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 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.
April 2010:
Annual Palmer Hayflats Bird Walk
Date and Time: Saturday April 10th at 9:00 am
Location: Palmer Hayflats
Leaders: Delesta Fox
Description: Delesta Fox will be leading the annual Audubon field trip on the Palmer Hay Flats on Saturday April 10, 2010. The walk will start promptly at 9 a.m. from the parking lot at the Hay Flats. Late comers will be able to catch up. Each year the depth of Cottonwood Creek varies, 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. If you have, bring binocs, scope, bird book and a lunch. Because of uncertain break-up conditions, Delesta will check the roads on April 6th or 7th. Please call 258-6425 on April 9th for last minute updates on the status of this Hayflats Walk. PLEASE NOTE IF THE WALK IS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER..APRIL 24 IS THE BACK-UP DATE.
Directions: Take the Parks Hwy. from the Glenn Hwy. Take the second exit to the right, which is the Fairview Loop/Hyder exit, 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, 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 the L.L.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, although bushes are available near the parking area. Contact Delesta @258-6425 for questions.
Monthly Meeting featuring Alaskan Raptor ID and Behavior
Date and Time: Thursday, April 15, 7:00pm
Location: BP Energy Center
Description: Our April program will feature Hawkwatcher Paul Fritz who will help us hone our Raptor ID skills for the weekend’s Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch. The Glenn Highway field trip has become Alaska’s third largest annual birding event, and Paul has presided over the site’s migration monitoring for years. Paul Fritz can look six miles away at a speck in the sky and tell you the species, age, sex, and what the bird has just eaten for lunch! This raptor tune-up program will enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of one of our state’s most incredible migration spectacles. Paul will discuss general raptor behavior, the uniqueness of the Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch among raptor monitoring sites, and specific ID tips for the species that are seen at our spectacular raptor migration site. And of course, there will be fabulous prizes and cookies.
Gunsight Mountain Hawk Watch Weekend
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, April 17 & 18
Location: Glenn Highway, MP 119
Leaders: Paul Fritz and W. Keys
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, peregrine falcon and merlin. Swainson's hawk and osprey have also been 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.
Rooms are available at Sheep Mountain lodge, and a special Hawkwatchers' Dinner will take place Saturday night by reservation only. Saturday's Dinner will feature Paul Fritz speaking on the "Uniqueness of The Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch," and a special presentation by national raptor author and expert, Bill Clark who will speak about "Raptors of the Rio Grande Valley". For Reservations, please call the lodge at (907) 745-5121. And once again, Anchorage Audubon and the Mat-Su Birders are honored to supply Port-A-Potties for the event for your Hawkwatching pleasure.
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 18, 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.
May 2010:
Potter Marsh Bird Walks
Date and Time: May 1 (and every Saturday to July 31) at 8 am
Location: Meet at boardwalk entrance kiosk at Potter Marsh
POTTER MARSH BIRD WALK will be held from 8 to 10am at the Potter Marsh boardwalk. Take a leisurely guided walk along the boardwalk and nearby trails to identify and learn about the area’s bird life. This family-friendly event is for the beginning birder as well as those that know their way around a bird’s wing. Binoculars are available for loan (no charge) and spotting scopes and guide books will be available. Walks will take place rain-or-shine, so dress accordingly.
Meet your guide at the boardwalk entrance kiosk at Potter Marsh. Sponsored by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Anchorage Audubon Society. No cost. For more information, contact Joe Meehan at 267-2281 or email
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The Cordova Copper River Shorebird Festival
Date and Time: May 6-9, 2010
Location: Cordova Alaska
Complete Information is available at:
http://cordovachamber.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=44
The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
Date and Time: May 6-9, 2010
Location: Homer, Alaska
Complete Information is available at: http://www.homeralaska.org/events/kachemakBayShorebirdFestival/index.htm
Early Morning Bird Walks at Campbell Creek Science Center
Date and Time: May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 6:30-8:30 AM
Location: BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, 6865 Abbott Loop Road
Leader: BLM staff and Sirena Brownlee and Chris Maack
Description: Join BLM Biologists 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.
Migratory and Resident Birds of Kincaid Park
Date and Time: Tuesday May 11, 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
Shorebirds on the Tide Flats
Date and Time: Friday May 14, 6:30 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.
