april 2009 heron herald newsletter rainier audubon society

8/8/2019 April 2009 Heron Herald Newsletter Rainier Audubon Society

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Rainier Audubon Society April 2009

Federal Wa United Methodist Church29645 - 51st Ave. So. 98001 (in unincorporated Auburn)

DirectionsIn Federal Wa, take 320th St. EAST past The Commons, crossing over I-5 and

Militar Rd. At 321st St, turn left. Sta on 321st as it becomes 51st Ave. So. Follow51st Ave. to 296th. Church will be on our left at 296th.

Monda, April 20, at 7:00 PM

Bashing Through Bushes:The Search for the Endangered Townsends Shearwater

with Dr. Peter Hodum

One of the rare bird species of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, located off the coastof Mexico, is Townsends Shearwater, a virtuall unstudied seabird that is criticall

endangered. In 2007, Dr. Peter Hodumwas invited to collaborate with Mexicanconservation biologists to develop a researchand conservation program for this elusivespecies. His presentation will provide an

overview of the ecolog of the naturalsstems of Isla Socorro, the last remainingbreeding island of the shearwater, and a

discussion of the islands bird species, thethreats confronting them, and the efforts toconserve them. In addition, Dr. Hodum will

provide an update of his groups ongoingwork in the Juan Fernndez Islands, Chile.Dr. Peter Hodum is the Director of the Juan Fernndez Islands Conservanc, a

small conservation organization dedicated to conducting applied conservationresearch and communit conservation education programs in the Juan FernndezIslands. In addition to his work in Chile, he also works on threatened seabirdsin Mxico and on the ecolog of islands and seabirds in Washington. He is an

enthusiastic educator, currentl working as a visiting assistant professor at theUniversit of Puget Sound and regularl participating in communit outreachopportunities.

Please join Rainier Audubon for another terric program. Refreshments areavailable before and during the program, while conversation is available alwas.

Environmental Lobb Da

B Dan StreiffertConservation Chair

I attended Lobb Da (Feb. 17) for

the rst time this year. It was a full

da of speeches, meetings and lob-bing, followed b a reception at theGovernors Mansion. There were

over 500 participants, nearl twicethe number from last ears event.

The 2009 Environmental Prioritiesinclude: Cap and Invest, Efciency

First, Transit-Oriented Communities,and Invest in Clean Water. Unfortu-natel, the fate of most of these billsis uncertain at this point. A Senate

committee gutted the heart of thecap-and-trade bill, making participa-tion b businesses voluntar. A bill

for tougher efciency standards for

buildings was amended to dela itsimplementation until 2031. And abill to add a climate change goal to

the Growth Management Act wasweakened.

I believe climate change remainsour most important challenge, and

that we must act now if we havean hopes of slowing this process.I encourage ou to contact ourstate legislators and support these

environmental priorities. Thesesolutions are good for the environ-ment, good for business, and makeeconomic sense. If ou have ques-

tions, I would be happ to talk toou about these issues.

Townsends Shearwater Fledgling

Photo b Dr. Peter Hodum


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APRIL 2009 - PAGE 3

Birdathon 2009

What is it? Its birding for dollars! Count as many bird species in one day as you

can! Choose any day in May. Get friends to sponsor you, then go birding! Afterwards,

send them a list of what birds ou saw, and the will donate X amount for each

species you saw (i.e. 25 cents). Or they can just donate a at fee. 100% of the

proceeds support Rainier Audubon activities in south King Count.

If you prefer, you can conduct your Birdathon birding on one of our eld trips.

Earn money for chapter activities while enjoying a great eld trip led by an expert

birder. Or be laz sta at home and bird at our feeder. Or be creative and comeup with your own Birdathon experience!

Sponsors are happ to support our efforts, and man look forward to being askedagain the following ear. The especiall enjo our list of bird species seen. We willprovide helpful hints, examples of solicitation and report letters,

,prizes for birders,

thank-ou gifts for sponsors, and one-on-one help as needed.

Wh do it?

We need the money! The portion of your membership dues that our Rainierchapter receives does not even pa the total cost of preparing and sending outour newsletter. Birdathon is our largest fundraiser, and we depend on it to

provide a stable funding base for our man activities. Funds raised go for servicesand activities such as: our wonderful newsletter, postage and PO box, printingmaterials, envelopes, programs (speaker fees), environmental education activities,conservation committee activities, etc, We wouldnt want to have to cut back on

any of our activities!

