AUDUBON SOCIETY of PORTLAND

NOVEMBER 2008
Volume 72 Number 11

In this issue...
Warbler
Sharing Our Landscapes
with Birds
See page 3
Winter Break
Camp Schedule
See page 7
Meet Aristophanes
the Raven
See page 5

Wild Arts Festival

Bloom

Celebrating Nature with the Northwest’s Most Creative!

by Scott Fields, Wild Arts Festival Committee

T he weekend before Thanksgiving, Audubon Society jewelry and baskets, from handmade paper lamps to prints,
of Portland will host the Wild Arts Festival. This pottery, and sculpture. Returning visitors will recognize
marks the 28th year of the Northwest’s premier many of the regionally and nationally known artists — such
show and sale celebrating nature in art and writing. And as Larry Olson, Amanda Houston, and Robert Schlegel
again the art fair, book fair, and silent auction will take — and should enjoy discovering the works of artists new
place at Montgomery Park in NW Portland. The Festival is to the show including Deborah Dewit Marchant, Hung
an important showcase for many artists and authors and Nguyen, Connie Whelan, Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley,
has long been one of Portland Audubon’s most successful and others.
fundraising events.
The theme of the Wild Arts Festival is also
This year also sees the return of the popular 6x6 Wild Art expanding to include art that supports the
Project, sponsored by Portland’s Art concept of environmental
Media. An amazing variety of small sustainability. In doing so, the
canvases will be for sale representing Wild Arts Festival opens itself to some new
any medium that can be attached to a
six-inch-square canvas. Of course, all on
Festival 2008 and unique artists in sculpture,
wearable art, ornamental chimes,
November 22–23
the theme of birds. and more.
Saturday 10am–6pm To volunteer for one of
Sunday 11am–5pm the many fun opportunities
Come find “Sanctuary” by visiting Books and available throughout the weekend,
a new feature of the 2008 Festival. Montgomery Park Authors… please contact Deanna Sawtelle
Situated on the Sky Bridge area near 2701 NW Vaughn, Portland For book lovers, this year’s
the Silent Auction, Portland Audubon’s Admission: $5 at volunteercoordinator@
author list is a who’s who of audubonportland.org or
Sanctuary program is creating a relaxing (16 and under free) literary award winners and
park-like setting with information 503-292-6855 ext.108.
2-for-1 coupon included in nominees. The Ansel Adams
on how to make your backyard Award, the American Book
a sanctuary for birds. Portland this newsletter on page 12
Award, Horn Book Award, Hugo Award,
Audubon is committed to extending www.wildartsfestival.org the Nebula Award, Oregon Book Award, We are also delighted to welcome back Molly
their sanctuary reach into the backyards Pen/Faulkner Award, the Western Gloss, James Keyser, and Barbara Scot,
of Portland to increase habitat for Writers’ SPUR Award… this is just a who are returning after a few years away. And
the wildlife we love. Learn about an upcoming Audubon smattering of the prizes and honors garnered by some we are excited to introduce many newcomers,
program to certify your yard as backyard bird and wildlife of the authors in the 2008 lineup. including Paul Bannick, Terry Toedtemeier,
habitat. Aurora Landscape is sponsoring this area of the John Laursen, David Dalton, Ivy Manning,
Festival. The book fair is fortunate to have such a and Ann Littlewood.
rich mixture of old friends and new
Artwork and faces, all with brand new books to Throughout the weekend, you’ll find a varied
Artisans… present. Among our long-time selection of books for sale, including novels
There will be an impressive participants are Ursula Le Guin, and literary nonfiction, photo essays, field
variety of artwork, from Jane Kirkpatrick, William guides, hiking guides, children’s books, and
paintings and photos to Sullivan, and Harry Nehls. additional nature-related topics. Authors will
be signing their works on Saturday and
Fisher Stephens Sunday afternoon. For a complete schedule
of appearances, please see the signing schedule on
Your Vote can Help Protect Streams, Portland Audubon’s website or at www.wildartsfestival.org.
continued on page 12
Natural Areas, and Wildlife Habitat!
Vote NO on Vote YES on Measure 34‑156
Ballot Measure 63 We urge our members in Washington County to vote
Portland Audubon urges a NO vote on statewide Ballot YES on Measure 34‑156, the Tualatin Hills Parks and
Measure 63. This measure could have negative impacts Recreation District Bond Measure. Audubon is especially
on efforts to protect, restore, and manage wildlife habitat, excited about the measure’s strong focus on natural
control invasive species, and safeguard clean water and resource protection and access to nature. More
mature neighborhood trees. See page 4 of October’s information can be found on page 1 of October’s Warbler
Warbler at www.audubonportland.org/about/newsletter (www.audubonportland.org/about/newsletter) and at
for more information. www.thprd.org.
HiiH Gallery

