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

Vol. 39 No. 7 September 2008

Let’s go to
Ohop
Putting birds on the map
Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn
A contingent of TAS members participated in a
morning “BioBlitz” on July 19th in the Ohop valley
near Eatonville. We were there to bird, to botanize,
and to find every sign of life on this particular plot of
ground, something we love to do! However, this
Top: Bittersweet reflected in Ohop Creek – a noxious
weed, unfortunately. Above: A Yellow Iris in the wetland
at Ohop Creek, another possibly invasive alien.
time, we would go a step further from just
making our lists and would attempt to cata- c
log everything. A stunning Lazuli Bunting
interrupted our orientation, putting his seal i
of approval on the project in a most fitting t
manner!
The new computerized Nature Mapping
Program from the University of Washington z
requires that data be entered in many differ- e
ent categories. We divided into teams of 2
people each and were assigned to various n
parts of the property. Some participants
who were old hands used handheld comput-
ers to input data, but we fledglings were
given paper forms with many boxes to c
check. Lucky for me, I got a
great partner, Sharon, who
was willing to do the “book
work,” but I soon came to
see how smart the program
was and how easily she
mastered the charts after
about 15 minutes or so. Jessica Moore
Northwest Trek mapping
expert Jessica Moore made There will be
sure we all knew what we two more base-
were supposed to do, while line blitzes on
Goldfinches flew back and Oct. 11th and
forth constantly and noisily.
Dec. 7th. Call
This site along with five
other sites in the Ohop Valley
the TAS office
are now controlled by the to sign up.
Nisqually Land Trust and
slated to be turned back to Mother Nature with a
See "Ohop" on page 7
Birdathon
2008 report
Deadline for
the September
Towhee is
upon us.
Totals for
this year’s
Birdathon are
very close to
giving the complete picture for this year’s
campaign but we have some outstanding
pledges and a few Birders not heard from.
i We have over $43,000.00 in pledges in
the bank ($1,500 more than last year at
this time) and expenses came to $561.82.
As always, we gave a $3,000.00 donation
from our receipts to Audubon Washington
for their good work.
S Here are our winners: Helen Engle
brought in the most money, $2569.00.
The team of Rosanne Becker and Joann
i Sims and the team of Heather Ballash and
e Marcus Roening tied for number of
n species identified, 125. Rookie of the
year was Julie Kerrigan, who brought in
c $1033.00. A great big thank-you to Jim
e Ullrich, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in
Gig Harbor for his donation of gift
certificates to the winners!
Total number of birds identified in this
Birdathon in Washington was 207.
Thanks to 75 Birders, over a thousand
Sponsors, 20 Trip Leaders, and the Crew
that organized the Kick-Off Day. You’re
all appreciated so much!
Turn to page 6 for highlights
from some Birdathon trips.

Double-crested Cormorant
eries after DDT was banned a half-century ago, but the number of
Illustration/Daniel Kilby

Double-crested Cormorants has skyrocketed, as warmer weather

By Paul Webster
A familiar sight at waterfront areas around Puget Sound, the
Double-crested Cormorant stands atop pilings and buoys, often
with its wings spread open to dry. This is a characteristic posture of
many cormorants, though not of Brandt’s and Pelagic, our state’s
other two common cormorants. It seems incredible that just fifty
years ago breeding colonies of Double-crested Cormorants were
restricted to Washington’s outer coast. Tahoma Audubon’s Christmas
Bird Counts averaged only 60 Double-cresteds during the 1970s,
but that number increased ten-fold to an average of 730 during the
1990s. Other areas in western Washington have shown similar
increases.
The population of Double-crested Cormorants has grown and
ebbed over time. Archeological evidence at sites on Vancouver
Island shows them present as long ago as 3000 BC, but they van-
ished at some point and weren’t seen there in modern times until
1927. The Bald Eagle and the Osprey also made remarkable recov-
and changing fish populations have also played a role. Numbers of
other cormorants have increased, too, but unlike its cousins the
Double-crested can also use fresh-water habitats, and now
appears at nearly any inland open water from the Aleutians to
Canada’s Maritime Provinces. They form colonies on islands
or in trees near foraging areas, and their success has caused
trouble. Residents of Cedarville on Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula, for example, have demanded action against
near-by Double-crested colonies totaling some 100,000
birds, that they claim have destroyed the local commercial
and sport fishery for Yellow Perch, devastated nearby
islands, and polluted the waters of Lake Huron.
A large bird at three to four pounds with a wingspan of
nearly 4.5 feet, the Double-crested Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax auritus) looks mostly dark-brownish or
black; in good light its unworn feathers have a greenish
See "Double-crested Cormorant" on page 2
 executive director’s Corner
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Audubon
Thank you to our editor: Kathleen LeGreid
“For 16 years Kathleen has,
They work of the Towhee, the newsletter you are reading.  For
away quietly, 16 years Kathleen has, month in and month out, month in and month out,
day in and day tracked down articles, edited and organized the tracked down articles, edited
out. content of the newsletter.  She has been a valuable and organized the content of
They seek no and steady board member during that time as the newsletter.  She has been
compensation.  well.   This feat cannot be overerstated.  A reliable a valuable and steady board
They get very and valuable publication that has transmitted the
member during that time as
little fame. They voice of the environmental movement, it is read
do not ask for by powerful political leaders as well as our well.   This feat cannot be
recognition or members. It has won National Audubon awards in overerstated.”
accolades.  In newsletter competitions.    Kathleen has always
fact, they get nervous when you try to foist had a clear vision of what the Towhee could be We will be looking for a team of people to
recognition on them.  They operate in what is and who it is for.  She has worked hard to ensure accomplish what Kathleen has done.   
called the Audubon way: tenacious, persistent, and that it was relevant to its audience, you the
understated.  They are the volunteers of Audubon members.  In 2007 she worked with an ad hoc Welcome Graham Taylor
who have spent many years working to protect the committee to identify and hire a new desktop In a grassroots organization like ours there are
environment.  They are what makes Tahoma publisher, Robert Kelton who helped us produce a many roles to fill.  Fortunately we are joined in
Audubon so special, so powerful, and so enduring.  much better looking publication.    We are so September by a new member of the team.  Graham
They leave many of us in awe and all they thankful for Kathleen and all her hard work over Taylor will be starting full time with Tahoma
accomplish. Kathleen LeGreid is one of the stars the years.  She has done so all these years because Audubon as an AmeriCorps intern for a year.  He will
of Audubon.  You may not realize it, but much of of her dedication to protection of the environment be reaching out to our membership to fill vacancies
what you know about Tahoma Audubon and what and her strong value of leaving a legacy to the we have on committees and key roles in the
we do is because of Kathleen, in her role as editor future generations. She has left large shoes to fill.  organization. (See more on Graham on page 10.)

