This might be our final Westchester Walk for the winter. Meet at the wildlife viewing platform at the lagoon and we’ll see what is still around.

Katie Christe and Alfredo Navas will talk about Alaska’s long-distance migratory songbirds and their perspectives from both the breeding and wintering grounds. Katie Christie is based in Anchorage and is the research coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program. She will talk about the Olive-sided Flycatcher and Blackpoll Warbler and what we know about their ecology and population dynamics in Alaska. Alfredo Navas is a biologist based in Columbia. He is the director of Fundación Iguaraya, a local organization that for the past 12 years has promoted conservation by working with local people in La Guajira, Colombia. He will join us from Columbia via Zoom to talk about the conservation projects on the Guajira Peninsula, including one that benefits thousands of Blackpoll Warblers, as well as the community development work that has grown from the conservation projects. The Guajira Peninsula is a major stopover site for migratory songbirds at the northern tip of South America. 

Meet at the wildlife viewing platform at Westchester lagoon.

Come see waterfowl and other birds at hotspots around town before the lakes freeze. Andrew Fisher will lead this outing to two waterbird locations, including Westchester Lagoon and Lake Hood/Spenard. Enjoy searching for the less common waterbird species during this exciting time of year or just enjoy the typical species that are still here. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, snacks and/or lunch and dress for the weather. We will bird rain, snow, or shine. Blueberry scones will be provided!

Meet at the Audubon wayside platform (Audubon Bench) along the Coastal Trail just west of Westchester Lagoon.

Want to learn how to use eBird in keep track of your daily bird sightings? Are you already using eBird but have questions? We’ll explore these and other eBird app questions during the high tide at the Audubon wayside. High tide is at 6:00 pm but stop by anytime during this hour-and-a-half meet up to see what birds are still around, chat about eBird, and get ready for your October Big Day. This is a rain or shine event. (We’ll have a tent up in case of rain but dress appropriately for the weather.)

Meet at Hillside Park (7011 Abbot Road) in the main parking lot to the left immediately after turning off of Abbot Road and before heading toward Hilltop Ski Area.

We will do a short, easy loop and look for resident and late migrant birds in the more boreal forest area of Anchorage. Likely to see both chickadees, kinglets, Canada Jay, and perhaps a Pacific Wren? Bring appropriate clothing for the weather.

Meet at the viewing platform at Westchester Lagoon near the small boat launch. We will start off with a scan of the lagoon, looking for post-breeding species like scaup, and red-necked grebes, but also migrating species, like white-winged scoters. We’ll then walk a short distance out to the coast to scan the mudflats and Kink Arm. Hope to see you there! John Pearce is the coordinator for this event.

Meet at the viewing platform at Westchester Lagoon near the small boat launch. We will start off with a scan of the lagoon, looking for post-breeding species like scaup, and red-necked grebes, but also migrating species, like white-winged scoters. We’ll then walk a short distance out to the coast to scan the mudflats and Kink Arm. Hope to see you there! John Pearce is the coordinator for this event.

We are excited to start our fall/winter speaker series at the BP Energy Center near midtown Anchorage.

Dr. Megan Milligan with the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will speak on "What is Driving the Population Trends of Alaska Breeding Birds." Megan is a wildlife biologist and has worked with birds across western North America and internationally, in Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia. She currently studies a variety of topics across Alaska and elsewhere on birds and large mammals. Megan will share photos and stories of the wild places she has worked, give an update on how she is learning about what may be causing changes in Alaska bird populations, and discuss how this information is being used.

We will also share some general updates, have a raffle for cool prizes, and of course, there will be cookies!

Meet at the viewing platform at Westchester Lagoon near the small boat launch. We will start off with a scan of the lagoon, looking for post-breeding species like scaup, and red-necked grebes, but also migrating species, like white-winged scoters. We’ll then walk a short distance out to the coast to scan the mudflats and Kink Arm. Hope to see you there! John Pearce is the coordinator for this event.

Meet at the entrance to the main boardwalk area. Come and see what birds are still in the area as we move into fall. Cathy Foerster and Joanna Hubbard are the coordinators for this event.

Meet at the viewing platform at Westchester Lagoon near the small boat launch. We will start off with a scan of the lagoon, looking for post-breeding species like scaup, and red-necked grebes, but also migrating species, like white-winged scoters. We’ll then walk a short distance out to the coast to scan the mudflats and Kink Arm. Hope to see you there! John Pearce is the coordinator for this event.

Help the Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District with a project to restore native plant species to the Valley of the Moon Park area. Volunteers will help prepare the site for planting, dig holes, learn how to transplant Alaska native plants, and water new plants. No prior gardening experience is necessary. Meet at the Valley of the Moon parking lot and dress for gardening outside. Contact ashley@anchorageswcd.org for more information.

Meet at the main parking lot for Point Woronzof overlook park, just past the end of the Anchorage Airport runway.

There are multiple birding options around Point Woronzof, including sea watch locations, coastal beach, and mixed forest. We’ll check these spots and discuss how to bird these different habitats. After a short loop around the parking area, we’ll either walk the beach or the paved Coastal Trail toward Kincaid Park and then back again. Our route will be approximately 2 miles. Bring snacks, water, and appropriate layers for the weather. There is a porta potty in the parking lot. The onsite coordinator for this event is John Pearce.

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Meet at the two benches near the Fish Creek bridge (west of the Audubon platform).

