december 2005 redpoll newsletter arctic audubon society

8/8/2019 December 2005 Redpoll Newsletter Arctic Audubon Society

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2 The Redpoll December 2005

While shopping for your favorite birder, consider these

ten new bird-related books published in 2005:

Bird-Witched! How Birds Can Change a Life by

Marjorie V. Adams. (University of Texas Press) The au-

thor, one of the founders of the American Birding Asso-

ciation, looks back at her evolution into a birder and at

the concurrent growth of the sport.

National Geographic Complete Birds of North

America by Jonathan Alderfer. (Random House) 82

family groups, illustrated, with complete natural history.

The Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany

by Graeme Gibson. (Random House) A treasure trove

of paintings, drawings, poems, essays and scientific ob-servations about birds.

To See Every Bird on Earth: A Father, a Son, and a

Lifelong Obsession by Dan Koeppel. (Hudson Street

Press) One of only a dozen people to ever list over 7,000

species of birds, Dan Koeppels father spent a lifetime

on his chase. The author tells the story of this obsession,

and his part in it.

Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the Worlds Most

Remote Island Sanctuary by David Littschwager &

Susan Middleton. (National Geographic) Fine art pho-tographers, award-winning environmentalists and docu-

mentary film-makers Liittschwager and Middleton join

forces to showcase breathtaking photographs of the na-

tive flora and fauna of the remote Northwestern Hawai-

ian Islands. Home to nearly 70% of our nations coral

reefs, and known as the rainforests of the sea, these

islands are host to wildlife that exist nowhere else on the

planet.

In the Company of Crows and Ravens by John

Marzluff and Tony Angell. (Yale) Interactions between

humans and crows and their influence on culture, ecol-

ogy, and evolution. Tony Angells compelling artwork

never fails to delight the viewer.

The Ardent Birder by Todd Newberry. (Ten Speed

Press) In fifty eloquent short essays, Todd Newberry,

UCSC biology professor and lifelong devotee of fine

feathered friends, shares everything from delightful medi-

tations on birdwatchers daily events to philosophies of

why birders are so fervently dedicated to the sport.

Gifts for Your Favorite Bird Nerd!by Brook Gamble, Arctic Audubon Board Member

Why Birds Sing: A Journey into the Mystery of Bird

Song by Davis Rothenberg. (Basic Books) An explora-

tion of bird song that blends scientific research with an

understanding of musical beauty and form.

Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the

Continents Natural Soul by Scott Weidensaul. (North

Point Press) In 1955, Roger Tory Peterson and James

Fisher wrote Wild America, about their trek around

North America. Scott Weidensaul retraces Peterson and

Fishers steps to tell the story of wild America today.

How has the continents natural landscape changed over

the past fifty years?

And of course, the Arctic Audubon Coloring Book,

which is available at the Creamers Field Farmhouse

while dwindling supplies last!

The Great BackyardBird Count Returns

Ajoint project of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of

Ornithology, the Great Backyard Bird Count(GBBC) returns for its ninth season February 17-20,

2006. This years themes are go to a special place and

take someone with you. Bird enthusiasts of all ages

can share their love of birds, opening new eyes to the joy

of birding and the fun of creating a unique snapshot of

winter bird abundance and distribution across the conti-

nent. Everyone can participate, from beginning bird

watchers to seasoned experts.

During the count, bird watchers can tally up birds for

as little as 15 minutes, or for as long as they like, keepingtrack of the highest number of each bird species they see

together at one time. People are encouraged to report

birds from public lands and local parks, as well as from

their own backyards. Participants enter their numbers

online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc and can explore

sightings, maps, lists, and charts as the count progresses.

For more information contact the Cornell Lab of

Ornithology at [email protected] or

(800) 843-2473 or contact National Audubon at

[email protected] (215) 355-9588 Ext. 16.


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45th Annual Fairbanks Christmas Bird CountSaturday, December 31, 2005

Compilation Potluck Dinner4:30 p.m. at Pioneer Hall in Pioneer Park

Fairbanks Christmas Bird Count Areas & CoordinatorsTo participate, contact the coordinator of the area where you want to count. If you have no preference or haveother questions, call Larry or Gail Mayo, 479-2954. Contact coordinators soon to give them time to organize!

