The Redpoll
Newsletter of the Arctic Audubon Society, Fairbanks, Alaska
Vol. 32 Issue No. 5 www.arcticaudubon.org April 2010
Mission of Arctic Audubon:
Earth has unparalleled natural
diversity, productivity, and
beauty, and provides for
life. Recognizing the full
value of nature, we work to
protect Alaskan ecosystems
by encouraging research,
education, and management
that will contribute to
appreciation and good
stewardship of this natural
heritage. We also strive to
conduct our own lives in
harmony with nature.
The Arctic Audubon Society
publishes The Redpoll for its
members monthly fall through
spring. National Audubon
Society (NAS) dues are $35;
new members are $20. NAS
membership includes local
chapter dues. Chapter only
membership is $10 and
includes the newsletter.
Inside…
Audubon Field Trips . ......... 2
Average Date of Arrival of
Migrant Birds .............. 7
BIRDATHON ................. 2–6
Birds of the Boreal Workshop 4
Crane Festival Speaker ...... 4
Delta River Draft EA........... 3
Small Grant Awarded . ....... 4
Thank You ........................ 4
Volunteer with Audubon .... 3
A sunny August Day at Tanana Lakes Recreation Area
Arctic Audubon Society’s April Presentations
Monday, April 12, 7:00 pm
Noel Wien Library Auditorium
Arctic-breeding Dunlin Chick Survival
G raduate student Brooke Hill will discuss her
master’s project which investigates the factors
that affect chick survival from initial and replacement
clutches of Arctic-breeding Dunlin (Calidris alpina
arcticola). In this declining subspecies, little is known
about how chicks fare during the short breeding sea-
son and even less is known about the survival of chicks
from known replacement nests. By working with River
Gates’ experimental clutch replacement study, Brooke
Brooke Hill holds a Dunlin chick.
was able to monitor chicks from replacement nests (as
well as un-manipulated nests) using small radio transmitters. She will discuss the study in
detail and provide preliminary results. Brooke’s research was supported in part by Arctic
Audubon’s small grant program.
Brooke Hill is pursuing her master’s degree in the Department of Biology & Wildlife at the
University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area:
The Slow Transformation of South Cushman
T
he Fairbanks North Star Borough, Department of Parks and Recreation, along with its
numerous partners, is taking steps to reshape and rehabilitate a long-neglected portion
of land south of the Tanana River Levee System, informally known as South Cushman. Plan-
ning efforts have gained momentum since 2004 and site development began in the fall of
2008. The focus and challenge for Parks and Rec is to create an environment which promotes
constructive and positive recreation opportunities within a tight budget and virtually no staff
presence in the area. Developing and nurturing partnerships are key aspects to achieving the
transformation. The Tanana Lakes Recreation Area, which already has a few trails and will
have more, was awarded a 2009 Achievement
Award by the National Association of Coun-
ties. For more information, visit the website:
http://tinyurl.com/ycgtdl9.
Steve Taylor is a Parks Project Coordinator
with the Fairbanks North Star Borough, De-
partment of Parks and Recreation. Prior to
working for the Borough, he spent two years
with the State Department of Natural Re-
sources working on land management issues.
(John Haas, FNSB)
 Page  The Redpoll April 2010
New Look for Farthest
North Birdathon!
A rctic Audubon Society and Alaska
Bird Observatory are shaking things
up this year with a Farthest North Birda-
thon that combines new activities with
traditional Birdathon features.
New Dates: May 15th–23rd
This year, Birdathon is scheduled dur-
ing peak migration time, but will wrap up
before we all get busy and distracted by
summer activities.
New Activity: Big Sit May 23rd
Plan to try out our first guided Big Sit on
Sunday, May 23rd, 7–11:30 am, at Wander
Lake in the Wedgewood Resort Wildlife
Sanctuary. Join us anytime Sunday morn-
ing and be sure to bring a chair! Biologists
from ABO and Arctic Audubon will be
available to help you learn what birds you
are seeing and hearing. Minimum donation:
$25/adult, $5/under 16.
Traditional Activities
• Choose to do a traditional Birdathon in
which you gather pledges, select a 24-
hour period between May 15–23, and
start counting.
• Join one of the guided Birdathon walks
with experienced birders. See the sched-
ule of walks on page 3.
• All are welcome at the Tally Rally &
BBQ to be held at ABO on Sunday, May
23, Noon–2 pm following the Big Sit.
• Participants are eligible to win a variety
of prizes (see page 3 Birdathon ad).
Detailed information and pledge packets
are available from Nicole at the Alaska Bird
Observatory, 451-7159, or on the website,
www.alaskabird.org. A pledge sheet can be
found on pages 5-6 of this newsletter.
Sponsored by Beaver Sports, the Farthest
North Birdathon raises money for bird
research and education projects for Arctic
Audubon Society and the Alaska Bird
Observatory.
Arctic Audubon Spring Field Trips
J oin us for a delightful nature walk during one of the many field
outings offered this spring by Arctic Audubon Society. Here’s what
we have scheduled on Saturdays during the next few months:
Saturday, April 17th­­ —Gail Mayo and Frank Keim will lead an all
day field trip to the Delta Junction area to look for first avian arrivals,
especially waterfowl, hawks and mountain bluebirds. We will meet
at the Creamer’s Field barn parking lot at 9:00 am to car pool. It will
be an all day field trip, so come prepared for mud and wind and bring
your binoculars and lunch.
Saturday, May 1st­—Spring Migration Celebration at Creamer’s Field,
Noon­–4:00 pm, features bird watching and bird related activities for
the whole family. This year’s theme is The Power of Partnerships in
Bird Conservation, highlighting how local species have been saved
from the brink of extinction by the careful and diligent cooperation
of many different organizations.
Birding on Saturday Mornings: Local birding experts will lead a
series of three Saturday morning birding field trips. All trips meet at
8:00 am at the Creamer’s Field barn parking lot. Bring binoculars, a
snack, and rubber boots if you have them.
Saturday, May 8th Waterfowl Identification with leader Dan
McGauhey
th
Saturday, May 15 Shorebird Identification with leader Philip
Martin
th
Saturday, May 29 Birding by Ear and Songbird Identification
with leader Dave Shaw
Contact number for all trips: Frank Keim, 451-9308.
Volunteer Opportunities
Road Clean-Up
Join Arctic Audubon on Friday, May 7th, 5:00 pm to clean up our
adopted scenic mile of Ballaine Road. Families and friends are
welcome to join us anytime during the evening. Our adopted mile
extends south on Ballaine Road from the intersection with Gold-
stream Road. Watch for the blue “Adopt a Highway” signs. We will
meet at the intersection of Trice and Ballaine Road and watch for
birds as we pick up trash.
Spring Migration Celebration & Sandhill Crane Festival
Arctic Audubon will provide bird observation guides for Spring
Migration Celebration (May 1st) and for the Sandhill Crane Festival
(August 20, 21 and 22). This is a fun way to spend some time watch-
ing birds while helping visitors appreciate them. Friends of Creamer’s
Field has spotting scopes and binoculars for visitors to use so you have
plenty of props to help as you watch. All bird watching events are at
Creamer’s Field. Please call or email Gail Mayo if you would like to
help: mayogail@gmail.com or 479-2954.
 April 2010 The Redpoll Page 

