The Redpoll
Newsletter of the Arctic Audubon Society, Fairbanks, Alaska
Vol. 30 Issue No. 6
April 2008
Sandpipers, Scaup & Weeds?
Arctic Audubon’s First Ever Small Grants Night
Monday, April 14, 7:00 pm
Mission of Arctic Audubon:
Earth has unparalleled natural
diversity, productivity, and
beauty, and provides for
life. Recognizing the full
value of nature, we work to
protect Alaskan ecosystems
by encouraging research,
education, and management
that will contribute to
appreciation and good
stewardship of this natural
heritage. We also strive to
conduct our own lives in
harmony with nature.
The Arctic Audubon Society
publishes The Redpoll for its
members monthly fall through
spring. National Audubon
Society (NAS) dues are $35;
new members are $20. NAS
membership includes local
chapter dues. Chapter only
membership is $10 and
includes the newsletter.
Inside…
Birdathon Plans . ............... 3-5
BLM Management Plan ......... 5
Chukchi Oil Leasing .............. 6
Road Cleanup & Picnic .......... 2
Sandhill Crane Festival . ........ 7
Small Grants Awarded .......... 6
Spring Field Trips ................. 2
Spring Migration Celebration .. 2
Stampede Rec Area .............. 5
Volunteer Opportunities ........ 2
Noel Wien Library Auditorium
I
t might seem like a stretch to bring all three subjects together, but the common thread
in our April presentation is our Small Grants program. Since 2004, Arctic Audubon
Society has awarded grants of up to $2000 annually to fund conservation-related projects
that enhance the understanding and conservation of Alaska’s wildlife and/or ecosystems.
Three past recipients of Audubon Small Grants will share their research with you.
Kristin DeGroot: Physiology and Reproduction of Lesser Scaup
The North American population of Lesser Scaup, a small diving duck, has been declining
for 20+ years. Kristin’s project examines female body condition as the migrating birds arrive
on breeding grounds on the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge (YFNWR) in spring to see if reduced condition is related to
breeding season parameters such as nest attempts, clutch size and
egg size. She will present preliminary results from her first field
season, including information on how nesting scaup are doing
on the YFNWR overall and what is planned for the upcoming
Kristin DeGroot is a candidate for a Master of Science degree
field season.
in Wildlife Biology with the Institute of Arctic Biology at UAF.
Philip Martin: Solitary Pursuit
Solitary Sandpipers are widely distributed across the boreal forest zone of North
America, from the maritime provinces of Canada to Alaska. However, this species remains a mystery bird because it is difficult to observe in its preferred densely wooded and
mosquito-infested habitat. Solitary Sandpipers are the only North
American shorebird to nest in trees(!), but many other aspects of
breeding biology are unknown. Philip will describe his efforts to use
radio telemetry to track this relatively common but elusive species
through the backwoods of Creamer’s Field Refuge.
Solitary Sandpiper
photo by Ted Swem
Philip has worked for USFWS in Fairbanks for 20 years in a
variety of positions and has a lifelong fascination with shorebirds.
Katie Villano: Wildfire as a Gateway for Invasive Plant Colonization
As the climate changes, Alaska’s boreal forest faces the simultaneous threats of increasing invasive plant abundances and increasing area burned by wildfire.
Do burned areas present invasive plants an avenue through which to
spread into our pristine forests? Do certain vegetation or soil characteristics in fire scars make some burned areas more susceptible to
invasive plants than other areas? Katie will discuss the potential for
widespread invasion of the boreal forest in a changing climate.
Born and raised in Fairbanks, Katie Villano is a graduate student at UAF. In the photo,
Katie stands next to White Sweetclover invading a burn on the Dalton Highway.
Page Arctic Audubon
Spring Field Trips
A
rctic Audubon sponsors three
birding field trips in May, all
led by local birding experts. All
field trips meet at Creamer’s Field
Farmhouse at 9:00 am and usually
last until noon. Bring binoculars, a
snack, and rubber boots if you have
them. If you have a spotting scope,
that would be great! We’ll visit
Creamer’s Field ponds first, and
then carpool to the South Cushman lakes, and perhaps the airport
ponds. Children are especially
welcome.
