Rainier Audubon Society April 2009

Monday, April 20, at 7:00 PM

Environmental Lobby Day
Bashing Through Bushes:
The Search for the Endangered Townsend’s Shearwater By Dan Streiffert
with Dr. Peter Hodum Conservation Chair

I attended Lobby Day (Feb. 17) for

One of the rare bird species of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, located off the coast
the first time this year.  It was a full
of Mexico, is Townsend’s Shearwater, a virtually unstudied seabird that is critically
day of speeches, meetings and lob-
endangered.  In 2007, Dr. Peter Hodum
bying, followed by a reception at the
was invited to collaborate with Mexican
Governor’s Mansion.  There were
conservation biologists to develop a research
over 500 participants, nearly twice
and conservation program for this elusive
the number from last year’s event.
species.  His presentation will provide an
overview of the ecology of the natural
The 2009 Environmental Priorities
systems of Isla Socorro, the last remaining
include: Cap and Invest, Efficiency
breeding island of the shearwater, and a
First, Transit-Oriented Communities,
discussion of the islands’ bird species, the
and Invest in Clean Water. Unfortu-
threats confronting them, and the efforts to
nately, the fate of most of these bills
conserve them.  In addition, Dr. Hodum will
Townsend’s Shearwater Fledgling is uncertain at this point.  A Senate
Photo by Dr. Peter Hodum provide an update of his group’s ongoing
committee gutted the heart of the
work in the Juan Fernández Islands, Chile.
cap-and-trade bill, making participa-
 
tion by businesses voluntary.  A bill
Dr. Peter Hodum is the Director of the Juan Fernández Islands Conservancy, a
for tougher efficiency standards for
small conservation organization dedicated to conducting applied conservation
buildings was amended to delay its
research and community conservation education programs in the Juan Fernández
implementation until 2031. And a
Islands.  In addition to his work in Chile, he also works on threatened seabirds
bill to add a climate change goal to
in México and on the ecology of islands and seabirds in Washington.  He is an
the Growth Management Act was
enthusiastic educator, currently working as a visiting assistant professor at the
weakened.
University of Puget Sound and regularly participating in community outreach
opportunities. 
I believe climate change remains
our most important challenge, and
Please join Rainier Audubon for another terrific program.  Refreshments are
that we must act now if we have
available before and during the program, while conversation is available always.
any hopes of slowing this process. 
I encourage you to contact your
state legislators and support these
Federal Way United Methodist Church
29645 - 51st Ave. So. 98001 (in unincorporated Auburn) environmental priorities.  These
solutions are good for the environ-
Directions ment, good for business, and make
In Federal Way, take 320th St. EAST past The Commons, crossing over I-5 and economic sense.  If you have ques-
Military Rd. At 321st St, turn left. Stay on 321st as it becomes 51st Ave. So. Follow tions, I would be happy to talk to
51st Ave. to 296th. Church will be on your left at 296th. you about these issues.
 President’s Message — by Nancy Streiffert

Spring is officially here!  As we turned our clocks forward and the afternoons

were suddenly longer, you may have had more opportunities to be outside,
enjoying the change of seasons.  The first native flowers - osoberry or Indian
plum, native red currant and salmonberry - brighten the woods and roadsides,
luring the Rufous Hummingbirds back from the tropics.  If you enjoyed
seeing Anna’s Hummingbirds during the winter, you may now be seeing
territorial disputes as the newcomers arrive to claim their spaces at your
feeders and flowers.  Try adding another feeder, out of sight of the first, and
of course, plant more native hummingbird flowers! 

Rainier Audubon welcomes Alexandra Gitman, our new administrative assistant.  Alex attended our
March board meeting and is quickly catching on to the basics, and also the more arcane topics discussed. 
Rainier will spread our commitment to the conservation and enjoyment of birds, animals, and the
environment through our involvement in community events with Alex’s and everyone else’s help! 

Join or volunteer to lead a field trip, help with a booth or a bird survey, enjoy our amazing array
of speakers at our monthly meetings and, above all, revel in the natural wonders of the northwest
outdoors! 

