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

Vol. 40 No. 8 October 2009

S easide
ummer
at the
Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Below left: Leader Ruth Sullivan points the way. Above left: Birding at Bottle Beach. Ruth is in front
of the small group on the right. Above: The 6 Tokeland Willets with 2 Marbled Murrelets. Below:
Pectoral Sandpiper at Hoquiam Sewage Lagoon.

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn tion during the spotty early fall shorebird one of the best birds of the day – at least five
migration! The very first stop was a triumph, Pectoral Sandpipers, showing themselves

I
f there’s one person at Tahoma
Audubon who knows the coast, it’s
Ruth Sullivan! She led a field trip on
August 22nd with an intimate knowl-
edge of where to go to see the current birds
based on having been out there almost every
day in the previous week, important informa-
as we visited the Grays Harbor National
Wildlife Refuge including the very important
Hoquiam Sewer Ponds. Over the years, Ruth
has made friends with the people who run
the sewage treatment plant; thus, she was
able to get us into the inner
sanctum. Here we discovered
only to those on the inside. Two were work-
ing the mud just a few feet in front of us
along with a Killdeer. The much larger male
and the daintier female instructed us on this
most sexually dimorphic shorebird regu-
See "Summer at the Seaside” on page 6

Driving on fumes: Cross-Base Highway rises from the dead

By Krystal Kyer
Driving to Mt. Rainier in August, I took Pacific-
SR/7 south from Tacoma. It would have been
impossible to miss an unpleasant surprise just north
of the Roy “Y”. A new green highway sign looms
overhead of the monstrous intersection at 176th St.
It reads “Cross-Base Hwy,” and the only thing green
about it is the color of the sign itself. The road, on
the other hand, is five lanes wide, plus shoulders,
retention ponds, cyclone fencing, and concrete noise
barriers. And if you stare down the road, it looks
like it just dead ends at another massive intersection
I found myself a week later at the ribbon cutting
ceremony celebrating the completion of Phase I of
the so called “cross-base highway”, this ¾ mile no
man’s land. White folding chairs, banners, and
politicians galore come together to applaud them-
selves for a project “completed”. Representative
with a permanent traffic light. For there, where
Tom Campbell even boasts that the road through
176th (renamed the “cross-base highway”) meets
the trees will be built in his lifetime. Ironically, the
Spanaway Loop Road, you see a ghost intersection.
oaks, with swallows flying above, make a beautiful
This ¾ mile stretch of new road is a dead end. And
backdrop for the celebration of a road that will only
where it dead ends is what matters. Looking west,
bring their future demise.
one sees an expansive Oak woodland prairie sur-
rounded by wetlands and forests. See "Cross-Base” on page 6

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Common birds at risk, sharp decline of sea
birds in Puget Sound, Global warming ef-
fects on habitat, and near extinction for the
Spotted Owl. These are some of the recent
headlines that add urgency to our work to
preserve habitat for wildlife and humans.
Your donation is critical to the success of
our important work. Donate today!
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In this issue:
25 years ago page 8
Announcements page 11
BirdSongs page 8
Calendar page 12
Education page 4
Executive Director’s column page 2
Field trips page 5
New members page 2
Quizical Owl page 8
Volunteer recognition page 10
Photo/Robert Kelton
 executive director’s Corner
Regional perspective; with eggs
A friend and I
waited at the Link
Light Rail stop.
Skip was a little
late due to traffic,
as he was coming
Crosscut, a Northwest news and analysis website.
He also writes the monthly Gray Matters column
for Seattle magazine and is a weekly Friday guest
on Weekday on KUOW-FM (94.9). His new
book, Pugetopolis: A Mossback Take On Growth
Addicts, Weather Wimps, and the Myth of Seattle
‘‘ Big picture-out of
the box thinking
is what separates
Skip from your ‘‘
down form Seattle Nice, has just been published by Sasquatch
on I-5. We imme- Books.
plain paper bag
diately talked
about regional
The friend I mentioned is a historic preservation
expert familiar with Tacoma’s landmarks. We
journalist.
transit. I men- were giving Skip, as we call him, an environmen-
tioned how much better Sound Transit was than tal-historical tour of Downtown Tacoma. His that he can point out the obvious, when most oth-
the Washington State Ferry System. Offhandedly, memories were of the blighted downtown when ers would stick to the Puget Sound nice script.
Skip mentioned how important a dysfunctional he would transfer busses between Evergreen and With not a mean bone in his body, he is not out for
ferry system was to keeping the West side of Puget Seattle. gotcha journalism, but rather has a keen interest in
Sound from being over developed. The less than Big picture-out of the box thinking is what sepa- truth and a true love for irony.
ideal commute makes it a disadvantage to move rates Skip from your plain paper bag journalist. In a world where everyone seems to have taken
across the pond, therefore keeping the population Sure, being a 4th generation Seattleite means he ideological sides of one form or another, Skip is
explosion in check. knows where all the skeletons are buried, but very much his own man. Where others seek to
This is just the kind of thing that Knute “Skip” Knute does not get stuck in the weeds of who did break down complex problems into simple us
Berger says makes you stop and look at the world what to whom and why that effects how they against them, he revels in holding ambiguity in
around you with a different perspective. A long voted on such and such. suspended animation.
time Puget Sound resident and journalist, Knute Taking a regional view the size of the cascadia Skip will be bringing his big picture-out of the
Berger always brings a fresh perspective to his bioregion, Skip has a knack for discerning vapor- box thinking to our Early bird Gets the Worm
subjects. ous trends that moves our local culture in mysteri- Breakfast on Thursday October 22nd at the Hotel
Knute Berger writes the “Mossback” column for ous ways. His no-sacred-cows approach means Murano.

welcome
to New and Returning Members
Aug. 16, 2009 to Sept. 15, 2009 The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Chapter New and Renewing: Peter & Ann Darling, George H 2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
Warren & Dorothy Finch, Lynda Hess, Susan Huck, Carol M Smith, Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
Flanagan, Luanne Green, Sue Annette Wanwig, Nancy Yourng.
Habeck, Ronald Hale, Dr. Lovez- Tahoma Audubon Staff
 
zola, Greg & Nancy Magee, Steve Introductory, Recruited
Flint, Bryan Executive Director                        
& Patti Marek, Shane McWil- through Tahoma Audubon
bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
liams, Ruth Ann Mikels, Wiilliam Society:
M Muse, Paula Rossel, Audrey Elly McEachern, Wesley Pollock, Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
G Stacy, Denise Tempest, Diane Lynette Shimming, Sue Taylor, kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978                    
Yorgason-Quinn, Rob York. Alan & Nancy Weaver
Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
Chapter Joint with StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-327-9480
National, Recruited
through Tahoma Kesinger, Cami Development Coordinator
Audubon Society: ckesinger@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129                      
David Carino &
Gail Fitz Carino, Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884
Kerrigan, Julie Coordinators 253-223-0039
gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org
Benton, Ken Education Intern
kbenton@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-1884
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society. Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protec- John Garner President
tion of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its
member’s experiences in and with the natural world. Marjorie Shea Vice President
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/ Jane Brosius Secretary
Jan issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
conservation, 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 Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2009
typed. Thelma Gilmur Ione Clagett
Editor: David Cohn: editor@tahomaaudubon.org Dick Carkner
Melissa Paulson
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings Marcus Roening
Bill Smith
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com
Peggy L. Kopf Tanja Scott
Printing: Consolidated Press
Printed on recycled newsprint Darby Veeck Charles Griffin

