Friday Evening: eBird for Waterfowlers, Birders, and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Are you a passionate waterfowl hunter? Just getting started? Or maybe you love walking the wetlands observing birds and wildlife. Join us for eBird for Waterfowlers, Birders, and Outdoor Enthusiasts. This engaging session from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Devil's Club Brewing Co.'s new downstairs space (234 Front Street in Juneau) is 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.

Discover how to use eBird to:

• Track bird migrations and hotspots.
• Contribute to scientific research and conservation.
• Enhance your birding and outdoor experiences.

Whether you're a seasoned birder, a waterfowler, or just someone who loves the natural world, this tool is for you!

Your Friday evening presenters are:

Zak Pohlen is a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds based in Anchorage. Zak coordinates the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) on National Wildlife Refuges in Bird Conservation Region 4 and implements various monitoring and research projects at U.S. Air Force installations throughout the state. Zak is also the North American Breeding Bird Survey Coordinator for Alaska and the Alaska eBird Coordinator. When not working, you will find Zak birding, participating in citizen science (eBird), and encouraging others to do the same. A simple action we can all do to help bring birds back.

River Gates joined Audubon in 2017 and has more than 25 years of experience in leading international shorebird conservation and research projects in the Pacific and East Asian-Australasian Flyways. She earned her M.S. in wildlife conservation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2011, studying the breeding and migration ecology of Dunlin. River co-created the Pacific Americas Shorebird Conservation Strategy and serves as the coordinator for the partnership. She advises shorebird conservation programs more broadly through her service on the following executive councils: U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network’s Hemispheric Council, and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group.

This Pint Night is one in a series sponsored nationally by onX Hunt through the Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers! Learn more here.

This event is free and open to all. 

Saturday Morning: eBird in Action Field Trip

After our eBird workshop at Devil’s Club on Friday evening, join us on Saturday, April 19, at 8 a.m. in the parking area at the Airport Dike Trail (EVAR)—a popular birding site on the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail—for the eBird in Action Field Trip. We’ll have a 15-minute debriefing, then 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 if you have your own, please bring them along! Bring your own boots, water, and other weather-appropriate gear.

Plan to spend 2.5 to three hours on Taashuyee-Chookan.aani/the Mendenhall Wetlands and let us know if you have any transportation needs. Carpooling is encouraged. Register for the field trip here.