Alaska Bird Observatory

 

The Arctic Warbler - On-Line Edition News from the Alaska Bird Observatory ©2001 Alaska Bird Observatory, Inc. All rights reserved Limited permission is granted to educators to reproduce these materials for use by their students Spring 2001 Volume 7, Number 1 Table of Contents Timing of Breeding Range Occupancy - Creating Ripples... - Assets for ABO - Executive Director's Report - A New Habitat for ABO - Volunteer Profile - Luke DeCicco - Volunteer Tidbits - Counting Owls - Spring and Summer Training 2001 - Board Staff News and Notes - Fund Raising News - ABO Wishlist - Donor News - Spring Migration Open House - Attention Teachers - Classifieds Why Aren't There Any Pictures?
Timing of Breeding Range Occupancy Among Alaska's Passerine Migrants by Anna-Marie Benson, Senior Biologist With excerpts from: Benson, A.M. and K. Winker. 2001. Timing of breeding range occupancy among high-latitude passerine migrants. Auk 118(2): in press. Like most people, I associate bird migrations with changing seasons: I marvel at the incredible influx of life in the spring when more than 200 species migrate to Alaska, and I think of the imminent approach of winter as these species depart during autumn. Some birds migrate thousands of miles each year to Alaska because the region affords a hospitable climate, an extended photoperiod, and a nutrient rich environment (world-class insects and berries). But summer at high latitudes is brief. Birds that migrate to Alaska are therefore under greater temporal pressure to complete breeding season activities (such as, territory and mate acquisition, nest building, egg laying, incubation, care of young, and molt) than birds at lower latitudes. Our analyses examined the timing of spring and autumn migration among 18 passerine species to obtain indirect estimates of the time they occupy their breeding ranges in northwestern North America. Additionally, we explore the following questions: (1) Do adults differ from immatures in the timing of autumn migration? (2) Do Nearctic-Neotropic ("long-distance") migrants differ from Nearctic-Nearctic ("short-distance") migrants in the timing of breeding range occupancy? From 1992 to 1998, the Alaska Bird Observatory (64°50’ N, 147°50’ W) banded 31,698 individual birds during the most intensive standardized mist-netting study ever conducted in subarctic North America. Adults departed significantly later in autumn than immatures in 10 of 18 species we examined and significantly earlier than immatures in only one species, the Alder Flycatcher. The later departure dates of adults in many species may be explained by the timing of molt in adults, which, unlike immatures, replace their flight feathers in autumn. The lack of molt in adult Alder Flycatchers prior to autumn migration likely accounts for the earlier departure of adults. Among the migrants examined, the estimated number of days that species were present in interior Alaska ranged from 48 days for adult Alder Flycatchers to 129 days for American Robins (Fig. 1). The 48-day difference between median spring and autumn passage dates of Alder Flycatchers in interior Alaska suggests that this species spends just 13% of its annual cycle on these northern breeding grounds. This is the shortest period of breeding range occupancy yet documented for a population or species of migratory passerine. Based on a 95-year National Weather Service record, the latest date on which freezing temperatures have occurred in spring in Fairbanks, Alaska was 13 June (1922), and the earliest date of freezing temperatures in autumn was 3 August (1944). At the extreme, therefore, this region has the possibility of only 51 consecutive days of temperatures greater than 0°C. In this region, Alder Flycatchers arrive near the record last date of frost in spring and leave before the record first date of frost in autumn. This is probably not a coincidence. It is well known that flying insect availability is negatively affected by frosts, and this would seem to provide strong selection against Alder Flycatchers’ occupation of their breeding grounds during times of potential frost. Other insectivorous birds probably forage on a more diverse prey base when flying insects are not available and are therefore able towithstand early and late frosts in extreme years. Breeding range occupancy of Nearctic-Neotropic migrants is significantly shorter in duration than among Nearctic-Nearctic migrants at this latitude. Nearctic-Nearctic migrants averaged 119.8 days between spring and autumn median dates of passage, and Nearctic-Neotropic migrants averaged 90.6 days. All but one Nearctic-Neotropic species, the Yellow-rumped Warbler, appeared to time their arrivals and departures to occur within the long-term average of 105 days of frost-free temperatures in Fairbanks, Alaska (Fig. 1). Nearctic-Neotropic migrants rely primarily on insects for food, and are likely to be present as this resource waxes, becomes abundant, and then wanes. Conversely, most of the Nearctic-Nearctic species we studied rely on a seed- or fruit-dominant diet in winter, accounting for their ability to be present during periods of frost and indeed frozen conditions. Further, Nearctic-Nearctic migrants may be better adapted to adverse climatic conditions, which they may also experience on wintering areas. In northwestern North America, the