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org October 2009

 ENVIRONMENT Matters

Reasons for planting native plants Quick facts:

By Nel Batker
Native plants belong here. They evolved with
soils, climate, wildlife and beneficial insects.
The climate and soils support the plants and
the plants support the wildlife and insects.
Together they create natural systems that pro-
vide necessary services such as water and air
purification, pollination, and prevention of
floods and erosion. Native plants reduce water
usage and thrive without use of polluting
chemicals.
Reasons for not planting mostly non-natives
Many non-native plants are not suited to the
northwest climate because they come from dif-
ferent climates and soils in other regions of the
world. To keep them alive and happy requires a
life support system which entails the application
of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and much
water in the summer. The chemical runoff from
this life support system harms streams, rivers,
lakes, watersheds, aquifers, and Puget Sound
itself.
Through urbanization and landscaping styles
most native plants and wildlife have been
Every yard and public place should be land-
scaped with a majority of native plants to
insure plant and wildlife diversity. The native
fauna and flora give the northwest its identity,
beauty, and create a healthy environment.
Native plants thrive in organic soils as seen in
natural northwest forest lands, where leaves,
needles, and branches fall to renew the soil,
and the rain supplies the needed moisture.
Urban soils can be improved for native plants
by adding wood chips, leaves, and sawdust.
removed, disrupting natural systems and their
services in urban and suburban areas.
Landscaping styles should be sensitive to the
negative impacts they can have on the natural
environment.
Some non-native plants become alien invad-
ers, escaping gardens, covering landscapes, and
crowding out native plants and wildlife. Some of
the worst culprits are English Ivy, Japanese
Knotweed, Scotch Broom, Himalayan Blackberry,
Reed Canary Grass, Butterfly Bush, and Herb
Robert.
• Exotic landscapes can cost 200
times as much as native
landscapes
• 60% of urban water is used for
lawns in western U.S.A.
• There are 50 million acres of
lawn, which makes turf grass the
largest irrigated crop in the
U.S.A.
• Lawns use 10 times as many
chemicals per acre as do industrial
farmlands in the U.S.A.
• 800,000,000 gallons of gasoline
are used annually by lawnmowers
in the U.S.A.
To see native plants in a garden set-
ting, visit Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
2917 Morrison Road West
University Place, WA
Phone: 253-565-9278
To obtain native plants for your
garden, visit Tacoma Nature Center’s
plant sales in the Spring and Fall at:
1919 South Tyler
Tacoma, WA
Phone: 253-591-6439

This fall, yet another Tim Eyman supported Initiative 1033 will appear on invest in education, health care, or environmental protections. Instead, the
Washington’s November ballot. If passed, it will have major negative effects worst of times would become the best that we can hope for. Puget Sound
on Washington’s environmental protections at the state, county, and local restoration, conservation programs, and natural resource agencies will all be
levels. in jeopardy if this misleading initiative
I-1033  is a serious threat to our passes.
state’s land, air, and water. For these A similar initiative passed in Colorado
reasons, in September Tahoma in 1992 and the effects have been dev-
Audubon’s Conservation Committee astating. A coalition of civic groups,
and Board voted to join the business leaders, and Republican
Environmental Priorities Coalition in Governor Bill Owens joined together in
opposing this initiative. 2005 to help pass a referendum to sus-
This year Washington faced a dev- pend it for five years. Over 30 other
astating budget deficit that forced state states have rejected similar proposals. 
legislators to make very tough cuts to We don’t need this kind of mess here
basic services, as well as to essential environmental protection programs. in Washington. Please vote “NO” on Initiative 1033 this November. 
I-1033 would lock in this year’s budget as our baseline. You can learn more about the No on I-1033 campaign on the web by visit-
Under I-1033, as the economy recovers, the state would not be allowed to ing: http://no1033.com/

Conservation Committee
Tues Oct 13 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Adriana Hess
Wetland Park
Ohop Widlife Survey & field trip
Sun Oct 18, 2009. 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.
Green Tacoma Partnership
Quarterly Meeting and Training
When: Wednesday October 28th from 6:00pm-
8:00pm
Where: University of Puget Sound Howarth 201,
signs will be posted
Details: Come join us for a pot luck and Urban
Policy Discussion. We will also be providing a
training on interpersonal communications. For
more information contact Julie Kerrigan (253)
223-0039 or jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org
Conservation Committee
Tuesday Nov 10, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Pacific
Lutheran University, Reike 112, Parkland WA.
Free Habitat Steward training
Have you ever walked by or driven past an area
that is overgrown with weeds and looks unkempt?
By becoming a Habitat Steward you can do some-
thing to help take care of these kinds of places in
your neighborhood. At this FREE one day train-
ing you will learn how to get started, how to orga-
nize volunteer events and ways to track how well
the clean-up process is going. After the training
you will be able to borrow tools, receive publicity
for events and get help with volunteer recruitment
provided by Green Tacoma Partnership.
When: Saturday October 10th, 2009 or Saturday
February 6th, 2010. Time and location to be
announced at later date.
Contact: To register, Julie Kerrigan; jkerrigan@
tahomaaudubon.org or (253) 223-0039
Jovita Creek planting event
Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tools and snacks will be provided for our wonder-
ful and much appreciated volunteers.
Plants were purchansed with a grant form the
Puyallup River Watershed Foundation.
This event is sponsored by the Edgewood Friends
of the Parks.
For safety’s sake, there will be NO parking on
Jovita. Shuttle service will be available from 9
a.m. until 1 p.m. from Hedden Elementary’s park-
ing lot at 114th Ave. E. and 8th St. E.
For more information, call 863-3724.

