The Kingfisher
Kitsap Audubon Society — Since 1972
September 2011
KAS Program - September 8, 2011
Birds of the Wind The Lives of Shorebirds
by noted author, Dennis Paulson
Shorebirds are favorites of many because of their rapid flight, long migrations,
beautiful breeding plumage and, yes, at times difficulty of identification. This
talk illustrates many aspects of the biology of shorebirds, especially those of the
Pacific Northwest. Learn about their coloration, feeding habits, migration, and
breeding, and see how important the Washington coast is to them.
Dennis Paulson retired from being the Director of the Slater Museum of
Natural History at the University of Puget Sound only to learn that retirement
is busier than a real job. He continues to teach adult classes about birds, and
researches and writes about the dragonflies that have fascinated him for years.
He is the author of several books on both groups.
This Brown Creeper was
photographed by Janine Schutt.
These furtive little birds are
common, but not easy to spot
because they blend so well with
their surroundings and quickly
circle out of sight.
Printed on recycled paper by
Blue Sky Printing in Poulsbo.
Kitsap Audubon Society
meets the 2nd Thursday
of each month, September
through May, 7:00 to 9:00
p.m., on the lower level of the
Poulsbo Library, 700 NE
Lincoln Rd. Open to the
public. Free parking.
Kitsap Audubon Seed Sale
Now is the time to stock up on bird seed for the winter at
great prices. Net proceeds benefit Kitsap Audubon.
Send in your order by November 4th. Seed will be ready
for pickup at the Poulsbo Library, 6:30 p.m. on Thursday,
November 10th, just before our November meeting.
See order form inside.
Sponsored by
Wild Birds Unlimited in Gig Harbor
KITSAP AUDUBON SOCIETY
President: Jim Ullrich, 360-692-4869 (1253-851-2575 store), jimullrich@gmail.com
Vice President: Janine Schutt, jeschutt@
hotmail.com; 360-830-4446
Treasurer: Dee Finkbeiner, 360-895-0374,
finchlegs@wavecable.com
Secretary: Rosemary Courtright, 360-8304405, rosemary@zipcon.com
Immediate Past Pres.: Judy Willott, 206842-6939, jdwillott@mac.com
At-Large Board of Directors:
Spring Courtright, programs@
kayakproshop.com
Byron Kane, 360-297-2716, bk4all@
centurytel.net
Jessica Klinkert, 360-60-551-2647,
jklinkert_2000@yahoo.com
Sharron Ham, 360-779-5458, shabobham@
comcast.net
Sandy Bullock, 360-394-5635,
roadrunner1957@comcast.net Gene Bullock, 360-394-5635,
genebullock@comcast.net
Standing Committee Chairs
Conservation/Kingfisher/Christmas
Bird Count: Gene Bullock, 360-3945635, genebullock@comcast.net
Education: Fay Linger, 360-297-3855,
ernieandfay@centurytel.net
Education Vice Chair, Randena Walsh
Field Trips: John Finkbeiner, 360-895-0374,
finchlegs@wavecable.com
Field Trip Vice Chair: Spring Courtright
Hospitality: Milly Bellemere & Bob
Schumacher, 360-830-4231,
rbellemere@wavecable.com
Programs: Vic Ulsh, 360-479-6900, vic@
bradleyscottinc.com
Publicity: Barbara Wilhite, 360-6928180, naturesvoice@wavecable.com
Refreshment Chair: Jessica Klinkert
Membership Administrator: Sara Kane, 360297-2716, bk4all@centurytel.net
Purple Martins: Sandy Pavey, 360-9300807, s4sandy@earthlink.net
Paul Carson, 360-779-2612,
Raffle Coordinators: Dawn & Hans Hansen,
360-830-5222
Wildlife Sightings: Joan Carson,
joanpcarson@comcast.net or
360-779-2612
Scholarship Committee: Sandy Bullock
Webmaster
Mike Szerlog, 360-297-6794, szerlog@
comcast.net, www.kitsapaudubon.org
Kingfisher Editor
Gene Bullock, 360-394-5635,
genebullock@comcast.net,
Glenn Anderson — 1924-2011
Donations are being accepted for
a memorial scholarship fund in
Glenn’s name.
