Kids!

Enter
Tahoma Audubon’s
10th Annual Bird
Drawing Contest!
Details on page 4.

Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 40 No. 4 May 2009

Last chance for ... If it’s May ...

Adventures
Key on the it’s Birdathon!
By Cami Kesinger
Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Peninsula May is Bird-

athon, our grand
fundraiser to help
us gather dollars
for Tahoma Aud-
ubon’s mission of
Mew Gull at Lake Bay

protecting habitat and environment.

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
A beautiful day for birding and a pilgrimage of sorts
was Tahoma Audubon’s April 4th field trip. Of course
Rolan Nelson’s field trips always have good weather, and
only he knows that secret to that. This trip to his old
stomping grounds on the peninsula promised birds and
quintessential northwest maritime scenery.
When the sun shines in early April, it is the best of
times in these parts. The winter birds are still around,
but changing into more colorful plumage, early neotro-
pic migrants are starting to arrive, and songbirds are
tuning up their pipes. We had it all! We started out at
Glen Cove, where fog obliterated the waterfowl, but a
half dozen Killdeer were practically at our feet, and
White-Crowned Sparrows picked this weekend to try out
their songs for the first time.
As we reached the utopian town of Home, the fog
was lifting, and a single Violet-Green Swallow landed on
the wire over our head and thrilled us all, being the
season’s first for each of us! Although Aristotle famous-
ly pronounced that, “One swallow does not make a
summer,” this was the scout swallow, and his followers
soon poured in as the day grew warmer, until their
cheerful chatter became our happy Muzak.
Soon-to-be-departing waterfowl filled the waters.
Buffleheads and both Goldeneyes were everywhere, and
no one in this group will ever be confused by those two
Goldeneye species again after such close study. Many
Common Loons in every increment of plumage from
See "Key Peninsula" on page 6
Tahoma Audubon humbly asks that all of
you, our dedicated members and friends,
consider helping again this year. You can
help by pledging another Birdathon birder,
by gathering pledges as a Birdathon birder/
counter, or you can come out on a Birdathon
trip just for fun and give a donation.
Please call for more information and to
sign up and get a packet which has every-
thing you need to know about Birdathon. If
you are considering taking a Birdathon trip,
look them over in this issue (listed on page 9)
and call Tahoma Audubon at (253)565-9129
to sign up.
Remember, if you are an expert birder, or a
beginner like me, Birdathon has something
for everyone. We want to thank all of you
who have so cheerfully accepted telephone
calls about this campaign. We appreciate
your support so much!
Last year Birdathon raised $47,000 and all
proceeds were used to support our work. We
hope everyone will get behind this and make
this the biggest and best Birdathon ever!

Sky Lark By Paul Webster

species, the Sky Lark
(Alauda arvensis) has
been introduced to
North America
numerous
The tail has white outer feathers. A
crest is often raised, and a rela-
tively thin bill separates the
Sky Lark from the spar-
rows. Larks walk

F
ew birds fired the imagination of the times, but survives and scurry about
poets of the Romantic era like the only on the Saanich Peninsula of southeastern rather than hop, and outside breeding season they
Sky Lark. It inspired Shelley’s poem Vancouver Island. form flocks that forage in fields for seeds, leaves and
“To a Skylark,” (1820), and for the At about 7¼ inches the Sky Lark is the size of the insects.
German poet Eichendorff the bird familiar Golden-crowned Sparrow. It shows heavy Above all, the flight song identifies the Sky Lark:
symbolized nothing less than the human soul that brown streaking above, and buffy-white underparts
sang as it soared above life’s troubles. An Old World marked on the breast with a band of short streaks. See "Sky Lark" on page 4

In this issue:

!
25 years ago page 8
Announcements page 9
BirdSongs page 8
Calendar page 12
Citizen Science page 3
Education page 4
Executive Director’s column page 2
Field trips page 5
New members page 2
Volunteer recognition page 10
 executive director’s Corner
Vigilance ever necessary “We cannot assume that
having progressive growth
I would like to fires. Density apparently causes dangerous fire
add a third point hazard, not the home owner who sets a fire in a management plans, signed
to the old saying garbage can and walks away. conservation agreements,
“there are only • Politicians in the City of Puyallup and Orting supportive votes from elected
two things certain call for the dredging of the Puyallup River to leaders, or even a green-leaning
in life: death and prevent flooding. By allowing building permits President means that we can
taxes”. The third in flood zones, jurisdictions have destroyed
rest on our laurels.”
certainty is land habitat and put people in harm’s way. The
use disputes. dredging solution is like taking aspirin to cure
For some rea- alcoholism. None of these issues will be resolved by the time
son they aren’t • Glacier NW purposes to expand it’s mining I put the last period on this article. Nor are they
making any more operation in DuPont, potentially in violation of likely by the time you read it. Or by the time this
land. We however, keep multiplying our numbers a 1994 Settlement Agreement with Tahoma issue gets filed in the archives and starts to turn
and finding new and inventive ways to use land. Audubon and other stakeholders. The proposal yellow.
This means that the pressure to convert wildlife would take out 190 acres of forested habitat and That is why we must be ever vigilant. It is the
habitat to more productive uses is constant and significantly affect the flow of Sequalitchew long history of Tahoma involvement in these
ever present. Creek. issues, the clear memories and dogged tenacity of
That is why Tahoma Audubon and the many • Legislators hail the addition of $1.5 million for our members has protected so much critical habi-
members and volunteers must stay ever vigilant. the Cross-Base Highway in the State’s tat.
Even when we have won a battle to protect habitat, Transportation Budget. Fortunately this money Even our victories do not guarantee that we will
we must stay vigilant – for generations. We cannot is a drop in the bucket, and is intended for the not be fighting to protect habitat in the future.
assume that having progressive growth manage- Spanaway Loop Rd. Interchange. As of this Successes at the Nisqually estuary, Snake Lake,
ment plans, signed conservation agreements, sup- writing it is unlikely to make it past the budget Cross-Base highway, and others could face new
portive votes from elected leaders, or even a green- writer’s ax.  threats now and into the future.
leaning President means that we can rest on our • The Washington State Senate proposes closing It is because of the tremendous support of mem-
laurels. McNeil Island. The need for security on the bers, volunteers and donors that we are able to
Island means that two thirds of it is wildlife respond to threats now and in into the future. Your
Here are some examples of what I mean:
habitat mostly undisturbed by visitors. Closure support is important in continuing our tradition of
• The Fire Chief in Graham calls for less density of the prison could leave the Island vulnerable being the watchdog for habitat protection in Pierce
and more sprawl as a solution to recent house to development in the future. County.

