february 2009 heron herald newsletter rainier audubon society

8/8/2019 February 2009 Heron Herald Newsletter Rainier Audubon Society

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Rainier Audubon Society February 2009

Federal Way United Methodist Church

29645 - 51st Ave. So.(in unincorporated Auburn) 98001

Directions: In Federal Way, take 320th St. EAST past The Commons, crossing over I-5 and Military Rd. At321st St, turn left. Stay on 321st as it becomes 51st Ave. So. Follow 51st Ave. to 296th. Church will be

on your left at 296th.

Daniel Poleschook, Jr. and

Virginia R. Gumm will present

“Washington’s Not-So Common

Loon” at Rainier’s February

program. The presentation

will feature Common Loon

description, behavior, ecology,

and the conservation measures

required to maintain or increase

its low breeding population of

less than 15 territorial pairs inWashington.

Ginger and Daniel have both

been nature photographers since

the early 1970s. They met in

1992 at a nature photography

seminar Daniel was presenting

in Seattle; since then, they have

photographed together. From

1996 to the present, they havespecialized in capturing images

Monday, February 16, at 7:00 PM

Rainier Audubon Presents

Washington’s Not-So Common Loon

A presentation by Daniel Poleschook Jr. and Virginia

of Common Loons and other

water birds.

They have given nature

photography and conservation

presentations to organizations

and wildlife managers

throughout the U.S. Their

articles and images have been

used in many publications;

they were the exclusivephotographers for the book,

The Call of the Loon; their

images recently appeared

on the covers of BioScience

and The Journal of Wildlife

Management magazines. They

also maintain a website (www.

LoonConservation.org) that

includes description, behavior,

status, conservation, and acomprehensive bibliography of

the Common Loon.

In addition, Daniel operates

Daniel Poleschook Nature

Photography, as well as a

new venture, the Loon Lake

Wildlife Gallery in Loon Lak

Washington.

Please join Rainier Audubon

as we learn about the beautifand haunting loon. This will

be a program you will never

forget. Refreshments and go

conversation are available

before and after the program



Rainier Audubon Society

PO Box 778

Auburn WA 98071

(253) 796-2203

www.RainierAudubon.org

Our Mission

To conserve and restore natural ecosystems and protect birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and biological diversity in South King County and the world we live in.

FEBRUARY 2009 - PAGE 2

Tuesday, March 3Renton Technical College

A rain garden is a shallow depression ina yard planted with a variety o fowers,shrubs and grasses that “don’t mind gettingtheir eet wet.” Learn how rain gardenshelp soak up rainwater rom downspouts,driveways, and sidewalks, while protectingour local waterways. When planted withthe right types o plants, rain gardens alsoattract birds, butterfies and bees. You’ll

receive a FREE rain garden manual andadditional materials.

You’ll also havea chance to start

designing your ownrain garden during

the class!

Workshops are FREE, but advancedregistration is required. For moreinormation, workshop locations, orto register, contact Becky Abbey atStewardship Partners, (206) 292-9875or by email at [email protected].

FREE Rain Garden Workshops

RAINIER AUDUBON OFFICERS

PRESIDENt

VICE PRESIDENt

tREASURER

PROgRAm ChAIR

FIElD tRIP ChAIR

BACkyARD hABItAt ChAIR

mEmBERShIP ChAIR

CONSERVAtION ChAIR

mAIlINg ChAIR

hOSPItAlIty

NEwSlEttER EDItOR

EDUCAtION ChAIR

ChRIStmAS BIRD COUNt COORDINAtOR

BOARD mEmBER

BOARD mEmBER

BOARD mEmBER

NANCy StREIFFERt

StEVE FElDmAN

JIm tOOlEy

DAlE mElAND

CAROl SChUlz

CAROl StONER

PAt tOth

DAN StREIFFERt

DEBRA RUSSEll

JANE gARDNER

NANCy hERtzEl

ANNEttE tABOR

NANCy StREIFFERt

mAx PRINSEN

ERIN wOJEwODSkI-PRINSEN

tRICIA mAClAREN

CONtACt US At [email protected]




