AUDUBON SOCIETY of PORTLAND

FEBRUARY 2009
Volume 73 Number 2

In this issue...
Warbler
Great Backyard
Bird Count
See page 4
IBA of the
Month
See page 11
Spring Break
Camps
See page 7

Sauvie Island
Raptor Road Trip
Breakfast with Birds of Prey
Saturday, February 7th,
9am–2pm
Explore Sauvie Island in search of
magnificent eagles, hawks, and
Carol Hall and Arnie Rowland proudly display their Bleeding Heart, Purple Trillium, Rufous Hummingbird falcons that spend the winter here.
Certified Backyard Habitat sign. © Gaylen Beatty Salal © Tammi Miller © Jim Cruce
On this special day devoted to

Turn your yard into a Certified Backyard Habitat!

raptors, experienced naturalists and
hawk experts will host activities at
four locations around the island.

W hether you’ve done the work already or you’re
looking for where to start — the Audubon
Society of Portland and Three Rivers Land
Conservancy’s Backyard Habitat Certification Program
is here to help. This new collaborative effort will provide
technical assistance to small-lot private-property owners to
restore native wildlife habitats in their backyard. Right now
the program is for backyards within the City of Portland. If
you are outside the City of Portland, we would still love to
hear of your interest in our program and can get you on our
monthly Backyard Habitat E-newsletter. Our future visions
include expanding the program region-wide over time.
The goals of the program are to assist property owners
through three levels of advanced habitat restoration. The
program focuses on the removal of aggressive weeds,
naturescaping with native plants, stormwater management,
and wildlife stewardship.
If you are interested in learning more about the Backyard
Habitat Certification Program, you can email Karen
Munday at kmunday@audubonportland.org or fill out
our online interest form at www.audubonportland.org/
backyardwildlife/backyardhabitat. We will send you our
backyard e‑newsletter and will contact you about scheduling
a site visit. We will have target areas within the City of
Portland and will be grouping site visits by neighborhoods.
Our site visits include having a knowledgeable backyard
certification staff person come to your backyard for a
one-on-one consultation. We’ll provide technical assistance
and a written site plan and recommendations. We will also
provide discounts and incentives for native plants and other
materials to help you on your way. A fee of $25 is due prior
to your site visit, and upon completion of your certification
process you’ll be able to proudly display a Certified Backyard
Habitat sign in your yard!
We’ll provide a map, then you
choose where to go to enjoy guided
Merlin © Don Baccus
bird viewing, meet live raptors up
close, and see hawk identification displays. Hot drinks
and donuts will be available in the morning so we can stay
warm and have breakfast with the birds.
How does the “road
trip” work?
The trip begins at Kruger’s Farm
Market, where you will need to
stop first to get your event map and
guide. To reach Kruger’s, go over the
Sauvie Island bridge, and continue
straight 1.5 miles (passing by
Howell Territorial Park) to the farm
entrance on your right. Entrance to
the event is $5 per vehicle (cash only
Peregrine Falcon please), which includes a one-day
© Ed Deal Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking

Reveling in Raptors permit, event guide, birding map and checklist, and picture
handouts on how to identify birds of prey.
A Celebration of Portland’s Amazing Birds of Prey We’ll provide spotting scopes, a crash course in raptor

W inter is a great time of year to see birds of prey around the Portland metro area. A mild
climate and abundant prey base make the Willamette Valley a prime wintering ground
for hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls. In fact, birds of prey increase in both total numbers
and species diversity during the winter months. This winter, Portland Audubon is celebrating
our amazing birds of prey with trips, classes, presentations, and events throughout the month of
identification, and naturalists to point out the birds. Bring
binoculars and field guides if you have them. Dress for the
weather with gloves and a hat; this event takes place rain or
shine. It is suitable for birders of all skill levels, and families
are welcome.
February. There will be fun for every enthusiast: kids, adults, and families!
Cooper’s Hawk continued on page 4
© Paul Buescher
February 4 (Wed.): Raptor February 7 (Sat.; see above): Raptor Road Trip
Identification Class with Naturalist
James Davis at Metro (see www. February 20–22 (Fri.–Sun.; see p.6): Three-day Falcon
oregonmetro.gov//index.cfm/go/by.web/ Field Trip to Skagit Flats
id=24433&view=details&event_id=25618) February 22 (Sun.; see p.5), 1pm–4pm: Audubon
February 5 (Thurs.; see p.7): Wildlife Care Center Open House — Meet Portland
Audubon’s educational birds of prey, learn about
Great Horned Owl Introduction to Raptor Identification with rehabilitation, and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of
© Jim Cruce John Rakestraw at Audubon
the busiest bird rehab centers in the United States.
Also check www.audubonportland.org for more very cool ways to enjoy birds of prey: Bald Eagle © Mike Houck
• Raptor Cam: Beginning in January, tune into the • Sauvie Island Raptor Surveys, Metro Area Peregrine
KGW-Audubon Raptor Cam to watch a pair of Red-tailed
Hawks through their annual nesting cycle in downtown
Falcon Surveys, Audubon Kestrel Nest Box Program.
• Highlighted bird of prey field guides in the Nature Store,
2009 Bird of Prey
Portland (www.kgw.com). 2009 Bird of Prey Photo Contest, and public releases of Photo Contest!
• Befriend a Bird of Prey School Programs: Schedule a rehabilitated raptors.
presentation with Audubon’s educational birds of prey at
See page 5 for guidelines
your child’s school.

Audubon Society
of Portland
Inside this issue
5151 NW Cornell Road Page 2 .From the Director & Free Trips
Portland, Oregon 97210 Page 3 ......................Calendar of Events
Page 4 & 5 ... Conservation & Care Center
Page 6 & 7 ................................. Trips & Tours
Page 8 ......Nature Store & Sanctuaries
Page 9 .......... Field Notes & Volunteers
Page 10 ........................Birding Weekends
Page 11 ........................ IBA of the Month
Page 12 ................. Map/Hours/Sponsors
From the Executive Director
New Opportunities to Restore
Balch Creek Watershed
P ortland Audubon and Metro
will soon be implementing
a restoration plan to make
the Collins Sanctuary a better
place for birds and other native
wildlife. Portland Audubon’s wildlife
sanctuaries are among our greatest
Meryl Redisch
assets and attractions for families seeking a day in nature.
All three sanctuaries — Collins, Pittock, and Uhtoff — are
important natural landscapes and help sustain the Balch
Creek Watershed for wildlife and water quality.
Though we own and manage nearly 150 acres of land and
four miles of trails on both sides of Cornell Road, members
and visitors favor the trails in the Pittock Sanctuary where
a pond and giant Douglas fir trees offer welcoming places
for people to appreciate nature. The Pittock Sanctuary’s
proximity to our Nature Store and Wildlife Care Center also
contributes to its popularity. Donated to the Society nearly
70 years ago, these 28 acres have been the main target of
considerable volunteer efforts that have resulted in the trail
network, bridges, and forest restoration we enjoy today.
Back in the 1980s, the Society devised a creative fundraising
campaign that made it possible to expand our holdings by
purchasing a caretaker’s house and another 40 acres of land
Magpies ...love to go birding during the weekdays. We start a little
later, go a little slower, and try to keep a restroom in sight.
Baskett Slough and
Ankeny NWRs
February 16 (Mon.), 8am–4:30pm
This is a good time of year to see wintering waterfowl and
raptors in the Willamette Valley. Join Denny Graham at
the NW corner of the WalMart parking lot in Woodburn
for a trip to Baskett Slough and Ankeny National Wildlife
Refuges. Bring your lunch and rain gear. We will arrange
carpools at the meeting point. Directions: I‑5 to Exit 271;
WalMart is just southeast of the freeway exit. Contact
Denny at 503-659-1245 for further information.
Connecting Green
Connecting Green is all about access to nature in the city. Connecting Green field trips will introduce you to some
of the region’s most scenic and wildlife-rich natural areas and parks and the ever-growing regional trails network.
During winter and early spring, Mike Houck will lead several walks along the Springwater on the Willamette Trail
from downtown to Oaks Bottom and around this 160-acre refuge. For all bicycle and paddle trips, bring your own
equipment — helmets and life jackets are required. Kayak and canoe rentals can be arranged at Portland Kayak
Company (www.portlandrivercompany.com, 503-459-4050) or Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe (www.aldercreek.com,
503-285-0464).
Registration is limited, so sign up soon at www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/wic. If you don’t have
internet access, call 503-292-6855 ext.122 to register. Directions will be sent to all registrants. Trip participants will be
limited in number, so sign up early!
February
Sat., February 7th, 8am–11am
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Join Mike Houck for a stroll around the 160-acre Oaks
Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Mike has been hiking in Oaks
Bottom for over 30 years and is intimately familiar with
the history and natural science of Oaks Bottom and its
diverse wildlife habitats. Oaks Bottom was Portland’s
first formally designated urban wildlife refuge and is also
the city’s Migratory Bird Refuge through an agreement
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to
enjoying some winter birding, participants will learn
what the Portland Parks Department and Bureau of
Environmental Services are doing to improve habitat in
the Bottoms. This trip is a two-mile loop on both paved
and uneven dirt paths, with two moderate hills, and is
appropriate for families.
Thurs., February 12th, 8am–11:30am
Eastbank Esplanade to Oaks Bottom Refuge
Join Mike Houck for a four-mile walk from the Vera
Katz Eastbank Esplanade to the north meadow and
wetlands at 160-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The
walk will be along the Springwater on the Willamette
greenway trail and will end at SE Milwaukie, where
we will catch a TriMet bus back downtown. Bring
binoculars and dress for the weather, as we will go rain
or shine. Bring a TriMet pass or $2 for your ticket ($.95
for Honored Citizens 65 and over).
2 FEBRUARY 2009
now known as the Uhtoff Sanctuary. The third and largest
sanctuary is named after the Collins family, who presented
the land to us decades ago. No one recalls why Audubon
turned down that offer, and 86 acres was donated instead
to the Oregon Parks Foundation. Although an agreement
with the Foundation granted us oversight to manage the
property as a wildlife refuge, limited resources precluded
us from developing them to showcase their natural and
cultural values.
Now, however, we can begin that process and promote
the significance of the Collins Sanctuary as part of a
region-wide plan for preservation. An agreement was
recently completed that transfers ownership from the
Parks Foundation to Metro and keeps Portland Audubon
as the primary steward of this natural landscape. We look
forward to working with Metro on restoring this site for
birds, wildlife, and watershed health.
Metro, the Forest Park Conservancy, and Portland
Audubon will present an overview of this property at our
Nature Night series. Join us on Tuesday, February 10th,
at 7pm to learn more about the Collins Sanctuary and
the role this natural area plays in the long-term health
and sustainability of Forest Park and the Balch Creek
Watershed.
Newport
February 24–25 (Tues.–Wed.)
The Magpies will travel to Newport to look for wintering
waterfowl and seabirds. Our trip begins at 9am at the
Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport and ends on
the 25th at noon. Contact leaders Dick Demarest
(503-407-7912) or Don Stein (541-765-7567) for details.
Wild in the City Field Trips
Birding from the Springwater on the Willamette Trail, with
Portland Memorial Mausoleum mural in the background.
© Mike Houck
Sat., February 14th, 9am–Noon
Valentine’s Day Paddle Around Ross Island
Join Mike Houck in watching Ross Island’s Great Blue
Herons “pitching woo” at their Ross Island nest site. This
is the time of year the herons return to their communal
nesting colony, refurbish their nests, and engage in
their ritualistic courtship behavior. This leisurely paddle
around Ross, Hardtack, East, and Toe Islands will
acquaint participants with the natural history of this
four-island archipelago and the issues concerning public
ownership and long-term management of the islands.
You are responsible for bringing and maintaining your
own kayak/canoe. The trip is appropriate for beginning
paddlers.
Field Trips
No registration required — show up at
time and place given. Call first if indicated.
February 14 (Sat.), 7:30am–5pm
North Tillamook County
Join leaders Tim Shelmerdine and David Smith to
explore sites in coastal Tillamook County including
Nehalem Meadows, Wheeler, Rockaway, Barview, Bay City,
and Tillamook. Meet David and Tim at the North Plains
Chevron Station just north of Hwy 26 at North Plains/
Glencoe Rd Exit 57 and plan to depart for the coast by
7:30am. Dress for weather, bring binoculars and lunch/
water. We’ll return to Portland by 5pm. Beginners welcome!
February 21 (Sat.), 8am–11am
Crystal Springs Rhodie Gardens
Doug Robberson is your leader for a leisurely walk around
the Rhododendron Gardens. This is the perfect place to
get up-close views of up to a dozen species of wintering
waterfowl. The Gardens are located just north of the
intersection of SE 28th and Woodstock, across the street
from Reed College. Beginners welcome!
February 22 (Sun.), 8am–11am
Dawson Creek Corporate Park
Join Max Smith for a tour of this little-known Hillsboro
park with great views of waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and
Acorn Woodpeckers. From Portland, take Hwy 26 west to
the Shute Road exit and drive south on Shute Road. After
crossing Evergreen Parkway, continue straight as Shute
Road becomes Brookwood Parkway, cross Dawson Creek
Drive, and turn left into the new Hillsboro Library parking
lot. Meet at the north end of the parking lot near the pond.
Dress for the weather; beginners welcome!
February 28 (Sat.), 8am–11am
Ridgefield NWR, Washington
Join us on a walk on the Oaks to Wetland Trail looking for
winter sparrows and oak woodland–resident species like
Brown Creepers and White-breasted Nuthatches. The trail
can be muddy so bring appropriate hiking shoes. Meet at
the trailhead parking lot on the Carty Unit located 1 mile
north of the intersection of Pioneer and Main Streets in
downtown Ridgefield, Wash. Dress for the weather. Call
leader Ron Escano (502-771-3454) if you need more
information.
Sun., February 15th,
2pm–5pm
Winter Waterfowl of
Oaks Bottom
A two-mile stroll around
the Bottoms always yields
some exciting wildlife
sightings. This time of year
we’ll focus on wintering
waterfowl and the raptors
that prey on them — Bald
Eagles and Peregrine
Falcons. Most birding
forays to Oaks Bottom
Progress has been made on the
yield at least 40 species. Portland Memorial Mausoleum mural,
We will both spot and which will be completed by June 2009.
listen for their calls and This will be the largest mural in North
songs. Leader Mike America. © Mike Houck
Houck, who has been leading nature tours of Oaks Bottom
for over 30 years, will also describe efforts by Portland
Parks and Recreation and Bureau of Environmental
Services to improve fish and wildlife habitat at the Bottoms.
March
Sun., March 8th, Noon–3pm
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, Noon to 3 pm.
See Feb. 7th trip for details.
Sat., March 14th, 9am–Noon
Lower Columbia Slough Restoration Paddle
Join Jim Labbe and Bob Sallinger from Portland Audubon,
and Dave Helzer from Portland’s Bureau of Environmental
Services, for a morning paddle on the Columbia Slough.
We’ll visit the Ramsey Refugia Restoration project and several
mitigation projects in the lower Slough, discuss habitat
restoration and enhancement in the urban environment,
and do some birding along the way. You are responsible for
bringing and maintaining your own kayak/canoe.
www.audubonportland.org
 FEBRUaRY Calendar of Events
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
25 26 27 28 29 Book Launch Party 30 Bald Eagles, Cranes, 31
for Northwest Nature and Waterfowl of
Guide with Metro Sauvie Island, 1pm
Naturalist James Davis (Dec08/Jan09 Warbler)
(Dec08/Jan09 Warbler)

