Bird Drawing

contest winners!
See page 4.

Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 40 No. 6 July/August 2009

Herons rule

Some of the dozens of Herons that were circling the heronry.

in North Kitsap
Story and photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn

A s I drove along the Purdy spit on my way to meet Rolan Nelson’s field trip to
north Kitsap on May 30, I glanced over sadly at the empty nests of the Burley
Lagoon Great Blue Heronry. Almost forty nests are still standing after being
abandoned two seasons ago, apparent victims of the local expanding population of
Bald Eagles. “Where have they gone?” I wondered, not knowing I was about to find
some of them.
Our group stopped first at the famous Hansville store, where a Killdeer appeared
to be defending a nest in the parking lot. As we never saw the nest, we hoped it was
actually in a safer place. Killdeer seem only interested in the right kind of gravel to
lay their eggs on, and if it’s in a heavily traveled area they make sure we know we’re
trespassers.
Curling around the coastline to arrive at Point-No-Point, we immediately spotted a
pair of Marbled Murrelets in their brown breeding plumage bobbing together like two
A Killdeer at Hansville, “Do these stripes make me look fat?”
See "Herons” on page 6

Cassin’s Auklet: Abundant yet inconspicuous seabirds

By Paul Webster before dawn. Pelagic trips from Westport go out 40
miles to the edge of the continental shelf where
The roughly robin-sized Cassin’s Auklet is the most
Cassin’s Auklets feed on small fish, crustaceans, and
abundant and probably the least conspicuous of
squid. Birders on these trips usually see a few of
Washington’s breeding seabirds. Rarely seen from
them in flight, low over the water, looking “like a
shore, when they sometimes feed near their nesting
flying tennis ball,” and often heading directly away
colonies, they spend most daylight hours far out at
from the boat. When seen up close, the auklets are
sea. They breed exclusively on coastal islands where
dark gray above, and lighter gray below, with a small
they scrape out nesting burrows by night with their
white patch above the whitish eye.
sharp toenails. To avoid the large gulls that prey on
Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) is an alcid,
them they arrive at their burrows after dark with
food for a single chick, and return to the ocean See "Cassin’s Auklet” on page 11

Donate to the In this issue:

Photo/Robert Kelton

Tahoma Audubon Society

25 years ago page 8
BirdSongs page 8
Common birds at risk, sharp decline of sea
Calendar page 12
birds in Puget Sound, Global warming effects Conservation Matters page 3, 11
on habitat, and near extinction for the Spotted Education pages 4, 5
Owl. These are some of the recent headlines that Executive Director’s column page 2
add urgency to our work to preserve habitat for wildlife and humans. Field trips page 5
New members page 2
Your donation is critical to the success of our important work. Donate today! Quizical Owl page 8
Your donation is tax deductible. Click here to go to our donation webpage. Volunteer recognition page 10
 executive director’s Corner ENVIRONMENT Matters
Members speak load and clear about the Towhee BioBlitz! Citizen Scientists scour Roy
‘‘
Results have tent area we put in the survey scored high. What
Roy, WA – On May 15-16, 2009 over 70 volunteers, includ- execute this event.
been pouring in is clear is that providing an outlet to learn about
ing area landowners, scientists, and citizens converged on the Last but not least,
from the survey birds, and the activity of watching them, has not small city of Roy (population 870) to spend 24 hours surveying this project was sup-
sent out with the gone out of style. Informative the area for signs of wildlife. A team of four volunteers flew in ported by fantastic
June issue of the Many of you had very complementary things
Towhee. Thank to say about the Towhee. Comments such as and articles in from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to gets hands-on train-
ing so they could conduct their own project in the Yellow Dog
Tahoma Audubon
members who turned
you to everyone “please continue to publish,” and “thank you,” a nice layout. Watershed Preserve! The event, dubbed the Nisqually BioBlitz, out for the event to
who has respond-
ed on paper or on-
line.
The results are
pretty clear. One
“fine as is” were typical of the written comments
that came back. Many had good suggestions for
ways to improve upon what you liked. Many
asked for more content on bird, both local and
far flung, such as “trip reports from outside the
I really appreci-
ate the effort!
‘‘ was the fourth of its kind organized by the Pierce County
Biodiversity Alliance, with two previous BioBlitz’s occurring
along the Lower White River corridor and one in Crescent
Valley in Gig Harbor.
Volunteers worked around the clock in teams to identify as
share their knowl-
edge and enthusiasm
with others on birds
and plants. Special
thanks to Fred
Contact Krystal at 253-232-9978.
Or kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org
many species of plants, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, Tobiason, Mary Sue
thing is for sure; when Tahoma Audubon mem- US.” There were comments about timing, fre- – wrote one respondent to our survey. mammals and birds as possible. The grand tally was 456 spe- Gee, Nel Batker, Ken Batker, Roxy Giddings, Bill Giddings,
bers speak, they speak loudly and with one voice. quency and the usefulness of the calendar, such cies identified, including 70 species of spiders. This included Anna Thurston, Gary Shugart, Ursula Scott, and Tahoma Top four photos by Kelly McAllister.
The response is gratifying and encouraging. You, as “publication needs to be more timely”. We will ceive it by email. two rare species found only on prairies and that Audubon Society board member Tanja Scott.
Above, a Pacific Treefrog with inflated
the members and readers have said that you value be looking at all this feedback and suggestions to There are eight of you who claim to use ‘two had never been seen before in Western The Nisqually BioBlitz was organized by the Pierce
vocal sac. Coming out of this box, another
Pacific Treefrog. Below, a Red-earred
and enjoy the Towhee. “Informative and articles see what we can do to keep a quality newsletter cups and a string’ on a daily basis to communi- Washington, according to spider enthusiast and County Biodiversity Alliance and key partners, slider on a log. Below that, a bee
in a nice layout. I really appreciate the effort!” coming your way. cate. You must be the ones who said you actually spider collection curator Rod Crawford of the including the NatureMapping Program, inspects a Lomatium Utriculatum.
said one respondent. That is great to hear. When it comes to delivery methods, you were read, and enjoy my monthly article. Burke Museum of Natural History at the Metro Parks Tacoma’s Tacoma Nature
Ninety-one percent of those who responded so pretty clear there; keep with the status quo. Al- The publication of the Towhee is almost com- University of Washington ( visit: http://crawford. Center and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park,
far read every issue of the Towhee. most all of you want to continue to receive the pletely a volunteer effort. It is because of the tardigrade.net/journal/album7025.html). Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and Tahoma
For the vast majority of you, 84 percent, learn- Towhee in the mail – 68 percent. A small minor- Biologists were surprised to spot a Red-eared Slider, Audubon Society. This project was made possible
volunteers, supported by staff and our excellent
which is a non-native turtle (probably someone’s pet at through the two $10,000 grant awards received from
ing about birds is an important part of your read- ity of you wanted to receive the Towhee by email designer Robert Kelton that we will continue to one time) in the area. One hundred and three species of The Zoo Society and the Greater Tacoma Community
ing experience. Falling closely behind are the (20 percent) and stated so in your comments. We deliver the quality newsletter that you enjoy. It birds were predicted to be in the oak woodland and prairie Foundation’s Green Tahoma Fund. A raffle held during
pictures with 73 percent and conservation news will be working in the near future to develop the is also because of your membership and dona- area. Volunteers identified two the event yielded $97 in donations
with 72 percent. Field trips are also very im- best way to deliver the newsletter by email to tion that we can afford to do so. With your great birds that were not predicted to be Above: Rod Crawford of the Burke Museum.
from participants – thank you!
portant and many love Diane Yorgason-Quinn’s those who want it. We will continue to mail to feedback, we have a renewed passion and focus. present – an Anna’s Hummingbird Tally for the day: 22 mammals For more information on the
regular field trip stories. Frankly, all of the con- our members unless they specifically ask to re- Thank you. and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 6 amphibians 1 fish Nisqually BioBlitz, including results,
Organizers plan to do a winter 2 reptiles 119 invertebrates and how to participate in citizen sci-
bird survey to catch more birds ence projects that utilize
83 birds 226 plants
that migrate through the area at NatureMapping, visit: http://depts.
welcome different times of year. washington.edu/natmap/projects/bma/roy/
to New and Returning Members The highlight of the event for many was to participate in one
of two bat surveys. Two teams set up mist nets and equipment
To learn more about the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve,
visit: http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/
to try to capture bats as they fly out at night to feed. We were To learn about Pierce County’s Public Benefit Rating System

