...

Kites
Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn

from page 1

spots where Scarecrow. It

he has seen
Kites in the past
month. This man
knows more about their
haunts in Western Washington
than anyone alive. We knew
there wouldn’t be Kites at every
spot, but Roger’s goal was to see double
digits. We started at the Centralia Discovery
Nature Trail, formerly the Centralia Wastewater
Treatment Plant, on the Chehalis River. One sur-
prise we found there was the first of many Western
Meadowlarks for the day, now apparently on wintering
grounds. Although Roger tried to keep us on track with
Raptors, it was hard not to notice the many Sparrows and
Wrens of different sorts in the brambles and the Scrub Jays
almost everywhere we went. Scrub Jays, of course, truly
are invading northwards, whether because of global
warming or because Jays just like to push their limits is
the unanswered question.
As Roger led us through a maze of back roads which
I could never retrace without bread crumbs, we ran
across many other Raptors, notably Kestrels! Our
car started a running count of Kestrels, setting
goals as we went, ending up with an impres-
sive (at least this side of the Cascades) total
of 41!!! In car #1, Roger was intent on
Kites and large Raptors (although he did
seem quite taken with all the Mourning
Doves), but in our car #2, it was
Kestrel Keno as we kept hitting
higher and higher numbers.
Several times we turned the car
around to check out potential
white spots that didn’t turn
out to be Kites, and then
there was that one time
that Kathy Andrich was
sure she had seen a
Peregrine, so we
turned around and
drove back to find
a beautiful sculp-
ture of a Falcon
in someone’s
barnyard.
T h e
Maltese
Thanks,
Roger!
was so nicely
done, we didn’t real-
ly feel that foolish, but
we don’t intend to let Kathy
ever hear the end of it.
Our eyes were grabbed at least
five times by that other remarkable
bird of prey that looks white – the Male
Northern Harrier. Where we live, we see
mostly brown females and immatures, since
the genders winter separately. But we lucked into
at least five different adult males on this day, looking
remarkably like Kites at first with their pearl-colored
plumage, similar habitats, and hunting techniques. This
was quite an unexpected treat!
A stunning swoop by a Harlan’s Redtail Hawk, numerous
Bald Eagles, elk, and deer rounded out our observations.
We saw another kind of kiting when a plane flew over-
head and dumped out nine skydivers! At least a couple
of them looked like they had learned their moves from
kites, both the avian and the non-avian sort. As to
our Kites, we were lucky enough to see pairs flying
together at least twice!
By the end of the day, Roger had tallied 85
Raptors, finally breaking into the coveted
double digits on Kites just before dusk (or
we’d still be there!). He had been hoping Top right: Our first Kite
for more, but ten was a huge number for of the day.
everyone else who was along! The Above: That
Maltese Falcon
numbers included 10 Kites, 15 Redtails,
10 Harriers, 8 Bald Eagles, 1 Accipiter,
and of course the 41 Kestrels. By
the time you read this, everyone
in my car will be vacationing in
some tropical birding paradise
after splitting the lotto win-
nings that Kathy Andrich
was going to obtain for us
by using those numbers
on her next lotto tick-
et.
There are jewels
out there just for
the plucking,
and we grew
richer on this
beautiful Top left: Red-tail
day. Hawk practicing its
vulturine stance.
Center left: A Kite
perching.
Bottom left: A Kestrel
perched; one of 41 Kestrels
spotted that day.
Right: Trip leader Roger Orness
heading for the next Kite stop.

... Surf Scoters from page 1

influences on breeding success, and the impacts of hunt-
ing, environmental pollution, and commercial fishing.
Even the population trends are little more than estimates
that suggest a long-term decline. Surf Scoter breeding
success seems to vary from year to year; weather is one
factor, and some adults – like Common Eiders and other
sea ducks – just don’t breed every year.
The blackish-brown females also have white eyes, two
whitish patches on the cheeks, and a pale white patch on
the nape; their bills are blackish. Pairs form during the
winter, and the birds are nocturnal migrants to breeding
areas. The female fashions a simple nest near a lake,
often under cover of low-spreading conifer branches.
She usually lays seven or eight eggs, incubates them
herself, and tends the precocious downy chicks that can
forage for invertebrates as soon as they reach the water.
Predation on the chicks by Common Loons and presum-
ably gulls may be heavy, especially when they’re small.
By the time the chicks reach adult size and fledge at
about 55 days, the females have already left them; they
migrate back to marine waters to molt with the males off
the coasts of Alaska or British Columbia, or in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence. The young Surf Scoters then join the
adults and remain in marine waters until they reach
breeding age at two or three years.
The recent oil spill in San Francisco Bay shows how
vulnerable our diving birds are. They dive to forage in
apparently clean water and come up drenched in toxic Photo/Michael Macor/Chronicle
oil; and Surf Scoters are among the diving birds that An oiled Surf Scoter in San Francisco
perished. We absolutely need better environmental Bay after a recent oil spill from a
safety practices so that our diving birds – including our ship that hit the Bay Bridge. These
birds dive to get mussels from the
sea duck with the outlandish bill – can continue to live bottom and are one of the species
alongside us. most affected by the spill.

