Volume 23 Issue 5 January 2016 Field Trip Edition

January 13th Program: Spokane Audubon Society : Spokane’s Backyard Jewel Field Trips featuring Spokane Audubon’s Kim Thorburn The following list shows field trips planned by the Spokane Audubon Society. Trips may be added with short notice so check the website often. Trips also may be canceled at any time due to bad weather, too few participants, or the lack of a leader. Contact the leader for more information and to reserve a spot. If you are unable to register before the schedule deadline but want to at- tend, be sure that you check with the leader to make sure that the trip is still on. Leaders are club volunteers and are not compensated. Field trips are free. However, if you carpool with someone, you will be expected to compensate the driver for your share of gas and vehicle use. You are also responsible for any iverside State Park, right in Spokane’s backyard, offers outstanding year- park entry fees, camping fees, or motel th Rround bird watching. Join us on January 13 for Spokane Audubon member bills. Starting times published below are Kim Thorburn’s presentation about the park’s diverse ecosystems and the birding when we leave, so arrive earlier than the opportunities they afford. posted hour. Kim is a frequent park visitor who has developed a list of more than 150 bird Participants need to provide their own species sightings, including several on the state’s watch list. In addition to many binoculars, food and drink, adequate wonderful recreational activities, Riverside State Park provides important habitat clothing, and transportation unless you conservation for wildlife. Kim expects that many of you may be surprised at find somebody with whom to carpool. some of the bird sightings. No dogs please. Kim is a former president of Spokane Audubon Society who leads several field Our 2016 Field Trip list can be down- trips and participates in other activities to promote bird watching and wildlife loaded from http://spokaneaudubon.org, conservation. She assists Gary Blevins with Spokane Audubon’s “Learn to Bird” but be sure to check back or call the workshops held in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day. She is a trip leader for last-minute changes. member of the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. Photo courtesy of Kim Thorburn. Field Trip Levels The January program will be held at the We provide a variety of trips that ac- Riverview Retirement Community, Village Community Building commodate many birding skill levels. (Directions on page 8.) Birders of all levels are welcome on all trips. However, please bear in mind that Please join us at 7 p.m. for refreshments and friendly conversation. some beginners may get frustrated or The program will begin at about 7:30 p.m., after announcements. continued on page 3 The Pygmy Owl Announcements Volume 23, Issue 5 ~ January 2016 Turnbull NWR Photo Contest The Pygmy Owl, the newsletter of the Spokane Audubon Turnbull is seeking photos from amateur photographers Society, is published monthly, September through June. showcasing the wildlife and habitats found on the refuge. Spokane Audubon Society P.O. Box 9820 Contest Dates: 11/1/2015 - 10/31/2016 Spokane, WA 99209-9820 For complete rules, go to www.fws.gov/refuge/turnbull Owl illustrations on pg. 1 and pg. 8 © Jan Reynolds. The winning photo will be featured on the face of the 2017 annual refuge pass. Officers President Call for Volunteers: Waterfowl Survey Tom Light [email protected] Ducks Unlimited, Turnbull NWR and WDFW are starting Vice President a Channelled Scablands Spring Waterfowl Survey effort to Open finally put some numbers on how important the Scablands Treasurer are to migrating waterfowl. The current plan involves both Lindell Haggin [email protected] aerial and ground surveys from mid-February through Secretary mid-April. Aerial surveys will be done every two weeks, and Ed Reynolds [email protected] ground surveys every week to catch any pulses of birds that Elected Board of Directors might be missed between aerial surveys. Spokane Audubon Joyce Alonso [email protected] will be assisting with the ground surveys in Reardan. This Ann Brinly [email protected] Bob Cashen [email protected] information will be important for future planning and it’s Marlene Cashen [email protected] a great way to give purpose to your birding outings! Please Bea Harrison [email protected] contact Lindell Haggin ([email protected]) to help Jim Harrison [email protected] with this project. Gary Lee [email protected] Jan Reynolds [email protected]

