The little
Big T w i tc h Birdathon
By Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Above: Indigo Bunting. Right: Magnificent Frigatebird spooking the locals at Port Aransas Photos/Diane Yorgason-Quinn
welcome
to New and Returning Members
April 16, 2009 to May 15, 2009
Chapter New and Renewing: The Pierce County Chapter of The National Audubon Society
Dennis & Joyce Anderson, Ken & Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park
2917 Morrison Rd W University Place, WA 98466
Judy Austin, Edith M Brewer, Office hours 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Front desk 253-565-9278
Barbara Crowell, Jack and Evelyn
Gallagher, Linda Guerrero, Mr
& Mrs John Herzog, Alvin Tahoma Audubon Staff
Kageler, Georgene Kunz, Flint, Bryan Executive Director
Faulene Main, Kay Olson, Webb, Allen & Carol Smith, Karen bryanflint@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
Carolyn Orwiler, Shelley Parker, Webb.
Richard Perdue, Gail Rinehart, Ron Introductory, Recruited Kyer, Krystal Conservation Coordinator
& Helen Robinson, Selinda through National Audubon: kkyer@tahomaaudubon.org 253-232-9978
Sheridan, Brian Sullivan & Anna Carla Ball, Richard Brown, Ellen
Leon-Guerrero. Beall, Douglas V Beck, Micki Swaim, Stephanie Education Coordinator
Chapter Joint with National Boyle, Jenny Call, Jerry Carlisle, StephSwaim@tahomaaudubon.org 253-327-9480
Joining here at Tahoma Audubon: Jeff Chamberlin, Cena Codega, Kessinger, Cami Development Coordinator
Jerry Broadus, Ronald & Trusilla Susan Colvin, Johanna Cotter, Anne
ckesinger@tahomaaudubon.org 253-565-9129
Bussinger, Kathy Chappell, Dodge, Lisa Field, Cathy Florenzen,
Gretchen Engle, Richard Moe, Kris Kathleen Harris, Doris Hartman, Taylor, Graham Volunteer 253-565-1884
Quinn, Isabel Ragland, Louiza Judy Hopkins, Shilo Howland, Kerrigan, Julie Coordinator 253-223-0039
Rettko, Jim & Lari Ryan, Jan Burney Huff, Gary L Hughes, gtaylor@tahomaaudubon.org jkerrigan@tahomaaudubon.org
Stirling, Gail & Michael Venuto, Robert Isaacson, Peggy Johnson,
Tahoma Audubon Board Officers
Laurissa Wallace, Lewis Wallon, Babbette Kunkle, Thomas E
Eunice Werner, Dennis & Joy MacDonald, J E Nelson, Richards- John Garner President
White. Gappa Family, Paul Roberts, Ursula Marjorie Shea Vice President
Introductory, Recruited Scott, Fred H Smith, Mary E Smith,
Jane Brosius Secretary
through Tahoma Audubon: Mike Smitten, Lavon Warfield, June
Albert & Linda Bird, Ann Mabry, L Warwick, Ted Werner, Janet Kathleen Nelson Treasurer
Laurie Martinez, Valerie Nosky- Willis. Tahoma Audubon Board Members 2009
Thelma Gilmur Ione Clagett
The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society. Dick Carkner
Melissa Paulson
The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the protection
Marcus Roening
Bill Smith
of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that enrich its mem-
ber’s experiences in and with the natural world. Peggy L. Kopf Tanja Scott
The Towhee is published monthly, ten times a year, with a combined Jul/Aug and Dec/Jan Darby Veeck Charles Griffin
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.
Loren Webster
Copy is due by the 15th of the month and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed.
Work party at
volunteers like these who help make Adriana
Hess a vibrant place for life to blossom.
From
Purdy Paradise highlights of
to
our 2009 trip -By Bruce LaBar
... little
Big twitch discussion, Alan and a local expert who was on hand this bird in Central America, but
from page 1
weighed in that this was a King Rail rather than the never in North America so this one
previous record for the most species seen on also-expected Clapper Rail. Much joy was heard in merited double Birdathon money!!
