11-2008 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

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Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969 . Vol. 39 No. 9 November 2008

The Towhee is put together by volunteers for our

members.

We need you!

Kathleen LeGreid, our wonderful editor for 16years has retired.

We have a team of volunteers ready to help put

each issue together, but we need an overall editor

to tie it all together. Without it The Towhee will not

happen.

If you are interested in helping please call Bryan

Flint at (253) 565-9129.

Bryan Flint, Executive Director, Tahoma Audubon

[email protected]

www.TahomaAudubon.org

please Don’tlet this Towhee

get away!

By Paul Webster

In the pine forests of the far west there are

few more striking birds than the White-headed

Woodpecker. The same size as the familiar

Hairy Woodpecker, the White-headed’s all-black body and wings contrast with white wing-

patches and head (males have a small red

patch on the nape). It forages in ponderosa

pine and other conifers, using several methods

to obtain the arthropods and seeds that make

up its diet: it flakes away rough bark on the

lower tree trunk and probes needle clusters

searching for insects and spiders, and it drills

into unopened cones to extract nuts – in the

latter process often assum ing unusual nut-

hatch-like positions to minimize contact with

their sticky sap. The White-headed also catch-

es flying insects in mid-air and sucks sap by

drilling distinctive sap-wells in evenly-spaced

horizontal rings around small trees.

The White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides

albolarvatus ) ranges from the southern

Okanagan of British Columbia south throughthe Cascades and Sierras to the mountains of

southern California. In Washington they are

uncommon, local residents in the ponderosa

pine forests of the Cascades’ east slope and the

Blue Mountains. Birders often find White-

headed Woodpeckers at Wenas Campground

and along Umtanum Road; they’re also some-

times present at the Sleeping Lady complex on

Icicle Creek just outside Leavenworth.

White-headed Woodpeckers require mature

White-headed Woodpecker

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

I was excited last winter

when I saw two of Charley

Harper’s limited edition

prints up for auction at the

TAS banquet silent auction.

It was there that I heard

whispers that there weremore where those came

from and that an exhibition

might be in the works!

Harper, who died last year,

left a legacy of eye-popping

nature art that is instantly

recognizable, both by artists for the style and by

naturalists for stylizing actual field marks in a way

that exact species can be identified. Called

American Modernist or Minimal Realism, this was

something revolutionary many decades ago and still

is today. Now Tacoma is on the Charley Harper

map with this new exhibit thanks to the Tacoma

Nature Center and exhibitor/owners Bill & Andrea

Gernon (who also donated auction items), Sue

Goering, John Garner, Bill &

Marjorie Shea, and Bill &

Michele Wallace for making

this possible.

Tacoma has been making

its mark in recent years as a

place for art. Galleries,

museums, and many artistsnow call Tacoma home. An

early entrant into this rar-

efied world was the Pacific

Rim Wildlife Art Show. This

huge show for wildlife art-

ists brought in artists from

all over the world to the Tacoma Dome Exhibition

Hall and was the idea, and major fundraiser, of the

Snake Lake Nature Center, now the Tacoma Nature

Center. Many works by noted international artists

from those days are still on display at the Nature

Center, and its legacy lives on with frequent exhibits

by local artists and photographers which hang in

at the Tacoma Nature Center now through December 20, 2008

The Art of Charley Harper

Top: Buzz Off You Turkey, by Charley Harper,available on silent auction. Above: Charley Harper with his Black and WhiteWarlbler.

See "Charley Harper" on page 7

See "White-headed" on page 6 Photo/Martin Meyers



Tahoma Audubon Staff

Flint, Bryan Executive Director

[email protected] 253-565-9129

Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator


Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator


Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884Kerrigan, 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-chairDick Carkner

Sally Larson

Marcus Roening

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck

Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Elizabeth Beer

Loren Webster Calendar Editor [email protected]

The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon SocietyLocated in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park

2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278

e-mail: [email protected]

www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2008

executive director’s Corner

Looking for the silver liningWow. The

economy has

been in crazy,

and dangerous,

territory of late.

With a troubled

economy and

folks struggling

to make ends

meet, non-profits

are often put in a

double bind.

Donations drop while the needs grow. For small

non-profits like Tahoma Audubon that just barely

scrape by, that can be a challenge.

But, like Warren Buffet, years of good planning

and a little bit of luck have served us well.

First, there is a silver lining to a slow down in the

housing market. For the last few decades the big-

gest threat to habitat has been uncontrolled sprawl.Poorly planned suburban development has plowed

under thousands of acres of wetlands, oak prairies,

stream-side habitat, and farm land. Prodded by

community and environmental activists, govern-

ments have been playing catch up with reasonable

regulations to protect open space and farm land.

We have now been given a breather from the

unrelenting pressure of progress as government

gets some extra time to catch up. In Tacoma, this

means a new open space plan will be implement-

ed, recommendations for dealing with climate

change can get rolling, and new mixed use centers

can concentrate growth where it should go. Pierce

County is working on an update to a shoreline

master program that hasn’t seen major changes

since the early seventies.

When the economy picks up and developers start

measuring floor plans, they will be building a differ-

ent kind of housing. They will be putting up town

homes, housing that takes a smaller foot print and is

more compatible with sensible growth manage-

ment. As a community, we may just weather this

economic storm and be the better for it.

Because of prudent financial management

Tahoma Audubon will weather this financial

storm as well. Tahoma Audubon Society has anendowment fund, money that can never be spent

but it produces income year after year for assis-

tance with our operations. We also have a healthy

reserve account set aside for a rainy day. Because

of a generous gift from Donna Cooper Pepos’

estate we are able to create a named endowment in

her honor, increase our rainy day fund so that we

have a six month operating safety net, and invest

funds in our future operations.

One gift from a long-time member does not

solve all of our budget worries, and we will need

to continue to raise money from you, our support-

ers. By focusing on our mission of protecting

habitat and being careful stewards of our funds,

we are making a difference in protecting the wild-

life habitat that we care so deeply about.

The ultimate silver lining in these trying times is

that Tahoma Audubon, and the fight to protecthabitat, is made up of wonderful people. Folks

who care deeply about the environment, have a

positive outlook, and know how to have fun while

working hard. No matter what happens to the

world economy, as long as we have you, we will

make great things happen.

Thanks to the support from

the Jacquelyn and Charlie,

owners of Primo Grill in

Tacoma, Tahoma Audubon

received a gift from localartist Susan Russell Hall. The

Lakewood artist generously

donated 10% of the proceeds

from art she sold in the

popular restaurant. Ms. Hall’s

art is hanging on the walls of

the popular restaurant until

November 16th and can be

purchased from the artist.

“We are thankful for the

support of Jacquelyn and

Charlie and the commitment

of Susan Russell Hall to the

environment,” said John

Garner, President of Tahoma

Audubon in accepting the

generous gift. “Her art is

beautiful, what a wonderful

way to support the

environment.” Learn more

about Susan Russell

Hall’s art at www.

susanrussellhall.

com or visit

Primo Grill at

601 S. Pine

St., Tacoma.

Thank you to Artist Susan Russell Hall

S

o f t L i g h t ,

2 0 0 8

John Garner and Bryan Flint accept a donation fromartist Susan Russell Hill at Primo Grill in Tacoma.

By focusing on our mission of protecting habitat and being

careful stewards of our funds,we are making a difference in

protecting the wildlife habitatthat we care so deeply about.

