05-2007 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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Aplague fell upon the Tahoma Audubon fieldtrip scheduled for March 31st when the tripleader, Nate Chappell, fell deadly ill. Too many all-nighters during tax season for this money manager,

and he paid a steep price for it. His doctor prohib-

ited him from gallivanting around in the wind and

rain. Nate appealed to Ruth Sullivan and Patrick

Sullivan to be his stand-ins, and we were saved!

Advertised as a birding photography field trip to the

coast, who better than these two? They have prob-

ably spent more time birding the Washington Coast

than most of the natives. They have made it their

personal mission to document, by photography, all

of the rare birds that land in this state.

Beginning the first act with a bang, we made a

Must-Have stop at Brady Loop near Satsop on

the way to Aberdeen. A pair of Barnacle Geese hadrecently been sighted there.

Ruth had already photographed

them and knew right where to

look for the hot birds of the

day. These European geese were

quite a sight with their stunningwhite heads and black necks.

They were free flying and

unbanded, so many are counting

them despite no record of

vagrancy. The suspicion is that

they are escapees from some

exotic birdkeepers menagerie.

But what a sight! Looking for a

rare bird is always a good way to

meet other birders too, and so we

did, for some welcome cama-

raderie. If you want to see some good photos of

them, check out Ruths website at:

www.pbase.com/godwit/barnacle_goose_photos.Stopping at several freshwater lakes, we experi-

enced lots of swallows, almost like summer.

Violet-Greens and Tree Swallows were

ubiquitous. We had our first Rough-

wings of the season, doing their little

sputtering noises that sound like piti-

ful attempts to copy their big broth-

ers, the Nighthawks. A just-arrived

Osprey at Vance Creek, several

migrating Turkey Vultures, plus the

usual Bald Eagles, Redtails, and

Harriers added some Big Birds to our days expe-

rience.

Our ultimate destination was Tokeland, which isa bird photographers dream. Its famous flock of

Marbled Godwits and Willets are present usually

for three out of four seasons. When we first pulled

up to the marina, we were disappointed not to see

any godwits, but a flock of 14 Willets was practical-

ly at our feet, on the footlights so to speak, ready to

perform, willing as Willets will to give us a show of

their fantastical costumes as they all flew up at once

with well-choreographed wingbeats, showing

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

May is Birdathon, our grandfundraiser (expenses kept toan unbelievable 1%) to helpus gather dollars forTahoma Audubon's work.

TAS asks that all of you, ourmembers and friends, con-sider helping by pledging ordonating money that will allow us tosave and restore habitat and see thatno child is left inside.

You can give this help by pledging ordonating to TAS through a Birdathonbirder, by being a Birdathonbirder/counter and coming out on oneof our trips, or you can come on a tripto have fun and give a donation inreturn. (Packets with sign-up sheets

available for Birders.)

Thanks to all of you whohave so cheerfully acceptedtelephone calls about thiscampaign. We appreciateyou all so very much.

If you're taking a trip, lookthem over in this issue andthen call TAS, 253-565-9278 to

sign up. Checks can be sent to TAS,2917 Morrison Rd. W., UniversityPlace, WA 98466 or on the web go to

www.active.com/donate/TASeducation.If you have promised your pledge to aBirder of your choice, wait for theirreport and request for your checkunless they have requested that checksgo to one of the above.

Thank-you to you all. Let's make this

the biggest and best Birdathon ever!

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TAS addresses issueof global warming

On w

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e show ... Birders at Tokeland, March 31, 2007: Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Ruth Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, Faye McAdams Hands, Bryan Hanson.Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

see Global warming solutions on page 10

see The show goes on on pages 6-7

Photo/Ruth Sullivan

Several pearl-colored Willets between us and a horde of Curlew.

Saturday, April 14, 2007 saw the first National Day of

Climate Action. More than 1400 events were held

nationwide to call attention to the issues of global warm-

ing and climate change, to highlight solutions, and to

demand that federal, state, and local governments do

their share to reduce the harmfuleffects of burning fossil fuels.

Nearly one thousand people gath-

ered for a rally, march, and climate

solutions fair in downtown Seattle,

despite the poor weather. Organizers and activists rallied

to tell Congress to Step It Up, in fighting climate

change by cutting carbon emissions by 80% by the year

2050. Seattle Mayor Nickels is a leader in the effort of

mayors nationwide to cut greenhouse gas emissions and

adopt the Kyoto Protocol goals for cities. Nickels spoke

at the rally, along with King County Executive Ron

Sims, and Congressman Jay Inslee. (see

www.stepitupseattle.orgfor more information)

If its May, it must be Birdathon!

A field trip leader goes down,but two others step up because ...


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Staff

Flin

t, Br

yan Executive [email protected]

253-565-9129

Ky

er, Kr

ys

t

al Conservation [email protected] 253-232-9978

New

ton, G

abriel Education [email protected] 253-565-5479

Tahoma Audubon Board of Directors

Brosius, Jane Membership 253-759-9852

Carkner, Dick 253-922-1604

Garner, John 253-756-9057

Gilmur, Thelma Membership 253-564-8210

Hukari, Molly Past President

Jordon, Al 253-588-7191

Larson, Sally 253-588-9839

Larson, Wayne 253-588-9839

LeGreid, Kathleen Publication 360-458-1483

[email protected]

Matthaei, Fred 253-564-6947

McNair-Huff, Rob Conservation 253-752-3628

Roening, Marcus 253-756-0215

Sloat, Sally Administration (contact) 253-564-0655

Shea, Margie Education 253-591-6439

Sullivan,Brian Volunteer 253-278-1026

[email protected]

TAS was involved with and watch-

ing Nisqually issues. The continuing

dispute over shoreline use in the

Nisqually Reach brought appellants --

Nisqually Delta Association and the

Washington Environmental Council --before the Shoreline Hearings Board

(SHB) against the City of Dupont, the

WA Department of Ecology, and the

Weyerhaeuser Company.

For the Weyerhaeuser Company the

SHB represented another hurdle in the

attempt to establish a Port at Nisqually.

Five days of testimony were heard

including Auduboners, and

numerous organizations

as friends of the

Nisqually Delta.

TAS April mem-

bership meetingbrought Dr. Corey

and Shirley Muse to

tell us about the The

Birds and Birdlore of

Samoa where they lived and

researched culture, art, and history as

well as ornithology. Dr. Corey is

Professor of Education at Whitman

College, Walla Walla and has pub-

lished a number of research papers in

many countries including Polynesia.

