Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society: Connecting people with nature since 1969.

Vol. 39 No. 9 November 2008

please Don’t
let this Towhee
get away!
The Towhee is put together by volunteers for our
members.
We need you!

The Art of Charley Harper

Kathleen LeGreid, our wonderful editor for 16
years has retired.
We have a team of volunteers ready to help put
each issue together, but we need an overall editor
at the Tacoma Nature Center now through December 20, 2008 to tie it all together. Without it The Towhee will not
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn Goering, John Garner, Bill &
happen.
Marjorie Shea, and Bill &
If you are interested in helping please call Bryan
I was excited last winter
Michele Wallace for making
Flint at (253) 565-9129.
when I saw two of Charley
this possible.
 Bryan Flint, Executive Director, Tahoma Audubon
Harper’s limited edition BryanFlint@TahomaAudubon.org
prints up for auction at the Tacoma has been making www.TahomaAudubon.org 
TAS banquet silent auction. its mark in recent years as a
It was there that I heard place for art. Galleries,
whispers that there were museums, and many artists
more where those came now call Tacoma home. An
from and that an exhibition early entrant into this rar-
might be in the works! Top: Buzz Off You Turkey, by Charley Harper, efied world was the Pacific
available on silent auction.
Harper, who died last year, Rim Wildlife Art Show. This
Above: Charley Harper with his Black and White
left a legacy of eye-popping Warlbler. huge show for wildlife art-
nature art that is instantly ists brought in artists from
recognizable, both by artists for the style and by all over the world to the Tacoma Dome Exhibition
naturalists for stylizing actual field marks in a way Hall and was the idea, and major fundraiser, of the
that exact species can be identified. Called Snake Lake Nature Center, now the Tacoma Nature
American Modernist or Minimal Realism, this was Center. Many works by noted international artists
something revolutionary many decades ago and still from those days are still on display at the Nature
is today. Now Tacoma is on the Charley Harper Center, and its legacy lives on with frequent exhibits
map with this new exhibit thanks to the Tacoma by local artists and photographers which hang in
Nature Center and exhibitor/owners Bill & Andrea
Gernon (who also donated auction items), Sue See "Charley Harper" on page 7

White-headed Woodpecker
By Paul Webster
In the pine forests of the far west there are
few more striking birds than the White-headed
Woodpecker. The same size as the familiar
Hairy Woodpecker, the White-headed’s all-black
body and wings contrast with white wing-
patches and head (males have a small red
patch on the nape). It forages in ponderosa
pine and other conifers, using several methods
to obtain the arthropods and seeds that make
up its diet: it flakes away rough bark on the
lower tree trunk and probes needle clusters
searching for insects and spiders, and it drills
into unopened cones to extract nuts – in the
latter process often assum­ing unusual nut-
hatch-like positions to minimize contact with
their sticky sap. The White-headed also catch-
Photo/Martin Meyers
es flying insects in mid-air and sucks sap by
drilling distinctive sap-wells in evenly-spaced
horizontal rings around small trees.
The White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides
albolarvatus) ranges from the southern
Okanagan of British Columbia south through
the Cascades and Sierras to the mountains of
southern Califor­nia. In Washing­ton they are
uncommon, local residents in the ponderosa
pine forests of the Cascades’ east slope and the
Blue Mountains. Birders often find White-
headed Woodpeckers at Wenas Campground
and along Umtanum Road; they’re also some-
times present at the Sleeping Lady complex on
Icicle Creek just outside Leavenworth.
White-headed Woodpeckers require mature
See "White-headed" on page 6
 executive director’s Corner
Looking for the silver lining
Wow. The
economy has
been in crazy,
and dangerous,
territory of late.
With a troubled
economy and
folks struggling
to make ends
meet, non-profits
are often put in a
double bind.
Donations drop while the needs grow. For small
non-profits like Tahoma Audubon that just barely
scrape by, that can be a challenge.
But, like Warren Buffet, years of good planning
and a little bit of luck have served us well.
First, there is a silver lining to a slow down in the
housing market. For the last few decades the big-
gest threat to habitat has been uncontrolled sprawl.
Poorly planned suburban development has plowed
under thousands of acres of wetlands, oak prairies,
stream-side habitat, and farm land. Prodded by
community and environmental activists, govern-
ments have been playing catch up with reasonable
regulations to protect open space and farm land.
We have now been given a breather from the
unrelenting pressure of progress as government
gets some extra time to catch up. In Tacoma, this
means a new open space plan will be implement-
ed, recommendations for dealing with climate
change can get rolling, and new mixed use centers
can concentrate growth where it should go. Pierce
County is working on an update to a shoreline
master program that hasn’t seen major changes
since the early seventies.
When the economy picks up and developers start
measuring floor plans, they will be building a differ-
ent kind of housing. They will be putting up town
homes, housing that takes a smaller foot print and is
more compatible with sensible growth manage-
ment. As a community, we may just weather this
economic storm and be the better for it.
Because of prudent financial management
Tahoma Audubon will weather this financial
storm as well. Tahoma Audubon Society has an
endowment fund, money that can never be spent
but it produces income year after year for assis-
tance with our operations. We also have a healthy
reserve account set aside for a rainy day. Because
of a generous gift from Donna Cooper Pepos’
estate we are able to create a named endowment in
By focusing on our mission of
protecting habitat and being
careful stewards of our funds,
we are making a difference in
protecting the wildlife habitat
that we care so deeply about.
her honor, increase our rainy day fund so that we
have a six month operating safety net, and invest
funds in our future operations.
One gift from a long-time member does not
solve all of our budget worries, and we will need
to continue to raise money from you, our support-
ers. By focusing on our mission of protecting
habitat and being careful stewards of our funds,
we are making a difference in protecting the wild-
life habitat that we care so deeply about.
The ultimate silver lining in these trying times is
that Tahoma Audubon, and the fight to protect
habitat, is made up of wonderful people. Folks
who care deeply about the environment, have a
positive outlook, and know how to have fun while
working hard. No matter what happens to the
world economy, as long as we have you, we will
make great things happen.

Thank you to Artist Susan Russell Hall

Thanks to the support from
the Jacquelyn and Charlie,
owners of Primo Grill in
Tacoma, Tahoma Audubon
received a gift from local The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
artist Susan Russell Hall.  The Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
Lakewood artist generously 2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
donated 10% of the proceeds Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
from art she sold in the e-mail: contact@TahomaAudubon.org
popular restaurant.  Ms. Hall’s
art is hanging on the walls of
Tahoma Audubon Staff
 
the popular restaurant until Flint, Bryan Executive Director                        
November 16th and can be
purchased from the artist. 
bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
“We are thankful for the Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
  Soft Light, 2008

support of Jacquelyn and

Charlie and the commitment kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978                    
of Susan Russell Hall to the
Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
environment,” said John
Garner, President of Tahoma StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-5479                      
Audubon in accepting the
generous gift.  “Her art is
Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884
beautiful, what a wonderful Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator
way to support the gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org
environment.”  Learn more
about Susan Russell
Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
             

Hall’s art at www. John Garner President

susanrussellhall.
com or visit
Marjorie Shea Vice President
Primo Grill at Wayne Larsen Past President
601 S. Pine
St., Tacoma. Jane Brosius Secretary
Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
John Garner and Bryan Flint accept a donation from
artist Susan Russell Hill at Primo Grill in Tacoma. Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2008
Rob McNair-Huff Field Trip Chair
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society. Thelma Gilmur Membership Co-chair
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protection
of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem- Dick Carkner
ber’s experiences in and with the natural world. Sally Larson
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan Marcus Roening
issue. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, bird lore, natural history, conserva-
tion, and environmental education are reviewed and considered for inclusion by the editor. Peggy L. Kopf
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed. Darby Veeck
Ione Clagett
Editor: editor@tahomaaudubon.org
Mailing: Vera & John Cragin and Winfield Giddings Melissa Paulson
Design & Layout: Robert Kelton: E-mail: robert_kelton@ mac.com Elizabeth Beer
Printing: Consolidated Press
Printed on recycled newsprint Loren Webster Calendar Editor loren@lorenwebster.net

Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2008

 ENVIRONMENT Matters

Green Tacoma Day Conservation Coordinator krystalKYER

Contact Krystal at 253-232-9978. Or you can e-mail her @ kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org

Saturday, November 15
Celebrate Green Tacoma Day on November 15th, 2008, at the Port of Tacoma’s
recently acquired Julia’s Gulch in northeast Tacoma!
Volunteers and staff will celebrate the continued success of the Green Tacoma
Partnership, and work together to begin restoring this valuable urban forest. The
day will begin at 10AM, with announcements and a few short speeches from
notable Green Tacoma Partnership supporters.
Volunteers will then view demonstrations and participate in the different phases
of urban forest restoration, including:

• Initial site assessment and planning

• Invasive species removal techniques

• Native tree and shrub planting

• Restoration monitoring and maintenance

Opportunities to explore Julia’s Gulch, previously not accessible by the public,

will be plentiful. It is anticipated that the day will end with a hot lunch and a cel-
ebration of the hard work and dedication of Green Tacoma’s many volunteers!”
Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes!
For more information, including directions, contact Krystal Kyer at 253-232-
9978 or go online at www.tahomaaudubon.org or www.greentacoma.org.

Monthly training in Tacoma targets restoration volunteers

City of Tacoma Make a Splash grant funds were
awarded to The Green Tacoma Partnership to
implement monthly training programs that help
educate residents and restoration volunteers to
protect and restore local surface water resources.
Two training days have been arranged consisting of
1/2 day of discussion, and 1/2 day site tours high-
lighting restoration activities that benefit salmon
through various approaches used by GTP partners.
All sessions are free and open to the public:
Friday, November 7 - Tacoma Nature
Center Youth Education Efforts Emphasizing
Watersheds and Water Quality
This session will explore how organizations can
effectively engage youth in learning about nature.
Presentations and discussion will address curricula
that targets youths in grades 4 through 12 and
focus on the education of watershed and water
quality issues through hands-on
field investigations. Classroom
work and a guided trail hike
are included. An associated
site tour will continue the
theme of hands-on field investi-
gations with the exploration of a
coastal and upland wetland habitats plus compara-
tive water quality sampling.
Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6 – (9-12
am, both days) Citizens for a Healthy Bay
Tidal Habitat Restoration, Advocacy,
Education & Volunteer Recruitment
CHB’s unique advocacy, education, restoration and
hands-on programs, which help clean, protect and
restore nearly 610 acres of marine and coastal habi-
tat, will be highlighted. Panel discussions will exam-
ine the history and future of local estuarial restoration
while exploring the importance of
ecosystem-based planning, plus
invasive plant control.
Participants will also learn
about the affect of storm drain
stenciling on reduction of storm
water pollution, and how the CHB’s
Bay Patrol Program advocates with state and city
agencies, as well as the marine industry for clean
water. Field activities will invite participants to engage
in hands-on restoration activities including native
plant installations and invasive plant removal.
The GTP is one of nine recipients being funded
by the City of Tacoma in 2008. Although geared to
meet the needs of GTP members, these trainings
are open to the public, and are free of charge.  To
register contact Krystal Kyer at 253-232-9978 or by
e-mail at kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org.

Northwest environmental issues courses

The Mountaineers and the University of
Puget Sound are gearing up for a free 4-week
course on the legislative priorities for the
environmental community during the upcom-
ing session.
Audubon is a member of the Priorities for
a Healthy Washington coalition.  Last year
we successfully passed all four priorities, and
you can help us do it again this year!   Our
legislators need to hear from their constituents
and environmental champions - that’s you!
Learn about the upcoming 2009 legislative
Priorities For A Healthy Washington.
Registration at: www.mountaineers.org
We are able to offer this course for free to the
public due to generous support from the
University of Puget Sound. Please call Katharine
at 253.973.9004 with any questions.
The two remaining courses are:
November 5th: Energy Efficient Building:
Regulations and Incentives
• Carrie Dolwick, NW Energy Coalition
November 12th: Medicine Take Back
• Suellen Mele, Citizens for Resource
Conservation 6:30-8:30 p.m. Collins Memorial
Library, Room 020, University of Puget
Sound
All of the classes are free and intended for
the public.  Tahoma Audubon Society encour-
ages you to attend any or all of the classes.

November 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 3

 Education Matters
Education highlights
Morse Wildlife
Preserve Volunteer
Days a HUGE
Success!
On October 7th
and 9th we wel-
comed over 120 stu-
dent and adult vol-
stephanieSWAIM unteers to the Morse
Education Coordinator Wildlife Preserve
Call Steph @ 253-565-5479. Or for our firstVolunteer
StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org Days events.
Through the
TogetherGreen.org
organization, a partnership with National Audubon
and Toyota, we are able to educate about and restore
a portion of the prairie habitat at the Preserve. Four
classes at Rocky Ridge Elementary School are
spending over 32 hours at the Preserve, between
now and May 2009, to learn about this place and
what they can do to protect the fragile ecosystem.
Volunteers from the Cascade Land Conservancy,
Tahoma Audubon and the Morse Force spent hours
preparing the prairie for the students’ arrival and
spent both days coaching the students with the res-
toration work. Students removed grass clumps and
large rocks from the soil to prepare for the planting
they will do in November. Chaperones and teachers
from the school also joined in, separating the clumps
from the good soil. The efforts the students and vol-
unteers make in this restoration work will add 30
square meters to the prairie habitat at the preserve by
May, and will help students understand the value of
returning an altered area to its natural state. Students
will also be enhancing their science education by
comparing different treatments done on areas of the
For High Schoolers
 Do you know a high school junior or
Prairie as well as participating in bird counts and senior looking for a culminating project
data collection in a different part of the Preserve. to satisfy graduation requirements?
This is truly an innovative program that will both  Do you know a high school junior or
increase student awareness about the natural area in senior who loves being outdoors, learn-
their neighborhoods and include them in the volun- ing about nature?
teer efforts of their community. The students are  Do you know a high school junior or
stewards of Morse Wildlife Preserve, following in the senior who wants to make a difference
footsteps of the dedicated volunteers who have been while learning valuable real world
protecting and educating at the Preserve since 1995. skills?
If you said “yes” to any of these ques-
We will host these students at the Preserve a num-
tions, we may have a project for you. We
ber of times this year. We would love to have birders
are looking for motivated students to par-
and naturalists who can lead a birdwatching station,
ticipate in exciting projects that help
nature lovers who wish to share their knowledge
Tahoma Audubon and other organizations.
about their favorite topic (mushrooms, trees, insects,
We match students with mentors in the
etc). We would also love to have volunteers who can
community and meaningful projects that
share their time with the students working on the
stretch their skills and satisfy volunteer
prairie restoration. If you don’t know what you want requirements. Please contact Jen Crump at
to do, but know you want to be involved, there is the Tacoma Nature Center at jenniferc@
plenty to do. Please call Steph at 253-565-5479 to tacomaparks.com to request an application
sign-up for a date to volunteer. The next two dates are or for more information.
November 18th and 20th when we will be watching We look forward to hearing from you!
birds, planting native plants, and continuing to moni-
tor the habitats at the
Preserve. Please join us!
Thanks to Noah Compton,
Nancy Davis, Tom
Galdabini, Mary Sue Gee,
Art Gee, Thelma Gilmur,
Julie Griffiths, Clyde
Kostelecky, Julie Lawson,
Hayes Swinney, and
Meagan Van Horn for the
hours they volunteered at
Morse in October. It was
successful because of you.
Thanks!

