Salem Audubon Society

The Kestrel

September 2019 Volume 53, Number 1

www.salemaudubon.org facebook.com/SalemAudubonSociety

President’s Message Tim Johnson

One of the reasons I was motivated to volunteer to be chapter president was the opportunity to be closely involved in the planning, development and operations of the Nature Center at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. As originally envisioned, the Nature Center will provide opportunities for our community to learn more about the natural resources, especially the wildlife and plant species of the

Willamette Valley, and install a sense of stewardship. Activities we can anticipate being part of the Nature Center include:

• Educational workshops for the general public • Nature walks, both leader lead and self-guided • Native plant restoration projects • School environmental class activities • Environmental education project kits for use by teachers, home school families and others. • Citizen science projects:

o Bird surveys: using eBird o Butterfly counts o Bee counts o Dusky Canada Geese neck band surveys o A demonstration project for reducing bird window strikes

Our ability to interest volunteers in being involved in leadership roles with one or more of these kinds of activities will be critical to our success in realizing the full potential of the Nature Center.

If you wish to be part of the future of the Nature Center, I would very much like to talk with you. You can reach me most anytime at my email address below or by calling (503) 507-8552.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for the Board of Directors, please feel free to contact chapter president Tim Johnson at tim@salemaudubon.org.

In This Issue 1 President’s Message

2 Upcoming Field Trips

4 Making Wildlife Memories

4 Birder’s Night

5 Oregon Birds: See, Learn, and Share – Sex Life of Birds

5 What’s Happening at the Reserve

5 Spotlight on Education

6 Essay – The Screech Owl Chronicles

8 Essay – Salem's Rock-Star River Raptors

9 Upcoming Events

Need to update your mailing address? Please call or email Salem Audubon at (503) 588-7340 or laurie@salemaudubon.org American Kestrel Photo © Jim Leonard

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Upcoming Field Trips – compiled by Glen Lindeman

Salem Audubon field trips are open to the public, and we usually have a mixture of experienced and novice bird watchers. These trips are a great way to become more familiar with the birds of Oregon, and you will find some great new places to go birding and possibly meet some new friends. There is no fee for the trips, but we do encourage carpooling to try to reduce our impact on the environment, with riders helping to cover the cost of driving. If you have a suggestion for field trips or have any questions, contact Glen Lindeman at (503) 930-1492 or gdalindy@msn.com.

SAS-SHORTS are abbreviated versions of our popular field trips. These trips are in the local area, typically last one to one and a half hours, and cover no more than a mile of walking. They are primarily designed for new birders, although everyone is welcome. Due to their short duration, please arrive before the start time. The outings will begin at precisely the advertised start time. Refer to the outing descriptions below for specifics.

Many of our field trips meet at the Airport Road Park and Ride located on the east side of Airport Road, between Mission and State Streets, next to the State Motor Pool and just south of the bridge over Mill Creek. To reach the park and ride, follow Mission Street to Airport Road (the first stoplight east of 25th Street) and turn left. Follow Airport Road north one block to the park and ride. Note that there are no restrooms at this site.

Wednesday, September 4, 7:00 AM – Minto-Brown Island Park (Upcoming – Tuesday, October 1 and Sunday, November 3, both at 8:00 AM; note the change in time) Leaders: Mike Unger (503) 930-8998, Fred Stephens (503) 378-1364, and Barbara Dolan (971) 772-4589

September is the second month of four of fall bird census and recording. It is one of the peak months for migration of neo-tropical migrants which have visited us for the summer to nest in our rich food area. Young birds, and adult birds that may be in molt after breeding, can be seen along with resident birds, making a nice mix and providing identification challenges. We will look for plumage changes, listen for song structure changes, and see a change in status of birds gathering in flocks from the traditional breeding families. Juvenile raptors like Osprey, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks and accipiters will be honing their hunting skills. Osprey and Turkey Vultures begin to move south. Many passerines or perching birds will be fattening up on berry and bug food choices, building up energy for takeoff to the winter grounds. We will begin to see more shorebird variety. Waterfowl in eclipse will begin plumage changes that bring beauty in the winter months. Join us to enjoy this time of change in our season, watching for the woodpecker, wren, creeper, sparrow, warbler and even waterfowl species with fledged young that will be on the move or are utilizing the habitat in preparation for cooler weather.

