Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969.

Vol. 39 No.5 June 2008

Update on Birdathon 2008

Birdathon is moving along. Thanks so much to
birders, sponsors, trip leaders, phoners, letter writers,
and the crew that put together our successful
Birdathon Kick-Off Event.
Jim Ullrich of Wild Birds Unlimited will once again be
making gift certificates available for the Birder identifying
the most birds, the Birder bringing in the most money,
and the Rookie of the Year.
Look for the final report in the July/August or the
September Towhee. Donations to Birdathon 2008 are
continuing to be gratefully accepted.
Thank-you all so much.

Birdathon Kickoff Event

View from the winner’s circle
Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn

And they’re off!! Five teams vying for the Big Prizes!!
Yes, it was April 26th, and it was the Big Birdathon Kickoff
Event at Point Defiance!!
Fast forward 4 hours, and I’ll invite you into the Winner’s
Circle! Yes, our team, The Cars (signal the music here!) had
beat out everyone with 49 species! However, due to clever
handicapping, all participants were rewarded, and all bets Below left: Bike leader Rob calls his team together; Above: The Biker birders are off.
were paid. The TAS volunteers laid out a spread fit for an all-win- Below right: The winning team - The Cars! Faye, Peggy, Tamika, Acacia, Jane, Helen.
ners’ event, which this was! (See Julie K’s column on page 10.)
What a way to be introduced to the concept of Birdathon!
Yes, we do try to see as many species as possible during our
allotted time, and yes, you all get to pay according to
those numbers, but like all good sports handicapping,
the payouts are adjusted per bird so as to give the
greatest return. We had a fabulous turnout thanks to
arranging for the one good weather day in April to

See "Birdathon Kickoff" on page 7

Birdathon Kickoff Event online

See a slideshow of photos by Diane
Yorgason-Quinn in a Youtube video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xOCz9ofL67o

Board Member
White-crowned Sparrow
By Paul Webster

The journey began in grade-school

Bold black and white head stripes and a contrasting yellow-to-orange bill make the
White-crowned Sparrow look crisp, and for the naturalist William Dawson it even called
to mind a “military gentleman in a gray coat with black-and-white trimmings.” This is a By Jane Brosius
large but slender sparrow with a clear gray breast. Its flanks, rump and tail are dull
brown, the back and wings are brown-streaked, and the wings show contrasting white My mother was a person who valued scrap
books and collections of family stories, so I
bars. Males and females have similar plumage year-round, and first-winter birds – even was thrilled to find that she had kept a scrap
with their warm chestnut and creamy-white head stripes – resemble the adults. In book I had from Fourth Grade. I attended
backyards, open fields with brushy spots, clearcuts, or alpine parklands, this striking grade school in 1950 at Sherman Elementary
bird is a familiar sight in Washington. in Tacoma’s North End.  Our teacher brought in
a representative from the Audubon Society, which
Three of the five White-crowned Sparrow subspecies occur in our state, differing then had to be someone from a state organization, or perhaps Seattle. This
slightly in plumage, bill color, and song. The resident subspecies in Western Washington person handed out bird pamphlets and we were to create a scrap book
is pugetensis, and its numbers increase about the beginning of April as migrants arrive. with those descriptions and also to draw picture of the birds.  I don’t think
Its short song see-me-pretty-pretty-me repeated several times a minute during the day I can render them as well today as I did in that year!
Included in the scrap book are such items as a Junior Audubon pledge
– and even on moonlit nights – is a familiar voice in the local chorus of breeding birds. and a little red pin. I found I had pledged to protect all birds always, and
In mid-April the migrants of the gambelii subspecies pour into Washington, and for take good care of “the living things of our country”.  Illustrations drawn
by me include a robin, a Red-winged Blackbird, a blue bird, a blue jay
See "White-crowned Sparrow" on page 8
See "Reflections" on page 6
 executive Director’s Corner
The fight for open space: Growing up?
There is a say- ers to buy into an open space fund in exchange for
ing that there are building more densely in the urban centers. We are in the midst of a
two things peo- Going by the sexy title of Transfer of Development population growth spurt that
ple hate about Rights, this tool ties the prevention of sprawl with will add 250,000 people to
growth manage- the creation of density. Once in full swing it could
ment: sprawl result in thousands of acres of open space and the county in the first 20
and density. farmland protection. years of this century. That is
The fight to It will also result in taller buildings, mixed-use how many people live in
protect habitat in centers and transit-oriented development. Tacoma now.
Pierce County Then what about density?
over the last Who could be against density: those who live
decade or more next to a proposed project and do not want to see are going to address climate change at the local
has largely been a fight to stop sprawl. Before the a change in their neighborhood? Density is level, we have to get people out of their cars,
State passed the Growth Management Act, Pierce change, and many people don’t like change. Will closer to work and shopping. Public transporta-
County had used general zoning to allow develop- the work to bring about density in our urban cen- tion needs density in order to flourish. Density fits
ment to take place pretty much anywhere. ters be stymied by the powerful force of “Not in a market such as ours where two-thirds of house-
The promise of growth management was the My Back Yard”? hold have two or fewer people in them.
limiting of sprawl, with development taking place It is important that we succeed in concentrating In order to protect open space, farmland, and
in urban centers. The fact is that, to a large extent, growth because we are in the midst of a population critical wildlife habitat; we are going to have to be
development is happening in urban centers. growth spurt that will add 250,000 people to the part of creating positive change to bring about
Development is taking place inside the Urban county in the first 20 years of this century. That is more density in urban areas. That will involve
Growth Boundary set up under the current growth how many people live in Tacoma now. thinking in new ways, taking on new alliances,
plan. If we are going to absorb another city of Tacoma, and accepting the change that is inevitable. By
We could be doing even better. The County and protect the open space and farmland we cher- doing so we can grow as a community and protect
recently passed an ordinance that allows develop- ish, then we have to grow up instead of out. If we the quality of life we hold so dearly.

West Cady Ridge

is part of what
will be the Wild
Sky Wilderness in
the Mount Baker-
Snoqualmie
National Forest.
The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Photo/Steven Fey

2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466

Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
e-mail: contact@TahomaAudubon.org

Tahoma Audubon Staff

 

Congress finally OKs Wild Sky Wilderness

Flint, Bryan Executive Director                        
bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
From the Seattle Times - By Warren Cornwall, Environment reporter Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
Washington is on the verge of getting its first new wilderness area in more than two kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978                    
decades, 106,000 acres of forest in the Cascade Mountains, just a short drive from
Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
Seattle. With a House vote Tuesday evening, Congress sent the long-awaited and long-
debated Wild Sky Wilderness plan to President Bush, who is expected to sign it. But
StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-5479                      
when hikers return this summer to the mountains above Skykomish and Index, they Kerrigan, Julie Volunteer Coordinator
probably won’t notice much change. And that’s exactly the point for Tom Uniack, who jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-1884
has spent the past five years lobbying to create Wild Sky. “Change will happen,” said                      
Uniack, conservation director of the Washington Wilderness Coalition. “So if you want
Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
to keep something the same, you have to do something about it.”
The new wilderness designation would shield the vast area inside the Mount Baker- John Garner President
Snoqualmie National Forest from the kind of changes that environmentalists fear most: Marjorie Shea Vice President
logging, mining, and even cars and off-road vehicles. The federal Wilderness Act bars
virtually all motors. You can’t even fire up a chain saw. The land that would wind up Wayne Larsen Past President
inside the Wild Sky boundaries isn’t a top hiking destination. Still, some advocates hope Jane Brosius Secretary
the new designation will mean more visitors — and federal money to improve trails. “It Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
See "Wild Sky" on page 6 Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008
Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protection
of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem- Kathleen LeGreid Towhee Editor
ber’s experiences in and with the natural world. Dick Carkner
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan
issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conserva- Sally Larson
tion, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor. Marcus Roening
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.
Peggy L. Kopf
Editor: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483 Darby Veeck
E-mail:kaleditor@ mindspring.com
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings Ione Clagett
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com Melissa Paulson
Printing: Consolidated Press
Printed on recycled newsprint Elizabeth Beer

