Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the National Audubon Society www.cdaaudubon.org

October 2015 Volume 26 Number 2

has proven to be one of the most significant OCTOBER PROGRAM Vaux's Swift communal migratory roost

DATE: October 13, Tuesday sites in North America. ‘Vaux's Happening’ PLACE: Lutheran Church of the Master, quickly expanded into an attempt to locate, 4800 N. Ramsey, CDA raise awareness of, and hopefully preserve TIME: 7:00 p.m. the important roost sites used by this PROGRAM: “Audubon Vaux’s Happening species all along its migratory path. In the Project” last fourteen migrations the project has SPEAKER: Larry Schwitters documented over six million Vaux's Swift

President’s Report roosting events from San Diego to the Eula Hickam, Yukon. Schwitters will also share images and information captured by the project's Our first meeting was a great time of chimney surveillance cameras and precision getting back together and catching up on temperature recorders”. what’s been happening in the summer! Lots of birding – travel – having company. It was good!

Ken Crawley presented a very interesting talk on bee keeping in Cataldo. I hope you were there! We are planning a field trip to his farm.

Photo by Richard Strehlau Now we look forward to October. This will A Brief Bio be an informative discussion of a “little Larry Schwitters holds a Master's of bird.” Here is a description.: “This fast Science degree and spent 30 years in the paced power point presentation will examine trenches of public education, mostly as a Audubon's ongoing citizen science project, middle school science teacher and coach in ‘Vaux's Happening’, launched seven years ago the Seattle area. to gather the data necessary to make a Continued on page 3 compelling case for the preservation of what THE FISH HAWK HERALD 2

Juvenile Osprey Rescued Visit their Website at:

August 10, 2015 http://www.birdsofpreynorthwest.org/home.htm Lynn Sheridan l

Lynn Sheridan with juvenile Osprey Photos by Pat Muchow

The North Idaho Dermatology building has an old telephone pole with an Osprey nest In my conversation with Jane, she told me that is used every year. Today a co-worker that the juvenile Osprey had not eaten in came into the office at 1:30 p.m. to tell me a days.

“fish hawk” had fallen into the parking lot. I On Saturday, I visited my juvenile Osprey at went out with a cloth to pick up the bird and the “Birds of Prey Northwest” facility at then called Kris Buchler for advice. Round Lake, north of St. Maries. She (it is a

Following her advice, I first called Idaho female) is fragile but is doing just fine. Fish and Game. They told me to put the bird Jane hopes to eventually release her back back where I found it. Kris’s second into the wild. suggestion was a much better choice. I took Postscript: Lynn received a call from Jane. the bird to the Kootenai Animal Hospital The Osprey was released. It flew over to where doctor Rogers could check it for join another family of Osprey, injuries and health status. In a call to the hospital the next day, I found that it was not injured but was in a starving condition. “If you have seen birds, It had been turned over to Jane Veltkamp, a you must have birds in rehab specialist, president and director of “Birds of Prey Northwest”. your heart.” John Burroughs THE FISH HAWK HERALD 3

President’s Report Birds and Beans Continued from page 1 George Sayler

He spent four years tracking down Black Swifts at Washington

State's waterfalls for Once again, the Coeur d’Alene Audubon the American Bird Society is selling Birds and Beans shade Conservancy before his involvement with grown, organic, fair- trade certified coffee. Audubon “Vaux's Happening” Project. We do it as a fundraiser and to help protect bird habitat in Central America.

I am now taking orders. Go to our website for prices and varieties available. Help save the rain forests choosing to drink shade grown coffee http://cdaaudubon.org/Birds%20and%20Beans.pdf

Walla Walla Bird and Wine Valerie Zagar

Vaux Swifts roosting in a chimney

Don’t Miss This Program! Thanks to Mike Blackbird for bringing it to us!

Idie Ulsh

I was sorry to learn that Idie Ulsh, the speaker who brought a very interesting Photo by Richard Strehlau program on birds and bird houses passed What does a Ruddy Duck, a mountain goat away this summer. She was well known for and fine red wines have in common? They her expertise on birds and butterflies. For were all a part of the Walla Walla Birding, more about her life, google her name. I will Hiking, and Wine Extravaganza on April 24- miss her. Eula Hickam 26, 2015. Continued on page 4

THE FISH HAWK HERALD 4

Walla Walla Bird and Wine Bennington Lake did not disappoint us. The Continued from page 3 trees were full of springtime migrants; a busy House Wren was discovered cleaning out a cozy nesting site, more Ruddy Ducks paired up in a quiet corner of the lake, and Osprey were diving for Rainbow Trout.