Marjorie Griffin: She left a legacy

Marjorie Griffin was a long time member of the Audubon family.  She was
always part of weeding parties.  With sadness we learned that Marjorie passed
away this summer.  Her memory has not left us and she continues to support
Tahoma Audubon.  Through careful planning Marjorie’s legacy of stewardship
will continue.  She was generous enough to name Tahoma Audubon as a
beneficiary in her will.  In addition, friends who participated in an investment
club with her made memorial donations in Marjorie’s name.    We will miss
The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Marjorie, but she is not forgotten.  2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
Please consider naming Tahoma Audubon as a beneficiary.  All gifts will be Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
placed in our permanent endowment held at the Greater Tacoma Community e-mail: contact@TahomaAudubon.org
Foundation.  Feel free to contact Bryan Flint at 253-565-9129.
Tahoma Audubon Staff
 

... Double-crested Cormorant from page 1

Flint, Bryan Executive Director                        
bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
or bronze sheen. The double-crest – small ear tufts really – tends toward white in
Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
northwest birds, and often isn’t easy to see, but the yellow-orange, expandable gular
pouch at the base of the bill is a good field mark. In flight, our bird shows a character- kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978                    
istic kink near the base of its long neck, and it swims with an upturned bill, so inexpe- Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
rienced birders sometimes mistake it for a loon. StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-5479                      
Cormorants have totipalmate feet – all four toes are connected by webbing – and sleek
bodies that make them powerful swimmers. Research shows that cormorants don’t catch Taylor, Graham Volunteer
many sport or commercial fish, and they eat Alewives, a problematic non-native fish in Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator
the Great Lakes. But fishermen have come to regard them as competitors for a scarce gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-1884
resource. They argue that even if individual cormorants eat few valuable fish, the cumu- jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org                       
lative effect of many cormorants is significant. Also, since the birds destroy all vegetation
in their evil-smelling colonies, those spaces become unsuitable for Cattle Egrets and Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
Black-crowned Night Herons, that otherwise could nest there, too. New York and John Garner President
Quebec already have programs to control Double-crested Cormorants, and operators of
fish farms now may shoot them without a federal permit.
Marjorie Shea Vice President
With its increasing numbers, the Double-crested Cormorant is becoming a victim of Wayne Larsen Past President
its own reproductive success. Until its population stabilizes at a lower level, it will prob- Jane Brosius Secretary
ably bear the consequences for exploiting fish resources that we humans want, too.
Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protection Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair
of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem- Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair
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: editor@tahomaaudubon.org Darby Veeck
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 September 2008

 ENVIRONMENT Matters
Tacoma is working to protect our shorelines!
The City of Tacoma – future home of the Puget
Sound Partnership – has taken a significant step
forward in protecting our marine shorelines.
On July 1st, the City Council unanimously adopt-
ed an update to its Critical Areas Protection
Ordinance (CAPO). The update now protects over
forty miles of marine shorelines by adding shoreline
buffers, designating Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Areas (everywhere), and offering innovative miti-
gation opportunities.
As the Governor set the goal of restoring the
health of the Puget Sound by 2020, and selecting
Tacoma as the headquarters of the newest state
agency, this step forward is both symbolic and sig-
nificant.
The protection of our shorelines would not be
possible without the efforts of Tahoma Audubon,
Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Futurewise, and People
for Puget Sound, coming together in a legal chal-
lenge to the 2005 CAPO, which failed to include
the protections outlined above. The Growth
Management Hearings Board ruled in our favor and tinue to work
ordered the city to comply. together restor-
This spring, the city’s Planning Dept. staff worked ing degraded
with environmental groups, property owners, busi- nearshore sites in
nesses, and other stakeholders to produce an updat- Commencement
ed CAPO that works for everyone. A series of Bay with the
stakeholder meetings, public hearings, and Planning steadfast leader-
Commission meetings led to the final draft. ship of Citizens
The Growth Management Hearings board accept- for a Healthy
ed the update as being in compliance with the Bay, Friends of
Growth Management Act (GMA) on August 7, the Hylebos,
2008, thus codifying a victory for the environment. Puget Creek
Working together, we can protect and restore Restoration Society, and members of the Green
the Puget Sound! Tacoma Partnership, amongst others.
Looking ahead, there will be many opportunities If you would like to learn more about any of these
to do just that. Pierce County is in the process of issues, or would like to take action by either joining
updating its Shoreline Master Program, and we a volunteer restoration project or becoming an envi-
continue to be involved in that issue. The City of ronmental advocate, please contact me today!
Tacoma is just beginning to start the process of The Conservation Committee meets on a regular basis.
updating its SMP. Contact Krystal for details: 253-232-9978 or e-mail her
Meanwhile, volunteers from across the city con- kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org

About the Puget Sound Partnership: The Puget Sound Partnership is a community effort of citizens,
governments, tribes, scientists and businesses working together to restore
and protect Puget Sound.
Despite its size, Puget Sound is ecologically delicate; and while its
symptoms of trouble are not easily visible, they are undeniable and getting
worse.
The charge given to the Puget Sound Partnership by Governor Gregoire
and the Legislature is to create a real Action Agenda that turns things
around and leads to a healthy Puget Sound.
Action Agenda will prioritize cleanup and improvement projects,
coordinate federal, state, local, tribal and private resources, and make sure
that we are all working cooperatively. We will base decisions on science,
focus on actions that have the biggest impact, and hold people and
organizations accountable for results.
Our goal is to make Puget Sound healthy again, and create a roadmap
for how to get it done. If we work together, we can have both a thriving
Puget Sound economy and a clean and healthy Puget Sound ecosystem.
http://www.psp.wa.gov/aboutthepartnership.html
Photo/Robert Kelton

Want to find out more about

Puget Sound Seabird Survey
Can you identify Puget Sound waterbirds?
Tahoma Audubon, Seattle Audubon and the UPS Slater Museum of Natural History are
teaming up to expand the Puget Sound Seabird Survey into Pierce County, starting October 4, 2008.
WHO Birdwatchers like you!
Want an excuse to get outside this winter?
WHAT A shore-based survey that cap-
tures the densities of our wintering ducks,
geese, loons, grebes, gulls and alcids.
WHEN Survey times are synchronized to
the first Saturday of every month (Oct.
2008 - April 2009) within two hours on
either side of high tide. Survey time: 15-
30 min/site. Data are entered online.
Training Session scheduled for Thursday,
Sept. 25 (6-8pm)
WHERE Numerous survey sites along
the coastline of King and Pierce County.
WHY The Puget Sound Seabird Survey is the ONLY land-based, multi-month seabird survey in
central or south Puget Sound: your efforts will address a known gap in our understanding of
our wintering seabird populations.
salmon in Hylebos Creek?
If so, then here is your chance:  Friends of the
Hylebos is recruiting volunteers to join the Salmon
Watch program, and monitor Hylebos Creek for
returning salmon. Volunteers agree to watch
Hylebos Creek for a minimum of 1 hour (doesn’t
have to be at the same time) per week at an
assigned location, from October through January.
Training will be on October 4th, from 10am-
2pm, and we will meet at the West Hylebos
Wetlands.  We will visit a hatchery and creek, so
volunteers will have the opportunity to see salmon
up close, and askquestions in the field.
Please RSVP by September 21st if you are inter-
ested in participating.
Hillary Kleeb, Restoration Coordinator,
Friends of the Hylebos
Phone: 253.874.2005 Cell: 253.350.4765

