Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 38 No.10 Dec.

Vol. 38 No.10 Dec. 2007 / Jan. 2008

Kite flying field trip Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn

R
oger Orness, well-known local
Raptor expert, escorted a select
group of birders from Tahoma
Audubon and Rainier Audubon south to
Lewis County and surrounds on November
11, 2007, to look for his favorite Raptor,
the White-Tailed Kite (formerly Black-
Shouldered Kite). It was a bit breezy, just
perfect for kite flying! Some 250 miles
and 10 hours later we returned to our
starting point, not knowing how exhaust-
ed we were because we were still higher
than a kite from a great day!
Kites were little known in Washington
until the last ten years or so. The western
population resided mostly in California,
but Kites had been seen in Oregon and
occasionally in Washington. Whether or
not they have been actually been making
a northward incursion is hard to say, since
they are so “local,” mostly seen in unpop-
ulated areas, or at least areas unpopu-
lated by birders. So more eyes looking in
recent years, especially Roger’s eyes,
may explain much of the apparent larger
numbers recently, as well as loss of habi-
tat pushing them around where they
might not have otherwise ended up.
This is a stunning bird – pure white with
black trim – a ferocious Bird of Prey
resembling nothing so much as an angel
hovering delicately in one spot looking
down on the chosen beneficiary of its
ardent attention, but in this case that
would be a mouse and not a supplicant.
Playing the wind, it “kites” like a giant
hummingbird while getting ready to drop on
its prey.
Roger took us to about twenty different
See "Kites" on page 7

IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE! Surf Scoter

The 108th Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 15, 2007 will be the
Christmas Bird Count for our Tahoma
Audubon Chapter. You are welcome
to join in the fun of this annual holi-
day tradition! Every year Audubon
chapters around the world organize
their own CBC to continue this lon-
gest running citizen-scientist proj-
ect. Counters count every bird that is
seen or heard on the designated day,
within their designated Count Circle. Our
Circle contains 8 different Areas. In the map
on page 6, you will see the Areas, along with the Area Coordinators.
You can contact the Coordinator of the Area that you would like to
count in, or contact the Count Coordinator directly if you are not sure,
or would like to offer help in an Area that might need extra birders:
Faye McAdams Hands – 253-942-9233, zest4parus@hotmail.com.
Exciting news from last year’s CBC: out of 1,624 Counts in the
US, our very own Count Circle had top numbers for 2 species – Red-
See "Christmas bird count" on page 6
By Paul Webster
This distinctive diving duck is a com-
mon winter visitor in Western Washington.
The velvety-black male features large white patches on
the forehead and nape, white eyes, and a bill that naturalist William Dawson a
century ago called “one of the most bizarre appearances in nature.” Multicolored
– with white, red, yellow, and a black spot near the base – the colors merge at
a distance to make an orange impression. It looks almost swollen on top, and
black feathers extend down over it almost to the nostrils. This outlandish bill
serves to pry young mussels and clams from the near-shore bottoms and crush
their protective shells.
Surf Scoters are familiar sights in shallow water as they deftly navigate even
rough surf over substrates of pebbles, sand, rock, or eelgrass beds – the latter
especially during what one source calls “herring-spawn events.” They breed on
lakes across northern Canada and Alaska, and winter along both coasts of
North America from the eastern Aleutians and New Brunswick south to Baja
California and the Gulf Coast.
The Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) shares the genus Melanitta (“black
duck”) with two other scoter species, the similar-sized Black and the heavier
White-winged. It’s odd that this common duck has been so little-studied, but
current knowledge of the species is replete with large gaps – flocking behavior,
See "Surf Scoter" on page 7
 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S Corner
A great year for Tahoma Audubon
I had not even
taken my jacket off
on the first day of
2007 as the newly
minted Executive
Director when a vol-
unteer asked, “Would
you like to solve a
problem?”
Despite that omi-
nous start, 2007 has
been a year of opportunity and success for Tahoma
Audubon. For me it has been a year of excitement,
learning, and joy. It has been an honor and a privilege to
be part of the largest grassroots environmental organiza-
tion in Pierce County.
Here are some of the things we have accomplished:
• Helped pass State legislation to protect shorelines
from unregulated Geoduck farming. The legislation
limits the number of acres to be harvested and provides
funding for research into the effects of Geoduck farming
on habitat.
• Worked with County government to pass interim
regulations on Geoduck farming, a new aquaculture.
• Protected over 800 acres of pristine oak prairie and
wetlands from the proposed Cross-Base Highway.
• Doubled the number of youth and adults we are serv-
ing through our educational programs. We are expand-
ing our after school program, the Osprey Club, into
Tacoma Schools.
• Helped get the Green Tacoma Partnership off the
ground to protect and restore our urban green spaces.
We accomplished these goals while continuing to
build Tahoma Audubon to address these issues long into
the future and better serve our members:
• Redesigned the Towhee and reorganized our calen-
dar to be more accessible and helpful.
• Redesigned our web site for ease of use and to pro-
vide more timely information.
• Brought on an AmeriCorps volunteer coordinator to
help organize the next generation of Audubon leaders.
• We even reorganized our office and the building at
the Adriana Hess Audubon Center was painted.
We have received tremendous support in our work
from members and donors:
• Our Board of Directors has personally committed
over $40,000 this year alone.
• Over eleven hundred people have helped us raise
over $43,000 for the 2007 Birdathon.
• Two hundred community, political, business, aca-
demic and environmental leaders attended our Early
Bird Gets the Worm Breakfast Event and raised over
$25,000 dollars.
The year brought some changes. Judy Austin retired
as program chair, a job she held for over a decade. We
are very excited that Katrina Weihs, previously our edu-
cation coordinator, has stepped up and agreed to be
program chair. We are looking forward to others joining
her as we take a fresh look at how we do programs. Sue
Summers retired as field trip chair.
A special thanks goes out to Molly Hukari for her
board leadership as president. In her five years on the
board she rarely missed a board meeting and always
stepped in to get things done. Molly leaves the board so
that she can devote all her time to going back to school
at Evergreen. Molly has played a central role in the day
to day upkeep of Tahoma Audubon and her energy and
wisdom will be missed.
A new baby has come into the life of our Education
Coordinator, Gabriel Newton. We are very excited for
the arrival of Durante Newton in Gabriel’s life.
Unfortunately by the time you read this, we will have
lost Gabriel as he also heads back to school at night and
becomes the stay at home parent by day. Much of the
growth and success of our education programs is due to
the energy, skill, and pure talent Gabriel brought to his
job. He will be missed for sure.
As I look back on the last year it gives me energy for
what 2008 has to offer. I look forward to being part of it
with you, the Audubon family and to seeing you at our
member banquet in February.

It was a wonderful success! The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Two hundred community, political, business, academic and 2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
environmental leaders attended our Early Bird Gets the Worm Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
Breakfast Event where we raised over $25,000 dollars. e-mail: contact@TahomaAudubon.org
For more photos of the event, turn to page 6.
Tahoma Audubon Staff
Flint, Bryan Executive Director
bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978
Newton, Gabriel Education Coordinator
gnewton@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-5479
Kerrigan, Julie Volunteer Coordinator 253-565-1884
jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org

Tahoma Audubon Board of Directors

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
Brosius, Jane Membership
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates
for the protection of wildlife and promotes conservation through education
Carkner, Dick
and activities that enrich its member’s experiences in and with the natural Garner, John
world. Gilmur, Thelma Membership
The Towhee is published monthly, nine times a year, with a combined Hukari, Molly Past President
Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of Jordon, Al
birds, bird lore, natural history, conservation, and environmental education Larson, Sally
are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor. Copy is due by
Larson, Wayne
the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.
LeGreid, Kathleen Publication kaleditor@mindspring.com
Editor: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483
Matthaei, Fred
E-mail:kaleditor@ mindspring.com McNair-Huff, Rob Conservation
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings Roening, Marcus
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@mac.com Sloat, Sally Administration (contact)
Printing: Consolidated Press Shea, Margie Education
Printed on recycled newsprint
Sullivan,Brian Volunteer bwsullivan@mindspring.com