December 2007 / January 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

 Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing back in 1982
By Helen Engle
The 1982 TAS Christmas Bird
Count actually took place on
January 2, 1983. This was our
14th year of doing the CBC and
we were getting more and more
people involved. Ken Brown
was in charge of the Count and our
Area leaders were Area 1, Joe Quinn;
Area 2, Thais Bock, 3 was Fred Tobiason &
Ken Batker; Area 4, Carla Hansmann; Area
5 Chris Chappell; Area 6, Burt Ostenson;
Area 7, Stan Johnson and Area 8 Betty
Heitman. The Count Tally was done at a chili
dinner at Helen Engle’s home.
Auduboners across Washington State were
still celebrating the cre-
ation of the Mount St.
Helens National
Volcanic Monument
with programs, posters
and public involvement
in the planning process
for the Monument.
Campaign leader
Susan Saul of
Vancouver Audubon
named Representative
Don Bonker from SW
WA the environmental
hero of the 97th Mount St. Helens on May 19, 1982.
Congress. Brock
Evans, NAS’ vice-president for national issues, Wahl led a seabird boat trip up Rosario Strait
helped move competing bills through the legis- and through the San Juan Islands.
lative process.
As the fall crop of Washington apples went
Great Backyard Bird Count - Feb. 15-18, 2008
People from all across the United States and
Canada will be watching and counting birds
during the Great Backyard Bird Count---for fun
and for conservation. Last year, they counted
more than 11 million birds, and tallied 616 species,
for the 10th annual GBBC. It was a record-
breaking count, with more than 80,000 checklists
submitted.
National Audubon and the Cornell Lab of
ornithology are hosting the GBBC with sponsorship
from Wild Birds Unlimited. During the event,
everyone who enjoys birds can submit their
observations through www.birdsource.org/gbbc.
Be sure to go to the website before you count to see
the very important easy-to-follow instructions and
local checklists.
To have more fun, join Tahoma Audubon
Society’s 7th annual GBBC Special which we hope
will again feature four separate day’s events. The
BIRDSONGS
Page 8
into the stores we learned of use of
Endrin in the orchards to control
rodents. Contamination has been
found in birds, other wildlife,
and vital bodies of water. WA
Dept. of Agriculture has asked
that no one enter the orchards
for 30 days after treatment.
Carla Hansmann, writing in the
TOWHEE about this pervasive rodenti-
cide, learned that it has been banned in New
York State.
Field trips continue in all kinds of weather
with bird censuses at Nisqually National Wildlife
Refuge led by Karl Lundberg, Wally Wilkins,
and jointly with Seattle Audubon, Helen Engle
coordinating. Henry & Jean Kyle led a
McNeil Island trip; Ken
Batker caravanned us
through Spanaway
Park, around Waughop
Lake, Chambers creek
and American Lake.
We were invited to
participate in the Kent-
Auburn Christmas Bird
Count with Thais
Bock; and to work-
shops at Snake Lake
Nature Center on
Photo/Lyn Topinka/USGS “Winter Twigs” and
“Nature’s Holiday
Decorating.” Terry
TASer Cathy Jerbic, Fort Lewis Environmental
Office, wrote of the controlled burning of Fort
January flyer will give place, time, etc. Call TAS,
253-565-9278, to get directions and let us know
which day’s activity you wish to join. There will be
a meal, a crash course, and birding with a Master
Birder. And it is free, though we encourage non-
members to take out an introductory membership
for the family at $20.00 ($15. for seniors or
students).
Do you wish to offer the use of your yard for
this GBBC? You will be asked to choose
whether you would like to make a breakfast,
lunch, or supper. You will be supplied a
Master Birder unless that is a job that someone
in your family can do. Thanks for considering
this and letting us know as soon as possible.
Please call Thelma Gilmur, 253-564-8210, to offer
to help or for more information. Call TAS,
253-565-9278, early to sign up so that hosts will
know how much food to plan on .
by Phil Buly
www.tahomaaudubon.org
Lewis Prairies. The
burning is scheduled
for late summer when
grasses and bushes
are thoroughly dry.
This provides for
nearly complete com-
bustion with a mini-
mum of smoke, insur-
ing a hot fire that will
kill mature Scot’s
broom, and hopefully Helen Engle from days of
its hard-to-destroy yore.
seeds -- seeds that
are viable for over seven decades! Late sum-
mer is preferred because ground-nesting birds