Learn more at www.seattleaudubon.org

Want to volunteer? Contact Krystal Kyer @ kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org or 253-232-9978

September 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

 Education Matters
Education highlights
Focus on Morse Audubon oversees the education programs held at
Wildlife Preserve the Preserve. The primary intention of the Preserve
Tahoma Audubon is to protect the habitats for the survival of the
Society has received native wildlife, and secondly, to educate visitors
a grant from the about the wildlife that can be found here. Trails
TogetherGreen to and an observation tower have been built to
fund six new volun- improve the accessibility for visitors to view the
teer days at the pre- 119 bird species and over 250 plant species that
serve over the inhabit the Preserve.
course of the next With this new grant, and with the fortuitous
Call Steph @ 253-565-5479. E-mail: year. This comes at request from a teacher to increase her class’s visi-
StephSwaim@TahomaAudu bon.org a time when the tation to Morse, we will be providing four field
Morse Force, trips for 5th grade students at Rocky Ridge
Cascade Land Conservancy, and Tahoma Audubon Elementary. The field trips will have both an edu-
are looking into increasing the number of educa- cation and conservation component. They will
tion programs held at the Preserve. have had a classroom presentation in preparation
The Morse Wildlife Preserve is a 186-acre eco- for each trip. Once they arrive on-site, they will
system comprised of forest, savannah and wet- work through three stations over two hours. One
lands in Graham, Washington. The Preserve is station will contain an education program. One
owned and managed by the Cascade Land will be a station in which students will collect
Conservancy. It is stewarded by the Morse Task Citizen Science data. And the third station will be
Force, a collection of neighbors and nature advo- one in which the students will provide volunteer
cates who watch over the Preserve. And Tahoma restoration and habitat enhancement work. The
combination of these three components of the pro-
gram will build on the student’s science curricu-
lum and give them an opportunity to give back to
the environment in their hometown.
Two more volunteer events will be planned in
which the community will be able to contribute
their time and talents to enhancing the Preserve. A
training program for teachers will be provided so
that more schools will have the opportunity to visit
the Preserve. Additionally, a formal restoration
party will be planned during one of the busiest
months for Preserve work. Please look for the
announcements for these opportunities in future
issues of the Towhee.
We are indebted to the people who have made
the Morse Wildlife Preserve a success. Without the
work of our dedicated volunteers and the support
of our members, we would not have such a won-
derful place for people to enjoy and from which to
learn about our environment. If you would like to
become a volunteer for the education programs at
the Preserve, please call Steph at 253-565-5479.
Or if you would like to help maintain the beauty
and wildness of the Preserve through restoration
and enhancement opportunities, please call Stacey
at the Cascade Land Conservancy, 206-905-6931.

A great summer of opportunities

As the summer draws to a close I wanted to share some photos of the fantas-
tic and fun educational camps and trips that were part of our summer adven-
tures. In June, July and August various programs were offered with a flair for
nature. We held kayak trips, wildflower hikes, nature walks and summer camps.
Here are some of the best moments…

Examining the spores on sword fern at Point Defiance Park with REI and
Centro Latino.

Margie Shea joins the Naturalist-led kayak trip to Cutt’s Island on August 9th.

Viewing a Bald Eagle with the folks from REI and Centro Latino at Point
Campfire chat at Kopachuck. Defiance Park on August 13th.