May 16, 2009 to June 15, 2009

out at Muck Creek in the dark listening and looking for bats. In open space tax reduction program, contact Krystal at the num-
the end, we caught two Little Brown Bats before midnight. The ber below or contact Pierce County Planner Chad Williams
The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society biologist, Greg Falxa, spent several minutes carefully untan- directly to get a unique estimate on your potential property tax
Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Chapter new and renewing: Introductory, recruited through 2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466 gling each bat from the fine net, before taking it to a nearby savings at cwillia@co.pierce.wa.us or 253-798-3683.
John & Vera Cragin, Joyce Lun- Tahoma Audubon Society: Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278 table to identify. Later analysis of recorded bat calls revealed To learn more about voluntary
dberg, Sybil Mercer, Michael & Michael Marsh, Paul Nicholes. seven different species of bats were in the area that night! By landowner conservation programs,
Margaret Moline, Frances Oliver, midnight, it was time to head to bed. Luckily for some of us, community stewardship in Roy or to
Laurel Parshall, Myrna Rucker, Introductory, recruited through Tahoma Audubon Staff we had set up camp at the city park. sign up for the winter bird survey
With these results in hand, the PCBA members will continue contact Krystal at 253-232-9978 or
 
Anna Thurston, the National Audubon Society: Flint, Bryan Executive Director                         to work with the Roy community to develop a Community kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org.
Dan Westmark, Korine Wimbles. Virginia Belsvik, Mina Gordon, bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129 Stewardship Plan for the area, educate and enroll land owners
Rupert Grove, Jay Kelly, Eletha in voluntary conservation incentives programs such as the Clockwise, from right, WDFW Fish
Chapter Joint with National, Littrel, Charlie Miller, Robert Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator Public Benefit Rating System and foster a new stewardship and Wildlife Biologist Michelle Tirhi
recruited through Tahoma Trumble, Karen Wagner, Iris kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978                     group in the area over the course of the next year. checking a live trap for small mam-
Audubon Society: Baiocchi, Dolores Barrett, Joe A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers who worked
Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator mals; Volunteers looking at inver-
Susan Boynton, Denise McClus- Gordon, Helen Meyer, Ruby My- hard and had fun collecting data; to scientists who donated their tebrates under a microscope; John
key, June Mercer, David & Kath- ron, Luann Sizer, StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-327-9480 time to lead teams and share their knowledge and expertise with Garner, Conservation & Education
ryn Olson, Nancy Leland Trotter, others; to Roy area land owners who through their desires to
Kessinger, Cami Development Coordinator Director for Metro Parks Tacoma ex-
Pearson, David Dudley Lewis, preserve their backyards amining a possible pocket gopher
ckesinger@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129                       and community,
Scott & Aviva Lucille Sun- mound; A bat netted by Greg Falxa.
Volunteer allowed access to
Lemberger. derland Taylor, Graham 253-565-1884
their property for the
Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator 253-223-0039 survey period and
gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org to all the staff and
Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
           volunteers who
helped plan,
John Garner President organize, and
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
Marjorie Shea Vice President
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protec-
tion of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its Jane Brosius Secretary
member’s experiences in and with the natural world. Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
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, Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2009
conservation, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by Thelma Gilmur Ione Clagett
the editor. Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or
Dick Carkner
Melissa Paulson
typed.
Editor: David Cohn: editor@tahomaaudubon.org Marcus Roening
Bill Smith
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings Peggy L. Kopf Tanja Scott
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com (So many photos!)
Printing: Consolidated Press Darby Veeck Charles Griffin More Environment
Matters on page 11.
Printed on recycled newsprint
Loren Webster

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2009 July/August 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3