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org December 2007 / January 2008

 ENVIRONMENT Matters
Nominate an Important Bird Area today!
If you missed the fall Audubon Council of Washington
(ACOW) conference last October in Sequim,
Washington, you also missed a great weekend of bird-
ing and fieldtrips to places like Johnnycomelately
Creek and Dungeness Audubon Center restoration
project and the soon-to-be deconstructed dam on the
Elwah River. You also missed some great guest speak-
ers and presentations, and the beautiful Jamestown
S’Klallam Tribal Center as the setting for the weekend.
Attending ACOW is a great opportunity to connect
with birders from all across Washington, meet new
friends, and reunite with old ones, as well as having fun
exploring new areas by going birding!
ACOW is always a busy event. A series of panels
and workshops occurred over the weekend. The con-
servation committee and education committee met
simultaneously. Chapter reports were given, and
poster presentations were on display all weekend high-
lighting chapter projects related to the conference
theme: Restoring and Protecting Washington’s Natural
Areas. Tahoma Audubon shared our role in the Green
Tacoma Partnership’s efforts to restore and protect
urban open spaces in Tacoma. Learn more at: www.
greentacoma.org.
Christi Norman, Audubon Washington’s Birding
Trails Coordinator, gave an update about the upcoming
birding trails maps. Work is currently being done on
birding trail maps in Eastern Washington, and the
Puget Loop (our region) is set to be published in 2010.
However, now is the time to start thinking about pos-
sible stops on our loop. Where are the best places to go
birding in Pierce County? If you are a local birder, you
can probably name more than a few.
Exciting things are also happening with the Important All nominations will
Bird Area or IBA program in Washington. With some be reviewed at the
funding still available, we have the opportunity to add spring ACOW in
to the current list of 56 IBAs in the state. You can learn Leavenworth,
more about IBAs on our website: www.tahomaaudu- Washington on April
bon.org under the “conservation” tab. 11-13, 2008 at the
There are only two IBAs in Pierce County: Nisqually Sleeping Lady
and Fort Lewis. However, there are many other places Mountain Resort.
that have the potential for being an IBA. That’s where Do you know of
we need your help. Between now and February, we any areas in Pierce
will be nominating additional IBAs in the region. Your County that meet
job is to make the nomination. After that, we will work one or more of these criteria?
with Don McIvor, Audubon Washington IBA If so, please call Krystal Kyer, Conservation
Coordinator, to review and/or gather data on bird spe- Coordinator at: 253-232-9978 or e-mail:kkyer@taho-
cies and counts in the area. maaudubon.org or mail in the information below to:
Before nominating a site, consider the following Tahoma Audubon, 2917 Morrison Road W., University
guidelines. To qualify as an IBA, an area must meet at Place, WA 98466.
least one of the following criteria – it must support: Please provide the following information with your
1. Species of conservation concern (e.g. threatened Important Bird Area nomination:
and endangered species). Your name, phone number and/or e-mail.
2. Range-restricted species (species vulnerable Site name and location.
because they are not widely distributed). Is this site currently protected in any way? How?
3. Species that are vulnerable because their popu- Which IBA criteria does the site meet?
lations are concentrated in one general habitat type Why are you nominating this site as an IBA? (Please
or biome. list specific reasons, such as a presence of a specific
4. Species, or groups of similar species (such as endangered species or further explain how it meets the
waterfowl or shorebirds), that are vulnerable because criteria)
they occur at high densities due to their congrega- Thank you for sharing your knowledge of birds by
tory behavior. helping us find the best birding spots and Important
Although only a few sites nominated may actually Bird Areas in Pierce County!
meet the criteria, the nominations will also be used to The Conservation Committee meets on a regular basis.
help create our portion of the Puget Loop of the Birding Contact Krystal for details: 253-232-9978 or e-mail her
Trails Map – so your nomination is of double value. kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org