welcome
to New and Returning Members
March 16, 2009 to April 15, 2009
Chapter New and Renewing:
Doreen Aiken, Rick & Jeanne Apffel, Mr
The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
& Mrs Robert Arnold, Sharon Bell, Care 2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
deLeeuw, Len & Linda Johnson, Franky Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
J Marsh, Cindy McDonald, Georgiana
Miller, Richard A. Perkins, Selma Sloth,
CarolRaeSmith,Bill&KarenSmitherman, Tahoma Audubon Staff
Carolyn Sullivan, Berta Thompson, Sheri
 
Linnaea Mittelstadt, Mary Berry, Vicki
& Jeff Tonn, Maggie Ulrich, Mel & Judy Biltz, Yvonne Boscovich, Donald Butler,
Flint, Bryan Executive Director                        
Urschel, Maude Valentine. Patricia Chellin, Marion Craig, Lynn bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
Chapter Joint with National Fitch, Carol A. Gould-Harris, Helen
joining here at Tahoma Audubon: Gregerson, Virginia M. Guptill, Sharon L.
Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
Mary Backous, Wynne Brown & Peter Hanson, Michael Hervieux, Linda Hiser, kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978                    
Wimberger, Colin & Annie Conant, Craig John Hopkins, A. R. Horner, Dorothy
Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
Geyer, Judith Krill, Bruce D. MacDonald, W. Hudson, M. Krumpos, Thomas A.
Paula Meyer, Nora Miller, Catherine C. Langham, Fred Long, Marion Lucas, StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-327-9480
Monty, Karen Nyo, Joann Sims, Gisela Juli Marshall, Trenton McConkey, Ellen Kessinger, Cami New Development Coordinator
Taranovski. McKinney, Gayle McNeill, John Ogden,
Introductory, Recruited
ckesinger@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129                      
Jean Rettke, Sharon Richter, Arlene
through Tahoma Audubon: Sampson, Andrej M Savol, Dale Schultz, Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884
Bente Hansen, Barbara Petersen, Cindy Meg Smith, Audrey Thomas, John Wilkie,
Thompson.
Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator 253-223-0039
Elaine Harding, Orietta Hegtvedt, Ms.
 Introductory, Recruited Mina M. Hempel, Carol Hinde, Ms. Lisa gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org
through National Audubon: Kinoshita, Verner Pouslen, Karen Power, Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
          
Shirley Elliott, Terry Anne V. Gustko, Ms. Eldora Sloan.
John Garner President
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
Marjorie Shea Vice President
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protection Jane Brosius Secretary
of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem-
Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
ber’s experiences in and with the natural world.
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2009
issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conserva- Thelma Gilmur Ione Clagett
tion, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor.
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed. Dick Carkner
Melissa Paulson
Marcus Roening
Bill Smith
Editor: editor@tahomaaudubon.org Peggy L. Kopf Tanja Scott
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com Darby Veeck Charles Griffin
Printing: Consolidated Press Loren Webster Calendar Editor loren@lorenwebster.net
Printed on recycled newsprint

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2009

 citizen science In Action!
Project FeederWatch
While April gener-
sity, not all of the birds are regulars at
the feeder.
ally marks the begin-
We did have some rare sightings
ning of the spring, for
the Tahoma Audubon
that will forever live in our memories.
Society it also signals
Tahoma Audubon President John
a close to our first year
Garner had the first exciting sighting
of the season, observing a Coopers
of participation in
Hawk chowing down on a Pine
Project FeederWatch.
Siskin on a branch directly above our
Inspired by Cornell
University’s Orni-
feeders. Needless to say, the other
birds had understandably evacuated
thology lab, Project
FeederWatch calls
the site. Tahoma Audubon Executive
Director Bryan Flint quickly grabbed
citizen scientists to action, encouraging them to pay
close attention to their feeders by keeping track of the
our camera to video the hawk and
birds they see during the five winter months from you can now watch the sighting on
November to March. Youtube! Surf to www.youtube.com/
watch?v=V6PQnUHaDrw to see Bryan’s video on Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6PQnUHaDrw
All of the information collected at our site, Adriana
this awesome video!
Hess Wetland Park, is sent to Cornell’s Ornithology lab
to be entered into national database, allowing other sci-
Another rare sighting for Adriana Hess Wetland Park Feeder regulars illustrated their established winter
included a Band-Tailed Pigeon, a slightly round and
entists to track general trends in bird activity. National presence at our feeders, including the Black-Capped
awkward looking bird, who decided to bathe in the
volunteer power assists scientists, giving them massive Chickadee, Chestnut-Backed Chickadee, Red-Breasted
stream directly by our feeders, pecking at the ground for
amounts of data they would not be able to obtain on their Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Towhee, along with many differ-
own. Perhaps more importantly, citizen science projects
food. ent finches and sparrows.
like Project FeederWatch help Tahoma Audubon reach Some of our more common bird sightings were Their eating habits forced volunteers to restock our
its goal to connect people to nature. equally impressive, as they illustrated the biological bird feeders almost daily to keep up with the voracious
variation between members of the same species. For
Our sightings were impressive, offering both staff and appetites of these birds. Along with the birds, our local
volunteers great opportunities to observe nature and bond
example, a peculiar Dark-Eyed Junco surprised volun- mammals, including a family of squirrels, and what we
with each other. Altogether, birdwatchers saw 31 different
teers and staff, having white cheeks instead of the almost think may be native Wood Rats helped, were always
species! While Adriana Hess hosts much more biodiver-
trademark black head that helps birders identify the trying to penetrate the birdfeeder’s defensive cage, lav-
Junco. Luckily we have captured ishing in the nutritious spoils that would fall to the
Species seen at Adriana Hess Wetland Park Nov 2008 – April 2009 this little oddball on film, and have ground.
his picture on site at Adriana Altogether Project FeederWatch brought the Tahoma
American Crow Mallard Hess. Audubon community together around our birdfeeders,
American Goldfinch Northern Flicker Mid-March brought our largest offering us a terrific opportunity to experience the wild-
American Robin Pine Siskin sightings of biodiviersity at the life around our own offices. The activity reminded us
feeder. While we only saw about why we choose to work for improving our already bio-
Anna's Hummingbird Purple Finch
ten different species at the end of logically diverse environment.
Band-tailed Pigeon Red-breasted Nuthatch December, we saw 21 different Without the consistent dedication of our volunteers
Black-capped Chickadee Red-winged Blackbird species during mid-March. These and staff we would not have been able to participate in
numbers reflected the new species this excellent citizen science project. Tahoma Audubon
Brown Creeper Rufous Hummingbird
coming into the area for the spring would like to offer a special thanks to those volunteers
Chestnut-backed Chickadee Sharp-shinned Hawk time. This included the Rufous who helped with the project, recording their weekly
Cooper's Hawk Song Sparrow Hummingbird, as well as the sightings, and helping novice birdwatchers identify the
Dark-eyed Junco Spotted Towhee American Robins many of us start- splendid display of wildlife at our feeders. Hopefully this
ed to see in our neighborhoods year will be the first of many years of participation with
Downy Woodpecker Steller's Jay during February. Our winter sight- the Cornell lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch!
European Starling Varied Thrush ings of the Anna’s Hummingbird
Golden-crowned Sparrow White-breasted Nuthatch illustrated their continued presence If you would like to participate in our future Project
in the area, even during the espe- FeederWatch exploits, please email Graham Taylor at
House Finch White-crowned Sparrow
cially cold months of November, gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org, or give him a call at
House Sparrow Winter Wren December and January. (253)565-1884