Photos/Julie Lawson
Volunteers at the Morse Wildlife Preserve event.

2917 Morrison Road W., 1919 South Tyler Street,

University Pl. WA 98466 Tacoma WA 98338
253-565-9278 253-591-6439 www.metroparkstacoma.org
www.TahomaAudubon.org Open Tues. – Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Open Mon – Sat. 10a.m.-1p.m. & Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Page 4 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2008

 field trips and Events
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wednesdays 7:30 am to 11:00 am
Leader: Phil Kelley
Big changes are happening at Nisqually NWR!
Join Phil on his weekly bird walks as he counts the
birds at Nisqually NWR.  The group may walk out
to McAllister Creek if that trail is open.  Then it
takes the boardwalk/trail loop out to the Twin
Barns, the Nisqually overlook area, and the ripar-
ian area, totaling about 3 miles.
Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,
water, snacks, and $3 for entry fee unless you have
a pass.  Scopes are welcome.
Meet: At the Visitor’s Center.
Directions:  Take I-5 south from Tacoma and exit
to Nisqually NWR at exit 114.  Take a right at the
light.
Sign-up:   Call or e-mail Phil Kelley to confirm
details (especially during the trail
construction period).  Phil Kelley, Lacey, 360-459-
1499, scrubjay323@aol.com.
Construction has started on some trails, part of a
3-4 year estuary reconstruction project.
For more information about trail closures for the
dike removal and reconstruction project, go to
http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/ and click on Events
and News.  During the reconstruction, some trails
may be closed temporarily.
Rainier Audubon invites Tahoma
Audubon to join their field trips
White-tailed Kites in the Fall
Sunday, November 16, 7:30 am 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, and we will also seek kites in new
areas.  Our main target birds will be any hatch year
juveniles.  We also should see good numbers of
other raptors.   Last year we had 41 American
Kestrels.  This trip is limited to seven people and
two vehicles, so sign up early to secure a spot.
Bring:  Scopes, binos, lunch, and snacks.  Be pre-
pared for a long drive, and a long day returning to
Tacoma in the late afternoon.
Meet:  At the McDonald’s 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 e-mail Roger Orness,
253-922-7516, r.orness@comcast.net
Olympia Area Birding
(After Thanksgiving “Walk-Off-The-Calories”
Trip)
Saturday, November 29, 8:30 am to mid afternoon
Leader:  Carol Schulz
Fall is a nice time to visit Olympia and surround-
ing areas.   Our state’s capital offers a variety of
waterbirds on salt water and at Capitol Lake. This
weekend trip after Thanksgiving features some
walks to wear off the calories and see some good
birds too.   Some folks call this our “Diet Trip”!
We will walk about 2 miles or so. Our first stop
will be on the way.  We’ll stop at the Nisqually
Visitor’s center, where we will walk from the
Visitor’s Center out to the Twin Barns in search of
hawks and ducks.  We may get to see some of the
estuary reconstruction project.
November 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 5
Mushroom identification workshops at Penrose Point State Park
Two dates offered for November: Saturday the 15th, and Sunday the 30th
from 1pm to 3pm we will be having a mushroom identification workshop at
Penrose Point State Park.  We will be learning characteristics of mushrooms
helpful for identification.  We will be trying to key out mushrooms.  Some local
mushrooms will be displayed; and you are welcome to bring mushrooms.  We
may go for a short walk if conditions are good for mushrooms.
The first 15 people who call to register will be taken (group size limited to
15 people).  There is no charge.  We will meet at the bulletin board in the big
parking lot.  To register call (253) 884-2514 and ask for Dan Christian.
Then we will travel to Olympia to walk a portion Ages 18 and older, 7-9pm
of the Capitol Lake Trail at the wetland, and at $55 for Audubon members; $75 non-members
other trail view points.   There is a view of the Join us for an exploration of fall and wintering
Capitol building from the lake. birds of Washington as well as Shorebirds. This
We will also visit some favorite salt water view- class is for those who have a good background in
points in Olympia.  We will be looking for diving bird identification. In addition to the scheduled
ducks, grebes, loons and other birds and ducks at class days, there are four field trips that are fast
the lake and on saltwater. paced and include travel and over night stay. For
Bring:   Warm clothes, lunch (turkey sandwich- information and to register call 253-591-6439.
es?), hot drinks, snacks and water.   Scopes are Class meets at Adriana Hess Audubon Center,
welcome. 2917 Morrison Rd, West, University Place.
Meet:  8:30 am at the Hwy. 512 P&R in Tacoma. Field Trips: Trips on November 22nd & December
Directions:   Take I-5 south through Tacoma to 6th, 3 day trip on January 17th, 18th, and 19th.
exit 127 (the Hwy. 512 exit). Turn right and imme- Instructor: Kenneth Brown
diately get into the left lane.   Turn left onto S
Tacoma Way.  Travel 1/2 block south, and turn left Discovery Walk – Foothill Trails
into the P&R.   Meet near McDonalds. Sat Nov 15 10am –11:30am
Sign Up:  Call or e-mail Carol Schulz, 206-824- Call 253-565-9278 to register and for directions.
7618, linusq@att.net.  E-mail is preferred.
Nature Walk
Kittitas County Birding in Winter at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 6:30 am to evening. Sun 8am –11:30am
Co-Leaders - Charlie Wright and Roger Orness Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
Come enjoy a day of winter-season birding in Join author Rob McNair-Huff for a 5-mile walk
central Washington. We will venture over through the forests at Point Defiance Park. The trip
Snoqualmie Pass and visit areas including Swauk starts at the back of the parking lot for the Point
Prairie and South Cle Elum along our route. Large Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Come prepared for a
numbers of raptors including Rough-legged healthy walk through the park in changeable
Hawks and Prairie Falcons are seen wintering in weather conditions. Winter bird highlights can
the open, snow-covered fields of Kittitas. include returning waterfowl, Bald Eagles and for-
Proceeding east we will reach the Columbia River est birds. For more information, e-mail rob@
at Vantage, where waterfowl are sometimes pres- whiterabbits.com.
ent in vast numbers. Some target species will
include unusual loons, ducks, American White
Pelicans, and possibly rare gulls. Chukar are occa-
Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess
Mon Nov 17 12pm – 1pm
sionally seen in the basalt outcroppings here.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center, 2917 Morrison
Bring: Bring many layers of clothing for cold
Rd, West, University Place
weather conditions, a lunch, and snacks. Scopes
are welcome.  Space is limited.
Meet:  At 6:30am at Auburn Safeway at Auburn Seabird Survey 3
Way and Main St.  Take Hwy. 18 to Auburn and Sat Dec 6 9:06am – 1:06pm
exit at Auburn Way. (Hwy. 164).   Turn north Call 253-565-9278 for information.
(right) on Auburn Way and drive three blocks
north.  Safeway sign and gas station will be on the rules
left.  Park in the Safeway lot just beyond the gas
station and straight out from the Safeway door.  We Call TAS to register (253-565-9278). Some trips are
will meet and carpool (promptly) from there.
people limited out of necessity.
Sign-up:  Contact Roger Orness, r.orness@com- Notify TAS 24 hours in advance if you cannot come.
cast.net, 253-922-7516.  E-mail is preferred. Field trip leaders put in a lot of time and planning and
no-shows disrupt field trips. More than 3 no-shows a
Tahoma Audubon year can result in revoking opportunity to participate.
Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess
Arrive at the meeting place early.
No pets are allowed.
Mon Nov 10 12pm –1pm
Adriana Hess Audubon Center, 2917 Morrison Be prepared for seasonal weather.
Rd, West, University Place Bring lunch, drinks and snacks if the field trip is
scheduled past mid-day.
Intermediate Birder’s Class All passengers divide total carpooling expenses.
Tue Nov 11 7pm – 9pm Current guidelines are 20 cents a mile per car, not
Pre-registration required, weekly until Tue Dec 2 including driver.
7pm.
Beginners are always welcome.
Adriana Hess Audubon Center, 2917 Morrison
Rd, West, University Place Have fun.
 MISSING: Six Thousand Swifts
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn Frank Wagner School. Unfortunately,
there was one unwelcome visitor –
After a mad month of exciting Rain. In all my “swifting” over
swift chasing every single week- the past several years, I had
end, I had swifts on the brain, never run into rain before, as
swirling around me like a cloud the Swifts choose the driest
of gnats anywhere I went at part of the year to put on their
sunset this early fall. After an fall show. I had no idea what
early visit to the famous Monroe to expect. Pilchuck Audubon
swift chimney, fabulous experi- provided an official counter every

