Rainier Audubon Society January 2010

Monday, January 18, 2010, at 7:00 PM

Rainier Audubon Presents
Christi Norman — The Great Washington State Birding Trail

Q uestion: String together

every Washington birder’s
favorite birding place and what do you
get?
 
Answer: The Great Washington
State Birding Trail.
Christi Norman runs Audubon’s
Great Washington State Birding Trail
Program. She will be at our January
meeting to give a presentation on the
trail system.  Along with the Puget
Sound Loop and the Palouse to Pines
Loop, the other maps of the birding
trail are the Coulee Corridor, and the
Cascade, Southwest, Olympic, and Sun
and Sage loops.
Why a birding trail in Washington?
Because bird watching is our fastest-
growing outdoor recreation; 46 million
Americans watch birds. Birds are also
good for business; America’s birders
spend $30 billion a year including $10
billion on travel. Research shows that and goals of the birding trails, as well 48 volunteers that conducts ongoing
every 100 new bird watchers create one as the benefits of having one, financial, annual bird censuses. She directed the
new full-time job, generate $2,500 in environmental, and cultural. Wetnet program at Seattle Audubon
revenue, and return $2,600 in taxes. “Each loop of the birding trail for four years before joining Audubon
Christi will elaborate on the purpose is a strand of nature’s gems,” said Washington in 1997. She has also
Christi. 
“Every site on each of our managed the production and publication
five – soon to be six – maps represents of five books and guides.
R ainier Audubon programs are held at important habitat for our resident or This will be a terrific program for
Federal Way United M ethodist Church
migrating birds.” anyone who enjoys bird watching,
29645 - 51st Ave. So. 98001
After the eastern Washington map wildlife viewing, and taking in the best
(in unincorporated Auburn)
(Palouse to Pines Loop) is unveiled at natural sights of Washington. We invite
Directions: the Capitol in late January, it’ll be time everyone to join us as we welcome
In Federal Way, take 320th St. EAST to begin the seventh route, the map that Christi with the new year and a new
past The Commons, crossing over I-5
will complete the birding trail across look at birding trails.  As always, good
and Military Rd. At 321st St, turn left.
Washington: the Puget Sound Loop. conversation and refreshments available
Stay on 321st as it becomes 51st Ave.
So. Follow 51st Ave. to 296th. Church In 1995, Christi helped start Seattle before, during, and following the
will be on your left. Audubon’s Neighborhood Bird program.
 
program, a citizen-science effort by
 President’s Message — by Nancy Streiffert
Thank You to All Our
CBC Participants!
H appy New Year! While it is imperceptible to me yet, the days are
actually getting longer! That is encouraging, as it is the dark that seems
most difficult for me at this time of year, not the cold or rain. I hope everyone
enjoyed whatever holiday festivities they indulged in and are now eager to put T hank you to all those who
took part in the 2009/2010
Kent/Auburn Christmas Bird
those New Year’s resolutions into action. Maybe one of those resolutions is
to attend more nature-centered events ­­— like Rainier membership meetings Count! A wonderful time was
to hear fascinating tales of the world’s amazing birds and animals and see had by all, and we at Rainier
beautiful slides of far away places or those right in our own backyards! Or Audubon appreciate everyone’s
maybe to hone your bird ID skills by joining our experienced leaders on birding involvement, whether you were
trips or taking a class. Or learning more about how our local, state, and federal out in the field or at home
governments affect birding by their actions concerning habitat, toxins, all kind watching your feeders.
of regulations, logging, etc. and how we can influence their decisions. Information about the
Whatever your plans for 2010, I hope you will continue to be a part of numbers and species seen,
Rainier Audubon and to support our various programs. as well as the names of
participants, will be published in
the February Heron Herald.

Happy
New Year!

RAINIER AUDUBON 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
Ivy Eradication Coordinator----------Bernedine Lund------------- ----(253) 839-3729
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: [email protected]