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 ....................... Bird of the Month
Page 12 ................. Map/Hours/Sponsors
From the Executive Director
Our Priorities and Yours
A t last month’s presidential
debate, none of the candidates
answered the question about
which national priority would be
scaled back or cut altogether due to
the multi-billion-dollar bailout and
tenuous economic scenario before us.
Meryl Redisch For whatever reason, each of them
seemed to think that they had the luxury of not answering
the question. For the rest of us who don’t have that luxury,
it’s something we’ll be thinking hard about as we prioritize
how we spend our money.
As our community and country prepare to navigate
uncharted territory on the economic front and we see how
this impacts charitable organizations, Portland Audubon
will respond accordingly by scaling back or cutting
programs. We are nearing the final stages of developing our
next three-year strategic plan, which reflects some growth
for our organization, but primarily shows a deliberate
approach to building upon existing programs for added
relevancy and reach to new communities.
Over the past four years, we developed and implemented
several new programmatic initiatives including the Living
with Wildlife and Master Birding programs, community-
based summer camps for underserved youth at two new
locations, and more Connecting Green Wild in the City Field
Trips. In that same time period, we secured funding and
invested $250,000 in capital improvements to enhance the
attractiveness, safety, and functionality of our facilities in
Forest Park and at Marmot Cabin. Another $100,000 worth
of trail maintenance, vegetative restoration, and watershed
management is also occurring. All this and more to ensure
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 this fall and winter, Mike Houck will lead a series of walks along the Springwater on the Willamette Trail
from downtown to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and around the 160-acre refuge.
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.116 to register. Directions will be emailed to all registrants. Trip
participants will be limited in number, so sign up early.
November
Saturday, November 1st, 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 late fall birding,
participants will learn
what the Portland
Parks Department
and Bureau of
Red-tailed Hawk at Oaks Bottom
Environmental
Wildlife Refuge © Mike Houck
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.
Friday, November 7th, 8am–11am
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
This two-mile walk is appropriate for families (see
November 1st trip for details).
Plan Ahead:
Watch for these Connecting Green trips in the next Warbler, or go to
www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/wic.
Wednesday, December 17th, 9am–12:30pm
Eastbank Esplanade to Oaks Bottom
2 NOVEMBER 2008
that our members and visitors have the most enjoyable
experience possible while connecting to nature in their
backyards.
Portland Audubon, operating with a two-million-dollar
budget, has always been a lean organization. We leverage
our resources in many ways and many times over, the
most notable being with our incredible pool of dedicated
volunteers. In 2007, our volunteer program added the
following to Portland Audubon’s bottom line: the equivalent
of almost 11 full-time staff — nearly 22,000 hours of
services with a market value of $400,000. Volunteers
participate in every facet of our operation, from helping
kids discover the wonders of nature through sanctuary
walks to assisting members with all things related to nature
and birding at our Nature Store. We receive thousands of
dollars’ worth of veterinary medication and professional
services for the nearly 4,000 native birds and animals
brought into our facilities each year by the public.
By working with coalitions and strategic partners, we are
better positioned to advance a wider range of avian and
wildlife habitat-based policies at the local, state, and regional
levels. And yet, even with the combination of that amount
of in‑kind generated donations and community strength,
we still depend upon the generous financial support from
people like you. You already know that Portland Audubon’s
many conservation accomplishments have significantly
contributed to the livability of our region and have kept
nature and native birds and wildlife close by.
My hope is that as you make those hard decisions over these
