The Redpoll
Newsletter of the Arctic Audubon Society, Fairbanks, Alaska
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…
Adopted Net Results ...... 5
AK Bird Conference ........ 5
Backyard Bird Count ....... 2
Books for Bird Nerds ....... 2
Calendar ......................... 6
Christmas Bird Count ... 3,4
New Member Form ......... 6
Small Grant Donations ..... 5
Vol. 28 Issue No. 3 December 2005
Get Ready for Christmas Bird Count
J oin fellow birders and outdoor enthusiasts on Saturday, December 31, for the 45th
Annual Fairbanks Christmas Bird Count. Whether you are an experienced birder or
a relative novice, join in the fun as we search for and identify birds and later share stories
and results at the compilation potluck dinner. See page 3 for details. Spruce up your bird
identification skills in preparation for the Christmas Bird Count at the Winter Bird Iden-
tification Workshop on December 19 (see below).
To participate in the Christmas Bird Count, contact the coordinator of the area in
which you want to count. Refer to the map and list of coodinators on page 3. On Count
Day, use the Data Recording Sheet on page 4 of this newsletter and bring it to the area
coordinator at the compilation potluck.
All are welcome to participate in the Christmas Bird Count. If unsure of your birding
skills or looking for a companion to count with, call one of the area coordinators and
they will try to pair you up with other birders. A $5 fee is required from all field observers
over 18 years old. For more information, contact Gail or Larry Mayo, 479-2954.
Winter Bird Identification Workshop
L earn how to identify Fairbanks’ winter birds or brush up on your identification skills
on Monday, December 19, 7:00 pm at the Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO) Center
for Education & Research. Information and materials for the Christmas Bird Count will
be available. The workshop is free for members of ABO and the Arctic Audubon Soci-
ety; $5 for nonmembers. Call ABO at 451-7159 for more information.
Mongolia: A Land Without Fences
slide presentation by Frank Keim
Monday, January 9, 7:00 pm
Noel Wien Library Auditorium
F rank Keim traveled for a month in Mongolia in
July and August 2004. While he was there he vis-
ited with Peace Corps Volunteer Amy Crawford (from
Anchorage) in her community of Tsetserleg during the
Naadam celebration. He also stayed with Mongolian
families in yurts (called “gers” in Mongolian), walked
in the mountains, and did a lot of birding. Since he was
there at the height of the wildflower season, he also
saw many beautiful wildflowers. Wrestling is one of Mongolia’s three manly sports
Photos by Frank Keim
 2 The Redpoll
Gifts for Your Favorite Bird Nerd!
by Brook Gamble, Arctic Audubon Board Member
While shopping for your favorite birder, consider these
ten new bird-related books published in 2005:
Bird-Witched! How Birds Can Change a Life by
Marjorie V. Adams. (University of Texas Press) The au-
thor, one of the founders of the American Birding Asso-
ciation, looks back at her evolution into a birder and at
the concurrent growth of the sport.
National Geographic Complete Birds of North
America by Jonathan Alderfer. (Random House) 82
family groups, illustrated, with complete natural history.
The Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany
by Graeme Gibson. (Random House) A treasure trove
of paintings, drawings, poems, essays and scientific ob-
servations about birds.
To See Every Bird on Earth: A Father, a Son, and a
Lifelong Obsession by Dan Koeppel. (Hudson Street
Press) One of only a dozen people to ever list over 7,000
species of birds, Dan Koeppel’s father spent a lifetime
on his chase. The author tells the story of this obsession,
and his part in it.
Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World’s Most
Remote Island Sanctuary by David Littschwager &
Susan Middleton. (National Geographic) Fine art pho-
tographers, award-winning environmentalists and docu-
mentary film-makers Liittschwager and Middleton join
forces to showcase breathtaking photographs of the na-
tive flora and fauna of the remote Northwestern Hawai-
ian Islands. Home to nearly 70% of our nation’s coral
reefs, and known as the “rainforests of the sea,” these
islands are host to wildlife that exist nowhere else on the
planet.
In the Company of Crows and Ravens by John
Marzluff and Tony Angell. (Yale) Interactions between
humans and crows and their influence on culture, ecol-
ogy, and evolution. Tony Angell’s compelling artwork
never fails to delight the viewer.
The Ardent Birder by Todd Newberry. (Ten Speed
Press) In fifty eloquent short essays, Todd Newberry,
UCSC biology professor and lifelong devotee of fine
feathered friends, shares everything from delightful medi-
tations on birdwatchers’ daily events to philosophies of
why birders are so fervently dedicated to the sport.
December 2005
Why Birds Sing: A Journey into the Mystery of Bird
Song by Davis Rothenberg. (Basic Books) An explora-
tion of bird song that blends scientific research with an
understanding of musical beauty and form.
Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the
Continent’s Natural Soul by Scott Weidensaul. (North
Point Press) In 1955, Roger Tory Peterson and James
Fisher wrote Wild America, about their trek around
North America. Scott Weidensaul retraces Peterson and
Fisher’s steps to tell the story of wild America today.
How has the continent’s natural landscape changed over
the past fifty years?
And of course, the Arctic Audubon Coloring Book,
which is available at the Creamer’s Field Farmhouse
while dwindling supplies last!
The Great Backyard
Bird Count Returns
A joint project of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology, the Great Backyard Bird Count
(GBBC) returns for its ninth season February 17-20,
2006. This year’s themes are “go to a special place” and
“take someone with you.” Bird enthusiasts of all ages
can share their love of birds, opening new eyes to the joy
of birding and the fun of creating a unique snapshot of
winter bird abundance and distribution across the conti-
nent. Everyone can participate, from beginning bird
watchers to seasoned experts.
During the count, bird watchers can tally up birds for
as little as 15 minutes, or for as long as they like, keeping
track of the highest number of each bird species they see
together at one time. People are encouraged to report
birds from public lands and local parks, as well as from
their own backyards. Participants enter their numbers
online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc and can explore
sightings, maps, lists, and charts as the count progresses.
For more information contact the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology at cornellbirds@cornell.edu or
(800) 843-2473 or contact National Audubon at
citizenscience@audubon.org (215) 355-9588 Ext. 16.
 45th Annual Fairbanks Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Compilation Potluck Dinner—4:30 p.m. at Pioneer Hall in Pioneer Park
Fairbanks Christmas Bird Count Areas & Coordinators
To participate, contact the coordinator of the area where you want to count. If you have no preference or have
other questions, call Larry or Gail Mayo, 479-2954. Contact coordinators soon to give them time to organize!
East Goldstream
West Goldstream Tom Green
Brian Lawhead 452-6370
455-6849 fftkg@uaf.edu
lawhead@mosquitonet.com
Farmer’s Loop
Jamie Marschner
Ester 458-0462
Amy Turner marschnr@polarnet.com
474-4227
ftamt@uaf.edu Steese/Ft. Wainwright
Carol McIntyre
457-4213

