11-2007 Part 1 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

8/9/2019 11-2007 Part 1 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969. Vol. 38 No.9 November 2007

CBC on December 15

By Paul Webster

Birders find shorebirds a difficult groupto learn, but this long-legged wader is ashorebird youll recognize at once. Itscrow-sized, has cinnamon-colored under-wings, and a distinctive long, slightlyupturned bill. Marbled clearly refers toour birds mottled dark brown and black

upperparts, but the curious word god-wit is obscure. One suggestion derivesit from Old English: god = good [tast-ing] and wit = animal or bird andthis species was once severely depletedby hunting but probably godwit is

just an old description of the birds ger-WHIT call.

The majority of Marbled Godwits(Limosa fedoa) breed in the moist grass-lands of the northern Great Plains, fromthe Canadian Prairie Provinces south toMontana and the Dakotas. There arealso small separate breeding populations

in tundra habitats along James Bay, andon the Alaska Peninsula. Marbled Godwitshave a summer diet of insects, aquaticplant tubers, leeches, and small fish. Theprairie birds avoid tilled cropland, but cansometimes nest in grazed-over fields andidle pastures which are free of tall veg-etation that might obscure predators.

Most Marbled Godwits winter along

the southern coasts of North Americaand Mexico, where they frequent beach-es, mudflats, or wet meadows furtherinland. These are fairly tame birds, espe-cially on the beaches of SouthernCalifornia where they run about amongthe bathers. The godwits winter dietincludes marine worms, small mollusks,and crabs, which they find by thrustingtheir long bills all the way into the sandor mud. When foraging in the shallows,they often submerge even their heads as

See "Marbled Godwit" on page 4

By Diane Yorgason-Quinn with many contributors

The heartstopping notice on the front page of

the last Towhee came as a Stop-The-Presses

event when we learned we lost Patrick Sullivan

in September. Since young Patrick Sullivan has flown

away with the Thunderbird, the Roc, and the Phoenix,

news in the birders world has grown sparse, simplybecause he made so much of that news himself with his

discoveries and reports. Rare birds may now safely fly

over our state with no fear of being discovered and

gawked at. Patrick had a knack for finding the rare and

unusual, and they were as rare and unusual as he was.

The Tweeters internet community gave itself over

almost completely to reminiscences of Patrick with two

weeks of nonstop tributes in an outpouring such as had

never been seen before. It seems Patrick touched the

lives of almost every birder in this state. Ted Kenefick

wrote, There appeared to be a magic ability Patrick had

to find great birds, but this happened because of out-

standing preparation and intense and tireless field obser-

vation. It always struck me that while a group of uswould be chatting; Patrick was constantly raising his

glasses to check another bird and seemed to find great

pleasure in calling out each species, no matter how com-

mon. He found all these great birds because, quite sim-

ply, he was an outstanding field observer... Your

advancement of the knowledge of the birds that you

loved so much and your impact on an entire communi-

Another rare bird gone extinct

See "Patrick" on page 7

Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Patrick birding in Tokeland, WA, March 2007

Christmas Bird Count: For over a century, volunteers have beencollecting information on the birds in their communities, The CBCdatabase now contains more than a century of data on early-winter bird populations across the Americas. This one-day an-nual event is an opportunity to meet other local volunteers, honeyour birding skills, and take part in a seasonal tradition. Markyour calendar for the December 15 Tahoma Audubon CBC.


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EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Corner

Tahoma Audubon Staff

Flint, Bryan Executive Director

[email protected] 253-565-9129

Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator

[email protected] 253-232-9978

Newton, Gabriel Education Coordinator

[email protected] 253-565-5479Kerrigan, Julie Volunteer Coordinator

[email protected]

Tahoma Audubon Board of Directors

Brosius, Jane Membership

Carkner, Dick

Garner, John

Gilmur, Thelma Membership

Hukari, Molly Past President

Jordon, Al

Larson, Sally

Larson, Wayne

LeGreid, Kathleen Publication [email protected]

Matthaei, Fred

McNair-Huff, Rob Conservation

Roening, Marcus

Sloat, Sally Administration(contact)

Shea, Margie Education

Sullivan,Brian Volunteer [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

e-mail: [email protected]

The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society.

The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates

for the protection of wildlife and promotes conservation through education

and activities that enrich its members experiences in and with the natural

world.

