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In this issue:25 Years Ago page 8
BirdSongs page 8
Calendar page 12
Education page 4
Environment Matters page 3
Executive Director's corner page 2
Field trips page 5
New Members page 11
Wenas Recap page 9
Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 41 No. 7 July/August 2010
By Cami Kesinger - Development Coordinator
THANK YOU SO ENOURMOUSLY! As of
this writing, we have received many generous
Birdathon pledges and the donations are rolling in.However, we still have a long way to go in making
our goal of $40,000. Can you help us reach our
goal? Even if it is $10 or $20 it adds up fast!
The money raised from Birdathon supports our
Conservation and Education Programs and helps
with the printing of this newsletter. If you have
already made a pledge or donation this year, thank
you! If not, it is certainly not too late. Just make
your check out to Tahoma Audubon Society and
note Birdathon somewhere on the check. Then,
send it to us at 2917 Morrison Road West,
University Place, WA 98466. You will help us in
more ways than you can imagine. Be a part of our
success! This is YOUR Tahoma Audubon!
We will have a full Birdathon 2010 report in theSeptember issue of the Towhee. There, we will
announce our totals and our Birdathon winners,
including most species seen or heard and our
Rookie of the Year! Jim Ullrich from Wild Birds
Unlimited in Gig Harbor has generously donated
gift certificates for our winners! Thank you Jim!
Check out some of the Birdathon Trip Reports
on page 7. If you arent already a birder, think about
going on a field trip next year. I can tell you from
first-hand experience (this was my first time as a
birder, and I
went on three
B i r da t hon
Field Trips)
this is FUN! Iam just learning
about birds, and
going on these
trips was a learning experience.
In addition, being surrounded by the THE BEST
people and our gorgeous outdoors, and knowing
the efforts help Tahoma Audubon succeed is a good
feeling all around. I couldnt have enjoyed this May
any more! Thanks to everyone who made it so
much fun!
Tahoma Audubon Birdathon 2010 Update
theGreatGrayGhostKnown for their secluded boreal haunts and their ability toslip silently through stands of tamarack, spruce, and aspen
on wings that span nearly five feet, Great Gray Owls havebeen aptly called the phantoms of the northern forest.
Frances Backhouse, Audubon Magazine
In search of
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
The new Advanced Birding Class taught by Ken Brown went far afield for its first season, taking
us over the border into that far country named Oregon in search of Great Gray Owls! We were lucky
enough to have Kevin and Emily Schoenfelder in class this time, as Kevin has a brother, Tim, in La
Grande, Oregon, who has been monitoring Great Grays nearby there in Spring Creek. The advance
reports were that it was an excellent year with three successful nest boxes! We took four days over
Memorial Day weekend and saw ALL the sights (all the birds, anyway!) as we worked our way in
that direction.
A highlight of day one, Friday, May 28, was a visit to the famous yard of Tom Lamb near Dixie,
Washington (near Walla Walla). Toms yard has been featured on television and is well known in the
birding world as the best hummingbird yard north of Arizona! He has dozens of feeders up and as
many as a hundred hummers at once, Calliopes, Black-Chinned, and Rufous. Several of us had the
sublime experience of having hummingbirds alight on our hands!
Next morning, we went past Toms place up Biscuit Ridge after the Green-tailed Towheea very
local bird in Washington. When we got to the one spot they could be expected, it was very coldand exceedingly windy, so hearts were sinking. However, when we played their tune, there was an
answer! We kept up the duet and eventually met the bird! It was hard work, but such sweet earnings!
... and a nemesis is conquered
See "Great Gray Owl" on page 6Photo/Melissa Sherwood
Digiscoped view of The Owl!
Winners fromthe 11th Annual
Bird DrawingContest - Page 5
Went to a garden party ...Friends like Kathleen LeGreid, who was at Helen Engle's BigBackyard Picnic on June 24th, snappin' a bunch of pictures.
You can see a slideshow of these by clicking here.
ee
e e
to reminisce with my old friends ...
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Trees and transportation are the theme of the 2010
Priorities for a Livable Pierce County! Each year,members of the Pierce County Sustainability
Coalitionincluding Tahoma Audubonwork togeth-
er to select three or four local priorities to make theTacoma-Pierce County area a better place to live for
people and for wildlife. This year, while we were alittle slow in getting started, weve already seen two
successes! But first, what are our priorities, you ask?Here they are:
1. Pass and fund Tacomas first Urban Forest
Policy element, and fund the citys Open SpaceHabitat and Recreation Plan
2. Pass and fund Tacomas Mobility Master Plan3. Begin to develop a Comprehensive Transit
Plan for the City of Tacoma
4. Pierce Transit: Keep busiest routes, allow vot-ers to decide funding
Trees and Open Space
Managing our urban forests, planting street trees, and
improving guidelines for tree planting and pruning willhelp make Tacoma a more beautiful and healthier place
to live, work and play. Through years of neglect and
misuse, our urban natural areas are not healthy. Manyareas are infested with invasive plants like English Ivy,
Himalayan Blackberry and Scotch Broom. Theseaggressive plants are outgrowing many native plants,
which is causing a loss of understory plants and pre-
venting the next generation of trees from growing up.Without these trees, we will continue to lose our forest
canopy, biodiversity and natural functions like stormwater retention.
Members from Tahoma Audubon, Cascade LandConservancy, community gardens advocates and oth-
ers turned out for a Public Hearing on May 25 to speak
in favor of the proposed policy. On Tuesday, June 15,the Tacoma City Council unanimously adopted the
Urban Forest Policy Element as a new element in thecitys Comprehensive Plan. One of the outcomes of
this new policy will be the creation of a Citizens
Advisory Council to review progress and guide imple-mentation of both the urban forest policy and the citys
Open Space Habitat and Recreation Plan (adopted late2008). Tahoma Audubon and the coalition members
will continue to work with the city this summer toensure these programs are a success by allocating
money in next years budget to implement it. If you
live in Tacoma, be sure to thank your council memberfor adopting the Urban Forest Policy Element.
Pedestrians, Bicyclists and Public Transit
Since the rise of the automobile in the early twentiethcentury, our transportation system has been built with
the paramount idea that everyone should and can havea personal vehicleand cars are the primary form of
transportation. Consequently, our street designs, plan-
ning, and highways were constructed with this in mindand not much else. Safe access for bicyclists and
pedestrians was not a consideration.In the twenty-first century, that is changing. The ris-
ing cost of gasoline, car repairs, road repair and main-tenance has made our car-based road systems expen-
sive for taxpayers and car owners, and unaffordable for
many people. The aging infrastructure, increasedpopulation and density in urban and suburban areas,
and air pollution from burning fossil fuels have alladded to the noise, congestion and poor air quality in
the region. The design of a Mobility Master Plan
which changes the way we prioritize transportation byemphasizing alternatives like bicycling, walking, and
public transit over carswill solve or reduce some ofthese problems. It will also make our roads safer for
bicyclists and pedestrians by designating and addingbicycle lanes and routes where appropriate, and by
improving sidewalks and crosswalks.
That is why the coalition made this a priority, andwhy the council unanimously passed the Mobility
Master Plan on June 15, 2010. Members of theTacoma Wheelmans Club, Cascade Land Conservancy,
Transportation Choices Coalition and others turned out
in force for the May 25 public hearing in favor of notonly adopting the plan, but they also urging the council
to speed up the timeline and secure the funding neededto do so.
While public transit is addressed in the MobilityMaster Plan, a more comprehensive plan looking spe-
cifically at the urban
transit system isneeded. Coalition
members will con-
tinue to work withthe city council this
summer and fall toencourage them to
take steps towarddeveloping a com-
prehensive transit
plan for Tacoma.On a similar note,
all across Pierce County public transportation is in jeopardy. Pierce Transit is facing budget shortfalls
like many public agencies. This summer Pierce
Transit is asking citizens and users to speak up and letthem know how they can best deal with the situation.