Meet at 7:00 AM at parking lot #3 (the last parking lot in the park). Dress for the weather and bring snacks and water to keep energized. Wear appropriate footwear for uneven trails and plan for considerable walking. We will plan to finish by 11:00 AM

Directions: From River Road South, turn west at the signal at Minto Island Road and proceed to the last parking lot.

Monday, September 9, at 9:00 AM – Keizer Rapids Park (SAS with West Keizer Neighborhood Association) Keizer Rapids Park, in Keizer, is a local, undiscovered gem for birding enthusiasts. The park has a variety of habitats that attracts a wide variety of birds including sparrows, finches and towhees, but many other birds can be found here including waterfowl, raptors, woodpeckers, warblers and creepers. Swallows, ospreys, kingfishers and an occasional eagle can be seen near the river.

Meet at 9:00 AM at the far parking lot (at the end of the road leading to the boat ramp). Bring water and a snack for the trail.

Directions: From Salem: Take River Road N, turn left onto Chemawa Road N, turn left onto Walsh Way N and proceed to the parking lot at the at the end of road near the boat ramp.

Saturday, September 14, 7:00 AM – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge (Upcoming – Sunday, October 13 and Wednesday, November 13, both at 8:00 AM; note change of time) Leaders: Mike Unger (503) 930-8998, Fred Stephens (503) 378-1364, and Barbara Dolan (971) 772-4589

All of the Willamette Valley Refuges are exciting places to view shorebirds in the fall. The month of September is one of the best times at Ankeny Refuge to observe birds during fall migration. Shorebirds are fond of the invertebrates and the mudflats when water remains at Pintail Marsh or Eagle Marsh. There are also back ponds at either site. Trails to them are mostly lacking in shade and are frequently uneven but are worth the effort for sightings.

Field Trips continued page 3

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Field Trips

We will carpool to visit specific sites looking for sandpipers, phalaropes, and wading birds. We have been treated in the past with sightings of Green Heron, American Bittern, Sora, Wilson’s Snipe, and Virginia Rail, both adult and young birds.

Meet at the Pintail Marsh Parking at 7:00 AM. This will be the only portable restroom stop until the Nature Center off Ankeny Hill Rd. is completed. Plan on carpooling. Wear footwear for walking uneven trails. Bring water and snacks. We will plan to finish by 11:00 AM.

Directions: From Salem, take I-5 south to the Ankeny Hill Rd. exit (Exit 243), and turn right (west). At the Ankeny Hill Rd./Wintel Rd. intersection go straight (south) on Wintel and continue about 3 miles to the Pintail Marsh parking lot. You will pass by the Rail Trail on your left, with a sign that sits low; continue and look on your left for the landmark sign “SEASONAL PHOTO BLIND”. The unmarked parking lot is on your right. (If you get to the railroad crossing you just missed it.) Or, follow Liberty Rd. south to Ankeny Hill Rd., turn left and follow Ankeny to Wintel Rd., then turn right and follow the directions above.

Saturday, October 12 – Oregon Coast Leaders: Tim Johnson (503) 507-8552

October is a great month to witness the fall migration on the coast, with thousands of individual birds and hundreds of species making their way south for the winter. This field trip will visit some of the better places to see migrating birds on the coast in the Newport area. Target species will include Black Scoter, Black Turnstone, Brant, Common Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, Lapland Longspur, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Sooty Shearwater and Surfbird, to mention but a few. We will carpool from Salem and return late afternoon.

Participation will be limited, and preregistration is required. To register, go to https://forms.gle/8eo5kPeoDFcVjGAU7

You will receive a confirmation and additional information about the day. We anticipate that this field trip will fill, so early registration is encouraged.