The May membership meeting fea-

tured Peregrine Falcons in

Washington, by Fred Dobler, WA

Dept. of Game biologist, who is in the

Non-game Wildlife Program at the

Dept. Peregrines were recently listed

as endangered in Washington, but are

making a comeback.

Field Trips: Nisqually NWR,Leader Ken Brown; Snake Lake

Nature Center (now Tacoma Nature

Center) work party; Hoquiam

Shorebird Day Extravaganza, Helen

Engle; Arbor Day activities at Snake

Lake; Chambers Creek canoeing,

kayaking the estuary, and hiking thetrails, Helen Engle; Ocean Shores and

vicinity, Ken Brown; Five-mile

Flower Walk with Mary Fries at Fort

Lewis; TAS Mothers Day trip to

Northwest Trek; float trip on the

Owyhee River in Oregon with Sarah

Blakeslee;

Swan Creek with Thelma Gilmur;

Seashore walk in University Place,

Kate Grace.

Tied in with the field trips Thelma

Gilmur chaired the TAS Birdathon,

held the weekend of April 24-25, cele-

brating the birthday of John James

Audubon.

Classes and Workshops: Creatingyour own Wildlife Sanctuary, by

Charlie Plummer; Nature

Photography Classes, Cindy

McIntyre; Native Plants and their uses

by Cowlitz and Seneca-Ojibwa tribalmembers at Snake Lake; Wildflower

collecting and mounting specimens,

Mary Fries; Natural History

Symposium at Sun Mountain Lodge

featuring Dr. Kruckeberg and assorted

Auduboners.

The Audubon Council of

Washington met April 30-May 2 at the

Central WA University

Conference Center in

Ellensburg. Special

guest speaker was

Les Line, Editor of

AUDUBON.In the spring of

1982 the TAS board

of directors met and

outlined action for the

Chapter. TAS President Mike

McCulley outlined the ambitious plan

that would include:

1. Publishing lists of natural areas

accessible by public transportation.

The brochure would show gulches,

marshes, beaches, and parks to visit by

bus -- useful for teachers and trip lead-

ers.

2. Enlist volunteers to construct and

place observation and photo blinds at

Nisqually Refuge.

3. Prepare environmental displays

to be used at the Tacoma Mall

Environmental Fair; National

Audubons traveling road show the,

The Audubon Ark; and other venues.

4. Sponsor special natural history

type programs at UPS.

5. Sponsor one or more work par-

ties per month to help with mainte-

nance at our under-funded public areas

such as the Snake Lake Nature Center.6. Publish a resource guide for

environmental groups that would help

people find the organization or agency

that can respond to a particular prob-

lem. Peter Andrews agreed to coordi-

nate the publication.

7. Stage an Art Show at Villa Plaza

as a summer fundraiser, Cindy

McIntyre to be the coordinator.

Feedback, comments and reminis-

cences welcome, 253-564-3112,

[email protected].

Just the other day ...

May 2007Page 2

hope you've come by the Center to enjoy all thesprouting beauty of spring. Synthyris has beenblooming since February; the trilliums, fawn lilies,

bleeding hearts, wild ginger, andOregon grape have been gorgeous.

The Indian plum is setting plums,the camas is ready to pop out

any day, and at least half of our 30or more red-flowering currants have

been a riot of red along the streamand trail. May will give us the opportunity to enjoy fairybells,starflower, star-flowered Solomon's seal, vanilla-leaf, oxalis, andall the prairie flowers.

Adriana Hess Audubon Center: 2917 Morrison Rd. W.,University Place, 253-565-9278

Bird walk: Monday, May 14, noon to 1:00 p.m., with Ruthand Patrick Sullivan.

Thanks for weeding and planting: We appreciate all thework done by Michelle Ann Taylor, Nell Batker, and Mary SueGee. The round prairie by the stream is ready to make its

display.

Weeding invitation: We hope that those of you who are freeon Monday, May 21, will come and help us weed from 10:00a.m. to noon. The weeds are so busy trying to take over thismonth.

Morse Wildlife Preserve: Open Trails, Sunday, May 13, noonto 4:00 p.m. (All second Sundays through October.) Birdidentification walk with Betty Jones, Friday, May 25, 10:00a.m. to noon. Call 253-565-9278 to get directions.

Spring now in bloom at Adriana Hess!

T

he Tow

h

e

eis a publication of the Tah

o

m

a Aud

u

b

o

n So

c

i

e

t

y. The TahomaAudubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protection ofwildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich itsmembers experiences in and with the natural world.The Towhee is published monthly, nine times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug andDec/Jan issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, naturalhistory, conservation, and environmental education are reviewed and consideredfor inclusion by the editor. Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sentby e-mail, disk, or typed.Edi

tor

: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483 E-mail:kaleditor@ mind-spring.comM

ailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield GiddingsD

esign & L

ayou

t: Robert Kelton: E-mail: [email protected]

ting: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint

By Helen Engle

Heres what TAS was doing back in 1982


3/11

The rain pattered on the canvas roof, stream-

ing down the plastic windows. The weath-

er was bitter cold for an April day in

Eastern Washington. Two by two, we sat in the jet

boat as it sped up the river, stopping at Heron rook-eries and sneaking up on White Pelicans while

viewing a nesting Peregrine Falcon.

As the boat idled in the fast moving current, I

looked through binoculars at an egret in full bread-

ing plumage reflecting on

the appeal of bird watch-

ing. There is that initial

experience of deep con-

nection with a wild yet

fragile creature: feeling a

kinship and a responsibil-

ity, and awe and envy,

and respect and humility.

This moment can takeplace early in life while

playing in the woods or in later years in a quiet

moment between adult responsibilities. This

moment can stick with you until you become a

member of a tribe of bird watchers.

Twice a year the tribes of 26 Audubon Chapters in

Washington get together at the Audubon Council of

Washington (ACOW). On the second weekend of

April this year, we gathered in Pasco, Washington

for a weekend sponsored by the Lower Columbia

Basin Audubon Society.

Saturday morning at each ACOW is reserved for

field trips. Because the first job I had in Washington

was to raise money for Hanford nuclear clean up, I

jumped at the chance to take a boat trip up the

Columbia River and the Hanford Reach. The last

remaining free flowing stretch of the Columbia

River, the Hanford

Reach provides critical

habitat for birds. Land

set aside to provide a

security perimeter for

Hanford was turned into

a Wildlife Refuge in

2000.

Moments, similar to

the one I had sitting inthat boat communing

with an egret, can lead to

different motivations that can send one to the art of

bird watching. One is the desire for further connec-

tion with the winged creatures of nature. The sec-

ond is a thirst for knowledge, of learning the names,

ways, and lifestyles of these magnificent creatures.