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society .

The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protectionof wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem-

ber’s experiences 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, conserva-

tion, and environmental 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]

Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings

Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com

Printing: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint



eNviroNMeNt Matters

November 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org

Celebrate Green Tacoma Day on November 15th, 2008, at the Port of Tacoma’s

recently acquired Julia’s Gulch in northeast Tacoma!Volunteers and staff will celebrate the continued success of the Green Tacoma

Partnership, and work together to begin restoring this valuable urban forest. The

day will begin at 10AM, with announcements and a few short speeches from

notable Green Tacoma Partnership supporters.

Volunteers will then view demonstrations and participate in the different phases

of urban forest restoration, including:

Initial site assessment and planning•

Invasive species removal techniques•

Native tree and shrub planting•

Restoration monitoring and maintenance•

Opportunities to explore Julia’s Gulch, previously not accessible by the public,will be plentiful. It is anticipated that the day will end with a hot lunch and a cel-

ebration of the hard work and dedication of Green Tacoma’s many volunteers!”

Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes!

For more information, including directions, contact Krystal Kyer at 253-232-

9978 or go online at www.tahomaaudubon.org or www.greentacoma.org.

City of Tacoma Make a Splash grant funds were

awarded to The Green Tacoma Partnership to

implement monthly training programs that help

educate residents and restoration volunteers toprotect and restore local surface water resources.

Two training days have been arranged consisting of

1/2 day of discussion, and 1/2 day site tours high-

lighting restoration activities that benefit salmon

through various approaches used by GTP partners.

All sessions are free and open to the public:

Friday, November 7 - Tacoma Nature

Center Youth Education Efforts Emphasizing

Watersheds and Water Quality

This session will explore how organizations can

effectively engage youth in learning about nature.

Presentations and discussion will address curricula

that targets youths in grades 4 through 12 and

focus on the education of watershed and water

quality issues through hands-on

field investigations. Classroom

work and a guided trail hike

are included. An associatedsite tour will continue the

theme of hands-on field investi-

gations with the exploration of a

coastal and upland wetland habitats plus compara-

tive water quality sampling.

Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6 – (9-12

am, both days) Citizens for a Healthy Bay

Tidal Habitat Restoration, Advocacy,

Education & Volunteer Recruitment

CHB’s unique advocacy, education, restoration and

hands-on programs, which help clean, protect and

restore nearly 610 acres of marine and coastal habi-

tat, will be highlighted. Panel discussions will exam-

ine the history and future of local estuarial restoration

while exploring the importance of

ecosystem-based planning, plus

invasive plant control.

Participants will also learnabout the affect of storm drain

stenciling on reduction of storm

water pollution, and how the CHB’s

Bay Patrol Program advocates with state and city

agencies, as well as the marine industry for clean

water. Field activities will invite participants to engage

in hands-on restoration activities including native

plant installations and invasive plant removal.

The GTP is one of nine recipients being funded

by the City of Tacoma in 2008. Although geared to

meet the needs of GTP members, these trainings

are open to the public, and are free of charge. To

register contact Krystal Kyer at 253-232-9978 or by

e-mail at [email protected].

The Mountaineers and the University of

Puget Sound are gearing up for a free 4-week

course on the legislative priorities for the

environmental community during the upcom-

ing session.

Audubon is a member of the Priorities for

a Healthy Washington coalition. Last year

we successfully passed all four priorities, and

you can help us do it again this year! Our

legislators need to hear from their constituents

and environmental champions - that’s you!

Learn about the upcoming 2009 legislative

Priorities For A Healthy Washington.

Registration at: www.mountaineers.org

We are able to offer this course for free to the

public due to generous support from the

University of Puget Sound. Please call Katharine

at 253.973.9004 with any questions.

The two remaining courses are:

November 5th: Energy Efficient Building:

Regulations and Incentives

• Carrie Dolwick, NW Energy Coalition

November 12th: Medicine Take Back

• Suellen Mele, Citizens for Resource

Conservation 6:30-8:30 p.m. Collins Memorial

Library, Room 020, University of Puget

Sound

All of the classes are free and intended for

the public. Tahoma Audubon Society encour-

ages you to attend any or all of the classes.

Northwest environmental issues courses

Conservation Coordinator krystalKYER Contact Krystal at 253-232-9978. Or you can e-mail her @ [email protected]



Morse Wildlife

Preserve Volunteer

Days a HUGE

Success!

On October 7th

and 9th we wel-comed over 120 stu-

dent and adult vol-

unteers to the Morse

Wildlife Preserve

for our first Volunteer

Days events.

Through the

TogetherGreen.org

organization, a partnership with National Audubon

and Toyota, we are able to educate about and restore

a portion of the prairie habitat at the Preserve. Four

classes at Rocky Ridge Elementary School are

spending over 32 hours at the Preserve, between

now and May 2009, to learn about this place and

what they can do to protect the fragile ecosystem.

Volunteers from the Cascade Land Conservancy,

Tahoma Audubon and the Morse Force spent hours

preparing the prairie for the students’ arrival and

spent both days coaching the students with the res-

toration work. Students removed grass clumps and

large rocks from the soil to prepare for the planting

they will do in November. Chaperones and teachers

from the school also joined in, separating the clumps

from the good soil. The efforts the students and vol-

unteers make in this restoration work will add 30

square meters to the prairie habitat at the preserve by

May, and will help students understand the value of returning an altered area to its natural state. Students

will also be enhancing their science education by

comparing different treatments done on areas of the

Prairie as well as participating in bird counts and

data collection in a different part of the Preserve.

This is truly an innovative program that will both

increase student awareness about the natural area in

their neighborhoods and include them in the volun-

teer efforts of their community. The students arestewards of Morse Wildlife Preserve, following in the

footsteps of the dedicated volunteers who have been

protecting and educating at the Preserve since 1995.

We will host these students at the Preserve a num-

ber of times this year. We would love to have birders

and naturalists who can lead a birdwatching station,

nature lovers who wish to share their knowledge

about their favorite topic (mushrooms, trees, insects,

etc). We would also love to have volunteers who can

share their time with the students working on the

prairie restoration. If you don’t know what you want

to do, but know you want to be involved, there is

plenty to do. Please call Steph at 253-565-5479 to

sign-up for a date to volunteer. The next two dates are

November 18th and 20th when we will be watching

birds, planting native plants, and continuing to moni-

tor the habitats at the

Preserve. Please join us!

Thanks to Noah Compton,

Nancy Davis, Tom

Galdabini, Mary Sue Gee,

Art Gee, Thelma Gilmur,

Julie Griffiths, Clyde

Kostelecky, Julie Lawson,

Hayes Swinney, and

Meagan Van Horn for the

hours they volunteered atMorse in October. It was

successful because of you.

Thanks!


educatioN Matters

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.

Education highlights

Call Steph @ 253-565-5479. Or

[email protected]

stephanieSWAIMEducation Coordinator

Do you know a high school junior or

senior looking for a culminating project

to satisfy graduation requirements?


senior who loves being outdoors, learn-

ing about nature?


senior who wants to make a difference

while learning valuable real world

skills?

If you said “yes” to any of these ques-

tions, we may have a project for you. We

are looking for motivated students to par-

ticipate in exciting projects that help

Tahoma Audubon and other organizations.