Nisqually BioBlitz
May 15-16, 2009
You are invited to participate in an exciting citizen
science opportunity happening in the Roy/McKenna
area — a 24-hour intensive biological survey — called
a BioBlitz.
This BioBlitz is a joint project of the Pierce County
Biodiversity Alliance, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park,
Tahoma Audubon Society, UW Nature Mapping,
Nisqually River Watershed Council, and the Washing- Citizen Science
ton Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
Help us discover who is living in your neck of the In Action!
woods!
Contact Krystal Kyer for more information, or to Birds, Butterflies,
sign up: Email: kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org Or call: Amphibians, Reptiles,
253-232-9978 Fish, Insects, Mammals
—what’s your fancy?
Learn more at: www.tahomaaudubon.org/cs

May 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

 And I get paid for this?
When I was job-searching last fall and winter
and came across the job announcement for the
Development Coordinator position at Tahoma
Audubon, my eyes lit up and my heart skipped a
beat! Sounds cliché but it is true! I am an out-
All images from last year’s contest

Tahoma Audubon 10th Annual doorsy, nature-loving girl with a passion for non-

Young Student Bird Drawing Contest

profit organizations, so the job description posted
in December fit me perfectly!
I sent my qualifications to the Executive
Draw, paint, or sketch one of the following birds in its native habitat: Director, Bryan Flint, immediately. Shortly after,
Bryan responded and
• Golden-crowned Sparrow • Western Scrub Jay • Gadwall indicated he wouldn’t
even be interviewing
Who Can Enter? until the first of the year.
Pierce County students in 2nd- 7th Grades (7-14 years old). I am a patient person,
and in the meantime, I
Three age categories: grades 2-3, grades 4-5, grades 6-7
pursued other options. It
How to Enter? was a tough economy
Submissions must be delivered by May 23, 2009 to: with fierce competition,
but I was hopeful.
Tahoma Audubon Happy New Year!
Cami Kesinger
2917 Morrison Rd. W. January came and I New Development Coordinator
University Place, WA 98466 made a call to Bryan. He
told me he was still reviewing applications.
Rules: Available with entry form at Patience, Cami, patience.
Then, one day in late January Bryan called. We
www.TahomaAudubon.org/drawingcontest.
set up a telephone interview for the following
For more information feel free to email
week. The call must have gone okay, because the
stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.org or call (253)327-9480
next week I was asked in for a group interview at
Tahoma Audubon. The panel consisted of long-
• Winners will be notified by May 30, 2009 time board members, Audubon members, Bryan
• Awards and prizes will be presented to the winners at the June 13th membership meeting and consultant Jean McCord. No pressure there!
of the Tahoma Audubon at Tacoma Nature Center. Everyone is welcome! Luckily, I made it through the interview in one
• Winners will be recognized in the June issue of Tahoma Audubon’s newsletter, The Towhee piece, and again, patiently waited.
Bryan contacted me a couple times that week
requesting more information, and eventually
asked me in for a one-on-one interview with him.
I was excited and nervous, but I had a plan: Bring
cookies! So, I showed up bearing the gift of
chocolate chip, molasses and sugar! Oops! Plan
foiled! Bryan can’t eat wheat! Still, he graciously
gave me a tour of the Adriana Hess property

... Sky Lark continued from page 1
a long series of high rolling tones that includes
mimicry of other birds’ songs. The bird may sing
four minutes or more as it soars high overhead,
though the average is somewhat less. The song’s
quality is also remarkable: the naturalist Francis
Jourdain among others found the effect of the
“clear, sweet notes” exhilarating.
The Sky Lark prefers open areas – pastures, short-
grass fields, and airfields – where vegetation is
sparse and trees are few. The breeding season lasts
from April through June. The female deepens a
natural depression in the ground and lines it with
grasses. She usually lays four eggs and incubates
them herself. The young hatch in eleven or twelve
days, and leave the nest about nine days later,
roughly when they can feed themselves. They can
fly well at twenty days.
The Sky Lark was introduced to British Columbia
in 1903. By the 1940s the birds were established on
the Saanich Peninsula, aided by the clearing of forest
for farmland. In 1960 the Sky Lark was first reported
on nearby San Juan Island, and a few pairs were
breeding there by 1970. The Canadian census count-
ed 1,000 Sky Larks in 1965, but urbanization soon
led to habitat loss. By 1997 there were only about
100-200 birds left in British Columbia. Today a
small, population of Sky Larks continues, principally
near the Victoria airport. The webpage at http://www.
birding.bc.ca/articles/skylarks.php has detailed infor-
mation on where to find the birds.
In his poem Shelley wondered that the Sky Lark
sang with such passion. If only he knew “half the
gladness” that brought forth the bird’s song, he
wrote, then he could utter “such harmoni-
ous madness” that the entire world
would listen to him. It is Spring and
the Sky Larks are singing now on the
Saanich Peninsula to gladden the hearts
of all who come to listen.
(home of Tahoma Audubon), while Volunteer
Coordinator Graham Taylor ate the cookies!
I guess my cookie fiasco was overlooked,
because a couple days later, Bryan called to offer
me the job!
I happily accepted and started on February 9th!
I was immediately thrown into the fire at the 40th
Anniversary Banquet where I gave a speech
about Birdathon. I thought I would be really ner-
vous, but just like my time so far at Tahoma
Audubon I was made to feel welcome and com-
fortable. Everyone is so nice and supportive.
I am new to birding, but I am quickly learning
how cool it is, and how cool my job is!
And I get paid for this!
– Cami Kesinger
Development Coordinator
Tahoma Audubon Society
253-565-9129
ckesinger@tahomaaudubon.org

Education Matters
1919 South Tyler Street, 2917 Morrison Road W.,
Tacoma WA 98338 University Pl. WA 98466
253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org 253-565-9278
Open Tues. – Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. www.TahomaAudubon.org
& Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open Mon – Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m.

Check our websites for latest class listings and times.

Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2009
 field trips and Events
Morse Preserve Open Trails
When: Sun. May 10, Mother’s Day, noon to 4:00 p.m.
Once again Patty Brabley, neighbor to the Preserve,
will help you enjoy the outdoors on a holiday.  Call
253-565-9278 for directions.
 
