An incredibly fine day of hawking on Coon today !! Our first 3 digit Redtail day in quite a few years and what a show they put on for us with Redtails in the air from start to finish today ! Multiple times we had numerous birds in one field of view as they passed by the watch site. The strong sustained winds kept the raptors on the move and we tallied 9 species today. 5 Golden Eagles counted today but we had a 6th Golden that headed back up ridge, but not before giving us about a 5 minute study. We picked up this immature bird kiting in the river valley up ridge below eye level. It slowly made it's way down to the watch site where it once again started kiting below eye level. It than gained some altitude and slowly glided back up ridge and out of sight. Some beautiful looks ( albeit brief) at Merlins today, and a Grey Ghost below eye level hugging the ridge on the river side was awesome. Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the 10:10 adult Peregrine Falcon that came by in great light and tight to the ridge on the river side. A real eyeful of this stunner as it glided down ridge !
Non-raptor Observations: Canada goose- many skeins throughout the day Loons- 3 BV's- 12 TV's - 2 Ravens ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Yet another crazy weather day on Coon with big winds bringing the big birds! Strong sustained winds throughout the day with partly to heavy cloud cover and pm snow squalls. Weather -wise.. we saw it all today ! Lot's of bald Eagles in the air today and at one point we had 8 Balds in one field of view. Had some great looks at Redtails below eye level as they passed the watch site. The first 2 Golden Eagles that passed the site were both adults that were distant looks. The next 4 Goldens were all immature birds that gave awesome looks with a few of them being picked up below eye level as they were cutting into the ridge. Man.. talk about an adrenaline rush !!! Our Bird(s) of the Day selection goes to the 2 adult Bald Eagles that came flying at us thru a dark wall of clouds that were producing a snow squall up ridge. We had sunlight at our backs and these Eagles coming out of a dark background.. they looked like flashing neon signs. Stunningly beautiful and passed by very close to the watch site.
Non-raptor Observations: TV's Ravens E.bluebirds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 11/15/25 5:17 am From: Louise Wilkens <boatnbirdr...> Subject: Re: [JERSEYBI] Alpha-GAL allergy
Dear Laurie,
I’m sorry to hear that you have Alpha-gal syndrome. I hope you stay healthy
and have no severe reactions. Thank you for sharing the information. It
is important to birders, and everyone.
I would like to add, EVERY Lone Star tick carries Alpha-Gal syndrome,
unlike Lyme disease, which is not found in all ticks. Scientists are
unsure why some people develop the disease and others don’t.
Ticks can be sent for free testing at "NJ Ticks 4 Science!,” a citizen
science project organized by the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology. The
web site is:
Feel free to fact-check any of this and correct if needed.
Thanks again for sharing.
Louise Wilkens
On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 2:11 PM Laurie Larson <
<0000057b603ab9b2-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Tick bites are a constant threat to birders in New jersey and indeed most
> of the continent. Now that we have fewer really long cold spells, more
> ticks survive the winter; and the deer population that hosts ticks
> continues to increase and spread. Most of us have heard of Lyme disease but
> another ailment has become a hazard in the past few years. Alpha-Gal
> syndrome is caused by a molecule carried by the Lone-Star tick in
> particular, and the bite causes humans to become allergic to beef and pork.
> In some people, the allergy is so severe they are unable to eat or use any
> animal products such as dairy products, cheese, gelatin, lanolin, some
> drugs derived from animals, etc. It is the allergic reaction — the
> anaphylaxis — which makes people ill; it can take the effect of hives and
> respiratory symptoms, or it can cause severe GI effects.
>
> Despite knowing the usual techniques for avoiding tick bites (I have a
> history of Lyme disease), I got bitten by a Lone Star tick several years
> ago and I no longer can eat beef or pork. The allergy has become less
> severe with time, but it may come back, especially if I’m bitten again. I
> get the blood test repeated once or twice a year by my allergist. I also
> now have an EPI-Pen prescription to treat allergy emergencies. I get every
> tick that bites me tested for diseases.
