8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 39 No.3 April 2008
Bird is the word!
Tahoma Audubon was chartered March, 1969 and
its 39th annual banquet brought together over
200 of its members for a night of food and fun
that was topped off with an informative and
educational lecture by Dr. Nalini Nadkarni.
Candidates for the board were introduced and
enthusiastically, unanimously elected to a three-year term. New board members:
Elizabeth Rando Beer
Melissa Paulson
Ione Clagett
Darby Veeck
Peggy L. Kopf
Kathleen Nelson
The Silent Auction was competitive, with people
sitting on the edges of their seats, watching and
waiting to see if their competition was making a
move on their coveted prize.
The Audubon mission is To conserve and
Birdathon is our largest fundraiser. Birdathon expenses are kept at 1%. Birdathon asks
you to gather sponsors-be a Birder/Counter (Theres lots of help identifying the birds.)
Birdathon Sponsor is so necessary. Birdathon Sponsors can join trips! What do you say?
We are so pleased that so far 72 of you have said you will be Birders this
year. Thank you so very much! Were on the road to have a success-
ful Birdathon that will help us keep our excellent education and
conservation work going. 200 have committed to be Sponsors at
this time. We have work to do because last year we had about 1100.
Thank-you to the 200 early birds---you are so appreciated. We are
hoping for more Birders. If we get 20 more Birders and all Birders
average out at 12 Sponsors each, we will have 1100 contributors this
year. But, we can beat that this year, cant we? Please come help!
Let us hear what you are saying!Call Thelma, 253-564-8210
or e-mail, [email protected]. Call TAS office, 253-565-9278, to register and to signup for trips and get directions. If a special Birdathon trip wont fit your schedule, choose one
of TASs regular field trips. Leaders will help you with identification.
See page 6 for Birdathon field trips; page 9 for more info and a clipable volunteer form.
By Candi Ziegert
Ohop Creek has the opportunity to berestored to its former meandering glory aftergenerations of ditching and straightening of thechannel, but the project needs your help. Thecreek, an important salmon stream in the
Nisqually River basin, was channelized and thewetlands that dominated the valley drained byearly pioneers who farmed the Ohop Valley.
In cooperation with landowners and arearesidents, a multi-organizational effort is under-way by the Nisqually Land Trust, South PugetSound Salmon Enhancement Group, WashingtonState Department of Fish and Wildlife, NisquallyIndian Tribe, Tacoma Nature Center, Northwest Trek,Citizens Restoring the Ohop Watershed, Tacoma NatureCenter and Tahoma Audubon Society to naturalize thecreek bed and restore important native plants andhabitat for birds, wildlife, and salmonids.
Construction on the first of three sections is scheduledto begin this summer, and will involve digging out the
new channel and planting riparian vegetation and there-fore restoring 100 acres of the historic valley.
Before the habitat restoration is underway, thereneeds to be a baseline survey conducted of the plantand animal life already in the area. This information iscritical to success of the project, and Audubon membersare being called upon to use their unique talents toprovide quality bird data. We need volunteers like youto participate in citizen science field trips that will iden-tify the bird species on site.
Birders may encounter Pine Siskins, Bushtits, BaldEagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, ducks,
Thirty-ninth Annual Banquet of the Tahoma Audubon Society
By Paul Webster
As this edition ofThe Towhee reaches its readers the breeding season of the SageThrasher has just begun. Birders who arrive before sunrise can enjoy the males court-ship display. He flies about his territory in circles, figure-eights, or zigzags, risingrepeatedly as high as thirty feet and then descending to the tops of the sagebrush,
singing all the w ause, lasting up to several minutes. As the bird alights it may raiseone or both wings and flutter them as the song continues. The naturalist WilliamDawson a century ago was moved to write that the dawn song of the Sage Thrasherexpressed the very soul of the sagelands.
At first sight the Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) at 8.5 inches may resem-ble a small, pale robin. Males are somewhat larger than females, but both have drab,gray-brownish, indistinctly-streaked plumage above. Below, the chin, breast, and bellyhave brown spots that form dark streaks. Whitish edging frames the face, and the eyecolor varies from yellow to amber. The wings show two narrow white bars, and thetail though short, compared to other thrashers is long and often held cocked-up.
The Sage Thrasher breeds in the sagelands of western North America, at elevationsup to over 6,000 feet. It winters from the southwestern United States into northernMexico. In Washington it is a fairly common summer resident of the eastern Cascades,
By Kathleen LeGreid
BOARD TALKFrom left:
Elizabeth Rando Beer,Melissa Paulson,
Ione Clagett,Darby Veeck andKathleen Nelson
EYE SPYOne of themany itemsfound at thesilent auction
Birdathon is coming! April 25-May 31
Photos by Lenny Zimmerman
Sage Thrasher
Ohop CreekrestorationExciting news forbirds andbirders
See "Citizen science" on page 8 See "Sage Thrasher" on page 8
See "Banquet on page 7
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executive Directors Corner
tahma Audubn saff
Flint, Bryan Executive Director
[email protected] 253-565-9129
Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
[email protected] 253-232-9978
Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
[email protected] 253-565-5479
Kerrigan, Julie Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected] 253-565-1884
tahma Audubn Bard officer
Wayne Larson President
Vacant Vice President
Jane Brosius Secretary / Membership Co-chair
Margie Shea Treasurer / Education Chair
tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008
Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair
Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair
Kathleen LeGreid Towhee Editor
Dick CarknerSally Larson
John Garner
Marcus Roening
Kathleen Nelson
Peggy L. Kopf
Darby Veeck
Ione Clagett
Melissa Paulson
Elizabeth Beer
The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon SocietyLocated in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278e-mail: [email protected]
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protectionof wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem-
bers experiences in and with the natural world.
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan
issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conserva-
tion, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor.
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.
Editor: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483
E-mail:kaleditor@ mindspring.com
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com
Printing: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint
Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org April 2008
My name is Claire-Marie Krug and I am one of the
Tahoma Audubon Society interns this spring. I am a
student at Pacific Lutheran University in my final semes-
ter. I will graduate in May with a major in environmen-
tal studies and a minor in economics. As a Californianative, I have enjoyed living in and getting to know the
Pacific Northwest. College has also afforded me the
opportunity to intern at the McHenry County Conservation
District in Illinois and study abroad in Salzburg, Austria.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies and doing a variety of
crafting projects. I also enjoy getting updates from my father on the
California Towhee, named Hoppy, who lives in our backyard. I will be
working to input the data that has been collected during field trips since the
start of the TAS. The information will be entered into eBird, a national
online bird database. I hope to help the Tahoma Audubon Society figure
out which birds need the most attention in this area and also highlight any
success stories.
The big project Im working on this spring is data entry. I will be putting
all the collected bird counts into eBird, an online bird database. This will
be valuable because it makes the data more available. I will also be putting
together reports on specific sites with long term data to see how the bird
populations have changed over time. I will also be working with field trip
leaders to develop an effective system of gathering data from current field
trips. The National Audubon Society published a 2007 Audubon WatchList
of North American birds most at risk as well as the State of the Birds
2007Common Birds in Decline report. I will be looking at these bird
lists and comparing national trends to observed trends here in Tacoma.
This information will be valuable in directing the goals of the Tacoma
Audubon Society.
A Leprechaun on Earth DayI have to admit
that I am just a
little bit
ambivalent about
Earth Day. When
I was in college Ihelped organize
Earth Day events
in Santa Clara
County, CA. The
committee was
headed by an old
guard County Councilman who was the best friend
to the development community on the council.
After a day of speechifying and painting himself
green he would spend the rest of the year making
the world safe for sprawl.
Look, everyone is Irish on St. Patricks
Day, everyone is Christian on Easter, and everyone
one sings we shall overcome on Martin LutherKing Day. But the reality is that the hard work to
move society forward happens in quiet ways 365
days a year. Okay, so my perspective is colored by
growing up Catholic and finding the family pew
filled by strangers on Easter and actually being in
Ireland on St. Patricks Day and attending
an uneventful parade on a cold-wet day in
Cork City. Turns out the life of the Irish
is not all about drinking beer in a pub and
wearing a silly green and white felt hat.
The reality is that the first Earth Day in1970 helped put the environmental
movement on the map. Each year, the
week surrounding Earth Day is a wonderful
time of spring when a wide variety of people
participate in active ways to leave the
planet just a little better off then the
day before. There is nothing like
seeing more than 100 people remove
every last remnant of blackberries from a hillside at
Oak Tree Park, leaving only beautiful oak trees and
native grasses. It is all worth it because on this day
we get to connect people with nature: getting them
hooked on its wonders; engaging them in its
stewardship; fostering the conservation ethic that isvital to a livable future.
