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Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 39 No.4 May 2008

May is Birdathon, our grand fundraiser (expenseskept to an unbelievable 1%) to help us gather dollarsfor Tahoma Audubons work.

TAS asks that all of you, our members and friends,consider helping by pledging or donating money thatwill allow us to save and restore habitat and see that

no child is left inside.You can give this help by pledging or donating to TAS

through a Birdathon birder, by being a Birdathon bird-er/counter and coming out on one of our trips, or you

can come on a trip to have fun and give a donation inreturn. (Packets with sign-up sheets available forBirders.)

Thanks to all of you who have so cheerfully acceptedtelephone calls about this campaign. We appreciate youall so very much.

If youre taking a trip, look them over in this Towheeissue and then call TAS, 253-565-9278 to sign up.

Hope we can all get behind this and make this the big-gest and best Birdathon ever!

WIZARD OF AHHS

The

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn

April 19th must surely be springtime, right? This year, there was some ques-

tion about that. Six of us set out for the southern Washington coast on Nate

Chappells field trip to Tokeland that morning, bundled up and seeing our

breath. Weird whitish stuff was spitting from the air on the drive south, but

once we turned westward at Olympia, the dark skies over the Black Hills

contrasted sharply with snow-covered conifers, and I truly wondered whetherI had made a wrong turn onto some Cascade pass. Snowplows were out in

force, and ominous skid marks in the snowy freeway lanes kept us vigilant.

We made a pit stop at Elma, and when we hit the road again, a quarter mile

out of Elma, it was suddenly over. Really over. The cinematographer

changed the film from black-and-white to color, music arose unbidden, and

the skies filled with birds! We drove eagerly into (or was it out of?) the warp

An enchanted trip to Tokeland with Nate Chappell

See "Tokeland" on page 7

If its May, its Birdathon!

See "Reflections" on page 11

Board Member

By Melissa Newell Paulson

Dont mind me. Im in absorption mode. At a recent

meeting I attended, a newcomer to the group put us all on

notice that she would be spending her first several months

taking in her surroundings. But while her comment drew

chuckles from some of the people around the table, I was

struck by her frank acknowledgement of how important it is

to take the time to look around the room, to get to know the

people and key issues and to use that information to guide

your actions. And I can empathize with her. Im in absorp-

tion mode, too!

Since I joined the Board in February, I have had the fantas-

tic privilege of absorbing the Tahoma Audubon Society. I

cant, by any stretch of the word, call myself an expert yet, but

I will say that Ive learned enough to be the tiniest bit danger-

ous. In the interest of full disclosure, I want to share some of

my observations with you.

Our Staff: Just a handful of years ago, we were entirely

volunteer-based. Now, we have the benefit of four (count

em!) extremely capable, dedicated, full-time staff. In large

Our largest shorebird is a signature species of the North American prairie, andits fortune parallels the shrinking size of that vast landscape that once extendedfrom the Great Plains as far east as Ohio. The Naturalist A.C. Bent wrote in 1930that the Long-billed Curlew represented the wild, roving spirit of the vast openprairies. Today most of the prairie has become farmland, and sturdier grassesthat support grazing have replaced native varieties. But the Long-billed Curlew(Numenius americanus), its population now reduced to only about 20,000 birds,still finds breeding space from the Great Basin and western parts of the plains

states north into Canada, including south-central British Columbia. In Washington,Long-billed Curlews are uncommon breeders in the Columbia Basin.

Size and bill length are the best field marks for the Long-billed Curlew. Thebody is buff-colored, streaked and barred above with dark brown. The under-wings are a rich cinnamon; above, the orange-brown flight feathers contrastwith the body. The sexes look similar, though females are larger and have lon-ger bills. Curlews use their huge down-curved bills to probe deep in tidal mud-flats and wet pastures for shrimp, crabs, and earthworms; they also use themexpertly to catch grasshoppers and even pick berries.

Oddly, this quintessential bird of the prairie spends only a small part of the yearthere. It arrives in mid-March, just in time to exploit the awakening insects and

Long-billedCurlew By Paul Webster

See "Long-billed Curlew" on page 8

Whimbrels landing. Photo/Nate Chappell

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executive Directors Corner

tahma Audubn saff

Flint, Bryan Executive Director

bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129

Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator

kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978

Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator

StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-5479

Kerrigan, Julie Volunteer Coordinatorjkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-1884

tahma Audubn Bard officer

Wayne Larson President

Vacant Vice President

Jane Brosius Secretary / Membership Co-chair

Margie Shea Treasurer / Education Chair

tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008

Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair

Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair

Kathleen LeGreid Towhee Editor

Dick CarknerSally Larson

John Garner

Marcus Roening

Kathleen Nelson

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck

Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Elizabeth Beer

The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon SocietyLocated in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466

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

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protectionof wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem-

bers experiences in and with the natural world.

The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan

issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conserva-

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.

Editor: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483

E-mail:kaleditor@ mindspring.com

Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings

Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com

Printing: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2008

Leaving the world a better place than we found itAs someone

who does not have

children I often

think about my

legacy. Without

young lives to

shape, how will Ipass on the wis-

dom I have gained

in this world? Or,

more likely, there

is no one to rebel

against me and do

everything opposite of the way I did it. Will I have

anything to show after a life time on this planet?

The desire to leave a legacy is the reason I work for

Tahoma Audubon: To leave this world a little better

then I found it, and to leave the people within it a little

better as well.

There have been recent headlines about people

leaving a legacy through gifts from their estates. Thesegifts from individuals to organizations have made the

papers because of the sure size of the gift. Though the

dollar amounts are large, they are no different than

what people are doing everyday to leave a legacy.

In February, Ric Weilands estate left $160 million

to charity. Having been one of the first millionaires

created by Microsoft, Mr. Weiland made big news

with a $65 million to the Pride Foundation and 10

other non-profits that work on gays and lesbians

issues. Money also went to environmental organiza-

tions in the Northwest as well.

Uncomfortable with staggering wealth, Mr. Weiland

shied away from the limelight and found meaning inhis work with non-profit organizations.

Recently the Mountaineers Club was given a gift

of $1.4 million by Brunhilde Wislicenus, a longtime

member and avid skier.

Further afield, The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota

received a $1.8 million dollar gift to help conserve the

Common Loon. The gift was given by Iva Weir, a

music teacher who grew up in Minnesota, and who was

a longtime member of The Nature Conservancy.

Iva Weir was a longtime member who believed in

our mission of conserving our lands and waters to

protect nature and preserve life, said Peggy Ladner,

director of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.

What do the computer programmer, alpine skier,and the music teacher have in common? It is not the

amount of money they have. It is their desire to make

a difference, to leave a legacy, and to support organi-

zations they care about. It is a deep rooted commit-

ment to their values and sharing the gifts they have

been given.

Anyone who shares the desire to make a better

world can do as these three have done. It does not take

a lot of money, and you dont have to work at

Microsoft. With proper planning and a clear under-

standing of what you want to accomplish you can

insure that the work you support continues long past

your time here on Earth.

Tahoma Audubon Society has partnered with the

Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to hold and

invest our endowment. Gifts large and small by mem-

bers, and careful stewardship by the CommunityFoundation, have grown our endowment to just under

$200,000. If you would like to include Tahoma

Audubon in your will or are thinking about giving a

gift from your estate to help us in our mission for years

to come, please do not hesitate to contact me at

253-310-3725.

I clipped a newspaper column and pinned it above my desk. Occasionally I

stare at it. It is about pickles. And choices. Skagit growers have been told that

the pickle plant in Portland is closing. Should you care? Over 1,000 seasonal

workers will be out of a job,

and it also means that the

areas economy will feel a

loss of millions of dollars.

Still, should you care? The decision to close the plant was economic; pickles

can be processed at other locations that are closer to cheaper pickles, including

pickles grown and purchased in faraway places like India.

But still, should you care? The real question is about the choices we make.

Economics are always a factor whether you are the consumer or the business.

However, our farms and forests provide essential habitat to both resident and

migratory birds. When we lose farms, we lose irreplaceable habitat. Displaced

wildlife and impacted consumers; all are affected by habitat loss. It may be a

little more costly and time consuming to figure out if there are local pickles and

to purchase, but do I want to look at another 35 acre shopping complex sittingon the site of an old dairy that was forced to relocate to Eastern Washington

because of economics?

The environmental community and the agricultural community have had

disagreements over trying to balance the need to protect critical areas and the

need to protect our agricultural heritage. However, they can band together

against a common enemy, suburban sprawl and uncontrolled development, with

the help of consumers and the choices that they make.