SAS SHORTS Monday, September 23, 9:00 AM – Cascades Gateway Park Leader: Fred Stephens (503) 378-1364

We will walk the approx. 1-mile trail around Walter Wirth Lake, looking for waterfowl, raptors, woodpeckers and songbirds. Location: 2100 Turner Rd SE, near Walmart, Lowe’s and the Salem airport.

Thursday, October 24, 8:30 AM – Brown’s Ferry Park, Tualatin Leaders: Barbara Dolan (971) 772-4589 and Fred Stephens (503) 378-1364

This fall bird walk is an extended SHORT due to the mileage from Salem to Tualatin. The park is 28 acres, historically known as a riverside wetland with trees and foliage that have adapted to the terrain and flooding. Its first highlight includes that the trail is along the Tualatin River with Nyberg Creek entering it at one point. Secondly, a pond on this suburban park property allows close observation of water birds, including occasional Green Herons, Wilson’s Snipe, ducks (last year a good number of Gadwall and a male Eurasian Wigeon), and Osprey. Passerines can be found in the riparian habitat and close to the trail. This is approximately a 2-mile walk.

We will meet at Salem’s Airport Rd Park and Ride at 8:30 AM to carpool, with a distance of about 47 miles one way to the park. Or you can join us at the park, with our expected time of arrival there at about 9:15 AM. Plan for changes in weather this time of year and wear shoes for a dirt trail that could be wet. Bring snacks, maybe a lunch if you need, and we will be planning to return by noon. There is no restroom at the park and ride, but there are facilities at the park. Join us if you can.

Directions: The Airport Rd Park and Ride is located on the east side of Airport Rd, between Mission St and State St, next to the DMV Motor Pool and just south of the bridge over Mill Creek. To reach the P&R follow Mission St. to Airport Rd (the first stoplight east of 25th St) and turn north. Follow Airport Rd north one block, then turn right to the P&R.

Audubon Reserve Work Parties Every Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM

Attack invasives and help keep our Reserve looking great. Maintain trails. Eliminate litter. Nurture native plantings. BYO work gloves; tools provided or bring your favorites.

FREE! No background check required! On-the-job training! Possibilities for advancement!

Coffee and conversation at McDonalds after. Call Lee Slattum at (503) 364-9325 with any questions.

Audubon Nature Reserve - Eola Drive, off Edgewater, in W Salem

See http://www.salemaudubon.org/salem-audubon-nature-reserve.html

A Great Blue Heron enjoying a bull frog. Photo taken on August 25 at Pintail Marsh, Ankeny NWR.

Photo by Tim Johnson

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Making Wildlife Memories Sunday, September 1, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Monroe, Oregon 97333

Looking for a unique way to record your experiences in the Refuges? Artist Suzanne Campbell will teach you how to create your own “Wildlife Memory Box” using recycled materials. This is a fun project for both children and adults. All materials are provided, just bring along a pen or pencil to record your field notes. After creating your box you will be ready to explore the trails and preserve your memories!

Suzanne Campbell has served as a teaching artist, gallery coordinator and illustrator, creating experiences for integrating art while introducing the public to the beauty and importance of our wildlife refuges.

Please register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SHC9CYK. Meet at Refuge office and nature store.

For more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/505436400210086/ or www.friendswvnwrc.org/events-volunteer/. For questions please email fwvnwrc.outreach@gmail.com.

Birder’s Night Tuesday, September 10, 2019 - 6:30 PM The Carrier Room - First United Methodist Church, 600 State Street, Salem

Southern Africa Birds and Beasts —Paul and Roxy Evans

Most wildlife enthusiasts have an African safari on their bucket list. If you are one of those, you can vicariously accompany Paul and Roxy Evans (left) on their 2018 trip to Southern Africa, building dreams of your own African safari or reliving your own experiences at SAS’s opening Birder’s Night program of the 2019-2020 season. Paul and Roxy will share pictures and tales of their trip to South Africa (Cape Town and Sabi Sands game reserve), Zambia (Victoria Falls area), Zimbabwe, and Botswana (Okavango Delta). They saw and photographed numerous birds, from the large and dramatic Saddle-billed Stork (right) to the tiny,

multi-colored Little Bee Eater; many of the antelope species in Southern Africa, such as the handsome Kudu (right); and big cats, including a leopard mother grooming her cub. They will share some of what they have learned about these fascinating birds and beasts and discuss how the local ecology affects avian and mammal habitat.