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 September 2008

 field trips and Events
Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess
When: Mon, Sep 8, 12pm – 1pm
Where: The Adriana Hess Audubon Center I in the two-
acre Adriana Hess Wetlands Park in University Place
(near Tacoma), featuring a pond, wetlands, and trails.
Morse Preserve Open Trails
When: Sun Sep 14 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 pre-
serve. All ages. Free
Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess
When: Mon, Sep 15, 12pm – 1pm
Where: The Adriana Hess Audubon Center I in the two-
acre Adriana Hess Wetlands Park in University Place
(near Tacoma), featuring a pond, wetlands, and trails.
Monroe’s Swift Chimney
When: Sep 20, 2008
Where: Best Swift chimney in Washington!
Description: Watch the spectacle of thousands of
VAUX SWIFTS funnelling into the tall chimney of
the MONROE school at sunset! Bring a lawnchair
and just sit back and be entertained! For a few extra
Beginning Birdwatching: Backyard Basics
Ages 18 and older, 7-9pm,   $45 for Audubon
members; $55 non-members, Min. 6 - Max 12.
Curious about bird, but don’t know your crown from
your tail feather.  All are welcome to this introduction
to the joy of identifying the birds that are all around
us.  You will learn how to identify common birds, use
a field guide as well as binoculars.  Learn too about
some of the best places to see birds and practice your
new found skills.  For information and to register call
591-6439. Class meets at the Tacoma Nature Center,
1919 S. Tyler Street, Tacoma.
Classes: Mondays, September 8th to the 29th.
Field Trip: Saturday, September 27th, From 9 am to
1 pm.  Local travel
Instructor: Rolan Nelson
Three years at Point Defiance - you can adopt a place too!
By Rob McNair-Huff
There is no better way to feel connected to the natural frozen park. Midway through the walk I heard a familiar,
world than to adopt a place that is special to you and
track how it changes from season to season. I learned
this lesson as a teenager growing up in rural Thurston
County, across the railroad tracks from the ghost town of
Gate, Washington. Every opportunity I could get, I
would venture out across our 36-acre farm and observe
the small changes in nature - strands of hair left by a
cougar or bobcat as it passed too close to a tree along a
wooded creek, a fir tree fallen to create a new break in
the forest canopy or a new hole in the ground along the
trail where yellow jackets were busily building a nest.
Flash forward 20 years and I am living in Tacoma,
walking the dog along city sidewalks and still observing
small changes in this urban habitat. It was partially the
memory of those country walks that led me in the fall of
2005 to begin monthly third-Sunday nature walks at Point
Defiance Park. Every third Sunday at 8 a.m.,
just as I did this morning, I invite others to join Adopt made a dramatic return as I heard them making
me in the Point Defiance Zoo parking lot to your own
begin a five-mile walk through the woods chosen
in one of America’s great urban parks. place!
Through any weather, short of an epic
wind storm that could pose a danger
to people walking through the
woods, the walk takes place every
month. And although I have a pretty
good feel for what I will likely find
with the passing of each season, there
are frequently surprises each month.
My first surprise came in February
September 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
birds on the way, we’ll stop by TOTEM LAKE near
Kirkland and walk the short boardwalk through a
27-acre wetland just to get our birding skills used a
little before we park ourselves at the Monroe school.
This field trip will take very little physical exertion or
walking.
 MEET: Meet at 4:45 PM at the 6th Avenue P&R (7201
6th Ave). We’ll be back after dark. Call the TAS office
at (253) 565-9278 to sign up. Also can e-mail the leader
(Diane Yorgason-Quinn at avosetta@hotmail.com) for
more details.
Nature Walk at Point Defiance Park
When: Sep 21, 2008
Where: Point Defiance Park in Tacoma (map)
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. Fall
bird highlights can include returning migratory water-
fowl, Bald Eagles and forest birds. For more informa-
tion, e-mail rob@whiterabbits.com.
Morse Bird Walk
When: Fri Sep 26 10am –12pm
Where: Morse Wildlife Preserve. Graham WA
Beginning Birdwatching: Sand & Sea
Ages 18 and older, 6:45-9pm,   $45 for Audubon
members; $55 non-members, Min 6 - Max 15.
Help sharpen those new birding skills.  We will focus
on the plentiful water birds of Puget Sound.  Gain
more identification skills and add to the number of
birds you can recognize.  Learn to identify the females
in addition to the showy males.  For information and
to register call 591-6439. Class meets at the Tacoma
Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street, Tacoma.
Classes: Mondays, October 20th, 27th, and November
3rd
Field Trip: October 25th and November 1st, from 9 am
to 1 pm.  Local travel
Instructor: Marcus Roening
2006, when I set out alone after no one joined me on a
frigid 19-degree morning for a crisp walk through the
rhythmic whistle coming from the mature second-
growth woods ahead of me. It was a Northern Pygmy
Owl, calling from a treetop in search of others of its kind.
The owl remained each month in March and April 2006,
and another Northern Pygmy Owl, or maybe the same
bird, returning in late winter of 2007. But just to make
sure that I wouldn’t take it for granted, I didn’t hear the
same species in 2008.
Another pleasant surprise is the consistent rise in the
number of Red Crossbills seen and heard within the park
over the last two years. During the Christmas Bird Count
walk through the park in December 2006, on the morning
after a wind storm that nearly made the trails impassible,
Ken Brown and I documented a flock of approximately
30 Red Crossbills that had suddenly shown up in the park.
I continue to see this flock off-and-on throughout the year
during my monthly walks, and this morning they
their familiar “kip-kip” calls to each other as
they moved through the treetops bordering
the zoo parking lot. I hadn’t seen or heard
crossbills in the park over a number of
months, so their return on a muggy
August morning was both a surprise
and a treat.
You may ask yourself, why walk the
same trail and track the ebb and flow of
bird species through the forest every
month? Part of the appeal is to build a better
personal understanding of a local place. Another
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.
Description: Field Trip leader Betty Jones will lead a
walk at Morse Wildlife Preserve. Call 253-565-9278 to
register and for directions.
Intermediate Birder’s Class
Ages 18 and older, 7-9pm,   $55 for Audubon
members; $75 non-members
Join us for an exploration of fall and wintering birds of
Washington as well as Shorebirds.  This class is for
those who have a good background in bird identification.
In addition to the scheduled class days, there are four
field trips that are fast paced and include travel and
over night stay.  For information and to register call
591-6439. Class meets at Adriana Hess Audubon
Center, 2917 Morrison Rd, West, University Place.
Classes: Tuesdays, October 7th to December 2nd
Field Trips: Two day trip on Oct 11th &12th, one day
trips on November 22nd & December 6th, 3 day trip
on January 17th, 18th, and 19th.
Instructor: Kenneth Brown
part is to begin building a database that documents what can
be found in this urban park - what species are thriving, what
species are declining and what surprise species might show
up. This data from places all across Pierce County is at the
heart of Tahoma Audubon’s effort to use citizen science to
document how bird species are doing within our county. For
instance, we know from the bird scientists who work with
Audubon Washington that the Red Crossbill is a species in
decline in Washington state. I know from my personal
observations that this species is surging within Point
Defiance Park, but this may be an anomaly rather than a true
indicator of good news across the rest of Pierce County. If
we had more people adopting special places near where
they live and tracking the ebb and flow of birds through that
habitat each season throughout the year, we would have
more citizen science data to help us determine if the Red
Crossbill is truly adapting and recovering as a species in
Pierce County.
You can help in this effort by adopting your own
chosen place and taking a few minutes every month to
explore, observe and document what you see in nature
within that place. Keep watching the pages of the
Towhee to find out about the citizen science initiatives
underway at Tahoma Audubon and get plugged in to the
effort with data about your own nature playground.
Whether your chosen place is your back yard, the habitat
restoration area along Ohop Creek or a local park like
Point Defiance, the rewards of connecting with nature
will unveil themselves one month, one species and one
surprise at a time throughout the year.
Rob McNair-Huff is a Tahoma Audubon board
member and Field Trip Chair. He can be reached by
e-mail at rob@whiterabbits.com.
 Birdathon 2008 highlights

Photo/Robert Kelton
These excerpts are only some of the highlights from
just two of our incredible, yearly Birdathon field trips.

Snow!
Rosanne and Joann-Thursday, May 29
Meandering Meadowlarks Maneuvers
“We can’t remember when Snoqualimie
Pass has had so much snow so late in the
season. Because of this, many of the usual
birds are not present. The most abundant
seems to be the Pine Siskin. They are every-
where! A few Brewer’s Blackbirds, hoping for
some tidbits, are visible near a restaurant.
On a sideroad near the summit we hear a
Swainson’s Thrush call in the distance.”
“East of George, Martha Lake is loaded with
Black-necked Stilts, many sitting on nests. A
lovely Great Egret stalks for prey in the tall
grass next to the lake. Blue-billed Ruddy
Ducks with their stiff tails are also present.
Along the frontage road Horned Larks seem
to fly up at every turn. Joann spots s
Swainson’s Hawk on a pole as we drive by.”
“Our numbers are well over Birdathon 1 of
two weeks ago, but we are still not birded out.
The sun is setting but it is still light out so we
head north of Othello. On McManamon Road
a Caspian Tern flies over the Para Ponds, and
a little further on we hear a Tri-colored
Blackbird sound off from the cattails.”
Marcus and Heather - May 26
“The snow was so high at Asahael Curtis,
the road to the trailhead was closed. We
found a Varied Thrush on the snowy road.
Both the Black-throated Grey and Townsend’s
Warblers were singing. The snow at
Snoqualmie Pass was even higher, but there
were three pairs of Barrow’s Goldeneye on
the Hyak Sewage Pond.”
“A highlight of the trip was a stop on Lower
Green Valley Road north of Ellensburg where
we had stopped to check out a pond. There
was nothing of interest on the pond, but high
above a Short-eared Owl was harassing a
Red-tailed Hawk. Across the road the owl’s
mate was harassing a Turkey Vulture. When
we turned back to get into the car, a Long-
billed Curlew was harassing the Turkey
Vulture. The owl and curlew must have both
been nesting in the fields around us.”
“Thank you once again for your support of
the Audubon cause. Many of you are long-
time supporters of Audubon and our trip. We
very much appreciate your dedication and
continued support. As you know, your money
is well spent; approximately 99.9% of
Birdathon funds go directly to Audubon edu-
cation and conservation programs. Our
Birdathon includes almost no expenses as it’s
is completely organized and run by chapter
volunteers, with Thelma Gilmur still leading
the effort.”
Donations to Birdathon can still be made,
please send them to:
Tahoma Audubon Attn: Birdathon,
2917 Morrison Rd W, University Place, 98466.
Thank you for your continuing support of
Tahoma Audubon.