10 Annual Bird Drawing Contest winners
th
We would like to
congratulate all of
the winners from the
10th Annual Bird
Drawing Contest.
The awards ceremo-
ny was held at the
Tacoma Nature
Center on June 12th
where 10 of our most
stephanieSWAIM talented artists had
Education Coordinator the opportunity to
receive prizes for
Call Steph @ 253-327-9480. Or their work and view
StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org their artistry on dis-
play. We received 96
Lauren Sullivan
Megan Bernovich
Garrett Matzke (Garrett was not present at award ceremony.)
1919 South Tyler Street,
253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org
Open Tues. – Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
& Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Check our websites for latest class listings and times.
Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2009
Education Matters
entries for our contest this year, from 2nd grade through
7th grade. First-, second-, and third-place awards were
given in each age group and anyone who got a nod from
our judges was given an “honorable mention” ribbon.
The judges who participate in this contest are experts
and professionals. They are made up of Master Birders,
scientists, naturalists, and professional artists, to make
sure that all artwork is judged on a variety of merits.
The students were asked to draw one of three birds,
in their natural habitat. The birds they could choose
were: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Western Scrub Jay,
and Gadwall. These birds were chosen because their
numbers have increased drastically in our area over the
past 40 years. Audubon scientists have studied
Christmas Bird Count data and have noticed that popu-
lations of birds are moving north following climatic
Winners: First Place
2nd and 3rd grade David Torem
4th and 5th grade Tova Beck
6th and 7th grade Lauren Sullivan
Honorable Mentions: • Alicia Goodin • Bonnie Ubben • Cameron Todd • Chloe Hogan • Drew H. Belcher • Emily
Barker • Grace Bosley • Julianna Paterson • Kylee Zehnder • Neena Dosanjh • Ryan Sullivan • Soojung Lee
Tova Beck
Amberly Dickson
Kaitlyn Unger
Tacoma WA 98338
Education Events and Activities
30th Anniversary Celebration
Tacoma Nature Center
July 30, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00pm
changes across the continent. The results of this are that Free, All ages
we see birds more frequently and in greater numbers Join us at the Tacoma Nature Center to share the memories
than we have before. For more information about this and discover what’s new as we celebrate 30 years of educat-
phenomenon, please visit the National Audubon web- ing people about this unique wetland habitat in the heart of
the city. Fun family activities and great memories for all!
site: http://birdsandclimate.audubon.org/.
Also that night, we are featuring our new Nurture in Nature
The winners and their artwork are displayed here.
Preschool with an Open House and Housewarming. Meet
Congratulations fabulous artists! Keep up the great our preschool staff, participate in fun activities, enjoy
work, and we hope to have the pleasure of your art- healthy snacks and help us stock the new preschool with a
work in next year’s contest! housewarming gift. The preschool is registered at Target
We would like to thank all of the people that make the and ChildTrek. You may also contribute funds for specific
Bird Drawing Contest such a success and a wonderful items at the event. For more information, please call (253)
event for youth: Brianna Charbonnel, Cami Kesinger, 591-6439.
Dolly Monaghan, Graham Taylor, Joann Sims, Julie
Kerrigan, Marcus Douglas, Margie Shea, Michele Summer Activities and Classes for Educators:
Call Tacoma Nature Center to register, 253-591-6439.
Cardinaux, Monica Weidman, Rachel Montgomery,
NatureMapping for Educators
Rikkianne Cox, Rolan Nelson, and Rosanne Becker. July 14 – 15, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Age 18+, $70 a person
Second Place Third Place This workshop will provide educators with the skills needed
to aid learners in the NatureMapping process. The basic data
Caitlin Porter Jonathan Artley collection and monitoring techniques of Nature-Mapping are
all included, plus activities to engage learners in the process.
Amberly Dickson Kaitlyn Unger This two-day workshop also includes time spent in the field
applying the NatureMapping process. It is open to formal
Megan Bernovich Garrett Matzke
and non-formal educators. Clock hours available.
Educator Workshop: Project WILD
July 16, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Age 18+, $30 a person
Project WILD is an international network of educators and
others who work together to develop and implement educa-
tional programs and activities. By participating in this
course, teachers and other educators will become familiar
with content and the practice of Project WILD lessons,
which demonstrate a variety of teaching and learning styles.
The goal of Project WILD is to assist learners of any age in
developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment
to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and
constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environ-
field trips and Events
David Torem Heckel Creek in the Upper Nisqually Watershed
When:   Saturday, July 11, 9:00 to early or mid-
afternoon. Meet leader, Al Hultengren, at the Plaza
Grocery Parking lot in Eatonville.   After a short
carpooling trip we will be walking a railroad grade
on the south side of the creek.  The trail on the north
side, used in our early Audubon trips, has downed
logs blocking it. See neo-tropical warblers.   Call
253-565-9278 to sign-up.
Morse Preserve Open Trails
When: Sun. July 12, noon to 4:00pm. Come drop
by, walk the trails, and talk to Wayne Cooke for
details of what is going on at the Preserve.  (There’s
a new Maxine Morse Sanctuary a few miles
Caitlin Porter away.   Watch for trips here soon.)   Call Tahoma
Audubon, 253-565-9278 for directions.  No sign-up
necessary.
Bird Walk, Adriana Hess Wetland Park
When:  Mon. July 13, noon till 1:00pm.
Join Ruth Sullivan at 2917 Morrison Rd W in
University Place to count summer birds at this
native plant habitat.  No sign-up necessary.
Fort Steilacoom’s Waughop Lake
When:  Sat. July 18, 9:00 to 11:30am.
Take a leisurely stroll around the lake to see what
birds are summering in the habitat around this very
active area.  Meet in the parking lot by the barns to
Photos/Margie Shea meet leader, Betty Jones.   Sign up by
Jonathan Artley
calling 253-565-9278.
2917 Morrison Road W., Point Defiance Walk
University Pl. WA 98466 When:  Sun. July 19, 8:00 to noon.
253-565-9278
www.TahomaAudubon.org
Meet Rob and Natalie McNair Huff in the parking
Open Mon – Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m. lot above the zoo. Check out the birds summering at
the park.    Call 253-565 -9278 to register.
Plant Walk, Adriana Hess Wetland Park
When:  Mon. July 20, noon till 1:00pm.
July/August 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
ment upon which all life depends. Clock hours available.
Flying WILD
July 17, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Age 18+, $30 a person
This program introduces upper elementary and older stu-
dents to bird conservation through classroom activities and
school bird festivals. The Flying WILD workshop provides
educators with activities and techniques to engage students
in real-world learning that help them understand the impor-
tance of migratory birds and their conservation. Clock hours
available. Scholarship assistance available.
Fun Family and Adult Kayaking trips:
Call MetroParks headquarters 253-305-1022 or go online to
register for either of these trips, www.metroparkstacoma.
org
Family Discovery Paddle – Cutts Island
July11, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Ages 8+, $40 Tacoma Residents, $45 non-residents
Cutts Island, just ½ mile offshore form Kopachuck State
Park is one of Puget Sound’s marine parks. Paddle out to it
Join George Schonhard to learn what is in bloom at
the park and to recognize plants not in bloom.  No
sign-up necessary.
Morse Wildlife Preserve Bird Walk
When:   Fri, Juy 24, 9:00 till 11:00am.
Meet Betty Jones in the Morse Preserve parking
lot.  Call 253-565-9278 to sign-up and to get direc-
tions.
Birding in Paradise
July 25 trip to Paradise on Mount Rainier with Ken
Brown. Meet at 7 a.m. in the Hwy. 512 park and
ride lot (next to McDonalds) and drive to Mount
Rainier for a five to six mile hike to Panorama
Point. Target birds include Gray-crowned Rosy
Finch and White Ptarmigan, but hikers will also
likely encounter wildflowers and butterflies on this
trip. Limited to between 12 and 15 people.
Family Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
When:   Sunday, July 26, 4:00 to 5:15pm.
Explore and discover on the grounds and along the
trails at this small unique park in University Place
where many, many native plants grow.
No sign-up necessary.
Morse Preserve Open Trails
When:   Sun. August 9, noon to 4:00 p.m.
Call Tahoma Audubon Society, 253-565-9278, for
directions.
Bird Walk Adriana Hess Wetland Park
When:  Mon. August 10, noon till 1:00 p.m.
Point Defiance Walk
When:  Sun. August 16, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Plant Walk Adriana Hess Wetland Park
When:  Mon. August 17, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Meet Richard Van Deman and identify weeds as
well as native plants.
Osprey Club at Fort Lewis
On Jun. 3 we completed our first session with
the newly founded Osprey Club at the Teen Zone
on Fort Lewis. We rounded out the unit on water-
sheds, aquatic habitat health and water-quality
with a trip to American Lake to go fishing. The
Osprey Club at Fort Lewis was made possible
through a grant from the TogetherGreen collabo-
ration between National Audubon and Toyota. On
the left is a photo of our group! (We didn’t catch
anything, be we had fun trying!)
We would like to thank Eddie Holbrook, Ryan
Misely, and Miriam Easley for their help teaching
this program. We would also like to thank the staff
at Fort Lewis who gave us a home at the Teen
Zone: Chris Withrow, and Cindy Arnold.
and take a break on the island which is small enough to
easily walk around and isolated enough to enjoy peace and
quiet. Learn from a Tahoma Audubon naturalist about the
plants and animals native to the Northwest. Parents and
kids are paired together in double kayaks so it becomes an
easy and fun adventure. Beginners welcome. All equip-
ment and instruction are provided. Requires participation
by 2 or more intergenerational family members. No refund
if withdrawing 5 days prior to trip start date. Meet at
Horsehead Bay.
Nisqually Delta Kayak Trip for Adults
August 23, 12:30pm – 4:00pm
Ages 18+, $65 Tacoma resident, $70 non-resident
This tour takes paddlers through the largest saltwater estuary
in the South Sound, home to a plethora of birds, animals and
plants. Learn from a Tahoma Audubon naturalist about these
critters native to the Northwest while enjoying a relaxing
kayak trip. Participants meet at Nisqually Delta. Beginners
are welcome, all equipment and instruction is provided. No
refund if withdrawing 5 days prior to trip start date.
Morse Wildlife Preserve Bird Walk
When:  Fri. August 21, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Call 253-565-9278 to sign-up and get directions.
Leader is Betty Jones.
Ocean Shores
When:  Sat. August 22, 7:00 p.m. to dusk
Meet at the I-5 and 512 Park and Ride by McDonalds
Leader is Ruth Sullivan.  Identify returning shore-
birds.  Hope to see Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pacific
Golden Plover. Visit Bowerman Basin, BradyLoop
Rd, and Damon Point.
Family Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park
When:  Sun. August 30, 4:00 p.m. to 5:15pm
Swifts in Chimneys!  
When: Sat. Sept. 12
Sign up by September 1 to help decide where to go
and other  details of this trip.  We have two good
swift chimneys to choose from, Monroe and Selleck. 
Leave your e-mail address and phone number with
the office or e-mail leader Diane Yorgason-Quinn at
Avosetta@hotmail.com.  This trip will leave in the
late afternoon and return after dark. 
Birding Basics
Mondays, Sept. 7 - 28, 7:00pm – 9:00pm Ages 18
and older, $45/Audubon member, $55/non-member.
Curious about birds but don’t know your crown from
your tail feather? All are welcome to this introduction
to the joy of identifying the birds that are all around
us. You will learn how to identify common birds, use
a field guide and binoculars. Learn too about some
of the best places to see birds and practice your new-
found birding skills. There is one local field trip to Stei-
lacoom Park on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8:00am. This
class meets at the Tacoma Nature Center. Call (253)
591-6439 to register.