Bird Walk
Adriana Hess Wetland Park/Tahoma Audubon
When:  Mon. May 11, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Join Ruth Sullivan at 2917 Morrison Rd W in
University Place for a longer trip this month because it
can be used for a Birdathon trip as well as our regular
monthly trip. 
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.
regular programs and classes
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wednesdays, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Join Phil
on his weekly bird walks as he counts the birds
at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Meet: At
the Visitor’s Center. The group may walk out to
McAllister Creek if that trail is open. Then it takes
the boardwalk/trail loop out to the Twin Barns,
the Nisqually overlook area, and the riparian area,
totaling about three miles. Bring good walking
shoes or boots, raingear, water, snacks, and $3
for entry fee unless you have a pass. Scopes are
welcome. Sign-up: Call or email Phil Kelley
to confirm details (especially during the trail
construction period). Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360)
459-1499, scrubjay323@aol.com.
Beginning Birdwatching -
Backyard Basics
Curious about birds, 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 field guides and use binoculars.
Learn, too, about some of the best places to see
birds and practice your new found stills. $45.00
for Tahoma Audubon Members, $55.00 for Non-
Members. Ages 18+. Call the Tacoma Nature
Center to register, 253-591-6439.
Intermediate Birding
Tuesdays, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Adriana Hess
Audubon Center. This class is for those who
May 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
Plant Walk
Adriana Hess Wetland Park/Tahoma Audubon
When:  Mon. May 18, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Join George Schonhard to learn what is in bloom at the
Center.  The 30 some red-flowering currants have been
beautiful in April.  The native iris should be getting
ready to bloom.
Bird Walk
Adriana Hess Wetland Park/Tahoma Audubon
When:  Mon. June 8, noon to 1:00 p.m.
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE WENAS CAMPOUT
May 22-25, 2009 www.wenasaudubon.org
For over three decades Audubon families have
been camping over Memorial Day weekend at the
Wenas Creek Campground.
Officially named the Hazel Wolf Wenas Creek Bird
Sanctuary, it’s located SW of Ellensburg,   in an
“Important Bird Area” and has been assured of
protective status.  The free, “primitive” campground
along the north fork of Wenas Creek has exceptional
opportunities for birding, botanizing and enjoying
spring in the eastern foothills of the Cascades.
There are wonderful field trips scheduled, and there
will be an old-fashioned campfire in our new
“approved” firepit device each evening.   We do
singing, story telling and recapping the sightings of
the day.
Please visit Webmaster Michael Hobbs’ beautiful
Wenas Website to see Hazel Wolf’s familiar smiling
face and get lots of downloadable information about
our campout. www.wenasaudubon.org.
There’s a bird checklist, wildflower checklist,
outline of field trips and program, directions to the
campground, and lots of photos.
have completed an introductory birder’s class or
have a good background in bird identification.
In addition to the scheduled class days, there are
three field study sessions. For more information
and registration, call 591-6439. Class meets at the
Adriana Hess Audubon Canter in University Place.
Field Trips: 2-day trip to Washington coast on May
2-3; 2-day trip to Wenas on June 6-7; 3-day trip to
Eastern Washington June 20-22. Participants are
responsible for trip transportation and expenses.
$55.00 for Tahoma Audubon Members. $75.00
for Non-Members. Ages 18+
TGIF Breakfast & Work Party
Fridays, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Location:
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Help out with habitat
restoration, such as planting, invasive species
removal, pruning.
Nature alphabet
Tuesdays, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM
to 2:30 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center.
Preschoolers explore different nature topics
through stories, hands-on activities, nature walks,
and crafts at the Tacoma Nature Center. Adult
participation is recommended, children under four
require and adult present. Please mote alternating
times. Register by the Saturday before the program
by calling 591-6439.
Homeschool Science Programs
Homeschool students explore science through
Ruth Sullivan will guide you through the park
identifying birds.
 
Morse Preserve Bird Walk
When:  Saturday, June 13, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Betty Jones will again be helping you identify birds at
this preserve donated by Lloyd and Maxine Morse. 
Call Tahoma Audubon office, 253-565-9278 to sign up
and get directions.
And you can do something creative with this event to
set it apart.
For people who don’t “do websites,” contact me and
I’ll send you printed information.
Bring friends, family, and join us at Wenas Memorial
Day Weekend for as many days as you want to stay
- May 22-25, 2009!
See you there!
– Helen Engle
hengle@iinet.com 253-564-3112
hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based
learning. Register early, these classes fill quickly!
Call 591-6439.
Beginning. Thursdays, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
or 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 8-10, $10. To participate in this class, students
should be able to add and subtract numbers.
Intermediate. Thursdays, 1:00 PM to 3:00
PM. Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 8-10, $10. To
participate in this class, students should be able to
add and subtract numbers.
Advanced. Thursdays, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Labs, Fridays, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tacoma
Nature Center. Ages 12-15, $12. Older homeschool
students will continue their science studies
with challenging and engaging experiments
and activities. This expanded science class for
Advanced Homeschool Science students includes
an integrated laboratory session as an extension
of the two hour classroom session. Students get
greater in-depth investigation of the monthly topic,
practice in problem-solving and research skills and
hands-on experimentation. Attendance in the class
session is required for participation in a lab session.
Lab sessions are not required for participation in
class sessions. To participate in this class, students
should be able to calculate averages, percentages
and solve simple equations.
 A pair of Ring-Neck Ducks takes off at Bay Lake.
. . . Key Peninsula Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

from page 1
winter to breeding were seen. A Horned Grebe
stood out among his peers in nuptial headgear.
Scoters and Wigeons still patrolled the lagoons,
not letting on that they were planning to escape
northward as soon as our backs were turned.
We continued on to Lake Bay and Bay Lake.
If you’re confused by that, taste the water – salt With Joemma Beach as the backdrop: Diane, Bill, Janice, leader Rolan Nelson, Carol, Beverly, and Faye.
for the first, fresh for the last. Or if you know
which ducks like fresh water, no problem! It’s
the Ring-Necks! uled to be axed in September, as part of the State’s cost-
Penrose Point State Park was to be our lunch spot, and cutting measures. We had it practically to ourselves this
the day had turned so balmy we picnicked out-of-doors! sunny day, which illustrated the problem. It is just a little
After a walk produced lots of water birds and the by now too undiscovered and remote to pay its way. We walked
almost ho-hum Varied Thrushes, we were able to enjoy way out on one of the longest docks in the state park sys-
Steller’s Jays doing their whisper songs, meant only to be tem until we were standing in the middle of the bay, and
heard by a mate, not to mention Brown Creepers tuning the snow-covered Olympics stood watch over endless
up, and trilliums blooming at our feet to the sound of much deserted beaches. Named for Joe and Emma Smith who
trilling. Then at lunch, an announcement was made! lived on the property from 1917 to 1932, it’s been a park
Beverly Webber had just seen her 300th lifer! That White- since 1968 and a state park since 1995.
Winged Scoter that had remained elusive all day had It was time to say Walking out to sea at Joemma Beach.
appeared off the point just for Beverly! Celebrations were goodbye, keeping a
held! The only pall on the celebration was that we had tiny hope alive that
missed our target bird, Harlequin Ducks. Carol Smith some benefactor
offered to trot out to the point one last time to check as we would come forth and
were all finishing our lunches. A thrill ran through the stay- save this place for us.
behinds when she radioed back and said she had them! If you want to visit this
We practically ran out there, and a beautiful pair swam park, do it now!
directly toward us, looking more like specimens of Haida Thanks for an unfor-
art than living beings. Wow! Thanks, Carol! gettable day, Rolan.
Finally, a solemn pilgrimage to pay homage to Joemma And as Bill noted, if
Beach State Park, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled you need good weath-
developed parks in the State Park System. Our visit was er for any reason,
bittersweet because this masterpiece of nature is sched- have Rolan arrange it.
Target birds, Harlequin Ducks at Penrose Point.