Earth in one year with 4341 species in 2008 (pre- Birdathon Land, as this was a life bird for Faye (me Back at ABA headquarters in Corpus,
vious world record was 3662 in 1989). Imagine too!), so because of her own arcane Birdathon rules, Birdathon numbers were totted up and I
the Willettes’ glee to find that Alan and Ruth she got to charge her subscribers triple for seeing this am now dealing with a big bill to pay to 5
were our guides on our Port Aransas field trip on bird! This amazing Rail was still circumnavigating Tahoma Audubon! Turns out we had
Apr. 30! A good omen for a Birdathon if ever its pond when we reluctantly were dragged away. some even bigger birding days while in
there was one. These two are the best spotters Not reluctant for long! While lunching at Pier A, Texas with huge trip totals, but certainly
in the world! we proved to be magnets for Laughing Gulls who none so memorable as that day in the Port
As our bus headed north from Corpus Christi closely watched us eat our lunches, and a Sanderling Aransas area. Total 102 species for the
that morning, we drove into gale-force winds. was actually learning to beg for food! It would have day, with two lifers at triple price and one
We knew it wasn’t hurricane season, but did been as ominous as “The Birds” if the gulls weren’t ABA-area bird at double price; an accoun- 9
Mother Nature know that? It was difficult to all laughing as they made their forays! And yes, all tant’s nightmare!
identify anything at Indian Point Park through were rewarded! Purple Martins, Cave Swallows, So next year, plan your Birdathon like
binoculars and impossible to use scopes, but and Chimney Swifts were patrolling the ether now Faye does: Take the best spotters you
Terns, Avocets, and Willets (!) were easily enjoyed that the winds had abated. know, go to a very birdy place (such as
in spite of the nasty conditions. The famed Paradise Pond near Corpus Christi was Pierce County), charge a premium to
Luckily, our next stop at the LeonaBelle Turnbull doing its best to capture neotropic migrants as they your subscribers for life birds or out-
Birding Center was more sheltered and the board- arrived from the south, including Blackpoll, Parula, of-area birds and make those birders
walk there provided maximum 360-degree birding! Yellowthroats, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow, work for it by pledging per bird
Not only were there ducks (Shovelers, Blue-Winged Tennessee, Nashville, and Black and White Warblers, rather than a block amount. It does
Teal, Ruddy and Mottled Ducks) in the water, but not to mention Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. add spice to the birding day! I’m
Avocets showed off their swimming skills, Roseate Citrus fruits stuck onto the trees lining the edge of already looking forward to (or
Spoonbills lazily drifted overhead and just about the drought-dry big pond were literally dripping with dreading) next year.
every species of heron and egret struck poses on all Orioles! As many as a dozen (Orchard, Baltimore,
sides, not noticing or caring about the hominids and even a Bullock’s) Orioles could be seen at once, 1) Ten Willettes in matching Avocet
whom they knew were confined to the boardwalk. and intermixed with them were Painted and Indigo shirts with ABA Port Aransas trip lead-
Just as we were marveling at the usually hard-to- Buntings and a Summer Tanager. Quite the laser ers. Faye is pictured right under the 6
spot Sora that was perched on top of a large turtle at light show when the sun came out suddenly! “P.” “Big Twitch” trip leaders are Alan
Davies (left rear) and Ruth Miller (right
water’s edge, the end of the world was signaled! Then a new bird secretively made its way to one front, kneeling). (Photo/Tyler Bell)
Every bird that could fly or scream did so at once! of the water features and birding senses were pricked 2) Faye McAdams Hands at Leona-
Even the humans’ usually suppressed fight-or-flight as the brownish newcomer tried to stay anonymous Belle Turnbull Birding Center, TX: “It’s 8
instincts were momentarily sparked before we real- and in the background. He didn’t know who he was my Birdathon, and I’ll do it my way!”
ized it was all caused by one giant bird swooping
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
dealing with, though, as dozens of birder eyes fig- 3) King Rail, another lifer for Faye,
down like a primordial pterosaur: The Magnificent ured out this was a Gray-Cheeked Thrush!! He sneaks up on a Shoveler and a Dow-
Frigatebird! With its 7-foot wingspan and unmis- stuck around long enough to allow definitive identi- itcher! (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
takable threatening shape, it called all the shots until fication by everyone present; a life bird for all ten of 4) Alligator: Not something we have to
contend with in local birdathons. (Pho-
it stole its booty and swept out again after five min- us and triple money to Birdathon again! to/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
utes, allowing life to gradually return to normal in On the bus drive back, our relaxation was short- 5) The swimming shorebirds, Avocets, at
the wetland. lived as a soaring bird over the right side of the bus Port Aransas (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
An interesting bird was seen strutting in shallow caught the eyes of those sitting on that side – an 6) Roseate Spoonbills patrol the skies.
