hink back to the last time you were out hiking in a forest, or maybe thelast time you went bird-watching at a wildlife refuge or national park.Do you remember wondering about the beautiful bunch of mutely col-

ored mushrooms, the fallen tree slowly decaying, or maybe the bugs that wood-peckers are searching for? The forest we live in is a complex maze ofinteractions between organisms. At our April membership program, naturalistRob Sandelin will bring together how bacteria, mushrooms, insects, and birds allwork in harmony to grow the forests that grace the earth and in which all be-ings live.

Rob teaches outdoor natural history courses for the Environmental ScienceSchool, is co-author of A Field Guide to the Cascades and Olympics, and is cur-rently writing A Field Guide to the Lowland Pacific Northwest. In addition, he writesa popular and widely-read monthly nature column, "The Week in the Woods.”Rob is an avid student of nature and a very engaging speaker.

Please join Rainier Audubon as we welcome Rob Sandelin and obtain a deeperunderstanding and appreciation for the forest we live in. Refreshments and con-versation available before and afterwards.

The Heron Herald 1

Vol 25 No.4

April 2006

R a i n i e r A u d u b o n S o c i e t y • A p r i l 2 0 0 6

Plan Now for a May Birding Trip APRIL

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

RAINIER AUDUBON SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2006

7:00 PM (DOORS OPEN AT 6:30)

FEDERAL WAY SENIOR CENTERSEE PAGE 2 FOR DIRECTIONS

Field Trips on Page 4!

Rob Sandelin:The Forest We Live In

TEveryone Welcome at our April Program -Wednesday April 19th, 7:00 PM

s spring migration moves into full swing, whocan resist the urge to get out and go birding?Before you go, consider participating in our

May BIRDATHON! Line up one or more sponsorswho will contribute a certain amount for every birdyou see. This is Rainier’s biggest annual fundraiserand 100% of the money raised goes to support oureducational, backyard habitat, and birding programs.For more information, contact Ross at rarailfan@aol.comor Nancy at autumn207@comcast.net.

PHOTO OF FUNGUS ON A TREE TRUNKTAKEN AT SHADOW LAKE BOG

©KACIA.COM

A

Rainier Audubon Society is theWashington State

South King County Chapterof the National Audubon Society.

The Heron Herald is published by RainierAudubon Society 9 times a year.

Final deadline for material submission is the18th of the month preceding publication.

Informative articles may be reproduced withcredit given to the author and Rainier Audubon

Society. However, all creative content is subject tocopyright (as indicated on appropriate pages) andmay not be reproduced without permission fromthe author. Please also send in any photos or art-

work you would like considered for inclusion.

E-mail material to:autumn207@comcast.netcc: hhartist@earthlink.net

Editor: Nancy HertzelLayout Artist: Rebecca Westby

Calendar

April 2006 The Heron Herald2

THURSDAY MORNINGSBird Walks at NisquallySee page 4 for details

APRIL 8, SATURDAYRAS Field Trip:Nisqually in the SpringSee page 4 for details.

APRIL 9, SUNDAYRAS Field Trip:Camp Kilworth TourSee page 4 for details

APRIL 19,WEDNESDAYRAS Membership Meeting andProgramSee page 1 for details

APRIL 22, SATURDAYOcean Beaches CleanupSee page 3 for details

APRIL 26,WEDNESDAYRAS Field Trip: Coastal BirdingSee page 4 for details.

APRIL 29, SATURDAYRAS Field Trip: Mercer Slough andMercer IslandSee page 4 for details.

MONTH OF MAYBirdathon — Our BiggestFundraiser of the YearSee page 1 for details.

MAY 13, SATURDAYTukwila Backyard Wildlife FestivalSee page 5 for details.

MAY 20, SATURDAYRAS Field Trip: Snoqualmie Pass toVantageSee page 5 for details.

MAY 20, SATURDAYAbundant Gardening Event See page 3 for details.

http://www.rainieraudubon.org/

Dear Senators:

We are writing as biologists with ex-pertise in a variety of scientific disci-plines that concern biological diversityand the loss of species. With theSenate considering policiesthat could have long-lasting impacts on thisnation’s species di-versity, we ask thatyou take into ac-count scientific prin-ciples that are crucialto species conserva-tion. Biological diversityprovides food, fiber, medi-cines, clean water, and myriad otherecosystem products and services onwhich we depend every day. If we lookonly at well-studied species groups,nearly one-third of native species in theUnited States are at risk of disappear-ing. Extinction is truly irreversible —once gone, individual species and all ofthe services that they provide us cannotbe brought back.

On December 8, 1973, PresidentRichard Nixon signed the Endangered

A Letter Presented to the United StatesSenate by 5,738 Scientists - March 2006

Species Act (“ESA”) with the goal ofconserving endangered and threat-ened species and the ecosystems onwhich they depend. For species thathave been listed and provided protec-

tion under the ESA, much ofthat purpose has been

achieved. According toan article in theSeptember 30, 2005,edition of Science,less than one percentof listed species have

gone extinct since1973, while 10 percent of

candidate species still wait-ing to be listed have suffered that

fate. In addition to the hundreds ofspecies that the Act has protectedfrom extinction, listing has con-tributed to population increases or thestabilization of populations for atleast 35 percent of listed species, andperhaps significantly more, as well asthe recovery of such signature speciesas the peregrine falcon. While com-plete recovery has been realized forjust two percent of species listed,

cont’d on page 8

Directions to the Federal Way

Senior Center

• From Hwy 18 take the

WEYERHAEUSER WAY exit.

• Turn south, cross over Hwy 18.

• Take an immediate left turn at S.

