04-2009 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

8/9/2019 04-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

1/11

Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 40 No. 3 April 2009

BirdSongs page 8

Birdathon pages 1, 9

Calendar page 12

Education page 4

Environment matters page 3

Exec. Directors column page 2

Field trips page 5

March program recap page 8

New members page 2

Volunteer recognition page 10

In this issue:

On April 23 - May 31 Tahoma Audubon will be

hosting the annual Birdathon fundraiser. The

Birdathon is our largest, most successful fundraiser

and the worlds biggest birdwatching competition.

Its the most fun youll ever have saving the planet!

Each year, participants nationwide gather pledges

from sponsors, helping to fund our mission of

environmental education, conservation, and

advocacy. Anyone can participate in the Birdathon,

and there are many ways to contribute, including

gathering pledges, pledging, and even just attending

an event and making a donation. Tahoma Audubonhas done an exceptional job of keeping expenses

low. We pride ourselves on keeping expenses at

about 1 to 1.5%. Makes you feel like contributing,

doesnt it?

You are important in helping us ensure the best in

conservation and education programs for Tahoma

Audubon. Say Yes to being a birder

and gathering pledges for the

Birdathon. A birder does not

need to know any birds:

special trips will be offered to

help the novice birder. We

have master birders who

will help you know the birds

you are seeing and hearing.

Many, many of you have

helped in the past by pledging

in the Birdathons. Take thenext step and gather pledges,

and you can multiply your

contribution as much as youd like. Remember, if

you cant take a trip, you may wish to gather

sponsors for some of our other birderswed love

to have you choose to help in this way. You are also

welcome to come on any trip

scheduled (see page nine) even

if you are not a birder; we just

ask that you make a

Birdathon donation.

You can call for a packet

or you can come to a

Birder kickoff on

Thursday, April 23, 7:00

to 8:30 p.m. at the Tahoma

Audubon office.

See the Birdathon fieldtrips listed on page nine of

this newsletter.

Please support Tahoma Audubons mission of

environmental education, conservation, and

advocacy. Its the most fun youll ever have saving

the planet!

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

The Fall/Winter Intermediate Birding Class refused to

quit this year! An encore trip for recent members of

the class was taken in mid-February for three days to

Eastern Washington looking for Owls by Day, based

loosely on a similar Washington Ornithological Society

field trip. If we thought we knew what to expect afterthe last time Ken Brown ran this trip two years ago, we

were in for surprises! This time we had fewer owls,

but there were some exciting additions, proving that

you have to do this trip regularly to see everything.

Highlights were Western Screech Owl (thanks to

Shellys great eyes!) in the Tri-Cities area and the now-

famous, late, lamented North Hawk-Owl near Mansfield

(hit by a car once everyone in the state had gone to

see it). These were new owls for the class. We also

Birdathon Field Trips! April 25 - May 31

Membership Reminder: All renewals must be sent to Tahoma Audubon and not to National Audubon if you wish to receive the

Towhee, our newsletter. Tahoma Audubon receives no share of the fees when members renew through the national organization.

Thank you for remembering this when you renew. See membership coupon inside for details.

Saw-Whet Owl at Bridgeport State Park. Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn See "Owls" on page 10

(click on the pic!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iEFR-qrXF0&feature=channel_page


2/11

Tahoma Audubon Staff

Flint, Bryan Executive [email protected] 253-565-9129

Kyer, Krystal Conservation [email protected] 253-232-9978

Swaim, Stephanie Education [email protected] 253-327-9480

Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884

Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator [email protected] [email protected]

Tahoma Audubon Board Officers

John Garner President

Marjorie Shea Vice President

Wayne Larsen Past President

Jane Brosius Secretary

Kathleen Nelson Treasurer

Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008

Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair

Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair

Dick Carkner

Sally Larson

Marcus Roening

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck

Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Loren Webster Calendar Editor [email protected]

The Pierce County Chapterof The National Audubon Society

Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466

Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org April 2009

executive directorsCorner

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protection of wild-

life and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its members experi-

ences in and with the natural world.

The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan issue.

Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conservation, and envi-

ronmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor. Copy is due by the

15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.

Editor: [email protected]: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield GiddingsDesign & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.comPrinting: Consolidated Press

Printed on recycled newsprint

Tahoma Audubon

Society is celebrat-

ing our 40th anniver-

sary. On February

28th we threw our-

selves a party, and

took the opportunityto look back on our

history and to look

forward to the

opportunities that lie

before us. The

theme was Growing From Our Roots, an appropriate

metaphor for the exciting things going on for Tahoma

Audubon.

In the late sixties there was an effort to expand indus-

trial port operation in the Nisqually Delta. With the help

of Seattle Audubon and Hazel Wolfe, Helen Engle wrote

letters to 30 Audubon members in Pierce County with the

idea of starting a local chapter.More than 60 people attended the initial meeting at the

Mountaineer Club on a snowy day in January 1969, and

85 attended the organizing meeting of Tahoma Audubon

at the Tacoma Public Library in March of that year. By

the end of our second year, Tahoma Audubon had more

than 400 members and had conducted ten monthly meet-

ings and 35 field trips.

What started as a group of concerned activists in a living

room in late 1968 has grown into Pierce Countys oldest,

largest, strongest, most comprehensive, and most effectivegrassroots environmental organization. Tahoma Audubon

has an impressive track record of protecting the environ-

ment. Many of the open spaces that we value in the area

exist in large part due to the work of Tahoma Audubon.

These include the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, Snake Lake,

Swan Creek, and Fort Lewis Prairies. We are also a pres-

ence in two special green places: Adraina Hess Wetland

Park and Morse Wildlife Preserve.

In 1992, Dr. George and Adriana Hess bought property

in University Place to help save the area from being devel-

oped commercially. In December 1999, Tahoma Audubon

moved in to be the environmental education presence for

the parks, housing our office there and providing staffing

for the interpretive center to offer trips, classes, workshops.

The Morse Wildlife Preserve was established by adonation of land from Lloyd and Maxine Morse. Situated

at the headwaters of the north fork of Muck Creek, the

preserve is a mosaic of forests, wetlands, meadows, and

remnant prairie. Jointly managed with Cascade Land

Conservancy, we provide environmental and stewardship

opportunities for folks of all ages.

Our slogan is connecting people to nature. It could just

as easily be said to be connecting people to people,

because it is the people who really make Tahoma Aud-

ubon what it is. At our 40th anniversary banquet we took

an opportunity to recognize all of the people who are part

of Tahoma Audubon, from our founding members, such

as long-time naturalists and educators John Slipp and Bob

Ramsey to our current board members and volunteers. It

is the decades of dedication of people like Ken Brown and

Marcus Roening, who both teach adult birding classes,

that have built us into the organization we are today.

Also within the first two yearsand continuing to the

presentTahoma Audubon collaborated with other envi-

ronmental groups. These have included the Sierra Club,

Izaak Walton League, Puget Sound Action Group,

Cascade Land Conservancy, MetroParks Tacoma, Green

Tacoma Partnership, and many others.