I will look at the pickle jar in my refrigerator and write the company and ask

them where they purchase my pickles from as I endeavor to make more

informed choices.

-Kathleen LeGreid

What do the computer program-

mer, alpine skier, and the music

teacher have in common? It is not

the amount of money they have. It is

their desire to make a difference, toleave a legacy, and to support orga-

nizations they care about.

Life in the quandary jar

Editors Musings

mailto:bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:kkyer@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:%20StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:kaleditor@%20mindspring.commailto:robert_kelton@mac.commailto:robert_kelton@mac.commailto:kaleditor@%20mindspring.commailto:jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:%20StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:kkyer@tahomaaudubon.orgmailto:bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org

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May 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

eNviroNMeNtMatters

Local environmental priorites announcedAfter years of watching Washingtons twenty larg-

est environmental groups come together to promote

four priorities each legislative session, Pierce County

non-profit environmental groups are taking heed.

Selecting a handful of priorities to work on together

will let elected officials know what concerns a wide

spectrum of environmentalists. When ten thousandpeople are calling them asking for ten thousand dif-

ferent things, its hard to tell what issues the environ-

mental movement wants action on. For the last two

state legislative sessions the Priorities for a Healthy

Washington Coalition, which Audubon is a member

of, has seen sweeping legislative success with this

strategy. So, why not do the same thing locally?

This spring, leaders from Tahoma Audubon,

Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Friends of Pierce County,

Sierra Club Tatoosh Group, Futurewise, Transportation

Choices Coalition, and Cascade Land Conservancy

worked together to whittle down a long list of pro-

posed priorities. The issues we settled on will help

lead us down the path to sustainability, are within the

boundaries of Pierce County, and are winnable thisyear. We settled on the following four priorities:

Allow for multi-modal transportation options byadoptingComplete Streets Resolutionsby both the

City of Tacoma City Council and the Pierce County

Council. This concept means that roadways should

not be designed for single occupancy vehicles only.

It means making them pedestrian and bike friendly,

greener, and with more transportation amenities, like

improved bus stops. Roads connect people to work,

schools, shopping, and recreational opportunities and

improve the quality of life in the urban environment,

as well as playing a significant role in curbing or

promoting urban sprawl.

Conserve Marine Shorelines and Critical Areasby passing the Critical Areas Protections Ordinance

Update for the City of Tacoma that includes designa-

tions for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation

Areas and marine shoreline vegetation buffers. Doing

so will help the city meet the Growth Management

Act requirements, as well as taking positive steps

toward both protecting Endangered Species such as

Chinook salmon and cleaning up the Puget Sound.

Conserve and Restore Urban Open Spaces byadopting and funding the Open Space Habitat and

Recreation Plan this fall. Tacomas public open

spaces, including urban forests and wetlands, are suf-

fering from misuse, lack of maintenance, and threats

from invasive species like Himalayan blackberry and

English Ivy. Urban habitat corridors are needed toensure mobility of urban wildlife. The plan will help

the city to acquire, restore, and maintain public open

spaces throughout the city, and foster active commu-

nity stewardship.

Tackle Climate Change at the Local Level byadopting and funding the recommendations put

forth by the City of Tacomas Global Warming

Climate Action

Task Force.

Tacoma can be a

leader by setting

aggressive goals

for reducing

greenhouse gasemissions that

are in line with

the latest scien-

tific data and

modeling of the

United Nations

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The

creation of a new Office of Sustainability, with

funding and staffing, is needed to coordinate sub-

stantial and wide-ranging efforts across all sectors

of the economy.

We will need your help to successfully pass these

four priorities this year! If you are interested in these

issues or other conservation issues, you are welcome

to attend our next Conservation Committee meetingon Tuesday, May 13 at 2:00pm at our office. Dont

forget to keep an eye on our website for up to date

information and action alerts on these issues.(www.

tahomaaudubon.org)

By Lindsey Webb

On April 14, the Seattle Green Festival invited thousands of people

from all around the Northwest to get involved in the movement toward

environmental awareness and action. A joint project of Global

Exchange and Co-Op

American, the festi-

val, held at the

Washington State

Convention and Trade Center, included a variety of speakers, product

demonstrations, and opportunities to network with like-minded people.

Gwen Johnson, a senior at Pacific Lutheran University, volunteered

at the festival and was stationed at the box office. What she found

notable at the festival was the planning to offset carbon emissions from

attendees traveling to get there, so they asked everyone where they

were coming from when they got there. In addition, everyone who

walked, biked or took the bus could have their ticket discounted by five

dollars, and everyone who took a train got in free.

Speakers included Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels; Amory Lovins,founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a green

business consulting firm in Colorado; and Frances

Moore Lappe, author of Diet for a Small Planet.

Environmental activist Schuyler Timmons said that

Lappe spoke of the courage and passion for justice

stored up within all of us, if only we would all harness

it. Timmons also spoke of the atmosphere of the

festival, saying that whether youre conservative or

liberal, almost everyone believes that we all have the

inherent right to a good education, food in our stomachs, clean air,

clean water, reliable health care and respect by our fellow citizens.

One purpose of the festival, among others, was to educate citizens

about the ways their decisions affect these things and how they affect

other people.

JP Kemmick, a 2007 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, didhave some criticism of the festival, primarily that there was too much

of a focus on material goods. Kemmick said that if you were looking

for a bumper sticker to express your love for the planet while driving

your car, t-shirts, Amazonian miracle fruits, books, lotions, Bush

punching bags you could find it at the Green Festival. Kemmick

believes that simplicity should be the goal. However, he did find solace

in the fact that the speakers were inspiring. Some of them actually

seemed to understand the magnitude of the problem and the actions

needed to address it.

The festival seemed to be a great success. Timmons is encouraged

by the fact that greeners are not a minority anymore, but a growing

majority of people who yearn for change.

The National Audubon Society and Toyota have launched TogetherGreen, a

nationwide Audubon program to fund conservation projects, train environmentalleaders, and offer volunteer opportunities to significantly benefit the environment.A $20 million Toyota grantthe largest Audubon has received in its 103-year

historywill fund TogetherGreen for five years, enabling Audubon to expand thescope and reach of its internationally-known conservation programs.

TogetherGreen will include three program components: Innovation Grants to fund dozens of on-the-ground projects each year that

employ creative approaches and engage diverse communities to help achieve mea-surable land, water and/or energy conservation results. Grant requirements willbroaden project participation and promote innovation by uniting Audubons nationalnetwork with environmental and community partners.

Conservation Fellowshipsto train and foster up to 200 prom-ising environmental leaders whocan serve as role models, expert

guides and organizers for engag-ing new and diverse audiences ineffective conservation action.

Volunteer Days to beoffered at Audubon Centers andother locations nationwide, providing hands-on opportunities to address environ-mental problems and take part in restoration activities.TogetherGreen is about giving people the knowledge, the support and the oppor-

tunities they need to truly make a difference, said Audubon President John Flicker.We will engage people of all ages, from every community and all walks of life tohelp shape a healthier future.Audubon has a long and successful history of encouraging conservation of our

natural ecosystems, and we are proud to develop this initiative with them, saidPatricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of Toyota Motor North America. Toyotabelieves in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results, and TogetherGreen

fits perfectly with that philosophy.Toyota plans to engage its 36,000 U.S. employees and invite its business partnersto join with others through TogetherGreen as conservation volunteers to take theindividual steps that will add up to significant conservation results.

TogetherGreen will also reach a diverse array of audiences through TogetherGreen.org, scheduled to debut later this spring. The site will help visitors discover dozensof individual conservation actions to help them independently green their lives. Itwill provide opportunities to challenge friends to take conservation actions of theirown. Visitors will be able to follow the evolving conservation efforts and achieve-ments of TogetherGreen projects, and nominate and celebrate the work of environ-mental heroes and projects across the country. Every aspect of TogetherGreen.orgwill be designed to highlight and encourage conservation action.

Audubon and Toyota announce fve-yearalliance to promote conservation action

Greeners no longer minority

Mayor Nickels

The Conservation Committee meets on a regular basis.Contact Krystal for details: 253-232-9978 or e-mail herkkyer@tahomaaudubon.org

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Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2008

eDucAtioNPage

2917 Morrison Road W.,

University Pl. WA 98466

253-565-9278

www.TahomaAudubon.org

Open Mon Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m.

