Alaska Bird Observatory

The Arctic Warbler - On-Line Edition December 1997
From the Director by Nancy DeWitt Reflections on My First Field Season at ABO Although this time of year finds me busy preparing funding requests, reviewing reports and working on our annual membership drive, I take a few moments each day to gaze out the window and admire the beauty of winter at Creamer's Refuge. I love the winters in Fairbanks, but my experience working at ABO's migration station has given me a new appreciation for the "snowless" seasons of the year. The seasonal changes at the migration station were both subtle and distinctùthe drumming of the ruffed grouse, brood patches, the blooming of the iris, the slow disappearance of the seasonal pond, the arrival of juvenile birds, the ripening of wild berries, the return of dark nights, nets plugged with birds, fall plumages, the tremendous congregation of cranes, nets plugged with leaves, the arrival of the tree sparrows, frozen nets and the silence as the last flocks of geese took to the sky. Highlights of my first field season at ABO included learning to handle and band delicate birds, the camaraderie of the staff and volunteers, the enthusiasm of the many visitorsùespecially the children, ferocious chickadees, the dazzling colors of the warblers, removing a Sharp-shinned Hawk from a net, and seeing first-hand the enjoyment birds bring to so many people. A review of our 1997 research and education program reports in this issue of The Arctic Warbler demonstrates that the season was a great success. In order to keep up the momentum and ensure that our conservation work continues, however, ABO is looking toward 1998 with great expectations. We plan to continue the migration monitoring program at Creamer's Refuge, despite a cut in funding from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Our board of directors is exploring the possibility of several important new research projects and we are developing plans to offer a new "Alaska Bird Camp" for youth. Now that ABO is listed in The Milepost and has a new site on the world-wide web, we anticipate a record number of people will visit the migration station next summer. Thanks to the excellent feedback on this year's volunteer evaluations, we plan to expand our training programs for new and returning volunteers. Naturally, these projects will require adequate funding to ensure their success. In addition to seeking out new grant sources, we set a goal in August to double our membership from 150 to 300 by next fall. To date we have already added 59 new members (if you are struggling to think of a gift idea for a friend or relative, please consider giving a gift membership to ABO!). We are also working with Arctic Audubon Society to make next year's Birdathon bigger and better than ever. If you have thoughts about how we can recruit more participants, increase pledges, obtain more prizes and offer activities that cater to new birders and novices, please call me at 451-7059. We'd love to hear your ideas. To everyone who made the field season such a great success, hank you!	ABO Board Welcomes New Board Members At the annual meeting of the ABO Board of Directors in October, two new members were approved and officers for 1998 were elected. We are glad to welcome Jim Logan, ABO's recently-retired Executive Director and an active member of the Arctic Audubon Society and Steve Porter, ARCO's Regional Representative for Government and Community Relations. Jim likes to be involved with non-profits that deal with Creamer's Refuge, ranging from Camp Habitat to the Alaska Skijor Association. He wants to stay involved with ABO "to help out its mission because I believe in bird conservation. It's also a great group of people to work with." When asked why he applied to be on the board, Steve replied, ôafter spending 23 hours of the spring Birdathon with Lori Quakenbush, Ted Swem, and Phillip Martin, what else could I do? I also appreciate the educational opportunities ABO provides to the school children in the area.ö The Board also voted to move our annual meeting from September to March. This will give us more time to prepare our annual report to the members, as well as develop an enticing slide presentation for the public. This meeting will also serve to kick off the annual Birdathon event. Watch for details in our next newsletter! ARCO Trims a Tree for ABO Fairbanks is hosting a new event called "Trees from the Heart," a festival of Christmas trees that will be sold at a silent auction for the benefit of local charities. Area businesses have donated beautifully decorated trees for the event, and we are pleased to announce that ARCO Alaska, Inc. is sponsoring a tree for ABO. Our tree will feature numerous bird ornaments, nests, bird houses and pieces of miniature artwork produced by local artists. We'd like to thank ARCO for their generous donation and Elizabeth Porter for her time and creativity. We are also grateful to everyone who donated ornaments and to those who participated in our ôchickadee assembly lineö. Trees will be available for viewing at the Carlson Center on Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. or Dec. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (concurrent with the Gingerbread House Contest). Come check out the ABO tree and place a bid on behalf of you or your business. Winners will be announced Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. ON-LINE UPDATE: ABO's Chickadee tree was a great hit, and after heated bidding, went for a price of $720! Thanks again to all involved. In Appreciation... We would like to thank the following for their generous donations to ABO: National Park Service for 3 used but useful pairs of binoculars; ARCO for a file cabinet and Dick Cowles for a typewriter.