We were saddened to learn that Glenn
Anderson passed away on July 5 at
the age of 86. He and his wife Marian
were dedicated members of Kitsap
Audubon for many years. Glenn
received the 2006 Kingfisher Award
for his years of outstanding service in
such roles as membership chair. They
are fondly remembered by everyone
who knew and worked with them.
Glenn was a well known biology
teacher at Bremerton High School in
the 1950’s. He began his teaching
career at Bremerton High School in
1954, and taught biology and zoology
there until 1960. He was awarded
his Doctor of Philosophy degree in
zoology by Oregon State University
in 1964. That fall he began teaching
at Northern Arizona University in
Flagstaff, and rapidly advanced to
professor and assistant chairman of
the Department of Biology. On his
retirement in 1989 he was named
Emeritus Professor of Biology.
He was born November 30,
1924, in Mount Vernon, Washington,
to Eleanor and Arthur Anderson
and grew up on the family farm
near LaConner. He graduated from
LaConner High School with honors
in 1943, in the middle of World War
II. Immediately after graduation he
entered the U.S. Army. He served in
Europe in the 14th Armored Division
of the Seventh Army, saw action
in battles in eastern France and in
Germany, before being wounded near
Frankfurt, Germany. For his service
he was awarded the Purple Heart and
the Bronze Star for heroism.
He earned his Bachelor of Science
degree and Master of Science of
Teaching Biological Science from
Washington State University.
In November, 1949, he married
Marian Meyer in Seattle, and they
began a marriage that lasted 61 years,
until his death.
In 1996 Glenn and Marian
returned to the northwest to enjoy
their retirement, living for several
years in Port Orchard, and later in
Bremerton. In 2010, they moved
to Medford, Oregon because of
increasingly serious health problems.
He is survived by his wife Marian
of Medford, Oregon,, his sister
Dorothy Clegg of Seattle, his brother
Dr. Keith Anderson of Ashland,
Oregon, and his niece Cynthia Clegg
of Mukilteo.
ACOW meets October 8
The Washington Audubon Council of Washington will meet Saturday, October
8, in Moses Lake. All are welcome to attend and help determine the future
of Washington Audubon. Should we have a state office? What should the
purpose of that office be? Coordinator, lobbyist, scientist? Who pays? Lots of
important questions to consider. We need everyone to provide input.
This will be a one day event starting at 9:00 am. For registration and more
details as they become available, please check the Spokane Audubon website
(www.spokaneaudubon.org).
From the President—Jim Ullrich
Welcome to all Kitsap Audubon
members and our new calendar year
2011/12.
I want to personally thank Judy
Willott, who served for a full two
years as president and leader of our
great KAS organization. She and
her board accomplished a great deal
since assuming the job in July 2009!
Their many accomplishments included
some of the best programs we have
had at our general meetings in years.
And now we are wrapping up for
the upcoming publication of the last
Washington State Birding Trail Map
for the Puget Sound Loop. You may
have seen Judy in a SeattleTtimes
feature a few months ago, while out
on an expedition identifying Kitsap
appropriate Birding sites to be featured
in the new map. I have to thank her
sidekick, Don Willott, one of the many
professional photographers we have
on staff, for his loyal support and the
many photographs he has taken at
meetings and on the trail.
Also leading the charge as our
Conservation Chair, Gene Bullock is
working to protect environmentally
sensitive areas from aggressive growth
minded companies and individuals.
And last, very big thank you’s
to all who have agreed to continue
serving our great organization in the
various Standing Committee chairs,
from Joan Carson who has served
in many capacities from the very
Kitsap Audubon - 1972-73
Joan Carson was one of the founders
of Kitsap Audubon Society, which
began 39 years ago. This is the first
installment of a series of articles she
is writing on the history of Kitsap
Audubon.