Photo by George Sayler Twenty-five members of the CDA Audubon and Thursday Hiking groups started off Photos by their weekend trip with a picnic at McNary Darlene Carlton Wildlife Refuge in Burbank, WA. Through scopes several species of waterfowl were George spotted an spied from the deck of the educational adult Great Horned building. After lunch the hikers continued Owl hanging out to Walla Walla for a brief hike. A dozen along the birders walked the short interpretative trail Meadowlark Trail along the Burbank Slough. We all got great until bicyclists looks at a flock of Black-necked scurried by. A Stilts showing off their brightly colored local resident was legs as they flew over to a plowed field to kind of enough to share news of Great forage. Horned Owlets in the banks of the parking

Many waterfowl were present along the lot. Jim was the first to spot the fat, fluffy waterway and at the refuge’s blind a Ruddy camouflaged feathers in a large hole. Duck floated very close to us to show off his Another owlet was spotted preening further stunningly blue bill. What a handsome down the bank. Nature at its finest! specimen for a lucky female! After lunch the birders visited Whitman

Mission. After walking a part of the historic Saturday started off with overcast skies Continued on page 5 and a bit breezy, but the sightings at

THE FISH HAWK HERALD 5

Walla Walla Bird and Wine City of Rocks National Reserve Continued from page 4 And Castle Rocks State Park May 14, 2015 to May 18, 2015. Oregon Trail being escorted by sounds of Judy Waring & Janet Callen Ring-necked Pheasant and Wild Turkey we stopped to watch a “convention” of White- Crowned Sparrows bathing in the original ditches dug by the pioneers. Meanwhile, the Thursday Hikers got a surprise spotting of a mountain goat along their trek of the Walla Walla River near the Oregon border. Both groups met at the end of each day to taste wine at three of the 150+ wineries of the region. Ready to Climb a Sand Dune Photo by Janet Callen Sunday, a stop at Palouse Falls State Park We traveled 1416 miles, from approximately brought many oohs and aahs and photo ops. 700 feet elevation on Highway 95 at What seemed like a swarm of White- Lewiston, to 8700 feet elevation at Galena throated Swifts darted over the falls and Summit on Highway 75 to Stanley. We Lisa heard a Canyon Wren bid us a fond followed the Salmon River, the Snake River, farewell as we departed for home. the headwaters of the Salmon, then the Overall 68 species were seen and/or heard Bitterroot and the Clark Fork. From by the groups. Skoocumchuk rest stop on the Salmon, I want to thank Lisa Hardy and Roland Craft where we saw a Bullock’s Oriole and heard a for their great recording skills! Canyon Wren among several other birds, the Trip participants included: George & Katie fun continued. From Boise we visited Sayler, Jim & Sheelagh Lynn, Russ Hershrud, Bruneau Dunes State Park, took a 1.3 mile Jean Sorley, Darlene Carlton, Lisa Hardy, hike around the lake, and climbed sand Janet Callen, Roland Craft, Marilyn dunes. Highlight was a Lewis’s Woodpecker. Robertson, Marlene Stein, Karen Williams, We then went onward to Three Island State Mary Ayers, Sharon Spear, Dora Griffith, Park and its very interesting history and Mike Secody, Cheryl Frampton, Linda then to impressive Malad Gorge. We Stanger, Richard Strahler, Joanne Swirly, traveled Thousand Springs Scenic Highway Dan & Evonne Panther, Mike & Valerie Zagar. where we spotted both a Caspian and Forster’s Tern. Continued on page 6

THE FISH HAWK HERALD 6

City of Rocks… Continued from page 5 It was all we hoped for and more-two natural hot springs, beautiful mountain We continued south scenery and more birds. Aside from the rain on highway 77 to mile in City of Rocks, the trip was a success and a marker 1 at Almo, ID lot of fun. Total species identified were in early evening. We 117. Thanks to Lisa for keeping the list. gathered for a dinner Thanks to Ronn and Roberta Rich for the at the Lodge in Castle good Mexican restaurant in Ketchum and the Huge Rock idea of Challis Hot Springs for our last Rock State Park, Photo by night. where we were joined Darlene Carlton “It was a great, multi-faceted trip, with by our guide for the superb and varied landscapes and next day, Wallace Keck. perspectives on the geology, history and ecology of parts of Idaho…” …”the Unfortunately, the next day dawned rainy Loggerhead Shrike...my favorite bird.” Lisa and stayed that way all day, but we made the Hardy most of it, totaling 50 bird species. Life lists expanded under the enthusiastic “I never imagined seeing dunes, rock, rivers, guidance of Wallace, former Coeur d’ Alene gorges and hot springs all in one trip I saw Audubon member. 71 species and added 13 to my life list.” Vera From here we Taggart