New Net Sponsors for 1998 Loftus Engineering Associates, Inc. and Mt. McKinley Bank have signed on as new Adopt-A-Net sponsors for 1998. They join a host of other local businesses and organizations who each underwrite the cost of operating one mist net for a field season. Net sponsors receive a framed certificate featuring a colorful bird photo, recognition on a sign placed at their net, a year-end report summarizing their net's captures, listings on signs at CreamerÆs Field and recognition in ABO brochures and slide shows. If you or your business is interested in adopting a net, please call Nancy DeWitt at 451-7059. EPA Grant ABO has been awarded a $4995.00 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency to develop a songbird curriculum for elementary level students. The curriculum includes chapters on the basic scientific process and bird biology. Each chapter features information, activities and expansion ideas. It will be available for limited use spring 1998 and will be on the internet by fall. For more information call Sara McDaniel 452-5019. Recent Donations to ABO Numerous back issues of several professional journals were generously donated by Tom Pogson. We'd like to thank Tom and wish him the best at his new job in Florida leading sea kayaking adventures. American Seafoods Company recently donated $500 to help cover the cost of our Migration Station Manager's salary. We are very grateful for their gift! We were also delighted to receive a note from the Alaska Railroad Corporation stating that they are doubling their contribution to $500 for our 1998 Adopt-A-Net program. In addition, ABR Inc. donated $600 to support our participation in Earthquest. It is great to have the support of so many businesses and organizations in Alaska. For information about ABO's contributions program, please call Nancy DeWitt at 451-7059.	ABO Volunteer Spotlight Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney Laurel and Ken both grew up in central Ohio and starting watching birds seriously in college. Laurel's youth was spent finding bird nests and studying nature. Ken was first interested in other winged things - aircraft, but like the Wright Brothers also came to enjoy the feathered kind as well. They started down a "bad path" when their first date was to watch birds. (Yes, Laurel got a lifer -Upland Sandpiper). They now plan their work and vacations to maximize the birding. Laurel tries to pretend that she's not a serious lister although her Lifelist is well over 650. Ken, whose list is almost to 700, is plotting to see all those Atlantic pelagics in the birdbook. Laurel'sand Ken's interest in birds and natural history has guided their career path as well. The list of their jobs looks like a bird-finding guide to North America. They both worked as Park Ranger naturalists at Glacier Bay and Everglades National Parks before they joined the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in 1989. Work involved public programs including bird walks and also bird banding, census and breeding surveys, and producing the bird checklists that everyone wants when they arrive at a Visitor Center. Several moves later Laurel was working at Western Oregon Refuges, and Ken spent field seasons working in the Aleutians and Arctic and winters in Oregon. In 1994 they both got year round jobs with US Fish & Wildlife Service in Fairbanks. After working with birds in the parks and refuges, they were looking for a chance to continue banding and research here in Fairbanks. Ken says "Creamer's Field was just around the corner and the Alaska Bird Observatory seemed to be an opportunity to participate in an interesting research program, handle birds and meet the Fairbanks birding community. After the first four seasons, our initial expectations have been exceeded. The low turnover in the paid and volunteer staff has meant that each year the program improves and expands. The result has been a wonderful program in which to volunteer, both science and peoplewise. FairbanksÆ location in the northernmost breeding area for many birds means that the effort here is doubly important. The banders and other staff have always made the volunteers feel like they are very much a major part of the program. So during the Redpoll days of winter, dreaming of spring means pleasant thoughts of the ABO banding station reopening." Ken and Laurel are two of our most dedicated volunteers. We appreciate their contribution to ABO!