We match students with mentors in the

community and meaningful projects that

stretch their skills and satisfy volunteer

requirements. Please contact Jen Crump at

the Tacoma Nature Center at jenniferc@

tacomaparks.com to request an applicationor for more information.

We look forward to hearing from you!

For High Schoolers

Photos/Julie Lawson

Volunteers at the Morse Wildlife Preserve event.



field trips and Events


Weekly Bird Walks at NisquallyWednesdays 7:30 am to 11:00 am

Leader: Phil Kelley

Big changes are happening at Nisqually NWR!

Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts the

birds at Nisqually NWR. 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 ripar-ian area, totaling about 3 miles.

Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,

water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee unless you have

a pass. Scopes are welcome.

Meet: At the Visitor’s Center.

Directions: Take I-5 south from Tacoma and exit

to Nisqually NWR at exit 114. Take a right at the

light.

Sign-up: Call or e-mail Phil Kelley to confirm

details (especially during the trail

construction period). Phil Kelley, Lacey, 360-459-

1499, [email protected].

Construction has started on some trails, part of a3-4 year estuary reconstruction project.

For more information about trail closures for the

dike removal and reconstruction project, go to

http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/ and click on Events

and News. During the reconstruction, some trails

may be closed temporarily.

Rainier Audubon invites Tahoma

Audubon to join their field trips

White-tailed Kites in the FallSunday, November 16, 7:30 am to late afternoon

Leader: Roger Orness

White-tailed Kites are not known to migrate, butthe dispersal of the young and the possibility of

late nesting pairs can be found in fall. Our trip will

take us through several valleys where kites nested

in the past, and we will also seek kites in new

areas. Our main target birds will be any hatch year

juveniles. We also should see good numbers of

other raptors. Last year we had 41 American

Kestrels. This trip is limited to seven people and

two vehicles, so sign up early to secure a spot.

Bring: Scopes, binos, lunch, and snacks. Be pre-

pared for a long drive, and a long day returning to

Tacoma in the late afternoon.

Meet: At the McDonald’s Restaurant at the Hwy

512 P&R at 7:30. Depart promptly.Directions: Take I-5 to Hwy 512 south of

Tacoma. Turn right and take an immediate left on

South Tacoma Way. Travel south one block, and

turn left into the P&R. Meet near McDonalds.

Sign-Up: Call or e-mail Roger Orness,

253-922-7516, [email protected]

Olympia Area Birding(After Thanksgiving “Walk-Off-The-Calories”

Trip)

Saturday, November 29, 8:30 am to mid afternoon

Leader: Carol Schulz

Fall is a nice time to visit Olympia and surround-ing areas. Our state’s capital offers a variety of

waterbirds on salt water and at Capitol Lake. This

weekend trip after Thanksgiving features some

walks to wear off the calories and see some good

birds too. Some folks call this our “Diet Trip”!

We will walk about 2 miles or so. Our first stop

will be on the way. We’ll stop at the Nisqually

Visitor’s center, where we will walk from the

Visitor’s Center out to the Twin Barns in search of

hawks and ducks. We may get to see some of the

estuary reconstruction project.

Then we will travel to Olympia to walk a portion

of the Capitol Lake Trail at the wetland, and at

other trail view points. There is a view of the

Capitol building from the lake.

We will also visit some favorite salt water view-

points in Olympia. We will be looking for diving

ducks, grebes, loons and other birds and ducks at

the lake and on saltwater.

Bring: Warm clothes, lunch (turkey sandwich-

es?), hot drinks, snacks and water. Scopes are

welcome.

Meet: 8:30 am at the Hwy. 512 P&R in Tacoma.Directions: Take I-5 south through Tacoma to

exit 127 (the Hwy. 512 exit). Turn right and imme-

diately get into the left lane. Turn left onto S

Tacoma Way. Travel 1/2 block south, and turn left

into the P&R. Meet near McDonalds.

Sign Up: Call or e-mail Carol Schulz, 206-824-

7618, [email protected]. E-mail is preferred.

Kittitas County Birding in WinterSunday, Dec. 7, 2008 6:30 am to evening.

Co-Leaders - Charlie Wright and Roger Orness

Come enjoy a day of winter-season birding in

central Washington. We will venture over

Snoqualmie Pass and visit areas including Swauk

Prairie and South Cle Elum along our route. Large

numbers of raptors including Rough-legged

Hawks and Prairie Falcons are seen wintering in

the open, snow-covered fields of Kittitas.

Proceeding east we will reach the Columbia River

at Vantage, where waterfowl are sometimes pres-

ent in vast numbers. Some target species will

include unusual loons, ducks, American White

Pelicans, and possibly rare gulls. Chukar are occa-

sionally seen in the basalt outcroppings here.

Bring: Bring many layers of clothing for cold

weather conditions, a lunch, and snacks. Scopes

are welcome. Space is limited.Meet: At 6:30am at Auburn Safeway at Auburn

Way and Main St. Take Hwy. 18 to Auburn and

exit at Auburn Way. (Hwy. 164). Turn north

(right) on Auburn Way and drive three blocks

north. Safeway sign and gas station will be on the

left. Park in the Safeway lot just beyond the gas

station and straight out from the Safeway door. We

will meet and carpool (promptly) from there.

Sign-up: Contact Roger Orness, r.orness@com-

cast.net, 253-922-7516. E-mail is preferred.

Tahoma Audubon

Bird Walk @ Adriana HessMon Nov 10 12pm –1pm

Adriana Hess Audubon Center, 2917 Morrison

Rd, West, University Place

Intermediate Birder’s ClassTue Nov 11 7pm – 9pm

Pre-registration required, weekly until Tue Dec 2

7pm.



Ages 18 and older, 7-9pm

$55 for Audubon members; $75 non-members

Join us for an exploration of fall and wintering

birds of Washington as well as Shorebirds. This

class is for those who have a good background in

bird identification. In addition to the scheduled

class days, there are four field trips that are fast

paced and include travel and over night stay. For

information and to register call 253-591-6439.

Class meets at Adriana Hess Audubon Center,

2917 Morrison Rd, West, University Place.

Field Trips: Trips on November 22nd & December6th, 3 day trip on January 17th, 18th, and 19th.

Instructor: Kenneth Brown

Discovery Walk – Foothill TrailsSat Nov 15 10am –11:30am

Call 253-565-9278 to register and for directions.

Nature Walkat Point Defiance Park in TacomaSun 8am –11:30am

Point Defiance Park in Tacoma

Join author Rob McNair-Huff for a 5-mile walk

through the forests at Point Defiance Park. The tripstarts at the back of the parking lot for the Point

Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Come prepared for a

healthy walk through the park in changeable

weather conditions. Winter bird highlights can

include returning waterfowl, Bald Eagles and for-

est birds. For more information, e-mail rob@

whiterabbits.com.

Plant Walk @ Adriana HessMon Nov 17 12pm – 1pm



Seabird Survey 3Sat Dec 6 9:06am – 1:06pm

Call 253-565-9278 for information.

Mushroom identification workshops at Penrose Point State Park Two dates offered for November: Saturday the 15th, and Sunday the 30th

from 1pm to 3pm we will be having a mushroom identification workshop atPenrose Point State Park. We will be learning characteristics of mushroomshelpful for identification. We will be trying to key out mushrooms. Some localmushrooms will be displayed; and you are welcome to bring mushrooms. Wemay go for a short walk if conditions are good for mushrooms.

