Rainier Audubon Society October 2008

October 20, Monday, at 7:00 PM

Rainier Audubon Presents

Bats and Birds with Curt Black

Unless you are in a steel-and-glass downtown office tower, chances are youʼre within
50 feet of a bat. If that bothers you — even a little — you should join us for this
monthʼs program, Bats and Birds with Curt Black. Both kids and adults will share a
fun flight through stunning video and audio that will challenge your preconceptions about bats. We will look at
how bats and birds have solved the same challenges in very different ways — or occasionally almost identically.
Do you bird by ear? Weʼll see if you can tell a bat from a bird. Weʼll look at the effects of wind turbines on
bats and identify habitat-enhancement steps you can take, including the
proper construction and installation of bat houses – modified so they really
work in Washington state. Weʼll finish by considering the conservation needs
of both bats and birds.

Curt Black is an environmental scientist with the EPA, where he works on

hazardous waste sites. In his free time, he talks and walks all things bat.
He is a technical advisor to Bats Northwest and helps with their annual
Bat Ambassador trainings. He has also worked with the Washington Bat
Working Group and the Northwest Bat Cooperative and the Bat Grid
Project. He has a BS in Geology and a BS in Zoology and a Masters in
Hydrogeology, all from the University of Texas. Most of all, he likes focusing
peopleʼs attention on the things around us that are usually invisible or
underappreciated.

Please join Rainier Audubon as we welcome Curt and participate in what

promises to be a spectacular and informative program. Refreshments and conversation available before,
during, and following the program.

Federal Way United Methodist Church

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

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

Check us out on the web: www.RainierAudubon.org

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

RAINIER AUDUBON OFFICERS

President ................................................. OPEN

Vice President ........................................ Steve Feldman .................. (360) 802-5211
Treasurer ................................................ Jim Tooley ........................ (253) 854-3070
Program Chair ....................................... Dale Meland ..................... (253) 946-1637
Field Trip Chair ..................................... Carol Schulz ..................... (206) 824-7618
Backyard Habitat Program Chair .......... Carol Stoner ...................... (253) 854-3207
Conservation Chair ................................ Dan Streiffert ................... (253) 852-8394
Christmas Bird Count Coordinator ....... Nancy Streiffert ................ (253) 852-8394
Education Chair .................................... Annette Tabor .................. (253) 927-3208
Membership Chair ................................ Pat Toth ........................... (206) 767-4944
Newsletter Editor .................................. Nancy Hertzel .................. (253) 255-1808
Mailing Crew ....................................... Debra Russell ................... (425) 271-0682
Board Member...................................... Tricia MacLaren ................ (360) 802-0304
Board Member...................................... Erin Wojewodzki-Prinsen ... (425) 432-9965
Board Member.................................. Max Prinsen ....................... (425) 432-9965