Whatever the motivation, Tahoma Audubon is

about connecting

people with nature

through birds and

their habitat. The

art of bird watching

is central to the

identity of Tahoma

Audubon. We are

an organization

where like-minded

people can gather

and enjoy a day of

birding. They can learn and teach and share knowl-

edge about the natural world through the eyes of

birds. They can work together to preserve and pro-

tect the habitats that are so vital to the birds.

Recently, our field trip leader position has come

vacant. This provides us with an opportunity to eval-

uate how we want to organize birding trips so thatmore people can experience the magic of bird watch-

ing. It is a good opportunity to participate, and take

a role in organizing trips for Tahoma Audubon.

In order to take up these opportunities we are

hosting a bird watchers potluck. It will be at Titlow

Park, on Thursday June 14, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. We

will take a short field trip at 5:30 p.m. and have a

potluck at 6:30 p.m. Please join us.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS CORNER

Pondering that age-old question: Why bird?

Please consider naming Tahoma

Audubon Society, the Pierce

County chapter of the Audubon

Society, in your will. Funds will be

placed in an endowment fund held

with the Greater Tacoma

Community Foundation for the

express purpose of helping Tahoma

Audubon connect people with

nature for generations to come.

Between now and the end of

2007 individuals can make direct,

tax free, contributions from your

IRA to Tahoma Audubon Society.

If you are required to take mini-

mum distributions from your IRA

and pay taxes on those funds you

may benefit.

For more information, please

contact Bryan Flint at Tahoma

Audubon at 253-565-9129 or

[email protected].

The art of bird watching is cen-

tral to the identity of Tahoma

Audubon. We are an organization

where like-minded people can gath-

er and enjoy a day of birding. They

can learn and teach and share

knowledge about the natural world

through the eyes of birds.

Preserve the Audubon legacy

Helen and Stan Engle invite you to join them in supporting TahomaAudubons Endowment Club.

May 2007 Page 3

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 subscription, free family events, birding trip invitations,

class & book discounts, 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.

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)

Checks payable to: Tahoma Audubon

2917 Morrison Rd. W. University Place, 98466

Tahoma Audubon Society, established in 1969, is a 501(c)(3) nonprof-

it organization. Donations are tax deductible.


4/11

BIRDSONGS by Phil BulyWho cooks for YOU?

Dale Thompson

will be the first to

tell you that, to

paint wildlife suc-

cessfully, knowl-

edge alone is not

enough. The artist

must have opportu-

nities to watch

wildlife interacting and behavingnormally in their natural element.

From these experiences, comes

understanding, caring and love that

will be reflected in the artwork. His

art can be found in galleries and pri-

vate collections across the country.

This is Dales third exhibit at the

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Former Chief Naturalist for Mount

Rainier National Park, Thompson

spent twenty years exploring and liv-

ing in our National Parks. He retired

from the Park Service in 1981 to pur-

sue his passion for painting wildlife

full-time. He has illustrated trail

guides and other publications and

designed exhibits for several

National Parks. Each year twelve of

his paintings are published as calen-

dars for Weyerhaeuser and Gulf Oil.

He was winner of Washington States

Upland Bird Stamp competition in

1984 and was the Washington Ducks

Unlimited Artist of the Year in

1985. He was also a featured artist at

the first and fifth Annual Pacific Rim

Wildlife Art Show.

It is his hope that, through enjoy-

ment of my artwork, people will

become more aware of beauty,

importance, and fragility of the other

living things that accompany us on

Planet Earth.

Driving directions: Exit 114, I-5 in

the Nisqually Valley just east of

Olympia. Follow the signs to

the Refuge entrance adjacent

to the freeway. Pets are not

allowed in the Refuge and the

standard $3/family entrance

fee applies. For more informa-

tion contact Dave Falzetti at

(360) 753-9467 or via email:

[email protected].

Nisqually National Wildlife

Refuge Complex consists of

Nisqually NWR, the Black River

Unit of Nisqually NWR, and Grays

Harbor NWR. The mission of the

National Wildlife Refuge System is

to administer a national network of

lands and waters for the conserva-

tion, management, and where appro-

priate, restoration of fish, wildlife,

and plant resources and their habitats

within the United States for the ben-

efit of present and future genera-

tions.

May 2007Page 4

Many people have used words or nonsense syl-

lables to represent bird vocalizations. Naturally

these vary greatly; a well-known example is the

White-throated Sparrow's song, given in Canada

as O sweet Canada Canada Canada and in New

England as Old Sam Peabody Peabody Peabody

(also Where are you Frederick Frederick

Frederick).

In addition to nonsense words, grammatically

correct phrases have been constructed as like-

nesses of the vocalizations of birds. For example,

the Barred Owl produces a motif which writers of

bird guides interpret as "Who cooks for you?

Who cooks for you all?" (Sibley 2000) with the

emphasis placed on "you."Source Wikipedia

Dale ThompsonsBirds of the Nisqually Delta exhibit

The refuge is hosting Bird

s of t

he Nis

quall

y D

eltabyrenowned wildlife artist Dale C. Thompson from May 12through July 31, 2007 in the Refuge Visitor CenterAuditorium. The exhibit will be open during normal VisitorCenter hours: 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Artists reception: Saturday May 12, 2007 from 2 4 p.m.,public welcome.

Western Tanagers by Dale C. Thompson

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Dale Thompson

For over 38 years, Audubon fami-lies have been camping at the Wenas

Creek Campground officially named

the Hazel Wolf Wenas Creek Bird

Sanctuary. The location, S.W. of

Ellensburg, is now in an Important

Bird Area that Auduboners have been

assured will be in protective status

soon.

The free, primitive campground

along the north fork of Wenas Creek

has exceptional opportunities for bird-

ing, botanizing and enjoying spring in

the eastern foothills of the Cascades.

The campground is about 2,500'elevation, can be quite cold at night,

hot during day.

Bring water for drinking (the

creek is beautiful and bountiful but

not potable).

We set up tents or use pick-up

type campers.

We all share in the

rent of portable toilets for

four days.

Bicycles and Frisbeesare fun, telescopes and

cameras standard gear.

Please leave pets at

home.

There are organized field trips

throughout the Wenas drainage and

WA DF&W management areas and

some on private property at owners

requests.

In camp, we have natural history

workshops with some of the state's

top birders, WNPS botanists, etc.

There is an old-fashioned camp-

fire in the evening with singing, story

telling and recapping the sightings of

the day.