Nearctic-Neotropic migrants we studied time their breeding range occupancy to occur within the summer frost-free period and complete their annual reproductive cycle in a brief temporal window. Executive Director's Report by Nancy DeWitt As I write this, spring and its wondrous infusion of migratory birds into interior Alaska are just around the corner. This is the time when most Alaskans breathe a collective sigh of relief at having survived another long winter in the far north. Despite the fact that winter here typically presents long stretches of extremely rude temperatures, often hovering at -30°F and colder, the trade-offs are worth the extra time it takes to layer on warm clothes each morning. I relish that I can take a noontime stroll or ski at a refuge within our city limits and not encounter a single other person. I watch in wonder at the chickadees that work our feeders, amazed at their ability to survive the extreme cold and limited daylight hours for foraging. I laugh at how our eyelashes become heavy with frost when trying to peer through binoculars during an "average," subzero Christmas Bird Count. I delight in those winters where the chatter of redpolls and crossbills can be heard almost daily, and I can park at the same spot just after sunset and watch hundreds of ravens fly, roll, and cavort overhead on their way to their nighttime roost. The treat of seeing an oddity like a Eurasian Bullfinch at a local feeder or watching a Gyrfalcon go screaming overhead is just icing on the winter cake. I feel a certain kinship to the resident birds that tough out the winters here. I also feel a connection to the birds that flee their crowded wintering grounds to seek out a little more elbow room in the north. Though in some ways they are like the tourists that arrive by the bus, boat, and trainloads in the summer, we welcome their short stay and our lives are enriched by their presence. Bring on the masses!	Creating Ripples... by Ted Swem, Board President I have the good fortune to know a man named C. Stuart Houston. Seventy-three years old, he is a retired Professor from the School of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, where he taught, conducted research, and is well published in the field of radiology. He is also an accomplished historian, having published numerous articles and books on the history of western Canada. Additionally, Stuart is an ornithologist, a field in which he has somehow found the time to publish a few hundred more articles. And Stuart is a bird bander. His banding permit number is 00460, which means that only 459 people or organizations were licensed to band birds before him in all of North America (by comparison, ABO’s permit is number 22,759). Only two permits still in use predate his, those issued to Ducks Unlimited, and a Reverend in Quebec. Stuart has been banding for 58 years, and he and his wife Mary have banded 120,000 birds of 204 species, including over 10,000 raptors. These numbers are particularly impressive when you consider that a large percentage were banded as nestlings, which affects the information that can be gleaned, and which is very labor intensive. Each year Stuart and Mary band a thousand nestling Tree Swallows and Mountain Bluebirds; they have banded over 5,000 nestling Great Horned Owls and thousands of nestling Swainson’s Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, and Ospreys. Aside from his many other accomplishments, Stuart has banded a lot of birds and that has taken a lot of work. I attended a talk a number of years ago that Stuart presented at an annual conference of the Raptor Research Foundation. Other speakers talked about the results of their research, using slides with graphs and charts to explain their more interesting findings. In contrast, Stuart’s talk, which I found more captivating, was about the people who have helped him in his banding efforts through the years. Like many other speakers, he used pie charts, not to illustrate biological data as the others did, but to categorize the types of people who have helped him in the field, and to analyze the career paths those people followed later in life. He has worked with birds with over 100 people from all over North America, mostly high school students who spent several years assisting Stuart during summers, weekends and holidays, climbing trees, recording data, etc., before eventually moving on to other things. But before they moved on, most developed, or furthered, a love for birds and a sense of responsibility as stewards of this planet. This was made clear by his analysis of who these people have become. Characteristically modest, Stuart observed that "most have surpassed their teacher. Which is good; that is what teachers are supposed to do." One is Minister of Science on Canada’s federal cabinet; one is Minister for the Environment for Saskatchewan; some are university professors; many are professional biologists, working for government agencies or as consultants. One, a former medical doctor, entered politics to ensure that science is represented in the upper levels of government. Stuart says: "When you drop a pebble in a pond, it creates ripples, and they spread far and wide." In recent years, a number of people have volunteered or interned at ABO, assisting in ABO’s research efforts. They are too many to individually profile, or even name, so