The Towhee is published monthly, nine times a year, with a combined

Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of

birds, bird lore, natural history, conservation, and environmental education

are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor. Copy is due by

the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.

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

E-mail:kaleditor@ mindspring.com

Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings

Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: [email protected]

Printing: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2007

Many assume

that birding is

just about

watching birds,

knowing birds,

counting birds,i d e n t i f y i n g

birds.

They would

be wrong. It is

about the peo-

ple. The bird-

ing community and Tahoma Audubon have lost

one of its most important people: Patrick Sullivan.

The birding community has a gaping hole in it, left

by the loss of this young, bright and skilled bird-

er.

Our hearts and prayers are with Ruth Sullivan

and the people close to Patrick. For them the pro-

cess of healing has just begun. No words canexplain the inexplicable, sudden, and tragic loss.

Patricks passing is a reminder of how fragile life

is and how precious it is. It reminds us to cherish

the people we have in our lives every day. It

reminds us of how important our relationships are.

It shakes us out of our complacency, making us

realize that every day is a special opportunity.

Tahoma Audubon is a community of people

who care about birds, the habitat they depend on,

and the natural environment that sustains all of us.

It is a hard working community that rolls up itssleeves. It is an active community that is always

looking to be out in nature, experiencing nature.

Like any community that is thirty eight years old,

we have seen precious friends move on.

We carry the memory of those who have left us.

We cherish what they have given us and the legacy

that comes from their work. We draw strength

from their memory. We build from the foundation

they have left. We invite new friends in to make

the community their own and to help shape it

today and into the future.

As the community of Tahoma Audubon grows

and changes, we do not forget our old friends. In

fact our motivation draws from them. We honorthem by continuing the life and work of the orga-

nization, the community. Things change and we

change with it, but we do not forget.

We honor them by birding; by organizing field

trips to enjoy, learn and experience birds. We

honor them by educating future generations; con-

necting them to the wonders of nature. We honor

them by protecting wildlife habitat, fighting to

protect what precious native habitat remains in our

quickly urbanizing world.

Those who knew and birded with Patrick will

miss him in their own personal way. As a com-

munity we will support them in healing from the

loss. As a community we will continue to honor

his gift and expertise and what he brought to us. It

is pure joy to see a skilled person practice their art.

In the field, Patrick practiced his art with such skill

and dedication that it made it a pleasure to be on afield trip with him. By opening up the world of

bird watching to more people, so that they can

experience the joy of identifying a bird species on

their own, seems a fitting way to honor Patrick

Sullivan.

Gifts of Appreciated Assets

Cash or a check may not be the best way to make a charitable gift. You mayreceive greater tax benefits on a gift of appreciated assets, such as stock.

Name Tahoma Audubon as a beneficiary

Name Tahoma Audubon as a beneficiary in your will, your IRA or retire-

ment accounts, or to an insurance policy.

Charitable Giving Through Individual Retirement Accounts

In order to help charities further their good work, Congress recently changed

the rules for charitable gifts made from individual retirement accounts

(IRAs). If you are over age 70 1/2, the Federal government now permits you

to rollover amounts from your IRA to charity without claiming any increased

income or paying any additional tax. These tax-free rollover gifts could be

$1,000, $10,000 or any amount up to $100,000 in one year. But hurry, this

is currently only available through the end of 2007.

If you are interested in helping Tahoma Audubon continue its mission of

connecting people with Nature, please Call Bryan Flint at 253-565-9129, or

[email protected].

Planned givingThere are many ways of giving to Tahoma Audubon

Honoring Patrick Sullivan In the field, Patrick

practiced his art with suchskill and dedication that itmade it a pleasure to be

on a field trip with him.Patrick Sullivan


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November 2007 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

ENVIRONMENTMatters

On October 16, the Pierce County Council unani-

mously adopted new regulations to protect our saltwater

shorelines from environmentally harmful aquacultural

practices. Tahoma Audubon Society and Save Our

Shoreline! (SOS!) worked together closely for more than

a year in urging the county to develop interim regulations

pertaining to the operation and expansion of geoduckaquaculture in the intertidal areas of Puget Sound and

Pierce County, in particular. Councilman Terry Lee (R.-

District 7) responded to the concerns of his constituents,

and took the lead in addressing this issue.

