03-2009 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

8/9/2019 03-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969 . Vol. 40 No. 2 March 2009

25 years ago page 8

Announcements page

Annual Report center pullout

BirdSongs page 8

Calendar page 12

Education page 3, 4

Environment matters page 3

Field trips page 5

New members page 10

Volunteer recognition page 10

In this issue:

orthward we went on Saturday, Feb. 7—definitely time for the tradi-

tional mid-winter Tahoma Audubon trek to the Skagit and Samish flats

for a bit of arctic wildlife! After all, there’s no way to feel warmer than

to return from an even colder clime. Bruce LaBar and Charlie Wright

served as co-leaders, and we couldn’t be luckier than that!

When we arrived in Skagit County though, fog was lying low upon the

land. Snow Geese were overhead, but they were more heard than seen. We

only got glimpses of white wraiths appearing and disappearing through layers

of equally white fog, quite the stuff of dreams. Even underneath the blanket,

the usual sparrows of the Skagit Wildlife Area were staying in bed, but we

Diane yorgason-quinn’s

Look for our Annual Report

posted in aseparate PDF

By Paul Webster

In Our National Parks (1901) John Muir praised the Mountain

Quail as “the very handsomest and most interesting of all American

partridges.” It wasn’t better known, he wrote, because it was “a

lonely mountaineer.” And indeed, few birds are harder to find than

this largest American quail that typically inhabits slopes in heavy

undergrowth. It differs from other North American quail in using

high-elevation habitat, migrating considerable distances with the

seasons mostly on foot to higher or lower elevations, and eating

almost nothing but plants. Surprisingly fleet of foot, Mountain

Quail usually run away uphill if disturbed, it is said, at up to 12

mph. The bird’s secretive ways make it hard to study, so muchresearch on Mountain Quail behavior, population, and manage-

ment strategies remains undone; a recent account of the species is

replete with phrases like “little known,” “data sparse,” and repeat-

edly, “needs study.”

Larger than the familiar California Quail, Mountain Quail

(Oreortyx pictus) are striking and unmistakable, with a long,

straight black head-plume above a gray crown, a chestnut throat

outlined in white, and chestnut sides marked with bold white bars.

Washington birds live in mixed forest, regenerating clearcuts, and

on chaparral slopes, especially slopes with Scotch broom and

Pacific madrone. Their diet is berries, seeds, and leaves from awide variety of plants, including thistle, pine, fir and even night-

shade and poison oak; seeds of the often-reviled Scotch broom are

an especially important food for the western Washington birds.

Mountain Quail live from sea level to 10,000 feet throughout the

mountains of the far west, principally the Sierras, the Cascades, and

the Coast Range from Washington to Central California. In

Washington they live mostly near sea level in Kitsap, Mason, and

northeast Grays Harbor counties,

and a few still live in the Blue

Mountains in the state’s

southeast corner. Stable in

their principal range,

Mountain Quail

See "Skagit field trip" on page 6

See "Quail" on page 9

Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Photo/Peter Knapp

skagit to anacortes

(click on the pic!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iEFR-qrXF0&feature=channel_page



Tahoma Audubon Staff

Flint, Bryan Executive Director

[email protected] 253-565-9129

Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator


Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator


Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator [email protected] [email protected]

Tahoma Audubon Board Officers

John Garner President

Marjorie Shea Vice President

Wayne Larsen Past President

Jane Brosius Secretary

Kathleen Nelson Treasurer

Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008

Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair

Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair

Dick Carkner

Sally Larson

Marcus Roening

Peggy L. Kopf

Darby Veeck Ione Clagett

Melissa Paulson

Loren Webster Calendar Editor [email protected]

The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon SocietyLocated in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park

2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society .The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS

advocates for the protection of wildlife and promotes conserva-tion through education and activities that enrich its member’sexperiences in and with the natural world.

The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with acombined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan issue. Submissions of articles andphotographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conservation, andenvironmental education are reviewed and considered for inclu-sion by the editor. Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may

be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.E-mail submissions to: [email protected]: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings

Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: robert_kelton@ mac.comPrinting: Consolidated Press

www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2009

By Helen Engle

Editors of Audubon newsletters have so many things

to feel good about as they create the vehicle of com-

munications for the club. It’s an empowering thing!

You get to make so many choices. You work with cre-

ative desktop publishers to set up the style sheet the

copy-writers should use when they submit copy every

month. You get to work with talented authors and ded-

icated staff to determine the formatting, the order of

presentations of the breaking news, the boiler plate, the

photos, right down to the font, abbreviations, titles and

the forbidding of certain words and phrases you don’t

like. You get to edit nal copy—deleting, re-arranging,

and showcasing some, burying other items. And you

get to enjoy the anticipato-

rious time between going to

the printer and picking up

that warm rst copy. You

are very important to the

entire club from the board

down to the newest mem-

ber! You help win prizes

for your organization; you

are consulted on many

things. You get letters to

the editor from readerswho nd something that lights them up for days! But if

you are prone to anxiety attacks you need not apply.

No job has so many levels of anxiety. You are always

under pressure—one of the rst laws of journalism

is “You SHALL meet your deadline.” That means

you sweat out the arrival of copy from

a wide variety of writers, illustrators,

photographers, etc.: easy-going

folks who may or may not live un-

der that rst rule. You hate to nag

them, you can’t coerce

writers. You are at

their mercy further in

that you want excit-

ing stories, precisely cor-

rect reporting, appealing anecdotes and material that

your readers love to get in their mailboxes. You can

have anxious nerves about nding good fact-checkers

and proof-readers. Another anxiety-producer is the

fear of using words that throw readers into a tizzy, or

cancels out all the good things in the rest of the issue,

offending in ways you never dreamed of doing. You

get phone calls, e-mails, and angry letters telling you

all the ways you offended, got it wrong, goofed up

somehow…and you can’t lay the blame on your copy

submitters because you are the ultimate decider!

Tahoma Audubon has had great good fortune in itsnewsletter the past many years. We’ve received ex-

ceptional products from the smiling, friendly, in-

telligent Kathleen LeGreid, Editor. She has

delivered to us an outstanding Towhee

ten times each year for ten years. That

represents a lot of nervous en-

ergy; anxiety attacks we’ll never

know; and surely some wonder-

ful, condence-building successes.

