Rainier Audubon Society March 2009

Monday, March 16, at 7:00 PM

Rainier Audubon Presents
Vaux’s Happening and the Monroe Vaux’s Swifts
with Larry Schwitters

Many of you have heard of the thousands of Vaux’s Swifts that arrive each
evening at the chimney of a certain Monroe elementary school during the
migration season. During last fall's migration, in addition to the Vaux’s Swifts,
hundreds of birders, also known as Swifties, gathered to watch the arrival of
the swifts. The Monroe chimney is thought to be the third largest swift roost in
North America. "Vaux's Happening" is an organization dedicated to promoting
the Vaux’s Swift and Larry Schwitters is one of its dedicated members.

Larry will be giving a Power Point presentation on the first year of VAUX's
HAPPENING, including how they attempted to locate all the Washington state
migratory communal roost sites for this species. Once the sites were located,
observers attempted both north-bound and south-bound censusing. The project
eventually included Oregon and California with the goal of a yearly border-
to-border seasonal population count. Vaux's Happening was important in
demonstrating the significance of the Monroe Wagner Elementary School site,
which Audubon is working on saving from the wrecking ball.

Larry is retired after 29 years in the trenches of public school science education. His work for the American Bird Conservancy in
locating the Pacific NW Black Swift waterfall roosting/nesting sites was eventually refocused on the more accessible chimney roosts
of the Vaux's Swifts. For more information, please visit the VAUX'S HAPPENING website at www.vauxhappening.org.

This will be a truly interesting and educational program. Please join Rainier Audubon with a warm welcome to Larry and the swifts.
Refreshments are available before and during the program, while conversation is available always.

Rainier Audubon programs are free and open to all.

Federal Way United Methodist Church
29645 - 51st Ave. So.
(in unincorporated 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 Ave. to 296th. Church will be on your left at 296th.
 President’s Message
By Nancy Streiffert

Hello, Rainier members! I volunteered to be President of Rainier Audubon at the January

Board meeting; the Board voted “yes” and now I am learning the responsibilities that others have
so ably fulfilled in the past.

Too bad being president does not automatically make one an expert birder! I grew up with
binoculars on the kitchen table and have always watched birds and animals as part of hiking,
biking, and gardening, but still consider myself to be an amateur. My current passion is native
plants and their reintroduction into as much of my own and others’ properties as I can manage!
The close links between the birds we love and the native plants that provide them with food
through berries, sap, nectar, etc. and indirectly through the insects that they attract, is all part of
the amazing natural web that we can help re-weave.

I look forward to working with the members and friends of Rainier to “conserve and
restore natural ecosystems, and to protect birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity
and biological diversity” – our mission – and to have fun doing it! Please step up and let the
board members and me know how you’d like to be involved.

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 Habitat Chair ----------Carol Stoner----------------- ----(253) 854-3207
Membership Chair ----------Pat Toth----------------------- ----(206) 767-4944
Conservation Chair ----------Dan Streiffert--------------- ----(253) 796-2203
Mailing Chair ----------Debra Russell---------------- ----(425) 271-0682
Hospitality ----------Jane Gardner
Newsletter Editor ----------Nancy Hertzel---------------- ----(253) 255-1808
Education Chair ----------Annette Tabor---------------- ----(253) 927-3208
Christmas Bird Count Coordinator ----------Nancy Streiffert------------ ----(253) 796-2203
Board Member ----------Max Prinsen------------------ ----(425) 432-9965
Board Member ----------Erin Wojewodski-Prinsen ----(425) 432-9965
Board Member ----------Tricia MacLaren------------- ----(360) 802-0304

Rainier Audubon Society

PO Box 778
Auburn WA 98071
(253) 796-2203
website: www.RainierAudubon.org
email: [email protected]

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 2

 Heron Herald to Continue in Printed Format!

Last fall, in an effort to pare expenses, the Rainier Board made the decision to
discontinue printing and mailing our newsletter, the award-winning Heron Herald,
and try going instead with a web-only version; the changeover was set to begin with
the January 2009 issue. But what happened?? Many people expressed sadness at the
prospect of having no printed newsletter to read, and many were uncomfortable using
only an online newsletter.