Key Owls: Barreds on the Key Peninsula

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Sharon and Loyd Miller, who live near Joemma State Park
way out on the Ken Peninsula, have a bigger family these days.
Earlier this year, they thought they had been hearing Barred
Owls, but one evening in early summer they were surprised to
look out their window and see an Owl RIGHT THERE! Soon,
they were regularly seeing three! --An Owlet and his folks!
According to my field guide, these birds “generally do not
tolerate close approach,” but apparently it’s okay if it’s the owls
Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
who do the approaching. For a couple of months now, one
to three owls show up to look in their windows at them
every night! The vocalizations during these visits are more
along the lines of parent-child communication such as hisses
and whistles rather than the usual hooted song. Sharon says
they “whistle through their teeth!”
Sharon calls the now grown youngster her “baby,”
and he still seems to rely on her for emotional sus-
tenance. One day she washed her patio furniture,
and as dusk approached, her baby landed on his
favorite patio lounger and said, “Thanks!”
Barred Owls have been getting bad press for
the various types of pressures they put on Spotted
Owls, but out here where Spotteds are not an
issue, it is
possible
to enjoy
these
intelligent
and some-
times even
friendly creatures
of the night!

Far left: This Barred Owl brought his bride and raised their
chick at the Miller’s on the Key Peninsula.

Left: Juvenile Barred Owl on his favorite chair.

Above: Sharon Miller shows off her “other” owl, a mounted Barn
Owl to whom the Millers gave this second life after a car snuffed
out his first life in Montana.
Photos/Loyd MIller

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org September 2008

 Aerial reconnaissance by a Great Blue Heron at Ohop.
... Ohop
from page 1
little help from her friends (those friends would
be TAS, Northwest Trek, Citizens Reclaiming
the Ohop Watershed, South Puget Sound
Salmon Enhancement Group, and the Nature
Mapping Program at the University of
Washington). The hope is that salmon will
become viable in the Ohop Creek again, in turn
enhancing other native wildlife. The creek will
be un-straightened, dairy farming will go else-
where, and introduced species of plants will be
eradicated.
Today was the first of several baseline cen-
suses of flora and fauna against which the final
result will be compared to see how well the
enhancements work. Although I am notori-
ously bad with plants and bugs, other partici-
pants were up on those, so we all did what we
were capable of and produced an amazing
searchable document!
While my team was looking at fields of fluffy
pink thistle and trying to identify flycatchers,
other teams were counting ants, mice, bees,
dragonflies, salamanders, and mosquito lar-
vae. Even a dog got counted! Nothing got
past this battery of observers!
All the expected species of swallows super-
vised the skies. Tree Swallows were seen tak-
ing food to a nest hole, plus there were Violet-
Green Swallows, Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows,
and Rough-Winged Swallows. Many Song
Western Wood Pewee catching bugs at Ohop.
Cliff and Barn Swallows napping at Ohop.
Fifteen participants showed up at the Nisqually Land Trust Ohop site to
“map” the current flora and fauna.
September 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7
Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Data compiler Sharon Hayden checks out marsh at Ohop site.
Sparrows were still singing and perhaps work- whatever rendering might be needed for a
ing on a second clutch for the year. A highlight particular set of researchers or grant writers!
for my team was a family of Common This is the stuff whereof rescue operations are
Yellowthroats! We saw Papa, Mama, and an made and upon which funds might be show-
indeterminate number of fledglings in the ered! And those of us who participated now
reeds at the edge of the creek, occasionally feel a sense of ownership and stewardship and
mixing it up with a Marsh Wren! Meanwhile a desire to make this reclaiming happen!
other teams were tearing apart owl pellets and But you can do this, too! There will be two
trying to identify the rodent skulls found inside. more of these baseline blitzes on the mornings
They also found a strangely petrified newt and of October 11th and December 7th, reflecting
elk scat and other such “stuff.” Ohop as the seasons change. Just call the TAS
With all the data points collected, interactive office to sign up, or talk to the TAS expert,
maps can be constructed where any species or Krystal Kyer, for more information. All levels of
type of critter or plant can be followed statisti- interest and expertise are welcome. The
cally, showing how the populations go up or Tahoma Audubon website has a page dedi-
down in a certain place, a certain habitat, or a cated to this project under Citizen Science at
certain time period – or all of the above over- http:www.tahomaaudubon.org/Default.
laid upon each other -- instantly available in aspx?pageId=156584.
Goldfinches, our state bird, were thick! Shown here with Tree Flycatcher, unknown empidonax,
Swallow nest holes, also being used. probably a Willow Flycatcher.
Song Sparrow among the glorious pink thistles (hope they’re not the nox-
ious weed type!).
 Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing in Sept., 1983
By Helen Engle An item in the Towhee by Tom Randle and Forest

25
In September 1983, the new
editor of the TOWHEE was
Past President, longtime active Years Ago
member Carla Hansmann.
She took over for Editor Charles
Bergman who needed more time for
his literary career. He was thanked and
praised for transforming the TOWHEE into
one of Audubon’s premier newsletters.
Still glowing from the big event, TAS
President Walt Adams thanked the hard- emphasis on conservation by rescuing ani-
working committee that staged our huge
rummage sale in June. Under
the leadership of Nell Batker
and Carla Hansmann, they
brought in over $1500, that
TAS shared with the Snake
Lake Nature Center (now
Tacoma Nature Center).
TAS’ second Friday meeting
at PLU’s Ingram Hall featured
a slide show by Milt Martin,
estuarine manager for the WA
Dept. of Ecology. He proudly
showed the Padilla Bay
Sanctuary, shoreline access
places, and the great inter-
pretive center on uplands
donated by Edna Breazeale.
Our state’s newly created
National Estuarine Sanctuary Bill and Roxy Giddings with their son Winfield.
joins others in shoreline states,
funded by federal as well as local grants.
Items from our Conservation Committee
advised us The Washington Wilderness Bill
was in “mark-up” in the Senate and we
were urged to write of our continuing sup-
port to Senators Slade Gorton and Henry entertain visitors.) The Zoo Society’s mis-
Jackson. The committee spokesperson,
Carla Hansmann, discussed the subject
of the American Smelting and Refining
Company (ASARCO) smelter on Ruston
Way with the suggestion TAS would sup-
port the closure of the polluting giant.
by Phil Buly
BIRDSONGS
Galdabini described dramatic
changes at the Point Defiance
Zoo & Aquarium. There are
new animals coming, new exhib-
its, controversy, and debate. As
President of the Tacoma Zoological
Society, Tom was in the thick of cam-
paigning for the animal collections and
aquarium to show the public the roles of
modern zoos. There will be a new concen-
tration on education about habitats; an
mals on the brink of extinction; and serving
the recreation aspects of zoos, the showing
of captive animals in as near natural rela-
tionships as possible. (As different from
dressing animals in human clothes or posi-
tioning them as actors in skits, in order to
sion is to support quality facilities in Pierce
County, with professional advice and coun-
sel.
Field Trips included the monthly count of
bird populations on the Nisqually Wildlife
Refuge, led by Joe Terlouw; a bus trip via
Service Roads to van-
tage points and over-
look of the east side of
Mt St Helens and Spirit
Lake, led by Elmer
Price. (With only three
years of healing, the
blast zone from the Helen Engle from days
of yore.
1980 eruption is still awe-
some.) Another bus trip, led by June
Zamjahn, went to the normally off-limits
property in the Green River watershed
--Tacoma’s primary source for water.
It was announced that Ken
Brown would teach his birding
classes again.
The first of four Audubon
Wildlife Films scheduled for this
year was Ken Creed presenting
”Wild and Wonderful Alaska.”
PLU partners with TAS by open-
ing Chris Knutzen Hall in the
University Center for our film
tours, coordinated by Bill &
Roxy Giddings.
Our faithful book reviewer,
Evelyn Peaslee, urged us to
check out “Nature Guide,” a
directory for world-traveling
nature lovers; eighth edition.
The new edition is much expand-
ed, bigger and better. The
“Nature Guides” are people will-
ing to help travelers find good local spots
for the enjoyment of nature, listed alpha-
betically by state. There are coöperating
guides in Canada and many countries in
central and South America, Europe, Middle
East and Africa. Edited by Ilene Marckx
since its beginning in 1971, this is a non-
profit activity sponsored by Tahoma
Audubon.
Feedback, comments and reminiscences
welcome, 253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.