A native of Massachusetts, Dr. Paul Evans is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who completed various post-doctoral fellowships, practiced military medicine in the US Army for 26 years, and retired in 2018 as Vice Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon. He has had a life-long interest in birds, doing research in the Everglades as a student and actively birding in the many places he has lived.

Roxanne Evans is a native of Idaho with degrees in nutrition and health care administration. She also spent over 20 years with the US Army, including leadership roles at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, and other military facilities. She retired in 1994 from the position of Chief Operating Officer of Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. She became interested in photography through macro photography of gemstones but developed an interest in photographing birds in 2017. Somehow, in a few short years she has developed an expert’s eye for wildlife photography, and her photographs of birds and animals are exceptional.

When not traveling, Paul and Roxy now “winter” in the Palm Springs area of California, returning to Salem for spring through fall activities. While in Salem, they are regulars at SAS bird walks.

Birder’s Night is a monthly program presented by Salem Audubon Society on the second Tuesday of each month from September through May. Meetings are free and open to the public and are held in the Carrier Room of the United First Methodist Church, 600 State Street. The church asks that all attending use the State Street entrance. Salem Audubon always appreciates donations to support its conservation, education and stewardship programs. For more information contact the Audubon office at (503) 588-7340.

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Oregon Birds: See, Learn, and Share – Sex Life of Birds Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem The Bird Biology series continues with a look into the sex life of birds. We explore the various mating systems that birds employ to create the next generation and the role of each sex in these systems. We will also look into nest architecture, clutch size and variation, incubation and fledging. Join us for a look at the amorous side to our feathered neighbors.

Cost $10 per person. Reservations requested. Please register online at https://forms.gle/jV1zAF7Ks5oYkP8s8

For more information or if you have any difficulty with registration, please call Mike Unger at (503) 930-8998 and leave a message.

What’s Happening at the Reserve… — Photos by Jim Scott Osprey Young (right) – The trio of this year’s Osprey chicks watches somewhat patiently for a parent to come with fish. This year was the third in a row in which SAS’s Osprey parents successfully fledged three young, after having two each of their first two summers on the nest. By the end of August, the parents will have completed the raising of their young and set off, separately, for winter vacation, probably in Central America. As the young get the idea that parents are no longer bringing free lunch, they will one by one head south. The most pathetic is always the last to leave the safety of home, sometime in early September – it will be calling plaintively from the nest for days before realizing it is indeed now on its own.

Reserve Signage – Signage at the Reserve is being renovated, updated and expanded with the assistance of artistically talented volunteers. Allan King, who is also responsible for many of the photos seen on the Facebook and Kestrel articles about the Reserve, repaints faded letters on the sign at the main entrance (right). In keeping with the reduce-reuse-recycle spirit of all activities at the Reserve, the can of paint Allan is using was

purchased from Habitat for Humanity for $2. Courtney Newberry works on a rock face sign for the Fawn Lily Loop Trail with her young apprentice, Bella Slattum (left). This is just one of a number of signs being created to identify the new trails established over the last few years.

To keep up with events at the Reserve, see our Facebook Page which Jim Scott maintains at https://www.facebook.com/Audubon-Nature-Reserve-1636890073202471/

Spotlight on Education Salem Audubon’s Education Committee is a small group (Judy Brunkal, Kathy Patterson, John Matthews, and Lowell Spring) that present nature programs. Over 90% of its nearly 160 presentations between 2016 and 2018 were in elementary school classrooms. Other audiences included preschools, scouts, retirement homes and juvenile detention facilities.

We present programs on nest box building, bird identification, bird adaptations, owls, bats, beavers and sea otters. Each program costs $25 with the exception of nest box building where $4 per student is charged for materials. The $25 fee will be waived for one program per school year if the teacher applies for a scholarship. Money for the scholarships is provided through grants from the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District.