Delta Wild and Scenic River Birds of Denali Field Seminar

Draft Environmental Assessment June 4-6, $340
30 day public review and comment period
D enali comes alive in June with birds arriving from
all over the world to their summer home in the
T he Bureau of Land Management Glennallen Field Of-
fice invites you to review and comment on the Draft
Environmental Assessment (EA) that revises the Delta Wild
far north. These migrants join the hardy year round
residents to offer the Denali birder amazing opportuni-
ties to view and study a diverse avifauna in a spectacular
and Scenic River Management Plan. The 30 day public com-
landscape. With long time Denali resident and natural-
ment period for the Draft EA begins on Tuesday, March 23
ist Nan Eagleson, we’ll venture out into the tundra and
and ends on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Written comments
taiga to learn how to identify birds by sight and sound.
must be received or, if mailed, postmarked by the close of
We’ll also discuss avian behavior, habitat selection,
the review period. Although comments may be accepted at
food habits, and migration ecology. Nan Eagleson is
any time during the planning process, comments received
co-author of Birds of Denali.
during formal review periods will be utilized in preparing
Participants meet at the Murie Science and Learn-
final documents. All comments received during the review
ing Center, located at mile 1 of the Denali Park Road.
process may be published as part of the Final Environmental
Course begins at 1:00 pm on the first day and ends at
Assessment. If you wish to withhold your name or address
4:00 pm on the last day. This course is based out of
from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom
the MSLC Field Camp, located 29 miles inside the
of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the
park along the Teklanika River. From this spectacular
beginning of your comment.
location we’ll set out daily to explore Denali’s diverse
Comments can be sent to: BLM - Glennallen Field Of-
environments. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cab-
fice, Delta River Planning Process, P.O. Box 147, Glennallen,
ins and a common dining tent. Optional professional
AK 99588. Or they may be emailed to: AK_GFO_Gener-
development credit is available from the University of
alDelivery@blm.gov. For more information regarding this
Alaska Anchorage.
planning effort please contact the BLM Glennallen Field
Group size is limited to ten participants. More
Office at 907-822-3217 or visit our website at: www.blm.
information is available at www.murieslc.org or 1-888-
gov/ak/st/en/prog/nlcs/delta_nwsr/Delta_River_Planning.
688-1269.
html.