May 10 Waterfowl identification
May 17 Shorebird identification
May 24 Birding by Ear and Songbird identification.
For more information about field
trips, contact Tom Green, 4526370 or [email protected].
F
Design Alaska
Wild Arts Walk
riends of Creamer’s Field invites you to the 3 rd Annual
Design Alaska Wild Arts Walk on
Saturday, June 7th, Noon to 5 pm at
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Stroll the Refuge amid
a colorful assortment of artists and
musicians as they demonstrate their
skills and display their work in this
festive fundraising event. Admission is $10 (children 17 and under
are free) and will include a choice
of pastries and bagels, and a cup of
gourmet organic coffee, cocoa, or
tea. Proceeds supports Friends of
Creamer’s Field.
The Redpoll
S
April 2008
Volunteer for Spring Events
pring is about to burst forth, calling us all outdoors. We hope that you
will include some volunteer time in your spring and summer plans.
Spring Migration Celebration (April 26), Road Clean-up (May 9), and
the Sandhill Crane Festival (August 22–24) always need volunteers, and
if you volunteer you’ll have the fun of watching birds while helping other
folks enjoy them. Don’t be shy, we need you! Call Gail Mayo (479-2954)
or any other board member to help.
Please, everyone, participate in Birdathon. If you are not able to do
your own Birdathon please join in by making a pledge (use the handy
form on page 5), attending one of the Birdathon walks, or joining up
with a Birdathon team. Call any board member to sign on.
Spring Migration Celebration
W
Saturday, April 26th, Noon–4:00 pm
elcome back our migratory birds and join in the fun at
the annual Spring Migration Celebration, Noon to 4:00 pm
on Saturday, April 26th. With a theme this year of From Tundra to
Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People, this event will include
talks, birding walks, wildlife viewing and activities for the whole family such as puppet shows, crafts, and games. Activities will take place at
the Alaska Public Lands Information Center and the Creamer’s Field
Farmhouse Visitor Center. Event schedules and ample parking will be
available at each location.
This celebration is co-sponsored by Friends of Creamer’s Field, the
Alaska Bird Observatory, and Arctic Audubon Society with support
from US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, Alaska Department
of Fish and Game, Ducks Unlimited, Calypso Farm, and the Northern
Alaska Environmental Center.
Arctic Audubon Road Cleanup & Picnic
A
Friday, May 9th, 5:30 pm
Picnic After Cleanup!
rctic Audubon has adopted a scenic mile of Ballaine Road that we
try to keep clean year round. In the spring the task is daunting, so
we have scheduled a time when anyone can join us to help and then enjoy
a picnic afterwards. Families and friends are welcome. Our adopted mile
extends south on Ballaine Road from the intersection with Goldstream
Road. Watch for the blue “Adopt a Highway” signs.
We plan to meet at 5:30 pm on Friday, May 9th at the intersection of
Trice and Ballaine Road. We’ll watch for swans and other birds as we
pick up trash along the roadway for a couple of hours.
After the cleanup, we’ll gather for a potluck picnic at the Mayo’s place,
282 Hay Way just off Sheep Creek Road at about 1.2 mile. If possible
call the Mayos so we’ll know how many for the picnic (479-2954). See
you there!
April 2008
The Redpoll
Page Get ready for the ultimate Alaska birding event…
I
Farthest North Birdathon: May 10–June 15, 2008
t’s time once again for the Alaska Bird Observatory and
Arctic Audubon to team up for the their annual fundraiser, the Farthest North Birdathon. This year will be more fun
than ever with new prize categories including a red birdcage
award and prizes for non-human team members. All ages and
skill levels are encouraged to join in on the festivities.
The Farthest North Birdathon is an opportunity for
you to Go Birding for a Cause and win prizes—no matter
where you live or what birding skill level you possess. The
basic premise of a birdathon is to collect pledges based on
how many bird species you can find on any day you choose
between May 10 and June 15. Hard-core teams might cover
many miles in a 12- or 24-hour quest, while other folks just
walk around their neighborhood for a few hours. If you’re
not up for collecting pledges, you can make a flat donation.