I will briefly mention two. In 1995, a 14-year old named Nathan Adams began working at the banding station. While others his age pursued different interests, Nathan reported to Creamer’s Field excruciatingly early on countless days to open nets, extract birds, measure and record data. As Nathan’s interest in birds developed, he gained focus that many of us lack at that age. It became clear to him that he would go to college, and what he would study. He is now is in his third year at UAF studying biology, and this past summer he worked for the Fish and Wildlife Service at Barrow assisting in research on Steller’s Eiders. Obviously, it’s too early to predict where his life will lead. But the hook is set; wherever he goes, and whatever he does, it is now certain that he will take with him a love of birds, which he will share with others. His life will be richer for it, and both birds and people will benefit because he now understands what is at stake as we set humanity’s course into the future. Another recent volunteer at ABO is Joel Martin, an 11 year-old. Joel has varied interests, including skiing, computers, and playing the violin. Although I’ve known Joel for several years, because his father is a friend and coworker, I have never seen him as excited about anything as he was this past year after assisting at the banding station. He strongly encouraged me to volunteer myself (I wish I had more time to do exactly that), promising me we would catch "tons of butterbutts," chickadees and maybe even a Blackpoll Warbler! Joel is young, and he will experiment with many interests before he finds which ones are right for him. But as Nathan can attest, working with birds can be addictive. For some, the more you work with birds, the harder it gets to do anything else. The folks that assist with research at ABO are a diverse group. Some are young, like Nathan and Joel, and might pursue careers in biology or related fields. Some are housewives and mothers; some already are well along in their careers; others are retired. Regardless, each is impacted by the experience at ABO. Undoubtedly, each will marvel at the delicate beauty of a warbler, each will delight in the spunk of a just-released chickadee that pauses to scold the banders before seeking cover. Each will better understand science and its role in public policy after listening to ABO staff explain bird conservation issues and how ABO’s research is contributing. Each will feel better for having contributed to that science themselves. Each will likely give more thought to the impact of their votes and lifestyles upon natural resources in general and birds in particular. Working at ABO reinforces existing values or creates new ones within these people. And they will take these values with them wherever they go, "far and wide." Last year, 91 people volunteered at the banding station at Creamers’ Field; eleven others worked with ABO on internships. To use Stuart’s analogy, ABO dropped 102 pebbles into the pond last year. Completely aside from the many accomplishments in the research and education programs, that means 2000 was a pretty good year. Assets for ABO ABO welcomes and encourages gifts of stock and cash as they help provide critical support for our programs. A cash gift is the easiest way to support our research and education programs. If you itemize on your tax return, cash gifts to ABO are generally deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income. A gift of stock you’ve owned for years can help you avoid capital gains tax if the stock has appreciated, and your charitable deduction is equal to the full fair market value of the stock. A bequest to ABO through your will qualifies for an estate tax deduction and will support our conservation programs for years to come. To make a gift, please call Nancy at (907) 451-7059 for more information.
A New Habitat for ABO For many years, ABO has operated out of one side of the quaint but microscopic attic of the Visitor Center at Creamer’s Refuge in Fairbanks. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG) has generously provided our 10´x18´ office to us at no cost for a number of years, but we can no longer operate efficiently in this tiny space. It is physically impossible for us to fit any more workstations in it for our growing staff, the numerous distractions decrease our productivity, and we have run out of storage space for virtually everything. The copier is crammed next to the toilet in the bathroom, giving us many opportunities for multi-tasking, but presenting a variety of problems. Clearly, it’s time to move on. Last year, ABO’s board began researching facility options. We have been presented with a unique opportunity for a new building that borders Creamer’s Refuge and will allow several of our programs to partner with the tourist industry. We are in the early planning stages for designing a facility to be built at Wedgewood Resort in partnership with Fountainhead Development. This will be a massive endeavor for our organization, and we will be counting on our members to help us make this important transition during our 10th anniversary year. We’ll keep you updated as the project progresses. We plan to maintain an office in the Creamer’s Visitor Center and will continue to base our banding operation and several education programs from here. We are grateful to ADFG for