The Flyway Spring 2021

Quarterly newsletter for Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually and Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuges

Contents Western Skunk Cabbage: Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus in Bloom in Bloom...... 1 By David True Western skunk cabbage is part of a On the Wing...... 2 Park Ranger, Nisqually NWR Complex family called Araceae, or the arum fam- ily, most of which grow in the Ameri- Conservation Corps I love scientific names! When Carl Lin- can tropics. These groups of plants start Crew Breathes New naeus formalized the use of a binomial to grow with a stem called a spadix Life...... 3 nomenclature for taxonomic specializa- and are surrounded by a bract called tion, it helped to modernize the way Refuge Seeks Student a spathe. In skunk cabbage the spa- scientists could Art to Celebrate dix is a green stem classify species. For Watershed! ...... 4 with many brightly instance, there are colored yellow flow- Shorebirds don’t many species of rob- ers crowded around understand social ins found throughout the top with a bright distancing...... 4 the world, but many yellow spathe sur- of them are not Exploring the rounding it, earning closely related. But if Nisqually Watershed, it another name, you see the scientific Virtually!...... 5 Swamp Lantern. But name Turdus mi- this color is not the What’s Black and gratorius, you know only reason why White, Flies, and that we are speaking the plant stands out Calls its Name about the American early in the season Constantly?...... 6 robin. And many when most other scientific names are Join Friends of flowering plants quite beautiful in Nisqually NWRC!... 7 are still dormant. their own way! Shorebird and In the sap and the Nature Festival...... 8 Take for instance the flowers of the plant plant species called comes an odor that Lysichiton ameri- can permeate your canus. The genus senses, a smell that name Lysichiton some people say can is a Greek defini- resemble a skunk. tion coming from Skunk Cabbage in early spring Skunk cabbage re- Photo credit: USFWS, i’ina van Lawick two words, Lysis quires certain species Save the dates! which means to dissolve, and Chiton, of flies and beetles to help pollinate which describes armor. What kind of it, and its stinky smell helps to attract Grays Harbor plant has armor like a knight only to these creatures to the plant. wither away as the season goes on. The Shorebird and In late March through April, walking in western skunk cabbage, of course! In a wet wooded area such as parts of the Nature Festival additon, the americanus species name Twin Barns Loop Trail will likely provide describes that this species is native to April 24–30, the opportunity to find these beauti- North America, which in this case is ful plants in bloom, but the brightness 2021 the Pacific Northwest. Continued on page 2 programs to ensure we could still provide resources On the Wing for those on a different mission. These projects could By Glynnis Nakai be completed outdoors with minimal concerns about Project Leader Nisqually NWR Complex keeping physically apart; however, the visitor services program, which is all about personal interactions, was One-year anniversaries always seem to be significant impacted the most. As we look forward, this is the points in time whether it’s personal or work-related. program that requires the most planning to ensure we It’s a time when one reflects back on what happened reopen the facilities and resume the volunteer program during that year and is a gauge for the present and a in ways that keep everyone safe and healthy. We’re guideline for the future. We just passed a year under too close to be over-ambitious and though it may seem pandemic conditions and although it continues, there is overly cautious, we want to do this right. We are mak- a sense of anticipation as we see the number of cases ing preparations for a phased reopening but implemen- decrease and vaccinations increase. This gives us a tation is reliant on the continued decrease in cases and glimpse of what’s to the rollout of vaccines come and a sense in the next phases. I of anticipation. It am unable to predict makes it a little easier when this will occur to look forward. but want to keep you When we were in iso- informed. Until then, lation this past year, we hope you stay some things didn’t healthy and find time change – vegetation to visit the refuge. still grew and birds Learn from yesterday. still migrated – and Live for today. Hope the Refuge staff and for tomorrow. the Washington Con- –Albert Einstein servation Corps. crew kept up pace with the habitat and wildlife The Refuge’s Washington Conservation Corps crew members.