We could not live out this mission, on Earth Day,
or any other day, without the support of our
volunteers and our members. It is your labor that
makes us successful. It is your financial support
that allows us to connect people to nature. Without
the support of our donors, corporate sponsors, or
foundations this work would not be possible.
So we throw the doors open. All are welcome.
Come be part of the fun, the work, and the
fellowship. Come help conserve and restore.Come and connect with nature, meet new people,
and get some dirt under your nails.
Earth Day is a day to celebrate: a day to celebrate
the environmental movement, our connection to
nature, and all of your hard work.
TAS adds another talented intern to staff
Claire-Marie Krug
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:kaleditor@%20mindspring.commailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:kaleditor@%20mindspring.commailto:[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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April 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3
eNviroNMeNtMatters
Members of the Green Tacoma Partnership and others have
planned several volunteer opportunities throughout the month ofApril. Come and celebrate our Earth this month by spending
some time to help protect and restore our environment. Everylittle bit helps. Youcan make a difference!
Mowich Estuary Planting
Saturday, April 5th - 9:30am- 3:30pm Mowitch Estuary Planting
@ Mowitch Estuary. Call Krystal, 253-232-9978 for directions.
Join Citizens for a Healthy Bay to participate in a restorationproject on Commencement Bay. Along with music and celebra-
tion, CHB will be doing a major salt marsh vegetation planting toincrease the salt marsh habitat. Please call Jeanine Riss,
Restoration Program Manager, at [email protected] or at253-383-2429 to participate or for questions.
Green Tacoma Partnership Quarterly Meeting
Tuesday, April 8th
6pm-8pm. Tacoma Nature Center at 1919 S.Tyler St., Tacoma. Neighbors, concerned citizens, and grassrootsgroups as we celebrate all things Earth Day. We will be having a
potluck, so please bring a dish to share. If you are planning awork party or event for Earth Day, Parks Appreciation Day or any
other day in April, please bring details to share with others.Alongwith spring, its grant writing season! In addition to our potluck,
we will have guest speakers sharing information and answeringyour questions on funding opportunities such as: Greater Tacoma
Community Foundations management of Pierce ConservationDistrict grants, Tacomas Make a Splash! Grant, and the Small
Innovative Grant Program.Puget Creek Restoration Society Work Parties
Saturday April 12th 9:00am- 12:00pmSaturday April 19th 9:00am-12:00pm
Saturday April 26th 9:00am-12:00pmJoin the Puget Creek Restoration Society on the above dates for
habitat restoration work on Puget Creek in North Tacoma off ofRuston Way. Please contact Scott Hansen at pugetcreek@yahoo.
com or 253-779-8890.Swan Creek Earth Day Clean-Up
Saturday April 19th 9:00am-12:00pmSwan Creek Park, meet at Lister Elementary School .
Join The Green Tacoma Partnership, Friends of Swan Creek, andREI for a volunteer work party and Earth Day celebration at
Swan Creek Park. Volunteers can help by picking up litter, takingphotos, and/or doing an inventory of the area. Participants can
also join the Stinky Bob Brigade and remove invasive species.Tools, equipment, snacks, and training will be provided. Please
call Krystal Kyer for more information at 253-232-9978.Blueberry Park Parks Appreciation Day Event
Saturday April 19th 9:00am-NoonBlueberry Park at S. 72nd and E. D St., Tacoma
Join the Blueberry Park Volunteers and Metro Parks Tacoma as
they work to restore this historic blueberry farm, remove invasive
species and overgrown area, weed, and prune blueberry bushes.Tools and equipment provided. Call Charlotte @
253-474-6575.Earth Day Trails Day
Tuesday April 22nd 1:00pm-6:00pm. Tacoma Nature Center &Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Celebrate the earth and discover
the special features of the Adriana Hess Audubon Center and theTacoma Nature Center by joining us for one of several nature
walks. Families can learn about nature and how to help the earthduring this special event, all for free! Donations to support the
educational programs are welcome. Advance registrationrequested. Call (253) 591-6439.
Nature Walks at Adriana Hess Audubon Center, U.P. 1:00, 2:00& 3:00pm. Nature Walks at Tacoma Nature Center 3:00, 4:00 &
5:00pm
Oak Tree Park Clean-UpSaturday April 26th 9:00am-12:00pmOak Tree Park, S. 74th and S. Cedar, Tacoma
Join The Green Tacoma Partnership and Metro Parks Tacoma toclean up this unique Oak Woodland habitat in South Tacoma.
Volunteers are needed to remove invasive species such as Holly,Himalayan Blackberry, and English Ivy. Tools and equipment
will be provided. Call Krystal for more information at253-232-9978.
Land Conservation Options
Saturday April 26th 1:00pm-3:00pm
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler St., TacomaIf you are a landowner in Pierce Country seeking to protect and
steward your property, this event is for you! Come learn aboutyour options regarding:
Protection of habitat parcels important to wildlifeConservation of open spaces,
Support of farming and forestry management practicesOwnership retention of land
Financial benefits such as tax reductions.Representatives will be on hand to discuss how they can help.
Please call Rene or Erin at the Pierce Conservation District at253-845-9770 to register. Free workshop.
You can find more information on these events and others atwww.greentacoma.org. Just click on the link to the calendar!
Wait, theres more! For a complete list of Parks Appreciation Dayproject sites throughout Pierce County, visit: http://www.
metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293The Green Tacoma Partnership is a public private partnership
between the City of Tacoma, Metro Parks, Tahoma AudubonSociety, Cascade Land Conservancy, citizens, educational organi-
zations, neighborhood groups, non-profits, faith-based organiza-tions and businesses all working together to sustain a viable
healthy network of natural spaces throughout Tacoma.
Olympia, WA The state House sent the Evergreen Com-munities Act to Governor Gregoires desk today with a nalconcurrence vote. We hope this is the rst step in a long-term state commitment to prioritize urban tree protection,management and canopy expansion said Audubon Wash-ington executive director, Nina Carter. Trees are one of themost cost effective ways for cities to reduce stormwater run-off pollution, the leading source of pollution in Puget Sound.Trees clean our air, reduce energy through shade, absorb
greenhouse gases.Many interests have supported this bill for reasons as di-
verse as the coalition itself which includes Avista Utilities,Puget Sound Energy, Weyerhaeuser, Quadrant Homes, Asso-ciation of Washington Cities, Macomb Gardens Nursery (Se-quim), the Cascade Agenda, Washingtons Community For-estry Council and the State Department of Natural Resources.
The Evergreen Communities Act recognizes the importanceof protecting utility infrastructure within the planning process.Utility system reliability is critical to the health, safety and eco-nomic vibrancy of communities across the state.
The Evergreen Communities Act, one of the environmentalcommunitys top four legislative priorities for 2008 will help cit-ies restore forested park lands, retain urban trees, and estab-lish more trees to expand Washingtons urban forest canopy.
The incentives and tools in the Evergreen Communities billwill help communities across Washington protect and plant
trees that are essential to our future air quality, water qualityand quality of life, said Prime Sponsor Ruth Kagi (D-32).
The bill establishes an Evergreen Communities recognitionprogram that designates cities, towns or counties doing goodurban forest management. Model urban forest plans and or-dinances will be developed by the Department of Commu-nity, Trade and Economic Development, and the Department.of Natural Resources will conduct a statewide urban forestinventory and assessment to help local Governments plan-ning processes. The program provides recognition, technicalassistance and incentives for local governments to maximizethe economic and ecological return on their city tree invest-ments.
Shorelines
Pierce County has begun the process of updating its
Shoreline Master Plan by the end of 2009, two years
ahead of schedule. The countys Shoreline Master Plan,
drafted in 1974, is being updated for the first time ever!
Over thirty years have gone by, and many changes have
occurred on our shorelines, including increased popula-tion, urban sprawl, storm water run-off into streams and
Sound, more failing septic systems, increased number of
residential shoreline properties with lawns and docks,
and emerging aquaculture markets. All off these factors
contribute to the health of the Puget Sound.
In additions to these changes and threats, new provi-
sions in the Shoreline Master Act call for better protec-
tions of our marine and freshwater shorelines. Among
these new required considerations are no net loss of
ecological functions and considerations of cumulative
impacts. These important changes were made, in part,
due to the failure of current SMPs to protect shorelines.Tahoma Audubon will be working with others to ensure
that the SMP update does a better job of protecting our
shorelines for birds, fish, wildlife, and people!
Public participation is encouraged through attendance
and testimony at the recently convened Shorelines
Citizens Advisory
Committee (SCAC). After
its initial meeting in March,
appointed stakeholder
members agreed to meet on
the 2nd and 4th Thursdays
of each month, starting at
5PM at the Pierce County
Annex, 2401 S 35 St.,
Meeting Room A. Thismonths SCAC meetings
are scheduled for April 10
and April 24.
