Birdathon 2010 Is Here! “Birdathon Is the Highlight of My Year! I’D Never Been Involved with This Type of Event - It Was So Interesting

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SEATTLE AUDUBON

Spring 2010 Birdathon 2010 is Here! “Birdathon is the highlight of my year! I’d never been involved with this type of event - it was so interesting. I never knew raising money for Seattle Audubon could be so much fun. Birdathon allowed me to introduce my family and friends to Seattle Audubon and it gave them the opportunity to learn more about my passion for birds and the organization that stands behind its mission: to lead a community that values and protects birds and the natural environment. I was fortunate to receive such outstanding support from my community and, as a result, I surpassed my fundraising goal! I couldn’t have done it without them. I look forward to I nInside s i d e this year’s Birdathon and am excited to partici- Seattle Audubon 2 Birdathon 2010 4 pate.” From Danielle Higa, Birdathoner. Turn to 2009 Christmas Bird page 4 to find out how you can participate in Count Results 6 Birdathon 2010! Spotlight on Science Citizen Science Profile: C.O.A.S.S.T. 7 Membership Meeting Conservation 8

Member Relations Listening to Our The Lands and Waters of Mount Tompotika, Sulawesi, Indonesia Members 9 Presented by Marcy Summers, Education Connection 10 Director of Alliance for Tompotika Conservation Classes 11 March 18, 6:30-8:30 Downtown REI Field Trips 12 Nature Shop 13 Join us for our March Membership Meeting and learn more Good Deals 15 about the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation. The AITo is an international partnership between a United States non-profit and a registered Yayasan in Indonesia dedicated to conserving the unparalleled natural and cultural heritage of the lands and waters surrounding Mount Tompotika in Sulawesi, Indone- sia. AITo sponsors field programs conserving maleo birds, sea turtles, and native forests, and coordinates awareness outreach in Tompotika schools and villages. Additionally, AITo provides eco-service tours for visitors to the area. Learn more about this diverse landscape, conservation issues facing the Tompotika area, and the Vol.51 No.3 students and villages working together to preserve it. Open to the public at REI Downtown. 222 Yale Ave N. Doors open at 6, meeting at 6:30pm. © ALTO S e a t t l e

Changes to page 2 sidebar Staff Listing Seattle Audubon Volunteer View • Volunteer Opportunities DELETE Shop (phone: 206-523-4483) Justine Busse —Check out our Current Volunteer Oppor- ADD Staff (phone: 206-523-8243) • Thank you, Volunteers! tunities page at www.seattleaudubon.org. Leah Lee, x16, Director of Membership Fax (206-528-7779) —Thank you to all the Christmas Bird —Seattle Audubon is searching for mem- and Development Emiko Blalock, x14, Development Count participants, leaders, and potluck bers to join our dynamic Development Brendan McGarry, x13, Nature Shop Manager Assistant Kintea Bryant, x11, Education volunteers. Committee, as well as a new board mem- Director —A special thanks to Linda and Harvey ber who will serve as our Development EarthCare Northwest Listing Shawn Cantrell, x15, Executive Carroll, BJ Hedahl, Barbara Retzlaff, Committee Chair. If you are interested DELETE Director Ruth Windhover, and Alison Wysong for in fundraising, connecting with Seattle Sharon Sneddon Leah Lee, x16, Director of Mem- CarolBrittnacher handling field trips registration nights, bership and Development Audubon’s amazing members and donors, ADD and to the new volunteers for joining this and working with a team of talented Coordinator, Cathy Pfarr Brendan McGarry, x13, Nature Shop Assistant great team. volunteers and staff as we guide Seattle Matthew Mega, x38, • Does your workplace have a matching Audubon’s development strategy, we want Conservation Director funds program to honor your volunteer to hear from you! Please contact Leah Changes to page 2 footer Jen Mullen, x12 Volunteer Coordinator work in the community? Employer Lee at [email protected] or call Board Listing Adam Sedgley, x21, Science matching gift programs are an easy way to 206.523.8243 x 16. DELETE Manager instantly increase the impact of your gift —Join us for FUN! Seattle Audubon’s Aaron Ostrovsky (list legal Advisor as Janelle Shafer, x19, Elementary of volunteer time to Seattle Audubon. environmental education program for 3rd “open”) School Program Manager Please contact your employer’s human th ADD Russ Steele, x10, Director of and 4 graders, Finding Urban Nature Bill Keppler (under at large) Retail Operations resources department to find out if your (FUN), will hold a Volunteer Training on John Hoekstra (under at large) volunteer hours are matched. Contact SHIFT Lois Woolwine, x17, Bookkeeper March 6, 2010. To volunteer or for more Tom Riley from “at large” to Chairs” as WEB SITES Seattle Audubon’s Development Man- information, please contact, Janelle Sha- Development http://www.seattleaudubon.org ager, Emiko Blalock, at emikob@seattle fer, Elementary School Programs Manager, http://www.birdweb.org audubon.org or (206) 523-8243 x 14, to at 206.523.8243 x 19. See page 10 for Earthcare Northwest, the complete the process. more details. official newsletter of Seattle Audubon Coordinator, Brendan McGarry Membership News the raffle, which is only $5 a ticket! Call Emiko Blalock at 206.523.8243 x 14 if Publisher, Paige Byerly Save the Date! Design and Layout, Sandy Welch th you’d like to purchase a raffle ticket. Proofing, Hanna Atkins The 4 Annual Beers for Birds Trivia th Advertising Manager, Night is Tuesday, April 20 from 7PM- Thank You! Jacqui Campbell, x 47, or 9PM at Fiddler’s Inn. This spirited We are thankful for all of our supporters. [email protected]. bird trivia event brings the community You give Seattle Audubon the means to Submissions should be sent together for an evening of fun and affect all of the work that we do, from via e-mail to [email protected] friendly competition. Join us for Bird Finding Urban Nature in elementary by the 1st of the month preceding Trivia as well as a raffle, and auction! schools and adult education classes, to publication. Address Bring your bird brain to Fiddler’s Inn advocating for green spaces in the city changes should be sent to and challenge yourself to the quiz and and providing field trips to enjoy it. [email protected]. Submissions will be edited and help us raise money for our adult edu- Thank you for being a part of our orga- published at Seattle Audubon's cation programs. Trivia for the night nization. Together we cultivate and lead discretion. will be accessible to all levels and is $3. a community that values and protects Also, there are great prizes to be won in birds and the natural environment. © Seattle Audubon, 2010