The first organizational
meeting for KAS was held November
3, 1972, in the home of Paul and Joan
Carson. A public meeting was held
December 7 at the Poulsbo Marine
Center (where Liberty Bay Marina
is now located). Seventy-five people
attended and a slate of temporary
officers was elected. They were:
President, Joan Carson; Secretary,
Ray Coleburg and Treasurer, Jean
Doar. Acting committee chairmen
were also appointed. Membership,
Zane Lumbley; Conservation,
Steve Wilson; Field Trips, Ann
Sleight; Publicity, Sylvia Nelson;
Refreshments, Rosemary Doar; coeditors Kitsap Kingfisher, Harold
Kelley and Dale Spoor. On January
18, the first regular meeting was
held and the first permanent slate
of officers elected. President, Ray
Coleburg; 1st V.P., Dale Spoor; 2nd
V.P., Jack Nelson; Secretary, Charlotte
Coleburg; Treasurer, Jean Doar.
Committee chairs remained the same
with the exception of the Kingfisher
Editor. Joan Carson was appointed
to that position. Carroll Rieck of
the Department of Wildlife was the
speaker and spoke on the Nongame
Program and the drive to have it
funded by personalized license plates.
Ann Sleight’s field trip schedule began
with a trip to Dungeness Spit led
by Paul and Joan Carson and a trip
to Scout Lake led by Conservation
Chair, Steve Wilson. By February of
first day that Kitsap Audubon was
formed, to everyone else who works
so diligently in accomplishing so
much for our Kitsap Community of
environmentalists.
Special congratulations to three
brand new board members: Janine
Schutt, Vice President; Jessica
Klinkert, At Large Member; and
Spring Courtright, At Large Member.
This is going to be a very exciting
year, and my first request is to ask
all of you to share the exciting things
we do at KAS by passing on your
Kingfisher to friends and family.
Consider giving gift memberships to
a family member or friend for their
birthday or the upcoming holiday
season. Also, please consider stepping
forward, as have Spring, Janine and
Jessica, to serve on various KAS
committees. Just email or call me
with your questions on how to serve.
(Home) 360-692-4869 (Cell) 253-9708612 or email jimullrich@gmail.com.
See you Thursday evening,
September 8th, for a great program!
By Joan Carson
that year, the group was approved to
request separate chapter status. Thirtyfive NEW members had joined. The
original membership list had been
mostly transfers from Seattle and
Tacoma Audubon. The next step was
to write our own constitution. The
February program was by Dr. Richard
Olendorff, Professor of Ornithology
at Olympic College, speaking on his
research on golden eagles. Dale Spoor
introduced the recycling effort being
started on Bainbridge Island. Sharon
Shrader, representing the Citizens for
Responsible Development of the Port
of Brownsville, gave a report to those
present on the proposed expansion
of the Brownsville Marina. March
field trips were to the Rawson Grant
(Nature Conservancy Reserve) in
Hansville, led by Dr. Rawson,
Continued on Page 9
Field Trip
Guidelines
John Finkbeiner
Field Trip Chair
360-895-0374
finchlegs@wavecable.com
Field trip guidelines can vary
according to leader preferences and
the nature of the trip. Trip leaders
try to keep some slots open to new
people.
1. Trips are limited to 12 participants
unless otherwise specified. 2. Children 12 and under are welcome
only on designated family trips or
with permission of the leader. All
children should be accompanied by
a parent or adult designated by the
parent.
3. Some receive their Kingfisher
earlier than others (email versus
regular mail, for example). To be fair,
please do not call for a reservation
before the date specified by the leader.
4. If the weather is questionable, call
the leader the morning of the trip to
confirm that it has not been cancelled.
If you must cancel, do so as soon as
possible because others may be on a
waiting list.
5. Dress for the weather. Please
refrain from wearing white or bright
colored clothing.