will have hatched and raised their young.
Prairie grasses and wildflowers will benefit, as
fire is part of the prairie’s ecology. The merits
of the control burn program are of interest to
other state and private agencies with manage-
ment responsibilities for prairies. Fire, which
had for time immemorial maintained western
Washington’s prairies, may again provide the
solution to allow the return of the native veg-
etation and provide habitat for the wildlife of
the prairies.
Bob Ramsey reported that birding at Snake
Lake and its surrounding woods is good year
round. Here’s an overview of what he observed,
reporting for a three-year period. He saw 95
species total, 36 of which were fairly rare for
that location; 69 were seen in spring, 62 in
summer, 58 in fall and 37 in winter.
Feedback, comments and reminiscences
welcome, 253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.
Holiday in the National Parks
A Mount Rainier National Park ornament is promi-
nently displayed on this year’s official White House
Christmas Tree. The tree is the centerpiece of elab-
orate decorations celebrating the theme of “Holi-
day in the National Parks.”
Eatonville artist Dale Thompson
created the ornament that rep-
resents the park for the White
House tree. “I was really
very privileged to have
been asked to do it
(the ornament) and
hope it will be well
received by the Bush
family. It is an honor to have it
on the tree” said Thompson.
All about suet
Suet, in its purest form, is simply animal
fat. This food is high energy food with
lots of calories that birds need, espe-
cially as the days and nights get colder.
If you’ll trim off the fat from roasts or
steaks before cooking or ask at the
meat counter of your grocery store,
you’ll soon have a wonderful supply for
the hungry birds. Slice the fat into strips
and small pieces or grind it up. Keep the
fat frozen in a bag or plastic container
until it’s needed. Place the fat into a
suet cage. Or save the mesh bags from
onions to make great suet holders.
From: about.com:birding/wild birds
December 2007 / January 2008
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Upcoming TAS annual banquet
The annual TAS banquet will be held at the
Tacoma Elks on Friday, February 22, 2008. It will
be a fun-filled evening with a program, election of
board members, presentation of service awards,
and our special auction to benefit our Endowment
Fund. Watch your mail in the early part of January
for the special Towhee Flyer that will contain all
the details and a registration form. The program
features Nalini Nadkarni with her story of
experiences entitled, “Looking Upward and
Outward; a View of the Pacific Flyway from the
Forest Canopy.”
Please help by gathering items needed for the
silent auction. We are looking for interesting
treasures, art, jewelry, goods and services, gift of
restaurant certificates, theater tickets, week-end
getaways-trips-or activities.
All money from the auction goes to the TAS
endowment fund now managed by the Greater
Tacoma Community Foundation.
When you have lined up a contribution, please
call Sue Goering at 253-564-2205 or bring the
item by the TAS office between 10:00 a.m. and
1:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Tahoma Audubon bookstore hours
Our TAS bookstore will have special
holiday hours. We will be open from
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays,
December 8, 15, and 22 to help you have
more opportunities to purchase your
Christmas and holiday gifts. The usual
hours for Monday through Friday will
remain the same, opening at 10:00 a.m.
and closing at 1:00 p.m.
We have natural history guides,
children’s books, posters, bird calls,
t-shirts, Rite-in-the-Rain notebooks,
bird houses, gift certificates, and various
activity books.
Come visit us at 2917 Morrison Road
W., University Place.
There is a 10% discount for members.
WELCOME to New and Returning Members
October 16 to November 15, 2007
New: James Banks, Daniel Clayton, Greg Cook*,
Ruth Crouch, Marian Fry, Donah Greiner*, Mr &
Mrs J E Gustafson, Mr & Mrs W E Holt, Vivian
Jacqmin, John Koster*, Michael Lawson, Jim &
Ann Leughty, Werner Lemke*, Peter Liljengren,
Jeff Lumberg*, Catherine Morris, Mr & Mrs
Korinne Morris, Alan & Jan Pearson*, Lisa
Rathbun, Walter & Laura Slavin*, Ruth Spitler,
Loy Stafinbil, Lynne Stallcop, Jeffrey & Susan
Stuart*, William C Taylor, James Ward, Mckell
Warnick, Donna Wesley, Cynthia Wiswell, Gayle
Yeary*. (The * shows recruitment by TAS and
now recognized by NAS.)