Above: The Barrys’ pet Heron.
Below middle: Pacific loon in breeding plumage floats near a Glaucous-Winged Gull at Point-No-Point.
Below rightt: Jody, Carolyn, Mike, and Rolan on the Hansville Greenbelt.
Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7
Top: Fifteen of the dozens of Herons spooked into the treetops. Above left: The group near at Barrys’ near Foulweather
Bluff. Above right: Gull feeding frenzy at Point-No-Point. Pick out the small Alcid in the center and 2 Bonaparte’s.
... Herons
from page 1
floats of a catamaran, their small bodies disap-
pearing for long periods of time in waves that
were ten times their own height. The usual
Eagle had his perch on the skyline of the ridge,
and an Osprey caused some excitement as he
almost grazed the top of the lighthouse while
changing his fishing site from one side of the
Below left: Osprey looking for fish at Point-No-Point.
point to the other.
Then it was time to meet Carolyn and Mike
Barry, who split their time between homes in
Puyallup and the Foulweather Bluff area near
Hansville. We stopped briefly at their home on the
inlet and enjoyed their resident Herons, Mallards,
Goldfinches, Swallows, and a spectacular flyby
from a loud and boisterous Caspian Tern. Even with the
wintering waterfowl long gone, their little inlet was alive
with avian life.
We then followed Carolyn and Mike over to a surprise
destination along a circuitous route seemingly designed
to make sure we could never find the location on our
own. We stopped the cars and waited. We had been led
to believe there was a heronry, but the dense foliage hid
most signs of it. High atop it all, however, was an occu-
pied Osprey Nest where the incubating female Osprey
surveyed her domain, protecting the herons at the same time.
Her mate noisily brought her a fish, and several other Osprey
patrolled as well, indicating this was a prime location for fish
eaters. None of this provoked any response from the Herons
on their nests. But suddenly an alarm went out and all the
herons were up! Dozens of Herons were thrown into the air.
They were going this way and that, almost bumping into each
other, excited past the point of preserving their reputation for
gracefulness and noisy beyond words! It was then we
believed Carolyn and Mike’s story of having counted dozens
of nests there before the trees leafed out. They settled down
again, and we drove to a different vantage point on the other
side, where again hardly anything could be seen.
We waited again, zooming in on Woodpeckers and Vireos
and just enjoying all the birds of this rural neighborhood,
when all of a sudden we heard what sounded like an army of
heavy machinery coming closer and getting louder. Expecting
a division of tanks to crash through the forest, instead we
witnessed a siege of herons burst into the air, raising the deci-
bels to the max! A few of them landed here and there to sur-
vey the scene before heeding the all-clear signal and settling
back down on their nests. To see and hear dozens of these
prehistoric creatures with six-foot wingspans actually jostling
each other between tree limbs and still staying aloft is just
something you have to see and hear to believe.
One of the neighbors came out and talked to us, and we
were delighted to hear that he and the other
neighbors seem to love “their” herons, noise and
all. He says they rise like this several times a
Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
day, usually in response to a Bald Eagle flyover, and he could
even predict the timing of the next event. By the time you
read this, those nests will be empty, hopefully having success-
fully fledged the next generation of these extraordinary beasts
of the air.
We all headed back to Point-No-Point to see what a differ-
ent tide would turn up for us, and it was hopping! A Pacific
Loon in breeding plumage was fishing just offshore where a
herring ball apparently was forming, and in short order doz-
ens of Glaucous-Winged and Bonaparte’s Gulls went into a
feeding frenzy, spinning and churning the water as a single
organism! A Rhinoceros Auklet with breeding whiskers
scooted by further out, and dolphins escorted the fishing
boats through the strait. A brief walk through the fragrant
Wild Roses above the beach appropriately showed us a
Great Blue Heron in the waterway with a just-fledged chick
being shown the ropes.
Our last stop of the day was a wonderful spring stroll
through part of the incredible Hansville Greenbelt, which we
accessed at Buck Lake Park. The quiet of the deep forest let
us hear several types of Flycatchers (Pacific Slope, Willows,
and Pewee) as well as Warblers and Sparrows. The viewing
platform at one of the little lake chains along the old railroad
revealed Wood Ducks lurking in the lily pads and wildflowers
lined our way.
Just what you’d imagine on a perfect spring day!
A Violet-Green Swallow.
 Just the other day... Tahoma Audubon in Summer of 1984