October 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3


Ringing in a new school year
I would like to
welcome back all of
our home school
families to our
science pro-
gramming this year.
We began the 2009-
2010 Budding
Scientist curriculum
stephanieSWAIM for 5-7 year olds on
September 9th at
Education Coordinator
Adriana Hess
Call Steph @ 253-327-9480. Or Wetland Park.
StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org Homeschool stu-
dents may continue
with their science studies at the Tacoma Nature
Center as well! There are classes for ages 5 through
17!  This fall we are exploring scientific concept of
macroecology.  Find out whats in your local, regional,
and global ecosystems! Call the Nature Center to sign
up.  253-591-6439.
COMING IN 2010:
Educational Workshops for Emerging Naturalists!
Have you ever wondered about the natural world?
New AmeriCorps intern joins the team!
This year a new AmeriCorps environmental educator has
joined the team here at Adriana Hess. His name is Ken
Benton and he will work primarily with the Osprey Club.
Ken comes to us all the way from rural Bethel, Ohio,
where he grew up hunting, fishing, and roaming the woods.
Growing up on a farm and surrounded by the natural world
has taught him the importance of nature in all stages of a
child’s development. After graduating from Miami University
of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, Ken
plunged head first into the world of environmental education
schedule of classes
To register for all education classes call The Nature Center
to register 591-6439
Beginning Homeschool Science “Backyard Habitats”
Thu Oct 8 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Tacoma Nature Center. Homeschool students explore science
through hands-on experiments and activities. Register
Early - these classes fill quickly! Note - topics are repeated
during the month, so select class appropriate for your child’s
knowledge and abilities. Contact Margie with questions or for
more information at 591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.
com. Beginning science students should be able to add and
subtract numbers.
Nature Alphabet “M is for Maple Tree”
Fri Oct 9 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 3-6, $6 per child. 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 an adult present.
Please note alternating times. Register by the Tuesday before
the program. Call 591-6439 to register.
Snake Lake Science Club
Tues Oct 13 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 10-14, no charge for club meetings, $10 per student
per school year to join the club. Snake Lake Science Club for
homeschool and other students age 10-14 years old who want
to learn more about science and the natural world. Students
pay a once per school year fee of $10 to join the club and are
then free to participate in any program offerings, including
the 2010 Snake Lake Science Fair. The following programs
are designed to help students learn more about science and
the scientific process through hands-on discovery. Pre-
registration for each program is required as space is limited.
Call The Nature Center to register 591-6439.
Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org October 2009
Education Matters
Did you grow up playing outdoors? Do you wish
there was an opportunity to learn about the fascinating
ecology of the Pacific Northwest?
  Here it is: Tahoma Audubon Society will be
offering a series of workshops on the ecology and
natural history of our region. Designed to give you the
background you need to feel confident about leading
others for a walk in the woods, the workshops will fit
your busy, or not-so-busy, schedule. And each
workshop will be on a unique topic so that you may
pick and choose which ones tickle your fancy. 
Tahoma Audubon and Tacoma Nature naturalists will
be leading the workshops, but experts will be teaching
on specidfic topics. This is a wonderful opportunity to
boost your knowledge of local ecology and enhance
your birding, hiking, and nature exploration
experiences.
This workshop series came about because of our
need for confident and knowledgeable education
volunteers, also known as “docents.” If you have
been a docent at other organizations you know how
integral you are to the efforts of the education
department.  Zoos and Aquariums across the country
hold 40+ hour training program for their docents in
and conservation through a Student Conservation Association
internship in western Massachusetts. There he gained
meaningful experience in all aspects of trail construction and
taught a place based curriculum in local schools, grades K-8,
covering a wide range of environmental issues. He also ran
a family oriented outreach program, centered on the art of
tracking, for the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Ken is now looking forward to applying his experience and
learning more through working here in Washington with the
Tahoma Audubon Society.
Intermediate Birder’s Class
Tuesdays, Oct 6 to Nov 24th -- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
th
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. There
are also four field trips that are fast paced and include travel
and overnight stay (additional to class fees). Two-day trip
to the coast on Oct. 10-11; one day trips to Port Orchard
area on Nov. 14 and to Skagit on Dec. 5; and a three-day
trip to eastern Washington on Jan. 16-18, 2010.
Adults 18+. $55 for Audubon Members, $75 for
nonmembers. Class meets at the Tacoma Nature
Center. This is a change from previous classes. Call
253-591-6439 to register.
Budding Scientists “Birds in our Backyard”
Weds Oct 14 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per student. Young homeschoolers
and other children begin science and nature exploration
through games, walks, and crafts. Register at least two days
prior to the session by calling 253-591-6439.
Budding Scientists “Birds in our Backyard”
Weds Oct 14 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per student. Young homeschoolers
and other children begin science and nature exploration
through games, walks, and crafts. Register at least two days
prior to the session by calling 253-591-6439
Intermediate Homeschool Science
“What’s in your Ecosystem?”
Thu Oct 15 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Homeschool students explore science through hands-on
which they learn everything they need to know about
every exhibit in their facility!
If you have been to the zoo lately, you know how
excellent their volunteers are and how knowledgeable
they must be. Imagine being that helpful guest
speaker teaching about Owls. Or perhaps you would
enjoy leading a group of kids on a tour of Snake Lake
during a field trip? Kids are fascinated by the natural
world, and we need more volunteers that are able to
help guide them.  This workshop series will give you
the tools and knowledge to help us lead people in
nature discovery, and help build a community that
respects and enjoys the outdoors.
  Everyone is welcome to join these workshops,
regardless of your volunteering objectives. The fee-
based workshops will offer advantages for those who
volunteer as a result.  We are building a contact list for
those who are interested in receiving information
about these workshops. If you would like to be
included on this list, please contact Steph at (253)
327-9480 or StephSwaim@TahomaAudubon.org
with your email address, and the topics in which you
are most interested. Stayed tuned to this section of the
Towhee to learn more!
Ken Benton
Beginning Birding: Winter Birds
Mondays Nov 2nd to Nov 16th -- 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM
Winter is a wonderful time to watch birds in your
neighborhood or at your favorite waterfront park.
Learn how to identify the most common and colorful
waterfowl and other winter birds with a local Master
Birder and bird educator. This class is designed for
beginners to learn the basic skills needed to start
discovering the avian inhabitants of our area. Local
Field trips will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, 9:00 to
noon and on Saturday Nov 14, 9:00 to noon.
Location: Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 18+. $45/ Audubon Member, $55 non-Member.
Call 253-591-6439 to register.
experiments and activities. Register Early - these classes fill
quickly! Note - topics are repeated during the month, so select
class appropriate for your child’s knowledge and abilities.
Contact Margie with questions or for more information at
591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.com. Ages 10-12, $12
per student. Intermediate Science Students should be able to
multiply and divide numbers, add and subtract fractions.
Homeschool Advanced Science “Natural Communities”
Thu Oct 22 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Homeschool students explore science through hands-on
experiments and activities. Register Early - these classes fill
quickly! Note - topics are repeated during the month, so select
class appropriate for your child’s knowledge and abilities.
Contact Margie with questions or for more information at
591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.com. Ages 12-15, $15
Continued on next page
 field trips and Events
Clover Creek Preserve
Sat Oct 3 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Leader is Fred
Tobiason. Park at the Church at the intersection of Tule
Lake Road and Spanaway Loop Road. Call 253-565-
