Anchorage Audubon field trips and events are open to the public unless stated otherwise in the field trip announcement! We welcome all ages and levels of birders and non-birders on our trips. Contact trip leader for more information about each field trip, or contact Field Trip Coordinator Sirena Brownlee, 929-8051. We strongly encourage carpooling on all our field trips if possible.

Anchorage Audubon is very grateful to the wonderful field trip leaders who volunteer their time and share their extensive knowledge of birds and natural history. We could not offer these excellent field trips without you! Thank you to Chris Maack, Delesta Fox, John Wenger, Dianne Toebe, Mr. Whitekeys, Kenna Sue Trickey, Bob Dittrick, and Cecily Fritz!

The calendar includes Audubon sponsored field trips, monthly membership meetings, and other events and trips that may be of interest to the members of the Chapter. Field trips are in blue text.

January 2009 – Happy New Year!

Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting
Date and Time: January 15, 7:00pm
Location:  BP Energy Center
Description:  Ruth Fitzpatrick has been the Alaskan Field Representative for the Earthwatch Institute for about 2 years now.  The field representative is a volunteer position and Ruth loves to share her experiences and get people excited  about their own expeditions. Ruth will be presenting on an expedition she took in October of 2007 in the Steppes of Outer Mongolia (the Gobi desert) where she spent over 2 weeks camping out in the native gers (yurts), wrestling wild  Argali (the world's largest mountain sheep), and gathering data on the ecology of the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve.   

February 2009

Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting
Date and Time: February 19, 7:00 pm
Location: BP Energy Center
Description:  Anchorage nature writer Bill Sherwonit will discuss the wild nature that surrounds us – even here in Anchorage – and that we carry within us, while sharing some short excerpts from his new book, Living with Wildness: An Alaskan Odyssey. 

Event: Seward Winter Birding Field Trip
Date and Time: Saturday February 21, 10:00 am
Location: Seward Harbormaster
Leader: Chris Maack and Delesta Fox
Description:  Join Chris Maack and Delesta Fox on February 21, 2009, at the Seward Harbormaster for a winter birding excursion in Seward. Loons, waterfowl, gulls, alcids, raptors and passerines may be found along the coastal areas of Seward. Bring a lunch and lots of layers. We start the outing from
in front of the Harbor Master’s restrooms in Seward at 10:00 a.m. We will explore the waterfront and neighborhoods for overwintering birds. If you have any questions, please call 278-4265.

March 2009 

Event: Evening Owl Prowl
Date and Time: Saturday, March 14, 8:00-10:30 pm
Location: Eagle River Nature Center
Leader: Ramon Wallace and nature center volunteer
Description: Join us for an evening program and walk exploring the world of owls. We'll start indoors for the first half hour, learning calls, ID, and information about our local owls, then venture outdoors to prowl for owls. This is the time of year when the Boreals, Northern Saw-whets and Great Horned owls are calling to attract mates. Bring binoculars.  Limited to the first 15 people (no children under 13 please) to register by calling the ERNC at 694-2108.

Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting
Date and Time: March 19, 7:00 pm
Location: BP Energy Center
Description: Jeff Fair, a local author and field biologist, has followed loons and other wild spirits across the North from Maine to Alaska, studying them and writing about them.  He has studied the Yellow-billed Loon in the Western Arctic of Alaska and learned some  pretty amazing natural history of the Yellow-billed loon along the way. Jeff will discuss the timely investigations, known threats to the species, and other fascinating details of their life history. Throughout the presentation, Jeff will present this magnificent  and intriguing bird as a part of and voice of its landscape, the Western Arctic, a grassland and water wilderness of delicate beauty. USGS research biologist Dr. Joel Schmutz, leader of the current Alaskan research on the Yellow-billed Loon in Alaska, will be present  to answer any of the more difficult questions.

April 2009

Event: Hawk Watch on the Glenn Highway
Date and Time: April 18 and 19, 2009
Location: Glenn Highway, MP 119
Leader: Bob Dittrick and Paul and Cecily Fritz
Description: Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon first field trip of the spring. Migrating raptors that can be seen along the ridgeline near MP 119 include golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, northern goshawk, American kestrel, and merlin. Swainson's hawk and peregrine falcon can also be seen migrating through this area. Bring warm clothing, binoculars, spotting scopes, lunch, snacks, and lawn chairs and sit back while you watch migrating raptors glide over the nearby ridge. Meet at 10:00 AM at the wayside at Milepost 119, Glenn Highway. A short raptor identification talk will take place at 10:30 AM.  On Sunday, April 19, the Mat-Su Birders will host their annual Hawk Watch BBQ at the same location. For details on the Mat-Su Hawk Watch - www.matsubirders.org/html/calendar.html.

