10-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

8/9/2019 10-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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By Krystal Kyer

Driving to Mt. Rainier in August, I took Pacific-SR/7 south from Tacoma. It would have been

impossible to miss an unpleasant surprise just north

of the Roy Y. A new green highway sign looms

overhead of the monstrous intersection at 176th St.

It reads Cross-Base Hwy, and the only thing green

about it is the color of the sign itself. The road, on

the other hand, is five lanes wide, plus shoulders,

retention ponds, cyclone fencing, and concrete noise

barriers. And if you stare down the road, it looks

like it just dead ends at another massive intersection

with a permanent traffic light. For there, where

176th (renamed the cross-base highway) meets

Spanaway Loop Road, you see a ghost intersection.

This mile stretch of new road is a dead end. And

where it dead ends is what matters. Looking west,

one sees an expansive Oak woodland prairie sur-

rounded by wetlands and forests.

I found myself a week later at the ribbon cutting

ceremony celebrating the completion of Phase I of

the so called cross-base highway, this mile no

mans land. White folding chairs, banners, and

politicians galore come together to applaud them-

selves for a project completed. Representative

Tom Campbell even boasts that the road through

the trees will be built in his lifetime. Ironically, the

oaks, with swallows flying above, make a beautiful

backdrop for the celebration of a road that will only

bring their future demise.

Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 40 No. 8October2009

25 years ago page 8

Announcements page 11

BirdSongs page 8

Calendar page 12

Education page 4

Executive Directors column page 2

Field trips page 5

New members page 2

Quizical Owl page 8

Volunteer recognition page 10

Inthisissue:

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

f theres one person at TahomaAudubon who knows the coast, its

Ruth Sullivan! She led a field trip on

August 22nd with an intimate knowl-

edge of where to go to see the current birds

based on having been out there almost every

day in the previous week, important informa-

tion during the spotty early fall shorebird

migration! The very first stop was a triumph,

as we visited the Grays Harbor NationalWildlife Refuge including the very important

Hoquiam Sewer Ponds. Over the years, Ruth

has made friends with the people who run

the sewage treatment plant; thus, she was

able to get us into the inner

sanctum. Here we discovered

one of the best birds of the day at least five

Pectoral Sandpipers, showing themselves

only to those on the inside. Two were work-ing the mud just a few feet in front of us

along with a Killdeer. The much larger male

and the daintier female instructed us on this

most sexually dimorphic shorebird regu-

ISee"SummerattheSeasideonpage6

See"Cross-Baseonpage6

Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Belowleft: Leader Ruth Sullivan points the way. Aboveleft: Birding at Bottle Beach. Ruth is in frontof the small group on the right. Above:The 6 Tokeland Willets with 2 Marbled Murrelets. Below:Pectoral Sandpiper at Hoquiam Sewage Lagoon.

Driving on fumes: Cross-Base Highway rises from the dead

DonatetotheTahomaAudubonSocietyCommon birds at risk, sharp decline of sea

birds in Puget Sound, Global warming ef-

fects on habitat, and near extinction for the

Spotted Owl. These are some of the recent

headlines that add urgency to our work to

preserve habitat for wildlife and humans.

Your donation is critical to the success of

our important work. Donate today!

Your donation is tax deductible. Clickhere

to go to our donation webpage. Photo/Robert Kelton
http://../Library/Caches/Adobe%20InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdfhttp://../Library/Caches/Adobe%20InDesign/Version%206.0/en_US/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap.pdf


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Chapter New and Renewing:

Warren & Dorothy Finch, Lynda

Flanagan, Luanne Green, Sue

Habeck, Ronald Hale, Dr. Lovez-

zola, Greg & Nancy Magee, Steve

& Patti Marek, Shane McWil-

liams, Ruth Ann Mikels, Wiilliam

M Muse, Paula Rossel, Audrey

G Stacy, Denise Tempest, Diane

Yorgason-Quinn, Rob York.

Chapter Joint withNational, Recruited

through Tahoma

Audubon Society:

David Carino &

Gail Fitz Carino,

Peter & Ann Darling, George H

Hess, Susan Huck, Carol M Smith,

Annette Wanwig, Nancy Yourng.

Introductory, Recruited

through Tahoma Audubon

Society:

Elly McEachern, Wesley Pollock,

Lynette Shimming, Sue Taylor,

Alan & Nancy Weaver

A friend and I

waited at the Link

Light Rail stop.

Skip was a little

late due to traffic,

as he was comingdown form Seattle

on I-5. We imme-

diately talked

about regional

transit. I men-

tioned how much better Sound Transit was than

the Washington State Ferry System. Offhandedly,

Skip mentioned how important a dysfunctional

ferry system was to keeping the West side of Puget

Sound from being over developed. The less than

ideal commute makes it a disadvantage to move

across the pond, therefore keeping the population

explosion in check.

This is just the kind of thing that Knute SkipBerger says makes you stop and look at the world

around you with a different perspective. A long

time Puget Sound resident and journalist, Knute

Berger always brings a fresh perspective to his

subjects.

Knute Berger writes the Mossback column for

Crosscut, a Northwest news and analysis website.

He also writes the monthly Gray Matters column

for Seattle magazine and is a weekly Friday guest

on Weekday on KUOW-FM (94.9). His new

book, Pugetopolis: A Mossback Take On Growth

Addicts, Weather Wimps, and the Myth of SeattleNice, has just been published by Sasquatch

Books.

The friend I mentioned is a historic preservation

expert familiar with Tacomas landmarks. We

were giving Skip, as we call him, an environmen-

tal-historical tour of Downtown Tacoma. His

memories were of the blighted downtown when

he would transfer busses between Evergreen and

Seattle.

Big picture-out of the box thinking is what sepa-

rates Skip from your plain paper bag journalist.

Sure, being a 4th generation Seattleite means he

knows where all the skeletons are buried, but

Knute does not get stuck in the weeds of who didwhat to whom and why that effects how they

voted on such and such.

Taking a regional view the size of the cascadia

bioregion, Skip has a knack for discerning vapor-

ous trends that moves our local culture in mysteri-

ous ways. His no-sacred-cows approach means

that he can point out the obvious, when most oth-

ers would stick to the Puget Sound nice script.

With not a mean bone in his body, he is not out for

gotcha journalism, but rather has a keen interest in

truth and a true love for irony.

In a world where everyone seems to have taken

ideological sides of one form or another, Skip is

very much his own man. Where others seek to

break down complex problems into simple usagainst them, he revels in holding ambiguity in

suspended animation.

Skip will be bringing his big picture-out of the

box thinking to our Early bird Gets the Worm

Breakfast on Thursday October 22nd at the Hotel

Murano.