Wenas CampoutMay 25-28, 2007

Visit the new Wenas Website, by Webmaster Michael

Hobbs, to see a familiar smiling face and get lots of downloadableinformation about our campout. at w

w

w.wenas

audubon.or

g .There's a bird checklist, wildflower checklist, outline of field trips andprogram, directions to the campground, and more. If you dont doWeb sites, contact me and Ill send you printed information.

Bring friends, family, and join us at Wenas Memorial Day Weekend- May 25-28, 2007! See you there!

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

Come and join us for some great camping fun!

International Migratory

Bird Day Festival

May 12, 10 a.m. 1 p.m.Tacoma Nature Center

2 p.m. 5 p.m.Point Defiance Zoo

International Migratory Bird Daycelebrates the incredible jour-neys of migratory birds betweentheir breeding grounds in NorthAmerica and their winteringgrounds in Mexico, Central, andSouth America. The event,which takes place on the sec-ond Saturday in May each year,encourages bird conservationand increases awareness of

birds through hikes, bird watch-ing, information about birds andmigration, public events, and avariety of other education pro-grams. Join us in the celebra-tion for family-oriented activities,games and crafts!

Youre invited!


5/11

New membersJoining March 16

to April 15, 2007

Welcome to new members from

National and to all who give extra

support through the TAS chapter and

joint memberships.

New and returning:Paulina Adams,

Mary Adix, Doug-

Ahsron Aukland,

Dixie Bartell,

Frances Blewer,

Charles and

Gail Bronson,

Richard and

Terry Carkner, Marie

Catt, Karen Claypool, Heide Collins,

Frank Connelly, Rachel Dawson,

Rhona Diehl, Jerry Forcier, Eileen

Fox, John Garner, Connie Gosch,

Karen and Patrick Haas, Donald

Harenberg, Bud and Dixie Harris, Eva

Hodkinson, Jeri and Jerry Keister,

Elizabeth Larkins, Steve Mallory,Theresa Moody, Luis Munoz, J. E.

Nelson. N OConnell, Roger Orness,

Phyllis Potts, Alison Robb, B. D.

Rowe, George Schonhard, Richard

Simmons, Carol Smith, Kate Stirling,

Deborah Walker, Melody Wedlund,

James Wilkinson.

Introductory:(received here at TAS and who will

appear as new in another issue):Mary Blyton, Troy and Nita Born,

Sandra Elliott, Thomas Gergen,

Peter and Annie Laney, William

(Andy) Leneweaver,

Nicole Okada,

Janda Volkmer.

Special

support:TAS chapter

new and renew-

ing membership:Laure Bayer, Betty Jane Cappa,

Gerry and Susan Elston, Patricia and

John Lantz, Georgianna Miller, Mera

Neufeldt, Carol Schulz, Mary

Siegenthaler, Art Wang, Doug White.

Joint chapter andNational membership:(Renewing done through TAS.)

Jerry Broadus and Clarice Clark,

Trusilla Bussinger, John and Colleen

Herzog, Jerry Johannes, Katherine

Loveless, Nora Miller, Laurissa

(Patricia) Wallace.

May 2007 Page 5

photo/Mary Pat Minor

... then you could see the explosion of reds and greens in this lovely photo-graph taken at our own Adriana Hess Wetland Park. But you can alwayscome down in person to see all the stunning spring colors that our nativeplants, including this Red Flowering Current, have to offer.

If only this were in color ...

Audubon goes back eight decades in WashingtonAudubon Washington supports

birds, wildlife and their habitat. We

believe in balance, responsibility, andprotecting the natural world and our

quality of life.

In 1916, the bird club of Seattle

Audubon Society was founded and, in

1962, became affiliated with the

National Audubon Society.

Tahoma started in 1969, with Lower

Columbia Basin, Blue Mountain, and

Spokane coming soon after. Other

chapters formed through the years

some starting out as bird clubs, some

because of the organizing efforts of the

Western Regional Office in

Sacramento but a great many as aresult of the tireless work of Hazel

Wolf, the legendary secretary of

Seattle Audubon.

Washington

Audubon Chapters

Year ofEstablishment:

Seattle 1963Lower ColumbiaBasin 1966Tahoma 1970Tacoma, Pierce Co.

Spokane 1972North Cascades 1972Whatcom County

Palouse 1972Blue Mountain 1972Pilchuck 1973

Snohomish County andCamano Island

Olympic Peninsula 1973Yakima Valley 1972

North Central Washington 1973Whatcom County

Kitsap 1974Bremerton, Poulsbo, etc.Black Hills 1974Olympia, Washington

Vancouver 1975Willapa Hills 1975Admiralty 1977Port Townsend

Rainier 1980South King County, Washington

East Lake Washington 1980Bellevue/Kirkland

San Juan Islands 1980Whidbey 1982

Skagit 1983Skagit & Samish Flats, Padilla Bay, etc.

Kittitas 1988Central Basin 1990

Vashon-Maury Island 1990Grays Harbor 1993

Grays Harbor County, Hoquiam,Aberdeen, etc.

Discovery Coast 2006Pacific County, Washington

In Pacific County Washington a

new Audubon Chapter, the first in

25 years, has been granted the

AUDUBON CHAPTER CHAR-

TER from NATIONALAUDUBON

SOCIETY. This step is of

Provisional Charter status for

Chapter Participation and is dated

on this 9th day of June 2006 which

will expire on 9th day of June 2007.At that time this Audubon

Chapter will go to Permanent

Status. Congratulations!

The thirdannual PugetSound BirdFest inEdmondshas somethingfor every birder!This year's event includes a Juried Art Show throughout the

month of May at the Edmonds Conference Center (201 4thAve N), culminating with an artists' reception, on Friday, May18th. Following the reception, Paul Bannick, Seattle naturephotographer, will give a presentation.

On Saturday, May 19th, guided walks and field trips takeadvantage of birding opportunities in local parks, wildlifereserves, along the Puget Sound shoreline and at theEdmonds Marsh. Indoor activities take place at the Frances

Anderson Center (700 Main St), including speakers on topicsranging from Bird-watching Basics and Identification ofCommon Backyard Birds, to Bird-Friendly Gardening, BirdPhotography, Raptor Education, and Birds of Puget Sound.Many of the activities will appeal to children, including "TheMigration Game" at the marsh.

Go to http://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org/

A celebration enjoying birdsong and exploring the natural world. Please join us May18 - 20, in Leavenworth, Washington, an area that features spectacular habitats, rang-ing from snow-capped mountains to sunny Ponderosa pine forests, attracting a widevariety of birds. See Calliope Hummingbirds, White-headed Woodpeckers, Harlequin

Ducks, Osprey, Western Tanagers and MacGillivray's Warblers. While birding is theheart of the weekend, activities will include geology, wildflowers and conservation viaprofessionally guided trips ranging from leisurely strolls to active hikes and other activ-ities. Bird Fest is fun for experienced and novice birders of all ages!