l l
Birds and stars in the summer nights
By Diane
Yorgason-Quinn

By Helen Engle Lake in Mt Rainier National Park (MRNP) Creek headwaters in south

25
One of Tahoma Audubon’s founding
fathers and veteran trip leader wrote
an extensive report on the birding Years Ago
expedition he led to the Nome, Alaska
area in 1984. Six birders traveled about
4,000 miles by air, 1,500 by van and only a few
miles on foot to see birds, plants and animals and
learn something of Alaska history. Members of this
Snake Lake Alaska Nature Tour were Leader Bob
Ramsey and his wife Georgia, Evelyn Peaslee,
Betty Heitman, Thelma Reinbold and Glenda
Power.
A glowing book review was submitted by Nature
Guides from Nokomis, Florida, for the 8th edition of
Tahoma Audubon’s, Nature Guide. Created by
Ilene Marckx and sponsored by Tahoma Audubon,
our booklet listed names and contacts for local
birders and guides in the US and 30 other countries
in South and Central America,
Europe, the Middle East,
Western Pacific and Africa.
Founded on the cooperative
spirit of local volunteers
assisting visiting volunteers to
find birds, butterflies, botany,
animals, and other items of
interest, Nature Guide was a
helpful addition to any trip.
Summer field trips included
close-to-home trips: Green Ilene and Francis Marckx
led by Pat Perry; three Nisqually
National Wildlife Refuge censuses led
by Norris Cone and Jim Scearce
and Thais Bock; Tacoma Community
College Trail and Swan Creek with
Thelma Gilmur; Hylebos Marsh, Ilene
Marckx; Kids’ Picnic & Birdwatching in
Helen Engle’s woods; Fort Steilacoom
County Park and also a trip to Van Trump
Park in MRNP with Walt Adams; Titlow
Beach walk with Kris Quinn; bus trip to
Sunrise Park in MRNP with Elmer Price;
Clearwater Wilderness Area led by Tom
Campion.
Dr. Kruckeberg
There were also auto trips to Columbia Gorge
Scenic Area with Cathy Jerbic; and to Cusick
Flats in Pend Oreille County with Bart Whelton;
Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP with Elmer Price;
Whidbey Island led by Tom Schooley; Spokane
and Lincolcn County with
Jim Action.
Tahoma Audubon was
involved in the creation of
a new state park when our
charter members Francis
and Ilene Marckx asked
us to help them. For years
they had been seeking
to have a green belt
permanently secured in their
area of the West Hylebos
L
King County. Many people ate summer is the perfect time to sleep under the stars – or
in Federal Way joined the better yet, stay awake under the stars!! Balmy, fragrant nights
effort and sought to have
an urban environmental
in the sleeping bag or lawn chair can reward your senses in
exciting ways only to be had in late summer in these climes.
education center such
as Tacoma’s Snake Lake Pick a night with no moon or little moon and
Nature Center Helen Engle experience the Milky Way! Perfectly positioned
(now named Tacoma
from days of yore. overhead at our declination/latitude in summertime,
it’s there for everyone to enjoy once all the lights are
Nature Center). The
turned out. Wait 20 minutes for your eyes to
Marckx family offered to donate 34 acres of
become dark-adjusted and then be amazed at all
their property, with its marsh and woodlands.
the stars up there! If your neighborhood is just too
Hylebos Creek runs along I-5 in the Milton
bright, use this for an excuse for a camping trip and
area and ends in Commencement Bay as an head for the hills. Take your binoculars and aim idly
important part of the Port of Tacoma. Dr. upward and be prepared to gasp with astonished
A. R. Kruckeberg, well-respected plant pleasure! You are looking outward through the
ecologist and botany professor at UW stated that this edge of your home galaxy!
wetland is ”one of the best wetlands where enclaves Hunting for summer constellations can be fabu-
of such a natural habitat in suburbia are rare.” lous as well, but if you don’t know them, don’t fret!
In the summer, all you really need to know is the
One of the most successful Summer Triangle (just pick out the three brightest
fundraisers Tahoma Audubon stars overhead, and you can be certain you have
ever had was the Rummage them). If you want to know more, think birds! The
brightest of the three, blue-white Vega is almost
Sale and Silent Auction on Jul. 21
straight overhead when you face southeast. Vega
and 22, 1984 at the Snake Lake
means swooping eagle in Arabic and is the brightest
Nature Center. Long days of
star in the constellation Lyra, which represents a
hard work supervised by Roxy
harp or is sometimes pictured as a vulture! To your
Giddings and Nell Batker paid Roxy Giddings left will be Deneb, the tail of Cygnus the Swan, and
off with an amazing amount of to your right and a little lower will be Altair in Aquila
captivating donations being recycled; plus buyers the Eagle. These stars and constellations were
and bidders stimulated by elegant offerings. named in ancient times by Greeks, Romans, and
Arabs, who all thought of birds whenever they
Feedback, comments and reminiscences welcome, looked up, just like we do. If you’re interested in
253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com. sordid stories that would put modern soap operas to
shame, just do an Internet or library search for
these constellations to hear the old myths and leg-
ends; most of them are not
G-rated!
More bird-watching is at
hand if you want to get
more detailed than those
brightest stars. Corvus the
Crow appears as a small
quadrangle lying to the west
of Spica in Virgo and below
Leo the Lion. And if you visit
the southern hemisphere,
you’ll find lots of birds, but
most are pretty pitiful con-
stellations compared to our
northern summer triangle. Pavo the Peacock, ors in the nights leading up to it as well, but they fall
Tucana the Toucan, Grus the Crane and Apus the off pretty rapidly after Wednesday. Efforts to predict
Bird of Paradise are all great birds but make pitiful how “good” a meteor shower will be in any particu-
constellations. Of course there’s more up there than lar year are notoriously incorrect, so the only way to
birds. In fact, you can make up your own constella- know for sure is to experience it yourself, and that
tions. doesn’t take a rocket scientist.
August 11/12!! The Perseids Meteor Shower!! If you would like a map to navigate your way
Lie way back, almost flat, facing southeast. Try to through the night sky, there are lots of them out
cover as much of the sky as possible with your there, but two good ones are at these websites (as
peripheral vision! Then wait! Meteors will appear well as at the library!): www.skyviewcafe.com or
as the night gets later. There are more after mid- www.mystarslive.com.
night, but the last quarter moon will also be rising at In the meantime, urge your neighbors to turn
that time and will drown out the fainter meteors. their lights out when they go to bed. Light pollution
Although the meteors appear to be emanating from has robbed too many of us the experience, not to
the constellation Perseus (rising in the east), they mention the extra lights waste energy. More infor-
can be in any part of the sky. The peak of this mation on responsible lighting practices can be
meteor shower is Tuesday night and Wednesday found on the website for the International Dark-Sky
morning, Aug. 11-12. There will be plenty of mete- Association at: www.darksky.org.

the
quizzical 1.  The eggs of nesting birds are kept warm by a parent’s _______.