Each Christmas Bird Count lasts 24 hours and covers a 177 square mile circle that is 15 miles in diameter.Centered on the intersection of Yankovitch and Dalton Trail, the Fairbanks Circle includes Ester Dome, parts ofthe Tanana and Chena Rivers, the dump, Ft. Wainwright cooling ponds, and plenty of typical interior habitat.

The objective of the count is to observe in as much of the count circle as possible without duplication. Each bird

must be identified to be counted. Because our daylight time is limited, we need many field observers willing to cover

their assigned areas. Birds are also counted at feeders by observers who record the highest number of birds of each

species seen together at their feeder on that day. Feeder counters should also contact their area coordinator. During

count week (the 3 days before and after count day), additional species seen or heard within the count circle areadded to the final list of species observed. Please use the data entry sheet on the other side of this page to record your

observations and bring it to the area coordinators at the compilation potluck.

Please join us after dark on count day for our compilation and potluck dinner (meat provided) from 4:30

8:00 pm at the Pioneer Hall in Pioneer Park (Alaskaland). Pioneer Hall is located near the Palace Saloon. Use

the Moore Street entrance; parking is available in front of the Hall.

A $5 fee is required from all field observers over 18 years old. They will receive the CBC issue ofAmerican Birds.

Field observers under 18, feeder watchers, and owl listeners are not required to pay, but will not receive the magazine.

Christmas Bird Count data from 1900 to the present is online at www.audubon.org/bird/cbc.

If you cant attend the potluck be sure to contact your area coordinator before 4:30 pm or call 460-3636.

West Goldstream

Brian Lawhead

455-6849

[email protected]

Ester

Amy Turner

474-4227

[email protected]

Chena Ridge

Lori Quakenbush

457-1399 (h); 459-7214(w)[email protected]

University

Gail Mayo

460-3636

East Goldstream

Tom Green

452-6370

[email protected]

Farmers Loop

Jamie Marschner

458-0462

[email protected]

Steese/Ft. Wainwrig

Carol McIntyre

457-4213

South Fairbanks

Ken Russell & Laurel Devaney

488-8170

[email protected]

Creamers Refuge

Mark Ross

459-7301


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December 2005 The Redpoll 5

Highlights from Net 7Adopted by Arctic Audubon Society

This year, Arctic Audubon Society sponsored a netat the Creamers Field Migration Station, operatedby the Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO). Net 7 is oper-

ated from the end of April to the end of September.Although Net 7 is only six meters long, or half the length

of most of ABOs other nets, it managed to capture an

impressive 182 birds of 22 species this year. These in-

cluded one of the three Pine Siskins and six of 14 Boreal

Chickadees captured in 2005. This net is especially good

for capturing mixed-species flocks of juvenile birds.

Overall it was a very good year for capturesthe

fifth busiest since ABO opened the migration station in

1992. Yellow-rumped Warblers were the most common

bird captured, followed by Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Spar-

rows, and Orange-crowned War-

blers. The most unusual captures in-

cluded a second-ever Northern Har-

rier and Black-backed Woodpecker.

Net 7 Capture Data

Species Total

Alder Flycatcher 1

Hammonds Flycatcher 2

Gray Jay 1

Black-capped Chickadee 7

Boreal Chickadee 6

Gray-cheeked Thrush 1

Swainsons Thrush 13

Hermit Thrush 2

American Robin 2

Orange-crowned Warbler 10

Yellow Warbler 3

Yellow-rumped Warbler 9

Townsends Warbler 1Northern Waterthrush 3

American Tree Sparrow 23

Savannah Sparrow 7

Fox Sparrow 2

Lincolns Sparrow 7

White-crowned Sparrow 16

Dark-eyed Junco 52

Common Redpoll 13

Pine Siskin 1

Total 182

Tree sparrowcourtesy of ABO

Give a Gift to Research

The mission of the Arctic Audubon Society is to workto protect Alaskan ecosystems by encouraging re-search, education, and management that will contribute

to appreciation and good stewardship of our natural heri-

tage. To further this mission, Arctic Audubon started anannual Small Grants Program to support research. Be-

ginning in 2004, we have provided grants up to $1,000

per project for research on:

shorebird behavior in staging areas on the North Slope,

tracking bats in Interior Alaska,

determining the genetic status of McKays Bunting,

winter roosting strategies of the Black-capped Chicka-

dee in Interior Alaska.

