Black Hills Audubon Society Olympia, Washington
Volume 39, Number 6
November/December 2008
In this Issue of The Echo: Northwest Trek Frog Release...... p 1 Northwest Trek Raises 2008 Birdathon Wrap-up...... p 2 State-endangered Frogs Fall Feeder Cleaning a Success...... p 4 Missed the Fall Feeder Cleaning?...... p 4 for Reintroduction Christmas Bird Count Dec. 14th...... p 4 The tiny one-ounce dye-marked amphibians leap en- Birding in Earnest...... p 5 thusiastically out of their plastic containers and into Conservation Update...... p 6 the lush grass, water and thick mud at the edge of the Echo Paper vs. Electronic Results...... p 6 lake. These juvenile Oregon spotted frogs BHAS Calendar...... p 7 are taking off into the big world after BHAS Roster...... p 8 being carefully monitored and pro- Field Trip Descriptions...... p 9 tected for six months at the Conserva- Alternative Gift Fair...... p 9 tion Center at Northwest Trek Wildlife Bird Book Reviews...... p 10 Park. The animal care team has fretted Annual Auction/Dinner Reminder...... p 10 over water quality, chopped and cooked kale Membership Form...... p 11 and romaine, wrangled crickets and consulted with Marbled Murrelet Delisting...... p 12 Continued on page 2
Thursday, November 20th Thursday, December 18 Midway Atoll Holiday Party 50 Years Later Come join us in a holiday party celebrating the successes of BHAS in 2008! Sometimes we don’t Come join Elizabeth Rodrick as she shares her 2- have enough time set aside to share stories, gab, or week “working vacation” on Midway Island, and just hang out with like-minded folk! Board mem- how the island has changed since she lived there bers will be on hand to welcome new members and as a child 50 years ago. Her “vacation” was spent re-connect with staunch supporters over the years. counting albatross. She will give an overview of all Bring a favorite recipe or sample of bird-friendly species on the island with special emphasis on al- snacks, and for us bipeds there will be hot cider batross species biology and techniques used to take and yummy cookies on hand! the census. Elizabeth will also talk about current national wildlife refuge issues affecting the atoll. Elizabeth is the Conservation Lands Manager for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
BHAS membership meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Capitol Museum Coach House, 211 W. 21st Street, in Olympia. Social hour is at 7pm, with programs beginning promptly at 7:30. Driving directions: From I-5 in Olympia, take Exit 105 following the State Capital/City Center route. After the tunnel, turn left (south) onto Capital Way. After 7 blocks, turn right on 21st Avenue. The museum is two blocks down on the left. The Coach House meeting room and adjacent parking are behind the Museum building of Olympia). 2008 Birdathon Wrap-up The 2008 Birdathon (in May) was a huge success. man, Sheila Harper, Lee Hoemann, Liz Hoenig, Scott With the help of field trip leaders and many indi- Jarvis, Whittier Johnson, Nancy Judge, John and viduals, $2483 was raised for our Chapter. Forty- Donna Keith, Phil Kelley, Erika Krupp, Jean Mac- three people participated in Birdathon field trips led Gregor, Clarice McCartan, Sheila McCartan, Cathy by field trip leaders Woody Franzen, McGuire, Michael McGuire, Sam and Jim Pruske, Phil Kelley, Jean MacGregor, Susan Merrill, Melody Mier, Greg Miller, Tom Schooley, and Lonnie Sommer. Anne Mills, Paul and Bobbie Moody, Several people led their own field trips Deb Nickerson, Tom Oliva, Steve Parrett, or birded on their own and found cre- Starleen Parsons, Matt and Lisa Pike, ative ways to include others in this fun Michael Pike, Ralph Pike, Jane Poole, and important fundraising event. Sam Powell, Jim Pruske, Dave Richard- son, Doug Roster, Michael and Maria Information about the 2009 Birdathon Ruth, Bob Saunders, Tom Schooley, will come your way at the Annual Din- Jan Sharkey, Eric Slagle, Jean Smith, Lonnie Somer, ner in March. Remember – May is Birdathon month! Mary Ann Steele, Kristin Stewart, Alexis Sulek-Dom- Thanks to all the following 2008 Birdathon partici- mes, Bob Sundstrom, Tim Sweeney, Jean Takekawa, pants and supporters: Nancy Wells, Merlin Wiese, Cathy and Ross Wig- JL and JD Anderson, Marian Bailey, Andrew and gins, Gary Wiles, Deborah Wilhelmi, Sharon Willis- Shirely Beelik, Patty Brock, Linda Carter, Pat Brady, Green, and Sharon Wilson. Rob Cole, Michele Collins, David and Peggy Ed- wards, Eve Failor, Fred Fiedler, Woody Franzen, —Sheila McCartan Karen Fraser, Bill Frymire, Mark Grey, Burt Gutt-