Don’t let us miss you too long Kath-

leen. Warm up your computer for

us once in a while - we love you.

to long-time editor Kathleen

LeGreid as she steps down

On April 25 - May 31 Tahoma Audubon will be hosting the annual Birdathon

fundraiser. Birdathon is our largest, most successful fundraiser and the world’s biggest

birdwatching competition. Each year, participants nationwide gather pledges from

sponsors, helping to fund our mission of environmental education, conservation, and

advocacy. Anyone can participate in Birdathon. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have saving

the planet!

You are important in helping us ensure the best in conservation and education programs

for Tahoma Audubon. Say “Yes” to being a birder and gathering pledges for the

Birdathon. A birder does not need to know any birds: special trips will be offered to help

the novice birder. We have master birders who will help you know the birds you areseeing and hearing.

Many, many of you have helped in the past by pledging in the Birdathons. Take the

next step and gather pledges, and you can multiply your contribution as much as you’d

like. Remember, if you can’t take a trip, you may wish to gather sponsors for some of our

other birders—we’d love to have you choose to help in this way.

Tahoma Audubon has done an exceptional job of keeping expenses low. We pride

ourselves on keeping expenses at about 1 to 1.5%. Makes you feel like contributing,

doesn’t it?

You can call for a packet or you can come to a Birder kickoff on Tuesday, March 31,

7:00 to 8:30p.m. at the Tahoma Audubon office, 2917 Morrison Rd W, in University

Place. We are just getting the trips lined up; watch for the April Towhee for a fuller listing

with complete descriptions.

Nisqually and/or Ocean Shores, your choice, Ken and Nell Batker, Sat, April 25.

Ocean Shores, Ed and Kay Pullen, Thurs, May 7.

Purdy to Paradise, Bruce LaBar and Charlie Wright, Sat, May 9, 5:00 a.m.

Green River Watershed, Greg Volkhardt and a master birder, Sat, May 9, 8:00 a.m.

Morse Preserve, Betty Jones, Fri, May 15, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Tacoma to Potholes (overnight), Marcus Roening and Heather Ballash Sat, May 16.

Lake Waughop, Betty Jones, Sat, May 23, 8:30-11:00 a.m.

Key Peninsula, Rolan Nelson, Sat, May 30.

We’re working on a trip to Fort Lewis

and possibly one to Land Conservancy

lands. There will also be a Big Day

where groups, individuals, and

members of the public can join

us. We will have the full array

and descriptions in the April

Towhee. Plan now to join us

and have a great time seeingbirds with master birders and

bringing in the dollars as has been

our reputation.

See you at Birdathon!

Birdathon fundraiser is coming soon

Thanks! We say

Bye bye, Kathleen!

mailto:[email protected]


mailto:%[email protected]



mailto:%[email protected]





April, May and

June are prime

months for field

trips and classroom

presentations.

Tahoma Audubon

and the Tacoma

Nature Center offeran array of program-

ming for classrooms

and other education-

al groups. We have a

variety of in-class

and field trip pro-

grams, from water

quality to wildlife

and bird identification. Unfortunately, school funding

often is too limited to allow teachers to bring our pro-

grams to students, or their students to our programs.

Sponsoring your favorite teacher or classroom is a

great way to ensure that the students take part in a high-

quality environmental education program and are

rewarded for a year of hard work. If you don’t have afavorite classroom or teacher, we also have a scholarship

fund to support the schools that request programs, but

can’t cover the full cost. Please contact the Tacoma

Nature Center at (253) 591-6439 if you wish to sponsor

a classroom, or wish to donate to our scholarship fund.

The short months between the WASL tests and the end

of the school year are preferred by teachers. But they fill

up quickly, so early registration is encouraged. You may

view our menu of programs for classrooms online at

www.TahomaAudubon.org/EnvironmentalEducation .

Summer camp registrationbegins mid-March

Believe it or not, summer camp registration is allready to launch in mid-March! This year, Tahoma

Audubon and the Tacoma Nature Center are keeping

their successful formula and offering

more opportunities for your children to

take part in the summer fun. Check out

the schedule on page 3; some weeks fill

fast, so make sure you register early to

get your first choice!

Osprey Club

expands again…Osprey Club, an after-school program

that builds self-confidence in middle- and

high-school students through environ-mental stewardship and community ser-

vice, has launched in the Fife school dis-

trict at Columbia Junior High (CJH). We

have partnered with Ms. Cindy Swenson,

who pioneered the Environmental Club at

the CJH, to offer support and instruction

to the club until the end of the school year.

Prior to our partnership, Ms. Swenson and

her Environmental Club became stewards

of Dacca Park across the street from the

school, taking inventory of the inverte-

brates in the retention pond and monitor-

ing the health of the habitats.

We welcome Brianna Charbonnel as our

Osprey Club Lead Educator. Brianna is anexceptional naturalist and educator who

has been teaching at the Nature Center and

Tahoma Audubon for over three years. She

brings a wealth of knowledge about Pacific Northwest

wildlife and habitats to the program and leads or co-leads

the Osprey Club at the Fife and Tacoma School districts.

We are very lucky to have Brianna for this program!

We are able to continue to offer the Osprey Club to

University Place, Tacoma and Fife through a generous

grant from the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation

through the Hayes Family Fund and the Sue D. NilssonEndowment Fund. We are grateful for the support that

the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation has given

to our programs.

…and again!In mid-April we will again be expanding the Osprey

Club to a new venue. We will launch the club through

the Teen Zone and the SKIESUnlimited program at

Fort Lewis. This program has been sponsored by the

TogetherGreen.org collaboration between National

Audubon and Toyota.

The staff at the base has been very supportive of the

Osprey Club, offering their help with marketing to the

youth and families who live on post and providing us

the space and schedule to offer the program once perweek. We are extremely grateful to Cindy Arnold from

the SKIESUnlimited, Chris Withrow from Teen Zone

and Miriam Easley, the Sustainability Outreach

Coordinator for Fort Lewis Public Works.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting

new group of Osprey Clubbers!

www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2009

EducaTION Matters

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.

stephanieSWAIMEducation Coordinator

Call Steph @ 253-565-5479. Or

[email protected]

Give nature experiences to your favorite teacher or classroom

Brianna Charbonnel shares her knowledge of Pacific Northwest wildlife and habitats.Photo/Margie Shea

Sponsoring your favorite teacher or classroom is a great way to ensure that the students take part in a high-quality environmentaleducation program and are rewarded for a year of hard work.