y.
Va

da
A

ux nt
ences at the old school in Selleck Sw re night for this Big Month, and this
ift s iffe
and the old customs house in Sumas, een on a d night we had Judy Alles, the queen of
and one disappointing visit to the counters. She had counted almost
abandoned chimney in north Tacoma, I was ready 6000 birds the night before and would count that
for the piece de resistance – The Monroe chimney many again the next night, but tonight she was
at the very height of the swift migration on available for chitchat since the swifts were appar-
September 20 ! I eagerly awaited this trek and
th
ently grounded by the rain. Bob Sindelar of
invited all my TAS friends to come with me Pilchuck, the publicity guy responsible for the
buoyed by new publicity efforts (many of you took amazing media blitz, was the official Swift Docent
me up on the offer!). that evening, and he worked the crowd like a
Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Allen Dobrynin, Adam Trent, and Orlenna Dobrynin
Almost a secret pleasure in the past, I would vaudeville trouper, bucking us up with the promise relaxing in front of that famous chimney in Monroe.
make several trips each season to the Monroe of birds, telling jokes, and snapping photos. None
chimney only to find myself almost alone. But no of this worked on the birds or the weather gods,
more! The rumors that but a camaraderie on our appointed day. They had just stayed in.
the school district want- “Next year when I promise developed among the So next year when I promise you swifts, don’t
ed to pull down that dripping birders hud- believe it, but take a chance anyway. We’ll go
chimney because it you swifts, don’t believe it. dled under a big tree earlier in the month when the weather odds are a
wasn’t earthquake- But take a chance anyway.” and various umbrellas. little better. We might even try that Selleck chim-
proof galvanized the Right after we arrived, ney. And you can go out and look at your favorite
Northwest birding two birds were seen, chimney next spring, too, when they do the reverse
world, and a movement was born – Save Our and sometime later a single bird flew in, but no one migration in late April and early May.
Swifts! You read about it here earlier this year. saw all three. In the meantime, Save our Swifts is still trying to
Pilchuck and Seattle Audubon chapters cranked up Apparently that morning, the alpha swifts had save that Monroe chimney, which is the second or
a publicity machine that would be the envy of any done the math and decided the energy expenditure third biggest swift collector in the world (after
politician, and suddenly everyone wanted to go for getting out of bed was more than the expected Portland and possibly California). For details on
see that chimney that was featured on television rewards on this unrelentingly rainy day. Very few Save our Swifts and the swift count this season, as
and the front page of the Seattle Times! of them ever left the chimney, and most of those well as how to contribute toward saving that chim-
Three carloads of birders left Tacoma that after- gave it up and came back in the early afternoon. ney, go to Pilchuck Audubon’s website and click
noon, and three other parties met us there at the big This was confirmed the next morning when the on Programs. http://pilchuckaudubon.org/
show, making Tahoma Audubon the single largest official counter at dawn ticked off 5000 birds leav- In the meantime, I have a big IOU out there to a
group at this big gathering on the lawn of the ing the chimney, a number that had never been seen bunch of swift devotees who got cheated this year.

The Willettes keep dry under the tailgate of Faye’s “Silver Swift.” Pictured are Lorraine Jackson, Patti & Jim Coolsen, Kelly & Mark Dave Kiley, Sue Schub, Wayne & Lorraine Jackson
Diane Kerlin, Faye McAdams Hands, Carol Smith, and Dorothy Husband. Stave standing in the rain in Monroe smiling through the raindrops.

Nature - an affordable pleasure for all of us

Despite modern urban crowding,
often polluted air, and great swathes
of mountain being denuded by clear-
cutting, there are still places where
we can retreat to be with Nature.
My favorite places included moun-
Peggy Kopf tains, small streams, huckleberries,
chanterelles, sunlight on moss, and
the symphonic accompaniment of bird song. Lake
Cushman provided me with a window on magnifi-
cence. Seeing Mt. Tahoma in her many guises and
Board Member
lights always gives me a lift. And when a Piliated
Woodpecker decided to whack chunks out of my
deck rail, I was delighted to have such a magnificent
bird so close.
There are still many outdoor places to be saved for
the learning and appreciation of all. And with the
current economy, enjoying the freedom to walk
through Nature is still an affordable pleasure. With
the active involvement of our leaders and members,
TAS is a big part of this effort in Pierce County, work-
ing to save as much of Paradise as we can for the
learning, appreciation and comfort of all. It is an
honor for me to be a part of this effort.
Peggy Kopf
Tahoma Audubon Board Member

Page 6 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2008

 ... Charley Harper from page 1

Above: “Bittern Suite,” by Charley Harper (note the pun!)
Below: “Pfwhooo,” by Charley Harper (what the owl says
after catching the skunk!) Both available on silent auction.
the main meeting room (where TAS holds its
monthly meetings) and that are rotated peri-
odically. In fact, the Nature Center is one of
the low-key but reliable art stories in this arty
city. We are among those fortunate to be
initiated. So it was only natural to find
Charley’s lithographs and serigraphs hanging
there when Adam Trent and I made a visit
right after they were hung.
Walking into the Nature Center, we almost
missed the zebra print hanging in the hall, so
be on the outlook! Seeing the works in full
size (rather than magazine cover size as I was
used to) was truly an entry into the mind of a
geometric visionary, not to mention the pun-
ster at work. One can imagine a young
Charley sitting in Plane Geometry class with
his compass and pencil turning bisected cir-
cles into ladybugs and seals, vectors into solid
rain where ghosts of animal life could only be
intuited, parabolas into flying feathers, and
intersecting lines into a zebra herd. Harper
kept his youthful whimsy lifelong and used his
talent to pass it along to
thousands who never
met him.
This gallery of 30
works by Charley Harper
was the brainchild of
Michele Cardinaux,
Tacoma Nature Center
Program Manager, fellow
Charley lover, and owner
of the one of the works
on display. She man-
aged to not only find these works to display,
but also found donated items that could be
sold at silent auction to benefit the Tacoma
Nature Center’s education programs. This is
everyone’s chance to own a Charley Harper
limited edition! Go there and look or bid on-
line at: http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/
page.php?id=217. Be sure to notice the titles
of the works, he was a great punster!
Some museums and exhibits have written
or audio programs to help you understand the
art you’re viewing. It is only fitting that
Michele fashioned a program for Charley’s
work that is a scavenger hunt! He would
have loved this! Just like real life, the birds
and animals pictured can be challenging to
identify, but identifiable they are. Michele
found out or figured out every species depict-
ed in this exhibit and challenges you to do the
same. Ask for your scavenger hunt form at
the front desk and really get into the brain of
this genius! I thought I was doing pretty well
until I identified a fish as a shorebird! The
scavenger hunt was intro-
duced at a special recep-
tion in October in con-
junction with Tahoma
Audubon’s monthly meet-
ing, but the exhibit and
silent auction run through
December 20th, so there’s
still time to see it! And if
anyone wants a hint of
something to get me for
Christmas....
photo/Adam Trent