Bluegrass Live 1 2 Birders’ Night 3 Raptor Identification 4 Introduction to 5 6 Oaks Bottom Wildlife 7
Music Jam 12:30pm 7:30pm Heron Hall Class with Naturalist Raptor Identification, Refuge, 8am (p.2)
Heron Hall James Davis at Metro, 7pm (p.7) Beginning Field Birding
7pm (p.1) with Greg Baker, 8am (p.7)

Raptor Road Trip,

9am–2pm (p.1)

Birding Texas Style! 8 Beginning Birding I 9 Nature Night: An
trip begins class, 7pm (p.7) Overview of the
(Dec08/Jan09 Warbler) Greater Forest Park
Ecosystem, 7pm Heron
Hall (p.3)
10 11 Eastbank Esplanade to 12 Great Backyard Bird 13
Oaks Bottom Refuge, Count begins (p.4)
8am (p.2)
Klamath Winter Wings
Festival begins (www.
winterwingsfest.org)
Oregon’s 150th birthday 14
—Valentine’s Day­—
Tillamook County Field Trip,
7:30am (p.2)
Paddle Around Ross Island,
9am (p.2)
New Volunteer Orientation,
1pm (p.9)

Beginning Birding I Field

Trip, 8:30am (p.7)
15 Magpies visit Baskett
Slough and Ankeny
16 New Volunteer 17 Gulls in Winter Class, 18 Board Meeting 7pm 19 Skagit Flats and 20 Crystal Springs
Field Trip, 8am (p.2)
21
Orientation, 6pm 7pm (p.7) Heron Hall Falcons trip begins
NWRs, 8am (p.2) Gulls in Winter Field Trip,
Trees in Winter Class, 10am
(p.9) (p.6)
9am (p.7)
(Dec08/Jan09 Warbler) Great Backyard Bird Count
ends (p.4) TogetherGreen Volunteer
Winter Waterfowl of Oaks Day, 10am–4pm (p.9 in Dec08/
Bottom, 2pm (p.2) Summer Camp registration Jan09 Warbler)
begins (p.7) Bluebird Trail Mtg, 9am (p.5)

Dawson Creek Park Field 22 Birdathon 23 Magpies begin trip to 24 25 26 27 Ridgefield NWR 28
Trip, 8am (p.2) registration Newport (p.2) Field Trip, 8am (p.2)

Beginning Birding I Field

Trip, 8:30am (p.7)
Wildlife Care
Center Open House,
1pm–4pm (p.5)
Bluegrass Live
Music Jam 12:30pm
Heron Hall
Birding Weekend (p.10)
begins (p.10) General Volunteer Training,
Conservation Lecture 9am–4:30pm
at Oregon Zoo, 7pm Birding Weekend (p.10)
(p.12) Photo Contest
entries due (p.5)
1 2 Birders’ Night 3 4 5 6 Beginning Field 7
7:30pm Heron Hall Birding and Sauvie
Island Exploration with
Greg Baker, 8am (p.7)

Note: An electronic version of this issue and past Warblers is available on our website, www.audubonportland.org/about/newsletter

Sat., March 21st, 9:30am–Noon

Nature Second Tuesday of the month from September to May. Free and open to
the public. If you have a suggestion for a Nature Night presentation, contact
Exploring East County’s Urban Green by Bike
Jim Labbe with Portland Audubon and Steve Fancher
Night Catherine at chalpin@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.129.

with Gresham Environmental Services will lead this

morning bike tour of new and innovative green streets,
raingardens, and recently enhanced natural areas in
An Overview of the Greater Forest Park
Troutdale, North Gresham, and Fairview. We’ll visit sites Ecosystem
that exemplify recent and expanded efforts to improve
water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and create space Tuesday, February 10th, 7pm • Heron Hall

F
for nature in the urban East County. We’ll also ride the
completed section of the Gresham-Fairview Trail and learn orest Park consists of more than 5,000 acres of forested ‘wilderness’ in the City of Portland’s west hills and
about pending trail segments. You are responsible for is the nation’s premier urban forest. Despite its location close to downtown Portland, Forest Park offers
bringing and maintaining the peaceful environment of an evolving forest ecosystem that is home to a wide array of flora and fauna.
your own bicycle. The Park contains over 70 miles of trails and provides a variety of opportunities for recreation, education, and
enjoyment of nature.
Sun., March 22nd,
8am–11am Metro, the Forest Park Conservancy, and Portland Audubon all have a role to play in promoting and sustaining a
Paddle Around Ross healthy ecosystem for Forest Park and the Balch Creek Watershed. Join us to learn more about what our respective
Island organizations are doing to ensure that Portland’s largest urban park supports biodiversity and provides access to
See Feb. 14th trip for details. nature and recreation for everyone.

April Barn Owl Fledglings © CJ Hockett

Sat., April 4th, New Gallery Exhibit Opens in the
9am–12:30pm Audubon Interpretive Center
Lower Johnson Creek
Bike Ride CJ Hockett
Join Jim Labbe, Urban
Conservationist with Wildlife Photography
Portland Audubon, and CJ Hockett is a Pacific Northwest Wildlife Photographer specializing
Matt Clark, director of the Canada Goose pair check out in fine art images of wild birds and mammals. Combining skills as
Johnson Creek Watershed Osprey nest on East Island. Will
the geese displace the Osprey a visual artist, photographer, and print maker, CJ’s works are simple
Council, for a 21-mile bike again this year? © Mike Houck yet dramatic with a degree of abstract realism. His ultimate goal is to
ride out the Springwater capture nature and leave it as it is. These fine art prints are created to
Corridor Trail to Gresham’s Linneman Station and back. engender a sense of appreciation for and responsibility toward the preservation
We’ll pedal our way through the lower Johnson Creek of wildlife and their habitat.
Watershed, stop at several urban natural areas along the
way, and learn about future opportunities to protect and Born and raised on his parents’ ranch near Joseph, Oregon, CJ Hockett (M.D.)
enhance the Johnson Creek Watershed. You are responsible is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Oregon Health & Science
for bringing and maintaining your own bicycle. University. He is a retired Naval Aviator and Physician who resides on Whidbey
Island, Washington.