Two options emerge: Cut transit service, routes, andhours or ask voters for a tax increase to pay for con-
tinued and expanded services. At the public hearingon June 14, 2010, there was overwhelming vocal sup-
port by citizens for not only preserving routes and
service frequency, but also to increase them ratherthan cut them. The coalition is working to let the
Pierce Transit Board know that we support the oppor-tunity for voters to decide the course of action by
going to a public vote on this issue either in the late
fall or early 2011.Next Steps
Weve had great success with two of our prioritiesalready, but there is still more work to do. We need to
let council members know that we also want to see theUrban Forestry and the Mobility Master Plan receive
adequate funding in next years budget so that they can
be implemented. Citizens also need to speak up in sup-port of public transit options for Tacoma and for Pierce
Transit. With your help, we can achieve all of thesepriorities this year!
More information on these topics can be found
online:Mobility Master Plan:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=12894
Urban Forestry Policy:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=9219
Pierce Transit budget decisions:
http://www.pttomorrow.org/compare.aspx
How many of uswould like to say
we individuallymade a difference?
How many of usfeel we have, or are
we still working on
that?I can attest to you
that Ken Bentonand Graham Taylor
have made a differ-
ence. For the last 10 months they are worked withTahoma Audubon as part of the AmeriCorps program.
We are profoundly thankful for all they have done forus in the short time they have been with us.
By reading through the Towhee, you can see thewonderful contributions that Ken (page 4) and Graham
(page 10) have made to the health and growth of
Tahoma Audubon over the last year.Most importantly, Ken and Graham are two great
guys who have been fun to work with. They have
helped to makeTahoma Audubon a
joy to work and vol-unteer at. They have
become part of thefamily. They will be
missed, but we also
wish them well on thenext leg of their
adventure.Tahoma Audubon
has been lucky to be
part of theAmeriCorps program
for the last three years.Ameri-Corps members commit to 10 and months of
full time work for a non-profit. In exchange they getreal world work experience, a small stipend with health
coverage and a monetary award they can use towards
higher education. Starting in September we will bewelcome an education member for our fourth year with
the program.
Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2010
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSCorner
July/August 2010 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3
Contact Krystal at 253-232-9978.
ENVIRONMENTMatters
The Towheeis a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advo-
cates for the protection of wildlife and promotes conservation through
education and activities that enrich its members experiences in and
with the natural world.
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with combined
Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan issues. Submissions of articles and photographs
of birds, bird lore, natural history, conservation, and environmental
education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor.
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail,
disk, or typed. E-mail submissions to [email protected].
Editors: David Cohn, David Lev
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: robert_kelton@ mac.com
Printing: Consolidated Press
A big "thank you" to Ken and Graham Trees & transportation: What do they have in common?
QUIZ: which plant is pictured?
a) Dull Oregon grape
b) Holly
c) Tall Oregon grape
Make a designation to support TahomaAudubon for generations to come
Do you like seabirds? Would you like to help identify
birds sitting on waters of Puget Sound this winter?Seattle Audubon and Tahoma Audubon are teaming
up to conduct the fourth season of the Puget SoundSeabird Survey in King, Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish
counties. It is the only land-based monthly survey in the
south sound area conducted by volunteers like y ou!Results from last year can be found online at www.
seabirdsurvey.orgSurvey sites in Pierce County include Purdy Spit,
Kopachuck Park, Narrows Park, Gig Harbor Spit,
Sunrise Beach County Park, Joemma Park, HeronIsland Ferry Terminal and more!
Bring a partner or buddy out and have fun identifyingseabirds one Saturday a month between October and
April. A mandatory short survey protocol training willoccur this September in Tacoma for new volunteers.
Date and location TBD.
Contact Krystal Kyer, Conservation Coordinator tovolunteer or with questions at 253-232-9978 or kkyer@
tahomaaudubon.org
Point Defiance Native PlantGarden Walk & Potluck
July 28, 20106pm-8pm
Volunteers sought for wintertime
Puget Sound Seabird Survey
Please bring a dish toshare if you wish toattend the potluck.
For more information,volunteer events, andtrainings, please visit:
www.greentacoma.org
(Answer=a)
Tahoma Audubon Staff
Bryan Flint Executive Director
[email protected] 253-565-9129
Krystal Kyer Conservation Coordinator
[email protected] 253-232-9978
Stephanie Swaim Education Coordinator
[email protected] 253-327-9480
Cami Kesinger Development [email protected] 253-565-9129
Graham Taylor Volunteer Coordinator 253-565-1884
Ken Benton Education Intern
[email protected] 253-565-1884
Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
Margie Shea Co-President
Tanja Scott Co-President
Darby Veeck Vice President
Jane Brosius Secretary
Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
Tahoma Audubon Board of Directors
John Garner
Thelma Gilmur
Bill Smith
The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon SocietyLocated in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
Dan Sherman
Melissa Paulson
Ione Clagett
Dick Carkner
Charles Griffin
Peggy Kopf
We are pleased to honor o ur visionaries who have named Tahoma Audubonin their estate plans making them members of the Feathered Nest Circle.
Thank you current members as of June 15, 2010:
Tahoma Audubon Society's
Feathered Nest Circle
Anonymous (3)
Jane BrosiusHelen Engle
Bryan FlintThomas Galdabini
John Garner & Caroline HarrisThelma and Chuck Gilmur
Marjorie Griffin*
Noel & Bill HagensFrances Heidner*
David R. HirstCami Kesinger
Peggy Kopf & Pat Mail
John & Pat Lantz
Diane J. MaloneJean McCord
Guy and Cecile MontgomeryGary and Sharon Nestegard
Melissa and Jamie PaulsonDonna Cooper Pepos*
Barbara Petersen
Sarah C. SloatBeatrice E. Thompson*
Darby Veeck & Kristin Lynett
*Deceased
And a big
welcome to our
new PresidentMargie Shea,
seen here with
Thelma Gilmur.
Ken Benton Graham Taylor
One of the easiest ways support themission of Tahoma Audubon through
your estate is to make a designation of
beneficiary to your IRA, pension plan,life insurance, or other accounts you
currently hold. Just request andsign your institutions form that
states how you want yourmoney distributed when you
pass on. These designations
can be split among familymembers and other chari-
ties based on percentages.The distribution of your
generously is made at the
time of your death beforeyour will and estate go
into probate. Such gifts ofestate go to Tahoma
Audubons endowment forthe long term sustainability of
the organization and support
our important work to protect
habitat. While not necessary, if youinform us in writing you become a
member of the Feathered Nest Circle.
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=12894http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=12894http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=9219http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=9219http://www.pttomorrow.org/compare.aspxhttp://www.pttomorrow.org/compare.aspxmailto:[email protected]://www.seabirdsurvey.org/http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.greentacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.greentacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.seabirdsurvey.org/http://www.seabirdsurvey.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.pttomorrow.org/compare.aspxhttp://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=9219http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=128948/9/2019 07-2010 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Bird watching has been good at Nisqually. There is a new dike
out past the Twin Barns. It is over 1/2 mile long, and goes
toward McAllister Creek, but not quite to it.Join Phil Kelley on his weekly bird walks as he counts the
birds at Nisqually NWR. The group walks over to the new
area near the visitors center to view the entry road estuary, and
then takes the boardwalk/trail loop out to the Twin Barns, and
the Nisqually overlook area. From there, the group walks the
new dike, and back to the Riparian Forest. The walk totals
about 2 miles. Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,
water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee unless you have a pass.
