December 2008 Redpoll Newsletter Arctic Audubon Society

8/8/2019 December 2008 Redpoll Newsletter Arctic Audubon Society

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Arctic Audubon Society Presents…

Bird ID Program: Birds of the Boreal Winter Monday, December 15 th, 7:00 pm

Noel Wien Library Auditorium

Get ready or the Christmas Bird Count with Alaska Bird ObservatoryResearch Biologist David Shaw at a slide presentation on the hardy

birds that survive the cold winters in interior Alaska. Tere are more thanchickadees! In this talk, Dave will address where to nd and how to identi ythe two dozen or so species that can be ound around Fairbanks during the winter months.

Christmas Bird Count: A Holiday TraditionSaturday, December 27 th

B y Saturday, December 27th you’ll need a break rom too much inholiday estivity. Join us and enjoy the winter birds or un and

during the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Tis year is the 109th counor the continent and the 48th count or Fairbanks. Our count has cert

grown over the years, yet some o the same people who gathered oCBC are still counting. It is amazing that over the years Fairbank’s sharp eyes have ound 68 di erent species alive in the “dead o winte

complete list on page 2. We welcome you to join in and discover the enjoyment outside helping to build a database o in ormation on bird population trends unby any other wildli e census. See pages 3 and 4 or more in ormation.

Changing Climate for Arctic Refuge ProtectionMonday, January 12 th, 7:00 pm

Noel Wien Library Auditorium

Arctic expert Pamela A. Miller will talk about the wildli e, wilderness, and cultural values o the Arctic National Wildli e

Re uge and how global climate change presents new challenges to

this remarkable wild land and its inhabitants. Preserving Alaska’s wild places is an important part o America’s clean energy economy as we aglobal climate crisis. Fairbanksans will again be key in the e ort to permanently pcoastal plain o the Arctic Re uge as well as other special places in America’s A will give a sneak preview o the opportunities or citizen action to protect this spduring President Obama’s administration.

Pam Miller is the Arctic Program Director or the Northern Alaska EnvironCenter and ormer U.S. Fish and Wildli e Service biologist who studied tundrathe coastal plain o the Arctic Re uge and cumulative impacts o the North SlopShe chaired the Alaska Coalition in the mid-1990’s or protection o the re uge, a

or Te Wilderness Society and had a wilderness guiding business or about a dec

Boreal Chickad by David Sh

Polar bear in the Arctic Refuge photo by Ken Whitten

The Redpoll Newsletter of the Arctic Audubon Society, Fairbanks, Alaska

Vol. 31 Issue No. 3 www.arcticaudubon.org December 2008

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… ABO Raf e ..................... 5Beak Deformity Alert ...... 5CBC Species List ............. 2Chena River Ducks ......... 2Christmas Bird Count ... 3-4Crane Field Trip .............. 2Mist Net 4 Results .......... 5Tanana Lakes Update ..... 5



Page The Redpoll December 008

Crane Viewing Field Trip to Nebraska

Friends o Creamer’s Field Director MelissaSikes has been invited to speak at the Riv-

ers and Wildli e Celebration, March 20–22,2009 in Kearney, Nebraska. Tis is a great op- portunity to organize a eld trip or interestedFairbanksans that would like to view cranestogether along the Platte River.

In 2006, Nebraska author and photog-rapher Michael Forsberg was the keynotespeaker at the anana Valley Crane Festival.His words and photos presented an enticing image o the Platte River dspring migration when millions o birds stop there on their way nort

Te Rivers and Wildli e Celebration is held each March to celebthe annual migration o 500,000 Sandhill Cranes and millions o w

owl through central Nebraska. For more in ormation, visit the AudNebraska website at www.nebraska.audubon.org/RWC-generic.htm the Rowe Sanctuary website at www.rowesanctuary.org.

Con erence registration materials will be available in mid-DecemBecause o the popularity o this event, reservations must be madeto guarantee viewing time in the blinds and participation in con erevents. Contact Mary Zalar, 479-4547 or [email protected], or MeSikes, 452-5162 or [email protected], i you are interested.

Members in the NewsMarv and Becky Hassebroek have been

eeding the ducks that overwinter in theChena River below the power plant’s warm water discharge area. Tey have

ormed a nonpro it association calledFeed the Ducks or any that would liketo contribute to their e orts. Tey would

also love to have help with the daily eed-ing chore. I interested call them at 456-3066. Above, a Mallard lands on the snowy river bank.

Photo by Ken Whitten

Email Delivery of Newsletter E-Delivery o Arctic Audubon’s news-

letter, he Redpoll,is now an option.Contact the newsletter editor at [email protected] to receive your newsletter viaemail instead o by postal delivery.