Check out our class listings on page 3!

http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/EnvironmentalEducation








Weekly Bird Walks at NisquallyWednesdays, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Big changes are happening at Nisqually National

Wildlife Refuge!

Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts the birds

at Nisqually NWR.

On the rst Wednesday of the month, the group takes

a longer hike on the full loop, at least for awhile this

spring depending on construction. The other weeks, the

trip is shorter, totaling about four miles. On these

weeks, the group walks out to McAllister Creek via

the new cross dike trail. Then it takes the boardwalk/

trail to the Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook

area, and out past where the ring dike used to be.

Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,

water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee unless you have a

pass. Scopes are welcome.

Meet: At the Visitor’s Center.

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 for details during the

trail construction period, and the start time which may

change to 7:30am. Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360) 459-1499,

[email protected].

During the 3-4 year estuary reconstruction project, go to

http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/ and click on Events and

News. During the reconstruction, some trails may be

closed temporarily.

Point Deance Nature WalkSunday, March 15, 8 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m.

Join Rob McNair-Huff for his monthly third-Sunday

nature walk at Point Deance Park on March 15. The

walk starts at 8 a.m. at the back of the zoo parking lot

and will traverse roughly ve miles of trails through the

mixed forest habitat. Come prepared for an energetic

walk in changeable weather conditions. Birds we will see

along the way are likely to include Pileated Woodpecker

and other forest bird species.

Eatonville Bird Watching/Nature WalksWednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.

Eatonville Outdoor at 101 Mashell Ave. S.

Join residents and visitors alike in a bird watching/nature

walk activity in Eatonville. The walk will cover a total

distance of 1.5 miles and go to Smallwood Park and Mill

Pond Park. Winter and early spring are excellent times

to see waterfowl in the old millpond. Plus, the resident

eagles are expected to be visible at Smallwood Park!

Bring your own snack, or plan to lunch at one of

Eatonville’s dining establishments afterward. Please visit

www.eatonvilleoutdoor.comfor more information!

Key Peninsula TripSaturday, April 4, 7:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon

Leader: Rolan Nelson

The perfect time of year to be out birding! We will be

checking out quiet saltwater coves, woodland lakes and

forests, and some of the open Sound as well. We are

hoping for a good mixture of alcids, ducks and songbirds.Bring some rain gear just in case, a lunch, and a scope if

you have one. We will meet at the Purdy Park & Ride at

7:30 a.m. and carpool from there.

Call: The Tahoma Audubon ofce at 565-9278 to

reserve a spot.

Othello Sandhill Crane FestivalFriday - Sunday, March 20-22 Othello, Washington

Reported by Carol Schulz

The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival is a wonderful

birding event in Eastern Washington.

The eld trips, lectures, and banquet served at the highschool are famous now; and quite a few participants and

speakers come from out-of-state. The eld trips leave in

school buses, vans, and cars from the high school.

Registration information and tour info is available at

www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org or call 1-866-726-

3445 (toll free after 4 p.m.)

The most popular trips and accomodations ll early, so

register ASAP.

For more information about the festival, call or e-mail

Carol Schulz, [email protected], 206-824-7618. E-mail is

preferred.

fIEld TRIps and Events

March 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org

This field-based class brings together the natural

world and the artist’s perspective. Native plant

specialist, Mary Sue Gee, will provide hands-on

instruction in identification and ecological relation-

ships during one classroom session and three field

trips. She will be joined by Monica Weidman,

watercolor artist and botanical illustrator, to engage

the students in a deeper appreciation and under-

standing of the native plant ecosystem of the

South Puget Sound. Mary Sue has an MLA degree

in landscape architecture and extensive training

and experience in wildlife habitat restoration,

urban and wetlands ecology. She combines her

interest in art and nature in her presentations and

stories. Monica has a BA in Art Education and is

a certified Scientific Illustrator. She finds pleasure

in nature’s serene pace and its simple yet complex

beauty.

Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are

people limited out of necessity.

Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come.

Field trip leaders put in a lot of time and planning and

no-shows disrupt field trips. More than 3 no-shows a

year can result in revoking opportunity to participate. Arrive at the meeting place early.

No pets are allowed.

Be prepared for seasonal weather.

Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is

scheduled past mid-day.

All passengers divide total carpooling expenses.

Current guidelines are 20 cents a mile per car, not

including driver.

Beginners are always welcome.

Have fun.

RulEs

Fee: $75 member; $95 non-member includes

class instruction and three field trips. Optional

field trips may be scheduled with additional

fee.

Required Text: Plants of the Pacific Northwest

Coast, Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon, 1994.

Book will be available at class for $19.95.

Discount for Tahoma Audubon members.

Suggested Text: Flora of the Pacific

Northwest, C.L. Hitchcock and A. Cronquist,

1973.

Other field guides are useful if students have

favorites.

Suggested Tools: Any type of sketch book,

pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, watercolors,

magnifying glass/lens, binoculars, camera

Class Date: 7-9 pm, Wed. April 15, Adriana

Hess Audubon Center, University Place

Field Trips: 9am-3pm; Sat. April 18, Sat. May

2. Third date to be scheduled with class.

Scholarship assistance is available. Contact

the education committee chair, Margie Shea,

at 591-6439 or [email protected]

To Register: Call 591-6439 to register. Pre-

registration is required. Deadline to register is

April 8.

The Art & Nature of Native Plants

Spring ClassBirdathon Birders Training Kickoff Get ready to help Tahoma Audubon by hearing our

master birders share their Birdathon experiences.

Learn about all the fun and how it is done. March 31,

Tuesday evening, 7:00 to 8:30, at Adriana Hess.

You are important in helping us ensure the best in

conservation and education programs for Tahoma

Audubon. Say “Yes” to being a birder and gathering

pledges for the Birdathon. Special trips will be offered

to aid you. A birder does not need to know any birds.

We have master birders to help you. Hope to see you

there!

Morse Preserve Open TrailsWhen: Sun. April 12, Easter Day, noon - 4:00pm

Where: Morse Wildlife Preserve, Graham

Description: Explore this natural treasure located in

Graham during Open Trails Day. Patty Brabley will

introduce you to the self guiding trail guide with 13

stations. Great way to get outside a bit on Easter

afternoon. Call 253-565-9278, for directions.

Morse Preserve Open TrailsWhen: Sun. May 10, Mother’s Day, Noon - 4:00pm

Once again Patty Brabley, neighbor to the Preserve,

will help you enjoy the outdoors on a holiday. Call

253-565-9278, for directions.