Birds Out of Context by Gail Mayo Each year a diligent birder can expect to see well over 100 birds in Interior Alaska. In the process of filling in missing species, or just wondering, what is out there today some unusual birds are found. These exciting moments quicken the observer's skills and stir the birding community. A difference in song, a subtly in outline or pattern or a behavioral quirk test birders observations and credibility. Once found an unusual bird is a gem to share, and with luck it will stay around long enough to be confirmed and admired by other bird enthusiasts. An informal network gets the word out fast, and we all go for a look. In 1997 a telephone hotline for bird sightings was started to help more birders keep informed. The hotline is managed by the Arctic Audubon Society and they are always glad to hear your suggestions. Many thanks to all of you who remembered to leave a message on 451-9213 in 1977. Make the hot line a place to check and leave messages and you will make it a better source for us all. January in Central Interior can be a dull month for birders. However, in January 1997 a Fox Sparrow was seen on Chena Ridge and a McKay's Bunting was spotted at the Fox dumpster station. The bunting remained for weeks affording a good look for ardent and well dressed birders. Black-billed Magpies were spotted in the Fairbanks area on and off during last winter and this fall. In April an Oriental Green Finch visited a North Pole feeder over a three day period. A report of a turkey vulture was also received in April. An American Coot was spotted at the Ft. Wainwright cooling ponds. During the summer Chipping Sparrows were seen in Delta Junction and later Pine Siskins were spotted around Fairbanks. In the Fall late hang-ons included several Rusty Blackbirds and some common waterfowl that lingered uncommonly late into November including Canada Goose, American Widgeon, Lesser Scaup and Mallards. A possible Brewers Blackbird was spotted in downtown Fairbanks in November. To the delight of many a mostly white raven is seen regularly and tan ravens have been reported. Northern Hawk Owls are spotted occasionally and a good number of Willow Ptarmigan are around. Red-breasted Nuthatches and Dark-eyed Juncos continue to be seen in a few locations as winter advances. Red-breasted Nuthatches are also present in Eastern Interior in small numbers. But, in general, this area reports an array of unusual species that is decidedly different. Eastern Interior is closer to expanding ranges of birds that inhabit the northern and western parts of the continent which may help to explain this. A number of Mountain Bluebirds passed through in a short time in April. A Snowy Owl was seen in early April. During the summer months unusual species sighted were Blue-winged Teal, Sora, Upland Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and Common Yellowthroat. The Sora, heard southwest of Northway on the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge was at the same location as a Sora recorded in 1995 and 1996. Some of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Common Yellowthroat reports were also at the same locations as in previous years. The Common Nighthawk is becoming annual in the Tok area according to reports. An Arctic Warbler of this hatch year was banded in August. A Brown Creeper and a Golden-crowned Kinglet were banded during fall migration. Whether you like it or not, a Brown-headed Cowbird was seen in late September. Thanks to the many people who contributed to this less than complete listing, especially Terry Doyle, Jeff Bouton, Steve Springer, John Wright, Ken Russell and Laurel Devaney. For a complete listing and more detailed accounting of the unusual birds sighted in the Interior this season consult Audubon Field Notes. Don't forget to call your sightings to the birding hotline, 451-9213	Looking Back at Fall Migration 15 July-30 September 1997 by Anna-Marie Barber Why band landbirds in Alaska? From 1992-1997, the Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO) has operated a large standardized mist netting station at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks, Alaska. The objectives of the netting program have been to capture and band migrating passerines to 1) monitor population dynamics, 2) study the timing of life history events (e.g. migration, reproduction, molt, juvenile dispersal, and seasonal differences in body condition), 3) examine habitat use of migrants, and 4) provide public education