www.audubonportland.org FEBRUARY 2009 3

Conservation
Proposed Steens Mountain Wind Development
Exemplifies Why Wind Power Permitting
System Needs to Be Fixed
by Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director
O
n January 16th, Audubon, Oregon Natural Desert
Association (ONDA), and 15 other conservation
organizations submitted comments to Harney
County opposing a proposed wind development project at
the edge of Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon. If
the project is approved, it could put more than 200 wind
turbines on the north flank of Steens Mountain parallel to
the Steens Loop Road and the Kiger Gorge Overlook. We
consider the pending applications to be fundamentally
flawed, placing the unique iconic landscape and wildlife
of Steens Mountain at unnecessary and unacceptable risk.
Furthermore, this application unfortunately represents
a growing trend in Oregon of developers scaling their
projects to avoid State review and the more stringent
wildlife protections that come with it.
While Audubon supports the development of renewable
energy resources, including wind power, we believe that
developers need to be held to basic standards to protect
wildlife and other natural resources. Renewable energy
development is likely to transform significant portions of
Oregon’s landscape in the coming years. Some have likened
the situation to a “wind gold rush.” Oregon needs to build
in real safeguards to ensure that our renewable energy is
truly green.
The Harney County projects are a case in point. The
developer, Columbia Energy Partners, has subdivided
three adjacent projects into 104-megawatt segments. The
number is important because any projects that generate 105
megawatts or more are subject to permitting by the State
Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC). This automatically
triggers the involvement of wildlife agencies. Projects that
rate below 105 megawatts are only subject to permitting
by the county in which the project is located, sometimes
triggering virtually no wildlife review at all. Oregon
is seeing a proliferation of 104-megawatt facilities being
proposed across the landscape.
Audubon Welcomes New Assistant
Conservation Director, Mary Coolidge
P ortland Audubon has hired Mary Coolidge to fill
the position of Assistant Conservation Director.
Mary is a familiar face to many around Audubon,
having previously served as an intern in our Peregrine
Falcon Program and as a volunteer in our
Wildlife Care Center — intermittently
between various field biology adventures
throughout the Western United States.
She brings a wealth of experience on both
urban and regional conservation issues.
Mary has worked on a variety of wildlife
population studies including surveys of
Marbled Murrelets, Burrowing Owls,
Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and
© Portland Audubon
Northern Goshawks. She has served as an observer with
HawkWatch International on Mt. Hood’s Bonney Butte; with
the Wildlife Research Institute on Roger’s Pass, Montana;
and as a Field Crew Manager on the Institute for Bird
Populations’ California statewide Burrowing Owl census.
4 FEBRUARY 2009
Kiger Gorge © Marilyn Stinnett
One of the three Harney County projects known as
‘Echansis’ snuck through County permitting with no
wildlife or habitat analysis and no input from natural
resource agencies. The two projects that are currently
pending permits, known as East and West Ridge, currently
include a paltry three months of wildlife survey data
collected in the late summer and early fall. Voluntary Wind
Power Siting Guidelines developed by industry, agencies,
and conservation organizations (including Audubon)
earlier this year call for two years of data on projects
prior to permitting if the project is located in areas with
high wildlife risks or in areas that are new to wind power
development. The Harney County projects meet both
criteria. In addition, Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife has also called for two years of wildlife surveys
because of the proximity of the developments to known
Sage Grouse leks.
Audubon and ONDA met with the developer several times
over the past several months to urge him to collect two years
of data and then submit the project to EFSC for permitting.
Unfortunately he has refused and continues to seek permits
from the County. Audubon plans to challenge this project
using all means available, including litigation if necessary.
In addition we also plan to initiate efforts to encourage
the State to review its current permitting system. The
dual system that allows projects below 105 megawatts to
be permitted by the counties rather than the State was
originally meant to allow for a simpler, quicker process for
small, less complex projects. However, in our opinion, the
threshold was set far too high and savvy developers have
figured out how to manipulate the system. As our letter
was being sent to Harney County, word was arriving that
yet another 104-megawatt facility was being proposed, this
time near Bend.
Locally she has worked with Friends of Trees, the Columbia
Slough Watershed Council, and Portland’s Bureau of
Environmental Services while serving in AmeriCorps.
Mary’s work with Audubon will span our
full range of conservation issues, but her
specific focus will be on developing the
Statewide Important Bird Area Program,
coordinating efforts of Audubon chapters
statewide, and with Audubon’s activist
network, building Audubon’s citizen
science programs and forest policy issues.
In her free time (of which there will likely
not be much), Mary enjoys gardening,
Mary with Goshawk biking, knitting, and backpacking.
Those of you who have expressed an interest in becoming
involved in Audubon’s bird conservation efforts will be
hearing from her shortly. Please join us in welcoming Mary!
American Goldfinch © Jim Cruce
Great Backyard
Bird Count,
February 13–16
by Seth Reams, Great Backyard
Bird Count Volunteer
B inoculars? Check. Notepad? Check. Camera?
Check. Yep, that’s right, it’s officially Counting
Season! The Great Backyard Bird Count is coming
up this February 13–16, and it marks the 12th annual
four-day event that asks birdwatchers of all ages and
areas to count birds to help compose an immediate
and long-term picture of where the birds are across
North America. Anyone can participate, from those just
beginning to birdwatch to those who have been watching
for years. You can count for as little as 15 minutes for just
a single day, or you can count for as long as you like for
all four days. It’s completely free,
a lot of fun, and very easy.
You just count birds anywhere
you wish for as little or as long
as you wish during the four
days. Then, record the highest
number of birds of each species
seen together at any one time.
To report your counts, just fill
out the online checklist at the
GBBC website (www.birdsource.
org/gbbc), or you can mail in
Downy Woodpecker
the paper version. © Jim Cruce
As the count progresses, log on to the website and
explore what kinds of birds are being reported from all
over the U.S. and Canada. You can see up-to-the-minute
numbers and compare with those from previous years.
You can also send in photographs of the birds that
you see. The website has an entire gallery devoted to
participants’ photos.
In 2008, birders submitted 85,725 checklists totaling
635 species and 9,805,216 birds, an all-time record for
the count. Portland reported 227 checklists with a total
of 114 species. That’s 88 more checklists and 26 more
species than last year’s tallies! Oregon overall reported
211 species and 1,469 checklists. As good as those
numbers are, I know we can do better. To be in the top 10
of reporting states, Oregon would need to report around
3,000 checklists. I think
we can do it this year!
The Cornell Laboratory
of Ornithology and the
Audubon Society use all
of the information you
submit for numerous
studies including weather
Varied Thrush © Jim Cruce patterns and climate
changes, food supplies, diseases, migration patterns,
and breeding successes. They also use the information to
answer important questions. What common species are
in decline? What species are increasing in number? All
of the information gathered is vital to the success of bird
life and habitat everywhere.
The GBBC website (www.birdsource.org/gbbc) is easy
to navigate and full of all the information you’ll need.
You can log on from anywhere and explore all the data
that has been collected over the last 11 years. Please go
online for more information or contact Seth Reams at
nepobirds@yahoo.com.
One person really can make a difference.
www.audubonportland.org
 Wildlife Care Center
Wildlife Care Center
Open House
Sunday, February 22, 1pm–4pm

W hat really happens behind the closed doors of

the Wildlife Care Center? Why does Finnegan
have a cast on his foot? Do owl pellets stink?

Wildlife veterinarians, naturalists, educational bird

handlers, and volunteers will be on hand to answer these
American Dipper. Photo: Dave Menke/USFWS questions and many more at the Wildlife Care Center
Open House on February 22. Help us celebrate Portland’s
Portland CBC Yields amazing birds of prey! As part of Portland Audubon’s Wildlife veterinarian Molly McAllister examines an injured
New Record Number “Reveling in Raptors,” the Wildlife Care Center is opening
its doors to you and your family and offering several
Bald Eagle in the Wildlife Care Center. © Portland Audubon

of Species Seen informative and fun activities. Raptor education station. At the education station in
Heron Hall, experience hands-on activities to help you learn
by Wink Gross, Compiler, Behind-the-scenes tours of more about raptors. Compare wings and feet and other
Portland Christmas Bird Count the Wildlife Care Center. special adaptations of a variety of raptors.
Guided tours will give you a peek

I t’s been a tough year for Christmas Bird Counts.
The wild weather forced many cancellations and
postponements among the 49 counts in Oregon
and SW Washington. But the 137 field counters on
the Portland CBC on January 3rd lucked out and
enjoyed dry, albeit cloudy, skies while racking up a new
Portland record for number of species: 119.
The coveted “Eagle Eye Award” for best species
found was awarded to rookie CBC’er Matt Crumbaker
for spotting an American Dipper on Balch Creek in
Macleay Park. It was the first dipper on the Portland
count in 15 years. Heroic owling by John Deshler, Jay
Withgott, and Tim Shelmerdine contributed Barred
Owl (first for the count), plus Northern Saw-whet
Owl and Northern Pygmy-Owl, neither of which had
been recorded since the 1980s. In total, 7 species of
owls were found this year. Not bad in the midst of
two million people!
Tundra Swans must have been staging a mass “fly-in”:
the 438 seen was almost three times the previous high
count. As if to compensate for all that white, Double-
crested Cormorants and American Crows were also
at what really goes on in one of
the busiest wildlife rehabilitation
centers in the U.S. You’ll see the
hospital, the food preparation
area, and the laboratory, and you
might get a glimpse of a patient!
Question-and-answer time
with a wildlife veterinarian.
Meet Audubon’s two wildlife
veterinarians and try to stump
them with your questions. They
Come and meet Audubon’s in turn will stump you with case
American Kestrel, Jack studies of actual cases seen in
Sparrowhawk. © Rie Luft
the Care Center.
2009 Bird of Prey Photo Contest
A udubon Society of Portland is announcing its 2009 Bird of Prey Photo Contest. All photos must be of Pacific
Northwest birds of prey or pictures taken at the February 7th Sauvie Island Raptor Road Trip. All photographers
must be either amateur adults or youth (14 or under).
Kid’s Reveling in Raptors Art Show. Art supplies will
be provided for kids to draw their favorite raptors. The
pictures will all be displayed on the Audubon website!
Meet our resident raptors. All of Audubon’s resident
educational birds will be out on sanctuary grounds.
Experienced bird handlers will be available to tell you each
bird’s story and to answer questions about them.
Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center is the oldest and
largest wildlife rehabilitation center in Oregon. Over 3,000
injured or orphaned native wild animals come through the
doors, and over 15,000 wildlife calls are fielded each year.
Come see where it all happens and join us for the Wildlife
Care Center Open House on February 22.

much more numerous than usual.
As always, all areas of the Portland count contributed
to the total. The “North Portland/Columbia Riparian”
area, commanded by John Fitchen, led with 104 species.
“Southeast,” organized by Pat Muller, contributed the
only Virginia Rail, California Quails, and Ring-
necked Pheasant — the latter used to be recorded by
the hundreds. “Lake Oswego,” led by Lynn Herring,
had the aforementioned Saw-whet Owl and scads of
Common Mergansers, and “SW Portland/Beaverton,”
directed by Lori Hennings, added the only Cinnamon
Teal and Red Crossbill. “Northwest,” headed up by
Char Corkran and Sam Pointer, found the only Brown-
headed Cowbirds and Common Ravens, in addition
to the more glamorous dipper and forest owls.
My thanks to the Portland CBC area leaders and
everyone who participated. It was a great count. Mark
your calendars for next year: January 2, 2010 —
it’ll be even better!
Sauvie Island Raptor
Road Trip
• Submission deadline is February 28, 2009. size for photo submissions on a CD. If you email your
• Maximum of three photo entries per person. submission, please keep the file size 3MB or smaller.
• Photos taken by amateur photographers only. Please, • All photos must be of Pacific Northwest birds of
no professional photos. We will have two categories of prey, Pacific Northwest birds of prey in their habitat,
photographers: amateur adult and youth (14 or under). or photos taken at the February 7th Sauvie Island
• Winning photos and honorable mentions will be Raptor Road Trip.
announced on March 15th and will be posted at • To submit photos, please mail or email to Karen
www.audubonportland.org and on The Bird Word, Munday, kmunday@audubonportland.org, Audubon
our electronic newsletter. Winning photos will also be Society of Portland, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland,
highlighted in the April issue of the Warbler. OR 97210. Please include your name, address, city,
• Entry constitutes permission to use the photographs state, zip code, daytime phone number, email, and
and photographer’s information without compensation. description of your photo including where the photo
Mailed CDs cannot be returned. was taken. Please also indicate whether it is a youth or
• All photos must be submitted in a digital form by amateur adult entry and indicate the age of the youth
email or on a CD. Photos should be in JPEG format with photographer.
a resolution at least 250 dpi. There is no maximum file
For more information and to see the contest prizes, check out our website at www.audubonportland.org/raptor/photo.
Bald Eagle
© Jim Cruce

continued from page 1

Northern Harrier
Western Bluebird Unlike traditional birdwatching, you don’t have © Jim Cruce
© Paul Buescher
to be an “early bird” and get up at the crack
of dawn to see these birds of prey, but we
recommend that you allow about three hours if
you wish to visit all four locations.

