06-2009 towhee newsletter tahoma audubon society
TRANSCRIPT
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8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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By Cami Kesinger
Ah, Spring! Its that time of year and many species
of birds are arriving in full, bright breeding plumage
for their annual migration north. As usual, the north-
west weather is unpredictable in May, but one thing
that we can always count on is Birdathon! As of this
writing, Birdathon is in full swing!
Here are a couple of highlights: Nell & Kim
Batkers trip on Apr. 25 started out bitter and cold
with temperatures in the 30s. However, the number
of birds they spotted at Nisqually NWR and Ocean
Shores made the day worthwhile. Members of the
trip saw 90 species of birds including big flocks of
shorebirds at the ocean.
The Green River Watershed trip on May 9 led by
Greg Volkhardt and Rolan Nelson had just the oppo-
site weather: Warm and sunny! The birders ven-
tured to the headwaters
of the restricted Green
River watershed where
they took their time to
observe nature in action.
Many species of birds were
seen, and the group even saw a young black bear
Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 40 No. 5 Jun 2009
Birdathon 2009 update
See "little Big Twitch" on page 6
See "Birdathon 2009 on page 10
25 years ago page 8
Birdathon pages 1, 3
BirdSongs page 9
Calendar page 12
Education page 4
Executive Directors column page 2
Field trips page 5
New members page 2
Quizical Owl page 8
Volunteer recognition page 3
In this issue:
When I pledged my Birdathon bucks to Faye McAdams
Hands, I knew I was in for another crazy ride. This year, the
Willettes were in Texas for the American Birding Associations(ABA) 40th Anniversary convention (a good year to turn 40,
right Tahoma Audubon?). There were ten of us this time, up
from the original four Willettes who all met many years ago
in Ken Browns Tahoma Audubon birding class. And yes,
some of us are still taking that class!Faye always chooses some impossibly birdy place or event
for Birdathon each year, doing it her own way and in a big
way. This year at ABA we were treated to a great after-dinner
speech at our first evening in Corpus Christi by Alan Davies
and Ruth Miller from Wales. They had just completed the
Biggest Twitch, (www.thebiggesttwitch.com) breaking the
The little
Big TwitchBirdathon
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Abv: Indigo Bunting. Right: Magnicent Frigatebird spooking the locals at Port Aransas Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
DevelopmenT newS
Dnat t th Tahma Audubn Scity
Cmmn birds at risk, shar dcin f sa birds in pugt Sund,Gba arming ffcts n habitat, and nar xtinctin fr thSttd o. Ths ar sm f th rcnt hadins that addurgncy t ur rk t rsrv habitat fr idif and humans.
Yur dnatin is critica t th succss f ur imrtant rk.Dnat tday! Yur dnatin is tax dductib.
Cickhr t g t ur dnatin bag.
http://www.thebiggesttwitch.com/http://www.thebiggesttwitch.com/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30314&wstepNo=1&wctxId=49a8c37233684fd6a81ce174993f93f5http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30314&wstepNo=1&wctxId=49a8c37233684fd6a81ce174993f93f5http://www.thebiggesttwitch.com/ -
8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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The world of
news and media is
rapidly changing.
Print newspapers
are imploding.
Every week itseems my copy of
the News Tribune
gets thinner and
thinner. And no
one seems to know
what is coming next.
What do these changes mean for how we, as a
chapter, communicate with our members and the
public at large? What kind of new media are better
for communication among our membership?
We have a web site, like most organizations do.
For a while we updated a blog on a regular basis.
Our event calendar is on our web site and gets
updated all the time. We do have a Facebookgroup, which any user can be find simply by
searching for Tahoma Audubon. We use email
listserves (old school) and have yet to get into
Twitter (the bomb!).
The verdict is still out on Twitter; is it better then
sliced bread or just a high-tech Chia Pet? I would
like to see birders experiment with it. On a field
trip, someone can text message Tweets aboutbirds being seen on the trip. Birders back home
could have instant updates and those on the trip
have instant bragging rights. Plus, dont you think
birding should be all about Tweets and Twitters?
Like many chapters our newsletter started long
before the Internet as a primary way of building
the organization and communicating with like-
minded people. It was limited, however, to being
a one-way form of communication. Today, com-
munication is more like a web of interactive and
interconnected people and the people who need to
know about an event may receive an email or get
information on facebook two weeks before our
newsletter is published.Yet, the experience our newsletter gives people
each month is personal and purposeful. The focus
it demands each month in putting it together helps
make sure all the parts of the organization cometogether. There are no plans to end the newsletter,
but it is important to touch base on how we com-
municate.
So, we want to hear from you. Is the Towhee
valuable to you? What do you get out of it? What
do you wish it did more of? What information is
missing?
How would you prefer to receive your informa-
tion? Are there electronic versions of the Towhee
you would use regularly like blogs, e-newsletters
or social network sites?
Please take a few moments to go to our website
and take a very short survey about the newsletter.
You can also fill out the enclosed survey andreturn it to us. Doing so just may help us see the
future. Thank you.
Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2009
executive directorsCorner
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protectionof wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem-
bers experiences in and with the natural world.
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan
issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conserva-
tion, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor.
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.