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org October 2009

executive directorsCorner

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protec-

tion of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its

members 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,

conservation, 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: David Cohn: [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

welcome

to New and Returning Members

Aug. 16, 2009 to Sept. 15, 2009

TahomaAudubonStaff

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

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

Swaim,Stephanie Education Coordinator

[email protected] 253-327-9480

Kesinger,Cami Development [email protected] 253-565-9129

Taylor,GrahamVolunteer 253-565-1884Kerrigan,JulieCoordinators [email protected] [email protected]

Benton,Ken Education [email protected] 253-565-1884

TahomaAudubonBoardOfficers

John Garner President

Marjorie Shea Vice PresidentJane Brosius Secretary

Kathleen Nelson Treasurer

TahomaAudubonBoardMembers2009

Thelma Gilmur

Dick Carkner

Marcus Roening

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck

ThePierceCountyChapterofTheNationalAudubonSocietyLocatedinUniversityPlace'sAdrianaHessWetlandPark2917MorrisonRdWUniversityPlace,WA98466

Officehours10a.m.-1p.m.Frontdesk253-565-9278

Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Bill Smith

Tanja Scott

Charles Griffin

Big picture-out ofthe box thinking

is what separates

Skip from yourplain paper bagjournalist.

Regional perspective; with eggs
http://crosscut.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://crosscut.com/


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October 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

eNviroNmeNtMatters

Conservation CommitteeTues Oct 13 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.Adriana Hess

Wetland Park

Ohop Widlife Survey & eld tripSun Oct 18, 2009. Location: Ohop Valley, near

Eatonville. Call 565-9278 to register and for

directions. Help scientists collect data on birds,

mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects! No

experience necessary, only willingness to explore.Wear sturdy shoes. Directions and information

are also available on our website at: www.

tahomaaudubon.org/cs under the ohop wildlife

monitoring tab.

Green Tacoma PartnershipQuarterly Meeting and TrainingWhen: Wednesday October 28th from 6:00pm-

8:00pm

Where: University of Puget Sound Howarth 201,

signs will be posted

Details: Come join us for a pot luck and Urban

Policy Discussion. We will also be providing a

training on interpersonal communications. For

more information contact Julie Kerrigan (253)

223-0039 or [email protected]

Conservation CommitteeTuesday Nov 10, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Pacic

Lutheran University, Reike 112, Parkland WA.

Free Habitat Steward trainingHave you ever walked by or driven past an area

that is overgrown with weeds and looks unkempt?

By becoming a Habitat Steward you can do some-

thing to help take care of these kinds of places in

your neighborhood. At this FREE one day train-

ing you will learn how to get started, how to orga-

nize volunteer events and ways to track how well

the clean-up process is going. After the training

you will be able to borrow tools, receive publicity

for events and get help with volunteer recruitment

provided by Green Tacoma Partnership.

When: Saturday October 10th, 2009 or Saturday

February 6th, 2010. Time and location to be

announced at later date.

Contact: To register, Julie Kerrigan; jkerrigan@

tahomaaudubon.org or (253) 223-0039

Jovita Creek planting event

Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Tools and snacks will be provided for our wonder-

ful and much appreciated volunteers.

Plants were purchansed with a grant form the

Puyallup River Watershed Foundation.

This event is sponsored by the Edgewood Friends

of the Parks.

For safetys sake, there will be NO parking on

Jovita. Shuttle service will be available from 9

a.m. until 1 p.m. from Hedden Elementarys park-

ing lot at 114th Ave. E. and 8th St. E.

For more information, call 863-3724.

This fall, yet another Tim Eyman supported Initiative 1033 will appear on

Washingtons November ballot. If passed, it will have major negative effectson Washingtons environmental protections at the state, county, and local

levels.

I-1033 is a serious threat to our

states land, air, and water. For these

reasons, in September Tahoma

Audubons Conservation Committee

and Board voted to join the

Environmental Priorities Coalition in

opposing this initiative.

This year Washington faced a dev-

astating budget deficit that forced state

legislators to make very tough cuts to

basic services, as well as to essential environmental protection programs.

I-1033 would lock in this years budget as our baseline.Under I-1033, as the economy recovers, the state would not be allowed to

invest in education, health care, or environmental protections. Instead, the

worst of times would become the best that we can hope for. Puget Soundrestoration, conservation programs, and natural resource agencies will all be

in jeopardy if this misleading initiative

passes.

A similar initiative passed in Colorado

in 1992 and the effects have been dev-

astating. A coalition of civic groups,

business leaders, and Republican

Governor Bill Owens joined together in

2005 to help pass a referendum to sus-

pend it for five years. Over 30 other

states have rejected similar proposals.

We dont need this kind of mess here

in Washington. Please vote NO on Initiative 1033 this November.

You can learn more about the No on I-1033 campaign on the web by visit-ing: http

://no1033.com/

Exotic landscapes can cost 200times as much as nativelandscapes

60% of urban water is used forlawns in western U.S.A.

There are 50 million acres oflawn, which makes turf grass thelargest irrigated crop in theU.S.A.

Lawns use 10 times as manychemicals per acre as do industrialfarmlands in the U.S.A.

800,000,000 gallons of gasolineare used annually by lawnmowersin the U.S.A.

Quickfacts:ReasonsforplantingnativeplantsByNelBatker

Native plants belong here. They evolved withsoils, climate, wildlife and beneficial insects.The climate and soils support the plants and

the plants support the wildlife and insects.Together they create natural systems that pro-vide necessary services such as water and airpurification, pollination, and prevention offloods and erosion. Native plants reduce waterusage and thrive without use of pollutingchemicals.

Every yard and public place should be land-scaped with a majority of native plants toinsure plant and wildlife diversity. The nativefauna and flora give the northwest its identity,

beauty, and create a healthy environment.Native plants thrive in organic soils as seen in

natural northwest forest lands, where leaves,needles, and branches fall to renew the soil,and the rain supplies the needed moisture.Urban soils can be improved for native plantsby adding wood chips, leaves, and sawdust.

Many non-native plants are not suited to thenorthwest climate because they come from dif-ferent climates and soils in other regions of the

world. To keep them alive and happy requires alife support system which entails the applicationof chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and muchwater in the summer. The chemical runoff fromthis life support system harms streams, rivers,lakes, watersheds, aquifers, and Puget Sounditself.

Through urbanization and landscaping stylesmost native plants and wildlife have been

removed, disrupting natural systems and theirservices in urban and suburban areas.Landscaping styles should be sensitive to the

negative impacts they can have on the naturalenvironment.

Some non-native plants become alien invad-ers, escaping gardens, covering landscapes, andcrowding out native plants and wildlife. Some ofthe worst culprits are English Ivy, JapaneseKnotweed, Scotch Broom, Himalayan Blackberry,Reed Canary Grass, Butterfly Bush, and HerbRobert.

Reasonsfornotplantingmostlynon-natives

Toseenativeplants in a garden set-

ting, visit Adriana Hess Wetland Park.2917 Morrison Road WestUniversity Place, WAPhone: 253-565-9278To obtain native plants for yourgarden, visit Tacoma Nature Centersplant sales in the Spring and Fall at:1919 South TylerTacoma, WAPhone: 253-591-6439
http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cshttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cshttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cshttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/csmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://no1033.com/http://no1033.com/http://no1033.com/http://no1033.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cshttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cs


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I would like to

welcome back all of

our home school

families to our

science pro-

gramming this year.We began the 2009-

2010 Budding

Scientist curriculum

for 5-7 year olds on

September 9th at

Adriana Hess

Wetland Park.