Volunteer What will you see?

to Monitor
a Bluebird
Trail
Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project is looking
for new volunteer bluebird trail monitors.
Come to the meeting 9am–noon on Saturday,
Feb. 21, at Champoeg State Heritage Area Visitor
Center. For more information, go to
www.prescottbluebird.com or call 503-246-7920.
It all depends on what nature has in store, but
frequently sighted raptors include Bald Eagles,
Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, and
Northern Harriers. With a little luck, you also
might spot a Rough-legged Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, or
Peregrine Falcon. Beautiful Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and
Great Blue Herons often are seen at this time of year as well.
No registration is required. For more information, go to
www.audubonportland.org or call 503-292-6855 ext.116.
Cooper’s Hawk © Jim Cruce
Sponsored by Audubon Society of Portland, Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces Rough-legged Hawk
Department, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and HawkWatch International. © Jim Cruce

www.audubonportland.org FEBRUARY 2009 5

Educational Trips & Tours
LAND of the Ice Bears
July 31–August 10, 2009
S valbard is a dynamic landscape of ice-shrouded mountains amidst a bountiful northern sea,
and the best place in the world to view Polar Bears in a truly wilderness environment. Ringed
and Bearded Seal, favorite prey of the Polar Bear, are found on the pack ice on the eastern
side of the archipelago, and in the many inlets we explore. Walrus also live here and can be seen
in numbers on Moffen Island. Seabirds are abundant with nesting Atlantic Puffin, Thick-billed
Murre, and Dovekie. Families of Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese raise their young along the
ice-free shorelines, and Snow Buntings nest on the dry tundra
benches where Arctic Fox patrol for an easy meal of eggs or
young. Arctic Tern and Pomarine Jaeger nest on the tundra,
while Black-legged Kittiwake and Northern Fulmar seek
cliff sites near glaciers.
We will explore both sides of the archipelago on board the
National Geographic Explorer, a state-of-the-art vessel operated
by Lindblad Expeditions. Daily activities include cruising in
search of wildlife, landings via Zodiac craft to experience the
Polar Bear in Svalbard
© Ralph Lee Hopkins tundra, visits to historical sites, and opportunities to kayak in the
Alaska— to Nome and Back!
June 6–16, 2009
N ome, in far west Alaska, offers stunning scenery and incredible birding opportunities. Its
road system is great for accessing the diverse habitats where we’ll search for wildlife during
our first four days. Expect a mix of the exotic and the familiar, including Yellow Wagtails
(Asian songbirds of the brushy tundra) that breed next to White-crowned Sparrows. Harlequin
Ducks share their breeding grounds with Arctic Warblers (a thrush relative that winters in Africa).
Gyrfalcons compete with Peregrines for cliff nest sites. Waterfowl and shorebirds seen only in
migration farther south are devoted to full-time breeding activities. With Musk Ox on the tundra
and the possibility of Gray Whales in Norton Sound, there is indeed no place like Nome!
During our five days in southcentral Alaska we’ll travel by bus deep into Denali National Park
for excellent chances of viewing Grizzly Bear, Moose, Dall’s Sheep, Caribou, and possibly
even Wolf. We follow the Denali Highway across a landscape rich in bird life, including Boreal
Chickadee, Red-throated Loon, and Whimbrel, in its spruce forests and low tundra.
Our last three days we’ll experience the maritime ecosystem of Kenai Fjords National Park from our
base in Seward. A full-day boat trip will bring us close to Sea Otter, thousands of nesting seabirds,
the toes of tidewater glaciers, and maybe Humpback Whale and Orca. We’ll look for species such
as Red-faced Cormorant among the thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Horned Puffins.
What is included: All ground transportation in Alaska, 10 nights lodging (based on double
occupancy), all park entry fees, boat and bus tour fees, breakfasts, lunches, and the services of your
leader. A portion of your fee is a tax-deductible contribution to the Audubon Society of Portland.
Fee: $2,895 members / $3,095 non-members Group Size: 9 maximum
Deposit: $1,400 required to secure your place Leader: Steve Engel
Contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonportland.org or 971-222-6119.
Klamath Basin
birding expedition
March 19–22, 2009
E njoy some of the best birding in the west on this fantastic voyage with Bob Fields and the
Audubon Society of Portland. The most important wetland system in the west, the Klamath
Basin is a haven for migratory birds and is one of Oregon’s 105 Important Bird Areas. The
spectacular spring migration of Snow, Ross’s, and Greater White-fronted Geese should be in full
swing. In addition to witnessing huge flocks of waterfowl on previous
trips, we’ve also had excellent viewing of Barrow’s Goldeneye,
Lewis’s Woodpecker, and Rough-legged Hawk, to name a just a few
of the other species we can expect.
This is a good time of year to be out in one of Oregon’s premier
birding areas observing the transition from winter to spring. Bob
Snow and Ross’s Geese
Fields is a former manager of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife
Refuge System and an active volunteer for Portland Audubon. He has
© Steve Shrunk led this popular trip for many years. His intimate knowledge with the
wildlife and the issues faced by the refuges makes this a trip not to be missed! Don Coggswell is a
skillful birder who has co-led many of Portland Audubon’s tours.
What is included: Transportation by van from Portland, 3 nights double-occupancy lodging in
Klamath Falls, all entry fees, breakfasts, and lunches, and the services of your leaders.
Fee: $490 members / $530 non-members Group size: 14 participants
Deposit: $250 required to secure your place Leaders: Bob Fields and Don Coggswell
Contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonportland.org or 971-222-6119.
6 FEBRUARY 2009
Svalbard lies between 76° and 81° north
latitude, halfway to the North Pole from
Norway. Solid line is the trip route,
beginning and ending in Longyearbyen.
Arctic wilderness. An experienced natural
history staff accompanies us throughout
the voyage. Lindblad has offered
expeditions to the remotest corners of the
world for over 25 years and has a stellar
record for safety, environmental consciousness, and wildlife sightings.
Leader: Steve Engel, Adult Education Coordinator. Steve has four summers of
experience working as a naturalist in Svalbard.
Fee: $6,920 from Oslo, Norway. Includes first and last night in Oslo, round-
trip airfare from Oslo to Svalbard, all meals on board, use of kayaks, all shore
excursions and sightseeing, entrance fees, transfers to and from group flights,
tips (except ship’s crew), services of ship physician and eight-member expedition
staff. For additional information, contact Steve Engel as soon as possible.
Contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonportland.org or 971-222-6119.
Birding Southeastern
Arizona
May 31–June 7, 2009
J oin Audubon on this trip to one of the birding
capitals of the U.S.! We’ll explore the Sonoran Desert
and the “Sky Islands” of southeastern Arizona. While
in the Sonoran we’ll find birds such as Verdin,
Cactus Wren, and Gambel’s Quail. In the Madrean
Pine-Oak Woodland we’ll seek Bridled Titmouse. This
area has the highest diversity of hummingbirds in the
U.S., and we have a chance to see up to 10 species. We’ll Trogon ©
look for regional specialties such as Magnificent and Dan van den Broek
White-eared Hummingbird. In Madera Canyon we’ll see the Painted
Redstart, and here is our best chance for the aptly named Elegant Trogon.
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek attracts many bird species, and we’ll watch
for Varied Bunting and Gray Hawk. Ramsey Canyon is famous for
the many hummingbirds that come to the feeders and the surrounding
pine-oak woodlands that host a variety of birds. Southeastern Arizona
is the northern limit for many bird species. We’ll stay at comfortable
accommodations along the way, strategically located to provide access to
these incredible places.
What is included: All lodging, ground transportation from Tucson, all
meals except dinners, park fees, and services of the trip leaders. A portion
of your fee is a tax-deductible contribution to the Audubon Society of
Portland. Fee does not include airfare to and from Arizona.
Fee: $1,785 members / $1,950 non-members (based on double occupancy)
Deposit: $750 Group size: 14–16 participants
Leaders: Dan van den Broek, Master Birder Coordinator, and Kirk Hardy
Contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonportland.org or 971-222-6119.
Skagit Flats and Falcons!
February 20–22, 2009
W e will depart Portland on Friday morning, arriving in the Skagit area
with plenty of daylight to begin exploring for raptors, shorebirds, and
waterfowl. Saturday and Sunday we’ll continue to bird and explore
the many roads and public access sites and visit the Padilla Bay Interpretive
Center. We’ll stop at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on our way home
Sunday afternoon.
What is included: All transportation from Portland, two nights lodging (based
on double occupancy), two breakfasts, one lunch, and the services of your guide.
Fee: $265 members / $295 non-members Group size: 8-9 participants
Contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonportland.org or 971-222-6119.
South Africa & Botswana!
J
oin Audubon on this incredible adventure in the true African Bush as
we explore the vast Klaserie Reserve, Kruger National Park, and the
incredible Mashatu Park in Botswana. Trip begins with three nights in
Cape Town, and we’ll venture south to experience this ecologically unique
region and the Cape of Good Hope. Enrollment is limited to 12.
Tentative dates: October 19–November 3, 2009
Deposit: $1,800
Fee: ~$4,000 (final fee yet to be determined)
www.audubonportland.org
 HOW TO REGISTER
Adult Classes
1. Phone or email with your contact
information and the classes in which you wish
to reserve one or more spaces.
2. Mail in your payment right away. Make
checks payable to Audubon Society of Portland.
3. We’ll contact you with confirmation of
payment and class details.
Trips & Classes
Educational Trips & Tours Contact: Steve Engel, Adult Mail: Audubon Society of Portland
1. Phone or email to request a registration Education Coordinator 5151 NW Cornell Rd.
packet for the trips of interest. Email: sengel@audubonportland.org Portland, OR 97210
2. Complete and sign the Registration / Waiver Phone: 971-222-6119
Form and return it with the required deposit.
3. We’ll contact you with confirmation of Credit Card Payment: We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. A 3%
payment and further details. processing fee is added to each transaction. Include card number, expiration
date, and billing address, or call Steve Engel and pay over the phone.

