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8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
1/11
Aplague fell upon the Tahoma Audubon fieldtrip scheduled for March 31st when the tripleader, Nate Chappell, fell deadly ill. Too many all-nighters during tax season for this money manager,
and he paid a steep price for it. His doctor prohib-
ited him from gallivanting around in the wind and
rain. Nate appealed to Ruth Sullivan and Patrick
Sullivan to be his stand-ins, and we were saved!
Advertised as a birding photography field trip to the
coast, who better than these two? They have prob-
ably spent more time birding the Washington Coast
than most of the natives. They have made it their
personal mission to document, by photography, all
of the rare birds that land in this state.
Beginning the first act with a bang, we made a
Must-Have stop at Brady Loop near Satsop on
the way to Aberdeen. A pair of Barnacle Geese hadrecently been sighted there.
Ruth had already photographed
them and knew right where to
look for the hot birds of the
day. These European geese were
quite a sight with their stunningwhite heads and black necks.
They were free flying and
unbanded, so many are counting
them despite no record of
vagrancy. The suspicion is that
they are escapees from some
exotic birdkeepers menagerie.
But what a sight! Looking for a
rare bird is always a good way to
meet other birders too, and so we
did, for some welcome cama-
raderie. If you want to see some good photos of
them, check out Ruths website at:
www.pbase.com/godwit/barnacle_goose_photos.Stopping at several freshwater lakes, we experi-
enced lots of swallows, almost like summer.
Violet-Greens and Tree Swallows were
ubiquitous. We had our first Rough-
wings of the season, doing their little
sputtering noises that sound like piti-
ful attempts to copy their big broth-
ers, the Nighthawks. A just-arrived
Osprey at Vance Creek, several
migrating Turkey Vultures, plus the
usual Bald Eagles, Redtails, and
Harriers added some Big Birds to our days expe-
rience.
Our ultimate destination was Tokeland, which isa bird photographers dream. Its famous flock of
Marbled Godwits and Willets are present usually
for three out of four seasons. When we first pulled
up to the marina, we were disappointed not to see
any godwits, but a flock of 14 Willets was practical-
ly at our feet, on the footlights so to speak, ready to
perform, willing as Willets will to give us a show of
their fantastical costumes as they all flew up at once
with well-choreographed wingbeats, showing
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
May is Birdathon, our grandfundraiser (expenses kept toan unbelievable 1%) to helpus gather dollars forTahoma Audubon's work.
TAS asks that all of you, ourmembers and friends, con-sider helping by pledging ordonating money that will allow us tosave and restore habitat and see thatno child is left inside.
You can give this help by pledging ordonating to TAS through a Birdathonbirder, by being a Birdathonbirder/counter and coming out on oneof our trips, or you can come on a tripto have fun and give a donation inreturn. (Packets with sign-up sheets
available for Birders.)
Thanks to all of you whohave so cheerfully acceptedtelephone calls about thiscampaign. We appreciateyou all so very much.
If you're taking a trip, lookthem over in this issue andthen call TAS, 253-565-9278 to
sign up. Checks can be sent to TAS,2917 Morrison Rd. W., UniversityPlace, WA 98466 or on the web go to
www.active.com/donate/TASeducation.If you have promised your pledge to aBirder of your choice, wait for theirreport and request for your checkunless they have requested that checksgo to one of the above.
Thank-you to you all. Let's make this
the biggest and best Birdathon ever!
Publi
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e Tah
om
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on S
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8 N
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TAS addresses issueof global warming
On w
it
h t
h
e show ... Birders at Tokeland, March 31, 2007: Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Ruth Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, Faye McAdams Hands, Bryan Hanson.Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
see Global warming solutions on page 10
see The show goes on on pages 6-7
Photo/Ruth Sullivan
Several pearl-colored Willets between us and a horde of Curlew.
Saturday, April 14, 2007 saw the first National Day of
Climate Action. More than 1400 events were held
nationwide to call attention to the issues of global warm-
ing and climate change, to highlight solutions, and to
demand that federal, state, and local governments do
their share to reduce the harmfuleffects of burning fossil fuels.
Nearly one thousand people gath-
ered for a rally, march, and climate
solutions fair in downtown Seattle,
despite the poor weather. Organizers and activists rallied
to tell Congress to Step It Up, in fighting climate
change by cutting carbon emissions by 80% by the year
2050. Seattle Mayor Nickels is a leader in the effort of
mayors nationwide to cut greenhouse gas emissions and
adopt the Kyoto Protocol goals for cities. Nickels spoke
at the rally, along with King County Executive Ron
Sims, and Congressman Jay Inslee. (see
www.stepitupseattle.orgfor more information)
If its May, it must be Birdathon!
A field trip leader goes down,but two others step up because ...
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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Staff
Flin
t, Br
yan Executive Directorbryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org
253-565-9129
Ky
er, Kr
ys
t
al Conservation Coordinatorkkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978
New
ton, G
abriel Education Coordinatorgnewton@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-5479
Tahoma Audubon Board of Directors
Brosius, Jane Membership 253-759-9852
Carkner, Dick 253-922-1604
Garner, John 253-756-9057
Gilmur, Thelma Membership 253-564-8210
Hukari, Molly Past President
Jordon, Al 253-588-7191
Larson, Sally 253-588-9839
Larson, Wayne 253-588-9839
LeGreid, Kathleen Publication 360-458-1483
kaleditor@mindspring.com
Matthaei, Fred 253-564-6947
McNair-Huff, Rob Conservation 253-752-3628
Roening, Marcus 253-756-0215
Sloat, Sally Administration (contact) 253-564-0655
Shea, Margie Education 253-591-6439
Sullivan,Brian Volunteer 253-278-1026
bwsullivan@mindspring.com
TAS was involved with and watch-
ing Nisqually issues. The continuing
dispute over shoreline use in the
Nisqually Reach brought appellants --
Nisqually Delta Association and the
Washington Environmental Council --before the Shoreline Hearings Board
(SHB) against the City of Dupont, the
WA Department of Ecology, and the
Weyerhaeuser Company.
For the Weyerhaeuser Company the
SHB represented another hurdle in the
attempt to establish a Port at Nisqually.
Five days of testimony were heard
including Auduboners, and
numerous organizations
as friends of the
Nisqually Delta.
TAS April mem-
bership meetingbrought Dr. Corey
and Shirley Muse to
tell us about the The
Birds and Birdlore of
Samoa where they lived and
researched culture, art, and history as
well as ornithology. Dr. Corey is
Professor of Education at Whitman
College, Walla Walla and has pub-
lished a number of research papers in
many countries including Polynesia.
The May membership meeting fea-
tured Peregrine Falcons in
Washington, by Fred Dobler, WA
Dept. of Game biologist, who is in the
Non-game Wildlife Program at the
Dept. Peregrines were recently listed
as endangered in Washington, but are
making a comeback.