344th Way, into a highrise business

park.

• Follow S. 344th to MILITARY RD.

Turn right (south) on Military Rd.

• Turn right on to S. 352nd St.

• The Federal Way Senior Center will

be on your right at 4016 S. 352nd

Street, Auburn 98001.

The Heron Herald April 20063

Local Events

6th Annual Tukwila Backyard Wildlife FestivalSATURDAY, MAY 13, 200610:00 AM TO 3:00 PM

TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER - 12424 - 42ND AVE. IN TUKWILA, (206) 768-2822

The Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival is a free, all-day event with the goalof encouraging and inspiring people to welcome wildlife into their backyards,gardens, and communities. The event will host a variety of activities and educa-tional opportunities on how to attract and support wildlife through gardeningand landscaping practices, and creating and preserving wildlife habitat in ourregion.

Activities include:10:00 AM — PROCESSION OF THE SPECIESCOSTUME PARADE — a procession of children of allages dancing and marching in costumes of their fa-vorite northwest wildlife animal.

3:00 PM — WILDLIFE GARDEN TOUR — a tour ofseveral certified wildlife habitat gardens in theTukwila area.

NATIVE PLANT SALES — Talk to the experts aboutwhat plants will thrive on your property, ask aboutdrought-tolerant plants, and have your questions an-swered while you purchase the plants that will make your property awildlife-friendly paradise.

ARTS AND CRAFTS BOOTHS — Browse gardening and nature-related prod-uct booths including plant sales, gain great gift ideas from the many vendorsdisplaying their wares including artisans from "Best of the Northwest Arts &Crafts Show.”

Rainier Audubon will have a table at this fair. Please stop by and see us!

Beach Cleanup DayAPRIL 22, 2006

The Grass Roots Garbage Gangstarted in 2001 with a handful of vol-unteers cleaning just three miles ofbeach and collecting 850 pounds ofgarbage. Now, just five years later, thecleanup goes for 30 miles along theLong Beach Peninsula, and volunteersfrom all over Washington and Oregoncome to take part.

Last year on July 6th, over six tonsof debris were collected in cleanupdumpsters, and uncountable bags ofgarbage were put in the cans of localresidents during the cleanup. The de-bris included spent fireworks, bottles,cans, and plastic from the 4th of Julycelebrations as well as tires,Styrofoam, strapping, lawn chairs, aTV tube, light bulbs, rope, wire, net-ting and all kinds of miscellaneousdebris that washes up on our shores.The obvious benefit is a more beauti-ful beach, but the more serious bene-fit is a healthier marine and avianpopulation. In an area that reliesheavily on fisheries and tourism,these are big benefits.

The evening before this April’scleanup — April 21, Friday night —there will be a guest speaker andpotluck at the Senior Center at 5:00PM.

Cleanup will start at 9:30 AM at allmajor beach approaches. Local resi-dents and businesses sponsor a freechowder feed for participants from11:30-1:30 at the Senior Center, awonderful community event.Volunteers are needed to help clean,coordinate, and cook/serve/cleanupafter the potluck and soup feeds.

Contact Shelly Pollock if you are in-terested in assisting with this sustain-able beach cleanup effort: (360)665-5388 or (866) 665-5388.Shelly@ourbeach.org orwww.ourbeach.org.

“Abundant Gardening” EventSATURDAY, MAY 20, 2006,9:00 AM TO 12:00 NOON

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH1320 AUBURN WAY SO, AUBURN

(253) 833-5660

A spring gardening event you won’t want tomiss! Displays include bonsai, roses, localnurseries, Rainier Audubon, and more! DebraPrinzing, a Seattle-based garden and designwriter, and author of The Abundant Garden,will be the featured speaker. She is the Northwest Style columnist for the SeattlePost-Intelligencer and Garden Editor for Seattle Homes & Lifestyles magazine.Tickets are $5.00 and are available from the church beginning April 30.

4 April 2006The Heron Herald

Field Trips By Carol Schulz

Mid-Week Coastal TripWEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

6:30 AM TO LATE AFTERNOON

LEADER: CAROL SCHULZ

Nisqually in the SpringSATURDAY, APRIL 8, 7:30 AM TO 1:30 PM

LEADERS:CAROL SCHULZ AND NANCY STREIFFERT

Come to the ocean with us during theheight of shorebird migration. We'llcheck the hotlines first and journey tothe areas where the birds are beingfound, possibly Brady Loop and BottleBeach. We hope to see sandpipers, RedKnots, dowitchers, plovers, and more.There could be spectacular numbers ofbirds coming north at this time of year.

BBRRIINNGG:: Lunch, and snacks. Be pre-pared for windy weather. We may walkon wet sand and possibly up to twomiles. Scopes are very welcome!

MMEEEETT:: McDonald's Restaurant in Fife.Take 1-5 south to exit 137, turn left onhwy 99, and go about 1-1/2 blocks.Turn left at the light to McDonald's.

SSIIGGNN--UUPP:: Call or email Carol Schulz,(206) 824-7618, or linusq@att.net.Email is preferred.

Come tour Camp Kilworth, an undevel-oped jewel of a park in Federal Way, usu-ally closed to the public. This former BoyScout Camp on a bluff overlooking PugetSound was recently saved from futuredevelopment, and still contains some old-growth trees. Our nature walk will includelooking and listening for birds.

BBRRIINNGG:: Walking shoes, water, andsnacks.

MMEEEETT:: Marista's Coffee in Federal Wayat 8:30 AM. Marista's is located in theSafeway Parking lot at So. 320th St. andHwy. 99. Take I-5 to the So. 320th St.exit. Travel west on 320th about one mile.Go past Hwy. 99 about ? block, and takea left into the Safeway Parking lot next toMarista's.