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2008

 ENVIRONMENT Matters
Fighting invasive aquatic species
In late April, I had the pleasure of visiting our capitol
for the first time. I was part of a team of citizen advo-
cates from across the country, and four from Washington
State, on behalf of the National Environmental Coalition
on Invasive Species, which National Audubon Society is
a member of, to encourage our elected representatives to
support federal legislation to protect our marine and
freshwater systems from exotic aquatic invasive spe-
cies.
In the Great Lakes area, since the opening of the St.
Lawrence Seaway invasive species, like Zebra mussels,
have devastated those ecosystems and native fish popu-
lations. Over 180 nonnative species now live in the
Great Lakes. Invasive species-related botulism out-
breaks have killed thousands of Lake Michigan shore-
birds alone.
While the Great Lakes may seem far away, ships
travel the world. Zebra mussels are now in California
waters, and soon to be here. Ships circumnavigate the
world, taking in ballast water to stabilize them, and then
releasing that same water when they come to port. Since
the 1970’s, the overwhelming majority of invasive
aquatic species have been transported by oceangoing
ballast tanks. Zebra and Quagga mussels are especially
good at clogging water intake pipes, costing industry and
discharges of any-
thing alive by
2015. Before that
taxpayers billions of dollars. can happen, the
Here in the Puget Sound region, we are fighting inva- Senate must pass
sions from species such as Spartina, New Zealand mud- its bill, and then
snails, invasive tunicates (sea squirts), Japanese eelgrass, the two bills need
Asian clam, and European Green crab, among others. to go to confer-
With major shipping ports in Seattle, Tacoma, and ence to be recon-
Olympia, and multiple Naval facilities in the Puget ciled. When that
Sound, there is significant transport and discharge of happens, probably
ballast water into the marine waters of the Puget Sound. later this summer,
The state of Washington is working on ballast water we’ll alert you to
treatment requirements and discharge standards, while the opportunity to
the state of California leads the way with the toughest support the bill by
standards in the nation. contacting your
The proposed federal legislation falls under the Coast representatives in Washington, DC. Or, you can contact
Guard Reauthorization Act (HB 2830), which passed the them now and thank them for voting yes for HB 2830!
House only days before we arrived in DC by a vote of In the meantime, you can learn more about this issue
395 to 7. All of Washington State’s Congressmen voted by visiting the National Environmental Coalition on
in favor of this bill! Invasive Species website: www.necis.net or learn to
There is widespread support for a national ballast learn more about National Audubon Society’s Stop
water bill. Significantly, the shipping industry itself Invasives Campaign go to: http://www.stopinvasives.
prefers to have one federal standard, rather than many org/threats.shtm
different state standards to try to comply with. Several
different technologies already exist to treat ballast The Conservation Committee meets on a regular basis.
water. Contact Krystal for details: 253-232-9978 or e-mail her
The goal of the ballast water bill is to have zero ballast kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org

Giving our community an avian education

Spring bird count at PLU not just for the birds
By Claire-Marie Krug & Candi Ziegert

On May 10, 2008 the grounds of Pacific Lutheran University was abuzz with bird enthusiasts
of all ages as the school celebrated International Migratory Bird Day. International Migratory
Bird Day (IMBD), sponsored by the nonprofit organization Environment for the Americas, was
created to involve people in bird conservation through educational opportunities in the Western
Hemisphere. Tahoma Audubon interns Claire-Marie Krug and Candi Ziegert organized a group
of 19 students, faculty, and faculty family members for a bird-watching adventure, led by vet-
eran birders Fred Tobiason and Richard “Mugs” McGinnis. The afternoon began with a crash-
course in bird identification and binocular use. Once the company was assembled and ade-
quately supplied with trail mix and water, they braved the
overcast, damp weather to visit birding hotspots around
campus. Altogether, the group of citizen scientists identified Top: Claire-Marie and
55 birds and 18 species. This data was entered into the Candi whip up some deli-
eBird national database to aid in avian research. cious chocolate bird nests
Some noteworthy birds spotted included a Golden- to help sweeten a damp,
crowned Kinglet, a Red-breasted Sapsucker, and two Red- overcast day.
tailed Hawks. Two Oliver-sided Flycatchers, currently listed
as a Washington State species of concern, were also identi- Left: Mugs imparts wis-
fied. A Northern Flicker managed to elude the birders; dom to young students.
however another specimen posed for the group later in the
walk. At the conclusion of the 90 minute trek, participants Below: The group, led
nibbled on chocolate bird nests and competed for fantastic by veteran birders Fred To-
raffle prizes purchased from the Tahoma Audubon store in biason and Richard “Mugs”
University Place. A generous monetary donation from the McGinnis, spots some note-
Pacific Lutheran University Natural Sciences worthy birds.
Department contributed to the success
of this event.
The IMBD bird count was reminis-
cent of the Great Backyard Bird Count
hosted on the campus in February,
and the presence of returning
birders and new faces demon-
strated the growing interest in
birds in the Pacific Lutheran
University community. If you
would like to know more
about these terrific birding
opportunities, check out the
Great Backyard Bird Count at
http://www.audubon.org/
gbbc/index.shtml and learn
more about International
Migratory Bird Day at http://
www.birdday.org

Put on your listening ears:

Richard “Mugs” McGinnis shows
how to see with your ears.