What is a peep and when would you enter that species in an eBird checklist? What if you can’t tell the difference between lesser and greater yellowlegs but still want to count them on your checklist? And what to do about short-billed and long-billed dowitchers? Last year during late August, there was a variety of small shorebirds – sometimes collectively referred to as peeps – near the mouth of Fish Creek. These included species such as Western sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, and least sandpipers. We plan to look for these peeps again at this location and we will also go over how to best enter our sightings into eBird checklists when we aren’t 100% sure of the species. John Pearce is the onsite coordinator for this event.

Meet at the two benches near the Fish Creek bridge (west of the Audubon platform).

What is a peep and when would you enter that species in an eBird checklist? What if you can’t tell the difference between lesser and greater yellowlegs but still want to count them on your checklist? And what to do about short-billed and long-billed dowitchers? Last year during late August, there was a variety of small shorebirds – sometimes collectively referred to as peeps – near the mouth of Fish Creek. These included species such as Western sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, and least sandpipers. We plan to look for these peeps again at this location and we will also go over how to best enter our sightings into eBird checklists when we aren’t 100% sure of the species. John Pearce is the onsite coordinator for this event.

Meet at the two benches near the Fish Creek bridge (west of the Audubon platform).

What is a peep and when would you enter that species in an eBird checklist? What if you can’t tell the difference between lesser and greater yellowlegs but still want to count them on your checklist? And what to do about short-billed and long-billed dowitchers? Last year during late August, there was a variety of small shorebirds – sometimes collectively referred to as peeps – near the mouth of Fish Creek. These included species such as Western sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, and least sandpipers. We plan to look for these peeps again at this location and we will also go over how to best enter our sightings into eBird checklists when we aren’t 100% sure of the species. John Pearce is the onsite coordinator for this event.

Meet in front of the Kincaid Chalet.

Chickadees, warblers, and woodpeckers! Mixed species flocks of forest birds can often be seen in autumn as these species forage in preparation for migration and colder temps. This kind of group foraging, common in many forested areas, likely improves insect and predator detection. Come walk along the Mize Loop, a roughly 2-to-3-mile trail at Kincaid Park, and we'll see what we can find. The trail is easy walking with a few small, but steep inclines. Bring snacks, water, good walking shoes, and multiple layers to stay warm and dry. John Pearce is the onsite coordinator for this event.

Meet in front of the Kincaid Chalet.

Chickadees, warblers, and woodpeckers! Mixed species flocks of forest birds can often be seen in autumn as these species forage in preparation for migration and colder temps. This kind of group foraging, common in many forested areas, likely improves insect and predator detection. Come walk along the Mize Loop, a roughly 2-to-3-mile trail at Kincaid Park, and we'll see what we can find. The trail is easy walking with a few small, but steep inclines. Bring snacks, water, good walking shoes, and multiple layers to stay warm and dry. John Pearce is the onsite coordinator for this event.

There are some really big tides in mid-July, which is a great way to see birds up close at the Audubon bench along the coastal trail. Come join us at the mouth of Fish and Chester creeks - at the Audubon wayside and bench - to see birds up close and learn more about this dynamic birding hotspot. More information about this location can be found here.

There are some really big tides in mid-July, which is a great way to see birds up close at the Audubon bench along the coastal trail. Come join us at the mouth of Fish and Chester creeks - at the Audubon wayside and bench - to see birds up close and learn more about this dynamic birding hotspot. More information about this location can be found here.

There are some really big tides in mid-July, which is a great way to see birds up close at the Audubon bench along the coastal trail. Come join us at the mouth of Fish and Chester creeks - at the Audubon wayside and bench - to see birds up close and learn more about this dynamic birding hotspot. More information about this location can be found here.

There are some really big tides in mid-July, which is a great way to see birds up close at the Audubon bench along the coastal trail. Come join us at the mouth of Fish and Chester creeks - at the Audubon wayside and bench - to see birds up close and learn more about this dynamic birding hotspot. More information about this location can be found here.

There are some really big tides in mid-July, which is a great way to see birds up close at the Audubon bench along the coastal trail. Come join us at the mouth of Fish and Chester creeks - at the Audubon wayside and bench - to see birds up close and learn more about this dynamic birding hotspot. More information about this location can be found here.

There are some really big tides in mid-July, which is a great way to see birds up close at the Audubon bench along the coastal trail. Come join us at the mouth of Fish and Chester creeks - at the Audubon wayside and bench - to see birds up close and learn more about this dynamic birding hotspot. More information about this location can be found here.

We will bird for about an hour after meeting at the viewing platform at Westchester Lagoon near the small boat launch. We will start off with a scan of the lagoon, looking for nesting species like scaup, Arctic tern, and red-necked grebes, and swallows but also for migrating species such as white-winged scoter. We may then walk a short distance out to the coast to scan the mudflats and Kink Arm. Hope to see you there! More about birding at Westchester can be found here: About - Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, United States - eBird Hotspot

We will bird for about an hour after meeting at the viewing platform at Westchester Lagoon near the small boat launch. We will start off with a scan of the lagoon, looking for nesting species like scaup, Arctic tern, and red-necked grebes, and swallows but also for migrating species such as white-winged scoter. We may then walk a short distance out to the coast to scan the mudflats and Kink Arm. Hope to see you there! More about birding at Westchester can be found here: About - Westchester Lagoon, Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, United States - eBird Hotspot