SSIIGGNN UUPP:: Call or email Hazel Dickinson,(253) 939-0951, or 2dickins@msn.com.

Camp Kilworth TourSUNDAY, APRIL 9

8:30 AM TO 11:30 AMLEADERS: HAZEL DICKINSON AND CO-LEADER

Join Phil on his weekly bird walk as hecounts the birds at Nisqually NationalWildlife Refuge. On the first Thursday ofthe month, the group walks fairly quicklyaround the full loop, a distance of overfive miles. Other weeks, the trip is shorter,walking out to MacAllister Creek, back tothe visitor center, then out to the TwinBarns and the Ring Dike Trail, totalingabout four miles.

BBRRIINNGG:: Good walking shoes or boots,raingear, water, snacks, and $3 entry feeunless you have a pass. Scopes are wel-come.MMEEEETT:: At the parking lot just past theNisqually NWR visitor center.DDiirreeccttiioonnss:: Take I-5 south fromTacoma and exit to Nisqually NWR at exit114. Take a right at the light.SSIIGGNN--UUPP:: Call or email Phil Kelley toconfirm details. Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360)459-1499, or scrubjay323@aol.com.

Weekly Bird Walks atNisqually

THURSDAYS 8:15 AM TO 12:30 PMLEADER: PHIL KELLEY

Grays Harbor ShorebirdFestival

FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 28 - 30

Many field trips, both long and short, areoffered at this festival in Hoquiam. Moredetails at 1-800-303-8498, or visitwww.shorebirdfestival.com.

Mercer Slough and MercerIsland

SATURDAY, APRIL 298:00 AM TO NOON

LEADER: AMY SCHILLINGER

Mercer Slough near Bellevue is a largemarshy area with trails and watercourses. Our trip will focus on thesouth end of Mercer Slough, where wewill walk the boardwalks and take a trailout to the water. Luther Burbank Park,on the north end of Mercer Island, fea-tures over 1/2 mile of waterfront, brushythickets, trees and a marsh. BothMercer Slough and Luther Burbank Parkon Mercer Island should offer goodspring birding with interesting scenery.We will be looking and listening for war-blers and other migrants. Expect towalk about two miles on fairly level trails.

BBRRIINNGG:: Hiking shoes, water, snacksand/or lunch.

MMEEEETT:: At Newcastle Park & Ridebetween Renton and Bellevue at8:00AM. Directions: Take I-405 northfrom Renton to exit 9. Park and Ride isnext to the exit.

SSIIGGNN--UUPP:: Call or email AmySchillinger, amyschillinger@comcast.net,or (425) 443-6931.

Rainier members and Sierra Club mem-bers will get together this spring morn-ing, walking the trails and boardwalks ofNisqually. Migrant birds will be returningand we should hear lots of bird song.

BBRRIINNGG:: Hiking boots or shoes, lunch,and drinks. Bring $3 entry fee or a DuckStamp or Golden Pass. Scopes are wel-come. We will walk up to four miles onlevel trails, but some people may want tobird at the wetlands right at the visitorscenter, where there are several overlooks.

MMEEEETT:: 7:30 AM at the 272nd Park &Ride north of Federal Way.

DDIIRREECCTTIIOONNSS:: Take I-5 to exit 147. Turnwest on 272nd and go one block. Park &Ride is on the right.

SSIIGGNN UUPP:: Call or email Carol Schulz,(206) 824-7618 or linusq@att.net. Emailis preferred.

5 April 2006The Heron Herald

(For more information on this festival, seepage 3) Short bird-walks in the park andalong the river will be offered on this day,which is also Migratory Bird Day. RainierAudubon, Seattle Audubon, and manyother groups will be there. This is a fun,local festival! More information anddirections at www.backyardwildlifefair.org.

Tukwila Backyard WildlifeFestival

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM

This has been a very popular trip in thepast, at the perfect time of year to seemany migrant birds. On this big EasternWashington trip, we will target as manybird species as possible at SnoqualmiePass, Cle Elum, Teanaway, and Vantage.After looking for songbirds at the Pass,we will head east along the I-90 corridorsearching for warblers, flycatchers, anddippers. In the Cle Elum area, we willseek out migrant songbirds, and near theponds, we hope to find many birdspecies. We will search for bluebirds andraptors near Teanaway, and then stop atthe Teanaway River bridge to look forswallows, ducks, dippers, and other song-birds. In the afternoon, we'll go downthe old highway toward Vantage, watch-ing for birds of the sagebrush country.We'll scope the Columbia River and itscliffs before heading for home in lateafternoon.

This will be an "Accessible Trip" for folkswho can't walk far; our viewing will all bedone near cars and along level roads.Also, we will be visiting at many stopswhere there are restrooms. People doingBirdathon trips are invited, too, as wehope to get a large trip list! Non-Birdathoners are also welcome!

MMEEEETT:: Kent Park & Ride betweenJames and Smith Streets just east of theValley Freeway at 5:30 AM.SSIIGGNN--UUPP:: Call (before 8:30 PM) oremail Jim Tooley, (253) 854-3070, oractjct@aol.com.