1919 South Tyler Street,

Tacoma WA 98338

253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org

Open Tues. Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

& Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Camps for ages 4-6 are held at AdrianaHess Audubon Center, University Place.Each camp is Monday through Wednesday, 9am 1 pm. Fee: $90

Little Explorers: The Perfect Place June 30, July 1 & 2Little Explorers: The Perfect Place July28, 29 & 30Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders

Aug 4, 5 & 6Little Explorers: Striders & Gliders Aug25, 26 & 27

Camps for ages 5-7 are held at TacomaNature Center. Each camp is Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Fee:$150

Kaleidoscope of Nature July 14-18Oceans of Fun July 21-25Its Art, Naturally Aug 11-15

Camps for ages 8-11 are held at TacomaNature Center. Each camp is Monday

through Friday, 8:30 am 4:30 pm. Fee:$150

Kaleidoscope of Nature July 7-11Oceans of Fun July 28-Aug 1Its Art, Naturally Aug 18-22

Finding Your Future in the Wild:Teen Career CampTeens ages 12-15 can explore careers in naturalresources such as marine science, zookeeping, jour-nalism and wildlife biology. Daily field trips, hands-on activities and an overnight are all included in thiscamp. Fee is $245. Scholarship assistance is avail-

able. Camp runs August 4-8, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.For more information and registration visitwww.metroparkstacoma.org or call Tacoma NatureCenter at 253-591-6439.

Summer Camp ScholarshipsWild Birds Unlimited and the National Fish & WildlifeFoundation have joined with National Audubon to

support nature summer campsacross the country with scholarshipassistance for campers. Tahoma

Audubon members and friends inour local community have alsogenerously donated funds to pro-vide children and teens with the

experience of discovering the won-ders of our natural world and learning to be good

stewards of the land. If youd like to apply or havequestions, please contact Margie Shea, the chair ofthe education committee, at marjories@tacoma-parks.com or call 253-591-6439. Donations to sup-port the John Slipp Scholarship Fund are alwayswelcome at any time!

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

Summer volunteer fun for teens & adults!Join in the fun of the summer nature day camps! Themes for

camps include ocean and wetland animals, nature-inspired art andcreativity, diversity of wildlife and habitats, and Little Explorers

(for the youngest campers). Here are ways you can volunteer withthe day camp team:

Plan camp activities for kids

Lead activities, games, songs

Demonstrate or teach a skill or special interest

Prepare crafts ahead of time

Organize supplies

Supervise to make sure all is fun and safe

Chaperone a field trip (usually Wednesdays)

The kids need your help to make this happen. Tacoma NatureCenter and Adriana Hess Audubon Center are perfect places to

spend time this summer! Contact Steph Swaim stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.org or Margie Shea marjories@tacomaparks.

comfor more information.

Natural Resources Youth CampCelebrating their 25th year, the Natural Resources Youth Camp willbe held June 22-28 at the Cispus Learning Center outside of

Randle, Washington. Youth ages 12-17 have the opportunity toexperience hands-on learning for one week during the summer,

including a team challenge course and activities such as archeryand building bird houses. Instruction is provided by resource pro-

fessionals who volunteer their time to share their knowledge and

expertise. Many campers continue their education in the field ofnatural resources after attending NRYC.

There are three levels of campers at NRYC. Regular campersbetween the ages of 12-15, advanced campers between the ages of

15-17, and Counselors-in-Training (CITs). Fees from $250-$325.Scholarship assistance is available through the NYRC and by con-

tacting Margie Shea, Education Committee, at marjories@tacoma-parks.com, or calling (253) 591-6439. For more information and

registration forms, visit their website, www.nryc.org. Deadline for

camper registration is June 14.

In March we

launched our 9th An-

nual Bird Drawing

Contest to students in

Pierce County. TheTahoma AudubonBird Drawing con-

test is open to all

Pierce County stu-

dents in public, private

and home schools. In

past years, we have

received over 100

submissions per year from students in grades 2 through 7.

Winners are judged in three age categories, 2 rnd-3rd grade,

4 rth-5th grade and 6 th-7th grade. And in each category, the

artwork is judged on both its artistic merit as well as the

accuracy of the native habitats.

This year we would like to highlight three birds that in

recent years have shown a decline in numbers at feeders

and in their native habitats across the country. These birds

are the Greater Scaup, the Evening Grosbeak, and the

Annas Hummingbird.

Every student in Pierce County in grades 2 through

7 is invited to submit their bird drawing to the Tahoma

Audubon Society. They can choose any of the three birds

highlighted to draw or paint. Instructions can be found on

our website www.tahomaaudubon.org in the Education

section.

Hummingbird Season is Upon Us!Speaking of Annas Hummingbird, have you noticed

the Rufous Hummingbird has migrated back to our areafor the summer? The rst sighting at Adriana Hess Audu-

bon Center was in late March, and we have been seeing

them regularly ever since. We have one feeder in our trees,

however they are most likely drawn to the Red-Flowering

Currant that is blooming throughout the property.

If planting native nectar plants is not an option for you,

hanging hummingbird feeders are a great way to attract

hummingbirds your yard. Like all birdfeeders, hum-

mingbird feeders should be taken care-of to ensure the

health of the birds which they attract. Washing and sani-

tizing at regular intervals is the minimum maintenance to

keep them safe for hummingbirds. Here are a few guide-

lines for maintaining hummingbird feeders throughout the

year:

Sugar-water for hummingbirds can be made at home

by combining 1 part natural sugar with 4 parts water, and

should be boiled to kill any bacteria. Let the sugar-water

cool before you add it to your feeder. DO NOT ADD

RED FOOD COLORING. It is unnecessary and it may

harm the birds.

Dont use honey in the sugar water mixture, it can con-

tain a harmful fungus.

Add only enough sugar-water mixture to the feeder that

the hummingbirds in your yard will consume in 2-3 days.

If left longer, the sugar-water can breed bacteria.

Wash and disinfect your feeder every 2-3 days (or less

if its hot out) to avoid bacterial growth inside the feeder.

Never use harsh chemicals to disinfect the feeder. If nec-

essary, a weak mixture of vinegar and water will disinfect

the feeder. Rinse with very hot water.

Remember, hummingbirds prefer nectar plants and

insects to your feeder. Dont worry if visitation to your

feeder decreases during periods of the summer. Chances

are they have found a more nutritious food source. Ru-

fous hummingbirds have an excellent memory, and once

the plant nectar declines, they will seek out your feeder

once again.

If you are interested in nding out more about attract-

ing hummingbirds to

your yard, please visit

the National Audubon web-

site, www.audubon.org and the Washington Native PlantSociety website, www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/

hummingbirdlist.html.

Upcoming Events for Education/ Tahoma Audubon at

events around the South Sound!

Puget Sound Kayak Symposium, May 17-18, 2008/Owen Beach at Point Deance Park, Tacoma

Come see what paddling has to do with birding on our

shores. Well be teaching about the sea and shorebirds that

you can see from the seat of your kayak.

Point Deance Flower & Garden Show,, June 6-8,

2008/Point Deance Gardens, Tacoma

Farms rely on birds, bees and butteries to help with

pollination of their plants. Learn how at the Point Deance

Flower and Garden show.

Field trips to the Adriana Hess Audubon Center and theTacoma Nature Center

Spots are lling up quickly as we reach the end of the

school year. Sign-up soon to make sure you get the dates

that you need! We have Bird-, Wildlife-, Habitat-, and

Tidepool-themed trips for your classroom. Call the Taco-

ma Nature Center, 253-591-6439 for more information.

Summer Nature CampRegistration is open. Visit the education page at www.

tahomaaudubon.org to learn more.

Education matters

Stephanie Swaim, Education Coordinator

253-565-5479 StephSwaim@TahomaAudu bon.org

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.comhttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/mailto:stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.orgmailto:stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.orgmailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.orgmailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.comhttp://www.nryc.org/http://www.nryc.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.audubon.org/http://www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/hummingbirdlist.htmlhttp://www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/hummingbirdlist.htmlhttp://www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/hummingbirdlist.htmlhttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:StephSwaim@TahomaAudubon.orgmailto:StephSwaim@TahomaAudubon.orgmailto:StephSwaim@TahomaAudubon.orghttp://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/hummingbirdlist.htmlhttp://www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/hummingbirdlist.htmlhttp://www.audubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.nryc.org/mailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.orgmailto:stephswaim@TahomaAudubon.orghttp://www.metroparkstacoma.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/mailto:marjories@tacomaparks.commailto:marjories@tacomaparks.comhttp://www.metroparkstacoma.org/

8/9/2019 05-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

5/11

Bird Walks at Penrose PointLeader: Dan Christian and/or Janet Shonk.Rangers at Penrose Point are inviting the pub-

lic to visit and walk with them as they explore

this state park. We will be walking the trails

at Penrose Point State Park and listening for

birds. We will be taking along a tape record-

er and microphone to help us learn the songs.