The Board revisited the issue, and heartened by recent number-crunching by Jim
Tooley, our Treasurer, voted to rescind the web-only option and keep printing and
mailing the Heron Herald! Thus, we are very pleased to inform our members that they will continue to
receive the newsletter in their mailboxes on the 1st of every month.

Pieces written by our members are always welcome. Do you have an idea for an article about birds, plants, or
the environment? Send your ideas, articles, and photos to us at [email protected].

Is Birding Good for Your Eyes?

Although for years I have had to use my eyes intensively

at short range from morning to night, they have continued to
do me good service and I have not fallen into the necessity of
encumbering my face with glasses. However, during the fall and
winter of 1944-45, when my way of life kept me more closely
confined than ever, it became increasingly apparent that they
were giving out on me. The letters on a printed page appeared
increasingly blurred, and sometimes I was no longer sure of
recognizing my friends across the street. Day after day I tested
my eyes on the printed page or on signs posted about the city and
marked their continuing deterioration.

It was in the second half of January that I began

[Photo by Dan Streiffert] adventuring abroad on Sundays to see how the great outside
world was coming along, and it was then I made my discovery.
After every excursion I found my eyes immediately repaired and for several days the letters of the printed page were
sharp to my vision, which tended to grow murky again only toward the end of the week. When I began to go out every
morning as well as Sundays, my vision returned to its full clarity and so remained. Glasses could not have improved it.
The deterioration in my vision (was arrested) after a few hours in the open peering at birds. I have since found that it
returns and my vision begins to be blurred when I have not gone abroad for a number of weeks, and that it is always
restored as completely by the same means.

- Louis J. Halle, Spring in Washington, 1947

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 3

 Field Trips - By Carol Schulz

Weekly Bird Walks Winter Owl Prowl at Soos Creek

at Nisqually Saturday Night, March 7, 2009
10:30 PM to 1:30 AM
Wednesdays Leaders: Joe and Liz Miles
8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Leader: Phil Kelley Join Friends of Soos Creek Park volunteers Joe
and Liz Miles for this late-night program and
Join Phil on his weekly bird walk walk exploring the world of owls! We’ll start
as he counts the birds at Nisqually indoors for the first hour, learning their calls, ID,
NWR. On the first Wednesday of and info about our local owl species, then venture
the month, the group takes a longer outdoors to prowl for owls.
hike on the full loop (at least for
awhile this spring, depending on Group size is limited to 15 and reservations
construction). The other weeks, the are required. Best for adults and children over 13 years. The owls program is
trip is shorter, totaling about four sponsored by Kent City Recreation Dept.
miles. On these weeks, the group
walks out to McAllister Creek via the MEET: Soos Creek Park Maintenance Shop. Soos Creek Park/Trail. 24810 -
new cross-dike trail, then walks the 148th Ave. SE in Kent
boardwalk/trail to the Twin Barns,
the Nisqually overlook area, and out DIRECTIONS: Take James St. east from Kent. To reach James St, exit 167 at
past where the ring dike used to be. Willis, turn east to Central and north to James. Go east on James as it becomes
SE 240th St. Travel about four miles, as 240th dips and turns downhill. Turn
Bring: Good walking shoes or right on 148th at the bottom of the hill. The Soos Creek maintenance yard will
boots, raingear, water, snacks, and $3 be down the road about 1/4 mile on the left at a barn and chainlink-fenced
for entry fee unless you have a pass. parking lot.
Scopes are welcome.
SIGN-UP: Call Kent Commons at (253) 856-5000. This trip FILLS EARLY.
Meet: At the Visitors Center. For further information, email or call Joe Miles at (253) 629-00123 or at joe.
[email protected]. Joe can answer your questions, but cannot arrange the sign-ups.
Directions: Take I-5 south from
Tacoma and exit to Nisqually NWR
at exit 114. Take a right at the light.
Field Trips, continued on page 5
Sign-up: Call or email Phil to
confirm details: (360) 459-1499, or
[email protected].
Rainier Audubon would like to take a moment to recognize
[Note: Big changes are happening an outstanding member, Leonard Peyton. Mr. Peyton is
well-known for his contributions to the birding community,
at Nisqually! Over the next 3-4 years,
including recordings of bird songs in Alaska for Cornell
while the estuary reconstruction
University, and extensive studies of Common Redpolls.
project is going on, check www.
fws.gov/nisqually and click on We inadvertently omitted Leonard Peyton’s name from
“Events and News.” During the our CBC recognition article in last months’ Heron Herald,
reconstruction, some trails may be and we sincerely apologize for that. Mr. Peyton submitted
closed temporarily.] a feeder watch list for our CBC. He and his wife lived in
Fairbanks for many years until he retired, and are now
residents of Des Moines. We are proud to count Mr. Peyton
as a member of Rainier.
MARCH 2009 - PAGE 4
 Field Trips, cont.
Des Moines and Tukwila Parks & Trails
Saturday, March 14, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Leader: Carol Schulz