Committee Chairs Field Trips Open Programs Gary Lee [email protected] Education Joyce Alonso [email protected] Lindell Haggin [email protected] Conservation Greg Gordon [email protected] Hospitality Jan Strobeck [email protected] Membership Dave Plemons [email protected] Publication John English [email protected] Publicity Oroville (the OLC’s Sparred(?) Owl), by Ashley Karsh* Kim Thorburn [email protected] Pygmy Owl Saturday January 30th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Carmen Yount [email protected] West Valley Outdoor Learning Center Open House Volunteer Coordinator 8706 E Upriver Dr, Spokane Valley, WA Joyce Alonso [email protected] Celebrate the OLC’s Superb Owls (and other critters) the Website week before the big game, and get ready for The Great Alan McCoy spokaneaudubon.org Backyard Bird Count! (*Ashley is the OLC’s Americorps volunteer.)

2 (cont. from pg 1) bored on trips Spokane’s Coeur d’Alene Park at 7:30 April 16, 2016, Saturday designed for advanced birders, where a.m. Contact Fran at 484-8666, or bird- Sprague Lake Field Trip much of the birding is done by ear and [email protected] by January 31 if you Leader: Fran Haywood the pace is very fast. Some advanced plan to attend. birders might find the trips geared This is a half-day trip to the Sprague toward beginning birders too basic Target Species: Rough-legged and Lake area, open to all birders. We will and slow-paced. Some trips last five or Red-tailed Hawks, Prairie Falcon, look for migrating and early resident six hours; some are 12 hours or longer. Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, North- species, especially ducks. We may drive Read the trip descriptions carefully to ern Shrike, Snow Buntings, Lapland through Miller Ranch, stop at Sprague see if a trip is right for you. Longspur, Gray Partridge Cemetery, and Cow Lake. We hope 2016 Field Trip Schedule March 19, 2016, Saturday to find Swainson’s Hawks, American Bluebird Trip White Pelicans, and if we get lucky, January 23, 2016, Saturday Leader: Marian Frobe Long-billed Curlew. We will meet at Spokane’s Coeur d’Alene Park at 6:30 LC Valley Banana Belt Trip This is a family friendly half-day trip Leader: Keith Carlson a.m. Contact Fran Haywood (484- and a great way to greet spring. We’ll 8666, [email protected]) by April This all-day trip is geared toward drive a route on Paradise Prairie to see 10 if you plan to attend. all levels of birders. The Lewiston/ returning favorite birds. We prob- Clarkston (LC) Valley often has slightly ably will finish at Turnbull National Target Species: Migrant ducks and more moderate temperatures in winter, Wildlife Refuge. The trip usually ends geese, American White Pelican, which can make for some great winter around 2 p.m. We will meet at Spo- Swainson’s Hawk, American Avocet, birding. We will meet Walmart in kane’s Coeur d’Alene Park at 7:00 a.m. Black-necked Stilt, Caspian Tern, Pullman at 8:00 a.m. Come prepared Call leader Marian Frobe at 328-0621 Say’s Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warbler, for winter weather, bring snacks, by March 15, if you plan to attend. White-crowned and Savannah Spar- rows, and Long-billed Curlew water, and lunch. Contact Tom Light Target Species: Migrant ducks and at [email protected] or by phone at geese, raptors, woodpeckers, Say’s April 21-26, 2016, 509-638-2274 by January 20 to register Phoebe, Western Bluebird Thursday-Tuesday for the trip. Point Reyes, California Field Trip March 26, 2016, Saturday Note: This trip will be dependent on Leader: Kim Thorburn Turnbull NWR Limit: 6 Birders weather and road conditions. Beginning Birder Basics Trip Target Species: A variety of waterfowl Leader: Fran Haywood This six-day trip is for intermediate (hopeful target: Long-tailed Duck), and advanced birders. Kim Thorburn This is a half-day driving and walk- will provide lodging for up to six winter gulls, including hopeful Lesser ing trip for all levels of birders, and is Black-backed and Thayer’s, Black- participants and lead field trips on family oriented. It is early in the season Bolinas Lagoon and beach, Point Reyes crowned Night-Herons, chaseable for many species, but always exciting to Snowy Owl and/or Gyrfalcon (if re- Bird Observatory, Point Reyes National see what has arrived. Meet at the refuge Seashore, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, ported), wintering warblers, sparrows, headquarters near Cheney at 7 a.m. and finches and the Marin Headlands. This region Contact leader Fran Haywood, 484- is a year-round birding hot spot, site of February 6, 2016, Saturday 8666, [email protected] by March the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Snowy Owl Trip 20 if you plan to attend. Birds,” and home of elite birder and Leaders: Fran and Brad Haywood Note: We will have a group pass to artist Keith Hansen. There is a variety This trip is geared toward all levels of cover the refuge entrance fee. of pelagic and other waterfowl, migrat- birders. We will spend most of the day Target Species: Breeding waterfowl, ing shorebirds and warblers, and lots exploring the area around Reardan Tundra and Trumpeter Swans; Great of land natives that we don’t often see and Davenport, and perhaps drive Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, wood- here. Participants will be responsible down Mill Canyon or to Coffee Pot peckers; Pygmy, Red-breasted, and for their own air travel to Oakland and Lake area depending on the latest bird White-breasted Nuthatch, Western we’ll split the cost of land transporta- reports. Winter birding can be slow Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Red-winged tion and food. We’ll need to coordinate and there are no guarantees. Weather and Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red arrival and departure in Oakland. Con- can be a major factor.. We will meet at Crossbill tact Kim Thorburn by April 1 if you’re