Hiking & Birding MapTe Fairbanks Area Hiking & Birding Guide is sold inFairbanks or $12 at theAlaska Bird ObservatoryEducation Center, BeaverSports, Friends o Creamer’s

Field Farmhouse Visitor Center, Geo- phyiscal Institute Map O ce, and Gulliv-er’s Books. Maps can be ordered via email

at [email protected] eBird

http://ebird.org/content/ak/Alaska ebird is a great way to record

your observations, manage your li e list,and help contribute to avian monitoring and conservation in Alaska. Visit the website, http://ebird.org/content/ak/

GadwallAmerican WidgeonMallard

Northern Shoveler PintailLesser ScaupHarlequin Duck White-winged Scoter Buf ehead

Common GoldeneyeBarrow’s GoldeneyeCommon Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ring-necked PheasantRuffed GrouseSpruce GrouseWillow PtarmiganRock PtarmiganSharp-tailed GrouseBald EagleSharp-shinned Hawk

Northern Goshawk Merlin

Species Seen on One or More FairbanksChristmas Bird Counts1965–2007 (x1968)

Source: www.audubon.org

GyrfalconPeregrine FalconAmerican CootRock PigeonGreat Horned OwlSnowy Owl

Northern Hawk OwlGreat Grey OwlBoreal OwlDowny Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Three-toed

Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker

Northern ShrikeGray JayBlack-billed MagpieCommon RavenBlack-capped ChickadeeBoreal ChickadeeRed-breasted NuthatchBrown Creeper American Dipper

Golden-crowned KingletTownsend’s SolitaireAmerican RobinVaried ThrushEuropean StarlingBohemian WaxwingAmerican Tree SparrowSavannah SparrowFox SparrowLincoln’s SparrowWhite-crowned SparrowGolden-crowned SparrowDark-eyed JuncoRustic BuntingSnow BuntingRusty BlackbirdGray-crowned Rosy FinchPine Grosbeak White-winged CrossbillCommon RedpollHoary RedpollPine SiskinSiberian Tit

Sandhill Cranes land at Creamer’s Field. Photo by Ken Whitten



Each Christmas Bird Count lasts 24 hours and covers a 177 square mile circle that is 15 miles in diametFairbanks count is centered on the intersection o Dalton rail and Yankovich Road. Te circle includes th

o Ester Dome, parts o the Chena and anana Rivers, the dump, and plenty o typical Interior habitat. Te obthe count is to cover as much o the circle as possible while identi ying and counting birds without duplicatioour daylight hours are limited we need many observers willing to cover assigned areas.

• Feeder watchers are welcome to participate by counting the largest number o birds seen together oreach species on that day.

• During “count week” (three days be ore and a er count day) additional species seen or heard withinthe count circle can be added to the nal list o species observed.

• Please use the data sheet on the reverse to record participants, numbers o birds and e ort (time spentlooking by various means). Be sure to contact your area coordinator at or be ore the potluck.

A $5 ee is required rom all eld observers over 18 years old. Observers under 18, eeder watchers and oware not required to pay but will not receive the CBC issue o American Birdsunless they choose to pay. Make sure whave your correct mailing address and let us know i you do not want to receive the CBC issue.

Plan to join us a er dark or the compilation and potluck dinner (meat provided) at the Kunkel CommCenter on Goldstream Road near Ivory Jack’s. See directions at www.goldstreamvalley.net/kunkel/kunkelmapDoors will open at 4:00 pm and dinner is at 5:00. Please bring a simple dish to share. BYOEU (bring your owutensils) i possible. We look orward to seeing you there!

Te Christmas Bird Count is on line with data rom 1900 to present at www.audubon.org .I you can’t attend the potluck be sure to contact your area coordinator be ore 5:00 pm. Data may be reported to 460-4659 afer 4:00 pm. Jim DeWitt will be at the dinner to enter all results onto the

data sheet. Results will be published in the February issue o Te Redpoll.