Many of the spring migrants will be back just

in time for our walks! We will also talk about

what bird songs and calls mean to birds.

Meet: At 8 a.m. at the bulletin board by the

big parking lot in front of the big lawn area of

Penrose.

When: The walks will be on Saturday the

17th of May, Sunday the 25th of May

(Memorial Day Weekend), and Saturday the

31st of May.

Weekly Bird Walks at NisquallyNEW DAY & TIME!:

Wednesdays 7:30 a.m. to noon

Leader: Phil Kelley

[Please note. The midweek Nisqually trips

have been changed to WEDNESDAY, and

now leave at 7:30 a.m. starting in April,

2008]

Join Phil on his weekly bird walk as he counts

the birds at Nisqually NWR. On the firstWednesday of the month, the group walks

fairly quickly around the full loop, a distance

of over five miles (this longer one finishes in

mid-afternoon). Other weeks, the trip is

shorter; walking out to McAllister Creek,

back to the visitor center, then out to the Twin

Barns and the Ring Dike Trail, totaling about

four miles.Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, rainge-

ar, water, snacks, and $3. entry fee unless you

have a pass. Scopes are welcome.

Meet: At the Visitors Center.

Directions: Take I-5 south from Tacoma and

exit to Nisqually NWR at exit 114. Take a

right at the light.

Sign-up: Call or email Phil Kelley to con-

firm details. Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360)

459-1499, scrubjay323@aol.com.

fielD trips and Events

May 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5

Trogon Tours Trips

rules

ADRIANA HESS AUDUBON CENTER2917 Morrison Rd. W., University Place,253-565-9278

Hope youve come by the Center to enjoy allthe sprouting beauty of Spring. Synthyris hasbeen blooming since February; the trilliums,fawn lilies, bleeding hearts, wild ginger, andOregon grape have been gorgeous. The Indianplum is setting plums, the camas is ready to popout any day, and at least half of our 30 or morered-flowering currants have been a riot of redalong the stream and trail. May will give us theopportunity to enjoy fairybells, starflower, star-flowered Solomons seal, vanilla-leaf, oxalis, andall the prairie flowers.

BIRD WALK: Monday, May 12, noon to 2:00p.m., with Ruth Sullivan. It is 2 hours longinstead of the usual 1 hour because it is alsoable to be used as a Birdathon walk.

WEEDING INVITATION: Hope those of youwho are free on Monday, May 19, will come andhelp us weed from 10:00 to noon. The weedsare so busy trying to take over this month.We will have our usual Friday weeding opportu-nities with a light breakfast at 9:00 a.m. andweeding until 11:00 a.m. Hope to see you!

PLANT WALK: Monday, May 19, noon to 1:00p.m. with plant specialists.

MORSE WILDLIFE PRESERVE: Open Trails,Sunday, May 13, noon to 4:00 p.m. (All second

Sundays through October.) The June OpenTrails will be preceded by a Betty Jones BirdWalk from 10:00a.m. to noon. There will be aspecial Birdathon bird walk with Betty Jones,Friday, May 23, 10:00a.m. to noon. Call253-565-9278 to get directions.

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

Western Ecuador December 6-14, 2008Nate and Angie Chappell will lead this tour that will cover the Western slope of the Andesand some of the Western lowlands. Spectacular species that we have a good chance ofseeing and/or photographing include Andean Cock of the Rock, Giant and Yellow-breasted

Antpittas, Andean Condor, Sword-billed Hummingbird and many species of dazzling tana-gers and beautiful hummingbirds. This trip will take in a variety of habitats from high

Andean grassland, to foothill cloud forest to lowland tropical forest. Extensions to theGalapagos or Amazonian lodges are available. Cost $1,800.

Thailand, January 4-18, 2009TAS members Nate and Angie Chappell will lead a wonderful trip to Central and NorthernThailand next January. We will see and photograph a wide variety of both birds and mammalsand experience Thai culture as well by visiting ruins and temples. A variety of hornbills, sunbirds,trogons and barbets are among the many species of birds that we will see. Cost is $3,600 perperson, single supplement $500.

See our website, www.trogontours.net for more informationor call Nate Chappell at 253-512-1060

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 three no-shows a year can result in revoking

the 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.

For Birdathon eld trips,please turn to next page.

Note: A donation is made to Tahoma Audubon for TAS members who go on these trips.

mailto:scrubjay323@aol.commailto:scrubjay323@aol.comhttp://www.trogontours.net/http://www.trogontours.net/mailto:scrubjay323@aol.com

8/9/2019 05-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

6/11

Birdathon field trips

Birdathon is here! April 25-May 31

Birdathon is our largest fundraiser. Expenses are kept at 1%.

How do you join Birdathon? You, the Birder/Counter, gather

sponsors for your Birdathon Trip and the sponsors pledge a

donation to Tahoma Audubon based on the species seen (or a

flat rate).

If our special Birdathon trips dont fit your schedule, choose

one of TASs regular field trips. Leaders will help you with

identification. For more information call Thelma, 253-564-8210

or e-mail, thelma@tahomaaudubon.org.

Check out the announcements page for more information. Be

sure to call TAS, 253-565-9278, to register and get directions.

(Theres lots of help identifying the birds.)

Titlow Park

When: Monday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Leaders: Rosanne Becker and Joann Sims

Families Welcome! Enjoy both water and songbirds at this

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.

3 choices on May 10; International Migratory Bird Day

Nisqually NWR and/or Ocean Shores

When: Saturday, May 10, 7:00 a.m. to evening

Leaders: Ken and Nell Batker.

The trip will begin by walking the Nisqually dike trail on the

Refuge followed by a sack lunch (bring your own). We will

then carpool to Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and

from there to the Ocean Shores area to cap a good days bird-

ing. Everyone is welcome to come along on all or any part(s)

of the days activities. We usually finish at Nisqually between

11:00 a.m. and noon so anyone wishing to join us for only the

Grays Harbor and/or Ocean Shores segments can meet us then

at Nisqually. We usually finish the day with the optional activ-

ity of a meal at a nice restaurant in Aberdeen where we can total

up, check our bird lists, and recall fun sightings of the day.

Meet at the flagpole by the visitors center at Nisqually NWR

Tacoma to Potholes (Overnight in Moses Lake)

When: Saturday and Sunday, May 10 & 11, 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 stayovernight. 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.

Pierce County Big Day, Purdy to Paradise

When: Saturday, May 10, 5:15 a.m. till dusk

Leader: Bruce LaBar.

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. Meet at the far end of Purdy Spit at 5:15

a.m.

Adriana Hess Wetland Park--Audubon Center

When: Monday, May 12, 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 days count. Last year we got 40 birds on this count.

Fort Lewis

When: Wednesday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Leader: Fort Lewiss Jim Lynch

Jim Lynch, from the Forts Wildlife Department, will meet the

group at the Roy Y Park and 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.

Waughop Lake and Fort Steilacoom Park and/or 176th

Spanaway Marsh

When: Saturday, May 17 at Waughop Lake at 8:30 a.m. until

11:00 a.m. and the Cross-base, 176th Marsh, noon to 2:00

p.m.

Leader: Betty Jones

Meeting spot in the morning will be the parking lot by the barns

at Fort Steilacoom Park. Meet at the end of 176th Street S. for

the afternoon session.

Birding by Ear for Birdathon

When: Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Leader: Melissa Sherwood

Explore McCormick Forest, the old growth preserve off

Bujacich Dr near Gig Harbor. Melissa Sherwood will be lead-

ing a Birding by Ear walk for the Birdathon. If you know ourlocal birds by sight and would like to get to know their songs

and calls, please join her. Well meet at the Swede Hill Fire

Station just west of Hwy. 16 at the Burnham Dr. exit. Well

walk through the forest, some steep trails; time permitting we

may explore a couple of other birdy areas nearby. Hopefully

well pick up on some of the migrating warblers and flycatchers

moving through as well. Wear comfortable hiking/walking

shoes and dress comfortably for whatever the weather.

Point Defiance Park

When: Sunday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. to noon

Leaders: Rob and Natalie McNair-Huff

Join Rob and Natalie for the Birdathon version of their month-

ly nature walk at Point Defiance Park on May 18. They will set

out at 8:00 a. m. from 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.