Our goal for Birdathon 2009 is $5,000, which is attainable but onl if everone

helps!

coNtact: roSS tabor, raiNierauduboN birdathoN chair

PhoNe: (253) 927-3208

email: [email protected]

thaNkyou!

Its ACES forEnvironmental Education

b Carol Stoner

This spring, Rainier joined a newmulti-partnership organization

the Alliance of South CountEnvironmental Stewards (ACES).

Other members of ACES are

Lake Wilderness Arboretum, theCovington Water District, theCities of Covington and MapleValle, SHADOW, Cedar Grove

Composting, Maple Valle B&B,Artistic Garden Concepts, and

Tahoma FFA. The groups purposeis to coordinate their individualresources to encourage protection,conservation, and restoration of ournatural environment.

Throughout the coming ear,ACES is offering a series ofspeakers who highlight sustainable,

environmentall appropriategardening. Willi Gallowa ofOrganic Gardening Magazinegave the

rst program in early March. Her

topic was Incredible Edibles and

drew a crowd of over 100 peopleto the Tahoma Jr. High School

Auditorium. Willi offered practicaltips for including edible plants of alltpes in our landscapes. During theQ and A session, she talked about

how to deal with pests withoutreling on toxic chemicals.

All presentations are FREE and oudo not have to register to attend. Justshow up! Programs begin at 7:00 PM

in the TahomaJuNiorHigh School

Auditorium, 25600 SE Summit-Landsburg Road, Ravendale.

www.SouthKingCountACES.com

Our Annual Fundraiser


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Field Trips - B Carol Schulz

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 4

Lake Sammamish

Saturda, April 187:30 AM to Earl Afternoon

Leader: Am Schillinger

Join Amy on this always-popular eld

trip to Lake Sammamish State Park andsurrounding areas during a beautiful time

of ear. This park near Issaquah haswetlands, trails, woods, and a nice creekand beach. We will explore the area near

the mouth of Issaquah Creek and viewa large heronr with Great Blue Herons

at their nests. We hope to see and hearsinging spring birds.

BRING: Lunch or snacks and drinks.Trails can be mudd. We ma walk up to

one mile.

MEET: At 7:30 AM at the NewcastlePark and Ride, exit 9, north of Renton on

I-405. Be careful to turn right (up the hill)to enter the Park & Ride, and do not drive

down the ramp to the freewa.

SIGN-UP: Call or email Am at (206) 992-

8699 or [email protected].

Birds at the Coast

Sunda, April 266:30 AM to Earl Evening

Leader: Gu McWeth

Asst. Leader: Carol Schulz

Meet Gu at Westport at 9:00 AM

(or carpool with Carolfrom Fife at 6:30 AM)

The main target species for this trip will bemigrating shorebirds. There will be a chance

for a large trip list of other birds, too. Areasto visit will include Westport, Bottle Beach,Midwa Beach, and Tokeland. If ou have

ever been birding with Gu, ou know that he

reall knows his birds and his trips are great.

BRING: Plent of food including lunch,

snacks, and beverages. It will be a long da.Bring gear and clothing for changeableweather. Bring rubber boots if ou have

them, for walking the beach at BottleBeach State Park. Bring a scope if ou

have one.

MEET: Gu will alread be at the coast.Meet him at 9:00 AM on Sunda inWestport at the Observation Deck on

Neddie Rose Dr. It will take approximatel2 - 1/2 hours to get there from south King

Count, with minimal stops on our route;

plan to leave early!

ALTERNATIVE: Or meet Carol at theFife McDonalds at 6:30 AM to carpool.Call or email Carol at (206) 827-7618 or

[email protected] for details.

SIGN-UP: Call or email Gu at (425)255-9478 (eve.), or (253) 924-2460 (das),

or [email protected]. Email ispreferred. Contact before Frida, April 24.Sign up earl. Trip is limited to 8 people.

DIRECTIONS: Take Hw. 105 from

Aberdeen. Near Westport, turn rightonto Montesano St. and go 3.6 miles

to Westport. The road swings right andbecomes Dock Ave. At the stop sign in

0.1 mile, take Westhaven Dr. (the mainstreet along the docks) left to the rockbreakwater, then right onto Neddie Rose

Dr. Park at the end of the road and walkup onto the observation platform.