Editor: David Cohn: [email protected]
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com
Printing: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint
The media frontier
welcometo New and Returning Members
April 16, 2009 to May 15, 2009
Taha Audub Staff
Fit, Brya Executive [email protected] 253-565-9129
Kyr, Krysta Conservation [email protected] 253-232-9978
Sai, Sthai Education [email protected] 253-327-9480
Kssigr, Cai Development [email protected] 253-565-9129
Tayr, Graha Volunteer 253-565-1884Krriga, Jui Coordinator [email protected] [email protected]
Taha Audub Bard officrs
John Garner President
Marjorie Shea Vice President
Jane Brosius Secretary
Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
Taha Audub Bard mbrs 2009
Thelma Gilmur
Dick Carkner
Marcus Roening
Peggy L. Kopf
Darby Veeck
Loren Webster
Th pirc Cuty Chatr f Th natia Audub Scitylcatd i Uirsity pac's Adriaa Hss wtad park
2917 mrris Rd w Uirsity pac, wA 98466offic hurs 10 a.. - 1 .. Frt dsk 253-565-9278
Ione Clagett
Melissa Paulson
Bill Smith
Tanja Scott
Charles Griffin
Chapter New and Renewing:
Dennis & Joyce Anderson, Ken &
Judy Austin, Edith M Brewer,
Barbara Crowell, Jack and EvelynGallagher, Linda Guerrero, Mr
& Mrs John Herzog, Alvin
Kageler, Georgene Kunz,
Faulene Main, Kay Olson,
Carolyn Orwiler, Shelley Parker,
Richard Perdue, Gail Rinehart, Ron
& Helen Robinson, Selinda
Sheridan, Brian Sullivan & Anna
Leon-Guerrero.
Chapter Joint with National
Joining here at Tahoma Audubon:
Jerry Broadus, Ronald & Trusilla
Bussinger, Kathy Chappell,
Gretchen Engle, Richard Moe, KrisQuinn, Isabel Ragland, Louiza
Rettko, Jim & Lari Ryan, Jan
Stirling, Gail & Michael Venuto,
Laurissa Wallace, Lewis Wallon,
Eunice Werner, Dennis & Joy
White.
Introductory, Recruited
through Tahoma Audubon:
Albert & Linda Bird, Ann Mabry,
Laurie Martinez, Valerie Nosky-
Webb, Allen & Carol Smith, Karen
Webb.
Introductory, Recruited
through National Audubon:
Carla Ball, Richard Brown, Ellen
Beall, Douglas V Beck, Micki
Boyle, Jenny Call, Jerry Carlisle,
Jeff Chamberlin, Cena Codega,
Susan Colvin, Johanna Cotter, Anne
Dodge, Lisa Field, Cathy Florenzen,
Kathleen Harris, Doris Hartman,Judy Hopkins, Shilo Howland,
Burney Huff, Gary L Hughes,
Robert Isaacson, Peggy Johnson,
Babbette Kunkle, Thomas E
MacDonald, J E Nelson, Richards-
Gappa Family, Paul Roberts, Ursula
Scott, Fred H Smith, Mary E Smith,
Mike Smitten, Lavon Warfield, June
L Warwick, Ted Werner, Janet
Willis.
htt://.facbk.cm/gru.h?gid=26604003716&rf=ts
Th rdict is sti ut Tittr;
is it bttr th sicd brad
r just a high-tch Chia pt?
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8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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June 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3
Spring has
attracted volunteers
to the park like the
Flowering Red
Currant attracts
hummingbi rds .Students, avid gar-
deners, and church
groups have
flocked to Adriana
Hess Wetland Park, offering their weeding, pruning,
and beautification expertise. They come to meet a
class requirement, to find religious fulfillment or to
show their love of the parks native plants.
The dedicated effort of the Adriana Hess Wetland
Park Committee and the volunteers it attracts indi-cates a deep community love for this restored natu-
ral area. The wildlife and birds respond to the com-
munitys affection, as illustrated by the 30 different
species volunteers counted for our May 11 Birdathon.
Volunteers chirp happily about a
Virginia Rail family that responded
loudly to the audio tape they played
to mimic its call. Additionally, there
have been accounts of a Spotted
Sandpiper moseying around the
water basin on the east side of
Adriana Hess.
The birds and wildlife of the park
deciding to nest and raise theiryoung here have revealed a certain
trust in the Tahoma Audubon Society. As evidence
of this, Rosanne Beckers discovery of a Killdeer
nest full of eggs is encouraging, reaffirming our
efforts here in the park. Just like the wildlife, parents
of human youngsters have entrusted Tahoma
Audubon to take care of their little ones by dropping
off their children, ages five to seven, here to encour-
age them to learn about birds, nature and enrolling
them in after-school classes that focus on the envi-ronment and natural sciences.
The park has become more than a place of leisure
and peace; it has become a sanctuary for life to
grow and develop. It has flowered into a place that
encourages certain mindfulness, instilling the sort
of serenity one can only find in nature. Although the
April showers have invaded the month of May, the
park will soon have additional shelter. Tahoma
Audubons very own Julie Kerrigan is expecting the
outdoor educational shelter to be finished by the end
of the month; allowing children, educators and vol-
unteers a space for environmental education, social-
ization and staying dry.
On behalf of the Tahoma Audubon Society I mustthank Adriana Hess Committee member Janet Bent
and her husband Rick Pinkley for building
this new shelter. Tahoma Audubon would
also like to thank Jim Stimach for his con-
struction expertise, and Conservation
Committee leader Dixie Harris and Team
Insurance for paying for the materials to build
the shelter. It is the Audubon members and
volunteers like these who help make Adriana
Hess a vibrant place for life to blossom.
Not many people know about Oak Tree
Park and its claim to having the last remaining
oak tree forest in Pierce County. In fact, from
the road a passerby would have no idea that a
park was nestled at the back of the dead end.
Fortunately, some people do know about the
park and are taking active steps such as removing
invasive species and re-planting native plants to
maintain and restore the park.
April 25 at Oak Tree Park proved to be a very
productive day of invasive species removal. Over
forty volunteers from a variety of organizations
came out to help clean up Oak Tree Park. Most of
the volunteers were students from Tacoma School
of the Arts who have been taking care of this park
for several years through various work parties.
Ken Luthy, science teacher at SOTA, organizes
the student work parties and has been involved with
restoration plans for the park. Ken does not waste
time while at the park. He immediately goes to the
area in most need of restoration and gets right to it.
His students follow without question and get right
to work. These students cleared large areas filled
with massive blackberry bushes and trash laden
underbrush. Several boys climbed up an invasive
tree and worked at sawing off limbs and pulling out
saplings from below it. Some volunteers dug up
rusty old car parts, food wrappers and an assortment
of other garbage.