Morse Wildlife Preserve Bird Walk

When: Friday, April 10, 10:00am - noon

Description: Field Trip leader Betty Jones will lead a

walk at the Preserve in Graham. Call 253-565-9278

to register and for directions.

Audubon Springs & Spanaway Marsh(Hopefully, as we must still go through permitting.)

When: Saturday, April 18, 10:00 - 12noon

Description: Betty Jones will lead this trip. Boots are

necessary for the conditions we will encounter. Call

253-565-9278 to register and for directions.



http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/


http://www.eatonvilleoutdoor.com/


http://www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/











www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

from page 1

Group photo at the West Ninety. From left: Diane, Jody, Mike, Carolyn, Noel, Charlie Wright (leader), Bruce LaBar (leader), Jim, Sam, Ruth, Faye, Wayne, Ken, Margie.

Top left: Immature Bald Eagle, one of several dozen seen on eld trip. (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn) Above: The group looks down on the earth and the birds from Mt Erie.

A rare White-Throated Sparrow at Rancho Valentine.Photo/Ruth Sullivan Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

...Skagit field tripdid spot that Great Horned Owl already on her nest in February. As the fog lifted a little,

the sparrows came out, along with a lost Winter Wren and Purple Finches, blinking into

the light. The winter sun took over and warmed us in every sense of the word.

Swans—Trumpeters and Tundras—dotted the fields, and raptors topped every tenth tele-

phone pole. Although Rough-legged Hawks are reported to be in low numbers this year,

we saw seven or eight, in intermediate adult plumage, female adult plumage, and imma-

tures as well. Besides the usual light morph Red-tailed Hawks and the more colorful

rufous versions, we also got a good long look at a Harlan’s Hawk, an uncommon subspe-

cies of Red-tail, which struck a strange stance in the top of a little tree, looking all the

world like a giant Fox Sparrow on steroids. A stunning Peregrine Falcon happily let us

gaze long at her as she digested a meal.

And did I mention Eagles? At one point we looked up and saw at least fifteen soaring

above us at once. Lifting binoculars revealed more that were too high to see with the

naked eye. Well over half were immatures, proving the success of efforts to restore the

Bald Eagle. They were just everywhere. If you didn’t see at least one eagle at any stop we

made, you just hadn’t looked!

Rancho Valentine was up next, a new hot spot this year that has attracted every birder

who has ventured anywhere near La Conner. The artists who reside here have created a

wonderful fusion of bird feeders, gardens and yard art, and they’re friendly to birders

besides! Their yard has attracted a Blue Jay this season and a couple of White-throated

Sparrows! These birds from the eastern U.S. have found a home away from home in this

hospitable spot. Our large group managed to scare most of the birds away except for some

very friendly Downy Woodpeckers, but we waited and were rewarded with a great look at

a White-throated Sparrow for some of us, nicely photographed by Ruth Sullivan.

After lunching at Padilla Bay, we camped out for a while at the West Ninety, a legendary

birding spot named after the right angle the road takes before turning north to SamishIsland. The show was indeed on as we watched a dozen Northern Harriers, several Rough-

leggeds and Red-tails, and a couple of Short-eared Owls patrol the area.

Down the road, several Eurasian Collared Doves were seen as well, a real news story in

the birding world. If you read this article five years from now, you’ll probably wonder

what all the excitement was about. This was my first time to see them in Skagit County,

but they’ve been reported now in probably half the counties of the State. Stay tuned for

more news on these pioneers from Florida and the Old Country before that.

By late afternoon, instead of throwing in the towel, a groundswell of birding mania kept

the field trip going, and we headed west to twitch some rarities! Looking westward, we

saw Mt. Erie crowned by a tiara of communication towers way over by Anacortes, and we

wondered if we could get there by dark, since it was already 3 o’clock. Forty minutes later

we were on top of the mountain! A very nice paved road all the way, and what a view in

all directions, too! The target birds, White-Winged Crossbills, of course were not there,

being mythical beasts after all, but there were a few little birds including Red-breasted

Nuthatches happily going about their business. Once we got down off the mountain, it

was still light so we headed for Lake Erie (remember, we went west to get here, not east!),

where we succeeded in finding the recently reported Tufted Duck! It was not the gorgeous

male that would be unmistakable, but rather the drab female, which made it much more of

a challenge to identify. But having to work at it made the identification that much more of

an accomplishment. After all, the most maniacal birders in the world are specialists in little

brown birds because that is where the challenges really lie! This particular duck was

underwhelming in plumage, but thrilling in its own way.

We milked every last ounce of daylight out of that gorgeous day! Thanks, Bruce and

Charlie, for being so gung ho and ready for anything and everything!



wlquizzical

the

By Thais Bock

We always had fun at our ban-

quets and the 15th annual banquet

was a good one for 172 of us at the

Sherwood Inn. Dr. Dennis

Paulson’s program on shorebirds and

their habits was the answer to birders’

prayers. His bird call imitations would have fooled

the birds themselves.

Tahoma Audubon President Walt Adams gave a

concise report on our accomplishments and unfin-

ished business for the year. Congressman Norm

Dicks was introduced by Helen Engle, member of

the National Audubon Board of Directors. The con-

gressman reconfirmed that he would champion the

Washington Wilderness Bill and would work to see

that the Clearwater, Pierce County’s backyard wil-

derness, would be one of the protected places by

official wilderness designation. Henry Kyle was

presented with the Tahoma Audubon Distinguished

Service Award for his vital role in saving McNeil

Island. Other awards for outstanding service were

presented to Leota Moore, John Whitmer,

Nancy Thomas, Ken Batker, and Mary

McKeever.

Our tickets were $10 for dinner, tips and tax.

The annual election was part of our banquet pro-

gram with Nominating Committee Chair Bea

Thompson’s slate unanimously elected. New offi-

cers were: President, Robert W Ramsey; Vice

President, Greg Sylvester; Secretary,

Evelyn Patton; Treasurer, Pat Olson;

Past President,Walt Adams; Directors

at Large, Jean Gillmer, Cathy

Jerbic, Dr. Henry Kyle, Cindy

McIntyre, Leota Moore, Annabelle

Reed, Dr. Sally Sloat, Fred Stoermer,

and Bea Thompson.