February Beginning Birding I

Revving Up for the Raptor Road Trip:
An Introduction to
Raptor Identification
Feb. 5 (Thursday), 7pm–9pm in Heron Hall
The Willamette Valley is home to a host of hawks, eagles,
and falcons. Identifying these birds may seem daunting at
first, but sorting through them all isn’t so hard when you
know what to look for. Join local author and guide John
Rakestraw for an introduction to raptor ID. We’ll learn the
key field marks for all the local wintering raptors, and make
side-by-side comparisons of similar species.
Fee: $10 members / $15 non-members
No class size limit. Pre-registration is required.
Beginning Field Birding and
Sauvie Island Exploration
with Greg Baker
Saturdays, 8am–Noon,
February 7, March 7, April 4
Saturday morning explorations at one of Oregon’s
most accessible Important Bird Areas — Sauvie Island
Wildlife Area, managed by Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife — continue with Greg Baker! This field
class series is perfect for those interested in developing
and sharpening their birding skills under a variety of
conditions with the tutelage of an expert birder. Explore
different habitats on the island, learn bird calls, and search
for waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors. This workshop is
limited to 15 people and signups are for all three days.
Carpooling is encouraged.
Fee: $50 members / $60 non-members
Enrollment limited: 15 participants
Pre-registration required – participants
register for all three days.
February 9 (Monday),
7pm–9pm: Class in Heron Hall
Feb. 15 & 22 (Sundays), 8:30am–11:30am: Field
Trips
If you’ve always wanted to give birding a try and would
like to learn some basics, this class is for you. Designed
especially for beginners, topics include finding birds, tips
for looking at birds, recognizing behavior and habitats, and
identifying bird sounds. Take concepts from the evening
program and apply them on two Portland-area field trips.
Your instructor will be Laura Whittemore. Sign up early,
as Laura’s classes fill quickly!
Fee: $35 members / $50 non-members
Enrollment limited: 14 participants
Pre-registration is required.
Beginning Birding II, which requires some birding
experience, will begin in late March (more information
at www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/
classes/beginbirdII).
Gulls in Winter
Feb. 18 (Wednesday), 7pm–9pm:
Class in Heron Hall
Feb. 21 (Saturday), 9am–Noon: Field Trip
Do you typically take a ‘pass’ on identifying gulls when
you are out birding? If you feel it is time to take the plunge
and learn some tricks for figuring out what kind of gull
that is, then join John Rakestraw, author of numerous
articles and the Falcon Guide to Birding Oregon, for an
evening class on gull identification and natural history.
On Saturday, John leads a field trip to a local gull hangout
where we will put our new-found knowledge to the test.
Fee: $25 members / $35 non-members
Enrollment limited: 15 participants Visit www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/
Pre-registration is required. adult for a listing of adult classes through June 2009.
march
Hummingbirds: Facts, Flowers
& Feeders
March 12 (Thursday), 7pm–8:30pm
in Heron Hall
Learn the most effective ways to attract hummingbirds to
your yard and garden. Local hummingbird expert Abby
Crouch will share her tips on the best plants for hummers
year round and the easy and safe approaches to feeding.
Her bird-friendly yard has been profiled in Sunset Magazine
and featured on Metro’s “Natural Gardens Tour.” Class
includes a multi-page handout on plants and feeders.
Fee: $10 members / $15 non-members
Funds raised by this class provide support for the
Wildlife Care Center!
Pre-registration is required; free for volunteers.
Open Country Birds
March 17 (Tuesday), 7pm–9pm in Heron Hall
A great introduction to birds of open habitats with Harry
Nehls. Appropriate for nature lovers and birders of all skill
levels. Through lecture and slides, Harry will cover Crows,
Ravens, and Blackbirds. Crows and Ravens are members of
that fascinating bird family, the Corvids, and the Blackbird
family is represented by a variety of species in Oregon.
Discover the unique Tri-colored Blackbird, the Western
Meadowlark (our state bird), and many more!
Fee: $10 members / $15 non-members
Pre-registration is required; free for volunteers.

Summer Camp
registration
Spring Break Camps at the Audubon Society of Portland starts Feb. 16th.
See www.audubonportland.org
To reserve your spot, To register: Call to reserve your spot, then download the registration All classes run 9am–4pm. or call Sarah Swanson at
call Sarah Swanson at form from www.audubonportland.org and send it in with payment. Prices are listed for 971-222-6120.
971-222-6120. Places can be saved for only 14 days without payment. members/non-members.

Monday, March 23 Tuesday, March 24 Wednesday, March 25 Thursday, March 26 Friday, March 27

Grades: 1st–2nd Would you like to search the forest, creek, and pond for amazing animals both big and small? During this weeklong
Fur, Fins, and Fee: $240 mem/$260 non camp, we’ll become experts on all the things with fur, fins, or feathers that can be found in Audubon’s Wildlife
Feathers Sanctuary.You’ll meet some of Audubon’s education birds, play games in the woods, and have fun making new friends.

Bird Art Forest Detectives Escape to Bird Island Map and Compass Wildlife Tracks and
Grades: 2nd–3rd Grades: 2nd–3rd Grades: 2nd–3rd Treasure Hunt Sign, Oh My!
Fee: $60 mem/$70 non Fee: $60 mem/$70 non Fee: $65 mem/$75 non Grades: 4th–5th Grades: 2nd–4th
Hike along forest trails winding Throw on your detective hat Escape to the birdiest island Fee: $65 mem/$75 non Fee: $65 mem/$75 non
through woodpecker, owl, and as you step into our wildlife around: Sauvie Island. Spring Spend the day at scenic Mt. Tabor Have you ever wondered what
songbird habitat. Use your sanctuary to explore and unlock brings a great mix of new birds Park and discover the art of field animals do when we’re not
observations of birds and their the secrets of the woods. Just like swallows, and wintering ones navigation! Your team will be given looking? Have you ever wandered
habitat to create boldly colorful, like Sherlock Holmes, you will including Sandhill Cranes. Search a treasure map with a compass through the woods looking
wildly imaginative drawings need a keen eye to look out for for the nests of Bald Eagles and course that will lead to clues and at tracks on the ground and
and sculptures using oil pastel, the tracks that show you where have a picnic with the birds! treasures on this extinct volcano. searching for their meaning?
graphite, colored pencils, and clay. the raccoons roam, and the holes Come along as we track the
in the tree that tell you which Jr. Wildlife Vet 102 Jr. Wildlife Vet 101 floodplains of the Sandy River at
woodpecker was where. Hands- Oxbow Regional Park. Through
Quest for the on games, stories, and crafts
(Wednesday) Grades: 4th–5th (Thursday) Grades: 2nd–3rd
detailed observation, we’ll unravel
Tailed Frog will help to hone your young
Fee: $60 mem/$70 non Fee: $60 mem/$70 non
the mysteries of wildlife tracking
(overnight Monday night) Join other animal lovers for a day devoted to learning about the care
detective skills. through basic track identification
Grades: 4th–5th of injured and orphaned wildlife. We’ll go behind the scenes with and sign interpretation.
Fee: $125 mem/$145 non wildlife rehabilitators and find out what this exciting field is all about.
What has a dual life, is unusually odd looking, and is incredibly
hard to find? If you guessed the Coastal Tailed Frog, you are right! Join Steve Robertson, Education Director, on this 3-day quest into the
Join instructors Tim Donner and Ian Abraham as we search in the Pirates of the Pacific mystery of the Neahkanie Treasure.You’ll hear the ancient legend and
Columbia River Gorge for this phenomenal amphibian.The night (overnight Wed.
visit a museum to examine a set of huge stones that may be the map
will be spent at Audubon’s Marmot Cabin with flashlights in hand as and Thurs. nights)
to the buried treasure! We’ll then head out to Neahkanie Mountain
we continue the search for amphibians. On Day Two we’ll get some Grades: 5th–8th
and learn the basics of map and compass use. Lodging is at a beachside
real-life experience surveying for amphibian egg masses! Fee: $165 mem/$185 non
cabin in Rockaway, owned by the Twin Rocks Friends Camp.

www.audubonportland.org FEBRUARY 2009 7

Sanctuaries Audubon Society of Portland
gratefully acknowledges these
Wonderful Memories thoughtful gifts:
by Harriet Randolph Anderson In Honor
with introduction by Sanctuaries Director Tom Costello
As this article goes to print, Jenny, Orion, and I will have moved into the freshly restored Caretaker’s House. I am excited to finally Harry Nehls’ classes Janet Plog
assume the full responsibilities of my job as Sanctuaries Director and Caretaker, and relieved to trade in my hour-plus daily commute and Warbler notes Anna Jamison
for a quick stroll across the street. I am particularly grateful to Sanctuaries Assistant Greg Kurtz for his flexibility and sacrifice in Leslie R. Labbe
covering the many gaps left for the past year and a half in the absence of a resident caretaker. I would also like to thank our friend, Kyle Spinks
volunteer, and supporter Harriet Anderson, without whom the restoration of the caretaker’s house would not be possible. Paul Sullivan’s bird Scott Spinks
walks
In celebration of this restoration, Harriet has compiled some fantastic stories from the time she rented the original caretaker’s cabin. Leslie R. Labbe Leslie Meserve
I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I have. Shannon Marich-Crawford
Larry Williams

I n the fall of 1962 I was invited to rent what I call the my face as I stepped outside. I soon found a man stumbling Troy Linden Julie Carter-Cook
Susan Carter
“Bird House.” Rent was $30 per month for this wonderful across the parking lot, blood dripping from a split lip. A
log cabin, now rebuilt and serving as the Wildlife Care tree had fallen on his truck on Cornell Road. Our woods Jane Hartline and
Mark Greenfield Carol Thomas
Center. Back then it was a simple long room lost many trees that night in the infamous Paula Shifley
Linda S. Craig
with a few sloping add‑ons. There were large Columbus Day Storm.
windows on both sides with large, roofed Barb Grover Candy Plant
birdfeeders attached that stayed busy all day. I Dr. and Mrs. Fred Crenshaw retired here from Claire Puchy Katherine Weil
vividly remember awakening to the scratching Georgia and were paid $50 per month to live
and sliding as the raccoons, with their black in the current administration building and Pamela Eyde
bandit faces, arrived and peered upside down greet visitors. They were warm-hearted and Jackie and Richard Eyde
at me as they clambered to clean things up. many of us enjoyed Edith’s biscuits and a little
We also live-trapped some packrats that taste of southern hospitality. Thursday nights In Memory
galloped overhead in the attic at night. Their at 8:00 we would crawl into the bed together
fluffy nests were the best insulation up there. and watch Ironside in what is now Meryl’s Joan Anderson Fern Lingner
office. Susan Bexton Mildred and Theodore
I laugh that the Bird House was well built Ron Biava and Emily Clark Honold
Pamela and Terry Aldrich
because when the pipes froze and broke, the One sunny fall afternoon I met a naturalist Darlene Betat Donald D. Wallace, Sr.
kitchen was sloped for the water to run out. Original Caretaker’s House, circa down by the pond, and we talked about the Judith and James Hendren
The fountain out back never quit running 1939. © Portland Audubon newts and the hundreds of red-legged frogs. In Margie Sterud Carolyn Gilmore
and built a gorgeous ice mountain taller than me. I had January the pond froze solid with masses of eggs around the Bonnie Berneck Anne and Tony
a 50‑gallon oil tank that ran out during a long freeze and edge; it was an amazing sight. Each plate-sized mass had 100 Mildenberger
created a problem for me since my boa constrictor had to get clear pea-sized dots with black centers. The harvester ants Joe Polansky
into bed with me for warmth. And I once put my tarantula in in the meadow made towers 4 or 5 feet tall. The Mallards Anne Marie Smith Nancy Rosenfeld
the bathtub for exercise, but it took advantage of one of the and Wood Ducks nested and brought up young. Things Leslie Labbe
cracks and I never saw it again. progressed that year until the spring, when I found a red Eleanor Engler
Beneice Taylor Helen Liebert
canoe up against my Bird House hogan. I said no to this
Judy English and Loyd
October 12 was a dramatic evening that year. I arrived home old Indian-style proposal, but three months later we were Patterson
at 4:30 and soon heard a howling wind. My skirt blew up in married and I moved on.
You can honor a special person with a gift to Audubon

