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, 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 2008 – Happy New Year!

Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting
Date and Time: January 17, 7:30pm
Location: Campbell Creek Science Center - see Map
Description: Long-time Alaskan Terry Reeve (UAF extension) and local birder Craig Weiss will present information on birding and the development of birding tourism in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The Y-K Delta is one of the largest in the world and attracts millions of breeding waterfowl and shorebirds every year. It’s among the most productive bird breeding areas in Alaska. Some of the species that are common in this area include Spectacled Eiders, Sabine’s gulls, Emperor goose, Black Turnstone and Bar-tailed Godwit. 

February 2008

Event: Seward Winter Birding Field Trip
Date and Time: February 16, 10 AM
Location: Seward Harbormaster
Leader: Chris Maack and Delesta Fox
Description: We will search the coastal areas of Seward for loons, waterfowl, gulls, alcids, raptors and passerines. 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.
 
Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting
Date and Time: February 21, 7:30 PM
Location: Campbell Creek Science Center
Description: Tony DeGange, a biologist with the USGS will present information on the Alaska Science Center's applications of telemetry to investigate movements and behavior of  polar bears, walrus, sea otter, seaducks, loons and shorebirds.

March 2008 

Event: Evening Owl Prowl
Date and Time: Saturday, March 15, 7:30-10 PM
Location: Eagle River Nature Center
Leader: Sirena Brownlee and Ramon Wallace
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 20, 7:30 PM
Location: Campbell Creek Science Center
Description: Jules Tileston will present a slideshow on a recent Mexican birding trip. Jules photographs are incredible and will want to make you hop on the next plane for Mexico.

Event: Resident Birds of Southcentral Alaska
Date and Time: Saturday, March 22, 10 AM
Location: Potter Trailhead parking area
Leader: Sandy Villar
Description:  Join Naturalist Sandy Villar on a hike along the Turnagain Arm trail to search for and learn about resident birds of southcentral Alaska. Many arctic species have special adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in the winter. Learn about their secrets as you hike along the coastline of the Turnagain Arm.  The trail is a favorite "first hike of the year" for many because it is on a south-facing slope and is usually clear of snow early in the spring. Bring binoculars and ice grippers (just in case the trail is icy). The hike will last 2 to 3 hours. Meet at the Potter trailhead parking area. For questions please call Sandy at 952-2147.   

April 2008

Event: Anchorage Audubon General Meeting
Date and Time: April 17, 7:30 PM
Location: Campbell Creek Science Center
Description:  John Lofgreen will present information on his recent southeast Asia birding trip. Refreshments will be served.

Event: Hawk Watch on the Glenn Highway
Date and Time: April 19, 10:00am
Location: Glenn Highway, MP 119
Leader: Bob Dittrick
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.  For information call Sirena at 929-8051.On Sunday, April 20, 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 - This trip has been canceled due to heavy snow and bad road conditions.
Date and Time: Saturday, April 26, 9 AM - CANCELED
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.

Event: Shorebirds Galore 
Date and Time:  May 19, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Location:  Westchester Lagoon parking lot           
Leader: Sirena Brownlee
Description:  Westchester Lagoon and the mudflats near the lagoon are favorite birding locations for many Anchorage birders because of the diversity of waterfowl, gulls and shorebirds. 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. 

Event: Goose Lake – Songbirds and Pacific Loons
Date and Time:  May 20, 6:30 AM
Location:  Goose Lake parking lot                                                                                                           
Leader: Chris Maack
Description:   Goose Lake is located in central Anchorage adjacent to the University of Alaska Anchorage. Goose Lake is a wonderful location to view nesting Pacific loons and other waterbirds. Other species that are common around the lake include mew and Bonaparte's gulls, Canada geese, Arctic tern, mallards, American wigeons, and various songbirds. For more information please call 278-4265.