Volunteers are welcome and needed to assist individual students during nest box building programs. If you are interested in being a presenter, the bird identification program is available. Its presenter recently moved to Arizona leaving her materials with Salem Audubon.

For more information contact Lowell Spring via email, springl@wou.edu, or by calling (503) 949-2017.

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The Screech Owl Chronicles — by Ray Temple, June In late October 2011, Stephanie and I moved to the country east of Salem. I brought along a wood duck nest box that someone had given me and that I had never had an appropriate place to hang. When I asked a retired biologist friend where on our property would be a likely location to attract a screech owl, he pointed to an ash tree in an alcove in our riparian woods and said “There”. I hung the box “there”. So begins our years-long sharing of the property with Fred the screech owl, who took up residence with us in November of that year.

“Fred” is the name we assigned to the unknown number of individual owls that we have seen in the box or heard in the neighborhood. They are all referred to in our conversations as if only one bird. This November we expect to begin our eighth winter of enjoying the presence and voice of Fred. Fred typically arrives around Thanksgiving and stays 'til spring unless he goes off to live with a lady owl or brings her to his home here. We get to enjoy his calling all winter and in 2014 and 2019 we enjoyed his families into summer.

Over the years I have used a trail camera to spy on Fred, and we see his ugly endearing face at the nest box entrance often in winter and spring. What we have learned with a quick-triggering motion-triggered camera has only increased our enjoyment.

In spring 2014, we didn't see Fred at the nest box opening for some time and finally opened the box. To my great surprise, an owl was on eggs. I hastily closed the box and retreated. Fast forward to July: we slept in our screen house on the deck. Adult screech owls fed fledglings for two weeks on the deck rails, the fence by the deck, the peak of the nearby garage, and in the trees just beyond the deck. It was wonderful. Our trail camera recorded many sequences of feeding events.

In the intervening years our trail camera has recorded Fred hunting in the air (once with a snake in the middle of the night), on the ground, and from vantage points in trees. And one night, the camera tried to image the underside of Fred's tail as the owl landed on my camera and pooped down the lenses.

In spring 2019 Fred was again absent from daytime views. Thinking about 2014, we carefully checked with a fiber-optic viewer: owl on eggs. This time I checked nighttime activity with the trail camera until there was evidence that the adults were feeding chicks. Several trials ensued to find the best aspect for the camera to sense an incoming bird quickly enough to trigger before the bird dove into the box. This camera triggers in about 0.6 seconds, a long distance in the flight of an owl headed for feeding its chicks. Over several nights toward the end of their chick rearing the camera recorded some very interesting images.

Several images showed owls bringing birds back to the nest for their chicks. The literature lists a very diverse diet, including voles, mice, other small mammals, moths, other insects, Pacific tree frogs, song sparrows and other birds, spiders, beetles, centipedes, crayfish (where species that leave the water are found; our native Pacifasticus does not but some introduced species do), bats and others. With such a broad array of acceptable prey, screech owls' actual diets must vary greatly with location and season.

We have never seen more than a half-dozen feathers left in the box in any prior year, including 2014 when two chicks were fledged. Why did they target birds this year? There is no way to know, but voles appear to be much less abundant in our meadows than in 2018 and in other recent years. If their abundance was also diminished in the grass seed field that adjoins our property, that may be a contributing factor. Other than birds I have no good evidence of the scope of prey taken by our owls. I have searched for but never found the owl pellets that would provide clues to other taxa being consumed.

The collection of feathers from this year's nest box was reviewed by Dr Pepper Trail, originator of the USFWS Feather Atlas of North American Birds. His review cannot estimate the total number of birds taken or number of individuals of any species. However, the feather assemblage demonstrates that at least Cedar Waxwings, Western Bluebirds, California Scrub Jays, American Robins, Spotted Towhees, possibly Brewers' or Red-winged Blackbirds, and possibly juvenile European Starlings were eaten by the owl family. Quite an array, presumably most or all located and taken at night.

On a night just before the chicks fledged (on 13 June) the two adults rang up a total of 19 trips to the nest box with food. One image shows both parents arriving almost simultaneously. There are also several images of the owls bringing food in full daylight, including midday. These were obviously hard-working parents.

