Category Archives: Public Message

CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 Annual Event – Hawk Watch Weekend – April 18 – 19, 2020

Posted on by April 13, 2020

CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 The Gunsight Mountain Hawk Watch Weekend

The Harlan’s Hawk Capitol

of the World!

at Milepost 118.8 of the Glenn Highway:  10:00 AM

We’ve been holding out for miraculous good news, but it looks like Anchorage Audubon is forced to cancel both our April program and The Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch Weekend.

Birding is one of the few things that can go on as usual in a pandemic, but for everyone’s safety, we can’t do it in organized groups.

We hope you get out on the trails. Spring arrivals are just starting and we don’t want anybody to miss the fun. We’ll post upcoming events as soon as we know if they’ll be possible.

Stay safe and well, and we hope to see you soon.… Read the rest

Fall Photo Sharing Party – September 19, 2019

Posted on by January 12, 2020

Fall Photo Sharing Party

Thursday, September 19, 2019

It’s party season again at Anchorage Audubon, and we’d love it if you’d join us Thursday, Sept. 19,  for Anchorage Audubon’s Annual End-Of-Summer Photo Sharing Party.  Bring your favorite photos of your summer adventures and make the rest of us totally jealous.

Get together with your birding pals and share photos and tall tales.  PLEASE NOTE:  This party has traditionally been a potluck which cannot happen this year because the Energy Center has prohibited bringing outside meals into the facility.  We’ll make up for it with extra cookies.

Share your best photos with an ultimately appreciative audience.    Bring your own laptop if it makes your show better, or take a chance with ours. 

… Read the rest

Fall Photo Sharing Party – September 20, 2018

Posted on by October 3, 2018

Fall Photo Sharing Party

Thursday, September 20, 2018

It’s party season again at Anchorage Audubon, and we’d love it if you’d join us Thursday, Sept. 20,  for Anchorage Audubon’s Annual End-Of-Summer Photo Sharing Party.  Bring your favorite photos of your summer adventures and make the rest of us totally jealous.

Get together with your birding pals and share photos and tall tales.  PLEASE NOTE:  This party has traditionally been a potluck which cannot happen this year because the Energy Center has prohibited bringing outside meals into the facility.  We’ll make up for it with extra cookies.

Share your best photos with an ultimately appreciative audience.    Bring your own laptop if it makes your show better, or take a chance with ours. 

… Read the rest

Annual Event – Hawk Watch Weekend – April 20 – 21, 2019

Posted on by April 23, 2019

The Gunsight Mountain Hawk Watch Weekend

The Harlan’s Hawk Capitol

of the World!

at Milepost 118.8 of the Glenn Highway:  10:00 AM

Our Annual Hawk Watch Weekend in collaboration with the Mat-Su Birders will take place this year on April 20 & 21st.   It’s the Greatest Event of the Birding Year in Alaska!

Our Hawk Watch is known as “The Harlan’s Hawk Capital of the World” because you’ll see more Harlan’s Hawks here than anywhere else on Earth.

There is no ornithological tailgate party like this anywhere in the country!

Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon field trip of the spring. Migrating raptors that can be seen along the ridge line near MP 118.8… Read the rest

Potluck Party and Pro-Am Bird Walk – May, 23 2019

Posted on by May 23, 2019

Potluck Party and Pro-Am Birdwalk

Sloppy eaters…bring your game on!

Because Spring Birding is at it’s peak, Anchorage Audubon has decided to CANCEL our regular third-Thursday monthly program at the BP Energy Center and have a party instead. It’s a potluck, a chance to tell birding lies, and a chance to casually stroll around the Westchester Lagoon area with other birders looking for new arrivals.  PLEASE NOTE that we’ve pushed the date back one week because the weather is totally guaranteed to be warmer.