OFFICERS
President ----------Nancy Streiffert------------ ----(253) 796-2203
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 H abitat Chair ----------Carol Stoner*--------------- ----(253) 854-3207
M embership Chair ----------Pat Toth----------------------- ----(206) 767-4944
Conservation Chair ----------Dan Streiffert--------------- ----(253) 796-2203
M ailing Chair ----------Debra Russell---------------- ----(425) 271-0682
Hospitality ----------Jane Gardner ---------------- ----(253) 631-3105
Newsletter Editor ----------Nancy Hertzel-------------- ----(253) 255-1808
Education Chair ----------Annette Tabor*------------- ----(253) 927-3208
Christmas Bird Count Coordinator ----------Nancy Streiffert------------ ----(253) 796-2203
Board M ember ----------Max Prinsen*------------------ ----(425) 432-9965
Board M ember ----------Erin Wojewodski-Prinsen* ----(425) 432-9965

*Also serves as Board member

Rainier Audubon Society

PO Box 778
Auburn WA 98071
(253) 796-2203
website: www.RainierAudubon.org
email: info@RainierAudubon.org

APRIL 2009 - PAGE 2

 Birdathon 2009 It’s ACES for
Environmental Education
Our Annual Fundraiser
by Carol Stoner

This spring, Rainier joined a new

multi-partnership organization
— the Alliance of South County
Environmental Stewards (ACES).

Other members of ACES are

What is it? It’s “birding for dollars!” Count as many bird species in one day as you
Lake Wilderness Arboretum, the
can! Choose any day in May. Get friends to sponsor you, then go birding! Afterwards,
Covington Water District, the
send them a list of what birds you saw, and they will donate X amount for each
Cities of Covington and Maple
species you saw (i.e. 25 cents). Or they can just donate a flat fee. 100% of the
Valley, SHADOW, Cedar Grove
proceeds support Rainier Audubon activities in south King County.
Composting, Maple Valley B&B,
Artistic Garden Concepts, and
If you prefer, you can conduct your Birdathon birding on one of our field trips.
Tahoma FFA. The group’s purpose
Earn money for chapter activities while enjoying a great field trip led by an expert
is to coordinate their individual
birder. Or be lazy ­­— stay at home and bird at your feeder. Or be creative and come
resources to encourage protection,
up with your own Birdathon experience!
conservation, and restoration of our
natural environment.
Sponsors are happy to support your efforts, and many look forward to being asked
again the following year. They especially enjoy your list of bird species seen. We will
Throughout the coming year,
provide helpful hints, examples of solicitation and report letters,, prizes for birders,
ACES is offering a series of
thank-you gifts for sponsors, and one-on-one help as needed.
speakers who highlight sustainable,
environmentally appropriate
Why do it?
gardening. Willi Galloway of
Organic Gardening Magazine gave the
We need the money! The portion of your membership dues that our Rainier
first program in early March. Her
chapter receives does not even pay the total cost of preparing and sending out
topic was “Incredible Edibles” and
your newsletter. Birdathon is our largest fundraiser, and we depend on it to
drew a crowd of over 100 people
provide a stable funding base for our many activities. Funds raised go for services
to the Tahoma Jr. High School
and activities such as: our wonderful newsletter, postage and PO box, printing
Auditorium. Willi offered practical
materials, envelopes, programs (speaker fees), environmental education activities,
tips for including edible plants of all
conservation committee activities, etc, We wouldn’t want to have to cut back on
types in our landscapes. During the
any of our activities!
Q and A session, she talked about
how to deal with pests without
Our goal for Birdathon 2009 is $5,000, which is attainable but only if everyone
relying on toxic chemicals.
helps!
All presentations are FREE and you
Contact: Ross Tabor, Rainier Audubon Birdathon Chair
do not have to register to attend. Just
Phone: (253) 927-3208
show up! Programs begin at 7:00 PM
Email: rarailfan@aol.com
in the Tahoma Junior High School
Auditorium, 25600 SE Summit-
Thank you!
Landsburg Road, Ravendale.

