Harlequin Happenings
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HARLEQUIN HAPPENINGS Newsletter of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society (OPAS) Www.olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org (www.olybird.org) Clallam County, Washington A Chapter of the National Audubon Society Issue 1 Jan-Feb 2017 Promoting Birding and Conservation as Community Educators, Volunteers, and Stewards OPAS Programs for January and February by Bob Boekelheide January 18, 2017, 7 p.m. at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, “The Natural World Always has a Story to Share - Celebrating What is Right with the World!” Presented by Alan Bauer. Alan Bauer is a profes- sional photographer, specializing in the natu- ral history of the Pacific Northwest. His excellent photographs have ap- peared in numerous Sooty Grouse magazines, newspa- Photo by Alan Bauer pers, books, and even in a special exhibit about spiders at Wood- February 15, 2017, 7 p.m. at the Dungeness River Audubon Center , "OPAS Member Photo Night 2017", land Park Zoo in Seat- tle. As Alan says, “The Organized by Dow Lambert. greatest value of my Time for our annual members' photo show! Do you have photographic art is to photos of birds you would like to share with others? better educate people Lucky for you, because other OPAS members want to about the beauty sur- see them, too. Alan Bauer rounding us.” Please submit your digital photos to Dow Lambert, who Celebrate what is right has generously offered to assist us projecting the imag- with the world! Sometimes we need to slow down, look es. If you wish to offer your photos for the evening, more closely, and appreciate beauty right around us. please contact Dow so you can get the information you’ll Alan will share an image-intensive presentation display- need, at <[email protected].> The ing many of his personal celebrations, from hiking to deadline to contact Dow about your photos is Friday, birding to just standing still looking at something worth Feb. 10. (Continued on page three) celebrating nearby. Harlequin Happenings is published six times a year. Consider “going green”. Receive your newsletter electronically, in living color, by contacting the OPAS Membership Chair, Audrey Gift, at 360-681-2989, or email [email protected]. The Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society meets monthly (except July, August, and December) on the third Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, 2151 Hendrickson Road, Sequim, WA . The public is welcome. Harlequin Happenings President’s Notes OPAS Board of Directors By Ken Wiersema Officers: A thank you -- As 2016 closes its books, I believe it’s President, Ken Wiersema, 683-4763 deserving to recognize our officers and board members Vice-Pres, Bob Boekelheide, 681-4867 who each contribute in special ways to OPAS. You as Treasurer, Nancy Bargar, 775-7667 members, can be very proud and appreciative of the Secretary, Enid Phreaner 504-2110 productive and dedicated work our board contributes to the success of our Board-at-Large: Chapter. Tom Montgomery, 683-8230 Kendra Donelson, 683-7793 Organizing events and classes; keeping our financial records & paying Powell Jones, 681-4076 bills; maintaining accurate membership rolls; putting out a timely, informa- Mary Porter-Solberg, 683-8072 tive, and readable newsletter; posting to and upgrading our website; lead- Deborah Ritter - 504-2398 ing and organizing field trips; recording meeting minutes; BirdFest commit- Bob Iddins - 681-2840 Marie Grad, 360-620-4035 tee chairs, Wednesday Birdwalk leaders; putting together count teams and compiling results of several bird counts; swan census organizer, etc.… So Committees: thank you OPAS Board! And a special appreciation goes to Coleman Byr- Bird Sightings/Counts, Bob Boekelheide, nes for ably representing OPAS on the Clallam County TLAC throughout 681-4867 2016 --- Well done all --- and thanks! And if you would wish to be a part of Conservation Co-chairs, Bob Phreaner, 504-2110; Mary Porter-Solberg, 683-8072 OPAS leaders and Board, please contact any officer or board member and Education, Vacant — please volunteer to we’ll fit you into a project that fits your skills, interests, and that needs do- fill this position ing! Membership, Audrey Gift, 681-2989, [email protected] OPAS awarded Collaborative Grant from Audubon WA - Bob Phreaner Field Trips, Denny Van Horn (360) 406- and Mary Porter-Solberg, with input from Ed Bowlby, prepared our appli- 1584 Hospitality, Clare Hatler, 582-6451 cation for partial funding of the Pigeon Guillemot Citizen Science Study. Newsletter, Bob Hutchison, 683-7265, OPAS will match the Audubon WA grant and we’ll partner with Whidbey [email protected] Audubon to continue local data collection started last summer. If you want Publicity, Sara-Ellen Peterson, 681-6325 to help out and