We will also feature our Spring Pro-Am Birding Tournament.  Experienced birders will pair up with inexperienced birders for a 30 minute contest to find the most species on Westchester Lagoon.  The time goes by like lightning, and it’s always a treat to see what can be found in a very short period of time.

… Read the rest

Potter Marsh-A-Thon Birding Smackdown – June 8, 2019

Posted on by January 12, 2020

The Potter Marsh-A-Thon Birding Smackdown

Not your Mother’s Birding Contest!

Once again it’s Anchorage’s greatest Birding Smackdown. How many bird species can your team find within Potter Marsh between 8:00 AM and Noon?  How much food can you bring to the Potluck Picnic immediately following the contest period at Noon?  Whose team has the best name?

 

Fabulous Prizes will be awarded for most species seen. Teams may consist of 2 – 6 people.  The team must remain within voice or sight contact and must fit into one vehicle.  Species may only be counted if they are seen/heard by the entire team (Exceptions:  6 – person teams may count birds seen by 5 members, and 5-person teams may count birds seen by 4 members.)

… Read the rest

Fall Photo Sharing Party – September 19, 2019

Posted on by January 12, 2020

Fall Photo Sharing Party

Thursday, September 19, 2019

It’s party season again at Anchorage Audubon, and we’d love it if you’d join us Thursday, Sept. 19,  for Anchorage Audubon’s Annual End-Of-Summer Photo Sharing Party.  Bring your favorite photos of your summer adventures and make the rest of us totally jealous.

Get together with your birding pals and share photos and tall tales.  PLEASE NOTE:  This party has traditionally been a potluck which cannot happen this year because the Energy Center has prohibited bringing outside meals into the facility.  We’ll make up for it with extra cookies.

Share your best photos with an ultimately appreciative audience.    Bring your own laptop if it makes your show better, or take a chance with ours. 

… Read the rest

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game – Help Protect Potter Marsh – Donations Needed

Posted on by February 7, 2018

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game

Help Protect Potter Marsh

Donations Needed

October 4, 2017 Update: With generous donations, The Conservation Fund is nearing its’ goal to protect Anchorage’s most beloved wildlife viewing area (150,000 visits a year!). We say “nearing”, because the goal hasn’t quite been reached yet. Read on and if you haven’t already generously donated, please consider doing so. If you have, then thank you on behalf of The Conservation Fund. Every little bit helps!

We received a message from the State of Alaska – Department of Fish & Game today concerning acquiring property adjacent to the Potter Marsh.  We thought you’d like to see it.

Donations can be accepted online at The Conservation Fund – Potter Marsh Page or checks may be mailed to: The Conservation Fund, Attn: Potter Marsh, 2727 Hiland Road, Eagle River, Alaska 99577.

… Read the rest

Audubon Alaska – Birding Basics II – September 19, 2017

Posted on by September 21, 2017

Audubon Alaska

Birding Basics II:  Become a Better Birder

You’re invited!

Do you have some basics down, but want to become a better birder? Explore the exciting world of birding in this workshop! During this all-ages program, you will learn how to identify birds in non-breeding plumage, learn about bird anatomy, and learn how to use apps and field guides to identify birds while in the field. Max Goldman, Arctic Marine Ecologist for Audubon Alaska, will guide you through all of the basics, suggest local birding spots, and set you on the path to your own birding adventures. Birds of Anchorage Checklist provided.

 

 

 

Birding Basics II:  Become a Better Birder

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

 

REI Anchorage – 1200 West Northern Lights Blvd A

 

… Read the rest

Fall Potluck & Photo Sharing Party – September 21, 2017

Posted on by September 22, 2017

Fall Potluck & Photo Sharing Party

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Join us Thursday, Sept. 21,  for Anchorage Audubon’s Annual End-Of-Summer Potluck Party and bring your favorite photos of your summer adventures.

Get together with your birding pals and share photos, tasty treats, and tall tales.  Bring a dish to share—Hot Or Cold but no plug-in heating devices are allowed in the room.  Plates, utensils & beverages will be provided as well as napkins for any sloppy eaters who attend.