3 interested in learning more: 465-3025, and sound. Workshops will be held at a downtown Spokane and a mile west [email protected]. site to be determined from 6:30 to 9:00 of Hwy 195. We will start at the Slavin Target Species (examples): Acorn p.m. Slides and computer programs Ranch parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, will be used to introduce you to many end about 1:00 p.m. Please call leader Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wren- of the bird species commonly observed Alan McCoy at 448-3123 or 448-8861, tit, Allen’s Hummingbird, Whimbrel, in the Spokane area. A $20 donation to [email protected] by May 10 if you Snowy Plover, Western Gull, Common Spokane Audubon is requested. A field plan to attend. Murre, Red-throated Loon, Red- trip for workshop participants to Turn- Target Species: Breeding ducks and shouldered Hawk, White-tailed Kite, bull will be geese, Sora, Killdeer, Wilson’s Snipe, Rufous-crowned Sparrow held on International Migratory Bird breeding Black Tern, woodpeckers, 6 Day, May 14. For more information or swallow species, Western Wood Pewee, April 30, 2016, Saturday to reserve your place for the workshop, West Plains Early Migrant Trip Eastern and Western Kingbird, Marsh contact Gary Blevins at (533-3661 or Wren, Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Leader: Alan McCoy [email protected]) by April 25.. Limit: 15 Birders Common Yellowthroat May 14, 2016, Saturday This all-day trip is for all levels of bird- May 21, 2016, Saturday Bird Identification Workshop Peone Praries Wetlands Trip ers. We will stop at Reardan’s Audubon Field Trip to Turnbull NWR Lake where we will look for waterfowl Leaders: Ann Brinly, Leaders: Gary Blevins and Jim and Bea Harrison and shorebirds. We will check out the Kim Thorburn Davenport Cemetery, which can be This half-day trip will focus on visiting great for migrants. Then we will go Come celebrate International Migra- several hot spots in the Peone Prar- north to the Little Falls Dam and fol- tory Bird Day by birding. Although ies wetlands area. Meet at 7:00 a.m. low the upstream and the trip is specifically designed for the SHARP at Feryn Conservation parking finish up at the Indian Canyon Springs Bird Identification Workshop partici- area. Contact Ann Brinly, agbmael- area. We will meet at 6:00 a.m. at the pants, other birders are welcome. We [email protected] by May 14 to sign up. Rosauer’s parking lot in Browne’s Ad- will meet at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, near Cheney, in the parking lot Target species: Bullock’s Oriole, La- dition (near 2nd Avenue and Sunset zuli Bunting, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Highway) and plan to return about across from Pine Lake at 7:00 a.m. and bird the refuge until 2:00 p.m. Contact Kingbird, Calliope Hummingbird, 6:00 p.m. Contact leader Alan McCoy Belted Kingfisher, Gray Catbird, Red- at 448-3123, 448-8861 or ahm2352@ leader Gary Blevins at (533-3661 or [email protected]) by May 1 to tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, and gmail.com by April 25 to reserve your waterfowl place. register for the trip. May 22, 2016, Sunday Target Species: Migrant ducks, rap- Target Species: Wilson’s Snipe, Yellow- headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Mosquito Springs Trip tors, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Leader: Kim Thorburn Bewick’s Wren, Black-necked Stilt, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, Ameri- American Avocet, Red-necked Grebe, can Bittern, various waterfowl, Great This trip is for birders of all levels. It is Calliope Hummingbird, Orange- Horned Owl, Osprey, Northern Har- a half-day walking trip over rough ter- crowned, Nashville and Yellow war- rier, Cassin’s Finches rain. Experience this little-known BLM blers, Say’s Phoebe, Western and May 14, 2016, Saturday shrub-steppe riparian area brimming Mountain Bluebirds Slavin Ranch Wetland Trip with arriving breeding birds. We will Leader: Alan McCoy also check for sagebrush and grassland May 9, 11, 13 species. Contact Kim Thorburn, 465- Monday, Wednesday, Friday evenings This is an annual trip to Slavin Ranch 3025 or [email protected] by May Bird Identification Workshop for Spokane Audubon. It is a half-day 18 if you’re interested. Leaders: Gary Blevins and walking trip along a primitive trail Kim Thorburn through open Ponderosa pine scab Target species: Willow Flycatcher, rock country with many views of Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bun- OK. Novices and beginners, this is ting, Warbling Vireo, Bullock’s Oriole, your chance. Two instructors will teach seasonal wetlands. All levels of bird- ers are welcome. The Slavin Ranch Grasshopper Sparrow, Brewer’s Spar- a series of three classes on beginning row, Sage Thrasher birding and bird identification by sight is a Conservation Futures acquisi- tion located about 10 miles south of