Returning (Considered new since membership
had lapsed 6 months or more.): L Abel, L
Anderson, Nancy Coleman, Ruth Daugherty, Bob
Dieckmann, Bryan Flint, Lorraine Foss, Lauretta
Lucien, Mrs John Maisel, George Menke, Paul
Morasch, Leo Ross, Jacob Sluka.
Renewal (Several renewed through TAS joint and
now recognized by NAS.): Jean Baranowski, Al
Bednarczk, Lynn Blackwood, Julian Bower,
Michael Bowler, Carole Breedlove, Kathryn
December 2007 / January 2008
Education Coordinator Position Open
Tahoma Audubon is looking for an enthusiastic educator to join our staff. Be part of a team
of creative, dedicated and fun volunteers and staff that are working to build the best
community-based nature and conservation education programs in the county.
Qualifications include a degree in natural science, education or environmental studies and
experience in curriculum design and delivery. Enthusiasm for connecting people with
nature is a must.
This is a full-time salaried position with strong benefits. A complete job description is at
www.TahomaAudubon.org. Mail or e-mail a cover letter and resumé by December 15 to:
National Audubon elections
In January, 2007, all elections regions for Audubon
Regional Board Member elections changed. To
equalize the number of Chapters and members in
each election region, and with input from Chapters,
the National Audubon Board of Directors approved
realignment of the election regions. Information is
available at http://www.audubon.
org/nas/board/regional/changes.
html. The Northwest Region encom-
passes the states of Alaska, Idaho,
Montana, Oregon, Washington,
Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah. There
are 36 Directors on the National
Board. The Board meets four
times a year and meetings usually
run over a two-and-one-half to
three-day period. At this time,
Chapters in the NW Region may
begin the process of selecting a
nominee to serve a three-year term
on the National Audubon Society
Board of Directors. Please contact
the Tahoma Audubon Board of
Directors if you would like informa-
tion on this election and its process.
Buckner, Chuck Buzzard,
Randi Byrd, Vernon &
Catherine Lange, Lynn
Cawwthra, David
Chase, Dolores
Collins, Pamela
Darland, Brian Davis,
Dr Edmond B Dennery, Margaret Deturk,
Jacqueline Dock, Helen Frew, Rhonda Hansen,
Bryan Hanson, Ruby Harr, Mr & Mrs Ralph
Harrison, Curtiss Hebron, Vince Heppel, Michael
& Barbara Hill, Patrick Hurley, Mark Kuhlmann,
Judy Lewis, Cynthia Lorch, Dr David Martin,
Joseph McGuire, Robin J Menke, Rajender D
Nelson, Russell Noffke, Diana Noviello, N
OConnell, Charles & Vicky Orwiler, Carolyn
Orwiler, Mr & Mrs Frederick Park, Robin
Partington, Jeanne Powers, Victoria Ray, Tova
Rubin, Tom & Gail Sawyer, Pat Schueller, Ann
Schut, David Senner, Todd Silver, Deborah
Syverson, Priscilla Taylor, Della Taylor, Trula
Thompson, Cole Ulrichs, Lou Val Johnson, Bev
Webber, Mr & Mrs Michael Wotton, Denise
Wilkes.
www.tahomaaudubon.org
Bryan Flint, Executive Director
Tahoma Audubon
2917 Morrison Rd. W.
University Place WA 98466
bryanflint@TahomaAudubon.org
Christmas card classes
Rosanne Becker Instructor
Cost: $10.00 (to be paid
the night of the class)
Class meets at Adriana
Hess Audubon Center at
2917 Morrison Road West
in University Place and are
limited to 12 participants.
Christmas Iris Folding
Tuesday, December 11,
6:30-9:00 p.m.
This class will focus on
the art of Iris folding and
the creation of Christmas cards from many different
Iris folding patterns.
Supplies: Please bring a small craft scissors,
Scotch “Magic” tape (green plaid dispenser) and a
craft mat (if you have one).
Age appropriate for young teens through adult.
Reserve your spot at one or both of the classes by
calling TAS at 253-565-9278 before Dec.1 (for
Dec. 4 class), and before Dec. 8 (for Dec. 11
class).
Introductory (Recruited by TAS.): Tom & Amy
Bettesworth, Stan & Karen Bloustine, David
Cornforth.
Chapter new and renew: Jay & Louise Bollman,
Robert Caughey, Connie Decker, Margaret
DeTurk, Eleanor Ficca, Kelly Hale, George Hess,
Wayne Jackson, Scott & Sheila Leek, Annie
Meyer, Carmela Micheli, Robert O’Brien, Jack &
Mary Peterson, Judith Schuler, Louise & Fred
Schumock, Sue Summers & Alan Ferguson, Dale
Thompson, Fred Tobiason.
Joint: Walter Arthur, Patricia Berger, Terry
Conner, Millard & Becky Hixson, Diane Kerlin,
Richard & Janet Nelson, Herman Nickel, David
Scott & Aviva Lemberger, Galen Stark & Lynn
Arthur, Jean Trucco.
Page 9
 VOLUNTEER Recognition