Two things were new:

We were organizing the first Tahoma Audubon

Birdathon. Kris Quinn was recruiting birders and

donors to raise money for Tahoma Audubon’s pro-

grams as well as those of National Audubon.

The second new thing was a book we had all

been waiting to see: The “National Geographic

Field Guide to the Birds of North America 1983.”

Ralph Widrig reported to us in his review. He said

the illustrations were mostly very good, but with 13

different artists there was bound to be some varia-

tions. He praised the inclusion of different races of

many problem species; and mentioned a couple of

errors with respect to the Pacific Northwest—Brown

Pelicans were shown to be north to British Columbia

year-round; and Cassin’s Finches were shown to

breed and occur year-round throughout western

Washington right to the coast.

Field trips included Nisqually Wildlife Refuge cen-

sus with Ken Brown; Titlow Park for children,

Mildred Hoffman and Thelma Gilmur; Whidbey

Island and Padilla Bay with Jim Scearce; Issaquah’s

Lake Tradition with Tom

Mechler; and turkey watch-

ing in Klickitat County with

the Wild Turkey Federation

President Dennis Barci. A

special field trip, led by Cathy

Jerbic and Eric Anderson

(Yakima Firing Center RangeConservation Officer), went

to the Yakima Firing Center

to see the Sage Grouse strutting at sunrise on their

traditional leks (breeding grounds).

Tahoma Audubon’s Education Committee Chair

Thelma Gilmur was rounding up volunteers for

our booth at the Daffodil Festival Show; Conservation

Committee member John McCann was recruiting

volunteers for the mapping of the natural and criti-

cal wildlife habitat areas of Pierce County to provide

up-to-date information for future planning.

Tahoma Auduboners were urged to attend the

Audubon Council of Washington at Central

Washington University’s conference center on thetheme of “Agriculture and Farmlands Preservation.”

The weekend program included field trips, reports

from Western regional Audubon staff and lots of

socializing with Auduboners from all of our state’s

chapters.

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2009

B I R D S O

N G S

b y P h i l B u l y

By Helen Engle

Helen Englefrom days of yore.

Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing in February 1984

Feedback, comments and reminiscences

welcome, 253-564-3112, [email protected].

1. What small shorebird can be found throughout North and South America?

2. Name an abundant seabird traveling nearly 40,000 miles each year during migration.

3. Formerly known as “Fish Hawk” what is its name today?

4. Known throughout its worldwide range as the Sand Martin, we call it the ___________.

5. Russia’s Kamchata Peninsula is home to what large eagle occasionally seen in Alaska?

The Northern saw-whet owl got its wonderful name because early colonial settlers de-

cided that its call sounded like a wood saw being sharpened on a whet-stone. I have

only heard a real saw being “whetted” a couple of times, and it’s a very appropriate

comparison. The saw-whet’s song is much more commonly heard – a monotonous

series of one-note toots which sound remarkably like the warning sound of a large

piece of construction equipment backing up. Perhaps if it were named more recently,

it might be called the Northern fork-lift owl. I much prefer saw-whet!

Wildlife Journal. January/February 2009.

“Owls of New Hampshire” by Iain MacLeod

A n s w e r s : 1 . S p o t t e d S a n d p i p e r 2 . S o o t y S h e a r w a t e r 3 . O s p r e y 4 . C l i f f S w a l l o w 5 . S t e l l e r ’ s S e a E a g l e

(Answers below cartoon.)



... quail

March 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

aNNOuNcEMENTs

On Feb. 15, Friends gathered at the

Mountaineers Clubhouse for an open

house celebrating Thelma Gilmur.

Thelma says:

“Sunday, February 15, was such a

wonderful day for me and my family.

It was good to see and visit with so

many of you long-time and newer friends.I thought I was thanking everyone who

came until I got home and saw the notes

and cards and realized I had missed

some of you. So here’s a great big thank-

you to all!

And the group that dreamed, planned,

shopped, baked, cleaned-up, etc., please

accept my solid gratitude. It was a

special day.”

Mountain Quail have decreased in the western

Great Basin and east of the Cascades; in Idaho it

has declined 95% in the last thirty years, and the

small eastern Washington numbers also appear

threatened. Why the decline? Hunting is not to

blame, because Idaho has banned hunting them

since the 1980s. And logging, so often problematic

for wildlife, may actually help create good condi-

tions for the quail as trees and brush grow back.

As so often, the problem seems to be habitat loss.

Brush burning, clearing along streams, water

impoundments, heavy grazing by sheep and cattle,

intensive farming, and residential development –

taken together they eliminate the quail’s brushy

habitat. A Washington state management plan sug-

gests a combination of regulation, education, habi-

tat enhancement, and reintroduction to stabilize the

eastern population.

March and April are good months to look for

Mountain Quail as the males begin to crow, a loud

two-note whistle described as “queé-ark” or

“queerk.” A dawn stake-out at a Mason or Kitsap

County slope with madrone and Scotch broomcould just reward the visitor with a good look at

that “lonely mountaineer” so admired by John

Muir a century ago.

Tahoma Audubon Member Nate Chappell and

Ecuadorian birding guide William Perez will lead

this exciting birdwatching and nature photography

tour. We will start in Quito, drive up over Papallacta

Pass and stay at three lodges on the eastern slope

of the Andes Mountains, Guango Lodge, San

Isidro and Wild Sumaco Lodge. After that we

will board a motorized canoe in Coca for the four

hour trip down the Napo River to the superb Sani

Lodge, which is located on an oxbow lake in the

heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. After spending

four nights there we will return by plane to Quito.

Cost of the trip is $3,100, $400 single supplement.

For more information and the complete itinerary

please see our website, www.trogontours.net or

call Nate Chappell at 253-512-1060.

Ecuador : Andes to Amazon

August 1-12, 2009

Trogon Tours

Did you know they are not all just “seagulls?” There

are actually ten species of gulls that occur regularly in

and around Puget Sound. The goal of this workshop

is that you will come away with some knowledge

of the lives and times of these species and how to

distinguish them from one another. These birds are

our constant companions at the waterside, and

you owe it to yourself to know more about them.

The workshop will consist of a half-day classroom

session discussing the identication and natural

history of the gulls that occur regularly in the

Sound. We will look at both photos and

specimens to learn how to identify

them, and the lecture will ll youin on when and where to expect

to see them as well as interesting

aspects of their natural history.

The instructor will be Dr. Dennis

Paulson, Director Emeritus, Slater

Museum, and teacher extraordinaire.