Homeschool stu-

dents may continue

with their science studies at the Tacoma Nature

Center as well! There are classes for ages 5 through

17! This fall we are exploring scientific concept of

macroecology. Find out whats in your local, regional,

and global ecosystems! Call the Nature Center to sign

up. 253-591-6439.COMING IN 2010:

Educational Workshops for Emerging Naturalists!

Have you ever wondered about the natural world?

Did you grow up playing outdoors? Do you wish

there was an opportunity to learn about the fascinating

ecology of the Pacific Northwest?

Here it is: Tahoma Audubon Society will be

offering a series of workshops on the ecology and

natural history of our region. Designed to give you thebackground you need to feel confident about leading

others for a walk in the woods, the workshops will fit

your busy, or not-so-busy, schedule. And each

workshop will be on a unique topic so that you may

pick and choose which ones tickle your fancy.

Tahoma Audubon and Tacoma Nature naturalists will

be leading the workshops, but experts will be teaching

on specidfic topics. This is a wonderful opportunity to

boost your knowledge of local ecology and enhance

your birding, hiking, and nature exploration

experiences.

This workshop series came about because of our

need for confident and knowledgeable education

volunteers, also known as docents. If you have

been a docent at other organizations you know howintegral you are to the efforts of the education

department. Zoos and Aquariums across the country

hold 40+ hour training program for their docents in

which they learn everything they need to know about

every exhibit in their facility!

If you have been to the zoo lately, you know how

excellent their volunteers are and how knowledgeable

they must be. Imagine being that helpful guest

speaker teaching about Owls. Or perhaps you wouldenjoy leading a group of kids on a tour of Snake Lake

during a field trip? Kids are fascinated by the natural

world, and we need more volunteers that are able to

help guide them. This workshop series will give you

the tools and knowledge to help us lead people in

nature discovery, and help build a community that

respects and enjoys the outdoors.

Everyone is welcome to join these workshops,

regardless of your volunteering objectives. The fee-

based workshops will offer advantages for those who

volunteer as a result. We are building a contact list for

those who are interested in receiving information

about these workshops. If you would like to be

included on this list, please contact Steph at (253)

327-9480 or [email protected] your email address, and the topics in which you

are most interested. Stayed tuned to this section of the

Towhee to learn more!

To register for all education classes call The Nature Center

to register 591-6439

Beginning Homeschool Science Backyard Habitats

Thu Oct 8 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Tacoma Nature Center. Homeschool students explore science

through hands-on experiments and activities. RegisterEarly - these classes ll quickly! Note - topics are repeated

during the month, so select class appropriate for your childs

knowledge and abilities. Contact Margie with questions or for

more information at 591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.

com. Beginning science students should be able to add and

subtract numbers.

Nature Alphabet M is for Maple Tree

Fri Oct 9 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Ages 3-6, $6 per child. Preschoolers explore different nature

topics through stories, hands-on activities, nature walks and

crafts at the Tacoma Nature Center. Adult participation is

recommended, children under four require an adult present.

Please note alternating times. Register by the Tuesday before

the program. Call 591-6439 to register.

Snake Lake Science Club

Tues Oct 13 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Ages 10-14, no charge for club meetings, $10 per student

per school year to join the club. Snake Lake Science Club for

homeschool and other students age 10-14 years old who want

to learn more about science and the natural world. Students

pay a once per school year fee of $10 to join the club and are

then free to participate in any program offerings, including

the 2010 Snake Lake Science Fair. The following programs

are designed to help students learn more about science and

the scientic process through hands-on discovery. Pre-

registration for each program is required as space is limited.

Call The Nature Center to register 591-6439.

Budding Scientists Birds in our Backyard

Weds Oct 14 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.Adriana Hess Audubon

Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per student. Young homeschoolers

and other children begin science and nature exploration

through games, walks, and crafts. Register at least two daysprior to the session by calling 253-591-6439.


Weds Oct 14 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon

Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per student. Young homeschoolers

and other children begin science and nature exploration

through games, walks, and crafts. Register at least two days

prior to the session by calling 253-591-6439

Intermediate Homeschool Science

Whats in your Ecosystem?

Thu Oct 15 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Homeschool students explore science through hands-on

experiments and activities. Register Early - these classes ll

quickly! Note - topics are repeated during the month, so select

class appropriate for your childs knowledge and abilities.

Contact Margie with questions or for more information at

591-6439 or [email protected]. Ages 10-12, $12per student. Intermediate Science Students should be able to

multiply and divide numbers, add and subtract fractions.

Homeschool Advanced Science Natural Communities







591-6439 or [email protected]. Ages 12-15, $15


educatioNMatters

Call Steph @ 253-327-9480. Or

[email protected]

Ringing in a new school year

stephanieSWAIMEducationCoordinator

scheduleof classes

IntermediateBirdersClass Tuesdays, Oct 6th to Nov 24th -- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

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 identication. There

are also four eld trips that are fast paced and include travel

and overnight stay (additional to class fees). Two-day trip

to the coast on Oct. 10-11; one day trips to Port Orchard

area on Nov. 14 and to Skagit on Dec. 5; and a three-day

trip to eastern Washington on Jan. 16-18, 2010.

Adults 18+. $55 for Audubon Members, $75 for

nonmembers. Class meets at the Tacoma Nature

Center. This is a change from previous classes. Call

253-591-6439 to register.

BeginningBirding:WinterBirdsMondays Nov 2nd to Nov 16th -- 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM

Winter is a wonderful time to watch birds in your

neighborhood or at your favorite waterfront park.

Learn how to identify the most common and colorful

waterfowl and other winter birds with a local Master

Birder and bird educator. This class is designed for

beginners to learn the basic skills needed to start

discovering the avian inhabitants of our area. Local

Field trips will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, 9:00 to

noon and on Saturday Nov 14, 9:00 to noon.

Location: Tacoma Nature Center.

Ages 18+. $45/ Audubon Member, $55 non-Member.

Call 253-591-6439 to register.

This year a new AmeriCorps environmental educator has

joined the team here at Adriana Hess. His name is Ken

Benton and he will work primarily with the Osprey Club.

Ken comes to us all the way from rural Bethel, Ohio,

where he grew up hunting, fishing, and roaming the woods.

Growing up on a farm and surrounded by the natural world

has taught him the importance of nature in all stages of achilds development. After graduating from Miami University

of Ohio with a bachelors degree in Creative Writing, Ken

plunged head first into the world of environmental education

and conservation through a Student Conservation Association

internship in western Massachusetts. There he gained

meaningful experience in all aspects of trail construction and

taught a place based curriculum in local schools, grades K-8,

covering a wide range of environmental issues. He also ran

a family oriented outreach program, centered on the art of

tracking, for the Massachusetts Audubon Society.Ken is now looking forward to applying his experience and

learning more through working here in Washington with the

Tahoma Audubon Society.

NewAmeriCorpsinternjoinstheteam! KenBenton

Continuedonnextpage
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5/11

Clover Creek PreserveSat Oct 3 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Leader is Fred

Tobiason. Park at the Church at the intersection of Tule

Lake Road and Spanaway Loop Road. Call 253-565-

9728 to register.