Snoqualmie Pass to Vantage

Accessible Field Trip for FolksWho Can’t Walk Far

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 5:30 AM TO EVENING

LEADER: JIM TOOLEY

More Field Trips An October All-Day at Blaine, WashingtonBY WILLIAM LEON DAWSON

FROM THE WILSON BULLETIN: OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1904: 16(4)

Of course it was cloudy. That it was so instead of rainy was a mark of specialfavor, received by the Bird-Man with becoming gratitude, for every loyal Puget-Sounder knows that rain has the right of way from October first on. The cloudsformed a great leaden canopy centering over Blaine … The first half hour ofindecision, from six o’clock on, was spent awheel, ranging the sidewalks of thestill silent town, gleaning the bird-notes from orchard and garden and unre-claimed ravine. The writer was just congratulating himself upon the abundance ofnative birds hereabouts, undisturbed as yet by the presence of the all but univer-sal scourge, when ”Yark, yark, scrape, chirp, chirp,” came from a little fir-tree ablock away, in the center of the central business block of town. His obscenemajesty, the English Sparrow, has arrived! His half century of conquest is appro-priately consummated upon this last square rood of Uncle Sam’s undivided pos-session. Blaine stands at the exact northwestern corner of the United States,and the goal of the Gamin is reached. The aliens can be very crafty if theychoose, and they do choose while they are in the minority. Ihave searched the townsite over, during the two monthspast, fearing the dread presence, yet resolved to know theworst, without having heard a single chirp from the domes-ticus until today. Yet I am assured that the creatures havebeen here in small numbers for two or three years past.Nine Sparrows were frightened, upon this occasion, fromthe little fir-tree, and all became instantly silent upon theirescape.

The cataloguer’s attention was next directed toward thewater birds. Drayton Harbor, which is the inner sea sanctum of Blaine, is someseven miles in circumference at high-tide… As flood-tide approaches, the numberof sea birds upon the harbor is augmented to several thousand by the arrival ofducks, mostly Scaups, “Bluebills,” and Scoters. These birds, upon entering orleaving the harbor, usually fly low over the sand-spit and are here assaulted by abattery of ever-ready guns. As a result of the steady maintainance of the firingline, the ducks upon the harbor are nervous and unapproachable — save byeight-power binoculars …

Save Your Stamps,Save the Birds!

Big commemorative stamps (U.S. Postal Service)such as Disney figures, Constellations, Latindancers, Olympic Games, Marian Anderson, HenryFonda, 50's Sports Cars, Moss Hart, and many others, can be sent to England'sRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds as a fundraiser for saving threatenedland and open spaces and creating reserves for birds and other wildlife. Both oldand new issue stamps are welcomed (but not the small square ones). If you re-ceive a letter in the mail which has one of these stamps on the envelope, care-fully cut a one-inch or larger border around the stamp and mail it to: ThaisBock, 29620 - 10th Pl. So., Federal Way WA 98003. Thank you!

6 April 2006The Heron Herald

Seen & Heard By Charlie Wright

Late. That was thekey word for the firstonset of migration.Rufous Hummingbirdsgenerally arrive locallyduring the first week ofMarch, and becomesteadily more numer-

ous after that. This year, there have beenno reports in south King County through18 March. Stormy and generally unsea-sonable weather along the West Coasthas probably been a big factor in thisdelay. Keeping track of these trends is ex-tremely worthwhile, and it would not bepossible without those invaluable sight-ings you all send in. Keep it up!

Two Trumpeter Swans were in theSmith Brothers area 2/25 (RO/m.obs).A Tundra Swan was near the ElliotBridge on the Cedar River 2/20 and3/3 (Twtrs). The Greater White-fronted Goose flock at Gene CoulonPark was counted at 24 birds 3/4(CC). Twelve Eurasian Wigeons, in-cluding 5 females, were at SmithBrothers 3/1 (CC). Five HarlequinDucks were at Des Moines BeachPark 3/15 (CW). An Eared Grebe wasat Des Moines Marina 3/15 (CW). AGreen Heron was at Panther Lake2/18 (SM), and another was often

seen at Boeing Ponds through-out the month (m.obs). Thefirst Turkey Vulture of the sea-son was teetering over SouthPrairie 3/16 (RS/CW). A pair ofadult Cooper’s Hawks wereseen visiting a nest in thenorthwest forest of Kent Ponds3/12 (m.obs). An adult Slaty-backed Gull, apparently differ-ent from the Renton bird of acouple weeks prior, was foundat the Tukwila gull spot 3/1(CC). Two Long-billedDowitchers were at KentPonds 3/1 (CC) and 3/12(m.obs). Two Common Murreswere at Dash Point 2/28 (JB).A pair of Marbled Murreletsflew by the Des Moines Marina3/15 (CW). Up to 6 Short-eared Owls were seen at KentPonds on the evening of 2/9(fide RO). A Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard singing3/17 near Lake Youngs (NL).A Western Scrub-Jay was sighted atRedondo 3/11 (KH). At least 30 TreeSwallows had shown up at KentPonds by 3/12 (m.obs), and one wasat Nolte State Park 3/14 (CW). ThreeViolet-green Swallows flew overBonney Lake 3/3 (CW). Six Violet-green and three Barn Swallows were

at Kent Ponds 3/12 (m.obs). ANorthern Shrike was found atEmerald Downs 2/25 (RO/m.obs)and again 3/12 (RO/CS/CW). ASay’s Phoebe was observed atKent Ponds 3/5, and was de-scribed to be missing several tail-feathers (KA). The Say’s Phoebeat Boeing Ponds appeared to havea complete tail on 3/12(RO/CS/CW), so there may havebeen two phoebes in the valleythis month. A Hermit Thrush wasnoted at Foothills Trail 3/11 andDes Moines Beach Park 3/15

Going Birding?Report your sightings to Charlie

at (253) 862-0520 or emailc.wright7@comcast.net.

E-mail is preferred.