Last September, the council directed the Countys

Planning and Land Services staff to examine current

regulations and look for ways to improve on them ahead

of the Shoreline Master Program update, scheduled to be

completed in 2009. Farming geoducks is a relatively

new practice; consequently few regulations are in place.

Geoduck farming permit applications have increased

dramatically in Pierce County over the last couple of

years, and, coupled with the Department of Natural

Resources new program to lease state-owned lands to

geoduck farmers, it has brought beach use conflicts toresidential shoreline property owners, as well as concerns

from environmental groups about the environmental

effects of intensive geoduck aquaculture practices, preda-

tory control devices, debris, and harvesting methods.

We made significant progress throughout the spring,

and expected these regulations to be voted on earlier this

summer. However, when the ordinance reached the full

committee for a vote in August, they included interim

regulations for docks and piers, as well. Although there

had been very little testimony from citizens regarding the

docks and piers component up until that point, it proved

devastating when the final council meeting vote occurred,

and numerous people testified against the docks and

piers regulations.

Subsequently, the Pierce County Council voted against

the interim regulations. We were shocked, but quickly

relieved as Councilman Terry Lee assured us that he

would get this issue addressed. Sure enough, it was

reintroduced at the next meeting, where it was strippedof the docks and piers language (to be resolved at a later

date). It was sent back to committee, and, in turn, back

to the full council for a final vote.

A Round of Thank Yous

Thats the short story on how we got to Ordinance No.

2007-34s2 being unanimously passed. But theres

more Public testimony and involvement throughout

the whole process of Council, Community Development

Committee, Peninsula Advisory Commission, and Pierce

County Planning Commission meetings was essential to

the successful passage of these regulations. Thank you

to all who wrote, called, or testified!

Two volunteers, SOS! President Laurie Brauneis, and

SOS! board member Kirk Kirkland played integral roles

in researching regulations in other Puget Sound counties,providing language and recommendations to Planning

staff, organizing concerned citizens to contact their coun-

cil members, and testifying themselves. Thank you!

And lets not forget to give our thanks to Council

Chairman Terry Lee and the entire county council for

working to protect Pierce County shorelines! Thank you!

Whats Next?

Before the regulations can be implemented, they must

be reviewed by the Department of Ecology to ensure that

they are in line with the Shoreline Master Program

guidelines. We eagerly await their response.

In the meantime, you can continue to provide input on

this issue by par-

ticipating in the

states Shellfish

A q u a c u l t u r e

R e g u l a t o r y

C o m m i t t e e

(SARC), whichconsists of stake-

holders throughout

the Puget Sound

region and coastal

co mmu n i t i e s ,

including shellfish

growers, property owners, environmental groups, tribes,

counties, and state regulatory agencies.

Tahoma Aud-ubon and People for Puget Sound are the

two appointed committee members representing envi-

ronmental concerns. If you have questions or concerns

about the state regulatory process please contact Krystal

Kyer: [email protected] or 253-232-9978.

Meeting information, presentations, and notes can be

found online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shellfishcommittee/index.html. Of course, the regulations

arent the end of the story. Scientific research is ongoing,

and largely funded through legislations passed last spring

(HB 2220), which was championed by Rep. Pat Lantz

(D-25th Legis. Dist.). Her efforts helped to create the

SARC, directed scientific research, and funded it!

Information on scientific knowledge, research and new

studies can be found at Washington Sea Grant: http://wsg.

washington.edu/research/geoduck/index.html.

Interim geoduck aquaculture regulations passed!

By Krystal Kyer

The portion of Pierce County east of Puget Soundis home to three distinct watersheds: Puyallup,Nisqually, and Chambers-Clover. In October, PierceCounty Public Works & Utilities and Pacific LutheranUniversity sponsored a 1 day conference on thethird, and smallest of these watersheds. Day one wasdedicated to technical presentations, while day twolooked into the future of the watershed and ways forcitizens to be engaged in watershed managementand restoration opportunities.Some excellent presentationswere made, and they will be

posted online at: www.pierce-countwa.org/pc/services/home/environ/water/ps/ccwc/main.htmOverview of CCW