Event: Alpine Birding Day Hike - Glen Alps
Date and Time:  May 31, 7:00 AM
Location:   Glen Alps Trailhead parking area
Leader: John Wenger
Description:  Join naturalist and expert birder John Wenger to explore alpine tundra habitat and the variety of alpine species that breed in this area. Specialty birds in this area include American Pipit, Horned Lark, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle, Wilson's Warbler, and Willow Ptarmigan. A variety of thrushes, warblers, sparrows, and jays will be singing along the trail. There will be frequent stops to enjoy and identify the many wildflower species that will be blooming in the alpine tundra this time of year. Trip will last until 2 or 3 p.m. Bring a lunch, snacks, water, rain gear, sturdy hiking boots and dress warmly in layers.  No dogs, bear bells, or firearms please

June 2008

Event:  Jim-Swan Wetlands Birding by Canoe
Date and Time:  June 1, 7 AM – 3PM
Location:  Car pool from end of Maud Road
Leader: Cecily Fritz
Description:   This flatwater canoe/kayak outing will allow participants to bird the Jim-Swan Wetlands area – a several mile system of several lakes all interconnected by creeks in an area of mixed willow, alder scrub, hardwood forest, and bog habitat.  All this is neatly tucked at the base of the Chugach moutains.  This is a very diverse region that hosts equally diverse birdlife and mammals.    Species that occur in this area include Song Sparrow, Townsend’s Warbler, American Kestrel and Hammond’s Flycatcher, Trumpeter Swan, Rusty Blackbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher, White-winged Crossbill and Blackpoll Warbler. The Jim-Swan area is an Important Bird Area of state significance as designated by International BirdLife and National Audubon.  Bring plenty of water to drink and a lunch and snacks. Waterproof optics recommended!  Its Alaska so remember, weather and wind conditions out on the lakes can change quickly.  Bug repellant, hats, sun screen recommended. Two or 3 man boats recommended. This trip will be limited to the first 10 people to register by calling Sirena at 929-8051. This trip is limited to Anchorage Audubon and Mat-Su Birders members only.  To join Anchorage Audubon please visit our website - www.anchorageaudubon.org and click on Join Anchorage Audubon. For information on joining Mat-Su Birders go to www.matsubirders.org. Exact field trip meeting location will be announced to registered participants.

Event: University and Goose Lake Birding
Date and Time:  June 7, 8 AM
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: Nesting Waterfowl and Songbirds
Date and Time:  June 13, 6:30-8:30 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: Chevak, Gweek River, and Bethel Birding Trip
Date: June 12 - June 17, 2008
Join Anchorage Audubon in a pioneering birding adventure of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area.  Spend two days at a remote birding camp out of Chevak in the company of nesting Spectacled Eiders.  We also hope to see Emperors, Bar Tailed Godwits, Black Turnstones, Long Tailed Jeagers, Yellow Wagtails, and many more. In the Bethel area we will take a day long naturalist guided boat tour up the Kuskokwim and Gweek rivers, stopping to do a little tundra slogging to see territorial godwits, phaleropes, and nesting great horned owls, among others. The total cost of this trip and some details are still flexible and we will be working with trip participants to keep costs as low as possible.  Firm information will be available once the trip participants are finalized.  While airfare is not included, there will be recommended flights/times shared with participants and a pre-trip orientation meeting. The trip will be physically strenuous at times and accomodation at the camp is primitive.  Weather tends to be cold and windy, possibly wet as well.  The current approximate land total is $1700. Grant Aviation is currently quoting $320 Bethel to Chevak and back.  Alaska is currently quoting $398 Anchorage to Bethel and back.Contact Joanna Hubbard at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (preferred) or 242-6951 to sign up.  Only 6 spots available! 

Event: Birding in Barrow
Date and Time:  June 20-22
Description:  Join Anchorage Audubon expert birders for a birding trip in the high arctic to observe specialty birds that breed near Barrow. Snowy owls, pomarine jaegers, yellow-billed loons, common, king, spectacled and Steller’s eiders all breed in the tundra around Barrow. We will visit the numerous tundra ponds along the road system to look for breeding species. Breeding shorebirds include Buff-breasted sandpiper, Pectoral, white-rumped, stilt and Baird’s sandpipers, red and red-necked phalarope as well as Asian species such as Common ringed plover, Rufous- necked stint, and curlew sandpiper. We will bird the road system with the help of a local Barrow guide who knows where to find the rarities. The trip is open to Anchorage Audubon members only and is limited to the 10 people. Anchorage Audubon leader will be Sirena Brownlee, Barrow leader to be announced. This trip is still in development and details will be available by the end of April. If you are interested in signing up please contact Sirena at 929-8051.

Event: Seward Pelagic Birding Field Trip
Date and Time: Sunday, June 29, 2008
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. Guest Seward guides Carol Griswold and “Peregrine” Joe Staab will join tour leader Mr. Whitekeys 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 is $185.00 per person. 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 .