For more information on
the Pierce County SMP
update visit: http://www.co.
pierce.wa.us/pc/services/
home/property/pals/lan-
duse/smp.htm
Climate Change
Another topic, which will
impact our shorelines, is cli-
mate change. The City of
Tacoma appoint-
ed citizens and
stakeholders to
the Green Ribbon
Task Force on cli-
mate change last
March. Thegroup is made up
of over 20 diverse
stakeholders ,
including Tahoma
Audubon. We
have been work-
ing with others to put together a ranked list of recom-
mendations for concrete actions that city agencies, busi-
nesses, and residents can take to reduce our regions
greenhouse gas emissions. Out of this process comes
over seventy recommended actions!
Your input is needed as we narrow down the recom-
mendations to the best and most effective ones. A series
of public open houses are scheduled starting at 6pm on
April 9, 10, 16, and 17. Locations are yet to be deter-mined. As soon as we know the locations, they will be
posted on our website (www.TahomaAudubon.org) under
the Conservation page.
Information on the task force and its recommenda-
tions can be found online at: http://www.cityoftacoma.
org/Page.aspx?hid=6891
We encourage our members to get involved in public
processes that protect habitat and species in Pierce
County, across the state, country, and globe. If these top-
ics or others interest you, please consider attending our
next Conservation Committee meeting on Tuesday,
April 8, 2008 from 2-4pm at our office in the Adriana
Hess Wetland Park.
Updates: Shorelines and climate change
Members of the Priorities for a Healthy Washington Coalition are pleased to report thatdespite a short session and a tight budget progress was made on all four of the envi-ronmental communitys Priorities for a Healthy Washington. Whether you made phonecalls, sent emails, testified at hearings, or met with your legislators throughout thesession, your efforts made a big difference.On behalf of the broad coalition of the over twenty groups that make up the Prioritiescoalition, thank you so much for all of your work! Check out a quick description of thePriorities below.Climate Action & Green Jobs (HB2815) this big win sets responsible limits onclimate pollution, sets a path for creating a green jobs economy, and reduces milestraveled a key step given of our global warming pollution comes from cars andtrucks.Local Solutions to Global Warming (SB6580) this modest win develops toolsthat will help local governments make land use and zoning decisions that reduce driv-ing and meet the growing demand for green, walkable communities.Evergreen Communities (HB2844) this modest win helps retain and replanttrees in urban areas to reduce stormwater flooding and pollution as well as increasequality of life.Local Farms - Healthy Kids (SB6483) this big win will make Washington anational leader in the local food movement by getting more Washington grown pro-duce into our schools and food banks, thus improving childrens health and creatingnew and thriving markets for our farmers.More details about these big wins online at http://environmentalpriorities.org/
Legislature Passes Evergreen Com-
munities Act to Protect Urban Trees
Celebrate Earth Day the whole month of April
The environment wins big in Olympia!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.greentacoma.org/http://www.greentacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://environmentalpriorities.org/http://environmentalpriorities.org/http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=6891http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/landuse/smp.htmhttp://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=293http://www.greentacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org April 2008
eDucAtioNPage
2917 Morrison Road W.,
University Pl. WA 98466
253-565-9278
www.TahomaAudubon.org
Open Mon Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m.
1919 South Tyler Street,
Tacoma WA 98338
253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org
Open Tues. Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
& Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
For class times and dates, please check the Calendar listing on the back page of the Towhee or on our website, www.TahomaAudubon.org
This is the ninth year of the popular drawing contest
sponsored by Tahoma Audubon which began as a sug-
gestion from a young birding enthusiast. The three age
categories which students in Pierce County can enter
are grades 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7. Ho-
meschool students and youth
organizations are welcome to
participate.
The three birds selected for
this year were chosen to bring
attention to the decline in popu-
lation of birds across the nation
and in our own Pacic North-west. Each of these birds can be found
in the Puget Sound area. Students are asked
to research one of the birds and must include its native
habitat in their artwork. The 2008 birds are the Greater
Scaup, Annas Hummingbird or Evening Grosbeak.
Submissions must be postmarked or delivered by
05/23/08 to the Tahoma Audubon ofce at Adriana Hess
Audubon Center. Rules of the contest and entry form
are available at www.TahomaAudubon.org or by con-
tacting the education coordinator at stephswaim@Taho-
maAudubon.org or 253-565-5479.
Winners will be notied by May 30 and awards will
be presented at the June 13 membership meeting of Ta-
homa Audubon at Tacoma Nature Center. Winners willalso be recognized in the June issue ofThe Towhee. So
get out your paints and crayons and binoculars and start
drawing!
Staff and volun-
teers spent a chilly
Saturday in March
learning how to
identify the 43 mostcommonly seen
marine birds in Puget
Sound. After a
morning of bird
identification led by
Dr. Dennis Paulson at the Slater Museum of Natural
History in Tacoma, we hopped in vans and headed
out to identify as many seabirds as we could find in
locations around Pierce County. Our goal was to
become familiar with these birds so that we can
participate in the Puget Sound Seabird Survey next
winter.
Seattle Audubon began the Puget Sound Seabird
Survey in October of 2007, to collect baseline data
about the dynamics of seabird populations in King
County. The collection of this data is the first push
in identifying the fluctuations in seabird populations
in the Central and South Sound. Tahoma Audubon
plans to increase the study area of the Puget Sound
Seabird Survey into Pierce County, and with the
help of knowledgeable volunteers, provide accurate
and plentiful data about the status of seabirds on
our shores. Surveys will begin in October of 2008
and continue throughout the winter months. If you
would like to participate in these surveys, in the
Seabird Workshops or in other Citizen Science
projects with Tahoma Audubon, please visit www.
TahomaAudubon.org and follow the link to CitizenScience.
Osprey Club reaches four more schools
with the help of two excellent leadersI am pleased to announce that Osprey Club is now
underway at four middle schools in Tacoma. Osprey
Club is an after-school club that introduces environ-
mental topics through hands-on activities and games.
We are in our second successful year in the Narrows
View Intermediate School in University Place. And
now with the help of two education interns, Tahoma
Audubon provides this after-school club in the SPARX
program through Metro Parks Tacoma. We are able to
offer this program in the TacomaSchool District through a generous
grant from the Greater Tacoma
Community Foundation.
Jess Stewart leads Osprey Club
at McIlvaigh and Truman Middle
schools. She has been teaching
and leading Day Camp programs
for the city of University Place for
the past five summers. She graduated from the Running
Start Program at Curtis High School in University
Place in 2007. Shes currently in her Junior Year at UW
Tacoma. She hopes to graduate in two years with her
Masters in Teaching and plans to be an elementary
school teacher. In her free time she enjoys spending
time with her family and friends, gardening, and
exploring the outdoors through camping, fishing, hik-
ing, and beachcombing.
Meagan Van Horn leads the Osprey Club at Giaudrone
and Baker Middle Schools. She graduated from
Summit High School in Oregon in 2006 and is cur-
rently in her sophomore year at the University of Puget
Sound in Tacoma where she is pursuing a degree in
Comparative Sociology and Environmental Studies.
She is an avid native-gardener at her home in Bend and
loves to go skiing, hiking and camping. She also enjoys
languages, dance and traveling and hopes to spend part
of her junior year in Madagascar. Though she doesnt
know exactly what she wants to do, she knows that she
wants to have a positive impact on the natural world.
Camps for ages 4-6 are held at AdrianaHess Audubon Center, University Place.Each camp is Monday through Wednesday, 9am 1 pm. Fee: $90
Little Explorers: The Perfect Place June 30, July 1 & 2Little Explorers: The Perfect Place July28, 29 & 30
Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders
Aug 4, 5 & 6Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders Aug25, 26 & 27
Camps for ages 5-7 are held at TacomaNature Center. Each camp is Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Fee:$150
Kaleidoscope of Nature July 14-18Oceans of Fun July 21-25Its Art, Naturally Aug 11-15
Camps for ages 8-11 are held at TacomaNature Center. Each camp is Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Fee:$150
Kaleidoscope of Nature July 7-11Oceans of Fun July 28-Aug 1Its Art, Naturally Aug 18-22
Finding Your Future in the Wild:Teen Career CampTeens ages 12-15 can explore careers in naturalresources such as marine science, zookeeping, jour-nalism and wildlife biology. Daily field trips, hands-on activities and an overnight are all included in thiscamp. Fee is $245. Scholarship assistance is avail-able. Camp runs August 4-8, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.For more information and registration visit
www.metroparkstacoma.org or call Tacoma NatureCenter at 253-591-6439.