Morse Wildlife Preserve

When: Friday, May 23, 10:00 a.m. to noon

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.

Green River Watershed

When: Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Leader: Jeff Gillard and friend

Join us for a day of birding in the Green River Watershed, Nolte

State Park, and Auburn Narrows wetlands. This is a rare oppor-

tunity to see the protected watershed managed by Tacoma

Water. Well leave the Tacoma Public Utilities Administration

Building at 8:00 a.m. in two vans, visit Nolte State Park on the

way to the watershed, and arrive at the watershed gate at about

10:00 a.m. Well bird the forests and fields around Howard

Hanson Reservoir (elevation 1200 feet), then visit Eagle Lake

(elevation 2200 feet) before heading to Auburn Narrows. Well

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.

Rapjohn Wood Co Tree Farm

When: Saturday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Leaders: Owners Mariella and Bob Arnold

Come walk the trails and count the birds of this 110 acre tree

farm, then stay to enjoy a potluck lunch. Please bring your pot-

luck contribution. Remember your boots!

in our plane of existence.

First stop was at Midway Beach, but the new channel that Mother

Nature sculpted in the sand last year kept us far from the actual ocean,

and we couldnt walk overland to another access because those areas

were closed for Snowy Plover nesting season, so we just enjoyed a

few Least Sandpipers from afar, many geese heading northward,

Savannah Sparrows in the scrub, and a singing Common Yellowthroat.

Finally stopping at the beach a few more miles down the road,

Caspian Terns were fishing furiously all around us, filling the air with

some rough language. Three Loon species, three Cormorant species,and many Surf Scoters bobbed up and down just offshore.

The weather continued to improve, and when we reached Tokeland,

it was a nice day with no hint of that other dimension we had left

behind. As a member of the Willettes, I was worried we might miss

the Willets as this was right at the time they get restless and head to their

nesting grounds. I neednt have worried, though, because it appears the

Tokeland Willets who winter here are deeply attached to the huge

wintering flock of Marbled Godwits who stick around through the end

of the month. The usual 800 or so Godwits were on hand, and we saw

about 6 Willets as well. However, spring had brought in the Short-

Billed Dowitchers, some Long-Billed Dowitchers, Whimbrels, Dunlin,

and Western Sandpipers to add to flock. The Dowitchers and Dunlin

numbered in the hundreds! The tame shorebird flocks that Tokeland is

famous for have never presented such a variety of spe-

cies as they showed us today! The new arrivals all

took their cues from the Godwits and tolerated

the human gawkers easily. The Peregrine

Falcon and Bald Eagle, however, were

another story. A couple of thousand birds

erupted noisily into the air several times,

changing their roosting site from one side of the

pier to the other, thrilling all onlook-

ers including the neighborhood cat.

Besides the beating of wing s, the

Dowitchers added their flight cries

to the spectacle, not something

the usual Godwits had ever

treated us to. Truly music.

Trip leader Nate Chappellis a noted nature photogra-

pher and international

bird tour guide

(trogontours.net

see news of

upcoming trips to Ecuador and

Thailand!), so he made use of this great opportunity with photogenic

birds and good light. Dressed in camouflage, he scooted on his belly

with his huge heavy camera until he was almost on top of the

Dowitchers and Godwits, and it paid off royally! Unfortunately, his

example did not inspire any of the rest of us to follow suit.

Meanwhile overhea d, more skeins of Geese passed by. We had

been seeing Canadas and Cacklers all day, but now hundreds of

White-Fronted Geese were tootling a different tune. Red-Winged and

Brewers Blackbirds threw in their contributions to the soundtrack.

Western and Mew Gulls, Western Grebes, Common Loons,

Buffleheads, Shovelers, Harbor Seals, and a stunning Horned Grebe

newly arrayed in nuptial plumage were also close at hand.We left Tokeland when a chilly breeze started to blow and headed

for Bottle Beach, where we were thrilled to add several hundred Brant

to our days massive goose list. Black-Bellied Plovers and lots more

Dunlin and Western Sandpipers were on the beach, and Orange-

Crowned Warblers and Yellowthroats studded the path out. Far-off

Peeps formed a flashing tower in the distant sky, alerting us to the

swoop of a Merlin into their formation! Great Blue Herons were

unusual today. We saw them in several locations , and they all seemed

really BLUE. Whoever named that bird must have seen them in the

enchanted light we had today.

Last stop of the day was across the street from Bottle Beach at the

wetlands on Ocosta Third Street just east of Westport. Marsh Wrens

scolded us boldly as we enjoyed Wood Ducks, Ring-Necked Ducks,

a Coot, and two pairs of stunning Cinnamon Teal. The sun

shot a ray of sun directly onto the male teal and just about

knocked the eyes out of our heads. What a great way to

finish up this surreally wonderful birding day. As we drove

home, a shard of rainbow caught our eyes just before we hit

Elma and drove back into the real world.

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

from page 1

All photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn except photoof Dowitchers directly above taken by Nate Chappell.

From top, counterclockwise:

Caspian Terns on the beach;

Size Comparisons: Large Marbled Godwits at top,

Dowitchers center, Dunlin at bottom, with Western

Sandpiper at very bottom; Flock of Dowitchers;

Our intrepid adventurers; Ken Batker, Nell Batker,

Melissa Sherwood, Faye Hands, Nate Chappell,

Diane Yorgason-Quinn; Godwits landing on piling;

Nate sneaks up on a huge wad of Godwits.

8/9/2019 05-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

7/11

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2008

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2008

Just the other day...Heres what TAS was doing in May, 1983

BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly

making a plannedgift to the TahomaAudubon Societyin the form of a

bequest, a gift ofappreciated stock,or charitablegift annuities.

Pleaseconsider

Ask us how.

(253) 565-9278

The most important char-acteristics to listen for inbird vocalizations are pitch(high or low, rising or fall-ing), quality (harsh, clear,liquid, buzzy, etc.), andrhythm (fast, slow, chop-py, singsong, etc.). Thelength of a song, the lengthof time between songs,and whether subsequentsongs are the same of dif-ferent can also be useful in

identifying species.

Excerpted from: The Sib-ley Guide to Birds, National

Audubon Society, by DavidAllen Sibley.

By Helen Engle

In 1983 TAS office was located ina portable at The Nature Centerat Snake Lake. We shared spacewith personnel of the MetropolitanPark District. Walt Adams andThelma Gilmur were asking TAS mem-

bers to volunteer time at the office, to attend ParkBoard meetings and planning sessions for thefuture of this marvelous natural area park almostin the geographic center of Tacoma. They werealso soliciting helpers for the nature center fund-raiser, a gigantic parking lot rummage sale.Audubon was working at saving places. We

were lobbying for the Washington State WildernessAct of 1983, which was introduced in Congressby Senators Slade Gorton and HenryJackson. This bill includedseveral areas that were sub-

ject to hearings and possibleinclusion in the package. TASwas specifically lobbying for

the Clearwater, Dark Divide,Indian Heaven, and NorsePeak.

Senator Bob Packwoodof Oregon has introduced abill to create a Columbia GorgeNational Scenic Area. Strong protests by develop-ment-minded local officials, especially in SkamaniaCounty, have kept Washington state politicians

from taking a stand on Gorge protec-tion. Audubon would work to protectthe Columbia River from intensivedevelopment.

TAS May meeting at PLUs IngramHall was a presentation by Professor

Steve Herman, Evergreen StateCollege, on Bowerman Basin Shorebirds.

He convinced us that Bowerman Basins shore-bird migration ranks among the greatest wildlifespectaculars in the state.

Nancy Kroening reported on a meeting ofAuduboners with Governor John Spellman togive him our support of an agreement betweenthe state and the US General Services

Administration to settle the McNeil Island owner-ship. The state would pay for the 63+ acres forprison use, and the rest of the island, approxi-mately 4300 acres, would be for wildlife purposes,under state management.

Field Trips included Fort Lewis prairies and lakeswith Jim Stephenson & Jack Beall leading.Jim Scearce led Nisqually Wildlife Refuge;

Steve Williams led Honey Creek/Coal CreekParkway in the Issaquah Alps. Thelma Gilmurorganized a family field trip to China Lake to learnabout its trails, woods, and the creatures that livein China Lake. We went on a bus trip to FortCanby and Long Beach with Elmer Price; FortSteilacoom and Waughop Lake with WaltAdams; Yellow Lake on the Sammamish Plateauwith Harvey Manning; and Carnation, Tolt

River/McDonald CountyPark with KarlLundberg.