water along the reedy periphery and, after much unmistakable Swallow-Tailed Kite! Faye had seen
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
7) Forster’s Tern fishing at Port Aransas
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
8) Blackpoll Warbler helping our warbler
11 10 count at Paradise Pond. (Photo/Diane
Yorgason-Quinn)
9) GrayCheek: A Ka-Ching Bird! Lifer for
all TEN of us!!! Triple money to Birdathon!
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
10) The Birds!!! Willettes Rhio Reigh, Faye
Hands, Melissa Sherwood, and Wendy Peter-
son being attacked by Laughing Gulls in Texas
(Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
11) Rhio Reigh, Dorothy Husband, Louise Foun-
tain, and Diane Kerlin at Paradise Pond, TX (Photo/
Diane Yorgason-Quinn)
- And finally, needing no number to announce its
presence, a Tricolored Heron getting too close for
OUR comfort. (Photo/Diane Yorgason-Quinn) 7
the
quizzical 1. What songbird is a resident in Oregon but not in Washington?
wl
2. This small Owl lives up to its name in far northern forests of Canada.
ANSWERS: 1. Wrentit 2. Boreal Owl 3. Bar-headed Goose 4. Loggerhead and Northern Shrikes 5. Crows
T
he Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshop is a vorship Program (MAPS) and the Canadian Mi-
“This was
3 day action-packed introductory course consist- gration Monitoring Network (CMMN). an absolute
wonderful ly
ing of presentations, specimen study, field mist- But most of all the workshop is designed to c o u rs e that ope
eyes to th ned my
netting, banding, and processing under the direction of be a fun and interesting experience and a way to e incredible
that bird b k n o wledge
Derek Matthews, Master Bander and Bander-in-charge take your interest in birds and the environment anders pos
s e s
already sp s . I have
at the Vancouver Avian Research Centre. to the next level. oken to so
m e of my
This workshop has been developed for people with lit- The cost is $315 ($300 + GST) per par- friends ab
out my ex
they are in p e ri ences, and
tle or no bird banding or bird in the hand experience and ticipant with a $25 reduction for students - terested in
participatin p o ssibly
provides a fantastic opportunity to see birds up close and $288.75 ($275 + GST). All course material is g in this f
selves. An or them-
personal, to learn about their plumages, molt sequences, provided. Space is limited, so please be sure to y suggesti
o ns for
and life habits. book early! marketing
this class
By participating in established banding programs, you Things to bring and things to wear! possibly c th at I could
ome up w
can contribute in a direct way to their conservation. Imag- • Warm clothing for the field sessions likely alread ith, you h
ave
y heard of
ine capturing a bird such as a • Rubber boots – this is a must most pow , b u t th e
erful advert
Swainson’s Thrush or Wil- as the Burnaby Lake banding site word of m isement is
outh. Than
son’s Warbler and knowing is located along the marsh edge much for k you so
that it traveled to Latin Amer- at Burnaby Lake and trails can y our patien
ducing me ce and intr
to such a o-
ica or Mexico and returned be underwater especially during w o n d e rf
new world ul
to the exact location where spring run off! . I’m tru
the experi ly gratefu
ence and I l for
you banded it the previous • Binoculars h o p
the chanc e I have
year. Holding and releasing • Camera e to see y
o u
for some at B urnaby
birds like this is a unique ex- • Water / snacks for field ses- banding we
ekends -
perience and one which lasts sions (Pizza is provided for the T hank you!
