The February 2021 Issue of the |
|
Our Mission: To conserve and restore natural ecosystems and protect birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and biological diversity in south King County and the world we live in. |
|
Monthly Membership Meeting
Gallinaceous Birds
By Robert Howson
Monday March 15, 2021 at 7 pm
|
|
We’re familiar with gallinaceous birds, even though we might not know them by that name. That designation simply means “chicken-like birds, which is a reasonable description of birds like quail, grouse, and turkeys. This group is of interest, not only to birders, but also to those who hunt them for food and recreation. For this reason, there has been a good deal of study given to many of the species found under this heading.
They are found in a variety of habitats ranging from our own backyard to the frigid tundra of the Arctic; from the coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest to the prairie grasslands of the Midwest. And the hardwood forests of the eastern portion of our country harbor their species as well. Although not all continental varieties will be covered in this presentation, we will have an opportunity to take a look at most of the species available to the North American birder, and review a little about their lives and habits. Come and join us as we examine this group of cryptically colored birds.
|
|
Greater Sage Grouse
Robert Howson developed an early interest in birds while still in grade school. This interest continued throughout high school and into college where he graduated with a triple major in biology, history, and religion. He went on to get a Masters in history and worked on a Doctorate in religious education. He has taught on various levels including elementary, secondary, and college classes. Most recently he was the chairman of the history department at Cedar Park Christian School in Bothell, Washington.
He has photographed over 500 North American species as well as some in tropical America and Europe. Robert uses Nikon equipment and employs the use of a blind when needed. He and his wife, Carolyn, currently reside in Kirkland, Washington where they have lived for the past 30 years.
|
|
Covid-19 virus
Jay Galvin
Due to the continuing outbreak of the Covid 19 virus, the RAS Board is suspending all in person activities until further notice. We would like to thank those members who responded to our online and mail in survey on this matter. Your input did help the Board in making this decision.
Online monthly meetings are on the 3rd Monday each month. A link to the meetings is available in our eNewsletters and on our website.
Look for more virtual upcoming events coming soon!
|
|
Upcoming Programs
- Dale Meland
- April 19th - Marcy Summers & Ellen Kirtzman.- AlTo (Alliance for Tompotika Conservation)
- May 17th - The Dinosaurs Amongst Us - Part 2, The birds who co-existed with dinos;- Kim Dolgin
|
|
The 2021 National Audubon Convention will be held virtually this July 15th-19th.
We were originally going to host the convention in Tacoma, but in order to protect everyone’s safety this year, it will be virtual. However, the convention will be coming to Tacoma in 2022!
|
|
Join Puget Sound Bird Observatory for the 2021 season of the
Regional Wetland Secretive Bird Monitoring Project
|
|
We need your help! Whether you have a few hours to offer or would like to take a deep dive into surveying wetland birds across the region, Puget Sound Bird Observatory (PSBO) project managers will match your availability with our needs for avian monitors across this project to seek out American Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail and Green Heron within the Puget Sound area. There will be approximately 200 wetlands that need surveyed this season, each wetland has between 1 and 5 survey points with most sites having 3 points. Each point takes roughly 20 minutes to fully survey. The three survey windows for this year’s effort span from March 29, 2021 to June 13, 2021 with lots of opportunity to choose dates and locations that meet your availability and willingness to travel.
COVID-19 safety protocols have been developed, including delivering full training manuals and remote tutorials for all community science participants.
We highly value the time and talent gifted us by community science participants across our region and provide all-encompassing training so that all levels of birders can participate. Helping with this unique bird surveying effort with PSBO is a great way to learn more about the birds and other wildlife in your local area. Surveying often takes you to areas that you would not normally visit, and creates excellent opportunities to expand your bird-sense. To participate in this effort, you will have training to develop skills such as GPS navigation, broadcast surveying, distance sampling and habitat identification.
For additional information about the project and/or to volunteer to help with this project, please email:
|
|
Field Trips
by Heather Gibson
|
|
Clark Lake Park
Self-guided field trip
Clark Lake Park is a scenic 130-acre park around a lake offering fishing, walking trails & public art displays. The park offers a variety of habitat types and bird species. Follow trails to the lake and through forest, wetland, meadow and even an old orchard. This is a good spot for waterfowl, raptors and possibly returning migrants.
There are a few parking spots along SE 240th St. on the north side of the park, but if none are available there, check the south side, along SE 248th, at the elementary school or playfields near the corner with 132nd Ave SE.