Summer Camp ScholarshipsWild Birds Unlimited and the National Fish & WildlifeFoundation have joined with National Audubon to
support nature summer campsacross the country with scholarshipassistance for campers. Tahoma
Audubon members and friends inour local community have alsogenerously donated funds to pro-vide children and teens with the
experience of discovering the won-ders of our natural world and learning to be goodstewards of the land. If youd like to apply or havequestions, please contact Margie Shea, the chair of
the education committee, at [email protected] or call 253-591-6439. Donations to sup-port the John Slipp Scholarship Fund are alwayswelcome at any time!
Education highlightsSeabird Workshop participants spend a day at the waters edge
Summer Day Camps for KidsTahoma Audubon and Tacoma Nature Center summer day camps for ages 4-11 are the perfect wayfor kids to play in and enjoy a natural setting while learning about their environment and making newfriends. Descriptions of each camp and registration information are available at www.TahomaAudubon.org and at www.metroparkstacoma.org on the link to Tacoma Nature Center. You can also pick upa flyer from Adriana Hess Audubon Center or the Tacoma Nature Center, or call 253- 591-6439.
Tahoma Audubons ninth
annual bird drawing contest
Krystal Kyer and Rosanne Becker scope things out.
Stephanie Swaim, Education Coordinator
253-565-5479 StephSwaim@TahomaAudu bon.org
Oneoflastyearswinningentrie
s.
Jess Stewart
http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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fielD trips and Events
April 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
Birdathon Month!! Please consider gathering
sponsors for our biggest fundraiser of the year
and joining one of our special Birdathon Field
Trips. For more Field Trip information and
details on these Tahoma Audubon trips, please
check the website at www.tahomaaudubon.org
For Birdathon information and a clipable volun-
teer form, see page 9. Birdathon field trips are
listed on the following page.
Sat, Apr 5, 1pm. March showers bring
Kopachuck flowers!
Discoveries are hiding in the Kopachuck forests
waiting to be uncovered !!! Come on a walk to
identify early spring flowers with Rangers Matt
Smith and Dan Christian at Kopachuck State
Park. Some plants get everything done in the
early spring and then mostly disappear in the
summer; come to Kopachuck and find out why!
The Kopachuck forest holds some unusual spe-
cies for our area which we will also point out.
We will meet in the Kopachuck big parking lot
near the first bulletin board as you drive in. Thefirst 15 people who call to register will be taken
(no charge). Call 253-265-3606 to register, and
ask for Matt Smith.
Sat, Apr 12, 10:00am 11:30am, Discovery
Walk, Naches Trail, Frederickson,
for families and friends of all ages, recommended
for families with children age 4 and up, call
253-591-6439 to register and get directions., free
to members, $5/person non-members, pre-regis-
tration required
Sun, Apr 13, 12pm 4pm, Morse Preserve
Open Trails,Morse Wildlife Preserve, Graham,
discover the beauty of the five habitat zones in
the preserve, all ages, free
Sat, Apr 19, 8am 4pm, Tokeland bird trip
with Nate Chappell, call the Tahoma Audubon
office at 253-565-9278 to register
Sat, Apr 19 & 26, 1pm, Celebrate Earth Day
and help us fight invasive species at Penrose
Point!!! Do you like to go to Penrose Point State
Park and walk in the woods? What if the woods
were all covered with English Ivy and nothing else?
Ivy is slowly, but surely, taking over the forest
Penrose Point, and smothering native plants. Please
come and help cut back and pull up Ivy plants. You
can make a real difference for the future by helping
our park. We are having two different earth day
battles against the Ivy. Please call us and let us know
you are coming at 253-884-2514, and ask for Dan
Christian or Janet Shonk.
Sun, Apr 20, 8:00am 11:30am Nature Walk at
Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Point Defiance
Park in Tacoma, for information, e-mail [email protected]
Tue, Apr 22, 4:30pm 6:00pm, Discovery
Walk, Adriana Hess Audubon Center,
University Place, for families and friends of all
ages, recommended for families with children
age 4 and up, call 253-591-6439 to register and
get directions, free to members, $5/person non-
members, pre-registration required
Fri, Apr 25, 10am 12pm, Morse Bird Walk,
Morse Wildlife Preserve. Graham WA,
field trip leader Betty Jones will lead a walk at
Morse Wildlife Preserve, call 253-565-9278 toregister and for directions
Sat, Apr 26, 6am 5pm, Tokeland birding trip
with Ruth Sullivan, call the Tahoma Audubon
office at 253-565-9278 to sign up
Tue, Apr 29, 7pm 9pm. Intermediate Birding
Class, Adriana Hess Audubon Center, 2917
Morrison Road West, register by calling the
Tacoma Nature Center at 253-591-6439
Wed, Apr & May, Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually,8:15am-12:30pm, $3. entry
fee unless you have a pass, call or email Phil
Kelley to confirm details, Phil Kelley, Lacey,
360-459-1499, [email protected]
Leader: Phil Kelley
[Please note: Nisqually walks have been changed
to WEDNESDAY starting in April, 2008]
Join Phil on his weekly bird walk as he countsthe birds at Nisqually NWR. On the first
Wednesday of the month, the group walks fairly
quickly around the full loop, a distance of over
five miles. Other weeks, the trip is shorter; walk-
ing out to McAllister Creek, back to the visitor
center, then out to the Twin Barns and the Ring
Dike Trail, totaling about four miles. Bring:
Good walking shoes or boots, raingear, water,
snacks, and $3. entry fee unless you have a pass.
Scopes are welcome. Meet: At the Visitors
Center. Directions: Take I-5 south from Tacoma
and exit to Nisqually NWR at exit 114. Take a
right at the light. Sign-up: Call or email Phil
Kelley to confirm details. Phil Kelley, Lacey,(360) 459-1499, [email protected].
Adriana Hess Audubon Center2917 Morrison Rd. W., University Place253-565-9278Spring is peeking out all over the Center
grounds. Have you seen the teeny, tinymagenta flower on the Hazelnut? TheSynthyris has been a riot of blooms.
Indian Plum is in full dress. The Red-flowering Currant will be in full bloomsoon and the Rufous Hummingbird willbe hovering close by.
Bird Walk: Monday, Apr. 14, noon to1:00 p.m.
Park Appreciation Day: Saturdaymorning, Apr. 19. Come help spiff up thegrounds, 9:00 a.m. until noon.
Plant Walk: Monday, Apr. 21, noon to1:00 p.m.
See the Volunteer page about the light break-fast for volunteers every Friday morning at9:00 am. Hope to see you on a Friday!
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 three no-shows a year can result in revoking
the 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
By Lindsey Webb
Students around Puget Sound arent focusingjust on school and friends; theyre taking actionon important environmental issues, too. Studentsat Pacific Lutheran University and at Clover ParkHigh School have formed action and servicegroups that seek to address and educate others
about these issues.Monika Maier, a junior at PLU and leader of
Grassroots Environmental Action Now (GREAN)says that the mission of her group is to bringenvironmental sustainability to campus and tothe community. The foci this semester are coaland transportation. Last week, said Maier, theywere part of a statewide photo petition against aproposed coal plant in Walla Walla, Washington.GREAN members were stationed outside themain cafeteria and asked students to pose withpaper speech bubbles that said things like green
jobs, not coal. How did students react? SaidMaier, some people got really excited and saidI hope we make a difference! It was fun to hearthat. This petition is a collaborative effort withseveral schools in Washington, including WhitmanCollege, Evergreen State College, and Universityof Puget Sound. Altogether, these groups arehoping to send 1000 photos of students to Walla
Walla, the Washington state legislature, andUnited Power, the energy company in charge ofthe coal project.
GREAN is also organizing events for EarthWeek at PLU, coming up in April. GREAN will beconducting workshops on alternative transporta-tion, including how to fix and ride bicycles. Therewill be a representative from Pierce CountyTransit there to talk about the bus system. Maieris hopeful that many students will attend.Activism isnt just a university activity. Anthony
Ahn, president of International Action (InterAct)
at Clover Park High School, says that studentsattend meetings ready and excited with ideas tosupport understanding and goodwill throughout[their] communities. This club, which is support-ed by Rotary International, works to participate inat least two community service projects per year(although, Ahn says, they of course try to domore). Although InterAct isnt specifically focused
on environmental issues, its members recognizetheir importance. Said Ahn, we have beenresearching environmental service projects in andaround our community, and taking part in theevents we can, as leaving a clean environmentnot only for ourselves and our community, but forthe world, is a very important aspect of leadinghealthy, enjoyable lives. A past project, for exam-ple, was cleaning up community streets.
Both of these student-run groups seek to edu-cate and make a difference, and in small stepsthey are certainly doing this.
Environment matters: Students in Tacoma take action
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BirDAthoN fielD trips
BIRDATHON IS COMING--
APRIL 25-MAY 31
Birdathon is our largest fundraiser. Birdathon
expenses are kept at 1%.