A big thank you to our volunteers!

Volunteers are a valuable resource for
our organization. We would like to thank
all of our volunteers for offering their
time, talent, and skills to Tahoma
Audubon.
We would like to recognize our October
volunteers!

United Way Youth Day of Caring:

(3 photos on right)
On October 27th a total of 12 students
and advisers from Bethel High School came to Adriana Hess Wetland Park
and helped transplant over 50 plants from near the shed to around the hold-
ing basin. They worked extremely hard for 4 hours and their efforts will
enable us to create an area for compost bins and a new covered shelter.
We’d like to thank Nicole Woods, Tiffany Frownfetter, Edwin Zuniga,
Rande Hominua, Amanda McDaniel, Vera Northington, Alison Von Stein,
Tai Ann Cadwell, Brianna Bautista, Britney Woods, Oliver Henry.

Bird Seed filling:

Families that participate in Nature Center home school programs helped
us to fill bags with donated birdseed for the Early Bird Breakfast. They
were a huge help and allowed us to give our guests free samples of bird-
seed.

Early Bird Breakfast:

(bottom left picture)
Volunteers at the Early Bird Breakfast helped to check guests in
and provide them with name tags. They stepped up and did an
excellent job welcoming everyone to the big event, plus it was
very early in the morning. Way to go Volunteers. Shaughn
Vansuffelen, Katie Kelly, Nita Born, Karen Bloustine, Vera Cragin,
Robin Little, Jennifer Curtiss, Laura Hubbe, Kyle Duba, Lynn
Blackwood, Karen Fischer, Helen Whittney.

Photos/Julie Kerrigan

Volunteer at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

All Fridays. Come at 9:00 a.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, 2917 Morrison Road West
keep it looking like the picture.
Thanks for considering this great
way of helping out.

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org December 2007 / January 2008

