Annual Event – March 7, 2020

Posted on by April 13, 2020

Anchorage Audubon’s Annual

Seward Winter Birding Field Trip

Work off all those Holiday Cookies!

Join Andrew Fisher and Anchorage Audubon for a free winter birding excursion to enjoy Seward’s diversity of wintering birds and the possibility of a few rarities (Pie-billed Grebe, Hooded Mergansers, etc.).  Come dressed for a variety of weather conditions, bring your ice grippers, and plan for a fun day with great company!

Bring your binoculars and spotting scope (if you have one…there never are too many!), your field guide, and other favorite birding gear.  You may also wish to bring walkie-talkies/cell phones to communicate between cars.  Donations of sunflower bird seed or chunky peanut butter are greatly appreciated for one of our regular bird feeder hotspots.

Plan on gathering with the group back at the Harbormaster’s for a midday restroom stop and lunch; bring your own or buy it locally.  We’ll meet there again around 3:30 PM to regroup for the return trip to Anchorage.

Carpooling to Seward and while in Seward is highly encouraged.  Bring money to cover your share of the driver’s fuel expenses. Drivers and trip leaders are not expected to contribute. If you are interested in carpooling (driving or riding) from Anchorage, meet in the parking lot (South end, near Huffman) of Carrs on Huffman at 6:30 AM.  We will than drive from Anchorage and make a quick stop in Cooper Landing to look for the Tufted Duck before continuing down to Seward. We will shoot to be around the Cooper Landing/Kenai Lake/River Bridge between 7:45-8:30 AM. We will then backtrack a bit to Seward and arrive in Seward around 9:30-9:45 AM. To provide extra time in case we see something incredible between Cooper Landing and Seward, if you want to meet us in Seward, please meet us at 10:00 AM in front of the Harbormaster’s restrooms.

All participants are required to sign a standard liability waiver (which will be handed out in Seward). In the event of a cancellation there will be no reschedule date for this trip.

Contact Andrew Fisher at mzeesamaki@gmail.com or 619-937-1086 with any questions.

Thanks and see you all there!

Saturday, March 7, 2020:  10:00 AM

Seward Harbor Master (in front of restrooms)

1300 Fourth Avenue, at the south end of the Seward Boat Harbor

 

Welcome Birders – Seward Alaska – Birding Stars Here! (Photo courtesy of Carol Griswold, used with permission)

 

Birds and Boats! What could be better?

The birders get a bit hungry too!

Common Merganser (male) – Frequently seen during the annual Seward Birding Field Trip

Membership Meeting – Thursday, January 16, 2020

Posted on by January 28, 2020

Birding in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – Pat Pourchot

at the BP Energy Center – 7:00 PM

We have never had an Audubon program on Antarctica and The Southern Ocean, and Pat Pourchot has stepped up to the plate. On Thursday, January 16, he’ll present a fabulous evening featuring birds from his 2019 voyage and tour of Tierra del Fuego, The Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and Antarctica.

Pat spent eight years as a legislator in the Alaska State House and State Senate, as Legislative Director and Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources for Governor Tony Knowles, and Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska Affairs.

His birding prowess is legendary, and we always look forward to his knowledge and expertise.

… Read the rest

Membership Meeting – Thursday, February 20, 2020

Posted on by February 27, 2020

Birding in the Middle of the Bering Sea:  St.Paul Island

with Sulli Gibson

at the BP Energy Center – 7:00 PM

Join us on Thursday, February 20 at 7:00 pm in The BP Energy Center for our monthly meeting and of course, cookies.

Get ready for another spectacular Audubon treat, when Sulli Gibson presents a fabulous evening with a focus on the flora and fauna, history, and experience of visiting the largest Pribilof Island: St. Paul.

There will be a distinct emphasis on the unique birding experience of the island, from the seabird cliffs all the way to finding and predicting vagrants. There may be a perk for those that attend and are interested in visiting the island!

Sulli Gibson grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago (Go Cubs!)