Every penny counts for the birds!
Once again, Alaska Airlines is generously donating two
round-trip airline tickets. This year, for every five people you
get to pledge $5 or more to Birdathon, your name will be
entered in a drawing for two round-trip tickets on Alaska
Airlines (good for any Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air destinations, including Mexico!).
Guided Birdathon Walks
Both ABO and Arctic Audubon offer guided Birdathon
walks and field trips in Fairbanks for novice birders. The
complete schedule will be posted on ABO’s website, www.
alaskabird.org or call 451-7159.
Kids Bird-a-thon! Join the Arctic Moon Jr. Bird Club on
Saturday June 7th for a trip to Eagle Summit. More information at 451-7159 or [email protected].
Important Information for Participants
Contact ABO for a complete Birdathon packet. A pledge
form can be found on page four of this newsletter.
Instructions: Obtain pledges before your count and record
them on the pledge sheet. You may make copies of this form
or request more from ABO. This form should be returned
with payments to Alaska Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 80505,
Fairbanks, AK 99708. Please do not send cash. ABO will
happily invoice your pledges this year if you do not want to
collect them in person.
Important: To be eligible for prizes you must return your
Counter’s Report Form (available at ABO) by Monday, June
23rd before 5 pm! Pledges need to be turned in by July 7th.
Questions? Call (907) 451-7159
Thank you to our sponsors:
Getting Started…
Have you always wanted
to join Birdathon,
but don’t have a team, don’t
know a chickadee
from a crane, or are afr
aid of fundraising ?
Come to our new worksh
op :
How to be successful at
Birdathon!
May 8th, 6-8 pm at AB O
We will help match you
up with other team
members or suggest a guide
d Birdathon. Learn
a few tips and get example
s of effective fundraising techniques with
AB O’s Membership
Manager Nicole Pearce.
Please RSVP to Nicole
by May 1st.
ear for ….
is y
New prizes th
• Going Green
in your yard
• Most species
hon
udu• New to Birdat
ers for Arctic A
b
em
M
ew
N
t
• Mos
Bird Obser vatory
bon and Alaska
athon Dogs!
• Prizes for Bird
cage Award
• The Red Bird
Photo and Ess
ay
Contests
At the final tally
rally July 13th, we w
ill have a
Birdathon photo co
ntest with many ca
te
gories.
The overall winne
r of the photo cont
est along
with the winner of
our new essay cont
est will
be published in th
e Alaska Bird Obs
er vatory
and Arctic Audub
on Society newslet
ters.
Birdathon Potluck and “Tally Rally”
Everyone is invited to join all the counters for
an entertaining potluck and awards ceremony on
Sunday, July 13th at ABO.
Page The Redpoll
Farthest North
Birdathon
2008
All Proceeds Benefit:
Arctic Audubon Society and the
Alaska Bird Observatory
Sponsor Name
Address
Phone
April 2008
Pledge Tracking Sheet
Counter Name:___________________________
Team Name:_____________________________
Address:________________________________
City: ___________State: ____Zip: ___________
Page ______of_______
Please Print Legibly
E-mail
Pledge
Amount Due
Arctic
Paid ABO Audubon
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Per
Species
Set
Pledge
Membership Opportunity!
If you are not currently a member of Alaska Bird Observatory or Arctic Audubon Society (local
chapter only) and would like a one-year introductory membership to either organization, pledge
more than $30 and check one of the boxes above. If you would like membership to both
organizations, pledge $50 or more and check both boxes. Thank you for your donation!
April 2008
The Redpoll
BLM Plan Affects Many Trails
By Eric Troyer, Interior Trails Quarterly
T
he federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
is starting a management plan process that will
affect a huge chunk of land in interior Alaska. Many
land and water trails could be affected by this process,
so concerned trail users should stay informed.