Dennis has been learning and

teaching about the birds of this

region for 40 years. This is truly an

opportunity not to be missed.

Prerequisite: A real interest in learning about gulls.

The cost of the workshop is $35.00 ($20.00 for

students and seniors 65 or over).

To register, send your name(s), address, daytime

phone number, and email address with a check made

out to Slater Museum to:

Carol Curtin

University of Puget Sound

Biology Department

1500 No. Warner #1088

Tacoma, WA 98416

Your enrollment will be conrmed by

email as soon as your check is received

and will include driving directions to theMuseum. If the class is full when your

check arrives, you will be notied

and given the option of being put

on a waitlist (your check will be

returned if you do not get into the

workshop). If there is enough interest

we will hold a second workshop in April.

For more information, contact Carol

Curtin at [email protected] or call her at

(253) 879-2855.

PUGET SOUND GULL WORKSHOP

Partners in providing the bestin nature programming

at the Tacoma Nature Center

Now enrollingstudents ages 3-6

First session beginsSeptember 2009

Details at www.metroparkstacoma.org

Or call 253-591-6439

Nurture in NaturePreschool

from page 1

Thelma says thanks

At the Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma

Dr. Dennis Paulson, Instructor. Saturday, March 28, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

http://www.trogontours.net/







volunteer Recognition

Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org March 2009

welcome to New and Returning Members

January 16, 2008 to February 15, 2008

Beth Graves

is all about con-

nections: in her

internship, she’s

helping Tahoma

Audubon and other

local environmental

organizations makeconnections to

protect Tacoma’s

green spaces.

At school, she’s

interested in how

economic and community development connect

with environmental protection. Meanwhile, she’s

connecting her intellectual interests with her passion

to make a real change in the world. Beth, a senior

at University of Puget Sound, will work with Green

Tacoma Partnership this spring as a Community

Organizer Intern.

Green Tacoma Partnership is a public-private

partnership of several organizations, including Tahoma

Audubon, City of Tacoma, Metro parks, Cascade LandConservancy, and community groups from the area.

The partnership aims to steer policy affecting Tacoma’s

green places and to support groups who have already

taken stewardship of those places.

Beth will gain a variety of experiences from her

internship responsibilities, which very specically

reect her interests: Green Tacoma was looking help,

so “when I sat down with them, they basically said,

what do you want to do?” she said. She was excited for

the opportunity to choose how she could help and what

she would learn, she said.

“My big project is to develop content for a brochure

on the Green Tacoma Partnership” she said, an

informational brochure funded by a grant. She’ll also

promote Green Tacoma Partnership at events, like the

Sustainability Expo on Feb. 20, support events for

Earth Day in April, attend steering committee meetings

and help organize quarterly membership meetings.

“I hope to gain a greater understanding of Tacoma’s

green spaces,” she said, “and some of the restoration

practices.” She also wants to learn “what it takes toorganize and develop this sort of partnership,” she

said, and to participate in the collaborative work of

organizing events and promoting an organization.

Beth also hopes to gain experience in non-prot

organizations to prepare for her career. She’s considering

an AmeriCorps position after graduation, and she would

eventually “like to be involved with policy research”

she said. Her dream job is to work with a progressive

think tank, but short of that, she would like to work with

an environmental organization or agency, or one that

focuses of community and economic development.

In addition to her internship, Beth works at the Career

and Employment Services ofce at UPS, she tutors for

middle school and high school students through the

Access program, and she loves playing volleyball andrunning.

Beth’s true goal for this internship is to make a

meaningful difference in protecting green spaces, “I

just want to help out” she said.

Hans Kvale was an Audubonner at heart, but he

didn’t even know it until he began shadowing Tahoma

Audubon board member Dick Carkner this semester

for class at UW Tacoma.

The new class, Non-prot Governance, pairs each

student with a board member of a local organization

for a quarter. Hans will collect information on

topics like nances and taxes and, “put it all in a

fancy notebook” he said. The next quarter, he’ll be

in the classroom, learning about and analyzing his

experience with Tahoma Audubon. Essentially, “the

students learn how to become good board members”

he said. Hans took the class because he’s very

involved at his church, and he hopes the experience

will help him become a good board member for his

church someday.

Even though he didn’t choose Tahoma Audubon,it turned out to be a happy pairing. Hans was

homeschooled until eighth grade, and his mom taught

him science units on birds. He was fascinated by birds

and learned a lot about them. After starting high school,

he said, “my friends made fun of me because I knew

what all the birds were. I just thought everyone did.”

Hans had heard of Tahoma Audubon, but he thought it

was just a small bird-watching club. “I didn’t know they

were interested in protecting the environment” he said,

or of the many education programs. He’s gained a new

appreciation and awareness of the effort to protect the

environment. Though he always loved being outside, he

didn’t think much about protecting what he was enjoying

until his experience with Tahoma Audubon.

Outside of being a full-time student in management,Hans works 30 hours a week as a job-site supervisor for

a custom home builder. He’s going to school because

he hopes to run a small construction company that

concentrates on high-end woodwork. He’s also been

married for a year and a half, and hopes to buy his rst

home soon. “With work and school, I don’t have time

for much else,” he said.

For Hans, the personal side of his experience with

Tahoma Audubon has been his favorite. “I like getting

to know the people on the board and understand what

makes them tick,” he said. He’s enjoyed watching the

decision-making process, he said, “I like being a y on

the wall.”

Local university students fnd learning opportunities with Tahoma Audubon

We are so pleased to welcome you to Tahoma

Audubon Society. Our mission is to conserve and

restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds,

other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of

humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

Chapter New and Renewing:

Wolfram and Edith Abicht, Arthur J Ando, Gregand Rebecca Anglemyer, Vernon Baldwin, Janet

Bent, Nels and Winnie Bjarke, Sally Boyle,

Joyce Bramsche, Colin and Joyce Ehli, M Eleanor

Ficca, Joyce Greenfield, Bryan Hanson, Bud and

Dixie Harris, William Holt, Kent J Howard,

Marian Lauren, Scott Leek, Lin Livingston,

Larry and Patty Martin, Shawn Olsen, Lesley

Phillips, Georgia Ramsey, Ann Schut, Sally

Slater, Lorna and Elmer Smith, Richard Smith,

Kelly Stave, June Summerville, Fern Svendsen,

Dr Ronald G Taylor, Daniel Tompkins, Art Wang,

Marsha and Lloyd Williams.