Above: Diane Yorgason-Quinn with her favorite of the exhibit, “Hare’s Breadth,” by Charley Harper.
Below: Michele Cardinaux of Tacoma Nature Center, curator of the Charley Harper exhibit

... White-headed from page 1

forest dominated by ponderosa pine; they prefer to live
where another pine or conifer species is also present, such as
sugar, Jeffrey, or lodgepole pine, white or incense cedar, or
Douglas fir. The greatest numbers live where the forest has been
disturbed by fire or selective harvesting, but still contains residu-
al large-diameter live and dead trees. The most important require-
ment is large ponderosas: an Oregon study showed that the wood-
peckers’ preferred ponderosas were about 24” in diameter: these
trees have large cones and produce the abundant seeds that support
the birds through the winter.
The White-headed Woodpecker seems stable in its California heart-
land, but adverse forestry practices have greatly reduced its numbers in the
Pacific Northwest. Logging has removed many of the large trees the wood-
pecker needs, and the remaining stands of suitable trees are increasingly
fragmented. Decades of fire suppression allowed an understory to grow
which may conceal predators near White-headed Woodpecker nests – often
located no more than three or four meters above ground-
level. The White-headed has become rare in British
Columbia; in Washington it is considered a species-of-
concern by Audubon-Washington and Partners in Flight,
though not by our Department of Fish and Wildlife. The
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife back in 1991, by
contrast, labeled its status critical.
Despite a wealth of anecdotal material, particularly in the
older literature, the White-headed Woodpecker remains,
according to a recent article, “one of the most poorly studied
woodpeckers in North America.” We need to know more
about them – for example, why are they absent from many
places where the habitat seems suitable? We already do know
enough to require snag and large-tree retention in logging
operations, and to modify fire suppression practices. In
time we’ll hopefully discover the optimal habitat require-
ments that will allow this striking woodpecker to flourish
again in the ponderosa-dominated forests of the Pacific
Northwest.

November 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 7

 Just the other day... Here’s what TAS was doing in November 1983
By Helen Engle Conservancy and its commitment to money is allocated for the

25
Paul Webster wrote eloquent-
ly of the WA Wilderness Bill as it
languished in the Senate. The
temporary delay in “mark-up” was Years
caused by the death of Senator
Henry M Jackson and the flurry to fill
that vacant seat. Under discussion for wilder-
ness designation were roadless areas such as
Boulder River, Clearwater, Dark Divide, Glacier
View, Eagle Rock, Goat Rocks, Indian Heaven,
Juniper forest, Kettle Range, Lake Chelan-
Sawtooth, Mt. Baker and Norse Peak, Glacier
Peak, Pasayten. Webster was urging Auduboners
to write to our congressional delegation -- two
or three paragraphs urging
protection of our special plac-
es.
Here are the names of the
WA congressional delegation in
November 1983:
Senators Daniel J Evans,
and Slade Gorton.
Representatives were: Joel Dan Evans
Pritchard, Al Swift, Don
Bonker, Sid Morrison, Thomas Foley,
Norman Dicks, Mike Lowry, Rod Chandler.
The President was Ronald Reagan.
The TAS membership meeting at PLU’s Ingram
Hall featured Fayette Kraus, Land Steward for
The Nature Conservancy and past president of
Seattle Audubon Society. Fayette described the
preservation of natural diversity. His
job as Land Steward involved man-
agement of the TNC’s 17 preserves
in our state.
Ago TAS member Dr J J Shomon,
former director of the NAS Nature
Centers Planning Division, announced his
African safari was ready to visit four countries
over a 9-week span, departing in early January.
The safari party includes TAS members Cliff &
Marge Casebolt, and Don & Emily
Grindell.
The interesting and successful WA State
Audubon Council session in Ellensburg was
reported on by TAS president Walt Adams.
Our chapter’s delegation mem-
bers to the session were
Thelma Gilmur, Evelyn
Patton, Nancy Thomas,
Carla Hansmann and John
McCann. The state’s Audubon
lobbyist Pam Crocker-Davis
reported we are now 21 chap-
Slade Gorton ters, and twelve thousand
members statewide. She told of
the passing of the bill allowing seven-digit per-
sonalized license plates (up from 6 digits) to
provide more revenue for the non-game pro-
gram of the Department of Game. (We bought
her a 7-digit plate reading AUDUBON.)
Earmarked money is coming for work to begin
on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, and Superfund
beginning cleanup of
Commencement Bay.
Another bit of good news
was that endrin would be
phased out over the next
two years.
Thais Bock’s Word on
Birds included listing a
Helen Engle
hybrid Red-shafted-- from days of yore.
Yellow-shafted Flicker in
Federal Way and a White-tailed Kite (now offi-
cially Black-shouldered Kite) at Nisqually NWR. A
herd of 90-100 elk were in the Green River
Watershed, along with several Ruffed Grouse. A
Northern Waterthrush was found along a trail in
Fort Canby State Park. In Lakewood both Red-
breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches regu-
larly share the same feeders.
Cathy Jerbic was Field Trip Chair, organizing
outings to gear up for mid-December’s Christmas
Bird Count. They checked out the campus of
Old Fort Steilacoom (presently Western State
Hospital) with John Slipp and Thelma Gilmur;
McNeil Island birding with Henry Kyle; South
Puget Sound Marine Birding Boat Trip with Walt
Adams; and Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
with Norris Cone. TAS also went with Sierra
Club on a joint trip to Leadbetter Point and
Willapa Bay, coordinated by Paul Webster.
Feedback, comments and reminiscences
welcome, 253-564-3112, Hengle@iinet.com.

the 1. What small shorebird is a circumpolar breeder from northern Alaska to Scandanavia
quizzical and Russia?

2. This tern can be found sweeping over eastern WA marshes in summer.

3. Birds specializing in stealing food from other birds are known as_______________.

4. Resting during daytime, what heron hunts after dark?

5. While storm petrals live in the NE Pacific, this one remains all year off the coast of
By Thais Bock CA near Monterey. (Answers below cartoon.)
by Phil Buly
BIRDSONGS

Tofurkey (a portmanteau of tofu and tur- and/or bread flavored with a broth and abstain from eating meat. It has become
key) is faux turkey - a loaf or casserole of seasoned with herbs and spices. Tofurkey popular as a vegetarian meat alternative
vegetarian protein, usually made from is oven roasted or baked. Tofurkey can served at Thanksgiving (USA and Canada),
seitan (wheat protein) or tofu (soybean serve as the main dish of a formal meal for Harvest festivals, and other winter holi-
protein) with a stuffing made from grain(s) people who abstain from or would like to days. (From WIKIPEDIA)
Answers: 1) Dunlin 2) Black Tern 3) kleptoparasites 4) Black-crowned Night Heron 5) Ashy Storm-petrel