Shrikes eat mostly insects, mice, and small
birds, but they will also scavenge for food.
They capture their prey by either sitting still
and attacking whatever appropriate prey
item comes along or by actively chasing their
quarry. Shrikes stun or kill prey with their
heavy bills and then impale it on a thorn,
twig, barbwire spike, or other sharp object.
Shrikes, also known as “butcher birds” be-
cause of the way they hang up their food,
are the only birds that engage in this unusual
practice. Unlike hawks and owls, shrikes do
not have strong feet and talons, and they
may be using the thorn or spike to hold their
food fast while they eat. Other researchers
believe that the shrikes may use their im-
paled prey to mark or define their territories.
Still others suggest that shrikes impale their
food to cache it for later use.
- From North American Shrikes. Birdscope,
Winter 1997. By D.Tessaglia.

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org September 2008

 announcements

New photography exhibit showcases

miracle of international bird migration
A new environmental photography exhibit This exhibit will tour nationally following its
at Seattle’s Burke Museum explores the debut at the Burke Museum, joining another
phenomenon of bird migration to the Arctic critical wildlife issue-themed exhibits, The
National Wildlife Refuge, a region that is Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a
environmentally crucial to the survival of Warming World, which is also on view at
over 190 bird species, yet is a hotbed for the Burke through the end of the year.
political controversy.   Arctic Wings: Opening Day; Sun.,
TAS does the Puyallup   Arctic Wings: Miracle of Migration
opens Sept. 13 at the Burke Museum and
Sept. 14, 2008; 10 am – 4 pm
  The Burke Museum is located on the
We’ve had a booth at the Fair for 38 or 39 years. closes Dec. 31. Featuring over 30 color University of Washington campus, at the corner
I can’t find documentation, but I know we started photographs that capture the global bird of NE 45th St and 17th Ave NE. Hours are 10 am
shortly after we became a to 5 pm daily, and until 8 pm on first Thursdays.
biodiversity abundantly represented in the
Admission: $8 general, $6.50 senior, $5 student/
chapter in 1969. The lovely Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ecosystem. youth. Admission is free to children 4 and
old wood building on the   Arctic Wings: Miracle of Migration was under, Burke members, UW students, faculty,
main track is gone and organized by the Burke Museum in and staff. Admission is free to the public on the
you have to search a bit partnership with Braided River, the first Thursday of each month. Prorated parking
for the large tent labeled conservation imprint of The Mountaineers fees are $12 and partially refundable upon exit
“Northwest Outdoors- Books, with help from The Manomet Center if paid in cash. Call 206-543-5590 or visit www.
Go Play Outside.” for Conservation Sciences, Massachusetts. burkemuseum.org.
We’re down near the
horse arena,
Paulhamus Arena, just at the end of the skyride.
Come visit, someone will visit with you between
10:00am and 7:00pm on any of the 17 days of the
Fair. There is a hands-on arena in the tent with
special FREE activities going on every day from
11:00am to 7:00pm. Audubon will help you make
a free birdhouse 1:00pm to 3:00pm on Sat. the 6th,
5:00pm to 7:00pm on Sat. the 13th, and 2:00pm to
4:00pm on Sat. the 20th. Our gifted face painters
will add beautiful birds to your face 2:00pm to
4:00pm on Sun. the 7th and Sun. the 21st, 3:00pm
to 5:00pm on Sat.the 5th and Sat. the 13th. Games
for kids will be introduced 4:00pm to 6:00pm on
Fri. the 5th and Tues. the 16th, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
on Sun. the 14th.------There are many other FREE
activities by other organizations at other times.
COME VISIT, HAVE FUN, SAVE MONEY!

Trogon Tours Trips

Eastern Ecuador November 10-22, 2008
Wildlife photographer and Audubon member
Nate Chappell and his Ecuadorian wife, Angie
will lead this tour that will cover the eastern

Fall A.C.O.W. in Longbeach

slope of the Andes mountains and the Western
edge of the Amazon lowland forests.
Western Ecuador December 6-14, 2008
This tour that will cover the Western slope of
Discovery Coast Audubon Society invites you to come to the beach! the Andes and some of the Western lowlands.
Announcing the Fall ACOW 2008 Workshop for Guttman, recently retired faculty member at The Evergreen Thailand, January 4-18, 2009
Chapter Education Chairs and any other chapter State College, who used these techniques in “Birding 101” Tahoma Audubon members Nate and Angie
volunteers or staff who might be interested! courses taught for Black Hills Audubon. Burt then used Chappell will lead a wonderful trip to Central
“Helping People Get Started with Bird-Watching” with these strategies and others in his recently published book, and Northern Thailand next January.  See our
Burt Guttman, author of the book, Finding Your Wings. Finding Your Wings: A Workbook for Beginning website, www.trogontours.net for more infor-
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm --  Friday, October 10th  Bird Watchers, which is a wonderful new offering in the
The Chautauqua Lodge Resort & Conference Center, 304 Peterson Field Guide Series:  Finding Your Wings is mation or call Nate Chappell at 253-512-1060
NW 14th Street, Long Beach, WA. designed for people to use by themselves, but it can also Note: A donation is made to Tahoma Audubon
One of the most important services our chapters can be used as the textbook for classes sponsored by Audubon for TAS members who go on these trips.
provide is  getting people started successfully with birding.  chapters and led by knowledgeable birders. 
This workshop will introduce some proven bird watching This workshop session will largely be a walk through the
techniques for individuals (adults or kids) just getting book to explore its strategy and methods, with special
started.   It will be appropriate for Education Chairs, field attention to ways to use the book along with supplemen-
trip leaders, or tary materials in an organized course.  Participants in the
other chapter vol- workshop can buy the book at the workshop and will also
unteers interested be given a CD with some of the visuals that Burt uses.
in leading  “Birding For questions contact bird@discoverycoastaudubon.com
101” classes or For accommodations call 800-869-8401
“field trips for or www.ocean-front-hotel.com
beginners.”  For agenda & registration info:
The workshop www.discoverycoastaudubon.com
will be led by Burt October 10th, 11th and 12th, 2008 Photo/Nate Chappell
Photo/Lisa Gillespie
Sword-billed Hummingbird from Thailand