Sponsored by...

May 15 - May 23

What is a Birdathon? What if I don’t know a thing about

A Birdathon is like a Walkathon, where people collect pledges based on
the number of species seen instead of miles walked. All you have to do is
choose a 24-hour period between 12:01 a.m. May 15th and 11:00 a.m.
May 23rd and start counting! You can count for 2 hours or 24 hours, or
any amount of time in between. You can do it alone, with a group, or
join a guided walk or Big Sit.
What’s in it for me?
First, you can know that you are helping raise money for the Alaska Bird
Observatory, Arctic Audubon, bird conservation and education. Second,
you can WIN PRIZES! Each person who contributes or collects pledges
of $50 or more will enter to win a pair of Nikon Monarch 10x56
binoculars from Beaver Sports! There are also prizes given out for most
species counted, top three pledge solicitors, and so many other categories.
In addition, each participant will get a coupon from Hot Licks
Homemade Ice Cream!
birds?
Join one of our guided walks led by biologists with the ABO and Arctic
Audubon! Many dates are available:
May 18 - Creamer’s Field walk on the Refuge, led by Sherry Lewis.
Meet at the Farmhouse at 7 pm. $10 fee.
May 20 - Gail Mayo will lead a walk around Smith Lake and the
University ski trails. Meet at the Ski Hut near the Geophysical Institute
on upper campus at 7 pm. $10 fee.
May 22 - Bird around Fairbanks with ABO biologist Sue Guers. Meet
at the Farmhouse (will be carpooling) at 7 am. $60 fee.
May 23 - “Big Sit” at Wander Lake at Wedgewood Resort. Meet at
ABO, bring a chair, and be prepared to learn what birds you are seeing
and hearing. 7 am-11:30 am. $25 adult/$5 under 16. Afterwards join us
for a BBQ starting at noon! Bring something to share.