It is these partnerships, and the people within them, thatmake it possible for us to fulfill our mission to conserve

and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other

wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and

earths biological diversity. We are looking forward to the

next 40 years and the opportunities it presents.

Chapter New and Renewing:

Patricia C Ailshie, Doug & Sharon

Aukland, Barbara D Beaver, Ted & Kay

Burns, Geraldine & William Butman, Ruth

Carlson, Patricia Damron, Valerie Edwards,

Susan Greenwood, D Wade Hands, Karen

Harris, Duane Hatch, Christine Hoey,

Martha J Humphreys, Kirk Kirkland,

David & Veronica Kulman, Cindy Mish,

Frank & Kate Morgan, Mera Neufeldt,

Keith A Palmquist, Hal Pearson, Janice

Pittman, Doris Richards, Jerry & Jean Ritz,

Hazel C Robinson, Marjorie Shea & Bill

Richards, Jennie Sheridan, Darby Veeck

& Kristi Lynett, Louise Wackerle, Colleen

Waterhouse, Ryan Wiese.

Chapter Joint with Nationaljoining here at Tahoma Audubon:

Dr Mark Carlson, Denice Crotto, Jane

Davison, Lynne Glad, Charles Grifn, Julie

Gustafson MD, Rita & Roger Indrebo,

Jo Ann Hunter, Doreen Ligrano, Dian G

Lord, Joyce & Bruce Murray, Melissa

& Jamie Paulson, Stephanie Paulson,

Julie Ann Payne, Judy Rucker, David &

Betsy Schultz, Buel & Luana Sever, Mary

Siegenthaler, Brian Simpson, Julie Smith &

David Lucas, Bonnie Stiff, Shelagh Taylor

& Lyle Quasim, Carol Wade-Woodman,

Dorothy Walker, Verna & Ed Warrick.

Introductory,

Recruited through Tahoma Audubon:

Armin C Antonio, Thomas Barocan,

Mary Brzezinski, Rick & Claudia Finseth,

Heather Roskelley.

Introductory, Recruited by National

Audubon:

Nelson Blake, Cara Barre, James Delacour,

Linda Dick, Bill Dudley, Lois Erath, Susan

Fine, Wayne B Knight, Mary Martinac,

Johanna Mason, Pamela R Mayer, Barb

Robertson, Karleen Schloer, Leigh Scott,

Nona Stephens, William E Sundstrom,

Willet V Velzen, Debbie Vinyard, Lewise

Weinstein, Melissa S White, John

Zimmermann.

Tahoma Audubon Society is so happy to

welcome you. We hope to see you at some

of our general membership meetings, held

on the second Friday of the month, 7:00p.m.

at Tacoma Nature Center. We hope you

will also consider joining us in the annual

Birdathon fundraiser. See trips offered in

this Towhee with a donation requested.

You can participate as a Birder, too! Master

Birders will help you!*Remember, since January 2008, The Towhee

is sent only to those who renew through the local

chapter because Tahoma Audubon receives no

share of the fees when members renew through

the national organization.

welcometo New and Returning Members

February 16, 2009 to March 15, 2009

Beginnings

Places

People

Partnerships

Celebrating people, places and partnerships
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


3/11

Environmental

Lobby Day 2009,

held Feb. 19, was

the biggest and best

citizen lobby event

to date. More than

500 people attend-ed the annual event,

where citizens from

across the state

learn about the

e nv i r onme n t a l

communitys legis-

lative priorities, learn how to be a citizen lobbyist,

and then actually go and meet with their elected

Senators and Representatives in the marble halls

of Olympia.

This year Tahoma Audubon worked with the

main event organizer, People for Puget Sound, to

charter a bus to Olympia from Tacoma, along withbuses from Seattle and as far north as Bellingham.

In the end, we combined the Port Townsend bus

with the Tacoma bus and enjoyed a fun ride down

and back from Olympia, while helping to get more

cars off the road and lessen

greenhouse gas emissions.

The keynote speaker for the

event was our new Public

Lands Commissioner,

Peter Goldmark.

C o m m i s s i o n e r

Goldmark encouraged

citizens to express their

views on issuesimportant to them

while assuring that

his office would

work hard to protect

our states diverse natu-

ral resources for future

generations.

On our way to the legis-

lative appointments, I

couldnt help but stop to talk

to the Bag Monster (right),

also known as Jake Harris.

The gentleman was

there to educate citi-

zens about the long-

term waste and destruc-

tion caused by all those

plastic bags found in

grocery stores. Folksin Seattle are working

on a campaign to get a

ballot measure in

Seattle this August put-

ting a fee on the nearly

indestructible bags,

thereby reducing land-

fill volume and ocean

pollution.

Learn more at www.

greenbagcampaign.org

Finally, at our last meeting, the 29th Legislative

District delegation took a break on the stairs of thecapitol rotunda before heading in to see Senator

Rosa Franklin (D). Amongst the Tahoma Audubon

delegation were myself (behind the camera), Nel

Batker, Roxy and Bill Giddings. As of the writing

of this article, the bills (SB 5344 and HB 1409) to

fund a permanent rescue tug at Neah Bay

to respond to stranded ships and

oil spills had wide support and

was ready to be finalized (The

Senate bill

passed 44-4;

the House

bill passed

62-35), andsigned into

legislation.

Finally, if you

missed the article on the

four priorities in the

February Towhee, you

can learn more and find

out their status by visit-

ing the website of the

Environmental Priorities

Coalition; http://environ-

mentalpriorities.org.

eNviroNmeNtMatters

April 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

Contact Krystal at 253-232-9978.

[email protected]

Most people think that Earth Day is just one day, but

here in Pierce County we have decided to celebrate

our earth the whole month of April. Get involved in a

natural area around your neighborhood or city. This

is a great opportunity for you to do something as a

family and give back to your community. Come out-

side, and see how truly amazing our earth is and why

we should protect it every day.

Puget Creek work party

What: Help with restoration efforts at Puget creekWhen: April 11 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Where: Puget Creek off of Schuster Parkway

Contact: Scott Hansen (253)779-8890 or

[email protected] Please RSVP to sign-up.

CHB Squally Beach restoration work party

What: Help plant three islands that surround

Squallys marsh with native high marsh species. Well

also tackle some Himalayan blackberry and other

invasive species

When: April 11 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where: Commencement Bay (call for directions)

Contact: Jeanine Riss (253) 383-2429 or jriss@

healthybay.org Please RSVP to sign-up.

Blueberry Park work party

What: Help prune the blueberry bushes, pull weeds

and overall maintenance

When: April 18 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Where: Blueberry Park, off of S. 72nd and E. D St,

in the south end of TacomaContact: Charlotte Valbert (253) 474-6575 or cval-

[email protected] Please RSVP to sign-up.

CHB Mowich Restoration work party

and Earth Day celebration

What: Help with planting native plants, removing

invasive species and making general infrastructure

improvements

When: April 25 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Where: Commencement Bay (call for directions)

Contact: Jeanine Riss (253) 383-2429 or jriss@

healthybay.org Please RSVP to sign-up.