4 May 28, 2016, Saturday June 4, 2016, Saturday backed Chickadee, Swainson’s, Hermit, Douglas Creek/Waterville Liberty Lake Trip and Varied Thrushes, Yellow-rumped Plateau Trip Leader: Joyce Alonso and and Townsend’s Warblers, Fox Sparrow, Leader: Kim Thorburn Brian Miller Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill All levels of birders are welcome to This is a mostly easy walking half- June 11, 2016, Saturday join this all-day trip to Waterville day trip. Liberty Lake hosts some of Iller Creek Trip Plateau birding hotspots. We will bird the best habitat diversity in Spokane Leader: Gary Lee Douglas Creek (rough road access), County, with breeding grebes on the This trip is for birders of all levels as the Waterville STP, and Badger Mtn. lake, extensive wetlands and prairie, well as local citizens who want to learn Contact Kim Thorburn at 465-3025 or old second-growth Ponderosa pine, more about protecting our precious [email protected] by May 22. and some of the best wetbelt mixed ecosystem. On this Target species: Variety of migrat- conifer forest in the area. Contact Joyce trip, we will slowly walk some of the ing warblers, Lazuli Buntings, Rock Alonso (448-2447) by May 31 if you trails and see what is there. The Iller and Canyon Wrens, and much more plan to attend. Creek Natural Area is famed for its (Douglas Creek); all varieties of swal- Target Species: Red-necked Grebe, abundance of breeding flycatchers, lows along with shorebirds and water- Wilson’s Snipe, Virginia and Sora vireos, and warblers. Occasionally a fowl (Waterville STP); Warbling Vireos, Rails, woodpeckers, Hammond’s, moose makes a cameo appearance! several varieties of warblers and more Dusky, and Willow Flycatcher, Cassin’s, Meet at the Iller Creek entrance in the (Badger Mtn.) Warbling, and Red-eyed Vireos, Marsh cul-de-sac at the end of Holman Road. May 29, 2016, Sunday Wren, Yellow, MacGillvray’s, Orange- Contact Gary Lee at bird_fan @aol. Little Spokane Natural Area Trip crowned, Townsend’s, and Nashville com or 389-5474 to sign up and for Leader: Lindell Haggin Warblers, American Redstart, Com- meeting time. mon Yellowthroat All levels of birders are welcome to Target Species: Ruffed Grouse, accipi- join us for a half-day walking trip June 5, 2016, Sunday ters, woodpeckers, Hammond’s, Dusky, along the Little Spokane River Natural Subalpine Birds Trip Willow, and Pacific-Slope Flycatchers, Area. This is the peak of breeding sea- Leader: Jim Hudlow Warbling and Cassin’s Vireos, Swain- son. Over 80 species have been record- This is a half-day hiking trip for all lev- son’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, Bewick’s ed in this rich riparian, forest, and rock els of birders. The grade is very gentle Wren, Orange-crowned, Nashville, habitat. Meet at the Spokane River but we will walk four to six miles. Be Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Townsend’s, Boat Launch parking lot less than one prepared with plenty of snacks and and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Spotted mile north of Nine-Mile Dam on Rt. water. You may retreat at any point. Towhee, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill 291 at 6:30 a.m. Contact Lindell Hag- Mt. Spokane is the primary (and only June 12, 2016, Sunday gin, 466-4118 or lindell4118@comcast. publicly accessible) site for subalpine Palisades/Indian Canyon Trip net by May 25 if you plan to attend. breeding birds in Spokane County, Leader: Lindell Haggin Note: A WA Discover Pass is required making this a popular and exciting All levels of birders are invited to ex- for parking on this trip. Purchase on- annual event. Meet 7:00 a.m. SHARP at plore the Indian Canyon area immedi- line or at REI. Foothills Community Church, 11100 ately west of town. We will be walking N. Peck Road. Contact Jim Hudlow Target Species: Common and Hooded one or two miles. We will meet at 6:30 ([email protected] or 509-926- a.m. at the Rosauer’s at 1808 W. 3rd Merganser; Osprey; woodpeckers; 2186) by June 1 if you plan to attend. Pacific-slope and Willow Flycatch- Ave. The field trip will end at approxi- ers; Warbling, Cassin’s and Red-eyed Note: Discover Passes required for all mately 11:00 a.m. Contact Lindell Hag- Vireos; White-breasted Nuthatch; vehicles in Mt. Spokane State Park. gin (446-4118 or lindell4118@comcast. Bewick’s and House Wrens; Gray Cat- Purchase online or at REI. net) by June 7 if you plan to attend. bird; Black-headed Grosbeak; Bullock’s Target Species: Dusky and Ruffed Target Species: Raptors, woodpeck- Oriole Grouse, accipiters, Northern Pygmy ers, White-throated Swifts, Western Owl, woodpeckers, Hammond’s Fly- Wood-pewee, Dusky and Hammond’s catcher, Warbling and Cassin’s Vireos, Flycatchers, Cassin’s and Warbling Gray and Stellar’s Jays, Chestnut-