Weekly Bird Walks at NisquallyWeds Oct 6 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM.

Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts the birdsat Nisqually NWR. The group takes the boardwalk/

trail loop out to the Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook

area, and the riparian area, totaling about 2 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 Visitors Center.

Open Trails at Morse Wildlife PreserveThe last one until April 2010

Sun Oct 11, 12:00 noon until 4 :00pm Wayne Cooke

will be available to answer your questions. Call TAS,

253-565-9278 for information and directions.

Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland ParkMon Oct 12 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.With Ruth Sullivan.

Enjoy a guided bird walk through the park!

Morse Wildlife PreserveFri Oct 16, 9:30am until 11:30am. Join Betty Jones for

her last eld trip to theuntil April 2010.

Trip at Wapato ParkSat Oct 17, 8:00 am to10:00am. George Schonhard

will lead a. Come in the main entrance on South 68th

St, turn right to the north parking lot.

Point Deance Nature WalkSun Oct 18, 8:00am until noon. . Join Rob and Natalie

McNair Huff to bird this lovely park. Meet in the

parking lot above the zoo entrance.

Ohop Widlife Survey & eld tripSun Oct 18, 2009.. Location: Ohop Valley, near

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

Help scientists collect data on birds, mammals, reptiles,

amphibians, and insects! No experience necessary, only

willingness to explore. Wear sturdy shoes. Directions

and information are also available on our website at:

www.tahomaaudubon.org/cs under the ohop wildlife

monitoring tab.

Mason County and Kitsap CountySun Oct 18, 8:00 am to Mid-afternoon

Leader: Jeff Cohen

Join Jeff and his group as we explore Mason County

and parts of Kitsap County. The target bird will be the

Mountain Quail. In the rst part of the trip well visit

several known spots in hopes of hearing or catching a

glimpse of this elusive bird. Hiking will be minimal.

The second part will consist of a walk out through the

varied habitats of Theler Wetland near Belfair. The walk

is about 1 mile out to the mouth of the Union River,

then a mile back on level trails. We will stop in Belfair

before heading to the wetlands in case anybody wants

to pick up lunch supplies instead of bringing them.Bring: Warm clothes, lunch or money for lunch, water

&/or hot drinks. Cars require $4. if you return home on

the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Scopes are welcome.

Meet: At 8:00 AM at McDonalds in Gig Harbor. Take

hwy 16 north from the Narrows Bridge to exit 10. Turn

right, and then take a quick left into Olympic Plaza.

McDonalds is on the left.

Sign-up: Call tahoma Audubon at (253) 565-9278 or

call Jeff Cohen, 206-354-5542, kokobean2@hotmail.

com. This trip will be LIMITED. Please sign up

EARLY.

Plant walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

Mon Oct 19, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm. Leader: GeorgeSchonhard. If youre interested, there is a meeting

of the Adriana Hess Wetland Park Committee from

1:00pm until 2:00pm. Everyone welcome.

Ocean ShoresSat Oct 24 7:00am until dusk. Meet at the I-5 Park

and Ride by MacDonalds. This is a combined eldtrip

with the Black Hills Audubon from Olympia. Leader

is Ruth Sullivan. Hope for Sharp-tailed Sandpipers,

Lapland Longspurs, Pacic and American Golden

Plovers. In the late afternoon we are going on to the

outer beaches to nd the masses of shorebirds that roost

there overnight. It is a spectacular display!!!! Bring

shoes for wet areas, rubber boots would be good. Bring

food and water. Limited to 8 birders.

Plant walk at Adriana Hess Wetland ParkMon Nov 16 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Location: Adriana

Hess Wetland Park. Enjoy a guided plant walk through

the park!

per student. 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 avereages, percentages, and solve simple

equations.

Tacoma Nature Center Adult Education

Basics of Solar

Thu Oct 22 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Ages 16+, $5 per

household (limit 3 people). What would it take to run your

house on environmentally friendly solar power? How much

does it cost and is it feasible here in Washington? Attend this

informational class on either date to nd answers to these

questions and more about solar power. If you have been

wondering of solar could work at your home, come to this

class to nd out from one of the leading experts on the eld.

The class will be taught by Brad Burkhartzmeyer, president

of hte nonprot Northwest Solar Group and founder of Suns

Eye Power. Call 591-6439 to register.

Nature Storytime Bye, Bye Birdy!Fri Oct 23 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Adriana Hess Center,

U.P. Ages 2-6, $6 per child, $3 Audubon member, free to

adults and U.P residents. Join us as we explore the park

at the Adriana Hess Audubon center in University Place

with nature stories based on the current theme. Adults are

welcome with the children. This is a wonderful grandparent/

grandchild activity! Space is limited to the rst 20 registered

guests (adults and children). Call 253-591-6439 to register.

Homeschool Advanced Science LAB

Natural Communities

Fri Oct 23 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.






591-6439 or [email protected]. Ages 12-15, $15

per student. Older homeschool students will continue their

science studies with challenging and engaging experimentsand activities. To participate in this class, students should be

able to calculate avereages, percentages, and solve simple

equations. Students must attend 10/22 regular class to be

eligible to take this lab class.

Nature Alphabet N is for Naptime for Animals.


Ages 3-6, $6 per child. Preschoolers explore different nature

topics through stories, hands-on activities, nature walks and

crafts at the Tacoma Nature Center. Adult participation is

recommended, children under four require an adult present.

Please note alternating times. Register by the Tuesday before

the program. Call 591-6439 to register.

Creatures of the Night Event at TNC

Fri Oct 23 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Recommended ages 3-6.

Reservations Requested. $5 per child and up to 2 adults, $2 foreach additional child or adult. An event just for preschoolers

and their accompanying adults! Learn all about creatures of

the night as you experience a short twilight hike, activities,

crafts and special snack. Visit with nocturnal creatures from

the Point Deance Zoo & Aquariums collection during a fun

program at 6:00pm. Come early in the event to experience

everything!

Who Goes Bump in the Night?

Sat Oct 24 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Tacoma Nature Center.

Fun for the whole family! Find out who goes bump in the

night as you experience a guided twilight or night hike,

activities and crafts. Visit with nocturnal critters from the

Point Deance Zoo & Aquariums collection and learn

all about creatures of the night. Come Early to the Event

to experience everything. Recommended for ages 5+.

Reservations requested, $2.50 per person

Beginning Homeschool Science The Evergreen State

Nov 5 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Homeschool students

explore science through hands-on experiments and activities.

Register Early - these classes ll quickly! Note - topics are

repeated during the month, so select class appropriate for

your childs knowledge and abilities. Contact Margie with

questions or for more information at 591-6439 ormarjories@

tacomaparks.com. Beginning science students should be able

to add and subtract numbers.

Budding Scientists Washington Wildlife

Weds Nov 11 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Location: Adriana

Hess Audubon Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per student. Young

homeschoolers and other children begin science and nature

exploration through games, walks, and crafts. Register at

least two days prior to the session by calling 253-591-6439.


Weds Nov 11 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. See description above.