I continue to be impressed with their work ethic
and dedication to the park. Staff members from
Tacoma Goodwill came out to help as well and
were very enthusiastic and fun to be around.
Washington Native Plant Societys Natural Area
Habitat Steward, Albert Styers, was one of the
people responsible for making this work party such
a success. He helped with set-up, providing
instructions and planning which area would be tack-
led for its invasive species. Some of his fellow
Natural Area Habitat Stewards, Dan
Fear and Trish Willebrand also came to
help out at the work party. Ralph Klose,
a member of Rotary 8 has been the driv-
ing force for maintaining Oak Tree Park
and organizing annual work parties. His
hard work and dedication does not go
unnoticed.
Interview with Natural Area Habitat
Steward Albert Styers
JK: Why did you choose to work at Oak Tree
Park?
AS: I chose Oak Tree Park because it is one of the
last of the oak tree forest sites in the Puget Sound.
Although it is in the Metro Park System and not
slated for development, it has been neglected for
many years and in need of help to restore it back to
a more natural condition. This would include
removal of the invasive species like ivy, scotch
broom and blackberry, and the removal a number of
trees (Douglas fir, non-native Cherry, and the
Chestnut trees). There are other non-native plants
there that will be dealt with on a case-by-case
basis.
JK: How do you think the April 25 work party
went?
A.S.:I thought the work party on the twenty-fifth
went really well. We had 40 volunteers participate;
half of those came from School of the Arts (SOTA).
We were split into three groups. One small group
worked on taking out ivy and blackberry that had
sprouted from a couple years ago. One large group
worked under a large Chestnut tree. They cleaned
out the Chestnut
sprouts and a large
patch of blackber-
ries. They must
have cleared and
area of about
30-35 wide by
60-70 long. The
third group worked
up on the bluff
above the gravel pit
removing Scotch
broom and black-
berry.
JK: Are there any upcoming events at the
park?
AS:On Saturday Jun. 20from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
we will be having another work party at Oak Tree
Park. We will be focused on spreading wood chips
and invasive species removal.
For more information or to sign-up
call Julie Kerrigan (253) 223-0039
volunteerRecognition
Work party at
Oak Tree Park
Its Spring at Adriana Hess!
Photos/Julie Kerrigan
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Thank you to
the Education
Volunteer
Interns this
Spring!
I want to give abig hearty
THANKS to the
three amazing
interns that have
helped keep our
programs running
this Spring.
Rikkianne Cox
and Rachel Montgomery had the immense task
of organizing our 10th Annual Bird Drawing
Contest. They have contacted schools, designed
posters and other marketing materials, managed a
huge mailing to the schools and have been keeping
up with their schoolwork to boot! Without their
help, the students in Pierce County would be in the
dark about the Bird Drawing Contest. Thank
you!
Eddie Holbrook is the Osprey Club educator
for our newest site at Fort Lewis. He has been
instrumental in organizing the first short session of
Osprey Club, which began in mid-April. He hasdesigned the curriculum, encouraged the students
to sign up, fearlessly led meetings of the Club and
has been the on-post liaison for the staff at Teen
Zone. We have had seven fun and educational
Club meetings because of his dedication to the
success of this program at Fort Lewis. Thank
you!
I want to thank Brianna Charbonnel for her
dedication leading the Osprey Club in Tacoma and
Fife since February. She has led the programs at
McIlvaigh and Mason Middle Schools and
Columbia Junior high. Over 50 students have par-
ticipated in her programs and she has helped them
to explore West Hylebos Wetland Park, the lowerHylebos Creek, Titlow Beach, the Puyallup Fish
Hatchery and the Tacoma Nature Center as well as
the parks close to their schools. Thanks Brianna!
Narrows View Osprey Club in University
Place completes their restoration project
at Kobayashi Park
On Thursday, May 14 the Osprey Club plantednative plants at Kobayashi Preserve in University
Place. The students have been stewards of the park
this school year through a generous grant from the
Puyallup/ Chambers-Clover Small Grants Program.
The students have cleared ivy, tested the quality of
the creeks and planted native vegetation to improve
the habitat for the two creeks that flow through the
property and for the wildlife that live there. We
would like to thank Melissa Buckingham from the
Pierce County Stream Team for designing a plan for
our project and for shar-
ing her tools and exper-
tise. We would also like to
thank Anna Thurston of
the Washington Native
Plant Society for donating
a number of plants to our
project.
June Membership
Meeting will be a
Celebration of Birds
and Youth ArtistsBring the family to the
June Membership
Meeting!
The Education
Committee will host the
June TAS membership
meeting at Tacoma Nature Center and is planning
an engaging evening for kids and adults. Be there
to meet and congratulate the winners of the 10th
Annual Bird Drawing Contest. All are welcome.
Date: Friday June 12
Time: 6:30 pm Reception to view winning
pictures of Bird Drawing Contest, meet the youngartists, and enjoy refreshments.
7 pm Award ceremony followed by a friendly
game of JeoBirdy! Bring your knowledge of birds
with you!
The monthly membership meetings will be on
summer break until September.
Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2009
educationMatters
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.
stephanieSwAImeducati Crdiatr
Call Steph @ 253-565-5479. Or
Check our websites for latest class listings and times.
Education highlights and updates envirnmnta educatrAmriCrs sitin n!
Are you a recent graduate? Do you
love to teach in and about nature? Do
you wish to play a part in building a gen-
eration of environmental stewards? If
you said yes to everything above, check
out the Environmental Educator position
at the Tahoma Audubon Society. The
Environmental Educator will be coordi-
nating the Osprey Club after-school pro-
gram for Middle-and High-school youth
in the Tacoma, Fife, University Place
school districts and at the Teen Zone at
Fort Lewis. It is a yearlong AmeriCorps
position designed to give you real-life job
skills in your preferred field! So if you
have an interest in environmental and
outdoor education, science, youth men-torship, or ecology this could be the job
for you!