June 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

 Education Matters
Education highlights
Summer Hot Spot in
the Shade:
Have you been to
Kobayashi Preserve in
University Place? It’s
a quiet little Preserve
at the confluence of
Leech and Chambers
creeks and it sits like
an emerald jewel
above Chambers
Creek County Park.
When the birdwatching gets too hot to handle at
Chambers Creek, Kobayashi Preserve is a cool place to
sit in the shade and listen to the tumbling of the cool
water from the creeks.
Recently, the staff and a couple board members at
Tahoma Audubon took a tour of Chambers Creek Park.
As the county ramps-up their environmental education
components, they realize that Kobayashi is an integral
part of their Chambers Creek ecosystem. Tahoma
Audubon has held summer camps and field trips at the
Preserve and we are looking forward to working with
the City of University Place again to offer education
programs at the preserve.
This summer we have already scheduled two oppor-
tunities for families to learn a little about the habitats,
plants and animals that visit Kobayashi. On June 28th
from 10:00am to noon, we invite you to join us at
the Preserve for a naturalist-led hike and talk about the
native plants we find there. And on August 16th we will
have a Discovery Walk from 10:00 to 11:30am to
explore the preserve with a naturalist-educator. Both
walks are perfect for nature-lovers of all ages.
You will find the entrance to Kobayashi Preserve at the
easternmost end of Chambers Creek Drive at the inter-
section of Bridgeport and 67th. The driveway to the
Preserve is located immediately to the southwest of the
intersection, and runs parallel to Bridgeport before
descending to the right. Formerly a private home, the
driveway is very secluded. There are only four parking
spaces, so if you are able please choose to park along
the top of the driveway near Bridgeport and walk to the
bottom and the park.
 To reserve a spot on our June 28th Native plant
hike at Kobayashi, please call Tahoma Audubon
Society, 235-565-9278. FREE to everyone.
 To reserve a spot on our Discovery Walk on
August 16th, please call the Tacoma Nature
Center, 253-591-6439. FREE to Audubon mem-
bers, $5.00 for nonmembers.
Speaking of Discovery Walks…
Our June Discovery Walk will be featuring the
West Hylebos Creek Park in Federal Way. Recently
the boardwalk in the park had been repaired and now
winds for a mile or so through the wetlands that are
hidden between 348th Street and 356th Street. Please
join a Naturalist to take a peek at this hidden gem. To
reserve a spot on this hike, please call the Tacoma
Nature Center, 253-591-6439. FREE to members,
$5.00 for nonmembers. (Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am –
11:30am)
Tiptoe through the Tidepools! At Titlow Beach on
Saturday July 5th, Noon to 3pm, FREE to all. Bring
your family and join naturalists from the Tacoma
Nature Center and Tahoma Audubon for one of the
lowest tides of the year! Explore the beach, learn about
tidepool life and have lots of fun!
Low tide of -3.o’ will be at 1:32 pm
 Self-guided tide pool exploration
 Take a guided bird walk in Titlow Park.
 Rate a craft and take part in other activities.
June 13th is a Special Membership Meeting for the
winners of the 2008 Bird Drawing Contest
We will be holding the Awards Ceremony for the
winners of the 2008 Bird Drawing Contest at the
Membership Meeting on June 13th. Please plan to
attend and see the wonderful artists and naturalists
display their work at the Tacoma Nature Center. A
short presentation about Citizen Science and the spe-
cies on which the Drawing Contest was focused will
also be part of the event. The students and families
appreciate your support and we hope to see you there!
Summer Camps are Filling Fast!
Helllloooo campers! School may still be in session,
but Nature Camps are filling fast as we approach the
hot days of summer. Believe it or not our first Little
Explorer camp 2008, “The Perfect Place” begins on the
last day of this month! Nature camps make great gifts
for kids and parents alike! You may register online at
www.metroparkstacoma.org or by calling the Tacoma
Nature Center, 253-591-6439.
Stephanie Swaim, Education Coordinator
253-565-5479 StephSwaim@TahomaAudu bon.org
Osprey Club

Summer Day Camps for Kids

Tahoma Audubon and Tacoma Nature Center summer day camps for ages 4-11 are the perfect way
for kids to play in and enjoy a natural setting while learning about their environment and making new
friends. Descriptions of each camp and registration information are available at www.TahomaAudubon.
org and at www.metroparkstacoma.org on the link to Tacoma Nature Center. You can also pick up
a flyer from Adriana Hess Audubon Center or the Tacoma Nature Center, or call 253- 591-6439.

Camps for ages 4-6 are held at Adriana
Hess Audubon Center, University Place.
Each camp is Monday through Wednesday, 9
am – 1 pm. Fee: $90
 Little Explorers: The Perfect Place –
June 30, July 1 & 2
 Little Explorers: The Perfect Place – July
28, 29 & 30
 Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders –
Aug 4, 5 & 6
 Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders – Aug
25, 26 & 27
Camps for ages 5-7 are held at Tacoma
Nature Center. Each camp is Monday
through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Fee:
$150
 Kaleidoscope of Nature – July 14-18
 Oceans of Fun – July 21-25
 It’s Art, Naturally – Aug 11-15
Camps for ages 8-11 are held at Tacoma
Nature Center. Each camp is Monday
through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Fee:
$150
 Kaleidoscope of Nature – July 7-11
 Oceans of Fun – July 28-Aug 1
 It’s Art, Naturally – Aug 18-22
Finding Your Future in the Wild:
Teen Career Camp
Teens ages 12-15 can explore careers in natural
resources such as marine science, zookeeping, jour-
nalism and wildlife biology. Daily field trips, hands-
on activities and an overnight are all included in this
camp. Fee is $245. Scholarship assistance is avail-
able. Camp runs August 4-8, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
For more information and registration visit
www.metroparkstacoma.org or call Tacoma Nature
Center at 253-591-6439.
Summer Camp Scholarships
Wild Birds Unlimited and the National Fish & Wildlife
Foundation have joined with National Audubon to
support nature summer camps across
the country with scholarship assis-
tance for campers. Tahoma
Audubon members and friends in
our local community have also
generously donated funds to pro- Osprey Club celebrated its last day with the
vide children and teens with the students from Mcilvaigh, Giaudrone and Truman
experience of discovering the won- Middle Schools in Tacoma. Twelve students
ders of our natural world and learning to be good
came to the Tacoma Nature Center for an end-
stewards of the land. If you’d like to apply or have
questions, please contact Margie Shea, the chair of
of-year celebration. Students were awarded
the education committee, at marjories@tacoma- certificates from Meagan and Jess, the Osprey
parks.com or call 253-591-6439. Donations to sup- Club interns, for completing the program. They
port the John Slipp Scholarship Fund are always then explored the trails around Snake Lake to
welcome at any time! put their naturalist skills into action.

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.

Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2008

 field trips and Events
Cle Elum/Teanaway River
bird trip with Ed Pullen
When: Sat, Jun 7, 6am – 5pm
Where: Cle Elum and Teanaway River valley
Description: Join Ed and Kay Pullen for a day trip
to the Cle Elum and Teanaway areas to look for
the breeding birds of the nearby parts of Eastern
Washington. We hope to scout this a week or so in
advance, so the exact route will depend on what
we find, but plan to stop at Gold Creek neat
Snoqualmie pass early, then on down the east side
to Salmon le Sac for dipper and surprises, on
through Cle Elum and the Teanaway creek areas.
We should find both bluebirds, house wrens, pos-
sibly Calliope Hummingbird, and a variety of the
usual E WA breeding birds. Bring everything you
will need for a long day, including food for snacks
and lunch, drinks, and layered clothing. Bring
enough cash for a moderately priced meal, as we
will stop for dinner somewhere before the ride
home. Meet at the park-and-ride at I-5 and Hwy
rules
Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are
people limited out of necessity.
Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come.
Field trip leaders put in a lot of time and planning and
no-shows disrupt field trips. More than 3 no-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 are 20 cents a mile per car, not
including driver.
Beginners are always welcome.
Have fun.
512 at 6 AM to carpool up and leave. We will be
back in the late evening.
Morse Bird Walk
When: Sun, Jun 8, 10am – 12pm
Where: Morse Wildlife Preserve. Graham WA
Description: Field Trip leader Betty Jones will
lead a walk at Morse Wildlife Preserve. Call
253-565-9278 to register and for directions.
Morse Preserve Open Trails
When: Sun, Jun 8, 12pm – 4pm
Where: Morse Wildlife Preserve, Graham
Description: Explore this natural treasure located
in Graham during Open Trail days. Walk the trails
and discover the beauty of the five habitat zones in
the preserve. All ages. Free
Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess
When: Mon, Jun 9, 12pm – 1pm
Bird the Hundred Acre Woods
(Old Flett Creek Dairy) with Rolan Nelson
When: Sat, Jun 14, 7:30am – 2:00pm
Where: Meet at Hwy. 512 and I-5 Park and ride
behind McDonalds
Description: We will return to the 110-acre site in
NE Lakewood that is completely surrounded by
development yet is still home to over 100 species
of birds. It’s mid June, so we’ll be looking for all
of our flycatchers and swallows along with the
ever-present Scrub Jays and the resident Red-
tailed Hawks. Over the years, we’ve had visits
from eight different raptors, so anything it possi-
ble. Come see what an urban savannah / wetland
can reveal. Meet at the 512 / I-5 Park and Ride
near the McDonald’s at 7:30am. Bring a lunch.
Bird the 176th Street Marsh
with Betty Jones (Military activities have canceled
the July 18 Marsh walk.)
Sat, Jun 14, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Nature Walk
at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
When: Sun, Jun 15, 8:00am – 11:30am
Where: Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
Description: Join author Rob McNair-Huff for a
5-mile walk through the forests at Point Defiance
Park. The trip starts at the back of the parking lot
for the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Come
prepared for a healthy walk through the park in
changeable weather conditions. Summer bird
highlights can include Bald Eagles and breeding
forest birds. For more information, e-mail rob@
whiterabbits.com.
Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess
When: Mon, Jun 16, 12pm – 1pm
Discovery Walk
When: Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am – 11:30am
Where: West Hylebos Park, Federal Way
Description: Our June Discovery Walk will be fea-
turing the West Hylebos Creek Park in Federal Way.
Recently, the boardwalk in the park was repaired
and now winds for a mile or so through hidden
wetlands between 348th Street and 356th Street.
Please join a Naturalist to take a peek at this hidden
gem. To reserve a spot on this hike, please call the
Tacoma Nature Center, 253-591-6439. FREE to
members, $5.00 for nonmembers.
Walk in the Park - Kobayashi
When: Sat, Jun 28, 10am – 12pm
Where: the Park - Kobayashi
Description: This summer we have already sched-
uled two opportunities for families to learn about the
habitats, plants and animals that visit Kobayashi. On
June 28th from 10:00am to noon, we invite you to
join us at the Preserve for a naturalist-led hike and
talk about the native plants we find there. And on
August 16th we will have a Discovery Walk from
10:00 to 11:30am to explore the preserve with a nat-
uralist-educator. Both walks are perfect for nature-
lovers of all ages. See Education page for details.