Field Trips: Nisqually NWR,Leader Ken Brown; Snake Lake
Nature Center (now Tacoma Nature
Center) work party; Hoquiam
Shorebird Day Extravaganza, Helen
Engle; Arbor Day activities at Snake
Lake; Chambers Creek canoeing,
kayaking the estuary, and hiking thetrails, Helen Engle; Ocean Shores and
vicinity, Ken Brown; Five-mile
Flower Walk with Mary Fries at Fort
Lewis; TAS Mothers Day trip to
Northwest Trek; float trip on the
Owyhee River in Oregon with Sarah
Blakeslee;
Swan Creek with Thelma Gilmur;
Seashore walk in University Place,
Kate Grace.
Tied in with the field trips Thelma
Gilmur chaired the TAS Birdathon,
held the weekend of April 24-25, cele-
brating the birthday of John James
Audubon.
Classes and Workshops: Creatingyour own Wildlife Sanctuary, by
Charlie Plummer; Nature
Photography Classes, Cindy
McIntyre; Native Plants and their uses
by Cowlitz and Seneca-Ojibwa tribalmembers at Snake Lake; Wildflower
collecting and mounting specimens,
Mary Fries; Natural History
Symposium at Sun Mountain Lodge
featuring Dr. Kruckeberg and assorted
Auduboners.
The Audubon Council of
Washington met April 30-May 2 at the
Central WA University
Conference Center in
Ellensburg. Special
guest speaker was
Les Line, Editor of
AUDUBON.In the spring of
1982 the TAS board
of directors met and
outlined action for the
Chapter. TAS President Mike
McCulley outlined the ambitious plan
that would include:
1. Publishing lists of natural areas
accessible by public transportation.
The brochure would show gulches,
marshes, beaches, and parks to visit by
bus -- useful for teachers and trip lead-
ers.
2. Enlist volunteers to construct and
place observation and photo blinds at
Nisqually Refuge.
3. Prepare environmental displays
to be used at the Tacoma Mall
Environmental Fair; National
Audubons traveling road show the,
The Audubon Ark; and other venues.
4. Sponsor special natural history
type programs at UPS.
5. Sponsor one or more work par-
ties per month to help with mainte-
nance at our under-funded public areas
such as the Snake Lake Nature Center.6. Publish a resource guide for
environmental groups that would help
people find the organization or agency
that can respond to a particular prob-
lem. Peter Andrews agreed to coordi-
nate the publication.
7. Stage an Art Show at Villa Plaza
as a summer fundraiser, Cindy
McIntyre to be the coordinator.
Feedback, comments and reminis-
cences welcome, 253-564-3112,
Hengle@iinet.com.
Just the other day ...
May 2007Page 2
hope you've come by the Center to enjoy all thesprouting beauty of spring. Synthyris has beenblooming since February; the trilliums, fawn lilies,
bleeding hearts, wild ginger, andOregon grape have been gorgeous.
The Indian plum is setting plums,the camas is ready to pop out
any day, and at least half of our 30or more red-flowering currants have
been a riot of red along the streamand trail. May will give us the opportunity to enjoy fairybells,starflower, star-flowered Solomon's seal, vanilla-leaf, oxalis, andall the prairie flowers.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center: 2917 Morrison Rd. W.,University Place, 253-565-9278
Bird walk: Monday, May 14, noon to 1:00 p.m., with Ruthand Patrick Sullivan.
Thanks for weeding and planting: We appreciate all thework done by Michelle Ann Taylor, Nell Batker, and Mary SueGee. The round prairie by the stream is ready to make its
display.
Weeding invitation: We hope that those of you who are freeon Monday, May 21, will come and help us weed from 10:00a.m. to noon. The weeds are so busy trying to take over thismonth.
Morse Wildlife Preserve: Open Trails, Sunday, May 13, noonto 4:00 p.m. (All second Sundays through October.) Birdidentification walk with Betty Jones, Friday, May 25, 10:00a.m. to noon. Call 253-565-9278 to get directions.
Spring now in bloom at Adriana Hess!
T
he Tow
h
e
eis a publication of the Tah
o
m
a Aud
u
b
o
n So
c
i
e
t
y. The TahomaAudubon Society was chartered in 1969. TASadvocates for the protection ofwildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich itsmembers experiences in and with the natural world.The Towhee is published monthly, nine times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug andDec/Jan issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, naturalhistory, conservation, and environmental education are reviewed and consideredfor inclusion by the editor. Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sentby e-mail, disk, or typed.Edi
tor
: Kathleen Ann LeGreid: phone 360-458-1483 E-mail:kaleditor@ mind-spring.comM
ailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield GiddingsD
esign & L
ayou
t: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@mac.comPrin
ting: Consolidated PressPrinted on recycled newsprint
By Helen Engle
Heres what TAS was doing back in 1982
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
3/11
The rain pattered on the canvas roof, stream-
ing down the plastic windows. The weath-
er was bitter cold for an April day in
Eastern Washington. Two by two, we sat in the jet
boat as it sped up the river, stopping at Heron rook-eries and sneaking up on White Pelicans while
viewing a nesting Peregrine Falcon.
As the boat idled in the fast moving current, I
looked through binoculars at an egret in full bread-
ing plumage reflecting on
the appeal of bird watch-
ing. There is that initial
experience of deep con-
nection with a wild yet
fragile creature: feeling a
kinship and a responsibil-
ity, and awe and envy,
and respect and humility.
This moment can takeplace early in life while
playing in the woods or in later years in a quiet
moment between adult responsibilities. This
moment can stick with you until you become a
member of a tribe of bird watchers.
Twice a year the tribes of 26 Audubon Chapters in
Washington get together at the Audubon Council of
Washington (ACOW). On the second weekend of
April this year, we gathered in Pasco, Washington
for a weekend sponsored by the Lower Columbia
Basin Audubon Society.
Saturday morning at each ACOW is reserved for
field trips. Because the first job I had in Washington
was to raise money for Hanford nuclear clean up, I
jumped at the chance to take a boat trip up the
Columbia River and the Hanford Reach. The last
remaining free flowing stretch of the Columbia
River, the Hanford
Reach provides critical
habitat for birds. Land
set aside to provide a
security perimeter for
Hanford was turned into
a Wildlife Refuge in
2000.
Moments, similar to
the one I had sitting inthat boat communing
with an egret, can lead to
different motivations that can send one to the art of
bird watching. One is the desire for further connec-
tion with the winged creatures of nature. The sec-
ond is a thirst for knowledge, of learning the names,
ways, and lifestyles of these magnificent creatures.
Whatever the motivation, Tahoma Audubon is
about connecting
people with nature
through birds and
their habitat. The
art of bird watching
is central to the
identity of Tahoma
Audubon. We are
an organization
where like-minded
people can gather
and enjoy a day of
birding. They can learn and teach and share knowl-
edge about the natural world through the eyes of
birds. They can work together to preserve and pro-
tect the habitats that are so vital to the birds.