>
> This has come to mind because a recent article tells the story of a man
> whose allergy was so severe it caused death. This is the first time I’ve
> heard of so severe a reaction.
> Several birders have forwarded me this information and suggested I share
> it. The story is rapidly being picked up and you may see it in other
> network sources.
>
> https://thedigestonline.com/news/nj-man-meat-allergy-ticks/ >
> Some doctors have not yet become aware of the illness, so diagnosis is
> sometimes a problem.
> Here is a recommended web link for an organization that has great
> educational material and links to medical and scientific information:
>
> https://www.twoalphagals.com/ >
> There are many other good references online you can find with your
> favorite search engine.
>
> Here’s a tick testing service:
>
> https://www.tickcheck.com/ >
>
> Good luck and have a safe holiday,
> Laurie Larson
> Lumberton, NJ
>
>
>
>
> List Guidelines:
> https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind2107&L=JERSEYBI&P=R685&X=OE8E22FEF3A2B10DFE5 > List help: <jerseybi-request...>
> List archives: https://lists.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=jerseybi > NJ Bird Records Committee: www.njbrc.com
>
My thanks to Phil, Al, Harry, and Tom for hiking in and getting the count done today ! Thanks Gang !! Not a bad day on the ridge with some decent numbers of Red Shoulders and Redtails. Adding another 3 Golden Eagles to our totals is always welcome even though these 3 birds were distant as they passed the watch site. The 2 Harriers today were both Grey Ghosts and the cool thing is that friends of Tom Campbell were watching hawks up in Sussex County and texted Tom about both birds heading our way and the crew eventually picked up both birds as they continued making their way down ridge. The Bird of the Day selection goes to the adult Peregrine that came by close to the ridge on the river side giving the best look of the day. Most other birds were high/distant looks.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Tick bites are a constant threat to birders in New jersey and indeed most of the continent. Now that we have fewer really long cold spells, more ticks survive the winter; and the deer population that hosts ticks continues to increase and spread. Most of us have heard of Lyme disease but another ailment has become a hazard in the past few years. Alpha-Gal syndrome is caused by a molecule carried by the Lone-Star tick in particular, and the bite causes humans to become allergic to beef and pork. In some people, the allergy is so severe they are unable to eat or use any animal products such as dairy products, cheese, gelatin, lanolin, some drugs derived from animals, etc. It is the allergic reaction — the anaphylaxis — which makes people ill; it can take the effect of hives and respiratory symptoms, or it can cause severe GI effects.
Despite knowing the usual techniques for avoiding tick bites (I have a history of Lyme disease), I got bitten by a Lone Star tick several years ago and I no longer can eat beef or pork. The allergy has become less severe with time, but it may come back, especially if I’m bitten again. I get the blood test repeated once or twice a year by my allergist. I also now have an EPI-Pen prescription to treat allergy emergencies. I get every tick that bites me tested for diseases.
This has come to mind because a recent article tells the story of a man whose allergy was so severe it caused death. This is the first time I’ve heard of so severe a reaction.
Several birders have forwarded me this information and suggested I share it. The story is rapidly being picked up and you may see it in other network sources.
Some doctors have not yet become aware of the illness, so diagnosis is sometimes a problem.
Here is a recommended web link for an organization that has great educational material and links to medical and scientific information:
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Brian Butler, Phil Rodriguez
Visitors: Jeff Climpson- Great seeing you Jeff ! Thanks for the help today ! James Lukenda- Welcome to Coon James !! Great to meet you and thanks for all of the spotting help today. Come visit us again.
Weather: Temps- 40-42 Deg.F Wind- W/NW@ 10-20 mph w/gusts to 30 Mostly cloudy to snow squalls to partly cloudy to mostly cloudy
A crazy weather day on Coon. We went from some light rain showers at the start of the count, to slight clearing. And than a " wall of squall " descended upon us and dropped the temperatures by 8 degrees with heavy snow squalls and wind gusts in the 30+ mph range.Fortunately the squalls passed quickly and 20-30 minutes later we were looking at clearing skies. Our flight began at Noon and we had raptors on the move right thru the end of the count period. Some really great looks at Red-Shoulders and the Redtails of course never disappoint. We had 'Tails way high above us as well as many that passed below eye level.At this time of year the Stars of the Show are typically Golden Eagles and today's birds gave us some incredibly nice
looks as they were all relatively close to the watch site on the river side. Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the 3:06 Immie Golden that we picked up just up ridge over "The Cedar". This bird was coming directly at us and below eye level before veering off slightly but still giving a tremendous look as it passed the watch. Jeff Climpson gave this look an "A" grade.