We invite individuals and businesses to support and ex-

pand our Small Grants Program by making tax-deduct-

ible donations. Checks should be made payable to Arc-

tic Audubon Society Small Grants Program and sent to

Arctic Audubon Society, PO Box 82098, Fairbanks, AK

99708. Arctic Audubon Society is a 501(C)3 nonprofit

organization.

A request for proposals for the 2006 Small Grants

Program will be published in the February newsletter.

2006 Alaska BirdConference

The 11th Alaska Bird Conference will be held Febru-ary 7-9 in Juneau, Alaska. The purpose of the con-ference is to provide a forum to share information on

results, methods, and insights pertaining to research, edu-

cation, management, and conservation of Alaskas birds.

The conference will include presentations and posters

summarizing current topics in ornithology and avian

management and conservation, an evening program, a

banquet and keynote address by David Quammen, and

special awards. Several associated meetings and events

will take place in conjunction with the Alaska Bird Con-

ference. Early registration ends on December 23rd, and

fees increase on December 24th.

More information is available at

www.abc2006.juneau-audubon-society.org or by

contacting Michelle Kissling at 907-780-1168 or

[email protected].


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Arctic Audubon SocietyPO Box 82098Fairbanks, AK 99708www.arcticaudubon.org

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDPermit No. 181Fairbanks AK

Upcoming Events--Mark Your Calendar

Winter Bird Identification Workshop, Monday,

December 19, 7:00 pm at ABO. Details on page 1.Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 31

Compilation Potluck Dinner at 4:30 pm at Pioneer

Hall in Pioneer Park. See page 3 for details.

Mongolia: A Land Without Fences, Monday,

January 9, 7:00 pm, Noel Wien Library

Frank Keim will describe his travels in Mongolia.

Arctic Audubon Board Meeting, Monday, Feb. 6,

5:30 pm, Rm 300 Natural Science Facility, UAF

All members are welcome at Board meetings.

Birding in Bhutan, Monday, February 13, 7:00 pmThree Fairbanksans share tales of their travels.

Field Trip to Audubon-Riedel Nature Reserve,

Saturday, February 18, 10:00 am.

Birding Hotline(907) 451-9213

Updated by Laurel Devaney & Ken Russell

Report interesting bird sightings;learn what others have spotted.

also at

www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/index.html

National Audubon SocietyNew Member Form

Introductory rate, $20

Two Year membership, $30

Student or Senior rate $15Membership includes both National Audubon and the

local chapter, Arctic Audubon. You will receive National

Audubons magazine, Audubon, and Arctic Audubons

newsletter, The Redpoll.

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________

____________________________________________

City State Zip

I do not want the Audubon Society to share my name

with other organizations.

Amount enclosed: $______ (Make check payable to

National Audubon Society)

Send to: Arctic Audubon Society

PO Box 82098 A52

Fairbanks, AK 99708 7XCH

Chapter Only Membership, $10For membership in Arctic Audubon Society only, check

box and make check payable to Arctic Audubon.

Arctic Audubon Board of Directorsemail address: [email protected]

President: Gail MayoVice President: Open

Secretary: Ann WoodTreasurer: Gail MayoEducation: Megan Phillips

Conservation: Kristi BaileyHospitality: Brook GamblePrograms: OpenPublicity: Open

Newsletter: Mary ZalarMembership: Mary Zalar

Field Trips: Tom GreenBirdathon: Sherry LewisWeb Site: Jim Logan

Alaska Audubon Board: Frank Keim

december 2005 redpoll newsletter arctic audubon society

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