NW Trek Frog Release First of its Kind in Washington From page 1 Lake on the Fort Lewis Military Reservation in Pierce partner agencies which has generally kept them County in a collaborative effort to return the state- hopping. endangered frog to a portion of its historic habitat. “This is the first-ever cap- “Frogs are found in all parts tive rearing and release of the world and are known program for the Oregon as sentinel animals by alert- spotted frog in Washington ing us to serious environ- and represents a significant mental and climate changes first step in our joint effort that can affect all species,” to help recover this fragile said Jim Lynch, biologist species,” said Harriet Allen, for the Fort Lewis Fish and Washington Department of Wildlife Program. “They also Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) play an important role in endangered species pro- balancing ecosystems and gram manager. when they disappear from “We’re excited to be part their habitat, that ecosystem of this project because it Tiny radio transmitters are attached to six frogs to is disrupted.” fits so perfectly with our enable biologists to track the movements of the The captive-rearing strat- conservation mission,” said animals for at least a month. egy, called “head starting” Dave Ellis, deputy director at is based on the premise that Northwest Trek. “Not only that, but our specialty at juvenile frogs are thought to be less vulnerable and the park is North American species, so this dove- better able to survive when released back into na- tails beautifully with our work.” ture. The goal of the this pilot program is to estab- The zookeepers joined biologists from the WDFW lish a self-sustaining population of Oregon spotted and the U.S. Army released the frogs into Dailman frogs at Fort Lewis and set the stage for a structured Continued on page 4
Black Hills Audubon Society environment and the health of our bird friends. We Fall Bird Feeder even got to socialize and learn more about each other while our hands were busy scrubbing feeders Cleaning a Success! in dish pans filled with warm soapy water. What Satisfaction, pride, problem-solving, pizza, and could be better?? Well, maybe a little less rain and camaraderie…. I experienced all that on October 4th wind, but heck, that’s the Pacific Northwest we live at the annual Fall Bird Feeder Cleaning held at Wild in and love!! Birds Unlimited on Olympia’s west side. We thank everyone who brought in feeders to be The satisfaction came when I learned that 124 bird cleaned. Huge thanks to Ruth Pagel and her friendly feeders had been cleaned and sanitized, and that and knowledgeable staff at Wild Birds Unlimited birds who ate from them would not be exposed to for hosting this, the 13th year of twice-yearly feeder disease from moldy and contaminated feeders (at cleanings. Thanks also to Top Foods for the hot least for a couple of months). I experienced pride in water, without which the actual cleaning would be knowing how hard we volunteers worked to trans- much less effective and definitely less pleasant for form moldy dirty feeders into clean healthy feeders. our volunteers. The problem-solving opportunities were numer- And speaking of volunteers, we can’t thank the fol- ous, since it seemed each feeder had its own unique lowing folks enough for working the feeder cleaning, way of being taken apart. The whether it was pressure wash- puzzle didn’t always end ing, scrubbing, ferrying feeders, with disassembly, either; taking in the feeders, or staying sometimes it was a chal- until the feeders were picked lenge to put them back up: Jane Poole, Susan Markey, together, too! But that part Bob Markey, Gary Wiles, Jan of the fun… Sharkey, Sue Danver, Whit- tier Johnson, Vicki Aden, We had 4 different kinds Noah Aden, Nolan God- of pizzas to choose from frey, John Godfrey, Bev for lunch, plus cider and Gorman, Debra Jaqua, assorted donuts. We did and the Coordinator not lack for food! of this event, Debbie Last, but not least, I Nickerson. valued working alongside —Deb Jaqua others who care about our