Native Plant Identification Foray

wl
2.  What North American warbler was named after a city?

3.  What southern waterbird’s lower bill is longer than its upper bill? plus the Green Tacoma Partnership
4.  What wren might be expected on talus slopes?
Quarterly Potluck Meeting & Training
5.  How many kingfisher species are found in North America? Name them.
By Thais Bock
(Answers below.)
Join
the Green Tacoma
Partnership and Natural Areas
FREE Habitat Steward Training
BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly

Stewards as we learn about native

Gray Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
A widespread and confid-
ing denizen of boreal and
sub-alpine forests, the
Gray Jay frequently ap-
proaches people for food.
It may even land on your
hand for a morsel. This
tameness can also lead to
the pilferage of food not
offered, and is responsible
for the colloquial name of
“camp robber.”
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
plants in the forest and gardens of Pt What: Have you ever walked by or tools, receive publicity for events and get
driven past an area that is over grown help with volunteer recruitment provided
Defiance Park. We’ll be meeting at the Native
with weeds and looks unkempt? By by Green Tacoma Partnership.
Plant Garden for plant ID and story-telling. Afterwards, becoming a Habitat Steward you can do When: Saturday October 10th, 2009 or
we’ll commune at the Pt. Defiance Lodge for a potluck something to help take care of these Saturday February 6th, 2010.Time and
meal and a visual session of how to use native plants kinds of places in your neighborhood. At location to be announced at later date.
successfully in your restoration projects. Presenters include this FREE one day training you will learn Contact: To register, Julie
Anna Thurston and Stewards-in-Training from the how to get started, how to organize Kerrigan; jkerrigan@
volunteer events and ways to track how tahomaaudubon.org or
Washington Native Plant Society.
well the clean-up process is going. After (253) 223-0039
When: Wednesday, July 22nd 5:00 - 7:00 pm (walk); the training you will be able to borrow
7:00-8:00 pm potluck/meeting
Location: Meet at the Pt Defiance Native Plant Garden ,
or park at the Pt. Defiance Lodge and walk to the
Garden (on exit road, across from Zoo’s vet hospital) .
Details: Potluck to follow - please bring a dish to
share, plus plate and utensils. Refreshments and
dessert to be provided by the GTP!
RSVP by (EoB) July 18th to Julie Kerrigan:
jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org
or (253) 223-0039

Answers: 1.  Brood patch. 2.  Nashville Warbler. 3.  Black Skimmer. 4.  Rock Wren 5.  three:  Belted, Green, Ringed. Photo/Anna Thurston Photo/Julie Kerrigan

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2009 July/August 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

 volunteer Recognition ENVIRONMENT Matters

Creating Legacy:
Outdoor projects
PSSS ... see birds? Seabirds!
that shelter our future
waters. It is the only time, translating into over
land-based or multi- 180 hours of their time (not
month seabird survey including travel)!
I would like to Education Shelter. However, many in the central Puget A special thanks to
proudly announce are unaware of how her journey Sound, and is driven Tahoma Audubon’s volun-
the completion of toward this project began, almost by citizen scientists. teer crew for donating their
the Thelma Gilmur two years ago… Tahoma Audubon time and enthusiasm for
Outdoor Education Two years ago Julie Kerrigan was teamed up with Science bird watching and science.
Shelter at Adriana just about to start her 10 month Up goes the sign ... Associate Adam Sedgley to The PSSS expansion, data,
Hess Wetland Park! It stands tall amongst our native AmeriCorps internship with Tahoma expand the PSSS into Pierce and new knowledge gained

Photo/Dan Roscoe
plants and winding trails, offering shade from the sun Audubon. She had probably never visited Adriana was seen during our opening ceremony on May 27, County for the 2008-09 survey. would not be possible without your And guess what? We need more
and protection from the rain. It was not an easy or Hess Wetland Park, where she would work and toil when the Mayor Linda Bird confirmed the Last summer we identified new help! Thank you to our Pierce volunteers. We have 12 additional
By
inexpensive endeavor, but it will reward our for hours, both indoors and outside to forward the communities need for the Outdoor Education Shelter survey sites around Pierce County County volunteers: Terry Mace, Jeff survey sites already identified and
Krystal Kyer
community, especially its children, for years to come. mission of Tahoma Audubon: to conserve and restore and simultaneously praised the hard work individuals shorelines, recruited new volunteers Feagin, Phillip Craven, Dan Roscoe, in need of volunteers. These include
Our opening ceremony illustrated our community’s natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, put toward planning and constructing the building. Seattle, WA – Volunteers cele- from as far south as Olympia and Becca Lewis, Dan Christian, Janet multiple sites on the Key Peninsula,
stalwart desire and ability to band together to create and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and Tahoma Audubon is grateful to have such a creative brated the second year of the Puget conducted the second season of the Shonk, Matt Pike, Amber Carver, Purdy, Gig Harbor area, Steilacoom,
a legacy of community service aimed at improving Earth’s biological diversity. She would be Tahoma infusion of youth and ideas directed toward our Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) with PSSS. Tracey Scalici, Gabriel Newton, John and Tacoma. A short training will
the outdoor education of children. Audubon’s first AmeriCorps staff member. Julie may shared goal of connecting a volunteer recognition party and Fifty-two species of seabirds Pierce, and Scott Pearson! be offered in September to new and
The hard work and planning of city officials, not have known it then, but it would not be long people to nature. We stand field trip to Seattle’s Discovery Park including ducks, geese, swans, The expansion of the PSSS was returning volunteers. If you would
business owners, volunteers, and our very own before she would learn about one of the AmeriCorps ready and excited to see June 21, incidentally Father’s Day loons, grebes, cormorants, gulls made possible by two grant awards like more information or would like
Tahoma Audubon Society offered the community a requirements: the SERVES project. AmeriCorps what next years and Summer Solstice. Needless to and alcids were observed. Complete from the Forest Foundation and the to volunteer, please contact Krystal
new feature in the park. Often new park additions encourages its workers to devise a service project, AmeriCorps workers will say, the weather was much nicer results and analysis are being Washington Dept. of Fish and Kyer at 253-232-9978 or kkyer@
have recreation as the central interest, installing something that should, when completed, be a service propose as their service than it was during the survey period worked out this summer, and they Wildlife for the 2008-09 PSSS sur- tahomaudubon.org.
sports fields, tennis courts, or playgrounds for to the community. The AmeriCorps worker does not projects, projects that will (October through April). will be reported on in August. This vey. Thank you! For more information about the
children. While no one can dispute the joy a small always complete their project. Sometimes, they just surely continue to The PSSS, a scientific survey season volunteers visited 47 survey Tahoma Audubon and Seattle PSSS, including survey site loca-
child can find on the playground, so too, none can offer a plan to the community, illustrating the construct Tahoma developed by Seattle Audubon sites every month between October Audubon are excited to tions, downloadable protocol and
deny the endless opportunities children have to learn communal need, and benefits of actualizing their Audubon’s legacy for Society, engages volunteers to col- and April. Forty-seven volunteers announce that will be conduct- data from the 2008-09 survey sea-
about, and bask in the natural world. With the idea. years to come! lect data on wintering seabirds in conducted 322 surveys, and donat- ing another season of PSSS son (August 09), please visit www.
children in mind, it was Julie Kerrigan who sat out to However, sometimes these plans gain traction. On behalf of the Tahoma the central Puget Sound marine ed over 100 hours of actual survey beginning in October of 2009! seabirdsurvey.org.
find partners in her project to build the Outdoor Sometimes, the service project comes to fruition, as Audubon Society, I must
thank Mayor Linda Bird