September 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

 volunteer Recognition
Introducing Tahoma
Audubon’s Americorps Dear Friends,
Next year is Tahoma Audubon’s 40th anniver-
staff Graham Taylor sary! The Banquet History Committee wants to
September marks the hiring of Tahoma Audubon’s hear your stories and memories.
second Americorps staff member Graham Taylor. He
We would also like to see
will be attempting to fill the shoes of Julie Kerrigan
your photos and artifacts
whose ten month stay has been positively transfor-
mational. from the past 40 years. The
Originally from Sacramento, California, Graham gathered stories and arti-
graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a facts will be used to create
degree in history. While he is relatively new to the state the 40th Anniversary Annual
of Washington, he has a long history with Audubon, Banquet program and presen-
going on Bird-a-thons as early as age seven! His fond
tation.
memories of Audubon events at Asilomar and elsewhere
Some of Tahoma Audubon’s
combined with his interest in environmental protection
has encouraged him to take the position of volunteer key events and triumphs
coordinator for Tahoma Audubon. He is especially inter- include: saving Snake Lake,
ested in environmental education and political activism, saving the Nisqually Delta,
believing that these are two particularly critical fronts in acquiring Adriana Hess
the struggle to protect our environment.
Wetland Park, acquiring the
Besides taking an interest in the environment, Graham
Morse Preserve, entertain-
is interested in forensics, having
debated at both the high school and ing Field Trips, and oppos-
collegiate level. He is also quite the ing the Cross Base
music lover, and a former Highway.
DJ at the University of What do YOU think our
Puget Sound’s radio greatest triumphs have
station KUPS.
been? We would love to
Welcome,
Graham! hear from you.
Please contact Winfield

Adriana Hess Wetland Giddings 253-537-3075 or

wgmailbox@yahoo.com or
Park volunteers Jennie Sheridan jennies98@aol.com.
Join us on Fridays for a light breakfast before You can also walk-in to our office at the Adriana Hess Wetland Park,
working on habitat restoration (planting, invasive
or send information through the mail 2917 Morrison Rd W University
species removal, pruning).
Breakfast starts at Place, WA 98466.
10:00 a.m., the res- We look forward to hearing from you.
toration work after-
ward continues until
12:00 p.m. Sincerely,
We look forward
to seeing you at Adriana Hess, 2917 Morrison Rd. The Banquet History Committee
W., University Place, 253-565-9278.

welcome to New and Returning Members

June 16, 2008 to August 15, 2008
Chapter New and Renewing:
Eileen Baker, Ruth Beck, Connie Beyers, June E
Camp, Valerie Edwards, Chris Engle, Sherry
Graham, Roger Gruener, Milton Guhr, Joan Harris,
Ralph Klose, Debbie Klosowski, Liz and Bob
Lathrop, Joyce Lundberg, Sandra Martin, Ruth Ann
Mikels, Bob Myrick, William Nerin, Patricia Olson,
Georgia Ramsey, Gerry and Joan Rapp, Sharon
Rue and Paul Johns, Joanne Savitz, Keith Schwyhart
and Betty Bruce, Selinda Sheridan, Caroline
Simonson, Marshall Wilson, Alex Zaffee
Chapter Joint with National:
KazumiDivens-Cogez, Donna Douglass, Sue
Hines, Burt and Doris Johnson, Anna Lisa Kanick,
Bonnie Latham, Pam McGee, John W McInnes,
Joanne Merrill and Wally Croshaw, Randy Myers
and Sooz Myrdal, Laurel Parshall, Nancy Pearson,
Winegar Dental Lab
Introductory, Recruited through TAS:
Doug Angell, Felice Davis, Carlene Faithful, Mike
Gallogoly, Candy Jacobson, Cathy
Keyes, Shari Larson, Maribeth
Love, Amy Mickelson-Grinstead,
Sarah R Mielke
Introductory,
Recruited through NAS:
James Allphin, Joan Baroh,
Doris Bucher, Rachel Farley. Connie Goede,
Carol Goforth, Michelle Hargey, James Helbling,
Jean Hoard, Georgene Kunz, Robert Liautaud,
Roberta Miller, Brenna Paul, Suezy Proctor, R
Kaleo Sills. Morry and Mary Stafford, Clarisa Rae
Stell, John F Scott, Matt Shaw, Mary Wainwright
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS: Renewals must
be sent directly to TAS if the Towhee is desired.
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 (chapter or
National) 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.
Introductory members are first year members and
always receive both the NAS magazine and the
Towhee.
Birdathon sponsors who contributed $30.00 or
more for the first time, were given a Chapter
membership for one year. If you prefer to not
receive this membership, please let Thelma Gilmur
know. 253-564-8210

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org September 2008

 First teen intern earns “Letter of Service” from United Way
Meet Nataly Brockwell, age 16, the first Teen
Education Intern for Tahoma Audubon and
Tacoma Nature Center education programs.
Nataly spent her summer connecting young chil-
dren with nature while guiding hikes, teaching
songs, playing games and sharing her enthusi-
asm at the summer day camps at Adriana Hess
Audubon Center and Tacoma Nature Center.
Thanks to your contributions at the TAS annual
membership banquet in February, and other
donations from parents of campers, Nataly was
hired to join the day camp staff as an intern.
Nataly has volunteered with our youth and fam-
ily education programs for three years, and
brings her experience and teen spirit to the posi-
tion. The internship benefits her by giving her
leadership skills and experience and an income
to defray school costs, and delays the
need to leave volunteering for a paying
job at a fast food restaurant.
Nataly shared some of her thoughts
on the internship: “This experience will
help me with applying for other jobs in
the future. It’s also a good way to show
my experience working with children
and that I am responsible with the lives Nataly Brockwell me all in good time.” Her hundreds of
of other people. I watched kids make
new friends and saw the looks on their faces
when they learned something really cool. Also, I
made new friends and had the privilege of train-
ing new teen volunteers.”
Nataly found it fun to work with “people who
have big hearts and kids who have big imagina-
tions.” In fall she will be attending Washington
High School in Tacoma as a junior and
starts as a freshman in the Running
Start program at Pierce County College.
She plans to achieve an AA degree by
the time she graduates from high
school. “I don’t know exactly what I
want to do with my life or what I will
major in at college, but it will come to
volunteer hours with Tahoma Audubon
and the Nature Center earned her several awards
and a prestigious “Letter of Service” through the
national United Way program, comparable to the
letters that accomplished high school athletes
receive. In July, she got her letterman’s jacket,
and says, “I am proud of why I got it. I worked
hard for it and now I can show it off in style!”

Education Matters
Nataly shares her enthusiasm for nature with kids at the summer day
camps at Adriana Hess Audubon Center and Tacoma Nature Center.

Campers exploring the beach on field trip.