How do you join Birdathon? You, the Birder/
Counter, gather sponsors for your Birdathon Trip
and the sponsors pledge a donation to Tahoma
Audubon based on the species seen (or a flat rate).If our special Birdathon trips dont fit your sched-
ule, choose one of TASs regular field trips. Leaders
will help you with identification. For more informa-
tion call Thelma, 253-564-8210 or e-mail, thelma@
tahomaaudubon.org.
Check out the announcements page for more
information. Be sure to call TAS, 253-565-9278, to
register and get directions. (Theres lots of help
identifying the birds.)
Morse Wildlife Preserve
When: Friday, April 25, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Leader: Betty Jones
Ocean Shores to Puyallup
When: Friday, April 25, early until late afternoon or
early evening.
Leaders: Ed and Kay Pullen
Meet at the I-5/512 Park and Ride near McDonalds
at 5:30 a.m. and well drive to Ocean Shores to start
birding and spend the morning there. Birding will
continue back to Hoquiam, Elma, Brady Loop,
Wenzel Slough, and Nisqually NWR. If energy
holds up, we will try for the barn owls at Chief
Leschi School at dusk. Anticipate 80-100 species,
and bring everything youll need to eat/drink/wear.
Ideally limited to just our 7 passenger van, but if
enough interest, we could take 2 vehicles.
Point Defiance Birdathon Kickoff Event
When: Saturday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Meet at Owens Beach. Come one and come all for
birding and fun Activities for everyone, all ages.
Contact office to leave a message for Amy
Bettesworth for more information.
Nisqually River and
Nisqually Land Trust Lands
When: Saturday, April 26, 8:00 a.m. to early after-
noon.
Count birds up river along the Thurston County side,enjoying Robert and Marjorie Smiths 2000 feet of
beach which starts at mile 30 of the river. Bird the land
trust lands, explore River Bar and see the various
movements of the river over the years, viewing land
that once was Pierce County but now is Thurston
County. We should see a good number of birds---
warblers, bluebirds, hummingbirds, and a surprising
number of river birds. Meet Robert in McKenna at the
McKenna Y Restaurant on the left at the only light in
McKenna where Highway 507 and 702 intersect. He
will lead the caravan to his home. Bring a lunch.
Meadow Park Golf Course
When: Sunday, April 27, with Joe McGuire, 9:00a.m. to noon.
Joe has worked with students to install birdhouses.
Lets see who resides in them. Meet at the golf
course, 7108 Lakewood Dr. W.
Titlow Park
When: Monday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Leaders: Rosanne Becker and Joann Sims
Families Welcome! Enjoy both water and song-
birds at this Tacoma park. A variety of habitats
include salt water, pond, and forest. Meet at the
lodge at Titlow Park which is at the west end of 6th
Avenue in Tacoma.
3 CHOICES ON MAY 10 -
International Migratory Bird Day
Nisqually NWR and/or Ocean Shores
When: Saturday, May 10, 7:00 a.m. to evening
Leaders: Ken and Nell Batker.The trip will begin by walking the Nisqually dike
trail on the Refuge followed by a sack lunch (bring
your own). We will then carpool to Grays Harbor
National Wildlife Refuge and from there to the
Ocean Shores area to cap a good days birding.
Everyone is welcome to come along on all or any
part(s) of the days activities. We usually finish at
Nisqually between 11:00 a.m. and noon so anyone
wishing to join us for only the Grays Harbor and/
or Ocean Shores segments can meet us then at
Nisqually. We usually finish the day with the
optional activity of a meal at a nice restaurant in
Aberdeen where we can total up, check our bird
lists, and recall fun sightings of the day. Meet at theflagpole by the visitors center at Nisqually NWR
Tacoma to Potholes (Overnight in Moses Lake)
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 10 & 11, 5:30
a.m. Saturday to Sunday afternoon.
Leaders: Marcus Roening and Heather Ballash
Marcus and Heather lead an exciting, full-day trip
from Tacoma to the Potholes in Moses Lake. The
trip will cover 15 habitat zones, with special empha-
sis on migratory birds in the Columbia Basin sage,
pinelands, and wetlands. Expect to see at least 120
species in one fast-paced day. Meet at 5:30 a.m. and
arrive in Moses Lake at 8:30 p.m., where we will
stay overnight. Leisurely return through favorite
bird areas on Sunday. Please provide e-mail address
when you sign up in order to coordinate lodging
details and meeting place. E-mail Marcus.D.Roening
@gsk.com for further details.
Pierce County Big Day, Purdy to Paradise
When: Saturday, May 10, 5:15 a.m. till dusk
Leader: Bruce LaBar.
Starting at Purdy Spit, this trip visits Point Defiance,
McChord, and other points of interest on the way to
the Mountain. We aim each year to show that you
can find 100 species by birding just in Pierce County.
Meet at the far end of Purdy Spit at 5:15 a.m.
Adriana Hess Wetland Park--Audubon Center
When: Monday, May 12, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Leader: Ruth Sullivan
Ruth Sullivan will lead this regular bird identifica-
tion visit at this small, unique park at 2917 Morrison
Rd W. in University Place. Come if you are count-
ing for Birdathon or just to enjoy the days count.
Last year we got 40 birds on this count.
Fort Lewis
When: Wednesday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Leader: Fort Lewiss Jim Lynch
Jim Lynch, from the Forts Wildlife Department,will meet the group at the Roy Y Park and Ride at
8:00 a.m. We will carpool to visit the open oak
woodlands and riparian habitats found among the
prairies of the Fort Lewis Training Grounds. Expect
to identify 55-60 species.
Waughop Lake and Fort Steilacoom Park
and/or 176th Spanaway Marsh
When: Saturday, May 17 at Waughop Lake at 8:30
a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and the Cross-base, 176th
Marsh, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Leader: Betty Jones
Meeting spot in the morning will be the parking lot
by the barns at Fort Steilacoom Park. Meet at the
end of 176th Street S. for the afternoon session.
Birding by Ear for Birdathon
When: Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Leader: Melissa SherwoodExplore McCormick Forest, the old growth pre-
serve off Bujacich Dr near Gig Harbor. Melissa
Sherwood will be leading a Birding by Ear walk for
the Birdathon. If you know our local birds by sight
and would like to get to know their songs and calls,
please join her. Well meet at the Swede Hill Fire
Station just west of Hwy. 16 at the Burnham Dr.
exit. Well walk through the forest, some steep
trails; time permitting we may explore a couple of
other birdy areas nearby. Hopefully well pick up
on some of the migrating warblers and flycatchers
moving through as well. Wear comfortable hiking/
walking shoes and dress comfortably for whatever
the weather.
Point Defiance Park
When: Sunday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. to noon
Leaders: Rob and Natalie McNair-Huff
Join Rob and Natalie for the Birdathon version of
their monthly nature walk at Point Defiance Park on
May 18. They will set out at 8:00 a. m. from the zoo
parking lot and walk through the forest trails along
Five Mile Drive, walking a little more than four
miles. This Birdathon trip will end with birding
along the ponds near the park entrance and with a
drive down to Owen Beach. The trip should wrap
up around noon.
Morse Wildlife Preserve
When: Friday, May 23, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Leader: Betty Jones.
Walk the trails and check out the marsh, dry
Douglas-fir forest, moist lowland forest, prairie, and
meadow. Take a look at the pond in the marsh and
the forested wetland from the bird tower. Be sure to
ask for directions when you sign up.
Green River Watershed
When: Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Leader: Jeff Gillard and friend
Join us for a day of birding in the Green RiverWatershed, Nolte State Park, and Auburn Narrows
wetlands. This is a rare opportunity to see the pro-
tected watershed managed by Tacoma Water. Well
leave the Tacoma Public Utilities Administration
Building at 8:00 a.m. in two vans, visit Nolte State
Park on the way to the watershed, and arrive at the
watershed gate at about 10:00 a.m. Well bird the
forests and fields around Howard Hanson Reservoir
(elevation 1200 feet), then visit Eagle Lake (eleva-
tion 2200 feet) before heading to Auburn Narrows.
Well plan on returning to Tacoma by 4:30 p.m.
Space is limited; this trip is open to the first 12
people to sign up. Meet at the Tacoma Public utili-
ties lot A1 on the west end of the administrationbuilding. The building is located at 3628 South
35th Street. Limit 12 participants.
Rapjohn Wood Co Tree Farm
When: Saturday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. until 1:00
p.m.
Leaders: Owners Mariella and Bob Arnold
Come walk the trails and count the birds of this 110
acre tree farm, then stay to enjoy a potluck lunch.
Please bring your pot-luck contribution. Remember
your boots!
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restore ecosystems focusing on birds and wildlife for the
benefit of humanity and earths biological diversity.