Varied Thrush -- Junk bird of the day!

Steller’s Jay singing its whisper song -- Yes, really! White Crown Sparrow on stage at Glen Cove. Buffleheads (Rolan’s favorite duck) glowing as the fog burns off.

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

 Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing in April 1984
By Helen Engle Helen Engle and WA Game Dept. Fifty new boxes had been

25
The April 13 meeting at Ingram
Hall, Pacific Lutheran University was
Tahoma Audubon’s “First Annual Years
Great Slide Show Extravaganza.”
Pictorial adventures from their own
backyards to East Africa and Borneo were
shown by Fred Tobiason, Wally Wilkins, Dave
Batker, Bob Ramsey, Greg Sylvester, and
Ken Batker. The monthly meeting also featured
Kris Quinn talking up the Birdathon scheduled for
April 28-29, 1984. Our members would be vying
with other chapters to find the most species of
birds as well as the most sponsors.
We were involved in the Western Washington
Fairground Flower Show for the Daffodil Festival
with bird boxes and how to attract birds to the
garden. Our members were invited to
participate in a wonderful course with
Joseph Cornell, author of “Sharing
Nature With Children” and Ken
Brown’s Spring Birding Class at the
Snake Lake Nature Center, now
Tacoma Nature Center.
Field trips included an early morn-
ing trek in Klickitat County with the
Washington Wild Turkey Federation
to observe native turkeys in their
mating cycle. Leaders included
Commissioner Dennis Barci. All we
saw of the turkeys was some turkey
droppings. Paul Webster led the
Ago Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Census;
Roxy Giddings took us through
Spanaway Park. Chambers Creek Estuary
and the Tacoma Community College Campus
Nature Trail were Thelma Gilmur’s trips of the
month, and Doreen and Howard Johnson led
the Enumclaw Woodland Hike.
Tahoma Audubon’s president Bob Ramsey
noted the first sightings of Western Bluebirds on
February 17 near Yelm. He reported that when our
chapter began Operation Bluebird in the fall of
1982 we knew of a few nesting boxes on Fort
Lewis and we added 71 new boxes in what looked
like promising bluebird habitat. By the end
of the 1983 summer 22 boxes had been
used for 26 successful nest-
ings with a total of 87 fledg-
lings. Many interested parties
participated and special credit
goes to George Walter for
his dedicated monitoring of
that first season. Credit also Norm Dicks
went to Fort Lewis Fish & Wildlife
biologists, Jim Stephenson, Jonathan
Beall and David Clouse, and to super
bluebird-box-builder Walt Lachnit.
added for the 1984 nesting
season.
Thais Bock’s “Word on
Birds” page included the
following sightings in
February: 13 Trumpeter
Swans at Nisqually National
Helen Engle
Wildlife Refuge, Violet- from days of yore.
green swallows at American
Lake, 50 Long-billed Curlews at Tokeland. In
March there was a Snowy Owl on the Skagit flats,
a Say’s Phoebe in Seattle’s Discovery Park and the
state’s first Dickcissel at a feeder in Forks. Thais
also reported that a Bald Eagle picked up a house
cat on Shaw Island, but unceremoniously dropped
him. The cat was none the worse for losing one of
its nine lives.
Tahoma Audubon rejoiced over the
inclusion of the Clearwater area north of
Mount Rainier in the WA Wilderness Act
of 1984. Congressman Norm Dicks
wrote an article for the Towhee thanking
Audubon campaigners for the quality of
information provided to Members of
Congress during deliberations over
boundaries.
Feedback, comments and reminiscences
welcome, 253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.

the
quizzical 1.  The word “accipter” translates to _____________.

wl
2.  Name North America’s smallest goose.

3.  Of the three loon species wintering in Puget Sound which one is the smallest?

4.  What warbler is retricted to the Edwards Plateau in Texas?

5.  What North American owl occurs from northern treeline south to Patagonia?
By Thais Bock (Answers below cartoon.)
by Phil Buly
BIRDSONGS

Usually nor’easter storms are associated with blizzards, damaging winds,
and beach eroding waves and tides. But for the land based bird watcher
they provide a golden opportunity. Shearwaters, fulmars, storm-petrels, jae-
gers, and alcids are some of the pelagic birds which are often seen during
and shortly after these powerful storms when the onshore winds push them
close enough to land to view.
– From Nor’easters and Seabirds by Chris Gentes
Go to http://massbird.org/noho/ne.htm (the site on the web for Massachusetts
birding, sponsored by Bird Observer, the New England Birding Journal.

ANSWERS: 1. Short-winged Hawk 2. Ross’s Goose 3. Pacific Loon 4. Golden-cheeked Warbler 5. Great Horned Owl

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2009

 Birdathon field trips
Come join us for our largest member-driven fundraiser! You can come on any of these trips as a birder or just for fun,
we just ask that you make a donation. Call Tahoma Audubon (253)565-9278 to sign-up and we encourage carpooling!