Event: Annual Palmer Hay Flats Field Trip 
Date and Time:  NEW DATE April 25, 2009, 9 am
Location: Parking lot at Palmer Hayflats (directions below)
Leader: Delesta Fox
Description:  This is the first big birding field trip of the year and is a great time to welcome the migrants back to Alaska! The trip will start promptly at 9 a.m. from the parking lot at the Hay Flats. Each year the depth of Cottonwood Creek varies so hip boots are suggested as the water could be a 'tad' higher than knee-boots.  Children are welcomed, although they may need to be carried while crossing the creek. Bring binocs, scope, bird book and a lunch to eat on the walk as well as a bag to PACK OUT MORE THAN WE PACK IN.  DIRECTIONS:  Take the Parks Hwy from the Glenn Hwy.  Take the second exit to the right, which is the Fairview Loop Rd.  Turn left at the stop sign and continue under the Parks Hwy.  At the 'T', turn right, about half way up the hill, watch for the Fairview Loop Rd sign and turn left.  Continue on the Loop Rd for approximately 9.6 miles, past the Elementary School,  then watch for a paved road on the left called Hayfield Rd.  Turn left onto Hayfield and travel about 1.2 miles, watch for a sign on the right called Lucy Lake Rd. Just past Lucy Lake Rd sign, on the LEFT, is a narrow dirt road, (there may be a sign referencing the Palmer Hay Flats) take this road as it winds down to the Hay Flats.  Park on the Left.  There are no bathroom facilities. Contact Delesta at 258-6425 for questions or to verify conditions at the Hayflats. 

Event: Migratory and Resident Birds of Kincaid Park
Date and Time:  April 29, 6:30 AM
Location:  Raspberry Parking lot (off of Raspberry Road)
Leader: Chris Maack                                                                                                                          Description:  Many specialty birds can be found in and around Kincaid Park, including spruce grouse, boreal chickadee, three-toed woodpecker, white-winged crossbill, northern shrike and northern goshawk. Moose are also plentiful along the Kincaid trails. Join expert birder Chris Maack and learn the songs of some common early migrant and resident songbirds. For more information please call 278-4265.
 

Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting

Date and Time: April 30, 7:00 pm

Location: BP Energy Center 

Description:  Join Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers board member Julie Jessen as she shares images and experiences from her February  2008 trip to Japan – the Land of the Rising Sun. Julie had the opportunity to photograph Japan’s world-famous snow monkeys as well as many species of endangered birds on the northern-most island of Hokkaido. She will talk about her observations on Japan, its culture, and the  relationship between wildlife and nature.

May 2009

Event: Early Morning Bird Walks at Campbell Creek Science Center
Date and Time: May 7, 14, 21, and 28, 6:30-8:30 AM
Location: BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, 6865 Abbott Loop Road                
Leader: Bruce Seppi, Sirena Brownlee and Chris Maack
Description:  Join BLM Biologist Bruce Seppi and Anchorage Audubon volunteers Sirena Brownlee and Chris Maack to celebrate the much anticipated return of the boreal songbirds.  This series of early morning walks during the month of May will allow us to observe the progression of songbird migration as new songbird species arrive weekly. This is a great opportunity to introduce new birders to the habitats, songs, and behaviors of many common resident and migratory birds that can be found in the Anchorage bowl. Seasoned birders will enjoy the chance to re-learn all the songs after the long quiet winter. Meet at 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Science Center. Trips will last approximately 2 hours with hot drinks provided in the science center afterwards. Please call 267-1247 for more information.

Event:  2009 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
Date and Time:  May 7 through May 10, 2009
Location: Homer, Alaska
Description:  Join the 17th Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival, a celebration of spring and the more than 25 species of shorebirds that migrate to Kachemak Bay to join our thousands of resident seabirds, waterfowl and woodland birds. This year’s Festival theme is Birds in Culture: Our Brothers and Sisters Return. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced birder, or even the nonbirder in your group, you’ll enjoy this fun-for-the-entire-family weekend celebration. Enjoy presentations by the two Keynote speakers: Jack Dalton, a Yup'ik Storyteller and artist and Paul Baicich, chair of the Council on Environmental Education's Bird Education Network. For additional information visit the Homer Chamber of Commerce Website at http://www.homeralaska.org/events/kachemakBayShorebirdFestival/index.htm

Event:  2009 Copper River Shorebird Festival
Date and Time:  May 8 through May 10, 2009
Location: Cordova, Alaska
Description:  The Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival provides the ideal opportunity for bird watchers to be part of the epic shorebird migration that attracts shorebirds to rest and feed on the tide flats. Many activities, workshops and community events are offered throughout the festival.  The Keynote speaker is Xico Vega, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Deputy Director. For additional information visit the Cordova Chamber of Commerce Website at http://cordovachamber.com.