coming months, Portland Audubon will remain one of your
highest priorities. Thank you for your generous support.
Wild in the City Field Trips
Wednesday, November 19th, 9am–12:30pm
Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade to Oaks
Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Join Mike Houck on a four-mile walk from the 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 your binoculars and dress for the
weather, as we will go rain or shine. Bring a TriMet pass
or $2 for your ticket (95 cents for Honored Citizens 65
and older).
Saturday, November 22nd, Noon–3pm
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
This two-mile walk is appropriate for families (see
November 1st trip for details).
December
Saturday, December 6th, Noon–3pm
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
This two-mile walk is appropriate for families (see
November 1st trip for details).
Thursday, December
11th, 8am–11am
Oaks Bottom Wildlife
Refuge
This two-mile walk is
appropriate for families
(see November 1st trip for
details).
Birding Oaks Bottom
© Mike Houck
Sunday, December 21st, Noon–3pm
Winter Solstice at Oaks Bottom
Field Trips
No registration required — show up at
time and place given. Call first if indicated.
November 9 (Sunday),
8am–11:30am
Tualatin River National Wildlife
Refuge
Join leader Laura Whittemore to explore the varied
habitats of this unique refuge. Expect a variety of
waterfowl, eagles, and winter songbirds on our walk
through meadows, along waterways, and through mixed
forest. Meet Laura (503-407-6539) at 8am at King City
Plaza’s Grocery Outlet store, near the NW corner of the
Hwy 99W–Durham Rd intersection. We’ll carpool from
there to limit the number of cars parked at the refuge.
Bring binoculars and dress for weather. Beginners welcome!
November 15 (Saturday),
8am–11am
Ridgefield NWR, Washington
Join us for a walk on the Oaks to Wetlands Trail looking
for winter birds. Usually a good spot for winter sparrows.
The trail can be muddy so bring appropriate hiking shoes.
Meet at 8am at the trailhead parking lot on the Carty Unit,
located one mile north of the intersection of Pioneer and
Main Streets in downtown Ridgefield. Call Ron Escano
(502-771-3454) if you need more information. Dress for the
weather. Beginners welcome!
November 15 (Saturday),
8am–11am
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Join us on the third Saturday trip co‑sponsored by
Audubon Society of Portland and Backyard Bird Shop.
Walk the 2‑mile loop trail of the Southeast Portland refuge
scoping for waterfowl, raptors, and shorebirds, as well as
resident songbirds in the riparian forest. Call Backyard Bird
Shop (503-496-0908) for information and to reserve a spot.
Beginners welcome!
November 22 (Saturday),
7:30am–5pm
Tillamook County
Join leader David Smith to explore sites in coastal
Tillamook County including the Nehalem Sewage Ponds.
In case of inclement weather, Hagg Lake is the fallback.
Meet David at the North Plains Chevron Station just north
of Hwy 26 at North Plains/Glencoe Rd Exit 57, and plan to
depart by 7:30am. Dress for weather, bring binoculars and
lunch/water. We’ll return to Portland by 5pm. Beginners
welcome!
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.
Ridgefield NWR, Oaks to
Wetlands Trail and Auto Tour
November 13 (Thursday),
9am–2pm
Join leader Juergen Mueller for a walk in this
southwest Washington refuge. We will scope the lakes
for waterfowl and look for passerines in the woods.
Meet at the Carty Unit parking lot, located one mile
north of the intersection of Pioneer and Main Streets in
downtown Ridgefield. After lunch, we will drive over to
the River ‘S’ Unit for the Auto Tour to look for raptors
and more waterfowl. Call Juergen for more information
at 503-742-2464. The $3.00 entrance fee will be waived
with your Golden Age Passport or one of several
other passes. Go to www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/
ridgefield/recreation/entance fees.html to check on the
passes accepted.
Crystal Springs
November 24 (Monday),
9am–11:30am
Crystal Springs Garden might be the best place in the
Portland area to view waterfowl up close. Meet leader
Dudley Thomas at 9am in the parking lot located on
the west side of SE 28th between Woodstock and Steele.
Dress for the weather. If it is snowing or icy, we will
cancel. For information, call Dudley at 503-244-6496.
www.audubonportland.org
 NOVEMBER Calendar of Events
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
26 27 28 29 30 31 Oaks Bottom Wildlife 1
Refuge Walk, 8am (p.2)