Missed the Fall Bird Feeder Cleaning? Don’t wait until next April for us to clean your 5. Wash the feeder feeders! BHAS volunteers do an unusually thor- 6. Then immerse it in a solution of ten parts ough cleaning job, but some feeders should be water to one part bleach for two to three min- cleaned every month during the damp Pacific utes to disinfect them before rinsing if fresh Northwest winters to help avoid spread of infec- water and air drying. tious diseases of our backyard birds. As word of dirty-feeder dangers spreads, sales of “quick-clean” feeders are growing. Tube feeders You can give your feeders a maintenance cleaning and finch feeders with snap-off bases and several in about ten minutes: easy-to-clean styles of hopper and tray feed- 1. Wash the feeder in warm, soapy water, ers are available locally. Ruth Pagel of Wild Birds 2. Rinse in fresh water, Unlimited recommends Feeder Fresh, a non-toxic 3. Air-dry before refilling. absorbent sand that helps reduce clumping and However, if moldy seed has accumulated in the molding of seed in tube feeders. The birds will feeder or you’ve noticed sick birds at your feeder: thank you! 4. Use a bottle brush to remove the seed (don’t dump it on the ground) — Maria Ruth
Black Hills Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, Dec. 14th
This year’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will Our count is part of the National Audubon be held on Sunday, December 14th. This Society’s 109th CBC. These events are more event, sponsored by BHAS, needs volunteers important than ever because the results are to spend the day (or as much time as pos- used as tools to monitor the status and distri- sible) in the field counting bution of bird populations across the west- birds in their group’s ern hemisphere. Incidentally, almost every assigned count area. year Olympia has the Folks new to birding national or those who prefer high count will be partnered for Golden- with experienced crowned group leaders. This Kinglet and, is a serious commit- in some ment and a whole years, Win- lot of fun, and it’s ter Wren. also a great way for This work is amateurs to become very im- familiar with our local portant and birds. very ap- The day will conclude with preciated. To the traditional post-count join in, contact chili dinner shortly after dark at George Walter at the Gull Harbor Lutheran Church 360-459-8220 or email in Olympia, 4610 Boston Harbor Rd. [email protected]. What a wonderful way to end the day after being outside for so long!
The reintroduction program was first developed in Frog Release 2007 through a collaborative effort by WDFW, Fort From previous page Lewis, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance recovery effort that will continue for several years. Zoo & Aquarium, Oregon Zoo, Washington State Northwest Trek is using space at its Conservation Department of Transportation, U.S. Fish and Wild- Center located on land purchased through the Cas- life Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Port Blakely Tree cade Land Conservancy and Pierce County Futures. Farms, Washington Department of Natural Resourc- es, NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, U.S Geological The Dailman Lake area was chosen for reintroduc- Survey, Mountain View Conservation & Breeding tion because it contains diverse wetlands connected Centre and The Nature Conservancy. to a stream system capable of supporting and sus- taining a frog population. The project’s start-up coincides with efforts by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, which is high- The Oregon spotted frog historically ranged from lighting 2008 as the Year of the Frog to mark a southwestern British Columbia to northeastern Cali- major conservation effort to address global amphib- fornia. The frog is now believed to have disappeared ian extinction. from California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley and has suffered significant declines elsewhere in its his- Activities related to the reintroduction program are toric range. Loss of habitat, predation by non-native being funded through grants from the Point Defiance species such as the American bullfrog, and disease Zoo & Aquarium, the Northwest Zoo & Aquarium have decimated its numbers, which prompted listing it Alliance and the Association of Zoo & Aquarium’s as a Washington state-endangered species in 1997. Amphibian Fund. —Cherilyn Williams
