Board of Directors' News
The Board of the Alaska Bird Observatory has formed two committees to provide guidance to our two major programs: research and education.
The Research Committee is chaired by board member Dr. Pierre Deviche and members include Dr. Eric Rexstad (Associate Professor for both the Institute of Arctic Biology and Biology and Wildlife Department), Dr. Kevin Winker (Assistant Professor and Curator of the Ornithological Collection at the UAF Museum), and Philip Martin (Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Other ABO board members on the Research Committee include Terry Doyle and myself. The Education Committee is co-chaired by board members Jim Logan and Mary Liston and includes Jacqueline DíAuria (teacher at Joy School). We are extremely pleased with the expertise of these committees and the willingness of the members to assist ABO in developing its programs.
Lori Quakenbush - President
1998 Volunteer Training Schedule
I loved volunteering, learning more about bird identification and working with such great, FUN people. I ...was very humbled every time I held a little bird in my hand that was about to fly a few thousand miles south. It was an awesome experience to hold a bird and think about its journey. - ABO Volunteer, 1997
It's almost time for experienced ABO volunteers to sign up for the spring migration season! To help refresh the skills of our returning volunteers, an optional mist-netting workshop will be held on March 28 at Nancy DeWitt's house. Volunteers will receive practice and pointers for handling live birds. Please call or e-mail us to pre-register for a time slot and get directions. This workshop will be followed by a mandatory meeting for returning volunteers on April 16 at 6:00 p.m. to review the procedures, policies and ethics of mist netting, as well as sign up for the 1998 season. The meeting will be held in the conference room at the Alaska Deaprtment of Fish and Game (1300 College Road).
If you are unable to attend the required meetings but still want to volunteer, please let us know. New volunteers will be trained prior to the fall migration season (mid-July). For more information or to request a volunteer job description, please visit the ABO Web site at or contact Nancy DeWitt at 451-7059 or birds@polarnet.com.
Thank you!
ABO would like to thank several volunteers who helped us with projects over the winter: Jim Logan assembled a computer desk for us and then helped out in the office while our director flew south for a few weeks. Kay Kenyon sorted and cataloged several boxes of journals in our basement, while Sherry Lewis whipped up some new bird bags. Our wonderful Board of Directors continues to help immensely by making contacts with potential donors, serving on our Research and Education Committees, reviewing manuscripts and proposals, interviewing job applicants and helping with that ominous IRS 990 form.
Volunteering Helps to get Great Jobs and School Projects
By Nathan Adams
In late spring of 1995 I found an ad in the newspaper stating that the Alaska Bird Observatory was looking for volunteers. Before reading this I had never heard of ABO but I became interested. At the age of 15 I had become the youngest volunteer and continued volunteering that year and the next. By the middle of the second year I achieved my greatest birding accomplishment: I had memorized all the net numbers. Early the next spring I was looking for summer work and called Jim Logan to see if ABO could offer me a job or at least get references and letters of recommendation. Jim informed me of possibly interning, so I thought about it and checked it out with my parents and school counselor to see if school credit was possible. I couldnít receive school credit but I applied anyway. I was accepted but was disappointed to hear that they had pulled some nets and changed the numbers. After taking two years to memorize the old numbers it only took me two days to memorize the new ones.
My time spent at ABO was no less than perfect. Highlights were catching birds like the Cliff Swallow and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and observations like watching a harrier chase a raven-which quickly became two harriers and seven ravens and watching the cranes do their dances and fly low overhead in their dinosaur-like awkward flight. The opportunities were also unparalleled. I learned to band birds while my friends bussed tables, bagged groceries, and repaired flat tires. On the other side, Steve wanted to fire me at least 8 or 9 times for things like forgetting to put pins back on the nets and letting birds escape. Being at work at 5:30 in the morning had a few mild drawbacks and entering data just stinks. Interning at ABO was a great experience and job. Next summer, it's going to be tough to beat.
Nathan has been volunteering for ABO since 1995. He is currently a senior at West Valley High School and has just completed an extensive study at his home on seasonal mass and fat dynamics of songbirds for the Alaska Statewide High School Science Symposium. |
Avian Population Monitoring in Denali National Park
By Steve Springer
The Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO) has conducted research in Denali National Park and Preserve (Denali) since 1992. The National Park Service (NPS) wanted to develop a systematic inventory and monitoring program for breeding birds in the national parks, and selected four parks to develop the program. ABO was contracted by NPS to design a protocol to quantify annual variation in relative abundance and monitor long-term population fluctuations of landbirds found in Denali.