6. Bring binoculars and cash for ridesharing (see below), and bring a lunch
for all day trips. Field Trip Transportation
Carpooling is encouraged to reduce
costs and limit the parking spaces
required. Passengers are asked to
share expenses with the driver. A
contribution to the driver of $5 for
shorter trips and $10 for overnight
trips is suggested, with any additional
expenses, such as tolls, parking fees,
etc. divided equally among driver and
passengers. On longer trips, shared
expenses may be based on mileage.
Field Trips
Celebrate Urban Birds with the Great Penininsula Conservancy and
Friends of Miller Bay, Saturday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cowling
Creek Center, 20325 Miller Bay Rd. NE, Suquamish. Birding walks and
hands-on craft activities for kids of all ages. www.greatpeninsula.org
Point-No-Point - Sat. 9/24/11 - Fay Linger, Leader. Call 360-297-3855.
This is a half day trip. We should see some interesting fall birds. We’ll also
check nearby areas. Meet at Point-no-Point at 8:30 a.m.
San Juan Islands, October 3-5, 2011. Join the Olympic Peninsula Audubon
Society for a three-day wildlife cruise through the San Juan Archipelago.
Cruise to Roche Harbor Resort and San Juan Island, whale-watching
along the way. Picnic on Sucia Island and cruise home via Deception
Pass. Call 360-681-4076 or email rcoffice@olympus,net. Details at: www.
olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org
Field Trip Reports
Skagit and Samish Flats Field Trip – March 5th 2011. Leader Fay Linger.
Nine KAS birders spent a lovely spring day birding in Skagit County
having postponed the outing due to heavy snow the previous week. At the
Headquarters Unit of the Skagit Game Range we spent 15 minutes watching
the visiting Black Phoebe fly-catch along some small alders in the slough.
This was a target bird that was spotted by Mary Bullitt. In the same area
were Northern Harriers, Northern Pintails, Hooded Mergansers, Blackcapped Chickadees, Bushtits, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Golden-crowned and
White-crowned Sparrows and a great Bewick’s Wren. Trumpeter Swans were
along I-5 and Tundra Swans were at our lunch stop behind the Farmhouse
Restaurant. Excellent scope views at both locations. A good start to the day.
Snow Geese were harder to come by. Hundreds flew over us heading south
as we drove onto Fir Island and there were a few hundred in a field out of
easy driving access. At Indian Slough after lunch were Green-winged Teal,
Northern Harriers, Great Blue Herons and far into a field a scope view of a
fine Peregrine Falcon. The town of Bayview turned up a Eurasian CollaredDove another target bird again spotted by Mary Bullitt! The drive to Edison
yielded many, many Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and
Great Blue Herons. And from a parking lot in downtown Edison we scoped
a wonderful Merlin which was another find by Mary. As the afternoon was
coming to a close the time was upon us to drive to the “Samish West 90”
where we were treated to the sunset show of the Short-eared Owls This was an
unforgettable scene with at least a dozen owls hunting and jousting with each
other before our very eyes and more across the fields at a distance. The day’s
total was 53 species seen.
Theler Wetlands - 5/7/11 - John Finkbeiner, Leader. We had no rain, but
higher winds cut our land birds tally. We did see and hear several Common
Yellow Throats and had a good look at an Orange Crowned Warbler. Four
swallow species were found along the boardwalk. At the Union River we had
the best bird of the day when four Wimbrels flew overhead. These are rare
in Mason and Kitsap Counties. Also heard a Lesser Yellowlegs and Virginia
Rail. Caspian Terns were flying up and down the river. One of the three
White-fronted Geese that spent most of the winter here is still hanging out
with the Canada Geese. In total, we had 35 species. A late surprise was a
Ruffed Grouse that flew over Hwy. 3 just north of the Bremerton Airport.