9728 to register.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Weds Oct 6 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts the birds
at Nisqually NWR. The group takes the boardwalk/
trail loop out to the Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook
area, and the riparian area, totaling about 2 miles.
Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear, water,
snacks, and $3 for entry fee unless you have a pass.
Scopes are welcome.
Meet: At the Visitor’s Center.
Open Trails at Morse Wildlife Preserve
The last one until April 2010
Sun Oct 11, 12:00 noon until 4 :00pm Wayne Cooke
will be available to answer your questions.  Call TAS,
253-565-9278 for information and directions.
Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Oct 12 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. With Ruth Sullivan.
Enjoy a guided bird walk through the park!
Morse Wildlife Preserve
Fri Oct 16, 9:30am until 11:30am.  Join Betty Jones for
her last field trip to the until April 2010.
Trip at Wapato Park
Sat Oct 17, 8:00 am to10:00am.   George Schonhard
will lead a.  Come in the main entrance on South 68th
St, turn right to the north parking lot.
Point Defiance Nature Walk
Sun Oct 18, 8:00am until noon.  . Join Rob and Natalie
McNair Huff to bird this lovely park.   Meet in the
parking lot above the zoo entrance.
schedule of classes
Continued from previous page
per student. Older homeschool students will continue their
science studies with challenging and engaging experiments
and activities. To participate in this class, students should be
able to calculate avereages, percentages, and solve simple
equations.
Tacoma Nature Center Adult Education
“Basics of Solar”
Thu Oct 22 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Ages 16+, $5 per
household (limit 3 people). What would it take to run your
house on environmentally friendly solar power? How much
does it cost and is it feasible here in Washington? Attend this
informational class on either date to find answers to these
questions and more about solar power. If you have been
wondering of solar could work at your home, come to this
class to find out from one of the leading experts on the field.
The class will be taught by Brad Burkhartzmeyer, president
of hte nonprofit Northwest Solar Group and founder of Sun’s
Eye Power. Call 591-6439 to register.
Nature Storytime “Bye, Bye Birdy!”
Fri Oct 23 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Adriana Hess Center,
U.P. Ages 2-6, $6 per child, $3 Audubon member, free to
adults and U.P residents. Join us as we explore the park
at the Adriana Hess Audubon center in University Place
with nature stories based on the current theme. Adults are
welcome with the children. This is a wonderful grandparent/
grandchild activity! Space is limited to the first 20 registered
guests (adults and children). Call 253-591-6439 to register.
Homeschool Advanced Science LAB
“Natural Communities”
Fri Oct 23 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Homeschool students explore science through hands-on
October 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
Ohop Widlife Survey & field trip
Sun Oct 18, 2009.. 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.
Mason County and Kitsap County
Sun Oct 18, 8:00 am to Mid-afternoon
Leader: Jeff Cohen
Join Jeff and his group as we explore Mason County
and parts of Kitsap County. The target bird will be the
Mountain Quail. In the first part of the trip we’ll visit
several known spots in hopes of hearing or catching a
glimpse of this elusive bird. Hiking will be minimal.
The second part will consist of a walk out through the
varied habitats of Theler Wetland near Belfair. The walk
is about 1 mile out to the mouth of the Union River,
then a mile back on level trails. We will stop in Belfair
before heading to the wetlands in case anybody wants
to pick up lunch supplies instead of bringing them.
Bring: Warm clothes, lunch or money for lunch, water
&/or hot drinks. Cars require $4. if you return home on
the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Scopes are welcome.
Meet: At 8:00 AM at McDonald’s in Gig Harbor. Take
hwy 16 north from the Narrows Bridge to exit 10. Turn
right, and then take a quick left into Olympic Plaza.
McDonald’s is on the left.
Sign-up: Call tahoma Audubon at (253) 565-9278 or
call Jeff Cohen, 206-354-5542, kokobean2@hotmail.
com. This trip will be LIMITED. Please sign up
EARLY.
Plant walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Oct 19, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm.  Leader: George
Schonhard. If you’re interested, there is a meeting
of the Adriana Hess Wetland Park Committee from
1:00pm until 2:00pm.  Everyone welcome.
experiments and activities. Register Early - these classes fill
quickly! Note - topics are repeated during the month, so select
class appropriate for your child’s knowledge and abilities.
Contact Margie with questions or for more information at
591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.com. Ages 12-15, $15
per student. Older homeschool students will continue their
science studies with challenging and engaging experiments
and activities. To participate in this class, students should be
able to calculate avereages, percentages, and solve simple
equations. Students must attend 10/22 regular class to be
eligible to take this lab class.
Nature Alphabet “N is for Naptime for Animals.”
Fri Oct 23 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 3-6, $6 per child. 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 an adult present.
Please note alternating times. Register by the Tuesday before
the program. Call 591-6439 to register.
Creatures of the Night Event at TNC
Fri Oct 23 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Recommended ages 3-6.
Reservations Requested. $5 per child and up to 2 adults, $2 for
each additional child or adult. An event just for preschoolers
and their accompanying adults! Learn all about creatures of
the night as you experience a short twilight hike, activities,
crafts and special snack. Visit with nocturnal creatures from
the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s collection during a fun
program at 6:00pm. Come early in the event to experience
everything!
Who Goes Bump in the Night?
Sat Oct 24 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Tacoma Nature Center.
Fun for the whole family! Find out who goes bump in the
night as you experience a guided twilight or night hike,
activities and crafts. Visit with nocturnal critters from the
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.
Ocean Shores
Sat Oct 24 7:00am until dusk.   Meet at the I-5 Park
and Ride by MacDonalds.  This is a combined fieldtrip
with the Black Hills Audubon from Olympia.  Leader
is Ruth Sullivan.   Hope for Sharp-tailed Sandpipers,
Lapland Longspurs, Pacific and American Golden
Plovers.  In the late afternoon we are going on to the
outer beaches to find the masses of shorebirds that roost
there overnight.  It is a spectacular display!!!!  Bring
shoes for wet areas, rubber boots would be good.  Bring
food and water. Limited to 8 birders.
Plant walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Nov 16 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Location: Adriana
Hess Wetland Park. Enjoy a guided plant walk through
the park!
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s collection and learn
all about creatures of the night. Come Early to the Event
to experience everything. Recommended for ages 5+.
Reservations requested, $2.50 per person
Beginning Homeschool Science “The Evergreen State”
Nov 5 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Homeschool students
explore science through hands-on experiments and activities.
Register Early - these classes fill quickly! Note - topics are
repeated during the month, so select class appropriate for
your child’s knowledge and abilities. Contact Margie with
questions or for more information at 591-6439 or marjories@
tacomaparks.com. Beginning science students should be able
to add and subtract numbers.
Budding Scientists “Washington Wildlife”
Weds Nov 11 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Location: Adriana
Hess Audubon Center. Ages 5-7, $9.00 per student. Young
homeschoolers and other children begin science and nature
exploration through games, walks, and crafts. Register at
least two days prior to the session by calling 253-591-6439.
Budding Scientists “Washington Wildlife”
Weds Nov 11 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. See description above.
Intermediate Homeschool Science
“The Evergreen State”
Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location:
Tacoma Nature Center. Homeschool students explore science
through hands-on experiments and activities. Register Early -
these classes fill quickly! Note - topics are repeated during the
month, so select class appropriate for your child’s knowledge
and abilities. Contact Margie with questions or for more
information at 591-6439 or marjories@tacomaparks.com.
Ages 10-12, $12 per student. Intermediate Science Students
should be able to multiply and divide numbers, add and
subtract fractions.
 ... summer
Western Bluebirds at McChord Air Force Base
Editors Note: Each year we publish a report on the status of Western Bluebirds
and the ongoing nest box effort on McCord. This year’s report is submitted by Care
deLeeuw, Rosemary Lenigan