SEATTLE AUDUBON BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Chairs Members at Large President, Randy Robinson Conservation, Colleen Legal Advisor, Lori Rath Dianne Edmonds Connie Sidles Vice President, Cathy Jaramillo McShane Past President, Marina Skumanich Lindsay Halm Allie Spiess Secretary, Rachel Lawson Development, Tom Riley Science, Rob Faucett John Hoekstra Melissa Willoughby Treasurer, Erin Gray Education, Paulette Hunter Charlie Kahle Richard Youel Bill Keppler Neil Zimmerman 2 Spring 2010 3 A u d u b o n

Spotlight on Moving Forward described strong by Shawn Cantrell Board Member engagement The past 18 months have been a diffi- in and support Jon Hoekstra cult time for non-profits, including Se- for the range of attle Audubon. While it appears that program activi- the worst may be behind us, we remain ties provided by mindful of the need to plan carefully. Seattle Audubon. In developing our program work plans While affirming for the coming fiscal year, we have much of what valuable new data to help guide that we have been doing, the survey also process. As the article on page 9 high- generated several useful suggestions for Jon Hoekstra joined the lights, we recently completed a survey improving our operations. The board, Seattle Audubon board as an of our members. The results provide volunteers and staff of Seattle Audubon At Large member in Septem- useful insights into the interests and are now incorporating that feedback, ber 2009. Jon is the manag- priorities of our members. Members using it to strengthen our work. ing director of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Climate Change Program. He pro- Seattle Audubon Society Slate of Board Officers 2010 vides strategic and scientific leadership for efforts to enact Seattle Audubon will hold an Election of Board Officers on Thursday, April 15, strong climate change poli- 2010 at the April Membership Meeting, 6:30 pm at the downtown REI (222 Yale cies, reduce greenhouse gas Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109). emissions by protecting for- The Seattle Audubon Nominating Committee has put together the following ests, and using conservation slate of board officer candidates: to make nature and people more resilient to unavoidable Cathy Jaramillo, President: Cathy in Seattle Audubon’s Nature Shop, and climate change impacts. joined Seattle Audubon’s board as an leads field trips. She completed the Mas- Jon earned his PhD in At Large member in 2008. She traces ter Birder program in 2004, and served on Zoology from the University her interest in birds and conservation to the Master Birder Committee for the class of Washington and serves as an associate professor in undergraduate research in Biology and to of 2006. the Department of Biology. A a college summer spent as a Park Ranger Erin Gray, Treasurer: Erin currently 2003 trip to Ecuador rekindled on Mt. Rainier. After graduating, Cathy serves as the Treasurer for Seattle Audu- Jon’s interests in birding and completed an MBA at Pepperdine Uni- bon. She has worked at Green Century motivated him to get more in- versity and began her career in Business Capital Management, an investment volved in Seattle Audubon. He and Finance. completed the Master Birder company that manages two environ- course in 2008 and volunteers Rachel Lawson, Secretary: Rachel cur- mentally responsible mutual funds. Erin in the Nature Shop. Jon is rently serves as the Secretary for Seattle also has previous experience at a big-5 also on the board of Island Audubon. She received her MS from the accounting firm. She holds a joint MBA Conservation, an organiza- University of Washington, and worked and Masters of Environmental Manage- tion that specializes in pre- as a Zookeeper at Woodland Park Zoo. ment degree, and brings a wealth of finan- venting extinctions of island Rachel served on the board of the Wash- cial and environmental policy knowledge species, especially seabirds. ington Ornithological Society, volunteers to Seattle Audubon. Welcome, Jon, and thank you for your contributions!