The first 15 people who call to register will be taken (group size limited to

15 people). There is no charge. We will meet at the bulletin board in the bigparking lot. To register call (253) 884-2514 and ask for Dan Christian.

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




By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

After a mad month of exciting

swift chasing every single week-

end, I had swifts on the brain,swirling around me like a cloud

of gnats anywhere I went at

sunset this early fall. After an

early visit to the famous Monroe

swift chimney, fabulous experi-

ences at the old school in Selleck

and the old customs house in Sumas,

and one disappointing visit to the

abandoned chimney in north Tacoma, I was ready

for the piece de resistance – The Monroe chimney

at the very height of the swift migration on

September 20th! I eagerly awaited this trek and

invited all my TAS friends to come with me

buoyed by new publicity efforts (many of you tookme up on the offer!).

Almost a secret pleasure in the past, I would

make several trips each season to the Monroe

chimney only to find myself almost alone. But no

more! The rumors that

the school district want-

ed to pull down that

chimney because it

wasn’t earthquake-

proof galvanized the

Northwest birding

world, and a movement was born – Save Our

Swifts! You read about it here earlier this year.

Pilchuck and Seattle Audubon chapters cranked upa publicity machine that would be the envy of any

politician, and suddenly everyone wanted to go

see that chimney that was featured on television

and the front page of the Seattle Times!

Three carloads of birders left Tacoma that after-

noon, and three other parties met us there at the big

show, making Tahoma Audubon the single largest

group at this big gathering on the lawn of the

Frank Wagner School. Unfortunately,

there was one unwelcome visitor –

Rain. In all my “swifting” over

the past several years, I had

never run into rain before, asthe Swifts choose the driest

part of the year to put on their

fall show. I had no idea what

to expect. Pilchuck Audubon

provided an official counter every

night for this Big Month, and this

night we had Judy Alles, the queen of

counters. She had counted almost

6000 birds the night before and would count that

many again the next night, but tonight she was

available for chitchat since the swifts were appar-

ently grounded by the rain. Bob Sindelar of

Pilchuck, the publicity guy responsible for the

amazing media blitz, was the official Swift Docentthat evening, and he worked the crowd like a

vaudeville trouper, bucking us up with the promise

of birds, telling jokes, and snapping photos. None

of this worked on the birds or the weather gods,

but a camaraderie

developed among the

dripping birders hud-

dled under a big tree

and various umbrellas.

Right after we arrived,

two birds were seen,

and sometime later a single bird flew in, but no one

saw all three.

Apparently that morning, the alpha swifts haddone the math and decided the energy expenditure

for getting out of bed was more than the expected

rewards on this unrelentingly rainy day. Very few

of them ever left the chimney, and most of those

gave it up and came back in the early afternoon.

This was confirmed the next morning when the

official counter at dawn ticked off 5000 birds leav-

ing the chimney, a number that had never been seen

on our appointed day. They had just stayed in.

So next year when I promise you swifts, don’t

believe it, but take a chance anyway. We’ll go

earlier in the month when the weather odds are a

little better. We might even try that Selleck chim-

ney. And you can go out and look at your favorite

chimney next spring, too, when they do the reverse

migration in late April and early May.

In the meantime, Save our Swifts is still trying to

save that Monroe chimney, which is the second orthird biggest swift collector in the world (after

Portland and possibly California). For details on

Save our Swifts and the swift count this season, as

well as how to contribute toward saving that chim-

ney, go to Pilchuck Audubon’s website and click

on Programs. http://pilchuckaudubon.org/

In the meantime, I have a big IOU out there to a

bunch of swift devotees who got cheated this year.

MISSING: Six Thousand Swifts

Despite modern urban crowding,often polluted air, and great swathes

of mountain being denuded by clear-

cutting, there are still places where

we can retreat to be with Nature.

My favorite places included moun-

tains, small streams, huckleberries,

chanterelles, sunlight on moss, and

the symphonic accompaniment of bird song. Lake

Cushman provided me with a window on magnifi-

cence. Seeing Mt. Tahoma in her many guises and

lights always gives me a lift. And when a Piliated

Woodpecker decided to whack chunks out of my

deck rail, I was delighted to have such a magnificent

bird so close.

There are still many outdoor places to be saved forthe learning and appreciation of all. And with the

current economy, enjoying the freedom to walk

through Nature is still an affordable pleasure. With

the active involvement of our leaders and members,

TAS is a big part of this effort in Pierce County, work-

ing to save as much of Paradise as we can for the

learning, appreciation and comfort of all. It is an

honor for me to be a part of this effort.

Peggy Kopf

Tahoma Audubon Board Member

Board Member

Nature - an affordable pleasure for all of us

Peggy Kopf

Allen Dobrynin, Adam Trent, and Orlenna Dobryninrelaxing in front of that famous chimney in Monroe.

“Next year when I promise

you swifts, don’t believe it.

But take a chance anyway.”

Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

The Willettes keep dry under the tailgate of Faye’s “Silver Swift.” Pictured areDiane Kerlin, Faye McAdams Hands, Carol Smith, and Dorothy Husband.

Lorraine Jackson, Patti & Jim Coolsen, Kelly & Mark Stave standing in the rain in Monroe

Dave Kiley, Sue Schub, Wayne & Lorraine Jacksonsmiling through the raindrops.

A V

a u x S w i f t s e e n o n a d i f f e r e n t

d a y .




the main meeting room (where TAS holds its

monthly meetings) and that are rotated peri-

odically. In fact, the Nature Center is one of

the low-key but reliable art stories in this arty

city. We are among those fortunate to be

initiated. So it was only natural to find

Charley’s lithographs and serigraphs hangingthere when Adam Trent and I made a visit

right after they were hung.

Walking into the Nature Center, we almost

missed the zebra print hanging in the hall, so

be on the outlook! Seeing the works in full

size (rather than magazine cover size as I was

used to) was truly an entry into the mind of a

geometric visionary, not to mention the pun-

ster at work. One can imagine a young

Charley sitting in Plane Geometry class with

his compass and pencil turning bisected cir-

cles into ladybugs and seals, vectors into solid

rain where ghosts of animal life could only be

intuited, parabolas into flying feathers, andintersecting lines into a zebra herd. Harper

kept his youthful whimsy lifelong and used his

talent to pass it along to

thousands who never

met him.

This gallery of 30

works by Charley Harper

was the brainchild of

Michele Cardinaux,

Tacoma Nature Center

Program Manager, fellow

Charley lover, and owner

of the one of the works

on display. She man-

aged to not only find these works to display,

but also found donated items that could be

sold at silent auction to benefit the Tacoma

Nature Center’s education programs. This is

everyone’s chance to own a Charley Harper

limited edition! Go there and look or bid on-

line at: http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=217. Be sure to notice the titles

of the works, he was a great punster!