Page 8 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2008

 Northwest Trek raises state-endangered frogs
for reintroduction Project is the first of its kind in Washington
The tiny one-ounce dye-marked amphibians leap
enthusiastically out of their plastic containers and
into the lush grass, water and thick mud at the
edge of the lake. These juvenile Oregon spotted
frogs are taking off into the big world after being
carefully monitored and protected for six months at
the Conservation Center at Northwest Trek Wildlife
Park. The animal care team has fretted over water
quality, chopped and cooked kale and romaine,
wrangled crickets and consulted with partner agen-
cies which has generally kept them hopping.
“This is the first-ever captive rearing and release
program for the Oregon spotted frog in Washington
and represents a significant first step in our joint
effort to help recover this fragile species,” said
Harriet Allen, Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW) endangered species program
manager.
“We’re excited to be part of this project because
it fits so perfectly with our conservation mission,”
said Dave Ellis, deputy director at Northwest Trek.
“Not only that, but our specialty at the park is North
American species, so this dovetails beautifully with
our work.”
The zookeepers joined biologists from the WDFW
and the U.S. Army released the frogs into Dailman
Lake on the Fort Lewis Military Reservation in Pierce
County in a collaborative effort to return the state-
endangered frog to a portion of its historic
habitat.
“Frogs are found in all parts of the
world and are known as sentinel ani-
mals by alerting us to serious environ-
mental and climate changes that can
affect all species,” said Jim Lynch, biologist
for the Fort Lewis Fish and Wildlife Program.
“They also play an important role in balancing eco-
systems and when they disappear from their habi-
tat, that ecosystem is disrupted.”
The captive-rearing strategy, called “head start-
ing” is based on the premise that juvenile frogs are
thought to be less vulnerable and better able to
survive when released back into nature. The goal
of the this pilot program is to establish a self-sus-
taining population of Oregon spotted frogs at Fort
Lewis and set the stage for a structured recovery
effort that will continue for several years. Northwest
Trek is using space at its Conservation Center
located on land purchased through the Cascade
Land Conservancy and Pierce County Futures.
The Dailman Lake area was chosen for reintroduc-
tion because it contains diverse wetlands connected
to a stream system
capable of support-
ing and sustaining a
frog population.
The Oregon spot-
ted frog historically
ranged from south-
western British
Columbia to north-
eastern California.
The frog is now
believed to have dis-
appeared from
Six of the Oregon spotted frogs released on Sept. 22
on Fort Lewis were fitted with tiny radio transmitters
to help biologists track their movements.
California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley and has
suffered significant declines elsewhere in its historic
range. Loss of habitat, predation by non-native spe-
cies such as the American bullfrog, and disease have
decimated its numbers, which prompted listing it as
a Washington state-endangered species in 1997.
The reintroduction program was first developed
in 2007 through a collaborative effort by WDFW,
Fort Lewis, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point
Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Oregon Zoo, Washington
State Department of Transportation, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Port Blakely
Tree Farms, Washington Department of Natural
Resources, NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, U.S
Geological Survey, Mountain View Conservation &
Breeding Centre and The Nature Conservancy.
The project’s start-up coincides with efforts by
the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, which is
highlighting 2008 as the Year of the Frog to mark a
major conservation effort to address global
amphibian extinction.
Activities related to the reintroduction program
are being funded through grants from the Point
Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Northwest Zoo &
Aquarium Alliance and the Association of Zoo &
Aquarium’s Amphibian Fund.

For more information contact:

Cherilyn Williams, APR
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
11610 Trek Drive East
Eatonville, WA  98328
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s zoo keeper Ryan Ridgway releases a box of juvenile Oregon spotted frogs at Dailman phone: 360.832.7189
Lake on the Fort Lewis Military Reserve.
Web site: www.nwtrek.org

Fall/Thanksgiving Iris
folding card class
Rosanne Becker, Instructor
Wed., Nov. 12—6:30-9:00 PM
Adriana Hess Center
Cost: $15.00 (to be paid at the class)
Fill in shapes with colorful strips of paper
or ribbon that spiral to the center or iris.
Leave class with at least two cards and
patterns to make your own.
Supplies needed: small scissors, Scotch
Magic Tape (green plaid dispenser), and a
craft cutting mat (if you have one)
announcements
Christmas Iris
folding card class
Rosanne Becker, Instructor
Wed., Dec.10—6:30-9:00 PM
Adriana Hess Center
Cost: $15.00 (to be paid at the class)
Fill in holiday shapes with colorful strips
of paper or ribbon that spiral to the center
or iris. Leave class with at least two cards
and patterns to make your own.
Supplies needed: small scissors, Scotch
Magic Tape (green plaid dispenser), and a
small craft cutting mat (if you have one).
Christmas Bird Count is coming
December 20th. Save the date!
Just a reminder for you to save the date for this fun holiday
tradition.
Join Audubon Chapters across
the country in counting birds
on this 109th annual event.
Stay tuned for more news in
the December/January issue
on Areas to sign up for, who to
call, etc……..or if you can’t
wait, call or e-mail the CBC
Compiler now! Faye McAdams
Hands – 253-942-9233, or
zest4parus@hotmail.com