Recently, our field trip leader position has come
vacant. This provides us with an opportunity to eval-
uate how we want to organize birding trips so thatmore people can experience the magic of bird watch-
ing. It is a good opportunity to participate, and take
a role in organizing trips for Tahoma Audubon.
In order to take up these opportunities we are
hosting a bird watchers potluck. It will be at Titlow
Park, on Thursday June 14, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. We
will take a short field trip at 5:30 p.m. and have a
potluck at 6:30 p.m. Please join us.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS CORNER
Pondering that age-old question: Why bird?
Please consider naming Tahoma
Audubon Society, the Pierce
County chapter of the Audubon
Society, in your will. Funds will be
placed in an endowment fund held
with the Greater Tacoma
Community Foundation for the
express purpose of helping Tahoma
Audubon connect people with
nature for generations to come.
Between now and the end of
2007 individuals can make direct,
tax free, contributions from your
IRA to Tahoma Audubon Society.
If you are required to take mini-
mum distributions from your IRA
and pay taxes on those funds you
may benefit.
For more information, please
contact Bryan Flint at Tahoma
Audubon at 253-565-9129 or
BryanFlint@TahomaAudubon.org.
The art of bird watching is cen-
tral to the identity of Tahoma
Audubon. We are an organization
where like-minded people can gath-
er and enjoy a day of birding. They
can learn and teach and share
knowledge about the natural world
through the eyes of birds.
Preserve the Audubon legacy
Helen and Stan Engle invite you to join them in supporting TahomaAudubons Endowment Club.
May 2007 Page 3
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 subscription, free family events, birding trip invitations,
class & book discounts, 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.
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)
Checks payable to: Tahoma Audubon
2917 Morrison Rd. W. University Place, 98466
Tahoma Audubon Society, established in 1969, is a 501(c)(3) nonprof-
it organization. Donations are tax deductible.
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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BIRDSONGS by Phil BulyWho cooks for YOU?
Dale Thompson
will be the first to
tell you that, to
paint wildlife suc-
cessfully, knowl-
edge alone is not
enough. The artist
must have opportu-
nities to watch
wildlife interacting and behavingnormally in their natural element.
From these experiences, comes
understanding, caring and love that
will be reflected in the artwork. His
art can be found in galleries and pri-
vate collections across the country.
This is Dales third exhibit at the
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Former Chief Naturalist for Mount
Rainier National Park, Thompson
spent twenty years exploring and liv-
ing in our National Parks. He retired
from the Park Service in 1981 to pur-
sue his passion for painting wildlife
full-time. He has illustrated trail
guides and other publications and
designed exhibits for several
National Parks. Each year twelve of
his paintings are published as calen-
dars for Weyerhaeuser and Gulf Oil.
He was winner of Washington States
Upland Bird Stamp competition in
1984 and was the Washington Ducks
Unlimited Artist of the Year in
1985. He was also a featured artist at
the first and fifth Annual Pacific Rim
Wildlife Art Show.
It is his hope that, through enjoy-
ment of my artwork, people will
become more aware of beauty,
importance, and fragility of the other
living things that accompany us on
Planet Earth.
Driving directions: Exit 114, I-5 in
the Nisqually Valley just east of
Olympia. Follow the signs to
the Refuge entrance adjacent
to the freeway. Pets are not
allowed in the Refuge and the
standard $3/family entrance
fee applies. For more informa-
tion contact Dave Falzetti at
(360) 753-9467 or via email:
david_falzetti@fws.gov.
Nisqually National Wildlife
Refuge Complex consists of
Nisqually NWR, the Black River
Unit of Nisqually NWR, and Grays
Harbor NWR. The mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System is
to administer a national network of
lands and waters for the conserva-
tion, management, and where appro-
priate, restoration of fish, wildlife,
and plant resources and their habitats
within the United States for the ben-
efit of present and future genera-
tions.
May 2007Page 4
Many people have used words or nonsense syl-
lables to represent bird vocalizations. Naturally
these vary greatly; a well-known example is the
White-throated Sparrow's song, given in Canada
as O sweet Canada Canada Canada and in New
England as Old Sam Peabody Peabody Peabody
(also Where are you Frederick Frederick
Frederick).
In addition to nonsense words, grammatically
correct phrases have been constructed as like-
nesses of the vocalizations of birds. For example,
the Barred Owl produces a motif which writers of
bird guides interpret as "Who cooks for you?
Who cooks for you all?" (Sibley 2000) with the
emphasis placed on "you."Source Wikipedia
Dale ThompsonsBirds of the Nisqually Delta exhibit
The refuge is hosting Bird
s of t
he Nis
quall
y D
eltabyrenowned wildlife artist Dale C. Thompson from May 12through July 31, 2007 in the Refuge Visitor CenterAuditorium. The exhibit will be open during normal VisitorCenter hours: 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Artists reception: Saturday May 12, 2007 from 2 4 p.m.,public welcome.
Western Tanagers by Dale C. Thompson
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Dale Thompson
For over 38 years, Audubon fami-lies have been camping at the Wenas
Creek Campground officially named
the Hazel Wolf Wenas Creek Bird
Sanctuary. The location, S.W. of
Ellensburg, is now in an Important
Bird Area that Auduboners have been
assured will be in protective status
soon.
The free, primitive campground
along the north fork of Wenas Creek
has exceptional opportunities for bird-
ing, botanizing and enjoying spring in
the eastern foothills of the Cascades.
The campground is about 2,500'elevation, can be quite cold at night,
hot during day.
Bring water for drinking (the
creek is beautiful and bountiful but
not potable).
We set up tents or use pick-up
type campers.
We all share in the
rent of portable toilets for
four days.
Bicycles and Frisbeesare fun, telescopes and
cameras standard gear.
Please leave pets at
home.
There are organized field trips
throughout the Wenas drainage and
WA DF&W management areas and
some on private property at owners
requests.
In camp, we have natural history
workshops with some of the state's
top birders, WNPS botanists, etc.
There is an old-fashioned camp-
fire in the evening with singing, story
telling and recapping the sightings of
the day.
Wenas CampoutMay 25-28, 2007
Visit the new Wenas Website, by Webmaster Michael
Hobbs, to see a familiar smiling face and get lots of downloadableinformation about our campout. at w
w
w.wenas
audubon.or
g .There's a bird checklist, wildflower checklist, outline of field trips andprogram, directions to the campground, and more. If you dont doWeb sites, contact me and Ill send you printed information.
Bring friends, family, and join us at Wenas Memorial Day Weekend- May 25-28, 2007! See you there!
- Helen Engle, hengle@iinet.com, 253-564-3112
Come and join us for some great camping fun!