Black Hills Audubon Society it, Westport, running more trips in August and Sep- Birding in Earnest tember and finishing at the end of the month. Sep- Sightings from August and tember 27th ended the “offshore season” with lower than expected seabird numbers (though Cassin’s September 2008 Auklet numbers were good for those who follow the By Bill Shelmerdine plights of the northern alcids). However, the sight- To report sightings, call 360-866-9106 or email at ing of Hawaiian Petrel on the 27th, a first for WA, georn1 hotmail.com. was nothing short of spectacular. If interested in the complete list for specific trips, check out the website Thanks go to Phil Kelly (PK), Paul Hicks (PH), Lonnie for Westport Seabirds ( westports- Sommer (LS), Jim Pruski (JP), Trudy Cadman (TC), eabirds.com/ ). A schedule for 2009 trips will likely Dennis Ellison (DE), and Dave Hayden (DH) for be posted in mid-winter or spring. reporting or recording their finds. Anything can happen in migration, and for my Coastal birding… Along the money, fall is the most exciting season in the Pa- outer coast: cific Northwest. In our area, I’m usually thinking shorebirds, but we really see the full spectrum from I received no specific reports from the coast. From offshore waters to the mountains; recent reports what I gather, shorebird movements were typical reflect this. Surprisingly there were few reports of with all of the regulars present and accounted for. shorebirds locally, although, Unusual for this part of the coast were very spo- as usual, there was plenty of radic reports of Elegant Terns along activity along the coast. the Oregon, Washington, and BC coasts. A species that makes August and September are busy regular fall visits from the times in offshore waters and this south into central Califor- is where I spent more of my nia, they are rarely en- birding time, sadly to the countered this far north detriment of wandering and it has been many the shorelines, mudflats years since the last inva- and ponds in search of shorebirds. So with sion. They proved very a general lack of reports, you get my take frustrating to find along on seabirds when you might expect a the Washington Coast however, focus on shorebirds… and only a handful of lucky observers reported birds along our coast (though not Offshore in Grays for lack of searching). Harbor County: My first trip off-shore this August was on 8/23; it Puget lowlands and inland was just one of those truly great days on the water marine waters… with big numbers of birds and marine mammals. Personally, I did not do much birding here over the Seeing two hundred to three hundred Pacific White- summer period, and with a general lack of reports sided Dolphins slashing the water around the boat I am likely under representing the situation. An im- with thousands of birds overhead was dizzying. The mature Sabines Gull was present on the waters of return trip encountered a family of Orca (including Eld Inlet on 8/31. a young calf) and more thousands of birds (domi- nated by Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters). On 9/23, three Sandhill Cranes were observed on Flesh-footed Shearwater probably topped the the outer delta at Nisqually (DE, PK), and on 9/30, list of exciting birds seen; first of season Buller’s nine Brown Pelicans were observed in the same Shearwaters, a sweep within the Jeager clan, general area (DE). Passerine migration was quite South Polar Skua, and Arctic Tern were just a few noticeable in early and mid September; reports from of the highlights from an impressive day list. Sep- Nisqually on 9/3 included Nashville and MacGilli- tember 5th brought the first Short-tailed Shear- vrey’s Warblers along with 6 other warbler species waters; a 5-shearwater day is a good day any way seen that day (PK). On 9/9 a busy day near Tenino you slice it and a Manx Shearwater close to shore included 6 warbler species, 3 Hammonds Fly- started the trip out right. catchers, and sightings of Northern Pygmy Owl and a roving band of Gray Jays (PH). Westport Seabirds runs trips out of… you guessed Next page
Black Hills Audubon Society Results of The Echo in Conservation Paper vs. Web Survey Update Thanks to the twenty folks who took time to com- municate with BHAS about their preference of Members of the BHAS Conservation Committee whether to continue to receive The Echo in paper or have been so busy working on continuing local get it electronically. The majority stated their prefer- issues, some with late-breaking legal decisions, ence to keep publishing and sending out The Echo in that we haven’t been able to write up what’s paper. Among the several reasons given for keeping happening in time to get it into this edition of paper was the convenience and ease of reading pa- The Echo. We apologize for this, but that is per over reading from a screen, some members do sometimes the nature of these issues. Often, not have computers, and also that the paper version these are not stories with identifiable endings…. of The Echo is more portable. they are in process. It takes