Beginning Field Birding

on Sauvie Island, 8am
(Sept.Warbler)
HALLOWEEN

Sharing Our 2 3 Election ballots due 4 5 6 Oaks Bottom 7 Birding Weekend 8

Landscapes with Birds, at 8pm (p.1) Wildlife Refuge Walk, (p.10)
11am (p.3) 8am (p.2)
Birders’ Night,
7:30pm Heron Hall

ELECTION DAY
Field Trip to Tualatin 9 10 Nature Night: Ten 11 Waterfowl of the 12 Magpies visit 13 14 Field Trip to Ridgefield 15
River NWR, 8am (p.2) Mile and Pine Tree Willamette Valley Ridgefield NWR: NWR, 8am (p.2)
Sanctuaries, 7pm (p.3) Class, 7pm (p.7) Walking & Auto
Birding Weekend (p.10) Tour, 9am (p.2) Field Trip to Oaks Bottom,
8am (p.2)

Waterfowl of Will.Valley
Field Trip, 8am (p.7)

16 17 Gulls of the Pacific
Northwest, 7pm (p.7)
18 Eastbank Esplanade 19 Board Meeting 20 21 Wild Arts Festival, 22
to Oaks Bottom 7pm Heron Hall 10am–6pm (p.1)
Walk, 9am (p.2)
Field Trip to Tillamook
County, 7:30am (p.2)

Oaks Bottom Wildlife

Refuge Walk, Noon (p.2)

Wild Arts Festival, 23 Magpies visit Crystal 24 25 26 Nature Store and 27 28 29

11am–5pm (p.1) Springs, 9am (p.2) Admin Office closed

THANKSGIVING

30 1 Birders’ Night 2 3 4 Open House Author’s 5 Nature Store Holiday 6

7:30pm Heron Hall Reception, Swifty’s Big Open House,
Flight, 6pm–8pm 10am–6pm

Oaks Bottom Wildlife

Refuge Walk, Noon
(p.2)

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

Nature Night Free Lecture sponsored by the Nature Store

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 Catherine at chalpin@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.129. Sharing Our Landscapes
with Birds
Ten Mile and Pine Tree Sanctuaries A presentation by Douglas W. Tallamy
A presentation by Paul Engelmeyer Sunday, November 2, at 11am
in Heron Hall
Tuesday, November 11th, 7pm • Heron Hall

I n the summer of 2008 Portland Audubon acquired 216 acres of coastal forest habitat near Yachats,
Oregon. Ten Mile and Pine Tree Sanctuaries are precious parcels of land that support a range
of habitats. Together these lands are at the heart of the largest intact stand of coastal temperate
W ith many of our bird species in
serious decline, it is clear that we
must change our approach to bird
conservation if we hope to keep them in our
future. Our parks and preserves are too small to
rainforest in the lower 48 states and provide a contiguous forest canopy across five watershed basins.
sustain most species, so we must share human-
The two sanctuaries provide a critical link between the 9300-acre Cummings Creek Wilderness Area to
dominated landscapes more successfully with
the north, and the 7400-acre Rock Creek Wilderness Area to the south. Portland Audubon is proud to
birds to save them. Native plants will play a
be a part of the protection and stewardship of such a valuable ecological asset.
key role in the restoration of our landscapes
because only natives provide the coevolved relationships required by
Since 1990, Paul Engelmeyer has acted as the manager of both
animals. By supporting a diversity of insect herbivores, native plants
sites for conservation purposes for National Audubon Society, the
provide food for birds, particularly during reproduction.
organization that owned the property prior to the recent sale to
Portland Audubon. Paul will elaborate on the importance of this
Doug Tallamy is Professor and Chair of the Department of Entomology
land in a broader landscape and his many roles in education, land
and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, where
stewardship, acquisition, and advocacy in the area. He is currently
he has authored 68 research articles and has taught
the Coastal Important Bird Area (IBA) Coordinator for the Audubon
Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, and other courses
Society of Portland and is the statewide conservation representative
for 28 years. Chief among his research goals is to better
on the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC). One of the key issues
understand the many ways insects interact with plants and
facing this advisory body is to develop a network of marine reserves
how such interactions determine the diversity of animal
that protect the ocean’s biodiversity.
Ten Mile Creek © Paul Engelmeyer communities. His new book, Bringing Nature Home:
How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens, was
Ten Mile and Pine Tree Sanctuaries are part of the Central Coast Marbled Murrelet IBA, an area
published by Timber Press in 2007 and was awarded the
designated as worthy to protect for the nesting, migrating, and breeding of this species. The
2008 silver medal by the Garden Writer’s Association.
sanctuaries are excellent outdoor classrooms, providing opportunities for youth, adults, and scientists
to study intact biological systems and monitor for common and imperiled species such as the Marbled
Murrelet. The proximity of the sanctuaries to the Pacific Ocean will also help expand Portland The Audubon Society of Portland is a member of Earth Share
Audubon’s reach to coastal communities as we advance our campaign to establish marine reserves and of Oregon. For more information, contact Earth Share of
Oregon at 503-223-9015 or on the web at
protected areas in Oregon’s territorial waters. www.earthshare-oregon.org.