their contribution of office space over the years and look forward to building a new partnership with Wedgewood Resort. Volunteer Tidbits ABO relies on the help of more than 70 volunteers each year to run our mist-netting program at Creamer’s Field. Volunteers are trained to remove birds from nets and record data. Benefits include learning to identify local birds by sight and sound, exercise (volunteers cover from one to three miles/day), meeting other interesting folks, learning about ABO’s scientific research, and seeing children’s eyes light up when they observe a songbird in the hand. New volunteers are needed to help with our fall program (July 30 – September 30). Interested folks are encouraged to visit our banding station during spring migration, and then attend an introductory meeting and training session on July 10 at 6 p.m. at the Creamer’s Field Visitor Center. Volunteers typically provide assistance one or two days/week, and we ask that people commit to at least six sessions. Our daily schedule is from 5:30 a.m. to about 2:00 p.m., with half-shifts available. Contact our office if you would like an application. Returning volunteers are need for spring banding starting April 25. We will have the sign-up calendar at our annual meeting, or you may stop by our office to get on the schedule. Counting Owls During 2000, biologists and volunteers from throughout Alaska conducted 25 owl surveys as part of a preliminary investigation of the effort required to develop a long-term owl monitoring protocol in Alaska. ABO volunteers surveyed five routes near Fairbanks. Although few owls were detected on most routes around the state, surveyors detected 63 Great Horned Owls, 42 Boreal Owls, 35 Northern Saw-whet Owls, 3 Barred Owls, 3 Western Screech-Owls, 2 Great Gray Owls, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Northern Hawk Owl. The Aleknagik, Fort Greely, and Hope surveys had the highest detections of owls; these surveys comprised 15% of all of the surveys conducted in Alaska, yet 74% of detections were recorded on these routes. Densities of owls may be extremely low in most parts of Alaska, indicating a large number of surveys would be required to have adequate sample sizes to determine long-term trends in detections of even the most abundant species (Boreal Owls and Great Horned Owls). It is also likely that owl densities are highly variable and dependent on prey availability. ABO is currently recruiting volunteers to assist with owl surveys so we can further assess the abundance of common owl species in Alaska. If you would like to participate in owl surveys please contact Anna-Marie Benson at ambenson@alaskabird.org. Spring and Summer Training 2001 The Basics of Banding, Aging, and Sexing Alaska Passerines (14-25 May, 16-27 July): $1,000 This introductory 10-day course focuses on developing the necessary skills for banding, aging and sexing Alaska passerines. The course offers training for wildlife professionals pursuing studies of birds that require banding and mist-netting techniques. For more information, see http://www.alaskabird.org/ABOTrainingPro2000.html Bird Censusing (28 May-6 June): $100 per day This workshop will focus on bird censusing in a variety of habitats using both visual and auditory cues. Additionally, distance-estimation training will be provided in conjunction with this course. Interested participants may choose the number of days for training. To Register: Please send a letter of intent by April 15, 2001. Send letters and inquiries to: Anna-Marie Benson, Alaska Bird Observatory, PO Box 80505, Fairbanks, AK 99708, (907) 451-7059, ambenson@alaskabird.org. Donor News Phillips Alaska, Inc. has renewed their commitment to ABO’s environmental education program with a grant of $10,000 for our "Birds Across Alaska" project. Their contribution provides crucial support for our student intern program, the Alaska Bird Camp, bird banding demonstrations, workshops & special events, and our volunteer program. Thank you, Phillips Alaska! We are grateful to the Skaggs Foundation for a recent $5,000 grant toward student internships for our Tok River logging study. The foundation states that "We…hope that one more year of funding will give the scientific data to help land use managers in the future limit the impact to species affected" by the logging planned for the Tanana River Valley. We are looking forward to year two of this long-term study, which is also supported by ABO memberships and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Thank you to the Arctic Audubon Society for an unrestricted grant of $3,250. This contribution will support our 2001 Alaska Bird Camp, the Creamer’s Field Migration Station, and general operating costs. ABR, Inc. also made a generous contribution of $1,610 to ABO recently. We appreciate the long-term support Arctic Audubon and ABR to our bird conservation efforts! American Seafoods Company has awarded ABO a $1,000 grant to support our Creamer’s Field Migration Station. The grant will be used to support our volunteer program and the construction of a frame for the new solar panels donated by Larry Mayo. Spring Migration Open House ABO is teaming up with Friends of Creamer’s Field (Friends) for a celebration of spring migration. On Saturday, April 28 from 11 AM to 4 PM at Creamer’s Refuge, we will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) in