January 2010 - PAGE 2

 Field Trips — by Carol Schulz
Local Hotspots Soos Creek Owl Prowl Soos Creek Owl Prowl
Saturday, January 23, 2010 Saturday Night, January 30, 2010 Saturday Night, February 27, 2010
8:30 AM to Early Afternoon 10:30 PM to 1:30 AM 10:30 PM to 1:30 AM
Leader: Carol Schulz Leaders: Joe and Liz Miles Leaders: Joe and Liz Miles
We’ll go to wherever the birds are Join Friends of Soos Creek Park Join Friends of Soos Creek Park
in local areas. We may walk up to volunteers Joe and Liz Miles volunteers Joe and Liz Miles
one mile. We will be looking for for this late-night program and for this late-night program and
hawks, ducks and geese, and more. walk exploring the world of owls. walk exploring the world of owls.
We may explore some new areas. We’ll start indoors for the first We’ll start indoors for the first
Bring: Warm clothes, lunch hour learning calls, ID, and info hour learning calls, ID, and info
and snacks, hot drinks, and water. about our local owls, then venture about our local owls, then venture
Scopes are welcome. outdoors to prowl for owls. There outdoors to prowl for owls. There
Meet: 8:30 AM at the Kent-Des is limited space for this program. is limited space for this program.
Moines P&R. (People who wish Reservations are required. Best Reservations are required. Best
to leave early may bring their own for adults and children over 13 for adults and children over 13
cars.) years. Group size is limited to 15. years. Group size is limited to 15.
Directions: Take I-5 to The owls program is sponsored by The owls program is sponsored by
exit 149. Go east on Kent-Des Kent City Recreation Dept. Kent City Recreation Dept.
Moines Rd approximately one Meet: Soos Creek Park Meet: Soos Creek Park
block to Military Rd. Turn left Maintenance Shop. Soos Creek Maintenance Shop. Soos Creek
(north) 1/2 block on Military Rd. Park/Trail 24810 - 148th Ave. SE. Park/Trail. 24810 - 148th Ave. SE.
The Park & Ride is on the left. Directions: Take James St. Directions: Take James St.
Sign Up: Call or email Carol at east from Kent. To reach James, east from Kent. To reach James,
(206) 824-7618, carol.schulz50@ exit I-167 at Willis, turn east to exit I-167 at Willis, turn east to
gmail.com (This is Carol’s NEW Central, and north to James. Central, and north to James. Go
email address.) Travel east on James as it becomes east on James as it becomes SE
SE 240th St. In about 4 miles, 240th St. In about 4 miles, 240th
240th dips and turns downhill. dips and turns downhill. Turn
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually Turn right (south) right (south) on
Wednesdays 8:00 AM ­— 11:30 AM on 148th Ave. 148th Ave. near
Leader: Phil Kelley near the bottom the bottom of
of the hill. The the hill. The
Join Phil on his weekly bird walk Soos Creek Soos Creek
at Nisqually NWR, taking the maintenance yard maintenance yard
boardwalk/trail loop out to the will be down the will be down the
Twin Barns, the Nisqually overlook road about 1/4 road about 1/4
area, and the riparian area, totaling mile on the left mile on the left
about two miles. at a barn and at a barn and
Bring: Good walking shoes or chainlink-fenced chainlink-fenced
boots, raingear, water, snacks, and $3 parking lot. parking lot.
for entry fee unless you have a pass.   Sign-up: Call Sign-up: Call
Meet: At the Visitor’s Center. Kent Commons Kent Commons
Directions:  Take I-5 south at (253) 856- at (253) 856-5000.
from Tacoma and exit to Nisqually 5000. This trip This trip FILLS
NWR at exit 114.  Take a right at FILLS EARLY — ­ register in EARLY ­— register in advance!
the light. advance! For further info, email For further info, email or call
Sign-up:  Call or email Phil to or call Joe; he can answer your Joe Miles; he can answer your
confirm details. (360) 459-1499, or questions but cannot arrange questions but cannot arrange sign-
[email protected]. sign-ups. (253) 639-0123 or joe. ups.(253) 639-0123 or joe.miles@
[email protected]. att.net.