The Chambers-CloverWatershed (a.k.a. WaterResources Inventory Area 12)is both the smallest and mostdensely populated watershedin Washington. Its size andurban nature creates a wholehost of challenges. But thats not all. The groundwa-ter and soils found here also play a role. To under-stand whats happening in the watershed, its neces-sary to go back 12,000 years to the last glaciation. A

series of ice ages led to numerous glaciers that grewand carved a way through the Puget Trough as farsouth as Thurston County. Over time, glaciers reced-ed, melted, and left deposits behind. More glacierscame, compacted past deposits, and left new ones.Consequently, the ground we stand on today hasdiverse qualities, depending on the underlying landand the impacts from multiple glaciations. The soilcharacteristics effect how water moves, in what direc-tion, how fast, etc. That affects groundwater storage,seepage, flooding, and water quality. The U.S.Geologic Survey is currently working on surveyingand computer modeling to better understand the role

of groundwater in the Chambers-Clover Watershed.The results will help us better manage our waterresources in the future, for people, plants, and wild-life.Facts about the CCW

Its estimated that between 15-16,000 milliongallons of water are used annually in the WRIA12 basin (CCW).There is 453,000 acre feet/year of precipitation inCCW, meaning that 77% of the watershedswater inflow comes from rain! Surface water

input is 8% and groundwaterinflow is 15%.

CCW is the smallest and

most populated watershed inWashington State, with an areaof 149 square miles, and apopulation of over 300,000residents.

The watershed is home toChambers, Clover, Flett, Murray,Sequalitchew, Spanaway, andNorth Fork Clover Creeks.

Watershed CouncilsThe Chambers-Clover Creek

Watershed Council (CCWC) isan active group of citizens that work with PierceCounty to protect and enhance the watershed. Theirannual report is available online, as well as their

Watershed Action Agenda: Priorities for Focus within

the Chambers-Clover Watershed. During the confer-ence, Al Schmauder, CCWC Chair, listed his top threepriorities for the watershed: 1) clean up polluted run-off, 2) increase water re-use (i.e. rain gardens), and3) increase stewardship and education.

Every one of us lives in a watershed. Do you knowwhich one you live in? The CCWC holds monthlymeetings on the second Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30p.m. at the Lakewood City Hall. Contact Lorin Reinelt,Pierce County Watershed Coordinator, at 253-798-3096to find out how you can get involved in the Chambers-Clover, Puyallup, or Nisqually watershed. Take thetime to know your watershed!

Report on the Chambers-Clover Watershed conference

The Conservation Committee meets on a regular basis.Contact Krystal for details: 253-232-9978 or e-mail [email protected]

You are invited to the 2nd Green DrinksTacoma event. Tahoma Audubon isproud to sponsor Green Drinks inNovember, and thanks the NorthwestEarth Institute (www.nweipugetsound.org) for kicking it off last month. Thismonth we will meet again at The Spar,2123 N. 30th St, in Tacomas Old Town.Green Drinks is a fun opportunity forpeople working in the environmentalfield (or want to!) to relax, socialize,and network. October Green Drinks

was attended by over 40 people! Stateagencies, city agencies, non-profits,and private enterprises were all repre-sented at the first meeting. We hopeyou will join us on Wednesday,November 7th from 6-8pm at The Spar.In a rush? Thats okay, because dinneris also served at The Spar!

Questions? Call Krystal at253-232-9978. Check out Green Drinksonline at: www.greendrinks.org.

DrinksGreen

Tacoma - Nov. 7


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EDUCATION Page


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.

For class times and dates, please check the Calendar listing on the back page of the Towhee or on our website, www.tahomaaudubon.com

they probe for prey.In the mid-19th century large numbers of

migrating Marbled Godwits stopped off on theWashington coast, but by the early 20th centurythey had all but disappeared. The cause wasmarket hunters who shot and shipped largershorebirds by the wagonload to meat dealers.Shorebird hunting was mostly banned by 1920,but the authors of Birds of Washington State in1953 still listed the Marbled Godwit as a rarecoastal migrant, and worried that the species had

fallen on evil times and might never recover.But over the last half-century the migrants have

resumed their stopovers, most at Willapa Bay

and Grays Harbor. And now there is even a win-tering Marbled Godwit population of up to 800birds at Tokeland this species northernmostwintering area. The total North American popula-tion has returned to about 170,000 birds, thoughcontinuing agricultural development in the GreatPlains makes further recovery seem unlikely.