The Washington Climate Action Bill

Last April, Governor Gregoire signed tion, build the clean energy economy, offers a huge
legislation that establishes goals to create green jobs for all sectors of soci- opportunity
reduce the state’s global warming ety and increase energy indepen- for invest-
pollution and increase the number of dence. ment, innovation and employment growth in
green jobs in the state. Winning leg- The Washington Climate Action Bill tomorrow’s clean energy economy. The bill will
islative approval of that legislation – will have two important objectives: create a new training program to prepare
SB 6001 -- was a major victory not Reduce global warming pollution: the Washington workers for good jobs in that clean
only for the environmental communi- bill will give the Washington Department energy economy, providing pathways out of
ty, but everyone in Washington con- Governor of Ecology authority to implement the poverty for lower-income communities.
cerned about the threat of global Christine Gregoire pollution reduction goals established by To find out more about the Washington
warming to our state and our world. SB 6001 by setting responsible limits on Climate Action bill, contact:
But, the work is not done. The 2008 global warming pollution produced in the state. Meagan Dixon,
Legislative Session is fast approaching, and Washington could then enter into a regional Climate Solutions
activists across the state are gearing up for a market-based pollution trading system –like the 1601 2nd Avenue, Suite 615
campaign to pass legislation that will make the one now being developed by six western states Seattle, WA 98101.
goals set forth in SB 6001 a reality. and two Canadian provinces. Phone: (206) 443-9570 x23,
That effort will focus around the Washington A “registry” will also be created to keep track fax: (206) 728-0552
Climate Action bill -- the next important step our of major sources of pollution in the state. e-mail:meagan@climatesolutions.org
state can take to reduce global warming pollu- Create green jobs: addressing climate change http://www.climatesolutions.org

Evergreen Cities legislative campaign for 2008

It is time to stop losing the trees and forests in
our cities. Keeping existing trees and planting new
ones enhances quality of life, increases property
values, and gives us cleaner water and habitat for
birds and wildlife. In January, Auduboners across
the state will spearhead the Evergreen Cities leg-
islative campaign, one of the four top environmen-
tal priorities for 2008!
Some of our cities have innovative programs to
retain, plant and maintain trees, but there is much
room for improvement because only:
• 47% of our communities have tree ordinances
• 20% of our communities do routine tree care
• 12% of our communities have management plans
• and only 10% of our communities have up-to-
date tree inventories.
In 20 years 70% of some cities public forest
lands will be dead or dying due to poor mainte-
nance and thousands of community forest acres
will be removed for new development.
Washington’s population is expected to increase
by 2.3 million by 2030. We need action today to
support planning and management for cities to en-
sure the Evergreen State is full of Evergreen Cities.
Scientific studies show that trees in cities provide
many benefits including reduced energy consump-
tion and greenhouse gas emissions, improved
storm water management, 20% increase in prop-
erty values, 12% increase in consumer spending,
lower crime rates, and of course enhanced bird and
wildlife habitat areas.
This legislation will provide funding and encour-
age partnerships to help local governments’ update
ordinances and management plans to grow healthy
trees and urban forests. The bill will establish
statewide performance standards for tree retention
and forest canopy goals, guaranteeing benefit from
healthy trees in our communities.
To get involved contact Lisa Paribello at
360-786-8020 ext. 201 or lparibello@audubon.
org, or visit http://wa.audubon.org. or sign-up for
Audubon’s biweekly updates and action alerts at:
http://www.audubonaction.org/washington.
More Environment Matters on page 5.

December 2007 / January 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

 EDUCATION Page
For class times and dates, please check the Calendar listing on the back page of the Towhee or on our website, www.tahomaaudubon.org

2917 Morrison Road W., 1919 South Tyler Street,

University Pl. WA 98466 Tacoma WA 98338
253-565-9278 253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org
www.TahomaAudubon.org Open Tues. – Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Open Mon – Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m. & Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

what a year!
Tahoma Audubon reaches
new heights in education
The air is crisp
and birds are on the
move. 2008 is right
around the corner!
Before we charge
off into the New
Year like chickadees to a caterpillar, I’d like to
reflect upon the many successes that our Education
Department has had in the past year. During the
course of 2007, TAS has attempted to expand the
number and quality of environmental education
programming offered throughout Pierce County.
life sanctuary within the con-
fines of their school play-
ground, and have the responsi-
bility to maintain it.
Central to our ability to carry
out quality educational pro-
gramming is the wealth of help
and cross-promotion that we
receive from our allies in the Members of the Osprey Club, a weekly
community. Working together after-school club at Narrows View
Intermediate, have created this wildlife
in a strong partnership, Tahoma sanctuary.
Audubon and the Tacoma