5 Vireos, breeding sparrows and finches, August 25 - August 28 November 19, 2016, Saturday Black-headed Grosbeak Thursday-Sunday Douglas Plateau June 16 - June 19, 2016 Fall Birding and Camping Trip Northern Visitors Trip Thursday - Sunday (Little Pend Oreille NWR) Leader: Kim Thorburn Camping Trip Leaders: Alan McCoy and The Waterville Plateau is a challenging Leaders: Jim & Bea Harrison Sandy Sollie but high-quality destination for rarities Camp at Conconully State Park. We Check the website later for more detail. during the late fall and winter months. will be birding the east Cascade Range September 10, 2016 Saturday We will work the rolling steppe of the above Conconully and the Okanogan Sprague Lake Migrant Trip Plateau in search of unusual raptors, Valley. Last year we had 100 species of Leader: Norma Trefry owls, and passerines; we’ll also bird along the Columbia River in hopes of birds in two days, but this area recently This is a half day trip to the Sprague burned, so we will be investigating how finding rare Arctic Gulls and saltwater Lake area to look for migrating birds, waterfowl, such as scoters, Long-tailed the area and the birding has changed. and birds which often stray here in Watch the SAS website for more info Duck, and Pacific Loon. We will spend September. Meet at Coeur d’Alene the night of November 18 in Brewster this spring. Call Jim Harrison at Park at 6:15 a.m. We will leave the 830-313-0610. for an earlier start with the birds dur- park at 6:30 a.m. There will be a $5.00 ing this short daylight season. Contact Target species: Black-backed & Lewis’ charge per person if we bird at either Kim Thorburn (465-3025 orkthor - Woodpecker, Williamson’s & Red- of the private resorts on the lake. [email protected]) by November 14 if naped Sapsucker, Chukar, Red-necked Please call Norma Trefry, 926-2533,or you plan to attend. Grebe, Vaux’s Swift, Rufous & Calliope email, [email protected] by Sept 6 Hummingbird, Clark’s Nutcracker, if you plan to attend. Note: This trip will be dependent on weather and road conditions. Swainson’s Thrush Target Species: Loons, grebes, White July 9, 2016, Saturday Pelicans, Great Egrets, Peregrine Target Species: Loons and grebes; Little Spokane Canoeing Falcon, Red-necked Phalaropes, terns, scoters and rare wintering waterfowl; Leaders: Jim & Bea Harrison American Pipit, migrant warblers and wintering raptors; Glaucous, Thayer’s, sparrows and Glaucous-winged Gulls; Snowy Join us for a half-day trip as we float Owl; Northern Shrike; Snow Bunting; the Little Spokane River, birding along October 22, 2016, Saturday Lapland Longspur; Gray-crowned the way. This beautiful riparian zone is Grant County Late Fall Migrant Trip Rosy Finch. We will hunt for elusive known for a wide variety of birds. Pro- Leader: Gary Blevins rarities, including Gyrfalcon and vide your own canoe or kayak. Basic This is a beginning, intermediate and Northern Hawk Owl skills on negotiating moving water are advanced birder-oriented trip to look December 10, 2016, Saturday needed. Bring a sack lunch for a picnic for specialty birds, such as Arctic Gulls, at the take-out. Max 12 people, so sign Coeur d’ Alene area Eagles Lapland Longspurs, and other hard- Leader: TBD up early. Meet at 8 a.m. at the upper to-find-and-see northern visitors. boat launch between the fish hatchery There may be some down time with This trip takes us around Beauty Bay and St. George School. Call Jim Har- little action in between bird sightings on Lake Coeur d’Alene where the Bald rison at 830-313-0610. but potential for rarities is high. It is Eagles feeding on spawned out salmon Target species: Yellow and Wilson’s a full-day trip from sunrise to sunset. are always a sight to behold. Weather Warber, Common and Hooded Mer- Contact Gary Blevins (533-3661 or permitting, those interested may drive ganser, Willow Flycatcher, Bullock’s [email protected]) by October 16 down to the Thompson Lake/Harrison Oriole, Gray Catbird, Black-headed if you plan to attend. region where a variety of birds winter in a slightly warmer zone. Probable Grosbeak, Common Yellowthroat, Target Species: Loons and grebes; Osprey, swallows, Bald Eagle particulars: 8:00 a.m. start at Liberty scoters and rare wintering waterfowl; Lake Albertson’s parking lot. wintering raptors; Glaucous, Thayer’s, The deadline for February’sPygmy Owl is and Glaucous-winged Gulls; Snowy Note: This trip will be dependent on st Thursday, January 21 Owl; Northern Shrike; Snow Bunting; weather and road conditions. Please send any content to Lapland Longspur; Gray-crowned Target Species: Bald Eagles, several [email protected] Rosy Finch duck and grebe species. Possibles, seen