Non-raptor Observations: Loons- 11 Tundra Swans-35 ( 1 flock ) Ravens TV's E.Bluebirds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
A great effort by the guys today but not many raptors to count. Heavy snow showers w/zero visibility at times shut down any possibilities of a decent flight. Steady/sustained snow over the Poconos in the pm. Thanks to Tom Campbell for sending in this report. Bird of the Day selection goes to the lone Merlin zipping by the watch site in some frigid conditions.
Non-raptor Observations: Cedar Waxwings Ravens ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Many thanks to Phil Rodriguez for conducting today's count ! A quieter day on the ridge as expected but still some birds on the move and the light NW winds had the birds coming a bit tighter to the ridge giving a bit better viewing than what we've had on the last few count days. Redtails and Red Shoulders kept things interesting today but Phil's Bird of the Day was an easy call...a beautifully marked immature Golden Eagle pass by extremely tight to the ridge and at eye level !! Per Phil it was a real Oh Mommy moment !!!
Non-raptor Observations: TV's Ravens ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 11/7/25 2:38 pm From: Amy Davis <argdavis...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Join the Barnegat Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, January 4th!
Hi, all.
Please join us for this winter's *Barnegat Christmas Bird Count* on *Sunday, January 4, 2026*.
This is the 125th Christmas Bird Count, the U.S.'s longest-running community science project. Data collected by CBC participants is invaluable to researchers studying the long-term health of wintering bird populations. The Barnegat count was first conducted in 1925 and the count area includes all of Long Beach Island and the mainland from Barnegat south to Parkertown. It also extends about 7.5 miles offshore, and we are once again planning a CBC mini-pelagic weather permitting.
This event is open to veteran and newbie birders as well as feeder watchers within the count circle.
We will meet at the Stafford Diner after the count. The address is 1388 Route 72, Manahawkin. Get in touch if you want to participate, and please let me know if you want to join the pelagic team and/or attend the count dinner.
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Brian Butler, Harry Quinn, Phil Rodriguez, Tom Campbell
Visitors: Additional observer- Craig Stockert Our hard working visitors: Carl Krag, Jim Wright, John Berry, Dennis White, Monica Gallen, Jon Wallach, Raimund Miller, Pat Jacques, Lori Smith & friends
Weather: Temp- 43 Deg.F, Wind- NW@8-18mph w/gusts to 25 Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy with some clearing late in the day
Raptor Observations: BE- 7 GE- 10:32I, 4:20I PG- 2:40A A good day on the ridge but frankly we were expecting a much better flight today. It just never materialized. Redtails were moving in good numbers early on but the flight basically shut down by 11am. Lot's of eyes on the ridge today and the gang did a great job of scanning the skies but there wasn't much to scan. Bird of the Day selection is a tough one because almost every bird we counted today was high/distant. By default we'll give it to the first Golden of the day. A crisply marked immature bird that passed by high on the reservoir side. It's a Golden.. we'll take it !
Non-raptor Observations: Porcupine up near the watch Cedar Waxwings TV's Ravens ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 11/5/25 8:17 am From: Andrew Block <000006a6ea4d1677-dmarc-request...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] extralimital Tundra Bean-Goose
In case anyone is interested there is a Tundra Bean-Goose in Upper Brookville and Mill Neck on Long Island's Nassau County about two days ago. It was first found at Planting Fields Arboretum and then relocated the next morning early at Beaver Lake just north of there in Mill Neck. It seems to roost in the lake and then go to the arboretum later. I went this morning about 7am and it was on the south end of the lake with people viewing from the causeway on Cleft Rd. and me viewing it through the culvert under the train tracks as viewed from Shu Swamp Preserve boardwalk along the tracks. I saw it from about 100ft. for about five or six minutes until it swam out of view to the south east corner of the lake. Others had a much farther but longer look from the causeway. The only place to park is in the lot for Shu Swamp off Frost Mill Rd. just south of the train tracks.