SEATTLE AUDUBON MISSION STATEMENT Seattle Audubon cultivates and leads a community Invest in the Future—Make a that values and protects birds and the natural Bequest to Seattle Audubon SEATTLE AUDUBON CENTER environment. and NATURE SHOP Shawn Cantrell Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM to 5PM Seattle Audubon is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) 206-523-8243, x15 8050 35th Ave. NE organization. [email protected] Seattle WA 98115 2 206-523-4483Spring 2010 3 F e a t u r e

Birdathon 2010 - Birdathon is here! Each year Seattle Access Birdathon Online and Go Audubon hosts its annual fundraising Paperless! event, Birdathon, and we invite you to Seattle Audubon values its resources, join us! Participants embark on a one day and we encourage every participant to birding whirlwind and raise money to use our easy online registration tool. We support Seattle Audubon. Anyone can offer a comprehensive option for your participate – from a novice backyard bird- Birdathon, where you can personalize your watcher to an expert birder. Count birds account, tell your own story, upload photos by yourself, for or with a team, or join us and customize your page just the way on a field trip. you want. Send out emails and links to It’s easy to be a part of Birdathon. Sim- friends, family, and colleagues and invite ply choose a 24-hour period between April your sponsors to make payments online. 15th and May 31st, collect pledges and then To get started, visit our website, get outside and count as many birds as www.seattleaudubon.org and view the you can. Birdathon gives you a chance to Birdathon 2010 home page. There you get outside, and be involved in something will find all of the resources you need to that benefits the entire community. Funds create your personalized account. You can raised from this event support all of our choose to register as an individual, start programs, such as Finding Urban Nature, your own team or join an existing team. which teaches elementary students about Next, design your account by setting a environment education to conservation fundraising goal, adding photos and shar- issues that effect the environment on the ing your Birdathon excitement! Once local and state level. Be involved in some- you’ve signed up as a participant, come thing that can truly make a difference! to the Seattle Audubon office and pick up your 2010 Birdathon tee shirt to wear while you’re out in the field. After you’ve created your personalized page, you can direct your sponsors to your online account to collect pledges. Spon- sors can support your Birdathon efforts either with single contributions or per-species pledges. Every pledge recorded will raise your online goal thermometer, as well as the organizations goal over all. There are other ways to participate in Birdathon in addition to collecting your own pledges. During the months of the event, field trips are offered for a contribution of ($15) for a half a day and ($25) for a full day trip. We charge a fee for these specialized field trips that are designed to help Birdathoners see the largest number of species possible. Seattle Audubon is © SAS stock photos proud to offer these opportunities, and they create a unique point of entry into the world of birding. Throughout the rest

4 Spring 2010 5 F e a t u r e

of the year, our field trips are offered at no cost, so remember, your contributions during Birdathon keep these programs free of charge! This year we are excited to include an award for youth Birdathoners! This new prize will be given to a Youth Participant under 12 years of age who sees the most species. Why do we encourage youngsters to join Birdathon? Put simply, because Seattle Audubon believes in providing opportunities for the youth in our community, and encourages them to become the next generation of environmental stewards.

A Big Thank You! © SAS stock photos This annual event is a tremendous success because of you! After completing your day of birding, please remember to contact your sponsors and thank them. You might include how many species you saw (especially for those sponsoring you per-species) and any memorable story that happened while on your birding trip. Also be sure to collect outstanding pledges online, and send any offline payments to Seattle Audubon. (Please do not send cash in the mail.) Checks should be

payable to Seattle Audubon noting the birchsidestudios.com name of the Birdathon account. © George West, © George West,

Birdathon Prizes We are grateful for everyone who participates Prizes will be awarded for: in Birdathon. We offer several prizes and incen- Most Money Raised by an Individual tives for the competitive types, so be sure to get all Most Money Raised by a Team of your payments in by June 15th to be eligible for Most Species Seen by an Individual the awards. Most Species Seen by a Team Sponsor Incentives for pledges of: Most Species Seen by Youth Under 12 Years of Age Donate $30 + Eligible for Seattle Audubon Grand Prize Drawing for all participants, membership* individual or team. Donate $75 + Commemorative Birdathon 2010 tee shirt* * Pledges are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

4 Spring 2010 5 Spotlight on Science

2009 Christmas Bird Count Results Summary and Trend Analysis by Gene Hunn, CBC Compiler December 26, 2009 brought a day of almost-records but up from last year) with 191 observers out to find128 species; shy of the and American Coots 197 and 129 records, respectively. A total of 53,074 (1565, 0.27x); Bonapar- individual birds were reported. The basic analyses be- te’s Gulls have crashed

low are the ratio of the 2009 total to the average of the during the 2000s, with birchsidestudios.com years 1973-2008, or the “modern period” of the count. none this year, several See who’s up and who’s down. hundred were counted