www.audubonportland.org NOVEMBER 2008 3

Protecting Birds & Other Wildlife in Backyards & Beyond
by Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director
Local City Council Votes to Protect
Colwood Golf Course
O n September 17, 2008, the Portland City Council
voted 4–0 (Mayor Potter was not present) to
reject an application by the owners of Colwood
National Golf Course to convert 84% of the 140-acre parcel
to industrial use. The application was strongly opposed
by Portland Audubon and a coalition of neighborhood
and community activists. The decision represents a very
significant victory and solid reaffirmation by City Council
of the importance of protecting our environment and
ensuring access to nature.
Commissioner Nick Fish accurately described this decision
as “historic.” The need for large open spaces along the
Columbia Slough was first identified more than 100 years
ago by the Olmsted brothers in their 1903 report to the
Portland Park Board. They wrote that there was a need
to “secure many hundred if not several thousand acres”
along the Columbia Slough to serve as a “meadow park”
that would provide “an entirely different type of landscape
which is made up of great stretches of meadow land
bordered by groves of trees.” They observed that “No other
Audubon Helps Develop Wind Power
Statewide Guidelines to Protect Wildlife
F or the past year, Audubon Society of Portland has
participated on a Task Force set up by the Oregon
Department of Energy to develop guidelines to
minimize wind power impacts on wildlife on the Columbia
Plateau, currently the area of greatest wind development in
Oregon. The Task Force was composed of representatives
from state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, Oregon
Department of Energy, industry, and conservation
organizations. The conservation community was
represented by Portland Audubon, Lane County Audubon,
and The Nature Conservancy. In September the Task Force
completed its work and provided the State with what we
believe is a significant step forward in helping ensure that
our renewable energy mandates are truly “green.”
Audubon strongly supports the development of renewable
energy resources in Oregon. Climate change represents
the greatest long-term threat to both humans and wildlife.
However, there are few activities that are likely to transform
the Oregon landscape more during the coming decades
than large-scale renewable energy development projects.
Because of the nature of these projects, they have a high
potential to overlap with some of our most significant
wildlife habitats.
Although we must move quickly, we also need to move
carefully and thoughtfully. Failure to consider wildlife
impacts from these projects runs the risk of repeating
historical errors that we made with hydropower, once
considered “clean and green” but today recognized as the
Illegal Killing of Elk Results in Huge Penalty!
Regional Why Not the Same for Illegal Killing of Birds?
A recent case involving the illegal killing of a bull
elk in Eastern Oregon serves as a great example of
why Portland Audubon is working to change the
penalties currently applied in cases involving illegal killing
of protected bird species. Regular readers of the Warbler
will recall several recent cases in which convictions for
intentional killing of Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed and
Cooper’s Hawks, Osprey, and Great Horned Owls resulted
in minimal penalties. In a recent case in Washington State,
a federal judge dispensed altogether with fining a man
convicted of intentionally shooting a Peregrine through its
head, stating that the court believed it would be “overkill”
to impose financial penalties for such a crime.
The raptor-killing cases stand in stark contrast with the case
of Ronald Jurin of Redding, California, who on September
29, 2008, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal killing
of several game animals including a bull elk in Eastern
Oregon. He accepted a plea bargain that includes a $50,000
penalty, a $4,700 payment to the State of Oregon, a lifetime
hunting ban in Oregon and 25 other states, and three years’
probation. This is the kind of penalty that will cause anybody
who considers repeating their crimes to think twice. It sends
an unequivocal message about how we value wildlife.
4 NOVEMBER 2008
form of park has ever proved so attractive and so useful to
the masses of the people as a meadow park…”
Unfortunately the City initially failed to heed the Olmsteds’
advice. Today Cully Neighborhood, in which Colwood is
located, is recognized as one of the most park- and natural
area–deficient neighborhoods in Portland, and the City
has spent millions of dollars attempting to restore the
Columbia Slough following decades of environmental
neglect. Colwood Golf Course represents a unique
opportunity to remedy this open space deficit, establish a
critical anchor habitat along the Slough for native wildlife,
and achieve a significant piece of the Olmsted vision.
We applaud Council’s ability to see through specious
arguments about “balance” and “compromise.” The
environment surrounding Colwood is almost entirely
industrialized. Allowing significant portions of Colwood
to be converted for further industrial development would
represent neither balance nor compromise; it would
simply represent a further reduction of open space in a
prime culprit in the decline of many of our salmon runs.
Wind power has the potential to impact wildlife at three
levels. Direct mortalities caused by birds and bats being
struck by turbine blades gets the most attention, but of