48 th A nnuAl F AirbAnks C hristmAs b ird C ount

Saturday, December 27 th, 2008Compilation Potluck dinner at 5:00 pm at the Kunkel Community Center

Please contact the coordinator o the area in which you want to count as soon as possible. I you have no preor can’t reach your coordinator, contact Gail Mayo, 479-2954 or [email protected]

West GoldstreamBrian Lawhead

[email protected]

EsterPhilip Martin479-7384 (h)

[email protected]

University Gail Mayo479-2954

[email protected]

Chena Ridge Joyce Potter479-3523 (h)

East Goldstreamom Green

452-6370 (h)fkg@ua .edu

Farmer’s Loop Jamie Marschner

458-0462 (h)marschnr@

polarnet.com

Steese/Wainwright

Pam Bruce488-0283 (h) pbruce@

eagle.ptialaska.netCreamer’s Re ugeMark Ross

459-7301 (w)[email protected] South Fairbanks

Ken Russell & Laurel Devane488-8170 (h)

laurel_devaney@ ws.gov



2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007Area: _____________________ Parties: 87 75 75 80 65 86 70

Car Car 395 649 684 535 489 527 441Observer:__________________ Foot Foot 145 69 70 76 67 66 78

Ski/SnowShoe Ski/SnowShoe 10 9 4 27 29 73 20Observer:__________________ Other Other 16 4 23 33 25 10 21

Total: 566 731 781 671 609 676 560Observer:__________________ Car Car 51 84 85 79 72 78 69

Foot Foot 95 44 49 54 58 47 41Ski/SnowShoe Ski/SnowShoe 5 5 2 13 11 30 12

Other Other 4 1 3 7 5 2 5Feeder Feeder 79 63 65 51 36 66 65

Feeder Count Total: 234 197 204 204 181 223 192Mallard 90 84 27 122 106 188 325Northern PintailCommon Goldeneye 9Barrow's Goldeneye 1Common Merganser 23 14 1 8 10 21 10Duck sp. 1Ruffed Grouse 5 14 14 9 22 18 12Spruce Grouse 2 18 * 3Willow Ptarmigan 3 3Sharp-tailed Grouse 1 1Ptarmigan sp. 2Bald EagleSharp-shinned Hawk 1Northern Goshawk 3 2 2 1 3 2 1Peregrine Falcon 1Rock Pigeon 91 249 131 123 545 134 277Great Horned Owl 2 2 2 6 2Northern Hawk Owl 1 1Great Grey OwlBoreal Owl 1 3 3Downy Woodpecker 14 26 13 21 23 22 22Hairy Woodpecker 20 23 19 30 33 26 26

3-toed Woodpecker 2 5 1 5 3 4 2Woodpecker sp. 3 3 5 3 7 1Northern Shrike 2 1 1Gray Jay 115 135 92 127 161 125 87Black-billed Magpie 5 7 5 17 9 6 5Common Raven 1,326 1,413 2,007 1,767 1,644 1459 1505Black-cap'd Chickadee 937 615 644 851 1177 1012 1011Boreal Chickadee 269 168 107 239 217 298 249Chickadee sp. 90 38 5 56 46 20 28Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 4 5 4 4 5 6Brown Creeper 1American Robin 1 3 3 5 3Townsend's Solitaire 2Bohemian Waxwing 192 347 193 131 143 188 441Fox SparrowWhite-crowned SparrowDark-eyed Junco 1 4 3Snow BuntingPine Grosbeak 214 104 101 84 35 197 103

21 420 4 311 4 4 4Common Redpoll 1,584 1,448 290 4,001 798 3064 399Hoary Redpoll 39 76 69 64 5 25 29Redpoll sp. 2,308 3,353 369 4,192 879 3248 1204Pine Siskin

Sponsors--Arctic Audubon Society and ABO Bird Count Total: 7,363 8,554 4,113 12,180 5,909 10,075 5,773Count Day Species: 25 22 22 25 23 22 29

White-winged Crossbill

Add'lSpecies

Observed inCountWeek

2008 Christmas Bird Count Data Entry Sheet

H o u r s

Field Count

This Year

M i l e s



December 008 The Redpoll Page

Highlights for Mist Net 4Adopted by Arctic Audubon Society

In 2008, Te Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO) complet-ed their 17th year o banding songbirds at the Creamer’s

Field Migration Station, and Arctic Audubon Societyonce again participated by sponsoring Mist Net 4. ABO

operated the station with the help o over 60 volunteers with 1,600 hours o service and banded approximately3,700 birds o 41 species rom April 21–September 30,2008. More than 2,600 people visited the Station andattended banding demonstrations.

Report your sightings…

Chickadee Beak Deformity Alertby Caroline Van Hemert, USGS Alaska Science Center

For nearly a decade, Alaskans have observed lanumbers o Black-capped Chickadees with gro

overgrown and crossed beaks. Te USGS Alaska ScienCenter began research in 1999, and we have since ide

ed more than 2,000 de ormed Black-capped Chickadin Alaska—the highest concentration o such abn

malities ever recorded in a wild bird population anywhMore recently, rapidly increasing numbers o other speincluding Downy Woodpeckers, Northwestern CrowSteller’s Jays, and Black-billed Magpies have also reported with beak de ormities. Reports o de orm

rom throughout the state, including around the Fairbanarea, have continued to increase in recent years.