Trogon Tours trips

Eastern Ecuador November 10-22, 2008
Wildlife photographer and TAS member Nate Chappell and his Ecuadorian wife, Angie will lead this tour that will
cover the eastern slope of the Andes mountains and the Western edge of the Amazon lowland forests.
Spectacular species that we have a good chance of seeing and/or photographing include Harpy Eagle,
3 species of Antpittas, Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Crested Owl, Torrent Duck Great,
Andean and Rufous Potoos and dozens of species of beautiful tanagers and dazzling hummingbirds.
Additionally, there is a large owl at that feeds most nights on the moths at San Isidro lodge. This large
black and white owl is quite possibly a new species. This trip will take in a wide vari-
ety of habitats from high Andean grassland, to foothill cloud forest to rain forest.
Extensions to the Galapagos or another Amazonian lodge are available. Cost $2,900.

Western Ecuador December 6-14, 2008

Nate and Angie Chappell will lead this tour that will cover the Western slope of the
Andes and some of the Western lowlands. Spectacular species that we have a good
chance of seeing and/or photographing include Andean Cock of the Rock, Giant and
Yellow-breasted Antpittas, Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird and many species of
dazzling tanagers and beautiful hummingbirds. This trip will take in a variety of habitats from high
Andean grassland, to foothill cloud forest to lowland tropical forest. Extensions to the Galapagos or
Amazonian lodges are available. Cost $1,800.

Thailand, January 4-18, 2009

TAS members Nate and Angie Chappell will lead a wonderful trip to Central and Northern Thailand next January.  “We will
see and photograph a wide variety of both birds and mammals and experience Thai culture as well by visiting ruins and
temples.”   A variety of hornbills, sunbirds, trogons and barbets are among the many species of birds that we will see.  Note: A donation is made
Cost is $3,600 per person, single supplement $500.  to Tahoma Audubon for
TAS members who go on
these trips.
See our website, www.trogontours.net for more information or call Nate Chappell at 253-512-1060

June 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5

... Reflections from page 1
... Wild Sky from page 2

really opens doors,” said Jonathan Guzzo, advocacy

director for the Washington Trails Association, a hiking
(Stellers’) and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
advocacy group. “When we’re talking to our [congres-
I am relatively new to TAS, but my mother, Ethel Plomasen,
was interested in birds all her life and did go on some Christmas
sional] delegation, when we’re talking to members from
bird counts in the early 1970s and always had feeders in the other states, we can talk about the level of commitment
yard and a bird book in hand. I certainly did not know what to this area.”
path I had started down with that scrap book so many years The legislation will direct the Forest Service to come
ago, but I have not lost sight of my mission. I am still protect- up with a trail plan for the wilderness and surrounding
ing the birds and other living things and will continue to do land. What’s outside the proposed wilderness, mean-
so. As it said in the Pledge: “Soil, water, plants and wildlife while, is in some ways as important as what was kept in.
are every country’s most valuable natural resources, because With an eye toward winning over potential opponents,
people cannot live without them.”   The  Audubon Junior the boundary was drawn to leave out 4,000 acres in an
Membership Leaflet included suggestions to help conserve
area popular with snowmobilers, and the trail to Barclay
water and land and I am so proud to be part of TAS that
is doing so much to promote these ideas, continuing the
Lake, a route heavily used by Boy Scouts and others.
Mission that I was introduced to so long ago. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who championed Wild Sky,
Please encourage your children, grandchildren and said it was “an example of wilderness done the right
neighbor’s children to observe nature and preserve it-and way,” with support from local groups and elected offi-
make them Junior Audubon members too!  Have them cials. The Senate OK’d the designation April 10. Rep.
develop a scrap book and begin a bird list. I wish I had Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, who represents the area,
been more diligent in recording what we saw on called the House’s 291-117 passage of Wild Sky, which
our trips through the Western states and was part of a large package of proposals concerning
National Parks- but I sure pay attention now. I public lands nationwide, the “end of a long hike.” “There
am very grateful to the Birdathon Kick-off when
have been many twists and turns along the way, and let
our group counted 48 species in about 90 min-
utes in Point Defiance. Thanks Audubon, for
me tell you it’s a beautiful view from here,” Larsen said.
pointing my eyes A few roads will be cut short by the new designation.
to the skies and Roughly the last mile of the Rapid River road, a place
the birds where some people drive for picnics, would be closed.
nearly 60 Creation of the wilderness had been blocked in the
years ago. House for years by Congressman Richard Pombo, a
powerful California Republican who said some of the
land wasn’t pristine enough to warrant wilderness protec-
tion. But Pombo was unseated in 2006 as Democrats
regained a majority in the House, and Wild Sky was
revived. But with the political hurdles almost cleared,
Wild Sky faces another, more pragmatic barrier: Several
roads remain damaged by winter storms. In fact, the
main road to the wilderness, along the North Fork
Skykomish River north of Index, is closed before it
reaches the popular Troublesome Creek campground.
It’ll be years before that road is fully repaired, Busse said.
In addition, the hike to a lookout on Evergreen Mountain
has grown miles longer because part of a road washed
out. The Forest Service hasn’t decided what to do with
that road.
Warren Cornwall: 206-464-2311 or wcornwall@
seattletimes.com mailto:wcornwall@seattletimes.com .
Information from The Associated Press was included
in this report.

Why should I eBird?