equal concern is the potential for significant habitat loss
and displacement of wildlife.
Guidelines Needed
The need for uniform wind power development guidelines
for wildlife is made all the more urgent by the fact that wind
projects in Oregon are permitted by a variety of entities
with varying levels of resource and expertise. Projects
below 105 megawatts are permitted by individual counties,
while projects over 105 megawatts are permitted by the
State Energy Facility Siting Council. Recently, a developer
proposing the first wind projects in Harney County avoided
the more rigorous state review by subdividing side-by-side
projects into 104-megawatt facilities and was able to gain
tentative approval from the county despite a complete lack
of information on potential wildlife impacts.
The new guidelines direct developers, the public, and the
permitting agencies through a phase-by-phase process
for considering wildlife impacts on proposed wind
projects. They include general guidelines for avoiding
the most sensitive wildlife areas, protocols for pre- and
post-construction wildlife monitoring, suggestions for
mitigating unavoidable wildlife and habitat impacts, and
strategies for addressing cumulative impacts as wind farms
proliferate on the landscape.
Why is the killing of an elk treated so differently from the
killing of a protected bird of prey? Part of the answer can
be found in the importance we have historically placed on
protecting game animals. Dwight Holten, lead prosecuter
on the Jurin case, stated in The
Oregonian that “Our view of
this is that law-abiding hunters
wait 13 years to get a tag in this
unit, and he knew it and went
out there anyway.”
More important, however,
is the fact that Congress has
spoken directly to the crime
committed by Mr. Jurin and
declared that it should be Bull Elk. Photo: Gary Zahm/USFWS it a felony to knowingly kill a protected bird
treated as a felony. While the killing of the elk without
a permit is a misdemeanor, interstate transport of an
illegally taken wild animal is elevated to felony status
under the Lacey Act. Mr. Jurin was caught in California
with the animal he illegally shot in Oregon, and that
allowed the federal government to bring the hammer
down on his crime.
Photo © Bob Sallinger
neighborhood that is already well-recognized as one of the
most open space–deficient neighborhoods in Portland.
The search for industrial lands along the Columbia
Corridor should begin with a close look at the existing
industrial landscape, some of which more closely resembles
sprawling, single-story, suburban office parks than high-
density urban industrial development.
That 1903 Olmsted vision took one step closer to reality
on September 17th. It is up to the current owners as to
whether they continue to utilize Colwood for a golf course
or some other open space use. It is our hope that they will
enter into negotiations with the City to convert the parcel
into a regional nature park.
Thank you to everybody who participated in this effort! You
made a huge difference.
Questions Remain
Three significant questions remain to be resolved that
will dramatically impact the efficacy of these guidelines.
First, the guidelines rely heavily on Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife to provide expertise and guidance on
projects. Currently, ODFW devotes less than one person
to wind development. The current budget proposes
adding four FTEs (full-time-equivalent staff positions) to
deal specifically with renewable energy. Funding of these
positions will be absolutely critical to making the guidelines
work. Second, the guidelines are specific to the Columbia
Plateau. While the general principles and concepts
contained in the guidelines can be applied anywhere, it will
be important to quickly reconvene the Task Force to add
regionally specific information to address wind projects in
other parts of the state.
Third, and most important, these are voluntary guidelines.
Audubon will be watching closely to determine whether
they are actually applied on the ground. We think that we
have a good start in that direction given the participation
of industry, counties, state and federal agencies, and
conservation organizations. However, we are prepared to
seek to codify the guidelines in regulation if they are not
substantively adhered to.
To see the new wind power guidelines and additional
information on Audubon’s efforts on wind power, go to
www.audubonportland.org/issues/statewide/windpower.
Federal agents and prosecutors have long told Audubon
that the most significant impediment to seeking significant
penalties for illegal killing of protected bird species is the
fact that the primary bird protection law, the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act of 1918, only makes it a
Class B misdemeanor to kill a protected
bird species. Until Congress updates this
nearly century-old law and creates a felony
provision for intentional violations of the
MBTA, we can continue to expect that the
penalties will more closely resemble parking
tickets.
Over the past year, Audubon has been
working to pass federal legislation to make
species. In November, Portland Audubon Conservation
Director Bob Sallinger will travel to Washington, D.C., to
lobby on behalf of legislation that has been introduced by
U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio. Our hope is that we will
soon have legislation enacted that will allow the killing of
protected bird species to be treated with the same level of
seriousness that our legal community placed on the killing
of the Eastern Oregon bull elk.
www.audubonportland.org
 Adopt a Wild Thing