Titlow Park
When: Tuesday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Leaders: Rosanne Becker and Joann Sims
Families welcome! Enjoy both water and songbirds at
this beautiful Tacoma Park. A variety of habitats
include salt water, pond, and forest. Meet at the lodge
at Titlow Park which is at the west end of 6th Avenue
in Tacoma.
Pierce County Big Day
Purdy to Paradise,
on International Migratory Bird Day
When: Saturday, May 9, 5:15 a.m. till dusk.
Leaders: Bruce LaBar and Charlie Wright
Starting at Purdy Spit, this trip visits Point Defiance,
McChord, and other points of interest on the way to the
Mountain. We aim each year to show that you can find
100 species by birding just in Pierce County. One year
we identified 124. Meet at the far end of Purdy Spit at
5:15 a.m.
Green River Watershed
on International Migratory Bird Day
When: Saturday, May 9, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Leaders: Greg Volkhardt and Rolan Nelson
Join us for a day of birding in the Green River
Watershed and possibly Nolte State Park and Auburn
Narrows Wetlands. This is a rare opportunity to see the
protected watershed managed by Tacoma Water. We’ll
leave the Tacoma Public Utilities Administration
Building at 8:00 a.m. in one or two vans, and arrive at
the watershed gate at about 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. We’ll
bird the forests and fields around Howard Hanson
Reservoir (elevation 1200 feet), then visit Eagle Lake
(elevation 2200 feet) before possibly heading to
Auburn Narrows. We’ll plan on returning to Tacoma
by 4:30 p.m. Space is limited; this trip is open to the
first 12 people to sign up. Meet at the Tacoma Public
Utilities lot A1 on the west end of the administration
building. The building is located at 3628 South 35th
Street. Limit 12 participants.
Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Audubon Center
When: Monday, May 11, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Leader: Ruth Sullivan
Ruth Sullivan will lead this regular bird identification
visit at this small, unique park at 2917 Morrison Rd W.
in University Place. Come if you are counting for
Birdathon or just to enjoy the day’s count. Year before
last we identified 40 birds on this count. Since this is
being used as a Birdathon trip, we hope all participants
are willing to give a Birdathon donation, but we are not
requiring one.
Fort Lewis
When: Wednesday, May 13, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Leader: Fort Lewis’s Jim Lynch
Jim Lynch from the Fort’s Wildlife Department will
meet the group at the Roy Y Park & Ride at 8:00 a.m.
We will carpool to visit the open oak woodlands and
riparian habitats found among the prairies of the Fort
Lewis Training Grounds. Expect to identify 55-60
species.
Morse Wildlife Preserve
When: Friday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Leader: Betty Jones
Walk the trails and check out the marsh, dry Douglas-
fir forest, moist lowland forest, prairie and meadow.
Take a look at the pond in the marsh and the forested
wetland from the bird tower. Be sure to ask for
directions when you sign up.
Tacoma to Potholes
(Overnight in Moses Lake)
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, 5:30
a.m. Saturday to Sunday afternoon.
Leaders: Marcus Roening and Heather Ballash
Marcus and Heather lead an exciting, full-day trip from
Tacoma to the Potholes in Moses Lake. The trip will
cover 15 habitat zones, with special emphasis on
migratory birds in the Columbia Basin sage, pinelands,
and wetlands. Expect to see at least 120 species in one
fast-paced day. Meet at 5:30 a.m. and arrive in Moses
Lake at 8:30 p.m., where we will stay overnight. Enjoy
a leisurely return through favorite bird areas on Sunday.
Please provide e-mail address when you sign up in
order to coordinate lodging details and meeting place.
E-mail marcus.d.roening@gsk.com for further details.
Point Defiance Park
When: Sunday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Leaders: Rob and Natalie McNair-Huff
Join Rob and Natalie for the Birdathon version of their
monthly nature walk at Point Defiance Park on May
17. They will set out at 8:00 a.m. in the zoo parking lot
and walk through the forest trails along Five Mile
Drive, walking a little more than four miles. This
Birdathon trip will end with birding along the ponds
near the park entrance and with a drive down to Owen
Beach. The trip should wrap up around noon.
Lakebay Area
Near Town of Home
When: Friday, May 22, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Leader: Home-owners Dee and Wayne Knight and
Melissa Sherwood
Visit acres of woods with songbirds, fields with ravens,
and shores with eagles, osprey, sandpipers and herons,
plus two eagle nests, too. Bring your own lunch.
Coffee and desert will be served by the fireplace.
Address is: 3715 165th KPN. Go across the Narrows,
take Purdy exit, through the Purdy stop light, go
through the Key Center blinking red light and 3.8 miles
past. You’ll see a huge billboard on the right saying
Dudley Top Apples, pass the small green 38th St sign
on the right and across from this there will be signs and
balloons on left at a tiny road. Go right past the Knight
signs and balloons to right and wind down a long
wooded road with a steep hill. You’ll see an old barn
and turn to the left to their house. There is a very low
tide near noon. Bring beach shoes; we can walk quite
a distance.
Waughop Lake and
Fort Steilacoom Park
When: Saturday, May 23, 8:30 a.m.to 11:00 a.m.
Leader: Betty Jones
Meeting spot is the parking lot by the barns at Fort
Steilacoom Park. We’ll identify birds in the oak
woodlands, grasslands, and Waughop Lake, and some
evergreen areas. We hope to see 50 species.
Foulweather Bluff
When: Saturday, May 30, 7:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon.
Leader: Rolan Nelson
We’ll visit Foulweather Bluff, Point-No-Point, and the
Hansville Greenway. Join us for this Birdathon event
to check out the west sound migrants that should be
passing through. We’ll see wetlands, saltwater, forest
glades, and meadows. We hope to identify over 65
species. Bring rain gear and layered clothes and a
scope if you have one. Pack a lunch or you can buy
supplies at the Hansville Store. Meet at Purdy Park &
Ride off Highway 16. Take Highway 16 across the
Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. Exit at the SR302/
Purdy off-ramp and drive straight through Purdy (three
stoplights) to 144th. The Park & Ride is just beyond
the Chevron Station.

announcements
Trogon Tours
Ecuador: Andes to Amazon
August 1-12, 2009
Tahoma Audubon Member Nate Chappell and
Ecuadorian birding guide William Perez will lead
this exciting birdwatching and nature photography
tour. We will start in Quito, drive up over Papallacta