In his Presidents ColumnWalt Adams wrote: The Army Corps of

Engineers has given theWeyerhaeuser Company

permission to build a pierfor ocean-going ships nextto the Nisqually NationalWildlife Refuge. This is a hard blow to acceptafter nearly a decade of fighting to keep industryaway from the fragile Nisqually River Delta.The permit does stipulate, however, that the

pier may be used only for the export of timberand forest products --no incoming cargoes of anykind will be allowed. Other conditions are intend-ed to protect Indian fishing nets from damage bythe ships and to assure that hazardous substanc-es are not stored on the pier. The legal action brought earlier by the

Washington Environmental Council and the

Nisqually Delta Association was defeated inWashington Superior Court, but is now underappeal to the State Supreme Court. If we win,Weyerhaeusers permit would be invalidated. Inany event, construction of the pier cannot beginuntil the case is settled.

Senator Packwood

Feedback, comments and reminiscences

welcome, 253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.

worms in the short grasses and irrigated fields, and

is gone by the end of June when the prairie begins

to dry up. Once arrived on its breeding grounds the

males wild cries and spectacular display flights

signal the beginning of spring. The Curlew nest is a

shallow scrape lined with a camouflaging mixture

of bark, grass, fur, hair, pebbles, and leaves. The

parents share incubation of usually four eggs which

hatch in about four weeks. The young leave the nest

within a few hours, but need protection for several

weeks. After a couple of weeks the female leaves

the male to care for the youngsters

until the remaining family also

leaves for the wintering

grounds. Curlews spend

the non-breeding season

mostly on the Gulf and California

coasts, but some also winter inland in

California and Mexico, and in Washington

birders can usually find a few wintering

Curlews at Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.

Habitat degradation is now the major problem

for the Curlews, not just on the prairie, but also in

their wintering areas. For example, the Curlews

wintering in San Francisco Bay have been

displaced by shoreline development from

much of the intertidal area and now, concentrated

in smaller spaces, theyre more vulnerable to oil

spills and other accidents. And pesticides are haz-

ards for many wintering birds.

Research shows that Curlews are

somewhat flexible, and under some

conditions share fields with

grazing livestock.

Cooperation of wildlife

officials, conservationists, and

ranchers may be our best

chance to ensure that the wild

call of this icon of the North

American prairie does not

fall silent.

... Long-billed Curlewfrom page 1

Photo/Karl King

Extra credit: Think youknow what the kids in thebackpacks are describing?

ItsthesongoftheHermitWarbler.

Helen Engle from daysof yore.

8/9/2019 05-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

8/11

May 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

ANNouNceMeNts

Please sign and return this coupon or call and say you will help!

Call Thelma Gilmur today at 253-564-8210.

BIRDATHON 2008Mail to Tahoma Audubon, 2917 Morrison Road West, University Place, WA 98466.

_______I will get at least 5 pledges and do a Birdathon for TAS.

_______I will make a donation.

NAME____________________________________PHONE____________________

ADDRESS___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________ZIP_______________________

WE NEED YOU!

Tahoma Audubon Birdathon in full swing!

Membership Policy ChangeIn December, the Tahoma Audubon Board adopted a

new chapter membership policy. The purpose is to

simplify our current situation, serve you better and

generate more membership revenue at the chapter level

to support our work to conserve habitat and educate the

next generation of conservation leaders.

In the past, membership in National Audubon Society

came with an automatic membership in the local chapter.

A portion of those membership funds were passed onto

the chapter to help support local efforts.

With the rise in the cost of direct mail, National

Audubon has decided to no longer send a portion of each

members dues to the chapter. Each year TahomaAudubon receives financial assistance from National

Audubon but it is no longer tied to your membership.

Your membership in Tahoma Audubon is what makes

us the successful organization that we are. You can

renew your Chapter membership with a donation of$30 or more, or you can renew your Chapter ANDNational membership with a donation of $50 ormore. We will send the $20 for your National member-

ship on to National Audubon.

We will not stuff your mailbox all year long with

solicitations to renew your membership, this is the only

notice you will get.

Health Department offers free

Natural Yard Care WorkshopLearn about environmentally friendly yard and garden

maintenance this spring during a series of fun, informa-

tive and free natural yard care workshops presented by

the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.

The last of the three workshops will take place from

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium,

5400 N. Pearl, on Wednesday, May 14: Garden Pest

Management & Smart Watering.

The workshops are free, but space is limited. To register,

or for more information, contact Geoff Rinehart at

253-798-4587 or grinehart@tpchd.org.

Big Backyard Potluck PicnicJune 26, Thu., 6-9 p.m.

Demonstrations and displays by Pierce County out-

door and environmental allies: Audubon, Mountaineers,

Foothills Trail, Native Plant Society, Cascade Land

Conservancy, Sierra Club, Citizens for A Healthy Bay,

Carbon River Corridor, Chambers-Clover Watershed

Council, Puget Creek Restoration Society, Student

Conservation Association and about eight more.

At the Engle Garden,4011 Alameda Avenue, UniversityPlace south of Fircrest.

Featuring: The Displays by our friends plus, Licensed

Falconers with their Live Birds, Native Plants for sale,

Entertaining program, music and Earth-friendly ideas

for kids of all ages. Children and grandchildren are

MOST welcome. Dont forget how great the food is!

We Furnish: Coffee, punch. Beer and wine is BYO.

You Bring:Hot or coldentree, PLUS salad or des-sert; your own TABLE SERVICEand a situpon.No signup necessary. Rain does not cancel.

For more info: Helen Engle, 253-564-3112, hengle@

iinet.com (e-mail preferred).

DIRECTIONS: 4011 Alameda Ave. is mile south ofFircrest Golf Course. Parking on Alameda and on

Kootnai, the lower street (come in lower gate).

Youre invited!

Wenas campout, May 23-26, 2008For 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. The location, SW of

Ellensburg, is now in an Important Bird Area which

Auduboners has been assured of protective status in a

major land swap with the timber company ownership.

The free, primitive campground along the north fork

of Wenas Creek has exceptional opportunities for bird-

ing, botanizing and enjoying spring in the eastern foot-

hills of the Cascades.

The campground is about 2,500 elevation, can be cold

at night, hot during day.

Bring water for drinking (the creek is beautiful and

bountiful but not potable). We set up tents or use pick-up type campers.

We all share in the rent of portable toilets for four

days.

Bicycles and Frisbees are fun, telescopes and cameras

standard gear. Please leave pets at home.

There are organized field trips throughout the Wenas

drainage and WA DF&W management areas and some

on private property at owners requests.

In camp we have natural history workshops with some

of the states top birders, WNPS botanists, entomologists

etc. 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 the beautiful Wenas Website, by Webmaster

Michael Hobbs, to see Hazel Wolfs familiar smiling

face and get lots of downloadable information about our

campout. www.wenasaudubon.org. Theres a bird

checklist, wildflower checklist, outline of field trips and

program, directions to the campground, lots of photos.

If you dont do websites, contact me and Ill 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 23-26, 2008! See you there!

Helen Engle, hengle@iinet.com, 253-564-3112.

International Migratory Bird Day2008 Theme - Tundra to Tropics:

Connecting Birds, Habitats, and PeopleIn 2008, IMBD will explore the birds that make fan-

tastic migratory journeys, the habitats on which they

depend, and the people who are important to the conser-

vation of birds and their habitats along the way. The

2008 theme provides a wonderful opportunity to recog-

nize the important habitats in our locale and the groupsand individuals that contribute to their protection.

Explore what each habitat offers migratory birds, wheth-

er it is a place to rest, a nesting site, or a winter home.

IMBD officially takes place on the second Saturday

in May each year. IMBD is now celebrated almost

year-round. Most U.S. and Canada events take place in

April and May, while fall events are the norm in the

Caribbean and Latin America.

Environment for the Americas, home of International

Migratory Bird Day, is a non-profit organization working

to increase awareness of birds and their conservation

throughout the Western Hemisphere. From1995 to 2006,

the program was under the direction of the National Fish

and Wildlife Foundation and U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service. IMBD isnow the premier education project of

Environment for the Americas.

IMBD continues to focus attention

on one of the most important and

spectacular events in the life of a

migratory bird -- its journey between

its summer and winter homes.

http://www.birdday.org/index.php

http://birdcor.org/imbd.htm

Connecting people to nature is TAS mission and there are

three fundraising Birdathon trips scheduled on May 10.