Not only have we increased the number of indi-
viduals who have been “connected to nature”
through educational activities by over 250%, but
in doing so, we have motivated a vast network of
organizational partners, educated citizens, and
inspired youth to carry out our mission of protect-
ing habitat and wildlife.
One of our most exciting and innovative new
programs was the Osprey Club. With the financial
support of Audubon Washington, and in part-
nership with the University Place
School District, Tahoma Audubon
was able to lay the groundwork for
an ongoing program that is now
expanding into the city of Tacoma
and, hopefully in the future, the
rest of Pierce County. The Osprey
Club is a weekly after school
club, offered at Narrows View
Intermediate, which gave children
the opportunity to learn about, appre-
ciate, and rehabilitate local green
space and wildlife populations. With
a focus on outdoor activity and envi-
ronmental discovery, participants
were exposed to the natural world
in a fun and accessible way. Now
in its second year, club members
have created their very own wild-
Photos/Gabriel Newton
Nature Center offer year-long, progressive learn- be restruc-
ing opportunities for all ages. Ask one of the many tured to
children that participated in our joint summer include more
camps, science classes or nature walks, and you progressive
will understand just how valuable this relationship and in-depth
is to the public. Similarly, our work with such study options
organizations as the Tacoma Art Museum, Harbor (including a Master Birder course!). Additionally,
WildWatch, Flying WILD, Pierce County we will be streamlining our Education and
Plant Salvage, and the Nature Conservation departments to work jointly on
Mapping program have allowed us important issues.
to cast our nets of environmental OK, now for the bad news… As your Education
education wide, across the county. Coordinator, I will be stepping down in 2008 and
In just one year, Tahoma Audubon vacating my position in order to attend graduate
was able to spread our message of school and work to attain a Master’s Degree in
conservation to plant nurseries, Education. While it will be difficult for me to leave
Boy Scout troops, libraries, civic such a vibrant, energetic, and exciting environment
groups, retirement communi- as Tahoma Audubon has become for me, I feel con-
ties, classrooms, parks, festi- fident that there is a wealth of capable individuals to
vals, and zoos. Whew! What fill my place. Thank you all, for allowing me the
is in store for 2008? Through opportunity to work alongside and learn from so
the continued support of our many of you. It’s been a blast.If you would like to
membership and the hard work help lead Tahoma Audubon Education through the
of Tahoma Audubon volunteers upcoming year by assisting in events, pro-
and staff, we plan to maintain grams, or committee work, please con-
our programs and activities, tact Marjorie Shea,
while building on some exciting new Education Chair, by call-
possibilities. We will be offering ing 253-591-6439, or by
expanded shoreline and waterway edu- e-mail at: marjories@
cation. Our adult birding classes will tacomaparks.com.

Sample Weaver Nest

In his text, Ornithology, Frank Gill discusses the birds
in the weaver family and their incredible nest-build-
ing ability. The knots below were adapted from this
discussion. Participants who try these knots will real-
ize that building a nest is not such an easy task! Birds
in the weaver family, Ploceidae, are seed-eating birds
closely resembling finches. Weavers are named for the
highly complex woven nests built by many species.

Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org December 2007 / January 2008