Scopes are welcome.
Meet: At the Visitors Center Pond Overlook.
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].
Nisqually NWR has been doing a 3-4 year estuary reconstruc-
tion project. For more information, go to http://www.fws.gov/
nisqually/ and click on Events and News.
Tiptoe Through the Tidepools at Titlow
Sun Jul 11, 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Titlow Beach. Free, all ages. Bring your family to
explore the beach, learn about tide pool life and have lots of
fun during one of the lowest tides of the year!
Low tide of -3.4will be at 11:30 a.m.
Morse Wildlife Preserve Open Trails
Sun Jul 11, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Morse Wildlife Preserve
Explore this natural treasure as you walk the trails and dis-
cover the beauty of the five habitat zones in the preserve.
Located in Graham, the preserve has the following special
open dates. Call 253-591-6439 for more information.
Ohop Creek Field Trip
Sun Jul 25, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Ohpp Creek
Join volunteers on a field trip to a site undergoing major habi-
tat restoration on Ohop Creek, near E atonville, WA. Volunteers
will share their species identification skills and collect data
using NatureMapping. No training required, but helpful.
Registration is available by calling 360-832-7166 or emailing
Birdwalk at Homestead Park: Gig Harbor
Tue Aug 3, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Homestead Park: Gig Harbor
Join Melissa Sherwood as she leads an evening monthly bird-
walk through the new Homestead Park in Gig Harbor. Wearappropriate clothing and waterproof shoes or boots as you
may cross creeks. Maybe yo u will spot some owls!
Directions: Off Hwy 16 in Gig Harbor take Burnham Drive
Exit heading West until you get to a T which is Sehmel
Drive continue straight until you get to 78th Ave and turn left,
you will come to the park. Go in and toward the back/south-
side of the park. Meet in the Meadow area. Call Melissa if
you have questions 851-7230. Call Tahoma Audubon for
more details and to sign up, 565-9278.
Evening Birdwalk at Homestead Park
Wed Aug 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location: Homestead Park.
Join Melissa Sherwood as she leads an evening monthly bird-
walk through the new Homestead Park in Gig Harbor. Wear
appropriate clothing and waterproof shoes or boots as you
may cross creeks. Maybe you will spot some owls! Directions:
Off Hwy in Gig Harbor take Burnham Drive Exit heading
West until you get to a T which is Sehnel Drive continue
straight until you get to 78th Ave and turn left, you will come
to the park. Go in and toward the back/southside of the park.
Meet in the Meadow area. Call Melissa if you have questions
851-7230. Call 565-9278 for more details and to sign up, .
Morse Wildlife Preserve Open Trails
Sun Aug 8, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Morse Wildlife Preserve. Explore this natural trea-
sure as you walk the trails and discover the beauty of the five
habitat zones in the preserve. Located in Graham, the preserve
has the following special open dates. Call 253-591-6439 for
more information.
For the past year,
Ken Benton hasbeen a key member
of the staff atTahoma Audubon.
He single-handedlytook over the reigns
of the OSPREY
after-school envi-ronmental clubs and
the 11th Annual BirdDrawing Contest.
He was instrumental
in building a nativeplant garden at Surprise Lake Middle School, and he
partnered with Pierce County Environmental Educators,teachers, the PTA and Stewardship Partners in the
simultaneous installation of the Narrowsview
Intermediate School rain garden
and Environmental Fair. In addi-tion to his service to the youth of
Pierce County, he also participatedas a birder for his first Bird-a-thon
with us, identifying 93 species
between 5 a.m. and 11:53 p.m. Atracking enthusiast, Ken led two
snowshoe tracking hikes forMetroParks Tacoma Outdoor Adventures and the
Volunteer Naturalists Training and lists them as hisfavorite activities in which he participated this year.
From here, Ken will travel back East where he will
become both a husband and a student. He begins hisHamlin University M. Ed. Program in Natural Sciences
and Environmental Education this fall, while workingand living in New Hampshire. So if you see him
between now and his last day, July 15, please wish him
luck, and thank him wholeheartedly for the amazingjob he has done this year.
THANKS, KEN!
Gearing-up for Fall Classes
Mark your calendars! On July 20,
registration opens for fall classes
through MetroParks Tacoma! All class-es are first-come, first-served so please
remember to register early as many ofour programs fill fast - especially our
adult birding classes and homeschoolscience classes.
Birding Basics with Rolan Nelson
begins September 13 and is held onMonday nights through October 4 at the
Tacoma Nature Center. This is a classfor adult beginning birders, and topics
will include binoculars, field guide use,
and the birds you will commonly see inyour backyards and nearby parks.
Please, register beginning July 20 bycalling the Tacoma Nature Center, 253-
591-6439, or by signing-up online atwww.metroparkstacoma.org .
Plea for Summer Camp Scholarship Donations
Dear Members, Friends and Neighbors,The Tacoma Nature Center and Tahoma Audubon
Society provide outstanding environmental camps foryouth in our community throughout the summer. These
camps not only provide hands-on nature experiences
that enrich the lives of our campers, but draw a numberof caring teenage volunteers to help with camps as they
discover their own passions and career paths. We aregrateful for the generous donations of our members over
the past years who have supported our scholarship fund,
which helps the youth of Pierce County participate in ourfee-based programs, such as school programs and
camps. This summer we have had a surge in familiesrequesting scholarship money to help them pay for their
childs week at camp. We find that our scholarship fundis running low, and so we are asking for continued dona-
tions to our scholarship fund so that we can help these
families send their children to camp this summer. If youwould like to make a donation, it would be greatly appre-
ciated. Please send checks to Tahoma Audubon, withscholarship fund in the memo line. The campers, their
families, and the education staff thank you!
FIELD TRIPS and Events
Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2010
EDUCATIONMatters
Call Steph @ 253-327-9480. Or
July/August 2010 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
stephanieSWAIMEducation Coordinator
Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are people limited outof necessity.
Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come. Field trip leaders put ina lot of time and planning and no-shows disrupt field trips. More than 3no-shows a year can result in revoking opportunity to participate.
Arrive at the meeting place early.
No pets are allowed.
Be prepared for seasonal weather.
Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is scheduled past mid-day.
All passengers divide total carpooling expenses. Current guidelines are20 cents a mile per car, not including driver.
Beginners are always welcome.
Have fun.
RULES
Education highlights
July August
Please see Calendar on
back page for exact dates
Thanks and Farewell to Ken Benton,
AmeriCorps Environmental Educator
Ken Benton
Congratulations Bird Drawing Contest Winners!By Ken Benton
With 115 fantastic entries from schools all over
Pierce County, the contestant pool for our 11 th
Annual Bird Drawing Contest was as strong as ever.
Our panel of judges (made up of biologists, artists
and birders) expressed great difficulty in selecting a
top three for each age category. We would like to
congratulate our winners and thank everyone who
submitted their great pictures of American Kestrels,
Clarks Nutcrackers and Red-necked Grebes.
And the winners are:
2nd/3rd Grade
1st Place: Emma Lee Beck
2nd Place: Madison Allen
3rd Place tie: Caleb Scheib and Tahra Menon
4th/5th Grade
1st Place: Jenny Hagle
2nd Place: Maddy Medley
3rd Place: Tristan Grant
6th/7th Grade
1st Place: Tova Beck
2nd Place: Kaitlyn Unger
3rd Place: Marin Malich (not pictured)
Tova Beck
Kaitlyn Unger
Caleb Scheib
Jenny Hagle
Maddy Medley
Tahra Menon
Emma Lee Beck
Madison Allen
Tristan Grant
Bring your family and join us on one of the lowest tides of the yearto explore the beach, learn about tidepool life and have lots of fun!