See the attached images. The nighttime images were acquired with a camera that uses an infrared flash and relatively low shutter speed. A white-flash camera would take much crisper images than these. However, there is much to be learned from IR imaging since it does not change the birds' behaviors as a white flash would. I will continue spying on Fred for as long as he graces us with his presence, including using a high-resolution video trail camera this winter.

Screech Owls continued page 7

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Screech Owls

We have been chastised by folks who don't know us but who are quick to assume that we regard the owls as pets because we assigned them a familial name. Stephanie was a high-performing veterinarian who did all the usual pets and then some, and rehabbed raptors. I'm a retired fish biologist, accustomed to managing species in the aggregate. Neither of us has a speck of uncertainty about the difference between pets and free-living wild creatures. Would the relationship play out any differently if we referred generically to “the owl in the nest box” or “WESO-1” or “subject 1A”?

No.

1) Fred, Screech Owl 2) Hunting from a tree, June 2019 3) Adult owl returning to next box, June 2019 4) Owl chick in nest box, June 2019

5) Adult owl feeding chick, June 2019 6) Adult owl with bird, June 2019 7) Male and female owls at nest box, June 2019 8) Feathers in Screech Owl next box, July 2019

From top left, clockwise:

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Salem's Rock-Star River Raptors — By Mitch Rhose, July 7 With three parks, two pedestrian bridges, and miles of trails along the Willamette River, Salem is a great place for seeing wildlife. In summer, the raptors reign supreme, with Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Peregrine Falcons all patrolling the skies above the river.

Sure, a few other raptor species show up. In summer, Turkey Vultures are always circling around. Red-tailed Hawks frequent the fringes of the riparian zone but pretty much cede the air above the river to eagles and ospreys. Just this morning, a Cooper’s Hawk flew over my head as I crossed the Peter Courtney footbridge. The first Cooper’s I’ve seen by the river . . .

Most of the time, though, when you see a fierce predator in the summer sky above Salem’s river, it’s likely to be an Eagle, Osprey, or Peregrine. These three raptors rule.

You might be surprised I include the Peregrine Falcon. They’re small, but they definitely punch above their weight. Last month, I saw a female Peregrine attack a subadult Bald Eagle that strayed into falcon airspace above the Center Street Bridge. The eagle flipped over on its back in mid-air, and assumed a defensive posture, with its talons raised. I couldn’t tell whether the falcon hit it. In any case, the eagle returned to its normal upright flight mode, reversed course, and fled.

Of the three rock-star raptors, the Peregrine Falcons are the most difficult to see. They most often perch on the Center Street Bridge, Marion Street Bridge, or Union Street Pedestrian Bridge.

The Ospreys seem to be the most numerous of Salem's raptors, at least in summer. I see Bald Eagles less often, but that may simply be because they frequently perch high in riverside trees, hidden by dense summer foliage. The Peregrine Falcons are small and fast, and thus also hard to see. I suspect that lots of the people who walk and run along Salem’s riverfront trails never realize there’s a Peregrine Falcon nearby.

All three species are interesting in their own right, so each deserves equal time. I thus present five photos of each here: Bald Eagles first, then Ospreys, and finally Peregrine Falcons (see the following pages). They rock!

All photos were taken at Salem’s riverfront parks in the past month. Enjoy!

Photos from the Friends of Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, August 4 Participants in the Friends' August event spent a beautiful Sunday morning at Snag Boat Bend Unit with Brian Banks (ODFW) and Ray Temple (ODFW retired). The two gave an informative, and humorous, introduction to riverine processes, native and non-native fishes and plants, the day-to-day work of a fishery biologist, including live fish and a trapping demo. Photos courtesy of the Friends.

From left (clockwise), Ed Bangs, Ray Temple, Ed brining a trap, Ray and Ed collected their traps, fish pulled from one of the traps.