To find out more and how to apply,
please call Steph at 253-327-9480, or
email [email protected].
Abv: Students plant native plants along the banks ofChambers Creek.B: Students clear English Ivy from Kobayashi onMarch 19.
Photos/Stephanie Swaim
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Adriana Hess Wetland Park Bird Walk2917 Morrison Rd W in University Place.
When: Monday, June 8, noon to 1:00pm
Leader: Ruth Sullivan
Morse Wildlife Preserve Bird WalkWhen: Saturday, June 13, 9:00am to 11am
Leader: Betty Jones
Call: 253-565-9278 for signup and directions
Morse Wildlife PreserveOpen Trails
When: Sunday, June 14, 12:00 noon until
4:00pm
Call: 253-565-9278 for directions. No signup
required.
Adriana Hess Wetland Park Plant WalkWhen: Monday, June 15, 12:00noon to 1:00pm
Leader: Richard Van Deman
No signup needed
Family Walkat Adriana Hess Wetland ParkWhen: Sunday June 28 @ 4:00p.m.
Come for an afternoon filled with nature.
Childrens activites available.
Leader: Tanja Scott
Weekly Bird Walks at NisquallyWhen: Wednesdays 8:00 am to 11:30 am
Leader: Phil Kelley
Birdwalk hikes are now changed! The board-
walk loop, including the twin barns and
riparian overlook, are the only areas open to the
public due to construction related
to dike removal. Even so, bird watching has
been quite good!Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts
the birds at Nisqually NWR. The
group takes the boardwalk/trail loop out to the
Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook area, and the
riparian area, totaling about 2 miles.
Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,
water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee
unless you have a pass. Scopes are welcome.
Meet: At the Visitors Center.
Directions: Take I-5 south from Tacoma and
exit to Nisqually NWR at exit
114. Take a right at the light.
Sign-up: Call or email Phil Kelley to confirm
details.(Start time may change to 7:30 am.)
Phil Kelley, Lacey, (360) 459-1499, or e-mail at
Nisqually NWR has started a 3-4 year estuary
reconstruction project. For more information
about trail closures for the dike
removal and reconstruction project, go to http://
www.fws.gov/nisqually/ and click on Events and
News. During the reconstruction, some trails
will be closed.
field trips and Events
June 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
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
n Saturday, May 9, the nine birders of the Raucous
Ravens counted 130 scis, setting a B irdathon
record for both Pierce County and P-to-P. Our route
started at the Purdy spit around 5:15 a.m. and fin-
ished at Puget Park in Tacoma at 10 p.m.! During the
day we visited Titlow Park, Point Defiance Park, Ruston Way, Dock
street, tide flats, Marine View Drive, Military road and 176th street in
Spanaway, Fort Lewis prairies, Krager Lake, Paradise at Mount Rainier
National Park, back down to the Longmire area, stopped at Mashel
Creek and had a last-gasp stop at Puget Park in Tacoma.
The weather was perfect for our count, with plenty of sunshine, no
wind and wonderful views of the mountain. Charlie Wright and I werethe co-leaders with the following fellow raven participants: Tom
Schooley from Olympia, Wayne Sladek, Peter Wimberger, Wynne
Brown, Annie Meyer, Anna Thurston and Alex Harper visiting Charlie
from Miami, Florida.
After missing American Dipper at several locales in the National Park
and with the time getting late at 6:30 p.m., we decided to tally our
day list. We ended at 128 species, which was already a new record.
After bidding good-byes to three of our party, Wynne mentioned that
we should at least try for 130 on our way back! We crossed Mashel
Creek and I remembered that dippers are sometimes found there.
Alex needed it for a life bird, so we turned around and hiked down to
the creek. Wynne found a pair that were nesting right
under the bridge and were actively feeding the
young back and forth from the creek!
Now, how to get the last bird? Peter mentioned a Barred Owl
that he hears from the canyon at Puget Park. Everyone was
game to give a last try even though it was close to 9:30 p.m.
After much who-cooks-for-you hooting, a few heard the
response from way down the canyon. The final tally was 130 with
high-fives all around!
Highlights, not including a snow ball fight at Paradise, were:
A pair of Cinnamon Teal at Krager Lake.
A Sooty Grouse on the side of the road approaching the National
Park that was trying to attack cars as they sped by!
Eared Grebe at Purdy.
Northern Harrier at Krager Lake. Peregrine Falcon at the 11th street bridge in Tacoma.
Bonapartes Gull seen at a distance from the ferry dock area at
Point Defiance.
Five Marbled Murrelets at Titlow Park.
Our first ever Dusky Flycatcher at the lake area off of l76 street.
Gray Jays landing on Alex and Annie at Paradise, looking for
handouts.
A Nashville Warbler at Point Defiance.
A gorgeous pure Hermit Warbler at Longmire!
An unbelievable migration of Western Tanagers from 30th and
Stevens streets in Tacoma all the way to Point Defiance Park. In
one tree alone, Charlie counted 20! We probably had over 100
tanagers pass by within an hours time!
Many thanks to all for this wonderful record setting day!
From
highlights of our 2009 trip
Purdy Paradiseo
to
-By Bruc laBar
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fws.gov/nisqually/http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/mailto:[email protected] -
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previous record for the most species seen onEarth in one year with 4341 species in 2008 (pre-
vious world record was 3662 in 1989). Imagine
the Willettes glee to find that Alan and Ruth
were our guides on our Port Aransas field trip on
Apr. 30! A good omen for a Birdathon if ever
there was one. These two are the best spotters
in the world!
As our bus headed north from Corpus Christi
that morning, we drove into gale-force winds.
We knew it wasnt hurricane season, but did
Mother Nature know that? It was difficult to
identify anything at Indian Point Park through
binoculars and impossible to use scopes, but
Terns, Avocets, and Willets (!) were easily enjoyed
in spite of the nasty conditions.
Luckily, our next stop at the LeonaBelle Turnbull
Birding Center was more sheltered and the board-
walk there provided maximum 360-degree birding!