Chapter Joint with National:(Joint Fee Received at Tahoma Audubon)

Al Bednarczk, Joan Torfin and Rod Hanke, Ed

Burrough, Jody Hess, Diane Kerlin, Ken Luthey

and Sara Siemans Luthey, Judith Stephens, Verna

and Ed Warrick.

Introductory,

Recruited through Tahoma Audubon:

Cristina Amburgey, Sheldon and Patricia Arkin,

Helen Bean, Chris Lunn, Ted and Heather Ryan,

William White.

Introductory, Recruited through

National Audubon in January:

Glenora L Baumgart, Manfred

Buder, Christine Burke, Christian

Burrows, Andrew Canvasser, Al

& Donna Clark, Shirley Dotson,

Larry Downey, R Faller, Kerry

Fitzpatrick, Geo Frenier, NancyGardner, Michael Greene, Tony Haftel, Dave

Hastings, Jean Hayes, Samantha Darnos, Joanne

Kempthorne, Cheryl Lauth, Charles Marthaler,

Novella Matteson, Robert Maxwell, Sharon

McMillen, Christine Meader, Ella Nayana, Janice

Pedersen, Jennifer Peters, Michelle Pribic, Don

& Jackie Rearden, Joseph Sam, Chuck Seifert,

Chuck & Sharon Reinking, Gladys Smith, Pat

Sobotka, Mary Sohn, Nancy Steele, Allen Warner,

A M Westgaard, Deb Woolard, Kenneth

Woolhouse, Pelli Zhang.

There were also some deleted members listed

whom we had never heard of. Hope you enjoy

the newsletter: Diane Dunham Joyce, AgnesNussie, Theresa Hiott Smith, Michael Bailey

Long, Bryan W Lapine.

Introductory, Recruited through National

Audubon in February:

Ray Belden, Larry Bell, Mortvedt Biology, Gary

Bodhaine, Pamela Boyles, Margery Carlson, Jill

Christen, Connie Clark, Rose Crist, Art Daniels,

Madeline Davidson, Pam & Don Sunderland,

Susan Ebi, Leslie Ellis, Elizaabeth Gallo, Dolores

Griffin, Debbis Harper, Claudia Hayden, Toni

Holden, Richard Homeyer, Patti Horn, Mark

Jacobson, Harry W Johnson II, Dorothy Kent,

Eve Leland, Evelyn Lessard, Robert Lindquist,

Lynn Lomax, Pichet Ploykhao, Richard Price,

Willa Price, Judy Rosekrans, Kazuyo Rymer,

Diane Sellers, Vivian Skagerberg, Mary Smith,

Kathy Spencer, Carl Stracener, Ela B Tertany-

Young, Tami Trinkle, Wayne & Kathi Wetterau,

Teri Wiseman-Kuhlman.

Remember; since January 2008, Towhees have

been sent only to those who renewed through

the local chapter because Tahoma Audubon

receives no share of the fees when membersrenew through the national organization.

We hope to see you at some of our general

membership meetings, held on the second Friday

of the month at The Nature Center, 1919 S Tyler

St, 7:00 p.m. Field trips will be listed in the

Towhee. The biggest fun fundraiser is the

Birdathon, held between April 25 and May 31.

Watch the Towhee for news of ways to

participate. We’ll be counting birds for fun and

profit.

jillEIKENHORSTIntern Editor



For additional information:Tahoma Audubon - 253-565-9278; or www.tahomaaudubon.org Or The Tacoma Nature Center:253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org

CalendarTahOMa audubON pROgRaMs

Beginning Birdwatching - Backyard Basics. Mon, Mar

2, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center.

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually Wed, Mar 4, 7:30 AM

to 11:00 AM. F

TGIF Breakfast & Work Party. Fri, Mar 6, 10:00 AM to

12:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Seabird Survey 6. Sat, Mar 7, 10:58 AM to 2:58 PM.

Location: assigned survey sites.

Snake Lake Science Fair. Sat, Mar 7, 1:30 PM to 3:00

PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Join us for the

Snake Lake Science Fair at the Tacoma Nature Center.

Students age 6-18 will be able to create their own science

projects and participate in this exciting community event.

Homeschool students and students from public and private

schools are welcome. $10 per student fee to participate,

scholarships available. For more inf ormation, visit us

online at www.metroparkstacoma.org or stop by for an

information packet.

Bird Walk at Hess. Mon, Mar 9, Noon to 1:00 PM.Beginning Birdwatching - Backyard Basics. Mon, Mar

9, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Nature alphabet: E is for Extraordinary Egg. Tue, Mar

10, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Location: Tacoma Nature

Center.

Conservation Committee. Tue, Mar 10, 4:00 PM to

5:30 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917

Morrison Road W, University Place, WA 98466

Nature Snapshots: Herps (Reptiles and Amphibians).

Tue, Mar 10, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Location: Tacoma

Nature Center. Ages 12 and up, $15 per person or $30 per

family (4 people max). Join us for a “snapshot” of nature

as we explore the basics of identication and help families

learn a few of the local native wildlife. Call 591-6439 to

register.

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually. Wed, Mar 11, 7:30

AM to 11:00 AM. F

Budding Scientists “The Greener the Better.” Wed,

Mar 11, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Budding Scientists “The Greener the Better.” Wed,

Mar 11, 3:15 to 4:45 PM.

Beginning Homeschool Science: It’s not Easy Being

Green. Thu, Mar 12, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Location:

Tacoma Nature Center.

Beginning Homeschool Science: It’s not Easy Being

Green. Thu, Mar 12. 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location:

Tacoma Nature Center.

Tahoma Audubon Board Meeting. Thu, Mar 12, 6:30PM to 8:30 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center.

Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon Board. Guest

Welcome, please call ahead at (253) 565-9278.

TGIF Breakfast & Work Party. Fri, Mar 13, 10:00 AM

to Noon. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Membership Meeting. Fri, Mar 13, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tylor Street.

Monthly membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All

welcome. Program: Namibia, Thailand and Ecuador.

Call (253) 565-9278. A

Self-guided Tour Workshop at the Tacoma Nature

Center. Sat, Mar 14, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Location:

Tacoma Nature Center. For the self-guided tours at the

Tacoma Nature Center at Snake Lake, specially trained

group leaders like you learn natural history and ecologyinformation and activities to share with your class on your

eld trip. You will have access to your science lab and

equipment, our hands-on exhibit area, our 71-acre nature

preserve and our nature biofacts, eld guides and more!