on average during the © George West, EXAMPLE: 2.56x is 2.56 times the long term average 1980s and 1990s. EXAMPLE: 0.25x is just 25% of the long-term average Anna’s Hummingbirds continue record-setting Trends evident: numbers, triple last year’s record total (337, 6.37x); Notably high counts include Brant (159, 3.24x 1973- Barred Owls (6, 6.37x) and Western Scrub-Jays (15, 2008 average), consistent with long-term upward 14.57x) consolidate their relatively recent invasions; trend; Ring-necked Duck were up (685, 3.14x 1973- American Crows continue to expand their hold on the 2008 average), consistent with long-term upward urban environment (18,180, 26.25x). trend; Buffleheadwere up (1057, new maximum, 2.05x Black-capped Chickadees (1739, 1.93x), Red- 1973-2008 average), consistent with long-term upward breasted Nuthatches (109, 2.04x), and Brown trend; Surf Scoters were at a new high, but the long- Creepers (62, 2.06x) were all up this year, continuing term trend is flat. By contrast,White-winged Scoters long-term trends; Yellow-rumped (168, 4.19x) and ( 2, 0.03x) and Black Scoters (12, 0.10x) were way Townsends (40, 2.63x) Warblers were up; Lincoln’s down; As were Ruddy Ducks (2, 0.34x), continuing Sparrows (18, 2.26x) were up this year, as were Fox long-term downward trends. (154, 1.48x), White-crowned (34, 1.38x), and Golden- Ring-necked Pheasants and California Quail have crowned (153, 1.73x) Sparrows, while Dark-eyed disappeared, with no pheasants reported and quail count Juncos achieved a new maximum (1098, 1.61x). week only (at Magnuson Park where a few hang on). Brewer’s Blackbirds continued to be elusive (1, Bald Eagles continue their dramatic recovery (102, 0.04x), having crashed since the 1980s; Our state bird, 4.91x) as do Peregrine Falcons (8, 3.26x). the American Goldfinch(622, 2.72x), is on the rise, On the down side are Western Grebes (1000, 0.69x, while Evening Grosbeaks have all but vanished (0) since the 1990s. Species counts: Snow Goose 1 Harlequin Duck 51 Brandt’s Cormorant 117 Surfbird 76 Barn Owl 3 Brant 15 Surf Scoter 1010 Double-crested Cormorant 587 Sanderling 64 Western Screech-Owl 2 Cackling Goose 20 White-winged Scoter 2 Pelagic Cormorant 15 Dunlin 8 Great Horned Owl 1 Canada Goose 902 Black Scoter 12 Great Blue Heron 35 Wilson’s Snipe 5 Barred Owl 6 Trumpeter Swan 12 scoter sp. 8 Bald Eagle 102 Mew Gull 544 Northern Saw-whet Owl 2 Wood Duck 20 Bufflehead 1057 Bald Eagle adult [73] Ring-billed Gull 251 owl sp. 1 Gadwall 911 Common Goldeneye 371 Bald Eagle immature [29] Western Gull 13 Hummingbird 337 Eurasian Wigeon 5 Barrow’s Goldeneye 308 Bald Eagle unspecified 0 Western x hummingbird sp. 1 American Wigeon 2145 Hooded Merganser 97 Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 Glaucous-winged Gull 140 Belted Kingfisher 25 Eurasian x Common Merganser 221 Cooper’s Hawk 22 California Gull 42 Red-naped Sapsucker 1 American Wigeon 3 Red-breasted Merganser 169 Accipiter sp. 4 Herring Gull 6 Red-breasted Sapsucker 10 Mallard 1218 Ruddy Duck 8, duck sp. 2 Red-tailed Hawk 46 Thayer’s Gull 1 Downy Woodpecker 67 Northern Shoveler 81 California Quail cw, Buteo sp. 1 Glaucous-winged Gull 1713 Hairy Woodpecker 4 Northern Pintail 12 Red-throated Loon 12 Merlin 9 gull sp. 330 Northern Flicker 322, Green-winged Teal 83 Pacific Loon 7 Peregrine Falcon 8 Common Murre 14 Northern (Red-shafted) [321] Canvasback 387 Common Loon 14 falcon sp. 1 Pigeon Guillemot 42 N. Red x Yellow-shafted Redhead 1 Pied-billed Grebe 153 Virginia Rail 3 Marbled Murrelet 3 Flicker [1] Ring-necked Duck 685 Horned Grebe 264 American Coot 1565 Rhinoceros Auklet 17 Pileated Woodpecker 9 Greater Scaup 389 Red-necked Grebe 74 Killdeer 49 Rock Pigeon 2426 Northern Shrike 1 Lesser Scaup 481 Eared Grebe 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Band-tailed Pigeon 31 Hutton’s Vireo 3 scaup sp. 46 Western Grebe 1000 Black Turnstone 95 Mourning Dove 1 Steller’s Jay 125 Western Scrub-Jay 15 6 Spring 2010 7 Spotlight on Science