programs relating to avian ecology and conservation. Approximately 150 migration monitoring sites are located throughout North America. CreamerÆs Field Migration Station (CFMS) is the northernmost landbird migration monitoring station in the western hemisphere. The location of CFMS is important for studying population trends in nearctic-neotropical migrants, as it is near the beginning of a migrant's journey during fall migration and near the terminus of spring migration. This is a fascinating location to study aspects of migration, considering migratory distances of the species we capture range from 3,000-6,000 miles. Species Composition During fall migration of 1997 we captured 4,874 birds of 35 species (Table 1). Including all recaptures, the total was 5,586. Myrtle Warblers comprised 25% of the birds banded. During fall of 1997 we captured more Townsend's Warblers and Arctic Warblers than previous years. Abundance More American Tree Sparrows and Fox Sparrows were captured in 1997 than ever before (Table 1). Thirteen of 19 species had a higher-than-average population index in 1997 (Table 2). Productivity The proportion of hatch-year (HY) birds was higher than average for 9 of 19 species where more than 10 individuals were captured each fall (Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Yellow Warbler, Myrtle Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow). These data suggest 1997 was a productive breeding season for several taxa captured at Creamer's Field Migration Station. Timing Peak capture dates occurred earlier than usual. We had the highest capture rates of HY birds during period 8/14-8/18. Highest capture rates of AHY birds occurred between 8/29-9/12. Our biggest day was 11 September when we caught 293 birds; luckily we had Deborah Webb, Judy Dearborne, Bud Lenhausen, Sue Quinlan, and John Wright on hand to help with the rush. Most of the captures (65%) on this day were American Tree Sparrows. Interesting Captures There were some unexpected captures of special interest. For example, two hatch year Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, were caught during fall migration. The recent records of hatch-year birds captured in Tok and Fairbanks, along with records of singing males in interior Alaska, indicates we may be at the leading edge of a range expansion by this species. We had one foreign band recovery of a Sharp-shinned Hawk originally banded in Nevada as a hatch year bird in 1992. This is our first recovery of a bird banded outside of the state of Alaska.
Volunteers needed... If you have some spare time this winter and would like to help us out here are a few jobs: ~Sew bird bags ~Arrange journals by year ~Net repair ~Birdathon committee ~Mailing Tune into the web for other oppertunities throughout the year and training dates for summer volunteers. Want the Printed Version? There's a printed version of The Arctic Warbler available to members that's larger, better and portable. All you have to do is become a member of Alaska Bird Observatory. Visit out Membership Page for more information. Thanks to Sara McDaniel and Icicle Software for putting together the on-line version of The Arctic Warbler.	From the Ed Head by Sara McDaniel, Education Coordinator Winter is here and we are busy with data crunching, report writing and classroom visits. In 1997 we had a record 2,637 individuals visit the banding station, which is 1,252 more than last year. During the 93 days of banding 95 groups of school children, science camps and tourists attended demonstrations. Although this seems like a lot of people, there is still room to grow. We are planning to do additional advertising locally and abroad. Banding demonstrations will be scheduled daily throughout the 1998 season and an intern or volunteer will present the banding demonstrations throughout the summer. Our goal is to reach as many people as possible and get them excited about songbird research. This winter ABO has several educational projects planned. We received a grant from EPA that funds the development of a curriculum to accompany the ABO Songbird Activity Guide. A rough draft will be available by Christmas and the project should be completed by spring for use in classrooms. We're also visiting classrooms this winter. Teachers can choose from several options including, a feeder watch, feeder banding, research project using ABO data or other birding activities. Let us know if you are interested. Have a great winter and don't forget to keep your bird feeder full!