www.SouthKingCountyACES.com

APRIL 2009 - PAGE 3

 Field Trips - By Carol Schulz
Lake Sammamish
Saturday, April 18
7:30 AM to Early Afternoon
Leader: Amy Schillinger
Join Amy on this always-popular field
trip to Lake Sammamish State Park and
surrounding areas during a beautiful time
of year. This park near Issaquah has
wetlands, trails, woods, and a nice creek
and beach. We will explore the area near
the mouth of Issaquah Creek and view
a large heronry with Great Blue Herons
at their nests. We hope to see and hear
singing spring birds.
BRING: Lunch or snacks and drinks.
Trails can be muddy. We may walk up to
one mile.
MEET: At 7:30 AM at the Newcastle
Park and Ride, exit 9, north of Renton on
I-405. Be careful to turn right (up the hill)
to enter the Park & Ride, and do not drive
down the ramp to the freeway.
SIGN-UP: Call or email Amy at (206) 992-
8699 or amyschillinger@comcast.net.
Barn Owl out in broad daylight, seen on Rainier field trip
exploring the Hylebos watershed in summer 2007
MARCH 2009 - PAGE 4
Hylebos Creek Explorations Birds at the Coast
Wetlands to Commencement Bay
Sunday, April 26
Saturday, May 2 6:30 AM to Early Evening
8:00 AM - Early Afternoon Leader: Guy McWethy
Leader: Adele Freeland Asst. Leader: Carol Schulz
Highlights will be Hylebos Wetlands Park, Meet Guy at Westport at 9:00 AM
Spring Valley, Fife Heights, and Hylebos (or carpool with Carol
Waterway in Tacoma. This is an excellent from Fife at 6:30 AM)
time to look for migrants and listen for
bird song. We hope to see songbirds,
The main target species for this trip will be
flycatchers, breeding water birds, and birds
migrating shorebirds. There will be a chance
of the woods.
for a large trip list of other birds, too. Areas
to visit will include Westport, Bottle Beach,
BRING: Lunch or snacks and drinks. We
Midway Beach, and Tokeland. If you have
may walk about two miles.
ever been birding with Guy, you know that he
really knows his birds and his trips are great.
MEET: 8:00 AM at South Federal Way
Park & Ride. We will be carpooling.
BRING: Plenty of food including lunch,
snacks, and beverages. It will be a long day.
DIRECTIONS: Take I-5 to the exit to
Bring gear and clothing for changeable
Hwy. 18. Turn west. Hwy. 18 becomes So.
weather. Bring rubber boots if you have
348th. The Park & Ride is at 901 So. 348th
them, for walking the beach at Bottle
(three lights west of I-5 on 348th).
Beach State Park. Bring a scope if you
have one.
SIGN-UP: Contact Adele by email at
Maamfree@comcast.net or by phone at
MEET: Guy will already be at the coast.
(253) 874-2874.
Meet him at 9:00 AM on Sunday in
Westport at the Observation Deck on
Neddie Rose Dr. It will take approximately
2 - 1/2 hours to get there from south King
County, with minimal stops on your route;
plan to leave early!
ALTERNATIVE: Or meet Carol at the
Fife McDonalds at 6:30 AM to carpool.
Call or email Carol at (206) 827-7618 or
linusq@att.net for details.
SIGN-UP: Call or email Guy at (425)
255-9478 (eve.), or (253) 924-2460 (days),
or lguy_mcw@yahoo.com. Email is
preferred. Contact before Friday, April 24.
Sign up early. Trip is limited to 8 people.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy. 105 from
Aberdeen. Near Westport, turn right
onto Montesano St. and go 3.6 miles
to Westport. The road swings right and
becomes Dock Ave. At the stop sign in
0.1 mile, take Westhaven Dr. (the main
street along the docks) left to the rock
breakwater, then right onto Neddie Rose
Dr. Park at the end of the road and walk
up onto the observation platform.
 Field Trips (continued) - By Carol Schulz
Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Weekly Bird Walks
Festival at Nisqually
Bird Walk in the Park and Along the
Duwamish River Wednesdays
8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Saturday, May 9 Leader: Phil Kelley
9:45 AM to 10:45 AM
This may be the LAST CHANCE to
A fun, local festival! (See SPRING walk the outer trail!!
HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN, page
6.) A bird walk in the park and along the Join Phil on his weekly bird walk as he
Duwamish River will be offered, led by counts the birds at Nisqually NWR. The
Rainier’s Master Birder Carol Schulz. outer 5.5 mile loop trail should remain
open until at least mid-April, so the
Bird walk starts near Rainier’s booth at 9:45 group will walk it the first Wednesday
AM. More information and directions at of April. Early April may be our last
www.backyardwildlifefair.org. chance to walk the entire loop before it
CLOSES FOR GOOD!