dedication to follow these issues, sometimes for several years! As for the frequency of publishing The Echo, the responses ranged from preferring to receive The Among the many issues we are following are Echo twice a year to monthly, with most saying that housing or industrial/commercial developments they liked the current rate of every other month but that could have a negative effect on wildlife or could live with it coming out less frequently. natural habitat, clean up and protection of Puget Sound, preserving unique prairie ecosystems, The BHAS Board agreed to continue publishing The the county task force on cluster housing, county Echo in paper, every other month, for the time be- critical areas ordinances, and more. ing, but we may revisit the frequency in the future. Also, we may ask who would be willing to have an For current updates on conservation issues, electronic version emailed to them instead of getting please go to Black Hills Audubon Society’s Con- a paper version as a way to save resources. Stay servation Web page at //blackhillsaudu- tuned!! bon /conservation-local.html. Please don’t hesitate to let us know of any sug- If there is a conservation issue you are con- gestions you may have to improve The Echo, or the cerned about, feel free to contact us at info Web site. Thanks! blackhills-audubon . —Debra Jaqua, Echo Editor
Dove was present (perhaps a first for Mason Co.) Birding in Earnest — just another example of this introduced spe- From previous page cies continuing its rapid expansion through North The most unusual report came on 8/28: a Com- America. mon Ground Dove was reported from the Roches- The forests and hills in our area usually receive little ter area in South Thurston County (TC). Where the birding attention at this time. However, time spent heck did this guy come from? Interestingly, there here paid off for some. August in the upper Skokom- was an unconfirmed report from North Portland, ish River Basin seemed to have some good birding OR, earlier in the month. Escapee? Perhaps, as this possibilities. On 8/13, a pair of Golden Eagles were particular individual was reported to be unusually located and sightings over the next couple of weeks tame, but this species is also a confirmed wanderer. suggest that they may have been residents rather To my knowledge it is as yet un-reported in WA. than migrants. A Northern Goshawk was found in Fall in the Skokomish Valley, what does that make the same area on 8/26, Blue and Ruffed Grouse you think of… probably not birds. This is a time were seen on every visit, and Northern Pygmy many of us think of produce, specifically Skok Valley Owl and Olive-sided Flycatchers rounded out a corn. However, if you make a trip to this area in the list of interesting sightings. Five Common Night- fall, don’t forget your binoculars. In early August, hawks were noted overhead near Shelton on 8/13, swallows began staging here in very large numbers; probably migrants on the move. A BHAS field trip on on 8/3, huge numbers (thousands) of swallows, 9/28 produced 2 Townsend’s Solitaires in Capi- dominated by violet-greens, crowded the wires tol Forest (DH, LS, JP,), a species difficult to find in around the valley. On 8/4 a Eurasian Collared Thurston County and rarely reported in the fall.
Black Hills Audubon Society $
BHAS Calendar November November 20th, (Thurs.): 7pm - pm. General Membership Meeting. Presentation: Midway Atoll—50 Years Later, by Elizabeth Rodrick. December December 6th (Saturday), Field Trip: Point Wilson, Fort Flagler, and Port Townsend environs. Leave at 7:00 am from Mud Bay Park & Ride. Leader: Lonnie Somer December 13th (Saturday), 10am—3pm: Alternate Gift Fair, at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. December 14th (Sun.), 109th Audubon Christmas Bird Count and Chili Feed December 18th (Thurs.), General Membership Meeting will be the Holiday Party! 7pm–9pm.
Birding Classes The fall Birding 101 class filled up quickly this year, with a waiting list of at least ten people. We were thrilled with the eager interest from the community! Debbie Nickerson, chair of the Education Committee that created this class, said there may be a “Specialty Birding” class this coming winter,- and there will be a spring Birding 101 class coming, as you might ex pect, in the spring. We don’t have firm dates yet, but the classes will be announced in upcoming issues of the Echo andg. Please also on contact the BHAS Debbie Web at site at http://www.blackhills-audubon.or 360-754-5397 if you have any questions.