Some museums and exhibits have written

or audio programs to help you understand the

art you’re viewing. It is only fitting that

Michele fashioned a program for Charley’s

work that is a scavenger hunt! He would

have loved this! Just like real life, the birds

and animals pictured can be challenging to

identify, but identifiable they are. Michele

found out or figured out every species depict-

ed in this exhibit and challenges you to do the

same. Ask for your scavenger hunt form at

the front desk and really get into the brain of this genius! I thought I was doing pretty well

until I identified a fish as a shorebird! The

scavenger hunt was intro-

duced at a special recep-

tion in October in con-

junction with Tahoma

Audubon’s monthly meet-

ing, but the exhibit and

silent auction run through

December 20th, so there’s

still time to see it! And if

anyone wants a hint of

something to get me for

Christmas....

forest dominated by ponderosa pine; they prefer to livewhere another pine or conifer species is also present, such assugar, Jeffrey, or lodgepole pine, white or incense cedar, orDouglas fir. The greatest numbers live where the forest has been

disturbed by fire or selective harvesting, but still contains residu-al large-diameter live and dead trees. The most important require-ment is large ponderosas: an Oregon study showed that the wood-peckers’ preferred ponderosas were about 24” in diameter: thesetrees have large cones and produce the abundant seeds that supportthe birds through the winter.

The White-headed Woodpecker seems stable in its California heart-land, but adverse forestry practices have greatly reduced its numbers in thePacific Northwest. Logging has removed many of the large trees the wood-pecker needs, and the remaining stands of suitable trees are increasinglyfragmented. Decades of fire suppression allowed an understory to growwhich may conceal predators near White-headed Woodpecker nests – often

located no more than three or four meters above ground-level. The White-headed has become rare in British

Columbia; in Washington it is considered a species-of-

concern by Audubon-Washington and Partners in Flight,though not by our Department of Fish and Wildlife. The

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife back in 1991, bycontrast, labeled its status critical .

Despite a wealth of anecdotal material, particularly in theolder literature, the White-headed Woodpecker remains,according to a recent article, “one of the most poorly studiedwoodpeckers in North America.” We need to know moreabout them – for example, why are they absent from manyplaces where the habitat seems suitable? We already do knowenough to require snag and large-tree retention in logging

operations, and to modify fire suppression practices. Intime we’ll hopefully discover the optimal habitat require-ments that will allow this striking woodpecker to flourish

again in the ponderosa-dominated forests of the PacificNorthwest.

... White-headed from page 1

from page 1

Above: Diane Yorgason-Quinn with her favorite of the exhibit, “Hare’s Breadth,” by Charley Harper.

Below: Michele Cardinaux of Tacoma Nature Center, curator of the Charley Harper exhibit

photo/Adam Trent

Above: “Bittern Suite,” by Charley Harper (note the pun!)Below: “Pfwhooo,” by Charley Harper (what the owl saysafter catching the skunk!) Both available on silent auction.

... Charley Harper




Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing in November 1983

B I R D S

O N G S

b y P h i l B u l y

Tofurkey (a portmanteau of tofu and tur-key) is faux turkey - a loaf or casserole of vegetarian protein, usually made fromseitan (wheat protein) or tofu (soybeanprotein) with a stuffing made from grain(s)

and/or bread flavored with a broth andseasoned with herbs and spices. Tofurkeyis oven roasted or baked. Tofurkey canserve as the main dish of a formal meal forpeople who abstain from or would like to

abstain from eating meat. It has becomepopular as a vegetarian meat alternativeserved at Thanksgiving (USA and Canada),Harvest festivals, and other winter holi-days. (From WIKIPEDIA)

Paul Webster wrote eloquent-ly of the WA Wilderness Bill as itlanguished in the Senate. Thetemporary delay in “mark-up” wascaused by the death of SenatorHenry M Jackson and the flurry to fill

that vacant seat. Under discussion for wilder-ness designation were roadless areas such asBoulder River, Clearwater, Dark Divide, Glacier

View, Eagle Rock, Goat Rocks, Indian Heaven,Juniper forest, Kettle Range, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth, Mt. Baker and Norse Peak, GlacierPeak, Pasayten. Webster was urging Audubonersto write to our congressional delegation -- twoor three paragraphs urgingprotection of our special plac-es.

Here are the names of theWA congressional delegation inNovember 1983:

Senators Daniel J Evans,

and Slade Gorton.Representatives were: JoelPritchard, Al Swift, DonBonker, Sid Morrison, Thomas Foley,Norman Dicks, Mike Lowry, Rod Chandler.The President was Ronald Reagan.

The TAS membership meeting at PLU’s IngramHall featured Fayette Kraus, Land Steward forThe Nature Conservancy and past president of Seattle Audubon Society. Fayette described the

Conservancy and its commitment topreservation of natural diversity. His job as Land Steward involved man-agement of the TNC’s 17 preservesin our state.

TAS member Dr J J Shomon,former director of the NAS Nature

Centers Planning Division, announced his

African safari was ready to visit four countriesover a 9-week span, departing in early January.The safari party includes TAS members Cliff & Marge Casebolt, and Don & EmilyGrindell.

The interesting and successful WA State Audubon Council session in Ellensburg wasreported on by TAS president Walt Adams.

Our chapter’s delegation mem-bers to the session wereThelma Gilmur, EvelynPatton, Nancy Thomas,Carla Hansmann and JohnMcCann. The state’s Audubonlobbyist Pam Crocker-Davis

reported we are now 21 chap-ters, and twelve thousand

members statewide. She told of the passing of the bill allowing seven-digit per-sonalized license plates (up from 6 digits) toprovide more revenue for the non-game pro-gram of the Department of Game. (We boughther a 7-digit plate reading AUDUBON.)Earmarked money is coming for work to beginon the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, and Superfund

money is allocated for thebeginning cleanup of Commencement Bay.

Another bit of good newswas that endrin would bephased out over the nexttwo years.

Thais Bock’s Word on

Birds included listing ahybrid Red-shafted--

Yellow-shafted Flicker inFederal Way and a White-tailed Kite (now offi-cially Black-shouldered Kite) at Nisqually NWR. A herd of 90-100 elk were in the Green RiverWatershed, along with several Ruffed Grouse. A Northern Waterthrush was found along a trail inFort Canby State Park. In Lakewood both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches regu-larly share the same feeders.

Cathy Jerbic was Field Trip Chair, organizingoutings to gear up for mid-December’s ChristmasBird Count. They checked out the campus of Old Fort Steilacoom (presently Western State

Hospital) with John SlippandThelma Gilmur;McNeil Island birding with Henry Kyle; SouthPuget Sound Marine Birding Boat Trip with Walt Adams; and Nisqually National Wildlife Refugewith Norris Cone. TAS also went with SierraClub on a joint trip to Leadbetter Point andWillapa Bay, coordinated by Paul Webster.

By Helen Engle

A n s w e r s : 1 ) D u n l i n 2 ) B l a c k T e r n 3 ) k l e p t o p a r a s i t e s 4 ) B l a c k - c r o w n e d N i g h t H e r o n 5 ) A s h y S t o r m - p e t r e l

Feedback, comments and reminiscences

welcome, 253-564-3112, [email protected].

quizzical

the

By Thais Bock

1. What small shorebird is a circumpolar breeder from northern Alaska to Scandanaviaand Russia?

2. This tern can be found sweeping over eastern WA marshes in summer.

3. Birds specializing in stealing food from other birds are known as_______________.

4. Resting during daytime, what heron hunts after dark?

5. While storm petrals live in the NE Pacic, this one remains all year off the coast of CA near Monterey. (Answers below cartoon.)

