Join the Arctic Audubon Society for the 64th Fairbanks Christmas Bird Count! Registration is FREE and birders of all levels are invited to help!

From the Arctic Circle to the mountain valleys of the Andes, tens of thousands of people are gearing up to take part in the world’s longest-running citizen science project—the Christmas Bird Count. Birders of all levels have been braving the elements to count birds during a three-week period each year since the count began in 1900. Even though the count is somewhat loosely organized, having 124 years of data on bird species and numbers document important trends.

If you live inside the Fairbanks count circle, you can count birds coming into your feeder. But you don’t have to live inside the count circle to participate on a field team! It’s fun to join other birders to count our avian neighbors, and it contributes valuable scientific data.

If you are interested in participating, please contact the Regional Coordinator Laurel Devaney at devaneylaurel@gmail.com.

There will be a compilation potluck at 5:30 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fairbanks, 4448 Pike’s Landing Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Feel free to join us and bring something to share!

More Fairbanks CBC information here.

Whether you are gearing up for the Christmas Bird Count or just want to learn some cool bird facts, all are welcome. Brush up on your bird knowledge and enjoy a fun, relaxed evening with fellow bird enthusiasts! Contact Carissa with questions at carissapienkowski@gmail.com.

Listen to University of Alaska Fairbanks Ornithology students share their fascinating research with the birding community. This month’s speakers will be Morgan Lynn Love, Sarah Le, and Min Jang! This program is free and open for all ages!

Join us for Feathered Finds of 2024, the first program of our Winter Speaker Series on Monday, October 7 at 6:30 PM at the Noel Wien Public Library.

This month's program will feature local birders and photographers showcasing their best birding highlights of 2024! Listen to their stories of discovery while viewing their incredible photos.

Anyone who would like to share their bird photos from 2024 at our program is welcome to contribute up to 10 images. Please send images to Carissa Pienkowski at carissapienkowski@gmail.com or fill out the submission form using the link below.

The Audubon Riedel Nature Reserve began 40 years ago due to Elonore Riedel’s desire to ensure that her 160-acre homesteaded would remain intact and undeveloped. In December 1984, Elonore and husband Charles deeded the 160-acre homestead to Arctic Audubon Society. Since then, the Reserve has expanded to 320 acres through a purchase of 40 acres by Arctic Audubon as well as gifts of 40 acres from the Mayo family and 80 acres from the Herning family. Join us for a virtual tour of this beautiful Reserve near 5-Mile Chena Hot Springs Road. Together we will explore the land, wildlife, trails, history, and future of the Audubon Riedel Nature Reserve. The Reserve has a rich history with many twists and turns along the way. We invite the community to enjoy this land and help us shape its future.

Our presenters are Gail Mayo, Darla Theisen, and Mary Zalar.

Eva Allaby, Wildlife Technician with Alaska Department of Fish and Game will discuss Bank Swallow ecology, where Bank Swallows can be spotted around Fairbanks, and how modern tracking technologies help scientists monitor small bird migration and movement. As North America continues to experience massive decline in breeding bird populations, this research represents initial steps towards informing conservation actions to reverse decline.

A Northern Hawk Owl pair became resident raptors in 2023 when they courted, nested and raised a family at Creamer’s Refuge. Friends of Creamers Field program director Melanie Graeff and lifelong photographer Bernard, Bud, Marschner will present a heartwarming chronology of these remarkable Hawk Owls and their activities with magnificent images and informative dialog. 7 pm at the Pioneer Room in the Carlson Center, Fairbanks.

Greet some of the first spring migrants to return to the Tanana River Valley! This all-day trip is led by Arctic Audubon Board Member Ryan Marsh. Together you will explore the Delta Junction area for waterfowl, raptors, and other early migrants. Meet at the Creamer’s Field Farmhouse parking lot at 8 AM sharp. Dress for walking in snow (possibly mud) and bring lunch, snacks, and water. Please register in advance. Depending on spring break up conditions (if the waterways are too frozen or the weather is hazardous for driving), trip leaders will contact people who registered about rescheduling to April 23. Contact Ryan at (907) 452-5041 for more information.

Please join us at 5:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (4448 Pike’s Landing Road) across from the Princess Hotel for the Christmas Bird Count Compilation Potluck! A main dish meat and beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. We look forward to seeing you there to share stories and sightings of Interior birds!

It’s time for Arctic Audubon members to gather in-person to socialize and conduct business including voting on the Bylaws! Please join us on Monday, September 12, 6:00 pm at the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Pavilion. Arctic Audubon will provide desserts. We will be there at 5:00 pm if you want to bring your own dinner and enjoy the birds before the meeting.

We will look for migrating Northern Wheatears and other higher-elevation birds, and maybe some good blueberry patches. Meet at Creamer’s Field farmhouse. This trip will include moderate hiking with elevation gain, possibly 5-6 miles. Contact Jerry Lipka at 907-687-2173 if you plan to attend. 

Meet at the Audubon Riedel Nature Reserve. Explore Riedel and learn about the songbirds and forest birds that call it home. Bring a lunch or snack, and some people may find walking sticks are helpful. (Parking is at the Fairbanks North Star Borough site accessed off Amanita Road, first left after Milky Way.) Please contact Darla Theisen at 907-687-1829 if you plan to a

Meet at Creamer’s Field farmhouse. We will explore high-elevation areas for specialists such as Surfbirds, plovers, Northern Wheatears, and more. This trip will include moderate hiking with elevation gain. Please dress for the weather at higher elevation and bring your lunch, snacks, and water. Contact Jerry Lipka at 907-687-2173 if you plan to attend as there will be a limited number of participants for this trip.

What do you hear? Returning songbirds stake out nesting territory by singing, and this is a hopping time of year! Learn more about identifying birds by sound. JJ Frost will lead the walk. Please contact Beth Grassi at 907-957-1050 if you plan to attend.

We will explore the ponds and ephemeral wetlands of Creamer’s Field for returning waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds, as well as check for lingering waterfowl in the front fields. Contact Jeff Walters at 907-978-8189 if you plan to attend.

Meet at the boat launch parking lot. This mixture of lakes and forest are enticing to waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and early-season songbirds, which makes Tanana Lakes a great place for spring bird watching. Please contact Beth Grassi 907-957-1050 if you plan to attend.

Join Arctic Audubon Society, along with Friends of Creamer’s Field, Alaska Songbird Institute, Ducks Unlimited, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and others for an afternoon celebrating birds at Creamer’s Field. Guided walks, kids’ activities, birdwatching and more! Free!

We will look for migrating Northern Wheatears and other higher-elevation birds, and maybe some good blueberry patches. Meet at Creamer’s Field Farmhouse parking lot. This trip will include moderate hiking with elevation gain, possibly 5-6 miles. Please contact Jerry Lipka at 907-687-2173 if you plan to attend.

We will explore high-elevation areas for specialists such as Surfbirds, plovers, Northern Wheatears, and more. Meet at Creamer’s Field Farmhouse parking lot. This trip will include moderate hiking with elevation gain. Dress for the weather at higher elevation and bring your lunch, snacks, and water. Please contact Jerry Lipka at 907-687-2173 if you plan to attend as there will be a limited number of participants for this trip.