ABO used methods developed by Butcher et al. (1992) to obtain a 90% probability of detecting a cumulative 50% (or 3% annual) decline in a species over a 25 year period. To reach this goal, the field work for the last six years included two primary objectives: 1) quantify interannual variation in the abundance of landbirds along the Denali road corridor using on-road point counts, and 2) quantify interannual variation in the detection probabilities of breeding landbirds using off-road point counts in spruce forests.
Four on-road counts were conducted along the park road according to the Breeding Bird Survey protocol, and each route was surveyed at least twice a year. The on-road routes were 24.5 miles long with 50 point count stations spaced 0.5 miles apart. Nine off-road counts were conducted following a technique developed by the Boreal Partners in Flight working group. The off-road routes were comprised of 12 point count stations spaced 250 meters apart and were conducted in spruce forests only.
Results of the off-road censuses showed that the relative abundance of most species were similar among years. A few species, like the White-winged Crossbill and Redpoll, both permanent residents, exhibited dramatic fluctuations. Rare species showed the most annual variation because in some years they were not detected at all.
By using both survey methods we were able to meet our detection probability for those species that occurred at > 14% of all point count stations. Eleven species met this criteria on off-road censuses: Gray Jay, Swainsonís Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wilsonís Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, and Redpoll. In addition, Boreal Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and White-winged Crossbill occurred at 14 % of all stations during at least one year of this study, indicating that at least 14 species could be monitored using this survey design. At least 12 species could be could be monitored using 100 independent point count stations along on-road routes. On-road routes that transit higher elevations can be used to monitor population fluctuations of the Arctic Warbler. Other routes that transit more diverse habitats allow for the systematic monitoring of the Alder Flycatcher and Gray-cheeked Thrush.
The Alaska Bird Observatory will continue these studies in landbird population monitoring in Denali in 1998. Reports of these studies are available at the ABO office.
Education Update
Boreal Forest Songbird Teaching Unit
ABO recently received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a boreal forest songbird teaching unit. This winter we have visited several classrooms to field test the activities that will be included in the unit. We anticipate that the draft unit will be available for review and pilot testing by April. For more information call Sara McDaniel at ABO, 451-7059 or birds@polarnet.com.
Spring Banding Demonstrations
Soon the birds will be making their long flight back to Creamer's Field. That means it is also time for the children to return to Creamer's. This year we will again be using the lottery method of assigning banding demonstration time slots. Banding demonstrations will be each week day of May. Generally there are two demonstrations scheduled per day and typically the two slots are assigned to the same school. This allows each school to fill one bus and participate in both the Fish & Game and ABO programs. If you are interested in participating you must contact us by phone or e-mail between April 15 and 21. Let us know what day in April you prefer and how many classes want to come. We will notify all interested schools by April 22 about assigned dates and number of slots available. For questions about banding demonstrations, visit our website or call Sara at ABO, 451-7059 or birds@polarnet.com
Host Families Needed
Due to several new grants and research projects, we anticipate a busy summer for our student internship program. Unfortunately, ABO does not have housing available for out-of-state/town interns. We are therefore appealing to our friends with spare bedrooms or guest cabins to consider hosting an intern this summer.
Lodging needs vary from a few nights in June and/or July to four-week periods between mid-July and September 30. If funding allows, ABO may rent a cabin for interns within biking distance of Creamer's Refuge. If you can help or know about an affordable cabin, please call us at 451-7059. |
Training in Landbird Mist Netting and Banding Techniques Offered
May 12-26, 1998
September 1-14, 1998
ABO is offering a training program for wildlife professionals that focuses on standardized mist netting and banding (suitable for the operation of MAPS stations and migration banding stations). Training includes: basic sample designs; establishing, maintaining and operating mist net arrays; identifying, aging and sexing birds in the hand; handling and measuring birds; recording, summarizing and analyzing data; banding ethics; and censusing techniques.
This is a demanding course that includes classroom work and extensive field time. Experience with bird identification is almost essential. Mist netting and banding require good manual dexterity, the ability to negotiate uneven terrain, excellent eye-hand coordination and the ability to walk briskly during net runs starting at 5:30 a.m. Censusing requires good eyesight and hearing.
Cost: $1,000. This does not include lodging, meals or transportation. ABO may be able to provide housing and a bicycle for some participants. Permits, bands and equipment needed for establishing your own banding stations are not provided and must be acquired prior to the field season, preferably by early April.