Event: Shorebirds on the Coastal Trail
Date and Time:  May 12, 8:30 AM
Location:  Westchester Lagoon (north parking lot)      
Leader: Chris Maack
Description:  The Coastal Trail is an excellent location to observe migrating shorebirds feeding and resting on the Cook Inlet tide flats.  Typical migrants we can expect to see in early May include yellowlegs, dowitchers, plovers, sandpipers, and godwits. We will also search for water birds in Westchester Lagoon. Bring a spotting scope if you have one available and plan on walking approximately 1 mile.

Event: Shorebirds, Red-necked grebes and more
Date and Time:  May 24, 7:30 PM
Location:  Westchester Lagoon (north parking lot)
Leader: John Wenger and Chris Maack
Description:  Westchester Lagoon and the mudflats near the lagoon are known for the diversity of waterfowl, gulls and shorebirds during migration. Every species of shorebird but one ever recorded in Anchorage has been found along the mudflats in between the lagoon and Earthquake Park. We will start at Westchester Lagoon and work our way along the Coastal Trail looking for specialty birds that are commonly found in the area. A high tide of 29 feet at 8:30 PM will force the shorebirds in closer to the Coastal Trail for close up viewing. No dogs please. Contact John at 562-5838 for information.  

June 2009

Event: The Potter Marsh-A-Thon Birding Smackdown
Date and Time:  June 6, 7:30 AM  
Location:   Potter Marsh Boardwalk  
Leader: W. Keys & Anchorage Audubon Board

Description:  Join Anchorage Audubon Saturday, June 6  for 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.)

Check-In is at 7:30 am in the parking lot at the north end of the marsh.  Teams will be given a check list and a Potter Marsh map on which to log the location of each species seen.  At the end of the contest, species locations will be plotted on a gigantic master map to allow all participants to re-locate desired species.  Entry fee is $20.00 per team.  Exact Change is required. The Official Smackdown ends precisely at Noon.  Teams will be penalized one species per minute late.

Birds may be counted Only if seen from designated roads and trails in the Potter Marsh area.  No stopping or walking will be allowed on the West side of the New Seward Highway. Birds seen in non-designated areas may be counted if the observers are standing within a designated area. 

SPECIAL SAFETY RULES:  No stopping is allowed on the New Seward Highway except in designated turn-outs on the East side of the highway, and pulling into the designated turn-outs is only allowed for vehicles travelling NORTH.  Parking in a manner that blocks other teams from using a pull-out will result in a penalty of 15 species.  Additional details will be posted here.  Stay Tuned!

Event: University and Goose Lake nesting waterfowl and songbirds
Date and Time:  June 19, 7:00 PM
Location:   University Lake parking area
Leader: Dianne Toebe
Description:  University Lake is an ideal location to observe nesting red-necked grebes and other waterbirds.  A variety of waterfowl, gulls, and songbirds can be observed from the easy trail around the lake. After birding around University Lake we will drive over to Goose Lake to observe the nesting Pacific loons. Meet at the small unpaved parking area on the east side of Bragaw, across from the UAA dorms between Providence and Tudor. For more information call 337-0328. 

Event: Seward Pelagic Birding Field Trip
Date and Time: Sunday, June 28, 2009
Description: Tour Resurrection Bay, The Chiswell Islands, and stunning areas of Kenai Fjords National Park on a small boat with 18 pairs of Birding Eyes! We'll fill a Mariah Tours boat with Anchorage Audubon birders in search of Puffins, Guillemots, Common Murres, Thick-billed Murres, Marbled Murrelets, Kittlitz's Murrelet, Ancient Murrelets, Shearwaters, Storm-Petrels, Fulmars, Parakeet Auklets, Rhinoceros Auklets, and anything else we can find in nine hours on the water. Participants will be allowed to view Marine Mammals at their own risk. Tour leader Mr. Whitekeys promises to leave no Turnstone unturned. The Mariah will depart Seward at 8:30am and return to the dock at 5:30pm. Bad weather, which may draw in more Shearwaters and Storm-Petrels, will be considered an added bonus feature. A breakfast snack and bagel sandwich lunch are provided. (Vegetarian choice available on request.) Accomodations in Seward for those who wish to overnight, and transportation to and from Seward are the responsibility of each participant. We will attempt to arrange carpooling if desired. The Trip is limited to 14 birders, and is currently open only to Anchorage Audubon members. Cost to be announced. For additional information, or to reserve your spot, email W. Keys at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .