06-2008 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

8/9/2019 06-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

1/12

Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 39 No.5 June 2008

Birdathon is moving along. Thanks so much tobirders, sponsors, trip leaders, phoners, letter writers,and the crew that put together our successfulBirdathon Kick-Off Event.

Jim Ullrich of Wild Birds Unlimited will once again bemaking gift certificates available for the Birder identifying

the most birds, the Birder bringing in the most money,and the Rookie of the Year.

Look for the final report in the July/August or theSeptember Towhee. Donations to Birdathon 2008 arecontinuing to be gratefully accepted.

Thank-you all so much.

Update on Birdathon 2008

Board Member

Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn

And theyre off!! Five teams vying for the Big Prizes!!

Yes, it was April 26th, and it was the Big Birdathon Kickoff

Event at Point Defiance!!

Fast forward 4 hours, and Ill invite you into the Winners

Circle! Yes, our team, The Cars (signal the music here!) had

beat out everyone with 49 species! However, due to clever

handicapping, all participants were rewarded, and all bets

were paid. The TAS volunteers laid out a spread fit for an all-win-ners event, which this was! (See Julie Ks column on page 10.)

What a way to be introduced to the concept of Birdathon!

Yes, we do try to see as many species as possible during our

allotted time, and yes, you all get to pay according to

those numbers, but like all good sports handicapping,

the payouts are adjusted per bird so as to give the

greatest return. We had a fabulous turnout thanks to

arranging for the one good weather day in April to

By Jane Brosius

My mother was a person who valued scrap

books and collections of family stories, so I

was thrilled to find that she had kept a scrap

book I had from Fourth Grade. I attended

grade school in 1950 at Sherman Elementary

in Tacomas North End. Our teacher brought in

a representative from the Audubon Society, which

then had to be someone from a state organization, or perhaps Seattle. This

person handed out bird pamphlets and we were to create a scrap book

with those descriptions and also to draw picture of the birds. I dont think

I can render them as well today as I did in that year!

Included in the scrap book are such items as a Junior Audubon pledge

and a little red pin. I found I had pledged to protect all birds always, and

take good care of the living things of our country. Illustrations drawn

by me include a robin, a Red-winged Blackbird, a blue bird, a blue jay

Birdathon Kickoff Event onlineSee a slideshow of photos by Diane

Yorgason-Quinn in a Youtube video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xOCz9ofL67o

See "Reflections" on page 6

See "Birdathon Kickoff" on page 7

The journey began in grade-school

View from the winners circle

Below left: Bike leader Rob calls his team together;Above: The Biker birders are off.

Below right: The winning team - The Cars! Faye, Peggy, Tamika, Acacia, Jane, Helen.

White-crowned SparrowBy Paul Webster

Bold black and white head stripes and a contrasting yellow-to-orange bill make the

White-crowned Sparrow look crisp, and for the naturalist William Dawson it even called

to mind a military gentleman in a gray coat with black-and-white trimmings. This is a

large but slender sparrow with a clear gray breast. Its flanks, rump and tail are dull

brown, the back and wings are brown-streaked, and the wings show contrasting whitebars. Males and females have similar plumage year-round, and first-winter birds even

with their warm chestnut and creamy-white head stripes resemble the adults. In

backyards, open fields with brushy spots, clearcuts, or alpine parklands, this striking

bird is a familiar sight in Washington.

Three of the five White-crowned Sparrow subspecies occur in our state, differing

slightly in plumage, bill color, and song. The resident subspecies in Western Washington

is pugetensis, and its numbers increase about the beginning of April as migrants arrive.

Its short song see-me-pretty-pretty-me repeated several times a minute during the day

and even on moonlit nights is a familiar voice in the local chorus of breeding birds.

In mid-April the migrants of the gambelii subspecies pour into Washington, and for

See "White-crowned Sparrow" on page 8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xOCz9ofL67ohttp://youtube.com/watch?v=xOCz9ofL67o


2/12

executive Directors Corner

Tahoma Audubon Staff

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

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

Swaim, Stephanie Education [email protected] 253-565-5479

Kerrigan, Julie Volunteer [email protected] 253-565-1884

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-chairKathleen LeGreid Towhee Editor

Dick Carkner

Sally Larson

Marcus Roening

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck

Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Elizabeth Beer

The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon SocietyLocated in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466

Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278e-mail: [email protected]

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

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

bers 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: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483

E-mail:kaleditor@ mindspring.com

Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings

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

Printing: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2008

The ght for open space: Growing up?There is a say-

ing that there are

two things peo-

ple hate about

growth manage-

ment: sprawland density.

The fight to

protect habitat in

Pierce County

over the last

decade or more

has largely been a fight to stop sprawl. Before the

State passed the Growth Management Act, Pierce

County had used general zoning to allow develop-

ment to take place pretty much anywhere.

The promise of growth management was the

limiting of sprawl, with development taking place

in urban centers. The fact is that, to a large extent,

development is happening in urban centers.Development is taking place inside the Urban

Growth Boundary set up under the current growth

plan.

We could be doing even better. The County

recently passed an ordinance that allows develop-

ers to buy into an open space fund in exchange for

building more densely in the urban centers.

Going by the sexy title of Transfer of Development

Rights, this tool ties the prevention of sprawl with

the creation of density. Once in full swing it could

result in thousands of acres of open space andfarmland protection.

It will also result in taller buildings, mixed-use

centers and transit-oriented development.

Then what about density?

Who could be against density: those who live

next to a proposed project and do not want to see

a change in their neighborhood? Density is

change, and many people dont like change. Will

the work to bring about density in our urban cen-

ters be stymied by the powerful force of Not in

My Back Yard?

It is important that we succeed in concentrating

growth because we are in the midst of a population

growth spurt that will add 250,000 people to thecounty in the first 20 years of this century. That is

how many people live in Tacoma now.

If we are going to absorb another city of Tacoma,

and protect the open space and farmland we cher-

ish, then we have to grow up instead of out. If we

are going to address climate change at the local

level, we have to get people out of their cars,

closer to work and shopping. Public transporta-

tion needs density in order to flourish. Density fits

a market such as ours where two-thirds of house-

hold have two or fewer people in them.

In order to protect open space, farmland, and

critical wildlife habitat; we are going to have to be

part of creating positive change to bring aboutmore density in urban areas. That will involve

thinking in new ways, taking on new alliances,

and accepting the change that is inevitable. By

doing so we can grow as a community and protect

the quality of life we hold so dearly.

We are in the midst of apopulation growth spurt thatwill add 250,000 people tothe county in the first 20

years of this century. That ishow many people live in

Tacoma now.

From the Seattle Times - By Warren Cornwall,Environment reporter

Washington is on the verge of getting its first new wilderness area in more than two

decades, 106,000 acres of forest in the Cascade Mountains, just a short drive from

Seattle. With a House vote Tuesday evening, Congress sent the long-awaited and long-

debated Wild Sky Wilderness plan to President Bush, who is expected to sign it. But

when hikers return this summer to the mountains above Skykomish and Index, theyprobably wont notice much change. And thats exactly the point for Tom Uniack, who

has spent the past five years lobbying to create Wild Sky. Change will happen, said

Uniack, conservation director of the Washington Wilderness Coalition. So if you want

to keep something the same, you have to do something about it.

The new wilderness designation would shield the vast area inside the Mount Baker-

Snoqualmie National Forest from the kind of changes that environmentalists fear most:

logging, mining, and even cars and off-road vehicles. The federal Wilderness Act bars

virtually all motors. You cant even fire up a chain saw. The land that would wind up

inside the Wild Sky boundaries isnt a top hiking destination. Still, some advocates hope

the new designation will mean more visitors and federal money to improve trails. It

West Cady Ridgeis part of what

will be the WildSky Wilderness inthe Mount Baker-

SnoqualmieNational Forest.

Congress finally OKs Wild Sky Wilderness

Photo/Steven

Fey

See "Wild Sky" on page 6
mailto:[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:kaleditor@%20mindspring.commailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:kaleditor@%20mindspring.commailto:[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]


3/12

eNviroNMeNtMatters

In late April, I had the pleasure of visiting our capitol

for the first time. I was part of a team of citizen advo-

cates from across the country, and four from Washington

State, on behalf of the National Environmental Coalition

on Invasive Species, which National Audubon Society is

a member of, to encourage our elected representatives to

support federal legislation to protect our marine andfreshwater systems from exotic aquatic invasive spe-

cies.

In the Great Lakes area, since the opening of the St.

Lawrence Seaway invasive species, like Zebra mussels,

have devastated those ecosystems and native fish popu-

lations. Over 180 nonnative species now live in the

Great Lakes. Invasive species-related botulism out-

breaks have killed thousands of Lake Michigan shore-

birds alone.

While the Great Lakes may seem far away, ships

travel the world. Zebra mussels are now in California

waters, and soon to be here. Ships circumnavigate the

world, taking in ballast water to stabilize them, and then

releasing that same water when they come to port. Since

the 1970s, the overwhelming majority of invasiveaquatic species have been transported by oceangoing

ballast tanks. Zebra and Quagga mussels are especially

good at clogging water intake pipes, costing industry and

taxpayers billions of dollars.

Here in the Puget Sound region, we are fighting inva-

sions from species such as Spartina, New Zealand mud-

snails, invasive tunicates (sea squirts), Japanese eelgrass,

Asian clam, and European Green crab, among others.

With major shipping ports in Seattle, Tacoma, and

Olympia, and multiple Naval facilities in the PugetSound, there is significant transport and discharge of

ballast water into the marine waters of the Puget Sound.

The state of Washington is working on ballast water

treatment requirements and discharge standards, while

the state of California leads the way with the toughest

standards in the nation.

The proposed federal legislation falls under the Coast

Guard Reauthorization Act (HB 2830), which passed the

House only days before we arrived in DC by a vote of

395 to 7. All of Washington States Congressmen voted

in favor of this bill!

There is widespread support for a national ballast

water bill. Significantly, the shipping industry itself

prefers to have one federal standard, rather than many

different state standards to try to comply with. Severaldifferent technologies already exist to treat ballast

water.

The goal of the ballast water bill is to have zero ballast

discharges of any-

thing alive by

2015. Before that

can happen, the

Senate must pass

its bill, and then

the two bills need

to go to confer-

ence to be recon-

ciled. When thathappens, probably

later this summer,

well alert you to

the opportunity to

support the bill by

contacting your

representatives in Washington, DC. Or, you can contact

them now and thank them for voting yes for HB 2830!

In the meantime, you can learn more about this issue

by visiting the National Environmental Coalition on

Invasive Species website: www.necis.net or learn to

learn more about National Audubon Societys Stop

Invasives Campaign go to: http://www.stopinvasives.

org/threats.shtm

By Claire-Marie Krug & Candi Ziegert

On May 10, 2008 the grounds of Pacific Lutheran University was abuzz with bird enthusiastsof all ages as the school celebrated International Migratory Bird Day. International Migratory

Bird Day (IMBD), sponsored by the nonprofit organization Environment for the Americas, wascreated to involve people in bird conservation through educational opportunities in the WesternHemisphere. Tahoma Audubon interns Claire-Marie Krug and Candi Ziegert organized a groupof 19 students, faculty, and faculty family members for a bird-watching adventure, led by vet-eran birders Fred Tobiason and Richard Mugs McGinnis. The afternoon began with a crash-course in bird identification and binocular use. Once the company was assembled and ade-quately supplied with trail mix and water, they braved theovercast, damp weather to visit birding hotspots aroundcampus. Altogether, the group of citizen scientists identified55 birds and 18 species. This data was entered into theeBird national database to aid in avian research.

Some noteworthy birds spotted included a Golden-crowned Kinglet, a Red-breasted Sapsucker, and two Red-tailed Hawks. Two Oliver-sided Flycatchers, currently listedas a Washington State species of concern, were also identi-fied. A Northern Flicker managed to elude the birders;however another specimen posed for the group later in thewalk. At the conclusion of the 90 minute trek, participantsnibbled on chocolate bird nests and competed for fantasticraffle prizes purchased from the Tahoma Audubon store inUniversity Place. A generous monetary donation from thePacific Lutheran University Natural SciencesDepartment contributed to the successof this event.

The IMBD bird count was reminis-cent of the Great Backyard Bird Counthosted on the campus in February,and the presence of returningbirders and new faces demon-strated the growing interest inbirds in the Pacific LutheranUniversity community. If youwould like to know more

about these terrific birdingopportunities, check out theGreat Backyard Bird Count athttp://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtml and learnmore about InternationalMigratory Bird Day at http://www.birdday.org

Fighting invasive aquatic species

The Conservation Committee meets on a regular basis.Contact Krystal for details: 253-232-9978 or e-mail [email protected]

Giving our community an avian educationSpring bird count at PLU not just for the birds

Top: Claire-Marie andCandi whip up some deli-cious chocolate bird neststo help sweeten a damp,overcast day.

Left: Mugs imparts wis-dom to young students.

Below: The group, ledby veteran birders Fred To-biason and Richard MugsMcGinnis, spots some note-worthy birds.

Put on your listening ears:Richard Mugs McGinnis showshow to see with your ears.

June 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3
http://www.necis.net/http://www.necis.net/http://www.stopinvasives.org/threats.shtmhttp://www.stopinvasives.org/threats.shtmhttp://www.stopinvasives.org/threats.shtmhttp://www.stopinvasives.org/threats.shtmhttp://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtmlhttp://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtmlhttp://www.birdday.org/http://www.birdday.org/http://www.birdday.org/http://www.birdday.org/http://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtmlhttp://www.audubon.org/gbbc/index.shtmlhttp://www.stopinvasives.org/threats.shtmhttp://www.stopinvasives.org/threats.shtmhttp://www.necis.net/


4/12


eDucatioNMatters

Summer Hot Spot in

the Shade:Have you been to

Kobayashi Preserve in

University Place? Its

a quiet little Preserve

at the confluence ofLeech and Chambers

creeks and it sits like

an emerald jewel

above Chambers

Creek County Park.

When the birdwatching gets too hot to handle at

Chambers Creek, Kobayashi Preserve is a cool place to

sit in the shade and listen to the tumbling of the cool

water from the creeks.

Recently, the staff and a couple board members at

Tahoma Audubon took a tour of Chambers Creek Park.

As the county ramps-up their environmental education

components, they realize that Kobayashi is an integral

part of their Chambers Creek ecosystem. Tahoma

Audubon has held summer camps and field trips at thePreserve and we are looking forward to working with

the City of University Place again to offer education

programs at the preserve.

This summer we have already scheduled two oppor-

tunities for families to learn a little about the habitats,

plants and animals that visit Kobayashi. On June 28th

from 10:00am to noon, we invite you to join us atthe Preserve for a naturalist-led hike and talk about the

native plants we find there. And on August 16thwe will

have a Discovery Walk from 10:00 to 11:30am to

explore the preserve with a naturalist-educator. Both

walks are perfect for nature-lovers of all ages.

You will find the entrance to Kobayashi Preserve at the

easternmost end of Chambers Creek Drive at the inter-

section of Bridgeport and 67th. The driveway to the

Preserve is located immediately to the southwest of the

intersection, and runs parallel to Bridgeport beforedescending to the right. Formerly a private home, the

driveway is very secluded. There are only four parking

spaces, so if you are able please choose to park along

the top of the driveway near Bridgeport and walk to the

bottom and the park.

To reserve a spot on our June 28 th Native plant

hike at Kobayashi, please call Tahoma Audubon

Society, 235-565-9278. FREE to everyone.To reserve a spot on our Discovery Walk on

August 16th, please call the Tacoma Nature

Center, 253-591-6439. FREE to Audubon mem-bers, $5.00 for nonmembers.

Speaking of Discovery Walks

Our June Discovery Walk will be featuring the

West Hylebos Creek Park in Federal Way. Recentlythe boardwalk in the park had been repaired and now

winds for a mile or so through the wetlands that are

hidden between 348th Street and 356th Street. Please

join a Naturalist to take a peek at this hidden gem. To

reserve a spot on this hike, please call the Tacoma

Nature Center, 253-591-6439. FREE to members,$5.00 for nonmembers. (Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am

11:30am)

Tiptoe through the Tidepools! At Titlow Beach on

Saturday July 5th, Noon to 3pm,FREE to all. Bring

your family and join naturalists from the Tacoma

Nature Center and Tahoma Audubon for one of the

lowest tides of the year! Explore the beach, learn about

tidepool life and have lots of fun!

Low tide of -3.o will be at 1:32 pm

Self-guided tide pool exploration

Take a guided bird walk in Titlow Park.

Rate a craft and take part in other activities.

June 13th is a Special Membership Meeting for the

winners of the 2008 Bird Drawing ContestWe will be holding the Awards Ceremony for the

winners of the 2008 Bird Drawing Contest at the

Membership Meeting on June 13th. Please plan to

attend and see the wonderful artists and naturalists

display their work at the Tacoma Nature Center. A

short presentation about Citizen Science and the spe-

cies on which the Drawing Contest was focused will

also be part of the event. The students and families

appreciate your support and we hope to see you there!

Summer Camps are Filling Fast!

Helllloooo campers! School may still be in session,

but Nature Camps are filling fast as we approach the

hot days of summer. Believe it or not our first Little

Explorer camp 2008, The Perfect Place begins on the

last day of this month! Nature camps make great giftsfor kids and parents alike! You may register online at

www.metroparkstacoma.org or by calling the Tacoma

Nature Center, 253-591-6439.

Osprey Club celebrated its last day with thestudents from Mcilvaigh, Giaudrone and TrumanMiddle Schools in Tacoma. Twelve studentscame to the Tacoma Nature Center for an end-of-year celebration. Students were awardedcertificates from Meagan and Jess, the OspreyClub interns, for completing the program. Theythen explored the trails around Snake Lake toput their naturalist skills into action.

Education highlights

Stephanie Swaim, Education Coordinator

253-565-5479 StephSwaim@TahomaAudu bon.org

Osprey Club

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.

Camps for ages 4-6 are held at AdrianaHess Audubon Center, University Place.Each camp is Monday through Wednesday, 9am 1 pm. Fee: $90

Little Explorers: The Perfect Place June 30, July 1 & 2Little Explorers: The Perfect Place July28, 29 & 30

Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders Aug 4, 5 & 6Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders Aug25, 26 & 27

Camps for ages 5-7 are held at TacomaNature Center. Each camp is Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Fee:$150

Kaleidoscope of Nature July 14-18Oceans of Fun July 21-25Its Art, Naturally Aug 11-15

Camps for ages 8-11 are held at TacomaNature Center. Each camp is Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Fee:$150

Kaleidoscope of Nature July 7-11Oceans of Fun July 28-Aug 1Its Art, Naturally Aug 18-22

Finding Your Future in the Wild:Teen Career CampTeens ages 12-15 can explore careers in naturalresources such as marine science, zookeeping, jour-nalism and wildlife biology. Daily field trips, hands-on activities and an overnight are all included in thiscamp. Fee is $245. Scholarship assistance is avail-able. Camp runs August 4-8, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.For more information and registration visitwww.metroparkstacoma.org or call Tacoma NatureCenter at 253-591-6439.

Summer Camp ScholarshipsWild Birds Unlimited and the National Fish & WildlifeFoundation have joined with National Audubon to

support nature summer camps acrossthe country with scholarship assis-tance for campers. Tahoma

Audubon members and friends inour local community have alsogenerously donated funds to pro-vide children and teens with the

experience of discovering the won-ders of our natural world and learning to be goodstewards of the land. If youd like to apply or have

questions, please contact Margie Shea, the chair ofthe education committee, at [email protected] or call 253-591-6439. Donations to sup-port the John Slipp Scholarship Fund are alwayswelcome at any time!

Summer Day Camps for KidsTahoma Audubon and Tacoma Nature Center summer day camps for ages 4-11 are the perfect wayfor kids to play in and enjoy a natural setting while learning about their environment and making newfriends. Descriptions of each camp and registration information are available at www.TahomaAudubon.org and at www.metroparkstacoma.org on the link to Tacoma Nature Center. You can also pick upa flyer from Adriana Hess Audubon Center or the Tacoma Nature Center, or call 253- 591-6439.
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/


5/12

fielD trips and Events


Trogon Tours TripsEastern Ecuador November 10-22, 2008Wildlife photographer and TAS member Nate Chappell and his Ecuadorian wife, Angie will lead this tour that willcover the eastern slope of the Andes mountains and the Western edge of the Amazon lowland forests.Spectacular species that we have a good chance of seeing and/or photographing include Harpy Eagle,3 species of Antpittas, Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Crested Owl, Torrent Duck Great,

Andean and Rufous Potoos and dozens of species of beautiful tanagers and dazzling hummingbirds.Additionally, there is a large owl at that feeds most nights on the moths at San Isidro lodge. This largeblack and white owl is quite possibly a new species. This trip will take in a wide vari-ety of habitats from high Andean grassland, to foothill cloud forest to rain forest.Extensions to the Galapagos or another Amazonian lodge are available. Cost $2,900.

Western Ecuador December 6-14, 2008Nate and Angie Chappell will lead this tour that will cover the Western slope of the

Andes and some of the Western lowlands. Spectacular species that we have a good

chance of seeing and/or photographing include Andean Cock of the Rock, Giant andYellow-breasted Antpittas, Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird and many species ofdazzling tanagers and beautiful hummingbirds. This trip will take in a variety of habitats from high

Andean grassland, to foothill cloud forest to lowland tropical forest. Extensions to the Galapagos orAmazonian lodges are available. Cost $1,800.

Thailand, January 4-18, 2009TAS members Nate and Angie Chappell will lead a wonderful trip to Central and Northern Thailand next January. We willsee and photograph a wide variety of both birds and mammals and experience Thai culture as well by visiting ruins andtemples. A variety of hornbills, sunbirds, trogons and barbets are among the many species of birds that we will see.Cost is $3,600 per person, single supplement $500.

See our website, www.trogontours.netfor more information or call Nate Chappell at 253-512-1060

Cle Elum/Teanaway Riverbird trip with Ed Pullen

When: Sat, Jun 7, 6am 5pm

Where: Cle Elum and Teanaway River valley

Description: Join Ed and Kay Pullen for a day trip

to the Cle Elum and Teanaway areas to look for

the breeding birds of the nearby parts of Eastern

Washington. We hope to scout this a week or so in

advance, so the exact route will depend on what

we find, but plan to stop at Gold Creek neat

Snoqualmie pass early, then on down the east side

to Salmon le Sac for dipper and surprises, on

through Cle Elum and the Teanaway creek areas.

We should find both bluebirds, house wrens, pos-

sibly Calliope Hummingbird, and a variety of the

usual E WA breeding birds. Bring everything you

will need for a long day, including food for snacks

and lunch, drinks, and layered clothing. Bring

enough cash for a moderately priced meal, as we

will stop for dinner somewhere before the ride

home. Meet at the park-and-ride at I-5 and Hwy

512 at 6 AM to carpool up and leave. We will be

back in the late evening.

Morse Bird WalkWhen: Sun, Jun 8, 10am 12pm

Where: Morse Wildlife Preserve. Graham WA

Description: Field Trip leader Betty Jones will

lead a walk at Morse Wildlife Preserve. Call

253-565-9278 to register and for directions.

Morse Preserve Open TrailsWhen: Sun, Jun 8, 12pm 4pm

Where: Morse Wildlife Preserve, Graham

Description: Explore this natural treasure located

in Graham during Open Trail days. Walk the trails

and discover the beauty of the five habitat zones in

the preserve. All ages. Free

Bird Walk @ Adriana HessWhen: Mon, Jun 9, 12pm 1pm

Bird the Hundred Acre Woods(Old Flett Creek Dairy) with Rolan Nelson

When: Sat, Jun 14, 7:30am 2:00pm

Where: Meet at Hwy. 512 and I-5 Park and ride

behind McDonalds

Description: We will return to the 110-acre site in

NE Lakewood that is completely surrounded by

development yet is still home to over 100 species

of birds. Its mid June, so well be looking for all

of our flycatchers and swallows along with the

ever-present Scrub Jays and the resident Red-

tailed Hawks. Over the years, weve had visits

from eight different raptors, so anything it possi-

ble. Come see what an urban savannah / wetlandcan reveal. Meet at the 512 / I-5 Park and Ride

near the McDonalds at 7:30am. Bring a lunch.

Bird the 176th Street Marshwith Betty Jones (Military activities have canceled

the July 18 Marsh walk.)

Sat, Jun 14, 9:30am 12:00pm

Nature Walkat Point Defiance Park in Tacoma

When: Sun, Jun 15, 8:00am 11:30am

Where: Point Defiance Park in Tacoma

Description: Join author Rob McNair-Huff for a

5-mile walk through the forests at Point Defiance

Park. 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. Summer bird

highlights can include Bald Eagles and breeding

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

whiterabbits.com.

Plant Walk @ Adriana HessWhen: Mon, Jun 16, 12pm 1pm

Discovery WalkWhen: Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am 11:30am

Where: West Hylebos Park, Federal Way

Description: Our June Discovery Walk will be fea-

turing the West Hylebos Creek Park in Federal Way.Recently, the boardwalk in the park was repaired

and now winds for a mile or so through hidden

wetlands between 348th Street and 356th Street.

Please join a Naturalist to take a peek at this hidden

gem. To reserve a spot on this hike, please call the

Tacoma Nature Center, 253-591-6439. FREE to

members, $5.00 for nonmembers.

Walk in the Park - KobayashiWhen: Sat, Jun 28, 10am 12pm

Where: the Park - Kobayashi

Description: This summer we have already sched-

uled two opportunities for families to learn about the

habitats, plants and animals that visit Kobayashi. OnJune 28th from 10:00am to noon, we invite you to

join us at the Preserve for a naturalist-led hike and

talk about the native plants we find there. And on

August 16th we will have a Discovery Walk from

10:00 to 11:30am to explore the preserve with a nat-

uralist-educator. Both walks are perfect for nature-

lovers of all ages. See Education page for details.

rules

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.

Note: A donation is madeto Tahoma Audubon forTAS members who go onthese trips.
http://www.trogontours.net/http://www.trogontours.net/


6/12


Why should I eBird?Every time that you see and identify a bird, you

are holding a piece of a puzzle. Whether you arecasually watching birds in your backyard, or chasingrare species across the country, you are helping toput this puzzle together.

It might be a personal puzzle. For example, youmight wonder when Red-winged Blackbirds appearin your backyard each spring or what time of day theMourning Doves take a bath in your neighborhoodfountain. Each time that you see and identify one ofthese birdsso long as you note the time anddateone piece of the puzzle falls into place.

Or it might be a regional puzzle. For instance,scientists might be wondering how quickly HouseFinches are spreading throughout your state or howrapidly Henslows Sparrows are declining. Each timethat you identify and count the numbers of one ofthese species, you are piecing together a part of that

puzzle.Or it might be an international puzzle. Each year

during migration, hundreds of species fly fromsouthern wintering grounds to northern breedinggrounds, following the flush of summer insects.When do they leave? Where do they breed? Andwhen do they return home? Whether recordingcommon birds in your backyard or searching forrarities along the Mexican border, your sightings ofthese birds with time, date, and location included

are pieces that can help ornithologists put togeth-er the parts of that huge puzzle, day by day, weekby week, and year by year.

Unfortunately, just like puzzle piec-

es, these observations lose their valueif they remain separate from oneanother. The sightings tucked away inyour memory, or in your desk drawer,or in an old shoebox in your closetleave gaps in a partially completedpicture. In truth, the only way that allthese bird sightings make a contribu-tion to our understanding of nature iswhen they are collected and orga-nized into a central database wherethey can help complete a picture ofthe life of birds. You can access your own bird

records anytime you want, allowing you an easy wayto look at your observations in new ways and toanswer your personal questions about what birds

you saw and when and where you saw them.eBird is this database. With thousands of bird-

watchers across the continent helping to construct itby contributing their sightings, eBird will soonbecome a vast source of bird and environmentalinformation useful not only to bird watchers but toscientists and conservationists the world over. Wantto find out what birds youll see on your vacation?Want to know the closest spot to find a Least Bittern,or a reliable spot for Townsends Warbler? Want tolearn whether the crow population is growing inyour state? Want to see if endangered Least Ternsare continuing their decline?

By keeping track of your bird observations andentering them into the eBird database, youll benefit,too. You can access your own bird records anytime

you want, allowing you an easy way to look at yourobservations in new ways and to answer your per-sonal questions about what birds you saw and whenand where you saw them.

If you use the eBird web site to enter all your bird-ing informationand get your friends, family mem-bers, students, and colleagues to use it as wellbefore long the answers to the never ending ques-tions about birds will be found in the eBird database,for use now and for generations that will follow. Article reproduced with permission from Cornell

Lab of Ornithology. This article and more informa-tion can be found at: www.ebird.org

(Stellers) and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.I am relatively new to TAS, but my mother, Ethel Plomasen,

was interested in birds all her life and did go on some Christmasbird counts in the early 1970s and always had feeders in theyard and a bird book in hand. I certainly did not know whatpath I had started down with that scrap book so many yearsago, but I have not lost sight of my mission. I am still protect-ing the birds and other living things and will continue to do

so. As it said in the Pledge: Soil, water, plants and wildlifeare every countrys most valuable natural resources, becausepeople cannot live without them. The Audubon JuniorMembership Leaflet included suggestions to help conservewater and land and I am so proud to be part of TAS thatis doing so much to promote these ideas, continuing theMission that I was introduced to so long ago.

Please encourage your children, grandchildren andneighbors children to observe nature and preserve it-andmake them Junior Audubon members too! Have themdevelop a scrap book and begin a bird list. I wish I hadbeen more diligent in recording what we saw onour trips through the Western states andNational Parks- but I sure pay attention now. Iam very grateful to the Birdathon Kick-off whenour group counted 48 species in about 90 min-utes in Point Defiance. Thanks Audubon, for

pointing my eyesto the skies and

the birdsnearly 60years ago.

really opens doors, said Jonathan Guzzo, advocacy

director for the Washington Trails Association, a hiking

advocacy group. When were talking to our [congres-

sional] delegation, when were talking to members from

other states, we can talk about the level of commitment

to this area.

The legislation will direct the Forest Service to come

up with a trail plan for the wilderness and surrounding

land. Whats outside the proposed wilderness, mean-

while, is in some ways as important as what was kept in.With an eye toward winning over potential opponents,

the boundary was drawn to leave out 4,000 acres in an

area popular with snowmobilers, and the trail to Barclay

Lake, a route heavily used by Boy Scouts and others.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who championed Wild Sky,

said it was an example of wilderness done the right

way, with support from local groups and elected offi-

cials. The Senate OKd the designation April 10. Rep.

Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, who represents the area,

called the Houses 291-117 passage of Wild Sky, which

was part of a large package of proposals concerning

public lands nationwide, the end of a long hike. There

have been many twists and turns along the way, and let

me tell you its a beautiful view from here, Larsen said.

A few roads will be cut short by the new designation.Roughly the last mile of the Rapid River road, a place

where some people drive for picnics, would be closed.

Creation of the wilderness had been blocked in the

House for years by Congressman Richard Pombo, a

powerful California Republican who said some of the

land wasnt pristine enough to warrant wilderness protec-

tion. But Pombo was unseated in 2006 as Democrats

regained a majority in the House, and Wild Sky was

revived. But with the political hurdles almost cleared,

Wild Sky faces another, more pragmatic barrier: Several

roads remain damaged by winter storms. In fact, the

main road to the wilderness, along the North Fork

Skykomish River north of Index, is closed before it

reaches the popular Troublesome Creek campground.

Itll be years before that road is fully repaired, Busse said.In addition, the hike to a lookout on Evergreen Mountain

has grown miles longer because part of a road washed

out. The Forest Service hasnt decided what to do with

that road.

Warren Cornwall: 206-464-2311 or wcornwall@

seattletimes.com mailto:[email protected] .

Information from The Associated Press was included

in this report.

... Reflections ... Wild Skyfrom page 1 from page 2
http://www.ebird.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ebird.org/


7/12


coincide with this event, too!

Other teams included in second place -- the Bikers -- led by Point Defiance Birder

extraordinaire Rob McNair-Huff who will also claim the trophy for recruiting the

most Birders on Bikers this side of the World Series (thats the World Series of

Birding in Cape May , NJ, in case you were wondering). Considering how hard it is

to use binoculars on a bicycle, their impressive number of species becomes down-

right fantastic, including a Nashville Warbler passing through! An extraordinary bird

for this park and probably only possible during a 3-day period each spring, which

happened to coincide with the Kickoff!

The Short-Legged Birders (shown on the scoreboard as the Kids) impressed

everyone by tying with the Long-Legged Walkers, thus ensuring replacement bird-

ers for those of us who will eventually disappear into the sunset. All teams returned

to brag about their great sightings and best-loved birds and collect our prizes. All that

is except The Lost Brigade, another walking team led by Art Wang, which was an

hour late and had to take the dregs, but they could crow about their numbers, hav-

ing trumped the other on-foot teams pretty handily. We hear they had a personal

experience with a Pileated Woodpecker and couldnt pull themselves away.

Fellow winning team leader Faye McAdams Hands (the one in the lucky pink

shoes) and I were lucky enough to have wheels to take us to the far corners of the

park, not to mention having two carloads of avid birders (at least they were avid by

the time we were through with them). Thanks, Peggy, Helen, Jane, Tamika, and

Acacia! What a great team we made!

Faye and I came prepared, though. We had previously called upon our fellow

birding pals, the Willettes, and five of us had scoped out our route earlier in the month

and made a double event of it that way. Dorothy, Melissa, and Carol joined us that

time, and we laid out our route, finding all the good winter birds the park is famous

for. By the time of the actual event, though, it was the passage birds that grabbed our

attention. So much change in three weeks! What an interesting assortment of birds

Huttons Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Townsends Solitaire (Robs team got the

Townsends Warbler Must thank Mr. Townsend!). One of our highlights was a pair

(yes, TWO!) of Coopers Hawks circling overhead and calling to each other over

Camp 6. And when our time was up, we had a hard time pulling ourselves away

from an eye-level flock of Yellow-Rumped Warblers near the Pagoda, happy little

Butterbutts playing tag among the new spring leaves.

There were still a few birds out in the water, too, that most of the teams picked up

on, such as a Common Loon and Pigeon Guillemots, and scopes were

set up at Owen Beach, which was our headquarters. Interestingly,

some large critters popped up at our feet there and turned out not to

be Sea Lions as we had feared, but scuba divers. The Mallards

swimming by seemed very familiar with them and showed less

alarm than some of the humans.

This is a wonderful park, the biggest and best city park west of theMississippi. If you want to see more of what it has to offer, join

Robs monthly bird walk the 3rd Sunday of every month through the

woodsy parts of Point Defiance, see the birds and hear the lore. See

the TAS Calendar page in the Towhee and on the TAS website for

more details (www.tahomaaudubon.org). Its June 15th this month.

Total species seen by all teams was pushing 60 by the time we

broke up (still without the Lost Brigade!). These people are READY

to Birdathon!! Get your checkbooks out! And be sure to pay by

the species! Paying a lump sum doesnt get the Birdathon blood

rushing like having to spot another species does! By-the-Bird

makes us all care more. Plus, you can make em sweat for it!

from page 1

From top left: The final scoreboard for the Birdathon Kickoff Race;Mallards and other critters at Owen Beach Kickoff headquarters, Pt.Defiance; Tamika and Acacia measured up and helped make ourteam the winners;A Redtail Hawksoars overhead; Diane Yorgason-Quinn and Faye McAdams Hands, leaders of the winning team, TheCars; Last glance at The Lost Brigade, led by Art Wang.

All photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn except photoof Diane and Faye - photographer unknown.


8/12

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2008


Just the other day...Heres what TAS was doing in June, 1983

Twenty-five years ago the JuneTOWHEE covered July and Augustas well. Below is the list of ourdedicated volunteer trip leadersand where they took us in the sum-mer of 83.

June 5: Betty Heitman. Carnation, Tolt River,MacDonald County Park.June 11: Thelma Gilmur. Point DefianceBeach walk on a minus 3 tide.June 12: Norris Cone. Nisqually NWR, aroundthe 5-mile dikeJune 15: Margaret Stolarik. A walk to thewoods, meadows, small lake in Spanaway.June 18: Ken Brown. Walk the trails of FarrellMarsh, recently protected by town of Steilacoomas an environmentally sensitive area.June 25: Elmer Price. Deception Pass areatrails and view from 1300 Mt. Erie. Bus trip.June 26: John Piper. Rural ranch on LacamasCreek, fields, woods, bluebirds.

June 29: Charles Plummer. Flett CreekBasin, resident Mute Swans.July 6: Thelma Gilmur. Fern Hill gulch,Metropolitan Parks proposed natural area intheir Comprehensive Plan.July l9: Cathy Jerbic. Fort Lewis hike toFiander and Cat Lakes, 5 to 8 miles.July 13: Sue Wardlow. Carbon River Walkfollowing the river for miles.

July 14: Thelma Gilmur: Joint Fieldtrip with Seattle Audubon, 5 miles ofwilderness along swan Creek.July 17: Ken Brown. NisquallyNWR completion of two-year birdcensus around the dike.

July 20: Beulah Kelpman. TitlowBeach & Park, Picnic and walk, guaran-

teed Purple Martins on the pilings.July 23: Elmer Price & Alice Bond: HurricaneRidge to see wildflowers, mountain goats,Olympic Marmots etc. Bus trip with TacomaMountaineers.July 24: Dick Freshley. Dumas Bay toPalisades, minus tide, but expect to get yourfeet wet.July 27: Walt Adams. TAS Presidents Walkon Point Defiance Parks ancient forest trails.July 30: Thelma Gilmur. Cranberry Lake, theonly lake in Pierce County with natural desig-nation in the Shoreline Management Plan. Easywalk in muskeg, sundews in flower, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and a stop at Rapjohn

Lake.July 31: Jan Verduin. Spray Park, MountRainier National Park, 8-mile roundtrip, spec-tacular alpine flowers.

August 6: Ken Brown. Sheep Lake, SourdoughGap, where the original Heidi movie was shot.Trailhead is at Chinook Pass, 4-mile hike to lake,another mile to the Gap. Alpine flowers.

August 10: Helen Engle. Chambers Creek,

Game Farm, and FishHatchery in the midst ofhigh-density suburbia.

August 13: E l m e rPrice. Sunrise, the eastside of Mount Rainier,with choice of variety ofhikes. Bus Trip.

August 17: Jock Beall.Walk the trails aroundJohnson Marsh, FortLewis, near the Roy Y.

August 20: John Slipp. Tacoma CommunityCollege Nature Trails. See ponds, aspen bog,rare wildflowers.

August 21: Leader TBA. Nisqually NWR.Watch for beginning of fall migration and firstinflux of shorebirds, hike around the 5-miledike.

August 24: Marshall Mayer. Take your bikeon the ferry and go for a leisurely ride around

Vashon Island from Tahlequah and back.August 31: Bruce Anderson. Hike the trails

at 362-acre, 40-year old Lincoln Tree Farm andsee Christmas Tree production, VocationalForestry Program.

(How many of these could we re-trace in2008?)

By Helen Engle

about ten days on the east side of the Cascades

white-crowns seem to outnumber all other sparrow

species there combined. A few of the gambelii

remain in our state to breed around Harts Pass and

in the Okanogan highlands, but most move north-

ward to the boreal forest and willow thickets beyond

the tree-line. Oriantha, the third subspecies, breeds at

high elevations in the far eastern part of the state.

The White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leu-

cophrys) breeds across North America from Alaska

to Newfoundland, and southward west of the

Rockies to California and New Mexico. The birds

winter throughout the western states and in the eastroughly from Massachusetts and the Ohio Valley

west to Kansas and south into northern Mexico.

This species thrives wherever dense shrubs offer

cover and sites for nest-building with open groundfor foraging and access to water the sort of space

that population growth in the Pacific Northwest

provides. Their diet consists of seeds, grass, buds,

berries, and some arthropods in winter; during the

breeding season it eats mostly seeds and insects.

Breeders in the far north or high mountains

choose nesting sites on the ground, but many

pugetensis nests are constructed in shrub-

bery three to

four feet up.

The male

stakes out the

territory; the female

selects the site and builds the nest of small sticks and

coarse grass stems lined with fine grass, feathers,

and animal hair. She lays four or five eggs and incu-bates them for about two weeks. Both parents feedthe nestlings that fledge after two weeks and can flyin around another week. Northern breeders nestonly once per season, but birds on the Californiacoast often nest three times. Mortality rates are high:

about 70% of nestlings dontsurvive bad weather and pre-

dation by jays, crows,owls, hawks, squirrels,snakes, and cats.

Science hasnt yet unraveledthe complexities and migration

routes of the various subspeciesof the White-crowned Sparrow;

regardless, we can observe their sea-sonal movements and enjoy their pres-ence as these elegant little birds nest inour gardens and other nearby spacesweve unwittingly created for them.

... White-crowned Sparrowfrom page 1

BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly

Feedback, comments and reminiscences

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

Helen Engle from daysof yore.


9/12


aNNouNceMeNts

On June 7, 2008, the Museum of Glass will introduceMirrored Murrelets, a new outdoor art installation cre-ated by Arlington, WA, artist Joseph Rossano for theMuseums Mezzanine Plaza. Rossano created the glassbirds for the installation in the Museums Hot Shop dur-ing his Visiting Artist residency in January. MirroredMurrelets will be on display through 2009 before ittravels to additional venues around the country.

Rossanos work focuses on the natural world and theanimals who live in ecosystems threatened by human

impact. Mirrored Murrelets highlights the effect offorestry on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird thatnests primarily in the old-growth forests of the PacificNorthwest. The installation will comprise more than250 mirrored glass birds that will float just above thesurface of the Museums mid-level pool. The mirroredsurfaces of the birds will reflect the viewers image,symbolically suggesting the impact of humans on thenatural world. Fiberglass benches, designed to repre-sent charred stumps that can be found in once abun-dant old-growth forests, will surround the pool. Asvisitors experience the installation, Rossano hopes theywill ponder the plight of the bird as well as the beauty

of its existence. Throughout my career, I have

focused on the interdependence of thenatural world to create haunting imag-es of animals who, like us, rely on ourprimeval forests for their existence,comments Rossano. I choose to useglass as a medium because, like ourenvironment, glass is transparent, frag-ile and reflectivetransparent in that it hides nothing,

fragile in that once damaged it may never berepaired.

Joseph Rossano earned a BFA in studio arts atLouisiana State University in 1987. He has worked asboth the artistic director for Waterford Crystal in Irelandand the studio manager and lead gaffer for ChihulyStudio in Seattle. He currently lives in Arlington, WA.

Artist website: www.josephrossano.comThe Museum of Glass is sponsored in part by the City

of Tacoma Arts Commission, the Washington StateArts Commission, ArtsFund and Comcast. The VisitingArtist Program at the Museum of Glass is sponsored byCourtyard by Marriott / Tacoma.

Hours and AdmissionOpen Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5

p.m., Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12p.m. to 5 p.m. Store is also open Tuesdays 10 a.m. 5p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day through LaborDay): also open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to5 p.m. Closed Independence Day, September 15,Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admissionis free for members, $10 general, $8 seniors, militaryand students (13+ with ID), $8 groups of 10 or more,$4 children (6-12) years old. Children under 6 areadmitted free. Admission is free every third Thursdayof the month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street Tacoma, WAInfo Line 253-284-4750/ 1-866-4MUSEUM

Big Backyard Potluck PicnicJune 26, Thu., 6-9 p.m. Summer Solstice Time, 6-9 p.m.Demonstrations and displays by Pierce County outdoor and environmental

allies: Audubon, Mountaineers, Foothills Trail, Native Plant Society, Cascade Land

Conservancy, Sierra Club, Citizens for A Healthy Bay, Carbon River Corridor, Chambers-

Clover Watershed Council, Puget Creek Restoration Society, Student Conservation

Association and there are about eight more.

At the Engle Garden,4011 Alameda Avenue, University Place south of Fircrest.Featuring: The Displays by our friendly groups plus, Licensed Falconers with their LiveBirds, Native Plants for sale, Entertaining program, music and Earth-friendly ideas for

kids of all ages. Children and grandchildren are MOST welcome. And dont forget how

great the food is at these events!

We Furnish: Coffee & punch. Beer and wine is BYO.

You Bring:A hot or coldentree, PLUS a salad or dessert; PLUS your own Tableserviceand a situpon.

No signup necessary. Rain does not cancel.

Directions: 4011 Alameda Ave. is mile south of Fircrest Golf Course.Volunteers: Could use some strong outdoors types to help set up tables, etc.

Contact me: Helen Engle, 253-564-3112, [email protected] (e-mail preferred).

National Trails Day is the only nationwide celebration that was created to:Promote public awareness and appreciation for trails and the people who buildand maintain them.Promote the health benefits of trails.Build partnerships among trail groups,businesses and public land managers.

Encourage cooperative efforts among

the various trail users.

Americas 200,000 miles of trails provideaccess to the natural world for recreation,inspiration, education, camping, or soli-tude. Trails take us to good physical andmental health by providing us opportunitiesto breathe fresh air, get our hearts pumping,and to escape from our daily challenges andstresses. Without the support of volunteers, landmanaging agencies and outdoor-minded businesses, ourtrails would disappear.We chose to celebrate by hosting our 2nd annual Point Defiance Park Trails Day!!

The 702-acre Point Defiance Park is a popular destination for about two millionpeople each year. Natural forest, saltwater beaches and spectacular views offernumerous possibilities for recreation, education and communing with nature. In

2008, Point Defiance Park was voted the Best Park in Tacoma and the BestPlace to Take Kids in Tacoma by readers of the Tacoma Weekly.To learn more about the trails at Point Defiance, visit our website at:http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=239 .

Volunteers will be working on the following projects throughout the loop andspine trails at Point Defiance Park on Saturday, June 21st 2008 from 9am-Noon performing:

Litter and garbage removal throughout the trail system.Vegetation pruning in an effort to eliminate overgrown brush that may hinderjoggers and walkers.Path repair by adding chips/mulch/gravel to problem areas.In support of fire prevention, removing downed limbs and branches fromdesignated areas along the road corridors and trails.

For you early birds, a nature walk through the Point Defiance Trails is scheduledat 8am, you will meet in the zoo parking lot. All other volunteers for trail renova-

tion will meet down at Owens Beach at 9am! All volunteers will be provided theappropriate tools and materials, refreshments and a Trails Day t-shirt for theirparticipation!!If youd like to participate or have any questions on the event, please email me

or call me at the information listed below!

Julie ParascondolaPark Manager, Business & OperationsDepartment of Parks and Building ServicesMETRO PARKS TACOMA4702 S 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405-1175253-305-1060 Fax 253-759-0397

Visit our website: www.metroparkstacoma.orgTo volunteer please visit: www.chipinforparks.comCreating healthy opportunities to learn, play and grow.

We need your help! Volunteer at Point Defiance Parks

Trails Day event on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 9am-Noon!

At the Burke Museum: The Last Polar Bear

On June 28, the Burke Museum opens The Last Polar Bear: Facing theTruth of a Warming World, a powerful photography exhibit documenting

the polar bear in its disappearing Arctic habitat. See more than 40 heart-

warming photographs by environmental photographer Steven Kazlowski,

who spent nearly a decade in this remote and delicate region. The exhibitwill also include Northwest lmmaker Arthur C. Smiths Ice Bears of the

Beaufort, a short documentary that provides a portrait of polar bear behavior.

The Last Polar Bear runs through December 31, 2008.

Exhibit created in partnership with Braided River Books, the conserva-

tion imprint of the Mountaineers Books. For more information, visit www.

burkemuseum.org.

Mirrored Murrelets at museum

Why we celebrate National Trails Day
http://www.josephrossano.com/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=239http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.chipinforparks.com/http://www.chipinforparks.com/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=239http://www.josephrossano.com/


10/12

2917 Morrison Rd. W., University Place, 253-565-9278

We will have our usual Friday weeding opportunities with a light breakfastat 9:00 a.m. and weeding until 11:00 a.m. Hope to see you!

Volunteer at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

voluNteerRecognition


The first ever Birdathon Kick-Off event happened at

Owens Beach in Point Defiance Saturday, April 26th.

We had over 40 participants come to the event. Trip lead-

ers took guests on various trips to see bird species around

the area. People were split into various teams (car, bike,

walking and kids) and given about an hour and a half to

see as many bird species as they could. Overall, we saw

about 60 different bird species. The team with the most

birds seen was the car team lead by Diane-Yorgason-

Quinn and Faye Mc Adams Hands.

A special thank you goes out to all the volunteers that

helped make the first 2008 Birdathon Kick-Off event a

big success. Volunteers helped with set-up, registration, serving refreshments and welcom-ing guests. Birdathon Kick-Off co-chair, Amy Bettesworth did an excellent job procuring

donations and planning for the event. I would also like to thank all the trip leaders for

donating their time and expertise.

Birdathon Kick-Off Volunteers: Brian Compton, Vaughn Hilliard, Michael Thomas,

Acacia Johnston, Tamika Greenwell, Sarah Lloyd, Jenny Jelliff, Jeff Zittel, Janet Bent,

Bob Myrick, Amy Bettesworth

Birdathon Kick-Off Trip Leaders: Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Faye Mc Adams Hands, Art

Wang, Rob McNair-Huff, Corina Going, Steph Swaim

Birdathon Kick-Off Sponsors: Fred Meyer, Trader Joes, Honest Tea, Tullys, Great

Harvest Bread Co., Willow Tree Farm, Panera Bread Co., Dels Farm and Feed, Starbucks,

Antique Sandwich Company.

Birdathon Kick-Off Event recognitions

Team Species CountKids team

(Stephanie Swaim) =16 species

Walking team1

(Corina Going)=16 species

Walking team 2

(Art Wang)=24 species

Biking Team

(Rob McNair-Huff)=36 species

Car Team (Diane Yorgason-Quinn/

Faye Mc Adams Hands)= 49 species


11/12


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

an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National

Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing

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

Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub-

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

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

National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National

membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of

Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas. Checkspayableto:TahomaAudubon29

17Morrison

Rd.

W.

UniversityPlace,

98466Tahom

aAudubon

Society,establishedin1969,

isa501(c)(3)nonprofit

organization.

Donationsaretaxdeductib

le.

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

welcoMe to New and Returning Members

April 16, 2008 to May 15, 2008Chapter New and Renewing:John Bergvall, Trusilla Bussinger, David Olson, Gisela

M Taranovski, Edna Vandenheuvel.

Chapter Joint with National:Sharon Aukland, Jerry Broadus, Marcielle Kobel, Jim

Nelson, Judy Rucker, Brian Simpson, Audrey G Stacy,

Lewis Wallon.

Introductory: Recruited through TAS:Tabitha Brokaw, Bill Knowles, Amanda Reeck, Nils

Sortland, Morry and Mary Stafford, Renee and Leif

Wanager, Elmira White.

Introductory: Recruited through NAS:

Katherine Bennett, Nancy Bryer,

Elizabeth Burrows, Laura Clapper,

Patricia Damron, Dave Desertspring,

Carol Engels, Shirley Johnson,

Alfred Kamajian, Jacqueline

Kovacsics, S Marks, Novella

Matteson, Howard Munger, Shery

Nelson, Debra Pinson, Pam Smith, Jeanette M Smith,Ulla F Smith, Cynthia Stone, Trudy Stowe, Jim and

Laurela Thorp, Catherine C Tyrrell, A Vivit, Jeremy

Yielding, Christopher Young.

The following is the same message that was written

here last month, but repetition is supposed to be

important. With much less National financial help

available, TAS is now sending Towhees only to those

persons who renew as a chapter or joint member

through us. On January 2008, we gave members credit

for whichever expiration date was the farthest along.