International Migratory
Bird Day Festival
May 12, 10 a.m. 1 p.m.Tacoma Nature Center
2 p.m. 5 p.m.Point Defiance Zoo
International Migratory Bird Daycelebrates the incredible jour-neys of migratory birds betweentheir breeding grounds in NorthAmerica and their winteringgrounds in Mexico, Central, andSouth America. The event,which takes place on the sec-ond Saturday in May each year,encourages bird conservationand increases awareness of
birds through hikes, bird watch-ing, information about birds andmigration, public events, and avariety of other education pro-grams. Join us in the celebra-tion for family-oriented activities,games and crafts!
Youre invited!
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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New membersJoining March 16
to April 15, 2007
Welcome to new members from
National and to all who give extra
support through the TAS chapter and
joint memberships.
New and returning:Paulina Adams,
Mary Adix, Doug-
Ahsron Aukland,
Dixie Bartell,
Frances Blewer,
Charles and
Gail Bronson,
Richard and
Terry Carkner, Marie
Catt, Karen Claypool, Heide Collins,
Frank Connelly, Rachel Dawson,
Rhona Diehl, Jerry Forcier, Eileen
Fox, John Garner, Connie Gosch,
Karen and Patrick Haas, Donald
Harenberg, Bud and Dixie Harris, Eva
Hodkinson, Jeri and Jerry Keister,
Elizabeth Larkins, Steve Mallory,Theresa Moody, Luis Munoz, J. E.
Nelson. N OConnell, Roger Orness,
Phyllis Potts, Alison Robb, B. D.
Rowe, George Schonhard, Richard
Simmons, Carol Smith, Kate Stirling,
Deborah Walker, Melody Wedlund,
James Wilkinson.
Introductory:(received here at TAS and who will
appear as new in another issue):Mary Blyton, Troy and Nita Born,
Sandra Elliott, Thomas Gergen,
Peter and Annie Laney, William
(Andy) Leneweaver,
Nicole Okada,
Janda Volkmer.
Special
support:TAS chapter
new and renew-
ing membership:Laure Bayer, Betty Jane Cappa,
Gerry and Susan Elston, Patricia and
John Lantz, Georgianna Miller, Mera
Neufeldt, Carol Schulz, Mary
Siegenthaler, Art Wang, Doug White.
Joint chapter andNational membership:(Renewing done through TAS.)
Jerry Broadus and Clarice Clark,
Trusilla Bussinger, John and Colleen
Herzog, Jerry Johannes, Katherine
Loveless, Nora Miller, Laurissa
(Patricia) Wallace.
May 2007 Page 5
photo/Mary Pat Minor
... then you could see the explosion of reds and greens in this lovely photo-graph taken at our own Adriana Hess Wetland Park. But you can alwayscome down in person to see all the stunning spring colors that our nativeplants, including this Red Flowering Current, have to offer.
If only this were in color ...
Audubon goes back eight decades in WashingtonAudubon Washington supports
birds, wildlife and their habitat. We
believe in balance, responsibility, andprotecting the natural world and our
quality of life.
In 1916, the bird club of Seattle
Audubon Society was founded and, in
1962, became affiliated with the
National Audubon Society.
Tahoma started in 1969, with Lower
Columbia Basin, Blue Mountain, and
Spokane coming soon after. Other
chapters formed through the years
some starting out as bird clubs, some
because of the organizing efforts of the
Western Regional Office in
Sacramento but a great many as aresult of the tireless work of Hazel
Wolf, the legendary secretary of
Seattle Audubon.
Washington
Audubon Chapters
Year ofEstablishment:
Seattle 1963Lower ColumbiaBasin 1966Tahoma 1970Tacoma, Pierce Co.
Spokane 1972North Cascades 1972Whatcom County
Palouse 1972Blue Mountain 1972Pilchuck 1973
Snohomish County andCamano Island
Olympic Peninsula 1973Yakima Valley 1972
North Central Washington 1973Whatcom County
Kitsap 1974Bremerton, Poulsbo, etc.Black Hills 1974Olympia, Washington
Vancouver 1975Willapa Hills 1975Admiralty 1977Port Townsend
Rainier 1980South King County, Washington
East Lake Washington 1980Bellevue/Kirkland
San Juan Islands 1980Whidbey 1982
Skagit 1983Skagit & Samish Flats, Padilla Bay, etc.
Kittitas 1988Central Basin 1990
Vashon-Maury Island 1990Grays Harbor 1993
Grays Harbor County, Hoquiam,Aberdeen, etc.
Discovery Coast 2006Pacific County, Washington
In Pacific County Washington a
new Audubon Chapter, the first in
25 years, has been granted the
AUDUBON CHAPTER CHAR-
TER from NATIONALAUDUBON
SOCIETY. This step is of
Provisional Charter status for
Chapter Participation and is dated
on this 9th day of June 2006 which
will expire on 9th day of June 2007.At that time this Audubon
Chapter will go to Permanent
Status. Congratulations!
The thirdannual PugetSound BirdFest inEdmondshas somethingfor every birder!This year's event includes a Juried Art Show throughout the
month of May at the Edmonds Conference Center (201 4thAve N), culminating with an artists' reception, on Friday, May18th. Following the reception, Paul Bannick, Seattle naturephotographer, will give a presentation.
On Saturday, May 19th, guided walks and field trips takeadvantage of birding opportunities in local parks, wildlifereserves, along the Puget Sound shoreline and at theEdmonds Marsh. Indoor activities take place at the Frances
Anderson Center (700 Main St), including speakers on topicsranging from Bird-watching Basics and Identification ofCommon Backyard Birds, to Bird-Friendly Gardening, BirdPhotography, Raptor Education, and Birds of Puget Sound.Many of the activities will appeal to children, including "TheMigration Game" at the marsh.
Go to http://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org/
A celebration enjoying birdsong and exploring the natural world. Please join us May18 - 20, in Leavenworth, Washington, an area that features spectacular habitats, rang-ing from snow-capped mountains to sunny Ponderosa pine forests, attracting a widevariety of birds. See Calliope Hummingbirds, White-headed Woodpeckers, Harlequin
Ducks, Osprey, Western Tanagers and MacGillivray's Warblers. While birding is theheart of the weekend, activities will include geology, wildflowers and conservation viaprofessionally guided trips ranging from leisurely strolls to active hikes and other activ-ities. Bird Fest is fun for experienced and novice birders of all ages!
Keynote Speaker for 2007: Dr. Gordon Orians is a renowned ecologist who hascontributed to our understanding of everything from old growth forests to human evo-lution. He is an emeritus professor of zoology and the former Director of the Instituteof Environmental Studies at the University of Washington and a member of theNational Academy of Science. The title of his keynote address will be: "Birders andthe Future of Biodiversity, which will discuss biodiversity, given the impacts to habitatby a growing human population with the added punch of global warming. Additionally,Dr. Orians will lead a field trip on Sunday morning. He contributed many years ofresearch on blackbirds, and this trip will be to a marsh to view red-winged blackbirdswhile learning about his discoveries.