November 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 9

 volunteer Recognition
Volunteers do make a difference!
University Place
Parks’ Make a
Difference Day
brought a diverse
crowd of volunteers
to Adriana Hess
Wetland Park on
October 11, 2008. As
the new Volunteer
Coordinator for
Tahoma Audubon I
must admit I was
uncertain of what to
expect, how many volunteers would show up, and simul-
taneously thankful that we were spared from the rain.
Our small but diligent crew had all arrived by 9am.
University Place Park representative Suzie Haney and
her son Jasper had already set up tools and refresh-
ments for my volunteers: Andrea Norman, Andrew
Larsen, Kevin Deaton, Zanna Blain.
Our work began with hauling away an old European
Hawthorn tree to create space for Patrick Sullivan’s
Memorial Tree, which we dutifully planted later in the
morning. Zanna, the youngest of our crew at age 5 showed
us her strength, carrying branches and stumps that seemed
half her size. Her positive attitude and will to work was
contagious, making the work pass quickly and with ease.
As the fog and our spirits lifted, the secret rewards of
volunteering became evident. We were all energized
from our experience and each others company. We
were empowered by the difference we were making.
TAS November
Happenings
Volunteers Needed: Every Friday you are
invited to a light brunch at 10:00 am. at Adriana
Hess Wetland Park in University Place. Please
stay till noon or so and help us beautify the
grounds.
Enjoy your volunteer efforts and join our
park walks.
Birding Walk, Monday the 10th, 12:00 to
1:00pm. with Ruth Sullivan at Adriana Hess
Wetland Park in University Place. Free.
Plant Walk, Monday the 17th, 12:00 to 1:00pm.
with George Schonhard at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park in University Place. Free.
welcome to New and Returning Members
September 16, 2008 to October 15, 2008
Chapter New and Renewing:
Mike and Carolyn Barry, Greg Cook, David
Cornforth, Care deLeeuw, Karen Fischer, Kathleen
Franz, Cam Foreman, Georgine Gillispie, Anna
Heuer-Blodgett, Annie Meyer, Deborah Pederson,
Jacqueline Plattner, Phil Schneider, Melissa
Sherwood, Carmen Sterba, Ruth Sullivan, Dorothy
Swanberg, Della Taylor, Dale Thompson, Karen
Van Vlack and Scott Redman.
NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS
Renewals must be sent directly to TAS at 2917
Morrison Rd W, University Place, WA 98466 if The
Towhee is desired. With much less National
Audubon financial help available, TAS is now send-
ing Towhees only to those persons who renew as
chapter or joint members through us here at TAS.
Thank-you for your understanding,
Thelma Gilmur, Membership Co-Chair.
Page 10 www.tahomaaudubon.org November 2008
“Zanna, the youngest of our crew at age 5 showed us her
strength, carrying branches and stumps that seemed half
her size. Her positive attitude and will to work was
contagious, making the work pass quickly and with ease.”
Each participant brought something unique and valu-
able to the event.
Susie Haney offered us her experience and guidance,
instructing us on pruning, hauling, and perhaps most
importantly – keeping warm. Her son, who attended
despite a significant injury to his knee, offered his upper
body strength, shoveling steep parts of the path in order
to reduce a seemingly treacherous incline. Andrew
Larsen’s meticulous weeding was just as valuable as his
thoughtful company, as he contributed to the positive
atmosphere surrounding Adriana Hess. Kevin Deaton
illustrated his own strength by spending the entire morn-
ing hauling away evasive species, never taking a break
or switching to a less strenuous activity.
However, volunteers did not only contribute their time
and physical efforts. Joann Sims, longtime member of
the Audubon Society and close friend of Ruth Sullivan
contributed two heartwarming gifts to our event. First, it
was her idea to honor Patrick here at Adriana Hess.
Secondly, she acted on her plan, supplying the park with
a vibrant and proud Shore Pine tree (pinus-contorota-
contorta). Her contributions represented a touching gift
not only to Patrick and his mother Ruth, but also to the
Onward! Through the fog!
Above: Volunteer Andrew Larsen
hauling brush.
Right: Andrea Norman, Kevin Deaton
and Zanna Blain hard at work.
Chapter Joint with National:
David Carino, Ann Elliston, Bryan Flint,
Kevin and Corina Going, Priscilla
Huber, Susan Huck, Jean Jacobson,
Catherine Lange, Larry Martin, Pam
Mc Gee and Dale Leggett, Robin
Partington, Stew Renn, Carol M Smith.
Introductory, Recruited through TAS:
SallyAbrams, Laura Barber, Jim and Laurie Brauneis,
To receive the Towhee:
TAS is sending The Towhee only to those
members who send their renewals to us at
2917 Morrison Rd W, University Place, WA
98466. TAS will send all expired members a
renewal letter the month before member-
ship lapses. Please renew as soon as pos-
sible so that no issue is missed.
Tahoma Audubon Society, who is touched by her sensi-
tivity and persistent friendship.
Even more inspiration and excitement came from
some of our unexpected volunteers. As a couple of
Curtis High School students from the community
walked past the park, I informed them that it was Make
a Difference Day in the Park. To my surprise, instead
of continuing to wherever they were walking, teens
Wesley Huskey and Tre’vonn Rollins decided to come
help our efforts. Suzie first taught then how to prune
some of the parks overgrowth. They later assisted Ruth
Sullivan and Joann Sims in planting Patrick Sullivan’s
Memorial Tree. It was the first tree the teens had ever
planted in their lives.
Although the memories of weeding out the parking-
strip and hauling away dead tree material may fade
quickly, I will never forget the unexpected differences
that our crew made. I only hope that I continue to be
surprised by the difference a small group with the best
intentions can make in the world.
You can call Graham @ 253-565-1884.
or E-mail him: GTaylor@TahomaAudu bon.org
Sue Habeck, Greg Magee, Scott Markowitz, Rachel
Minnitti, John Moran, Ed Nelson, Victoria Penfield,
Joel and Sandi Strong, Hannah Taylor, Kim
Thompson, Debbie Wolz.
We are so pleased to welcome you to Tahoma
Audubon Society. Hope you can attend our next
meeting on November 14, Friday, to hear Dennis
Paulson, Dragonfly specialist, present his latest
work and adventures with dragonflies.
There is an exciting opportunity on November
18, Tuesday, at the Downtown Branch of the
Tacoma Public Library when Paul Bannick, author
of THE OWL AND THE WOODPECKER, visits
with the public.
 Thank you for the success of our
Thanks to our
Table Captains:
Julie Anderson, Ken & Nell
Batker, Ione Clagett,
The Cascade Land Conser-
vancy, Terry Conner, Helen
The entire City Council of the Tacoma received the Leadership for conserva- Engle, Jake Fey, John
tion award at this years Early bird Breakfast. From left to right are coun- Garner, Gary Geddes,
cil members: Jake Fey, Spiro Manthou, Mike Lonergan, Lauren Walker, Julie
Anderson, Mayor Bill Baarsma, Marilyn Strickland, Tahoma Audubon Noel Hagens, Debbie
President John Garner and conservation coordinator Krystal Kyer. Hyde, Chuck Kleeberg,
Robert Mack, Pat Mc- Corporate table sponsors:
Carthy, Rob McNair-Huff,
Cindy Niemi, John Olsen,
Nancy Pearson, People for
Chris Gregoire, Dave
Seabrook, Dave Senner,
Margie Shea, Bill Smith, Wayne and Sally Larson
Morry Stafford, Scott
Swaim, Walk the Water-
Thanks to our volunteers who made everything festive and run smoothly. front, Peter Wimberger,
Brian Ziegler
Sponsored by:

Calendar
- continued from back page
Dec 6 Sat 9:06 a.m. to 1:06 p.m. Seabird Survey 3 Location:
assigned survey sites
Dec 7 Sun 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ohop Field Trip/
NatureMapping Location: Ohop Creek
Dec 8 Mon Noon. to 1:00 p.m. Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess F
Dec 9 Tue 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Conservation Committee
Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park, 2917 Morrison Road W,
University Place, WA 98466
Dec 10 Wed 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Card Class Location:
Adriana Hess Center. Rosanne Becker: Instructor. Christmas
Iris Fold Card Class. Fill in holiday shapes with colorful strips
of paper or ribbon that spiral to the center or iris. Leave class
with at least two cards and patterns to make your own! Just
bring scotch magic tape (green plaid dispenser), small scissors
and a craft cutting mat if possible! Cost: $15 paid at class. Email:
tatkimmah@aol.com for questions/comments
Dec 11, Thu 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Intermediate Science - All
Systems Go! Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Call 591-6439
to register. Homeschool students explore science through hands-
on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register
early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 8-10, $10, To participate in
this class, students should be able to add and subtract numbers.
Dec 11, Thu 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Intermediate Science - All
Systems Go!
Dec 11, Thu 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. TAS Board Meeting
Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Monthly Meeting of
the Tahoma Audubon Board. Guest Welcome, please call ahead
at 253-565-9278.
Dec 12 Fri 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work
Party Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Habitat restoration
(planting, invasive species removal, pruning.) V
Dec 12 Fri 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Membership Meeting
Location: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street Monthly
membership meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome.
Check web site for program - www.TahomaAudubon.org. Call
253-565-9278.
Dec 15 Mon Noon. to 1:00 p.m. Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess
Dec 16, Tue 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nature Alphabet Z is for
Zany
Dec 16, Tue 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Snake Lake Science Club
Dec 16, Tue 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Morse Force Meeting
Location: Adriana Hess
Dec 17 Wed 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Budding Scientists -
Keeping Warm Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Call
253-91-6439 to register. Homeschool students explore science
through hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based
learning. Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 5-7, $8
per child. Young homeschoolers and other children begin sci-
ence 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.
Dec 17 Wed 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Budding Scientists - Keeping
Warm
December 18 Thu 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Advanced Science-
Physiology Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Call 591-6439 to
register. Homeschool students explore science through hands-
on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register
early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 12-15, $12. Older home-
school students will continue their science studies with challeng-
ing and engaging experiments and activities. To participate in
this class, students should be able to calculate averages, percent-
ages and solve simple equations.
Dec 18 Thu 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Education Committee
Meeting. Location: Adriana Hess Conference Room.
Checks payable to: Tahoma Audubon 2917 Morrison
Rd. W. University Place, 98466 Tahoma Audubon
Society, established in 1969, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Membership Fee:
___ Introductory (first year) $20
___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50
organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Membership

___
___
Chapter member renewal
Other Contributions _____________
$30

Tahoma Audubon is the Pierce County chapter of National Audubon. As

an Introductory member of Tahoma Audubon you also receive a National Member(s) Name: _______________________________________
Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine for one year. Renewing Address: _______________________________________________
your Chapter Membership ensures that we can continue to do our work in
Pierce County. Chapter membership includes: Towhee newsletter sub- City______________________________ Zip__________________
scription, free family events, birding trip invitations, class & book dis- Phone: home ___________________business _________________
counts, conservation activities, annual celebrations and more. Joint TAS/
e-mail: ________________________________________________
National Audubon membership includes: Chapter membership, National
membership, annual Audubon Magazine subscription, and support of
Member #: _______________________________ (office use only)
Important Bird Areas (IBA) and state and national conservation agendas.