American Crow 18180 Townsend’s Warbler 40 Number of Individuals 53074 Common Raven 3 Spotted Towhee 263 Number of Species 128 Black-capped Chickadee 1739 Savannah Sparrow 2 plus count week 1 Chestnut-backed Chickadee 173 Fox Sparrow 154 Bushtit 895 Song Sparrow 564 miles on foot 162.25 Red-breasted Nuthatch 109 Lincoln’s Sparrow 18 miles by car 518.9 Brown Creeper 62 White-throated Sparrow 1 miles by boat 38 Bewick’s Wren 263 White-crowned Sparrow 34 total miles 719.15 Winter Wren 157 Golden-crowned Sparrow 153 hours on foot 259.37 Marsh Wren 2 Dark-eyed Junco 1098 hours by car 39.75 Golden-crowned Kinglet 688 Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco [8] hours by boat 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 285 Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco [1090] total hours 306.12 Townsend’s Solitaire 1 Red-winged Blackbird 106 miles owling 7.25 Hermit Thrush 3 Western Meadowlark 6 hours owling 10.5 American Robin 2104 Brewer’s Blackbird 1, Brown-headed observers 191 Varied Thrush 69 Cowbird 1 feeder watchers 8 European Starling 1547 Purple Finch 10 parties 37 Cedar Waxwing 21 House Finch 883 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Red Crossbill 1 For more information Yellow-rumped Warbler 168 Pine Siskin 313 Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) [63] American Goldfinch 622 about Christmas Bird Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) [47] Carduelis sp. 25 Count 2009, please visit Yellow-rumped unspecified [58] House Sparrow 570 www.seattleaudubon.org

Citizen Science Profile: C.O.A.S.S.T. by Jane Dolliver Just after Labor Day of 2009, an unprec- Through the collected effort of over edented number of dead birds washed up 500 citizen scientist volunteers spread on Washington’s coast. When the Coastal across five states, COASST has worked Observation and Seabird Survey Team to create the baseline of bird mortal- (COASST), a citizen science program ity on the West Coast so that based at UW learned of the incident, events—from human or natural volunteers sprang into action. Something origins—can be assessed. Using was up. “This time of year (September), ten years of historical surveys we might normally see one dead scoter per on the northern Washington kilometer—during this event we saw about coast, along with data collected 100 times that,” remarks Julia Parrish, during this event, researchers Executive Director of COASST. estimate 8,000-16,000 scoters It wasn’t oil, lack of food, poison- were affected. “Without citi- ing, or disease. Instead, the culprit was a zen involvement, our ability microscopic alga (Akashiwo sanguinea) that to document this event would interferes with the natural waterproofing have been seriously limited; of birds’ feathers; “It’s a perfect storm: a collaboration with citizens, hugely dense concentration of algal cells who care deeply about local (over one million cells per liter), heavy resources is key to COASST’s surf and large concentrations of birds.” success,” Julia emphasizes.

Once the birds get coated with the sticky, To learn more about © SAS stock photos soap-like substance released from the algae the people and communities part of as they are tossed about in the surf, they COASST, please visit our website, don’t have many options, Julia adds, “espe- www.coasst.org cially if they’re molting.”

6 Spring 2010 7 Conservation

Not All Wind is Created Equal: Seeking Balance-Seeking Common Sense by Matthew Mega, Conservation Director

Finding alternative energy Seattle Audubon feels that one such sources will be critical to project, Radar Ridge, poses unnecessary combat global climate risks to the threatened Marbled Mur- change and ensure a relet. This proposed project would be sustainable future. Se- located in the middle of one of the most attle Audubon supports important Marbled Murrelet nesting appropriate green tech- and recovery areas in Pacific County. nologies, but demands a An old-growth nesting species, the thorough analysis of the Marbled Murrelet, is a key indicator © SAS stock photos risks. We fear that a rush of the need to protect mature forests. to implementation may result in severe It seems to fly in the face of common unintended consequences. Wind develop- sense to propose a wind project so close ers who propose projects in areas with risks to remnant old growth and this critical to birds and other wildlife should not be species. Would this area not be a bet- given a free pass in the name of clean enter place to enhance mature forests for ergy. Complicating the issue are new wind the Marbled Murrelet? To find out more energy projects that are being proposed about the Radar Ridge project and how in forested and coastal areas of western you can make a difference please visit Washington. These projects are very dif- our web site at www.seattleaudubon.org/ ferent from those built in the agricultural sas/WhatWeDo/Conservation/ landscapes of eastern Washington and IssuesandCampaigns.aspx demand different review criteria.

Urban Forestry Commission - Shaping the Future of Seattle’s Canopy by Matthew Mega, Conservation Director The urban forest is a critical this commission and began serving my component of Seattle’s land- three-year term this year. The commission scape. A healthy intercon- is still learning about the complexity of nected tree canopy provides urban forest management, but will soon numerous benefits to people have a list of priorities. and wildlife. Balancing More information and all relevant Seattle’s desire for economic material for the commission can be found growth with tree canopy pro- at seattle.gov/trees/UFcommission.htm. You tection is a major challenge. can also visit Seattle Audubon’s web page Last year Seattle City Coun- at www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/WhatWeDo/ cil created an urban forestry Conservation/IssuesandCampaigns.aspx commission to address the where I will provide updates about the needs of trees throughout the commission, as well as other pertinent city. I have been fortunate conservation related news.