Andrew
Andrew BlockConsulting Naturalist
Yonkers, New York www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums
WOO HOO !!! Our first Gos of the season !!! ( More on this bird below) A fun day on the ridge with good company and some great spotting ! Strong/gusty winds had birds scattered with many disappearing in the clear blue skies. A real group effort in spotting and staying on some of these high fliers. Redtails led the charge today with many giving some great looks as they zoomed past us. A Merlin and a Coop doing battle off the ridge on the river side was awesome to watch. 2 of the 3 Golden Eagles we had today offered tremendous looks as they moved along in the wind. BUT... the star of the show and our Bird of the Day goes to the immie Goshawk that came down ridge in a slow steady glide.Powering thru heavy wind gusts was no problem for this bird. It passed by close at just above eye level on the river side banking slightly showing off it's beautiful dorsal side and the classic "stovepipe" tail ! There was a hush on the ridge as the bird came into view and than a lot of loud cheers and high fives as it passed us and moved down ridge. This was also a life bird for visitor Kyu Lee. Glad we could accommodate!!
Non-raptor Observations: Snow Bunting- 1 ( First of season ) Cedar Waxwings Ravens- All day long TV's E.Bluebirds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 9.75 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Harry Quinn, Phil Rodriguez, Tom Campbell
Visitors: Marc Chelemer, Andres Choussy, Peter Roy, Barry Kwansey, Roger Johnson, Troy Fetherman, Keigan Case, Lori Smith, Raimund Miller, Max Miller, Tom White
A fun day on the ridge with just enough raptors to keep things interesting. Many thanks to ALL of our sharp-eyed observers for their spotting help today. And trust me.. we needed all the help we could get as we had birds all over the skies today with no clear flight pattern.We counted 14 Balds as migrating but likely saw double that amount. Also had a local Peregrine hanging around. Our first Golden Eagle of the Day was distant and gave us a very unsatisfying look. The second Golden made up for that as it came by at relatively close range on the river side. ( Marc & Andres- really glad you got this bird ! ) Our Bird(s) of the Day selection goes to the 2 immie Balds that we picked up well up ridge as they were tangled up with each other in a serious dogfight. They went back and forth across the ridge in front of us diving, flipping upside down, and stalling in mid air only to resume the battle !! Just awesome watching these 2 birds get after it !
Non-raptor Observations: Porcupine - up near the watch site providing additional entertainment Evening Grosbeak- 2 Purple Finch Pine Siskins RB Nuthatch Robins Grackles- Large flocks TV's Ravens- Many throughout the day. Canada geese ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Brian Butler, Craig Stockert, Harry Quinn
Visitors: Hikers- 8
Weather: Temps- 45-49 Deg.F Wind- W@10-20mph w/gusts near 30mph Heavy cloud cover, Light rain showers, than patches of blue sky
Raptor Observations: BE- 16
A wild weather day on the ridge with heavy cloud cover, light rain showers and strong winds as well as some patches of blue sky and sunshine in the afternoon. With the storm front clearing region we were hoping for a little more action today but I think there was still some weather to the north of us that might have stalled things. We still had a great day with many close looks at Bald Eagles that were being tossed around in the high winds.Our Bird of the Day selection goes to the adult Redtail that came down ridge on the river side below eye level. This bird had a stream of sunshine on it appearing to put a spotlight on it's gorgeous dorsal side. What a beauty !!!
Non-raptor Observations: TV's Ravens- Many ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 10/26/25 2:59 pm From: David LaPuma <david...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Hummingbird banding and tracking in New Jersey
Hello Jerseybirders!