Low tide of -3.4' will be at 11:30 am
Self-guided tide pool exploration with naturalists available for questions
Guided bird walk in Titlow Park
Create a craft and take part in other activities
For more info, call 253-591-6439
Tiptoe through
TidepoolsSunday, July 11 @ Titlow Beach
10 am - 1 pm - FREE!
Adriana HessAudubon Center2917 Morrison Rd. W., University Place
For Ages 4-6Mon-Wed, 9 am - 1 pm $90 per camper
Little Explorers Nature CampsYoung explorers will nd this small nature parkin University Place just the right size for outdoordiscovery and play while learning about nature in theirown backyards.
LE: Fantastic ForestsBeat the heat in the shade of the forest while looking forsquirrels, rabbits and other tree dwellers.# 54441 June 21-June 23
LE: Hoo Lives Here?This camp is for the birds! Get better acquainted withrobins, nches, owls & other feathered friends.# 54442 June 28-30
LE: Tiptoe Through the TidepoolsExplore the creatures that hide in tidepools: sea stars,shore crabs, moon snails & octopus!# 54443 July 12-14
LE: Winter WonderlandIts winter in July as we cool off with animals that live atthe poles or know how to stay warm in cold weather.# 54444 July 19-21
LE: Small WondersUse microscopes & magniers to discover the smallestwildlife that live in our backyards.# 54445 July 26-28
LE: Wild About WetlandsFrom frogs to craysh, minnows to ducks, learn how wet-land animals live deep in the muck.# 54446 August 2-4
Tacoma Nature Center1919 S. Tyler St., Tacoma
For Ages 5-11Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm $150 per camperOff-site eld trip included for 8-11 yr. old campers
Nature DetectivesFind fascinating ways that wildlife survives and thriveshere in the Pacic Northwest. Learn to identify animalsand their behaviors with nature hikes, games, crafts,science lab, sketching and journaling.# 54434 June 28-July 2 Ages 8-11# 54435 July 5-9 Ages 5-7
Sea to ShoreGet the underwater scoop on amazing creatures of theponds, creeks, rivers, tides and ocean. Hikes, games,crafts, stories and a science lab will bring you into thiswet and wild world. Play an important role in protectingthe nurseries of turtles, tadpoles and butteries.# 54436 July 12-16 Ages 8-11# 54437 July 19-23 Ages 5-7
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Creatinghealthy
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Thingsgetwildat
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]8/9/2019 07-2010 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2010
Birdathontrip Reports
Birdathon: A way to help birds, other wildlife and sup-port Tahoma Audubon programs. Each year TahomaAudubon Society coordinates Birdathon. It is our largestand most successful fundraiser of the year. It is also a wayto celebrate the importance of birds and other wildlife andraise funds for Tahoma Audubon. Thank you to all the tripleaders, hosts and donors! You are what makes TahomaAudubons Birdathon so special.
Please enjoy a few of the many Birdathon Reports Ihave received. If you would like to read them all, come onby our office and sit in our conference room and readthem while watching our bird feeders!
The first report is by Rookie Birdathon Birders KenBenton and Graham Taylor. They are our fabulous andtalented Americorps Staff members here at TahomaAudubon. Sadly, their terms end on July 15! Come saygoodbye to them if you have time. We will miss them and
wish them good luck on their next endeavors!From Ken Benton & Graham Taylor:Monday May 17, was a day that shook the birding com-
munity. While most of the world was fast asleep in bed,two intrepid young men set out on a mission. Both ama-teurs, one a native of the eastern United States, their goalof finding over 80 species in just 24 hours was an ambi-tious one. However, these were no ordinary young men.They were armed with vision rivaling that of an eagle,reflexes of a jungle cat, an iron will and high moral forti-tude. Yes, Ken Benton and Graham Taylor, two relativelyunknowns would soon take the birding world by storm.
Under the cover of darkness, they began their epicjourney that would take them from the pristine habitat ofthe Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to the busy urbanwoodlands and beaches of Tacoma. At 5:00 a.m., theygot their first three species: American Robin, SpottedTowhee and American Crow. By noon their list expandedto 62. At 6:45 p.m. they parted ways with 89 species.However, with several major misses, Ken Benton was notabout to stand by and watch the remaining hours slipbetween his fingers. Revisiting several locations fromearlier in the day, he was able to knock off three of thetroublesome birds: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Buffleheadand Huttons Vireo. With his conscience finally cleared,Ken finally retired at 8:30 p.m. But as those close to himknow, the mind of Ken Benton is never far from his favor-ite quarry. At 11:30 p.m., he awoke from a dead sleep tothe soft hooting of a Western Screech Owl.
The final total for the day was a whopping 93 species.From Art Wang:
Ten of us in three cars enjoyed perfect weather and hada great trip on Saturday, May 15. We started at 5:15 a.m.at Theas Park in Tacoma and ended at 8:00 p.m. in MosesLake. In between, I saw 124 species of birds and thegroup as a whole saw 126 species. (I told you we wouldexpect 125.) Marcus Roening has been doing this routefor many years of Birdathon and knew exactly what toexpect at every location on his detailed itinerary.
I learned some sensational new places to see birds.One was the West Hylebos Park in Federal Way, originallydonated land from one of Tahoma Audubons pioneersthat became a state park during my tenure in theLegislature. Somehow I had never been therebefore, but it is a wonderful nugget of habitatpreserved in the heart of Federal Way. Another new location was just outside
Emerald Downs, where we had a pond withGreen-winged, Blue-winged and CinnamonTeal swimming together. Then there was thehouse at Hyak with fifteen or so humming-bird feeders hanging from every eave and withat least two Rufous Hummingbirds for everyfeeder, all glinting their brilliant reds in the sun-shine. Near Stampede Pass I saw a NorthernGoshawk pass overhead, although none of theothers in the group got to see it. Then there wasSwauk Cemetery above the Teanaway Valley,
where we picked up mountain specialties such asMountain Chickadee and Cassins Finch and the delightfulNorthern Pacific ponds by South Cle Elum. But the mostsensational spot of all was Frenchmans Coulee near theGorge in George, where towering basalt cliffs rise straight
up on one side of the road and plummet to the valley flooron the other where Rock Wrens sing on the cliffs whileWhite-throated Swifts scream through the air in dizzyingwonder.
Most unusual birds of the day were possibly two out-of-range and out-of-habitat Huttons Vireos by the PetrifiedGingko Forest in Vantage. But my favorites were probablya sensationally-plumaged Mountain Bluebird, glowingelectric blue in the sunlight near Vantage, and breeding-plumaged American Avocets near the Potholes.
The two birds I missedwhich others sawwere BankSwallows (which flew by as I was looking elsewhere) andGolden-crowned Kinglets (whose voices are somehow nolonger in my hearing range). My explanation is that Ithink they have evolved in the last few years to develophigher-pitched songs!From Roxy Giddings:
Weather couldnt have been better for the fourteen ofus with Ken and Nell Batker at the Nisqually Delta NationalWildlife Refuge on May 8. We were greeted by gagglesof gregarious gadwall and the cacophony of cantankerousCanada geese. Most memorable was an AmericanBittern, who puffed out his chest and posed forson Winfield to take pictures; twice more during the morn-ing a bittern flew by us. The frogs ribbited with impeccablediction. We saw 23 species before we even left the naturecenter area! The remnants of the former great-horned owlnest tree were clearly identifiable, having fallen across thenow-repaired boardwalk. Although much of the Delta isnow inaccessible and former dry land flooded, 63 specieswere still identified. The new boardwalk is not finished yet
but soon we will have access to even more habitats. Around noon, nine of us carpooled and headed
west. Seen along the road were Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, which hadnt been seen at the Delta.Sightings at Bowerman Basin sewage ponds included anAlbino herring gull (a white gull with a black bill), and a
river otter was chasing birds away. Continui ng on past theponds to the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, wewalked out on the boardwalk there. Flocks of shore-birds were flashing on the distant tide line.