 It’s a bird! It’s a plane!
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
On October 30th, I answered
my phone to hear birding
buddy Melissa Sherwood
ask, “Have you seen “The
Comet”?” “Eek!” I cried.
“We’ll all be killed!” Actually,
the conversation was a little
more low key than that, but I
was very excited to hear about
Comet Holmes, which Melissa had
heard about on the news. She and
husband Dennis had easily found it in
the sky after the newscast. She told
me where to look (in Perseus), but I
was on my way out the door to bird
class. Later that night after class,
Intermediate Bird Instructor Ken Brown
and I looked for it where Melissa had
indicated. Wouldn’t you know it, Old
Eagle Eyes Ken saw it first!
Turns out Comet Holmes has been a
regular visitor every seven years or so,
but too faint to be seen with the naked
eye. This time around, though, it
“exploded” on October 24th (after hav-
ing invisibly returned in July) and has
been growing in apparent size and
brightness through the time I am writ-
ing this in mid-November, though look-
ing slightly different from one night to
another. A poorly understood phe-
nomenon to be sure. This comet was
discovered in 1892 by E. Holmes in
London when it exploded into view
very similarly to its current apparition
and in the same part of the sky. Its
many returns since that date have
been invisible except to telescopes,
however, so we are indeed experienc-
ing an unusual event that hasn’t been
seen in over a hundred years and per-
haps never before then. It is estimated
that this invisible comet increased in
It’s a comet!
brightness by a million times over the
course of 2-1/2 days! The closest
thing to a supernova that humans can
experience without being killed!
Now about that fear of a comet hit-
ting the earth and killing all life – Turns
out the only really close encounter this
comet ever makes is with the planet
Jupiter, which would be much more
likely to kill the comet than vice versa.
Plus, comets are reputed to have
brought the building blocks of life to
earth eons ago, so they’re the givers of
life, not the takers. Just tell that to the
tabloids and the horror filmmakers.
Now back to the Intermediate Birding
Class. At our class on November 13th,
we again had a clear night! Most of
the class arrived early enough to walk
in back of the TAS headquarters at the
Adriana Hess Wetlands Park where our
class is held, and Comet Holmes put
on its show. Thanks to Rolan Nelson
bringing his binoculars, we all got good
looks and were able to find it with our
bare eyes after that.
Although there are dozens of comets
that pass us in a year’s time, a naked
eye comet is unusual, as we all know.
I’ve probably seen ten in my
entire lifetime (plus others with
the telescope). This comet
appears as a large diffuse snow-
ball (which of course it is),
blurry even when in perfect
focus, and one might think it is a
galaxy or a globular cluster at
first. There is a tail, but it’s not
really noticeable since the comet is
in the sky all night in opposition to
the sun, which means the tail is going
away from us as we look head-on at
the comet. It’s in a slightly different
place every night, being a solar system
object rather than a deep-sky object,
but it’s near the same part of the sky
in Perseus beneath the famous side-
ways “W” of Cassiopeia, so scan that
area with your binoculars for the fuzz-
ball as soon as it gets dark. It will get
higher and more southward as the
night wears on. For a map of where
to look, go to: http://www.astronomy.
com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=6183.
The comet should be around for a
while yet, but no one knows if it will
fade as fast as it exploded, so grab any
good night that might come along. As
for equipment, if you’re a birder, you’re
all set. Binoculars are best! High-
powered scopes actually disappoint, as
the comet’s coma is so diffuse and
fuzzy it just kind of becomes invisible
when made bigger, but birders’ spot-
ting scopes on low power are good.
And remember, because comets are
not “important” to understanding the
Big Bang, astronomers don’t give them
much attention. It’s amateurs who
discover new comets and new appari-
tions of old comets like this one. So
you might see the next new thing up
there and have it named after you!
Checks payable to: Tahoma Audubon 2917 Morrison
Rd. W. University Place, 98466 Tahoma Audubon
Society, established in 1969, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Membership Fee:
___ Introductory (first year) $20
___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50
organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Membership ___
___
Chapter member renewal
Other Contributions _____________
$30

Tahoma Audubon is the Pierce County chapter of National Audubon. As

an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National Member(s) Name: _______________________________________
Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing Address: _______________________________________________
your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in
Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub- City______________________________ Zip__________________
scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis- Phone: home ___________________business _________________
counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/
e-mail: ________________________________________________
National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National
membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of
Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas.