Awards and recognition were given to those whose ser-
vices have enhanced Audubons mission:
Distinguished Service Awards- Dixie Harris
and Molly Hukari
Legacy Award- Sally SloatCommunity Service Award- Laurie Brauneis
Distinguished Community Service Award-
Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg
Our guest speaker, Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, shared her passion
for forest canopy organisms and processes. She not only
helped us gain a better understanding of the importance of the
forest canopy, but helped us deepen our appreciation for its
organisms and processes. We were introduced to efforts
being made to reach non-traditional audiences with science
and conservation messages using messages that these audi-
ences (not typically targeted) can embrace. Tahoma Audubon
members were entertained by concepts to accomplish this.
We were introduced to TreeTop Barbie, a modern-girl Barbie
doll prepared with all the accoutrements she will need to
access the forest canopy and discover its mysteries. The
International Canopy Network that Dr. Nadkarni introduced
to us has worked with minimum security prisoners and
school children to learn to grow mosses in a sustainable fash-
ion. ICAN and Research Ambassador Program representa-
tives have brought legislative aides to the forest canopy as
well as artists and musicians to allow opportunities for learn-
ing and new views of the forest canopy.
The Banquet team that included Nell Batker, Jenny
Curtiss, Alexis Edwards, Moelicia Edwards, Helen Engle,
Wendy Evans, Bryan Flint, Janine Gates, Roxy, Bill, and
Winfield Giddings, Thelma Gilmur, Sue Goering, Dixie
Harris, Jenny Jeliff, Amanda Johnson, Julie Kerrigan, Pam
and Mark Knight, Jeri Lindstrom, Sarah Lloyd, Blake
Marzloff, Jonathon and Kasey Puppe, Jennie Sheridan,
Sue Summers, Candi Zieger, and Lenny Zimmerman
deserves a big thank you for a grand gathering.
... Banquet
April 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9
SO MANY PICTURES, SO LITTLE ROOM...
This is all that will t here, but we do have a link on our website to morephotos: http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/Default.aspx?pageId=52136From top left; Anna T. and Helen Engle; Joanne and Sally on the awardsstage; people checking out items for the silent auction; Bryan introducessome of the camp kids; Thelma Gilmur; Cecelia and friends; Dr. Nalinisharing her passion.
Photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn
from page 1
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Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2008
Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org April 2008
Just the other day...Heres what TAS was doing in April, 1983
BIRDSONGS by Phil BulyBirdwatchers have long joked about warblerneck, but the ailment may be more seriousthan people believe. Neurologists have dis-covered that when people assume extremeneck positions for extended periods of time,blood ow through the vertebral arteries is
reduced, leading to an increased vulnerabilityto strokes. Researchers singled out the tilted-back head position of women having a sham-poo at a beauty salon. But it happens to bethe very posture of birdwatchers craning tosee a warbler at the top of a tree.
From Red-Tails in Love
A Wildlife Drama in Central Park
By Marie Winn (Pantheon Books)
wrens, hummingbirds, and everything in between! A variety of
habitats are present in the area to accommodate these and many,
many other species.
The information collected will help identify species presence/
absence and contribute to the growing database of bird data for the
region. Additional taxa, including plants, amphibians, and mammals,
will also be surveyed by other teams, utilizing Nature Mapping.
Field trips to the restoration site are being scheduled for April thru
June, with exact dates for these excellent citizen science opportunities
to be announced soon. If you are interested in making Washington a
little more bird-friendly by contributing to this important habitat recla-
mation endeavor, contact Krystal Kyer at 253-232-9978 or kkyer@
tahomaaudubon.org. Your fellow birders, neighbors, and feath-
ered friends look forward to seeing you at Ohop Creek!
To learn more about the Ohop restorations site, visit:http://www.nisquallylandtrust.org/ohop_creek.php
To learn more about NatureMapping, see:
http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/
... Citizen science from page 1
the Columbia Basin, and other places where the
sagelands are still intact. Birders often find Sage
Thrashers on Umtanum Ridge and along the Old
Vantage Highway east of Ellensburg. Early or late
in the day is best, though even then you may not
see the birds right away, because much of
their movement is on foot;
they forage on the ground
for insects, adding berries to
their diet when available.
In their breeding territory the
pair usually locates a nest site in
a big sage bush, just below the
densest top growth that providesshade and conceals the nest from
aerial predators. If dense cover is lack-
ing the birds build a sun-shade over it.
The nest is a bulky bunch of sticks, lined with grass
and other soft material. The female usually lays 4 or
5 eggs that hatch after about two weeks, and theyoung leave the nest some 10 to 12 days later.
Though fully fledged, they cant fly for about
another week, so at this critical time theyre espe-
cially vulnerable to predation as they forage on
foot.
The lands that this species depends on are being
cleared for agriculture and residential development.
In Washington about half of the original shrub-
steppe is gone, and much of what remains is frag-
mented. For Sage Thrashers the most serious threat
is disturbance of the soil that allows non-native
grasses to spread into otherwise good sage habitat;
they abandon these areas. Birds of the shrub-steppe
depend on our support to preserve good habitat
where it still remains. And as we preserve the spacethey need, the Sage Thrashers will return each
spring to draw us into the sagelands to watch and
listen as they greet the rising sun.
... Sage Thrasherfrom page 1
By Helen Engle
The biggest news in birding was thereturn of the shorebirds to Grays Har-bors tidal mudats. Seattle Audubonsponsored a major presentation at theSeattle Aquarium ofDr. Steven Her-mans presentation featuring slides byRobert Kothenbutel and other NW pho-
tographers. Dr. Herman discussed his ndings,and those of his Evergreen State College students,of spring shorebird censuses including timing, mag-nitude and the nding that the migration exceededone million birds. This is the largest concentrationof migrating shorebirds in the continental U.S.
The next week Tahoma Audubon sponsored aeld trip to Bowerman Basin, led by MikeFingerof Friends of the Earth and a participant ofDr. Her-mans bird census. The eld trip attendees werepromised 500,000 shorebirds of 24 species, plus oc-casional Peregrine Falcons and Merlins that hunt theshorebirds on the mudats.
Carla Hansmann wrote of Tacoma-PierceCountys troubled water quality. In 1981 Well 12Ain Lakewood was discovered to have contaminationwith volatile organic solvents. The City of Tacoma
Water Division removed the water well from service.Other wells in the area continued to pump, but soonWell 9A was discovered to have the volatile organicsas well. A proposal to build ve aeration towers ata cost of $1.2 million was thought to be the mostcost-effective of the systems evaluated.
The Membership Meeting featured Joan andPaul Carsons Birding in Yorkshire. Paul Car-sons excellent pictorial record and Joans ac-curate narration, gave us a report on a group tripof Tahoma, Kitsap and Seattle Audubon Chaptersparticipating with members of the Royal Society for
the Preservation of Birds (RSPB). The tripwas arranged through Nature Guideby Ilene and Francis Marckx, withDr Tom Lawson from Yorkshire.After consultation with the Ameri-
can Ornithologists Union (AOU) theAmerican Birding Association (ABA) has
incorporated changes in the second edi-tion of the ABA Checklist.
Here are a few that apply to some familiar birds:
Field Trip Committee Chair ThaisBock laid outthe following schedule:
McNeil Island with Henry Kyle; SequalitchewLake with Wally Wilkins, Nisqually Wildlife Refugewith Karl Lundberg; Dungeness Spit bus trip withElmer Price; Chambers Creek withArt Peterson.
And the special trip to Grays Harbor-Bowerman Ba-
sin led by Mike Finger. There was a Family Tripto Point Deance Park with Thelma Gilmur andJohn Slipp -- so much to explore there: Salmonbeach, Sorex Gulch, Big Tee Trail, Rhododendronand Native Plant Gardens, camp 6 & Fort Nisqually,plus the forest birds and plants.
TAS was rounding up sponsors for its third annualBirdathon with Thelma Gilmur and Gayle Taylorheading up the Birdathon Committee. Special Birda-thon eld trips were being planned for the weekendof April 23-24. Prizes were promised to those withhighest species counts and most donors, etc. This
event continues as one ofmost fun ways of support-ing the programs and ac-tivities of the chapter.
The second go-aroundover development inChambers Creek Canyonwas written up byAdrianaHess of Serve Our Univer-
sity place (SOUP). Own-ers of the Canyons steepwalls, Joint Venture in thepersons ofLee Van Rileyand Robert Davis, propose to build 641 dwellingunits with additional plans for marine development.Opposing the granting of permits are: Friends ofChambers Creek, Oakbrook Townhouse Association,Pierce County-Northwest Steelhead and SalmonCouncil, SOUP, WA Department of Fish & Wildlife,Tahoma Audubon, University Place Park & Recre-ation District, and Washington Native Plant Society.