... Cassin’s Auklet

for attending and speaking
at our opening ceremony. Rick Pinkley
Thank you to Adriana Hess
Committee member Janet Bent, and her husband
Rick Pinkley building this new shelter. Tahoma
Audubon would also like to thank Jim Stimach for his
construction expertise, and Adriana Hess Wetland
Park Committee leader Dixie Harris and Team
Insurance for paying for the materials to build the
shelter. Additionally, thank you to Team Insurance
staff Stephen and Janet for their excellent food!
Thank you to Yontz Miller for helping provide green
materials. A special thanks to Peggy Paradise of the
Tacoma Garden Club for their signage grant. We
must also thank our partners with the city: Jim
Baldes, Gretchen Hayes, Gary Cooper, Todd Smith,
Susie Haney and the rest of the MetroPark’s staff. We
offer many thanks to Julie Kerrigan for planning and
coordinating this project. It is Audubon members and
volunteers like these who help make Adriana Hess a
The ribbon cutting ceremony, with Thelma and Mayor Linda Bird on the right. vibrant place for life to blossom.
from page 1
part of the family that includes six other small to
medium-sized seabird species that breed in
Washington: Tufted Puffin, Marbled and Ancient
Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot,
and Common Murre. Most alcids forage at sea,
and all use their wings for propulsion underwater,
diving to surprising depths (Cassin’s Auklets as
deep as 43 meters). Most nest in colonies.
Cassin’s Auklet ranges from the Aleutian Islands
to Baja California, and birds from the northern part
of the range are migratory. About 45,000 pairs of
Cassin’s Auklets nest on coastal islands in
Washington. To the north, a million Cassin’s Auklets
nest in the Scott Archipelago some 20 miles off the
northern tip of Vancouver Island. The Alaska popu-
lation probably was even larger, but today is much
reduced due to the release of foxes by fur farmers a
century ago on some 450 Alaskan islands. Other
predators include raccoons, rats, eagles, crows,
ravens, and – above all – large gulls.
A bewildering variety of dangers beset Cassin’s
Auklets. El Niño conditions between 1975 and
1995 reduced the availability of their food and
caused a severe decline in the population along
much of the Pacific Coast from California to
Washington. Human disturbance takes many
forms: fishing nets snare many; the lights on boats
can disorient flying auklets – which then blunder
into the gulls that follow the boats. (One disori-
ented youngster was rescued by a Seattle Audubon
staffer from morning traffic on Northwest 15th
Avenue in Ballard.) Oil spills are another danger.
Boaters sometimes visit the auklets’ island colo-
nies, and their footsteps can easily crush the shal-
low nesting burrows. Some of these islands have
also served as targets for military bombing and
gunnery practice.
Cassin’s Auklets are a pelagic species in the bal-
ance: at risk from changing conditions in their
natural environment and from human disturbance.
Some auklet colonies have become refuges, where
wildlife officials can mitigate disturbances during
the nesting season. For now, at least, these “flying
tennis balls” of the open ocean seem to be coping
with adversity in a difficult environment, and
Washington birders can still spot them on pelagic
trips from Westport.
call for entries!
Parlay your passion for birds into
a dream trip to Peru, Australia,
or Honduras, or win professional
photo gear, in Audubon’s first pho-
tography awards. Each participant
can submit up to 10 bird images.
That’s 10 chances to win!
Your winning entry will appear
in the January-February issue of
Audubon and in Nature’s Best
Photography. Here’s your chance
John Huba /Audubon
to see your images soar to the top. Enter now!
Enter: May 15 to July 15, 2009
Categories: Professional, Amateur, Youth (ages 13-17)
Details: www.audubonmagazinephotoawards.org
Audubon Magazine photography awards - Birds in Focus
In association with Nature’s Best Photography. Enter Now!
Sponsored by Nikon

Introducing the Towhee’s new editor, David Cohn

Checks payable to: Tahoma Audubon 2917 Morrison

Hello Towhee readers!
It has been my recent pleasure over the past
two issues to be your new editor for this great
Rd. W. University Place, 98466 Tahoma Audubon
Society, established in 1969, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Thanks so much to everyone at Adriana Hess Membership Fee:
Audubon Center and to everyone who works on ___ Introductory (first year) $20
The Towhee for welcoming me onto the team. I ___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50

organization. Donations are tax deductible.

publication. As you have all known for years, and
as I have been excited to learn, The Towhee has
would like to encourage any readers who enjoy
birds and bird-watching as much as we do to write Membership

___
___
Chapter member renewal
Other Contributions _____________
$30

a terrific team of writers who volunteer their time
on a monthly basis to put out engaging material
that makes my editing job a snap.
I am currently studying English at the University
of Puget Sound and hope to pursue a career in
journalism after graduation, an interest that has
about your experiences, take some pictures or
share any of your opinions with me at editor@
tahomaaudubon.org.
The Towhee has always thrived on the support
of its readers, who volunteer their time, talent and
passion to make this publication a success.
C9ZY020Z
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

only grown thanks to my time spent with this Thanks again to everyone, and keep those bin-
David Cohn membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of
newsletter. oculars handy. Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas.

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org July/August 2009 July/August 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