Wow..it seems like forever ago that I posted to this list. I just wanted to remind all birders that it’s vagrant hummingbird season (yeah, I know you didn’t need reminding ;) ) but also to let you know that we now have several new hummingbird banders in the state. Most recently that includes Mike Lanzone and his daughter Phoebe Lanzone, both in Cape May. Lena Usyk of Vineland has been certified for several years now, and one of the primary banders at the Cape May Songbird Stopover Project, Steph Bartlett, is also certified to band hummingbirds at the NJAS/TNC/CMBO/CTT banding station at the TNC South Cape May Meadows. All this means that we have a much better capacity to ensure hummingbirds are banded and identified properly in the state of NJ (but we are heavily weighted in the south!). Dr. Cassie Stoddard and her students at Princeton also have hummingbird training and are interested in increasing their coverage in-state, in addition to the hummingbird research they do in Colorado and Virginia.
Another really amazing thing is the development of tiny tracking devices that are perfectly fit for tagging hummingbirds. The CTT BlūMorpho transmitter (made by cellular tracking technologies, the company I work for) weighs 0.06g, or the same as a dry grain of rice, and has been used successfully on Monarch Butterflies as well. This transmitter can be detected on various devices and provides us unprecedented ability to track hummingbirds once released. Myself, Phoebe and Mike have authorization to attach these transmitters to hummingbirds in NJ- so if you are hosting a winter hummingbird we’d be very keen to band, measure, ID, and attach a transmitter to that bird to aid in our understanding of where these birds go and where they come from. As always, any catching, banding, and transmittering is done under both the appropriate federal and state permits.
You can aways reach me by calling or texting my cell number below.
Thanks, and good birding!
David
________________________
David A. La Puma, PhD
Cape May, New Jersey
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Brian Butler, Harry Quinn, Ted Lurker
Visitors: Additional Observer- Craig Stockert Marc Chelemer- Good seeing you again Marc. Thanks for the spotting efforts today ! Peter Roy- Welcome to Coon ! Come back with better winds ! Thanks for your help today Joe Goddu and Paula Stelzner- Great having you two up top today !
Hikers- 56
Weather: Temps- 42-53 Deg.F Winds- NW@0-5mph in AM to light and varaible in PM Mostly clear skies in early am to heavy cloud cover by pm
Raptor Observations: The NW winds we were hoping for never materialized and we were left to deal with light and variable winds for most of the day. Light and variable is not gonna' cut it for raptor migration on Coon. Fortunately we had lot's of eyes scanning the skies today and did manage to pull a few birds out of the heavy cloud cover. Most birds were well off the ridge, high and distant. My thanks to the Coon crew and visitors alike for all of their help today ! Our Bird of the Day selection was an easy one today. We had a relatively close adult Redtail that came in below eye level on the river side with some beautiful fall foliage colors underneath it as a backdrop. Just gorgeous.
Non-raptor Observations: TV's Ravens Cedar Waxwings Purple Finches RB Nuthatch E.Bluebirds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 17:15:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Mike Reese, Phil Rodriguez
Visitors: Hikers- 39
Weather: Temps- 40-56 Deg.F, Wind WNW@ 5-10mph w/ higher gusts Clear Blue Skies in AM to mostly cloudy w/late pm showers
Raptor Observations: BE- 12:59A, 1:10I, 1:13I
A HUGE WELCOME BACK to Mike Reese !!! Mike is a long time hawker who has spent decades on Coon. He moved out west but decided to pay us a surprise visit today !. Great having you back on the ridge Mike ! Many thanks to Mike and Al Ambler for covering the morning shift today ! Lot's of Sharpies on the move today and we had a solid flight going until things came to an abrupt halt in the 3:00 hour. Winds had died down and heavy cloud cover rolled in. By late day there were rain showers developing
to the north and west and the flight never did pick back up. Our Bird(s) of the Day selection could go to any one of the twenty or so Sharpies that made a close pass at the owl decoy. What a show !!