”
a lifetime. The experience Friday evening session)
gained and skills acquired from this course can be used For more information and to register, - Erin O’Con
nor – BCIT
Student
for a variety of avian research and conservation projects please go to http://www.birdvancouver.
including the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survi- com/registration.html
Bird photos by Derek Mathews. (For a beautiful slideshow of these and many other birds, please go to http://birdvancouver.com/gallery/index.html
The Everett Sewage Ponds has hosted approximately 200 species, which ceeding 10,000. The odor wafting about you is easily forgotten as hundreds
is more than 40% of the species recorded in Washington. The real emblem of Bonaparte’s Gulls swoop through the air after airborne insects.
of the Everett Sewage Ponds, however, is the Bonaparte’s Gull, named after From: http://birdfellow.com/The strange places birders visit Steve Mlodi-
Napoleon’s nephew. This small elegant gull can occur here in numbers ex- now | March 13, 2009
cub. Mom was nowhere in sight, but they didn’t for us or the birds, we still managed to spot or hear and super enthusiasm, and we are still gladly accept-
spend too much time investigating her where- over 20 species. ing Birdathon donations.
abouts! Thanks to everyone for their dedication to this There will be more updates and a final report in the
The Titlow Park trip lead by Rosanne Becker important event for Tahoma Audubon. We couldn’t July/August Towhee, so stay tuned!
and Joann Sims was a rainy, soggy and windy do it without our field trip leaders, master birders, Cami Kesinger
one! A few of us brave souls trudged through the Birdathon birders and our volunteers who make all Development Coordinator
damp park and, while it wasn’t the best weather the phone calls. Thank you again for your support ckesinger@tahomaaudubon.org or 253-565-9129
2009
August 1st and 2nd in historic Port Gamble
Y ou’ll experience eco-friendly, lifestyle-changing family fun in historic Port Gamble -- the green-
est town around during this two-day midsummer festival!
Membership Fee:
___ Introductory (first year) $20
___ Joint National/Tahoma Audubon $50
organization. Donations are tax deductible.
Membership
___
___
Chapter member renewal
Other Contributions _____________
$30
Tue June 9 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Fri June 19 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF Meeting. Location: Tacoma Nature Center,
Intermediate Birding. Adriana Hess Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland 1919 S. Tylor Street. Monthly membership
Audubon Center. Continuation. Park. meeting of Tahoma Audubon. All welcome.
See box above or check web site for updated
Wed June 10 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly Wed June 24 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly information - www.TahomaAudubon.org
Bird Walks at Nisqually. Bird Walks at Nisqually. and click on “Calendar”. Or give us a call at
(253) 565-9278.
Thu June 11 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. TAS Fri June 26 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF
Board Meeting. Adriana Hess Audubon Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Mon July 13 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Bird
Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park.
Audubon Board. Guests Welcome, please Sun June 28 @ 4:00PM. Family Walk at
call ahead at (253) 565-9278. Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Come for an Tue July 14 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
afternoon filled with nature. Childrens’ Conservation Committee.
Fri June 12 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF activites available. Lead by Tanja Scott.
Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park. Weds July 15 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Fri June 12 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Membership July 2009 Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Meeting at Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Fri July 17, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Tylor Street. Weds July 1 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Bird Walks at Nisqually. Park.
Sat June 13, 9:00 AM to 11 AM. Morse
Wildlife Preserve Bird Walk. Leader: Betty Fri July 3 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. TGIF Mon July 20, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 1:00
Jones. Call: 253-565-9278 for signup and Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland Park! PM. Plant Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland
directions. Park.
Weds July 8 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Sat June 13 Ohop Widlife Survey & field Bird Walks at Nisqually. Weds July 22 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
trip. Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Thu July 9 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. TAS Board
Sun June 14, 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Morse Meeting. Location: Adriana Hess Audubon Fri July 24, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Wildlife Preserve. Open Trails. Call: 253- Center. Monthly Meeting of the Tahoma TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
565-9278 for directions. No signup Audubon Board. Guests welcome. Please Park.
required. call ahead at (253) 565-9278.
Weds July 29 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly
Mon June 15 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Plant Fri July 10, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Bird Walks at Nisqually.
Walk at Adriana Hess Wetland Park. TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Park. Fri July 31, 2009 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Wed June 17 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Weekly TGIF Work Party at Adriana Hess Wetland
Bird Walks at Nisqually. Fri July 10 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Membership Park.
For additional information:Tahoma Audubon - 253-565-9278; or www.tahomaaudubon.org Or The Tacoma Nature Center:253-591-6439 or www.metroparkstacoma.org