Recap: eBird for Waterfowlers, Birders, and Outdoor Enthusiasts – April 18–19, Juneau, AK
Mary Glaves, Alaska BHA Chapter Coordinator, introducing the event collaboration at Devil's Club Brewing Co.
On Friday April 18th and Saturday April 19th, the Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) teamed up with the Audubon Society, Juneau Audubon, and Southeast Alaska Land Trust (SEALT) for an evening and morning dedicated to the birds. Members from all organizations gathered at Devil's Club Brewing Co. to learn about eBird, a powerful citizen science tool that brings together birders, hunters, and conservationists.
Zak Pohlen presenting on what eBird is.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist Zak Pohlen kicked off the evening with an engaging presentation on how eBird works and why it matters. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird is one of the world’s largest platforms for recording bird observations. With over 1.6 billion data points contributed by everyday people, the platform has helped document 98% of bird species globally. It’s a shining example of citizen science in action—where data is collected not by researchers alone, but by community members from all walks of life.
Zak emphasized how both hunters and birders play a critical role in conservation. He highlighted historical figures who bridged the two worlds—like John James Audubon, Theodore Roosevelt, and Aldo Leopold—and even joked that Theodore Roosevelt would be an avid eBird user if he were around today. Zak walked attendees through how to use the app effectively, including tips on recording effort, marking checklist completeness, and ensuring data is usable for scientists tracking population trends and migration patterns in real-time.
Mendenhall Wetlands access points, hotspots for eBird, and where more eBird lists could provide useful data.
The presentation also introduced Merlin, a bird identification app that's especially helpful for beginners. While many hunters can instantly ID ducks or upland birds on the wing, raptors or songbirds can pose more of a challenge. Merlin offers a simple, confidence-building way to improve birding skills—and serves as a great companion to eBird.
The night wrapped up with three raffles featuring gear and prizes from Vortex Optics, Wild Rivers Coffee, and Alaska Audubon. As conversations and beverages Devil’s Club Beer flowed, so did the excitement for the next day’s field outing.
The crowd attentively listening to the eBird presentation at Devil's Club Brewing Co.
The following morning, members of BHA, Audubon, SEALT, and laced up their boots for a bird walk through the Mendenhall Wetlands, a shared space loved by birders and waterfowl hunters alike, often referred to as the Heart of Juneau. The wetlands, vital to countless bird species, are equally cherished by the humans who depend on them for recreation, reflection, and connection. That morning, their symbolic importance was on full display.
eBird field day participants work to identify birds and enter them into their eBird tracks.
Together, the group spotted an impressive variety of species, some unexpected, including a short-eared owl, lesser yellowlegs, and greater white-fronted geese (affectionately called “specs” by many hunters). A particularly exciting moment came when a Thule subspecies of greater white-fronted goose flew past —an uncommon sight that thrilled birders and hunters alike. That Thule goose became a symbol of something bigger: unity.
Close up on eBird specimens.
As we walked the wetlands, I, an avid hunter, had meaningful conversations with people from a range of backgrounds, including some who oppose hunting entirely. Yet instead of focusing on what divided us, we bonded over what connected us: a deep love for wild places and a desire to protect them. The conversations weren’t tense—they were thoughtful, curious, and grounded in mutual respect. In the end, I want more birds, and the places that I hunt to be protected, birders want more birds, and the places that they bird to be protected.
The Mendenhall Wetlands, like so many public lands, face growing threats from irresponsible types of development. Events like this one show how powerful it can be when different user groups come together. Whether you’re peering through binoculars for a lifer or calling in one last duck for your limit, chances are the person across the pond values the land just as much as you do.
Coming to gether to discuss eBird observations on the Mendenhall Wetlands so far.
This gathering of birders and hunters was more than just a bird walk or a brewery talk—it was a step toward a more united conservation community. We don’t have to agree on everything, but when we focus on our shared values and the places we love, we can achieve so much more—together.
The field trip group gathers at the EVAR Airport Dike Trail Parking Lot to head out on their eBird walk.
A Huge Thank You
To our expert presenters, all the attendees who showed up ready to learn and share, and our partners at Audubon Alaska, Juneau Audubon Society, Southeast Alaska Land Trust (SEALT), Wild Rivers Coffee and Vortex Optics—thank you! Events like this highlight the power of citizen science and the shared responsibility we have to steward the wild places and wildlife we love.
Stay tuned for more events like this from Alaska BHA. And remember: every bird counts.
Three goldeneyes fly past.