seaside
With increased base security and gate closures it has become increas-

at the
ingly difficult to monitor our Bluebird trail on McChord Air Force Base.
Besides the 100% ID check, some areas have restricted or have very lim-
ited access. Therefore our total count is not as exact as in previous years
when we were able to check the birds 2-3 times weekly and to band all the 2
bluebird nestlings. This is now not possible. 3 4
At the end the 2009 season we maintained 65 boxes on the Main post.
We have 36 locations for our 65 boxes (29 are double boxed and 7 are from page 1 larly occurring in Washington (not counting the Ruff as a eratively showed up for a little time 5
singles). Note: double boxing allows bluebirds who are ground feeders to regular). With the male at 96 grams and the female at 65 while pictures were taken, but no
share the area with swallows that are Ariel feeders. (according to Dennis Paulson’s Shorebirds of North one has identified it for me yet,
Bluebirds nested successfully in 10 of the double boxed areas. Second
America), one might think they were separate species. so if you can help, let me
broods were successful in boxes 35, 70 and 79. After the little ones (fledg-
lings) left box 3, the parents moved to the adjacent double box (#42) for
As we moved away, several more (at least three, maybe know!! In the middle of enjoy-
their second brood. Guess they liked the neighborhood! more) were seen skulking in the reeds. Not a bird we ing the bugs, a Peregrine shot over our heads!! Johns
Bluebirds were unsuccessful nesters at two locations - 17/18 and usually see in flocks in these parts! This was actually a River, however, was the most stark reminder of the day
32/54. life bird for at least one of us. that we were in a drought, with reeds still green sticking
• Estimate only of Bluebirds fledged = 54 While this was going on, dozens of Goldfinches and up out of dry land where the marsh should have been and
6
• Estimate of Bluebird pairs on main post MAFB = 12 to 14 Cedar Waxwings were constantly flitting back and forth, and no sounds of life from within.
Tree Swallows seemed successful in 26 boxes while Chickadees and Ospreys were transporting fish close over our heads to their kids in My favorite place on the coast, Tokeland, didn’t disappoint!! The
House Wrens each had one successful nesting. Ten boxes showed signed of several nests on the light posts marking the perimeter of the sewage hundreds of Marbled Godwits are indeed in for the winter with their
the starts of nests – or mixed nests but nothing indicating young had
lagoon. It was a busy work day for them. Ten Vaux’s Swifts were usual 6 Willets!!! Red dots sprinkled among a raft of gray indicated
fledged. Fifteen boxes were not used.
Four boxes in the South post are now only checked once yearly for clean- 1 mixing it up with the many swallows over our heads, too! A great look Heermann’s Gulls with their gaudy bills! Another Peregrine Falcon
ing and speculation about which birds might have nested there. As we are at the different flight patterns between Swifts and Swallows! (or were there two working as a unit?) got everybody excited and in the
no longer allowed regular access to the South area, we no longer include We headed for Bottle Beach to beat the high tide and enjoyed the new air several times!
them in our box count or species tally. amenities now that its State Park status has been upgraded to “improved.” Some of the group hit Midway Beach on the way home, where a
We continue to replace old boxes and to find new and more likely locations Warblers and a few late flycatchers adorned the path to the beach. Black- beached Murre was waiting patiently for the tide to take care of him and
for the bluebirds. We also provide mealworms for the bluebirds when we are Bellied Plovers, Dowitchers, and peeps were way out there and eventu- where a dead porcupine was found on the edge of the water (must be a
allowed in the area. Even though we are not monitoring our trail as often ally worked their way in a little closer to us. Scopes revealed massive story there).
as we did in earlier years, and our counts are only estimates, the bluebirds numbers of Brown Pelicans on the far shore of Grays Harbor! We also The weather was perfect, and the company of birders the best kind of
are using our boxes.
heard a Virginia Rail across the street from Bottle Beach on Ocosta Third, camaraderie. And of course we all heard that Ruth was back out there
Special thanks to Valerie Elliott the Natural/Cultural Resources’ Manager at
but we DID work for it! Redwing Blackbirds, a couple of the next day after having a root canal!
McChord AFB who has again provided much needed support and assistance.
Marsh Wrens, and Northern Shovelers rounded out that Birding is truly the best medicine!
road which had been closed for water damage, making
it perfect for birders on foot. 7
We then headed for lunch to Johns River, where
nearly 40 Greater Yellowlegs lined up in a stun-
ning display! While walking down the dike, I
reached to brush off a bug, but stopped short
13 12 when I saw it was a brilliant red beetle. It coop-

11

...Cross-Base
All photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn,
except as noted.
from page 1
1. Some of the new attractions at
It seems that after the strong Bottle Beach include art! 2. Anise
public rejection of the roads Swallowtail at Johns River. 3. Black-
and transit tax package Bellied Plovers and both Dowitch-
(RTID) in 2007, which ers in the air at Bottle Beach. 4. 8
included funding for the proj- Goldfinches were the junk bird of
ect, Pierce County politicians
the day, just everywhere! 5. Per-
still don’t get it. The road is
egrine Falcon at Johns River. 6.
dead. There is no funding for
MYSTERY BUG!! Can you identify
it. Even so, local politicians
this gorgeous red beetle on my
continue to show their sup-
green shirt? (Photo/Faye Hands)
port for a dinosaur road – a
new road. Short term job 7. Melissa, Jody, and Kathy at the
10
creation gets short term votes, new sign for the improved state
but this new road would be park at Bottle Beach. 8. Common 9
permanent. It would be a Murre waiting for the tide at Mid-
permanent loss of habitat, wildlife, biodiversity, and quality of life. way Beach (Photo/Jeff Cohen)
Even so, the Pierce County Council is attempting to resurrect the cross-base 9. Diane, Kathy, Sue S., Al, leader
highway to include it in a list of projects for consideration by the Puget Sound Ruth Sullivan, Sue T., Jody, Carol,
Regional Council’s Transportation 2040 plan. The council put forth a resolu- Mike, Melissa, Faye, and in front
tion to include this bad road project in September. Whether or not they are Jeff. 10. Leader Ruth examines
successful, they should recognize that there is still no funding for it. would-be owl/driftwood at Bottle
In these hard economic times, when budgets are being cut -- and existing Beach. 11. The blind at Johns
projects and roads need funding for completion, maintenance, and repairs River, Ruth, Faye, Kathy, Melissa.
-- choosing to prioritize such a controversial and unfunded project is waste- 12. Busy Ospreys fishing near
ful and misguided. Pierce County’s transportation planning is riding on Grays Harbor NWR. 13. Osprey
fumes, and if they succeed, we’ll all be choking on exhaust. and chick watching TV (actually
Contact your County Council member and the Puget Sound Regional light standard near Hoquiam Sew-
Council to let them know that prioritizing, funding, and building the cross- age Lagoon.
base highway is a bad idea.
Learn more online at: http://www.psrc.org/projects/trans2040/index.htm
Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org October 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7
 Just the other day... Tahoma Audubon in October 1984
Cone; Swan Creek Canyon to look at the recently abandoned Coast Guard Station at
By Helen Engle