Photos/Margie Shea
A “flock” of young campers. Campers at microscopes. Nataly and camper building a birdhouse

Team Mushroom identification

Broken workshop at Penrose Point
Wing Three dates offered for September:
For anyone who thinks Saturday the 20th, Sunday the 21st,
being an environmen- and Saturday the 27th from 1pm to
talist is for wimps here
is evidence of how
3pm for a mushroom identification
dangerous it can be.  workshop at Penrose Point State
(from left to right) Park. We will be learning charac-
Bryan Flint broke his teristics of mushrooms helpful for
right collar bone in a identification. We will be trying to
motor scooter acci-
dent; Thelma Gilmur
key out mushrooms. Some local
broke her left wrist in mushrooms will be displayed; and you are welcome to bring
the garden; Nancy mushrooms. We may go for a short walk if conditions are good
Pearson broke her for mushrooms. The first 15 people who call to register will be
left shoulder in the taken (group size limited to 15 people). There is no charge. We
most dangerous of places, the home; and Bliss Moore, Chair of the Tatoosh Chapter of the
Sierra Club broke his left collar bone and five ribs in a bicycle accident. 
will meet at the bulletin board in the big parking lot. To register
call (253) 884-2514 and ask for Dan Christian.
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.

September 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


september 2008
Sep 8 Mon, 12:00pm  Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess
Sep 8 Mon, 7:00pm   Beginning Birdwatching:
Backyard Basics F
Sep 9 Tue, 10:30am   Nature Alphabet, “S is for
Sapsucker”
Sep 9 Tue, 2:00pm  Conservation Committee EM
Sep 11 Thu, 1:00pm  Beginning Science - Let’s Talk
Science
Sep 11 Thu, 6:30pm  TAS Board Meeting
Sep 12 Fri, 7:00pm  Membership Meeting
Sep 14 Sun, 12:00pm  Morse Preserve Open Trails
Sep 15 Mon, 12:00pm  Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess
Sep 15 Mon, 7:00pm   Beginning Birdwatching:
Backyard Basics F
Sep 16 Tue, 5:00pm  Morse Force Meeting
Sep 18 Thu, 1:00pm   Intermediate Science - Lab
Investigations
Sep 20 Sat, 10:00am   Discovery Walk - Helen
Engle’s Yard
Sep 20 Sat, 4:30pm   Swift watching in Monroe,
Washington F
Sep 21 Sun, Nature Walk at Point Defiance Park in
Tacoma F
Sep 22 Mon, 7:00pm   Beginning Birdwatching:
Backyard Basics F
Sep 23 Tue, 1:30pm   Nature Alphabet, “T is for
Twirly”
Sep 24 Wed, 10:30am  Budding Scientists - Am I a
Scientist?
Sep 24 Wed, 3:15pm  Budding Scientists - Am I a
Scientist?
Sep 25 Thu, 1:00pm  Advanced Science - Scientific
Method and Inquiry
Sep 25 Thu, 6:00pm  PSSS volunteer training EM
Sep 25 Thu, 7:00pm  Natural Yard Care Workshop @
TNC
Sep 26 Fri, 10:00am  Morse Bird Walk
Sep 26 Fri,10:30am   Nature Storytime - Leaf me
Alone
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
Sep 26 Fri, 1:00pm   Advanced Lab - Scientific
Method and Inquiry
Sep 29 Mon, 7:00pm   Beginning Birdwatching:
Backyard Basics F
Sep 30 Tue, 3:30pm  Snake Lake Science Club
october 2008
Oct 2 Thu, 6:00pm  Green Drinks Tacoma
Oct 3 Fri, 7:00pm  Natural Yard Care Workshop @
TNC
Oct 4 Sat, 7:37am  Seabird Survey 1
Oct 7 Tue, 10:30am   Nature Alphabet - U is for
Upside Down
Oct 7 Tue, 7:00pm  Intermediate Birder’s Class
Oct 8 Wed, 10:30am  Budding Scientists - Birds on
the Move
Oct 8 Wed, 3:15pm  Budding Scientists - Birds on the
Move
TAS September Program Presentation
Topic: Citizen Science: how we back policy with data
Presenters: Krystal Kyer, Conservation Coordinator
Date: Friday ~ Sept. 12, 2008
Time: 7:15 pm ~ refreshments; 7:30 ~ announce-
ments soon followed by the program
Location: Tacoma Nature Center 1919 S. Tyler St,
Tacoma, WA 98405
Definition - Citizen Science is a method of
engaging citizens young and old in systematic field
data collection that is then recorded, analyzed,
shared, and used by organizations and institutions,
policymakers and regulators. Audubon has a long
tradition of citizen science, and the Christmas Bird
Count, started in 1900  is the longest continuous
running citizen science program nationwide!  Stay Tuned:
Krystal Kyer, Conservation Coordinator, will present
on  continuing and new Citizen Science projects
that members and birders can get involved in.  ing - Dennis Paulson, dragonfly specialist (among
Projects include the Puget Sound Seabird
Survey, bird and wildlife monitoring at Ohop
Creek, Project FeederWatch, and more. Further
details can be found at http://www.tahomaaudubon.
org – then link to Citizen Science.  tion by Paul Bannick, author of The Owl and the
Krystal will also talk about local common birds in
decline. On the 2007 top 20 common birds in
decline list, half of them can be found in Pierce
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Tacoma, WA
Permit No. 177
Key to symbols
F Field Trip Page
V Volunteer page
M Environment Matters Page
A
E
Related article in Towhee
Education Page
Oct 9 Thu, 1:00pm  Beginning Science - Why They
Do What They Do
Oct 9 Thu, 6:30pm  TAS Board Meeting
Oct 10 Fri, 7:00pm  Membership Meeting
Oct 11 Sat, 9:00am  Ohop Field Trip/NatureMapping
EM-A(see front page)
Oct 12 Sun, 12:00pm  Morse Preserve Open Trails
Oct 13 Mon, 12:00pm  Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess
Oct 14 Tue, 2:00pm  Conservation Committee EM
Oct 14 Tue, 7:00pm  Intermediate Birder’s Class F
County. Two of them are: Evening Grosbeaks are
down 78% over the last 40 years nationwide - and
down 97% in Washington State. Greater Scaup is
down 75% over the same timeframe nationwide.
Adam Sedgley, Science Associate at Seattle
Audubon, is going to give the portion of the
presentation on the Puget Sound Seabird Survey,
including results from this past year’s survey in
King County.  He also manages the BirdNote
program on KPLU 88.5FM.
If you have recommendations or would like to be
considered for a presentation, please contact Katrina
at katweihs@earthlink.net or 253-304-6422.
October (TBD) –
November 14 (Fri)- Tahoma Audubon Member meet-
many other things), will be presenting about his latest
work and adventures with dragonflies. 
November 18 (Tues) – 7 PM at the Downtown
Branch of the Tacoma Public Library ~ a presenta-
Woodpecker.  This event is co-sponsored by
Tahoma Audubon, Kings Books, The Tacoma Public
Library and The Mountaineers.
September
2008
In this issue:
25 years ago page 8
Announcements page 9
Birdathon page 1, 6
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