The Tokeland godwits scatter in groups east-ward along the north shore of Willapa Bay toforage with the receding tide, and then return tothe marina to roost, where you can see them upclose. Sometimes birders spot the rare, smaller,light-colored Bar-tailed Godwit a few have beenseen in recent years and the very rareHudsonian Godwit is a fall possibility, too. SoTokeland is a fine destination for a late fall orwinter trip, to celebrate the successful return ofthis striking shorebird to Washington and as abonus theres good food at the Tokeland Hotel!

Not feeling up to flying south for the winter,donald instead attempts to blend in.

CHALLENGE: See how your flapping ratecompares with different birds.

Count the number of times you can flap your arms in 10 seconds. Have someone with astop watch, or watch with a secondhand, tell you when to start and stop as you countyour flaps. Record the number of flaps.

How do you compare?BIRD WING BEATS/10 SECONDS

Tukey Vulture 0-5Crow....20Robin...23Pigeon ......30Peregrine Falcon ...43Black-capped Chickadee .270Rufous Hummingbird 700

The master flapper award goes to the Rufous Hummingbirdwhich is able to flap its wings 700 times in 10 secondsthats 70 times per second!

SUPER CHALLENGE:How long can you flap your wings before you start to become tired?

ABlackpoll Warbler travels 2,000 miles, from New England to Venezuela, in threedays! Thats equivalent to a person running 4-minute miles for 80 consecutive hours!

Wing it!

Photo/Tahoma Audubon Archives

... Marbled GodwitContinued from page 1

Christmas Iris FoldingTues., Dec. 4---6:30-9:00PM

Use colorful folded strips of paper to fill in a design that spirals

toward the center (iris). Leave class with at least two cards and

patterns to make your own.

More Christmas Iris FoldingTues., Dec. 11---6:30-9:00PM

This class will be similar to the one above, but with different

Christmas Iris folding patterns.

Supplies: Please bring a small craft scissors, Scotch Magic

tape (green plaid dispenser) and a craft mat (if you have one).

Age appropriate for young teens through adult.

Reserve your spot at one or both of the classes by calling TAS

at 253-565-9278 before Dec.1 (for Dec. 4 class), and before

Dec. 8 (for Dec. 11 class).

Gabriel Newton teaching Scientific Method to our Budding Scientists class.The children were making a hypothesis as to whether there would be morebird seed eaten in the forest or the wetland of Adriana Hess.

The seeds of education

CHRISTMAS CARD CLASSESRosanne Becker InstructorCost: $10.00 (to be paid the night of the class)Both classes are limited to 12 participants.


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FIELD TRIPS and Events

November 2007 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5

BIRDSONGS by Phil Buly

Weekly Bird Walks at NisquallyMidweek Field Trips,

Thursdays 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Leader: Phil Kelley

Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts the

birds at Nisqually NWR. The group walks out to

MacAllister Creek and back to the visitor center; then

takes the boardwalk/trail loop out past the Twin Barns

to the Ring Dike, coming back along the Nisqually

River Trail. It is a distance of about 4 miles. Be sure

to wear good walking shoes or boots, bring rain gear,

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

pass. Scopes are welcome.

Call: Call or email Phil Kelley to confirm details at

1-360-459-1499, [email protected].

Meet: At the Visitor Center.

White-tailed Kites in the FallSunday, Nov. 11. 7:30 a.m. to late afternoon

Leader: Roger Orness

White-tailed Kites are not known to migrate, but the

dispersal of the young and the possibility of late nesting

pairs can be found in fall. Our trip will take us through

several valleys where kites nested in the past. Our main

target bird will be a fresh plumaged juvenile. We also

should see good numbers of other raptors. This trip is

limited to seven people and two vehicles, so sign upearly to secure a spot.

Bring: Scopes, binos, lunch, and snacks. Be prepared

for a long drive, and a long day returning to Tacoma in

the late afternoon.

Meet: At the McDonalds Restaurant at the Hwy 512

P&R at 7:30. Depart promptly.

Directions: Take I-5 to Hwy 512 south of Tacoma.

Turn right and take an immediate left on South Tacoma

Way. Travel south one block, and turn left into the

P&R. Meet near McDonalds.