Every time that you see and identify a bird, you
are holding a piece of a puzzle. Whether you are
casually watching birds in your backyard, or chasing
rare species across the country, you are helping to
put this puzzle together.
It might be a personal puzzle. For example, you
might wonder when Red-winged Blackbirds appear
in your backyard each spring or what time of day the
Mourning Doves take a bath in your neighborhood
fountain. Each time that you see and identify one of
these birds—so long as you note the time and
date—one piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Or it might be a regional puzzle. For instance,
scientists might be wondering how quickly House
Finches are spreading throughout your state or how
rapidly Henslow’s Sparrows are declining. Each time
that you identify and count the numbers of one of
these species, you are piecing together a part of that
puzzle.
Or it might be an international puzzle. Each year
during migration, hundreds of species fly from
southern wintering grounds to northern breeding
grounds, following the flush of summer insects.
When do they leave? Where do they breed? And
when do they return home? Whether recording
common birds in your backyard or searching for
rarities along the Mexican border, your sightings of
these birds – with time, date, and location included
– are pieces that can help ornithologists put togeth-
er the parts of that huge puzzle, day by day, week
by week, and year by year.
Unfortunately, just like puzzle piec-
es, these observations lose their value
if they remain separate from one
another. The sightings tucked away in
your memory, or in your desk drawer,
or in an old shoebox in your closet
leave gaps in a partially completed
picture. In truth, the only way that all
these bird sightings make a contribu-
tion to our understanding of nature is
when they are collected and orga-
nized into a central database where
they can help complete a picture of
the life of birds.
You can access your own bird
records anytime you want, allowing you an easy way By keeping track of your bird observations and
to look at your observations in new ways and to entering them into the eBird database, you’ll benefit,
answer your personal questions about what birds too. You can access your own bird records anytime
you saw and when and where you saw them. you want, allowing you an easy way to look at your
eBird is this database. With thousands of bird- observations in new ways and to answer your per-
watchers across the continent helping to construct it sonal questions about what birds you saw and when
by contributing their sightings, eBird will soon and where you saw them.
become a vast source of bird and environmental If you use the eBird web site to enter all your bird-
information useful not only to bird watchers but to ing information—and get your friends, family mem-
scientists and conservationists the world over. Want bers, students, and colleagues to use it as well—
to find out what birds you’ll see on your vacation? before long the answers to the never ending ques-
Want to know the closest spot to find a Least Bittern, tions about birds will be found in the eBird database,
or a reliable spot for Townsend’s Warbler? Want to for use now and for generations that will follow.
learn whether the crow population is growing in Article reproduced with permission from Cornell
your state? Want to see if endangered Least Terns Lab of Ornithology.  This article and more informa-
are continuing their decline? tion can be found at: www.ebird.org

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2008

 ... Birdathon Kickoff

from page 1
coincide with this event, too!
Other teams included in second place -- the Bikers -- led by Point Defiance Birder
extraordinaire Rob McNair-Huff who will also claim the trophy for recruiting the
most Birders on Bikers this side of the World Series (that’s the World Series of
Birding in Cape May , NJ, in case you were wondering). Considering how hard it is
to use binoculars on a bicycle, their impressive number of species becomes down-
right fantastic, including a Nashville Warbler passing through! An extraordinary bird
for this park and probably only possible during a 3-day period each spring, which
happened to coincide with the Kickoff!
The Short-Legged Birders (shown on the scoreboard as the Kids) impressed
everyone by tying with the Long-Legged Walkers, thus ensuring replacement bird-
ers for those of us who will eventually disappear into the sunset. All teams returned
to brag about their great sightings and best-loved birds and collect our prizes. All that
is except The Lost Brigade, another walking team led by Art Wang, which was an
hour late and had to take the dregs, but they could “crow” about their numbers, hav-
From top left: The final scoreboard for the Birdathon Kickoff Race;
ing trumped the other on-foot teams pretty handily. We hear they had a personal Mallards and other critters at Owen Beach Kickoff headquarters, Pt.
experience with a Pileated Woodpecker and couldn’t pull themselves away. Defiance; Tamika and Acacia measured up and helped make our
Fellow winning team leader Faye McAdams Hands (the one in the lucky pink team the winners; A Redtail Hawk soars overhead; Diane Yorgason-
shoes) and I were lucky enough to have wheels to take us to the far corners of the Quinn and Faye McAdams Hands, leaders of the winning team, The
park, not to mention having two carloads of avid birders (at least they were avid by Cars; Last glance at The Lost Brigade, led by Art Wang.
the time we were through with them). Thanks, Peggy, Helen, Jane, Tamika, and All photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn except photo
Acacia! What a great team we made! of Diane and Faye - photographer unknown.
Faye and I came prepared, though. We had previously called upon our fellow
birding pals, the Willettes, and five of us had scoped out our route earlier in the month
and made a double event of it that way. Dorothy, Melissa, and Carol joined us that
time, and we laid out our route, finding all the good winter birds the park is famous
for. By the time of the actual event, though, it was the passage birds that grabbed our
attention. So much change in three weeks! What an interesting assortment of birds
– Hutton’s Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Townsend’s Solitaire (Rob’s team got the
Townsend’s Warbler – Must thank Mr. Townsend!). One of our highlights was a pair
(yes, TWO!) of Cooper’s Hawks circling overhead and calling to each other over
Camp 6. And when our time was up, we had a hard time pulling ourselves away
from an eye-level flock of Yellow-Rumped Warblers near the Pagoda, happy little
Butterbutts playing tag among the new spring leaves.
There were still a few birds out in the water, too, that most of the teams picked up
on, such as a Common Loon and Pigeon Guillemots, and scopes were
set up at Owen Beach, which was our headquarters. Interestingly,
some large critters popped up at our feet there and turned out not to
be Sea Lions as we had feared, but scuba divers. The Mallards
swimming by seemed very familiar with them and showed less
alarm than some of the humans.
This is a wonderful park, the biggest and best city park west of the
Mississippi. If you want to see more of what it has to offer, join
Rob’s monthly bird walk the 3rd Sunday of every month through the
woodsy parts of Point Defiance, see the birds and hear the lore. See
the TAS Calendar page in the Towhee and on the TAS website for
more details (www.tahomaaudubon.org). It’s June 15th this month.
Total species seen by all teams was pushing 60 by the time we
broke up (still without the Lost Brigade!). These people are READY
to Birdathon!! Get your checkbooks out! And be sure to pay by
the species! Paying a lump sum doesn’t get the Birdathon blood
rushing like having to spot another species does! By-the-Bird
makes us all care more. Plus, you can make ‘em sweat for it!