Prairie Appreciation Event

Naches Trail Preserve May 9th, 2009 from 9 a.m. - Noon
Pass and stay at three lodges on the eastern slope
of the Andes Mountains, Guango Lodge, San
Isidro and Wild Sumaco Lodge.  After that we
will board a motorized canoe in Coca for the four
hour trip down the Napo River to the superb Sani
Lodge, which is located on an oxbow lake in the
Join us at the Naches Trail Preserve while the prairie plants are in bloom
heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.  After spending
and the birds are singing to celebrate Washington’s Native Plant Appreciation Week. four nights there we will return by plane to Quito. 
The Naches Trail Preserve is located in Frederickson, WA at 38th Ave E and Military Rd E. Cost of the trip is $3,100, $400 single supplement. 
For more information and the complete itinerary
Contact David Renstrom at drenst@co.pierce.wa.gov or 253-798-4680 please see our website, www.trogontours.net or
or the Cascade Land Conservancy at volunteer@cascadeland.org call Nate Chappell at 253-512-1060.
May 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9
 volunteer Recognition
Volunteers team up to clean up
By Beth Graves
What better way to wel-
come the beginning of spring
than with a little spring clean-
ing? That’s exactly what the
First Creek Neighbors and a
team of volunteers did at the
First Creek Clean-Up on April
4. Beginning bright and early,
the group worked to restore
the neglected green belt by
picking up litter, removing
invasive species, and clearing
overgrown vegetation from
sidewalks and fence posts.
The First Creek watershed is located in the Eastside
neighborhood of Tacoma. It extends from Portland
Avenue to Roosevelt Heights and passes through the
Salishan neighborhood. Years of neglect and misuse
have turned the creek and its shaded banks into a
dumping ground. When volunteers arrived on the
scene, they were met with garbage heaps which includ-
ed shopping carts, televisions, and couches.
Volunteers worked in three locations along the water-
shed. One group focused on the area around East 29th
street near the Emerald Queen Casino. They tackled an
infestation of English Ivy, shearing through vines that
had grown as thick as tree branches. By the end of the
day, dozens of trees had been saved from these creep-
ing foes.
Around the Fairbanks area, volunteers removed
invasive species and picked up litter as well. In addi-
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park presents: NatureMapping: Data Collection and Monitoring
NatureMapping provides an opportunity for every-
one to observe, monitor, and inventory their local
habitats and use the information gathered to affect
real change. Data collected can be used by scientists
on state and local levels to help make decisions that
determine a healthy future for fish and wildlife.
This workshop will involve both classroom
and field work and will include the use of
maps, wildlife identification tips, habitat
coding, building a search image, and data
collection procedures.
Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2009
tion, the team uncov-
ered a mostly forgot-
ten sidewalk running
between the creek
and the street. The
restoration of the
sidewalk provided
an instant facelift to
the area and a visible
measure of the hard
work and determina-
tion of the volun-
teers.
First Creek Neigh-
Photos/Julie Kerrigan bors intends to con-
tinue restoration ef-
forts in the First Creek area. They hope to preserve the
green belt so that it remains a community asset for cur-
rent and future generations. They envision a healthy
natural space with recreational trails that are accessible
and safe for communal use. The First Creek Neighbors
see the creek as a valuable asset which could add value
to lives of residents as well as the surrounding ecosystem. Top left: Mother Daughter team removing English Ivy off
The event was held in association with the Green of trees, plants and the ground.
Tacoma Partnership, City of Tacoma, and the Puyallup
tribe. For information on more restoration projects and Above: Volunteers clearing the sidewalk of weeds, moss,
volunteer opportunities contact Green Tacoma’s garbage and dirt. The sidewalk is now visible and usable.
Volunteer Coordinator Julie Kerrigan JKerrigan@ Below: First Creek Steward Dan Fear is conducting volun-
TahomaAudubon.org, (253) 565-1884.
teer orientation and explaining invasive species removal.
Beth Graves is a student at the University of Puget Lower left: Volunteers at First Creek getting ready to go
Sound and a Green Tacoma Partnership intern this out and remove invasive species.
semester.
Data Collection & Monitoring Workshop
May 30 & 31, 2009
$40 per participant (discounted - regularly $70)
Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9 am -5 pm
This workshop is for citizens interested in using the Na-
tureMapping process to keep track of wildlife in their back-
yard, local parks and forests, or any other natural area.
This hands-on environmental learning workshop
helps people take the next step after learning
to enjoy wildlife.
To Register, contact reservations at 360-832-7166
or reserve@nwtrek.org
*Registration closes April 22nd, 2009
For more information contact Jessica Moore at 360-832-7160
 Original Audubon
Print for Sale
An original John James
Audubon print is being offered
for sale by John Barbieri, and
a percentage of the sale will be
donated to Tahoma Audubon. 
The “Scaup Duck” is an original
hand colored lithograph from
the royal octavo edition, done
by the Philadelphia firm of J.T.
Bowen in 1840-1844.  The
outlines where hand printed from
a lithographic stone and each
print was hand colored under the
direct supervision of John James
Audubon.  The print is on display
at the Audubon office at 2917
Morrison Rd. West, University
Place.  Please call the office at
(253) 565-9278.

April Program Wrap-up

Celebrating and advocating for the Albatrosses of Midway Atoll
The April pro-
gram, “Gone to the
Goonies: Midway
Atoll” by Valerie
Elliot, made the
best birding day in
Washington look
like birding desert,
but also showed the
jillEIKENHORST incredible pressures
humans put on
Intern Editor
ecosystems of even
an isolated island.
The Midway Atoll lies at the end of the Hawaiian
chain of islands, 1250 miles NNW of Hawaii. The
group of islands hosts the world’s largest population
of Laysan Albatross, or “gooney birds” and a large
population of Black-Footed Albatross, as well as
several other bird, wildlife, and plant species. Midway
is also known for it’s role in WWII and later wars.
“I’m going to start my music up again” Valerie said
at the beginning of her presentation, putting on a CD
of “The Midway Symphony Chorus” directed by “Al
B. Tross,” available on the Friends of Midway Atoll
website. The chorus of bird calls issuing from the
stereo was the nightly music Valerie heard when she
volunteered with the Fish and Wildlife Service on the
islands as a nest surveyor in 2006.
Valerie moved on to wow the audience with the first
few pictures: albatrosses absolutely covered the ground,
whether on the wilder Easter Island or surrounding the
dilapidated military buildings on Sand Island. “I’ve
never seen birds everywhere like that,” she said, and it
was hard not to believe her.
As a nest counter, Valerie spent the days biking and
walking on one of the two islands with a team of other
volunteer counters, looking for active nests. At night,
she stayed in the old barracks, ate meals prepared by
an on-site support staff, and enjoyed “touring around”
on the bike she was issued. Sound like the kind of
volunteering you’d enjoy? The Fish and Wildlife Service
asks for a 12-week commitment from volunteers, more
information is available on their website.
Valerie showed the audience the many other species
of birds she saw, including White Tern, Brown Noddy,
Black Noddy, Red-Tailed Tropicbird, Laysan Duck,
Common Canary, Common Myna, Pacific
Golden Plover, and the Bristle-Thighed
Curlew, which she said were “lousy over
here,” unlike during her travels in Alaska.
She also showed green sea turtles, Monk
Seals, and Spinner Dolphins.
At what she called “the heart of my
talk—the peril part,” Valerie talked about
the dangers facing albatross and other bird
species. The effects of longline fishing,
a threat to many birds, can be mitigated
by several measures, but while these
measures are implemented by the
US, other countries don’t require
them. Lead poisoning from the
old buildings on site threatens
juveniles, but FWS has been periodically working on
the buildings.
Plastic, in the form of milk cartons, tubs, flip-flops,
and Bic lighters, washes ashore and threatens the birds.
All chicks have plastic in their stomachs, in some cases
16 ounces or more. Friends of Midway Atoll was
recently awarded a $200,000 grant to study marine
debris and develop educational programs.
Invasive species form another major threat—260 of
280 species on the island are non-native. The biggest
threats to birds include Verbesina and Ironwood
(Casurina equesetifolia from Australia).
Perhaps the biggest long-term threat to all the species
on the island is climate change, especially rising sea
levels, as most of Midway is just 1 foot above sea level.
Coral bleaching also occurs on the island.
Valerie ended “the peril part” of the
talk with a picture of an albatross asking
“Please help us.” She listed several ways
to help, including donating to Friends of
Midway Atoll, eating sustainable seafood,
reducing plastic use (especially those
pesky Bic lighters), and doing something to
reduce climate change.
For more information, visit FWS
at http://www.fws.gov/midway and
Friends of Midway Atoll at http://www.
friendsofmidway.org. Valerie also
recommends the book Eye of the
Albatross: Visions of Hope and
Survival by Carl Safina.
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
C9ZY020Z

membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of

Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas.