The Resource Management Plan (RMP) is being
overseen by the BLM-Alaska Eastern Interior Field
Office. The plan will provide long-range management
direction for about eight million acres of public land in
eastern Alaska administered by BLM. This area includes
the Steese National Conservation Area, the White
Mountains National Recreation Area, the Fortymile
and Upper Black river areas. The plan will identify what
lands are open or closed to certain uses, including trail
use.
BLM will hold public meetings between April and
June in a number of communities to explain the planning process and to hear from the public what issues
and concerns BLM should address in the RMP. Public
input is important and necessary to ensure that all issues and concerns for these areas are discussed and addressed. BLM (www.blm.gov/ak) will have a web site
link soon for this plan or check local sources for meeting
schedules. Email comments are welcome ([email protected]) and additional information may be
obtained from Jeanie Cole, planning team leader, at
907/474-2340.
Public Meetings Scheduled
Delta Junction: Thursday, April 17, 3-8 pm,
Community Center
Fairbanks: Tuesday, April 22, 3-8 pm,
FNSB Assembly Chambers
✁
Page Legislation Would Create
Stampede Recreation Area
By Eric Troyer, Interior Trails Quarterly
T
wo companion bills in the state House and Senate
(HB241 and SB173) would create a Stampede
State Recreation Area (SRA) in the Stampede Trail area
west of Healy. The proposed SRA is 80,000 acres and is
bounded on three sides by Denali National Park. The
area has great recreation area potential, including many
places for trails. However, the Stampede Trail corridor
is also viewed by some as good route for a railroad track
or second road into the park.
The area has been in the news quite a bit in recent
years. A bus on the Stampede Trail was where Christopher McCandless of “Into the Wild” died in 1992.
The Stampede Trail also made the news when former
Governor Frank Murkowski pushed a plan to make the
trail into a road. That effort ended in large part due to
local opposition.
For more information find the bills with the bill
search engine at:
http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/index.php
To express your opinion on the bills to create this
recreation area, contact Christian Gou-Leonhardt in
Representative David Guttenberg’s office (907/5764457; [email protected]), or
send comments to Representative David Guttenberg,
Room 418, State Capitol, Juneau, AK 99801; or to
Senator Joe Thomas, Room 510, State Capitol, Juneau,
AK 99801.
Farthest North Birdathon Sponsor Form
Please accept my pledge of _____ per species or $______ total for:
_____ the Arctic Audubon Team, _____ the Kids Bird-a-thon, or _____ both!
Name_________________________ Phone________________ e-mail_______________________
Address_ ______________________ City_ ________________ State___________ Zip_________
Mail this form to:
Arctic Audubon Birdathon
P.O. Box 82098
Fairbanks, AK 99708
Make checks payable to Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO)
Page Arctic Audubon Awards
Small Grants
A
t the March 25th meeting of the Arctic
Audubon Sociey Board of Directors, we
considered seven grant proposals. Each was
evaluated for how well it satisfied our mission
and served our members and area. Attention
was also given to practicality, how well grant
requirements were met, and the part our
support would play helping the applicant to
achieve their goals.
Grants were awarded to:
• H. River Gates, a masters degree candidate
at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks,
who is continuing a study of arctic breeding Dunlin, a species of conservation
concern. River’s grant will be used for
aerial telemetry surveys during the critical
nesting and renesting period in order to
evaluate success.
• Luke DeCicco, a Fairbanks student at
Arcadia University in Nova Scotia, will
use his grant to study the little known
and elusive Gray-headed Chickadee. Very
little is know about this species in North
America (it is better known in northern
Europe, Asia and Siberia), so Luke’s study
will contribute to our understanding
through analysis of specimens in existing
museum collections.
Funds for small grants come from our
fundraising efforts such as the annual spring
Birdathon and generous donations. Thank
you to all who make this program possible.
The Fairbanks Area
Hiking & Birding
Guide is sold for $12
at the Alaska Bird
Observatory Education
Center, Beaver Sports,
Friends of Creamer’s
Field Farmhouse Visitor
Center, Geophyiscal
Institute Map Office,
and Gulliver’s Books.