Share your best photos with an ultimately appreciative audience.    Bring your own laptop if it makes your show better, or take a chance with ours.  Projector will be provided.

Wilson's Warbler

Wilson’s Warbler

Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Northern Waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush

Emperor Goose

Emperor Goose

SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW CONCERNING YOUR PHOTOS.

Presentations will be limited to 5 minutes on the first round.  When all presenters have had their turn, we’ll start at the top once again.  A $5 donation/fine to Audubon will be assessed for anyone who goes over the time limit.
We’ll re-cap summer Audubon outings and sightings.  Fabulous Prizes will be awarded.  Please note the early meeting time of 6:30 PM because it’s a pot luck dinner.

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:  This year, in order to minimize set-up time at the party, you MUST submit your photos IN ADVANCE by Sunday, Sept. 17.

Contact W. Keys at  flybynightclub@gci.net to arrange for an early photo transfer. 

Photos should be in jpeg format, and should be consecutively numbered in the title to make sure they load in the order you intend. Just put them on a thumb drive and contact W. Keys.

Thursday, September 21, 2017:  6:30 pm

BP Energy Center

HawkWatch 2018 – March 7 – May 15, 2018

Posted on by June 8, 2018

HawkWatch International

Count Hawks at Gunsight Mountain

at Mileposts 120 and 121 of the Glenn Highway 

This spring, a decades-long goal will happen for the third year in a row!  We have always wanted to do a complete and thorough Hawk Watch for an entire season at Gunsight Mountain. 

This year, thanks to Neil Paprocki, it will become a reality once again!

 

Neil monitored our Hawk Watch site for 2 weeks in the spring of 2015.

 

His Hawk Watch International team returned in 2016 to count for the full season, and tallied over 3,000 migrating raptors.  That total included over 1,100 Golden Eagles and over 1,000 Harlan’s Hawks.

 

In 2017, Neil returned again with two additional hawk watchers for the entire season.
… Read the rest

Annual Event – Hawk Watch Weekend – April 21 – 22, 2018

Posted on by April 30, 2018

The Gunsight Mountain Hawk Watch Weekend

The Harlan’s Hawk Capitol

of the World!

at Milepost 118.8 of the Glenn Highway:  10:00 AM

Our Annual Hawk Watch Weekend in collaboration with the Mat-Su Birders will take place this year on April 21 & 22nd.   It’s the Greatest Event of the Birding Year in Alaska!

Our Hawk Watch is known as “The Harlan’s Hawk Capital of the World” because you’ll see more Harlan’s Hawks here than anywhere else on Earth.

There is no ornithological tailgate party like this anywhere in the country, and this year we know of at least one birder who’s traveling all the way from Utah for the event.

Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon field trip of the spring.… Read the rest

The Best Alaskan Hawkwatch Article

Posted on by June 8, 2018

The Best Alaskan Hawkwatch Article

the-best-alaskan-hawkwatch-article

The BEST Article Ever Written on Hawkwatching in Alaska!

A few years back, The American Birding Association’s magazine, Birding, ran an article about our own Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch by Paul and Cecily Fritz.

The Fritzes led the hawkwatch effort at Gunsight Mountain for many years, and this article describes the site perfectly.  They explain why our hawkwatch is very different from most other hawkwatch sites in the country, which raptors can be seen, when they can be seen, and why the birds even fly in a strangely different direction.

(Website administrator edit on 3/10/2018:  The PDF of the article has been embedded here because it appears to be not longer available on Hawkwatch International’s website. … Read the rest

Potluck Party and Pro-Am Bird Walk – May 24, 2018

Posted on by June 8, 2018

Potluck Party and Pro-Am Birdwalk

Sloppy eaters…bring your game on!