conjunction with Friends’ Spring Waterfowl Watch. The day will be filled with activities for the entire family, including live birds, games, crafts, workshops, and informational displays. Recognized across the Western Hemisphere, IMBD is an invitation to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about migratory birds, foster appreciation for their role in nature and in our lives, and share our concern about their welfare. The event at Creamer’s Field will focus on the birds that visit this area, as well as the conservation issues that affect interior Alaska. The theme for IMBD 2001 is to raise awareness among consumers about shade-grown coffee and the connection to migratory birds. Come make the connections between coffee, Creamer’s, and birds with ABO and Friends on Saturday, April 28 from 11 AM to 4 PM. Watch the ABO web site and the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner for a complete schedule of events. ABO Presents the 2001 Alaska Bird Camp: June 18 – 22, 2001 The Alaska Bird Camp is an exciting opportunity for kids ages 10 - 12 who are especially enthusiastic about birds. Working with professionals from ABO and other agencies, participants will learn to identify birds, observe birds in the field, discuss conservation issues, explore careers in wildlife, and conduct scientific research. This day camp is based at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks and includes bird-watching trips to a variety of habitats. The cost of the camp is $190 and includes educational materials and snacks, but not lunch or transportation to and from the refuge. Scholarship assistance is available. Host families are available for out-of-town campers. For more information and/or an application form, please contact Andrea at 451-7059 or aswingley@alaskabird.org.	Volunteer Profile - Luke DeCicco Luke DeCicco is the first junior volunteer named ABO’s 2000 volunteer of the year for contributing 184.5 hours to our Creamer’s Field Migration Station in 2000. Luke’s contributions to ABO don’t stop at the banding station; during 2000 he raised $689 for our annual birdathon fundraiser, and conducted analyses on swallow nestling data he collected. Luke’s interest in ABO stemmed from attending bird camp and visiting the bird-banding station with home-school groups. He says that volunteering at ABO is fun and that he loves the experience. Luke’s home-schooling education is interest-led and his parents have let him focus his science curriculum around birds and ecological studies at ABO. Luke’s appreciation of animals extends far beyond birds; he breeds aquarium fish and has a pet python, a gecko, and a dog. Birds and amphibians are also the main subject of Luke’s art — he is quite talented with pencils and pen & ink. In his spare time, Luke dances with the North Star Ballet — a passion he has enjoyed since he was 7 years old. Luke’s work at ABO has been rewarding for everyone; his many mentors thoroughly enjoy his bright smile, good humor, and enthusiasm for birds. Luke, on the other hand, has furthered his appreciation for birds and science through volunteering at ABO. Board and Staff News and Notes ABO would like to welcome Kathy Ross to our board of directors. Kathy is a novice birder and the lead Human Resources Consultant for Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc. in North Pole. Kathy first came into contact with ABO when she attended one of our bird walks; since joining the board in November 2000, she has helped us review our employee handbook and conducted an interviewing training workshop for our staff. We are thrilled to have her on board. Welcome, Kathy! Andrea Swingley was recently named Boreal Partners in Flight Education and Outreach Chair. Anna-Marie Benson was named Migration Chair. Thank you to Lorrie Hawkins, who recently completed an internship and temporary staff position with ABO as a Development Assistant. Her position was funded by a grant from the Alaska Conservation Foundation. Nancy DeWitt attended an Alaska Funding exchange workshop on grant proposal writing in Anchorage November 17-18. Attention Teachers Once again the Alaska Bird Observatory and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game will offer our popular science education programs for school groups during May. More information about these programs will be sent to Fairbanks-area schools in early April. Groups visiting ABO are required to pay either $35 per banding presentation or $2 per person to help cover materials and administrative costs. Some scholarship assistance is available for those classes not able to pay all or part of the fee. If your are interested in bringing a group to the banding station, you must call our office at 451-7059 or e-mail us at aswingley@alaskabird.org beginning April 16. Requests will be accepted until 4:00 PM on April 19. On April 20 we will notify you with confirmed dates and the number of slots available to your school. Those classes not accommodated will be placed on a waiting list. If you miss our call-in deadline, please call us anyway and you will be placed on the waiting list. ABO Wishlist ABO needs the following for our 2001 field season: One or two cabins in Fairbanks to rent for our summer field crew Misc. furnishings for cabins (mattresses, tables, chairs, vacuum cleaner, blankets, clock radios, board games) Sleeping