Please see our field trip page and consider partnering with

Audubon through our fundraising efforts which will help

conserve habitat and provide important education.

mailto:grinehart@tpchd.orgmailto:grinehart@tpchd.orghttp://www.birdday.org/index.phphttp://www.birdday.org/index.phphttp://www.birdday.org/index.phpmailto:grinehart@tpchd.org

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voluNteer Recognition

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org May 2008

welcoMe to New and Returning Members

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

Hope youve come by the Center to enjoyall the sprouting beauty of Spring. Synthyrishas been blooming since February; the tril-liums, fawn lilies, bleeding hearts, wild

ginger, and Oregon grape have been gor-geous. The Indian plum is setting plums,the camas is ready to pop out any day, andat least half of our 30 or more red-flowering

currants have been a riot of red along thestream and trail. May will give us theopportunity to enjoy fairybells, starflower,star-flowered Solomons seal, vanilla-leaf,oxalis, and all the prairie flowers.Weeding invitation: Hope those of you

who are free on Monday, May 19, will comeand help us weed from 10:00 to noon. Theweeds are so busy trying to take over thismonth.

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

Volunteer at Adriana Hess Wetland Park

Chapter New and Renewing:Jeanne Apffel, Mr and Mrs Robert Arnold, Bert

Brown, Jane Elam, Janet Fry, Luanne Green,

Howard and Shirley Johnson, Jeannette Matthews,Paula Meyer, Georgianna Miller, Martin Nelson,

Carol Rae Smith, Richard A Smith, Bill and

Karen Smitherman, Norita M Stewart, Berta

Thompson, Mel and Judy Urschel, Ryan Wiese.

Chapter Joint with National:Betty Cappa, Kathleen LeGreid, Brad McPhee,

Kris Quinn, Buel and Luana Sever, Audrey

Stacy, Mrs. Robert Whitney.

Introductory: Recruited through TAS:Bill and Gerrie Butman, Jim Comerford, Nicole

de Recat, Stephanie Paulson, Jeffrey Zittel.

Introductory:Recruited through NAS:(Starred names are returning after

a period of lapsed membership.)Doug Abel, Mr and Mrs Dennis

Anderson, Brandon Ball, Roma

Brown*, Norm Clark, Carmen

Dybdahl, E E Grondahl, Sandy Hackett, T J

Haugen, Martha Humphries, Mary McGoldrick*,

Frank Morgan, Joyce and Bruce Murray, Roger

Priem*, Alice Ralph, Donna Rippon, Sonja

Yarborough.

Thanks for all the renewals weve been receiving

at TAS. With much less National financial help

available, TAS is now sending Towhees only to

those persons who renew chapter or joint (TAS

and NAS) through us. On January 2008, we

gave members credit for whichever expiration

date (Chapter or NAS) was the farthest along.

You will be receiving a renewal request when

that date comes around. If, in the meantime, you

respond to a National renewal request, it will not

include the Towhee. Thanks for understanding.

March 16, 2008 to April 15, 2008

So far my time here at Tahoma Audubon has been incredibly

rewarding. I have been able to create new programs, develop

marketing materials, and foster great relationships with volun-

teers. I have grown especially close to Rylla Goldberg whovolunteered to help us update our front desk binder, office

manual, and community resources binder. She was a great

help and has proven to be an excellent friend and support tome. I have also had the pleasure of attending Rosanne

Beckers many card making classes which I have thoroughly

enjoyed. My eyes were opened to the world of birding during

the Great Backyard Bird Count when I went birding at Titlow

with Joann Sims and Rosanne Becker. Dixie Harris and I

have been working to create a green outdoor education shelter

here at Adriana Hess. Dixies perseverance and hard work

shine as she works to better the park. Karen Fischer has done

an incredible job with organizing files and data entry. Front

desk receptionist Janet Bent and I have had very fun interac-

tions in which jokes fly and sarcasm is rich. Loren Webster

has been a huge help when it comes to managing our website.I can count on my go-to volunteer, Jennie Sheridan who is

always willing to help out with whatever she can. There are

many more volunteers that I have had the honor to interact

with as well. I want to thank you all for welcoming me and

creating such a great environment to work in.

Reecting on the wonderful world of Tahoma Audubon

Vaughn Hilliard is a volunteer from Clover Park TechnicalCollege. He will be graduating in June with an associatesin Applied Science and he is volunteering at Adriana Hessto complete his internship hours. He will be helping with

habitat maintenance, special events, Power Points, andeducation activities. He is very enthusiastic and willing tohelp out anyway he can, welcome Vaughn!

Andrew Larson has been volunteering in the Tahoma Audubonoffice for several months now. He has been involved with Audubonsince he was a child. Andrew is helping us to create a more effi-cient system for tracking and applying for grants. From our data-base he has been consolidating grant deadlines, grant criteria andgeneral donor information. He is also in the process of researching

potential grant donors. Already, Andrew has collaborated with ourConservation Coordinator, Krystal Kyer on a grant for thePuget Sound Seabird Survey of Pierce County. This grantwould fund the expansion of the seabird survey, whichwould enable the use of citizen science to conduct furtherresearch needed to protect our seabirds. We truly appre-ciate all of his time and effort. Thank you Andrew!

Volunteer

Spotlight

Andrew Larson Vaughn Hilliard

d

8/9/2019 05-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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May 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11

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

an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National

Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing

your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in

Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub-

scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis-

counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/

National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National

membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of

Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas. Checkspayableto:TahomaAudubon29

17Morrison

Rd.

W.

UniversityPlace,

98466Tahom

aAudubon

Society,establishedin1969,

isa501(c)(3)nonprofit

organization.

Donationsaretaxdeductib

le.

Membership Fee:

___ Introductory (first year) $20

___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50

___ Chapter member renewal $30

___ Other Contributions _____________

Member(s) Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

City______________________________ Zip__________________

Phone: home ___________________business _________________

e-mail: ________________________________________________

Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)

Membership

Sat., May 17, we will have another plant maintenance party. The location forthat event is yet undetermined. we will provide tools, gloves, and refreshments.

The only missing ingredients are energy and a little time to apply some mulcharound previously planted native trees and shrubs to protect them. Please letme know if you would like to join us.2008 Nisqually Stream Stewards TrainingI am doing early recruitment for this years Stream Stewards course. We haveseven evening classes and four field tours scheduled throughout the Nisquallywatershed, some in places where most folks have never had an opportunity tovisit, such as the prairie areas on Fort Lewis, and restoration sites at the BragetMarsh and Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Also this year, we have somevery interesting speakers and dont forget, this valuable course is offered freeand there is limited seating space. This class usually fills fast, so if you orsomeone you know is interested, please reserve a space in the class.Class Schedule and LocationsClass days, starting Jun. 4: Wed. evenings 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Tue., Jul. 1, 6p.m. to 9 p.m.

Field tours: Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.CLASSES Wed. Jun. 4, Yelm School District Office; Wed. Jun. 11, Pack ForestCenter; Wed. Jun. 18,Yelm School District Office; Wed. Jun. 25, Ohop Grange;Tuesday, Jul. 1, Nisqually Reach Nature Center at Luhr Beach; Wed. Jul. 9, YelmSchool District Office; Wed., Jul. 16, Ohop GrangeFIELD TOURS Sat. Jun. 14, various watershed sites; Sat. Jun. 21, NisquallyNational Wildlife Refuge; Sat. Jul. 12, Mt. Rainer National Park; Sat. Jul. 19,graduation at Ohop Grange.

part because of their efforts, TAS has developed into a full-fledged

environmental leader one with a strong voice in local conservation

issues, a commitment to citizen science, and fantastic educational

programs. We are tremendously fortunate to have Bryan, Krystal,

Stephanie and Julie fighting for us on a day-to-day basis.

Our Leadership: With six new members and many more experi-enced ones, the TAS Board of Directors is fully committed to our

mission and to making Tahoma Audubon the best organization it can

be. Combined with our devoted volunteers and our strong executive

leadership, TAS is well poised to tackle future challenges.

Our Members: Without a doubt, our membership is our greatest

strength, our secret weapon. But in fact, the great power of our mem-

bership is not a secret, but is well known across the other Audubon

chapters in our state. During Aprils Audubon Council of Washington

gathering, a Board member from a neighboring Puget Sound chapter

used our members as an example of what can be accomplished and

how to achieve success. Our members! Thats you! It was clear to

me that thats a big part of why TAS has such a great reputation for

being a good organization.