For more information call 451-7159. Pledge sheets and directions are available at ABO and on our website beginning April 1st.
 Page  The Redpoll April 2010
Small Grants Awarded
O n March 22nd, the Arctic Audubon Board of
Directors met to consider eight grant proposals
received for the 2010 small grant program. All the
proposals had merit so it was very hard to choose
which seemed to meet our criteria best.
We settled on a limnology study for high school
students. The grant request was for microscopes and
sampling equipment that will be used to assess the
watershed that drains into Lake LiWa, and then the
Chena River, near 0.5 mile Chena Hot Springs Road.
The information gathered will help guide habitat
enhancement and is part of cooperation between
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Camp LiWa, and
Educational Endeavors. Educational Endeavors is
the vision-child of Janine McCready, a North Pole
science teacher. She would be very happy to have
volunteers help with this project starting in late April.
You may contact Janine McCready at 457-8586.
Arctic Audubon is eager to follow these investiga-
tions and delighted to have an educational project
to fund. Many thanks to those that have made dona-
tions to support the small grant program.
Thank You to 2009-10
Program Presenters
A rctic Audubon appreciates all who have present-
ed programs for us this past year. Each program
has been excellent and inspiring. We thank Miki
and Julie Collins, Ron Teel and Jim DeWitt, Philip
Martin, River Gates, Derek Sikes, and photographers
Dave Shaw, Hugh Rose and Pat Endres. In advance,
we thank the presenters for our April meeting, Steve
Taylor and Brooke Hill.
Next fall we plan to have an evening of short takes
from various trips to the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge in celebration of its 50th anniversary. We hope
to hear from those of you who are lucky enough to
visit the Refuge.
We have also been lucky to have a variety of field
trips, and we thank all who organized and led these
trips: Frank Keim, Tom Green, Sherry Lewis, Gail
Mayo, Mark Ross, Steve Springer, Jack Withrow, and
Jim Zelenek.
Special thanks to Jim DeWitt for managing and
maintaining Arctic Audubon’s website for several
years and for facilitating a seamless transition to our
new website manager, Tom Green.
All New!
Birds of The Boreal Workshops
April 21st–May 26th
T he Alaska Bird Observatory’s popular series of bird iden-
tification workshops will be a bit different in 2010. This
year’s focus will be visiting local habitats and the natural history
and identification of the birds you may encounter there. They
are designed to complement the bird watching field trips of-
fered by the Arctic Audubon Society so you will have a chance
to practice your skills in the field. Cost is: $5/each or $25 for
the series. The workshops are held on Wednesday evenings, 7
pm at the Alaska Bird Observatory Center for Education and
Research.
Paul Johnsgard to be Featured
Speaker at Crane Festival
N oted ornithologist, author and artist Paul Johnsgard will
be the featured speaker at the Tanana Valley Crane Festival
August 20–22. Dr. Johnsgard is returning for his second trip to
our festival, having been our featured speaker in 2004.
Dr. Johnsgard is a Foundation Professor Emeritus of Biologi-
cal Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln where he
taught for 40 years, from 1961 through 2001. He is a specialist
in avian behavior and taxonomy and has written world mono-
graphs on waterfowl, cranes, grouse, partridges, pheasants,
trogons, bustards, pelicans, and cormorants. He has also written
widely on regional biology and natural history topics including
the history and ecology of the Platte River in Nebraska, the
Nebraska Sandhill cranes, and the biodiversity of Nebraska.
His many books include Those of the Grey Wind: The Sandhill
Cranes (Nebraska 1986), Crane Music: A Natural History of
American Cranes (Nebraska 1991), and This Fragile Land: A
Natural History of the Ne-
braska Sandhills (Nebraska
1995).
Besides writing, nearly
all of Johnsgard books have
been personally illustrated
by him using either line
drawings or photographs.
More than 1,500 draw-
ings and over 500 of his
color photographs have
been published. Several of
his drawings and wooden
bird sculptures are in private
collections or museums.
 April 2010 The Redpoll Page 

Pledge Tracking Sheet

Farthest North Counter Name: ____________________________________
Birdathon Team Name: ______________________________________
Address: _________________________________________
2010 City:_____________ State:_____ Zip: __________________
Phone: ______________ Email: _______________________
All Proceeds Benefit:
Arctic Audubon Society and the
Page _____of_______
Alaska Bird Observatory

Sponsor Name Address (for tax receipts) Pledge Amount Due Date Paid

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BIRDATHON COUNTERS:

You may count for up to 24 hours between May 15th and May 23rd
Please make checks payable to ABO.
Obtain pledges before your count and record them on this sheet. You may make copies of this form or request
more from the Alaska Bird Observatory. You are responsible for collecting all your pledges. We will not be
invoicing donors.
ABO is conducting a guided “Big Sit” this year at Wander Lake in Wedgewood Resort on May 23rd starting at
7:00 a.m. Meet at ABO and bring a chair! $25 adult/$5 under 16.
This form should be returned with payments to Alaska Bird Observatory, 418 Wedgewood Drive, Fairbanks, AK
99701. Please make a copy of it for your records (in the event that pledges do not come in)!
To be eligible for prizes you must return your Counter’s Report Form (available at ABO) and pledges by
Sunday, May 23rd before 11 AM! Potluck BBQ will be from noon to 2 PM on the 23rd.

Questions? Call (907) 451-7159.