(CW). A dozen Cedar Waxwings wereat Dash Point 2/28 (JB). A White-throated Sparrow was at 287th Street3/6 (CS). A large flock of 62 EveningGrosbeaks was at Prairie Ridge 3/11(CW). The largest Pine Siskin flockreported was only fifteen birds.

Observers: JB-Jessie Barry; CC-Cameron Cox; NL-Nancy Lander; SM-Susan McDougall; RO-Roger Orness;KH-Karen Hersh; CS-Carol Schulz; RS-Ryan Shaw; CW-Charlie Wright;Twtrs-Tweeters; m.obs-many ob-servers.

COMMON MURRES

HERMIT THRUSH

given the precarious state of most species when listed, this represents signifi-cant progress.

One of the great strengths of the Endangered Species Act is its foundation insound scientific principles and its reliance on the best available science.Unfortunately, recent legislative proposals would critically weaken this founda-tion. For species conservation to continue, it is imperative both that the scien-tific principles embodied in the Act are maintained, and that the Act isstrengthened, fully implemented, and adequately funded….

Thank you very much for taking our concerns into account. We are availableto discuss any and all of the issues we have raised.

Sincerely,

5,738 SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS CONCERNED ABOUT ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEIR

HABITATS (190 FROM WASHINGTON STATE)

Spring Birding Festivals

MAY 18 - 21, 2006(THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY)

The Leavenworth area featuresspectacular habitats, ranging fromsnow-capped mountains to sunnyPonderosa pine forests, attracting awide variety of birds. See CalliopeHummingbirds, White-headedWoodpeckers, Harlequin Ducks,Osprey, Western Tanagers andMacGillivray’s Warblers. While bird-ing is the heart of the weekend, activi-ties will also include geology,wildflowers and conservation.Professionally guided trips and activi-ties range from leisurely strolls to ac-tive hikes. Fun for experienced andnovice birders of all ages!

Pre-registration for Bird Fest 2006events will be May 1 - May 17. Formore information, visithttp://www.leavenworthspringbird-fest.com.

Grays Harbor Shorebird FestivalAPRIL 28 - 30, 2006

(FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY)

Each spring, hundreds of thousandsof shorebirds pass through GraysHarbor estuary on their migrationnorthward. Tens of thousands of thesebirds stop to feed on the open mud-flats in the estuary. This concentrationof birds offers people a great chanceto view a number of shorebirdspecies, and to see the birds fly to-gether in beautiful formations whiletrying to escape the fastest creatureon earth, the Peregrine Falcon. The11th Annual Grays Harbor ShorebirdFestival will be headquartered atHoquiam High School. The keynotespeaker at the banquet on Saturdaynight will be Dr. Stephen W. Kress,Vice President of Bird Conservationfor National Audubon and manager ofthe society’s Maine Coast SeabirdSanctuaries. Included activities areguided field trips, fun fair for kids, liveauction at the banquet, lectures,book-signing by authors, poster con-test in elementary schools, and lotsmore. Sightings and counts of shore-birds will be reported daily during thisyear’s migration.

For more information about theshorebird festival, call 1-800-303-8498, or visit http://www.shorebird-festival.com.

MAY 12-13, 2006 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY)

Puget Sound Bird Fest is a celebra-tion of birds and nature onInternational Migratory Bird Day(IMBD). The City of EdmondsEconomic Development and Parks &Recreation Department together areorganizing two days of bird-watchingand related activities in and arounddowntown Edmonds, the EdmondsMarsh, and along the waterfront.

Adults and children will enjoyguided walks, indoor expert lecturesand workshops, and social activities.Rain or shine, there’s plenty to learnabout birding, environmentally-friendly landscaping, nature photog-raphy, wildlife artwork, and othertopics. We look forward to seeing youat Puget Sound Bird Fest!http://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.com.

A Letter From Scientists… cont’d from page 2

7 April 2006The Heron Herald

really important plant forsummer wildlife in the PacificNorthwest is the elderberry. It

is considered by some to be a weedybush, as it often comes up alongfence-lines, where it was “planted” bybirds. The flowers, which open inJune, are very ornamental. They aretiny, white, and lacey, forming flat-topped or slightly rounded clustersapproximately six inches across; theseturn into heavy, drooping clusters ofseedy berries rich in vitamin C - evenhigher than oranges! The blue berrieshave been used in pies, jellies, syrup,teas, and wines for hundreds of years.Even the flowers can be battered asfritters or sautéed and eaten!

There are many varieties of elder-berry. The most common in our areais the red-fruited one (sambucus race-mosa), which comes up everywhere. Iwas giving my extras to a neighbor forplanting around his newly-dug ponduntil Russell Link, the well-known ex-pert of wildlife and native plants, toldme that Band-tailed Pigeons lovethem, and now I am moving them toany place I can find inmy yard. Where welive, we need to fencethem off for severalyears until they get tallenough that the deercan't reach them, be-cause they are also afavorite of our black-tailed deer.

I also have severalEuropean species (sam-bucus nigra): a varie-gated one, and a cutleafvariety. "Black Beauty" is very orna-mental with deep purple leaves, pinkflowers and black fruit. There is agolden-leafed one and another thatproduces golden berries. TheCanadian species seem to be more

Plant of the Monthby Linda Bartlett

heavily fruited. Theyare self-pollinating,but for better fruitproduction, youshould have severalplants. To keep thembushy, I have learnedthat the five-year-oldwood needs to be re-moved. That willproduce more suck-ers.

Elderberries arevirtually disease and pest free, andgrow quickly in full sun and any typeof soil. They can become a small treein time, reaching 30 feet tall. My per-sonal favorite, which grows in thewestern third of the United States, issambucus cerulea. Its powdery blue

fruit is so beautiful up in the IcicleCreek area around Leavenworth in thefall, where we have often camped. Intheir third year in my yard, theybegan attracting nice flocks of CedarWaxwings. Birds don't seem to bepartial to one variety or another; theylove them all.