Sign-Up: Call or email Roger Orness, 253-922-7516,

[email protected]

East Lake Washington

(After-Thanksgiving Walk-Off-the-Calories Trip)Saturday, November 24. 8:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon.

Leader: Carol Schulz.

Join Carol the Saturday after Thanksgiving for a trip

north to points along East Lake Washington. We will

tour Newcastle Beach Park, Juanita Bay Park, andJuanita Beach Park. Some folks have called field trips

on this weekend our diet trips. We will walk on

paved and unpaved trails, up to 2 1/2 miles. All of these

parks near Bellevue and Kirkland have excellent bird-

ing this time of year. We hope to see Wilsons Snipe,

many water birds (including Wood Ducks), raptors,

woodpeckers, and songbirds. We may hear Virginia

Rails, and other birds. We could have a large trip-list.

Bring: Warm clothes, lunch (turkey sandwiches?), hot

drinks, snacks, and water. Scopes are welcome.

Meet: 8:00 a.m. at the Kent-Des Moines P&R.

Directions: Take I-5 to exit 149 and turn east toward

Kent on Kent-Des Moines Rd. Go1/2 block. Turn left

onto Military Rd. P&R is on the left.

Sign-up: Call TAS office at 253-565-9278 to register.E-mail Carol Schulz, [email protected] for more informa-

tion if needed.

Fort Steilacoom ParkSaturday, November 24th

9:00am - 11:30am

Leader: Sue Summers

Join us for an after Thanksgiving stroll around Lake

Waughop and the surrounding area. Well be scop-

ing the ducks on the lake and checking the trees along

the path. There is always a wide variety of birds to

enjoy. This trip is great for all skill levels. Come and

burn off a few of those holiday calories and enjoy a

relaxed morning of birding!

Meet at the parking lot nearest the lake, next to theold barns.Call the TAS office to sign up.

Kittitas County Birding in WinterSunday, December 9. 6:30 a.m. to evening.

Leader: Charlie Wright, Co-leader: Roger Orness

Come enjoy a day of winter-season birding in central

Washington. We will venture over Snoqualmie Pass

and visit areas including Swauk Prairie and South Cle

Elum along our route. Large numbers of raptors includ-

ing Rough-legged Hawks and Prairie Falcons are seen

wintering in the open, snow-covered fields of Kittitas.

Proceeding east we will reach the Columbia River atVantage, where waterfowl are sometimes present in

vast numbers. Some target species will include unusual

loons, ducks, American White Pelicans, and possibly

rare gulls. Chukar are occasionally seen in the basalt

outcroppings here.

Bring: Bring many layers of clothing for cold weather

conditions, a lunch, and snacks. Scopes are welcome.

Space is limited.

Meet: At 6:30am at Auburn Safeway at Auburn Way.

and Main St. Take Hwy. 18 to Auburn and exit at

Auburn Way. (Hwy 164). Turn north (right) on Auburn

Way and drive three blocks north. Safeway sign and

gas station will be on the left. Park in the Safeway lot

just beyond the gas station. We will meet and carpool

(promptly) from there.Sign-up: Contact Charlie at 253-468-4146 or c.

[email protected]. E-mail is preferred.

Nature Walk at Point DefianceThird Sundays, 18 Nov. 8:00 a.m...

Leader: Rob McNair-Huff ([email protected]).

The 4.5-mile walk starts at 8 a.m. in the back of the zoo

parking lot and takes about three hours, depending on

what we find to look at along the way.

Adriana Hess Wetland Park Activities2917 Morrison Rd. W. in University Place

Bird WalkSecond Monday, November 12, 12-1 p.m.

Plant WalkThird Monday, November 19, 12-1 p.m.

All Fridays: Come at 9 a.m. for a lightbreakfast and stay to weed until 11 a.m.

Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips1.

are people limited out of necessity.

Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot2.

come. Field trip leaders put in a lot of time and

planning and no shows disrupt field trips. More

than three no shows a year can result in revok-

ing the opportunity to participate.Arrive at the meeting place early.3.

No pets are allowed.4.

Be prepared for seasonal weather.5.

Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is6.

scheduled past mid-day.

All passengers divide total carpooling expens-7.

es. Current guidelines are 20 cents a mile per

car, not including driver.

Beginners are always welcome.8.

Have fun.9.

RULES

Theres Fungus Among Us!