headed north, “I enjoyed the birding and the opportunity stopping at to know all of you a bit better,” Linda Minidoka National Chalcraft Historic Site for a sobering look at Other travelers were Midge and Jim the WWI Japanese Brennan, Cathy Mohns, and Sally Jones internment camp PS: Janet’s favorite birds: 5 young Barn site. Continuing Owls north along the What bird (answers on page 9) Sawtooth Scenic Chukar 1. is an Outfielder? Byway we made a Photo by Darlene 2. is where gardeners plant extra rows? Carlton quick stop at Magic 3. is what thieves are doing? Reservoir, turning 4. is a coward from the Great Plains? up a Common Loon. Then up and over Galena 5. is a real angler? Summit at 8700 feet and into Ketchum for 6. is a corner? lunch followed by a short visit to Ernest 7. is a sad letter ? Hemingway’s grave. We traveled the Salmon 8. is a short conversation? River Scenic Byway on to Challis Hot Springs 9. is very fast? for the final night of our tour. 10. is crazy? (two answers)

THE FISH HAWK HERALD 7

CENTURY COUNT spotted soaring above us. This is a little BONNER COUNTY seen species and was a “lifer” for some of JUNE 6, 2015 the birders. Kris Buchler After gathering many riparian species, we Bonner County is headed along Lake Pend Oreille toward the usually our most Trestle Creek Bridge. There, just as five prolific county for years ago, we found an American Dipper, finding numbers of although this one was even better as we species over the watched it feed a juvenile on rocks not far past years. This is from the bridge. The Trestle Creek Road probably due to the took us up to higher elevations where we wonderful varied habitats it offers. We collected species in that habitat, notably have never failed to reach our goal of 100 Olive-sided Flycatcher, Fox Sparrow, species and always surpass it. Nine birders White-crowned Sparrow and Hermit Thrush. participated, one of them a Bonner County resident. Rich Del Carlo is a long-time Audubon member, master birder and a Breeding Bird Survey monitor. He was invaluable sharing his knowledge of the area and current bird sightings for the county.

We spent Friday having a delicious dinner at Trinity on Lake Pend Oreille before heading to our lodging in Clark Fork. Saturday, June 6, we gathered at 4:30 a.m. in the motel parking lot where we instantly started listing species, beginning with one of many Western Bluebird Warbling Vireos. Our itinerary took us Photo by Peggy Albertson across the Clark Fork River to Johnson Meadows north of Sandpoint yielded our Creek where we scouted the river, fields and bluebirds and more Bobolinks. A trek south riparian areas. This has always been a to Westmond Lake did not reward us with reliable route for Least Flycatcher, Eastern the Black Terns we sought. We headed west Kingbird, American Redstart, Northern along the Pend Oreille River to Morton Waterthrush and Red-eyed Vireo. A short Slough which was rather quiet and trip up the mountain along Johnson Creek disappointing with no shore birds. was well worth it as Black Swifts were Continued on page 8 THE FISH HAWK HERALD 8

CENTURY COUNT BONNER COUNTY crowned and the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Continued from page 7 Wilson's Warbler, a White-breasted We headed south on the back roads and I Nuthatch and a Merlin eating a small bird. missed a few turns taking us away from The lake is now a series of ponds due to the Clagstone, our destination. However, we lack of rain and held a variety of wading and found most of our waterfowl there in small shore birds plus the usual waterfowl. We ponds and irrigation channels. As we headed spent time trying to identify a sandpiper, no back towards the Hoodoo Valley, Rich easy task, and felt satisfied that we had a spotted a Townsend’s Solitaire which gave Solitary Sandpiper. A distant Snipe that everyone a really good look. refused to give us a profile presented a The Hoodoo Valley was a gold mine for the challenge but when the famous beak came day. There were our Black Terns, at least into view we had him! five of them, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and of course, Wilson’s snipe. Favorites of the participants: Sally Jones – Olive-sided Flycatcher, Janet Callen – Black Tern, Linda Chalcraft – Cinnamon Teal, Carrie Hugo – Bobolink, Marilyn Robertson – Townsend’s Solitaire, Rich Del Carlo – Townsend’s Solitaire ( a great find), Darlene Carlton – Black Tern, Lisa Hardy – Black Swift, Kris Buchler – Black Swift. Wilson’s Snipe See 2005,2010,2015 century counts at: Photo by Wayne Tree http://cdaaudubon.org/Projects/bonnercen After we had finished with Slavin Ranch, we tury.html decided to head out to Sprague Lake on the chance of finding the Great Egrets seen Slavin Ranch Field Trip there the previous day. No luck with that but the sky was filled with swallows - Violet- Sunday, September 6, 2015 Judy Waring green, Barn, and Northern Rough-winged. It Weather delayed our trip to Slavin Ranch was a day well spent. Conservation Area by a day but it turned out Participants: Janet Callen, Karen Williams, well in the long run. The migrating song birds Darlene Carlton and Judy Waring. along the wooded trail towards the lake were in good numbers and not at all timid.  See complete list of species ot: Among other species, we saw the Golden- http://cdaaudubon.org/September_6_2015%20 Slavin%20Lake.pdf THE FISH HAWK HERALD 9

