The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s (ADF&G) Small Game Program is looking for volunteers to assist with Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) surveys in Juneau, Alaska this spring. Read more
Anywhere, anytime observe & share bird counts!
Taking place February 13–16, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an inter-organizational effort between Audubon, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada. Anyone can take part in the GBBC, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, a public park, or anywhere in the world. To learn more about the Backyard Bird Count, visit birdcount.org.
We are lucky to bring on enthusiastic and knowledgeable local birdwatcher Kristen Lockyear to coordinate our most popular activities as Field Trips Chair.
Kristen has had a lifelong love of nature and an endless need to know the names of the birds and trees around her. Growing up in Texas, she was often the “odd duck” (a self-described tree hugger and nature nerd) long before birding was a common pastime in her circles. Her interest in birding deepened while living in Scotland. It was further fueled by reading Birding Across Texas by Mark Adams and Kingbird Highway by Kenn Kaufman. Since then, Kristen has birded her way across Texas, Colorado, California, Wyoming, and Alaska, developing her skills through dedicated field time and self-directed study. Now that Alaska is her home, Kristen birds fervently and continues to broaden her natural history knowledge, with a growing goal of learning the names of every plant and mushroom she encounters. She is passionate about connecting more of the Juneau community with the stunning local nature and believes birding is for everyone. From personal experience, she knows that learning even a few local species can deepen one’s understanding of the place they live in. Her journey has given her the joy of knowing that education is often experiential, not just academic, and that curiosity grows best outdoors. As an individual who loves people, education, and shared discovery, Kristen is especially excited to create welcoming and engaging field trips for birders of all ages and experience levels.
Welcome Kristen!
NOTICE: The Juneau Christmas Bird Count has been re-scheduled due to extreme cold in the weekend forecast. The new date is Jan.3.
Juneau will celebrate its 53rd Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 20, 2025 January 3, 2026. An organizational email will go out to participants soon. New birders to the count are welcome!
Experienced birders may be assigned to specific count areas, and more casual birders may contribute as feeder counters. All should be on the lookout for unusual species that could contribute to the species tally. Contact Patty Rose at p_rose_raven@yahoo.com for more information.
Want to know where to find a particular species in the winter? Ever wonder what cities in the Americas have the most species counted? To learn more about North Americas longest running broadscale bird survey, check out the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Whether helping with the CBC or just enjoying some outside time over the holidays, here’s a way to brush up on local winter bird identification. This photographic presentation covers species found during past Juneau CBC’s:
Election and Board Updates
This fall brings some changes to the JAS board. Winston Smith has left Conservation Chair. We thank him for his years of excellent service. Gwen Baluss will be moving into that role. Kristen Lockyear will join as Field Trips Coordinator. Welcome Kristen! We still have important positions available if you are interested in joining our team as a Membership Coordinator or At-large Member, please contact president@juneau-audubon-society.org.
And it’s time for our annual officer elections. In 2025 they will be held before the first fall in person members’ meeting and public program (Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 PM, UAS Egan Lecture Hall). Nominations for officers: President, Nina Keller; Treasurer, Betsy Fischer; Secretary Jenna Schlener; Vice President (no candidates as of Oct. 27).
The Juneau Audubon Society is pleased to share details about an exciting community celebration at the newly opened Twin Lakes Park. On Sunday, September 21, the park will host the Twin Lakes Planet Bird Walk, an event that blends astronomy and birding into one engaging outdoor experience.
Participants can “take a stroll through space” with a walk that features the planets of our solar system, while also enjoying the rich birdlife of Twin Lakes. This unique event combines science, nature, and recreation—perfect for families, students, and anyone curious about the natural world.
Come join us for the grand opening festivities and explore how the wonders of space and the beauty of Alaska’s birdlife meet at Twin Lakes Park!
“eBird for Waterfowlers, Birders, and Outdoor Enthusiasts” will be an engaging session from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Devil’s Club Brewing Co.’s new downstairs space for folks wanting to learn more about eBird—the fantastic community science tool that allows you to document bird sightings, deepen your understanding of local wildlife, and contribute to local, regional, and international conservation. eBird is designed to track bird migrations and hotspots, contribute to scientific research and conservation, and enhance birding and outdoor experiences for its users. Friday evening presenters include Zak Pohlen, wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds, and River Gates, Pacific Shorebird Conservation Initiative Coordinator with Audubon Alaska and National Audubon Society.