learn about these birds, watch for the announcement of Birdfest, Vanessa Fuller, 681-4076 observer training classes which will be scheduled in late spring. Webmaster, Vacant — please volunteer to fill this position Reminder – If you’ve not done so, Please dig out your Fall Fundraiser letter from the Dungeness River Audubon Center and contribute to its op- eration. The funds contributed help underwrite the education programs at the Center. Now, if you lost your letter, just contact the Center and ask for a replacement, or bring in a check, and your contribution will be gratefully processed and accepted. Thanks… Reminder! Personal note: I’m drafting these notes at my wife Nancy's bedside as It is time for OPAS members to renew their she gets yet another blood transfusion. She has been diagnosed with memberships. Adult Leukemia (AML). Some of you know, I've been off line since the day before Thanksgiving. I’ve missed a lot of meetings and an array of bird All annual memberships expire on Decem- counts. Believe me, I'd rather have been out in the cold and wind counting ber 31st. Questions about memberships "Gulls" with Bob B, than what I've been doing. Our board has been sup- should be directed to Audrey Gift at portive, compassionate, and understanding. I may be compelled to step <[email protected]>. away from OPAS leadership to attend to family needs, and I’d ask you to help your other officers and board members to keep OPAS fully function- ing and serving our birds and our community. Thanks again. 2 Issue 1 Jan-Feb 2017 Harlequin Happenings Wednesday Bird Walks OPAS Programs (Continued from page one) Date: Every Wed. morning; Time: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. This is NOT a contest. Photos will not be judged or cri- Meet at the River Center for a lovely walk to see and hear tiqued. We ask that you submit no more than 10 photos the birds of the Dungeness riparian forest. Information each, to allow as many members as possible to partici- from walks helps us understand the annual cycle of birds pate. You’ll be in RR Bridge Park. asked to say a few Elwha Gulls words about your photos, like to Date & Time: Jan 14, 9 a.m. identify the bird, Leader: Denny Van Horn location, and time Meeting place: Parking area at mouth of Elwha River off of year. Place Road. Features: Gulls - if they cooperate, we just might find x8 If you don't have a species; and if they don't - well, it's a nice walk out to the stockpile of pho- mouth of the river. tos, there is plenty Further Information: Contact: [email protected], of time right now to or text. Phone 360-406-1584. take photos for the show. All bird pho- Carrie Blake Park Walk-about tos are welcome, but should we re- Date & Time: January 21, 9 a.m. ceive too many Leader: To be announced photos for the Meeting place: Meet in the S parking lot at Carrie Blake Townsend’ Warbler evening we will Park, Sequim. Photo by Alan Bauer give priority to lo- Features: Wigeons, especially those elusive Eurasians; cal birds. Please Falcons and Dicky-birds. submit your bird photos and come enjoy the evening. Further Information: Contact: To be announced. Even if you don’t submit photos, come watch the show! Ediz Hook OPAS Field Trips in Date & Time: January 28, 9 a.m.-Noon January and February Leader: To be announced. Meeting place: Boat launch at CG Station on E end of by Denny AMFJ Van Horn Hook. OPAS Field Trips Needs Your HELP! Features: Bay and Strait-side birds. We need VOLUNTEERS to lead and/or co-lead outings, Further Information: Contact: To be announced. whether it's in a local area or one that's an adventure Out- PitShip Pocket & Sequim Bay there-and-about. We have a few dedicated individuals who lead all of our outings. But we need new people, new Date & Time: February 11, 9 a.m.-Noon areas, new ideas, new interests. You don't have to be an Leader: Denny Van Horn expert or a guru at birding. Novices and beginners can Meeting place: The S parking area at John Wayne Marina. work wonders in finding birds and sharing the excitement Features: Alcids & Ducks. of discovery and learning. So PLEASE, come out and be a Further Information: Contact [email protected], leader. Create an outing and we'll assist you from there. or text. Phone 360-406-1584. Or volunteer to lead one of the TBAs noted below. Get in touch with Denny Van Horn (see Elwha Gulls below) and The Woods Road - Palo Alto Loop come out and play - Thanks! Date & Time: February 26, 9 a.m. Note: There is no cost to attend OPAS field trips. Leader: To be announced. Bring binoculars, scopes, and personal accoutre- Meeting place: The Longhouse parking lot in Blyn. ments, as desired. (Continued on next page) Issue 1 Jan-Feb 2017 3 Harlequin Happenings Features: This is a drive, stop, look, and listen outing for winter The fifth class in the BB series, ‘Nesting’ will meet at the Dun- -time woodland birds.