Skunk Cabbage From page 1 fades away quickly, and as summer rolls around, instead to melt snow and ice around them as they grow early in of bright yellow flowers and bracts, what will remain are the season, while Lysichiton americanus does not gener- some of the largest leaves found in the Pacific North- ate heat. So let’s hear it for scientific names! west. The leaves can sometimes rise over three feet high and be over 50 inches long and 25 inches wide! Published quarterly by the Friends of Native Americans have a variety of traditional uses of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex. western skunk cabbage. Medicinally the plant heals Phone: 360.753.9467 burns, sores and other injuries to the skin. The leaves Fax: 360.534.9302 also help aid with cooking and storage, such as wrap- www.fws.gov/refuge/billy_frank_jr_nisqually ping them around salmon while baking in a fire. Dur- www.fws.gov/refuge/grays_harbor ing times of famine, the plant could also be eaten if Volume 13, Number 2 steamed or roasted. However, western skunk cabbage Editor: Susie Hayes is not a plant to eat freely, as much of the plant con- Editorial Advisors: David Clark, tains a chemical called calcium oxalate, which can be poisonous in high amounts. Jennifer Cutillo, David True Graphic design: Lee Miller Going back to the importance of scientific names, there is also a skunk cabbage species that grows in eastern Save trees, think green. North America. That species is Symplocarpus foetidus To receive The Flyway electronically, email which is not related to the species found here. Species [email protected] in Symplocarpus actually can release heat which helps

2 The Flyway Refuge’s Washington Conservation Corps Crew Breathes New Life into Nature Explore Area By Davy Clark The Washington Conservation Corps Crew constructed Education Program Manager Nisqually NWR Complex new benches and chairs made from a cottonwood The Nature Explore Area is a unique part of the Refuge tree that fell across the Refuge entrance road during a adjacent to the Environmental Education Center. Here, storm. They took time to reclaim overgrown trails, re- kids are encouraged to explore, play, and learn all at the furbish activity tables, construct balance beams, repair same time. This outdoor classroom provides a network fencing, and much more. of trails that connect spaces where young children can This project was just one of the many tasks that make have experience interacting with nature and natural up the incredible amount of work that crew members materials. The do around the Refuge. This adventure starts at six person crew works closely the gathering area with Refuge staff to main- where families and tain boardwalks and other groups can plan facilities, conduct invasive their activities. Ac- plant removals, and assist tivity areas include in habitat management. dirt digging, nature Modelled after the Civilian art, music, move- Conservation Corps from the ment, and action. early 20th century, the Wash- Kids can climb ington Conservation Corps through a hollowed was created in 1983 and has out cottonwood log, been an AmeriCorps program test their balance on since the 1990’s. Human visi- a wooden balance tors and wildlife alike benefit beam, play drums, from all the work our Wash- build structures in ington Conservation Corps the “Messy Materi- crew takes part in. Our crew als” area, and much is one of over 50 around the more! state who all share an admi- The Nature Explore rable commit- Area was constructed ment to conser- in part by the Refuge’s vation and play Washington Conser- an important vation Corps crew in role in manag- 2010. This year, while ing vital habitat the Nature Explore for wildlife and Area has remained keeping public closed due to the CO- spaces clean VID-19 pandemic, our and maintained current Washington for visitors. The Conservation Corps Nature Explore crew has been hard at Area reopens work making repairs to the public and improvements to on April 12th, all parts of this unique 2021. space that is well loved by the Refuge’s youngest visitors and their families. Photo courtesy USFWS

Spring 2021 3 Refuge Seeks Student Art to Celebrate Nisqually Watershed! Crafty with crayons? Partial to paints? Both realistic and imaginative Marvelous with Markers? Then con- interpretations are encouraged. The sider putting your skills to paper and deadline for entries is Friday June making art for this year’s Nisqually 11th, 2021. Watershed Poster Contest! An awards ceremony will be held From Mount Rainier to the Nisqually during the 2021 Nisqually Water- Estuary, the Nisqually watershed is a shed Festival on Saturday Septem- wondrous place full of wild creatures ber 25th 2021. All entries will be that call this special place home. The displayed during the festival and Refuge invites all first through sixth the “Best in Show” poster will be grade students to share their own used on all festival publicity! personal celebrations of these amazing If you know a student who might creatures by creating a poster to con- be interested please email us at tribute to conservation through the arts! [email protected] to Each year a theme is chosen to high- receive a copy of the poster contest light a special part of the watershed. packet and contest entry form. This year’s theme is Mammals of the Watershed. We encourage students to 2019 Best in Show poster: be creative and use whatever medium “The Great Horned Owl” they choose as they research mammals by 3rd grader Charlotte Millar to create a poster that celebrates this year’s theme. Shorebirds Don’t Understand Social Distancing