Join us as we visit Grandview Park, the Black River heronry in Tukwila, and
the fishing pier, beach, and new trail in Des Moines. The herons should be
building their nests at the heronry in Tukwila, which is actually a Renton
City Park. The herons continued nesting there last year despite a Bald
Eagle nest nearby. The herons have become more aggressive toward the
eagles during the nesting season, and are building their nests farther back in
the forest. There may be over 50 nests being built when we visit, and the
leaves should not be hiding them since it will still be early in the season. In
Des Moines, we will look at the salt water birds, and walk up the new Des
Moines Creek Trail which has been extended up from Beach Park. At the
parks we will hear birds singing their spring songs (great for learning bird
song). We will be walking about one mile on paved and unpaved trails.

[Photo above: Great Blue Heron by Dan Streiffert]

Bring: Warm clothes, lunch, drinks, and snacks. Scopes are very welcome.

MEET: Des Moines P&R, 8:00 AM. Those who wish to leave early may bring their own cars.

Directions: Take I-5 to exit 149. Turn east about 1 block to Military Rd. Turn north (left) on Military. P&R
is on the left.

Sign-up: Call Carol at (206) 824-7618, or email [email protected]. Email is preferred.

Othello Sandhill Crane Festival

Friday through Sunday, March 20 - 22
Othello, WA
Reported by Carol Schulz

The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival is a wonderful birding festival

in eastern Washington. The FIELD TRIPS, lectures, and banquet
served at the high school are all famous now; and quite a few
participants and speakers come from out of state. The field trips
leave in school buses, vans, and cars from the high school.

Registration information and tour info is available at www.

othellosandhillcranefestival.org or by calling (866) 726-3445 toll-free after 4 pm.

The most popular trips and accommodations fill early, so register ASAP. For more information about the festival,
call or email Carol at (206) 827-7618 or [email protected]. Email is preferred.