On Saturday November 10th from 1 P.M. to3 P.M. we will have a mushroom walk at

Penrose Point State Park. We will meet atthe bulletin board at the big parking lotnear the main lawn area. We will walk

some of the trails and try to identify andlearn about the mushrooms we find. RangerDan Christian will be leading the walk.

Wintering Water Bird Walks

On the Saturday the 24th of November and

on the 8th of December we will have birdwalks at Penrose Point State Park. At 10

A.M. we will meet at the bulletin board at

the big parking lot near the main lawnarea. Many of the water birds wintering atPenrose will be here. We will use spotting

scopes to see what species we can identifyand learn about. Ranger Dan Christian willbe leading the walk.


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Great news for those whoflaunt their support of wildlifeprograms on their licenseplates! You can now haveBOTH your personal message and the newwildlife backgrounds on your plates! Youhad to choose in the past either the BaldEagle, Orca, etc. or a vanity plate with yourown message. Both were ways to contributeto wildlife and show your support, but you

couldnt do both in one license plate. Now you can! As ofOctober 1, there is a combo plate!

The standard personalized plateswith the Mt. Rainier background,which cost $40 new and $30 torenew (in addition to your regularannual registration), earmarksthose extra fees to the Departmentof Fish and Wildlife for the manage-ment of non-game wildlife. The

Wildlife Background plates (same fee sched-ule) designates those funds according to theplate. The Orca plate with license numberbeginning with EW (Endangered Wildlife)fees go to recover Washingtons endangered

and threatened species and to identify spe-cies at risk. The Bald Eagle plates with num-bers beginning with WW (Wild onWashington) have their fees set aside for activities that benefit

wildlife viewing activities in Washington.For more details on how and where themoney is spent, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/l icense_plates/wildlife.htm. Plateswith Elk, Deer, and BlackBear benefit gamemanagement. For

information on how to get your very own,see your local licensing agent or thiswebsite: http://wdfw.wa.gov/

license_plates/combo.htm.These plates are for more than

just fun, of course, but boy arethey fun! Just saunter throughthe parking lot during a Tahoma

Audubon function or any bird-

ing event, and you willsee many obvious fun

plates with favorite birds and animals,and a few that make you stop and think.

QUIZ! You really havent seen anythingif you dont know these three: TRAILS,MDWLARK, GODWIT (answers below).

Other great plates include Georgia Ramseys AQUILA. Georgia and Bob previously hadDIPPER, as well. Other local plates include

TOWHEE (Helen Engle), CURLEW (Heather Ballash), WEBRDRS(Lorraine and Wayne Jackson),SCRBJAY (Phil Kelley), WETLAND(Kate and John Comis), 22WPKRS(Rolan Nelson, and yes, he doeshave 22 woodpeckers!), and

APRFOOL (Carole Breedlove). Andmy plate as well as my fellowWillettes plates: WLETTE1 throughWLETTE4 (so far more of those to come!).

Other area plates include TVULTUR,BIRDGUY, MEWGULL, BRDWCHR, CATBIRD,HRNDOWL, MAGPIE, RAVEN, H2OUZEL,4DBIRDS, MERLIN, and a new one spottedrecently on a hybrid Prius: HYBIRD.

CHALLENGE: Our executive director,Bryan Flint, is zooming around town in hiscute Mini, but has yet to pick a good license

plate. Help him come up with suggestions (7 letters or less).E-mail him at: [email protected]. The winnerwill have the satisfaction of seeing his car sporting their idea!

Or maybe hell appoint you to a really great post atTahoma Audubon!

But the real smile comes when you see some-bodys vanity plate saying BIGBOY or MYTREAT

and know that these people have perhapsinadvertently

contributedto the non-game wild-

life fund!Go for it!

Some are born to be wild;others just buy a license.

Diane Kerlin and FayeMcAdams Hands, above,showing off three of theWillettemobiles in 2006.

to be

Photos and story byDiane Yorgason-Quinn

Quiz answers:TRAILS - Thelma Gilmur,

MDWLARK - Rosanne Becker,GODWIT - Ruth Sullivan.

John and Kate Comis show offtheir license plate in 2006.

Coexisting with hunters.

Even people in other states do it.


11-2007 Part 1 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society

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Transcript of 11-2007 Part 1 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society