Not only were there ducks (Shovelers, Blue-Winged
Teal, Ruddy and Mottled Ducks) in the water, but
Avocets showed off their swimming skills, Roseate
Spoonbills lazily drifted overhead and just about
every species of heron and egret struck poses on all
sides, not noticing or caring about the hominids
whom they knew were confined to the boardwalk.
Just as we were marveling at the usually hard-to-
spot Sora that was perched on top of a large turtle at
waters edge, the end of the world was signaled!
Every bird that could fly or scream did so at once!
Even the humans usually suppressed fight-or-flight
instincts were momentarily sparked before we real-
ized it was all caused by one giant bird swooping
down like a primordial pterosaur: The Magnificent
Frigatebird! With its 7-foot wingspan and unmis-
takable threatening shape, it called all the shots until
it stole its booty and swept out again after five min-
utes, allowing life to gradually return to normal in
the wetland.
An interesting bird was seen strutting in shallow
water along the reedy periphery and, after much
discussion, Alan and a local expert who was on hand
weighed in that this was a King Rail rather than the
also-expected Clapper Rail. Much joy was heard inBirdathon Land, as this was a life bird for Faye (me
too!), so because of her own arcane Birdathon rules,
she got to charge her subscribers triple for seeing this
bird! This amazing Rail was still circumnavigating
its pond when we reluctantly were dragged away.
Not reluctant for long! While lunching at Pier A,
we proved to be magnets for Laughing Gulls who
closely watched us eat our lunches, and a Sanderling
was actually learning to beg for food! It would have
been as ominous as The Birds if the gulls werent
all laughing as they made their forays! And yes, all
were rewarded! Purple Martins, Cave Swallows,
and Chimney Swifts were patrolling the ether now
that the winds had abated.
The famed Paradise Pond near Corpus Christi was
doing its best to capture neotropic migrants as they
arrived from the south, including Blackpoll, Parula,
Yellowthroats, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow,
Tennessee, Nashville, and Black and White Warblers,
not to mention Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.
Citrus fruits stuck onto the trees lining the edge of
the drought-dry big pond were literally dripping with
Orioles! As many as a dozen (Orchard, Baltimore,
and even a Bullocks) Orioles could be seen at once,
and intermixed with them were Painted and Indigo
Buntings and a Summer Tanager. Quite the laser
light show when the sun came out suddenly!
Then a new bird secretively made its way to one
of the water features and birding senses were pricked
as the brownish newcomer tried to stay anonymous
and in the background. He didnt know who he was
dealing with, though, as dozens of birder eyes fig-
ured out this was a Gray-Cheeked Thrush!! He
stuck around long enough to allow definitive identi-
fication by everyone present; a life bird for all ten of
us and triple money to Birdathon again!
On the bus drive back, our relaxation was short-
lived as a soaring bird over the right side of the bus
caught the eyes of those sitting on that side an
unmistakable Swallow-Tailed Kite! Faye had seen
this bird in Central America, but
never in North America so this one
merited double Birdathon money!!Back at ABA headquarters in Corpus,
Birdathon numbers were totted up and I
am now dealing with a big bill to pay to
Tahoma Audubon! Turns out we had
some even bigger birding days while in
Texas with huge trip totals, but certainly
none so memorable as that day in the Port
Aransas area. Total 102 species for the
day, with two lifers at triple price and one
ABA-area bird at double price; an accoun-
tants nightmare!
So next year, plan your Birdathon like
Faye does: Take the best spotters you
know, go to a very birdy place (such as
Pierce County), charge a premium to
your subscribers for life birds or out-
of-area birds and make those birders
work for it by pledging per bird
rather than a block amount. It does
add spice to the birding day! Im
already looking forward to (or
dreading) next year.
twitch
Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7
1) Ten Willettes in matching Avocet
shirts with ABA Port Aransas trip lead-ers. Faye is pictured right under theP. Big Twitch trip leaders are Alan
Davies (left rear) and Ruth Miller (right
front, kneeling). (Photo/Tyler Bell)2) Faye McAdams Hands at Leona-
Belle Turnbull Birding Center, TX: Itsmy Birdathon, and Ill do it my way!
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
3) King Rail, another lifer for Faye,sneaks up on a Shoveler and a Dow-itcher! (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
4)Alligator: Not something we have tocontend with in local birdathons. (Pho-to/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
5)The swimming shorebirds, Avocets, atPort Aransas (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)6) Roseate Spoonbills patrol the skies.
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
7)Forsters Tern fshing at Port Aransas(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
8) Blackpoll Warbler helping our warblercount at Paradise Pond. (Photo/DianeYorgason-Quinn)
9) GrayCheek: A Ka-Ching Bird! Lifer for
all TEN of us!!! Triple money to Birdathon!(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
10) The Birds!!! Willettes Rhio Reigh, Faye
Hands, Melissa Sherwood, and Wendy Peter-son being attacked by Laughing Gulls in Texas
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
11) Rhio Reigh, Dorothy Husband, Louise Foun-tain, and Diane Kerlin at Paradise Pond, TX (Photo/
Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
- And fnally, needing no number to announce itspresence, a Tricolored Heron getting too close forOUR comfort. (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
Bigfrom page 1
1 2 3 4
5
6
7
1011
8
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... little
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1. What songbird is a resident in Oregon but not in Washington?
2. This small Owl lives up to its name in far northern forests of Canada.
3. What high-flying goose has been recorded at 29,000 feet?
4. Name the only two predatory songbirds in North America.
5. Clarks Nutcracker belongs to what family of birds?wl
quizzical
the
By Thais Bck
Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2009
Just the other day... Tahoma Audubon back in June 1984
(Answers below.)
AnSweRS:1.Wrentit2.BorealOwl3.Bar-headedGoose4.LoggerheadandNorthernShrikes5.Crows
Helen Englefrom days of yore.