6 on previous trips, are American Dip- Late January or early February 2017 bill, Mottled Duck, Black Vulture, per, Pacific Wren, Pileated Woodpeck- Rio Grande Valley, Texas Harris’s Hawk, Crested Caracara, Plain er, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Tundra Leaders: Ann Brinly and Chachalaca, Paraque, Laughing Gull, Swans, Northern Pygmy Owl Paula Kennedy Inca Dove, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Limit: 10 participants Ringed and Green Kingfisher, Gold- January 2, 2017, Monday We are planning a trip to the Rio en-fronted and Ladderback Wood- Christmas Bird Count pecker, Vermillon Flycatcher, Couch’s Leader: Alan McCoy Grande Valley in Texas sometime in late January/February of 2017. The trip Kingbird, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, All SAS members, as well as new bird- (geared toward intermediate and ad- Chihuahuan Raven, Black-crested ers, are always welcome to join the vanced birders) will last between 7 and Titmouse, Long-billed Thrasher, Audu- Christmas count, which encompasses 10 days, plus travel time to and from bon and Altimira Oriole, Great-tailed the Spokane Count Circle Center: 47° Spokane. It will be limited to 10 par- Grackle and Roadrunner. 43’ N by 117° 25’ W (approximately Di- ticipants – if demand is high, we will Many years we find vagrants from vision St. and Francis Avenue). Please likely repeat the trip in 2018. Cost and Mexico spending some time in the Val- contact Alan McCoy (509-448-3123 or further details will be available in early ley. Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Grey- [email protected]) for information spring of 2016. The Valley is a fantastic crowned Yellowthroat, Rose-throated about the Spokane CBC. place to bird – especially in winter. Becard, Bare-throated Tiger-heron, Birds which are nearly guaranteed in- Elegant Trogon and Blue Mockingbird clude: Brown Pelican, Roseate Spoon- have all been sighted on various trips.