Oak Tree Park work party

What: Help remove invasive species such as Scotch

Broom, English Ivy and BlackberriesWhen: April 25 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Where: Oak Tree Park 7633 Montgomery St. /S 76th

St. and Pine

Contact: Ralph Klose (253) 720-3511 or rklose@

goodsteinlaw.com

Please RSVP to sign-up

To view more Earth Month volunteer opportunities

happening around Pierce County visit www.

parksappreciationday.net or call (253) 305-1027

Earth Month work parties April 2009

500+ environmental lobbyists converge on Olympia

Above: Tacoma and Port Townsend citizensride the bus to Olympia.

Left: Bag Monster Jake Harris reminds us thatnot only what we buy, but what we put it in,matters.

Below: 29th Legislative District constituentstake a minute to rest in the Capitol dome.
http://www.greenbagcampaign.org/http://www.greenbagcampaign.org/http://environmentalpriorities.org/http://environmentalpriorities.org/http://environmentalpriorities.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.parksappreciationday.net/http://www.parksappreciationday.net/http://www.parksappreciationday.net/http://www.parksappreciationday.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://environmentalpriorities.org/http://environmentalpriorities.org/http://www.greenbagcampaign.org/http://www.greenbagcampaign.org/


4/11

In April we launch

the 10th Annual Bird

Drawing Contest for

the youth of Pierce

County. This year

we are highlighting

three bird species

that Citizen Scien-tists are studying as

indicators of climate

change: the Golden-

Crowned Sparrow,

the Gadwall, and the

Western Scrub Jay.

Recently, National

Audubon released

the results of an analysis of bird populations in North

America. Based on 40 years of Christmas Bird Count

data, the study revealed that about 60% of the species

found on this continent have shifted northward in win-

tertime as the climate has warmed. As birders, we know

that local bird populations change over time, and the

make-up of our backyard birds one year may be differ-

ent the next. The National Audubon study

is significant because it examines not just

the trends from year to year, but the over-

arching trend which reveals the behavior

of every population of bird in every

region of the continent. The reality is that

this is not an isolated phenomenon. This

is a global shift.To you and your backyard this means that

you are seeing a few more new species than you have in

the past. Perhaps some neo-tropical species are passing

through at different times, or maybe they are staying lon-

ger than before. Or you might even notice that species that

you saw once in a blue moon as a kid, you now expect

each time you watch your feeder. To the birds however,

the northward shift can be devastating. For those birds that

are fighting habitat loss, a northward shift may run them

out of the only suitable habitat they have left. And as the

rate of climate change increases, it will be harder for spe-

cies to adapt to their new northern home.

In Washington, we have also been watching the popula-

tion trends for our local birds. Sightings of the Gadwall,

the Golden-Crowned Sparrow and the Western Scrub Jay

have all increased in our area over the past

40 years, and by a significant amount.

According to Washington Audubons

report, the Gadwall population has moved

north by 149 miles and has increased in

sighting frequency by 2,928%. The

Golden-Crowned Sparrows population

has moved north by 155 miles andincreased by 1,397%. And the Western

Scrub Jays population has moved north by 46 miles and

increased by 67,673%.

The Bird Drawing Contest has always been an oppor-

tunity for youth to learn about the birds in our area. We

also hope that it emphasizes how the study of birds can

help us understand more about our world. The 10th

Annual Bird Drawing Contest is open to students in 2nd-7th

grades in Pierce County. Full rules are available at www.

tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontest .

If you would like to learn more about the results of

Christmas Bird Counts and climate change, please visit

National Audubons report, www.audubon.org/bird/

bacc/index.html and Washington Audubons report at

www.wa.audubon.org.


educatioNMatters

2917 Morrison Road W.,

University Pl. WA 98466

253-565-9278

www.TahomaAudubon.org

Open Mon Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m.

1919 South Tyler Street,

Tacoma WA 98338

253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org

Open Tues. Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

& Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

stephanieSWAIMEducation Coordinator

Call Steph @ 253-565-5479. Or

[email protected]

10th annual bird drawing contest highlights climate change

For Ages 5-11

Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm $150 per camper

Wildlife Detectives

Discover whats wild and hiding right before your

eyes. Identify animals and their behaviors with nature

hikes, games, science lab, sketching and journaling.

Make your own detective kit for exploring outdoors.

Field trip to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

July 6-10 Ages 8-11

July 13-17 Ages 5-7

Wet & Wild

Get the underwater scoop on the amazing creatures

of the ponds, creeks, rivers, tides and ocean. Field

trip to explore tidepools or a pond turtle preserve.

July 20-24 Ages 8-11

Aug 24-28 Ages 5-7

Natures CanvasPlay and connect with nature and be inspired to cre-

ate artwork, stories, plays, music and whatever your

imagination can dream up! Go on a special behind-

the-scenes tour of an art museum and gallery.

Aug 3-7 Ages 8-11

Aug 10-14 Ages 5-7

For Ages 11-13

Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

$200 per camper

Wild Expressions for Young Teens

Let nature be your inspiration as you express your-

self in artwork, music, drama, stories, photography,

and wherever your creativity leads. Learn tech-

niques and try new things. Two eld trips into the

art community and an overnight stay on Thursday

at the nature center are included in fee.

July 27-31

Eco-Explorers for Young Teens

Join nature specialists in exploring the wild through

eld trips, hiking, hands-on activities, fun games,

and lab investigations. Get a closer look at nature

at night with an overnight stay at the nature center

on Thursday.

Aug 17-21

The Art and Nature of Native PlantsInstructed by Mary Sue Gee and Monica Weidman.

This field-based class brings together the natural world and

the artists perspective. Native plant specialist, Mary Sue Gee,

will provide hands-on instruction in identification and ecologi-

cal relationships during one classroom session and three field

trips. She will ne joined by Monica Weidman, watercolor artist

and botanical illustrator, to engage students in a deeper appre-ciation and understanding of the native plant ecosystem of the

South Puget Sound. Course fee includes class instruction and

three field trips. Optional field trip may be scheduled with addi-

tional fee. Field trip transportation must be provided by partici-

pants. Carpooling is encouraged. Classroom session: April 15

at Adriana Hess Center. Field trips: April 18 and May 2. Third

field trip to be added. Call the Tacoma Nature Center to register,

253-591-6439.

Nurture in Nature PreschoolThe Tacoma Nature Center is now enrolling students ages 3-6.

The first session begins in September 2009.

To get more details go to www.metroparks.org. Or call

253-591-6439.

Intermediate Birding Classwith Ken Brown begins on April 21

at Adriana Hess Center

Once again we will be offering the Intermediate Birding class,

instructed by Ken Brown at the Adriana Hess Center. If you

have completed the Beginning Birding class and wish to take

birdwatching to the next level, or if you have been birding for

years and want to improve upon your identification skills, this

may be the class for you! Class runs Tuesday evenings, April

21 to June 9 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. There are three sched-

uled field trips: Overnights to the Washington Coast, May 2-3,and to Wenas, June 6-7; and a three-day trip to Eastern

Washington, June 20-22. Trip expenses and transportation are

not included in the course fee. If you would like to register,

please contact the Tacoma Nature Center. Class fee is $55 for

members of Tahoma Audubon, $75 for non-members.