The Evergreen State

Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location:

Tacoma Nature Center. Homeschool students explore science

through hands-on experiments and activities. Register Early -

these classes ll quickly! Note - topics are repeated during the

month, so select class appropriate for your childs knowledge

and abilities. Contact Margie with questions or for more

information at 591-6439 or [email protected].

Ages 10-12, $12 per student. Intermediate Science Students

should be able to multiply and divide numbers, add and

subtract fractions.

field trips and Events


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

people limited out of necessity.

Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come.

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

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

year can result in revoking opportunity to participate.

Arrive at the meeting place early.

No pets are allowed.

Be prepared for seasonal weather.

Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is

scheduled past mid-day.

All passengers divide total carpooling expenses.

Current guidelines are 20 cents a mile per car, not

including driver.

Beginners are always welcome.

Have fun.

rules

scheduleof classesContinuedfrompreviouspage
http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cshttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/csmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/cs


6/11

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

from page 1

It seems that after the strong

public rejection of the roads

and transit tax package

(RTID) in 2007, which

included funding for the proj-ect, Pierce County politicians

still dont get it. The road is

dead. There is no funding for

it. Even so, local politicians

continue to show their sup-

port for a dinosaur road a

new road. Short term job

creation gets short term votes,

but this new road would be

permanent. It would be a

permanent loss of habitat, wildlife, biodiversity, and quality of life.

Even so, the Pierce County Council is attempting to resurrect the cross-base

highway to include it in a list of projects for consideration by the Puget Sound

Regional Councils Transportation 2040 plan. The council put forth a resolu-

tion to include this bad road project in September. Whether or not they are

successful, they should recognize that there is still no funding for it.

In these hard economic times, when budgets are being cut -- and existing

projects and roads need funding for completion, maintenance, and repairs

-- choosing to prioritize such a controversial and unfunded project is waste-

ful and misguided. Pierce Countys transportation planning is riding on

fumes, and if they succeed, well all be choking on exhaust.

Contact your County Council member and the Puget Sound Regional

Council to let them know that prioritizing, funding, and building the cross-

base highway is a bad idea.

Learn more online at: http://www.psrc.org/projects/trans2040/index.htm

larly occurring in Washington (not counting the Ruff as a

regular). With the male at 96 grams and the female at 65

(according to Dennis Paulsons Shorebirds of North

America), one might think they were separate species.

As we moved away, several more (at least three, maybe

more) were seen skulking in the reeds. Not a bird we

usually see in flocks in these parts! This was actually a

life bird for at least one of us.

While this was going on, dozens of Goldfinches and

Cedar Waxwings were constantly flitting back and forth, and

Ospreys were transporting fish close over our heads to their kids in

several nests on the light posts marking the perimeter of the sewage

lagoon. It was a busy work day for them. Ten Vauxs Swifts weremixing it up with the many swallows over our heads, too! A great look

at the different flight patterns between Swifts and Swallows!

We headed for Bottle Beach to beat the high tide and enjoyed the new

amenities now that its State Park status has been upgraded to improved.

Warblers and a few late flycatchers adorned the path to the beach. Black-

Bellied Plovers, Dowitchers, and peeps were way out there and eventu-

ally worked their way in a little closer to us. Scopes revealed massive

numbers of Brown Pelicans on the far shore of Grays Harbor! We also

heard a Virginia Rail across the street from Bottle Beach on Ocosta Third,

but we DID work for it! Redwing Blackbirds, a couple of

Marsh Wrens, and Northern Shovelers rounded out that

road which had been closed for water damage, making

it perfect for birders on foot.

We then headed for lunch to Johns River, where

nearly 40 Greater Yellowlegs lined up in a stun-

ning display! While walking down the dike, I

reached to brush off a bug, but stopped short

when I saw it was a brilliant red beetle. It coop-

eratively showed up for a little time

while pictures were taken, but no

one has identified it for me yet,

so if you can help, let me

know!! In the middle of enjoy-

ing the bugs, a Peregrine shot over our heads!! Johns

River, however, was the most stark reminder of the day

that we were in a drought, with reeds still green sticking

up out of dry land where the marsh should have been and

no sounds of life from within.

My favorite place on the coast, Tokeland, didnt disappoint!! The

hundreds of Marbled Godwits are indeed in for the winter with their

usual 6 Willets!!! Red dots sprinkled among a raft of gray indicatedHeermanns Gulls with their gaudy bills! Another Peregrine Falcon

(or were there two working as a unit?) got everybody excited and in the

air several times!

Some of the group hit Midway Beach on the way home, where a

beached Murre was waiting patiently for the tide to take care of him and

where a dead porcupine was found on the edge of the water (must be a

story there).

The weather was perfect, and the company of birders the best kind of

camaraderie. And of course we all heard that Ruth was back out there

the next day after having a root canal!

Birding is truly the best medicine!

... summeratthe

seasidef

rom page 1

...Cross-Base

Editors Note: Each year we publish a report on the status of Western Bluebirds

and the ongoing nest box effort on McCord. This years report is submitted by Care

deLeeuw, Rosemary Lenigan

With increased base security and gate closures it has become increas-

ingly difficult to monitor our Bluebird trail on McChord Air Force Base.

Besides the 100% ID check, some areas have restricted or have very lim-

ited access. Therefore our total count is not as exact as in previous years

when we were able to check the birds 2-3 times weekly and to band all the

bluebird nestlings. This is now not possible.

At the end the 2009 season we maintained 65 boxes on the Main post.

We have 36 locations for our 65 boxes (29 are double boxed and 7 are

singles). Note: double boxing allows bluebirds who are ground feeders to

share the area with swallows that are Ariel feeders.

Bluebirds nested successfully in 10 of the double boxed areas. Second

broods were successful in boxes 35, 70 and 79. After the little ones (fledg-

lings) left box 3, the parents moved to the adjacent double box (#42) for

their second brood. Guess they liked the neighborhood!

Bluebirds were unsuccessful nesters at two locations - 17/18 and

32/54.

Estimate only of Bluebirds fledged = 54

Estimate of Bluebird pairs on main post MAFB = 12 to 14

Tree Swallows seemed successful in 26 boxes while Chickadees and

House Wrens each had one successful nesting. Ten boxes showed signed of

the starts of nests or mixed nests but nothing indicating young had

fledged. Fifteen boxes were not used.Four boxes in the South post are now only checked once yearly for clean-

ing and speculation about which birds might have nested there. As we are

no longer allowed regular access to the South area, we no longer include

them in our box count or species tally.

We continue to replace old boxes and to find new and more likely locations

for the bluebirds. We also provide mealworms for the bluebirds when we are

allowed in the area. Even though we are not monitoring our trail as often

as we did in earlier years, and our counts are only estimates, the bluebirds

are using our boxes.

Special thanks to Valerie Elliott the Natural/Cultural Resources Manager at

McChord AFB who has again provided much needed support and assistance.

Western Bluebirds at McChord Air Force Base

2

3 4

5

6

9

10

11

13 12

7

8

All photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn,except as noted.