Kitsap Audubon Fall Seed Sale 2011
Order Form
Name____________________________ Phone No.______________
Address __________________________ City ___________________
Zip Code__________ Email _________________________________
Bird Seed Price No. of Bags Amount
Northwest Choice Blend $23.99 x ____ ________
Northwest No-Mess Blend $28.99 x ____ ________
WBU Finch Blend
(half Nyjer/half chips) $26.99 x ____ ________
WBU Med Sun Chips $28.99 x ____ ________
WBU Nyjer $28.99 x ____
________
WBU Premium Black Oil $18.99 x ____ ________
Sunflower
WBU Squirrel Nut Treat $33.99
x ____ ________
Sub Total
Sales Tax Total Sale
x
8.6%
=
________
________
________
Deadline for orders, Friday, November 4th, 2011
Delivery November 10th, Poulsbo Library, 6:30 p.m. before KAS meeting
Make checks payable to KAS.
Mail order form with payment to:
Kitsap Audubon
P.O. Box 961
Poulsbo WA 98370
Net proceeds to benefit the Kitsap Audubon Society
Sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited of Gig Harbor
Wildlife Sightings by Joan Carson
(joanpcarson@comcast.net or phone
360-779-2612)
Spring and most of summer
may have been colder than normal
but the migration and subsequent bird
reports were the most interesting in
many years. Will try to get as many
as possible in this issue and the
remainder will follow in the October
Kingfisher.
April 16, Ian Paulsen, FOS
osprey, Manitou Beach, B.I. 4/17,
Gene Bullock, osprey building nest
on Poulsbo cell tower. 4/17, Vic &
Bonnie Ulsh, FOS yellow-rumped
warblers on Clear Creek Trail
(Silverdale) & Kitsap Lake boat
launch. American kestrel at Clear
Creek Trail. 4/18, Barb & Bill Sims,
Twin Spits, Hansville, pair of Eurasian
collared-doves. 4/21, Carolyn Barry,
Driftwood Keys, Hansville, 2 black
oystercatchers. 4/22, Stephen Hubbard
reported osprey he saw on 4/2 now
on nest, Eagle Harbor, B.I. Same nest
has had young for at least 4 years.
4/25 Deb Seltzer, Hood Canal near
Union, 70 common loons in 2 flocks
that eventually merged after calling to
each other. 4/25 Kathy Swartz, Yukon
Harbor, yellow-rumped warblers,
Audubon and Myrtle varieties. Nesting
osprey 2 miles from her house.
May 1, Bob Wiltermood,
Ruby Creek Marsh, South Kitsap,
saw first great horned owl baby in the
nest he discovered in April. 5/4, Ian
Paulsen birding B.I., 2 Pacific-slope
flycatchers, 1 black-throated gray
warbler, close look brown creeper,
9 least sandpipers, 3 horned grebes
(breeding plumage). 5/5, Susan &
Scott Ford had first pair of Western
bluebirds move into one of the boxes
on the South Kitsap bluebird trail. 5/7,
John Finkbeiner, Theler Wetlands,
4 (rare) whimbrel. 5/8, Ian Bentryn,
Home Depot (Silverdale) parking
lot, raven and red-tailed hawk having
an argument. Crow joined the fight
and red-tail got away. He also saw
Wildlife Sightings—Joan Carson
2 peregrine falcons flying over the
Suquamish side of the Agate Pass
Bridge - and a coyote in his yard about
9 PM. 5/8, Ian Paulsen, Suyematsu’s
Farm, B.I., a chipping sparrow and a
golden-crowned plus 2-3 Lincoln’s.
Female hooded merganser on pond.
5/8, Jamie Acker, B.I., 46 species
in his yard in one day. Included
5 woodpecker species, 7 sparrow
species including a white-throated and
a Lincoln’s. Also evening grosbeaks.
5/9, Jeanne Snouwaert, Lemolo, a
white-throated sparrow in with the
golden-crowned sparrows for about a
week. Pileated woodpecker on feeder.
5/9, Ian Paulsen, Suyematsu’s Farm,
B.I., 1 American pipit, 1 California
quail. Reported that Victoria Irwin
had a barn owl off Valley Road, B.I.,
on the 7th. He also reported that
there are now ten bald eagle nests
on the Island. 5/10, Brad Waggoner,
Schel-chelb Estuary, B.I., solitary
sandpiper and 2 yellow warblers.