For Ages 4-6

Mon-Wed, 9 am - 1 pm $90 per camper

Games, stories, crafts, hikes & hands-on ac-

tivities for young children.

Little Explorers: Explore the Backyard!

Young explorers will nd this small nature

park in University Place just the right size for

outdoor discovery and play while learning

about nature in their own backyards.

June 29-July 1

July 27-29

Little Explorers: Big, Small, Long, Tall

Wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes! Chil-

dren get closer to nature as they share a

sense of wonder with new friends at camp.

July 6-8

Aug 3-5

Little Explorers: Explore Shores!

Seas, lakes, ponds and puddles - they all

have shores! Discover the cool critters that

eat and live in the water nearby. Dive in for

a boatload of fun!

July 13-15

Aug 10-12

Little Explorers:

Dipping, Diving, Skipping, Sliding

Take a skip, a swoop, and a dip as you dis-

cover how animals move and get around.

July 20-22

Aug 17-19

Thingsgetwildat

3 WAYS TO REGISTER: Online at www.metroparkstacoma.org

Call (253) 591-6439

In person at Tacoma Nature Center

Non-refundable $30 deposit required.

Full payment due 6 days before camp starts.

Scholarship assistance available.

A winning entry from last year.
http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontesthttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontesthttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontesthttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontesthttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontesthttp://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.htmlhttp://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.htmlhttp://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.htmlhttp://www.wa.audubon.org/http://www.wa.audubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wa.audubon.org/http://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.htmlhttp://www.audubon.org/bird/bacc/index.htmlhttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontesthttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/drawingcontest


5/11

Morse Wildlife Preservewith Betty JonesFriday, April 10, 10 a.m. to noon

Come walk the trails, woods, meadows, and prairie

currently being rehabilitated. View the forested wetland

and North Muck Creek and marsh from the gorgeous

bird tower. Over the years, weve identified 120 species.

Early Spring Flowers at Kopachuck

Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m.Come and see the spring flowers and plants in the woods

at Kopachuck State Park. We will take a walk and see

what is flowering, identify the plants, and look for signs

of spring. The st 15 people who call to register will be

taken. There is no charge. Call (253) 265-3606 to

register, and ask for Matt Smith.

7th Annual Dubois Grouse Days,April 17 - 18

Grouse Days is a two-day event to celebrate the shrub-

steppe ecosystem and the unique animals which call

it home. Promote education and conservation of our

western rangeland heritage. The event is held in Dubois,

Idaho: a small ranching community in the Upper Snake

River Plain where the motto is We have never met astranger yet

Activities include a banquet, arts and craft booths, kids

activities and an art contest, presentations by biologists

and ranchers, a rafe and a silent auction, plus guided

tours to grouse breeding grounds to view sage and

sharp-tailed grouse courtship, the Clark County Civil

Defense Cave, and The Nature Conservancys Crooked

Creek Ranch and other local highlights. All proceeds go

towards conservation and education, including the Kent

L. Christopher Conservation Scholarship for a local high

school senior.

Contact: Curtis or Nikki Keetch:

[email protected]; Phone: 208-374-5179

www.grousedays.org

Park Appreciation DaySaturday, April 18, 9:00 a.m. to noon

Come to Adriana Hess Wetland Park/Tahoma Audubon

Society, 2917 Morrison Rd W. in University Place. Its

time to pull the shot-weed and grasses giving us battle

and spread some chips. All three hours will help, but

even one hour is a great contribution. Refreshments

provided.

Watershed ConferenceApril 18, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This conference will bring together experts on

the restoration, protection and other factors of

urban streams. The speakers will be from various

Nonprot City, County, State, and Tribal agencies.

This will allow our agency and other agencies that

are working on similar projects to share information

to learn the best and most comprehensive methods

to proceed with watershed issues for urban streams.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the importance

of healthy urban streams and the importance of watershed

planning. Every individual is capable of making a positive

difference; therefore your participation would be greatly

appreciated. Please RSVP if you plan on attending.

The Mountaineers Clubhouse, 2302 North 30th St,

Tacoma WA 98407

Sponsored by the Puget Creek Restoration Society, for

more information contact Maria League, (253) 779-

8890 or [email protected]

Spring Audubon Council of Washington.Friday, May 1, 8:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 3, 5:00 p.m.

Come to Spring ACOW at the Tierra Learning Center

in Leavenworth Washington. Contact Gary Blevins at

[email protected] for more information.

The Sun and Sage LoopFriday, May 15 Sunday, May 17

Celebrate the newest loop in the Great Washington

State Birding Trail with Audubon Washington. There

will be wonderful birding in May in SE Washington,

and we plan to enjoy great local food and wine

in Walla Walla when not exploring the new trail.

For more information contact Barbara Sacerdote,

Director of Development for Audubon Washington at

(360) 786-8020 or [email protected]

Wenas CampoutMay 22-25

For over three decades Audubon families have been

camping over Memorial Day weekend at the WenasCreek Campground. Ofcially named the Hazel

Wolf Wenas Creek Bird Sanctuary, its located SW of

Ellensburg, in an Important Bird Area and has been

assured of protective status. The free, primitive

campground along the north fork of Wenas Creek has

exceptional opportunities for birding, botanizing and

enjoying spring in the eastern foothills of the Cascades.There are wonderful eld trips scheduled, and

there will be an old-fashioned campre in our new

approved re-pit device each evening. We do singing,

story-telling and recapping the sightings of the day.

Please visit the Wenas website to get lots of downloadable

information about our campout:www.wenasaudubon.org.Theres a bird checklist, wildower checklist, outline of

eld trips and program, directions to the campground,

and lots of photos.

For people who dont do websites, contact Helen for

printed information.

Bring friends and family, and join us at

Wenas Memorial Day Weekend for as many

days as you want to stay - May 23-26, 2009!

Contact Helen Engle, [email protected], 253-564-3112.

Trogon Tours Ecuador: Andes to AmazonAugust 1-12, 2009

Tahoma Audubon Member Nate Chappell and

Ecuadorian birding guide William Perez will lead thisexciting birdwatching and nature photography tour. We

will start in Quito, drive up over Papallacta Pass and

stay at three lodges on the eastern slope of the Andes

Mountains, Guango Lodge, San Isidro and Wild Sumaco

Lodge. After that we will board a motorized canoe in

Coca for the four hour trip down the Napo River to the

superb Sani Lodge, which is located on an oxbow lake

in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. After spending

four nights there we will return by plane to Quito. Cost

of the trip is $3,100, $400 single supplement. For more

information and the complete itinerary please see our

website, www.trogontours.net or call Nate Chappell at

253-512-1060.

field trips and Events


Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are

people limited out of necessity.

Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come.

Field trip leaders put in a lot of time and planning and

no-shows disrupt field trips. More than 3 no-shows a

year can result in revoking opportunity to participate.Arrive at the meeting place early.

No pets are allowed.

Be prepared for seasonal weather.

Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is

scheduled past mid-day.

All passengers divide total carpooling expenses.

Current guidelines are 20 cents a mile per car, not

including driver.