Photo © Deanna Sawtelle

Go GREEN with your gifts this holiday season. Buy a
cool present and protect wildlife at the same time!

Meet Aristophanes the Raven,

our newest education bird.
Aristophanes came to Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center in May 2008 as a young bird born just a month Syd, Finnegan, Hazel, Julio, Jack, Ruby, and
or two earlier. He had been taken from his nest at a young age and raised by humans during a crucial phase of Aristophanes are all permanent residents of the Audubon
his development. As a result, he became imprinted upon people and never learned to act like a raven. He was Society of Portland Wildlife Care Center because they are unable
brought to the Care Center after the people who had taken him from the wild realized that it was illegal for them to survive in the wild. We cannot give them freedom, but are
to have him and that he would not make a suitable pet. committed to giving them the best captive life possible.
After he arrived, attempts were made to place him with a pair of wild ravens already raising a nest of their own You can help by taking one of these birds “under your wing”.
young of the same age. Despite their attempts to feed and care for him, Aristophanes took no interest in the It’s a great way to learn more about these incredible creatures,
other ravens and he continued to seek out humans for interaction. Sadly, he was returned to the Care Center and while at the same time helping us meet their food, medical, and
deemed unreleasable because of his comfort level with humans and lack of survival skills for living in the wild. housing needs.
Seeking the best possible situation for him, Care Center staff began working with him to test his suitability for Your support will help provide:
life in captivity. He officially joined Audubon’s education bird program in August 2008. Aristophanes’ name was
bestowed upon him by Audubon’s conservation director, Bob Sallinger. He is named after the Greek playwright Food - $20/day; $140/week
who wrote the play The Birds, a play that provides a bird’s-eye perspective on the universe. We provide a natural, species specific diet for each bird.

Aristophanes makes a good addition to our education birds to teach people appreciation for this remarkably Health Care - $175 per exam
intelligent species, and as an example of the dangers and usually sad outcomes of trying to keep a wild bird as a Every bird gets an annual examination, routine diagnostic
pet. We are excited to introduce him officially this month as our newest education bird! testing, bloodwork, fecals, vaccinations, and any necessary
treatments.
kn ow? The Common Raven is a member of the corvid family, which includes crows, jays, and Housing - $3,000 for a new cage
you ravens. Found year-round throughout the northern hemisphere, ravens have been a
Did subject of folklore and mythology throughout human history. They are among the most intelligent
Each bird has a safe, appropriate cage that is cleaned and
species of birds, being known for their ability to problem solve and to imitate sounds and behaviors of other inspected daily.
animals. As omnivores, they are opportunistic eaters with a wide variety of suitable foods. They mate for life Bird Handler Training - $150 trains one
and mated pairs defend a territory and produce one brood of young each year. Ravens have a lifespan of 10-15 bird handler
years in the wild and have been recorded to live up to 40 years in captivity. Each bird handler goes through extensive training to learn
about behavior, natural history, and legal aspects of the
Syd, the Red-tailed Hawk birds.
On one of her first flights after leaving the nest, Syd was struck by a Accessories and equipment - $80 buys one
car and her right wing was fractured. The wing did not heal properly bird handler’s glove
and she can only fly a few feet. Syd would not be able to hunt or sur‑ Each bird needs appropriate jesses (thin leather straps used
vive in the wild and has lived in the Wildlife Care Center since 1992. to tether birds), perches, and traveling carriers.
Care for 3,000 orphaned and injured wild-
life each year with veterinarians on staff 365 days a year!
Photo © Ken Barron
Finnegan, the Peregrine Falcon
Finnegan came to the Wildlife Care Center as a nestling in 2000. Adopt a Wild Thing
He was removed from his nest by a wildlife biologist who discov‑
I would like to sponsor:
ered that he has a deformed foot that would make him unable to
hunt effectively in the wild. Aristophanes Finnegan Hazel
Jack Julio Ruby Syd
Photo © Chuck Nakell
Hazel, the Northern Spotted Owl Your Name
Hazel was about 2 years old in 2004 when she was found starving on
the ground in the Mt. Hood National Forest. She had injuries to both Address
eyes consistent with some sort of impact, and her feathers were in ter‑ Email
rible condition. The damage to her primary feathers extended all the Phone ( )
way down to the feather follicles and many of the new feathers came
in deformed and misshapen. After more than a year of effort, it was This is a Gift Adoption for:
clear that she would never regain the ability to fly. Name
Photo © Chuck Nakell
Address
Julio, the Great Horned Owl Include a GIFT MEMBERSHIP for above
Julio was found as a nestling after the tree holding her nest was cut
Please indicate what you would like us to do:
down. Julio was raised by humans and never learned to be an owl.
By the time she was brought to the Wildlife Care Center in 2005, New Parents receive a packet
she was five years old and it was too late to reverse the imprinting Send packet to me
that had occurred. Send packet to recipient
Renewing Parents receive a special certificate
Photo © Chuck Nakell
Send certificate to me
Jack Sparrowhawk, the American Kestrel
Send certificate to recipient
Jack was found near Hazel Dell, Washington in 2006. He was brought
No need to send a certificate
to the Wildlife Care Center, where it was discovered that the tip of his
left wing was missing. It isn’t clear what happened to the wing, but I have enclosed $_____($40 per bird)
because he is unable to fly, Jack cannot be released back to the wild. Cash
Check enclosed
Photo © Chuck Nakell VISA / Mastercard / Discover
Ruby, the Turkey Vulture Card # Exp.
Ruby was only about six months old when she was found near
Signature
McMinnville, Oregon. Her history is unknown, but at that age she
was already following people around and relying on them for food. Wild Thing Parents receive a color photo of their bird, a
It was determined that Ruby had probably been illegally taken from certificate with your name, a personal history of the animal,
the wild as a baby and imprinted onto humans. As a result, Ruby general information on the species, and information on how
would not survive in the wild and will live her life in captivity. to help injured wildlife.
Photo © Chuck Nakell