Black Hills Audubon Society Board of Directors 2008-2009 Member Volunteers Bird-a-thon Coordinator: Officers Sheila McCartan...... 360-357-9170 President: Sam Merrill...... 360-866-8839 schooleymccartan omcast.net [email protected] Bird ID: Dave McNett...... 360-357-3695 Vice President: Kris Schoyen...... 360-754-1710 Bird Feeder Cleaning [email protected] Debbie Nickerson ...... 360-754-5397 Secretary: Debbie Nickerson...... 360-754-5397 debranick gmail.com debranick gmail.com Treasurer: Susan Markey ...... 360-438-9048 Conservation: Sue Danver...... 360-705-9247 slmarkey comcast.net sdanver7 aol.com Echo Designer: Lee Miller ...... 360-753-0942 Board Members At Large aleemiller igc.org Debra Jaqua...... 360-491-3325 Echo Editor: Debra Jaqua ...... 360-491-3325 webdeb1 mail.com webdeb1 gmail.com Whittier Johnson...... 360-866-8156 Forest Issues: David Jennings.....360-866-7551 whittierwj comcast.net nativeforest gamil.com Mike O’MalIey...... 360-943-2369 Healthy Olympia Task Force, E3 Washington: Committee Chairs Jean MacGregor...... 360-866-0166 Conservation: Donna Nickerson Office Support: Carolyn Harmon, Bonnie Wood D.J.Nick comcast.net Webmaster: Debra Jaqua ...... 360-491-3325 Field Trips: Kristin Stewart ...... 360-456-5098 webdeb1 gmail.com kristinstewartO1 comcast.net Membership: Margery Beeler.....360-352-5437 mswampcat aol.com Programs: Kris Schoyen ...... 360-754-1710 [email protected]
Black Hills Audubon Society Board meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the second 1063 Capitol Way So., Rm 208, Olympia, WA 98501 Wednesday of each month. The site varies from Phone: 360-352-7299 month to month, so please call us at the office if Website: www.blackhills-audubon.org you would like to sit in. E-mail: info blackhills-audubon.org Phone and e-mail messages are welcome, but please Black Hills Audubon Society is a non-profit remember that we are a volunteer-based organization, organization. A member chapter of the National and it may take us a few days to get back to you. Audubon Society, it represents Audubon members in Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. The Echo is published bi-monthly. Editor: Deb Jaqua. Layout and design by Lee Miller. Graphics by Our goals are to maintain, restore and protect our Nature Icons/Ultimate Symbol unless initialed. ecosystems for future generations, and to promote environmental education and nature-based Material for The Echo should be sent to recreation. PO Box 2524, Olympia, WA 98507, or e-mailed to Deb Jaqua at webdeb1 gmail.com. General membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday evening of each month, Deadline for the January/February 2009 issue is September through June, at the Capitol Museum December 5, 2008. Coach House, 211 West 21st Street, in Olympia.
Black Hills Audubon Society Field Trip Descriptions December 6 (Saturday), Leave at 7:00 December 14th (Sun.), From as early as am from Mud Bay Park & Ride. Field you’d like until dusk. Trip: Point Wilson, Fort Flagler, and Port 109th Audubon Christmas Bird Count and Townsend environs. Chili Feed. Leader: Lonnie Somer This event, sponsored by BHAS, needs volunteers The primary targets for this field trip are winter wa- to spend the entire day (or as much time as you ter fowl in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the north- can contribute) in the field counting birds in your ern Puget Sound. Hoped for species include Marbled group’s assigned count area. This is a serious com- and Ancient Murrelet, Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinoceros mitment and a whole lot of fun!! For more informa- Auklet, Common Murre, Harlequin Duck, Long- tion, go to Christmas Bird Count page. tailed Duck, Brants, 3 species of loon, and several The day will conclude with the traditional post- other species as well. count chili dinner shortly after dark at the Gull Dress for cold, wind, and the ever-present possibil- Harbor Lutheran church in Olympia, 4610 Boston ity of rain. Bring lunch, snack, and liquids. We will Harbor Rd.... This is always a welcome event after return by early evening. spending many hours in the (possible) cold and wet Trip limited to 12 people (3 cars). Call the BHAS of- Northwest. To join in the Christmas Bird County, fice at 360-352-7299 for registration. contact George Walter at 360-459-8220 or email gwalter nwifc.org.