The US Fish & Wildlife Service (F&WS) has
employed three sets of consultants to draw up the
plan for the Nisqually NWR: CH2M Hill, EDAW, and
Beak, Inc. The consultants first showing of their
conceptual plan dismayed many of us who had
been working for a NWR on the Delta since 1964.
We had participated in a public meeting specifically
called by F&WS to share our suggestions for a masterplan for our long-sought refuge with representatives
of the consulting firms.
Representing the TAS at the October 27, 1977
meeting, Tahoma Audubons board-endorsed
statement was as follows:
Thank you for the invitation to reiterate in a five-
minute statement what weve been saying for years
wed like the NWR to be like in the long-term
future.
Historically the National Audubon Society has taken
a lead role in the preservation of our countrys wildlife
by working for land acquisition by land management
agencies whose chief concern was stewardship of thehabitat. The formation of the Tahoma Audubon
Society, Pierce Countys Chapter of National, was
prompted in large part by the need for a strong
conservation voice and organized leadership within
our county in the struggle to see the Nisqually delta
designated as some form of refuge or sanctuary.
In 1959 we joined forces in the long series of
activities aimed at discouraging the Port of Tacomas
planned deep draft terminal facility in the Nisqually
estuary and encouraging by acquisition, legislative
proclamation, or whatever means, a protected status
for this benchmark river mouth.
In May 1970, at the National Audubon Societys 65th
Annual Convention, President Stahr announced the
purchase of 2.5 acres at the mouth of the Nisqually
River, an evidence of NAS concern for the area.
Members of Tahoma Audubon participated in the
preparation of the Puget Sound League of Women
Voters nisquay i Cofict, a definitive piece of
resource material published October 1970 in the
attempt to work toward the solution of the conflict.
Our chapter published its own position document
by Robert W. Ramsey, prosctus to Rtai ad
ehac th nisquay Dta as a natura
Bioogica laboratory ad widif Rfug in
January 1971. We were represented on the Nisqually
River Task Force during the long sessions developing
Th nisquay pa: From Raiir to th Sa,
with strong support of Governor Dan Evans and his
administration.
Two of us were on hand at Sea-Tac Airport inJanuary 1974 when the money changed
hands for the purchase of the Brown
Farm for the National Wildlife Refuge
system by the then Bureau of Sports
Fisheries and Wildlife.
As founding president of Tahoma
Audubon, I was spokesman in dozens of
public hearings over the years, and presented
have a slide-lecture regularly for schools and citizen
groups throughout the region on this important
wildlife resource, delta complex, and river system.
Succeeding presidents have continued our speaking,
correspondence, availability to those in whose handsour refuge rests.
Our regular and varied trips to the Refuge, by land
and water, have been supplemented with regular
flyovers to photograph the piece of geography so
many of us have come to be associated with. Our
birding, botanizing, ecology and outdoor education
work for every age level and credit opportunity -
has profited from our involved fieldwork here.
Optimism for this natural island in the megalopolis of
the future has always included acceptance of our
plan.
Having confirmed the Audubon position, which
was developed originally by the most qualified
naturalists and creative planners, almost a decade
ago, and has seen little change, we wait for the
opportunity to help make it happen.
Then as now, we asked for controlled public use of
a fragile complex of ecosystems. We asked that
there be provision for an outdoor biological laboratory,
an area for preservation of baseline niches. We
envisioned grasslands ecology in the historic
agricultural areas, a concern for the old fruit trees,
the maintenance of the sounder dairy buildings for
visitor center-museum-classroom-lab facilities.
We suggested public pullout points, vistas for
stopping with easy I-5 access/egress, overlooking
McAllister Creek on the Thurston side, and on
Hoffman Hill on the Pierce County side. Interpretation
panels here would satisfy a large percentage of
tourist interest, in a less fragile place able to handle
higher intensive use than the lower areas.Our trail system included a short, interpreted
loop trail and a more rugged- 5-mile dike
circuit around the Brown Farm plus
trails along the bordering hillsides on
both sides with views of the Sound
and the floodplain. We saw at least
one observation tower; a floatable bird
blind barge on the NAS acreage for serious
study of shore and waterbirds; a water gauge and
fish viewing station on the Nisqually and a scientific
station on Red Salmon creek; involvement of the
Nisqually Tribe in a Nisqually House and the
incorporation of both bluffs and some uplands with aMcBride Trail and a Braget Trail.
We hoped for protection of something like the
familiar atmosphere and character of that place
including the minimal maintenance and operation of
the minimal dike systems, which have produced such
a wide variety of ecological niches.
We chose to dedicate some of our lives and times
to preservation of perhaps not the richest delta
system, but one unique in many ways. Many
members of Tahoma Audubon sacrificed something
of themselves for the peace of knowing the deltas
heritage was alive and well. Most of us were content
with that and have not contemplated the pressures
of the proposed plans on the horizon for maximizing,
intensifying and developing a capital-intensive project
that will commit us to a greater maintenance and
operation expense at the sacrifice of programs and
services.
May the ultimate plan include a little benign
neglect; a lot of letting it be.
Feedback, comments and reminiscences welcome,
253-564-3112, [email protected].
By Hn eng
The founders of Tahoma Audubon
were united in their resolve to Save
Nisqually.
Our earliest agenda items, board
meetings, field trips, professional
advisers and the delightful learning-
all-we-could-about-estuaries werealways directed to the Nisqually in
particular.
Now in 2009 we see a breaching of
the Brown Farm Dike, which was built
in the early 1900s using a Fresno
scraper kind of earthmover powered
by horses. The tidal waters of Puget
Sound will inundate the former farmand freshwater marshy areas as we
think about our 40 years of history in
that place.
In 1978 a complex management
plan was taking shape that included
dog trials, intensive human use and
many things we saw as incompatible
with the refuge idea. The following isa Towhee page from April 1978.
maagt a fr th nisquay natia widif Rfug (nwR)
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8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
8/11
June 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9
BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly
The Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshop is a
3 day action-packed introductory course consist-
ing of presentations, specimen study, eld mist-
netting, banding, and processing under the direction of
Derek Matthews, Master Bander and Bander-in-charge
at the Vancouver Avian Research Centre.