June 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

 Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing in June, 1983
By Helen Engle
25
Twenty-five years ago the June
TOWHEE covered July and August
as well. Below is the list of our
dedicated volunteer trip leaders
Years
and where they took us in the sum-
mer of ’83.
June 5: Betty Heitman. Carnation, Tolt River,
MacDonald County Park.
June 11: Thelma Gilmur. Point Defiance
Beach walk on a minus 3’ tide.
June 12: Norris Cone. Nisqually NWR, around
the 5-mile dike
June 15: Margaret Stolarik. A walk to the
woods, meadows, small lake in Spanaway.
June 18: Ken Brown. Walk the trails of Farrell
Marsh, recently protected by town of Steilacoom
as an environmentally sensitive area.
June 25: Elmer Price. Deception Pass area
trails and view from 1300’ Mt. Erie. Bus trip.
June 26: John Piper. Rural ranch on Lacamas
Creek, fields, woods, bluebirds.
June 29: Charles Plummer. Flett Creek
Basin, resident Mute Swans.
July 6: Thelma Gilmur. Fern Hill gulch,
Metropolitan Parks’ proposed natural area in
their Comprehensive Plan.
July l9: Cathy Jerbic. Fort Lewis hike to
Fiander and Cat Lakes, 5 to 8 miles.
July 13: Sue Wardlow. Carbon River Walk
following the river for miles.
... White-crowned Sparrow
from page 1
about ten days on the east side of the Cascades
white-crowns seem to outnumber all other sparrow
species there combined. A few of the gambelii
remain in our state to breed around Hart’s Pass and
in the Okanogan highlands, but most move north-
ward to the boreal forest and willow thickets beyond
the tree-line. Oriantha, the third subspecies, breeds at
high elevations in the far eastern part of the state.
The White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leu-
cophrys) breeds across North America from Alaska
to Newfoundland, and southward west of the
Rockies to California and New Mexico. The birds
winter throughout the western states and in the east
roughly from Massachusetts and the Ohio Valley
west to Kansas and south into northern Mexico.
BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly
Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org
July 14: Thelma Gilmur: Joint Field
trip with Seattle Audubon, 5 miles of
wilderness along swan Creek.
July 17: Ken Brown. Nisqually
NWR completion of two-year bird
Ago census around the dike.
July 20: Beulah Kelpman. Titlow
Beach & Park, Picnic and walk, guaran-
teed Purple Martins on the pilings.
July 23: Elmer Price & Alice Bond: Hurricane
Ridge to see wildflowers, mountain goats,
Olympic Marmots etc. Bus trip with Tacoma
Mountaineers.
July 24: Dick Freshley. Dumas Bay to
Palisades, minus tide, but expect to get your
feet wet.
July 27: Walt Adams. TAS President’s Walk
on Point Defiance Park’s ancient forest trails.
July 30: Thelma Gilmur. Cranberry Lake, the
only lake in Pierce County with ‘natural’ desig-
nation in the Shoreline Management Plan. Easy
walk in muskeg, sundews in flower, Yellow-
headed Blackbirds, and a stop at Rapjohn
Lake.
July 31: Jan Verduin. Spray Park, Mount
Rainier National Park, 8-mile roundtrip, spec-
tacular alpine flowers.
August 6: Ken Brown. Sheep Lake, Sourdough
Gap, where the original “Heidi” movie was shot.
Trailhead is at Chinook Pass, 4-mile hike to lake,
another mile to the Gap. Alpine flowers.
August 10: Helen Engle. Chambers Creek,
This species thrives wherever dense shrubs offer
cover and sites for nest-building with open ground
for foraging and access to water – the sort of space
that population growth in the Pacific Northwest
provides. Their diet consists of seeds, grass, buds,
berries, and some arthropods in winter; during the
breeding season it eats mostly seeds and insects.
Breeders in the far north or high mountains
choose nesting sites on the ground, but many
pugetensis nests are constructed in shrub-
bery three to
four feet up.
The male
stakes out the
territory; the female
selects the site and builds the nest of small sticks and
coarse grass stems lined with fine grass, feathers,
www.tahomaaudubon.org March
Game Farm, and Fish
Hatchery in the midst of
high-density suburbia.
August 13: Elmer
Price. Sunrise, the east
side of Mount Rainier,
with choice of variety of
hikes. Bus Trip.
August 17: Jock Beall.
Helen Engle from days
Walk the trails around of yore.
Johnson Marsh, Fort
Lewis, near the Roy “Y”.
August 20: John Slipp. Tacoma Community
College Nature Trails. See ponds, aspen bog,
rare wildflowers.
August 21: Leader TBA. Nisqually NWR.
Watch for beginning of fall migration and first
influx of shorebirds, hike around the 5-mile
dike.
August 24: Marshall Mayer. Take your bike
on the ferry and go for a leisurely ride around
Vashon Island from Tahlequah and back.
August 31: Bruce Anderson. Hike the trails
at 362-acre, 40-year old Lincoln Tree Farm and
see Christmas Tree production, Vocational
Forestry Program.
(How many of these could we re-trace in
2008?)
Feedback, comments and reminiscences
welcome, 253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.
and animal hair. She lays four or five eggs and incu-
bates them for about two weeks. Both parents feed
the nestlings that fledge after two weeks and can fly
in around another week. Northern breeders nest
only once per season, but birds on the California
coast often nest three times. Mortality rates are high:
about 70% of nestlings don’t
survive bad weather and pre-
dation by jays, crows,
owls, hawks, squirrels,
snakes, and cats.
Science hasn’t yet unraveled
the complexities and migration
routes of the various subspecies
of the White-crowned Sparrow;
regardless, we can observe their sea-
sonal movements and enjoy their pres-
ence as these elegant little birds nest in
our gardens and other nearby spaces
we’ve unwittingly created for them.
June 2008
 announcements
Big Backyard Potluck Picnic Why we celebrate National Trails Day
June 26, Thu., 6-9 p.m. Summer Solstice Time, 6-9 p.m.
Demonstrations and displays by Pierce County outdoor and environmental National Trails Day is the only nationwide celebration that was created to:
allies:  Audubon, Mountaineers, Foothills Trail, Native Plant Society, Cascade Land • Promote public awareness and appreciation for trails and the people who build
and maintain them.
Conservancy, Sierra Club, Citizens for A Healthy Bay, Carbon River Corridor, Chambers-
• Promote the health benefits of trails.
Clover Watershed Council, Puget Creek Restoration Society, Student Conservation • Build partnerships among trail groups,
Association and there are about eight more. businesses and public land managers.
At the Engle Garden, 4011 Alameda Avenue, University Place south of Fircrest. • Encourage cooperative efforts among
Featuring: The Displays by our friendly groups plus, Licensed Falconers with their Live the various trail users.
Birds, Native Plants for sale, Entertaining program, music and Earth-friendly ideas for
kids of all ages. Children and grandchildren are MOST welcome.  And don’t forget how America’s 200,000 miles of trails provide
great the food is at these events! access to the natural world for recreation,
We Furnish: Coffee & punch. Beer and wine is BYO. inspiration, education, camping, or soli-
You Bring: A hot or cold entree, PLUS a salad or dessert; PLUS your own Table tude. Trails take us to good physical and
mental health by providing us opportunities
service and a ‘situpon.’
to breathe fresh air, get our hearts pumping,
No signup necessary. Rain does not cancel. and to escape from our daily challenges and
Directions: 4011 Alameda Ave. is ½ mile south of Fircrest Golf Course. stresses. Without the support of volunteers, land
Volunteers:  Could use some strong outdoors types to help set up tables, etc. managing agencies and outdoor-minded businesses, our
Contact me: Helen Engle, 253-564-3112, hengle@iinet.com (e-mail preferred). trails would disappear. 
We chose to celebrate by hosting our 2nd annual Point Defiance Park Trails Day!!  

At the Burke Museum: The Last Polar Bear
On June 28, the Burke Museum opens The Last Polar Bear: Facing the
Truth of a Warming World, a powerful photography exhibit documenting
the polar bear in its disappearing Arctic habitat. See more than 40 heart-
warming photographs by environmental photographer Steven Kazlowski,
who spent nearly a decade in this remote and delicate region. The exhibit
will also include Northwest filmmaker Arthur C. Smith’s Ice Bears of the
Beaufort, a short documentary that provides a portrait of polar bear behavior.
The Last Polar Bear runs through December 31, 2008.
Exhibit created in partnership with Braided River Books, the conserva-
tion imprint of the Mountaineers Books. For more information, visit www.
burkemuseum.org.
The 702-acre Point Defiance Park is a popular destination for about two million
people each year. Natural forest, saltwater beaches and spectacular views offer
numerous possibilities for recreation, education and communing with nature.   In
2008, Point Defiance Park was voted the Best Park in Tacoma and the Best
Place to Take Kids in Tacoma by readers of the Tacoma Weekly.
To learn more about the trails at Point Defiance, visit our website at: 
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=239.
 