 Page  The Redpoll April 2010

Sponsor Name Address (for tax receipts) Pledge Amount Due Date Paid

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount
Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

Per species
$ Set amount

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$ Set amount

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$ Set amount

Page ______ of _______

 April 2010 The Redpoll Page 

Average Date of First Arrivals for Migrant Birds at

Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
March May (continued)
28 Snow Bunting 6 Savannah Sparrow
April 7 Ring-necked Duck
10 Canada Goose Lesser Scaup
17 Greater White-fronted Goose Horned Grebe
Trumpeter Swan 8 Brant
18 Mallard Barrow’s Goldeneye
Northern Pintail Solitary Sandpiper
19 Cackling Goose 9 Gadwall
21 Bald Eagle Hermit Thrush
22 Snow Goose 10 Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk Killdeer
Herring Gull Orange-crowned Warbler
23 Peregrine Falcon 11 Eurasian Wigeon
Mew Gull Greater Yellowlegs
Glaucous-winged Gull Whimbrel
Glaucous Gull Horned Lark
24 American Wigeon 12 Lincoln’s Sparrow
Sandhill Crane 13 Red-necked Grebe
American Robin American Golden Plover
26 Northern Goshawk Semipalmated Plover
Rough-legged Hawk Semipalmated Sandpiper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Pectoral Sandpiper
Dark-eyed Junco Long-billed Dowitcher
Red-necked Phalarope

Updated March 2009; data from Alaska Bird Observatory (1999-2008).

27 Northern Harrier
American Tree Sparrow Northern Waterthrush
28 Northern Shoveler 14 Golden-crowned Sparrow
Green-winged Teal 15 American Kestrel
Redhead 16 Say’s Phoebe
Bufflehead Cilff Swallow
29 Canvasback Swainson’s Thrush
Gyrfalcon 17 Hudsonian Godwit
30 Tundra Swan Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-rumped Warbler Wilson’s Warbler
18 Surf Scoter
May
Bank Swallow
2 Common Goldeneye
20 Blue-winged Teal
Violet-green Swallow
Upland Sandpiper
3 Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Blackpoll Warbler
American Pipit
Red-winged Blackbird
Tree Swallow
22 Townsend’s Warbler
Rusty Blackbird
23 Wilson’s Phalarope
4 Wilson’s Snipe
Yellow Warbler
Varied Thrush
26 Gray-cheeked Thrush
White-crowned Sparrow
29 Pine Siskin
5 Bonaparte’s Gull
Fox Sparrow June
Lapland Longspur 2 Olive-sided Flycatcher
6 Merlin 4 Alder Flycatcher
Northern Flicker 5 Western Wood-pewee
 Arctic Audubon Society
PO Box 82098
Fairbanks, AK 99708
Upcoming Events­—Mark Your Calendar
Arctic Audubon’s Monthly Public Presentation,
April 12, 7 pm, Noel Wien Library Auditorium
Learn about Dunlin Chicks & plans for the
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area.
Field Trip to Delta Junction, Saturday, April 17
Led by Gail Mayo and Frank Keim; meet at
Creamer’s Field by the barns at 9 am to carpool.
Spring Migration Celebration, Saturday, May 1
Audubon Birding Field Trips, Saturdays 8 am Introductory rate $20
Meet at Creamer’s Field barn parking lot
May 8: Waterfowl Identification the local chapter, Arctic Audubon. You will receive
May 15: Shorebird Identification
May 29: Birding by Ear
Farthest North Birdathon, May 15–23
Arctic Audubon Board of Directors
email address: arcticaudubon@gmail.com _______________________________________
President: Gail Mayo (479-2954)
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Open
Treasurer: Janet Daley (457-1583)
Education: Open
Conservation: River Gates (378-8775)
Hospitality: Brook Gamble (456-3775)
Programs: Lauren Attanas (456-1108)
Newsletter: Mary Zalar (479-4547)
Membership: Mary Zalar (479-4547)
Field Trips: Frank Keim (451-9308)
Birdathon: Sherry Lewis (479-0848)
Web Site: Tom Green (452-6370)
Alaska Audubon Board: Dave Shaw (590-7023)
Nonprofit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 181
Fairbanks AK
Birding Hotline
(907) 451-9213
Updated by Laurel Devaney & Ken Russell
Report interesting bird sightings;
learn what others have spotted.
National Audubon Society
New Member Form
Membership includes both National Audubon and
National Audubon’s magazine, Audubon, and Arctic
Audubon’s newsletter, The Redpoll.
Name: _ ________________________________
Address: ________________________________
City State Zip
❑ I would like to receive email announcements from
Arctic Audubon Society. My email address is:
_ ________________________________
Amount enclosed: $______ (make check payable to
National Audubon Society)
Send to: Arctic Audubon Society
PO Box 82098 C0ZA520Z
Fairbanks, AK 99708
q Chapter Only Membership, $10
For membership in Arctic Audubon only, check the
box and make check payable to Arctic Audubon
Society.