This workshop has been developed for people with lit-
tle or no bird banding or bird in the hand experience and
provides a fantastic opportunity to see birds up close and
personal, to learn about their plumages, molt sequences,
and life habits.
By participating in established banding programs, you
can contribute in a direct way to their conservation. Imag-
ine capturing a bird such as a
Swainsons Thrush or Wil-
sons Warbler and knowing
that it traveled to Latin Amer-
ica or Mexico and returned
to the exact location where
you banded it the previous
year. Holding and releasing
birds like this is a unique ex-
perience and one which lasts
a lifetime. The experience
gained and skills acquired from this course can be used
for a variety of avian research and conservation projects
including the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survi-
vorship Program (MAPS) and the Canadian Mi-
gration Monitoring Network (CMMN).
But most of all the workshop is designed to
be a fun and interesting experience and a way to
take your interest in birds and the environment
to the next level.
The cost is $315 ($300 + GST) per par-
ticipant with a $25 reduction for students -
$288.75 ($275 + GST). All course material is
provided. Space is limited, so please be sure to
book early!
Things to bring and things to wear!
Warm clothing for the eld sessions
Rubber boots this is a must
as the Burnaby Lake banding site
is located along the marsh edge
at Burnaby Lake and trails can
be underwater especially during
spring run off!
Binoculars
Camera
Water / snacks for eld ses-
sions (Pizza is provided for the
Friday evening session)
For more information and to register,
please go to http://www.birdvancouver.
com/registration.html
The Everett Sewage Ponds has hosted approximately 200 species, whichis more than 40% of the species recorded in Washington. The real emblemof the Everett Sewage Ponds, however, is the Bonapartes Gull, named afterNapoleons nephew. This small elegant gull can occur here in numbers ex-
ceeding 10,000. The odor wafting about you is easily forgotten as hundredsof Bonapartes Gulls swoop through the air after airborne insects.
From: http://birdfellow.com/The strange places birders visit Steve Mlodi-now | March 13, 2009
Bird Monitoring &
Banding Workshop
Thiswasanabsolutelywonderfulcoursethatopenedmyeyestotheincredibleknowledgethatbirdbanderspossess.Ihavealreadyspokentosomeofmyfriendsaboutmyexperiences,andtheyareinterestedinpossiblyparticipatinginthisforthem-selves. AnysuggestionsformarketingthisclassthatIcouldpossiblycomeupwith,youhavelikelyalreadyheardof,butthemostpowerfuladvertisementiswordofmouth.Thankyousomuchforyourpatienceandintro-ducingmetosuchawonderfulnewworld. ImtrulygratefulfortheexperienceandIhopeIhavethechancetoseeyouatBurnabyforsomebandingweekends-Thankyou!
-ErinOConnorBCITStudent
At the vancouer Aian Research Centre
Bird photos by Derek Mathews. (For a beautiful slideshow of these and many other birds, please go to http://birdvancouver.com/gallery/index.html
http://www.birdvancouver.com/registration.htmlhttp://www.birdvancouver.com/registration.htmlhttp://www.birdvancouver.com/registration.htmlhttp://birdfellow.com/The%20strange%20places%20birders%20visit%20Steve%20Mlodinowhttp://birdfellow.com/The%20strange%20places%20birders%20visit%20Steve%20Mlodinowhttp://birdvancouver.com/gallery/index.htmlhttp://birdvancouver.com/gallery/index.htmlhttp://birdfellow.com/The%20strange%20places%20birders%20visit%20Steve%20Mlodinowhttp://birdfellow.com/The%20strange%20places%20birders%20visit%20Steve%20Mlodinowhttp://www.birdvancouver.com/registration.htmlhttp://www.birdvancouver.com/registration.html -
8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
9/11
Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org June 2009
cub. Mom was nowhere in sight, but they didnt
spend too much time investigating her where-
abouts!The Titlow Park trip lead by Rosanne Becker
and Joann Sims was a rainy, soggy and windy
one! A few of us brave souls trudged through the
damp park and, while it wasnt the best weather
for us or the birds, we still managed to spot or hear
over 20 species.
Thanks to everyone for their dedication to thisimportant event for Tahoma Audubon. We couldnt
do it without our field trip leaders, master birders,
Birdathon birders and our volunteers who make all
the phone calls. Thank you again for your support
and super enthusiasm, and we are still gladly accept-
ing Birdathon donations.
There will be more updates and a final report in theJuly/August Towhee, so stay tuned!
Cami Kesinger
Development Coordinator
[email protected] or 253-565-9129
from page 1
... Birdathon 2009
A Birdathon trip to the Green River Watershed was a bigsuccess; warm and sunny plus a glimpse of a black bear cub.
Photos/Bryan Flint
We invite you to join us for the 2009 Great Peninsula Future Festival in Port Gamble August
1st and 2nd. You will delight in world class entertainment, educational exhibits on sustain-
ability and the green economy, music, childrens activities, great food, arts and crafts and surprises
everyday. We bring together citizens, environmentalists, public ofcials, educators, green busi-
ness leaders, entertainers, and musicians, in a festival atmosphere to talk about how our culture,
economy and environment can become more sustainable. Families come for the fun and leave with
a heightened awareness of how their day to day decisions and habits affect the future health of our
community, our economy and our environment. Who knew learning could be this much fun.
Youll experience eco-friendly, lifestyle-changing family fun in historic Port Gamble -- the green-
est town around during this two-day midsummer festival!
2009August 1st and 2nd in historic port Gamble
Sunday 10am - 5mSaturday 10am - 7m
Building a sustainable future together!
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8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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June 2009 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11
Tahoma Audubon is the Pierce County chapter of National Audubon. As
an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National
Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing
your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in
Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub-
scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis-
counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/
National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National
membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of
Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas. Checkspayableto:TahomaAudubon2
917Morrison
Rd.