On other weeks, the group may walk

out to McAllister Creek on the new
cross dike trail. Then we take the
boardwalk/trail out to the Twin Barns,
Rainier Calendar the Nisqually overlook area, and out past
Grays Harbor Shorebird
where the ring dike used to be, totaling
Saturday, April 18 Festival about 4 miles.
Field Trip to Lake Sammamish
Friday through Sunday Bring: Good walking shoes or boots,
Saturday, April 18 raingear, water, snacks, and $3 for entry
Work Party at Shadow Lake Bog April 24, 25, 26
fee unless you have a pass. Scopes are
welcome.
Monday, April 20 Many field trips, long and short, are offered
Program: Townsend’s Shearwater at this festival based in Hoquiam.
Meet: At the Visitors Center.
with Dr. Peter Hodum
Field Trips Directions: Take I-5 south from
Friday, April 24 Lectures Tacoma and exit to Nisqually NWR at
Saltwater State Park Fair Nature Fun Fair exit 114. Take a right at the light.
Keynote Speaker
Sunday, April 26 Sign-up: Call or email Phil to confirm
Field Trip: Birds at the Coast Banquet
details: (360) 459-1499, or
Shorebird Viewing
scrubjay323@aol.com.
Month of May Birding Marketplace
BIRDATHON Construction has begun on some of
More details at (800) 303-8498 or the trails, as part of a 3-4 year estuary
Saturday, May 2 www.shorebirdfestival.com reconstruction project. For more
Field Trip: Hylebos Exploration information about trail closures during
the reconstruction, go to www.fws.gov/
Saturday, May 9 nisqually and click on Events and News.
Tukwila Backyard Wildlife Festival

Saturday, June 20
Covington Water District
Water-wise Garden Fair

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 5

 Spring Happenings Around Town
Tukwila Backyard
Wildlife Festival
Saturday, May 9
9 AM to 3 PM
Tukwila Community Center
12424 42nd Ave. So.
(206) 768-2822
The Tukwila Backyard Wildlife
Festival is a free, all-day event
celebrating backyard wildlife - such
as birds and butterflies. The event
will host a variety of activities and
educational opportunities on how to
attract and support wildlife through
garden and landscape practices,
and creating and preserving wildlife
habitat in our region.
Guided Birding Walk - 9:45 AM
Come on the Guided Bird Walk along
the Duwamish River led by Carol
Schulz of Rainier Audubon
Earth Week Work Party
Saturday, April 18
10 AM to 2 PM
Shadow Lake Bog
Renton
In celebration of Earth Week,
SHADOW will be hosting a
work party. Please bring gloves.
Refreshments will be provided.
Tours of Shadow Lake Bog will be
available afterwards.
Please contact SHADOW at
(425) 432-4914 to sign-up or for
more information.
Earth Day Fair
Friday, April 24
10 AM to 2 PM
Saltwater State Park
Des Moines
(206) 870-4294
The King County Housing Authority
Americorps team and Federal Way
Public Schools Americorps team, in
conjunction with Washington State
Parks, are hosting an Earth Day Fair.
Be Water Wise is the theme.
The tentative schedule includes
beach and forest walks at 11 AM
and 12:45 PM, and entertainment
from 11:45 to 12:45. Activity and
information booths will be open the
entire time.