Keynote Speaker for 2007: Dr. Gordon Orians is a renowned ecologist who hascontributed to our understanding of everything from old growth forests to human evo-lution. He is an emeritus professor of zoology and the former Director of the Instituteof Environmental Studies at the University of Washington and a member of theNational Academy of Science. The title of his keynote address will be: "Birders andthe Future of Biodiversity, which will discuss biodiversity, given the impacts to habitatby a growing human population with the added punch of global warming. Additionally,Dr. Orians will lead a field trip on Sunday morning. He contributed many years ofresearch on blackbirds, and this trip will be to a marsh to view red-winged blackbirdswhile learning about his discoveries.

Go to http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com/ .

May 18th - 19th, 2007

Leavenworth Spring Bird FestMay 18 - 20, 2007

Hazel Wolf


6/11

off those phantasmagoric wing patterns.Someone must have said, Break a leg, as halfof them settled back down on just one leg.

Just then, the house lights dimmed as a shad-ow crossed the face of the earth the arrival ofthe Godwits! The dramatic flourish, first hidingin the wings, then suddenly bursting upon thescene! Three hundred flew in and swirledaround twice before landing on that pitiful dockthey love so much (maybe because it puts themso close to their adored audience?). They put theWillets up briefly who then managed to meldinto the whole quite nicely. But then anotherthree hundred came in and flew around thriceand settled in as well. Now there was no roomleft on the little dock, but here came a couplehundred more!! W here to land? T his group hadto swirl around five times, and as the Cirque duSoleil act that they are, they managed to land ontop of those already at rest, who then eventually

let them crowd down to the stage floor. Eighthundred Godwits in a space that truly cant holdmore than four hundred. How do they do it? Nowonder we continue to attend that magic show!

As if this werent enough, a couple ofsmaller birds were hiding in the horde, giv-ing us a Wheres Waldo puzzle to solve.Sure enough, they were the forerunners ofthe huge numbers of Short-billed Dowitchersthat late April brings to the coast in leg-endary numbers, but these were the van-guard. We had seen Long-Billed Dowitchersearlier in the day, but these Sh ort-Bills werenew for the season!

We finally had enough photographs, so wereluctantly pulled down the curtain on Tokeland.But we had a star-studded tour to get throughbefore we could take our rest. Bottle Beachbrought us other shorebirds including someLeast Sandpipers who were using the old pilingsas windbreaks (and probably food concentra-tors), each one with his own personal piling. Atother stops we picked up many gulls including

three rare Glaucous Gulls, plus a Redhead, WoodDucks, and a Ring-Necked Pheasant right nextto the road. Brady Loop brought us some guineafowl straying from their barnyard as well as aKestrel.

It was a goosey day, starting with thoseBarnacle Geese, as we got several subspecies ofCanada Geese, plus Cackling Geese, White-Fronted Geese, and Snow Geese. Eurowigeons,Snipe, and heard-only Virginia Rails and Bitternadded some highlights.

When asked what their personal high points ofthe day had been, Ruth said it was certainly theBarnacle Geese, Patrick said the Glaucous Gulls,Faye said the Godwit ballet, and I was partial tothe Willets. Bu t the prize went to Bryan Hansonwhose highlight was twenty-two lifebirds!!!Enjoy it while you can, Bryan! These are yourglory days!

Love those happy endings. This day endedwith sunshine and warmth, something thatcouldnt be foreshadowed by the earlier weatherpatterns. Not to mention 93 species! Applause.

The dramatic arrival of aflock of Marbled Godwits atTokeland, March 31, 2007.

Right, Ruth Sullivan andFaye McAdams Hands usingvarious pieces of opticalequipment.

The show goes on ...The show goes on ...

May 2007 Page 7Page 6

continued from page 1

Photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn


7/11

EDUCATION

Page 8 May 2007

Tacoma Nature Center newsletterBeginning with the upcoming summer issue

of Nature Notes, we will no longer mail a copyof the newsletter directly to households. Fromnow on, the Tacoma Nature Center newsletterwill be available electronically only.

Sign up to receive your copy online by visit-

ing w

w

w.metr

opark

st

ac

oma.or

g. Thischange will help us to conserve naturalresources and allow us to focus our financialresources on providing the very best of natureprogramming in Pierce County in partnershipwith Tahoma Audubon.

Tahoma Audubon Family ProgramsDiscovery WalksAll ages welcome, $5.00/person, free to Audubon membersThese walks are designed for families, and friends of all ages, with a special

invitation to grandparents. Discover a new location each month as you explore

the site with an experienced nature guide. Call 253-591-6439 for directions.

Pre-registration is required.

May 19 Joemma State Park 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

Morse Wildlife Preserve Programs

Best for ages 2 and up, free to Audubon membersExplore this natural treasure located in Graham during the following special

open days. Call Gabriel for more information and directions at 253-565-5479.

Community Programs

Enjoy a guided hike and activities with a different theme each month. Programs

run 10:00 a.m. noon.May 26 Morse Creatures Great and SmallOpen Trails

Walk the trails and discover the beauty of the five habitat zones in the preserve

each month. Programs run noon 4:00 p.m.

May 6

Tahoma Audubon Just for KidsNature Story Time

Best for ages 2 6, $5.00/child, free to Audubon members and U.P. residents

Join us as we explore the park at the Adriana Hess Audubon Center in

University Place with nature stories based on the current theme. Adults are wel-

come with the children. This is a wonderful grandparent/grandchild activity!

Space is limited. Call 253-591-6439 to register.

May 25 Animal Encyclopedia Antennae 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

Budding Scientists

Ages 5-7, $8 per studentYoung homeschoolers and other children begin science and nature exploration

through games, walks, and crafts. Register at least two days prior to the session.

This class is held at the Adriana Hess Audubon Center in University Place.

May 2 10:30 a.m. noon Urban Safari

May 9 3:15 p.m. 4:45 p.m Urban Safari

May 16 10:30 a.m. noon Backyard Jungle

May 23 3:15 p.m. 4:45 p.m Backyard Jungle

Tacoma Nature Center Just for KidsNature AlphabetAges 3-6, $6 per child

Preschoolers explore different nature topics through stories, hands-on activities,

nature walks and crafts at the Tacoma Nature Center. Adult participation is rec-

ommended, children under four require an adult present. Please note alternating

times. Register by the Saturday before the program.