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 5

 February in the Garden
By Linda Bartlett

Here it is, the early part of February, and although the days other in a tall alder tree.
are getting a bit longer, we’re still deep into winter. My yard,
near Covington, seems rather dull and I haven’t seen anything Large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds have been showing
out of the ordinary, bird-wise, for a long time. The snow up recently in the tall cottonwoods. I love their noisy, harsh
in December brought many Fox Sparrows and a Hermit calls. They will soon be taking up habitation in the cattails of
Thrush, but they disappeared when the snow melted. There the area.
are the usual juncos, Golden-crowned and Song sparrows,
Spotted Towhees and jays in and around the brush piles near Walking the path into the woods and down the hill to
the feeders. A Sharp-shinned Hawk cruises through now and the Soos Creek trail below will often start a tiny Winter
then and everything goes quiet for awhile. Wren chattering and scolding as we intrude in his territory.
Walking along the trail, we don’t see many birds these
The pair of suet logs usually have some chickadees, a days. Maybe they are there, but just not singing or moving
nuthatch, or a flicker working away on them. A handsome around much. It always seems like there should be more
pair of Hairy Woodpeckers have woodpeckers and sapsuckers in
been coming regularly this winter, the snags and alders along the
and once in a while the great trail. Aside from an occasional
Pileated Woodpecker will swoop Song Sparrow, you can walk for
in and take over the logs in its quite awhile and not hear or
audacious way, scattering all the see anything. Even the heron
other birds! rookery has not had much activity
lately. Where are the Brown
Bushtits seem more numerous Creepers that we see in the spring
than ever. They sometimes and summer? I thought they
work their way across the grassy were year-round birds…Oh the
meadow out front, flitting from wonders and mysteries of our
bush to bush around the house local birds!
and then land on the suet logs.
Bushtits by Dan Streiffert
Sometimes there are SO many This afternoon, I told my walking
of them crammed onto those friend I would be writing an
vertical logs that they make me think of aphids on a rose article about what’s going on in our yards and in the area, so
stem. What delightful little guys! It’s hard not to smile when we paid special attention as we walked the trail, for signs of
you watch a flock of Bushtits. birds. There were several robins, a jay and flicker calling in the
distance, but mostly it was fairly still. UNTIL a tiny Bewick’s
The little Anna’s Hummingbird was perched on top of the Wren began scolding and worked its way right up to within
high-bush cranberry early this morning when I went out two yards of us -- right out in the open along the side of the
to put shelled peanuts in the feeder next to the fir tree. I trail. He hopped along the ground poking that needle-sharp
am hoping to attract a flying squirrel some night since bill in, around, and under stems and vegetation foraging
my neighbor tells me we have them here. But mostly it is for insects. No binoculars necessary -- that distinct white
chickadees who fly in and out of the narrow opening of this eyebrow was so pronounced! What a perky, busy little fellow
covered feeder, carrying the nuts away one by one until the ... probably the best close-up view I’ve had of a Bewick’s
two cups of nuts I put out each day have all disappeared by Wren EVER! And then a few yards farther down the trail
the end of the day. we noted the resident Red-tailed Hawk perched on the tall
electric tower where he often sits. While we were looking at
Now and then a Band-tailed Pigeon comes to the platform him, an Anna’s Hummingbird flew past and perched on the
feeder for sunflower seeds. And sometimes there’s a small top of a short willow clump. He raised his beak to the sky
flock of these large, gray birds that descend from the tall firs and sang his little ‘rachetty’ song again and again while we
where they perch. I have waited a long time for these shy stood marveling at him.
beauties to discover my yard. One day, there was a Band-
tailed Pigeon and a Mourning Dove sitting not far from each (Continued on page 7)

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 6

 February in the Garden
(continued from page 6)

2009 Spring Birding Festivals The bright yellow skunk cabbage

flower in some of the ditches is already
beginning to poke up about four inches,
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival which is a welcome sign that spring is
March 20, 21, 22 on its way. And the yellow catkins of
www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org the native hazelnuts have become very
noticeable and showy in the last few
Olympic Peninsula Birdfest
days. Just a few more warm days and
April 3, 4, 5
www.olympicbirdfest.org
the Indian plum blossoms and pussy
willows will be popping out.
Wings Over Water
Northwest Birding Festival By the end of the month, that great
April 18 chorus of little tree frogs will be
www.blainechamber.com/wow serenading in the wet meadows and
shallow ponds everywhere. Back up
Brant Wildlife Festival (BC) from the trail, my yard now seems quite
March 7 through April 25 busy. I guess that may be why we often
www.brantfestival.bc.ca
don’t see much down on the trail. The
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
birds are all up in peoples’ yards who
April 24, 25, 26 have put out feeders for them.
www.shorebirdfestival.com
I called my neighbor to check on the
Great Horned Owls that we’ve been
hearing at night. The Barn Owls in
his barn have families (did you know
that they will nest year around if food
is plentiful?) and the Great Horned
pair are scoping out the tree where
they often nest behind his house. He
also got a Saw-whet to answer to a
tape behind his place last Friday night.
So, even though I long for the more
colorful tanagers, warblers, grosbeaks,
and other neo-tropical migrants that
we see in the summer, the birds ARE
out there, probably looking for signs of
spring as much as we are right now.

THINK GLOBALLY

ACT LOCALLY

MARCH 2009 - PAGE 7

 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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 _____________________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________ State ______________ Zip ______________

Email _______________________________________________________________________________