bags and tents Portable CD player Canoe, lifejackets & paddles We are also starting to round up donations for our new facility (see page 3), such as: Bookshelves File cabinets Gas barbecue Bird artwork Microwave Desks & office chairs Television & VCR Office supplies galore Bird books & journals for our new library Dictionaries and thesauri Plain-paper fax machine Give our office a call at 451-7059 if you can help. Thank you! Fundraising News Birdathon Time Frame Expanded Every spring, members and friends of ABO and the Arctic Audubon Society use their binoculars to raise critical funds for our bird conservation programs. During the Farthest North Birdathon, participants from around Alaska collect pledges based on how many bird species they hope to find, choose a day (up to 24 hours) between May 19 and June 17, and then go birding. Many counters form a team of friends or family members, and then head out on foot, bike, canoe, or car to enjoy Alaska’s outdoors. If you can’t tell a sandpiper from a plover, you can participate in our guided birdathon or an Arctic Audubon field trip (see schedule on back page). If your business or school would like to form a team but need an expert to guide you, give us a call. Or, let us know if you’d like to join the official youth team or tag along with the hotshots on a 24-hour extreme birding adventure throughout interior Alaska. The goals of the birdathon are to have fun, celebrate spring migration, and raise support for bird conservation. All participants, beginners to experts, are eligible to win prizes and awards. Some of our categories for awards include Best Team Name, Rarest Bird Seen, Best Birdathon Story, and Most Environmentally Friendly Team. Top prizes are awarded for most money raised in the following categories: individual, youth, adult hotshot team, adult recreational team, student team, and family. Everyone who raises at least $50 gets entered in a drawing for two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines (domestic). The more you raise, the more times your name gets entered! Counters are asked to register by contacting our office by phone or e-mail, or by mailing in the registration form on page 9. We’ll send you a birdathon packet, complete with a pledge form, bird checklist, and tips on how to ask for pledges. Results must be reported to our office by June 25. To be eligible for the Alaska Airlines drawing, pledges must be turned in on or before July 25, the day of our potluck and "tally rally." Special thanks to our 2001 Birdathon sponsors, Alaska Airlines and Steve Neumuth Advertising, and to everyone who plans to participate! Hawk’s Nest Raffle Have you ever been on the bus in Denali National Park and wished you could spend more time exploring the area beyond the Eielson Visitor Center? Here’s your chance! Denali National Park Wilderness Centers, Ltd. has donated a three-night stay at a cabin located along the park road between Wonder Lake and Camp Denali for our annual raffle. Originally a homestead cabin, the "Hawk’s Nest" can accommodate up to four people. The stay, valued at $1,035, is scheduled for June 22-24 and includes a restricted road permit to drive to and from the cabin from the park entrance (day use of the park must be made via the park buses, bicycle or on foot). We need people to help sell as well as buy tickets, which are only $5 each or five for $20. The drawing will be held on May 12 at ABO, and the winner need not be present. For more information or tickets, contact us at (907) 451-7059 or birds@alaskabird.org. Tickets may also be purchased at Alaska Feed Company (Fairbanks) and Santa’s Travel (North Pole). Permit 1784. Many Thanks… Our hats are off to the following Adopt-A-Net sponsors that have signed on for the 2001 field season at our Creamer’s Field Migration Station: ABR, Inc. Environmental Research & Services, Alaska Children’s Trust, Alaska Feed Company, Arctic Audubon Society, Bunky the Birdathon Dog, Martha Hanlon Architects, Adrienna Holden, National Bank of Alaska, North Pole Physical Therapy, Ron & Mary Teel, Tesoro Alaska, and Mike Vivion & Gina Carolan. If you would like to sponsor a net (sponsorships start at $250), contact Nancy in the ABO office. Other thanks… To Alaska Feed Company and Santa’s Travel for selling our Hawk’s Nest raffle tickets; Anchorage Audubon Society for providing a plane ticket to Anna-Marie Benson so she could make a presentation at their monthly meeting in January; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for flying Andrea Swingley to Anchorage to attend the Boreal Partners in Flight meeting; Leonard Peyton for various books & magazines; Twigs Gift Shop for two bird ornaments; the Alaska Conservation Foundation for travel assistance so Nancy DeWitt could attend their grant writing workshop; and Alaska Feed Co. for hosting our recent bird feeding workshops and providing door prizes. Classifieds Help Wanted: ABO still has several technician and intern positions open for the summer. Please see out web site for more information and contact our office immediately if you are interested. The application deadline has been extended through April 15 or until the positions have been filled.
You can get the printed version of The Arctic Warbler, which gives you more information and photos, by joining ABO. It's easy to do. Visit the Join ABO page to see how to join.