May 1 Y is for Yellow 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m

May 15 Z is for Zoom 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m

Homeschool Science

Homeschool students explore science through hands-on experiments and activi-

ties. Register early these classes fill quickly! Note topics are repeated dur-

ing the month, so select class appropriate for your childs knowledge and abili-

ties. Contact Margie with questions or for more information at 253-591-6439 or

[email protected] Science

Ages 8-10, $10 per student

To participate in this class, students should be able to add and subtract numbers.

May 10 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. City Critters

Intermediate Science


To participate in this class, students should be able to multiply and divide num-

bers, add and subtract fractions.

May 17 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m Backyard Habitat

Advanced Science


Older homeschool students will continue their science studies with challenging

and engaging experiments and activities. To participate in this class, students

should be able to calculate averages, percentages and solve simple equations.May 24 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Urban Ecology

Tacoma Nature Center Special EventsNative Plant Sale May 5 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Landscape your yard with plants that are native to our area. Planting

natives ensures the conservation of our precious water resources and

provides habitat for local birds, mammals and insects. Come early for

the best selection.

Bird Festival May 12 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

Join us at the Tacoma Nature Center for family oriented activities,

games and crafts focusing on local migratory birds and the

resources they need to survive. No charge.

Tacoma Nature CenterArt ExhibitsAs part of the changing art gallery at the Tacoma Nature

Center, please join us in enjoying the following exhibits.

Gallery available most open hours. Call ahead to ensure

availability.

Monica Weidman, April 25 June 2

Botanical watercolors originals and prints

Artist Reception May 4 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

1919 South Tyler Street, Tacoma WA 98338253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.orgOpen Tuesday Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

& Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

2917 Morrison Road W., University Pl. WA 98466253-565-9278 www.TahomaAudubon.org

Open Monday Saturday10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Gabriel Newton is the Tahoma Audubon EducationCoordinator for this page. Youll have to ask him about the rock.


8/11

May 2007 Page 9

1) Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are people limited out ofnecessity.

2) Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come. Field trip leadersput in a lot of time and planning and no shows disrupt field trips. More thanthree no shows a year can result in revoking the opportunity to participate.

3)Arrive at the meeting place early.

4) No pets are allowed.

5) Be prepared for seasonal weather.

6

) Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is scheduled past mid-day.

7

)All passengers divide total carpooling expenses. Current guidelines are20 cents a mile per car, not including driver.

8) Beginners are always welcome.

9) Have fun.

Have you participated in any

Tahoma Audubon field trips in

the past?

Would you

like to recon-

nect with some

of the people

you met on

those trips?

Would you like

to see more trips take place in the

future? Would you like to help

organize trips?

We are having a potluck for

birders, beginners to advanced.

Lets get together, have some

fun, and talk

about how to

organize field

trips in the

future.

We will meet

at Titlow Park,

T h u r s d a yJune 14, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. Wewill take a short field trip at 5:30

p.m. and have a potluck at 6:30

p.m. Please join us.

Bird watchers potluck

Many of this year's Birdathon field trips are open to

everyone who either makes a generous pledge to

Birdathon or collects pledges from others. Some are

open to the public; please ask when you sign up.

Adriana Hess Audubon Center and Morse Preserve

trips will be open to the public.

Nisqually River andNisqually Land Trust LandsSaturday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. to early afternoon

Count birds up river along the Thurston County side

enjoying Robert and Marjorie Smith's 2000 feet of

beach, which starts at mile 30 of the river. Bird the

land trust lands, explore River Bar and see the various

movements of the river over the years, viewing land

that once were Pierce County but now are in Thurston

County. We should see a good number of birds---war-

blers, bluebirds, hummingbirds and a surprising num-

ber of river birds. Meet Robert in McKenna at the

McKenna YRestaurant on the left at the only light in

McKenna where Highway 507 and 702 intersect. He

will lead the caravan to his home. Bring a lunch.

Fort Steilacoom ParkSunday, May 6, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Leader Betty Jones

Meet Betty at the parking lot next to the barns near the

lake. Enjoy this lovely park with its 33-acre lake

ringed by a paved trail. There are wilder trails, too.

Titlow ParkMonday, May 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Leaders Rosanne Becker & Joann Sims

Families welcome! Enjoy both water and songbirds at

this Tacoma park. A variety of habitats includes salt-

water, pond, and forest. Meet at the lodge at TitlowPark that is at the west end of 6th Avenue in Tacoma.

Nisqually to Potholes(Overnight in Moses Lake) Saturday & Sunday, May 12

& 13, 5:30 a.m. Saturday---afternoon Sunday.

Leaders Marcus Roening & Heather Ballash will lead an

exciting, full-day trip from Nisqually NWR 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

5:30 a.m. and arrive in Moses Lake at 8:30 p.m.

W e will stay overnight and make a leisurely return

through favorite bird areas on Sunday. Please provide e-

mail address when you sign up in order to coordinatelodging details and meeting place. E-mail

[email protected] for further details.

Green River WatershedSat., May 12, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., limit on participants

Leaders Paul Hickey & Amy Garrigan

Join us for a day of birding in the Green River

Watershed, Nolte State Park, and Auburn Narrows wet-

lands with Rosanne Becker and Joanne Sims helping

the group with bird identification. This is a rare oppor-

tunity to see the protected watershed managed by

Tacoma Water. We'll leave the Tacoma Public Utilities

Administration Building at 8 a.m. in two vans, visit

Nolte Park on the way to the watershed, and arrive at

the watershed gate at about 10 a.m. We'll bird theforests and fields around Howard Hanson Reservoir

(elevation 1200 feet), then visit Eagle Lake (elevation

2200 feet) before heading to Auburn Narrows. We'll

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 Center

Monday, May 14, noon to 1:00 p.m.

Patrick and Ruth Sullivan will lead this regular bird

identification visit at this small, unique park at 2917Morrison Rd in University Place. You are welcome to

come if you are counting for Birdathon or just want to

enjoy the day's count.

Fort LewisFriday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon

Leader Jim Lynch

Meet Jim, who is with the Fort Lewis Wildlife staff, at

the Roy Y Park and Ride and 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.

Pierce County Big Day(Purdy to Paradise)

Saturday, May 19, 5:00 a.m. to early evening

Leaders Charlie Wright & Steven Garrett

Charlies proposed route will be in Pierce County start-

ing from the Purdy spit and ending somewhere in Mt.

Rainier National Park. The route then heads for vari-

ous places in Tacoma, then out to the prairies of Fort

Lewis and finally all the way to Paradise. This trip

usually tallies about 100 species but last year 124

species were identified.

Meet at the Park & Ride at 144th in Purdy, at the third

light in Purdy, across from the Chevron station.