Because Spring Birding is at it’s peak, Anchorage Audubon has decided to CANCEL our regular third-Thursday monthly program at the BP Energy Center and have a party instead. It’s a potluck, a chance to tell birding lies, and a chance to casually stroll around the Westchester Lagoon area with other birders looking for new arrivals.  PLEASE NOTE that we’ve pushed the date back one week because the weather is totally guaranteed to be warmer.

We will also feature our Spring Pro-Am Birding Tournament.  Experienced birders will pair up with inexperienced birders for a 30 minute contest to find the most species on Westchester Lagoon.  The time goes by like lightning, and it’s always a treat to see what can be found in a very short period of time.

… Read the rest

Potter Marsh-A-Thon Birding Smackdown – May 26, 2018

Posted on by June 8, 2018

The Potter Marsh-A-Thon Birding Smackdown

Not your Mother’s Birding Contest!

Once again it’s Anchorage’s greatest Birding Smackdown. How many bird species can your team find within Potter Marsh between 8:00 AM and Noon?  How much food can you bring to the Potluck Picnic immediately following the contest period at Noon?  Whose team has the best name?

 

Fabulous Prizes will be awarded for most species seen. Teams may consist of 2 – 6 people.  The team must remain within voice or sight contact and must fit into one vehicle.  Species may only be counted if they are seen/heard by the entire team (Exceptions:  6 – person teams may count birds seen by 5 members, and 5-person teams may count birds seen by 4 members.)

… Read the rest

Volunteers Needed – May 13, 2017

Posted on by August 1, 2017

Loon Cam Help Needed this Saturday

at Connors Lake – 1:00 PM

The Pacific Loons have arrived at Connors Lake, and Jean needs a few volunteers this Saturday to finish preparations of the island and camera system for this summer’s Loon Cam.

We especially need at least a couple of big strong handsome men and/or beautiful women who can help with a canoe and a couple of cement block anchors. Hip boots are recommended for moving stuff into the water.

If you can help on Saturday Afternoon after 1:00 PM, please contact Loon Cam Coordinator Jean T. or the Anchorage Audubon Society.

Anchorage Audubon and all Pacific Loons will salute you for generations to come.

Thanks a Bazillion, and we hope to see you there!

HawkWatch Volunteers Needed – April 17 – May 15, 2017

Posted on by August 1, 2017

HawkWatch International

Count Hawks at Gunsight Mountain

at Milepost 118.8 of the Glenn Highway 

The raptors are coming through Gunsight Mountain (there’s nifty movie here!) like gangbusters.  The Golden Eagle tally is over 600 and the Harlan’s Hawks streamed in with 61 on Monday.  Also on Monday, there were 3 Sharpies, 1 Rough-legged, 2 Goshawks, and an amazing Boreal Owl calling during the middle of the Day!   There has also been a Hawk Owl hunting near the Hawkwatch site at Mile 120.

The Hawkwatchers would appreciate any help they can get—scanning the sky for an entire day is pretty tiring and the more eyes the better.

Last year, OUR area volunteers (all of you folks) tallied SIX HUNDRED hours of assistance at the site, and those hours contribute to the equation when funding and grant money is awarded.

… Read the rest

HawkWatch International – March 7 – May 15, 2017

Posted on by August 1, 2017

HawkWatch International

Count Hawks at Gunsight Mountain

at Milepost 118.8 of the Glenn Highway 

This spring, a decades-long goal will finally happen for the second year in a row!  We have always wanted to do a complete and thorough Hawk Watch for an entire season at Gunsight Mountain. 

This year, thanks to Neil Paprocki, it will become a reality once again!

 

Neil monitored our Hawk Watch site for 2 weeks in the spring of 2015.  His Hawk Watch International team returned in 2016 to count for the full season, and tallied over 3,000 migrating raptors.