1. Some of the new attractions at

Bottle Beach include art! 2. Anise

Swallowtail at Johns River. 3.Black-

Bellied Plovers and both Dowitch-

ers in the air at Bottle Beach. 4.

Goldnches were the junk bird of

the day, just everywhere! 5. Per-

egrine Falcon at Johns River. 6.

MYSTERY BUG!! Can you identify

this gorgeous red beetle on my

green shirt? (Photo/Faye Hands)

7. Melissa, Jody, and Kathy at the

new sign for the improved state

park at Bottle Beach. 8. Common

Murre waiting for the tide at Mid-

way Beach (Photo/Jeff Cohen)

9. Diane, Kathy, Sue S., Al, leader

Ruth Sullivan, Sue T., Jody, Carol,

Mike, Melissa, Faye, and in front

Jeff. 10. Leader Ruth examines

would-be owl/driftwood at Bottle

Beach. 11. The blind at Johns

River, Ruth, Faye, Kathy, Melissa.

12. Busy Ospreys shing near

Grays Harbor NWR. 13. Osprey

and chick watching TV (actually

light standard near Hoquiam Sew-

age Lagoon.

1
http://www.psrc.org/projects/trans2040/index.htmhttp://www.psrc.org/projects/trans2040/index.htmhttp://www.psrc.org/projects/trans2040/index.htm


7/11

wl

quizzicalthe

ByThaisBock


BIRDSONGS

byPhilBuly

Justtheotherday... Tahoma Audubon in October 1984

(Answers below.)

ByHelenEngle

SafetyandetiquettewhilebirdingWhen you are on public roads, cars or trucks

can pass by in a hurry. If you stop to look at abird or anything else, please park in places thatoffer oncoming trafc a good view of your car in

advance and pull well off the road before stopping.Please dont leave your car doors wide open anddont stand on the road at blind corners.

If youre using a scope and tripod, dont set itup on the road. You might think youre keeping an

eye on things but its very easy to be momentarilydistracted and step away only to nd that a carsuddenly appears around a bend, heading straightfor your telescope!

http://www.bmbirding.com.au/valley3.html

1. In what family is the Townsends Solitaire?

2. What group of birds is distinguished by zygodactyl feet?

3. Name a small eider rarely seen along the West Coast.

4. Name the worlds largest falcon.

5. What owl belongs to a family of its own unlike all other North American Owls?

Working for RCW 43-51-385 which

states: The Commission shall place a

high priority on the establishment of

urban area parks, Tahoma Audubon

was rallying a support group to go to State

Parks & Recreation commission to support anappropriation of $372,800 for the West Hylebos wet-

lands park. Our president, Carla Hansmann,

wrote that while located within the states most

populated county, the site still retains most of its

original characteristics and avoids most of the pollu-

tion factors normally associated with urbanizations.

This project will provide for public access to and

enjoyment and interpretation of this unique area.

The Second Friday meeting was at PLUs Ingram

Hall, featuring LoveboatLawrence, a natural-

ist, songwriter and performer who presented a slide

show on whales and other sea life. He was advanc-

ing our commitment to the Year of the Ocean byshowing us how to care for our ocean environment.

Lawrences slide show, plus singing and presenta-

tion of a performing puppet, is sponsored by

Delphinus Environmental Research group.

Our chapters activities included field trips to

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge with Norris

Cone; Swan Creek Canyon to look at

autumn leaves, seedpods, mosses &

ferns with the Native Plant Society,

led by Mary Fries; Puget sound

Birding Boat trip with WaltAdams;

Kreger Lake near Roy with John

Piper; and ThelmaGilmur led a family

trip to West Hylebos. SheriTonn and HelenEngle promoted attendance at the Puget sound

Alliance Board meeting at TCC; The Fall Birding

Class began, taught by KenBrown.

The major Audubon gathering was the statewide

Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) at Central

Washington University Conference Center. Besides

the wonderful camaraderie of chapters sharing

their experiences, topics for discussion followed

excellent presentations:

The Peregrine Falcon Recovery project by Fred

Dobler, WA Dept. F&W; Audubons efforts to save

the California Condor by JohnBorneman; dis-

cussion of the Snohomish River Estuary issue; theimportant salmon film Journey of the Kings, and

what our support of the Federal Duck Stamp

Program means for wetlands preservation.

ThaisBocks Word on Birds listed sightings of

the season. CaroleSheridan saw 150 Ruddy

Turnstones at their migratory refueling stop near

the recently abandoned Coast Guard Station at

Point Grenville; a Magnolia Warbler hung around a

residence to be photographed by Glen&Wanda

Hoge in Olympia; DaleThompson saw a flock of

Western Tanagers in Eatonville; Bob&Georgia

Ramsey saw 20 Black-legged Kittiwakes at the far

end of the Ocean Shores jetty; ThaisBock saw

1500 Violet-green Swallows over one large pasturein the Auburn valley; EdieGoodman reported an

Osprey working the waters of Summit Lake in the

Clearwater Wilderness.

Tahoma Audubons board of directors in October

1984 were:

President RobertW. Ramsey, Vice President

Greg Sylvester; Secretary Evelyn Patton;

Treasurer PatOlson; Past PresidentWaltAdams;

Directors: John McCann,

Jean Gillmer, Cathy

Jerbic, Cindy McIntyre,

LeotaMoore,Annabelle

Reed, Sally Sloat, FredStoermer, Bea

Thompson; National

Audubon Board, Helen

Engle.Helen Englefrom days of yore.

Feedback, comments and reminiscences welcome,

253-564-3112, [email protected].

Answers:1.Thrushfamily2.woodpeckers3.StellersEider4.Gyrfalcon5.BarnOwl


8/11


ByDianeYorgason-Quinn

It was a dark and stormy night that night in

September of last year when I led a field trip of unsus-

pecting Tahoma Auduboners to a swift chimney promis-

ing great riches and failed dismally! Instead we all got

soaked to the bone, and one or two people got to see

one or two of the three swifts spotted that night. This

year, half of those people gave me another chance, or

was it that they felt I owed them? Another bunch of

you hopped on the bandwagon, but this time we

headed to a different chimney Selleck, Washington!

Birders didnt know about this chimney in the old

Selleck School until about two years ago when Larry

Schwitters, a Washington Audubon member and swift

enthusiast, came upon it during a systematic search for

possible swift chimneys. Of course, the Vauxs Swifts

have known about it for decades. The schoolhouse is

now private residences, and the owners seem bemused

by the sudden influx of bird watchers. We hope to stay

on their good side!

Larry has organized watches at all known swift chim-

neys in the state and is collecting data on numbers of

birds at each, something that has never been done

before in history! Thanks to him, we will all soon know

much more about the movements of these tiny birds

who never leave the air during daylight, spending their

lives airborne. See the website at www.vauxhappen-

ing.org. Our group was the very first field trip or

organized group to visit the Selleck chimney!