Alternative Gift Fair shopping. For additional information, please call Debbie Nickerson at 754-5397 or visit us at www. When: Saturday, Dec. 13th, from 10am – 3pm theunitedchurches.org. Where: 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia Website: www.theunitedchurches.org Alternative Gift Fairs— What: Tired of the commercialized gift giving dur- Some Questions and Answers ing the holidays? There are alternatives to the usual holiday gifts. Q. What is an “Alternative Gift Fair”? A. An Alternative Gift Fair offers the opportunity On Saturday, December 13th, from 10am to 3pm for a different kind of “shopping”. It is shopping at The Olympia Center, you can purchase a gift in which avoids the often-encountered holiday someone’s name from organizations which help stress in searching the malls and deciding among train the homeless, build homes for families, help the material gifts or “stuff” one might give to protect our environment, and feed the hungry. This another. Instead, the “shopper” at the Fair can year, let your gift to someone be a week’s worth of choose to give a gift in honor, and in the name, care for patients at The Neighborhood Free Medical of a loved one or friend by making a donation to Clinic; purchase a pig for a hungry family through one of a number of worthy non-profit organiza- Heifer International; help conserve wild spaces tions which participate in the Fair, organizations in Thurston and Mason Counties with Black Hills whose purposes best fit the values of your gift Audubon Society and People for Puget Sound; sup- recipient. port a kitchen garden project with GRuB; buy tools Q. Are donations to charitable organizations the for homebuilding with Habitat for Humanity and only kind of “gifts” offered at the Fair? learn about the many organizations doing good A. No. Also available for purchase are unusual works around our community and country. craft products and artwork fashioned by per- Eighteen organizations, to which you can donate sons in developing countries around the world any amount, will be participating. Gift cards will be and even in some areas in our own country. The given to donors which, in turn, are presented to the proceeds from such purchases go directly to the recipient. You can make a difference in our com- artisans themselves and for those causes such as munity and world with your gift to a local charity in community self-help projects which benefit from a loved one’s name. Come to The Olympia Center their talents. from 10am to 3pm and feel good about your holiday Next page
Black Hills Audubon Society electronics technician and writer from Portland. Bird Book Reviews Some parts were so funny that I was unable to We all have our favorite field guides to the read them out loud without weeping and snort- birds—those dog-eared, water-stained, well- ing. worn Petersons, Audubons, Sibleys, How to Be a (Bad) Birdwatcher, by Simon National Geographics, or even Golden Barnes (Short Books, 2006). An irreverent in- Guides. But what about the troduction to birdwatching by a world-class other bird books--the birder and conservationist. “Looking at ones that you’re more birds,” he writes, “is a key: it opens likely to read by the fire doors, and if you choose to go than in the field? Here through them you find you are a few of my favor- enjoy life more and understand ites—mostly quirky, life better.” often funny, always poi- gnant stories to read when it’s Diary of a Left-Handed Bird just too dern cold and wet to go Watcher, Leonard Nathan (Harvest outside. Books, 2006). Birds, philosophy, and meditation from an award-winning poet pur- Providence of Sparrow: Lessons from a Life Gone suing the elusive snow bunting. to the Birds, by Chris Chester (Anchor Books, 2004). A very entertaining story of one man’s The Life of the Skies: Birding at the End of Nature, friendship with a house sparrow. Chester is an by Jonathan Rosen (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2008—due out in paperback in December). A fascinating exploration of birding as our “real Alternative Gift Fair national pastime.” Nearly every page of my From page 9 copy is dog-eared. — Maria Ruth Q. Is the Alternative Gift Fair an event unique to Olympia? A. No. From a modest beginning in California around 1980 the idea of the Alternative Gift Fair was picked up around the country by faith com- Annual Dinner & munities, colleges and other organizations which have acted as sponsors for this kind of event. By Auction the year 2000, Alternative Gift Fairs had been conducted in 43 states, including Washington, March 7, 2009 and in England, The Netherlands, South Korea and Japan. The 2009 BHAS Annual Dinner and Auc- Q. Is this the first year in which an Alternative Gift tion on March 7, 2009 may seem a long Fair has been presented in Olympia? way off, but the end of 2008 may be a good A. No. In recent years, a few faith communities – and perhaps some other organizations – have time to approach local merchants for dona- offered this kind of opportunity for giving, pri- tions to the Auction, as they may wish to marily to their own members. However, in recent reduce their inventories before the start of years there has been a more concerted effort by the new year. several sponsors to invite the participation of the entire Olympia community. So if you have a favorite local shop, con- Q. Will all of the proceeds of the gifts made today sider stopping by to ask for a contribution. go to the participating charities? A. Yes. The costs associated with this Alternative If you have any questions or need a let- Gift Fair are borne by its sponsors. ter of introduction, call or e-mail Margery Q. Are donations (other than the purchase of craft products and artwork) tax-deductible? Beeler (360-352-5437 or mswampcat aol. A. YES, to the extent allowed by law. com).