At the time of this writing (just pastmid-March), the buds have opened totiny little compound leaflets, whichare toothed and grow in pairs alongthe twigs. They have a distinctiveodor when crushed. Before you rip itout as a weed in your flowerbed,think again. Maybe there is an emptyspot in your yard where you cantransplant it. They are very fast-grow-ing and will delight and nourish thebirds that come to your yard.

RED ELDERBERRY©GIL WOJCIECH, POLISH FOREST

RESEARCH INSTITUTE,WWW.FORESTRYIMAGES.ORG

According to Florence MerriamBailey, respected naturalist-writer ofthe late nineteenth century, early set-tlers of our country, upon first viewingthe bluebird,thought it re-sembled thebeloved robinredbreast fromtheir nativeEngland andso, affection-ately, called itthe Blue Robin.

A month be-fore the calen-dar heralds theofficial comingof spring, ourblue robins,more formally known asWestern Bluebirds, havealready started movingnorthward in search ofnesting sites. Since theyare cavity nesters facingfierce competition from other, oftenmore aggressive, cavity-nestingspecies, their early arrival with atten-

dant early nesting, may also be a sur-vival tactic. Arrival dates often occur inmid-to-late February.

When Tahoma Audubon beganO p e r a t i o nBluebird in thefall of 1982,there were al-ready a handfulof nesting boxeson Ft. Lewis,with a tiny pop-ulation of nest-ing bluebirds.Three years and220 boxes later,the populationhad increasedd ra m a t i c a l l yand expanded

onto the open oak-prairie lands of this hugearmy base. Today, theproject is ongoing, withWestern Bluebirds re-turning each year,

thanks to many volunteers, both civil-ian and Army personnel.

8 April 2006The Heron Herald

The Blue Robins by Thais Bock

“When winter's cold tempests and snows are no more,

Green meadows and brown furrow'd fields reappearing,

The fishermen hauling their nets to the shore,

And cloud-cleaving Geese to the North are all steering...

O then comes the Blue-bird, the herald of spring!

And hails, with his warblings, the charms of the season.

His song and his services freely are ours,

And all that he asks is, in summer, a shelter."

BY ALEXANDER WILSON

A

9 April 2006The Heron Herald

West Hylebos Waterway Purple Martin Nest Box Project

ark Freeland and I (fromRainier Audubon) and StanCummings (from Citizens

for a Healthy Bay), motored into theHylebos waterway on March 4th toclean, repair, and replace several ex-isting Purple Martin nest boxes in-stalled years ago by Rainier memberTodd Tannery. Todd was the inventorof this new type of Purple Martin box,made of plastic PVC pipe, which hasproven very popular with the martins.Sadly, Todd passed away several yearsago and we are carrying on the workhe began. A very special thank yougoes out to Stan Cummings andCitizens for a Healthy Bay. Withoutthe use of their patrol boat, the pro-ject would have been much dirtier andextremely slow. As it was, it took onlytwo and a half hours to accomplishour desired goals. The results of theproject are presented below.

Mark and I fabricated eight newnest boxes. These nest boxes werepossible due to the generous donationof 6" PVC pipe from Max and ErinPrinsen. We met Stan at the FossMarina in Tacoma bright and early onSaturday morning. Tools and supplieswere loaded onto the boat and wecommenced motoring over to the DNRarea on the Hylebos waterway. Wehad luck on our side as it was a clear,calm day with no wind. We hadpicked this time specifically to takeadvantage of the high tide, but fearedthat we might still need to use theladders to reach the boxes. However,as it turned out, our fears were un-founded; the boxes were within easyreach and we quickly developed agood technique for tethering the boatto the piling, removing boxes thatneeded to be replaced, attaching thenew boxes, and cleaning and repair-ing the remaining boxes. The oldboxes that were taken down will be

refurbished and used to replace worn-outboxes in the future, probably next fall or win-ter.

In all, there are now 33 PVC boxes to moni-tor and maintain. In addition, we noticed thatthere are a number of wood boxes on the pil-ings; some are in good to fair condition, whileothers appear to be unrepairable. RainierAudubon has chosen to focus only on thePVC nest boxes.

Anyone who wants to help us monitorthese boxes is welcome. We would like tohave people watching for martin activity atleast once a week over the spring and sum-mer.

Our PVC boxes are located in the West Hylebos Waterway, along MarineView Drive (SR 509), beginning at the old 11th St. bridge and runningnorth.

Inventory of all boxes: (Capital letters indicate individual pilings)

A 2 wooden boxes; 1 serviceable, 1 unserviceable - No action takenB 1 wooden box, unserviceable - No action takenC Piling no longer exists; probably removed due to the shoreline

restoration activities.D Piling no longer exists; see explanation for C.E 2 PVC boxes - loose - unable to reach by boat. Will approach

from shore at a later date.F Replaced 2 boxes with new ones.G Repaired and cleaned out the 2 existing boxes.H Replaced 2 boxes with new ones. One wooden box remains at top

of piling.J Repaired and cleaned out the 2 existing boxes. One wooden box

remains at top of piling.K Repaired and cleaned out 1 existing box and replaced 1 box with a

new one. One wooden box remains at top of piling.L Repaired and cleaned out the 2 existing boxes. One wooden box

remains at top of piling.M Repaired and cleaned out 1 existing box and replaced 1 box with a

new one.N Repaired and cleaned out the 2 existing boxes.O Replaced 1 existing box with a new box. Was unable to open other

box to clean.P Repaired and cleaned out the 2 existing boxes. Removed the re-

maining box.Q 1 wooden box - un serviceable. Mounted a new PVC box.R 2 PVC. Did not check.S 2 PVC. Did not check.T 2 PVC. Did not check.