Shorebird Shorebirds Shorebirds
Date and Time: May 16, 7:30 AM
Location: Westchester Lagoon (north parking lot)
Leader: Sirena Brownlee
Description: A high tide of 30 feet at 9 am will force the shorebirds in closer to the Coastal Trail for close up viewing. Bring a spotting scope if you have one available and plan on walking approximately 1 mile. Contact Sirena at 929-8051 for information.
Monthly Meeting on Field Notes
Date and Time: Thursday, May 20, 7:00pm
Location: BP Energy Center
Description: Join Anchorage Audubon and Joanna Hubbard for a just-in-time-for-summer review of field note taking for bird (and other) observations and a practical session leading everyone through a basic technique for sketching. No artistic skills needed - everyone will be successful! Give yourself a wonderful tool to help you look more closely at birds, make detailed observations, and share your field data with others. Leading birders are virtually all meticulous, routine and frequent note takers. Your notes should be supplemented by detailed field sketches. This program is intended to help everyone sharpen their bird observation and note-taking skills or get started in a more complex level of birding that will improve overall birding skills for those who don't currently take routine field notes. Not only will this improve everyones birding skills, it will also allow you to learn more about bird distribution in your home area and places you visit. Good note taking requires you to look more closely at birds than you ever have before, something that the technical drawing technique we will try out also supports.
Natural History and Birding at Palmer Hayflats
Date and Time: Saturday May 29, 9am to 2-3pm
Location: Palmer Hayflats
Leader: John Wenger
Description: Join John Wenger at the Palmer Hayflats for a natural history tour of the area. From the Cottonwood Creek entrance, we will not only look for birds but do some mammal tracking and check out the early wildflowers. Participants will also learn other tricks from John such as how to tell the direction from willows. Shorebirds should still be moving through. Directions: Take Parks Hwy. from the Glenn Hwy. At the second exit on Right (Fairview Loop/Hyder exit), turn Left at stop sign and go under Parks Hwy. At the ‘T’, turn Right. Half-way up the hill, take Fairview Loop Rd. on Left. Go about 9.6 miles. Then, turn left onto Hayfield Road and travel 1.2 miles. Just past the Lucy Lake Rd. sign is a narrow dirt road on the Left, (there may be a Palmer Hayflats sign there). Take this road to bottom. Need rubber boots- calf-high will work, better are knee-high, hip-boots best. A difficult hike for youngsters. Bring lunch and water. No dogs, firearms, or bear-bells. No toilets here but there are bushes. Questions? Contact John at 562-5838 or
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JUNE 2010:
Birding with Babes
Date and Time: June 4 at 4 pm (NOTE: time has been changed from 10 am to 4 pm)
Location: Westchester Lagoon (north parking lot)
Leader: Sirena Brownlee
Description: Family friendly (babies in stroller and small children) bird walk along Coastal trail. We will focus on nesting waterbirds in Westchester Lagoon and common songbirds singing along the forested Coastal Trail. Bring binoculars and a desire to learn! All levels and ages welcome at this bird walk. Please call Sirena at 929-8051 for information.
Goose Lake Nesting Waterbirds and Songbirds
Date and Time: June 5, 10 AM
Location: Goose Lake parking area
Leader: Dianne Toebe
Description: Goose Lake is an ideal location to observe nesting red-necked grebes, Pacific loons and other waterbirds. A variety of waterfowl, gulls, and songbirds can be observed from the easy trail around the lake. Meet at the Goose Lake parking lot. For more information call 337-0328.
Early Morning Bird Walk Eagle River Nature Center
Date and Time: Sunday, June 6, 8am
Location: Eagle River Nature Center
Description: Sirena Brownlee from the Anchorage Audubon Society will lead an early morning 3-mile bird walk along the Albert Loop. Not appropriate for children under the age of 10. Meet in front of the Nature Center, as building will be closed: latrines available in parking lot. Limited to the first 15 people who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Alpine Ptarmigan and Songbirds
Date and Time: Monday, June 7th 10-2
Location: Rabbitt Lake Trailhead
Description: Join Anchorage Audubon field trip leader Dianne Toebe for an alpine birding hike on the Rabbit Creek trail. Ptarmigan are common and easily viewed along this alpine trail as well as many migrant songbirds who will be singing and easily visible on low shrubs. Bring water and lunch/snacks Have rain and warm jacket and good hiking shoes as snow will still be on the trail. Meet at the trailhead that is reached by taking Upper DeArmoun Road and turning right on Canyon Road - follow Canyon road until parking area on the southwest face of Flattop Mountain. Call Dianne Toebe at 337-0328 for more specific directions and to let her know that you plan to be there.