… Read the rest

Membership Meeting – Thursday, March 12, 2020

Posted on by April 13, 2020

Tanzania – Birding and the Big 5 – Max & Ellen Schwenne

at the BP Energy Center – 7:00 PM

“Tanzania – Birding and the Big 5” is a photo essay focusing on birds and iconic African mammals in Tanzania. Pictures from Tarangire National Park, the Mara River, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, the Serengeti and Lake Natron will be shown. The photographs were taken during safaris in September and December 2018.

Max and Ellen Schwenne have lived in Eagle River, Alaska for 35 years. Ellen started birding as a child with her father in Columbus, Ohio. In 2012 Ellen convinced Max to go on a 3 week trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Max picked up Ellen’s camera, started photographing birds, and was instantly hooked.

… Read the rest

Annual Event – The Big Anchorage Birding Day – March 20-21, 2020

Posted on by April 13, 2020

The Big Anchorage Birding Day

Celebrate the First Day of Spring with

another Audubon Cutthroat Competition!!

Believe it or not, Spring is on the way, and what better way to celebrate than by scouring the Anchorage Municipality for birds.

From Eklutna to Portage–How many species can your team find in 24 hours from 5:00 PM on Friday March 20, 2020 until 5:00 PM on Saturday March 21, 2020.

It’s a Big Day to usher in Spring. Who knows what will turn up?

It’s simple: Get a team together and go birding. All team members must see all birds counted by the team. (some exceptions apply for larger teams.)  Bird as much or as little of the 24 hours as you like.

… Read the rest

Annual Event – February 16, 2019

Posted on by February 18, 2019

Anchorage Audubon’s Annual

Seward Winter Birding Field Trip

Work off all those Holiday Cookies!

The forecast indicates a snow storm for Seward on Saturday, February 16th.  Due to potentially unsafe driving conditions between Anchorage and Seward, the 2019 AAS Seward Winter Birding Field Trip scheduled for Saturday, February 16th has been canceled.  It was a difficult decision, but safety and everyone’s well being was uppermost in our minds.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  If you know someone who was planning on going and might not see this notice, please let them know that the event has been canceled.  Thanks.

Join Andrew Fisher and Anchorage Audubon for a free winter birding excursion to enjoy Seward’s diversity of wintering birds and the possibility of a few rarities (Pie-billed Grebe, Hooded Mergansers, etc.).  Come dressed for a variety of weather conditions, bring your ice grippers, and plan for a fun day with great company!

Bring your binoculars and spotting scope (if you have one…there never are too many!), your field guide, and other favorite birding gear.  You may also wish to bring walkie-talkies/cell phones to communicate between cars.  Donations of sunflower bird seed or chunky peanut butter are greatly appreciated for one of our regular bird feeder hotspots.

Plan on gathering with the group back at the Harbormaster’s for a midday restroom stop and lunch; bring your own or buy it locally.  We’ll meet there again around 3:30 PM to regroup for the return trip to Anchorage.

Carpooling to Seward and while in Seward is highly encouraged.  Bring money to cover your share of the driver’s fuel expenses. Drivers and trip leaders are not expected to contribute. If you are interested in carpooling (driving or riding) from Anchorage, meet in the parking lot (South end, near Huffman) of Carrs on Huffman at 6:45 AM.

All participants are required to sign a standard liability waiver (which will be handed out in Seward). In the event of a cancellation there will be no reschedule date for this trip.

Contact Andrew Fisher at mzeesamaki@gmail.com or 619-937-1086 with any questions.

Thanks and see you all there!

Saturday, February 16, 2019:  9:30 AM

Seward Harbor Master (in front of restrooms)

1300 Fourth Avenue, at the south end of the Seward Boat Harbor

 

Welcome Birders – Seward Alaska – Birding Stars Here! (Photo courtesy of Carol Griswold, used with permission)

 

Birds and Boats! What could be better?

The birders get a bit hungry too!

Common Merganser (male) – Frequently seen during the annual Seward Birding Field Trip