Each spring, hun- The shorebird spec- dreds of thousands tacle happens every of shorebirds stop year at Grays Harbor to rest and feed in National Wildlife the Grays Harbor Refuge. This year estuary during their is no different for migration northward. the birds, but our Coming from as far festival to celebrate south as Argentina, them has changed. these Arctic-bound Visit www.shorebird- shorebirds are festival.com to learn among the world’s more. Please enjoy greatest migrants. the Sandpiper Trail Some birds travel while adhering to over 15,000 miles the social distancing round trip! The rules. Individually concentration of birds during spring migration offers we can still enjoy this incredible natural phenomenon people a great chance to view a number of shorebird of hemispheric importance. species.

Be on the lookout for your shorebird souvenir! Find me hiding in plain sight around the Grays Harbor community. Come see me in person at Hoquiam’s Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge (Bowerman Basin) during the Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival April 24th-30th My friends and I will be passing through on our way to the Arctic!

4 The Flyway Exploring the Nisqually Watershed, Virtually!

Spring is field trip season for many local schools. And activities can never replace the experience of being im- this year, while many students remain learning remote- mersed in nature. Observing with all our senses the in- ly, the Refuge has partnered with the Nisqually River credible wildlife and habitat that surround us is the best Education Project and Nisqually Reach Nature Center to way to learn about our environment. With that in mind, offer students a unique opportunity to learn about the these lessons have been designed to provide enjoyment Nisqually Watershed. We have created four interactive and inspire awe and curiosity, while getting students lessons to provide to local schools. These lessons allow imagining all the ways to explore and recreate through- students to take a virtual field trip from the Nisqually out the Nisqually Watershed. Birding at the Refuge, Estuary all the way up to the Nisqually Glacier on beachcombing at Nisqually Reach Nature Center, rafting Mount Rainier. the Nisqually River, or hiking on Mount Rainier, there’s so many opportunities to safely explore all that nature Along the way, students learn about sea stars, birds, & has to offer throughout our incredible watershed. salmon as well as wetlands, rivers, and tides. But the goal for these lessons is more than learning about wild- Know a teacher or educator who works with students life and nature, it is to get students curious to explore who may benefit from these free lessons? Have them the Nisqually Watershed with their families. We know email [email protected] to request details. that watching videos and completing computer-based