All of these things leave me very encouraged and eager to play agreater role in protecting natural ecosystems and conserving bird

habitat in Pierce County. What have YOU absorbed about the Tahoma

Audubon Society? What is YOUR vision for our future together, and

how do you see yourself being a part of making it happen? I encour-

age you to share your observations with the Board, staff, fellow TAS

members and anyone who shares our commitment to our environ-

ment. Together, we can make a change.

By Audrey Schomer, Seattle Audubon

Disclaimer: The birds listed in this article are

primarily Western migrants; that is, their

native breeding grounds are in primarily

the western United States and

Canada. Among the Eastern

migrants are the Ruby-throated

Hummingbird, Cerulean Warbler, Ovenbird,

American Redstart, Blackburnian Warbler,

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Scarlet Tanager.

To learn more about all the migratory bird

species, go to www.shadecoffee.org.

Imagine it is January, and you find

yourself in the mid-elevation rainfor-

ests of Mexico, Central America, the

Caribbean, or Colombia. Overhead, a dense tree

canopy shelters you from the beating rays of the

sun; underfoot, a nutrient-rich layer of soil. A vari-

ety of birds flit spontaneously from tree to tree,

flashing intoxicatingly colored wings. You are star-

tled to find that you recognize a number of birds

native to summers in the Pacific Northwest. Among

them, theres the fork-tailed Barn Swallow, the cit-

rus-orange Bullocks Oriole, the vest-patternedOlive-sided Flycatcher, the nectar-feeding Rufous

Hummingbird, the black-capped Wilsons Warbler,

the musical Swainsons Thrush, and the flame- and

charcoal-colored Western Tanager.

These are just a few of the species of migra-

tory birds of recognizable beauty that migrate to

tropical regions to winter and

return to north for their

breeding season. Their

twice-annual migra-

tion between the

northern and south-ern hemispheres of

the globe is among

the more incredible

feats of bird instinct,

with bird migration routes

stretching, for some species,

from the northernmost tip of North America to the

southernmost tip of South America.

To prepare for a successful journey and residence,

migrants rely on the habitat of both climates to sup-

port them by providing abundant food and shelter.

Without the sustained viability of either habitat, the

survival of less adaptable species is severely threat-

ened.Forest clear-cutting to convert from traditional

(shade-grown) to technified (sun-grown) coffee

plantations has drastically offset the tenuous, yet

vitally necessary balance of tropical regions. Sun

coffee plantations are responsible for the reduction

of biodiversity, thereby eliminating natural pest-

predator relationships and increasing susceptibility

to disease.

Robbed of its former source of nutrients and

exposed to the stripping effects of open sun, the

technified landscape has introduced the need for

costly, damaging manmade fixes such as chemi-cal fertilization, irrigation, and erosion control.

Research in Colombia and Mexico has found that

94-97% fewer bird species were found in sun coffee

plantations than shade coffee forests.

Conversely, shade coffee plantations maintain a

complex and diverse polyculture of trees and wild-

life. Because the complex structure of the forest is

retained, the presence of native tree and plant spe-

cies protects the coffee plants, helps maintain soil

quality, and reduces the need for weeding, chemical

fertilizers, and pesticides. This sustainable forest

ecosystem also provides habitat that is essential to

great numbers of migratory songbirds, resident

birds, reptiles, ants, butterflies, bats, plants and otherorganisms.

To learn more about the benefits of shade coffee,

visit www.shadecoffee.org.

Environment matters; what you drink matters

Nisqually Stream TeamFor information on the Nisqually Stream Stewards contact Don Perry,Nisqually Stream Stewards Coordinator, at 360-438-8687 ext. 2143,dperry@nwifc.org

... Reflections from page 1

http://www.shadecoffee.org/http://www.shadecoffee.org/http://www.shadecoffee.org/

8/9/2019 05-2008 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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Tahoma Audubon Society YO2

2917 Morrison Road West

University Place, WA 98466

Address service requested

Nonprofit Org

U.S. Postage

Tacoma, WA

Permit No. 177

PAID 25 years ago page 8 Announcements page 9

Birdathon field trips page 6

BirdSongs page 8

Bryan Flint column page 2

Education page 4

Environment matters page 3

Field trips page 5

New members page 10

Paul Webster page 1

Volunteer recognition page 10

In this issue:

owhee

The May 2008

T

For additional information on education programs contact Tahoma Audubon at 253-565-9278; on the web at www.tahomaaudubon.org

Or The Tacoma Nature Center at 253-591-6439 or on the web at www.metroparkstacoma.org

Calendar

Sat., May 3 9am 4pm Native Plant Sale at Tacoma

Nature Center, a list of available plants will be posted on

the website by 10:00am, Fri., May 2 (www.metropark-

stacoma.org). Come early for the best selection.

Tue., May 6 10:30am 11:30am Nature Alphabet - Qis for Quack. Tacoma Nature Center. Preschoolers

explore different nature topics.

Tue., May 6 7:00pm 9pm Intermediate BirdingClass at Adriana Hess Audubon Center.Wed., May 7 10:30am 12:00pm Budding Scientists

- The Brightest Star at Adriana Hess Audubon Center

for young children ages 5-7.

Thu., May 8 9:30am 11:30am Beginning Home

School Science - Whats Up at the Tacoma Nature

Center for homeschool students ages 8-10.

Thu., May 8 1:00pm 3pm Beginning Home School

Science at the Tacoma Nature Center for homeschool

students ages 8-10.

Thu., May 8 6:30pm 8:30pm TAS Monthly Board

Meeting at Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Guestswelcome, please call ahead at 253-565-9278.

Fri., May 9 9:00am 11am Breakfast and WorkParty at Adriana Hess Audubon Center to help keep

our wetland park clean, healthy, and free of weeds! V

Fri., May 9 7:00pm Membership Meeting See

Program

Sat., May 10 All day Intl Migratory Bird Day eventsinclude participation in Citizen Science with people

around the world at Pacific Lutheran University. A

spring bird count at PLU with time and location TBD.

Call the office at 253-565-9278 to sign up! Also see: F

& A (Birdathon, Announcements)

Sun., May 1112:00pm 4pmMorse Preserve,Graham,explore this natural treasure during Open Trails.

Mon., May 12 12:00pm 1pm Bird Walk @ AdrianaHess F

Tue., May 13 2:00pm 4pmConservation Committeemeets at Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison

Road W, University Place, WA 98466. M

Tue., May 13 7:00pm 9pm Intermediate BirdingClass at Adriana Hess Audubon Center.

Wed., May 14 3:15pm 4:45pm Budding Scientists

- The Brightest Star at Adriana Hess Audubon Center

for young children ages 5-7.

Thu., May 15 1:00pm 3pm Intermediate HomeSchool Science - Star Search at

Tacoma Nature Center for homeschool students ages

10-12.

Fri., May 16 9:00am 11am Breakfast and Work

Partyat the Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Help keepour wetland park clean, healthy, and free of weeds!

Sat., May 17 10:00am 11:30am Discovery Walk atSunrise Beach, Gig Harbor.

Sun., May 18 8:00am 11:30am Nature Walk at Point

Defiance Park in Tacoma.

Mon., May 19 12:00pm 1pm Plant Walk @ AdrianaHess

Tue., May 20 1:30pm 2:30pm Nature Alphabet - Ris for Rain. For preschoolers at Tacoma Nature Center.

Tue., May 20 5:00pm 6pmMorse Force Meeting

atAdriana Hess.

Tue., May 20 7:00pm 9pm Intermediate BirdingClass at Adriana Hess Audubon Center.

Wed., May 21 10:30am 12:00pm Budding Scientists

- Nighttime Above at Adriana Hess Audubon Center for

young children ages 5-7.

Thu., May 22 1:00pm 3pm Advanced Home SchoolScience Astronomy at Tacoma Nature Center for

homeschool students ages 12-15.

Fri., May 23 9:00am 11am Breakfast and WorkPartyat Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Help keep our

wetland park clean, healthy, and free of weeds! V

Fri., May 23 10:00am 12pmMorse Wildlife Preserve,

Graham with field trip leader Betty Jones.

Fri., May 23 10:30am 11:30am Nature Story Time- Starlight, Starbright at Adriana Hess Audubon Centeris a wonderful grandparent/grandchild activity!

Fri., May 23 1:00pm 4pm Advanced Home SchoolScienceLab Astronomy at Tacoma Nature Center for

homeschool science students ages 12-15.

Sat., May 24 Sun., May 25 Mon., May 26All day TheWenas Audubon Campout: www.wenasaudubon.orgFor over three decades Audubon families have been