The beaches at Ocean Shores were much the same aslast year; we added 29 more species there. Some of
our group climbed on the dike to check on the deepwater side for diving fish eaters, like grebes, whileothers scan for Long-billed Dowitchers that fol-low the tide line edges probing like little sew-ing machines. Brown pelicans are fun towatch flying in a line low over the water. Awonderful bird is the pelican. His bill will holdmore than his belican. He can take in his
beak Food enough for a week, But Im damnedif I see how the helican. [We thought this wasOgden Nash, but Bartlett quotes it from DixonLanier Merritt (1879-1972) in 1910.]
Although not as many shore bird specieswere found as usual, the list added up to a cred-
itable total of 92 species.
Avery desired bird in this state!
As we warmed up in the cars and birded our way
along the ridge, all of a sudden a large gray ghostswooped by the last three cars in our caravan and
landed momentarily on a stump. A Great Gray Owl!Leader Ken in car number one missed it and hardly
believed us, but luckily Sue Taylor had snapped aphoto, confirming the ID! Wow! We tracked it, and
later it whooshed through one last time so that every-
one got a glimpse. Just glimpses, but very diagnos-tic.
The next days were full ofadventures. Wildflowers were
everywhere. We saw so many
Tanagers and MacGillivraysWarblers that they almost became
cheap eye candy! And yes, we cansing back to these species quite adequately now!
Some of our group saw a bear at Field Springs. Wereported it to a ranger, and when we came down from
the trail, we met him with a very goal-directed appear-
ing bloodhound. Theyd been looking for that bearfor some time. They were ready to tranquilize it and
give it a new home, as it had been harassing the pic-nickers. We had wondered why the campground was
almost empty on Memorial Day weekend!
Thanks to the friendlier members of our group, we
managed to get invited into the kitchen of one of therangers who was raising Chukars for release, and wemet some large Chukar chicks in a plumage we had
never seen before! Mountain Chickadees wereeverywhere! Sue finally got her life Mountain
Chickadee, hurray! Flycatchers were still setting up
territories, and we heard not just the calls, but the fullsongs of several species!
Finally Memorial Day rolled around, and we metTim Schoenfelder in La Grande and tootled up
Spring Creek. Driving the muddy road, we were
prepared to go to great lengths, but didnt have to!Tim rolled to a stop. We all got out expecting a trek,
but no! Just a few hundred yards, and there was the
nest box of a Great Gray Owl with two Owlets!
Soon, a parent (daddy?) swooped silently in, uncar-ing of all the bipeds who had been stunned into a
reverent silence. We watched him hunt, watched thechicks take a nap, wake up, get some stretching
exercise, and just basically had the best show ever.Sapsuckers, Pygmy Nuthatches, and Western
Bluebirds provided a normalizing background effect,
but the Great Gray Owls were greatest! Timexplained that three of the many nest box/ledges
erected for the convenience of the owls were suc-cessful this spring including one which had fledged
the previous week and two, including this one, still
with Owlets.They say the best way to conquer your nemesis is
to choose the right Master. Since the Great GrayOwl has been the nemesis bird for both Faye
McAdams Hands and for me for years, we finallyattached ourselves to the right combination of mas-
ters this time, Ken Brown and Tim Schoenfelder!
This trip added that prize to both our Washingtonand Oregon lists as well!
We were a long way from home, but managed afew more birding stops. Then we chose to try out
Highway 410 over Chinook Pass, which we heard
had just opened for the season. It was open, but SOsnowy. What an experience! Massive white walls
lined the roadway. We stopped at a restroom to which
a snow tunnel had literally been dug, but of course noelectricity, so the door had to be propped open. Soonto become just another birderstall tale!
This four-day busy trip netted 136 species!
Overall, the new Advanced Birding Class started outwith a bang, totaling well over 200 species in four
field trips to most habitat types in the state (and alittle into Oregon!).
Signup for this class is happening any minute, and
it fills up fast. But have no fearthe adult beginningand intermediate classes will soon be offered as
well! There will be a class for you! Prepare your listsof most-wanted birds!
...Great Gray Owlfrom page 1
Our TARGET! Grea t Gray Owl. Photo/Ed Pullen
Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
At the Great Gray Owl Site with our guide! Diane, Ken, Jody, Kay, Mike, Kathryn, Ryan, Vera,Shelley, Carol, Carolyn, Betty, Sue (front), Tim (our guide!), Melissa, Ed, Faye, Wayne.
Two Owl chicks in the nest box. Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn A family of Mountain Goats in the Blues. Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Western Tanager. Why did the Turkeys cross the road? Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Green tailed Towhee. MacGillivray's Warbler
Photos/Diane Yorgason-QuinnAbove: Western kingbirds turned up every-where. Below: A Lewis Woodpecker gets tothe core of things
Photos/Diane Yorgason-QuinnWhere do baby Chukars come from? The ranger's kitchen!Below left: Yellow Warbler claiming to be "Sweet SweetSweet!" Below right: Mountain Chickadee peers from her box.
8/9/2019 07-2010 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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The morning of May 27, five victims were found
near a parking lot at Titlow Park. The victims: A family
of Killdeer including two breeding and one chick withits head blown off, a Mourning Dove and a Bullocks
Oriole, all piled together. The weapon: A pellet gun.The motive: Something unfathomable to anyone
belonging to the Audubon Society. A passer-by brought
them into the Slater Museum of Natural History at theUniversity of Puget Sound, where the director, Dr. Peter
Wimberger, alerted the birding community via theTweeters internet list and attempted to piece together
the story. The Tacoma Police Department reported thata state agency was responsible for the killing and the
mess. No state or federal agency would take respon-
sibility, and it seems unlikely any bird collecting or
culling process would have included these species or
would have mandated abandoning the carcasses in apublic park.
So be careful out there, no matter what species youare. Dr. Wimberger, thanks for alerting the community
and doing the detective work.
Certainly any birds found dead in good condition canbe used at the Slater Museum in their collections or for
teaching purposes, and these victims will live on in thatway. Information can be found on their website,
including fascinating photographs of their definitivecollection of bird wings: http://www.pugetsound.edu/
academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/?
Bill Giddings wrote a masterfulreview of the Northwest GroundwaterConference. Do we know how thingsare with our groundwater 25 yearslater? Here are his opening paragraphsfrom the July/August Towhee, 1985: Even here in Tacoma and Pierce County
people are beginning realize that water runs downhill,not only aboveground as surface water, but downthrough the ground to recharge the aquifers supplyinggroundwater. Although 90% of Tacomas average useof 80 million gallons per day comes form the greenRiver, at peak times as much as 60 million gallons ofgroundwater per day is drawn from the Tacoma WellField. Fortunately, the South Tacoma Channel underly-ing the 13 wells is rapidly recharged; unfortunatelywater running down through the site of an abandonedTime Oil facility, where used motor oil was reprocessed,threatens the purity of the entire groundwater supply.So far, over a million dollars has been spent for the fivestripping towers that attendees of the groundwater
conference visited on June 13; operational costs are$60,000 per year. Other notable local sites seen on thetour included similar stripping towers with similar costsused to blow solvents from the groundwater into theair at Lakewood Water District wells near PondersCorner; the source of the problem there was traced to
one dry cleaning establishment. Resident ofAmerican Lake Gardens must drink bottled
water.Janet Anthony of FOBB (Friends of
Bowerman Basin) reported on the sec-ond annual Festival of Shorebirds where
hundreds of thousands of shorebirdsstopped off to refuel on their long migration
to Alaska breeding grounds. She urged participa-tion in the efforts to protect Bowerman Basin by creat-ing an estuarine sanctuary.