You will be receiving a renewal request when that date

comes around. If, in the meantime, you respond to a

National renewal request, it will not include the

Towhee. Thanks for understanding.

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Our TAS leaders came back from the ACOW thisspring talking about the Save Our Swifts project.Many of you have been on the field trips Ive ledto the wonderful chimney at the school in Monroewhich is used by thousands of Vauxs Swifts as amigration staging area every spring and fall, aswell as a nesting site for a lucky smaller number.This is the second largest known group of theseswifts in the world (with the famous Portlandchimney being the only known larger roost). Thischimney has been targeted by the earthquake hitsquad, which would be very bad for these amaz-ing birds that are on the State Audubon WatchList, thus the concern. To get the right kind ofattention, we really need to know more aboutthese mysterious birds everywhere in the state.

So thats were you come in. If you see anyswifts (tiny swallow-like birds always on the wingeating insects, but not as colorful as swallows andnot as graceful, flying with a stiffer wing beat oncigar-shaped bodies), report to ME or to the other

contacts below. Achimney or dead treeroost/nest site wouldbe a real find, butreport all birds justso we can get anidea of how many

are around andwhere. And if theres

enough interest, wemay take a group upto Monroe thisSeptember for thebig event if the chim-ney still stands.Diane Yorgason-Quinn [email protected] (forTahoma Audubon)

Or to:Susie Schaefer at [email protected] Schwitters at [email protected]

Save our Swifts!

You can help

by filling out a

downloadable

reporting form

By Susie Schaefer,Pilchuck Audubon

We are trying to get a handle on the population of Vauxs

Swifts in Washington and have been asking all Audubon

Chapters to work with us and collect initial data about the

numbers and locations of the Swifts.

The Steering Committee led by Swift expert Larry

Schwitters is heading up this data collection effort.

We are also asking everyone to go to the Pilchuck website

at www.pilchuckaudubon.org and click on Programs on

the left side. Scroll down to the section on the Vaux Swift

Project; there you can get the reporting forms. When you see

any Vaux Swifts (or if you have seen them in April) please

fill out a form and send it to Larry by email or regular mail.

We are looking for 2008 information from the time the

Swifts arrive or pass by in April or May until they leave in

late September. Larry is also interested in following up on

any historical roosting sites anyone knows about.

We would really appreciate help from all chapters and

Audubon members in Washington. Thank you.

Above: The famousPortland chimney. Photoby Ariel Holman.

Right: The school chim-ney in Monroe. Photo byDiane Yorgason-Quinn.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/http://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/http://www.pilchuckaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


12/12

Tahoma 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

Birdathon page 1

BirdSongs page 8

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:

owhee

The June 2008

T

For additional information on education programs contact Tahoma Audubon at 253-565-9278; on the web at www.tahomaaudubon.org

Or The Tacoma Nature Center at 253-591-6439 or on the web at www.metroparkstacoma.org

Calendar

Sat, Jun 7 6am 5pm Cle Elum/Teanaway River

bird trip with Ed Pullen.

Join Ed and Kay Pullen for a day trip to the Cle

Elum and Teanaway areas to look for the breed-

ing birds of the nearby parts of Eastern Washington.F

Sun, Jun 8,10am 12pm Morse Bird Walk,

Graham WA. Betty Jones will lead a walk at

Morse Wildlife Preserve. Call 253-565-9278 to

register and for directions. F

Sun, Jun 8, 1pm 4pm Morse Preserve Open

Trails Graham. Explore this natural treasure

located in Graham during Open Trail days. All

ages. Free. F

Mon, Jun 9, 12pm 1pm Bird Walk @ Adriana

Hess F

Tue, Jun 10, 2pm 4pm Conservation Committee,

Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Road

W, University Place, WA 98466 M

Tue, Jun 10, 7pm 9pm, Intermediate Birding

Class, Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Register by

Calling the Tacoma Nature Center at 253-

591-6439.

Thu, Jun 12, 6:30pm 8:30pm TAS Board

Meeting, Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly

Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon Board. Guest

Welcome; please call ahead at 253- 565-9278.

Fri, Jun 13, 7pm 9pm Membership Meeting,

Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street.

Monthly membership meeting of Tahoma

Audubon. All welcome.

Sat, Jun 14, 7:30am 2:00pm Bird the Hundred

Acre Woods (Old Flett Creek Dairy) with Rolan

Nelson. Meet at Hwy. 512 and I-5 Park and Ride

behind McDonalds. We will return to the 110-acre

site in NE Lakewood that is surrounded by devel-

opment yet is still home to over 100 species of

birds. F

Sat, Jun 14, 9:30am 12:00pm Bird the 176th

Street marsh with Betty Jones. F

Sun, Jun 15, 8:00am 11:30am Nature Walk at

Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Join author Rob

McNair-Huff for a 5-mile walk through the for-

ests at Point Defiance Park. F

Mon, Jun 16, 12pm 1pm Plant Walk @ Adriana

Hess. F

Tue, Jun 17, 5pm 6pm Morse Force Meeting atAdriana Hess.

Tue, Jun 17, 7pm 9pm Intermediate Birding

Class at Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Register

by calling the Tacoma Nature Center at 253-

591-6439.

Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am 11:30am Discovery Walk

at West Hylebos Park, Federal Way E

Thu, Jun 26, 6pm 9pm Annual Big Backyard

Picnic, at the Engle Garden, 4011 Alameda

Avenue, University Place south of Fircrest. No

signup necessary. A

Fri, Jun 27, 10:30am 11:30am Nature Storytime

Crafty Crabs at Tahoma Audubon

Sat, Jun 28, 10am 12pm Walk in the Park

Kobayashi. E

Sat, Jun 28, 5:00pm 8:30pm Discovery Paddle

at Nisqually Delta at Luhr Beach. Register by

calling the Tacoma

Nature Center at

253- 591-6439.

Mon, Jun 30,

through Jul 2, all

day. Little

Explorers Camp

The Perfect

Place

Thu, Jul 5 12:00pm-3:00pm Tiptoe through the

Tidepools! At Titlow Beach on Saturday July

5th, Noon to 3pm,FREE to all. Bring your fam-ily and join naturalists from the Tacoma Nature

Center and Tahoma Audubon for one of the low-

est tides of the year!E

Tue, Jul 8, 2pm 4pm Conservation Committeemeets at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.M

Thu, Jul 10, 6:30pm 8:30pm TAS Board

Meeting at Adriana Hess Audubon Center

Fri, July 11 NO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

MEETING. No meetings are held in the summer,

regular schedule begins again Sep. 12.

juNe 2008

july 2008

F Field Trip Page

V Volunteer page

M Environment Matters Page

ARelated article in Towhee

E Education Page

Key to symbols

tas juNe prograM Presentation

Bring the family to the JuneMembership Meeting!

The Education Committee will host theJune 13 TAS membership meeting atTacoma Nature Center and is planning anengaging evening for kids and adults. Bethere to also meet and congratulate thewinners of the annual Bird DrawingContest. All are welcome.Date: Friday, June 13Time: 7 pm - View winning pictures ofBird Drawing Contest, meetthe young artists, andenjoy refreshments7:30 pm Awardsceremony followed bya program on ProjectFeeder Watch Do

you know who is visiting your backyard?Lets find out together!

All are welcome to attend our monthlymembership meetings! After June 13, wewill be on summer break until September12. If you have recommendations orwould like to be considered for a presen-tation, please contact Katrina at [email protected] or 253-304-6422.

The winning entriesfrom 2007.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

06-2008 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

Documents