Foulweather BluffSaturday, May 19, 7:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon

Leader Rolan Nelson

We'll 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. We'll see wetlands, saltwater, forest

glades, and meadows. 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.

Point Defiance ParkSunday, May 20, 8:00 a.m. to noon

Leaders Rob & Natalie McNair-Huff

Join Rob and Natalie for the Birdathon version of their

monthly nature walk at Point Defiance Park on May

20. They will set out at 8 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.

Morse Wildlife PreserveFriday, May 25, 9:00 a.m. to noon

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. Be sure to ask for direc-

tions when you sign up.

Birdwatching is among the fastest growing andmost popular outdoor activities in America. Morethan 60 million people consider themselves activebird watchers and millions more feed birds. Buthave you ever considered birding as a way to

help the birds themselves?Each year Audubon, America's oldest bird and

wildlife conservation organization, coordinates

B

i

r

d

a

t

h

o

n, the world's largest competitive bird-watching event. Birdathon is the uniquely

Audubon way to celebrate the importance ofmigratory birds and raise funds for Audubon's

conservation programs. Birdathons raise over$1million annually. Over 100,000 individual spon-sors and 30,000 volunteers participate in over 300communities. Event publicity reaches an estimat-ed 35 million people.

Birdathons are held throughout the UnitedStates from April to June, with times for localevents coinciding with peak bird migration.

Participants meet in groups to identify as manybird species as possible -- up to 200 in somecases -- in a one-day period. Participants obtainpledges form sponsors for each species spotted.

Contact Thelma Gilmurfor more information at

253-564-8210

BIRDATHON FIELD TRIPS

Counting for Conservation

FIELD TRIP RULES


9/11

Overwhelming scientific

evidence has lead scientists

to conclude that global

warming is real, and it is

caused by fossil fuel com-

bustion. Former Vice

President Al Gores movie-

lecture, An Inconvenient

Truth, demonstrates the

evidence through his lec-

ture, graphs, photographs of

glaciers, and interviews with

renowned climatologists and other

scientists. If you dont want to study

the data yourself, then watch the

Academy Award winning documen-tary.

On April 2nd, the Supreme Court

ruled in favor of the State of

Massachusetts, saying that carbon

dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, falls

under the regulatory jurisdiction of the

Environmental Protection Agency.

Current National Audubon Society

(NAS) President John Flicker com-

mented in a press release that day in

reaction to the ruling that:

The decision amounts to one more

nail in the coffin of policy-by-denial.

It should provide a real boost to thegrowing Congressional momentum to

cap and reduce global warming pollu-

tion. Above all, it offers hope that

America can move to address this

serious problem while theres still

time.

President Flicker is touring the

country right now to bring the issue to

the forefront of Audubon members

minds and actions. On April 23rd,

Flicker joined renowned ornithologist

Gordon Orians

for a special

presentation at

REI Seattle on

Audubons role

in addressing

this truly global

and local issue.

In case you

missed the

event, NAS

offers some

startling facts

on how global warming affects birds

(see article entitled global warmings

impacts on birds and wildlife in this

issue). More information about glob-

al warming and climate change isavailable online at:

www.audubon.org/globalwarming.

Tahoma Audubon Society is

already addressing this issue locally.

In March, Conservation Coordinator

Krystal Kyer was

nominated to join

Tacoma Mayor Bill

Baarsmas Green

Ribbon Task Force

on Global Warming.

The 27-member task

forces purpose is to

define carbon diox-ide reduction goals

and develop specific community and

government action plans to achieve

goals. The task force is expected to

deliver its recommendations to the

city by January 2008.

Interest is high on this issue right

now, and the Pierce County Council is

jumping on board. On April 17th, the

council voted in favor of proposal no.

R2007-48, a resolution supporting the

countys participation in the

Green Ribbon Task Force

on Global Warming estab-

lished by the City of

Tacoma. This resolution

takes the citys efforts to the

next logical step, and

hopefully the task forces

recommendations will

be applied at the county

level without delay.

The Sierra Club is also

showing leadership on the

issue of global warming through

their Cool Cities campaign that aims

to have local governments move for-

ward with innovative energy solutions

that curb global warming, save tax-payer dollars, and create healthier

cities. These are cities that have made

a commitment to stopping global

warming by signing the U.S. Mayors

Climate Protection Agreement. The

Cool Cities campaign helps cities turn

their commitments into action by

pushing for smart energy solutions.

More information on the campaign

can be found at:

www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/

or www.coolcities.us

Since driving vehicles is the largest

single contributor to the burning offossil fuels, it should be no surprise

that regional transportation planning

is coming under fire from environ-

mental groups and citizens concerned

about climate change. In November,

voters will decide whether to approve

or reject a comprehensive regional

roads and transit package. This pack-

age includes at least one controversial

new road the Cross-Base

Highway (SR 704). Including the

new road in

the package flies in the face of evi-

dence that building roads increases

commuter miles, and therefore green-house gas emissions. Prominent envi-

ronmental groups are citing the Cross-

Base Highway as the best example of

what must be removed from the roads

and transit package, before the envi-

ronmental commu-

nity is able to sup-

port the package.

To this end, TAS

urges all members to

write to their local

newspapers and

elected officials this

May, asking them totake pro-active

measures to limit the severity of cli-

mate change and global warming by

cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

One concrete step that our govern-

ment can do is to make smart trans-

portation plans, and removing the

Cross-Base Highway from the

Regional Transportation Investment

Districts (RTID) roads package is a

smart choice!

CONSERVATION

May 2007Page 10

Continued from page 1

Tacoma MayorBill Baarsma

Seattle MayorGreg Nickels

... Global warming solutions

Pierce County Legislative Wrap-UpMeet your Pierce County elected officials and learn how

environmental issues fared during the 2007 legislative session.

Tuesday, May 22 6:00-7:45 p.m.

Anna Lemon Wheelock Library

3722 North 26th Street, Tacoma

Refreshments provided

For more information or to RSVP, contact Brendon Cechovic,

[email protected] , 206-374-0760 x108.

Co-sponsored by Tahoma Audubon and Pierce Conservation Voters.

TAS Conservation CommitteeOpen to all Audubon members willing to

Take Action on local conservation issues!

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

2:00-3:00 p.m.

Adriana Hess Audubon Center

2917 Morrison Road West, University Place, WA

RSVP: Krystal 253-232-9978

The Towhee is

proudly printed on

recycled paper!