Beginners are always welcome.

Have fun.

rules

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually. Wednesdays, 7:30 AM

to 11:00 AM. Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts

the birds at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Meet: At the

Visitors Center. The group may walk out to McAllister Creek

if that trail is open. Then it takes the boardwalk/trail loop

out to the Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook area, and the

riparian area, totaling about three miles. Bring good walking

shoes or boots, raingear, water, snacks, and $3 for entry

fee unless you have a pass. Scopes are welcome. Sign-up:

Contact Phil Kelley to conrm details (especially during the

trail construction period). Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360) 459-1499,

[email protected].

Beginning Birdwatching - Backyard Basics. Curious

about birds, but dont know your crown from your tail feather?

All are welcome to this introduction to the joy of identifying

the birds that are all around us. You will learn how to identify

common birds, use eld guides and use binoculars. Learn,

too, about some of the best places to see birds and practice

your new found stills. $45.00 for Tahoma Audubon Members,

$55.00 for Non-Members. Ages 18+. Call the Tacoma Nature

Center to register, 253-591-6439.

Intermediate Birding. Tue, Apr 21, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. This class is for those

who have completed an introductory birders class or have

a good background in bird identication. In addition to the

scheduled class days, there are three eld study sessions.

For more information and registration, call 591-6439. Class

meets at the Adriana Hess Audubon Canter in University

Place. Includes 3 eld trips, participants are responsible for trip

transportation and expenses. $55.00 for Tahoma Audubon

Members. $75.00 for Non-Members.Ages 18+.

TGIF Breakfast & Work Party. Fridays, 10:00 AM to

12:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Help out

with habitat restoration, such as planting, invasive species

removal, pruning.

Nature alphabet. Tuesdays, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:30

PM to 2:30 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Preschoolers

explore different nature topics through stories, hands-on

activities, nature walks, and crafts at the Tacoma Nature

Center. Adult participation is recommended, children under

four require and adult present. Please mote alternating times.

Register by the Saturday before the program. Call 591-6439.

Homeschool Science Programs. Homeschool students

explore science through hands-on experiments, activities and

inquiry-based learning.

Register early, these classes ll quickly! Call 591-6439.

Beginning. Thursdays, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 PM

to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 8-10, $10. To

participate in this class, students should be able to add and

subtract numbers.

Intermediate. Thursdays, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma

Nature Center. Ages 8-10, $10. To participate in this class,

students should be able to add and subtract numbers.

Advanced. Thursdays, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Labs, Fridays,

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 12-15, $12.

Older homeschool students will continue their science studies

with challenging and engaging experiments and activities.

This expanded science class for Advanced Homeschool

Science students includes an integrated laboratory session as

an extension of the two hour classroom session. Students

get greater in-depth investigation of the monthly topic,

practice in problem-solving and research skills and hands-on

experimentation. Attendance in the class session is required

for participation in a lab session. Lab sessions are not required

for participation in class sessions. To participate in this class,

students should be able to calculate averages, percentages

and solve simple equations.

regular programs and Events

(Birdathon feld trips are on page 9.)
mailto:[email protected]://www.grousedays.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.grousedays.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wenasaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.trogontours.net/http://www.trogontours.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.trogontours.net/mailto:[email protected]://www.wenasaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.grousedays.org/mailto:[email protected]


6/11

Photo/MargieShea

BoardmemberDarbyVeeckpresentstheLegacyawardtoMarcusRoe-

ning(right)forhisyearsofserviceasaboardmember,eldtripleader,

andadultbirdingclassteacher.

Photo/MargieShea

ThelmaGilmurreceivestheGreatEgretAward,NationalAudubons

highest recognitionforvolunteerservice. Presentingtheaward is

DanTaylor(left),AudubonCaliforniaPublicPolicyDirectorandfather

ofGrahamTaylor,ourAmeriCorpsStaff.

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org April 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

On February 28, Tahoma Audubon members gathered at CloverPark Technical College for this years banquet, celebrating the 40thAnniversary of Tahoma Audubon. The theme, Growing from our

Roots highlighted the history of the organization and its new growth.

The evening started with a cocktail hour, with guests mingling and

reminiscing, inspired by the slideshow playing on screens overhead.

Members also bid at the silent auction tables,

featuring a variety of donated prizes.

The program included several beautiful video segments featuring

long-time members meditating on the people and places of Tahoma

Audubons history. Severa l dedicated volunteers received recognition for

their service: Thelma Gilmur received the Great Egret Audubon Award,

the Morse Force and Ken Brown received Distinguished Service

Awards, Marcus Roenig received the Legacy Award, and high schooler

Nataly Brockwell was recognized for her internship service.

View a slideshow with more photos from the banquet online: follow the

link on the Towheepage of the Tahoma Audubon website.

At our 40th Anniversary Banquet and membership meeting three

new board members where elected. The membership welcomed

them with open arms. Our bylaws require that we inform the

membership in writing seven days before the meeting about the slate

of candidates for the board. Though the bios you find here were not

published in the February addition of the Towhee, Helen Engle

requested a suspension of the rules in calling for the election, and the

election proceeded.

So its high time for the membership to meet the new board

members:

Meet the new

Board Members

Charles Griffin

Charles Griffin spends

his time being a good

steward of the land

and advocating for

natural habitats.

He is an active

member of the

Lakewood United

Methodist Church and

has served as

president of the Mens Club.

Charles is retired from the military and the

Boeing Company. He has two children and two

grandsons.

Bill Smith

Bill Smith is Senior

Environmental Specialist

for the City of Tacoma

where he leads the work

on the Citys efforts in

sustainability, green

building and product

stewardship. He

initiated the residential

demonstration project at

the landfill called the EnviroHouse. He also

completed the Citys carbon footprint and climate

action plan. In addition, Bill represents Pierce

County residents on the advisory council of the

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

Tanja Scott

Tanja Scott is a first grade

teacher in Bethel School

District at Elk Plain School of

Choice. She is a volunteer at

Three Cedars Hospice for

men living with HIV/AIDS,

and a client advocate in a

hospice for women living

with HIV/AIDS. A volunteer

staff writer for five summers

through the Red Cross at Madigan Army Medical Center,

she has made presentations on general bird k nowledge

on behalf of Tahoma Audubon for Boy Scouts. Shes

interested in bringing birding and involvement in

environmental issues to younger Washingtonians.

40th Anniversary Banquet celebrates past, present, and future of Tahoma Audubon

Photo/DianeYorgasen-Quinn

Ken Brown has been leading adult birdingclasses

andeldtripswith TahomaAudubonfor over 20

years. Getting well deserved recognition Ken re-

ceived the Distinguished Serviceaward.

Photo/Diane Yorgasen-Quinn

Thais Bock inspects items atthe auction tables.

Photo/DianeYorgasen-Q

uinn

Ourintrepideditor,JillE

ikenhorst,isdoingsome

-

thingwiththosename ta

gs... checkingfortypos?

Photo/Diane Yorgasen-Quinn

GrahamTaylor,JulieKerrigan, Emily

Kerrigan.JanetBent inback.