The event continues on Saturday, April 19, at 8 a.m. with the “eBird in Action Field Trip” at the parking area for the Airport Dike Trail (EVAR). There’ll be a 15-minute debriefing before we gear up to depart at 8:30 a.m. in small groups in search of birds. Field trip leaders and volunteers can provide scopes, tripods, and binoculars, but participants are encouraged to bring their own birding equipment if they prefer, as well as boots, water, and other weather-appropriate gear. Attendees should plan to spend 2.5 to three hours on Taashuyee-Chookan.aani (the Mendenhall Wetlands).
Both events are free and open to all. Please pre-register for the field trip at the link above.
Participating agencies and organizations for this event(s) include Southeast Alaska Land Trust, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Audubon Alaska, Territorial Sportsmen Inc., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Juneau Audubon Society, and more.
Bird Studies & Conservation Intern Sought
- Juneau Audubon Society is seeking an intern based in Juneau, Alaska. The position is designed to give valuable work experience to those aspiring in careers of biology, research, wildlife, non-profit or environmental work.
- Typical duties include Tree Swallow nest box checks, assistance with hummingbird banding and Arctic Tern nest monitoring; data entry and document scanning; help with other wildlife projects, conservation education or public outreach. Independent projects utilizing data gathered during the summer may be available according to Intern interests and organization needs. Excellent work experience for students!
- Work dates: Approximately April 15 through July 20, 2024. There is some flexibility to accommodate finishing of courses and other commitments, especially at the beginning and end of season.
- Schedule: Approximately 25 hours per week. Occasional weekend and early morning work will be required.
- Compensation: $13/hr up to 375 hours
- Desired skills: Interest in wildlife management, biology, and working with non-profit organizations; basic birdwatching skills; data entry and use of spreadsheets preferably Microsoft Excel; an introductory college-level biology or natural resource course passed; ability to hike several miles a day; ability to take neat and complete field data.
- Volunteer needs to have their own housing near Juneau, a cell phone, health insurance, and be age 18 or older.
- All necessary field equipment provided.
- Transportation assistance (fuel for personal vehicle- preferred, or bus passes/bike loan) available.
- As a small non-profit organization JAS is not able to provide transport to Juneau or housing.
- Interested applicants please send brief letter of interest and CV to: info@juneau-audubon-society.org
- Deadline: Open until filled, but please submit by 2/28/25
Juneau Audubon Society (JAS) began collecting Bald Eagle feathers in 2010 for the National Eagle Repository in Colorado. These feathers were then distributed to native Americans throughout the United States to incorporate in traditional headwear and ceremonies.
Now, after years of conservation efforts in the lower 48 states, the Bald Eagle population has increased to the point of recovery. Due to the positive action and work from biologists, researchers, volunteers and many more, feathers are not necessarily in demand from Alaska. Hence, JAS will not be renewing their US Fish and Wildlife permit which has allowed our community volunteers to pick up Bald Eagle feathers and deliver them to us for mailing.
A huge thank you goes out to all of you who have helped JAS with feather collection over the past 14 years! Many volunteers gathered feathers, mostly one by one, and diligently placed them in the hands of a JAS board member. Such a significant number of feathers,- 14,420, have been sent to the repository by JAS over the years. Thank you so much for your efforts, contributions, and support of this project.
Our current permit expires on March 31,2025. If you want to contribute till the end of the permit, by all means, please do so. Either bring your collected feathers to our Membership Meeting and Program (second Thursday of each month), at UAS Egan lecture hall at 6:30 pm or contact Brenda at-large_b@juneau-audubon-society.org. Membership Meeting dates for collection are Dec. 12, Jan 9, Feb. 13, and Mar 13.
Changes within the Board of Directors
While JAS offers a kind thank you to Marsha Squires for her years of service as President, it also welcomes Nina Keller, former Vice President, as she steps into her new role as President. Nina has been the VP for a year-and-one-half and is excited to take on the ever-changing aspects of the position. Kailey Pritzl, a former At-large board member, is hitting the ground running and moving into an executive board role as Secretary. Gunalcheesh and congratulations to both Nina and Kailey!
Why not share your time and enthusiasm with the board? We could use your assistance and interest. We meet once a month on a Monday night at 6:00 pm at the valley or downtown library, Sept through May. Meetings are usually one and one-half hours.
For more details, email info@juneau-audubon-society.org.
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