10 Black Hills Audubon Society Black Hills Audubon Society (BHAS) Membership form
Type of Membership—check appropriate box Yearly benefits: Member of Black Hills Audubon Society Chapter (BHAS) only Singles or household $20, regular member All dues go to support local $35, regular member for 2 years NEW! Black Hills Audubon chapter efforts. $50, regular member for 3 years, NEW! Receive the chapter newsletter, $15, senior or full-time student The Echo, which describes local chapter conservation action, events, $25, senior or full-time student for 2 years NEW! and field trips. $35, senior or full-time student for 3 years NEW! Please make check payable to Black Hills Audubon Society. Member of Black Hills Audubon Society Chapter and National Audubon (both) $20, first-time member price $15, Senior or full-time student Most of the dues go to support national efforts. Please make check payable to National Audubon Society. Receive the award-winning national magazine, Renewals: please renew your National Audubon Membership by Audubon, and the chapter newsletter, The Echo. filling out the forms sent to you by National and sending directly to National Audubon. Thanks! Subscription only—receive the chapter newsletter, The Echo (does not include membership) $10 chapter newsletter only Receive the chapter newsletter, The Echo Please make check payable to Black Hills Audubon Society. I would like to help Black Hills Audubon’s programs of education and conservation. Enclosed is my additional donation of $______Renewals: please renew your National Audubon Membership by filling out the forms sent to you by National and send- ing directly to National Audubon. Thanks!
Name:______Address:______City/State/zip______Phone/Email______My check for $______is enclosed.
Please fill out this form and mail it with your check to the appropriate address: Membership Membership Black Hills Audubon Society is a 501(C)3 Black Hills Audubon Society National Audubon Society organization. Contri- PO Box 2524 225 Varick Street, 7th floor butions are deductible Olympia WA 98507 New York, NY 10014 to the extent allowed by law. Thank you for supporting the Black Hills Audubon Society!
Black Hills Audubon Society 11 dispute scientific claims that the Canadian and Marbled Murrelet to Alaskan murrelets are distinct from those liv- be Delisted? ing in the Pacific Northwest and require special protection. Under pressure from timber industry groups, Murrelets also face threats from oil spills, chronic the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced oil pollution, gill-netting, loss of prey species, on October 2 that it will consider delisting the predation by other bird species, and now a Marbled Murrelet, a small seabird that newly documented threat in Alas- nests in old-growth forests along the ka—whales. Researchers re- Pacific Coast. Since 1993, the mur- cently watched a humpback relet has been listed under the whale accidentally ingest Endangered Species Act as 10 murrelets as they were a federally threatened spe- competing for the same cies in Washington, Oregon, small fish. and California. Scientists esti- mate that at its current population If you’d like to voice decline of 4 to 7% a year, the murrelet your opinion against could be extinct from Washington, Oregon, delisting and in support and California within the next 100 years. of listing the species as LMthreatened in Alaska Delisting this bird would open up thousand of (where it currently is not listed), please send in acres of forest to logging—an activity that has your comments by December 1, 2008, via destroyed most of the murrelet’s breeding habi- //www.regulations (type “marbled tat. The timber industry claims there is no need murrelet” in the search field). to protect murrelets because there are “enough” birds in British Columbia and Alaska; they
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