TAS President Walt Adams and his wife Nonaattended the annual meeting of the Protection Is-land Beach Club. Prior to the regular meeting, acaucus was held with representatives of other
Audubon chapters owning lots on Protection Island.
They discussed the orderly transfer of the lots tothe US Fish & Wildlife Service, and prepared a listof nominees for election to the board of directorsof the Protection Island Beach Club. The Audubonmembers of the Beach Club are in agreement andaccord with the Fish and Wildlife Services plans forthe transition to federal ownership and a WildlifeRefuge status.
Former Name 1983 Name
Whistling Swan Tundra Swan
Common Pintail Northern Pintail
Saw-whet Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl
Western Pewee Western Wood-Pewee
Northern Junco Dark-eyed Junco
Feedback, comments and reminiscences
welcome, 253-564-3112, [email protected].
Helen Engle from daysof yore.
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April 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9
ANNouNceMeNts
woo-hoo!
Please sign and return this coupon or call and say you will help,Thelma Gilmur, 253-564-8210.
BIRDATHON 2008Mail to Tahoma Audubon, 2917 Morrison Road West, University Place, WA 98466.
_______I will get at least 5 pledges and do a Birdathon for TAS.
_______I will make a donation.
NAME____________________________________PHONE____________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________ZIP_______________________
WE NEED YOU!
And youre invited! Wenas Campout, May 23-26, 2008.
(www.wenasaudubon.org ) For over three decades
Audubon families have been camping over Memorial
Day weekend at the Wenas Creek Campground.
Officially named the Hazel Wolf Wenas Creek Bird
Sanctuary, the location, SW of Ellensburg, is now in anImportant Bird Area which Auduboners has been assured
of protective status in a major land swap with the timber
company ownership. The free, primitive campground
along the north fork of Wenas Creek has exceptional oppor-
tunities for birding, botanizing and enjoying spring in the
eastern foothills of the Cascades.
The campground is about 2,500 elevation, can be cold at
night, hot during day.
Bring water for drinking (the creek is beautiful and bounti-
ful but not potable).
We set up tents or use pick-up type campers.
We all share in the rent of portable toilets for 4 days.
Bicycles and Frisbees are fun, telescopes and cameras
standard gear.
Please leave pets at home. There are organized field trips throughout the Wenas drain-
age and WA DF&W management areas and some on private
property at owners requests.
In camp we have natural history workshops with some of
the states top birders, WNPS botanists, entomologists etc.
There will be an old-fashioned campfire in our new
approved firepit device each evening. We do singing,
story telling and recapping the sightings of the day. Please
visit the beautiful Wenas Website, by Webmaster Michael
Hobbs, to see Hazel Wolfs familiar smiling face and get lots
of information about our campout. www.wenasaudubon.
org. Theres a bird checklist, wildflower checklist, outline of
field trips and program, directions and lots of photos. If you
dont do websites, contact me and Ill send you info.
Bring friends, family, and join us at Wenas Memorial DayWeekend for as many days as you want to stay - May 23-26,
2008! See you there! Helen Engle, [email protected],
253-564-3112.
By Shoe, Car, Bike and Boat; COME HELPPROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.Join the Tahoma Audubon Society in kickingoff The Birdathon. You dont have to knowa thing about birds to join one of the manyteams that will be walking, hiking, biking,boating or driving to raise money to protectPierce Countys precious environment.Each team will be competing to see thelargest number of different bird speciesusing a variety of transportation options.This family fun event provides an opportu-nity to learn from experienced volunteersabout the areas bird species, and how youcan become involved in protecting our vital
natural habitat.What:Tahoma AudubonBirdathon Kick-offWhere: Pt. DeancePark, at Owens BeachWhen: Saturday, April26, 2008 from 9:00am to 12:00pmRegistration starts at 8:30am.How: Come and enjoy the fun! Pre-registration is appreciated but not required.Please plan to join us on April 26th. Formore information contact Tahoma AudubonSociety at 253-565-9278. Hot Beveragesand snacks provided. Prizes will be givenout to the rst 30 participants!
This field-based class brings together the natural
world and the artists perspective. Native plant spe-
cialist, Mary Sue Gee, will provide hands-on
instruction in identification and ecological relation-
ships during one classroom session and four field
trips. She will be joined by Monica Weidman,
watercolor artist and botanical illustrator, to engage
the students in a deeper appreciation and under-standing of the native plant ecosystem of the South
Puget Sound. Mary Sue has an MLA degree in
landscape architecture and extensive training and
experience in wildlife habitat restoration, urban and
wetlands ecology. She combines her interest in art
and nature in her presentations and stories. Monica
has a BA in Art Education and is a certified Scientific
Illustrator. She finds pleasure in natures serene
pace and its simple yet complex beauty.
Fee: $75 member; $95 non-member includes class
instruction and four field trips. Optional field trips
may be scheduled with additional fee.
Required Text: Plants of the Pacific Northwest
Coast, Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon, 1994.
Book will be available at class for $19.95. Discount
for Tahoma Audubon members.
Suggested Text: Flora of the Pacific Northwest,
C.L. Hitchcock and A. Cronquist, 1973.
Other field guides are useful if students have favor-
ites.
Suggested Tools: Any type of sketch book, pencils,charcoal, colored pencils, watercolors, magnifying
glass/lens, binoculars, camera
Class Date: 7-9 pm, Mon. April 21, Adriana Hess
Audubon Center, University Place
Field Trips: 9am-3pm; Sat. April 26, Sat. & Sun.
May 3 & 4 in conjunction with the Native Plant
Society. Two more dates mid-May to early June
will be scheduled with class.
Scholarship assistance is available. Contact the
education committee chair, Margie Shea, at
253-591-6439 or [email protected]
To Register: Call 253-591-6439 Pre-registration is
required. Deadline to register is April 18.
Native Plant SaleLandscape your yard with plants that
are native to our area. Get advice,plants and more!Come early for
the best selection.
May 3, 20089:00am 4:00pm253-591-6439
www.metroparkstacoma.org
Time to think about Wenas campout!
Tahoma Audubon Birdathon Kick-Off Event
The Art & Nature of Native Plants Spring Class
Join Parks Appreciation Day and come to the Tacoma NatureCenter with your family to help us celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day,
National Parks Week and your local parks all in one fun event.
PROJECTS MAY INCLUDE: Painting, invasive plant pulling, litter pick-up, pruning, raking, sign cleaning, birdhouse building, materials prep andmore! Families will work as a group on several different projects.WHAT SHOULD I BRING? Volunteers can help by wearing warm, appropriate clothes. By bringing tools from their homes such as small hand tools, loppers,pruners, gloves, rakes, shovels, small pitch forks and even wheelbarrows(make sure and label them!). Volunteers are encouraged to carpool to the site they chose. We will provide snacks and water for volunteers. Those withspecial dietary needs might want to bring their own snacks. Most of all bring your enthusiasm, smiles and be ready to burn somecalories and have fun!BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING AS A FAMILY You can improve your community. You can help beautify your neighborhood park. You can get active and enhance your own health and well-being. You can help bring communities, businesses and neighborhoodstogether towards one common cause. You can increase family and children awareness of nature and theirenvironment. You can make a difference, because together we can achieve more.
Other sites throughout Pierce County are also available.
*Not all sites welcome family groups. Check with individual coordinators for details.
Visit www.metropar
kstacoma.org for a list of contacts.Please help us plan for your family by registering in advance in person at
the Nature Center, or by phone. (253) 591-6439
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street, Tacoma, WA 98405
Parks Appreciation Day
April 19, 20089:00am - noon
Family Service Activity*
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org April 2008
March 8th found a dozen people joining Ed
Pullen for an adventure in an exotic land.
The fact that this exotic land was inside the
city limits of Tacoma made it even more remarkable.
Swan Creek cuts a deep gorge before it flows into the
Puyallup River, and the City has wisely stayed away
from the edge, providing a wide margin of safety for
their citizens as well as safety for the sanctity of this
natural oasis. The gorge is lined with an astonishing
assortment of native species of trees in all stages of
life including venerable woodpecker snags, all of it
lined all in mosses and ferns. It is so removed that
even traffic noise is rarely heard. It is watched over
from above by its nesting pair of Red-tailed Hawks,
which we glimpsed off and on during our trek, doing
their courting.
Ed is a great trip leader, too. This trek can be quite
challenging with the gains in elevation to the top of
the gorge, so he had us driven to the top, leaving
most of the cars at the bottom, to avoid our having to
backtrack the hard way. Then the drivers were
driven back up to retrieve their cars. Whatta guy!!
Of course having to retrace the path the cars had to
take to the top would be impossible for me, as I felt
like one of those kidnapping victims who is being
purposely driven around in circles so I will never,
ever be able to reveal the secret route. So youll have
to ask somebody else for the directions...