Nature Store Highlights Society of Portland. Your gift will help fund a future
of inspiring people to love and protect nature.
You can make an Honor or Memorial gift online
In tune with this month’s special focus on raptors, we’ve invited Steve Engel, Audubon’s Adult Programs Coordinator, to at www.audubonportland.org or by calling
write about his favorite raptor-related titles. All are available at the Nature Store. 971-222-6129. A songbird card acknowledging your
thoughtful gift will be sent to the honoree or family.
Raptors of Western North America and paintings are much improved over the first edition. For
by Brian K. Wheeler use in the field, this book would be better than Wheeler’s solo The Audubon Society of Portland is a member of
More of an advanced reference book effort, Raptors of Western North America. Earth Share of Oregon. For more information,
than a field guide. Featuring 630 excellent contact Earth Share of Oregon at 503-223-9015
or on the web at www.earthshare-oregon.org.
color photographs and an abundance of Hawks from Every Angle: How
information on species range, plumage, to Identify Raptors in Flight
distribution, and behavior, this is the most by Jerry Liguori
complete, detailed and up-to-date book on Liguori’s book is a great contribution to
the topic. Best suited for advanced birders,
biologists, researchers, and eager birders
raptor ID with its focus on eight different
flight positions any bird might assume, along
Wish List & Thank you’s
hungry for additional information. with an analysis of how lighting conditions
can complicate one’s interpretation of what they are seeing. Thank you to:
Hawks in Flight The author has spent many seasons as an observer at hawk • Patricia Schafer for an Inspiron 5150 Dell laptop
by Pete Dunne, David Allen Sibley, migration sites such as the Goshute Mountains in Nevada. computer
Clay Sutton The amount of information an observer amasses and • Grand Central Baking Company for pastries donated
A “must have” since it was released in the brings to play in each identification challenge astounds to Nature Store events
early 1990s. Not your typical field guide in people who don’t watch migrating hawks 12 hours a day for • Rosemary Shiolas for a 36-inch bow saw
organization but small enough to bring into 3–6 months, year after year. Liguori does an admirable job • Deanna Sawtelle for 500 cards
the field, and very helpful if you are going to of explaining, and especially illustrating with photographs, • Meri Falk for 5 gallons of bleach, 3 pet dishes, and
spend the day watching raptors and have bits the subtleties of identifying raptors in flight. 1.5 dozen eggs for the Wildlife Care Center
of time to do some reading. This guide is big on written
• Nature Bake for cookies at Nature Store events
descriptions, and the prose captures many of the nuances National Audubon Society
Pocket Guide: North
of raptor ID in a way that makes sense. Pen-and-ink
drawings compare and contrast similar species and a small American Birds of Prey Our Wish List:
section of black and white photographs is helpful. Pocket Guides make a subject appealing
For Education:
and easy to dive into. This little book
Laptop computer
Peterson Guide to Hawks of covers all the diurnal and nocturnal
North America, 2nd Edition raptors native to North America For Sanctuary:
by William S. Clark and Brian K. in a small and simplified format. Since most of the Loppers • Hand saws • Work gloves
Wheeler species are covered with one photograph, the user may Watering wand hose attachment
A solid source of information focused mainly soon be purchasing another field guide to learn more
on identification, but also contains nice range plumage differences related to age, sex, and distribution. For Wildlife Care Center:
maps, behavioral descriptions, and information Nonetheless, it serves well as a handy and inexpensive Science Diet Kitten Growth
on status and distribution. The color photos introduction to a wonderful group of birds. Aquariums • Kiddie Pools
Dawn Dishwashing Detergent
Welding Gloves
On the Wing DVDs now available in the Nature Store! Camper/Trailer
Get the full story of the Chapman Swifts and Portland Audubon’s role in this unique spectacle. Says Shawn Levy Untreated Wood: 2x4, 4x4, 4x8
of The Oregonian, “This documentary about the celebrated semi-annual appearance of the speedy little birdies If you can donate these items, please first
called Vaux’s Swifts at Northwest Portland’s Chapman Elementary School is a lively and colorful tapestry of contact Audubon Society of Portland at
human and avian life, and a great advertisement for the many things that keep Portland weird.” And remember, 503-292-6855 ext.102, Mon–Fri, to arrange
As seen
on OPB when you purchase your copy from the Nature Store, all the sales profits go directly to Audubon! a time for delivery/pick-up.

8 FEBRUARY 2009 www.audubonportland.org

How Do Birds Protect Themselves
in Severe Weather?
W hen winter storms move across Oregon, people
tend to run for cover. Birds seek shelter also, but
they do not have a furnace or wood stove to keep
them warm.
A bird’s body is surrounded by a thick coat of fluffy down
that acts as insulation against the cold. The head and neck
have very little down so to keep that area warm, the bird
regularly tucks its neck against its body, bunching up the
neck feathers as insulation. The body is kept at a constant
105 degrees; the head is always a bit cooler.
Over the soft downy feathers is a layer of rather stiff, tough
feathers that form a protective cover. These contour feathers
are carefully tended by the birds so they lay flat and overlap
one another. Cleaning and waterproofing oils secreted from
an “oil gland” at the base of the tail are liberally spread over
the contour feathers, creating a sealant.
To keep the body warm, this outer layer is held tightly
against the downy feathers so the warm air trapped against
the body does not escape. During windy weather birds will
face into the wind to keep the contour feathers flat.
Very few birds move about while a storm is raging, usually
seeking deep cover in a conifer or other thick cover; some
Mandy Sims shows a bat to a visitor at our Halloween event.
© Deanna Sawtelle
Volunteering at
Audubon is Fun and
Rewarding!
by Deanna Sawtelle,
Volunteer Coordinator
“Inspiring people to love and protect nature.” That’s
Audubon’s mission and it’s what our volunteers do
every day! The Audubon Society of Portland is one of
the Northwest’s leading conservation organizations,
offering a wide range of natural history and
environmental activities to members, the community,
and especially volunteers. Whatever your interests
or talents, there is a volunteer position for you.
These include many regularly scheduled volunteer
opportunities, as well as special projects and event
positions:
• Help restore habitat in our wildlife sanctuary.
• Be a conservation activist!
• Care for and feed injured wildlife at the Wildlife Care
Center (there is currently a wait list for this volunteer
opportunity).
• Help answer the community’s appetite for natural
history information by being an assistant at the
Nature Store.
• Lead school groups through a fascinating exploration
of our nature sanctuary.
• Be a voice for Audubon by volunteering as a
receptionist or an Audubon Docent.
• Help make Audubon’s special events successful, like
the Wild Arts Festival, the Native Plant Sale, and
Swift Watch.
New Volunteer Orientation is Saturday, February
14th, 1pm–3pm — OR Tuesday, February 17th,
6pm–8pm. Volunteers who wish to serve in a capacity
beyond special events must also attend General
Volunteer Training on Saturday, February 28th,
9am–4:30pm.
If you would like to donate some of your time and
energy to the Audubon Society of Portland, please
contact Deanna Sawtelle at volunteercoordinator@
audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.108.
www.audubonportland.org
seek out cavities or woodpecker holes. After the
storm their activity resumes, but landbirds tend
to stay away from dripping foliage or other places
where water can drip on them. If foraging in a
tree, a bird will work over the trunk or about large
limbs. Ground feeders will shy away from wet grass
and dense vegetation.
The feet of most birds are not feathered but are Over 900 Brown Pelicans were seen at Netarts Bay on the central Oregon
covered by thin layer of scales. Scales are not much coast on December 6th, with more squadrons heading in. Many apparently lin-
gered too long before migrating south and were caught in the cold snap a few
protection from the cold and ice, but the feet are days later. Many birds either didn’t survive or arrived in California malnour-
the main control of the bird’s body temperature. ished and frostbitten. See Oregonian article at www.oregonlive.com/news/index.
ssf/2009/01/pelicans_hit_by_major_dieoff.html. © Marilyn Stinnett
Heat is distributed by warm blood coursing through
the arteries to all parts of the body. It is then returned
to the heart through the veins. The arteries and veins in
the feet are close to the bones, with capillaries spreading
warm blood to the extremities. During cold weather the
capillaries are constricted, keeping most if not all the warm
blood away from the skin and moving it directly from the
arteries into the veins, then returning it to the heart.
Sightings
The late December snow and ice storm that canceled
many local Christmas Bird Counts distressed the birds, but
apparently was not overly deadly. On December 21 many birds
were seen with a coating of ice on their head and back, but they
were not overly hindered and soon dropped the icy capes.
A few hummingbirds didn’t make it, but most did. Many
birdfeeding stations were swamped with birds, bringing some
unexpected species. The secretive Lincoln’s Sparrow was
reported at many feeders, much to the delight of the observers.
For most feeder watchers this was a first. Many reported
partial albinos or other oddly marked birds in their yards.
On December 24 Margaret LaFaive noted a Chipping
Sparrow at her northeast Portland feeder. Some feeders
hosted flocks of up to 150–200 Pine Siskins. Ed McVicker
reports that among the siskin swarm at his southwest Portland
feeders December 22 was a single Common Redpoll. David
Mandell spotted one December 25 in northeast Portland.
Quite a few reports were received concerning flocks of Cedar
Waxwings in the Portland area. On December 18 Patty
Newland spotted a Bohemian Waxwing among a flock near
her home in northeast Portland. Large flocks of Robins were
also seen, some accompanied by Varied Thrushes.
Volunteer of the Month:
Susan Flett-Pomeroy
by Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director
W hen Katy Weil resigned as Audubon’s Wildlife
Care Center Director in 1996 and handed
the reins over to me, she gave me two pieces
of advice (orders, really): Take good care of Owen [our
resident educational Barn Owl], and don’t let Susan Flett-
Pomeroy leave her volunteer shift. At the time Susan was
already in her 14th year as a volunteer at our Care Center,
and Katy had developed a theory that Susan had somehow
come to embody the stable center of the Care Center
universe. “I can’t explain it,” Katy told me. “I just feel that if
Susan leaves terrible things will happen.”
We will soon learn whether Katy’s theory has merit. Susan
has ‘retired’ from her shift at the Wildlife Care Center after
26 years and a total of over 5,000 volunteer hours! Every
week for more than 2½ decades, Susan has come into the
Wildlife Care Center to clean cages and feed critters. She
has survived four Care Center Directors and can remember
back to a time when the Care Center was more or less run by
volunteers alone.
Susan has regaled us with tales from the olden days
when the Care Center was housed in a rat-infested shack
and Owen the Barn Owl lived on a perch set atop the
refrigerator. She recalls the sandwich man driving his
truck up to Audubon to drop off day-old sandwiches to
use as food for injured crows. She was around for the great
transition in 1986 when the old Care Center shack was torn
down and 2,000–3,000 animals were rehabbed out of a
trailer placed in the Audubon parking lot while the newer,
more modern Care Center was constructed — a process
FEBRUARY 2009
Field Notes
by Harry Nehls
In contrast, when the body becomes overheated during
hot weather or from exertion, the capillaries in the legs
are completely opened and the warm blood is moved to
the skin, where most of the heat is released into the open
air. Heat is also lost by loosening the contour feathers and
allowing the trapped air in the down to escape.
Occasionally one sees a bird stuck to a tree limb or with its toes
frozen open. By releasing some warm blood into the capillaries,
the bird can warm the feet and solve these problems.
Most likely the most exciting feeder bird was the male
Northern Cardinal that appeared November 11 at Nancy
Trevet’s feeders in Aurora. It apparently remained in town and
was seen again at Dan Sullivan’s feeders December 20.
On December 16 Shawneen Finnegan photographed a very
unexpected Swainson’s Thrush rooting around the base of a
tree along NW Culpepper Terrace in Portland. Em Scattaregia
and Chris and Adrian Hinkle identified a Cassin’s Vireo
at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge December 28. On
December 30 they saw a Cassin’s Finch near Mt. Tabor Park
in Portland.
About 4,000 Snow Geese are in the Sauvie Island–Ridgefield
NWR area this winter. On December 5 John Gatchet saw
two Ross’s Geese on Sauvie Island. Lisa Humphreys spotted
Brant on a pond at the Dawson Creek Corporate Park in
Hillsboro December 5. These ponds held Emperor Geese in
November.
The immature Swainson’s Hawk Lyn Topinka photographed
November 27 at the Shillapoo Wildlife Area near Vancouver
Lake is apparently wintering and is easily seen by visiting
birders.
Susan taking care of mouse colonies. © Portland Audubon
that took far longer than expected because Audubon ran
out of money.
A lot has changed since Susan started at Audubon, but
she has been a constant and reliable fixture throughout
it all, unflappable and always slightly bemused. She and
her husband Philip have raised two daughters, Danielle
and Amanda, both of whom were placed into Care Center
servitude as they tagged along with their mom. When
Susan works her last shift in January she will far and away
hold the all-time record for longevity volunteering on a
shift at Audubon. She is a recipient of Audubon’s highest
volunteer honor, the Mamie Campbell Award.
Susan promises that she will continue to come back the
Wildlife Care Center in a volunteer capacity, so perhaps
Katie Weil’s dire predictions will be thwarted, at least for
a little while longer. However, we will truly miss Susan’s
regular presence, her amazing amount of experience, and
her inspirational dedication week in and week out at the
Care Center.
Thank you, Susan, and the entire Flett-Pomeroy families,
for all that you have done for Audubon!
9
BIRDATHON is coming! April 24–May 24
Registration begins on February 23rd
by Gary Slone, Birdathon Coordinator
N B
othing in life is certain, but as Audubon members
and dedicated nature lovers, we all find comfort and
a sense of belonging with events like the blooming of
spring wildflowers, the annual migration of birds, and — of
course — Birdathon. Last Spring 2008, Audubon members
and their friends joined together with dedicated Audubon
staff and volunteers to raise an all-time high $130,000! To
accomplish this, over 230 “Birdathoners,” more than ever
before, joined teams that searched near and
far for Oregon’s birds. The result: nearly
2,000 dedicated individuals and businesses
made Birdathon donations in support of
the Audubon Society of Portland.
Why should you participate this year?
Because each and every year, Oregon’s
native birds and their habitat need your
protection. One of the most effective ways
you can help is by joining together with
your fellow Audubon members, celebrate
Oregon’s birds, and raise funds for Portland
Audubon.
You do not need to be an expert birder! If you’re entirely
new to Birdathon, it works like a walk-a-thon: This year,
over 250 Birdathoners will collect pledges for finding and
counting bird species. It’s a competitive and educational
event for any level of birdwatcher, as well as for the families
and friends who cheer them on! You can join our guided
trips, organize your own trip, or count independently.
Guided trips range from intensive two-day “gonzo” trips
to a relaxing morning sitting and
watching birds in the Crystal Springs
Rhododendron Garden.
All trips are led by birding experts
and are a great way to make new
friends and connect with other bird
lovers. There are trips for kids and
adults, beginners to experts. We
also have special-interest trips, like
birding by bicycle or birding by public
transportation! You can join in the fun
for gathering as little as $35 in pledges.
Pledge yourself or have your friends and family pledge
Become a Sponsor for Birdathon 2009
Birdathon is Open
for Business!
irdathon provides excellent opportunity for
businesses to participate through Birdathon
Sponsorship, with great visibility through
event marketing and access to thousands of people at
our website and in our monthly Warbler newsletter.
Birdathon also offers your employees a meaningful
team-building experience, as your company can build
its own team with leaders provided by Audubon Society
of Portland.
Through your sponsorship, you will be sending a message
to the community and to your employees that you value
our native wild things and wild places. For information
about becoming an event sponsor, creating a company
team, or specific levels and benefits of event sponsorship,
contact Gary Slone at gary.audubon@gmail.com or
Ann Takamoto at atakamoto@audubonportland.org.
Welcome, New Members!