Having scouted the site a week earlier and being

stunned by over 7000 Swifts, I was very hopeful to

deliver a sensational sight to all of you! There were 21

of us who went out there on September 12th, and

there we met Bob Stallcop who was doing the official

count for Larrys project, Vauxs Happening, which this

very night was sponsoring Swift Night Out at all the

major chimneys, of which we were all a part! With Bob

busy doing the official stuff, it was party time for the rest

of us. Lawn chairs and blankets were set up, and

Lorraine Jacksons brownies were a big hit! It was a

warm and balmy evening in the low 70s, and everyone

was happy to be out in it. Ken and Rachel Brown actu-

ally were celebrating their wedding anniversary doing

the Swift Watch! Resident hostess Dori came out and

greeted us warmly, then went back to weeding her

prodigious garden and gathering in the bounty, while a

deer gamboled along the edge of the meadow.

At first I was worried that there wouldnt be any

Swifts because the report from the previous evening

was that a Merlin had scared them all off, keeping them

from entering the chimney until after dark. The fear

was that when they awoke that morning, theyd

remember their panic and hightail it south. Since Swifts

come and go constantly during September, never

spending more than a few days at any stopover on their

way to Mexico, that was possible. Soon a small flock of

Swifts started circling above us, to the delight of the

crowd! Flirting with the watchers, they zoomed in, then

disappeared, time and again. Their chirpy contact calls

punctuated the evening as they came a little lower and

closer to the chimney with each pass.

Right at dusk, 180 birds methodically allowed them-

selves to be captured by the chimney! It took only a

few seconds, as this was a trick they knew well, trans-

forming gravity to their own uses! The fans burst into

applause!! As we drove happily away in the darkening

night, a couple of rebels showed up and went right in.

It was a far cry from the huge numbers the week

before, but we were very fortunate we got the finalists

in the Swift talent contest, specially selected for our

viewing enjoyment, and they were all winners!

The swifts enter the chimney for our crowd. Wayne Jackson,right, waves the Swifts in. Photo/Diane Yorgason-QuinnPhoto/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Wayne and Lorraine Jackson pass around homemade brownies.

Were not in the Big City now! The Selleck chimney a week earlier on September 5.

Photo/Adam Trent

The Willettes in their Swift Watch shirts with the ofcial counter:Dorothy Husband, Faye Hands, Diane Kerlin, Bob Stallcop the coun-ter, Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Carol Smith, Melissa Sherwood.

Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn


http://www.vauxhappening.org/http://www.vauxhappening.org/http://www.vauxhappening.org/http://www.vauxhappening.org/


9/11

voluNteerRecognition

voluNteer

Opportunities


ThankGoodnessItsFriday(TGIF)RestorationFridays in October and

November from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Fri Oct 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, Nov 13th, 20th, 27th,

Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Come enjoy theoutdoors and help beautify

the grounds at Adriana Hess

Wetland Park!

AdrianaHessWetlandParkCommitteeMon Oct 19, 1:00pm until 2:00pm. At Adriana

Hess Wetland Park. Everyone welcome.

As we bidgoodbye to the

American Robin

and Rufous

Hummingb i r d s

who are flocking to

a warmer climate,

we welcome back

birds like the Varied

Thrush, who visit

Pierce County for

the mild months of

autumn and the winter that follows. Just as the fall

marks a new semester at colleges and a new year

of education for children, it marks Tahoma Audubonssecond year participating in a remarkably enjoyable

and pragmatic citizen science endeavor: Project

FeederWatch.

Inspired by Cornell Universitys Ornithology lab,

Project FeederWatch calls citizen scientists to action,

encouraging them to pay close attention to their

feeders, keeping track of the birds they see during

the winter months of November through the end of

March. All of the information collected at the Adriana

Hess Wetland Park, is sent to Cornells Ornithology

lab to be entered into national database, allowing

other scientists to track general trends in bird

activity. Thus, volunteer power assists scientists,

giving them massive amounts of data they would

not be able to obtain on their own. Perhaps more

importantly, citizen science projects like Project

FeederWatch help Tahoma Audubon reach its goal

ofConnecting People with Nature.

Last year, our sightings were impressive, offering

both staff and volunteers great opportunities toobserve nature and bond with each other. Altogether,

birdwatchers saw 31 different species during the

2008-2009 FeederWatch! While Adriana Hess hosts

much more biodiversity, not all of the birds are

regulars at the feeder. This means that there is

always a chance a new bird will come into view.

Altogether, another year of participation should

begin to illustrate interesting trends in bird activity.

Will we see the same species that we saw last year?

Will we see another Chucker Partridge? The best

way to find out is to participate!

Tahoma Audubon encourages anyone who enjoysbird watching and is interested in learning about

backyard birds to contact us here at Adriana Hess

Wetland Park at 253-565-9278. We are looking for

volunteers to do counts every Tuesday and

Wednesday between the hours of 9:00am and

5:00pm We also will provide you materials so you

can participate in Project Feeder Watch at home on

any day that works for you! Together, we can learn

about birds and help scientists better track and

understand the ecological changes happening in our

community.

Tahoma Audubon would

like to offer all our Puyallup

Fair volunteers a special

thank you for their time.

Hundreds of volunteers

put in four hour shifts at

our largest outreach

event every year. Having

a presence a tthe fair helps

Tahoma Audubon realize its

central mission of connecting people with nature.

We would especially like to recognize Al Gray

for his tireless efforts as Tahoma Audubons

volunteer liaison to the Puyallup Fair. Mr. Gray

spent countless hours attending preparatory

meetings, setting up and taking down Tahoma

Audubons booth. Thanks to Al Gray,

our fair volunteers got all of the

resources they required to

do a great job and have

a good experience.

Additionally, Mr. Gray

worked closely with

Thelma Gilmur to

coordinate our volunteer

effort at the fair, scheduling each volunteer so

that Tahoma Audubon would be around to entice

prospective members and educate the community

about environmental issues. Thank you for your

exceptional work Al. We here at Audubon will

rest easy knowing you will be in charge for years

to come!

Thank you to Puy

allup Fair volunteers

Nature on display at Adriana Hess

WewelcomebackProjectFeederWatch

Come and see the beautiful fall colors show-cased in our native plant garden and park at

Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

And be sure to visit TahomaAudubon.org, and

click on The Towhee tab to check out these pic-

tures in vibrant color in our online PDF.

CitizenScienceinAction


10/11


11/11

Foradditionalinformation:TahomaAudubon-253-565-9278;orwww.tahomaaudubon.orgOrTheTacomaNatureCenter:253-591-6439orwww.metroparkstacoma.org

Calendaroctober program

Thank god Its Friday (TGIF) Restoration

Fri Oct 2 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.. Adriana Hess Wetland

Park. Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the

grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!

Clover Creek Preserve

Sat Oct 3 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Native Plant Sale at TNC

Sat Oct 3 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Landscape your yard

with plants that are native to our area. Planting natives

insures the conservation of our precious water resources

and provides habitat for local birds, mammals and insects.

A list of available plants will be posted on the website by

10:00 am of Friday October 2. www.metroparkstacoma.org. COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION.

Adriana Hess Park Photography class

Mon Oct 5 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location: Adriana

Hess Park. An adult program encouraging people to

appreciate nature and how they can incorporate it into their

photography. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.