Volunteers will be working on the following projects throughout the loop and
spine trails at Point Defiance Park on Saturday, June 21st 2008 from 9am-
Noon performing:
• Litter and garbage removal throughout the trail system.
• Vegetation pruning in an effort to eliminate overgrown brush that may hinder
joggers and walkers.
• Path repair by adding chips/mulch/gravel to problem areas.
• In support of fire prevention, removing downed limbs and branches from
designated areas along the road corridors and trails.
For you early birds, a nature walk through the Point Defiance Trails is scheduled
at 8am, you will meet in the zoo parking lot.  All other volunteers for trail renova-
tion will meet down at Owen’s Beach at 9am!  All volunteers will be provided the
appropriate tools and materials, refreshments and a Trails Day t-shirt for their
participation!!  
If you’d like to participate or have any questions on the event, please email me
or call me at the information listed below!
Julie Parascondola
Park Manager, Business & Operations
Department of Parks and Building Services
METRO PARKS TACOMA
4702 S 19th Street, Tacoma, WA  98405-1175
253-305-1060  Fax 253-759-0397
Visit our website:  www.metroparkstacoma.org
To volunteer please visit:  www.chipinforparks.com
Creating healthy opportunities to learn, play and grow.

We need your help! Volunteer at Point Defiance Park’s

Trails Day event on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 9am-Noon!

Mirrored Murrelets at museum

On June 7, 2008, the Museum of Glass will introduce
Mirrored Murrelets, a new outdoor art installation cre-
ated by Arlington, WA, artist Joseph Rossano for the
Museum’s Mezzanine Plaza.  Rossano created the glass
birds for the installation in the Museum’s Hot Shop dur-
ing his Visiting Artist residency in January.  Mirrored
Murrelets will be on display through 2009 before it
travels to additional venues around the country.
Rossano’s work focuses on the natural world and the
animals who live in ecosystems threatened by human
impact.  Mirrored Murrelets highlights the effect of
forestry on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird that
nests primarily in the old-growth forests of the Pacific
Northwest.  The installation will comprise more than
250 mirrored glass birds that will “float” just above the
surface of the Museum’s mid-level pool.  The mirrored
surfaces of the birds will reflect the viewer’s image,
symbolically suggesting the impact of humans on the
natural world.  Fiberglass benches, designed to repre-
sent charred stumps that can be found in once abun-
dant old-growth forests, will surround the pool.  As
visitors experience the installation, Rossano hopes they
will “ponder the plight of the bird as well as the beauty
of its existence.”
“Throughout my career, I have
focused on the interdependence of the
natural world to create haunting imag-
es of animals who, like us, rely on our
primeval forests for their existence,”
comments Rossano.  “I choose to use
glass as a medium because, like our
environment, glass is transparent, frag- Hours and Admission
ile and reflective—transparent in that it hides nothing, Open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5
fragile in that once damaged it may never be p.m., Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12
repaired.” p.m. to 5 p.m. Store is also open Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 5
Joseph Rossano earned a BFA in studio arts at p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor
Louisiana State University in 1987.  He has worked as Day): also open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to
both the artistic director for Waterford Crystal in Ireland 5 p.m. Closed Independence Day, September 15,
and the studio manager and lead gaffer for Chihuly Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission
Studio in Seattle.  He currently lives in Arlington, WA.   is free for members, $10 general, $8 seniors, military
Artist website:  www.josephrossano.com and students (13+ with ID), $8 groups of 10 or more,
The Museum of Glass is sponsored in part by the City $4 children (6-12) years old. Children under 6 are
of Tacoma Arts Commission, the Washington State admitted free. Admission is free every third Thursday
Arts Commission, ArtsFund and Comcast.  The Visiting of the month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Artist Program at the Museum of Glass is sponsored by Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street Tacoma, WA 
Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma.  Info Line 253-284-4750/ 1-866-4MUSEUM

June 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

 volunteer Recognition

Birdathon Kick-Off Event recognitions

The first ever Birdathon Kick-Off event happened at
Owen’s Beach in Point Defiance Saturday, April 26th.
We had over 40 participants come to the event. Trip lead-
ers took guests on various trips to see bird species around
the area. People were split into various teams (car, bike,
walking and kids) and given about an hour and a half to
see as many bird species as they could. Overall, we saw
about 60 different bird species. The team with the most
birds seen was the car team lead by Diane-Yorgason-
Quinn and Faye Mc Adams Hands.
A special thank you goes out to all the volunteers that
helped make the first 2008 Birdathon Kick-Off event a
big success. Volunteers helped with set-up, registration, serving refreshments and welcom-
ing guests. Birdathon Kick-Off co-chair, Amy Bettesworth did an excellent job procuring
donations and planning for the event. I would also like to thank all the trip leaders for
donating their time and expertise.
Birdathon Kick-Off Volunteers: Brian Compton, Vaughn Hilliard, Michael Thomas,
Acacia Johnston, Tamika Greenwell, Sarah Lloyd, Jenny Jelliff, Jeff Zittel, Janet Bent,
Bob Myrick, Amy Bettesworth
Birdathon Kick-Off Trip Leaders: Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Faye Mc Adams Hands, Art
Wang, Rob McNair-Huff, Corina Going, Steph Swaim
Birdathon Kick-Off Sponsors: Fred Meyer, Trader Joes, Honest Tea, Tully’s, Great
Harvest Bread Co., Willow Tree Farm, Panera Bread Co., Del’s Farm and Feed, Starbucks,
Antique Sandwich Company.

Team Species Count

Kids team
(Stephanie Swaim) =16 species

Walking team1
(Corina Going)=16 species

Walking team 2
(Art Wang)=24 species

Biking Team
(Rob McNair-Huff)=36 species

Car Team (Diane Yorgason-Quinn/

Faye Mc Adams Hands)= 49 species

Volunteer at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

2917 Morrison Rd. W., University Place, 253-565-9278

We will have our usual Friday weeding opportunities with a light breakfast
at 9:00 a.m. and weeding until 11:00 a.m. Hope to see you!

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2008

 Save our Swifts!
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn contacts below. A
chimney or dead tree
Our TAS leaders came back from the ACOW this roost/nest site would
spring talking about the “Save Our Swifts” project. be a real find, but
Many of you have been on the field trips I’ve led report all birds just
to the wonderful chimney at the school in Monroe so we can get an
which is used by thousands of Vaux’s Swifts as a idea of how many
migration staging area every spring and fall, as are around and
well as a nesting site for a lucky smaller number. where.
This is the second largest known group of these And if there’s
swifts in the world (with the famous Portland enough interest, we
chimney being the only known larger roost). This may take a group up
chimney has been targeted by the earthquake hit to Monroe this
squad, which would be very bad for these amaz- September for the Above: The famous
ing birds that are on the State Audubon Watch big event if the chim- Portland chimney. Photo
ney still stands. by Ariel Holman.
List, thus the concern. To get the right kind of
attention, we really need to know more about Diane Yorgason- Right: The school chim-
these mysterious birds everywhere in the state. Quinn Avosetta@ ney in Monroe. Photo by
So that’s were you come in. If you see any hotmail.com (for Diane Yorgason-Quinn.

swifts (tiny swallow-like birds always on the wing Tahoma Audubon)

eating insects, but not as colorful as swallows and Or to:
not as graceful, flying with a stiffer wing beat on Susie Schaefer at susie.schaefer@comcast.net
cigar-shaped bodies), report to ME or to the other Larry Schwitters at lpatters@ix.netcom.com

You can help By Susie Schaefer, Pilchuck Audubon the left side. Scroll down to the section on the Vaux Swift
Project; there you can get the reporting forms. When you see

by filling out a
We are trying to get a handle on the population of Vaux’s
Swifts in Washington and have been asking all Audubon
Chapters to work with us and collect initial data about the
downloadable numbers and locations of the Swifts.
The Steering Committee  led by  Swift expert Larry
any Vaux Swifts (or if you have seen them in April) please
fill out a form and send it to Larry by email or regular mail. 
We are looking for 2008 information from the time the
Swifts arrive or pass by in April or May until they leave in
late September.  Larry is also interested in following up on

reporting form Schwitters is heading up this data collection effort. 