University
Gail Mayo
460-3636 Creamer’s Refuge
Mark Ross
459-7301

South Fairbanks
Chena Ridge Ken Russell & Laurel Devaney
Lori Quakenbush 488-8170
457-1399 (h); 459-7214(w) laurel_devaney@fws.gov
lori_quakenbush@fishgame.state.us

E ach Christmas Bird Count lasts 24 hours and covers a 177 square mile circle that is 15 miles in diameter.
Centered on the intersection of Yankovitch and Dalton Trail, the Fairbanks Circle includes Ester Dome, parts of
the Tanana and Chena Rivers, the dump, Ft. Wainwright cooling ponds, and plenty of typical interior habitat.
The objective of the count is to observe in as much of the count circle as possible without duplication. Each bird
must be identified to be counted. Because our daylight time is limited, we need many field observers willing to cover
their assigned areas. Birds are also counted at feeders by observers who record the highest number of birds of each
species seen together at their feeder on that day. Feeder counters should also contact their area coordinator. During
“count week” (the 3 days before and after count day), additional species seen or heard within the count circle are
added to the final list of species observed. Please use the data entry sheet on the other side of this page to record your
observations and bring it to the area coordinators at the compilation potluck.
Please join us after dark on count day for our compilation and potluck dinner (meat provided) from 4:30–
8:00 pm at the Pioneer Hall in Pioneer Park (Alaskaland). Pioneer Hall is located near the Palace Saloon. Use
the Moore Street entrance; parking is available in front of the Hall.
A $5 fee is required from all field observers over 18 years old. They will receive the CBC issue of American Birds.
Field observers under 18, feeder watchers, and owl listeners are not required to pay, but will not receive the magazine.
Christmas Bird Count data from 1900 to the present is online at www.audubon.org/bird/cbc.
If you can’t attend the potluck be sure to contact your area coordinator before 4:30 pm or call 460-3636.
 December 2005 The Redpoll 5