8 Spring 2010 9 MemberFF e e a a t t Relations u u r r e

Listening To Our Members Spotlight on

Last fall we asked our members to partici- • “Maybe this has already been tried, but Walter Oelwein, pate in an on-line survey to help Seattle how about setting up a table at more Nature Shop Audubon better understand who our ‘mainstream’ events, like the street Volunteer members are as well as which programs fairs, farmers markets, holiday craft and activities are of most interest. While shows, etc?” not a scientific, random sample, the re- • “Make the web site more exciting and sponses do provide useful insights into our informative. Add a trips debriefing membership. We received feedback from section…make something change on nearly 300 members (approximately 6% of it every day so I have a reason to check our members), and we want to share with it. Maybe have a news section talking you a sampling of what we found. about what’s happening with birds this The single biggest reason given for be- week… maybe a forum for member ing a member of Seattle Audubon was to exchanges on topics of interest. Make Walter Oelwein grew up in support conservation, with learning about the site fun…” Pocatello, Idaho, graduated birds and nature a close second. Recre- • “Give presentations to civic organiza- from the University of Idaho ational opportunities and environmental tions (e.g. Rotary) about Audubon in Electrical Engineering, education for youth also scored high and how it supports the quality of our and worked for RCA, Boeing among responders. A very high propor- community.” and the Navy until he retired. Walter first discovered tion of our survey-takers (84%) visited the Seattle Audubon owes a huge “Thank Nature Shop within the last six months. Seattle Audubon 15 years You” to Cathy and Jake Jaramillo for dedi- ago while driving along 35th Over 40% have volunteered for Seattle cating their time, skills and energy to this NE. He noticed the Seattle Audubon in the previous six months and project. From developing the questions to Audubon sign and thought another 40% have participated in at least setting up the survey tool to compiling the about stopping in sometime. one Seattle Audubon recreational activi- results, they were instrumental in making Luckily for all of us, Walter’s ty. Roughly another 20% have attended a this happen. curiosity brought him in member meeting or an adult class, respec- and he was recruited as a tively. Those who completed the survey volunteer by a former Boe- were evenly distributed in terms of length ing coworker and longtime of membership, from less than two years Nature Shop volunteer, Charlene Ferkovich. to more than 10 years. Every Tuesday morn- Beyond the structured questions, we ing since that fateful day, also asked responders to share any ideas Walter has been a stellar or suggestions they have for us. We Nature Shop volunteer (mi- received a large number of very thoughtful nus the times he’s traveling comments, many related to how Seattle somewhere exciting around Audubon can better achieve our mission the world!). Walter shares of “cultivating a community” around birds that volunteering with Se- and the natural environment. These attle Audubon “has been an opportunity to be around di- included: verse and energetic people • “Organize ‘small groups’ of members to who are doing exciting and get together for meetings and/or bird- interesting things, espe- ing… by neighborhood, so it’s easy to cially people like Hazel Wolf

get together.” www.birchsidestudios.com © George West with her humor and wit. And it’s a continual learning experience.” Thank you, Walter, for your countless contributions to Seattle Audubon!

8 Spring 2010 9 EducationField Connection Trips

FUN is Here! Come Volunteer! by Janelle Shafer The spring session of Finding Urban Na- invertebrates and how they decompose, ture (FUN) is coming soon, and we are why worms are important, and the inter- looking for fantastic volunteers like you! connectedness of a habitat! Seattle Audubon’s FUN program delivers The FUN program begins with Vol- hands-on experiences related to the natu- unteer Training on March 6, 2010. If ral world to 3rd and 4th grade students. you are interested in volunteering or for Through the extraordinary help of more more information regarding the program/ than 100 volunteers, the FUN program is training please contact Janelle Shafer, able to provide outdoor, small-group les- Elementary School Programs Manager, at sons for each of our schools. This spring, 523.8243.ex 19. students will learn about bird nests, study

BirdWatch Springs into Spring! The students in Seattle Audubon’s High BirdWatch must raise the entire budget School program have had a great year so for this trip themselves. We have a few far! With monthly meetings and field suggestions for you to help the BW stu- trips, and also participating in the Christ- dents get to Arizona this year: mas Bird Count and banding demonstra- • Hire-a-BirdWatcher – If you have tions at Seward Park, these students have yard work, organizing, or other things been busy! you need help with around your The students are now preparing for house, hire a BW student at $10/hour their annual Spring Break trip. This to do the work! Please contact Kintea year, students and adult volunteers are Bryant at [email protected] heading to Arizona for 8 days. There or 206.523.8243 ext 11 for more infor- they will learn about the local fauna mation. and habitats, and do some intensive • Support the BW Rummage Sale: Start birding. saving your clean, working rummage items to donate for our Rummage Sale on Saturday, March 13, 9AM- 2PM. Donations will be accepted from March 8th - 12th. • Simply donate: send a check to Seattle Audubon, BirdWatch Spring Trip.