Coon loon

Pied-bied grebe

horned grebe

Red-neced grebe

Dbe-cresed CororanAer. Biern

grea Bue heron

trupeer San

gr w-froned goose

Sno goose

Cacin goose

Canada goose

wood Duc

green-ined tea

maard

Norern Pinai

Norern Soveer

gadaEurasian wieon

Aerican wieon

Canvasbac

Redead

Rin-neced Duc

greaer Scaup

lesser Scaup

harequin Duc

Bac Scoer

Surf Scoer

wie-ined Scoer

Coon godenee

Barro’s godenee

Bufehead

hooded meranser

Coon meranser

Red-breased meranser

Rudd Duc

Bad Eae

Adu

Iaure

Norern harrier

Sarp-sinned ha

Cooper’s ha

Norern gosa

Red-aied ha

Aerican kesremerin

Pererine Facon

Caifornia Quai

Virinia Rai

Aerican Coo

kideer

Dunin

wison’s Snipe

Bonapare’s gu

3

48

78

20

822

28

51

13

1137

389

570

20

50

1654

996

185

9015

4113

9

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433

40

52

2

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25

6

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331

70

92

14

155

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27

9

12

10

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73

31

1

4

3

438

28

3

15

2

lincon’s Sparro

goden-croned Sparro

wie-croned Sparro

Dar-eed Junco

Sae-coored JuncoRed-ined Bacbird

wesern meadoar

yeo-eaded Bacbird

Breer’s Bacbird

Bron-eaded Cobird

Purpe Finc

house Finc

Red Crossbi

Pine Sisin

American Goldnch

house Sparro

Red-soudered ha

Boeian wainPine grosbea

toa Birds

toa Species

4

50

17

392

4586

17

6

438

2

28

174

1

327

89

64

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2 (Ne)1 (Ne)

23,030

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me gu

Rin-bied gu

Caifornia gu

herrin gu

taer’s gugaucous-ined gu

wes x gauc-in gu

gu sp.

Pieon guieo

Roc Pieon

Band-aied Pieon

mournin Dove

Barn O

w. Screec-O

grea horned O

Norern Sa-e O

Anna’s huinbird

Belted Kingsher Red-breased Sapsucer

Don woodpecer

hair woodpecer

Norern Ficer

yeo-safed

Pieaed woodpecer

Seer’s Ja

w. Scrub Ja

Coon Raven

Aerican Cro

Bac-capped Cicadee

Cesnu-baced Cicadee

Busi

Red-breased Nuac

Bron Creeper

Beic’s wren

winer wren

mars wren

Aerican Dipper

goden-croned kine

Rub-croned kine

Aerican Robin

Varied trus

Cedar wain

Norern Srie

European Sarin

huon’s Vireoyeo-ruped warber

Audubon’s

mre

tonsend’s warber

Spoed toee

Savanna Sparro

Fo Sparro

Son Sparro

222

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6

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479

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253

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104

290

2008 ken/Auburn Crisas Bird Coun Resus

THANK YOUto all who participated in

the Christmas Bird Count on

December 28, 2008!

More results and a list ofparticipants

on pages 6 and 7.



Fld Tps - By Caol Schlz

Wkly Bd Walks

at Nsqally

Wdnsdays8:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Lad: Phl Klly

Jon Phl on hs wkly bd walk

as h conts th bds at Nsqally

NWR. On the rst Wednesday of

th month, th op taks a lon

hike on the full loop (at least for

awhl ths spn, dpndn on

constcton). Th oth wks, th

trip is shorter, totaling about four

mls. On ths wks, th op

walks ot to McAllst Ck va

th nw coss-dk tal, thn walks

th boadwalk/tal to th Twn

Bans, th Nsqally ovlook aa,

and ot past wh th n dk

sd to b.

BriNg: good walkn shos o

boots, ana, wat, snacks, and

$3 for entry fee unless you have a

pass. Scops a wlcom.

MeeT: At th Vstos Cnt.

DireCTiONS: Take I-5 south from

Tacoma and xt to Nsqally NWr

at xt 114. Tak a ht at th lht.

SigN-uP: Call o mal Phl to

conrm details: (360) 459-1499, or

[email protected].

[Not: B chans a

happnn at Nsqally! Ov th

nxt 3-4 yas, whl th stay

constcton pojct s on on,

check www.fws.gov/nisqually and

clck on “evnts and Nws.” Dn

th constcton, som tals may

b closd tmpoaly.]


Skat and Samsh

Flats

Snday, Fbay 87:00 AM to Late Afternoon

Lad: Caol Schlz

We haven’t done a Skagit trip for

a few years, and we want to see all

those wonderful birds again! Our

tat bds a aptos, Snow gs,

swans, and Shot-ad Owls. W

are hoping for good looks at falcons.

roh-ld Hawks shold b

hntn and pchn n ths aas.