Go to http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com/ .
May 18th - 19th, 2007
Leavenworth Spring Bird FestMay 18 - 20, 2007
Hazel Wolf
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off those phantasmagoric wing patterns.Someone must have said, Break a leg, as halfof them settled back down on just one leg.
Just then, the house lights dimmed as a shad-ow crossed the face of the earth the arrival ofthe Godwits! The dramatic flourish, first hidingin the wings, then suddenly bursting upon thescene! Three hundred flew in and swirledaround twice before landing on that pitiful dockthey love so much (maybe because it puts themso close to their adored audience?). They put theWillets up briefly who then managed to meldinto the whole quite nicely. But then anotherthree hundred came in and flew around thriceand settled in as well. Now there was no roomleft on the little dock, but here came a couplehundred more!! W here to land? T his group hadto swirl around five times, and as the Cirque duSoleil act that they are, they managed to land ontop of those already at rest, who then eventually
let them crowd down to the stage floor. Eighthundred Godwits in a space that truly cant holdmore than four hundred. How do they do it? Nowonder we continue to attend that magic show!
As if this werent enough, a couple ofsmaller birds were hiding in the horde, giv-ing us a Wheres Waldo puzzle to solve.Sure enough, they were the forerunners ofthe huge numbers of Short-billed Dowitchersthat late April brings to the coast in leg-endary numbers, but these were the van-guard. We had seen Long-Billed Dowitchersearlier in the day, but these Sh ort-Bills werenew for the season!
We finally had enough photographs, so wereluctantly pulled down the curtain on Tokeland.But we had a star-studded tour to get throughbefore we could take our rest. Bottle Beachbrought us other shorebirds including someLeast Sandpipers who were using the old pilingsas windbreaks (and probably food concentra-tors), each one with his own personal piling. Atother stops we picked up many gulls including
three rare Glaucous Gulls, plus a Redhead, WoodDucks, and a Ring-Necked Pheasant right nextto the road. Brady Loop brought us some guineafowl straying from their barnyard as well as aKestrel.
It was a goosey day, starting with thoseBarnacle Geese, as we got several subspecies ofCanada Geese, plus Cackling Geese, White-Fronted Geese, and Snow Geese. Eurowigeons,Snipe, and heard-only Virginia Rails and Bitternadded some highlights.
When asked what their personal high points ofthe day had been, Ruth said it was certainly theBarnacle Geese, Patrick said the Glaucous Gulls,Faye said the Godwit ballet, and I was partial tothe Willets. Bu t the prize went to Bryan Hansonwhose highlight was twenty-two lifebirds!!!Enjoy it while you can, Bryan! These are yourglory days!
Love those happy endings. This day endedwith sunshine and warmth, something thatcouldnt be foreshadowed by the earlier weatherpatterns. Not to mention 93 species! Applause.
The dramatic arrival of aflock of Marbled Godwits atTokeland, March 31, 2007.
Right, Ruth Sullivan andFaye McAdams Hands usingvarious pieces of opticalequipment.
The show goes on ...The show goes on ...
May 2007 Page 7Page 6
continued from page 1
Photos by Diane Yorgason-Quinn
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
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EDUCATION
Page 8 May 2007
Tacoma Nature Center newsletterBeginning with the upcoming summer issue
of Nature Notes, we will no longer mail a copyof the newsletter directly to households. Fromnow on, the Tacoma Nature Center newsletterwill be available electronically only.
Sign up to receive your copy online by visit-
ing w
w
w.metr
opark
st
ac
oma.or
g. Thischange will help us to conserve naturalresources and allow us to focus our financialresources on providing the very best of natureprogramming in Pierce County in partnershipwith Tahoma Audubon.
Tahoma Audubon Family ProgramsDiscovery WalksAll ages welcome, $5.00/person, free to Audubon membersThese walks are designed for families, and friends of all ages, with a special
invitation to grandparents. Discover a new location each month as you explore
the site with an experienced nature guide. Call 253-591-6439 for directions.
Pre-registration is required.
May 19 Joemma State Park 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Morse Wildlife Preserve Programs
Best for ages 2 and up, free to Audubon membersExplore this natural treasure located in Graham during the following special
open days. Call Gabriel for more information and directions at 253-565-5479.
Community Programs
Enjoy a guided hike and activities with a different theme each month. Programs
run 10:00 a.m. noon.May 26 Morse Creatures Great and SmallOpen Trails
Walk the trails and discover the beauty of the five habitat zones in the preserve
each month. Programs run noon 4:00 p.m.
May 6
Tahoma Audubon Just for KidsNature Story Time
Best for ages 2 6, $5.00/child, free to Audubon members and U.P. residents
Join us as we explore the park at the Adriana Hess Audubon Center in
University Place with nature stories based on the current theme. Adults are wel-
come with the children. This is a wonderful grandparent/grandchild activity!
Space is limited. Call 253-591-6439 to register.
May 25 Animal Encyclopedia Antennae 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Budding Scientists
Ages 5-7, $8 per studentYoung homeschoolers and other children begin science and nature exploration
through games, walks, and crafts. Register at least two days prior to the session.
This class is held at the Adriana Hess Audubon Center in University Place.
May 2 10:30 a.m. noon Urban Safari
May 9 3:15 p.m. 4:45 p.m Urban Safari
May 16 10:30 a.m. noon Backyard Jungle
May 23 3:15 p.m. 4:45 p.m Backyard Jungle
Tacoma Nature Center Just for KidsNature AlphabetAges 3-6, $6 per child
Preschoolers explore different nature topics through stories, hands-on activities,
nature walks and crafts at the Tacoma Nature Center. Adult participation is rec-
ommended, children under four require an adult present. Please note alternating
times. Register by the Saturday before the program.
May 1 Y is for Yellow 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m
May 15 Z is for Zoom 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m
Homeschool Science
Homeschool students explore science through hands-on experiments and activi-
ties. Register early these classes fill quickly! Note topics are repeated dur-
ing the month, so select class appropriate for your childs knowledge and abili-
ties. Contact Margie with questions or for more information at 253-591-6439 or
marjories@tacomaparks.com.Beginning Science
Ages 8-10, $10 per student
To participate in this class, students should be able to add and subtract numbers.
May 10 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. City Critters
Intermediate Science
Ages 10-12, $10 per student
To participate in this class, students should be able to multiply and divide num-
bers, add and subtract fractions.
May 17 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m Backyard Habitat
Advanced Science
Ages 12-15, $12 per student
Older homeschool students will continue their science studies with challenging
and engaging experiments and activities. To participate in this class, students
should be able to calculate averages, percentages and solve simple equations.May 24 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Urban Ecology
Tacoma Nature Center Special EventsNative Plant Sale May 5 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Landscape your yard with plants that are native to our area. Planting
natives ensures the conservation of our precious water resources and
provides habitat for local birds, mammals and insects. Come early for
the best selection.