Hlebos Creek ExplorationsWetlands to Commencement Ba

Saturda, Ma 28:00 AM - Earl Afternoon

Leader: Adele Freeland

Highlights will be Hlebos Wetlands Park,Spring Valle, Fife Heights, and Hlebos

Waterwa in Tacoma. This is an excellenttime to look for migrants and listen forbird song. We hope to see songbirds,

ycatchers, breeding water birds, and birds

of the woods.

BRING: Lunch or snacks and drinks. We

ma walk about two miles.

MEET: 8:00 AM at South Federal Wa

Park & Ride. We will be carpooling.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-5 to the exit toHw. 18. Turn west. Hw. 18 becomes So.

348th. The Park & Ride is at 901 So. 348th(three lights west of I-5 on 348th).

SIGN-UP: Contact Adele b email [email protected] or b phone at

(253) 874-2874.

Barn Owl out in broad daylight, seen on Rainier eld trip

exploring the Hlebos watershed in summer 2007


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MARCH 2009 - PAGE 6

tukWila backyard

Wildlife feStival

Saturda, Ma 9

9 AM to 3 PM

Tukwila Communit Center12424 42nd Ave. So.

(206) 768-2822

The Tukwila Backard WildlifeFestival is a free, all-da eventcelebrating backard wildlife - such

as birds and butteries. The event

will host a variet of activities andeducational opportunities on how to

attract and support wildlife throughgarden and landscape practices,and creating and preserving wildlifehabitat in our region.

Guided birdiNG Walk- 9:45 am

Come on the Guided Bird Walk alongthe Duwamish River led b Carol

Schulz of Rainier Audubon

Native PlaNt SaleS

artSaNd craftS marketPlaceGardeN tour

Spring Happenings Around Town

earth dayfair

Frida, April 2410 AM to 2 PM

Saltwater State Park

Des Moines(206) 870-4294

The King Count Housing Authorit

Americorps team and Federal WaPublic Schools Americorps team, inconjunction with Washington State

Parks, are hosting an Earth Da Fair

beWaterWiSe is the theme.

The tentative schedule includesbeach and forest walks at 11 AMand 12:45 PM, and entertainmentfrom 11:45 to 12:45. Activit and

information booths will be open theentire time.

earth WeekWorkParty

Saturda, April 1810 AM to 2 PM

Shadow Lake BogRenton

In celebration of Earth Week,

SHADOW will be hosting awork part. Please bring gloves.

Refreshments will be provided.Tours of Shadow Lake Bog will beavailable afterwards.

Please contact SHADOW at(425) 432-4914 to sign-up or formore information.

WaterWiSe GardeN faire

Saturda, June 201 PM to 4 PM

Covington Water District18631 SE 300th Pl, Covington

Come tour a botanical oasis lled

with a wide variet of droughttolerant plants, all identied. Enjoy

a guided tour led b a WSU Master

Gardener. Printed plant guides willbe available, which identif hundreds

of species, both native and non-native, that thrive in this area.

Tours, speakers, demonstrations,door prizes, and more! With over

50% of residential summer water us

being applied to landscapes, this fairwill give ou practical was to reduceyour water usage and save money!

SWift Welcome backNiGht

Monroe Frank Wagner Elementar SchoolSaturda, April 18

Theyre coming back! The Monroe Vauxs Swift population will be returning to

the Frank Wagner Elementar chimne on their northward migration. Please

come and join the Monroe Swift Watch Committee along with Pilchuck, Seattleand East Lake Audubon Societies in welcoming our birds back.

At 4:00 PM, we will be showing (FREE) the one-hour lm, On The Wing,

detailing the life and behavior of Vauxs Swifts at the Chapman ElementarSchool in Portland, Oregon, the largest count in the world . . . and Monroeisnt far behind in numbers. After the movie, there will be a training session incounting swifts for those who want to volunteer.

School address: 115 Dickinson Ave, Monroe, WA 98272, phone (360) 794-3015.


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Rainier Audubon Membership Subscription or Renewal Form

One-ear Membership in Rainier Audubon $15

To join or renew, mail this application with our pament to:

Rainier Audubon Societ - MembershipPO Box 778

Auburn, WA 98071

Name _______________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________

Cit ____________________________________________ State ______________ Zip ______________

Email _______________________________________________________________________________

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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