Brian Morelan described the development inChambers Creek Canyon for which Robert M. Davisis seeking permits. The developer is in violationbecause he has already clear-cut a large area, andconstructed a road. While the project is on hold, ero-sion control is being done by the Dept. of NaturalResources and the WA Fisheries Dept. to protect thisvitally important salmon-spawning stream.
The summer months were really busy ones forTahoma Audubon. We attended hearings -- theSuperfund meeting at the Tacoma-Pierce CountyHealth Department; Chambers Creek development
hearing at the County-City Building. There was theMidsummer Potluck picnic on July 10 at the Englegarden; the hugely successful annual Rummage Saleon July 20 at The Snake Lake Nature Center (nowTacoma Nature Center), chaired by Nell Batker; KenBrown led a birding trip to Summerland (Mt Rainier
NP); Thais Bock led in July and Joe Terlow inAugust for the monthly census at Nisqually; we wentto Lake Tapps with Fred Tobiason; Sunrise/BurroughsMountain (Mt Rainier) with Bob Ramsey; FortSteilacoom/Waughop Lake with Walt Adams; PackForest withAnnVisChansky; Bear Park (Mt Rainier)with Jeff Goulden; and Anderson Island withThelma Gilmur assisted by Hazel Heckman(author of popular books Island in the Sound andIsland Year). Thelma also led a parent/child outing atOhanapecosh (Mt Rainier).
The non-game program of the Game Departmentwas seeking information from Audubon on severaluncommon Washington breeding birds. DougWechsler,habitat Preservation Biologist at the Dept.asked us for help in acquiring information on the fol-lowing birds: Common Loon,Horned Grebe, Red-neckedGrebe, Great Egret, Black-necked Stilt, FlammulatedOwl, Black Swift, Black-backedWoodpecker, Ash-throatedFlycatcher, Purple Martin and
Western Bluebird. We won-der, How are these specialbirds doing now in 2010?
July/August 2010 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2010
BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly
Just the other day...Tahoma Audubon in July 1985By Helen Engle
Feedback, comments and reminiscences welcome,
253-564-3112, [email protected].
Helen Englefrom days of yore.
rimitive camping does not
have the allure that it oncedid. And as the population
ages, sliding between cleansheets after a long hot showerthat caps off a day of birding is a
nice thought. But there are no motels atWenas (although there are some within rea-sonable driving distance)!
For over 47 years, Audubon has invadedWenas during Memorial day. Even though wegot a scare a few years ago when this BoiseCascade campground was bought by a devel-oper with visions of 5 acre ranchettes, intrepidAuduboners helped to get it safely into stateownership. While not guaranteed safe since itis DNR Trust Land (and will be selectivelylogged), it is still the birders mecca that it wasyears ago when Bea Buzzetti, Ruth Andersonand Hazel Wolf wandered into the WenasCreek area on a Memorial Day camping trip.
The road is a little dicey in places, but, inaddition to the intrepid tent camping contin-gent, people hauling trailers and driving camp-ers and motor homes made it in. My grand-daughter yelled the whole way so she couldhear the reverberation in her voice as webounced over the rocky road. The creek this
year is in the hands of engineers of the dam-
building clan of native beaver. Sand has over-flowed and flooded the road. I shut my eyesas I drove through, but I was amazed thateven low-slung Honda Preludes can make it.A wet Spring made for an incredible display
of wildflowers and had migrating birds unsureof what the agenda was. Breeding seemed tobe late. I am a novice birder, I come toWenas to sit by the tent with a good bookto read, death camas at my feet, andbinoculars by my side to glance up atbirds that come amazingly close. Bolsteredby Don Knokes incredible flower boards,I am always amazed by what I see andlearn about this area on the dry side ofour state.
During our evening campfire, DonKnokes 90th birthday was announced.Typically, campfires are not permitted afterApril 15 on DNR land. The first night wemade do with a propane fire, but becauseof the wet season, we received DNR per-mission to have real evening campfires andthey even brought us wood! I am afraid thatone day we will have to have virtual campfireswith a projector and a screen, such as theChristmas Yuletide fires shown on television.
The bats were as confused as the birds by
the weather, even trying to locate them withsophisticated electronic equipment was noteasy. However, Michelle Noes love and knowl-
edge of bats made the search fun and educa-
tional. Michelle is President of Bats Northwest.(More info at: www.batsnorthwest.org.)
Field trips were led throughout the valleyand the bird list is still being tallied. The creekoffers an opportunity to sit and to just beamazed at the colorful birds that we canobserve at this time of year.
Seattle Audubon brought educational birdskins (and a couple of pink flamingos). This upclose look at birds was very helpful in our naturesketching class. On the log-in sheet for Wenas,there were 111 individual names listed and anofficial count at the campfire circle was over 100.
There were more people there than signed in,and many that just came up for the day. Willyour name be on the list for next year?
"Over the years, scores of different species have appeared in my dreams. Songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors - many bird families have been represent-ed. And perhaps not surprisingly, they have oftentimes been species I had yet to actually see - the lifers that still eluded me in the tangible world outdoors.Indeed, I sometimes think I have observed more rarities while asleep than awake. To this day, there are vagrant species I have only dreamed of and have givenup all hope of ever truly seeing". Randy Horvath - Birder Watcher's Digest, Jan/Feb 2010
A MurderMystery
Top left corner: Cassin's Finch; Top right corner:White-Breasted Nuthatch;Above: Western Tanager.
How cold is the water? Educational flower boards at Larrison Tree.
Story and photos by Kathleen A. LeGreid
In 1963, Bea Buzzetti, Ruth Anderson and Hazel Wolf wandered serendipitously into the Wenas Creek area on a Memorial Day campingtrip. They were so impressed with the variety of wildlife that they convinced owners Boise Cascade to make the campground available
to Audubon campers on Memorial Day. This was the beginning of an annual Audubon tradition. wenasaudubon.org
http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/http://www.batsnorthwest.org/http://wenasaudubon.org/http://wenasaudubon.org/http://www.batsnorthwest.org/http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/8/9/2019 07-2010 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Chapter New & Returning:
Hal & Kate Amundson, Christine Karczewski, Pamela
Mayer, Barbara Weikert, Jo Ann Savitz, Ann Waldo,
Adele & Mark Freeland, Joyce Lundberg, Willliam Holt,
R Nelson, Allan F Avery, Charlotte Pierce, Harlan Sethe
Joint Chapter & National Renewals, Recruited through
Tahoma Audubon Society:
Captain Horst D. Albrecht, Mary Ellen Church, EleanorBlock, Steven & Susan Garrett, Stella B. Jones, Robert
& Barbara Kvamme, Don & Nancy C. Pearson, Arthur
& Janis Smith, Howard & Suzanne Leichman, Doreen
Aiken, Dennis P. Anderson, Henry Bernard
Introductory, Recruited through
Tahoma Audubon Society
Scott Davis, Herman Robalino
Introductory, Recruited through
National Audubon Society
D. Dewitt, Jean Rojas, Renee Schrenk,
Nancy Wheeler, D Abel, Joan M
James, Sally McHugh, R. Nelson,
Allan Avery, Charlotte Pierce,
Harlan Sethe
When renewal time comes: Amonth before your membership expires we will send
you a reminder to renew. Please renew through us, not
through National Audubon. They do not give us a share
of renewal dues; hence we are unable to support a
membership that includes providing you with a copy of
our newsletter, the Towhee. You will not get a Towhee
Newsletter if you renew through the National Audubon
Society. National will send you packs of renewal
noticesignore them! We ask you to renew here
through us for a Chapter Only membership or a Joint
membership which includes a Chapter Membership
and a National Audubon Membership. If you have
questions, call Thelma Gilmur, Membership Chair,
253-564-8210.