Dan Evans Slade Gorton

Helen Englefrom days of yore.




aNNouNceMeNts

Fall/Thanksgiving Iris

folding card classRosanne Becker, Instructor

Wed., Nov. 12—6:30-9:00 PM

Adriana Hess Center

Cost: $15.00 (to be paid at the class)

Fill in shapes with colorful strips of paper

or ribbon that spiral to the center or iris.

Leave class with at least two cards and

patterns to make your own.

Supplies needed: small scissors, Scotch

Magic Tape (green plaid dispenser), and a

craft cutting mat (if you have one)

Christmas Iris

folding card classRosanne Becker, Instructor

Wed., Dec.10—6:30-9:00 PM

Adriana Hess Center

Cost: $15.00 (to be paid at the class)

Fill in holiday shapes with colorful strips

of paper or ribbon that spiral to the center

or iris. Leave class with at least two cards

and patterns to make your own.

Supplies needed: small scissors, Scotch

Magic Tape (green plaid dispenser), and a

small craft cutting mat (if you have one).

Just a reminder for you to save the date for this fun holiday

tradition.Join Audubon Chapters acrossthe country in counting birdson this 109th annual event.Stay tuned for more news inthe December/January issueon Areas to sign up for, who tocall, etc……..or if you can’twait, call or e-mail the CBCCompiler now! Faye McAdamsHands – 253-942-9233, [email protected]

Christmas Bird Count is comingDecember 20th. Save the date!

Northwest Trek raises state-endangered frogsfor reintroduction

The tiny one-ounce dye-marked amphibians leap

enthusiastically out of their plastic containers and

into the lush grass, water and thick mud at the

edge of the lake. These juvenile Oregon spotted

frogs are taking off into the big world after being

carefully monitored and protected for six months at

the Conservation Center at Northwest Trek Wildlife

Park. The animal care team has fretted over water

quality, chopped and cooked kale and romaine,

wrangled crickets and consulted with partner agen-

cies which has generally kept them hopping.

“This is the first-ever captive rearing and release

program for the Oregon spotted frog in Washington

and represents a significant first step in our joint

effort to help recover this fragile species,” said

Harriet Allen, Washington Department of Fish and

Wildlife (WDFW) endangered species program

manager.

“We’re excited to be part of this project because

it fits so perfectly with our conservation mission,”

said Dave Ellis, deputy director at Northwest Trek.

“Not only that, but our specialty at the park is North

American species, so this dovetails beautifully with

our work.”

The zookeepers joined biologists from the WDFW

and the U.S. Army released the frogs into Dailman

Lake on the Fort Lewis Military Reservation in Pierce

County in a collaborative effort to return the state-

endangered frog to a portion of its historic

habitat.

“Frogs are found in all parts of the

world and are known as sentinel ani-

mals by alerting us to serious environ-

mental and climate changes that can

affect all species,” said Jim Lynch, biologist

for the Fort Lewis Fish and Wildlife Program.

“They also play an important role in balancing eco-

systems and when they disappear from their habi-

tat, that ecosystem is disrupted.”

The captive-rearing strategy, called “head start-

ing” is based on the premise that juvenile frogs are

thought to be less vulnerable and better able to

survive when released back into nature. The goal

of the this pilot program is to establish a self-sus-

taining population of Oregon spotted frogs at Fort

Lewis and set the stage for a structured recovery

effort that will continue for several years. Northwest

Trek is using space at its Conservation Center

located on land purchased through the Cascade

Land Conservancy and Pierce County Futures.

The Dailman Lake area was chosen for reintroduc-

tion because it contains diverse wetlands connected

to a stream system

capable of support-

ing and sustaining a

frog population.

The Oregon spot-

ted frog historically

ranged from south-

western British

Columbia to north-

eastern California.

The frog is now

believed to have dis-

appeared from

California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley and has

suffered significant declines elsewhere in its historic

range. Loss of habitat, predation by non-native spe-

cies such as the American bullfrog, and disease have

decimated its numbers, which prompted listing it as

a Washington state-endangered species in 1997.

The reintroduction program was first developed

in 2007 through a collaborative effort by WDFW,

Fort Lewis, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point

Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Oregon Zoo, Washington

State Department of Transportation, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Port Blakely

Tree Farms, Washington Department of Natural

Resources, NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, U.S

Geological Survey, Mountain View Conservation &

Breeding Centre and The Nature Conservancy.

The project’s start-up coincides with efforts by

the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, which is

highlighting 2008 as the Year of the Frog to mark a

major conservation effort to address global

amphibian extinction.

Activities related to the reintroduction program

are being funded through grants from the Point

Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Northwest Zoo &

Aquarium Alliance and the Association of Zoo &

Aquarium’s Amphibian Fund.

Project is the first of its kind in Washington

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s zoo keeper Ryan Ridgway releases a box of juvenile Oregon spotted frogs at DailmanLake on the Fort Lewis Military Reserve.

For more information contact:

Cherilyn Williams, APR

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

11610 Trek Drive East

Eatonville, WA 98328

phone: 360.832.7189

Web site: www.nwtrek.org

Six of the Oregon spotted frogs released on Sept. 22on Fort Lewis were fitted with tiny radio transmittersto help biologists track their movements.



voluNteer Recognition


welcoMe to New and Returning Members

September 16, 2008 to October 15, 2008

Volunteers do make a difference!University Place

Parks’ Make a

Difference Day

brought a diversecrowd of volunteersto Adriana Hess

Wetland Park onOctober 11, 2008. As

the new VolunteerCoordinator forTahoma Audubon Imust admit I wasuncertain of what to

expect, how many volunteers would show up, and simul-taneously thankful that we were spared from the rain.

Our small but diligent crew had all arrived by 9am.University Place Park representative Suzie Haney and

her son Jasper had already set up tools and refresh-ments for my volunteers: Andrea Norman, Andrew

Larsen, Kevin Deaton, Zanna Blain.

Our work began with hauling away an old European

Hawthorn tree to create space for Patrick Sullivan’sMemorial Tree, which we dutifully planted later in themorning. Zanna, the youngest of our crew at age 5 showedus her strength, carrying branches and stumps that seemedhalf her size. Her positive attitude and will to work wascontagious, making the work pass quickly and with ease.

As the fog and our spirits lifted, the secret rewards of volunteering became evident. We were all energizedfrom our experience and each others company. Wewere empowered by the difference we were making.

Each participant brought something unique and valu-able to the event.

Susie Haney offered us her experience and guidance,instructing us on pruning, hauling, and perhaps mostimportantly – keeping warm. Her son, who attendeddespite a significant injury to his knee, offered his upperbody strength, shoveling steep parts of the path in orderto reduce a seemingly treacherous incline. AndrewLarsen’s meticulous weeding was just as valuable as histhoughtful company, as he contributed to the positiveatmosphere surrounding Adriana Hess. Kevin Deatonillustrated his own strength by spending the entire morn-

ing hauling away evasive species, never taking a break

or switching to a less strenuous activity.However, volunteers did not only contribute their time

and physical efforts. Joann Sims, longtime member of the Audubon Society and close friend of Ruth Sullivancontributed two heartwarming gifts to our event. First, itwas her idea to honor Patrick here at Adriana Hess.Secondly, she acted on her plan, supplying the park witha vibrant and proud Shore Pine tree (pinus-contorota-contorta). Her contributions represented a touching giftnot only to Patrick and his mother Ruth, but also to the

Tahoma Audubon Society, who is touched by her sensi-tivity and persistent friendship.