Highlights from Net 7 Give a Gift to Research

Adopted by Arctic Audubon Society
T he mission of the Arctic Audubon Society is to work
to protect Alaskan ecosystems by encouraging re-
T his year, Arctic Audubon Society sponsored a net
at the Creamer’s Field Migration Station, operated
by the Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO). Net 7 is oper-
search, education, and management that will contribute
to appreciation and good stewardship of our natural heri-
ated from the end of April to the end of September. tage. To further this mission, Arctic Audubon started an
Although Net 7 is only six meters long, or half the length annual Small Grants Program to support research. Be-
of most of ABO’s other nets, it managed to capture an ginning in 2004, we have provided grants up to $1,000
impressive 182 birds of 22 species this year. These in- per project for research on:
cluded one of the three Pine Siskins and six of 14 Boreal · shorebird behavior in staging areas on the North Slope,
Chickadees captured in 2005. This net is especially good · tracking bats in Interior Alaska,
for capturing mixed-species flocks of juvenile birds. · determining the genetic status of McKay’s Bunting,
Overall it was a very good year for captures—the · winter roosting strategies of the Black-capped Chicka-
fifth busiest since ABO opened the migration station in dee in Interior Alaska.
1992. Yellow-rumped Warblers were the most common We invite individuals and businesses to support and ex-
bird captured, followed by Dark- pand our Small Grants Program by making tax-deduct-
eyed Juncos, American Tree Spar- ible donations. Checks should be made payable to Arc-
rows, and Orange-crowned War- tic Audubon Society Small Grants Program and sent to
blers. The most unusual captures in- Arctic Audubon Society, PO Box 82098, Fairbanks, AK
cluded a second-ever Northern Har- 99708. Arctic Audubon Society is a 501(C)3 nonprofit
Tree sparrow rier and Black-backed Woodpecker. organization.
courtesy of ABO A request for proposals for the 2006 Small Grants
Net 7 Capture Data Program will be published in the February newsletter.
Species Total
Alder Flycatcher 1
Hammond’s Flycatcher 2
Gray Jay 1 2006 Alaska Bird
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Boreal Chickadee 6 Conference
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
13
2
T he 11th Alaska Bird Conference will be held Febru-
ary 7-9 in Juneau, Alaska. The purpose of the con-
ference is to provide a forum to share information on
American Robin 2 results, methods, and insights pertaining to research, edu-
Orange-crowned Warbler 10
cation, management, and conservation of Alaska’s birds.
Yellow Warbler 3
The conference will include presentations and posters
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
summarizing current topics in ornithology and avian
Townsend’s Warbler 1
management and conservation, an evening program, a
Northern Waterthrush 3
banquet and keynote address by David Quammen, and
American Tree Sparrow 23
special awards. Several associated meetings and events
Savannah Sparrow 7
Fox Sparrow 2
will take place in conjunction with the Alaska Bird Con-
Lincoln’s Sparrow 7 ference. Early registration ends on December 23rd, and
White-crowned Sparrow 16 fees increase on December 24th.
Dark-eyed Junco 52 More information is available at
Common Redpoll 13 www.abc2006.juneau-audubon-society.org or by
Pine Siskin 1 contacting Michelle Kissling at 907-780-1168 or
Total 182 michelle_kissling@fws.gov.
 Arctic Audubon Society Nonprofit Org.
PO Box 82098 US Postage
Fairbanks, AK 99708 PAID
www.arcticaudubon.org Permit No. 181
Fairbanks AK

Upcoming Events--Mark Your Calendar Birding Hotline

(907) 451-9213
Winter Bird Identification Workshop, Monday, Updated by Laurel Devaney & Ken Russell
December 19, 7:00 pm at ABO. Details on page 1.
Report interesting bird sightings;
Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 31 learn what others have spotted.
Compilation Potluck Dinner at 4:30 pm at Pioneer also at
Hall in Pioneer Park. See page 3 for details. www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/index.html
Mongolia: A Land Without Fences, Monday,
January 9, 7:00 pm, Noel Wien Library National Audubon Society
Frank Keim will describe his travels in Mongolia. New Member Form
Arctic Audubon Board Meeting, Monday, Feb. 6,
❒ Introductory rate, $20
5:30 pm, Rm 300 Natural Science Facility, UAF
All members are welcome at Board meetings.
❒ Two Year membership, $30

Birding in Bhutan, Monday, February 13, 7:00 pm ❒ Student or Senior rate $15
Three Fairbanksans share tales of their travels. Membership includes both National Audubon and the
local chapter, Arctic Audubon. You will receive National
Field Trip to Audubon-Riedel Nature Reserve,
Audubon’s magazine, Audubon, and Arctic Audubon’s
Saturday, February 18, 10:00 am. newsletter, The Redpoll.
Name: _______________________________________
Arctic Audubon Board of Directors
email address: arcticaudubon@netscape.net Address: _____________________________________
President: Gail Mayo ____________________________________________
Vice President: Open City State Zip
Secretary: Ann Wood
Treasurer: Gail Mayo ❒ I do not want the Audubon Society to share my name
Education: Megan Phillips with other organizations.
Conservation: Kristi Bailey Amount enclosed: $______ (Make check payable to
Hospitality: Brook Gamble National Audubon Society)
Programs: Open Send to: Arctic Audubon Society
Publicity: Open PO Box 82098 A52
Newsletter: Mary Zalar Fairbanks, AK 99708 7XCH
Membership: Mary Zalar
Field Trips: Tom Green
Birdathon: Sherry Lewis ❒ Chapter Only Membership, $10
Web Site: Jim Logan For membership in Arctic Audubon Society only, check
Alaska Audubon Board: Frank Keim box and make check payable to Arctic Audubon.