December 2007 / January 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


DECEMBER 2007
Tue, Dec. 4, 6:30 to 9:00pm, Christmas Iris
Folding, Rosanne Becker Instructor A
Wed Dec 05, 10:30am to 12pm Budding
Scientists, Adriana Hess Audubon Center in
University Place.
Fri, Dec 07, 9 to 11am, Breakfast and Work
Party, Adriana Hess Audubon Center V
Sat, Dec 08, 15, and 22 TAS bookstore will
be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for
Holiday gifts
Sat, Dec 8, 10am, Bird Walks at Penrose
Point State Park
Sat, Dec 8, Nature Mapping for Educators
- Tacoma Nature Mapping
Sun, Dec 9, 6:30 a.m Kittitas County
Birding in Winter, Leader: Charlie Wright,
Co-leader: Roger Orness
Mon Dec 10, 12 to 1pm, Birdwalk, Adriana
Hess Audubon Center f
Tues., Dec. 11, 6:30 to 9:00 pm, More
Christmas Iris Folding, Rosanne Becker
Instructor a
Wed Dec 12, 3:15 to 4:45 pm, Budding
Scientists, Adriana Hess Audubon Center in
University Place.
Thu, Dec 13, 6pm, Priorities for a Healthy
WA - community forum - Tacoma Public
Library - main branch - Olympic Room C
TAHOMA AUDUBON December Program
Topic: Important Birding Areas and the
Next Birding Trails Map
When: December 14, 2007
Where: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 South
Tyler, Tacoma
Who: Christi Norman, Audubon Washington
Birding Trail Program Director
Time: Refreshments at 7:00 P.M. Meeting
at 7:30 P.M.
“Nisqually and Fort Lewis are the only desig-
nated Important Bird Areas in Pierce County!”
Hard to believe. Come and learn about the
IBA program from Christi Norman, Washington’s
Birding Trail Program Director. She’ll give us
the latest on the program and how Pierce
County can submit further IBA’s with the small
amount of funds left over in this program.
Towhee The
Tahoma Audubon Society YO2
2917 Morrison Road West
University Place, WA 98466
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Not applicable on the internets
Calendar
Key to letter symbols
f Field Trip Page
v Volunteer page
m Environmental Matters Page
a Related article in The Towhee
E Education Page
Thu, Dec 13, 6:30pm,TAS Board Meeting -
Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Fri, Dec 14, 9 to 11am Breakfast and Work
Party, Adriana Hess Audubon Center V
Fri Dec 14, 7 to 9pm, Membership Meeting,
Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street
Sat Dec 15, TAS Christmas Bird Count,
Faye McAdams Hands – 253-942-9233,
zest4parus@hotmail.com.
Sat, Dec. 15, and 22 TAS bookstore will be
open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for
Holiday gifts
Sat Dec 15, 10 to 11:30am, Discovery
Walk, Commencement Bay Tour
Mon Dec 17, 12 to 1pm Plant Walk,
Adriana Hess Audubon Center f
Fri, Dec 21 9 to 11am Breakfast and Work
Party, Adriana Hess Audubon V
Sat, Dec.22 TAS bookstore will be open
As Krystal Kyer recently wrote in an e-mail
“In addition to IBA nominations, these same
nominations will help us create a list of poten-
tial stops for the Puget Loop of the Birding
Trails Map, which is due out in 2010.” So
don’t miss out!
Thanks for the recommendation Krystal!
Recommendations for future programs: con-
tact Katrina at katweihs@earthling.net or
253-304-6422. Be sure to include contacts,
topics, and best times to reach you for further
information.
Watch the mail for the end of the year
Towhee flyer for information on our January
11 program and our February program that
is also our annual membership meeting
and banquet.
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Tacoma, WA
Permit No. 177
For additional information on educa-
tion programs contact Tahoma Audu-
bon at 253-565-9278; on the web at
www.tahomaaudubon.org
Or The Tacoma Nature Center at
253-591-6439 or on the web at
www.metroparkstacoma.org
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Holiday
gifts
Sat Dec 22, 10am to 1pm Family Winter
Fest, Morse Wildlife Preserve
Sun, Dec. 30, Neighbors CBC-Vashon Sue
Trevathan, sue.trevathan@centurytel.net or
206-463-1484/Rainier (Kent/Auburn) Nancy
Streiffert, nancy_streiffert@hotmail.com or
253-852-8394
Tue, Jan 8, 2pm Conservation Committee
- Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison
Road W, University Place, WA 98466
JANUARY 2008
Thu, Jan 10, 6:30pm TAS Board Meeting -
Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Fri, Jan 11, 7pm Membership Meeting -
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street
Sat, Jan 12, 9am Environmental Priorities -
Legislative Workshop - Seattle Pacific
University c
Sat, Jan.19, 8:00 am to early afternoon,
HAWKS OF KENT VALLEY with Roger
Orness f
Wed, Jan 23, 9am Environmental Lobby
Day - Capitol Campus, Olympia W C
Sat, Feb 2, 7 am to late afternoon, SKAGIT
with Bruce LaBar f
Tue, Feb 12, 2pm Conservation Committee
- Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison
Road W, University Place, WA 98466
Thu, Feb 14, 6:30pm TAS Board Meeting
- Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Fri, Feb 15, Sat, 16 Sun, 17 Great Backyard
Bird Count a
Fri, Feb 22, annual TAS banquet will be
held at the Tacoma Elks contact Sue Goering
at 253-564-2205 about Silent Auction dona-
tions.
December 2007
/ January 2008
In this issue:
25 years ago page 8
BirdSongs page 8
Bryan Flint column page 2
Education page 4
Environment matters page 3
Field trips
New members
page 5
page 9
Paul Webster page 1
TAS programs page 12
Volunteer recognition page 10