Even more inspiration and excitement came fromsome of our unexpected volunteers. As a couple of Curtis High School students from the communitywalked past the park, I informed them that it was Make

a Difference Day in the Park. To my surprise, insteadof continuing to wherever they were walking, teensWesley Huskey and Tre’vonn Rollins decided to comehelp our efforts. Suzie first taught then how to prunesome of the parks overgrowth. They later assisted RuthSullivan and Joann Sims in planting Patrick Sullivan’sMemorial Tree. It was the first tree the teens had ever

planted in their lives.Although the memories of weeding out the parking-

strip and hauling away dead tree material may fadequickly, I will never forget the unexpected differencesthat our crew made. I only hope that I continue to besurprised by the difference a small group with the bestintentions can make in the world.

“Zanna, the youngest of our crew at age 5 showed us her

strength, carrying branches and stumps that seemed half

her size. Her positive attitude and will to work was

contagious, making the work pass quickly and with ease.”

Chapter New and Renewing:

Mike and Carolyn Barry, Greg Cook, David

Cornforth, Care deLeeuw, Karen Fischer, Kathleen

Franz, Cam Foreman, Georgine Gillispie, Anna

Heuer-Blodgett, Annie Meyer, Deborah Pederson,

Jacqueline Plattner, Phil Schneider, Melissa

Sherwood, Carmen Sterba, Ruth Sullivan, Dorothy

Swanberg, Della Taylor, Dale Thompson, Karen

Van Vlack and Scott Redman.

Chapter Joint with National:

David Carino, Ann Elliston, Bryan Flint,

Kevin and Corina Going, Priscilla

Huber, Susan Huck, Jean Jacobson,

Catherine Lange, Larry Martin, Pam

Mc Gee and Dale Leggett, Robin

Partington, Stew Renn, Carol M Smith.

Introductory, Recruited through TAS:

Sally Abrams, Laura Barber, Jim and Laurie Brauneis,

Sue Habeck, Greg Magee, Scott Markowitz, Rachel

Minnitti, John Moran, Ed Nelson, Victoria Penfield,

Joel and Sandi Strong, Hannah Taylor, KimThompson, Debbie Wolz.

We are so pleased to welcome you to Tahoma

Audubon Society. Hope you can attend our next

meeting on November 14, Friday, to hear Dennis

Paulson, Dragonfly specialist, present his latest

work and adventures with dragonflies.

There is an exciting opportunity on November

18, Tuesday, at the Downtown Branch of the

Tacoma Public Library when Paul Bannick, author

of THE OWL AND THE WOODPECKER, visits

with the public.

R

enewals must be sent directly to TAS at 2917Morrison Rd W, University Place, WA 98466 if TheTowhee is desired. With much less National

Audubon financial help available, TAS is now send-ing Towhees only to those persons who renew aschapter or joint members through us here at TAS.Thank-you for your understanding,Thelma Gilmur, Membership Co-Chair.

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

TAS is sending The Towhee only to thosemembers who send their renewals to us at2917 Morrison Rd W, University Place, WA 98466. TAS will send all expired members arenewal letter the month before member-ship lapses. Please renew as soon as pos-sible so that no issue is missed.

To receive the Towhee:

Volunteers Needed: Every Friday you areinvited to a light brunch at 10:00 am. at AdrianaHess Wetland Park in University Place. Pleasestay till noon or so and help us beautify thegrounds.Enjoy your volunteer efforts and join ourpark walks.Birding Walk, Monday the 10th, 12:00 to1:00pm. with Ruth Sullivan at Adriana HessWetland Park in University Place. Free.Plant Walk, Monday the 17th, 12:00 to 1:00pm.with George Schonhard at Adriana Hess WetlandPark in University Place. Free.

TAS November

Happenings

Onward! Through the fog!

Above: Volunteer Andrew Larsenhauling brush.

Right: Andrea Norman, Kevin Deatonand Zanna Blain hard at work.

You can call Graham @ 253-565-1884.

or E-mail him: GTaylor@TahomaAudu bon.org




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. C h e c k s p a y a b l e t o : T a h o m a A u d u b o n 2

9 1 7 M o r r i s o n

R d .

W .

U n i v e r s i t y P l a c e , 9 8 4 6 6 T a h o

m a A u d u b o n

S o c i e t y , e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1 9 6 9 ,

i s a 5 0 1 ( c

) ( 3 ) n o n p r o f i t

o r g a n i z a t i o n .

D o n a t i o n s a r e t a x d e d u c t i b l e .

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)

Membership

Dec 6 Sat 9:06 a.m. to 1:06 p.m. Seabird Survey 3 Location:

assigned survey sites

Dec 7 Sun 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ohop Field Trip/

NatureMapping Location: Ohop Creek

Dec 8 Mon Noon. to 1:00 p.m. Bird Walk @ Adriana HessF

Dec 9 Tue 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Conservation Committee

Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Road W,

University Place, WA 98466

Dec 10 Wed 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Card Class Location:

Adriana Hess Center. Rosanne Becker: Instructor. ChristmasIris Fold Card Class. Fill in holiday shapes with colorful strips

of paper or ribbon that spiral to the center or iris. Leave class

with at least two cards and patterns to make your own! Just

bring scotch magic tape (green plaid dispenser), small scissors

and a craft cutting mat if possible! Cost: $15 paid at class. Email:

[email protected] for questions/comments

Dec 11, Thu 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Intermediate Science - All

Systems Go! Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Call 591-6439

to register. Homeschool students explore science through hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register

early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 8-10, $10, To participate in

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

Dec 11, Thu 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Intermediate Science - All

Systems Go!

Dec 11, Thu 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. TAS Board Meeting

Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly Meeting of

the Tahoma Audubon Board. Guest Welcome, please call ahead

at 253-565-9278.

Dec 12 Fri 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work

Party Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Habitat restoration

(planting, invasive species removal, pruning.)V

Dec 12 Fri 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting

Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street Monthlymembership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome.

Check web site for program - www.TahomaAudubon.org. Call

253-565-9278.

Dec 15 Mon Noon. to 1:00 p.m. Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess

Dec 16, Tue 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nature Alphabet Z is for

Zany

Dec 16, Tue 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Snake Lake Science Club

Dec 16, Tue 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Morse Force MeetingLocation: Adriana Hess

Dec 17 Wed 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Budding Scientists -

Keeping Warm Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Call

253-91-6439 to register. Homeschool students explore science

through hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based

learning. Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 5-7, $8

per child. Young homeschoolers and other children begin sci-

ence 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.

Dec 17 Wed 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Budding Scientists - Keeping

Warm

December 18 Thu 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Advanced Science-

Physiology Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Call 591-6439 to

register. Homeschool students explore science through hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register

early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 12-15, $12. Older home-

school students will continue their science studies with challeng-

ing and engaging experiments and activities. To participate in

this class, students should be able to calculate averages, percent-

ages and solve simple equations.

Dec 18 Thu 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Education Committee

Meeting. Location: Adriana Hess Conference Room.