That total included over 1,100 Golden Eagles and over 1,000 Harlan’s Hawks.   This year, Neil will return with two additional hawk watchers for the entire season.
… Read the rest

Annual Event – April 15-16, 2017

Posted on by August 1, 2017

The Gunsight Mountain Hawk Watch Weekend

The Harlan’s Hawk Capitol

of the World!

at MP 118.8 of the Glenn Highway:  10:00 AM

Our Annual Hawk Watch Weekend in collaboration with the Mat-Su Birders will take place this year on April 15 & 16th.   It’s the Greatest Event of the Birding Year in Alaska!

Our Hawk Watch is known as “The Harlan’s Hawk Capital of the World” because you’ll see more Harlan’s Hawks here than anywhere else on Earth.

There is no ornithological tailgate party like this anywhere in the country, and this year we know of at least one birder who’s traveling all the way from Utah for the event.

Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon field trip of the spring. Migrating raptors that can be seen along the ridge line near MP 118.8 include Golden Eagle, Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Merlin. Swainson’s Hawk and Osprey have also been seen migrating through this area as well as Swans, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, and the occasional Northern Hawk Owl.   Bring warm clothing, binoculars, spotting scopes, lunch, snacks, and lawn chairs and sit back while you watch migrating raptors glide over the nearby ridge.

Generally great weather, albeit a little chilly sometimes – The dog doesn’t quite seem so enraptured by the passing raptors as is everyone else.

The Hawkwatch is a spectacle that is unrivaled in Alaska.  It’s a great gathering, a fabulous party, and the birds are astounding.  If you have never attended the Hawk Watch, you’ll never be the same.  The scenery is gorgeous!

Hawk Watch Panorama taken from a 100 Megapixel image of the Chugach Mountains to the south of MP 118.8 of the Glenn Highway

Meet at 10:00 AM at the wayside at Milepost 118.8, Glenn Highway. A short raptor identification talk will take place at 10:30 AM.  On Sunday, April 16, the Mat-Su Birders will host their annual Hawk Watch Potluck BBQ at the same location.   For details on the Mat-Su Hawk Watch – www.matsubirders.org/html/calendar.html.

Hawk Watch – Northern Harrier (note the black wing tips)

A special birder’s banquet will be hosted by the Sheep Mountain Lodge on Saturday night, and plans include a talk by the Professional Hawkwatchers from Hawkwatch International who once again will be conducting an entire-migration census of the site during March, April, and May.  Rooms are available at The Lodge for those who want to stay on site for the entire Hawkwatching Weekend.

Hawk Watch 2012 – Golden Eagle

And once again, Anchorage Audubon and the Mat-Su Birders are honored to supply Port-A-Potties at the event for your Hawkwatching pleasure.   

We’d Love to Have You Join Us.

Saturday & Sunday, April 15 & 16, 2017

MP 118.8 Glenn Highway

 

 

 

Potluck Party and Pro-Am Bird Walk – May 25, 2017

Posted on by May 30, 2017

Potluck Party and Pro-Am Birdwalk

Sloppy eaters…bring your game on!

Because Spring Birding is at it’s peak, Anchorage Audubon has decided to CANCEL our regular third-Thursday monthly program at the BP Energy Center and have a party instead. It’s a potluck, a chance to tell birding lies, and a chance to casually stroll around the Westchester Lagoon area with other birders looking for new arrivals.  PLEASE NOTE that we’ve pushed the date back one week because the weather is totally guaranteed to be warmer.

We will also feature our Spring Pro-Am Birding Tournament.  Experienced birders will pair up with inexperienced birders for a 30 minute contest to find the most species on Westchester Lagoon.  The time goes by like lightning, and it’s always a treat to see what can be found in a very short period of time.

Bring a dish to share, tales to tell, binoculars, and gear appropriate for the day’s weather.  We’ll bring plates, utensils, and Audubon Society approved napkins for sloppy eaters.

Thursday, May 25, 2017:  6:00 pm

Westchester Lagoon Boat Launch Parking Lot