Photo/DianeYorgasen-Quinn

ArtwithArt:ArtWangadmiressomeof theartatthesilentauction.

Photo/MargieSheaThedynamicteamoftheMorseForcereceivedtheDistinguishedServiceAward, fortheirmanagementoftheMorseWildlifePreserve. TahomaAudubonandCascadeLandCon-servancymemberspicturedarefromLefttoright:JohnOlson,GaryGeddes,KenBatker,TomGaldabini,ThelmaGilmur, MarySueGee, IoneClagett.

Photo/Diane Yorgasen-QuinnSallySloatandVera Craginmingle aftertheprogram. Veraholds owers fromthetable decorations,whichwere given tothelongestAudubonmembers ateach tabletoplantathome


7/11

wlquizzical

the

By Thais Bock


BIRDSONGS

byPhilBuly

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates 53.4 million Americans feed wild birds

and spend an average of $84 a year on the hobby. Ardent bird feeders spend much

more. Dolly Laras bird-feeding hobby goes back 35 years, and she couldnt imagine

not feeding her feathered friends. But with nyjer seed costing $80 for a 50-pound

bag, she said with a laugh, she might have to reconsider how often she puts out the

good stuff. Sunower birdseed is about $20 a bag now, the high end of its usual price

range. But the price of nyjer seed -- known as black gold in the feed industry -- is

expected to stay abnormally high through the prime bird-feeding season that lasts

until the middle of spring.

- Associated Press

(Answers below cartoon.)

1. Which of our owl species is the most diurnal?

2. What species has the largest bill in the bird world?

3. From Canada to Argentina what grebe is the most common and easily seen?

4. Name the only egret with bright yellow feet.

5. Of our local cormorants, which species shows eartufts during breeding season?

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Tahoma Audubon was happy to wel-

come back one of our own, Nate

Chappell, owner of Trogon Tours, and his

Ecuadorian wife, Angie. They showed

slides and reported on their recent birding

tours at our monthly meeting on March13, including their recent trip to Thailand and previous trips to Ecuador.

They have upcoming tours lined up for Ecuador and Arizona, and soon

Namibia! Tahoma Audubon members have been well-represented on

each of their tours so far, so this was a chance to see where our friends

had been and where we might be going next. To find out more, visit

their colorful website at: www.trogontours.net.

Nate and his brother Chris Chappell were literally raised with

Tahoma Audubon from childhood, and many of you know them. Hes

still a field trip leader and one of our Christmas Bird Count stalwarts

when hes in the country.

Nate has become one of the premier bird photographers around, and

even if we didnt have our personal interest in him, just to view these

incredible photos would be psychic candy! He wants to help everyone

else become better nature pho-

tographers as well, so be sure

to bring your camera if you go

on a tour with him.

In the meantime, check out

the online magazine where he

moderates the avian photos,

www.naturephotographers.net.This will show you the kind of

big birds that Nate himself

soars with these days!

His slide show was breath-

taking. The name, Trogon Tours, is educational as well, as his

slides included a stunning Asian Orange-Breasted Trogon, so

Trogons are not just new world birds, which was news to me.

Electrified Amazonian hummingbirds plus the Asian stand-ins for

Hummers, the Sunbirds! Plus Lions, Leopards, and Zebras, oh my!

Angie was well-represented with her photos of mammals as well,

as she is catching the camera bug, too. Thanks for sharing your

riches, Nate and Angie! We always look forward to birding with

you, even when its the armchair variety.

march programRecap

Around the world one bird at a time

All bird photos taken in Thai-land in January 2009 by NateChappell.

Right: Faye Hands, wearingher Thai Hornbill T-shirt, remi-nisces with Nate at the Audu-bon meeting about the recenttour to Thailand that she andher husband, Wade Hands,went on with them. AngieChappell is shown at far right.

Rufous-bellied Niltava

Olive Backed Sunbird

Blue Eared BarbetOrange Breasted Trogon

Orange-headed Thrush

Answers:1.NorthernHawkOwl2.Pelicans3.Pied-billedGrebe4.SnowyEgret5.Double-crestedCormorant

Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
http://www.trogontours.net/http://www.trogontours.net/http://www.naturephotographers.net/http://www.naturephotographers.net/http://www.naturephotographers.net/http://www.trogontours.net/


8/11

BirdathoN field trips


Nisqually NWR and Ocean ShoresSaturday, April 25, 7:00 a.m. to evening.

Leaders: Ken and Nell Batker

The trip will begin with a walk on the Nisqually

dike trail on the Refuge, followed by a sack

lunch (bring your own). We will then carpool

to Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and

from there to the Ocean Shores area to cap agood days birding. Everyone is welcome to

come along on all or any part of the days

activities. We usually finish at Nisqually

between 11:00 a.m. and noon so anyone wishing

to join us for only the Grays Harbor and Ocean

Shores segments can meet us then at Nisqually.

We usually finish the day with the optional

activity of a meal at a nice restaurant in

Aberdeen where we can total up, check our bird

lists, and recall fun sightings of the day. Meet

at the flagpole by the visitors center at Nisqually

NWR.

Birding-By-Ear for BirdathonSaturday, April 25, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Leader: Melissa Sherwood

Explore McCormick Forest, the old growth

preserve off Bujacich Dr. near Gig Harbor. If

you know our local birds by sight and would

like to get to know their songs and calls, please

join Melissa. Well meet at the Swede Hill Fire

Station just west of Hwy. 16 at the Burnham Dr.

exit. Well walk through the forest, some steep

trails; time permitting we may explore a couple

of other birdy areas nearby. Hopefully well

pick up on some of the migrating warblers and

flycatchers moving through as well. Wearcomfortable hiking/walking shoes and dress

comfortably for whatever the weather.

Wapato Lake ParkSunday, April 26, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Leader: George Schonhard

Come join George for a trip he usually does

several times a week. Identify water, woods,

and grassland birds for your list. Families

welcome! Come in the main entrance on South

68th Street, turn right to the parking lot.

Titlow ParkTuesday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Leaders: Rosanne Becker and Joann Sims

Families welcome! Enjoy both water and

songbirds at this Tacoma park. A variety of

habitats include salt water, pond, and forest.

Meet at the lodge at Titlow Park which is at the

west end of 6th Avenue in Tacoma.

Nisqually NWR and Ocean ShoresThursday, May 7, 5:30 a.m. until about dark.

Leaders: Ed and Kay Pullen

Meet at the I-5/Highway 512 Park & Ride at

5:30 a.m. Bring food and drink for the day.

Expect close to 100 bird species. Return aboutdark. Call Tahoma Audubon to reserve a place.

Walk one to two miles at Nisqually, mostly

short walks otherwise.

Pierce Co. Big Day: Purdy to Paradise onInternational Migratory Bird Day

Saturday, May 9, 5:15 a.m. till dusk.

Leaders: Bruce LaBar and Charlie Wright

Starting at Purdy Spit, this trip visits Point

Defiance, McChord, and other points of interest

on the way to the Mountain. We aim each year

to show that you can find 100 species by birding

just in Pierce County. One year we identified

124. Meet at the far end of Purdy Spit at 5:15

a.m.