The Redpoll
April 2008
Big Bucks Bid for Bear Abode
By Pat Pourchot, Senior Policy Representative, Audubon Alaska
O
n January 31, 2008 Audubon Alaska joined with a coalition
of conservation and Alaska Native groups to file suit to block
oil and gas leasing in the Chukchi Sea. The Chukchi is part of the
Arctic Ocean, off the northwest coast of Alaska.
A week later, on February 6th, the U.S. Interior Department’s
Mineral Management Service (MMS) proceeded with a lease sale
for drilling rights on 30 million acres in the Chukchi—an area
roughly the size of Pennsylvania. Winning bids totaled $2.6 billion
on nearly 10% of the offered acreage.
The Chukchi Sea is one of the richest ecosystems in the Arctic.
Its shallow ocean floor and coastal lagoons provide food, migration
stops, and nesting habitat for millions of seabirds, waterfowl, and
shorebirds, including Kittlitz’s Murrelets, Yellow-billed Loons, and
“threatened” Steller’s Eiders and Spectacled Eiders. It is also home
to a magnificent array of marine mammals, including “endangered”
bowhead, gray, humpback, and fin whales; beluga whales; Pacific
walruses; several species of ice seals; and, at the top of the food
chain, half of America’s polar bears (one-tenth of the global population).
Ironically, another Interior Department agency, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, was to have issued a decision to list the polar
bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in
early January 2008, before the February 6 oil and gas lease sale. The
polar bear decision is now more than 60 days overdue.
Because of the January 31st suit, the leases could be subject to
later court rulings on the legality of the MMS actions, and future
injunctions could be sought to prevent exploratory or development
drilling or additional lease sales.
“The Chukchi Sea is an ecologically rich frontier environment,
and it is changing rapidly due to global warming,” said Stan Senner,
Audubon Alaska Executive Director. “We barely know this changing seascape, and this is not the time to move forward with oil or
gas development.”
The impacts of oil development and potential oil spills could be
particularly damaging to birds and their habitat. Audubon Alaska
has identified 18 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) on the U.S. side of
the Chukchi Sea and six more IBAs on the Russian side. At least
15 species of birds on Audubon’s Alaska WatchList use marine and
coastal habitats in the Chukchi Sea. More than 33,000 Spectacled
Eider—including most of the female Eider that breed on the Arctic
Coastal Plain—molt in the Ledyard Bay Critical Habitat Area,
located just south of lease tracts in the Chukchi Sea. Up to a half
million King Eider stage and feed in the Chukchi for several weeks
in the spring prior to dispersing to breeding grounds in Alaska,
Canada, and Russia.
Please stay tuned for more information from Audubon Alaska
on the Chukchi Sea and how you can help.
April 2008
The Redpoll
Page Birds of the Boreal Workshops
O
nce again, the Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO) is
offering a series of Birds of the Boreal Workshops
on Wednesday nights, April 2–May 7, 7–9 pm at ABO.
The cost for each workshop is $12/person; $10/ABO
members (Or $60/$50 for the whole series). Call 4517159 to register for the following classes:
April 2: Birds of the Boreal I—Identifying Grouse,
Woodpeckers, & Owls with Dr. Susan Sharbaugh,
Alaska Bird Observatory.
April 9: Birds of the Boreal II—Diurnal Raptor Identification with Dr. Carol McIntyre, National Park
Service.
April 16: Birds of the Boreal III—Identifying those Little
Birds (Passerines), Part 1 with Dr. Susan Sharbaugh
April 23: Birds of the Boreal IV—Identifying those Little
Birds (Passerines), Part 2 with Dr. Susan Sharbaugh.
April 30: Birds of the Boreal V—Waterfowl Identification with Dr. Mark Lindberg from UAF.
May 7: Birds of the Boreal VI—Shorebird, Gull, & Tern
Identification with Philip Martin, US Fish & Wildlife
Service
Sandhill Crane Festival
August 22–24, 2008
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
T
he featured speaker at this year’s Sandhill Crane
Festival will be John Acorn, also known as The
Nature Nut. The Canadian naturalist is known for
his inspiring personality and infectious love of nature
and is also an accomplished musician, combining folk
music with educational lyrics about the natural world.