Questions? Email or call Kintea Bry- ant at [email protected] or 206.523.8243, x11. © SAS stock photos

10 Spring 2010 11 C l a s s e s

Spring Classes Are Here! Washington Seabird Birding by Ear 2010 with Dennis Paulson with Bob Sundstrom Seabirds are among the most important Tune up your ears in this popular class, components of the varied avifauna of the where you’ll get a handle on bird songs. Pacific NW. Learn about the life styles of Day-long trips offer intensive field ex- these seabirds, where and when they oc- perience, and cover a variety of habitats cur, and how to identify them. The class within 100 miles of Seattle. For new consists of two photo-illustrated lectures. birding-by-ear students, or as an intensive Classes: Wed. March 3rd & 10th. refresher. Class: Wed. May 1st. Fieldtrips: Tues. May 11 and/or Thurs. May 13th Washington Shorebirds with Dennis Paulson Birding by Habitat The Pacific NW is prime habitat for with Bob Sundstrom shorebirds, champion migrants of the A classroom session and field trips will avian world. This class will treat the focus on natural habitats east and west identification and natural history of all of the Cascades: key plants and natural regularly occurring shorebirds in two features, typical birds, other fauna, with photo-illustrated lectures. Classes: Wed. primary emphasis on recognizing and March 24th & 31st. birding those habitats. Class: Tues. June 1st. Fieldtrips: Thurs. June 3rd and/or Woodpeckers of Washington June 24th. with Brian Bell Examine the twelve species of woodpeckers that are present in our state, discuss Class Information: their habitat requirements, become www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/GetInvolved/ acquainted with vocalizations and drum- Whatshappening/Classes/ClassSchedule.aspx ming patterns, examine seasonal distribu- Registration Information: tion and build identification skills. Class: • Pre-registration required for all classes; Fri. April 2nd. Field trips: April 3rd and early registration encouraged. May 23rd. • Space is limited; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Birds and Plants • Seattle Audubon members receive a of the Shrub-steppe discounted rate. with Andy and Ellen Stepniewski • Call the Nature Shop @ 206-523-4483 We will introduce you to the plant and to register by credit card. bird communities of the shrub-steppe • Sorry, you cannot register for part of a ecosystem in the Columbia Basin of class. eastern Washington, imparting botani- • Full refunds available for cancellations cal tidbits as these relate to birds, and two weeks before the start of class. emphasizing relationships between vari- Class & Field Trip Updates: rd ous bird species. Class: Fri. April 23 . If interested in receiving monthly an- th Fieldtrip: April 24 . nouncements by email send a request to [email protected]

10 Spring 2010 11 Field Trips G o o d D e a l s

Spring Field Trips Our spring field trips are the most varied of lequin ducks, and rocky-shore sandpipers. the year as they match the species differing Take a car trip to one of the islands or the responses to the seasonal cycle. In April coast looking for passerines and shorebirds migrating shorebirds are abundant such as Short-billed Dowitchers, Western along the coasts. By May spring pas- Sandpipers, and Red Knots. serine migration is in full swing across the Trips from April 18 to May 15 state. Residents and returning migrants are Posted online April 1 – Sign-ups begin singing, setting up territories, competing Tuesday, April 13. for mates and breeding. As the weather Look for trips to the Canyons of Eastern becomes warmer, you are likely Washington as well as opportunities for to find trips that combine bik- birding by ear. Join one of our birdathon ing, hiking, and flower viewing trips and have fun while supporting Se- with bird-watching. attle Audubon. Descriptions of field trips now ap- pear online at the Seattle Audubon web- Trips from May 16 to June 12 site on the first of each month. If you want Posted online May 1 – Sign-ups begin to receive a monthly electronic newsletter Tuesday, May 11. which includes a complete list of field Sample diverse habitats on a trip to the Co- trips, please register by sending an email lumbia Basin looking for flycatchers, Ameri- to [email protected] with “monthly can Avocets, and Black-necked Stilts or email” in the subject line. check-out one of the Puget Sound hotspots. © George West www.birchsidestudios.com © George West Trips from March 14 to April 17 Our field trips offer a wide variety of op- Posted online March 1 – Sign-ups begin portunities to experience the exhilaration Tuesday, March 9. of this very birdy season. Please remem- Enjoy an Island trip aboard a comfortable ber to check our website for the latest 80-foot catamaran to look for Loons, Har- selection.

Neighborhood Bird Walks Members and guests are invited to Saturday morning Carkeek Park*, March 20, 9:00 AM bird walks in several locations in Seattle. Each Scott Hoskin, 206-390-4388 walk lasts about two hours. No sign up is required. [email protected] Beginning birders, families and new residents Carkeek Park is in northwest Seattle. Enter from 3rd are welcomed. Further information at http:// Avenue NW at 110th Street. Meet at the parking lot www.seattleaudubon.org or (206)-523-4483. Call the across from the play fields at the end of Carkeek Park leader to request a loan of binoculars. Road. Schedule for March and April 2010 (No walks Discovery Park, Apr. 10, 8:30 AM scheduled in May) Neil Zimmerman, 425-485-3122 Alki* (NEW), March 13, 9:00 AM [email protected] Deborah Dowd, 206-937-4366 Discovery Park is at the western end of Interbay- [email protected] Magnolia. Meet near the toilet facility at the South A new, 1.8 mile (roundtrip) walk to view sea/ Parking lot (enter on right off W Emerson St. just shorebirds along the West Seattle shoreline. Meet at beyond Viewmont Way W). the Alki Beach Park Bathhouse, 2701 Alki Avenue *An accessible route is available for those with SW, on the water side near the “Statue of Liberty,” disabilities, if they bring their own assistant. Contact between 59th and 60th Avenues SW. Can be reached the leader if you plan to attend. by Metro Bus #37.