25
Working for RCW 43-51-385 which
states: “The Commission shall place a
high priority on the establishment of Years Ago
urban area parks,” Tahoma Audubon
was rallying a support group to go to State
Parks & Recreation commission to support an
appropriation of $372,800 for the West Hylebos wet-
lands park. Our president, Carla Hansmann,
wrote that “while located within the state’s most
populated county, the site still retains most of its
original characteristics and avoids most of the pollu-
tion factors normally associated with urbanizations.
This project will provide for public access to and
enjoyment and interpretation of this unique area.”
The Second Friday meeting was at PLU’s Ingram
Hall, featuring “Loveboat” Lawrence, a natural-
ist, songwriter and performer who presented a slide
show on whales and other sea life. He was advanc-
ing our commitment to the “Year of the Ocean” by
showing us how to care for our ocean environment.
Lawrence’s slide show, plus singing and presenta-
tion of a performing puppet, is sponsored by
Delphinus Environmental Research group.
Our chapter’s activities included field trips to
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge with Norris
autumn leaves, seedpods, mosses &
ferns with the Native Plant Society,
led by Mary Fries; Puget sound
Birding Boat trip with Walt Adams;
Kreger Lake near Roy with John
Piper; and Thelma Gilmur led a family
trip to West Hylebos. Sheri Tonn and Helen
Engle promoted attendance at the Puget sound
Alliance Board meeting at TCC; The Fall Birding
Class began, taught by Ken Brown.
The major Audubon gathering was the statewide
Audubon Council of Washington (ACOW) at Central
Washington University Conference Center. Besides
the wonderful camaraderie of chapters sharing
their experiences, topics for discussion followed
excellent presentations:
The Peregrine Falcon Recovery project by Fred
Dobler, WA Dept. F&W; Audubon’s efforts to save
the California Condor by John Borneman; dis-
cussion of the Snohomish River Estuary issue; the
important salmon film “Journey of the Kings,” and
what our support of the Federal Duck Stamp
Program means for wetlands preservation.
Thais Bock’s “Word on Birds” listed sightings of
the season. Carole Sheridan saw 150 Ruddy
Turnstones at their migratory refueling stop near
Point Grenville; a Magnolia Warbler hung around a
residence to be photographed by Glen & Wanda
Hoge in Olympia; Dale Thompson saw a flock of
Western Tanagers in Eatonville; Bob & Georgia
Ramsey saw 20 Black-legged Kittiwakes at the far
end of the Ocean Shores jetty; Thais Bock saw
1500 Violet-green Swallows over one large pasture
in the Auburn valley; Edie Goodman reported an
Osprey working the waters of Summit Lake in the
Clearwater Wilderness.
Tahoma Audubon’s board of directors in October
1984 were:
President Robert W. Ramsey, Vice President
Greg Sylvester; Secretary Evelyn Patton;
Treasurer Pat Olson; Past President Walt Adams;
Directors: John McCann,
Jean Gillmer, Cathy
Jerbic, Cindy McIntyre,
Leota Moore, Annabelle
Reed, Sally Sloat, Fred
Stoermer, Bea
Thompson; National
Audubon Board, Helen Helen Engle
Engle. from days of yore.
Feedback, comments and reminiscences welcome,
253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.

the
quizzical 1. In what family is the Townsend’s Solitaire?

wl
2. What group of birds is distinguished by zygodactyl feet?

3. Name a small eider rarely seen along the West Coast.

4. Name the world’s largest falcon.

5. What owl belongs to a family of its own unlike all other North American Owls?
By Thais Bock
(Answers below.)
by Phil Buly
BIRDSONGS

Safety and etiquette while birding
When you are on public roads, cars or trucks
can pass by in a hurry. If you stop to look at a
bird or anything else, please park in places that
offer oncoming traffic a good view of your car in
advance and pull well off the road before stopping.
Please don’t leave your car doors wide open and
don’t stand on the road at blind corners.
If you’re using a scope and tripod, don’t set it
up on the road. You might think you’re keeping an
eye on things but it’s very easy to be momentarily
distracted and step away only to find that a car
suddenly appears around a bend, heading straight
for your telescope!
http://www.bmbirding.com.au/valley3.html

Answers: 1. Thrush family 2. woodpeckers 3. Steller’s Eider 4. Gyrfalcon 5. Barn Owl

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org October 2009

 The swifts enter the chimney for our crowd. Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn Wayne Jackson,right, waves the Swifts in. Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Swiftly they fell

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
It was a dark and stormy night – that night in
September of last year when I led a field trip of unsus-
pecting Tahoma Auduboners to a swift chimney promis-
ing great riches – and failed dismally! Instead we all got
soaked to the bone, and one or two people got to see
one or two of the three swifts spotted that night. This
year, half of those people gave me another chance, or
was it that they felt I owed them? Another bunch of
you hopped on the bandwagon, but this time we
headed to a different chimney – Selleck, Washington!
Birders didn’t know about this chimney in the old
Selleck School until about two years ago when Larry
Schwitters, a Washington Audubon member and swift
enthusiast, came upon it during a systematic search for
possible swift chimneys. Of course, the Vaux’s Swifts
have known about it for decades. The schoolhouse is
now private residences, and the owners seem bemused
by the sudden influx of bird watchers. We hope to stay
on their good side!
Larry has organized watches at all known swift chim-
neys in the state and is collecting data on numbers of
birds at each, something that has never been done
before in history! Thanks to him, we will all soon know
much more about the movements of these tiny birds
who never leave the air during daylight, spending their
lives airborne. See the website at www.vauxhappen-
ing.org. Our group was the very first field trip or
organized group to visit the Selleck chimney!
Having scouted the site a week earlier and being
stunned by over 7000 Swifts, I was very hopeful to
deliver a sensational sight to all of you! There were 21
of us who went out there on September 12th, and
there we met Bob Stallcop who was doing the official
count for Larry’s project, Vaux’s Happening, which this
very night was sponsoring Swift Night Out at all the
major chimneys, of which we were all a part! With Bob
busy doing the official stuff, it was party time for the rest
of us. Lawn chairs and blankets were set up, and
Lorraine Jackson’s brownies were a big hit! It was a
warm and balmy evening in the low 70s, and everyone
was happy to be out in it. Ken and Rachel Brown actu-
ally were celebrating their wedding anniversary doing
the Swift Watch! Resident hostess Dori came out and
greeted us warmly, then went back to weeding her
prodigious garden and gathering in the bounty, while a
deer gamboled along the edge of the meadow.
At first I was worried that there wouldn’t be any
Swifts because the report from the previous evening
was that a Merlin had scared them all off, keeping them
from entering the chimney until after dark. The fear
was that when they awoke that morning, they’d
remember their panic and hightail it south. Since Swifts
come and go constantly during September, never
spending more than a few days at any stopover on their
way to Mexico, that was possible. Soon a small flock of
Swifts started circling above us, to the delight of the
crowd! Flirting with the watchers, they zoomed in, then
disappeared, time and again. Their chirpy contact calls
punctuated the evening as they came a little lower and
closer to the chimney with each pass.
Right at dusk, 180 birds methodically allowed them-
selves to be captured by the chimney! It took only a
few seconds, as this was a trick they knew well, trans-
forming gravity to their own uses! The fans burst into
applause!! As we drove happily away in the darkening
night, a couple of rebels showed up and went right in.
It was a far cry from the huge numbers the week
before, but we were very fortunate we got the finalists
in the Swift talent contest, specially selected for our
viewing enjoyment, and they were all winners!

Photo/Adam Trent
The Willettes in their Swift Watch shirts with the official counter:
Dorothy Husband, Faye Hands, Diane Kerlin, Bob Stallcop the coun-
ter, Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Carol Smith, Melissa Sherwood.

Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Wayne and Lorraine Jackson pass around homemade brownies.