January 2010 - PAGE 3

 A Monumental Fraud
by Nancy Streiffert

Y ou meet the nicest people

while hosting a Rainier
Audubon table! In September,
had seen before. So great was
Meinertzhagen’s reputation that
he had become the sole authority
unsupervised access to their rare
collections. He had relabeled the
skins as his own and claimed to
I hosted a table at Thunder for 14 species and subspecies have taken them from different
Mountain Nursery in Enumclaw. of birds in India. He was tall, locations. With patience and
A woman stopped by and handsome, had a commanding perseverance, Rasmussen was able
mentioned that her sister (sister- presence, and was known and to track down the true collectors
in-law?) was a famous writer trusted by Winston Churchill, and locations. As Alan Knox
who had solved an ornithological David Lloyd George, David said, “Meinertzhagen had stolen
mystery! She referred me to an Ben Gurion, and a great many the best specimens of other
article in the New Yorker magazine others. Three biographies were people’s collections and then
of May 29, 2006, by John written about him and a square in proceeded to fabricate data to go
Seabrook. Intrigued, I found the Jerusaleum was dedicated to his with them.” More recent research
magazine and read the article. memory. by Rasmussen and Prys-Jones
This is a summary of the amazing As Rasmussen studied bird indicates that the fraud was even
story, and it’s worth reading the skins, she encountered rumors more extensive than first thought.
article in full! that Meinertzhagen had possibly Pamela Rasmussen is currently
Pamela Rasmussen grew up committed fraud with some of an assistant professor of zoology
near Portland, Oregon. When she the bird skins he claimed to have at Michigan State University.
was eight, her mother gave her collected and prepared. Alan
Oliver Austin’s Birds of the World, Knox of the British Natural
and an ornithologist was born. History Museum
Pamela earned a master’s degree pointed out to
in biology and went on to study her that each
for a PhD at the University of collector had his
Kansas. own technique in
She began working as an preparing skins,
assistant to S. Dillon Ripley, and that it was
former secretary of the possible to tell
Smithsonian. Ripley had written who had prepared
a 10-volume tome on the birds a skin simply
of India, and now was writing by examining
the definitive field guide of the it and noting
birds of India, making use of the the technique.
tens of thousands of specimens Working with
in collections in the U.S, Great Robert Prys-Jones,
Britain, and India. When Ripley also of the Natural History References
became too ill to continue, Museum, Rasmusssen spent years
Rasmussen took over the project. in detailed work, examining New Yorker magazine, 29 May 2006.
One of the most prominent skins, and was eventually able
collectors of birds at the time to prove that Meinertzhagen Garfield, Brian. The Meinhertzhagen
was Richard Meinertzhagen, who had indeed committed fraud. Mystery: The Life and Legend of a Colossal
had been a British intelligence In fact, he was one of the most Fraud
officer during World War I and monumental scientific frauds
later became something of a of all time. He had stolen bird www.Wikipedia.com: Meinertzhagen.
birding superhero. He had been skins from museums that had
to remote corners of the world trusted him and that had bowed
and collected birds no one else to his reputation and allowed him

January 2010 - PAGE 4

 Mewsings from Millie
Note: Millie is the big, beautiful cat who hangs out at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Burien. Millie is very observant and has
decided to write this monthly column to pass on to us what she sees and overhears while supposedly sleeping.

H ello again! Please read on to find out

what I have overheard, seen,
learned about or wondered about over
An eagle can spot the slightest movement of a rabbit
from over a mile away!
Speaking of eyes, did you know that
the last few weeks. many birds sleep with one eye open
Shortly after last month’s so that predators cannot approach
elections, the housekeeper for without being detected?
Seattle’s newly-elected city attorney, One of the store’s customers who
Pete Holmes, came into the store lives in Des Moines near the waters of
and purchased a squirrel coffee mug beautiful Puget Sound came in and was
for him. I guess he’s nutty about his chatting about the albino hummingbird
squirrels! that visited for about a month during
I’ve mentioned before that my people the summer. One of my people went
leave the radio on for me when they are not in the store. online to find out about albino hummingbirds and sure
I love listening to the relaxing music, but I also enjoy enough, they have been seen! A few have even been
learning interesting things on KPLU’s Birdnote. banded. The Hummingbird Society wants to know if
Recently, I learned about small, diving ducks called you are lucky enough to spot one of these rarest of
Buffleheads. Buffleheads return from the boreal forests birds. If you do, send your report and if possible, a
of Canada and Alaska every year to spend the winter photo, to [email protected]. Unfortunately, although
in our waters. Buffleheads have many nicknames she tried, the customer was not able to get a picture of
including little black and white duck, bumblebee duck, the little white jewel.
buffalo-headed duck, butterball and spirit duck. They And now it’s time for this month’s collective nouns
nest almost exclusively in holes excavated by Northern that describe groups of birds:  a raffle of turkeys,
Flickers and on occasion by Pileated Woodpeckers. a fling of sandpipers, a scold of jays, a lute of
Unlike most ducks, the Bufflehead is mostly mallards and a kettle of hawks.
monogamous, often remaining with the same mate for Finally, if an average man had a metabolism
several years. comparable to that of a hummingbird, he would need
I also learned that the eyes of the Bald Eagle are to eat 285 pounds of hamburger every day to maintain
one of the most sensitive of any animal and may weigh his weight!
more than the eagle’s brain! The secret to its exceptional Until next time,
vision is in the retina which may have five times the
density of rods and cones compared to a human eye. — Millie, the Muse of Mews

Leucistic Anna’s Hummingbird in

Maple Valley. August 2009.
Photo by Dan Streiffert

Leucistic: Reduced pigmentation

Albinistic: Lack of pigmentation

January 2010 - PAGE 5

 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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Rainier Audubon Society - Membership
PO Box 778
Auburn, WA 98071

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