Non-raptor Observations: TV's Ravens E.Bluebirds Cedar Waxwings ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 10/22/25 9:30 am From: Colette Buchanan <colette7969...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] MCAS Program of The Arctic FIlm tonight Wed 10/22/25
For those panning to tune in tonight to the Special Screening of the film The Arctic, Our Last Great Wilderness, the Zoom link is below. The MCAS website is down temporarily.
Date: 10/22/25 9:22 am From: Colette Buchanan <colette7969...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Fwd: Monmouth County Audubon Special Online Event, Wed., Oct. 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm Special Screening of the Film The Arctic, Our Last Great Wilderness!
For those planning to tune in to tonight's program, the MCAS website is
down. Please use the Zoom link below to join us at 7:30 pm ton
Come Celebrate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! Wednesday October 22,
2025 at 7:30 p.m. online.
MCAS is excited to present the amazing film *The Arctic, Our Last Great
Wilderness*.
The Arctic is not just one of the planet’s greatest natural spectacles,
it’s a place with global ecological importance that has supported
Indigenous communities and diverse ecosystems for generations.
Narrated by Indigenous film producer *Princess Daazhraii Johnson* (Neet'saii
Gwich'in) with National Geographic photographer *Florian Schulz*, *The
Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness* roams the 19.6 million acres of what is
currently known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Follow the elusive 200,000-strong Porcupine caribou herd as it migrates to
the Arctic Coastal Plain, one of the longest animal migrations on Earth.
Meet the polar bears, musk oxen, wolves, golden eagles, and people who call
this area home. Experience the adventure of The Arctic and learn why this
remarkable land deserves our protection.
A Q&A with Lois Norrgard and Jackson Smith of the Alaska Wilderness League
will follow the film. Tune in to learn about this amazing place and take
action against oil exploration and development in our wildest Refuge.
Observation start time: 12:00:00 Observation end time: 17:45:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers:
Visitors: Craig Stockert- late afternoon visit- Thanks for the company
Hikers- 4
Weather: Temp- 53 Deg.F, Wind- W/NW@10-20mph w/gusts to 28mph Mostly cloudy with rain showers. Clearing after 5pm
Raptor Observations: BE- 12:25A, 12:34I, 1:03A, 1:47A, 2:15A(2),2:15I,3:31I,4:30A,4:35A,5:05A PG- 2:35A Rain showers over the Pocono plateau for the bulk of the afternoon prevented a sustained flight today. Each time I caught a break in the weather I would have a few birds push through. It was a Bald Eagle kind of day with all of the Balds passing by at very close range to the watch site on the river side.. My Bird(s) of the Day selection goes to the (3) Balds (2 AD, 1IM) that came
thru together stacked on top of each other just cruising down ridge.
Non-raptor Observations: TV's Ravens Am. Robins ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
Date: 10/20/25 1:48 pm From: Colette Buchanan <colette7969...> Subject: [JERSEYBI] Monmouth County Audubon Special Online Event, Wed., Oct. 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm Special Screening of the Film The Arctic, Our Last Great Wilderness!
Come Celebrate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! Wednesday October 22,
2025 at 7:30 p.m. online.
MCAS is excited to present the amazing film *The Arctic, Our Last Great
Wilderness*.
The Arctic is not just one of the planet’s greatest natural spectacles,
it’s a place with global ecological importance that has supported
Indigenous communities and diverse ecosystems for generations.
Narrated by Indigenous film producer *Princess Daazhraii Johnson* (Neet'saii
Gwich'in) with National Geographic photographer *Florian Schulz*, *The
Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness* roams the 19.6 million acres of what is
currently known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Follow the elusive 200,000-strong Porcupine caribou herd as it migrates to
the Arctic Coastal Plain, one of the longest animal migrations on Earth.
Meet the polar bears, musk oxen, wolves, golden eagles, and people who call
this area home. Experience the adventure of The Arctic and learn why this
remarkable land deserves our protection.
A Q&A with Lois Norrgard and Jackson Smith of the Alaska Wilderness League
will follow the film. Tune in to learn about this amazing place and take
action against oil exploration and development in our wildest Refuge.
A link to the Zoom program be added to the MCAS website (
monmouthaudubon.org/programs) and Facebook page.