CONTACT US

Rainier Audubon Society

PO Box 778
Auburn WA 98071
(253) 852-8394

www.RainierAudubon.org

OCTOBER 2008 - PAGE 2


INTRODUCTION TO
BIRDING CLASS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
This fall, Rainier Audubon will be
offering an Introduction to Birding
class. This enjoyable class will consist
of one lecture, and two fun and
educational field trips.
Class will be held at
the Federal Way United
Methodist Church
(see address and
directions on page 1)
on Tuesday evening,
October 28, from 6:30
PM - 9:30 PM. Field
trips will be Saturday,
November 1, and
Saturday, November
8, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Your teachers
will be Master Birder Carol Schulz and
Assistant Instructor Debra Russell.
We will use the National Geographic
Field Guide to Birds of North America
(3rd, 4th, or 5th edition) as the class
text. Please bring this guide to class.
Cost will be $25 for Rainier members
and $40 for non-members. For more
information or to reserve a spot in the
class, please call or email Carol Schulz
at (206) 824-7618 or linusq@att.net.
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IS
DECEMBER 28
The Christmas bird count (CBC) is
coming up! The time from now until
Sunday, December 28, will fly as fast
as the birds heading south! Previous
participants and new people are
welcome to join experienced leaders
as we explore our
assigned area -
centered on the
east hill of Kent and
extending north
to Renton, east to
Maple Valley, west to
the Sound and south
to Pierce County.
We start at dawn and finish at dusk
— some diehards come earlier and
stay later to look and listen for owls.
Afterwards, at Federal Way United
Methodist Church, we warm up at a
potluck dinner, share stories of our
day, and tally the numbers of each
species seen. This data goes to the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, where it
adds to the previous years of research
by citizen scientists like us all over
the country to show trends in bird
populations and dynamics.
Please call Nancy Streiffert at (253)
796-2203 or email her at
nancy_streiffert@hotmail.com
for information or
to sign up.
OCTOBER 2008 - PAGE 3
 Field Trips by Carol Schulz
West Seattle in the Fall
Sunday, October 12
8:00 AM to About 1:00 PM
Leader: Kathy Andrich
Visit the West Seattle shoreline in the fall when the
seabirds return to Puget Sound. We will be look-
ing for seaducks, shorebirds, grebes, Brant geese,
mixed flocks of small birds, and resident Bald
Eagles.
BRING: Gear and clothing for changeable October
weather. Bring a scope if you have one. Bring
coffee money, as we will stop at the Alki Bakery
for coffee and a snack.
MEET: At the Kent-Des Moines Park & Ride at
8:00 AM to carpool.
DIRECTIONS: Take 1-5 to exit 149, go east
(toward Kent) on Kent-Des Moines Rd 1/2 block,
then take a left onto Military Rd. The P & R is on
the left.
SIGN-UP: Contact Kathy Andrich at (206) 390-
3159 or at chukarbird@yahoo.com.
OCTOBER 2008 - PAGE 4
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wednesdays 7:30 AM to Noon
Leader: Phil Kelley
Big changes are happening at Nisqually NWR!
Join Phil on his weekly bird walk as he counts the
birds at Nisqually NWR. On the first Wednesday
of the month, the group walks fairly quickly on a
longer hike; other weeks, the trip is shorter, out to
the Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook area, and
the riparian area, totaling about 3 miles.
BRING: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,
water, snacks, and $3 entry fee unless you have a
pass. Scopes are welcome.
MEET: At the Visitorʼs Center.
DIRECTIONS: Take I-5 south from Tacoma and
exit to Nisqually NWR at exit 114. Take a right at
the light.
SIGN-UP: Call or email Phil to confirm details
(especially during the trail construction period):
(360) 459-1499, scrubjay323@aol.com.
[Construction on a 3-4 year estuary reconstruction
project has begun on some of the trails. The trail
to McAllister Creek will be closed temporarily.
For more information about trail closures, go to
http://www.fws.gov/nisqually/ and click on Events
and News.]
 Field Trips, cont.
Port Orchard & Southworth Ferry
Saturday, October 18
8:00 AM to Late Afternoon
Leader: Jeff Cohen
Assistant Leader: Carol Schulz
Take a very interesting birding trip with Jeff
Cohen in the Purdy and Port Orchard areas!
Carol and the group will drive over the Tacoma
Narrows Bridge to meet Jeff Cohen in Gig
Harbor. After birding those areas with Jeff, we
will return to Seattle and then back home via
the Southworth Ferry and I-5. We will visit
freshwater and saltwater lakes, parks, and
beaches, and
we will also
check a couple
of places for
Mountain
Quail. On
the ferry ride
home with
Carol, we will
be looking
for seabirds
on Puget Sound. The mid-afternoon Southworth
ferry will be sailing from near Pt. Orchard,
stop briefly at Vashon Island, and continue to
Fauntleroy in Seattle.
BRING: Lunch, snacks, warm and waterproof
clothing, and hot drinks. Bring money to share
for the ferry ride which will be $11.15 per car.
Scopes are very welcome.
MEET: Meet Carol at the Kent / Des Moines
Park & Ride at 7:30 AM to carpool. Her cell
number that morning is (206) 953-7204.
[ALTERNATIVE MEETING SPOT: Jeff says
that people coming from the south can meet him
in Gig Harbor. Talk to Jeff for details.]
(Continued, next column)
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 bird will be a fresh
plumaged juvenile. We also should see good
numbers of other raptors. This trip is limited to
seven people and two vehicles, so sign up early to
secure a spot.
BRING: Scopes, binoculars, lunch, and snacks.
Be prepared for a long drive and a long day,
returning to Tacoma in late afternoon.
MEET: At the McDonaldʼs Restaurant at the
Hwy. 512 Park & Ride 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 Park & Ride. Meet
near McDonalds.
SIGN-UP: Call or email Roger Orness,
(253) 922-7516, or at r.orness@comcast.net
Port Orchard Field Trip, cont.
Directions: Take I-5 to exit 149, go east (toward
Kent) on Kent-Des Moines Rd. 1/2 block, turn
left onto Military Rd. Park & Ride is on the left.
SIGN-UP: Email or call Jeff Cohen, at
(206) 354-5542, or kokobean2@hotmail.com.
OCTOBER 2008 - PAGE 5
 Rainier Scholarship Goes to Charlie Wright!
By Carol Schulz