Spokane Audubon Society Membership Form

Local Membership Dues:

Individual: $20/year

Couple & Family: $25/year

Student: $10/year

Lifetime: $300

National Membership Dues: $35/year Please make check payable to: Spokane Audubon Society Individual + National Dues: $55/year Send this form and your check to: Couple + National Dues: $60/year Audubon Membership Your local membership provides you with The Pygmy Owl and supports Attn: Dave Plemons your local chapter’s many conservation and education activities. You will 1224 W. Riverside #1101 also be eligible for website privileges. Spokane, WA 99201 Current members may renew mem- Name: berships from our web site::

Address: http://spokaneaudubon.org Receiving duplicate newsletters? City: State: Errors or other changes needed on your mailing label? Contact Dave Zip Code: Phone: Plemons at [email protected], or 413-1524. E-mail:

7 The Pygmy Owl Non-Profit Spokane Audubon Society Organization P.O. Box 9820 Spokane, WA Spokane, WA 99209-9820 US Postage PAID (509) 838-5828 Permit No. 34

To: th Program: January 13 Riverside State Park: Spokane’s Backyard Jewel, with Kim Thorburn 7:30 p.m.

The Spokane Audubon Society provides resources and services to educate people about birds, wildlife, and the importance of habitats, and to advocate and support public policies and actions that conserve and restore wildlife habitats.

Visit our website: http://spokaneaudubon.org

Directions to the General Meeting: Riverview Retirement Community, Village Community Building 2117 E. North Crescent Avenue

To get to Riverview Retirement Community: Once you’re on E. Upriver Drive (see map below): • Follow E. Upriver to Drive to N. Crestline Street From West Spokane & South Hill • Turn Left at N. Crestline Street • I-90 East to Exit 281 toward US-2 E/US-395 N/ • Turn Right on E. North Crescent Drive Newport/Colville • Proceed to entry on left showing numbers 2105-2145 • Follow US-2 E/US-395 N to E. Mission Ave. • Turn Right at E. Mission Ave. Limited parking is available by the Village Community • Turn Left at E. Upriver Drive Building. Overflow parking is along E. North Crescent Ave.

From Spokane Valley Riverview Retirement Community, Village Community Building • I-90 West to Exit 282A • Follow N. Hamilton St. to E. Mission Ave. Directions from E. Mission Ave., • Turn Right at E. Mission Ave. at E. Upriver Drive, Eastbound • Turn Left at E. Upriver Drive

From North Spokane • Turn left at E. Upriver Drive • Take US-395 S to E. Mission Ave. • Turn left onto N. Crestline Street. • Turn Left at E. Mission Ave. • Turn right onto E. North Crescent Ave. • Turn Left at E. Upriver Drive • Proceed to entry on left showing numbers 2105 - 2145.