5/12, Brad Waggoner, at the Estuary, a
Swainson’s hawk, an Island first, and
according to Ian Paulsen is #257 on
the Island Bird Checklist. 5/13, Sabo
Family, mile east of Bangor Main
Gate, a male lazuli bunting at feeders.
5/14, Lee Robinson, B.I., a male lazuli
bunting in her yard. Ian joined her
and they also had Western tanagers
and black-headed grosbeaks. Ian
noted this was fitting for International
Migratory Bird Day. 5/14, Karen
Salsbury, B.I., FOS olive-sided
flycatcher. 5/14, Deb Rudnick, B.I.,
flock of evening grosbeaks. 5/14, Brad
W., at Estuary had dusky flycatcher,
#258 for the Island; Later, Brad, Ian,
George Gerdts, Mary Ann Rossing had
Vaux’s swifts, yellow-rumped, orangecrowned and Wilson’s warblers; male
Western Tanager; and warbling vireo.
That morning, at Suyematsu’s Farm,
Brad had two Western kingbirds, 1
Eurasian collared-dove, a male lazuli
bunting and 2 California quail. 5/15,
Beryle Shore, Eagledale, B.I., had
wood ducks move into nesting boxes
her neighbors installed. First time
they have stayed to nest. 5/16, Kathy
Swartz, Yukon Harbor, sent several
photos of eagle nest with young being
fed. 5/16, Gene & Linda Daniels,
Keyport, A Wilson’s warbler and
also watched an encounter between
an eagle and 2 Canada geese. Geese
chased eagle away. 5/16, Rita Weber,
East Bremerton, a male lazuli bunting
on her deck railing. 5/17, Kathy
Swartz, flock of 15 evening grosbeaks.
5/24, John & Claudia McDonald, Lake
Symington, evening grosbeaks. 5/26,
Brad Waggoner, Battle Point Park,
B.I., a “female-type” pine grosbeak.
(Waiting to have this confirmed.)
5/27, Charlotte Coleburg, 2 Western
tanagers and calling cedar waxwings.
5/29, Lindsay Sanford and her father
at Bloedel Reserve, B.I., a palm
warbler. Ian said this is 2nd sighting
for the Island. 5/27, Fay Linger,
Indianola, flock of at least 34 evening
grosbeaks. 5/30, Joan Maggert, Kitsap
Lake, a lazuli bunting. 5/29, Carson
yard, Poulsbo, a river otter walking up
their sidewalk!
June 4, Kathy Swartz, on
Sedgewick Rd., near Longlake Rd.,
intersection, a rose-breasted grosbeak.
June 11, Susan Ford (PSBRP) reported
that 5 of the 6 Western bluebird eggs
had hatched! Will start with June’s
reports next month and hope we catch
up. Great reporting!
Photo: Long-time member Bob
Wildermood rescued and released
this Great Horned Owlet in his
restored wetland preserve.
New Waterfowl Rehab Enclosure
By Kol Medina, West Sound Wildlife Shelter
Courtesy of the Bainbridge Review
“Ouch!” “Now don’t spit
out those fish again.” “Gosh dangit,
that hurt!” I’m standing in our
new waterfowl enclosure watching
Mike Pratt, our Director of Wildlife
Services, and Lynne Weber, our
Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist,
try to feed fish to a feisty juvenile
cormorant.
The cormorant’s body
is wrapped in a white towel, and
Lynne is holding on tight as the
cormorant’s head and about 10
inches of sleek, black neck dance
around like a cobra about to strike.
And strike it does. Wham! “Stop it,”
Mike says as he quickly dislodges
his finger from the cormorant’s sharp
beak.
Mike gains an edge in the
struggle, forces the cormorant’s
beak open, and begins stuffing
herring down its throat (just like
the cormorant’s mother does). One
little herring down the hatch. Now
a second. Mike stops at six herring
and starts to stroke the cormorant’s
neck to stimulate swallowing. But
the cormorant is having none of it.