Beginning birders, new members, and members’ friends

and families all find Birdathon a great way to socialize
and discover some of Oregon’s hottest birding spots.
you. It’s a unique and highly effective way to support the
Audubon Society of Portland.

For more information, to register, or to make a

P ortland Audubon is a force in conservation thanks
to its strength in membership, standing together
since 1902. We appreciate each and every one
of our members and celebrate our membership by
welcoming our new members monthly. Thank you for
Veteran Birdathoners enjoy the annual ritual of immersing Birdathon donation, click on the Birdathon logo at www.
themselves in birding and eking out those rarities. But audubonportland.org. joining our vibrant and growing community!
it’s the birds that benefit most of all from the pledges and The Afashi Family Charles LeGrand
contributions you make. To inquire about the benefits of becoming a Birdathon Gail Alexander Donna Locke
Business Sponsor, contact Gary Slone, Birdathon Vicki Allen Matthew L. Long
Coordinator, at gary.audubon@gmail.com. Scott and Heather Allmain Tod Lundy
Corinne Bacher Carlin MacCorkle
Maria Baker Gary and Kristen
C. Jean Bangs Markwardt
Sherrie Barger Judi Mar-Zaleski

Audubon Birding Weekends 2009 – Jody Belrose

Mark Berkson
Laura Matin
Suzanne Mattox

A Portal to Birding Oregon Amaya Bilbao Cromwell

Jennifer Bly
Mark and Edita Boguslawski
Christina McCoy
Patrick W. McElligott
Molly McGuire

A How an Audubon Birding

t the beginning of my 13th year Allison Bollman Avis McHugh
Laurie Bostwick Susan M. Mickelson
of leading birding weekends in Weekend works Charles Boyce Andrea Moulas and Jeff Nichols
Oregon, I would like to repeat that • You decide on the trip you want to attend, and send in Patricia D. Brent Sarah B. Munro
it is a joy to share so many beautiful birds a registration, including payment. Checks are not cashed Brian Carleton Frams Murphy
with so many fine people. Thank you to John C. Church Luke Nelson
until the trip happens. If you cancel, you get your check Gary Cole Bob J. Nistler
all the friends and supporters who have back. However, those who cancel should let me know Justin Cole Shondell Odegaard
shared these adventures with me. well in advance so that someone on the waiting list can Leslie Cole David Odom
Paul Sullivan participate. Madelene Columbus Alex O’Keefe
I am doing these weekends as a volunteer, simply making Tessa Connelly-Worcel Dan O’Neill
• No-shows will forfeit their registration payment. Stacy Connery Delbert Ottinger Family
my expenses and no more. In return, I would like to ask all • Folks who inquire, but don’t send money, don’t get on Mary A. Coolidge Carol Paddock
future participants to help me with 5 things. the list. Shawn Daughton John Peaslee
• Please make your check payable to Audubon Society of • About 10 days before the trip, I send a letter to Brian and Kim Davies Stephen Penberthy
Portland. Rebecca and Scott Demorest Rachel Perry
participants giving details like lodging options, meeting Carol Densem Bill and Shizue Peterson
• Please send separate checks for each trip ($70/couple, place, schedule, possible birds, etc. Karen Devers Amy Potter
$35/individual). • Participants are responsible for their own transportation, The Devlin Family Deanna Reed
• Please provide all of the information requested for food, and lodging. I try to help arrange carpooling. Emily Dietrich and Jeff Fisher Jo Reese
registration. Bud Donald and Patricia Hogan Kriss Rita
• We travel to the location on Friday and stay in the same Patricia Duty Mary Ellen Robbins
• Please come prepared with lunch, appropriate clothing, lodging two nights. We meet at a restaurant for breakfast Travis Ellis and Isabel Gilda Bill Roulette and
insect repellant, sunscreen, etc. on Saturday, then carpool and bird all day. We bird half Noah and Isabella Engles Laura DiSimone
• Please come, help me find birds, and enjoy the trip! of Sunday, then separate and head home. Susan D. Evers June Rzendzian
Anne-Marie Fischer Kathleen Saxton
• We see new birds, explore new locations, and meet new people. Vicki Galloway Tom and Leslie Schmid
A special note We have fun. Lee Garfield Shelia Schmid
Because these trips are so popular, they fill early and there Trece Gaunt Janine Schmitter
is often a waiting list. At the same time, on the 10 trips in Melanie Gilbert Joseph Schneider and
Carol Karlen will again help lead these trips. We continue to
Linda I. Gilman Rebecca Cavell
2008 there were over 60 cancellations. That was a lot of enjoy sharing birding in Oregon with others. Cheryl Hammond Jan Schorey
overhead for me and for other participants. Please think — Paul T. Sullivan Rebecca and Matt Hannafin Taylor Schwartz
before registering. Judie and Ed Hansen Paul Seamons
Pam Harrison Sandra Snyder
Janet Helus Emma Somervell
How to Register for an Audubon UPCOMING BIRDING WEEKENDS Emma Hibler
Elaine Hines
Carol and Joe Sonderleiter
Grigoriy Sotnik
Birding Weekend A complete schedule of 2009 Birding Weekends is Jaqueline Hinkle Wayne Sparks
Registration for Audubon Birding Weekends is available at www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-
Bjorn Hinrichs Lisa Steckley
Karl and Rose Howard Albert Stefanski
$35 per person for each weekend. Please make your camps/adult/weekends. Adela Iliinsky David Stepp
separate checks payable to the Audubon Society of Mark Ingalls Barbara Stikker
Portland. Register by the Tuesday before the weekend you February 28–March 1 — Curry County Kasandra Jackson Jinny Trout
plan to attend. The following registration information is We will escape the cold of winter and look for the first Rory Jenkins Colleen Ward
Nora Jewett Anne Warner
needed for each weekend you wish to attend: spring migrants, as well as coastal species.
Stephen Jones and Bill and Monica Welch
• your name(s) • email • amount Base: Gold Beach. Elizabeth Burns-Jones Ron Welker
• address • trip you wish to join enclosed. Jacqueline G. Jones Marcia and Randy White
• phone • number of attendees March 21–22 — Summer Lake Jane Kim The Williams Family
We will visit this staging area for large numbers of Jenny Kincaid Linda and Brian Wolfe
Jennifer Kohne Judith Woodruff
Please send the Paul T. Sullivan, Snow Geese and other waterfowl on their northward Melanie Krueger Abby Wyers and Dave Sage
registration to: 4470 SW Murray Blvd. #26, migration. Base: Summer Lake. Gary Lahaie Meghan Young
Beaverton, OR 97005 Terri Lahti Mark Zornow
April 25–26 — Jackson County Patricia Langford Marilyn Zuber
As spring comes to southern Oregon, we will visit this Barb Legacy Richard and Luvia Zusi
Questions? Email Paul at ptsulliv@spiritone.com or
call 503-646-7889. Weekday evenings are the best time to area to catch the early migrants. Specialties of the area If you would like to join us or have any questions about
reach me. include Oak Titmouse, Mockingbird, California Towhee, membership, please contact Catherine at
and Black Phoebe. Base: Ashland. chalpin@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855.

