4 spots remain in Costa AUDUBON SOCIETY of PORTLAND Rica trip – see page 6 MARCH/ Black-throated APRIL 2013 Gray Warbler Volume 77 Numbers 3&4 Warbler Spring & Summer Wildlife Care Center Native Plant Sale In this issue... Camps for Kids! Online Auction April 20-21 See audubonportland.org See page 5 See page 8 Birdathon 2013 Counting Birds Because Birds Count! Registration for our most important fund- raising event of the year begins March 15th oin the Biggest, Baddest Birdathon this side of the The Joy of Birding photo: Laurie Peterson Fanno Creek Trail in Washington County. Photo: Jim Labbe Mississippi! Be part of the fun — sign up for an exciting Jbirding adventure, enjoy some of our region’s birding but instead of counting miles, we count birds, in a friendly Vote Yes on Measure hotspots, AND help raise money to protect birds and competition to count the most species in a given time habitat across Oregon. Birding experience isn’t necessary — period. In 2012, Birdathon raised $138,000. This year our 26-152 to Restore Our you’ll be assured of a great time, as each team is led by one or goal is $150,000! Natural Areas! more of our expert Audubon Leaders. To participate, simply join one of our many exciting The Regional Natural Areas Levy What is Birdathon? Now in its 33rd year, Birdathon is the Audubon-guided teams listed below and invite your friends on the May 2013 Special Election uniquely Audubon way to raise funds for its conservation and family to share the fun! A minimum pledge of $35 is ballot is critical to sustaining our and education programs. Birdathon is like a walkathon, required unless otherwise mentioned. region’s natural resource legacy in the 21st century. Birdathon 2013 Teams by Jim Labbe, Urban Conservationist Here’s a partial list and a synopsis of each Half-Day, Full-Day, and Gonzo Trip (2+ days) offered this year. Visit audubonportland.org for additional trips and more details. n May, voters of the Portland metropolitan region will have the opportunity to support natural area Half-Day Trips & Shorebirds such as Solitary Istewardship by voting for Measure 26-152 on their special election ballots. Go to restoreournaturalareas. NEW! A Song in the Morning: Sandpiper. Wander through oak com for additional information. Gerard Lillie & Tom McNamara woodlands to look for migrating Warblers, Hutton’s Vireo, April 24 (Wed), 7am–9am Flycatchers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Acorn Woodpecker. The measure is a $53 million, 5-year levy that would raise Spend the morning with Mt Tabor’s renowned birdsong We’ll wind our way up Cascade foothills seeking Bluebird & 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed property values. About expert at one of the best spots in Portland for all the Townsend’s Solitaire, and since this is migration time, let’s half of the revenue raised would support the stewardship western Warblers, Flycatchers, Vireos, & most other hope to find something unexpected! of publicly owned natural areas managed by Metro. Levy- songbirds. All skill levels welcome. You’ll hear simple calls fund stewardship will enhance water quality for salmon, & trills and learn how to differentiate the complex songs of Metro Merlins: Tim Shelmerdine restore habitat for birds and amphibians, and expand May 12 (Sun), 7:30am–1:30pm Tanagers, Grosbeaks, & Robins. access to nature in the Portland metro region. Additional Experience the excitement of spring migration at Portland funds will support environmental education programs hotspots with this seasoned birder. All are welcome, from Soggy Bottom Birders: for youth and adults and a conservation grant program to first-timers to experienced listers. Walk Mt Tabor’s trails, Ian Abraham & Tim Donner enhance water quality and habitat in our neighborhoods. May 4 (Sat), 9am–4pm visit Vanport, and head out Marine Drive for warblers, The measure will cost the average homeowner roughly Join Portland Audubon Education staffers Ian & Tim for flycatchers, and waterfowl. $20 per year for 5 years. an exclusive birding tour of wetlands along the Willamette & Columbia Rivers. We’ll carpool from Oaks Bottom, then Great Big Sit: Over the last 20 years, voters have authorized Metro and head north. Ideal for birders of all skill levels & ages who Bonnie Deneke, Dena Turner & Phyllis Wolfe local governments to acquire and permanently protect May 25 (Sat), 8am–Noon appreciate birding in a relaxed atmosphere. more than 12,000 acres of natural areas and greenways Give your legs a rest & your eyes a treat on a leisurely across the metro region. Voter approval this May 2013 is a morning at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Bring Whittemore’s Whatzits: critical next step in providing the ecological stewardship your lawn chair, binoculars, & snacks, and sit back & relax Laura