 FIELD TRIPS and Events
Hawks of Kent Valley
Saturday, January 19 – 8a.m. to early afternoon
Leader: Roger Orness
Roger will once again guide us through the Kent
Valley to find raptors. We will be looking for
Peregrine, Merlin, Red-tails & Bald Eagle, and of
course anything else that comes our way. There is
not a lot of walking involved. Dress in layers and
bring a snack.
MEET: 8:00a.m. at the McDonalds in the
SuperMall parking lot (in Auburn). We will car-
pool from there.
CALL: TAS office to sign up – 253-565-9278
Skagit
Saturday, February 2 – 7:00 a.m. to late afternoon
Leader: Bruce LaBar
Join Bruce on a winter trip to Skagit flats and sur-
rounding habitats. We will be looking for Snow
Goose, Swans, Rough-legged & Red-tailed Hawk,
falcons and Bald Eagle.
Bring warm clothes & boots and a lunch. There
will be minimal walking involved.
MEET: 7:00am at the Tacoma Dome Park&Ride,
610 Puyallup Ave, Tacoma (covered garage near
Freighthouse Square).
CALL: TAS office to sign up – 253-565-9278
More ENVIRONMENT Matters
Local solutions to global warming Save these dates:
The choices that we make today about how
we manage growth lock us into patterns that
determine our global warming pollution for
decades. In order to achieve the State’s goal
of significantly reducing climate emissions,
we must make responsible decisions now so
we can reduce driving and promote efficient,
livable communities.
Poorly planned irresponsible develop-
ment is driving global warming pollution.
Poorly planned development creates auto-
oriented neighborhoods farther away from jobs,
schools, shopping, health care and other needs
in our daily lives. The traffic which results
from this development is Washington’s largest
single source of greenhouse gas emissions. In
addition, sprawling development is the leading
cause of farm and forest conversion – another
contributor to global warming. Washington
loses ten acres of farmland every hour. Trees
that have been cut down and farms
that have been paved over lose
their carbon sequestration
function. Further, the loss
of local farms results in
increased greenhouse
gases from hauling
food across the coun-
try instead of across
the county.
The first rule of
holes: When you find
yourself in one, stop
digging.
If Washington is
serious about ad-
dressing our impact
on global warming,
we need to “stop the
December 2007 / January 2008
Adriana Hess Wetland Park Activities
2917 Morrison Rd. W. in University Place
Bird Walk
Second Monday, December 10 and January 14,
12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Plant Walk
Third Monday, December 17 and January 21,
12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
All Fridays: Come at 9:00a.m. for a light
breakfast and stay to weed until 11:00 a.m.
If you wish to help on your own time, we now
have a book with entire grounds marked off
and pictured in small segments. You can
choose your portion of the grounds, and at
your own convenience, keep it looking like the
picture. Thanks for considering this great way
of helping out.
108THChristmas Bird Count!
TAS CBC-Sat., Dec. 15-Contact Faye McAdams
Hands – 253-942-9233,zest4parus@hotmail.com.
The Tally Dinner is at The Nature Center at Snake
Lake - 1919 S. Tyler St, Tacoma - from 5:00 – 6:30
p.m.
Neighbors CBC-Dec. 30 - Sunday - Please vol-
digging” by reducing irresponsible develop-
ment in rural areas and on the urban fringe and
by promoting higher intensity development in
cities.
December
Our Growth Management Act (GMA) is an
excellent framework for tackling global warm-
ing – most cities and counties are already re-
quired to develop a local comprehensive land
use plan. The choices made in comprehensive
plans about where a growing population will
live and work and how they will get around
have a huge impact on global warming emis-
sions.
“Local Solution to Global Warming” would
add a 15th goal of reducing climate impact to
the GMA and identify reducing global warm-
ing as an important aspect of comprehensive
planning. This provision would increase pro-
tections against land use decisions that increase
global warming pollution and would require
local governments to proactively
plan to minimize land use con-
tributions to global warm-
ing. This approach will
give local governments
the tools and directive
January
to make responsible
choices about where
we live, how we get to
work, and how we do
those with less impact
on our climate.
For more infor-
mation on solutions
contact Futurewise
Lobbyist April Put-
ney; 206-343-0681
extension 120 or
april@futurewise.org.
www.tahomaaudubon.org
RULES
1. Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some
trips are people limited out of necessity.
2. 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.
3. Arrive at the meeting place early.
4. No pets are allowed.
5. Be prepared for seasonal weather.
6. Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip
is scheduled past mid-day.
7. All passengers divide total carpooling expens-
es. Current guidelines are 20 cents a mile
per car, not including driver.
8. Beginners are always welcome.
9. Have fun.
unteer to help out on another Christmas Bird
Count for our neighboring chapters:
• Vashon CBC (includes parts of North Pierce and
Kitsap counties): Contact Sue Trevathan, sue.
trevathan@centurytel.net or 206-463-1484.
• Rainier CBC (Kent/Auburn): Contact Nancy
Streiffert, nancy_streiffert@hotmail.com or
253-852-8394.
Environmental Legislation Priorities
December 13: Community
Forum at the Tacoma Public
Library, main branch, Olym-
pic Room. 6:00-8:00 p.m.
13th
This is your local chance to
learn about the four new
2007 environmental priorities
for the January session.
January 12: Legislative
Workshop, 9:00 a.m.-1:00
p.m. at Seattle Pacific Uni- January
versity. As the state’s leading
conservation groups prepare
for the upcoming legislative 12th
session, we’ll hear from leg- 2008
islators, environmental poli-
cy experts, members of the
media and others regarding the community’s
Priorities for a Healthy Washington.
January 23: Environmental
Lobby Day in Olympia. Last
year’s legislative session was
a banner year, as we suc-
cessfully passed all four
23rd
Priorities. Lobby Day is a
great way to get involved,
2008 learn more, and connect
with hundreds of others.
To learn more and join in the excite-
ment: www.pugetsound.org/index/lobby-
day or call Rein Attemann to pre-register at
206-382-7007.
Online: www.environmentalpriorities.org.
Page 5
 How about a
big round of
applause for
Julie Anderson
Tacoma City
Council Woman
our successful