Spring 2021 5 What’s Black and White, Flies, and Calls Its Name Constantly? By Susie Hayes Fee Bee, “Hey sweetie” is the male chickadee song at- Flyway editor tracting a female and/or to announce their territory dur- ing mating season. Often a male may be heard singing Walking through the forest in the cold of winter, leaves in the forest with females listening carefully to choose a soften the way, twigs and branches bare, sound travels loud, strong song indicating a superior mate. The dawn easily on those days. The quiet may be broken by high chorus often offers an opportunity to hear a longer and pitched tseet calls, a flock of birds. Listen closely …….a louder version of the “Hey sweetie” song. mixed flock of birds? Stop, smile, listen, observe. The constant chatter among Tseet calls are very high the birds is often led by pitched little chips and a social group of Black- tweets used to stay in con- capped Chickadees. These tact while these black and black and white busy white birds are busy feed- bodies dart from lichen ing in the trees. These flock covered branches to fir or companion calls are soft cones foraging for insects and very subtle. They are and seeds chatting the used by many chickadees whole time. Other birds and a careful listener can who winter in the area, distinguish the difference Chestnut-backed Chicka- in these chattering rhythms dees, Juncos and Kinglets from the kinglets or other for example, hang out birds. One must listen in- with the chickadees con- tently to pick out these tributing their own voice. quietest of chickadee calls. All the birds are listening Photo by Robert Payne The Gargle Call is exactly to the constant chatter for food opportunities and alarm that, a garbled mixture of calls, all mashed together. It calls signaling predators in the area. Even our arrival in often blends its name-saying call with other sounds. the forest is announced loud and clear! It’s tied to territory and courtship, and to hierarchy in Black-capped Chickadees are friendly, cheery and a flock. If a dominant male feels crowded and en- chatty. It doesn’t take them long to warm up to your croached upon at a bird feeder, he might deliver a little presence. They also befriend (perhaps tolerate is a bet- huff of a gargle to tell others to back off. ter word) other species of birds, who in turn learn the Begging Calls delivered from fledglings pleading par- “chickadee language”. It turns out that Black-capped ents for a tasty insect or grub. These calls are very Chickadees language is one of the most complex and insistent made by a young chickadee quivering on a fascinating in the bird kingdom, with a whole lot of branch. (Parents often choose spiders for their young- information that listeners, birds and humans, can in- sters because spiders have the nutrient taurine which terpret. Fortunately for us, these communicative birds helps with brain development and other functions.) stay all winter, long after the migratory song birds head These young, noisy beggars are easy to spot as they are south for warmer climes. If you listen carefully to the often out in the open, very naïve to any danger….you chickadees conversation, distinguish their calls, you included. can learn a lot about their location, behavior, and what is happening in the bird world. Ornithologists have High Zee a series of high pitched, rapid fire calls warn- identified many different vocalizations that chickadees ing of a predator overhead. Birds hearing this, chicka- communicate with. Let’s eavesdrop on them and see dees and other species, will immediately hide and what they’re up to. freeze. The whole forest quiets, no movement. After the danger has past, the chickadee may announce all clear Chick-a-dee-dee-dee, let me introduce myself! Both male with its signature chick-a-dee-dee-dee. and female chickadees repeat this call frequently while feeding or anytime they are in groups. But add a few Black-capped Chickadees are one of the happiest, most “dees” and this signals that there might be danger energetic birds of the forest. They don’t play hide and flying overhead or creeping up to their nest. The more seek behind the greenery. Always talking, they are easy dees, the greater the danger the chickadee perceives. to spot, and are great company in your yard or on a Common threats that might cause a chickadee to use walk through the forest. What’s there not to love about this form of alarm call are approaching predators like chickadees? hawks, owls, or cats.

6 The Flyway New and Renewing Friends Members/Spring 2021 Student/Senior–$15 Karen Pauler Jeanne Crawford David & Anne Richardson Tim Crawford R Donna Snow Charles & Rosalie Davies Ann Marie Genco Erika & Dan Tallman Karen Drum M. Elaine Lyle Partner–$250 Carol Eckert Diane Malone M.J. Shiner Colonel Garth Holmes A.E. Prine Kathy Martin Kirsten Quinn Michael Zeigler II Marcia Mclaughlin Friends of Nisqually NWRComplex Richard Muzzy Family–$50 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Glen Nelson Susan Hansen organization established in 1998 to Glenis Nielsen Kathy & Ken Kirkland promote conservation of the natural George Rybolt Patrick & Leslie Pringle and cultural resources Bonnie Bernard & Peter Seidman Jean Black & Ron Rosenbloom Kay Smith and fund educational Supporting–$100 and outreach programs at Irene vonTobel Betsy Bullman Nisqually National Wildlife Individual–$25 Karen R. Fraser Margaret Adams Douglas Grover Refuge Complex. Jon Bennett Mavis J. Johnson Join Friends of Nisqually NWRC!

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ease ake heks aae t riens isa , rn ar , ia, Your tax deductible contribution will help preserve the unique habitats, fish, and wildlife of the Nisqually Delta and the Grays Harbor Tideflats.

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Spring 2021 7 Friends of Nisqually National Non-Profit Org Wildlife Refuge Complex US Postage PAID 100 Brown Farm Road Olympia WA Olympia WA 98516 Permit #206 Return Service Requested

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Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival Self guided tours of April 24–30, 2021 Grays Harbor National Go to the website for fun ways to celebrate Wildlife Refuge F www.shorebirdfestival.com Other great birding spots F Best birding times around high tide F activities for children Best of Show from Simpson Elementary 6th Grader Hayden Sweet with his piece titled Lunch is Served! featuring a Marbled Gotwit.