To Register: Please send a letter of intent by March 30, 1998. A $500 deposit is required by April 20. Send letters and inquiries to: Anna -Marie Barber, Migration Program Manager, Alaska Bird Observatory, PO Box 80505, Fairbanks, AK 99708, (907) 451-7059 or birds@polarnet.com
1998 Birdathon Kickoff
It's time to dust off your field guide and start planning for the 1998 Birdathon! This event provides wildlife enthusiasts with a great excuse to spend a day looking for neat birds in a variety of habitatsóall while raising funds for the Arctic Audubon Society and the Alaska Bird Observatory. The idea is simple. Collect pledges based on the number of bird species identified in a 24-hour period between May 23-31, select a day, count species and let us know how you did. Prizes will be awarded and results shared at a potluck barbecue the following week. There are many ways to participate. Beginners and even non-birdwatchers can enjoy a leisurely walk at Creamer's Refuge with an expert, or tag along with a team of die-hards on a 24-hour Big Day. You can also form your own team of friends or family, walk around your neighborhood, drive a pre-planned route (we'll give you hints on hot birding spots around Fairbanks), canoe the river, or invite an expert to your school for a walk around the school grounds. Proceeds raised during the Birdathon support local bird conservation programs.
Everyone is eligible to win door prizes, and special prizes will be awarded for most money raised and most species seen. Birdathon packets will be available at the annual meeting or after March 31 by mail or at various locations around town. Listen to the radio or watch the newspaper for details! Or you email ABO at birds@alaskabird.org or visit the 1998 Birdathon Page at the ABO Website.
Sponsor Update
ABO is pleased to welcome the following new Adopt-A-Net sponsors: Design Alaska Inc., Wedgewood Resort, The Alaska Children's Trust, Holland-America Line Westours, Doug Toelle and Kelly Wien-Toelle, and Totem Ocean Trailer Express. Nets have also been adopted in memory of Roy Mundt and in honor of Bunky - Birdathon's Best Bird Dog. We appreciate their support, as well as the continued support from our renewing donors. Thanks are also in order for the Fairbanks Chapter of Ducks Unlimited for a $250 contribution toward the 1998 Alaska Bird Camp. |
Camp Habitat and The Alaska Bird Observatory Present
The Alaska Bird Camp
Studies in Field Ornithology
for Ages 10-12
The Alaska Bird Camp provides a unique opportunity for students ages 10-12 to learn about resident and migrant birds of Interior Alaska. Working with professionals from the Alaska Bird Observatory and other agencies, students will observe birds in the field, conduct research, explore careers in science, and meet other youth with similar interests. This day camp is based at Creamer's Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks and includes field trips to a variety of habitats. Working with professionals from the Alaska Bird Observatory and other agencies, students will enjoy:
- Observing and studying birds in an enjoyable and intellectually challenging atmosphere.
- Gaining skills in basic bird observation.
- Learning about adaptations, habitats and behaviors of birds.
- Gaining an understanding of how to design and perform a technical research project and how to present the results.
- Providing exposure to careers in environmental science.
DATES: July 13-17, 1998
COST: $100 (includes course materials, does not include lunch or transportation to and from Creamer's Refuge). Limited scholarship assistance is available.
Registration for this and other Camp Habitat programs will begin on a first-come, first-served basis at the Creamerís Field Spring Open House on April 25 at noon. Mail and walk-in registration will be accepted AFTER April 25 at the Northern Alaska Environmental Center at 218 Driveway St (by the train station). For more information and/or a registration form, please call us at 451-7059 or email us at birds@polarnet.com.
Sponsored by: Lawson-Valentine Foundation, ABR Inc., Ducks Unlimited, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, ARCO Alaska Inc., and Arctic Audubon Society.
ABO Receives New Grant
The Lawson-Valentine Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Alaska Bird Observatory to support our Alaska Songbird Project. This program includes a unique blend of research and environmental education that involves members of the public--especially youth--in studies of migratory songbirds at Creamer's Refuge. We are grateful for the support of the Lawson-Valentine Foundation and are looking forward to the 1998 field season!
ABO Bookkeeper...
ABO would like to welcome Marilyn Dowding to our staff roster. Marilyn, a Certified Public Accountant with an impressive background in accounting, joined ABO in February as our new Bookkeeper. Marilyn is an avid horseback rider and a great addition to our staff. She replaces Lisa Moen, who can still be found working full-time at the Alaska Department of Fish of Game. We are grateful to Lisa for her hard work and dedication to ABO. She really helped bring our accounting system on-line and went above and beyond the call of Bookkeeper!
Has Your Membership Expired?
Please check the date in the corner of your mailing label. If your membership has expired, this will (sadly!) be your last issue of The Arctic Warbler unless we receive your renewal soon. Please help ABO continue working toward our mission to ensure the conservation of Alaskaís songbirds by renewing your membership today! |
Alaska Bird Observatory