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Bald Eagles

Photos by Mitch Rhose

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Osprey

Photos by Mitch Rhose

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Peregrine Falcons

Photos by Mitch Rhose

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SALEM AUDUBON SOCIETY

Board of Directors 2019-2020

Tim Johnson, President Michael Babbitt, Vice President

Carolyn Homan, Secretary Tim Johnson, Treasurer

Judy Brunkal Doug Spencer Lowell Spring

Maureen Leong-Kee

Committees & Special Projects Chairs Beginning Birding Class Conservation

Maureen Leong-Kee Ray Temple

Birder’s Night Education Coordinator Eugenia Becker Lowell Spring

Chapter Meetings Nature Reserve Position Open Lee Slattum

Field Trips SAS Woodshop Glen Lindeman Chet Zenone

Bluebird Project Birding Workshops Pat Gallagher Mike Unger

Newsletter Editor Christmas Bird Count Melissa Young Tim Johnson

Office Information Laurie Buswell, Administrator

Office hours by appointment only Monday-Thursday, 10:00A–3:00P

338 Hawthorne Ave NE Salem, Oregon 97301

(503) 588-7340 email: laurie@salemaudubon.org

Website: www.salemaudubon.org

Bird & wildlife emergency contact: Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center

(503) 540-8664 www.turtleridgewildlifecenter.org

Upcoming Events for 2019-2020

September 2019 33rd Annual

Oregon Shorebird Festival Charleston, OR

September 13-15, 2019 Puget Sound Bird Fest

Edmonds, WA

December Christmas Bird Counts

February 13-16, 2020 41st Winter Wings Festival

Klamath Falls, OR

April 2020 38th Annual Harney County

Migratory Bird Festival Burns, OR

April/May Shorebird Festival

Hoquiam, WA May 2020

42nd Annual Silver Falls Birding and Wildflower Festival

Malheur NWR Trip Eastern OR

June 2020 Dean Hale Woodpecker Festival

Sisters, OR Summer Lake Trip

Oregon Puffins Trip

Cannon Beach, OR

Welcome New Members Thank you for joining the Salem Audubon Society

Joy Fargo Norm and Willie Rhodes Diane Kaust

We here at SAS are thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to get to know you! To help you get involved, we offer a variety of events such as our field trips, Birder’s Night, workshops and more. We also have many volunteer and community outreach opportunities. You can view our full calendar of events and volunteer opportunities at our website, www.salemaudubon.org.

Our field trips and SAS Shorts (see pages 2-3 for several opportunities) promise to enrich your knowledge of our local birds and their habitats while connecting with Nature and fellow birders.

Birder’s Night (see page 4) includes speakers that present current and thought-provoking topics, presentations of beautiful photography, and so much more.

SAS also sponsors special events such as Oregon Birds: See, Learn, and Share workshops (see page 2).

Mark your calendar for these and other events! SAS appreciates our members, and we hope to meet you soon.

Salem Audubon Society 338 Hawthorne Ave NE Salem OR 97301

503.588.7340

www.salemaudubon.org

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Salem, Oregon

Permit #165

Upcoming

Events & Trips

Mark your calendar!

Field Trips Minto-Brown Island Park

Wednesday, September 4, 7:00 AM Keizer Rapids Park

Monday, September 9, 9:00 AM Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, September 14, 7:00 AM

Cascades Gateway Park (SAS Short) Monday, September 23, 9:00 AM

Oregon Coast Saturday, October 12, 9:00 AM

Brown’s Ferry Park, Tualatin (SAS Short) Thursday, October 24, 8:30 AM

Birder’s Night Southern Africa Birds and Beasts Tuesday, September 10, 6:30 PM

First United Methodist Church 600 State Street, Salem

Other Events Oregon Birds: See, Learn & Share –

Sex Life of Birds Saturday, October 5, 10:00 AM-12 Noon

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Connecting people with birds + nature

Membership Form Name

Address

Email*

*Required for E-Kestrel Membership

Individual Membership ☐ $43 Print Edition ☐ $35 E-Kestrel Edition

Family Membership ☐ $58 Print Edition ☐ $50 E-Kestrel Edition Mail to: Salem Audubon Society 338 Hawthorne Ave NE Salem OR 97301