M

ONE OF THE PVC-PIPE BOXES ONA PILING

By Dale Meland

10April 2006 The Heron Herald

1. Only one of our small owls has dark eyes - which one is it?

2. What term is used to describe birds active at twilight?

3. Passerine bird species with elongated rear claws are called _________.

4. Name the world's largest falcon.

5. To stir up food near the water's surface, these species spin and rotate

while dabbling with their bills.ANSWERS ARE UPSIDE DOWN BELOW

Answers to Quizzical Owl: 1. Flammulated Owl, 2. crepuscular, 3. longspurs, 4. Gyrfalcon, 5. phalaropesby Thais Bock

There is nothing like a beautifulsunny spring day in the Northwest.Yesterday when I got up, it was clearand sunny, with the promise of a niceday to come. I had been waiting for anice day to get out in the yard and dosome mowing and trimming, but nowthat such a day had actually arrived, Idecided that I would rather go for awalk at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.Since I am a volunteer there, I chose todo what is called “Trail Roving.”Basically that is just walking the trailsand answering visitors’ questions.

When I arrived around 12:30, thesun was shining and there was little orno wind. Evidently many people feltthe same as I did, as the parking lotswere already full. Checking in first atthe visitors’ desk, I discovered that aGreat Horned Owl had been seen downby the twin barns so I decided to headdown that way. Sure enough, the owlwas clearly visible in the same largetree that has held their nest for a num-ber of years. I pointed out the owl toseveral visitors and then moved on tothe observation platform by the barns.Tree Swallows were swooping and call-ing, and a Great Blue Heron was stalk-ing mice or voles in the field nearby. I

proceeded across the boardwalk to theobservation platform by the river,where a few pairs of CommonMergansers were swimming about.

A short distance down the trail, anartist had set up his easel and waspainting the sun glinting on the riverand the yellow-orange of the willowthickets across the river. Pretty scene! Icame upon a young couple staring in-tently into the canal that runs alongthe trail. They pointed down into therushes and asked if I knew what thatstrange bird was. I realized they werelooking at an American Bittern thatwas so still and blended in so well thatI had trouble spotting it. They hadnever seen a bittern before.

I then came upon an older couple;the man was looking up into the treeswhile the woman thumbed through abird book and said, “It has to be one ofthese.” The man pointed out the birdto me — a Downy Woodpecker — andthe woman asked, “How can you tell ifit is a Hairy or a Downy?” I showedher that the Downy is smaller and hasa much smaller bill.

At the ring dike, there were a fewWigeon and a couple of pond turtlessunning themselves on logs near thetrail. Must be spring if the turtles areout! Varied Thrushes, Song Sparrows,and Towhees were singing on everyside. Further along, a pair of WoodDucks were swimming in the canalnear one of the nest boxes that havebeen installed there. As I proceeded upthe trail, a woman stopped me andasked if weasels or minks could swim.I said that weasels did not particularlycare for water, but minks were verymuch at home in the water and often

hunted for frogs and fish. She re-marked that she must have seen a pairof minks then, chasing each otherthrough the ponds and rushes along-side the trail. I looked for them as Iwent up the trail, but didn’t have anyluck.

A man approached, waving his armsand pointing in my direction. Istopped, wondering if I was about todisturb something in front of me.When he continued to point, I finallyrealized that it was something behindme, and I turned around. There werethe two mink! They were runningalong behind me and coming up fast.They did not seem to be deterred bymy presence and stayed right on thetrail. I spoke to the first one — itstopped, looked up at me and thenover its shoulder, and took off again. Ifigured that since it was spring, thatthis must be a mating chase. If it was,the male really needed to cut back onthe diet and work out a little more! Hewas huffing and puffing as he ran past,focused on the prize ahead. The twoanimals ran through or around twomore groups of people before finallydiving into a pond off to the side.

Along MacAllister Creek, Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere,flying up and catching insects or dart-ing among the branches of the thicketsby the trail. A young man asked me toidentify a snake he had seen — it wasa garter snake and there were actuallytwo of them.

After about three hours, I was backat the Visitors Center. I checked in atthe visitors’ desk and learned that theyhad over 220 visitors, one of thebusiest days this year so far.

by Merlin Wiese

Did You Know?

…There is nothing like abeautiful sunny spring day inthe Northwest.

Rainier Audubon SocietyRainier Audubon Society is the Washington State South King County Chapter ofthe National Audubon Society. Our mission is to conserve and restore naturalecosystems, and to protect birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity

and biological diversity in South King County and the world we live in.