Intermediate Birders Class

Tues Oct 6 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature

Center. Adults 18+. $55 for Audubon Members, $75 for

nonmembers. Class meets at the Tacoma nature center!!!

call 253-591-6439 to register.

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually

Weds Oct 6 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. 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 Visitors Center.

Sign-up: Call or email Phil Kelley to conrm details. Phil

Kelley, Lacey, (360) 459-1499, [email protected].

Beginning Homeschool Science Backyard Habitats

Thu Oct 8 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Tacoma Nature Center.

TAS Board Meeting

Thu Oct 8 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon

Center. Guest Welcome, please call ahead at (253) 565-

9278.

TGIF Restoration Activity Fri Oct 9 10:00 AM to 12:00

PM.

Nature Alphabet M is for Maple Tree

Fri Oct 9 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Ages 3-6, $6 per child.

Membership Meeting Fri Oct 9 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor Street. All welcome.

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

Call (253) 565-9278

Habitat Steward Training

Sat Oct 10 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.. Location: The Lodge

at Point Deance Park, Tacoma. Come learn how to be a

habitat steward for a local urban area near you. This training

is FREE. Upon completion of the training participants will

receive a free eld guide and a variety of services provided

by the Green Tacoma Partnership to assist in restoration

projects.

The last Open Trails at Morse Wildlife Preserve until

April 2010SunSun Oct 11, 12:00 noon until 4 :00pm Wayne Cooke will

be available to answer your questions. Call TAS, 253-565-

9278 for information and directions.

Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

Mon Oct 12 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.with Ruth Sullivan.

Snake Lake Science Club

Tues Oct 13 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Ages 10-14, no charge for club meetings, $10 per student

per school year to join the club.

Conservation Committee

Tues Oct 13 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.Adriana Hess Wetland

Park


Weds Oct 14 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM


Weds Oct 14 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess

Audubon Center. Register at least two days prior to the

session by calling 253-591-6439.

Budding Scientists Birds in our BackyardWeds Oct 14 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon

Center. Register at least two days prior to the session by

calling 253-591-6439.


Whats in your Ecosystem?


Ages 10-12, $12 per student.

Morse Wildlife Preserve

Fri Oct 16, 9:30am until 11:30am. Join Betty Jones for

her last eld trip to the preserveuntil April 2010. Call 253-

565-9728 to register.

TGIF Restoration Activity

Fri Oct 16 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Trip at Wapato ParkSat Oct 17, 8:00 am to10:00am. George Schonhard will

lead a. Come in the main entrance on South 68th St, turn

right to the north parking lot.

Point Deance Nature Walk

Sun Oct 18, 8:00am until noon. . Join Rob and Natalie

McNair Huff to bird this lovely park. Meet in the parking

lot above the zoo entrance.

Ohop Widlife Survey & eld trip

Sun Oct 18, 9:00 am to noon Location: Ohop Valley, near

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

Field trip to Mason County and Kitsap County

Sun Oct 18, 8:00 am to Mid-afternoon

Call (253) 565-9278 or call Jeff Cohen, 206-354-5542,

[email protected]. This trip will be LIMITED.

Please sign up EARLY.Plant walk at the Adriana Hess Wetland Park

Mon Oct 19, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm

Adriana Hess Wetland Park Committee

Mon Oct 19, 1:00pm until 2:00pm. Everyone welcome.



Annual Early Bird Gets The Worm

Breakfast Fundraiser

Thurs Oct 22, 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM (7:00 AM Registration)

Call 253-565-9129 for RSVP. There is no charge for the

breakfast.

Homeschool Advanced Science

Natural Communities

Thu Oct 22 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.Ages 12-15, $15 per student.

Tacoma Nature Center Adult Education

Basics of Solar

Thu Oct 22 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Ages 16+, $5 per

household (limit 3 people).


Fri Oct 23 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Nature Storytime Bye, Bye Birdy!

Fri Oct 23 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Adriana Hess Center,

U.P. Ages 2-6, $6 per child, $3 Audubon member, free to

adults and U.P residents.

Homeschool Advanced Science LAB Natural

Communities


Ages 12-15, $15 per student.

Nature Alphabet N is for Naptime for Animals.


Ages 3-6, $6 per child

Creatures of the Night Event at TNC

Fri Oct 23 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Recommended ages 3-6.

Reservations Requested. $5 per child and up to 2 adults, $2

for each additional child or adult.

Field Trip to Ocean Shores

Sat Oct 24, 7:00 am until dusk. Limited to 8 birders.

Who Goes Bump in the Night?

Sat Oct 24 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Tacoma Nature Center.

Recommended for ages 5+. Reservations requested, $2.50

per person

Family Walk at Adriana Hess Park

Sun Oct 25 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A family program to

encourage families to appreciate the park by providinginformation and opportunities with a guided walking tour.

Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373



Green Tacoma Partnership Quarterly Meeting and

Training

Wed Oct 28, 6:00pm-8:00pm For more information

contact Julie Kerrigan (253) 223-0039 or jkerrigan@

tahomaaudubon.org

TGIF Restoration Activity Fri Oct 30 10:00 AM to 12:00

PM

Adriana Hess Park Photography ClassMon Nov 2 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Beginning Birding: Winter Birds

Mon Nov 2 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Local Field trips on Saturday, Nov 7, 9:00 to noon and

on Saturday Nov 14, 9:00 to noon. Call 253-591-6439 to

register.


Weds Nov 4 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Beginning Homeschool Science

The Evergreen State

Nov 5 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Tacoma Nature Center.


Fri Nov 6 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

Mon Nov 9 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Conservation Committee

Tues Nov 10 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Pacic Lutheran

University

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually Weds Nov 11 7:30 AM

to 11:00 AM.


Weds Nov 11 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess

Audubon Center Register at least two days prior to the

session by calling 253-591-6439


Weds Nov 11 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon

Center Register at least two days prior to the session by

calling 253-591-6439

Fall Irisfolding Card Class

Wed., Nov. 11, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Adriana Hess Audubon

Center Call Adriana Hess Audubon Center @ 565-9278.


The Evergreen State

Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.Location:

Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 10-12, $12 per student.

TAS Board Meeting

Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Adriana

Hess Audubon Center Guest Welcome, please call ahead

at (253) 565-9278.

october 2009

November 2009

FromRidgetoReefinTompotika: Saving the maleo

bird and other conservation success stories from Indone-

sia Presented by Marcy Summers from the Alliance for

Tompika Conservation

Marcy Summers, native Washingtonian and a former senior

scientist for The Nature Conservancy, was living and work-ing in Indonesia when she stumbled across a very special

place and people on Indonesias island of Sulawesi. The

Tompotika peninsula is home to one of the last remaining

communal nesting grounds for the endangered yet iconic

maleo bird, as well as the worlds richest coral reefs, pristine

tropical forests, unique and endangered wildlife, and many

other natural wonders.

When: Fri Oct. 9, 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Where: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor St.

All are welcome. refreshments will be served

Unless otherwise stated -

To register for eld trips can (253) 565-9129

To register for all education classes call (253) 591-6439

See further descriptions inside the Towhee

Check out our calendar at www.TahomaAudubon.org

for more information and updates
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/

Documents

10-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society