We’re not in the Big City now! Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn The Selleck chimney a week earlier on September 5. Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

October 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

 volunteer Recognition
Thank you to Puyallup Fair volunteers volunteer
Opportunities
Tahoma Audubon would Audubon’s booth. Thanks to Al Gray,
like to offer all our Puyallup our fair volunteers got all of the
Fair volunteers a special resources they required to
Thank Goodness Its Friday
(TGIF) Restoration Fridays in October and
thank you for their time. do a great job and have
November from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hundreds of  volunteers a good experience.
put in four hour shifts at Additionally, Mr. Gray Fri Oct 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, Nov 13th, 20th, 27th,
our largest outreach worked closely with Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Come enjoy the
event every year.  Having Thelma Gilmur to outdoors and help beautify
a presence a tthe fair helps coordinate our volunteer the grounds at Adriana Hess
Tahoma Audubon realize its effort at the fair, scheduling each volunteer so Wetland Park!
central mission of connecting people with nature. that Tahoma Audubon would be around to entice
We would especially like to recognize Al Gray prospective members and educate the community Adriana Hess Wetland
for his tireless efforts as Tahoma Audubon’s about environmental issues. Thank you for your Park Committee
volunteer liaison to the Puyallup Fair. Mr. Gray exceptional work Al. We here at Audubon will Mon Oct 19, 1:00pm until 2:00pm. At Adriana
spent countless hours attending preparatory rest easy knowing you will be in charge for years Hess Wetland Park. Everyone welcome.
meetings, setting up and taking down Tahoma to come!

We welcome back Project FeederWatch

As we bid
goodbye to the
American Robin
and Rufous
Hummingbirds Citizen Science in Action
who are flocking to
a warmer climate, other scientists to track general trends in bird
we welcome back activity. Thus, volunteer power assists scientists,
birds like the Varied giving them massive amounts of data they would
Thrush, who visit not be able to obtain on their own. Perhaps more
Pierce County for importantly, citizen science projects like Project
the mild months of FeederWatch help Tahoma Audubon reach its goal
autumn and the winter that follows.  Just as the fall of Connecting People with Nature.
marks a new semester at colleges and a new year Last year, our sightings were impressive, offering
of education for children, it marks Tahoma Audubon’s both staff and volunteers great opportunities to Tahoma Audubon encourages anyone who enjoys
second year participating in a remarkably enjoyable observe nature and bond with each other. Altogether, bird watching and is interested in learning about
and pragmatic citizen science endeavor: Project birdwatchers saw 31 different species during the backyard birds to contact us here at Adriana Hess
FeederWatch. 2008-2009 FeederWatch! While Adriana Hess hosts Wetland Park at 253-565-9278. We are looking for
Inspired by Cornell University’s Ornithology lab, much more biodiversity, not all of the birds are volunteers to do counts every Tuesday and
Project FeederWatch calls citizen scientists to action, regulars at the feeder. This means that there is Wednesday between the hours of 9:00am and
encouraging them to pay close attention to their always a chance a new bird will come into view. 5:00pm  We also will provide you materials so you
feeders, keeping track of the birds they see during Altogether, another year of participation should can participate in  Project Feeder Watch at home on
the winter months of November through the end of begin to illustrate interesting trends in bird activity. any day that works for you! Together, we can learn
March. All of the information collected at the Adriana Will we see the same species that we saw last year? about birds and help scientist’s better track and
Hess Wetland Park, is sent to Cornell’s Ornithology Will we see another Chucker Partridge? The best understand the ecological changes happening in our
lab to be entered into national database, allowing way to find out is to participate! community.

Nature on display at Adriana Hess

Come and see the beautiful fall colors show- And be sure to visit TahomaAudubon.org, and
cased in our native plant garden and park at click on The Towhee tab to check out these pic-
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. tures in vibrant color in our online PDF.

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org October 2009

 announcements
Fall Irisfolding Card Class
2010 Audubon Calendars are here! Wed., Nov. 11, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Adriana Hess Audubon Center
These beautiful Cost $12 per person
Audubon calen- You will leave class with at least two cards and patterns to make your own.
dars make great Other techniques such as Teabag Folding and Spirelli may be included
holiday gifts. As along with the Irisfolding. Supplies needed: a small scissors, Scotch
affordable as they Brand Magic tape (green dispenser), and a small craft mat (if you have
are usefull, consider one). Call Adriana Hess Audubon Center @ 565-9278 to reserve your
buying a handfull for spot. For more details, call Rosanne Becker @ 564-7115.
your office or social
club. No respect- Christmas Irisfolding Card Class
able birder would be Mon Dec. 7, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
caught without one Adriana Hess Audubon Center
of these calendars on Leave class with at least two cards and patterns to make your own. Other
their wall. techniques such as Teabag Folding and Spirelli may be included along
with the Irisfolding.
Buy 1 for $3.25. Supplies needed: a small scissors, Scotch Brand Magic tape (green
Buy 2 for $3.00 each. dispenser), and a small craft mat (if you have one).
Buy 3 or more for $2.75 each. Cost: $12.00 per class Call Adriana Hess Audubon Center @ 565-9278
to reserve your spot. For more details, call Rosanne Becker @ 564-7115.

New boots for back to school!

Dont’ miss this fantastic event!
Mark your calendars for the annual “Early is Knute “Skip” Berger, author
Bird Gets the Worm Breakfast” at Hotel Mu- of Pugetopolis: A Mossback
rano’s Venetian Ballroom. October 22nd, Takes on Growth Addicts,
2009 from 7:30am to 9:00am. Registration Weather Wimps, and the Myth
will begin at 7:00am. of Seattle Skip Berger
Enjoy a lovely morn- Nice.
ing with fellow Tahoma RSVP by calling
Audubon members & 253.565.9129 or e-
community leaders. Our mail ckesinger@taho-
Breakfast guest speaker maaudubon.org.
Presenting Sponsor
Snowy Plover chick at Midway Beach in August
2009 wearing its bands marking it as a Threat-
ened Species in Washington.

Photos/Ruth Sullivan
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
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membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of