W.
UniversityPlace,
98466Taho
maAudubon
Society,establishedin1969,
isa501(c
)(3)nonprofit
organization.
Donationsaretaxdeductible.
Membership Fee:
___ Introductory (first year) $20
___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50
___ Chapter member renewal $30
___ Other Contributions _____________
Member(s) Name: _______________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City______________________________ Zip__________________
Phone: home ___________________business _________________
e-mail: ________________________________________________
Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
mebership
C9ZY020Z
StewardshipPartners
ChamberClovers
WatershedCouncil
PierceStream
Team
PuyallupRiver
WatershedCouncil
Pierce CountyPublic Works
WSU/NativePlant Salvage
LeMay Inc.
By pggy KfCo-Chair Development Committee
Looking for ways to advise and guide anyoneinterested in planning and giving support,Tahoma Audubon has hired Jean McCord,President of McCord and Associates to help
those interesting in reviewing their financialhealth or seeking ways to reduce their tax bur-den.
There is joy in supporting activities and orga-nizations that you believe in and I was inter-ested in doing more for Tahoma Audubon,despite my somewhat limited resources. I
made an appointment with Jean and, over cof-fee in my home, we reviewed my assets, liabil-ities and discussed ways I can give to Tahoma
Audubon without reducing my needs for dailyliving.
Jean reviewed with me a variety of options,explaining the pros and cons of each. Her easy
manner and thoughtful guidance were a plea-sure. She helped me consider a variety ofmeasures, from taking out insurance namingTahoma Audubon as the beneficiary to signingover an IRA or giving appreciated securities. Inthe end, I settled on a Charitable Gift Annuitythat would be administered by the Greater
T a c o m aCommunityFoundation.This will pro-vide me witha higher rateof return on CDs and, on my death, Tahoma
Audubon gets the full amount of the gift. Theconsultation took about an hour and cost menothing.
If you have been wondering how you canoffer support and help ensure the future ofTahoma Audubon, get in touch with Jean andreview your situation to see what you can do.
The Joy of GivingJean McCord
is President
of McCordand Associates.
Help us build rain gardens at these dates and locations.Join our hands-on workshop where you will learn all you
need to design and install a beautiful rain garden at home.
Pierce County rain garden installation workshops
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day
Hand tools and refreshments will be provided, but bring your favorite.
Plan on dressing for rainy weather, and bring gloves and boots!
Help us build community.
Contact Pierce Stream Team to sign up. Email [email protected] or call (253) 845-2973.
We value your participation--ask to be notied if your choice nishes on the rst day.
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8/9/2019 06-2009 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
11/11
Tue June 2 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Intermediate
Birding. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Continuation.
Wed June 3 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri June 5 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF
Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Sat June 6 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Board &
Staff Retreat. Location: Pack Forest.
Mon June 8 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Bird
Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Tue June 9 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.Conservation
Committee. Adriana Hess Wetland Park,
2917 Morrison Road W, University Place,
WA 98466.
Tue June 9 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Intermediate Birding. Adriana Hess
Audubon Center. Continuation.
Wed June 10 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Thu June 11 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. TAS
Board Meeting. Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Monthly Meeting of the TahomaAudubon Board. Guests Welcome, please
call ahead at (253) 565-9278.
Fri June 12 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF
Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Fri June 12 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.Membership
Meeting at Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S.
Tylor Street.
Sat June 13, 9:00 AM to 11 AM. Morse
Wildlife Preserve Bird Walk. Leader: Betty
Jones. Call: 253-565-9278 for signup and
directions.
Sat June 13 Ohop Widlife Survey & eld
trip.
Sun June 14, 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Morse
Wildlife Preserve. Open Trails. Call: 253-
565-9278 for directions. No signup
required.
Mon June 15 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Plant
Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Wed June 17 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri June 19 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF
Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park.
Wed June 24 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri June 26 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF
Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Sun June 28 @ 4:00PM. Family Walk at
Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Come for an
afternoon filled with nature. Childrens
activites available. Lead by Tanja Scott.
Weds July 1 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri July 3 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF
Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park!
Weds July 8 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Thu July 9 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.TAS Board
Meeting. Location: Adriana Hess Audubon
Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma
Audubon Board. Guests welcome. Please
call ahead at (253) 565-9278.
Fri July 10, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park.
Fri July 10 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.Membership
Meeting. Location: Tacoma Nature Center,
1919 S. Tylor Street. Monthly membership
meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome.
See box above or check web site for updated
information - www.TahomaAudubon.org
and click on Calendar. Or give us a call at
(253) 565-9278.
Mon July 13 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Bird
Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Tue July 14 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
Conservation Committee.
Weds July 15 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri July 17, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park.
Mon July 20, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 1:00
PM. Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park.
Weds July 22 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri July 24, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park.
Weds July 29 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Fri July 31, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park.
Fr additial ifrmati:Tahma Audub - 253-565-9278; r www.tahmaaudub.rg or The Tacma nature Ceter:253-591-6439 r www.metrparkstacma.rg
Calendar
june program
july 2009
june 2009
Tahma Audubn prgrams
FRee t mmbrs and nn-mmbrs!
whn: Friday,June 12, 2009
whr: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 South Tyler.Tim: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 pm.
Bring the family to the June Membership Meeting!
The Education Committee will host the June TAS
membership meeting at Tacoma Nature Center
and is planning an engaging evening for kids and
adults. Be there to meet and congratulate the win-
ners of the 10th Annual Bird Drawing Contest. All
are welcome.
Friday June
12 Time:
6:30 pm Re-
ception to view win-ning pictures of Bird
Drawing Contest,
meet the young artists,
and enjoy refreshments.
The monthly membership meetings
will be on summer break until Sep-
tember. Check web site for updated
information - www.TahomaAudubon.
org. Or call (253) 565-9278
(Images from last years contest)
http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/http://www.tahomaaudubon.org/