Positive Energy: Monday, 8 Dec., at 7 PM

Winter Bird Talk, December 12th at 7:30 PM

Come join us and learn how you can be a part of our Christmas Bird Count, December 2008!

Updating your birding equipment?

Joe Heffron is a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia working with the American University of Armenia's Birds of Armenia project. "Our environmental education volunteers are currently trying to spread environmental awareness through bird watching clubs in the schools and non-profit organizations where we are stationed. I am writing to you to ask for any assistance your organization can provide us. We would greatly appreciate donations of your used equipment, helpful contacts and advice."

As US Peace Corps volunteers, it is our goal to aid Birds of Armenia by teaching their curriculum to birding clubs in our communities across Armenia.

We are asking you for any equipment, particularly used or new binoculars and spotting scopes, that you are able to donate. Especially if you find yourselves in the position to replace or update your equipment, please consider donating your old optics to our clubs. This equipment would greatly enrich field outings and the students' appreciation of Armenia's natural beauty. Even if you are unable to donate at present, we welcome the opportunity to learn from your experiences and share ours with you. Please contact me for further information.

TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE EMAIL CHRISTINA ANDERSON, who is putting together a joint package to mail to Joe Heffron.

More Background:

Armenia is a small country in the Caucasus. In an area slightly smaller than that of Maryland, the landscape varies from semi-desert to temperate forest to alpine tundra. The multitude of bird species that make their homes in or migration routes through Armenia reflects that natural diversity. Of the approximately 550 bird species in Europe and 750 in the expanse of the former Soviet Union, 346 can be found in Armenia, including the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), White-headed (Oxyura leucocephala) and Marbled (Marmaronetta angustirostris) Ducks, Caucasian Black Grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) and numerous other threatened and endangered species.

Though the Armenian people have historically celebrated their natural environment, this astounding biodiversity is now in peril. During the fragmentation of the Soviet Union and years of war with neighboring Azerbaijan, Armenia faced dire shortages of energy and food as well as inadequate infrastructure. The resulting deforestation, desertification, industrial pollution and nearly nonexistent waste management stand as legacy of that recent era. Despite the serious threats facing Armenia's environment, there is still time to bridge the disconnect between the strong environmental sentiment that reigned before the early 1990s and the present generation.

To this end, Sarkis Acopian founded the Birds of Armenia project in conjunction with the American University of Armenia in 1992. Birds of Armenia has published a beautiful field guide (Adamian M., Klem D.Jr. A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia. American University of Armenia, Yerevan: 1997) in Armenian and English, developed an effective bird identification curriculum for all ages, and initiated "Birds of My Backyard," an annual art and writing contest for children.

Alaska Audubon Creates Video on Teshekpuk Lake

You've read the news articles and action alerts. You've sent letters and emails to BLM and Congress. Now see this awesome, remote wetland for yourself: check out the online video at http://www.audubonalaska.org/IssuesAction_Teshekpukvideo.html.

The NEW Puffin

The NEW Puffin is going digital! For those who want less paper in their mailbox, we are starting an online edition of our newsletter. If you would like to be placed on the "green" digital list, please email our new Editor-in-Chief, Christina Anderson, using the email address she will provide in November's edition.

Fear not those who prefer the mailed paper edition: it will still be available and completely support and respect those who read over our contributions in hardcopy. Thank you for your continued support!

November Program: 21 November at 7:30 PM

Come join Lisa Hupp as she presents her data gathering and recommendations!

September Program

Reid Brewer, Marine Advisory Program Agent in Dutch Harbor

Reid will share a talk & slide show on climate change focusing on his findings & observations along the Aleutian Chain. He will share lots of crisp, bright, and captivating underwater photos.

Presented by Kodiak Audubon Society and Friends of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

When: Friday, September 19, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Where: Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Visit Reid's Website at http://www.faculty.uaf.edu/ffrsb/

Kodiak Hiking Program

The hiking program has been a great success so far this summer. Thanks so much to all our wonderful volunteer hike leaders.

It's not too late to join us for a hike this summer! All hikes are free and open to the public. Meet your hike leader at 9:30 am in front of the Kodiak Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (Ferry Building) at the end of Center Avenue, downtown.

August
Sun 10 Termination Point - RaeJean Blaschka 486-4680
Sat 16 North Sister Mountain - Lisa Hupp 942-1056
Sun 17 Termination Point - Cindy Trussell 486-2878
Sat 23 Pyramid Mountain - Jenny Myrick 539-1976
Sun 24 Heitman Lake and Peak - Adelia Myrick 486-1494
Sat 30 Kashevaroff Mountain - Cindy Trussell 486-2878
Sun 31 Sharatin Mountain Cirque - Hans Tschersich 486-5648

September
Sat 6 Anton Larson Pass Loop - Lisa Hupp 942-1056
Sun 7 Three Sisters - Hans Tschersich 486-5648
Sat 13 Monashka Mountain - Hans Tschersich 486-5648
Sun 14 Abercrombie State Park - Mary Lukens 486-2654

March Program

Kodiak Audubon presents

Dave Kubiak

Old Norse Culture in the 21^st Century FAEROE ISLANDS

Friday, March 28 at 7:00 pm

Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

BOARD VACANCIES

Hi Auduboners,

We always are on the lookout for new board members. Two vacancies in particular will be coming up soon.

• In order to keep the hiking program going this summer, Katie will need an assistant.
• Starting next fall we'll also need someone to help with the newsletter.

Any takers out there? Give me a call at 486-3673 if either of these jobs or if just being involved with the board in a different capacity sounds intriguing.

Kodiak Bird Checklist

The Kodiak Archipelago Bird Checklist is compiled by local Audubon member Rich MacIntosh and published by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

The Bird Checklist provides a guide to birds that are likely to occur in a region during a particular season.

February Program

Join Us
Friday, February 22
7:00 pm
Room 129-130, Kodiak College

Mark Schreiter will be talking about the life of a forest fire lookout

for more information call Mary Forbes at 486-2685

Bohemian Waxwings seek out Holiday Wreaths

Recently there have been three reports of Bohemian Waxwings being attracted to artificial berries on holiday wreaths. After waxwings consume every real berry in town they get very desperate and search for berries in non-traditional locations. While Bohemian Waxwings occur every winter in Kodiak there are no late spring or summer records and it has always been a mystery as to whether they return to the mainland in early spring or die! On February 1, Rich MacIntosh found a waxwing on the wreath on the front of the house. He tiptoed to this truck and grabbed his camera and took the accompanying picture.