Native Plant Sales WaterWise Garden Faire

Arts and Crafts Marketplace
Garden Tour Saturday, June 20
1 PM to 4 PM
Covington Water District
18631 SE 300th Pl, Covington
Swift Welcome Back Night
Monroe — Frank Wagner Elementary School Come tour a botanical oasis filled
Saturday, April 18 with a wide variety of drought
tolerant plants, all identified. Enjoy
They’re coming back! The Monroe Vaux’s Swift population will be returning to a guided tour led by a WSU Master
the Frank Wagner Elementary chimney on their northward migration. Please Gardener. Printed plant guides will
come and join the Monroe Swift Watch Committee along with Pilchuck, Seattle be available, which identify hundreds
and East Lake Audubon Societies in welcoming our birds back. of species, both native and non-
native, that thrive in this area.
At 4:00 PM, we will be showing (FREE) the one-hour film, “On The Wing,”
detailing the life and behavior of Vaux’s Swifts at the Chapman Elementary Tours, speakers, demonstrations,
School in Portland, Oregon, the largest count in the world . . . and Monroe door prizes, and more! With over
isn’t far behind in numbers. After the movie, there will be a training session in 50% of residential summer water use
counting swifts for those who want to volunteer. being applied to landscapes, this fair
will give you practical ways to reduce
School address: 115 Dickinson Ave, Monroe, WA 98272, phone (360) 794-3015. your water usage and save money!

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 6

 BEFORE: Trees choked with ivy. AFTER: Ready for new spring growth!
The Anti-Ivy League
This is the second year RAS volunteers have been working to free Dash Point State Park from English ivy. This ambitious
project started in January last year, with the goal to rid the Park of ivy by 2013, when the Park will celebrate its 100-year
anniversary. The idea for this project started with just a wishful thought over lunch. Since then, 13 volunteers have put in 220
hours working to cut the ivy growing up the trees. Now almost everywhere you walk in the Park, you can see the results of
their work. See the before-and-after pictures above, on just one set of trees.

This year, we plan to work on removing ivy from the ground. This work is more time-consuming, but just as necessary to
keep the ivy from starting its rapid climb up the trees again. It will also eradicate the current “ivy deserts” where few native
plants can grow.

Volunteers go out most weekends and you can join for as much or little time as you would like. The only tools you need are
gloves, hand clippers, and knee pads. If you would like to join our newly named “Anti-Ivy League,” please contact Bernedine
Lund (philandbernedine2002@yahoo.com).

April Birding Festivals The Intensity of Birds

Olympic Peninsula Birdfest
April 3, 4, 5
www.olympicbirdfest.org
Wings Over Water
Northwest Birding Festival
April 18
www.blainechamber.com/wow
Brant Wildlife Festival (BC)
March 7 through April 25
www.brantfestival.bc.ca
Grays Harbor Shorebird
Festival
April 24, 25, 26
www.shorebirdfestival.com
Regard the chickadee’s little black coal of
an eye through which its minute being
scrutinizes you, the bufflehead bobbing up
buoyant as a cork from the icy depths of
a winter lake, the kingbird in the vocal and
gyrational flurries of its aerial evening dance,
the crowing cock, the hawk or falcon in
its lightning pursuit. For intensity of life, I should
rank birds second to none. It is not for nothing that their blood contains
almost double the proportion of sugar as that of mammals and their
temperature ranges to 110 degrees. Few other creatures seem so alive in
every fibre of their beings, so quick in response to the outer world, or in
response to inner prompting, so fully given to the action, whether in song,
in motion, or in display.
- Charlton Ogburn, The Adventure of Birds, 1975

APRIL 2009 - PAGE 7

 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Rainier Audubon Membership Subscription or Renewal Form

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

Rainier Audubon Society - Membership

PO Box 778
Auburn, WA 98071

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