12 Spring 2010 13 NatureG o o d D Shop e a l s

The Nature Shop Where profits are for the birds 8050 35th Ave. N.E., SeattleAudubon 206-523-4483 • www.seattleaudubon.org Annual Spring Open 10AM to 5PM Plant Sale Monday through Saturday year round Saturday, April 3, 10AM to 4PM At the Seattle Audubon Nature Center and Shop 8050 35th Ave. N.E. NEW Great Washington Tentative list of nurseries: State Birding Trail Map Botanica – Palouse to Pine Madrona Nursery Joining the previous five Langley Fine Gardens maps (Cascade Loop, Coulee Tadpole Haven Native Plants Corridor, Southwest Loop, plus Nature Shop activities Olympic Loop and Sun to Sage), the new map covers the majority of the eastern edge of the state and features 215 of Washington’s 346 an- nually recorded bird species. In this loop, one will find year-round Boreal Owls and Boreal Chickadees tucked away in alpine forests; Pygmy Nuthatches and White-headed Woodpeckers favoring In My Nature, by old-growth Ponderosa pines. Black Terns and Common Constance Sidles. An Nighthawks arrive in spring along with thousands of immediate best seller feathered migrants that come courting: Mountain Blue- since its introduction birds, Yellow Warblers, Black-chinned Hummingbirds last November, this is a – plus swallows, sparrows, and shorebirds. Common delightful collection of Loons nest on hidden lakes. American White Pelicans seasonal essays about the visit in summer followed in fall by hundreds of Tundra relationship of human Swans, and in winter by extravagant numbers of water- nature to wild nature as fowl. With artwork by Ed Newbold. $4.95. Exclusively seen through the lens of at The Nature Shop. the Montlake Fill, aka the Union Bay Natural Area. Member price $15.96.

by Tony Angell Puget Sound through the Artist’s Eyes Tony’s own descriptions of NEW his process and methods of Expanded Member Benefit creating his art, interspersed Members now receive 20% with marvelous images of his on most books! art plus descriptions of the wildlife of the Puget Sound region. Member price $28.00

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Opportunities G o o d D e a l s

Call for Nominations: Seattle Audubon Annual Awards 2010

Please help us recognize individuals who are going the extra mile for birds and nature in the areas of education, conservation, and science. The Education Award recognizes an individual in the K-12 arena in the greater Seattle community whose work inspires students to love, respect and protect nature. The Conservation Award is given to an individual in the greater Seattle community who has made a unique and significant contribution to the protection of birds and wildlife habitat, using creative means for engaging and inspiring the public. The Science Award honors an individual in the greater Seattle community who has made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the birds and wildlife habitat of our region, through publications or other means of disseminating scientific information. The nomination letter should be one to two pages long. Supporting documents may be submitted. The letter should include a statement of the nominee’s back- ground and achievements. Please include contact information for the nominee as well as the nominator. The deadline for nominations is 4:00 pm Monday, April 26, 2010. Awards will be presented at the Seattle Audubon Volun- teer Appreciation Event on Thursday, June 17, 2010. For more complete details on the qualifications for each award, please contact Barbara Schnabel at (206) 522-0654 or [email protected] t.net. Nominations should either be sent to Seattle Audubon, care of Barbara Schnabel, Annual Awards 2010, 8050 35th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115, or they can be emailed to Barbara at [email protected].

Marketplace birchsidestudios.com Interested in Becoming a

Rent Vashon Island Master Birder?

© George West, © George West, Beach House. On Wednesday May 5th Private, nice beach, at 7PM, Seattle Audubon birds, boats. Sleeps will be hosting an infor- birchsidestudios.com eight. Equipped and mational Open House

nice. $110 a night. for individuals interested © George West, Contact Lynn: in applying for the 2011 session of our Master 206-463-0865. Birder program. Check our website for the event location and additional details.

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Seattle Audubon Bird Seed Depots Listed below are Seattle Audubon vol- Judy Roan George Johnson Mary Miller unteers who keep a supply of a variety of 7365 SE 38th 51 Cascade Key 4908 S. Ferdinand the bird seed found at the Nature Shop. Mercer Island Bellevue Seward Park Please call ahead for selection and to ar- 206-236-0511 425-641-1389 206-725-6439 range pickup. Almost all have 25 pound bags of black-oil sunflower seeds.

14 Spring 2010 15 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 7918

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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