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

October 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


Unless otherwise stated -
To register for field trips can (253) 565-9129
To register for all education classes call (253) 591-6439
See further descriptions inside the Towhee
Check out our calendar at www.TahomaAudubon.org
for more information and updates
october 2009
Thank god Its Friday (TGIF) Restoration
Fri Oct 2 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.. Adriana Hess Wetland
Park. Come enjoy the outdoors and help beautify the
grounds at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Clover Creek Preserve
Sat Oct 3 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Native Plant Sale at TNC
Sat Oct 3 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Landscape your yard
with plants that are native to our area. Planting natives
insures the conservation of our precious water resources
and provides habitat for local birds, mammals and insects.
A list of available plants will be posted on the website by
10:00 am of Friday October 2. www.metroparkstacoma.
org. COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION.
Adriana Hess Park Photography class
Mon Oct 5 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location: Adriana
Hess Park. An adult program encouraging people to
appreciate nature and how they can incorporate it into their
photography. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.
Intermediate Birder’s Class
Tues Oct 6 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature
Center. Adults 18+. $55 for Audubon Members, $75 for
nonmembers. Class meets at the Tacoma nature center!!!
call 253-591-6439 to register.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Weds Oct 6 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Bring: Good walking
shoes or boots, raingear, water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee
unless you have a pass. Scopes are welcome.
Meet: At the Visitor’s Center.
Sign-up: Call or email Phil Kelley to confirm details. Phil
Kelley, Lacey, (360) 459-1499, scrubjay323@aol.com.
Beginning Homeschool Science “Backyard Habitats”
Thu Oct 8 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Tacoma Nature Center.
TAS Board Meeting
Thu Oct 8 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Guest Welcome, please call ahead at (253) 565-
9278.
TGIF Restoration Activity Fri Oct 9 10:00 AM to 12:00
PM.
Nature Alphabet “M is for Maple Tree”
Fri Oct 9 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 3-6, $6 per child.
Membership Meeting Fri Oct 9 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor Street. All welcome.
Check web site for program - www.TahomaAudubon.org.
Call (253) 565-9278
Habitat Steward Training
Sat Oct 10 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.. Location: The Lodge
at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma. Come learn how to be a
habitat steward for a local urban area near you. This training
is FREE. Upon completion of the training participants will
receive a free field guide and a variety of services provided
by the Green Tacoma Partnership to assist in restoration
projects.
The last Open Trails at Morse Wildlife Preserve until
April 2010Sun
Sun Oct 11, 12:00 noon until 4 :00pm Wayne Cooke will
be available to answer your questions.  Call TAS, 253-565-
9278 for information and directions.
Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Oct 12 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. with Ruth Sullivan.
Snake Lake Science Club
Tues Oct 13 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 10-14, no charge for club meetings, $10 per student
per school year to join the club.
Conservation Committee
Tues Oct 13 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Adriana Hess Wetland
Park
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
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Weds Oct 14 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Budding Scientists “Birds in our Backyard”
Weds Oct 14 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess
Audubon Center. Register at least two days prior to the
session by calling 253-591-6439.
Budding Scientists “Birds in our Backyard”
Weds Oct 14 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Register at least two days prior to the session by
calling 253-591-6439.
Intermediate Homeschool Science
“What’s in your Ecosystem?”
Thu Oct 15 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 10-12, $12 per student.
Morse Wildlife Preserve
Fri Oct 16, 9:30am until 11:30am.  Join Betty Jones for
her last field trip to the preserve until April 2010. Call 253-
565-9728 to register.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Oct 16 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Trip at Wapato Park
Sat Oct 17, 8:00 am to10:00am.  George Schonhard will
lead a.  Come in the main entrance on South 68th St, turn
right to the north parking lot.
Point Defiance Nature Walk
Sun Oct 18, 8:00am until noon.  . Join Rob and Natalie
McNair Huff to bird this lovely park.  Meet in the parking
lot above the zoo entrance.
Ohop Widlife Survey & field trip
Sun Oct 18, 9:00 am to noon Location: Ohop Valley, near
Eatonville. Call 565-9278 to register and for directions.
Field trip to Mason County and Kitsap County
Sun Oct 18, 8:00 am to Mid-afternoon
Call (253) 565-9278 or call Jeff Cohen, 206-354-5542,
kokobean2@hotmail.com. This trip will be LIMITED.
Please sign up EARLY.
Plant walk at the Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Oct 19, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm
Adriana Hess Wetland Park Committee
Mon Oct 19, 1:00pm until 2:00pm. Everyone welcome.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Weds Oct 21 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Annual Early Bird Gets The Worm
Breakfast Fundraiser
Thurs Oct 22, 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM (7:00 AM Registration)
Call 253-565-9129 for RSVP. There is no charge for the
breakfast.
Homeschool Advanced Science
“Natural Communities”
Thu Oct 22 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 12-15, $15 per student.
Tacoma Nature Center Adult Education
“Basics of Solar”
Thu Oct 22 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Ages 16+, $5 per
household (limit 3 people).
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Oct 23 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Nature Storytime “Bye, Bye Birdy!”
Fri Oct 23 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Adriana Hess Center,
U.P. Ages 2-6, $6 per child, $3 Audubon member, free to
adults and U.P residents.
Homeschool Advanced Science LAB “Natural
Communities”
Fri Oct 23 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 12-15, $15 per student.
Nature Alphabet “N is for Naptime for Animals.”
Fri Oct 23 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Ages 3-6, $6 per child
Creatures of the Night Event at TNC
Fri Oct 23 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Recommended ages 3-6.
Reservations Requested. $5 per child and up to 2 adults, $2
for each additional child or adult.
Field Trip to Ocean Shores
Sat Oct 24, 7:00 am until dusk.   Limited to 8 birders.
Who Goes Bump in the Night?
Sat Oct 24 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Tacoma Nature Center.
October program
“From Ridge to Reef in Tompotika: Saving the maleo
bird and other conservation success stories from Indone-
sia” Presented by Marcy Summers from the Alliance for
Tompika Conservation
Marcy Summers, native Washingtonian and a former senior
scientist for The Nature Conservancy, was living and work-
ing in Indonesia when she stumbled across a very special
place and people on Indonesia’s island of Sulawesi. The
Tompotika peninsula is home to one of the last remaining
communal nesting grounds for the endangered yet iconic
maleo bird, as well as the world’s richest coral reefs, pristine
tropical forests, unique and endangered wildlife, and many
other natural wonders.
When: Fri Oct. 9, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Where: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor St.
All are welcome. refreshments will be served
Recommended for ages 5+. Reservations requested, $2.50
per person
Family Walk at Adriana Hess Park
Sun Oct 25 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A family program to
encourage families to appreciate the park by providing
information and opportunities with a guided walking tour.
Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Weds Oct 28 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Green Tacoma Partnership Quarterly Meeting and
Training
Wed Oct 28, 6:00pm-8:00pm For more information
contact Julie Kerrigan (253) 223-0039 or jkerrigan@
tahomaaudubon.org
TGIF Restoration Activity Fri Oct 30 10:00 AM to 12:00
PM
november 2009
Adriana Hess Park Photography Class
Mon Nov 2 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Beginning Birding: Winter Birds
Mon Nov 2 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Tacoma Nature Center.
Local Field trips on Saturday, Nov 7, 9:00 to noon and
on Saturday Nov 14, 9:00 to noon. Call 253-591-6439 to
register.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Weds Nov 4 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Beginning Homeschool Science
“The Evergreen State”
Nov 5 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Tacoma Nature Center.
TGIF Restoration Activity
Fri Nov 6 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Bird Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Mon Nov 9 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Conservation Committee
Tues Nov 10 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Pacific Lutheran
University
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually Weds Nov 11 7:30 AM
to 11:00 AM.
Budding Scientists “Washington Wildlife”
Weds Nov 11 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Adriana Hess
Audubon Center Register at least two days prior to the
session by calling 253-591-6439
Budding Scientists “Washington Wildlife”
Weds Nov 11 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center Register at least two days prior to the session by
calling 253-591-6439
Fall Irisfolding Card Class
Wed., Nov. 11, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Adriana Hess Audubon
Center Call Adriana Hess Audubon Center @ 565-9278.
Intermediate Homeschool Science
“The Evergreen State”
Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location:
Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 10-12, $12 per student.
TAS Board Meeting
Thu Nov 12, 2009 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Adriana
Hess Audubon Center Guest Welcome, please call ahead
at (253) 565-9278.