The Potter Marsh-A-Thon Birding Smackdown
Date and Time: Saturday, June 12, 7:30 AM
Location: Potter Marsh Boardwalk
Leader: W. Keys & Anchorage Audubon Board
Description: Join Anchorage Audubon Saturday, June 12 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!
Alpine Birding at Arctic Valley
Date and Time: June 13, 8:00 AM
Location: Arctic Valley parking area
Leader: Sirena Brownlee
Description: Arctic Valley trails offer easy access to alpine bird species and spectacular views of Anchorage. Specialty birds in this area include Golden-crowned Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle, Wilson's Warbler, Willow Ptarmigan, Yellow Warbler, and Hermit Thrush. Bring snacks, water, rain gear, and dress warmly in layers. Be prepared for a 2 mile hike on a moderateley steep trail. Contact Sirena at 929-8051 for information.
Seward Pelagic Birding Field Trip
Date and Time: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Description: Tour Resurrection Bay, The Chiswell Islands, and stunning areas of Kenai Fjords National Park with a boat full 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.
Trip is limited to 18 birders but if we reach 40 birders we get the BIG HUGE BOAT which allows us to once again bird in the style with which we all would like to be accustomed. In an incredible display of fiscal responsibility, cost will remain at only $185 as it has in the past three years! For additional information, or to reserve your spot, email W. Keys at
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July 2010:
Fall Shorebirds Field Trip
Date and Time: Thursday, July 15, 9:00 AM
Location: Westchester Lagoon (north parking lot)
Leader: Chris Maack and Betty Friest
Description: Shorebirds are staging on the Cook Inlet tide flats to rest and feed before starting their southbound journey. Thursday mornings high tide will offer close up viewing of the flocks of shorebirds. We will also spend some time watching waterbirds on Westchester Lagoon. Please call Chris at 278-4265 if you have questions.
August 2010:
The Westchester Lagoon-A-Thon Birding Smackdown
Date and Time: Saturday, August 14, 8:30 AM
Location: Westchester Lagoon (north parking lot)
Leader: W. Keys & Anchorage Audubon Board
Description: Saturday, August 14, Anchorage Audubon Society presents The Westchester Lagoon-A-Thon: A Birding Smackdown! Get your team together today, because once again the sport of Birding in Alaska will turn Ugly!!
June’s Potter Marsh-A-thon was so hilarious, we’re throwing another competition in the middle of town.
Who can find the most species in 4 hours? Who’s team has the best name? Who will make all other birders eat crow even if no crows are found?
All birders are welcome from beginners to experts—all you need is an in-your-face attitude, a team of 2-6 fanatics, and a $20 entry fee (per team.)
Sign-in is at 8:30 a.m. The Smackdown will begin at 9:00, will end at 1:00 pm, and will be followed by a potluck tailgate party and Awards Ceremony. High tide is a HUGE 31-footer at 10:58 am which will bring the birds up close and personal.
At the end of the birding competition, we’ll plot all birds that are even remotely unusual on a map so that everyone can then go find anything they missed during the morning of birding.
Everybody is welcome, so assemble your team, whip up a dish to share, and meet us Saturday Morning at 8:30 for an outrageous birding field trip with Fabulous Prizes! Birding will be limited to the Westchester Lagoon area and adjacent bike trails. All birding must be on foot or on bicycles, and who knows what rarities will show up when there are birders combing every inch of an area that usually just gets the once-over.
Will Audubon Alaska get their clock cleaned by Anchorage Audubon? Can members of the Mat-Su Birders hang with the guys from the big city? If you don’t have a team, show up anyway and we’ll force somebody to let you be on their team! It’s the anti-social event of the ornithological season.
If another team won’t tell you where they just saw a Pectoral Sandpiper, you are totally allowed to use “enhanced interrogation techniques.” This is not your Mother’s Birding Contest.
We hope to see you Saturday, August 14, and if your team would like to register their name early, send it to
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