10 FEBRUARY 2009 www.audubonportland.org

 Important Bird Area of the Month
by Mary Coolidge, Assistant Conservation Director

Sauvie Island IBA

S auvie Island Wildlife Area is one of about 100
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) that have been identified
throughout Oregon, and is part of a global network of
sites that have been selected for their outstanding habitat
value and the imperative roles they play in hosting birds,
whether for breeding, migrating, or over-wintering. The
Sauvie Island IBA, located at the north end of the island,
consists of over 12,000 acres of farmland and wildlife
habitat comprised of wetlands, savanna, and cottonwood
riparian and bottomland Oregon white oak forest. The
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
manages this area to provide refuges for wildlife, as well as
recreational opportunities for people including hunting,
fishing, beach swimming, hiking, and birdwatching.
Important Bird Area Background
Birdlife International started the IBA program in Europe
in the 1980s and by the mid-90s, the American Bird
Conservancy had embarked upon identifying globally
important sites in the United States. The Audubon Society
of Portland began coordinating Oregon’s IBA designations
in 2002 with the convening of a Technical Advisory
Committee made up of scientists and ornithologists. State-
level IBAs are designated by the Oregon committee and
may additionally be rated as continental or global sites,
based on certain threshold criteria developed at
the national level. The main goals of this non-
regulatory program identify critical areas; raise
awareness about their importance; promote
stewardship, protection, and enhancement
of these sites; and ultimately ensure their
continued vitality as quality bird habitat, the
backbone of our conservation work.
Species of Ornithological
Importance
Of the 486 bird species found in Oregon, a
remarkable 250 of these species are known to Winter sun at Sauvie Island © Bob Sallinger in the midst of the metropolitan
use Sauvie Island. Over-wintering waterfowl can number
in excess of 200,000 ducks, geese, and swans. Autumn
brings migrating Sandhill Cranes (which have peaked at
over 3,000!), Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, and Cackling and
Canada Geese. Osprey nest on the island, and
Bald Eagles both breed here and congregate in
winter along with wintering Red-tailed Hawks,
Northern Harriers, Peregrine Falcons, and the
less common Rough-legged Hawks and Merlin.
An extensive matrix of lakes and wetlands host
Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Teal, Yellow-
headed Blackbirds, Green Heron, Virginia
Rail, and Sora Rail. Three species of birds once
common but now rare or unusual on Sauvie
Island include Lewis’s Woodpecker, Western
Meadowlark, and (Streaked) Horned Lark.
Projects
The Sauvie Island Comprehensive Conservation
Planning Effort endeavors to see that ODFW’s
2006 Oregon Conservation Strategy is Sauvie Island Kestrel Nest Box Project © Bob Sallinger
implemented. This Strategy creates voluntary guidelines
for long-term conservation of Oregon’s native fish and Island point counts, Kestrel nest box monitoring, raptor
wildlife species, and encourages a proactive effort to road surveys, Racetrack Lake shorebird surveys, Purple
avoid driving declining species to listed status. ODFW Martin nest gourd installation, Master Birder training
estimated a decrease from 18,000 to 15,000 acres of classes, and conservation projects organized by private
healthy and suitable wildlife habitat between 1990 and landowners through Oregon Watershed Enhancement
2005, and a bird population decrease from 250,000 to Board (OWEB) grants. Audubon also conducts
200,000 in the same time period. This decline in habitat environmental education programs such as field trips,
is attributable to an increase in birding classes, and the annual Raptor Road Trip (see cover
invasive plant species according article).
to a 2006 Oregon Department of
Agriculture Study, and also to the Contact
diminishment of native habitat by Our Raptor Road Trip on February 7th is a great way to get
various anthropogenic (human- familiar with some wintering raptors and the Sauvie Island
influenced) factors. landscape! If you are interested in learning more about
the Sauvie Island Important Bird Area, or if you’d like to
A variety of projects with strong participate in the Planning Group or volunteer with one of
volunteer participation are a the ongoing projects on this or another IBA, contact Mary
testimony to Sauvie Island’s value Coolidge, Assistant Conservation Director, at mcoolidge@
as an accessible wild place virtually audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.111.
landscape, and to our enduring appreciation for the island
as a haven for urban wildlife. Volunteer activities conducted
by Audubon, ODFW, and others who have engaged in a
Sauvie Island IBA Planning Group include biweekly Oak

Members Receive a Discount at the Nature Store!

A udubon Society of Portland’s Nature Store is the headquarters for naturalists in the Portland- – a GIFT MEMBERSHIP
Vancouver metro area. We feature nature books, hiking & field guides, birding software, CDs, DVDs, for your Sweetheart!
binoculars and spotting scopes, birdfeeders and seed, plus gifts & toys for adults & children, all with a
nature theme. Portland Audubon members receive a 10% discount off regular prices.
GIFT MEMBERSHIP level:
Valentine’s Day is images inspired by Native American,
Feb. 14th African, and Middle Eastern design
motifs. His unique multi-cultural $25 Introductory $100 Goldfinch
Droll Yankee Selected Items Sale
expressions in mixed metals and $35 Individual $250 Warbler
Please both your pocketbook and your
semi-precious stones are sure to (receives special gifts
Valentine: come to our Droll Yankee Sale $45 Family of Official Audubon
delight your special Valentine.
on Feb. 1–14. Our full stock of top-quality $60 Wren T-Shirt & Heron pin)
New Generation & Classic tube feeders and Special Thanks
“Ultimate” Pole System Components will be And now we’d like to take a moment GIFT MEMBERSHIP is for:
25% off. These great products carry a lifetime to acknowledge Our Favorite
warranty. Plus, a portion of Droll Yankee’s Name:
Valentines, the wonderful Audubon
profits (just like all the profits from the Nature Supporters who shop at the Nature Address:
Store) goes to causes that support wild birds Store. Knowing that you have an City/State/Zip:
and their habitats. array of different shopping venues available to you, we are
so pleased that you choose to shop with us. We work hard
Gary Slone’s Neo-Ethnica Jewelry
to keep our prices competitive, our selection top quality, The GIFT MEMBERSHIP is from:
Also in February, Portland Audubon’s own
and our stock new and interesting. You, in turn, spend Name:
Gary Slone will bring us a case full of his
your dollars with us to support Audubon’s education
beautifully handcrafted sterling silver–based Address:
programs, wildlife sanctuaries, care center, and habitat
earrings. Gary’s Neo-Ethnica Jewelry features
initiatives. Thank you. City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Allen’s Hummingbird © Steve Berliner

Digiscoper of the Year Email:

D
We’ll send a card notifying the new member of your gift.
igiscoping is the art of taking photographs through a
spotting scope or binoculars. Each year Swarovski Optics
holds an international competition to name the Digiscoper Payment Method
of the Year. We are delighted to announce that Audubon Society Check MasterCard Visa Discover
of Portland member Steve Berliner received 10th place in the 2008 Card #
contest (see www.digiscoperoftheyear.com). This photo of an Allen’s
Hummingbird was selected from among 1300 entries from Exp.
40 countries. Congratulations, Steve!

www.audubonportland.org FEBRUARY 2009 11

 Wildlife Conservation
Lecture Series at the
Oregon Zoo

T he Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series, hosted by

the Oregon Zoo, Audubon Society of Portland, and
World Forestry Center, endeavors to strengthen our

© Rusty Whitney
community knowledge base on ecological systems and
environmental issues. It is the hope of all partners that this
series will motivate our community to make a difference in
the environmental future of our region.
Scenes of the 2008 Festival were
captured by Rusty Whitney, Martha
Gannett, and Susan Bexton (unmarked Conservation of
images © Portland Audubon).
the Painted Dog in
Zimbabwe and Beyond
Tuesday, February 24, 7pm
Wild Arts Festival Shines in Oregon Zoo’s Banquet Center
Stormy Economic Climate For more than 16 years, Greg Rasmussen has been
raising awareness about the African painted dog, also

D espite last year’s unsettling economic mood, the
2008 Wild Arts Festival was another success.
Sixty-five artists, almost 40 authors, the silent
auction, and the 6x6 Wild Art Project all contributed to
another exciting year for visitors and participants alike.
The Art Fair introduced several new artists, and the Book
Fair featured more authors than ever and nearly 200 titles.
The popular 6x6 Project offered over 150 creative canvases.
Thank you to all of our partners, artists, authors, donors, known as the African wild dog, and helping to bring
sponsors, volunteers, Portland Audubon staff and board it back from the brink of extinction. His program, the
members, and the Wild Arts Festival Team for making this Painted Dog Conservation Project, has successfully
collaboration work so well. We can’t list all of you by name reduced the animal’s mortality rate by teaching
here, but we would like to acknowledge our sponsors: local people about the painted dog’s true nature and
employing villagers to collect snares, a major cause of
Kingfisher Level: death.
Backyard Bird Shop; Bill Naito Company
Swift Level: Cost: $8 for members of Audubon Society of Portland,
Aurora Landscape Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, students, and
Community Supporter Level: seniors; $10 for all others.
Auctions Director; Bob Gandolfi Event Production; For more information, go to www.oregonzoo.org/
Linda S. Craig, LLC; Marsha Henry, Broker, Remax Education/adults/adults_lecture.htm.
Equity Group, Inc.; Parametrix, Inc.; Portfolio 21
Investments, Inc. Future Conservation Lectures
The 6x6 Wild Art Project sponsored by: Art Media
March 31 April 28
The Spotted Hyena: Topic to be
We are now planning for the 2009 Festival and have
Fact and Fiction announced
some important roles to fill. If you’d like to explore the
Kay Holekamp, Professor Focus: regional predator
idea of joining the WAF team we’d like to hear from you.
of Zoology, Michigan State species.
Contact Deanna Sawtelle at volunteercoordinator@
University
audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.108. Thanks!

Business members
Board Officers Through their business practices and financial
Audubon Society President............................................................................. Peter Paquet
Vice President....................................................................Pat Campbell
contributions, the following business members help
Audubon Society of Portland fulfill its mission. If you
of Portland Secretary.............................................................Adrienne Wolf-Lockett would like to become a business member, please
Treasurer...................................................................................Ken Ivey contact our Development Department
Past President.......................................................................Linda Craig at 971-222-6117.
Inspiring people to love and protect nature since 1902 Board Members Business Benefactor
NW Natural
Business Friends
Aurora Landscape
Audubon Society of Portland promotes the enjoyment, understanding, Josh Cerra Kristina Gifford Karen O’Connor Bob’s Red Mill
Business Guarantors Carton Service, Inc.
and protection of native birds and other wildlife and their habitats. Nancy Jane Cushing Wink Gross Kruse Backyard Bird Shop Duggan, Schlotfeldt and
We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest. John Fitchen John Hammerstad Claire Puchy Portland General Electric Welch PLLC
Martha Gannett Barb Hill Ron Spencer Business Partners HDR Engineering
Administration Offices Columbia Sportswear Kennedy /Jenks Consultants, Inc.
Board Member Emeritus - Dave Marshall David Evans & Associates McGee Financial Strategies, Inc.
5151 NW Cornell Rd • Portland, OR 97210 Forest Park Federal Pastini Pastaria
503-292-6855 • Fax: 503-292-1021 Committee Chairs Credit Union ShoreBank Pacific
Vernier Software & Technology
9am to 5pm, Mon. - Fri. Nike
Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynn Herring Washman LLC
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Business Supporters Winter’s Hill Vineyard
Sanctuaries Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Paquet Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Dawn to dusk every day Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Ivey Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
Membership & Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Jane Cushing Portland Audubon
Nature Store Sanctuaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Littlewood Nature Store
503-292-9453
10am to 6pm, Mon. - Sat. • 10am to 5pm on Sunday Staff
Interpretive Center & Library Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meryl Redisch
Same hours as store Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tammi Miller
Development Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Takamoto
Wildlife Care Center Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill Hartzell
503-292-0304 Birdathon Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Slone
9am to 5pm every day Membership Development Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine Halpin
Membership Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenny Kincaid
rare bird alert Education Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Robertson
Adult Education Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Engel
503-292-6855 • www.audubonportland.org Camp Director/Onsite Programs Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Swanson
Master Birder/Adult Trip Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan van den Broek
Environmental Educator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Abraham
Environmental Educator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Donner
Urban Naturalist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Houck
Conservation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Sallinger
Assistant Conservation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Coolidge
Urban Conservationist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Labbe
Urban Wildlife Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Munday
Ten Mile Land Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Engelmeyer
Volunteer Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deanna Sawtelle
Audubon Wildlife Care Center Operations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deb Sheaffer
Wildlife Care Center Assistant Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Molly McAllister
Nature Store Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Mattson
Nature Store Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marilyn O’Grady
Nature Store Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sally Loomis
Sanctuaries Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Costello
Sanctuaries Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Kurtz
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