Bird Festival May 12 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
Join us at the Tacoma Nature Center for family oriented activities,
games and crafts focusing on local migratory birds and the
resources they need to survive. No charge.
Tacoma Nature CenterArt ExhibitsAs part of the changing art gallery at the Tacoma Nature
Center, please join us in enjoying the following exhibits.
Gallery available most open hours. Call ahead to ensure
availability.
Monica Weidman, April 25 June 2
Botanical watercolors originals and prints
Artist Reception May 4 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
1919 South Tyler Street, Tacoma WA 98338253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.orgOpen Tuesday Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
& Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
2917 Morrison Road W., University Pl. WA 98466253-565-9278 www.TahomaAudubon.org
Open Monday Saturday10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Gabriel Newton is the Tahoma Audubon EducationCoordinator for this page. Youll have to ask him about the rock.
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
8/11
May 2007 Page 9
1) Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are people limited out ofnecessity.
2) Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come. Field trip leadersput in a lot of time and planning and no shows disrupt field trips. More thanthree no shows a year can result in revoking the opportunity to participate.
3)Arrive at the meeting place early.
4) No pets are allowed.
5) Be prepared for seasonal weather.
6
) Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is scheduled past mid-day.
7
)All passengers divide total carpooling expenses. Current guidelines are20 cents a mile per car, not including driver.
8) Beginners are always welcome.
9) Have fun.
Have you participated in any
Tahoma Audubon field trips in
the past?
Would you
like to recon-
nect with some
of the people
you met on
those trips?
Would you like
to see more trips take place in the
future? Would you like to help
organize trips?
We are having a potluck for
birders, beginners to advanced.
Lets get together, have some
fun, and talk
about how to
organize field
trips in the
future.
We will meet
at Titlow Park,
T h u r s d a yJune 14, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. Wewill take a short field trip at 5:30
p.m. and have a potluck at 6:30
p.m. Please join us.
Bird watchers potluck
Many of this year's Birdathon field trips are open to
everyone who either makes a generous pledge to
Birdathon or collects pledges from others. Some are
open to the public; please ask when you sign up.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center and Morse Preserve
trips will be open to the public.
Nisqually River andNisqually Land Trust LandsSaturday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. to early afternoon
Count birds up river along the Thurston County side
enjoying Robert and Marjorie Smith's 2000 feet of
beach, which starts at mile 30 of the river. Bird the
land trust lands, explore River Bar and see the various
movements of the river over the years, viewing land
that once were Pierce County but now are in Thurston
County. We should see a good number of birds---war-
blers, bluebirds, hummingbirds and a surprising num-
ber of river birds. Meet Robert in McKenna at the
McKenna YRestaurant on the left at the only light in
McKenna where Highway 507 and 702 intersect. He
will lead the caravan to his home. Bring a lunch.
Fort Steilacoom ParkSunday, May 6, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Leader Betty Jones
Meet Betty at the parking lot next to the barns near the
lake. Enjoy this lovely park with its 33-acre lake
ringed by a paved trail. There are wilder trails, too.
Titlow ParkMonday, May 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Leaders Rosanne Becker & Joann Sims
Families welcome! Enjoy both water and songbirds at
this Tacoma park. A variety of habitats includes salt-
water, pond, and forest. Meet at the lodge at TitlowPark that is at the west end of 6th Avenue in Tacoma.
Nisqually to Potholes(Overnight in Moses Lake) Saturday & Sunday, May 12
& 13, 5:30 a.m. Saturday---afternoon Sunday.
Leaders Marcus Roening & Heather Ballash will lead an
exciting, full-day trip from Nisqually NWR to the
Potholes in Moses Lake. The trip will cover 15 habitat
zones, with special emphasis on migratory birds in the
Columbia Basin sage, pinelands, and wetlands. Expect
to see at least 120 species in one fast-paced day. Meet at
5:30 a.m. and arrive in Moses Lake at 8:30 p.m.
W e will stay overnight and make a leisurely return
through favorite bird areas on Sunday. Please provide e-
mail address when you sign up in order to coordinatelodging details and meeting place. E-mail
Marcus.D.Roening@gsk.com for further details.
Green River WatershedSat., May 12, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., limit on participants
Leaders Paul Hickey & Amy Garrigan
Join us for a day of birding in the Green River
Watershed, Nolte State Park, and Auburn Narrows wet-
lands with Rosanne Becker and Joanne Sims helping
the group with bird identification. This is a rare oppor-
tunity to see the protected watershed managed by
Tacoma Water. We'll leave the Tacoma Public Utilities
Administration Building at 8 a.m. in two vans, visit
Nolte Park on the way to the watershed, and arrive at
the watershed gate at about 10 a.m. We'll bird theforests and fields around Howard Hanson Reservoir
(elevation 1200 feet), then visit Eagle Lake (elevation
2200 feet) before heading to Auburn Narrows. We'll
plan on returning to Tacoma by 4:30 p.m. Space is
limited; this trip is open to the first 12 people to sign-
up. Meet at the Tacoma Public Utilities lot A1 on the
west end of the administration building. The building
is located at 3628 South 35th Street.
Adriana Hess Wetland Park--Audubon Center
Monday, May 14, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Patrick and Ruth Sullivan will lead this regular bird
identification visit at this small, unique park at 2917Morrison Rd in University Place. You are welcome to
come if you are counting for Birdathon or just want to
enjoy the day's count.
Fort LewisFriday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon
Leader Jim Lynch
Meet Jim, who is with the Fort Lewis Wildlife staff, at
the Roy Y Park and Ride and carpool to visit the open
oak woodlands and riparian habitats found among the
prairies of the Fort Lewis Training Grounds. Expect to
identify 55-60 species.
Pierce County Big Day(Purdy to Paradise)
Saturday, May 19, 5:00 a.m. to early evening
Leaders Charlie Wright & Steven Garrett
Charlies proposed route will be in Pierce County start-
ing from the Purdy spit and ending somewhere in Mt.
Rainier National Park. The route then heads for vari-
ous places in Tacoma, then out to the prairies of Fort
Lewis and finally all the way to Paradise. This trip
usually tallies about 100 species but last year 124
species were identified.
Meet at the Park & Ride at 144th in Purdy, at the third
light in Purdy, across from the Chevron station.
Foulweather BluffSaturday, May 19, 7:00 a.m. to mid-afternoon
Leader Rolan Nelson
We'll visit Foulweather Bluff, Point-No-Point, and the
Hansville Greenway. Join us for this Birdathon event
to check out the west sound migrants that should be
passing through. We'll see wetlands, saltwater, forest
glades, and meadows. We hope to identify over 65
species. Bring rain gear and layered clothes and a
scope if you have one. Pack a lunch or you can buy
supplies at the Hansville Store. Meet at Purdy Park &
Ride off Highway 16. Take Highway 16 across the
Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. Exit at the
SR302/Purdy off-ramp and drive straight through
Purdy (three stoplights) to 144th. The Park & Ride is
just beyond the Chevron Station.