Left: Tacoma City coun-

cil man Tom Stenger
was recognized for
taking important steps
to improve the qual-
ity of life for all Tacoma
residents – people and
wildlife! For environ-
mental stewardship and
leadership in support of
the Green Tacoma Part-
nership and the protec-
tion of Tacoma’s urban
wildlife habitats.
Right: For going above and Above: Table captain Nancy Pearson
beyond what was asked and and Kathy Kravit-Smith, Director of
making the Osprey Club after Pierce County Parks, were among the
school programs a success 200 people at the Early Bird Gets the
Sara Siemens-Luthy gets a Worm Breakfast Event on October 30,
hug and truly deserving re- 2007.
ward at the Early bird Gets
the Worm breakfast event

Left: KC Golden, Policy Director of

Climate Solutions paints a picture of
how we can address climate change
in a positive way.

Left: State Representative Pat Lantz Left: As members of the

(D-Gig Harbor) received recognition Cross-Base Highway Coali-
for her efforts to pass and fund tion with Tahoma Audubon,
House Bill 2220, the outcomes of members of the Woodbrook
this will be increased Hunt Club where given rec-
scientific know- ognition for their tireless ad-
ledge with which vocacy on behalf of pristine
to make sound oak prairie habitat, a unique
environmental way of life and livelihood. In
and regulatory the face of unyielding oppo-
decisions, and an sition they never wavered
improved regula- in speaking what they knew
tory process. to be true and right.

Photos/Kyle Duba • kyleduba@gmail.com

...Christmas Area 1: Art Wang 253-752-1714

Bird Count Area 2: Carol Schulz 206-824-7618 linusq@att.net

from page 1
Area 3: Diane Yorgason-Quinn 253-857-3367
necked Grebe (331) and avosetta@hotmail.com
Thayer’s Gull (762). Area 4: Roxy & Bill Giddings 253-537-3075
The Tally Dinner direct-
ly after the Count is Area 5: Chris Chappell 360-709-0503
always a fun event, and a
Area 6: Marcus Roening has 2 helpers this year.
great way to meet the Sue Summers 253-460-5569 summerssue@hotmail.com
other birders and share Wayne Sladek 253-927-6278 sladekw@nventure.com
stories from the day, while
eating a tasty meal! Come Area 7: Stan & Sharon Johnson 253-848-2090
join us at The Nature Area 8: Ruth Sullivan 253-564-7419
Center at Snake Lake - godwit513@msn.com
1919 S. Tyler St, Tacoma
- from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Area Coordinator: Faye McAdams Hands
253-942-9233 zest4parus@hotmail.com
See you there!

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org December 2007 / January 2008