$50.00 per person. Ages 18+ Call the Tacoma Nature

Center to register, 253-591-6439.

Point Deance Nature Walk. Sun, March 15, 8 AM to

11 AM. Leader: Rob McNair-Huff. F

Plant Walk at Hess. Mon, Mar 16, Noon to 1:00 PM.

Beginning Birdwatching - Backyard Basics. Mon,

Mar 16, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature

Center.

Snake Lake Science Club: Data/Graphing Analysis &

Writing. Tue, Mar 17, 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Location:

Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 10-14, no charge for club

meetings, $10 per student to join the club. Snake Lake

Science Club is for homeschool and other students age 10-

14 years old who want to learn more about science and the

natural world. Students pay a once-per-school-year fee of

$10 to join the Science Club and are then free to participate

in any program offerings, including the 2009 Snake Lake

Science Fair. The following programs are designed to

help students learn more about science and the scientic

process through hands-on discovery. Pre-registration for

each program is required as space is limited.


AM to 11:00 AM. F

Intermediate Science: Plant Power. Thu, Mar 19, 1:00

PM to 3:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center.

Education Committee Meeting. Thu, Mar 19, 5:00 PM

to 6:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Conference Room

TGIF Breakfast & Work Party. Fri, Mar 20, 10:00

AM to 12:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Habitat restoration (planting, invasive species removal,

pruning).

Nature Mapping - data collection & monitoring. Fri,

Mar 20, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sat Mar 21 9:00 AM

to 5:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Ages 12

and up, $70 per person, no charge for additional family

members. This workshop is for citizens interested in usingthe Nature Mapping process to keep track of wildlife in

their backyard, local parks and forests, or any other natural

area. This two-day hands-on environmental learning

workshop helps people take the next step after learning to

enjoy wildlife. Register by calling 591-6439.

Beginning Birdwatching - Backyard Basics. Mon, Mar

23, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Nature Alphabet: F is for Feathered Friends. Tue,

Mar 24, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature

Center.

Easter & Early Spring Card Class. Tue, Mar 24, 6:30

PM to 9:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Center. Early

Spring Card Crafting Class: Various techniques each

class! Bring a small scissors, scotch magic tape (green

dispenser), and a small cutting mat (if you have one).Cost: $15.00 (to be paid at class). Call 565-9278 to reserve

your spot! Email: [email protected] or call 253-564-

7115 for questions.


AM to 11:00 AM. F

Budding Scientists “An Array of Plants.” Wed, Mar

25, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Budding Scientists “An Array of Plants.” Wed, Mar

25, 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM.

Advanced Science: Bio-Science: Botany. Fri, Mar 26,

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center.

TGIF Breakfast & Work Party Fri, Mar 27, 10:00 AM

to 12:00 PM.. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Nature Storytime “Egg-stravaganza.” Fri, Mar 27,

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Location: Adriana Hess Audubon

Center. Join us as we explore the park at the Adriana Hess

Audubon Center in University Place with nature stories

basin-on the current theme. Adults are welcome with

the children. This is a wonderful grandparent/grandchild

activity! Space is limited to the rst 20 registered guests

(adults and children!), so call early to sign up! 591-6439.

$6.00 per child non-member. $3.00 for Tahoma Audubon

Member. Adults and U.P. residents FREE (registration at

Tacoma Nature Center requested, 591-6439)

Advanced Science Lab: Botany. Fri, Mar 27, 1:00 PM to

4:00 PM. Location: Tacoma Nature Center.

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually. Wed, Apr 1, 7:30 AM

to 11:00 AM. F

Project FeederWatch Ends for 2008-2009 Season. Fri,

Apr 3

TGIF Breakfast & Work Party. Fri, Apr 3, 10:00 AM to

12:00 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park.

Seabird Survey 7. Sat, Apr 4, 10:47 AM to 2:47 PM.

Location: assigned survey sites

Key Peninsula Trip. Sat, Apr 4, 7:30 AM to mid-afternoon. Meet at Purdy Park and Ride. F

Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually.Wed, Apr 8, 7:30 AM

to 11:00 AM. F

Budding Scientists “The Tiniest Things.” Wed, Apr 8,

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Budding Scientists “The Tiniest Things.” Wed, Apr 8,

3:15 PM to 4:45 PM.

Beginning Homeschool Science: Too Little to be Seen.

Thu, Apr 9, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Beginning Homeschool Science: Too Little to be Seen.

Thu, Apr 9, 1:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Tacoma Nature Center.

Tahoma Audubon Board Meeting. Thu, Apr 9, 6:30

PM to 8:30 PM. Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center.

Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma Audubon Board. GuestWelcome, please call ahead at (253) 565-9278.

Tahoma Audubon Programs –

FREE to members and non-members!

Topic: Namibia, Thailand and

Ecuador…oh my!When: Friday, Mar. 13 , 2009

Where: Tacoma Nature Center,

1919 South Tyler.

Who: Nate and Angie Chappell,

Trogon Tours www.trogontours.

net

Time: Refreshments - 7:15P.M.

Meeting - 7:30 P.M.

Tahoma Audubon Members Nate

and Angie Chappell will present an

evening of wildlife photography

from their recent trips to Namibia,

Thailand and Ecuador. The focus will be on the

beautiful birdlife of each of the three countries,

plus the Namibia section will also include some

images of the many big and small mammals that

live there. Nate is the avian section moderator for

NaturePhotographers Online Magazine. He and

Angie lead nature photo and bird-

watching tours to each of thethree countries being presented.

Be sure to ask Nate about his

upcoming tour. “We have sched-

uled our next tour to Ecuador” he

said, “It will be from August 1-12

of this year. I have titled the trip

Andes to Amazon.”

Upcoming presentation on

April 10th: Valerie Elliott will be

sharing her experience at the

Midway Atoll in December 2006,

in her presentation titled Gone to

the Goonies: Midway Atoll. Valerie will talk

about species on and around Midway Atoll, includ-

ing the atoll’s albatrosses and threats to their con-

tinuing survival.

MaRch 2009

apRIl 2009

F Field Trip Page

V V olunteer page

M Environment Matters Page

A R elated article in Towhee

E Education Page

Calendar continued inside on page 11.

Photo/Nate Chappell

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/










03-2009 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society

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