Point Defiance ParkSunday, May 20, 8:00 a.m. to noon
Leaders Rob & Natalie McNair-Huff
Join Rob and Natalie for the Birdathon version of their
monthly nature walk at Point Defiance Park on May
20. They will set out at 8 a.m. from the zoo parking lot
and walk through the forest trails along Five Mile
Drive, walking a little more than four miles. This
Birdathon trip will end with birding along the ponds
near the park entrance and with a drive down to Owen
Beach.
Morse Wildlife PreserveFriday, May 25, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Leader Betty Jones
Walk the trails and check out the marsh, dry Douglas-
fir forest, moist lowland forest, prairie and meadow.
Take a look at the pond in the marsh and the forested
wetland from the bird tower. Be sure to ask for direc-
tions when you sign up.
Birdwatching is among the fastest growing andmost popular outdoor activities in America. Morethan 60 million people consider themselves activebird watchers and millions more feed birds. Buthave you ever considered birding as a way to
help the birds themselves?Each year Audubon, America's oldest bird and
wildlife conservation organization, coordinates
B
i
r
d
a
t
h
o
n, the world's largest competitive bird-watching event. Birdathon is the uniquely
Audubon way to celebrate the importance ofmigratory birds and raise funds for Audubon's
conservation programs. Birdathons raise over$1million annually. Over 100,000 individual spon-sors and 30,000 volunteers participate in over 300communities. Event publicity reaches an estimat-ed 35 million people.
Birdathons are held throughout the UnitedStates from April to June, with times for localevents coinciding with peak bird migration.
Participants meet in groups to identify as manybird species as possible -- up to 200 in somecases -- in a one-day period. Participants obtainpledges form sponsors for each species spotted.
Contact Thelma Gilmurfor more information at
253-564-8210
BIRDATHON FIELD TRIPS
Counting for Conservation
FIELD TRIP RULES
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
9/11
Overwhelming scientific
evidence has lead scientists
to conclude that global
warming is real, and it is
caused by fossil fuel com-
bustion. Former Vice
President Al Gores movie-
lecture, An Inconvenient
Truth, demonstrates the
evidence through his lec-
ture, graphs, photographs of
glaciers, and interviews with
renowned climatologists and other
scientists. If you dont want to study
the data yourself, then watch the
Academy Award winning documen-tary.
On April 2nd, the Supreme Court
ruled in favor of the State of
Massachusetts, saying that carbon
dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, falls
under the regulatory jurisdiction of the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Current National Audubon Society
(NAS) President John Flicker com-
mented in a press release that day in
reaction to the ruling that:
The decision amounts to one more
nail in the coffin of policy-by-denial.
It should provide a real boost to thegrowing Congressional momentum to
cap and reduce global warming pollu-
tion. Above all, it offers hope that
America can move to address this
serious problem while theres still
time.
President Flicker is touring the
country right now to bring the issue to
the forefront of Audubon members
minds and actions. On April 23rd,
Flicker joined renowned ornithologist
Gordon Orians
for a special
presentation at
REI Seattle on
Audubons role
in addressing
this truly global
and local issue.
In case you
missed the
event, NAS
offers some
startling facts
on how global warming affects birds
(see article entitled global warmings
impacts on birds and wildlife in this
issue). More information about glob-
al warming and climate change isavailable online at:
www.audubon.org/globalwarming.
Tahoma Audubon Society is
already addressing this issue locally.
In March, Conservation Coordinator
Krystal Kyer was
nominated to join
Tacoma Mayor Bill
Baarsmas Green
Ribbon Task Force
on Global Warming.
The 27-member task
forces purpose is to
define carbon diox-ide reduction goals
and develop specific community and
government action plans to achieve
goals. The task force is expected to
deliver its recommendations to the
city by January 2008.
Interest is high on this issue right
now, and the Pierce County Council is
jumping on board. On April 17th, the
council voted in favor of proposal no.
R2007-48, a resolution supporting the
countys participation in the
Green Ribbon Task Force
on Global Warming estab-
lished by the City of
Tacoma. This resolution
takes the citys efforts to the
next logical step, and
hopefully the task forces
recommendations will
be applied at the county
level without delay.
The Sierra Club is also
showing leadership on the
issue of global warming through
their Cool Cities campaign that aims
to have local governments move for-
ward with innovative energy solutions
that curb global warming, save tax-payer dollars, and create healthier
cities. These are cities that have made
a commitment to stopping global
warming by signing the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement. The
Cool Cities campaign helps cities turn
their commitments into action by
pushing for smart energy solutions.
More information on the campaign
can be found at:
www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/
or www.coolcities.us
Since driving vehicles is the largest
single contributor to the burning offossil fuels, it should be no surprise
that regional transportation planning
is coming under fire from environ-
mental groups and citizens concerned
about climate change. In November,
voters will decide whether to approve
or reject a comprehensive regional
roads and transit package. This pack-
age includes at least one controversial
new road the Cross-Base
Highway (SR 704). Including the
new road in
the package flies in the face of evi-
dence that building roads increases
commuter miles, and therefore green-house gas emissions. Prominent envi-
ronmental groups are citing the Cross-
Base Highway as the best example of
what must be removed from the roads
and transit package, before the envi-
ronmental commu-
nity is able to sup-
port the package.
To this end, TAS
urges all members to
write to their local
newspapers and
elected officials this
May, asking them totake pro-active
measures to limit the severity of cli-
mate change and global warming by
cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
One concrete step that our govern-
ment can do is to make smart trans-
portation plans, and removing the
Cross-Base Highway from the
Regional Transportation Investment
Districts (RTID) roads package is a
smart choice!
CONSERVATION
May 2007Page 10
Continued from page 1
Tacoma MayorBill Baarsma
Seattle MayorGreg Nickels
... Global warming solutions
Pierce County Legislative Wrap-UpMeet your Pierce County elected officials and learn how
environmental issues fared during the 2007 legislative session.
Tuesday, May 22 6:00-7:45 p.m.
Anna Lemon Wheelock Library
3722 North 26th Street, Tacoma
Refreshments provided
For more information or to RSVP, contact Brendon Cechovic,
brendon@wcvoters.org , 206-374-0760 x108.
Co-sponsored by Tahoma Audubon and Pierce Conservation Voters.
TAS Conservation CommitteeOpen to all Audubon members willing to
Take Action on local conservation issues!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center
2917 Morrison Road West, University Place, WA
RSVP: Krystal 253-232-9978
The Towhee is
proudly printed on
recycled paper!