November 2008 www.tahomaaudubon.org Page 11


November 2008
Nov 6 Thu, 6:00 p.m. Green Drinks Tacoma
Nov 7 Fri 10:00 a.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work Party F
Nov 8 Sat Project FeederWatch begins for 2008-09 season
Nov 10 Mon 12:00 p.m. Bird Walk @ Adriana Hess F
Nov 11 Tue 4:00 p.m. Conservation Committee M
Nov 13 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Intermediate Science - Skin,
Skulls and Scales Tacoma Nature Center. Call 253-591-6439
to register. Homeschool students explore science through
hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning.
Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 8-10, $10, To
participate in this class, students should be able to add and
subtract numbers.
Nov 13 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Intermediate Science - Skin,
Skulls and Scales Thu 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Nov 13 Thu 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. A monthly meeting of the
Tahoma Audubon Board. Adriana Hess Audubon Center.
Guests welcome, please call ahead at 253-565-9278.
Nov 14 Fri 10:00 a.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work Party V
Nov 14 Fri 7:00 p.m. Membership Meeting
Nov 15 Sat 9:00 a.m. Project Wild Educator Workshop at
TNC
Nov 15 Sat 10:00 a.m. Discovery Walk - Foothills Trail F
Nov 16 Sun 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.. Nature Walk at Point
Defiance Park in Tacoma. Join author Rob McNair-Huff for
a 5-mile walk through the forests. The trip starts at the back
of the parking lot for the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
Come prepared for a healthy walk through the park in
changeable weather conditions. Winter bird highlights can
include waterfowl, Bald Eagles and forest birds. For more
information, e-mail rob@whiterabbits.com. F
Nov 17 Mon Noon-1 p.m. Plant Walk @ Adriana Hess F
Nov 18 Tue 1:30 p.m. Nature Alphabet - X is for Experts
Nov 18 Tue 3:30 p.m. Snake Lake Science Club
Nov 18 Tue 5:00 p.m. Morse Force Meeting
Nov 19 Wed 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Budding Scientists -
Extremities. Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Call 591-6439 to
register. Homeschool students explore science through
hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning.
Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 5-7, $8 per
child, 10:30 a.m. - noon or 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Young
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.
Nov 19 Wed 3:15 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. Budding Scientists -
Extremities
Nov 20 Thu 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.. Advanced Science -
Anatomy. Tacoma Nature Center. Call 253-591-6439 to
register. Homeschool students explore science through
hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning.
Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 12-15, $12.
Older homeschool students will continue their science studies
For additional information:Tahoma Audubon - 253-565-9278; or www.tahomaaudubon.org Or The Tacoma Nature Center:253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org
Towhee The
Audubon Society YO2
2917 Morrison Road West
University Place, WA 98466
Address Service Requested
Calendar
with challenging and engaging experiments and activities. To
participate in this class, students should be able to calculate
averages, percentages and solve simple equations.
Nov 20, Thu 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Education Committee
Meeting. Adriana Hess Conference Room.
Nov 21 Fri 10:00 a.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work Party V
Nov 21 Fri 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Advanced Lab - Anatomy.
Tacoma Nature Center. Call 253-591-6439 to register.
Homeschool students explore science through hands-on
experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning. Register
early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 12-15, $12, 1:00 p.m.-
4:00 p.m. An expanded science class for Advanced
Homeschool Science students which includes an integrated
laboratory session as an extension of the two hour classroom
session. Students get greater in-depth investigation of the
monthly topic, practice in problem-solving and research
skills and hands-on experimentation. Attendance in the class
session is required for participation in a lab session. Lab ses-
sions are not required for participation in class sessions.
Nov 28 Fri 10:00 a.m. TGIF Breakfast & Work Party V
december 2008
Dec 2 Tue 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nature Alphabet - Y is
for Yippy Coyotes
Dec 3 Wed 10:30 a.m. Budding Scientists - The 5+ Senses
Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Center. Call 591-6439 to
register. Homeschool students explore science through
hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning.
Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 5-7, $8 per
child, 10:30 a.m. - noon or 3:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Young home-
schoolers and other children begin science and nature explo-
ration 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.
Dec 3 Wed 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Budding Scientists - The 5+
Senses
November Program`
Presentation - FREE
Topic: Dragonflies ~ birdwatchers’ insects
Presenter: Dennis Paulson, former professor at
University of Puget Sound, master birder & Seattle
Audubon leader
Date: Friday ~ Nov.14, 2008
Time: 7:15 pm ~ refreshments; 7:30 ~ announce-
ments soon followed by the program
Location: Tacoma Nature Center 1919 S. Tyler St,
Tacoma, WA 98405
Dragonflies are birdwatchers’ insects. Colorful and
active day-fliers, they mate and lay eggs and hunt
for smaller insects in and near wetlands and are
important talismans for wetland conservation.
Dennis Paulson has studied them for over 40
years, and he will tell us in a profusely illustrated
lecture about their ecology, their behavior, and
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Tacoma, WA
Permit No. 177
F
V
Field Trip Page
Volunteer page
M Environment Matters Page
A Related article in Towhee
E Education Page
Dec 4 Thu 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Beginning Science - The Inside
Story Location: Tacoma Nature Center. Call 591-6439 to
register. Homeschool students explore science through
hands-on experiments, activities and inquiry-based learning.
Register early, these classes fill quickly! Ages 8-10, $10 To
participate in this class, students should be able to add and
subtract numbers.
Dec 4 Thu 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Beginning Science - The
Inside Story
Dec 4 Thu 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Green Drinks Tacoma
Location: varies Tacoma Green Drinks is hosted by Tahoma
Audubon in December! Monthly social gathering meetings
on the first Thursday of each month at various locations in
Tacoma, starting at 6:00 p.m.. Join others with an interest in
the environment, conservation and sustainability for our
monthly social gathering! If you’d like to receive future
announcements about Tacoma Green Drinks gatherings,
consider taking advantage of our new list, hosted by One/
NW. This is an announcements-only list for occasional
reminders about our monthly gatherings. To subscribe, con-
tact Karin at earthoutreach@yahoo.com. Monthly announce-
ments also appear at www.greendrinks.org.
Dec 5 Thu TGIF Breakfast & Work Party 10:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m. Location: Adriana Hess Wetland Park Habitat restora-
tion (planting, invasive species removal, pruning) V
Calendar continued inside on page 11.
their diversity. Coming Spring 2009, Dennis will be
publishing his field guide to western dragonflies
and damselflies. Come learn about this and his
recent work on an eastern field guide.
If you have recommendations or would like to be
considered for a presentation, please contact
Katrina at katweihs@earthlink.net or 253-304-
6422. Also, due to increased responsibilities at
work, she’s seeking someone to consider the posi-
tion of Program Chair by January.
Upcoming:
November 18 (Tues) – 7 PM at the Downtown
Branch of the Tacoma Public Library ~ a presenta-
tion by Paul Bannick, author of The Owl and the
Woodpecker. This event is co-sponsored by
Tahoma Audubon, The Tacoma Public Library and
The Mountaineers.
November 2008
In this issue:
25 years ago page 8
Announcements page 9
BirdSongs page 8
Board Member Reflections page 6
Bryan Flint column page 2
Education page 4
Environment matters page 3
Field trips page 5
New members page 10
Paul Webster page 1
Volunteer recognition page 10