May 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


May 2009
May 1, Fri, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF Breakfast
& Work Party. F
May 2, Sat, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Native Plant Sale
at TNC
May 5, Tue, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding. F
May 6, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
May 8, Fri, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. F
May 8, Fri, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Membership
Meeting. Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919
S. Tylor Street. Monthly membership meeting of
Tahoma Audubon. See box on right for details.
May 9, Sat. International Migratory Bird Day -
count
May 10, Sun, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Morse
Preserve Open Trails. F
May 11, Mon, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Bird Walk at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Enjoy a guided bird
walk through the park! F
May 12, Tue, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Nature
alphabet: I is for Inch by Inch.
May 12, Tue, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Conservation
Committee. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park
May 12, Tue, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Nature
Snapshots: Tidepools. Location: Tacoma Nature
Center. Ages 12 and up, $15 per person or $30 per
family (4 people max). Join us for a “snapshot” of
nature as we explore the basics of identification and
help families learn a few of the local native wildlife.
Call 591-6439 to register.
May 12, Tue, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding Class continuation. F
May 13, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
May 13, Wed, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Budding
Scientists “The Living Web.”
May 13, Wed, 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Budding
Scientists “The Living Web.”
May 14, Thu, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Beginning
Homeschool Science: The Web of Life.
May 14, Thu, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Beginning
Homeschool Science: The Web of Life.
May 14, Thu, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Tahoma
Audubon Board Meeting. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon
Board. Guests Welcome, please call ahead at (253)
565-9278.
May 15 to May 16, 2009. Nisqually BioBlitz.
Location: Roy/McKenna area. Attention Nature
Mappers, animal and plant lovers! Learn to be a
citizen scientists by being part of a team of citizens
and experts and help identify the flora and fauna of
a biologically diverse area. Camp overnight and
look for nocturnal animals! Find bugs, amphibians,
butterfies, birds, and mammals! Contact Krystal
for details and upcoming training opportunities at
253-232-9978 or visit: http://depts.washington.edu/
natmap/about/howto.html. M
May 15, Fri, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. F
May 18, Mon, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Plant Walk
at Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Location: Adriana
For additional information:Tahoma Audubon - 253-565-9278; or www.tahomaaudubon.org Or The Tacoma Nature Center:253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org
Calendar
May program
Tahoma Audubon Programs –
FREE to members and non-members!
When: Friday, May 8, 2009
Where: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 South Tyler.
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 pm.
Who: Miriam Easley, Sustainability Outreach Co-
ordinator, Versar, Inc. Fort Lewis, Public Works-ED
Fort Lewis is committed to the support of a strong
national defense, securing the integrity of our natu-
ral and cultural heritage, and conserving our natural
resources for tomorrow’s generations. In 2002 Fort
Lewis emerged as a leading force for sustainability.
Fort Lewis’ Installation Sustainability Program (ISP)
is guided by eight long-term goals that are divided
Hess Wetland Park. Enjoy a guided plant walk
through the park! F
May 19, Tue, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Continuation. F
May 20, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
May 21, Thu, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Intermediate
Science: It’s all Connected.
May 21, Thu, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Education
Committee Meeting. Adriana Hess Conference
Room.
May 22, Fri, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. F
May 26, Tue, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Nature
Storytime: J is for Jellyfish. Tacoma nature Center.
Preschoolers explore different nature topics through
stories, hands-on activities, nature walks, and crafts
at the Tacoma Nature Center. Adult participation
is recommended, children under four require and
adult present. Please note alternating times. Register
by the Saturday before the program by calling 591-
6439.
May 26, Tue, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Continuation. F
May 27, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
May 27, Wed, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Budding
Scientists “Eat, or Be Eaten.”
May 27, Wed, 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Budding
Scientists “Eat, or Be Eaten.”
May 28, Thu, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Advanced
Science: Bio-Science: Ecology.
May 29, Fri, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. F
May 29, Fri, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Advanced
Science Lab: Ecology.
May 30, Sat, Nature Mapping training at NW
Trek. Location: NW Trek. Contact Jessica Moore
at 360-832-7160. V
May 31, Sun, Nature Mapping training at NW
Trek. Location: NW Trek. Contact Jessica Moore
at 360-832-7160. V
june 2009
June 2, Tue, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding Class Continuation. F
Loren Webster - Calendar Editor loren@lorenwebster.net
into six subject areas: Air Quality, Products & Ma-
terials Management, Water Resources, Sustainable
Training Lands, Energy and Sustainable Communi-
ties. A multidisciplinary team oversees implemen-
tation of the ISP within each subject area. Sustain-
ability has applications to every organization and
Fort Lewis sends this message through its outreach
programs, participation in technical conferences,
willingness to serve as an R&D demonstration site
for technology innovations, and leadership as an
early adopter of sustainable practices. Ms. Easley
is a civilian contractor for the Public Works depart-
ment at Ft Lewis. She has extensive knowledge
about the sustainability efforts within the Army and
on military bases nationwide.
June 3, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
June 6, Sat, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Board & Staff
Retreat at Pack Forest
June 8, Mon, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Bird Walk at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Enjoy a guided bird
walk through the park! F
June 9, Tue, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Conservation
Committee. Adriana Hess Wetland Park
June 9, Tue, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Continuation. F
June 10, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
June 11, Thu, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Tahoma
Audubon Board Meeting. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon
Board. Guests Welcome, please call ahead at (253)
565-9278.
June 12, Fri, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Membership
Meeting at Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor
Street
Monthly membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon.
All welcome. Check web site for program - www.
TahomaAudubon.org. Call (253) 565-9278
June 13, Sat. Ohop Widlife Survey & field trip.
Location: Ohop Valley, near Eatonville. Call
565-9278 to register and for directions. Help
scientists collect data on birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, and insects! No experience necessary,
only willingness to explore. Wear sturdy shoes.
Directions and information are also available on our
website at: www.tahomaaudubon.org/cs under the
‘ohop wildlife monitoring’ tab.
June 15, Mon, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Plant Walk
at Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Enjoy a guided
plant walk through the park! F
June 17, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
June 24, Wed, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Bird
Walks at Nisqually F
F Field Trip Page
V Volunteer page
M Environment Matters Page
A Related article in Towhee
E Education Page