We are also asking everyone to go to the Pilchuck website
any historical roosting sites anyone knows about.
We would really appreciate help from all chapters and
at www.pilchuckaudubon.org and click on Programs on Audubon members in Washington. Thank you.

welcome to New and Returning Members

April 16, 2008 to May 15, 2008
Chapter New and Renewing:
John Bergvall, Trusilla Bussinger, David Olson, Gisela
M Taranovski, Edna Vandenheuvel.
Chapter Joint with National:
Sharon Aukland, Jerry Broadus, Marcielle Kobel, Jim
Nelson, Judy Rucker, Brian Simpson, Audrey G Stacy,
Lewis Wallon.
Introductory: Recruited through TAS:
Tabitha Brokaw, Bill Knowles, Amanda Reeck, Nils
Sortland, Morry and Mary Stafford, Renee and Leif
Wanager, Elmira White.
Introductory: Recruited through NAS:
Katherine Bennett, Nancy Bryer,
Elizabeth Burrows, Laura Clapper,
Patricia Damron, Dave Desertspring,
Carol Engels, Shirley Johnson,
Alfred Kamajian, Jacqueline
Kovacsics, S Marks, Novella
Matteson, Howard Munger, Shery
Nelson, Debra Pinson, Pam Smith, Jeanette M Smith,
Ulla F Smith, Cynthia Stone, Trudy Stowe, Jim and
Laurela Thorp, Catherine C Tyrrell, A Vivit, Jeremy
Yielding, Christopher Young.
The following is the same message that was written
here last month, but repetition is supposed to be
important. With much less National financial help
available, TAS is now sending Towhees only to those
persons who renew as a chapter or joint member
through us. On January 2008, we gave members credit
for whichever expiration date was the farthest along.
You will be receiving a renewal request when that date
comes around. If, in the meantime, you respond to a
National renewal request, it will not include the
Towhee. Thanks for understanding.
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.

June 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


june 2008
Sat, Jun 7 6am – 5pm Cle Elum/Teanaway River
bird trip with Ed Pullen.
Join Ed and Kay Pullen for a day trip to the Cle
Elum and Teanaway areas to look for the breed-
ing birds of the nearby parts of Eastern Washington.
F “The
Sun, Jun 8,10am – 12pm  Morse Bird Walk,
Graham WA. Betty Jones will lead a walk at
Morse Wildlife Preserve. Call 253-565-9278 to
register and for directions. F
Sun, Jun 8, 1pm – 4pm Morse Preserve Open
Trails Graham. Explore this natural treasure
located in Graham during Open Trail days. All
ages. Free. F
Mon, Jun 9, 12pm – 1pm Bird Walk @ Adriana
Hess F
Tue, Jun 10, 2pm – 4pm Conservation Committee,
Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Road
W, University Place, WA 98466 M
Tue, Jun 10, 7pm – 9pm, Intermediate Birding
Class, Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Register by
Calling the Tacoma Nature Center at 253-
591-6439.
Thu, Jun 12, 6:30pm – 8:30pm TAS Board
Meeting, Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly
Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon Board. Guest
Welcome; please call ahead at 253- 565-9278.
Fri, Jun 13, 7pm – 9pm Membership Meeting,
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street.
Monthly membership meeting of Tahoma
Audubon. All welcome.
Sat, Jun 14, 7:30am – 2:00pm Bird the Hundred
Acre Woods (Old Flett Creek Dairy) with Rolan
Nelson. Meet at Hwy. 512 and I-5 Park and Ride
behind McDonalds. We will return to the 110-acre
site in NE Lakewood that is surrounded by devel-
opment yet is still home to over 100 species of
birds. F
Sat, Jun 14, 9:30am – 12:00pm Bird the 176th
Street marsh with Betty Jones. F
Sun, Jun 15, 8:00am – 11:30am Nature Walk at
Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Join author Rob
For additional information on education programs contact Tahoma Audubon 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
Towhee The
Tahoma Audubon Society YO2
2917 Morrison Road West
University Place, WA 98466
Address Service Requested
Calendar
McNair-Huff for a 5-mile walk through the for-
ests at Point Defiance Park. F
Mon, Jun 16, 12pm – 1pm Plant Walk @ Adriana
Hess. F
Tue, Jun 17, 5pm – 6pm Morse Force Meeting at
Adriana Hess.
Tue,  Jun 17, 7pm – 9pm Intermediate Birding
Class at Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Register
by calling the Tacoma Nature Center at 253-
591-6439.
Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am – 11:30am Discovery Walk
at West Hylebos Park, Federal Way E
Thu, Jun 26, 6pm – 9pm Annual Big Backyard
Picnic, at the Engle Garden, 4011 Alameda
Avenue, University Place south of Fircrest. No
signup necessary. A
Fri, Jun 27, 10:30am – 11:30am Nature Storytime
“Crafty Crabs” at Tahoma Audubon
Sat, Jun 28, 10am – 12pm Walk in the Park –
Kobayashi. E
Sat, Jun 28, 5:00pm – 8:30pm Discovery Paddle
at Nisqually Delta at Luhr Beach. Register by
TAS june Program Presentation
Bring the family to the June
Membership Meeting!
The Education Committee will host the
June 13 TAS membership meeting at
Tacoma Nature Center and is planning an
engaging evening for kids and adults.  Be
there to also meet and congratulate the
winners of the annual Bird Drawing
Contest.  All are welcome.
Date:   Friday, June 13
Time:  7 pm - View winning pictures of
Bird Drawing Contest, meet
the young artists, and
enjoy refreshments
7:30 pm – Awards
ceremony followed by
a program on Project
Feeder Watch – Do
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Tacoma, WA
Permit No. 177
calling the Tacoma
Nature Center at
253- 591-6439.
Key to symbols
F Field Trip Page
Mon, Jun 30,
V Volunteer page
through Jul 2, all M Environment Matters Page
day. Little
A Related article in Towhee
Explorers Camp
Perfect E Education Page
Place”
july 2008
Thu, Jul 5 12:00pm-3:00pm Tiptoe through the
Tidepools! At Titlow Beach on Saturday July
5th, Noon to 3pm, FREE to all. Bring your fam-
ily and join naturalists from the Tacoma Nature
Center and Tahoma Audubon for one of the low-
est tides of the year! E
Tue, Jul 8, 2pm – 4pm Conservation Committee
meets at Adriana Hess Wetland Park. M
Thu, Jul 10, 6:30pm – 8:30pm TAS Board
Meeting at Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Fri, July 11 NO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
MEETING. No meetings are held in the summer,
regular schedule begins again Sep. 12.
you know who is visiting your backyard? 
Let’s find out together!
All are welcome to attend our monthly
membership meetings! After June 13, we
will be on summer break until September
12. If you have recommendations or
would like to be considered for a presen-
tation, please contact Katrina at kat-
weihs@earthlink.net or 253-304-6422.
The winning entries
from 2007.
June 2008
In this issue:
25 years ago page 8
Announcements page 9
Birdathon page 1
BirdSongs page 8
Bryan Flint column page 2
Education page 4
Environment matters page 3
Field trips page 5
New members page 10
Paul Webster page 1
Volunteer recognition page 10