He is currently a lecturer at the University of Alberta, a
research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, and a research associate at the E.H. Strickland
Entomology Museum.
As the host and creative force behind the popular
television series Acorn, the Nature Nut, he has educated
and entertained audiences worldwide. As a best-selling
author, he has had a huge impact on amateur entomology, and his field guides have earned him numerous
awards. He has been an invited keynote speaker at more
than 60 festivals, workshops and conventions across
Canada and the U.S including last year’s Kachemak Bay
Shorebird Festival in Homer.
DAY CAMP PROGRAMS
Nature Education & Ecology
for Youth Ages 4–11
at Creamer’s Field Migratory
Waterfowl Refuge
PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Half-Day Program
Ages 4 – 5
9am–12pm
$110
Nature Sprouts I
Nature Sprouts II June 16–20
June 23–27
Full-Day Program
Ages 6–7
Nature Detectives I
Nature Detectives II
Nature Detectives III
Ages 8 – 9*
Water Striders I
Water Striders II
Water Striders III
Ages 10 -11*
Refuge Adventurers 9am–4pm
$185
July 7–11
July 14–18
July 21–25
$235
July 7–11
July 14–18
July 21–25
$235
July 14–18
*includes 1 overnight campout
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
A registration fee of $20 is required per
family. Tuition and fees must be paid in
full to secure your child’s registration.
Online registration is available
March 1–June 1 at www.northern.org
SCHOLARSHIPS available.
Call for more information.
QUESTIONS?
Call (907) 452-5021 ext. 32 or email
[email protected]
Arctic Audubon Society
PO Box 82098
Fairbanks, AK 99708
www.arcticaudubon.org
Upcoming Events­—Mark Your Calendar
Small Grants Program, Monday April 14th, 7 pm
Presentations by grant recipients; Noel Wien Library.
Spring Migration Celebration, Saturday, April 26th,
Noon–4 pm, Creamer’s Field & AK Public Lands
Information Center (downtown). Details on page 2.
Road Cleanup with Arctic Audubon, Friday, May 9th,
5:30 pm; picnic after cleanup. See page 2.
Audubon’s Spring Field Trips on Saturdays, May 10th,
17th, 24th; Meet at Creamer’s Field at 9 am
Farthest North Birdathon, May 10–June 15
Tally Rally Potluck & Awards, July 13, see p. 3.
Sandhill Crane Festival, August 22–24, 2008
Keynote speaker is John Acorn, The Nature Nut! Full
schedule of events will be available in mid-July.
Arctic Audubon Board of Directors
email address: [email protected]
President: Gail Mayo (479-2954)
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Kristi McLean (479-4874)
Treasurer: Janet Daley (457-1583)
Education: Open
Conservation: Kristi McLean (479-4874)
Hospitality: Brook Gamble (456-3775)
Programs: Lauren Attanas (474-9736)
Newsletter: Mary Zalar (479-4547)
Membership: Mary Zalar (479-4547)
Field Trips: Tom Green (452-6370)
Birdathon: Sherry Lewis (479-0848)
Web Site: Jim DeWitt
Alaska Audubon Board: Frank Keim (451-9308)
Nonprofit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 181
Fairbanks AK
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.
National Audubon Society
New Member Form
q Introductory rate, $20
q Two Year Membership, $30
q Student or Senior rate, $15
Membership includes both National Audubon and the
local chapter, Arctic Audubon. You will receive National
Audubon’s magazine, Audubon, and Arctic Audubon’s
newsletter, The Redpoll.
Name: __________________________________
Address: _ _______________________________
_______________________________________
City
State
Zip
Amount enclosed: $______ (make check payable to
National Audubon Society)
Send to: Arctic Audubon Society
PO Box 82098
Fairbanks, AK 99708
A52
7XCH
q Chapter Only Membership, $10
For membership in Arctic Audubon only, check the box
and make check payable to Arctic Audubon Society.