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The Towhee Is a Publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society (TAS) Published by the Tahoma Audubon Society -- connecting people with nature since 1969 Vol. 49 No. 3 September 2018 Left: Green-tailed Towhees were singing. (Photo/Diane Y-Q) Center: Male Cassia Crossbill (Photo/Ed Pullen) Right: Car #1 left for Shoshone Falls, one of the spectacular Twin Falls. (Photo/Diane Y-Q) ABC Field Trip Tracks Down New Species by Diane Yorgason-Quinn Two carloads of the Advanced Birding Club (ABC) members headed east in early July to look for the newly designated species, Cassia Crossbill, in Cassia County, Idaho. Months earlier, Dr. Julie Smith of PLU, one of the researchers who helped solidify species status for this previous subspecies of Red Crossbill, had addressed ABC and got us intensely interested, so when the decision was made to split it off into a new species, we split off to see it for ourselves. We were in the vanguard of a deluge of birders headed that way. Carole Breedlove and her daughter got it the week before and gave us valuable advice, and Marcus Roening and Heather Ballash got it just the day before and stuck around Twin Falls to give us the latest advice. It all worked! We got into the South Hills of Cassia County early on the morning of July 8th and heard the distinctive “kip- kipping” as soon as we got out of the car at the Porcupine Springs Campground. That constant calling, probably because they had new fledglings, kept us on their trail, and everyone got good looks, although they were high in the trees, so not too great for photography. Many red males, mustard-colored females, and drab streaked fledglings were seen, and we counted 18 on our eBird submission. Other great birds were around, too, including singing Hermit Thrushes and Green-tailed Towhees! On the way home next day, the two carloads split up. Trip leaders Faye McAdams Hands and I took Carol Smith and Art Wang home by way of Shoshone Falls, Vernita Bridge, and other great stops; while car 2 with Ken Brown, Ed Pullen, Laurel Parshall, and Teri Martine went south, took an extra day, and got that darn Himalayan Snowcock in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada and other great stuff! Photos for car #1: https://tinyurl.com/y6ubkbdo Photos and report for car #2: https://tinyurl.com/y7kxl2lc If you’d like to join the birders in the ABC club, it’s part of Tahoma Audubon, so just let us know. Contact Diane Y-Q at [email protected] to be put on our e-mail list. Top: Incredibly up close with singing Hermit Thrushes! Top: Four Willettes were along on the trip, co-leader Diane Y-Q, Center: Western Screech-owls were seen at Ritter Island, Laurel Parshall, co-leader Faye McAdams Hands, and Carol Smith recommended by Marcus Roening, found by car #1. (Photo/Art Wang) Bottom: Among the many butterflies was a lifer for all, the Bottom: Our triumphant group after getting the Cassia Crossbill Weidemeyer’s Admiral. (Photos/Diane Y-Q) (Photo/Diane Y-Q) C4ZY0Z0Z In this Issue: ABC Field Trip page 1 Executive Director’s Corner page 2 Conservation Matters page 3 Electronic Service Requested Service Electronic Hess Happenings page 4 Bird-a-thon Reflections page 4 University Place, WA 98466 WA Place, University Youth Drawing Contest page 5 Permit No. 177 No. Permit 2917 Morrison Road West Road Morrison 2917 Education Committee page 7 Tacoma, WA Tacoma, Bird Name Changes page 9 PAID Member Spotlight page 10 U.S. Postage U.S. Book Clubs page 11 Nonprofit Org Nonprofit Field Trips and Events page 12 DIRECTOR’S CORNER New Beginnings from a Solid Foundation By Matthew Mega, AICP On my first day at Tahoma Audubon, I spied out my window the laughing, excited and engaged voices of 12 little backyard bird buddies. Between their snacking and exploring they carried eggs on spoons and learned about habitat, nature, and of course, birds. Speaking of birds mixed in with these little campers, cautious birds still found their way to the feeders. Chestnut-backed chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos and Steller’s Jays went about their business. I also heard a Red- breasted nuthatch off in the distance. Needless to say all this activity made me smile and greatly appreciate my new role as Executive Director of this amazing organization. Matt Mega My day continued with whirlwind introductions to volunteers, a tour of space and exploration of piles and piles of files. Yes there was Executive Director quite a bit of a ‘wow’ factor, but everywhere I turned and everyone I met warmly welcomed me. As I settle into this new role and embark on the responsibility of maintaining the strong presence of this organization, I am also excited to take on the challenge of helping TAS increase our reach throughout Pierce