On July 15 the
Tahoma Audubon
Society will say its
goodbyes to
AmeriCorps staff
members Ken Benton
and Graham Taylor.
While it is tough to
say farewell, it is so
easy to say thank you
for the transforma-
tional experience
Tahoma Audubon
has offered us over the past two years. I am certain that
I will always look back on my time with Tahoma
Audubon fondly, remembering both the work and the
people with the utmost favor and respect.
As the volunteer coordinator, I have been particu-
larly blessed to work with such a thoughtful and
kindhearted group of volunteers and staff. To show upat work and be joined by volunteers is a special expe-
rience. Although one might think that working daily
with the unpaid would be a drag, it is exactly the
opposite; their positive energy is a buoy that keeps the
whole office afloat. Frankly, the days at Audubon
when volunteers are not scheduled are the days that
seem to drag on.
Before my experience at Audubon, I did not really
grasp the phenomenon of volunteering. Generationally
speaking, I must concede that it has not been a pri-
mary focus of my fellow millennials. I did not
understand what motivated volunteers and, quite hon-
estly, I was confused by their decision to donate their
valuable time. I have since come a long way toward
understanding.
While we know that Audubons volunteers partici-
pate because of their passion for conservation, what is
often left unstated is their love of their fellow human
being, their neighbor, who is ultimately their friend.
Volunteers demonstrate their passion through compas-
sion, giving up their most valuable possession their
time to work for the community they love. As mytime with Audubon comes to a close, I cannot think of
anything more basic, straightforward or reasonable
than volunteering.
Besides providing a wonderful family of staff and
volunteers to work with, Audubon supplied me with a
solid occupational framework that has empowered me
to accomplish so many things. My time with Audubon
has led me to work with volunteers to coordinate and
maintain: restoration efforts, issue-driven political
campaigns, newsletter articles, membership and devel-
opment practices, community outreach, volunteer and
event scheduling, the website, and most exhilarating of
all, it offered me the chance to shoot, write, direct, and
edit a film. And it wasnt just any film; it was the cel-
ebratory 40th anniversary film that would dbut at
Tahoma Audubons 40th birthday party on February
28th 2009. It was a project that I will treasure in my
memories forever.
In actuality, Audubon has offered me so much more
than what I have listed. Simply put, I cannot vocalize
or literate on how much this experience has meant to
me. I can, however, profusely thank everyone that hasbeen a part of this experience. Together we changed the
world. Thank you!
July/August 2010 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:TahomaAudubon2917Morrison
Rd.W.
UniversityPlace,
98466TahomaAudubon
Society,establishedin1969,
isa501(c)(3)nonprofit
organization.Donationsaretaxdeductible.
Membership Fee:
___ Introductory (first year) $20
___ Joint National/ Tahoma Audubon $50
___ Chapter member renewal $30
___ Other Contribut ions _____________
Member(s) Name: _______________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City______________________________ Zip__________________
Phone: home ___________________business _________________
e-mail: ________________________________________________
Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
Membership
Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2010
C9ZY020Z
or (253) 565-1884
VOLUNTEERRecognition
Thank you and farewell to my Audubon family
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
On June 1, Christi Norman of Washington Audubon visited our
Advanced Birding Class with an exciting proposal for Tahoma
Audubon. Youve all seen the great maps that have been coming out
over the last few years with recommended birding sites in our fabu-
lously diverse and birdable state: The Great Washington State Birding
Trail maps! Well, were now down the wire with just one left to pro-
duceand its OUR area! The Puget Sound trough (or suggest a
better name now!) area will be the final map, and then the entire state will be available
to birders from all over! Eventually, site signs will be erected when funding is available
advising visitors to check their map details for information on the spot where they are
standing. These maps are the best in a universe of 36 states who have now hopped
onto the birding trail caravan! Birders from out of state buy these maps when they
plan their trips to the Northwest, and we are using them locally more and more as well.
Tahoma Audubon is one of several Audubon chapters who look out on the Puget
Sound, and we now have a committee to process suggestions for sites to be included
on the map that are within the vision of our chapt er. Our committee is headed by Rob
and Natalie McNair-Huff, past co-presidents of Tahoma Audubon and authors ofBirding
Washington. The committee hopes by the end of the summer to have our HUGE list
of Pierce County hot spots pared down to a reasonable number to submit to the map
makers. So send in your suggestions NOW! You can download a nomination form
from Washington Audubons Great Birding Trail webpage or contact Rob and Natalie
right away if you want your voice heard!
The website with the nomination forms and other info on this project is:
http://wa.audubon.org/birds_GreatWABirdingTrail_PugetLoop.html .
You can also check out the already published maps in the series and download them,
even use them as computer wallpaper!
Rob and Natalies contact info:
Rob McNair-Huff [email protected] [email protected]
Natalie McNair-Huff [email protected]
Lets inundate em with all our best birding sites!! And NOWbefore summers end!
May 16, 2010 to June 15, 2010
WELCOMEto New and Returning Members
Save theDate
July 13thfrom 6pm-8pm.
Event: Summer Volunteer Appreciation Potluck
When: 7/13/2010 6pm-8pm
Where: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
What: Potluck & Socializing
Who: ALL VOLUNTEERS!
Why: Because we love you!
All Tahoma Audubon volunteers are invited to comecelebrate their service at our Summer Volunteer Ap-preciation Potluck. Whether you are a receptionist,a eld trip leader, a Towhee writer, editor, a restora-tion volunteer or a data enterer, you are invited tocome join us for an evening of food and socializing!Please bring at least 1 entre, or dessert to sharewith the group! See you there!
The Great Washington State Birding Trail needs you!
Christi Norman
Photo/Harry Folster
Frightened seagulls drop excess ballast as they wing their way to safety. Taken at Willapa NationalWildlife Refuge on Long Beach Peninsula.
Look out below!
Each year the Society of Profes-
sional Journalists holds the Excel-lence in Journalism Contest to hon-
or the very best in journalism.This year the 2009 contest
brought in 2,500 entries from Re-
gion 10, including entries fromAlaska, Oregon, Washington,
Idaho and Montana. The entrieswere submitted online for the
rst time this year, and
judged online as wellby journalists around
the country.The Towhee and
Robert Kelton placed
second for page design for non-
daily newspapers.
Towhee recognized in NW Excellence in Journalism Contest
... Dale Thompson!
Tahoma Audubon founding
member and wildlife artist,
Dale Thompson, will be at
Paradise lodge on Mt Rain-
ier, Fridays and Saturdays
throughout the summer.
Visit with ...
mailto:[email protected]://wa.audubon.org/birds_GreatWABirdingTrail_PugetLoop.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://wa.audubon.org/birds_GreatWABirdingTrail_PugetLoop.htmlmailto:[email protected]8/9/2019 07-2010 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
7/7
For additional information:Tahoma Audubon - 253-565-9278; or www.tahomaaudubon.org Or The Tacoma Nature Center:253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org
Calendar
Nature Detectives camp
@ TNC for 8-11 year-olds
Thu July 1, or Fri July 2, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Location: Tacoma Nature Center. See Education
Page for description.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri July 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Adriana Hess Wetland ParkCome enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the
grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Nature Detectives camp
@ TNC for 5-7 year-olds
Offered July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, or July 9,8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Location: Tacoma Nature Center. See Education
Page for description.
