2016 ASI Boreal Bird-a-thon Teams
Below are the 2016 ASI Boreal Bird-a-thon teams. (You can also form your own team!) Each ASI team is led by a fantastic local birder. There is no fee to join, but this is a fundraiser after all! All proceeds you raise through pledges (or donations you make yourself) support ASI’s community research and education programs.
Download a Bird-a-thon packet with instructions, a pledge form, species list, and more.
Team trips are available May 15, 21, 22, 23-25, 28, & 29. Locations and start times for each team are listed. If you have questions, please contact the team leader directly.
Follow this link to REGISTER FOR A TEAM!
Follow this link make a DONATION or PLEDGE to a team or individual!
Team Name: In-migration Reformers
When: Sunday, May 15, 2016, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM
Leader: Philip Martin
I am a recently-retired Fish and Wildlife Service biologist. I have been birding in Fairbanks since 1979, so it is likely that I am losing my hearing, but I make up in experience what I lack in youthful vigor. And I promise to spend at least a couple of days scouting out the best spots, because I can do stuff like that now — did I mention I was retired?
Where: Meet at the Botanical Gardens, UAF Campus. We will then carpool to Smith Lake, Goldstream Peat Ponds, Airport Ponds, and Tanana Lakes.
Team Limit: 10 people
Contact: 907-687-5755; pdmartin1004@gmail.com
Team Name: Birders of the Universe
When: Saturday, May 21, 2016, 3:00 AM – ????
Leader: Jessica McLaughlin
I’m a current graduate student at UAF with extensive birding experience in Fairbanks and Tanzania.
Where: This is for the early morning birders! Meet at the University Museum Parking Lot at 3:00 AM. We can carpool up the Elliot Highway towards Manley Hot Springs. I’m planning on camping overnight and my car can hold 4 additional people. I’m flexible with times and birding locations.
Team Limit: 4, unless someone else wants to drive.
Contact: jessica.mclaughlin92@gmail.com
Team Name: Redoll Relief
When: Sunday, May 22, 2016, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Leaders: Laurel Devaney & Ken Russell
We’re both recently retired from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. We spent many years in Fairbanks volunteering, educating, and birding with various projects and groups in the local community.
Where: This Birdathon team will meet at Creamer’s Field and carpool to explore the varied habitats in Fairbanks and North Pole for avian treasures. Our goal is not to see the most species, but to have a fun day outside celebrating spring migration, the opportunity to view something other than redpolls, and raising funds for the Alaska Songbird Institute.
Team limit: 6 people
Contact: 907-488-8170; devaneylaurel@gmail.com
Team Name: Adak Ramblers
When: Sometime during May 23-25 (weather depending)
Leader: JJ Frost
I’m a research ecologist specializing in studies of vegetation and permafrost in arctic tundra and boreal forest regions of Alaska. I’m a 20-year resident of Fairbanks and longtime Alaska birder with experience across most of the state including Interior, North Slope, Alaska Peninsula, and the Aleutian Islands.
Where: Adak Island during all daylight hours, contact JJ for specifics if interested
Team Limit: 2 additional people (there are already four on the team)
Contact: 907-479-2723, Email: gvf5y@virginia.edu
Team Name: The Birdin’ Blast
When: Saturday, May 28, 2016, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM
Leader: Jeff Walters
I’ve been birding in Alaska since 1982 and in Fairbanks since 1992 including volunteering on many bird research projects. I am really good at spotting Northern Hawk Owls.
Where: Meet at Creamer’s Field, East parking lot by the barns. From there we will go Tanana Lakes, airport ponds, and all over Fairbanks, hitting the hot spots.
Team Limit: 10 people
Contact: 907-978-8189; jeff.walters2@gmail.com
Team Name: Kids Team
When: Sunday, May 29, 2016, 9:00am-12:00pm
Leader: April Harding Scurr
I’m the science director for the Alaska Songbird Institute and have been birding in Alaska since 2005. I manage the Creamer’s Field banding station so I know where all the birding hotspots are on the refuge. This will be a fun morning for kids and families–exploring and looking for birds on the refuge!
Where: Meet at the Creamer’s Farmhouse front porch at 9:00 AM. We’ll take a leisurely birding trip throughout the refuge. Prepare to do some walking as we cover Wander Lake to the banding station and all the areas in between. This team is specifically for kids and/or their families, but all ages are welcome.
Team Limit: 20
Contact: 907-799-4196, April.HardingScurr@aksongbird.org
Follow this link to REGISTER FOR A TEAM!
Follow this link make a DONATION or PLEDGE!