With a shake of its head and a loud
“blaahh,” all six herring come flying
out of the cormorant’s mouth and slap
down on the deck. (Okay, there was
no “blaahh” sound, but you get the
picture.)
It’s another morning at West
Sound Wildlife Shelter. But this
morning is different because our new
waterfowl enclosure is open. This
amazing facility, funded entirely by
donations from wonderful, caring
people, is only the second facility of
its kind in the state. This facility will
help us save the lives of countless
waterfowl in the coming decades
– ducks, cormorants, gulls, herons,
loons, geese, auklets, and the other
species that grace the lakes, shores,
and Sound all around us.
This new facility has some
special magic, a deep resonance with
my soul. It’s completely open to the
elements. The “roof” and “walls”
are welded wire. The water in the
six eight-foot diameter pools – each
set in a deck and separated from the
others – is constantly being cleaned by
a ridiculously complicated filtration
system.
Every day I spend time in
the enclosure, and each day I come
away with my mood improved and a
brighter outlook on life. I’m not sure
why. Is it knowing that innocent,
feathered bundles of life will be saved
here? Is it the constant sound of
running water? Is it the unexpected
beauty of the wire and wood
construction? Is it the cute duck heads
that tilt and look up at me? I suppose
it’s all of this.
In addition to two cormorants,
there are also 15 mallard ducks in
the enclosure right now. They are all
orphans, having lost their parents to
cars, dogs, or some other tragedy.
Three of them were
discovered by a woman who saw a
distraught mallard mother circling
around a storm drain on the Winslow
Green. It turns out that three of the
mother’s ducklings had fallen through
the grate into the drain. By the time
we rescued the ducklings, their mother
had been scared off by the crowd of
humans gathered around. So we had
to bring the duckies back here to raise.
I wish their mother had been
able to see them when we moved them
out to the waterfowl enclosure. When
they were old enough to go outside,
we put them in a kitty carrier and took
them out to the enclosure. As soon
as we opened the carrier door, they
waddled out as fast as their clunky
webbed feet could take them. Their
immense joy at suddenly being in
a big pool of water was instantly
recognizable as they peeped and
chirped, swam and dove, and splashed
water about like kids in a swimming
pool.
The juvenile cormorant just
came in last night, having been found
stunned on a couple’s deck. He must
have been quite shocked this morning
to find Mike trying to stuff herring
down his throat. He appears to be
in fine shape. After a day or two of
monitoring (and lots of free fish!),
he’ll probably be released. In the
meantime, though, his fight with Mike
and Lynne continues. “Yikes!” “Stop
biting me.” “Now keep those fish in
there!”
As I walk away I hear a loud
“blaahhh,” the sounds of wet fish
smacking the deck, and Mike saying,
“Now come on!”
Photo courtesy of Dottie Tilson
Kitsap Audubon - 1972-73
Continued from Page 3
and Zane Lumbley led a trip to Fort
Flagler on the Olympic Peninsula. The
March program was a Presentation of
the work and plans of the Metropolitan
Development Council. They identified
goals and objectives for Sinclair
and Dyes Inlets, Port Washington
Narrows and a public wharf-marina
complex in Bremerton. By April,
KAS was working to establish a
wild bird clinic. It later was named
the Wild Bird Rescue so as not to
use the same name Seattle Audubon
had for its clinic. Jack Eads, Port
Orchard, was the director and Elinor
Thompson the chairman. The April
issue of the Kingfisher ran an article
by Jean Schuette on the “Care &
Feeding of Young and Injured Birds.”
Jim and Marg Galbraith also wrote
an article, “Where’s the Best Birding
in Kitsap County?” April’s Program
was given by Andy Driscoll, Director
of the Marine Science Center. It was
on marine life both at the Center
and in local waters. May’s Program
was by Conservation Chair, Steve
Wilson. He spoke on clear cutting
practices in the forests of the state.