County. With a core staff, dedicated Board, volunteers and of course all the members who pledge their support to Tahoma Audubon Society, I am confident we can, together, make our chapter one of the strongest in the State. Very earlier on I learned that birds were a wonderful gateway into nature. Their ubiquitous presence always gives us a direct connection to nature, and hopefully an ever-growing appreciation of the environment around us. Whether it’s a beginning bird walk, the annual Christmas bird count or the numerous bird-a-thon trips that occur, people having the opportunity to connect with birds and nature is critical function of TAS. While it is a bit early to provide my complete vision for our organization, I can say the foundation of my vision is all the individuals who have decided to make TAS part of their lives. With this strong foundation how can we not improve the lives of birds and make our own lives a little more enjoyable? By the way, a birder cannot have one favorite bird, so the three that resonant with me are; the Lewis’s Woodpecker, the Great-Horned Owl, and the Belted Kingfisher. Tahoma Audubon Society's The Pierce County Chapter of Feathered Nest Circle The National Audubon Society We’re pleased to honor our visionaries who have named Tahoma Audubon Located in University Place's Adriana Hess Wetland Park in their estate plans making them members of the Feathered Nest Circle. 2917 Morrison Rd W. University Place, WA 98466 Anonymous (3) Donna Cooper Pepos* 253-565-9278 • www.TahomaAudubon.org Jane Brosius Barbara Petersen Dick & Terry Carkner Marcus Roening & Heather Ballash Terry* & Bev Conner Sarah C. Sloat* Tahoma Audubon Staff Ruth Daugherty* Beatrice E. Thompson* Matt Mega | Executive Director Rhona Diehl* Darby Veeck & Kristin Lynett Helen Engle 253-565-9278 *Deceased Bryan Flint [email protected] Thomas Galdabini John Garner & Caroline Harris Brittany McGrath | Volunteer & Environmental Education Coordinator Priscilla J. Huber 253-565-9278 Thelma* & Chuck* Gilmur Tahoma Audubon Marjorie Griffin* Tahoma Audubon Board of Directors Noel & Bill Hagens Board Officers Cami Harris Ione Clagett Frances Heidner* Gary Geddes President Michael Hassur David R. Hirst Michael Garrity Nathanael Swecker Vice President Krystal Kyer Brenda Miller John & Pat Lantz Jerry Broadus Past President Maria Jost Peggy Kopf* & Pat Mail Marsha Williams Secretary Marjorie Shea Diane J. Malone Jean McCord Bob Furman Treasurer Art Wang Guy* & Cecile* Montgomery Gary & Sharon Nestegard Melissa Newell Find us on Facebook and Twitter! We are deeply grateful for your generosity! The Towhee is a publication of the Tahoma Audubon Society (TAS). The Tahoma Audubon Society was chartered in 1969. TAS advocates for the • Honor or memorialize a loved one Making a gift is easy! protection of wildlife and promotes conservation through education and activities that • J o i n t h e F e a t h e r e d N e s t C i r c l e – o u r l e g a c y s o c i e t y If you want to help Tahoma Audubon enrich its member’s experiences in and with the natural world. • Reduce your estate taxes connect people with nature for generations The Towhee is published quarterly. Submissions of articles and photographs of birds, to come, consider including Tahoma We are here to help! bird lore, natural history, conservation, and environmental education are reviewed and Audubon Society in your estate plans. considered for inclusion by the editor. Copy is due by the 15th of the month prior to Call 253-565-9278 By giving, you can: publication and may be sent by e-mail, disk, or typed. Email [email protected] • Make a generous gift intention without depleting Editor: [email protected] Mailing: Pam Odegard and other TAS volunteers income Or Visit tahomaaudubon.org/waystogive Design & Layout: Katelynn Manz & Ryan Parlin Printing: Consolidated Press What will your legacy be? Proofreader: Callie Stoker-Graham Printed on recycled newsprint Page 2 www.tahomaaudubon.org Fall 2018 CONSERVATION MATTERS I-1631 Invests in Healthy Forests, Bird Habitats, and Reduces Cost of Utilities By Kirk Kirkland This summer is hotter than normal again, with a hundred wildfires raging in the west. The largest fire in California has been burning for most of July, and has grown to 300,000 acres. In Tacoma, the sunsets are smoggy from fires in Canada and the West. People now understand climate change has arrived and it’s time to take action to slow the increase in temperatures. An initiative on November’s ballot offers hope. It funds a forest initiatives to reduce forest fires and reduce smoky summers. The climate change inititive, I-1631 is written to benefit people. It’s written by labor unions, tribes and environmental groups, not politicians or power companies.
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