A WA Fish & Wildlife Vehicle Use

Permit is required if you are taking a

ca. Lmt 8. W wll capool.

BriNg: VerY wam and

waterproof clothes. It can be cold

and windy on the ats. Also bring

lunch, drinks, and waterproof boots

o shos. W wll walk p to on

ml. Scops a vy wlcom.

MeeT: Ds Mons Pak & rd by7:00 AM, lav pomptly at 7:05!

DireCTiONS: Tak i-5 to xt

149. Turn east about one block to

Military Rd. Turn north (left) on

Military. Park & Ride is on the left.

SigN-uP: Call Caol at

(206) 824-7618, or email to linusq@

att.net. Email is preferred.

g Habo

exploaton

Satday, Fbay 217:30 AM to Mid Afternoon

Leader: Jeff Cohen

Join Jeff as we explore parks,

bachs, and tals n th g Habo

aa. W wll vst th Tacoma

Narrows, Pt. Fosdick, Raft Island

(with permission), and Kopachuk

State Park. We will look for seabirds

and waterfowl, loons, and woodland

birds. We hope to see all ve

woodpcks, and vn a possbl

Mt Swan. W may ha som aly

spn bd son. W may walk p to

1.5 mls. W wll stop at a staant

for lunch, or you can bring your own

lnch.

BriNg: Wam cloths, lnch

if desired (or some money for a

staant lnch), snacks, dnks.

MEET: Carpool if desired with CarolSchulz from McDonalds in Fife at

7:30. H cll phon that monn s

(206) 953-7204.

DIRECTIONS to McDonalds in Fife:

Take I-5 south to exit 137 in Fife.

Turn right and get into the left lane.

Turn left (south) and go two blocks

on Hwy. 99. Turn left at the light and

dv abot 1/2 block to McDonalds.

ALTerNATe MeeTiNg SPOT:

Jeff says that people coming from

th soth can mt hm n g Habo.

Talk to Jeff for details.

SIGN-UP: Email or call Jeff at

(206) 354-5542, or kokobean2@

hotmal.com



Fld Tps, cont.


Join Friends of Soos Creek Park volunteers Joe and Liz Miles for either one of these late-

night programs and walks exploring the world of owls! We’ll start indoors for the rst hour,

learning their calls, ID, and info about our local owl species, then venture outdoors to prowl

for owls.

Group size is limited to 15 and reservations are required. Best for adults and children over 13 years. The owls program

s sponsod by Knt Cty rcaton Dpt.

MeeT: Soos Ck Pak Mantnanc Shop. Soos Ck Pak/Tal. 24810 - 148th Av. Se n Knt

DIRECTIONS: Take James St. east from Kent. To reach James St, exit 167 at Willis, turn east to Central and north to

James. Go east on James as it becomes SE 240th St. Travel about four miles, as 240th dips and turns downhill. Turn

right on 148th at the bottom of the hill. The Soos Creek maintenance yard will be down the road about 1/4 mile on the

left at a barn and chainlink-fenced parking lot.

SIGN-UP: Call Kent Commons at (253) 856-5000. These trips FILL EARLY. For further information, email or call Joe

Miles at (253) 629-00123 or at [email protected]. Joe can answer your questions, but cannot arrange the sign-ups.

Two Wnt Owl Powls at Soos Ck

Saturday Night, February 7, 2009

Saturday Night, March 7, 2009

10:30 PM to 1:30 AMLads: Jo and Lz Mls

Othllo Sandhll Can Fstval

Fday thoh Snday, Mach 20 - 22

Othllo, WA

rpotd by Caol Schlz

The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival is a wonderful birding festival

n astn Washnton. Th FieLD TriPS, lcts, and banqt

served at the high school are all famous now; and quite a few

participants and speakers come from out of state. The eld tripsleave in school buses, vans, and cars from the high school.

Registration information and tour info is available at

www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org

or by calling (866) 726-3445 toll-free after 4 pm.

The most popular trips and accommodations ll early, so register ASAP. For more information about the

festival, call or email Carol at (206) 827-7618 or [email protected]. Email is preferred.