10/11

Ecuador - December 8-16, 2007Nate Chappell and his Ecuadorian wife,

Angie, will lead a trip to the mountains and

western slope of the Andes. These are some of

the best birding areas in the world. Elevations

will range from 2,000 to 14,000 feet. We will

stay at hotels in Quito, the Tandaypa Valley and

Mindo on this trip. Quality viewing and photog-

raphy of Ecuador's birds will be the focus of thetrip. Spectacular species which participants have

an excellent chance of seeing include Andean

Cock of the Rock, 3 species of Antpittas, Andean

Condor and many species of beautiful humming-

bird and tanager. Cost: $1,700 includes all hotels,

meals, trans-

portation,

park fees and

guiding.

Does not

include cost

of airfare

between

the US andEcuador.

Call Nate

Chappell

at 512-

1060 for

more

informa-

tion.

Thailand - January 13-27, 2008Nate Chappell and

his wife, Angie will

lead a 2-week

trip to Central

and

Northern

Thailand

nextJanuary.

Nate is a

long time

Tahoma

Audubon

member

and very

accom-

plished

wildlife pho-

tographer. We

will also have 1 to

2 Thai nature guides

with us the entire trip.The trip is focused on see-

ing and photographing the

birds and mammals of

Thailand. We will travel

from Bangkok to

Unesco World

Heritage

site

Khao Yai National Park, Phu Khieo Wildlife

Sanctuary and Doi Inthanon National Park in

Northern Thailand. You will have a chance to

see and photograph many beautiful species of

birds and animals. Thailand is rich in many

bird families including giant hornbills, beauti-

ful trogons and colorful kingfishers. We also

have a good chance of seeing many mammals

including gibbons, deer, monkeys and manyothers. Cost: $3,400 includes all hotels,

meals, transportation, park fees and guid-

ing. Does not include the cost of air-

fare to/from the US to Thailand.

Call Nate Chappell at 512-1060 for

more information.

Dont miss these upcoming Nate Chappell trips

May 2007 Page 11

Thanks to your phone calls,emails, and in-person meetings

with legislators throughout the

session, we were able to pass all

four Priorities for a Healthy

Washington legislative proposals

this year. Your grassroots pres-

sure, combined with a smart list of

Priorities, hard-working lobbyists,

and great coalition supporters, led

to a stellar year in Olympia!

For the fifth year in a row, the

state's conservation community

selected four proactive proposals

to bring to the legislature with the

hope of protecting our quality of

life. These will help save Puget

Sound, eliminate toxic flame

retardants, promote clean air and

clean fuels, and invest $100 mil-

lion in wildlife and recreation pro-

grams. The issues and their end-

of-session status are listed below.

Clean-Air/Clean Fuels legisla-tion will reduce global warmingpollution and encourage in-state

production of sustainable bio-

fuels, helping build new jobs and a

clean energy economy. The CleanAir-Clean Fuels bill (HB 1303)

passed in the Senate on April 13th

with a strong bi-partisan 44 to 4

vote. It previously passed in the

House of Representatives on

March 10th with a 79 to 18 vote.

Eliminating Toxic FlameRetardants legislation will, forthe first time in the nation, ban the

use of these particularly toxic

chemicals and replace them with

safer alternatives that provide fire

safety protection, while reducing

risks to people and the environ-

ment. The bill (ESHB 1024) to

eliminate toxic flame retardants

passed in the House by a huge

margin of 71-24 on February 16th.

It passed the Senate on an equally

strong, bi-partisan 41-8 vote on

April 3rd. The governor signed the

bill into law on April 17th.

Save Our Sound legislationestablishes a new agency to

achieve strong recovery and pro-

tection goals, an independent sci-

ence advisory committee, and

important accountability meas-ures to make sure state funding

delivers action and results. The

Governor requested these bills

(ESSB 5372 and ESSHB 1374) to

create a new state agency to over-

see the recovery of Puget Sound

by 2020. Both bills passed their

respective chambers with wide bi-

partisan support, 41-5 and 78-19.

$100 Million for Wildlife andRecreation Program appropria-tion doubles the state's appropria-tion to this highly competitive and

pork-free program, funding 135

new state and local parks, protect-

ed shorelines and wildlife habitat,

plus the state's first ever funding

for farmland preservation. The

House and Senate both fully fund-

ed the program at $100 million.

We will keep you up to date on

activities taking place in the com-

ing months to connect with your

legislators about work this year

and hopes for future work.

Photos/Nate Chappell

Two birds found inEcuador: On the farleft is a RufousMotmot, left is aBlue Gray Tanager.

New York, NY, April 6, 2007 Statement of

Audubon President John Flicker in response

to the April 6 report of the United Nations

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:

This latest report from the worlds scientistssounds an alarm too dire for anyone to ignore.

America and the world must act immediatelyto reduce global warming emissions to avoidthe worst of the consequences it predicts.

Like the storied canary inthe coal mine, birds andother wildlife have alwaysalerted us to perilsthat threaten us

all. The reportmakes clear thatimpacts alreadyobserved or predictedin the wild pose very seri-ous threats to us all. It leaves no doubt thatglobal warming threatens everything peopleand wildlife depend on for survival and qualityof lifeour air, water and food supplies, eventhe very places we live.

Taking strong personal and political actionnow is our best hope for helping to save peo-ple and wildlife from hunger, thirst, disease anddislocation. While the reports warning is dire, itshould prompt determination and not despair.

There is much we can do to effect the long-term implications for people and nature aroundthe globe. There has never been a louder orclearer call to action to curb global warming.

With members, chapters, and state officesacross the United States, Audubon has longworked on conservation measures that reducethe impact of global warming pollution, safe-guarding birds, other wildlife, people and theplanet we share. Audubon is now redoublingefforts to engage Americans in individual,community and legislative actions that will cutglobal warming pollution by the 2% per yearscientists say is needed to avoid the worstconsequences.

The strongest federal safeguard against theextinction of bird species in the United States isthe Endangered Species Act. Enacted in 1973,the ESA has helped save some of America's mostcritically imperiled birds and wildlife, includingspecies like the Bald Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon,the Gray Wolf, the Grizzly Bear, and theWhooping Crane.

Despite its success, Congress in recent yearshas seriously considered proposals that would gut

the fundamental protections this bedrock environ-mental law provides to America's most endan-gered birds. The changes in Congressional lead-ership that resulted from the 2006 elections areexpected to restore balance to the debate aboutprotecting our endangered and threatenedspecies. One very positive sign is that the Bushadministration proposed early in 2007 to list thepolar bear as threatened under the ESA, as aresult global warming.

The Endangered Species Act: An essential safety net

The time to act is nowLegislative session a big win for the environment

Priorities for a Healthy Washington

http://www.environmentalpriorities.org/


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05-2007 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

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