11 April 2006The Heron Herald

Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.rainieraudubon.orgChapter Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 939-6411 President Nancy Hertzel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 255-1808

E-mail: autumn207@comcast.netVice President POSITION OPENBoard Members Steve Feldman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (360) 802-5211

E-mail: StillWaterStable@aol.comNancy Hertzel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 255-1808E-mail: autumn207@comcast.netBernedine Lund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 839-3729E-mail: philandbernedine2002@yahoo.comDale Meland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 946-1637 E-mail: dmeland@hotmail.comTricia MacLaren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (360) 802-0304E-mail: t.maclaren@att.netDebra Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 271-0682E-mail: debrarussell94@comcast.netAnnette Tabor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253)-927-3208E-mail: rarailfan@aol.comJim Tooley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 854-3070E-mail: ACTJCT@aol.com

Backyard Habitat Projects Carol Stoner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 854-3207E-mail: stonefam@gte.net

Christmas Bird Count Nancy Streiffert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 852-8394E-mail: nancy_streiffert@hotmail.comCharlie Wright and Mark Freeland (compilers)

Conservation Bruce Harpham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 874-9792E-mail: brucelaura@msn.com

Education Ross and Annette Tabor . . . . . . . . . . . . (253)-927-3208E-mail: rarailfan@aol.com

Field Trips Carol Schulz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (206) 824-7618E-mail: linusq@worldnet.att.net

Heron Herald, Editor Nancy Hertzel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 255-1808E-mail: autumn207@comcast.net

Heron Herald, Layout Rebecca Westby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 951-5427E-mail: hhartist@earthlink.net

Historian Thais Bock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 839-2044E-mail: tbock29@concentric.net

Hospitality Bernedine Lund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 839-3729E-mail: philandbernedine2002@yahoo.com

Librarian Bernedine Lund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 839-3729E-mail: philandbernedine2002@yahoo.com

Mailing Crew Linda Bartlett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 631-1959E-mail: llbart@scn.org

Membership Merlin Wiese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 833-3907E-mail: MWiese7783@aol.com

Nestbox Coordinator Merlin Wiese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 833-3907E-mail: MWiese7783@aol.com

Programs Dale Meland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 946-1637E-mail: dmeland@hotmail.com

Publicity Stacy Colombel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (206) 433-8222E-mail: sacolombel@zipcon.com

Administrative Asst. Amy Flanigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 826-0003E-mail: johnamyflanigan@yahoo.com

Shadow Lake Bog Max & Erin Prinsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 432-9965E-mail: max.prinsen@comcast.net

Sightings Charlie Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 862-0520E-mail: c.wright7@comcast.net

Treasurer Jim Tooley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 854-3070E-mail: ACTJCT@aol.com

Web Editor Nancy Hertzel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (253) 255-1808WA-Rainier Listserv Carol Schulz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (206) 824-7618

E-mail: linusq@worldnet.att.netState Audubon Office Nina Carter

E-mail: ncarter@audubon.org. . . . . . . . (206) 652-2444 National Audubon Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (212) 979-3000NAS Membership Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-274-4201

Rainier Audubon Society

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Consultation Drawing

Learn how to turn your yard into a wildlife-friendly place — If youwould like to attract birds and other wildlife to your yard, this is a greatopportunity for you. Rainier Audubon is sponsoring a drawing for a per-sonal, one-hour consultation with a wildlife habitat expert, in your ownback yard. All you have to do is fill out and send in the application below.That’s it! It’s free and there are no strings attached. Four names will bedrawn at our May 17th membership meeting. You do not have to be pre-sent to win. Each winner will receive a one-hour visit from a habitat expertin their own yard.

In addition, four names will be drawn to receive a copy of one of RussellLink’s books, either Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest orLiving with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest.

The drawing is open to all!

You do not have to be a Rainier Audubon member to win.

Application deadline is May 11.

Drawing will be held May 17.

Backyard Habitat Consultation dates will be determined later.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Consultation Drawing Entry Form

Name

____________________________________________________________

Address

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Phone No. _____________________Email_________________________

I give permission for Rainier Audubon to take photos of my yardduring the consultation and also of any improvements I may make inmy yard as a result of the consultation, within a one-year timeperiod.

_____________________________________________________________Signature

Mail (or email) entry to:

Carol Stoner, Backyard Habitat DrawingRainier Audubon Society

PO Box 778Auburn, WA 98071

Inside Your April 2006 Issue

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2

Volunteer Opportunities & Events . . . Page 2, 3

Field Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4, 5

Seen & Heard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

Plant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8

Quizzical Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10

Did You Know?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10

Name ......................................................................................................................

Address..................................................................................................................

City.............................................................................St..........Zip.........................

Phone......................................................................................................................

Email ........................................................................................................................

Referred by..........................................................................................................

Rainier Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 778Auburn,WA 98071

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidKent,WA 98031Permit No. 441

TIME VALUE MATERIAL

Address Service Requested

Deer Creek Wild Animal Rehab9004 Vernon Rd, Everett,WA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 334-8171

PAWS Wildlife Center15305 - 44th Ave.West, Lynnwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 787-2500

Sarvey Wildlife Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (360) 435-4817

FOR AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS VISIT OUR CHAPTER WEB SITE

AT http://www.rainieraudubon.org/rehab.htm

Bats Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (206) 256-0406Dept. of Fish and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 775-1311Falcon Research Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (360) 757-1911King Conservation District…… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (425) 277-5581 x120

or fax . . . (425) 277-5588Rare Bird Alert - Western Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (206) 281-9172Washington Native Plant Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (206) 527-3210Wolf Haven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 448-9653

Audubon Member sh ip Subscr ipt ion Form

Rainier Audubon Society (RAS) Membership ...............................................$15

A one-year membership in Rainier Audubon Society includes nine issuesof the Heron Herald newsletter ; participation in all our field trips andactivities; and fun monthly membership meetings. Plus, we’ll add you toour email listserv, so you’ll get all the latest information online. (Makechecks payable to Rainier Audubon.)

To join RAS or renew, mail this application withyour payment to:

RAINIER AUDUBON SOCIETYP.O. Box 778Auburn,WA 98071

Y16 7XCH

NEED HELP FOR INJURED WILDLIFE?

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OTHER RESOURCES

12 The Heron HeraldApril 2006

✁

The newsletter is also available online.Check it out at our website: www.rainieraudubon.org

To join National Audubon, please visit their website at www.audubon.org