Whittemore & Mark Fitzsimons of these natural areas to ensure we leave a biologically rich May 5 (Sun), 8am–Noon as birds come to you in this beautiful botanical sanctuary. legacy to the next generation. Popular “Beginning Birding” & “Birding by Ear” instructor You’ll learn to identify 35–50 species that frequent this Laura Whittemore & Birdathon Coordinator Mark idyllic setting. Fitzsimons will be your guides at Steigerwald Lake National Why a Regional Natural Wildlife Refuge in Washougal, WA. Harrier, Bittern, Bicycling Birdos: Barb Grover Areas Levy? Why now? Pileated Woodpecker, House Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Trip date TBD In both 1995 and 2006, large majorities of voters passed & Osprey are a few of 50+ species we’ve seen/heard here on Join our bevy of biking birders for a family-friendly natural area bond measures to acquire more than 12,000 past Birdathons. excursion. This 2–3-hour trip focuses on the fun of acres of regionally significant natural areas throughout the sleuthing out birds in our urban environment, all by Portland metro region. These acquisitions protected stream NEW! Clackamas Creepers: Dan van den Broek bicycle! We’ll ride through birdy & bicycle-friendly SE and river corridors, forested buttes and bluffs, wetlands, May 5 (Sun), 8am–3pm Portland neighborhoods to a bird-friendly park for picnic oak woodlands, and other rare and unique habitats from Clackamas County, anyone? Enjoy birds and discuss ID & & birdo activities. So pack your binoculars, diaper bags, & Wilsonville to Portland and from Forest Grove to Troutdale. basics about species encountered as we check out some of bike helmets for this ride that’s going to the birds! continued on page 4 the best small wetlands for Cinnamon Teal, Great Egret, continued on page 12 Inside this issue Bird Song Walks begin April 1 — See page 3 Page 2 ................................From the Director ........................................Nature Nights Audubon Society Page 3 ..................................Audubon Outings of Portland 5151 NW Cornell Road Page 4 – 5 .........................................Conservation Portland, Oregon 97210 ...........................Wildlife Care Center Page 6 & 7 ...........................Trips, Tours & Classes Page 8 ................Nature Store & Sanctuaries Page 9 .............................................Field Notes ...............................................Volunteers Page 10 .......................................Board Election Page 11 .......................................New Members Page 12 ............................Map/Hours/Sponsors View this Warbler and past issues at www.audubonportland.org/about/newsletter. From the Executive Director FREE EVENT! Changes to Oregon’s Marine Environment Welcome Back ave energy development is Our other primary concern was to understand, even with Vulture Day coming to Oregon. As part existing data gaps, what the potential impacts that various is coming to Leach Botanical Gardens! of a multifaceted renewable types of marine infrastructure might pose to seabirds, W Saturday, March 16, 2013 energy portfolio, Oregon is at the helm including their migration routes, foraging habits, and Meryl Redisch for wave energy development in its nesting behavior. For example, while we know how critical Noon – 3 p.m. near-shore waters. What began in 2008 it is for the Marbled Murrelet to have old-growth coastal with an executive order by Governor Kulongoski came to forest habitat, we also know that these seabirds depend Leach Botanical Gardens closure this past January when the Land and Conservation upon forage fish. The last thing we wanted to see happen 6704 SE 122nd Development Commission agreed to move forward with was another blow to their already tenuous situation if a Portland, OR 97236 3 pilot projects that will be located at Camp Rilea just wave energy system would result in the decrease in prey fish Parking is limited. south of Astoria, Nestucca north of Pacific City, and or pose a collision hazard. Please carpool if possible. Reedsport. To view the maps and locations of these sites, go to OregonOcean.info, the website that contains all the Paul and colleagues from the Our Ocean Campaign Ruby the Turkey Vulture id you notice you only photo: Tom Schmid information about this process. dedicated themselves to ensuring that the precautionary see Turkey Vultures in principle was applied and consistent throughout the the metropolitan area in This 5-year statewide planning process is contained in Chapter Chapter 5 document. We worked with environmental D the spring and summer? That’s 5 of the Territorial Sea Plan. Details about how Oregon will attorneys to tighten ambiguous language so that the because they migrate to warmer protect its marine resources, determine appropriate locations concept