We started along the top of the gorge with the
creek way, way below us. Tall trees growing
creekside offered their canopies to us at eye level,
and we enjoyed finch song there, Purple Finch,
Red Crossbills, and Pine Siskins. As we descend-
ed via mossy switchbacks slowly to the bottom,
we entered different flora and fauna zones.
Although we had already had Pileated
Woodpeckers and flickers at the parking area, we
heard them both again, and then Ryan Hanson
spotted a Hairy Woodpecker for us! This wood-
pecker zone was also full of high-pitched Brown
Creeper song and both kinglets. There were so
many creepers in fact that amazingly we all got a
chance to see at least one of these usually invisible
birds. Dropping down to the next level, we were
suddenly surrounded by wrens. Winter Wrens
were kissing busily at us and then bursting into
that best of all songs of any species. Bewicks
Wrens were skulky, but watching us closely.
Chestnut-backed Chickadees checked out a pos-
sible nest hole right next to the path! We descend-
ed further to the creek and ran into a salamander
and a banana slug, as well as many, many Spotted
Towhees singing and calling. A flock of Yellow-
rumped Warblers (Butterbutts) reminded us that
spring is coming and more warblers, too. Walking
along the banks of the creek, there was Skunk
Cabbage in full bloom! Bleeding Hearts were
sending foliage out, but were still far from bloom-
ing. This was after all supposed to be a Last of
Winter birding trip, but dont tell the critters and
plants! The weather was supposed to be misera-
ble, too, but Spring did an audition for us instead!
At the creek level, the gorge was a little muddy,
which is where I found there is Devils Club
growing there, when I reached out to grab some-
thing to steady myself! Ow! We were a pretty big
band of hikers, but if one were alone or just with
a couple of people, you might see some of the
other fabled wildlife that hid from us this day.
There are tales of bears, dippers, and Orchids...
After we made it down, we spent a little time
across Pioneer Way at the Swan Creek Restoration
Area, where we found almost every
possible freshwater duck in beautiful
breeding plumages. Then Ed took
us over to the Chief Leschi School
for a completely different habitat by
way of the locally famous Pioneer
Way Eagles nest and Great Blue
Heronry, where herons were seen
occupying dozens of nests, clearly
visible before the leafing-out alders
will screen them from view. One
has to wonder why the herons built
right next to the Eagles nest, though,
which Ed tells me was the chronology. Maybe
theres some kind of offering made that buys
immunity for the rest of the community, Mafia-
like. Leader Ed Pullen was really pleased to see
so much interest in a late winter walk in this beauti-
ful urban canyon. It truly was an enthusiastic
group! Krystal Kyer, TAS Conservation
Coordinator, really had a ball. The highlight of the
day for me was when a solitary Varied Thrush
perched on a stump and sang for all to see and hear.
Two days later, the species was featured on
BirdNote, and I learned that we were very lucky to
see the Varied Thrush in the city of Tacoma, as its
forested habitats are dwindling in the Pacific
Northwest. Being the second largest park in
Tacoma, and wholly undeveloped, it is important to
protect this remaining bit of urban forest, she said.
But wait!! Its not over yet!! For those of you
now curious to see this jewel of the Metro Parks,
come and celebrate Earth Day at Swan Creek!!
April 19th, 9-noon, Earth Day clean up and work
party at Swan Creek Park will be a re-creation of
the first one organized in the 1970s by Thelma
Gilmur. The Friends of Swan Creek and Green
Tacoma Partnership are coor- dinating the
effort with help from
Metro Parks Tacoma.
See the Tahoma
Audubon on-line calen-
dar for more details or
call the office. This will
be a wonderful experi-
ence for all of you, but I
have a bit of advice
No bathrooms.
Go first!
Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn
From left: Chestnut-backed Chickadee checks out natural cavities for nesting sites; Varied Thrush at the bottom of the Swan Creekgorge; Spotted Towhee singing its heart out; Krystal Kyer gets excited about birds at Swan Creek Restoration Area.
AnotherkindofbirdatChie
fLeschiSchoolwherethegroupwentafterSwanCre
ek
Trip leader Ed Pullen at Swan Creek Park
The group checks out ora and fauna at one of the switchbacks down to Swan Creek.Above: Melissa Sherwood and Kay Pullen sight something wonderful!
8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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April 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11
Tahoma Audubon is the Pierce County chapter of National Audubon. As
an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National
Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing
your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in
Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub-
scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis-
counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/
National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National
membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of
Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas. Checkspayableto:TahomaAudubon29
17Morrison
Rd.
W.
UniversityPlace,
98466Tahom
aAudubon
Society,establishedin1969,
isa501(c)(3)nonprofit
organization.
Donationsaretaxdeductib
le.
Membership Fee:
___ Introductory (first year) $20
___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50
___ Chapter member renewal $30
___ Other Contributions _____________
Member(s) Name: _______________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City______________________________ Zip__________________
Phone: home ___________________business _________________
e-mail: ________________________________________________
Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
Membership
voluNteerRecognition
welcoMe to New and Returning Members
February 16, 2008 to March 15, 2008Chapter New and Renewing:
Barbara Beaver, Colin and Joyce Ehli, Charlie Griffin,
Debby Hyde and Bob Hennings, N L Kirkland, Mr
and Mrs John Miller, Joe and Nancy Peters, Janice
Pittman, Hazel C Robinson, Marjorie Shea and Bill
Richards, Mary Siegenthaler, Nancy Jean White,
Gretchen Wilbert.
Joint Chapter and National:
Lynne Glad, Jodie Hess, Jo Ann Hunter, Ernie
Karlstrom, Karen Povey, Carol Woodman.
Introductory: Recruited through TAS
Hal and Kate Amundson, Judy Eaton, Barbara Frey,
Kent Graybeal, Duane Hatch, Stephanie and Thomas
Kirkland, Melissa and Jamie Paulson, Kelly
and Mark Stave.
Recruited through NAS
(Starred names are returning after a
period of lapsed membership) Rigg,
Earl Altes, Bruce and Joyce Barr, Arthur
Antonelli, Sharon Bell*, Pattie Bolser,June Camp, Twyla Dickson, Lorey Donaldson*,
Brenda Dunlap, Janice Dunn, Micki Freeston*, Teresa
Fromm, Lena Gibson, Len Guyt, Fred Hacker*,
Donna Hagen, Lucia Harrison, Stan and Diana Hiller,
Grace Keam, Virginia Kingston, Dorothy Leyden,
Mary Lou Ferguson, Deborah Main, Cheryl Maunu,
John Ott, Irene Owens, Raymond Owings, Roy Pryor,
George Riecan*, Steven Russell, Lewis Scott, Elaine
Sumey*, Nancy Thomas, Cathy Thome, David and
Barbara Uberuaga, Rachel Vance, Crane Walters*,
Julia Wentz, Sharon Westman*, Charles Zartman.
There were 45 renewals through National.
Welcome all; we appreciate your commitment and
support!
2917 Morrison Rd. W., University Place253-565-9278
Spring is peeking out all over the Center grounds.Have you seen the teeny, tiny magenta flower onthe Hazelnut? The Synthyris has been a riot ofblooms. Indian Plum is in full dress. The Red-
flowering Currant will be in full bloom soon and the
Rufous Hummingbird will be hovering close by.Light breakfasts for volunteers every Friday morn-ing at 9:00. Hope to see you on some Fridays!Fri, Apr 4, 9am 11am, Breakfast and WorkParty, Adriana Hess Audubon Center,Help keep our wetland park clean, healthy, and freeof weeds!Fri, Apr 11, 9am 11amFri, Apr 25, 9am 11am
Fri, May 2, 9am 11am
Volunteer cashiers check out the lucky winners of the Silent
Auction and Audubon supporters whose donations will help birds
and other wildlife and
habitat. Below, Thelma
Gilmur lays out name
tags for the event par-
ticipants; over two hun-
dred attended the 39th
annual banquet.
Laura Livingston is a se-nior at Charles Wright. Sheis thinking about studyingenvironmental science incollege. Laura helped usorganize and print impor-tant articles about Tahoma
Audubon and environmen-tal issues. The articles areplaced in an archive portfo-lio locatedhere at
AdrianaHess.
Volunteer at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Meet Laura
Photos by Lenny Zimmerman
Volunteers help at the banquet
8/9/2019 04-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Tahoma Audubon Society YO2
2917 Morrison Road West
University Place, WA 98466
Address service requested
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
Tacoma, WA
Permit No. 177
PAID 25 years ago page 8Birdathon field trips page 6
BirdSongs page 8
Bryan Flint column page 2
Education page 4
Environment matters page 3
Field trips page 5
New members page 11
Paul Webster page 1
Volunteer recognition page 11
In this issue:
owhee
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