JOIN THE 12th ANNUAL GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

FEBRUARY 13 - 16

A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society,this free event is an opportunity for families, students, and people of all ages todiscover the wonders of nature in backyards, schoolyards, and local parks, and, atthe same time, make an important contribution to conservation.

Participants count birds and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org.

Anyone can take part, from novice bird watchers to experts, by counting birds for as little as 15 minutes oras long as they wish, on one or more days of the event and reporting their sightings. Participants can alsoexplore what birds others are nding in their backyards—whether in their own neighborhood or thousands of miles away.

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 13–16, 2009. You cancount for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—oneday, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day. You can also submit more than

one checklist per day if you count in other locations on that day.

2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time.

3. When you’re nished, enter your results through our web page at www.birdcount.org. You’ll see a buttonmarked “Enter Your Checklists!” on the home page beginning on the rst day of the count (February 13). It willremain active until the deadline for data submission on March 1, 2009.

Christmas Bird Count Summary

By Charlie Wright

Some great birds were found on our Kent-

Auburn CBC this year. Thanks to Mark Freeland

for compiling all of our bird data (page 3).

Three rst-ever species were added to our countin 2008. The Kent Ponds Red-shouldered Hawk,

which evaded us the last two CBCs, cooperated

this time. Two Bohemian Waxwings were at

snowy Boulevard Lane Park at the north end of

Soos Creek, and a Pine Grosbeak was “pished in”

near Maple Valley. Other great species included

Northern Goshawk and Long-tailed Duck

(count week only).

Some trends are obvious and worthy of mention here.

The most phenomenal observations were those

of Snow Geese. In normal years, we may

see a small ock of these Skagit-wintering birds

in the valley, but any count over 20 would be

exceptional. With the snow this year, the ocks

were displaced and we enumerated a whopping

1137, including a ock of 650 at Smith Brothers

Farm.

We counted more Redheads in our area than

Canvasbacks, the latter of which used to be

much more common in the west. Western

Grebes were again not found in our area’s

saltwater, where they used to be abundant.

Anna’s Hummingbirds and Western Scrub-Jays

are both doing very well, judging by our record

numbers of both.



Thank you to all who participated in Rainier Audubon’s 2008 Christmas Bird

Count! After weeks of snow and freezing weather, December 28th was cold (upper 30s and

low 40s), but no rain until late afternoon when the snow was almost all melted and the sun

made a welcome, if weak appearance. Nature’s miracle was the number of birds that had

survived the cold snap and came out to be counted!

A special thank you to Vern and Jean Sumner, who helped coordinate the count by callingfeeder watchers, Annette Tabor who not only arranged for the room at the Federal Way

United Methodist Church for our after-count potluck, but also set up the kitchen for dinner,

where the count leaders and counters gathered. Good food and hot drinks accompanied

Charlie Wright’s “count down.”

Thanks to all!Nancy Streiffert

Kent/Auburn Christmas Bird Count Coordinator


Participants in the 2008 Kent/Auburn Christmas Bird Count

Feeder WatchersThais Bock

Bernedine Lund

Elaine and Henry Maros

Edward Moore

Barbara Nylund

Cathea Stanley

Lillian Stephens

Dan Streiffert

Nancy Streiffert

Carolina Wagemans

Caren Adams

Bob Bennett

Merri BergTom Bowden

Ken Brunner

Jeff Cohen

Joanne Cormier

Liz Cormier

Sharon Cormier-Aaaard

Lucia Faithful

Jim Flynn

Deanna Hamilton

Gene Hunn

Carol Johnson

Steve Johnson

Nancy Lander-Bennett

Roger Orness

Barbara Petersen

Ted and Kris Ripley

Debra Russell

Kirk Scarbrough

Amy SchillingerCarol Schulz

Bonnie Scott

Donna Seegmueller

Carol Stoner

Ross Tabor

Joe and Ruth Terlouw

Terry Thurber

Michele Tirhi

Brenda Tom

Jim TooleyRon Toonen

Pat Toth

Mike Westerby

Cheryl White

Ryan Wiese

Charlie Wright

Gordon Wright

Field Counters



Rainier Audubon Membership Subscription Form

One-year Membership in Rainier Audubon — $15

To join, mail this application with your payment to:

Rainier Audubon Society - MembershipPO Box 778

Auburn, WA 98071

Name _______________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________ State ______________ Zip ______________

Email _______________________________________________________________________________

february 2009 heron herald newsletter rainier audubon society

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