Calendar- continued from back page

Wayne and Sally Larson

Sponsored by:

Corporate table sponsors:

Julie Anderson, Ken & Nell

Batker, Ione Clagett,

The Cascade Land Conser-

vancy, Terry Conner, Helen

Engle, Jake Fey, John

Garner, Gary Geddes,

Noel Hagens, Debbie

Hyde, Chuck Kleeberg,

Robert Mack, Pat Mc-

Carthy, Rob McNair-Huff,

Cindy Niemi, John Olsen,

Nancy Pearson, People for

Chris Gregoire, Dave

Seabrook, Dave Senner,

Margie Shea, Bill Smith,

Morry Stafford, ScottSwaim, Walk the Water-

front, Peter Wimberger,

Brian Ziegler

The entire City Council of the Tacoma received the Leadership for conserva-tion award at this years Early bird Breakfast. From left to right are coun-

cil members: Jake Fey, Spiro Manthou, Mike Lonergan, Lauren Walker, Julie Anderson, Mayor Bill Baarsma, Marilyn Strickland, Tahoma Audubon

President John Garner and conservation coordinator Krystal Kyer.

Thanks to our volunteers who made everything festive and run smoothly.

Thanks to ourTable Captains:



Audubon Society YO2

2917 Morrison Road West

University Place, WA 98466

Address service requested

Nonprofit Org

U.S. Postage

Tacoma, WA

Permit No. 177

PAID 25 years ago page 8

Announcements page 9

BirdSongs page 8

Board Member Reflections page 6

Bryan Flint column page 2

Education page 4

Environment matters page 3

Field trips page 5

New members page 10

Paul Webster page 1

Volunteer recognition page 10

In this issue:

owheeThe November 2008

T

For additional information:Tahoma Audubon - 253-565-9278; or www.tahomaaudubon.org Or The Tacoma Nature Center:253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org

Calendar

Nov 6 Thu, 6:00 p.m. Green Drinks Tacoma

Nov 7 Fri 10:00 a.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work Party F

Nov 8 Sat Project FeederWatch begins for 2008-09 season

Nov 10 Mon 12:00 p.m. Bird Walk @ Adriana HessF

Nov 11 Tue 4:00 p.m. Conservation Committee M

Nov 13 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Intermediate Science - Skin,

Skulls and Scales Tacoma Nature Center. Call 253-591-6439

to register. Homeschool students explore science through

hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning.

Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 8-10, $10, To

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

subtract numbers.

Nov 13 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Intermediate Science - Skin,

Skulls and Scales Thu 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Nov 13 Thu 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. A monthly meeting of the

Tahoma Audubon Board. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.

Guests welcome, please call ahead at 253-565-9278.

Nov 14 Fri 10:00 a.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work PartyV

Nov 14 Fri 7:00 p.m. Membership Meeting

Nov 15 Sat 9:00 a.m. Project Wild Educator Workshop at

TNC

Nov 15 Sat 10:00 a.m. Discovery Walk - Foothills Trail F

Nov 16 Sun 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.. Nature Walk at Point

Defiance Park in Tacoma. Join author Rob McNair-Huff for

a 5-mile walk through the forests. The trip starts at the back

of the parking lot for the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

Come prepared for a healthy walk through the park in

changeable weather conditions. Winter bird highlights can

include waterfowl, Bald Eagles and forest birds. For more

information, e-mail [email protected]. F

Nov 17 Mon Noon-1 p.m. Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess F

Nov 18 Tue 1:30 p.m. Nature Alphabet - X is for Experts

Nov 18 Tue 3:30 p.m. Snake Lake Science Club

Nov 18 Tue 5:00 p.m. Morse Force Meeting

Nov 19 Wed 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Budding Scientists -

Extremities. Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Call 591-6439 to

register. Homeschool students explore science through


Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 5-7, $8 per

child, 10:30 a.m. - noon or 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Young

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.

Nov 19 Wed 3:15 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. Budding Scientists -

Extremities

Nov 20 Thu 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.. Advanced Science -

Anatomy. Tacoma Nature Center. Call 253-591-6439 to



Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 12-15, $12.

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.

Nov 20, Thu 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Education Committee

Meeting. Adriana Hess Conference Room.


Nov 21 Fri 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Advanced Lab - Anatomy.Tacoma Nature Center. Call 253-591-6439 to register.

Homeschool students explore science through hands-on

experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register

early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 12-15, $12, 1:00 p.m.-

4:00 p.m. An expanded science class for Advanced

Homeschool Science students which 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 ses-

sions are not required for participation in class sessions.


Dec 2 Tue 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nature Alphabet - Y is

for Yippy Coyotes

Dec 3 Wed 10:30 a.m. Budding Scientists - The 5+ Senses

Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Call 591-6439 to



Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 5-7, $8 per

child, 10:30 a.m. - noon or 3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Young home-

schoolers and other children begin science and nature explo-

ration 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.

Dec 3 Wed 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Budding Scientists - The 5+

Senses

Dec 4 Thu 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Beginning Science - The Inside

Story Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Call 591-6439 to



Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 8-10, $10 To

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

subtract numbers.

Dec 4 Thu 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Beginning Science - The

Inside Story

Dec 4 Thu 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Green Drinks Tacoma

Location: varies Tacoma Green Drinks is hosted by Tahoma

Audubon in December! Monthly social gathering meetings

on the first Thursday of each month at various locations in

Tacoma, starting at 6:00 p.m.. Join others with an interest inthe environment, conservation and sustainability for our

monthly social gathering! If you’d like to receive future

announcements about Tacoma Green Drinks gatherings,

consider taking advantage of our new list, hosted by One/

NW. This is an announcements-only list for occasional

reminders about our monthly gatherings. To subscribe, con-

tact Karin at [email protected]. Monthly announce-

ments also appear at www.greendrinks.org.

Dec 5 Thu TGIF Breakfast & Work Party 10:00 a.m. to 12:00

p.m. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park Habitat restora-

tion (planting, invasive species removal, pruning) V

NoveMber 2008

Presentation - FREE

Topic: Dragonflies ~ birdwatchers’ insectsPresenter: Dennis Paulson, former professor atUniversity of Puget Sound, master birder & Seattle

Audubon leaderDate: Friday ~ Nov.14, 2008Time: 7:15 pm ~ refreshments; 7:30 ~ announce-ments soon followed by the programLocation: Tacoma Nature Center 1919 S. Tyler St,Tacoma, WA 98405

Dragonflies are birdwatchers’ insects. Colorful andactive day-fliers, they mate and lay eggs and hunt

for smaller insects in and near wetlands and areimportant talismans for wetland conservation.Dennis Paulson has studied them for over 40years, and he will tell us in a profusely illustratedlecture about their ecology, their behavior, and

their diversity. Coming Spring 2009, Dennis will bepublishing his field guide to western dragonfliesand damselflies. Come learn about this and hisrecent work on an eastern field guide.

If you have recommendations or would like to beconsidered for a presentation, please contactKatrina at [email protected] or 253-304-6422. Also, due to increased responsibilities atwork, she’s seeking someone to consider the posi-tion of Program Chair by January.

Upcoming:November 18 (Tues) – 7 PM at the Downtown

Branch of the Tacoma Public Library ~ a presenta-tion by Paul Bannick, author of The Owl and theWoodpecker. This event is co-sponsored byTahoma Audubon, The Tacoma Public Library andThe Mountaineers.

NoveMber prograM`

F Field Trip Page

V V olunteer page

M Environment Matters Page

A R elated article in Towhee

E Education Page

deceMber 2008

Calendar continued inside on page 11.

11-2008 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

Documents