and giant halibut to feast.

Major Seabird Nesting Area

The seven named islands in this group host the largest gathering of nesting seabirds in the northern Gulf of Alaska. More than a half million breeding seabirds represent 18 species.

Fork-tailed storm-petrels swirl above most of the islands after dark and are the most abundant seabird. Tufted puffins are the most common birds seen during the day.

Home for Fulmars

East Amatuli Islands has one of the only two northern fulmar colonies in the northern Gulf of Alaska.

Busy from Cliffs to Beaches

Tens of thousands of murres and kittiwakes nest on the cliffs of East Amatuli and Nord islands. The second largest Steller sea lion rookery in the region is located on Sugarloaf Island. Because these marine mammals are endangered, access is restricted within three nautical miles of Sugarloaf Island.

Lagoon and Trees Lure More

Brant and other waterfowl stop at Ushagat Island which has salt water lagoon habitat as well as stands of spruce used by crossbills and other forest birds.

Visitor Information

Last updated: July 14, 2009