The address is 12520 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98031
Link to Ebird sightings:
|
|
2-Day Basic Birding Class at Seahurst Park
with South Sound Nature School
Sat April 24th & Sun April 25th, 2021
Kevin O'Malley and Barbara Petersen will team up and teach a Basic Birding Class this April. Beginner and intermediate birders will have an opportunity to expand the scope of their knowledge about birds and birding. Class will focus on bird language, behavior, habitats, nests and bird tracks. Participants will learn to talk more in depth about the birds they see and hear, and may be inspired to consider birding from new angles.
Burien's lovely Seahurst Park has both forest and saltwater habitats offering a great diversity of bird species. Binoculars are recommended but not required. Kevin is lead naturalist and founder of South South Nature School. Barbara has led bird walks and field trips for Wild Birds Unlimited and Rainier Audubon.
Class fee of $50.00 covers Sat and Sun. Maximum 8 participants. Still a few spots left. Wearing of masks and social distancing will occur at this outdoor class. Classes will be held rain or shine.
For more information and to register go to:
"More birding is good. I kinda think I am always birding in one way or another. Looking for mysteries, trying to identify something, listen for small sounds, paying attention to behavior, noticing my surroundings...life is birding ha!"
- Kevin O'Malley, South Sound Nature School
|
|
Birds and Windows
The Pros and Cons of Using Bird Netting
by Nancy Streiffert
Bird netting is sold as a way to protect fruit and berry plants from birds. I have not found it useful for this:
Used on blueberry bushes, it pops the berries off when you lift it to pick the berries.
Draped on a PVC frame over small and medium fruit trees, it was difficult to get into and out of for picking although the birds always seemed to find a way – usually underneath.
Since corn seed is often dug up by crows and jays, I tried laying netting on the ground after planting. No crows or jays but 2 juncos got strangled! Since juncos don’t usually bother the corn, I think they were just hunting insects. I won’t try that again.
Blackbirds always start harvesting my corn just as it is ripening. I tried draping netting over the tall stalks. No deterrent – the black birds could easily fly under it but another junco got strangled so that’s no good, either!
The best use we’ve found for it is preventing bird strikes on windows. We covered our large expanse of windows that reflect the trees with netting and never had a dead bird. Band tailed pigeons sometimes hit the window but the netting slows them down enough to prevent serious injury, as far as we can tell.
We had tried decals but they didn’t work. Also tried using glitter glue on the outside of the window. It worked well – no strikes – and an artistic person could draw a nice design but my effort was not artistic! When a new idea – hanging paracord strings every 3 or 4 inches came along we tried that. Several birds hit the windows including a Cooper’s hawk so we replaced the netting.
The most effective way to use netting is to secure it as far above the window as possible or to the overhang above the window and let it hang 2 feet or more out from the window. Our windows extend down to about 3 feet from the ground so we secure the netting to the ground with U-shaped pegs. The only hazard can be that small birds, especially humming birds, and butterflies may fly between the window and the netting since it is not secured to the house at the ends. They don’t hit the window with any speed but get trapped. Since their instinct is to fly upwards, leaving a gap at the top of the netting above the window will let them escape easily.
If you would like to try protecting birds this way, I have 2 new large pieces of netting for free – first come, first served. Let me know.
Nancy Streiffert 253-796-2203
|
|
Awesome Bird Quiz
Madrone Audubon Society in Sonoma County, CA, has given Rainier Audubon permission to post the link below to Jim Gray's awesome Bird Quizzes. Try your hand at ID-ing bird species, even in other countries! This was sent to me by Ken Schroeder, who knew I enjoy bird quizzes. Well done, Jim Gray!
Barbara Petersen
|
|
Journey to the Skagit Valley with BirdNote and KNKX
Winter in the Skagit Valley of Western Washington is magical for bird lovers. And on March 11, BirdNote and KNKX Public Radio will bring a piece of that magic to you.
Please join us for a virtual birding adventure at this spectacular destination on Thursday, March 11, at 4 p.m. PST / 7 p.m. EST.
|
|
Malheur NWR - Where the birds are plentiful, and the people are not.
A presentation to Whidbey Audubon Society by Dan Streiffert
|
|
|
Rethinking Energy 2020-2030:
100% Solar, Wind, and Batteries is Just the Beginning
|
|
|
Video: This Land Is Part of Us: Washington’s shrub-steppe ecosystem
A short film produced by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Northwest.
|
|
|
Amazon Smile
Shop at smile.amazon.com and they will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization—no fees, no extra cost.
Be sure to specify your favorite charity as Rainier Audubon Society.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