Green River Watershed

on International Migratory Bird DaySaturday, May 9, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Leaders: Greg Volkhardt and Master Birder

Join us for a day of birding in the Green River

Watershed and maybe Nolte State Park and

Auburn Narrows wetlands. This is a rare

opportunity to see the protected watershed

managed by Tacoma Water. Well leave the

Tacoma Public Utilities Administration Building

at 8:00 a.m. in one or two vans, and arrive at the

watershed gate at about 9:00 or 10:00 a.m.

Well bird the forests and fields around Howard

Hanson Reservoir (elevation 1200 feet), then

visit Eagle Lake (elevation 2200 feet) beforemaybe heading to Auburn Narrows. Well plan

on returning to Tacoma by 4:30 p.m. Space is

limited; this trip is open to the first 12 people to

sign up. Meet at the Tacoma Public Utilities lot

A1 on the west end of the administration

building. The building is located at 3628 South

35th Street.

Adriana Hess Wetland Park-

Audubon CenterMonday, May 11, noon to 2:00 p.m.

Leader: Ruth Sullivan

Ruth Sullivan will lead this regular bird

identification visit at this small, unique park at2917 Morrison Rd W. in University Place.

Come if you are counting for Birdathon or just

to enjoy the days count. The year before last

we identified 40 birds on this count. Since this

is being used as a Birdathon trip, we hope all

participants are willing to give a Birdathon

donation, but not required.

Fort LewisWednesday, May 13, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Leader: Fort Lewiss Jim Lynch

Jim Lynch from the Forts Wildlife Department,

will meet the group at the Roy Y Park & Rideat 8:00 a.m. We will carpool to visit the open

oak woodlands and riparian habitats found

among the prairies of the Fort Lewis Training

Grounds. Expect to identify 55-60 species.

Morse Wildlife PreserveFriday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Leader: Betty Jones

Walk the trails and check out the marsh, dry

Douglas-fir forest, moist lowland forest, prairie

and meadow. Take a look at the pond in the

marsh and the forested wetland from the bird

tower. Ask for directions when you sign up.

Tacoma to Potholes(Overnight in Moses Lake)

Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, 5:30 a.m.

Saturday to Sunday afternoon.

Leaders: Marcus Roening and Heather Ballash

Marcus and Heather lead an exciting, full-day

trip from Tacoma to the Potholes in Moses

Lake. The trip will cover 15 habitat zones, with

special emphasis on migratory birds in the

Columbia Basin sage, pinelands, and wetlands.

Expect to see at least 120 species in one fast-

paced day. Meet at 5:30a.m. and arrive in

Moses Lake at 8:30p.m., where we will stay

overnight. Leisurely return through favorite

bird areas on Sunday. Please provide e-mail

address when you sign up in order to coordinate

lodging details and meeting place. E-mail

[email protected] for further details.

Point Defiance ParkSunday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Leaders: Rob and Natalie McNair-Huff

Join Rob and Natalie for the Birdathon version

of their monthly nature walk at Point Defiance

Park on May 17. They will set out at 8:00 a.m.

from the zoo parking lot and walk through the

forest trails along Five Mile Drive, walking a

little more than four miles. This Birdathon trip

will end with birding along the ponds near the

park entrance and with a drive down to Owen

Beach. The trip should wrap up around noon.

Lakebay AreaFriday, May 22, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Leader: Homeowners Dee and Wayne Knight

and Master Birder

Visit acres of woods with songbirds, fields with

ravens and shores with eagles, osprey,

sandpipers, herons. Two eagle nests, too. Bring

lunch, well serve coffee and dessert by the

fireplace. There is a very low tide near noon.

Bring beach shoes; we can walk quite a distance.

Directions: 3715 165th KPN. Go across the

Narrows, take Purdy exit, through the Purdy

stop light, go through the Key Center blinkingred light and 3.8 miles past. Youll see a huge

billboard on the right saying Dudley Top

Apples, pass the small green 38th St sign on the

right and across from this there will be signs

and balloons on left at a tiny road. Go right past

the Knight signs and balloons to right and wind

down a long wooded road with a steep hill.

Youll see an old barn and turn to the left to their

house.

Waughop Lake and

Fort Steilacoom ParkSaturday, May 23, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Leader: Betty Jones

Meeting spot is the parking lot by the barns at

Fort Steilacoom Park. Identify birds in the oak

woodlands, grasslands, and Waughop Lake,

some evergreen areas. Hope to see 50 species.

Foulweather BluffSaturday, May 30, 7:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon.

Leader: Rolan Nelson

Well visit Foulweather Bluff, Point-No-Point,

and the Hansville Greenway. Join us for this

Birdathon event to check out the west Sound

migrants that should be passing through. Well

see wetlands, saltwater, forest glades, andmeadows. We hope to identify over 65 species.

Bring rain gear and layered clothes and a scope

if you have one. Pack a lunch or you can buy

supplies at the Hansville Store. Meet at Purdy

Park & Ride off Highway 16. Take Highway

16 across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma.

Exit at the SR302/Purdy off-ramp and drive

straight through Purdy (three stoplights) to

144th. The Park & Ride is just beyond the

Chevron Station.


9/11


from page 1

got great looks at Northern Saw-Whet and Great Horned

Owls, as well as fleeting glimpses of Barn Owls.

Interestingly, the Long-Eared Owls that were the feature of

the previous trip were nowhere to be found this year. Its

always different! Loads of non-Owl species were seen, too,

including great looks at Prairie Falcon and Rough-Legged

Hawks galore! We also hunted down several reports of

those elusive White-Winged Crossbills, which are still a

hypothetical species in my opinion. Eurasian Collared

Doves in the dozens were everywhere! An exciting pioneerjust a couple of years ago, they now almost dominate the

landscape in such places as Mansfield and Washtucna.

Speaking of Washtucna, the hot spot discovered and made

famous by our own Patrick Sullivan, we visited the com-

memorative bench in Bassett Park there, signifying that he

had put this very spot on the birding map. What great

people theyre all birders now! Patrick did more than just

find birds and identify them, and he will be remembered

fondly in many out-of-the-way places.

Our owling didnt stop until we got home the third night,

when Faye Hands heard a Barred Owl in her own yard as

she was going to bed!

The memorial birding bench for Patrick Sullivan in Washtucna.

Great Horned Owl .

Melissa Sherwood thinks shes on the track of an owl. Eurasian Collared Doves.

Northern Hawk-Owl near Manseld. Photo/Vicki Biltz

Ken points out the sights at Dry Falls.

(All photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn unless otherwise noted.)

Owl Pellets explained by leader Ken Brown.

Wesern Screech Owl. Photo/Melissa Sherwood

voluNteerRecognition

Intern helps Tahoma Audubons conservation and education programsBy Jill Eikenhorst

Angela Baker, a junior at PLU, is engaging her

passion for conservation and nature education

in an internship at Tahoma Audubon this spring.

Shes working with Krystal Kyer, Conservation

Coordinator, on bio-conservation projects, andteaching kids classes with Margie Shea.