In gratitude for all the work Charlie Wright has done for Rainier and for the birding
community, in September, the Rainier Board awarded him a $1,000 scholarship.

Now 19, Charlie became interested in birds at the age of six. Soon his dad became
interested, too. As Charlie’s skills and involvement in the local birding community
progressed, his family supported him
wholeheartedly. He and his younger brother
Nick were home-schooled for many years, so
he was able to go birding during the week with
his family and with various Audubon members.
He learned quickly and soon found himself the
teacher to older, more experienced birders. He
is now one of the top birders in the state. His
“yard list” at home in Bonney Lake stands at
150, one of the top yard lists in the state.

Charlie has volunteered his time and skills

for Rainier Audubon for the past eight years.
He started birding with us at age 11 and was
officially leading field trips by age 12! Also
at 12, he took over writing the Seen & Heard
column in the Heron Herald, a position that
requires a strong base of knowledge about birds
in our area. Charlie proved to be a great writer
and for the next eight years, Rainier counted its
blessings.

Charlie began helping on a birding route

during our Christmas Bird Counts when he was
11, has continued every year, and for the last several CBCs, has also served as species
compiler. He has participated in the monthly Green River Natural Resource Area bird
censuses in Kent for many years. He has had opportunities to do some birding in several
other states, has gone to Mexico four times, and also birded in Hawaii and Peru. This
summer, he did breeding bird surveys in New Hampshire in the White Mountains.

Charlie has made a number of notable contributions to birding, and discovered several
first state record bird species. Two were in Washington State: a Black-tailed Gull, and a
Baikal Teal. People came from all over the U.S. to view those birds.

Now in his sophomore year at a local community college, Charlie hopes to get an AA in
Biology or Science. He is very interested in doing tropical bird study in the future. Because
he is in college, he has had to step down from writing the Seen & Heard column, but he will
continue to help us do our Christmas Bird Counts. Rainier Audubon owes a lot to Charlie
Wright, his father Gordon, and his mother Katy who supported him as he developed his
birding knowledge and skills.

OCTOBER 2008 - PAGE 6

 A New Shorebird Spot Close to Home
Last year, Carol Schulz found interesting birds at the pond in front of Toysmith in the Kent Valley.
This year, Kathy Andrich has found Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers, Semipalmated
Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and Wilson’s Snipe, as well as Least and Western sandpipers at a
new pond at a construction site just south of Toysmith. If you don’t have the time or don’t want to
buy the gas to go to the coast, take a look at this pond south of Toysmith.

DIRECTIONS:
From Renton, take 167 southbound and exit at 277th. Turn left
at the end of the ramp and cross over the freeway. The Toysmith
building is on your right. Turn right at the light and follow
Frontage Road past the Toysmith building. The construction
pond is on the left.

From Auburn/Federal Way, take 167 northbound and exit at

277th. Turn right at the end of the ramp. The Toysmith building
is on your right. Turn right at the light and follow Frontage
Road past the Toysmith building. The construction pond is on
the left.

Upcoming Rainier Programs

Programs are held the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM
Federal Way United Methodist Church

November 2008
All About Optics
Jim Danzenbaker and Jim Ullrich

December 2008
Getting Started with Gull Identification: How to Find the Gull of Your Dreams
Mike Donahue

January 2009
Nature and Bird Photography
Paul Bannick

February 2009
Washingtonʼs Not-So-Common Loon
Ginger Gumm and Daniel Poleshook, Jr

April 2009
Townsendʼs Shearwater of Isla Sorroca, Mexico
Peter Hodum

OCTOBER 2008 - PAGE 7

 Rainier Audubon Membership Subscription Form
One-year Membership in Rainier Audubon — $15
To join, mail this application with your payment to:

Rainier Audubon Society - Membership

PO Box 778
Auburn, WA 98071

Name _______________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________________

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