“Birds of Alaska” is the title of Bastrop County Audubon Society’s next presentation Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the First National Bank building on Hwy 71 at Hasler at 7:30 p.m. with Jim Haily, well-known Texas birder. Doors open at 7 p.m. for a regular “Learners‘ Corner” presentation, as part of the on-going course on bird-watching.
Alaska is one of the top states (like Texas) in number of species and is a birding mecca. The state claims 443 species because of its diversity of habitats: Arctic tundra, boreal forests, rain forests and seacoasts. What is unique for non-Alaskan birders is seeing the migratory birds they may know back home in breeding plumage, plus birds common to the Arctic region.
Haily will feature more than 160 species of birds in their best breeding plumage including the Ruffed Grouse, Black-tailed Gull and Snow Bunting.
Haily has served on the Audubon Texas board of directors and is an immediate past president of the Monte Mucho Audubon Society in Realitos, Texas. He is on the steering committee for the newly formed Williamson Audubon Group. He is vice president and field trip chair of the Texas Ornithological Society.
Refreshments follow the lecture and short business meeting.