Ann Sleight encouraged members to
attend the annual Audubon Campout
at Wenas Creek near Yakima. Chapters
from all over the state attended the
3-day event. A progress report on
the status of the Nongame License
Plate Program noted that an effort to
override Governor Dan Evans’ veto
failed but the measure would be on
the November ballot as Referendum
33. Membership Chair, Zane Lumbley
advised the Board that KAS now
had 155 members. The Constitution
and By-laws Committee under the
direction of Jack Nelson announced its
work completed and KAS was about
to gain independent chapter status.
As we took a summer break until the
following September, Kitsap County
was facing the advent of Trident and
Congress was working on Senate Bill
1104. Sponsored by Senator Philip
Hart (D-Michigan), the bill was before
the Senate Commerce Committee,
chaired by Senator Warren Magnuson
(D-Washington). The Sierra Club
and other supporters of this bill were
asking KAS members to write letters
to their senators endorsing the passage
of the Environmental Protection Act
of 1973, “which established for the
first time anywhere that environmental
quality is a basic right of every citizen
rather than a privilege bestowed by
government.”
State’s Fifth Wolf Pack Confirmed
Washington’s fifth gray wolf pack has
been confirmed in northeast Stevens
County. Earlier this month, Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW) biologists caught, marked
with an ear tag and released a
2-month-old wolf pup from the pack.
Biologists have since been trying to
capture one of the pack’s breeding
adult wolves to radio-collar it for
monitoring. The effort to document
the pack began after local ranchers
reported observing three wolf pups
and hearing howling in late June.
The pack is believed to include a
breeding-age male and female and
at least three pups. The group has
been named the Smackout Pack, in
reference to geographic features in the
area.
The Lookout Pack, confirmed
in Okanogan and Chelan counties
in 2008, was Washington’s first
documented resident gray wolf pack
since a breeding population of wolves
was extirpated from the state in the
1930s. Two more packs have been
documented in Pend Oreille County-
the Diamond Pack was confirmed
in 2009, and the Salmo Pack was
confirmed in 2010.
This summer, the state’s fourth
documented pack-dubbed the
Teanaway Pack- was confirmed in
Kittitas County. DNA analysis of that
pack’s adult female wolf indicated she
is likely a recent descendant of the
Lookout Pack.
The gray wolf (Canis lupus ) is
protected throughout Washington
as a state endangered species. In the
western two-thirds of Washington,
the species is also federally protected
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). It is illegal to harm or harass a
federal- or state-protected endangered
species.
WDFW has been working since 2007
to develop a wolf conservation and
management plan in anticipation of
wolves re-entering Washington from
other states or Canada. A Final EIS/recommended
plan-which was developed with a
17-member citizen group and included
extensive public review and scientific
peer review-will be presented to
the Washington Fish and Wildlife
Commission in a special public
meeting Aug. 4 in Olympia. Additional
public workshops on the proposed
plan are scheduled later this summer
and in the fall.
“Wolves are re-establishing here
on their own,” said Nate Pamplin, who
heads WDFW’s Wildlife Program.
“The confirmation of additional
breeding wolf packs moves us closer
to achieving a sustainable population,
and also highlights the need to
finalize a state wolf plan that sets
recovery targets and management
tools to address livestock and ungulate
conflicts.”
For more information on the draft
plan and all Washington wolf packs,
see http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/
gray_wolf/ . Wolf sightings or activity should
be reported through the joint federalstate toll-free wolf reporting hotline at
1(888) 584-9038. Joint federal-state
Wolf Response Guidelines, including
agency staff contact information,
are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/
conservation/gray_wolf/contacts.html . Kitsap Audubon Society
P.O. Box 961, Poulsbo, WA 98370
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The Kingfisher is the
newsletter of the Kitsap
Audubon Society P.O. Box
961, Poulsbo, WA 98370.
It is published eight times
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The mission of the Kitsap Audubon Society is to preserve the natural world
through education, environmental study and habitat protection, and to promote
awareness and enjoyment of local and regional natural areas.
Visit our website at www.kitsapaudubon.org