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
10/11
Ecuador - December 8-16, 2007Nate Chappell and his Ecuadorian wife,
Angie, will lead a trip to the mountains and
western slope of the Andes. These are some of
the best birding areas in the world. Elevations
will range from 2,000 to 14,000 feet. We will
stay at hotels in Quito, the Tandaypa Valley and
Mindo on this trip. Quality viewing and photog-
raphy of Ecuador's birds will be the focus of thetrip. Spectacular species which participants have
an excellent chance of seeing include Andean
Cock of the Rock, 3 species of Antpittas, Andean
Condor and many species of beautiful humming-
bird and tanager. Cost: $1,700 includes all hotels,
meals, trans-
portation,
park fees and
guiding.
Does not
include cost
of airfare
between
the US andEcuador.
Call Nate
Chappell
at 512-
1060 for
more
informa-
tion.
Thailand - January 13-27, 2008Nate Chappell and
his wife, Angie will
lead a 2-week
trip to Central
and
Northern
Thailand
nextJanuary.
Nate is a
long time
Tahoma
Audubon
member
and very
accom-
plished
wildlife pho-
tographer. We
will also have 1 to
2 Thai nature guides
with us the entire trip.The trip is focused on see-
ing and photographing the
birds and mammals of
Thailand. We will travel
from Bangkok to
Unesco World
Heritage
site
Khao Yai National Park, Phu Khieo Wildlife
Sanctuary and Doi Inthanon National Park in
Northern Thailand. You will have a chance to
see and photograph many beautiful species of
birds and animals. Thailand is rich in many
bird families including giant hornbills, beauti-
ful trogons and colorful kingfishers. We also
have a good chance of seeing many mammals
including gibbons, deer, monkeys and manyothers. Cost: $3,400 includes all hotels,
meals, transportation, park fees and guid-
ing. Does not include the cost of air-
fare to/from the US to Thailand.
Call Nate Chappell at 512-1060 for
more information.
Dont miss these upcoming Nate Chappell trips
May 2007 Page 11
Thanks to your phone calls,emails, and in-person meetings
with legislators throughout the
session, we were able to pass all
four Priorities for a Healthy
Washington legislative proposals
this year. Your grassroots pres-
sure, combined with a smart list of
Priorities, hard-working lobbyists,
and great coalition supporters, led
to a stellar year in Olympia!
For the fifth year in a row, the
state's conservation community
selected four proactive proposals
to bring to the legislature with the
hope of protecting our quality of
life. These will help save Puget
Sound, eliminate toxic flame
retardants, promote clean air and
clean fuels, and invest $100 mil-
lion in wildlife and recreation pro-
grams. The issues and their end-
of-session status are listed below.
Clean-Air/Clean Fuels legisla-tion will reduce global warmingpollution and encourage in-state
production of sustainable bio-
fuels, helping build new jobs and a
clean energy economy. The CleanAir-Clean Fuels bill (HB 1303)
passed in the Senate on April 13th
with a strong bi-partisan 44 to 4
vote. It previously passed in the
House of Representatives on
March 10th with a 79 to 18 vote.
Eliminating Toxic FlameRetardants legislation will, forthe first time in the nation, ban the
use of these particularly toxic
chemicals and replace them with
safer alternatives that provide fire
safety protection, while reducing
risks to people and the environ-
ment. The bill (ESHB 1024) to
eliminate toxic flame retardants
passed in the House by a huge
margin of 71-24 on February 16th.
It passed the Senate on an equally
strong, bi-partisan 41-8 vote on
April 3rd. The governor signed the
bill into law on April 17th.
Save Our Sound legislationestablishes a new agency to
achieve strong recovery and pro-
tection goals, an independent sci-
ence advisory committee, and
important accountability meas-ures to make sure state funding
delivers action and results. The
Governor requested these bills
(ESSB 5372 and ESSHB 1374) to
create a new state agency to over-
see the recovery of Puget Sound
by 2020. Both bills passed their
respective chambers with wide bi-
partisan support, 41-5 and 78-19.
$100 Million for Wildlife andRecreation Program appropria-tion doubles the state's appropria-tion to this highly competitive and
pork-free program, funding 135
new state and local parks, protect-
ed shorelines and wildlife habitat,
plus the state's first ever funding
for farmland preservation. The
House and Senate both fully fund-
ed the program at $100 million.
We will keep you up to date on
activities taking place in the com-
ing months to connect with your
legislators about work this year
and hopes for future work.
Photos/Nate Chappell
Two birds found inEcuador: On the farleft is a RufousMotmot, left is aBlue Gray Tanager.
New York, NY, April 6, 2007 Statement of
Audubon President John Flicker in response
to the April 6 report of the United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:
This latest report from the worlds scientistssounds an alarm too dire for anyone to ignore.
America and the world must act immediatelyto reduce global warming emissions to avoidthe worst of the consequences it predicts.
Like the storied canary inthe coal mine, birds andother wildlife have alwaysalerted us to perilsthat threaten us
all. The reportmakes clear thatimpacts alreadyobserved or predictedin the wild pose very seri-ous threats to us all. It leaves no doubt thatglobal warming threatens everything peopleand wildlife depend on for survival and qualityof lifeour air, water and food supplies, eventhe very places we live.
Taking strong personal and political actionnow is our best hope for helping to save peo-ple and wildlife from hunger, thirst, disease anddislocation. While the reports warning is dire, itshould prompt determination and not despair.
There is much we can do to effect the long-term implications for people and nature aroundthe globe. There has never been a louder orclearer call to action to curb global warming.
With members, chapters, and state officesacross the United States, Audubon has longworked on conservation measures that reducethe impact of global warming pollution, safe-guarding birds, other wildlife, people and theplanet we share. Audubon is now redoublingefforts to engage Americans in individual,community and legislative actions that will cutglobal warming pollution by the 2% per yearscientists say is needed to avoid the worstconsequences.
The strongest federal safeguard against theextinction of bird species in the United States isthe Endangered Species Act. Enacted in 1973,the ESA has helped save some of America's mostcritically imperiled birds and wildlife, includingspecies like the Bald Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon,the Gray Wolf, the Grizzly Bear, and theWhooping Crane.
Despite its success, Congress in recent yearshas seriously considered proposals that would gut
the fundamental protections this bedrock environ-mental law provides to America's most endan-gered birds. The changes in Congressional lead-ership that resulted from the 2006 elections areexpected to restore balance to the debate aboutprotecting our endangered and threatenedspecies. One very positive sign is that the Bushadministration proposed early in 2007 to list thepolar bear as threatened under the ESA, as aresult global warming.
The Endangered Species Act: An essential safety net
The time to act is nowLegislative session a big win for the environment
Priorities for a Healthy Washington
http://www.environmentalpriorities.org/
8/9/2019 05-2007 Towhee Newsletter Tahoma Audubon Society
11/11
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