Although we do not yet know the source o this wispread problem, we continue to investigate potentcauses, including environmental contaminants, nutritionde ciencies, and disease. Nearly all o the species a

are year-round residents, and we suspect that actorssponsible or this cluster o de ormities may be uniqAlaska and the Paci c Northwest. Reports rom the puhelp us to determine where and how many birds are

ected. I you see a bird with a de ormed beak, pleaseit via our web site http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biogy/landbirds/beak_de ormity/ or email Caroline VHemert at: [email protected].

Alaska Bird Observatory Raf e!An original handcrafted table by John Wright

and Nancy HausleJohnson

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and areavailable at ABO. Drawing is December 19 th.

For information call (907) 451-7159

Species TotalSwainson's Thrush 7Black-capped Chickadee 7Dark-eyed Junco 7American Robin 6

Yellow-rumped Warbler 4Fox Sparrow 4Hermit Thrush 3Common Redpoll 3Gray-cheeked Thrush 3Northern Waterthrush 2Orange-crowned Warbler 1Lincoln's Sparrow 1White-crowned Sparrow 1Yellow Warbler 1Savannah Sparrow 1Total 51

Mist Net 4

Birding Trail at Tanana LakesRecreation Area

Reprinted with permission from Interior Trails Quarterly

Abird-viewing trail in the anana Lakes RecreationArea should be ready or spring migration. Te trail

has been brushed and our viewing plat orms have beeninstalled, according to Steve aylor, project coordinator.A contract to build a 6- oot-wide gravel path has been is-sued with a deadline o May 30. Te 1000- oot-trail, whichalready existed in primitive orm, runs along the northeastshore o a lake that attracts many migrating birds. Work was unded by a state Recreational rails Program grant.

Te trail now exits directly onto South Cushman Street.Te borough plans to build a small parking lot about 100to 300 eet to the north o the existing trailhead with ashort connector trail.

Te borough has held clean-up days in the recreationarea, but will not hold another one until access to the areacan be restricted. Te borough hopes to have some ormo access control in place by next all.

Photos by Rich Flanders



Arctic Audubon SocietyPO Box 82098Fairbanks, AK 99708

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Nonpro t Org. US Postage

PAIDPermit No. 181Fairbanks AK

Upcoming Events—Mark Your Calendar

Bird ID Program: Birds o the Winter BorealMonday, December 15, 7 pm, Noel Wien Library

Get ready or Christmas Bird Count at this presenta-tion by David Shaw, ABO Biologist

Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 27Annual bird count and compilation potluck; seedetails on pages 3 & 4.

Changing Climate or Arctic Re uge Protection,Monday, January 12, 7 pm, Noel Wien Library

Pam Miller will provide insights and updates on wilder-ness protection or the Arctic Re uge coastal plain.

Winter Solstice Walk, Saturday, December 20,1–3:00 pm at Creamer’s Field.

Meet at the Farmhouse Visitor’s Center; sponsoredby Friends o Creamer’s Field.

Arctic Audubon Board of Directorsemail address: [email protected]

President: Gail Mayo (479-2954)Vice President: Open

Secretary: Openreasurer: Janet Daley (457-1583)

Education: OpenConservation: River Gates (455-0273)

Hospitality: Brook Gamble (456-3775)Programs: Lauren Attanas (474-9736)

Newsletter: Mary Zalar (479-4547)Membership: Mary Zalar (479-4547)

Field rips: Frank Keim (451-9308)Birdathon: Sherry Lewis (479-0848)Web Site: Jim DeWitt

Alaska Audubon Board: Frank Keim (451-9308)

Birding Hotline(907) 451-9213Updated by Laurel Devaney & Ken Russell

Report interesting bird sightings;learn what others have spotted.

National Audubon SocietyNew Member Form

q Introductory rate, $20

q

Introductory wo Year Membership, $30Membership includes both National Audubon and thelocal chapter, Arctic Audubon. You will receive NationalAudubon’s magazine, Audubon,and Arctic Audubon’snewsletter,Te Redpoll.Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________

_______________________________________City State Zip

q I would like to receive email announcements rom

Arctic Audubon Society. My email address is:________________________________Amount enclosed: $______ (make check payable toNational Audubon Society)Send to: Arctic Audubon Society A52

PO Box 82098 79M7 Fairbanks, AK 99708

q Chapter Only Membership, $10For membership in Arctic Audubon only, check the boxand make check payable to Arctic Audubon Society.

Documents

December 2008 Redpoll Newsletter Arctic Audubon Society