Both aspects of her internship speak to Angelas

interest in conservation: her eldwork projects

and work on the Bioblitz, for example, are helping

Tahoma Audubon further its conservation goals.

Meanwhile, by teaching nature classes to kids,

Angela hopes she is getting the next generation

interested in bio-conservation she said.

Angela grew up in Duvall, WA, which was all

pastureland when she was young, she said, but

its quite big now. Growing up in a small ruralcommunity inspired her interest in conservation.

Doing eldwork at Tahoma Audubon has helped

her learn more about her career goal of biology

eldwork. She wants to work in bio-diversity

hotspots like Madagascar or the west coast of

Australia, and she hopes to study abroad in the

Galapagos Islands next year. She hopes her career

will help further conservation efforts.

People dont realize that the world is changing

rapidly Angela said, and her message for the

world is that we need to take care of these naturalresources or well be out of luck. Her plan to get

that message out is about knowledge and education,

she said, I just let people know whats going on,

and they can make their decisions from there.


10/11


Tahoma Audubon is the Pierce County chapter of National Audubon. As

an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National

Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing

your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in

Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub-

scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis-

counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/

National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National

membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of

Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas. Checkspayableto:TahomaAudubon2

917Morrison

Rd.

W.

UniversityPlace,

98466Taho

maAudubon

Society,establishedin1969,

isa501(c

)(3)nonprofit

organization.

Donationsaretaxdeductible.

Membership Fee:

___ Introductory (first year) $20

___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50

___ Chapter member renewal $30

___ Other Contributions _____________

Member(s) Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

City______________________________ Zip__________________

Phone: home ___________________business _________________

e-mail: ________________________________________________

Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)

mebership

Fact: The vitality of Sequalitchew Creek over thou-

sands of years has attracted members of the Nisqually

Tribe, The Hudson Bay Company, The DuPont Com-

pany and Weyerhaeuser to its banks. Man has lived

off of the sh which once ran it, found shelter in its

canyon, trapped and pro ted off of the beaver which

lives in it, and utilized its deep water port for indus-

trial purposes. The Methodist Mission site (where

teacher Chloe Clark lived) was located to the north of

the creek due to its fresh water and food supply. The

creek, historically, is seen by many as a vital link to

Washington State history.

The historical, natural ow of Sequalitchew Creekruns from Sequalitchew Lake, through Edmonds

Marsh, down the canyon and out to Puget Sound. The

creek corridor is home to hundreds of species, includ-

ing eagles, hawks, song birds, herons, ducks, owls,

frogs, salamanders, snakes, beaver, raccoons, coyotes,

deer, rabbits and mountain lions.

The intent of the 1994 Settlement Agreement was

to protect the historical, natural ow of Sequalitchew

Creek. Glacier Northwests current Conditional Use

Permit violates this agreement, and the City of DuPont

is ignoring it. Glacier Northwests proposed mine ex-

pansion will cut into an underground aquifer which

will lower the ground water level of Edmonds Marsh,

which is a protected class one wetland. Glacier North-

wests proposed mine expansion will alter the ow of

Sequalitchew Creek, from Sequalitchew Lake down to

Puget Sound, which is outside of the existing and pro-posed mine boundary. DuPonts Land Use Code is was

put into place to protect wetlands, hillsides and streams.

Read DMC Chapter 25.105 to learn more. The DuPont

Hearings examiner will decide whether or not the pro-

posed mine expansion can proceed as requested. Du-

Pont City Council has no say in the matter. The hearing

examiner decision can be appealed to Superior Court.

NatureMapping provides an opportunity for everyone to observe, monitor,

and inventory their local habitats and use the information gathered to

affect real change. Data collected can be used by scientists on

state and local levels to help make decisions that

determine a healthy future for sh and wildlife. This

workshop will involve both classroom and eld work

and will include the use of maps, wildlife identicationtips, habitat coding, building a search image, and data col-

lection procedures.

To register, call 360-832-7166 or e-mail [email protected]

Registration closes April 22nd, 2009

For more information contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park presents:NatureMapping: Data Collection and Monitoring

Data Collection & Monitoring Workshop$40 per participant (discounted - regularly $70)

May 30 & 31, 2009 Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9 am -5 pm

This workshop is for citizens interested in using the NatureMapping pro-

cess to keep track of wildlife in their backyard, local parks and forests,

or any other natural area. This hands-on environmental learn-ing workshop helps people take the next step after learning to

enjoy wildlife.

Stan Engle, son of Kathryn and Russell Engle, was

a Tacoma grocer, mountain climber, and long time

University Place resident. Born in Yakima, Nov. 12,

1921, he passed away March 23, 2009.

Stan graduated from Stadium High School in

1939, became a journeyman welder in a local ship-

yard while pursuing his hobbies - model airplanes

with the Tacoma Gas Wings, bicycle trips, sports

cars and camping. He served in Germany and Aus-

tria in the Armys 71st Division to the end of WWII,

returning home to work in the Market Basket, his

dads independent grocery store. After his dads

passing he ran the store, Lakewood Thriftway, and

eventually other stores in Tacoma.

A lifetime member of The Mountaineers, he was

recently awarded honorary status. He climbed the

six major glaciated peaks of Washington and as-

cended Mt Rainier over 20 times by many routes,

once bivouacking in the summit crater on a winter

climb. He helped build the Quonset hut at Camp

Schurman on Mt. Rainier and was active in Moun-

tain Rescue. He organized many Cascade mountain

climbing adventures, summited Alaskas Denali in

1969, and climbed in the Alps, Kilimanjaro, and the

Andes. Stan was also an avid backpacker, runner,

cyclist, and kite-yer.

Stan served in leadership roles in many citizen

organizations advocating for wilderness, parks,

and trails. He was a charter member of Tahoma

Audubon Society and also the Foothills Trail Coali-

tion, serving on its board many years. He created

furniture in his shop, and his benches, arbors and

trellises grace many local gardens. Stans gregari-

ous personality made him many friends, ensuring

a ready supply of companions for his adventures.

He leaves a loving family including his wife Hel-

en, their seven children, David (Margaret), Chris

(Dianne Bennett), George (Janet), Gretchen (Al

Bolinger), Bill (Alison), Heidi (Rob Sandelin), and

Melanie; six grandchildren, Aaron (Gina) & Erica

Engle, Robin Engle & Avery Winslow, Kara & Helen

Sandelin and great-grandsons Emmett and Aidric

Engle.

Stan would be honored with remembrances to

The Mountaineers Foundation, Foothills Trail, or Ta-

homa Audubon.

Stanley Russell Engle

Save our history: Save Sequalitchew CreekWhat Can You Do?

Testify during the hearing examiner dates (April 29

& 30) either in writing or in person.

Educate yourself and peers on the issue.

Donate to the Nisqually Delta Association to assist

in their legal costs.

Visit www.oly-wa.us/NDA for links to the 1994 Set-

tlement Agreement & more info. on the creek.

Experience for yourself - walk through Edmonds

Marsh and down Sequalitchew Creek Canyon.

Read the staff report, Glaciers mine application &

Hearing Examiner notice at www.ci.dupont.wa.us.


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04-2009 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

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