Adriana Hess Park Photography Class
Mon July 5, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.An adult program encouraging people to
appreciate nature and how they can incorporateit into their photography. Call Dixie Harris for
details 564-6373.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed July 7, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. See Field
Trips for more information.Join Phil Kelley on his weekly bird walks as he
counts the birds at Nisqually NWR. Call oremail Phil to confirm details. Phil, in Lacey,
(360) 459-1499, [email protected].
TAS Board MeetingThu Jul 8, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma AudubonBoard. Guests Welcome, please call ahead at
(253) 565-9278.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri July 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Tiptoe Through the Tidepools at Titlow
Sun Jul 11, 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location:Titlow Beach. See Field Trips for details.
Morse Wildlife Preserve Open Trails
Sun Jul 11, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location:
Morse Wildlife Preserve. Page 5 for details.
Sea to Shore Camp
@ TNC for 8-11 year-olds Mon July 12, 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See above description.
Little Explorers Camp:
Tiptoe Through the Tidepools
Mon Jul 12, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Adriana Hess. Ages 4-6. $90 percamper (includes $30 non-refundable deposit)
Register by calling the Nature Center, 253-591-6439. Explore the creatures in the tidepools.
Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon July 12, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Enjoy a guided bird walk through the park!
Sea to Shore Camp
@ TNC for 8-11 year-oldsTue July 13, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location:
Tacoma Nature Center. More details page 4.
Little Explorers Camp:
Tiptoe Through the Tidepools
Tue Jul 13, or Wed July 14, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m. See Field Trips for details.
Volunteer Appreciation Potluck
Tue July 13, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location:
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. All TahomaAudubon volunteers are invited to come cele-
brate their service at our Summer VolunteerAppreciation Potluck. Whether you are a
receptionist, a field trip leader, a Towhee writer,editor, a restoration volunteer or a data enterer,
you are invited to come join us for an evening
of food and socializing! Please bring at least 1entre, or dessert to share with the group!
Volunteer Work Party DaysLocation: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Wed July 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed July 14, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.
Sea to Shore Camp
@ TNC for 8-11 year-olds
Wed July 14, or Thu July 15, or Fri July16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Tacoma
Nature Center. See Education Page for details.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri July 16 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Sea to Shore Camp
@ TNC for 5-7 year-olds Mon July 19, 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Tacoma NatureCenter. See Education Page for details.
Little Explorers Camp:
Winter Wonderland Mon Jul 19, or Tue July20, or Wed July 21 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
See Education Page for details.
Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon July 19, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Enjoy a guided plant walk through the park!
Sea to Shore Cam @ TNC for 5-7 year-olds
Tue July 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.See Education Page for details.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed July 21 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.
Sea to Shore Camp@ TNC for 5-7 year-olds
Wed July 21, Thu July 22, or Fri July 23, 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See earlier description.
Nature Storytime
Caterpillar and Butterfly
Thu July 22 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri July 23 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Nature Storytime Bug Life
Fri Jul 23, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
See Education Page for details.
Volunteer Work Party Days
Location: Adriana Hess Wetland ParkSat July 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Dog-A-Thon
Sat July 24, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location:Ft. Steilacoom Park. Invitees: Tahoma
Audubon Society Come see us at our booth atthe 20th Annual Dog-A-Thon, to benefit Pierce
County Humane Society! Ft. Steilacoom Park!Bring your dog and stop and see us!
Ohop Creek Field Trip
Sun Jul 25, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
See Field Trips for details.
Family Walk at Adriana Hess Park
Sun Jul 25, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.A family program to encourage families to
appreciate the park by providing informationand opportunities with a guided walking tour.
Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373
Little Explorers Camp: Small Wonders
Mon Jul 26, Tue July 27, or Wed Jul 28, 9:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.See Education Page for details.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed July 28, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri July 30 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Adriana Hess Wetland ParkCome enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the
grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Wild Expressions Camp
@ TNC for 5-7 year-olds
Offered Aug 2, Aug 3, Aug 4, Aug 5, or Aug 6,
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.See Education Page for details.
Little Explorers Camp:Wild About Wetlands
Mon Aug 2, Tue Aug 3, or Wed Aug 4, 9:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m. See page 4 for details.
Adriana Hess Park Photography Class
Mon Aug 2 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. An adult
program encouraging people to appreciatenature and how they can incorporate it into
their photography. Call Dixie Harris 564-6373.
Birdwalk at Homestead Park: Gig Harbor
Tue Aug 3, 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
See Field Trips for details.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed Aug 4, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.
Evening Birdwalk at Homestead ParkWed Aug 4, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.See Field Trips for details
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Aug 6, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Morse Wildlife Preserve Open Trails
Sun Aug 8, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
See Field Trips for details
Eco-Explorers Camp
for Young Teens at TNC
Mon Aug 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
See Education Page for details
Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Aug 9, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Enjoy a guided bird walk through the park!
Eco-Explorers Camp
for Young Teens at TNC
Offered Aug 10, Aug 11, Aug 12, or Aug
13, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.See Education Page for details.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed Aug 11, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.Leader: Phil Kelley.
See earlier description.
Volunteer Work Party DaysLocation: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Thu Aug 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Aug 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Aug, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Enjoy a guided plant walk through the park!
Wild Expressions Camp
@ TNC for 8-11 year-olds
Offered Aug 16, Aug 17, Aug 18, Aug 19, orAug 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
See Education Page for details.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed Aug 18, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Aug 20, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Adriana Hess Wetland ParkCome enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the
grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Family Walk at Adriana Hess Park
Sun Aug 22 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Adriana Hess ParkA family program to encourage families to
appreciate the park by providing informationand opportunities with a guided walking tour.
Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed Aug 25, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Leader: Phil Kelley.See earlier description.
Nature Storytime Pond Wonders
Thu August 26, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Aug 27, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Nature Storytime Bug Life
Fri Aug 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
See Education Page for details.
Volunteer Work Party Days
Location: Adriana Hess Wetland ParkSat Aug 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Evening Birdwalk at Homestead Park
Tue Aug 31, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.See Field Trips for details.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed Sept 1, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Sept 3, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify thegrounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Adriana Hess Park Photography class
Mon Sept 6, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Park. An adult pro-
gram encouraging people to appreciate natureand how they can incorporate it into their pho-
tography. Call Dixie Harris; 564-6373.
SWIFTS!Mon Sept 6, Evening
We will go see Swifts do their chimney trick!!We have several potential chimneys and will
decide which one closer to the date, and par-ticipants may help decide. This will be a very
late afternoon/evening event with no walkingexcept to get your lawn chair and picnic out of
the car and settle down to watch the show!Please contact the trip leader so you can be kept
updated on the plans as the date approaches:
Diane Yorgason-Quinn, (253) 857-3367,[email protected]
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wed Sept 8, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.Leader: Phil Kelley. See earlier description.
TAS Board Meeting
Thu Sept 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center.Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon
Board. Guest Welcome, please call ahead at(253) 565-9278.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Sept 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the
grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Conservation Committee
Fri Sept 10, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Help Audubon achieve our 5 year goals forconserving, protecting, and restoring habitats
in Pierce County.
Membership Meeting
Fri Sept 10 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. TylerStreet. Monthly membership meeting of
Tahoma Audubon. All welcome. Check website for program - www.TahomaAudubon.org.
Call (253) 565-9278.
Unless otherwise stated -To register for eld trips, call (253)565-9278 To register for educationclasses, call (253) 591-6439See further descriptions inside.Check out our calendar online athttp://www.TahomaAudubon.org
for more information and updates
No regular monthly membershipmeetings for July or August. Be sure tocheck our online calendar to find outwhat's in store for the Septembermeeting: TahomaAudubon.org
Or call the office at (253) 565-927
MONTHLY PROGRAM
JULY 2010
AUGUST 2010
SEPT. 2010
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]Top Related