july 2009
Wed July 1, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed July 1, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p
“Explore the Backyard.” Young explorers will find this small
nature park in University Place just the right size for outdoor
discovery and play. Kids play and explore while learning
about the diversity of nature in their own backyards. $30 non-
refundable deposit required to reserve a roster spot. Full payment
due six days prior to ca.m.p start date. Audubon Center Staff.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center Fee: $90.00 Call the Tacoma
Nature Center to register. 591-6439.
Fri July 3, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Mon July 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers
Ca.m.p: Big, Small, Long, Tall. Age 4 - 6 At this small park
in University Place the wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes!
Stories, songs, crafts and ga.m.es bring children closer to
nature as they share a sense of wonder with new friends. $30
non-refundable deposit required to reserve a roster spot. Full
payment due six days prior to ca.m.p start date. Audubon Center
Staff Adriana Hess Audubon Center Fee: $90.00 Call the nature
Center to Register 591-6439.
Mon July 6, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Adriana Hess Park
Photography class. An adult progra.m. encouraging people
to appreciate nature and how they can incorporate it into their
photography. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.
Tue July 7, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Big, Small, Long, Tall. See above.
Wed July 8, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed July 8, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Big, Small, Long, Tall. See above.
Thu July 9, 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. TAS Board Meeting.
Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly Meeting of
the Tahoma Audubon Board. Guest Welcome, please call ahead
at (253) 565-9278.
Fri July 10, 2009 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation
with Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Fri July 10, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting.
Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor Street. Monthly
membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome. Check
web site for progra.m. - www.TahomaAudubon.org. Call (253)
565-9278
Mon July 13, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bird Walk at Adriana
Hess Wetland Park
Mon July 13, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little explorers Ca.m.p:
Explore shores! Seas, lakes, ponds and puddles - they all
have shores! Discover the cool critters that eat and live in the
water nearby. Arts, crafts, and a boat-load of play are on hand at
this ca.m.p. So let’s dive in! $30 non-refundable deposit required
to reserve a roster spot. Full payment due six days prior to ca.m.p
start date. Audubon Center Staff Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Fee: $90.00 Call the Nature Center to register, 591-6439.
Tue July 14, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little explorers Ca.m.p:
Explore shores! See above.
Tue July 14, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Conservation Committee.
Wed July 15, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed July 15, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little explorers Ca.m.p:
Explore shores! See above.
Fri July 17, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Fri July 17, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nature Storytime
“There’s a Seal on the beach!” 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, so call
early to sign up. Adriana Hess Audubon Center Fee: Adults and
UP Residents Free; Youth Ages 2-17 $7; Audubon Members $3
Call the Nature Center to register and ensure your space in the
progra.m.. 594-6439
Mon July 20, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Dipping, Diving, Skipping, Sliding. Ages 4-6 Find out how
wild it can be in your own neighborhood by first exploring the
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
pond and trails at Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Take a skip,
a swoop, and a dip as you discover how animals move and
get around through hikes, ga.m.es, crafts and stories. $30 non-
refundable deposit required to reserve a roster spot. Full payment
due six days prior to ca.m.p start date. Audubon Center Staff
Adriana Hess Audubon Center Fee: $90.00 Call the Tacoma
Nature Center to register, 591-6439
Mon July 20, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Plant Walk at Adriana
Hess Wetland Park
Tue July 21, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Dipping, Diving, Skipping, Sliding. See above.
Wed July 22, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed July 22, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Dipping, Diving, Skipping, Sliding. See above.
Fri July 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Sun July 26, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fa.m.ily Walk at Adriana
Hess Park. A fa.m.ily progra.m. to encourage fa.m.ilies to
appreciate the park by providing information and opportunities
with a guided walking tour. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-
6373
Mon July 27, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p
“Explore the Backyard.” Young explorers will find this small
nature park in University Place just the right size for outdoor
discovery and play. Kids play and explore while learning
about the diversity of nature in their own backyards. $30 non-
refundable deposit required to reserve a roster spot. Full payment
due six days prior to ca.m.p start date. Audubon Center Staff.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center Fee: $90.00 Call the Tacoma
Nature Center to register. 591-6439
Tue July 28, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p
“Explore the Backyard.” See above.
Wed July 29, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed July 28, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p
“Explore the Backyard.” See above.
Fri July 31, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
August 2009
Mon Aug 3, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Big, Small, Long, Tall. At this small park in University Place the
wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes! Stories, songs, crafts and
ga.m.es bring children closer to nature as they share a sense of
wonder with new friends. $30 non-refundable deposit required
to reserve a roster spot. Full payment due six days prior to ca.m.p
start date. Audubon Center Staff. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Fee: $90.00 Call the Nature Center to register, 591-6439
Mon Aug 3, 12:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. Adriana Hess Park
Photography. An adult progra.m. encouraging people to
appreciate nature and how they can incorporate it into their
photography. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.
Tue Aug 4, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Big, Small, Long, Tall. See above.
Wed Aug 5, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed Aug 5, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Big, Small, Long, Tall. See above.
Fri Aug 7, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Mon Aug, 10 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers: Explore
Shores! Age 4 - 6. Seas, lakes, ponds and puddles - they all have
shores! Discover the cool critters that eat and live in the water
nearby. Arts, crafts, and a boat-load of play are on hand at this
ca.m.p. So let’s dive in! $30 non-refundable deposit required to
reserve a roster spot. Full payment due six days prior to ca.m.p
start date. Audubon Center Staff Adriana Hess Audubon Center
Fee: $90.00 call the Nature Center to register, 591-6439
Tue Aug 11, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers: Explore
Shores! See above.
Tue Aug 11, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Conservation Committee.
Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Road W, University
Place, WA 98466.
Wed Aug 12, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
TAS programs
Fri July 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting.
Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor St.
Fri Aug 14, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting
Fri Sept 11, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting
Check web site for programs -
www.TahomaAudubon.org. Call (253) 565-9278
Wed Aug 12, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers: Explore
Shores! See above.
Thu Aug 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. TAS Board Meeting.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma
Audubon Board. Guests Welcome, please call ahead at (253)
565-9278.
Fri Aug 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Fri Aug 14, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting at
Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor Street Monthly membership
meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome. Check web site for
progra.m. - www.TahomaAudubon.org. Call (253) 565-9278
Mon Aug 17, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Skipping, sliding, dipping, diving. Find out how wild it can be
in your own neighborhood by first exploring the pond and trails
at Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Take a skip, a swoop, and a
dip as you discover how animals move and get around through
hikes, ga.m.es, crafts and stories. $30 non-refundable deposit
required to reserve a roster spot. Full payment due six days prior
to ca.m.p start date. Audubon Center Staff. Fee: $90.00. Call the
Tacoma nature Center to register, 591-6439
Tue Aug 18, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Skipping, sliding, dipping, diving. See above.
Wed Aug 19, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Wed Aug 19, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Explorers Ca.m.p:
Skipping, sliding, dipping, diving. See above.
Fri Aug 21, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Sun Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fa.m.ily Walk at Adriana
Hess Park. A fa.m.ily progra.m. to encourage fa.m.ilies to
appreciate the park by providing information and opportunities
with a guided walking tour. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-
6373
Wed Aug 26, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Fri Aug 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
september 2009
Wed Sept 2, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Fri Sept 4, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Mon Sept 7, 12:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. Adriana Hess Park
Photography class. An adult progra.m. encouraging people
to appreciate nature and how they can incorporate it into their
photography. Call Dixie Harris for details 564-6373.
Tue Sept 8, 2009 from 4:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m. Conservation
Committee. Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Road
W, University Place, WA 98466
Wed Sept 9, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Weekly Bird Walks at
Nisqually.
Thur Sept 10, 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. TAS Board Meeting at
Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma
Audubon Board. Guests Welcome, please call ahead at (253)
565-9278.
Fri Sept 11, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Conservation with
Conversation at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Fri Sept 11, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting
at Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor Street. Monthly
membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome.
Check web site for progra.m. - www.TahomaAudubon.org. Call
(253) 565-9278