Field Trips Mica Bay Survey Please Register: Watch the website or Date: October 13, Tuesday (held 2nd newsletter for updates to our field trip Tuesday of each month - times vary schedule. Additional field trips will be depending on month) added if we have volunteers to lead them Time: 8:00 a.m. Please contact our field trip coordinators Meet: Fairmont Loop and Highway 95 Janet Callen 664-1085 and Roland Craft Leader: Shirley Sturts 664-5318 and 457-8894 to suggest or volunteer to lead a Janet Callen 664-1085 trip. Participants should contact the trip Activity: We spend about 3 hours once a leader at least 24 hours in advance of the month counting birds at Mica Bay. Beginner field trip to find out if the meeting birders are welcome. We will help you with place/time or destination has been changed. identification skills. Participants will share in a mileage reimbursement for the driver Mineral Ridge Hike: Fernan Lake, Wolf

Lodge, Beauty Bay and Blue Creek Bay Heyburn State Park Date: November 14, Saturday 2015 Date: October 3, Saturday 2015 Time: 9:00 a.m. Meet: K-Mart parking lot, south side Meet: Fernan Ranger Station Time: 8:00 a.m. Leader: Janet Callen 664-1085 Leader: Roland Craft 457-8894 This will be a three-quarter day trip. Bring a We will hike the bike trail and perhaps other lunch, or snacks and water. Dress for the trails depending on time and then visit weather. We’ll hike Mineral Ridge and search Chatcolet Lake. We will look for both land for waterfowl, targeting loons. birds and waterfowl. Bring lunch and wear hiking apparel. Rathdrum Prairie Hawk Survey

Surveys will take place once a month from Adopt-A Highway November through March. Doug Ward is Fall Cleanup the leader. This two hour, fast-paced Date: October 24, Saturday Time:8:00 a.m. journey across the prairie is a learning Place: Grab your gloves and join us at the experience that is a lot of fun. Details will Mica Grange building for the semi-annual follow. highway cleanup. Refreshments will be What bird? Answers served starting at 8:00 a.m. and will begin 1. flycatcher 9. swift cleanup about 8:20 a.m. Depending on the 2. sparrow 10. cuckoo; raven turnout, we are usually done by 11:00 a.m. 3. robin Collection bags are provided by IDOT and 4. Prairie Chicken pick-up sticks are furnished by Audubon. If 5. kingfisher you didn’t sign the roster at the September 6. tern meeting contact Judy Waring 765-5378. 7. Blue Jay IDOT requires a signature prior to the 8. Chat event. THE FISH HAWK HERALD 10

CDA Audubon Chapter LOCAL MEMBERSHIP DUES NEW MEMBER Officers APPLICATION President:  Individual $10.00 Details will follow Eula Hickam 661-3228 Become a member of the Vice President:  Family $15.00 v National Audubon Society, Join George Sayler 664-2787 online at www.audubon.org or Recording Secretary:  Individual $25.00 - with hard use this form. Valerie Zagar 819-5115 copy of the newsletter INTRODUCTORY MEMBERSHIP Treasurer:  Regular $20.00 Janet Callen 664-1085  Family $30.00 - with hard copy  Two Years $30.00 of the newsletter  Seniors and Students $15.00 Board Members: all officers + Peggy Albertson, Midge-Marcy  Additional donation____ NAME______Brennan, Darlene Carlton, Carrie Hugo, Jim Lynn, Lynn Sheridan Total $______ADDRESS______COMMITTEE CHAIRS NAME______CITY______Publicity: Open Field Trips: Roland Craft 457- 8894 EMAIL______STATE______Zip______Janet Callen 664-1085 Send this application and your check Education: Barbara Christofferson 667-3931 ADDRESS______payable to: Conservation: Midge Marcy-Brennan CITY______Membership: Peggy Albertson 664-1616

NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY STATE______ZIP______Attn: Chance Mueleck Hospitality: Darlene Carlton 691-6160 Newsletter: Shirley Sturts 664-5318 225 Varick Street Mailing: Peggy Albertson 664-1616 TELEPHONE______NewYork, NY 10014 Webmaster: Shirley Sturts 664-5318 Mail this form and your check payable Historian: Open to: Coeur d'Alene Audubon Chapter C9ZG060Z c/o Membership P.O. Box 361 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816

National Audubon Coeur d'Alene Chapter P.O. Box 361 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816

THE FISH HAWK HERALD