www.audubonportland.org NOVEMBER 2008 5

Educational Trips & Tours
Wildlife & Birds of
April 4–18, 2009 Brazil
T ravel with experienced naturalists from the Audubon Society of Portland into some of
the most incredible bird habitat in the world. Mike Houck, Urban Naturalist, and Steve
Robertson, Education Director, along with local guides, will be your trip leaders on this
incredible journey into the very heart of Brazil.
Your trip will begin in the capital of Sao Paulo, where you’ll spend a day discovering the amazing
avian diversity to be found within its city parks. From there it’s off to the Pantanal, the single largest
freshwater wetland in the world. We’ll spend the next 4 days exploring this unique habitat in search
of such interesting species as the Red-billed Scythbill and the Black-fronted Nunbird. But keep
in mind that this is not just a birding trip. In our search for Jabirus
and Hyacynth Macaws, we’re just as likely to see Capybaras and
Black Caymans as well! And no trip to the Brazilian wilderness
would be complete without viewing a few primates, and we’ll
certainly keep our eyes peeled for the Black-tailed Marmoset
and the Brown Capuchin, known to frequent the area. And we’ll
no doubt encounter the loudest terrestrial mammal in the world,
the infamous Black Howler Monkey (it can be heard over a mile
away!). For those who wish, we will also venture out on a night
drive to try and spot nightjars and some of the most elusive
animals in all of South America, the Ocelot and the Jaguar.
After leaving the Pantanal, we will travel to a variety of habitat
types that will yield new and exciting species. While in the
Serra da Araras, we will do our best to locate one of the most
impressive birds alive today, the Harpy Eagle. This fearless and
powerful bird is known to crash recklessly through the branches
Jabiru Storks at nest © Mike Houck
of trees to capture its prey, which is often monkeys or sloths that
weigh as much as or even more than the eagle itself! Other birds we’re likely to find on this Brazilian
adventure include the Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, White-eared Puffbird, Saffron Toucanet,
Golden-winged Cotinga, Bare-throated Bellbird, White-bearded Manakin, and 5 species of
kingfishers, just to name a few!
This is sure to be a memorable trip filled with wildlife viewing at its best. Please feel free to call Steve
Robertson at 503-292-6855 ext.118 if you would like to register for this tour, or if you would just
like more information. The trip will fill on a first-come, first-served basis. A deposit of $1,500 is
needed to secure your place. Group size limited to 12 participants and 2 Audubon leaders. The trip
ends in Rio de Janeiro, with a free day for you to explore this fascinating city.
What is included: All lodging, all ground transportation, meals except some dinners, guide fees, and
the cost of the internal airfare. A portion of your fee is a tax-deductible contribution to the Audubon
Society of Portland. Fee does not include airfare to and from Brazil.
Fee: $3,585 members / $3,755 non-members (based on double occupancy)
Deposit: $1,500
Trip Leaders: Steve Robertson, Education Director, and Mike Houck, Urban Naturalist
Birding Texas
Style!
February 8–15, 2009 Plain Chachalaca © Jim Stevenson
J oin Portland Audubon for a winter trip to southern Texas and the Rio Grande Valley on this
8-day trip to one of the hottest birding regions in the country. This subtropical part of the
U.S. is famous for being the northern limit for many tropical species, and we’ll visit such
well-known reserves as Laguna Atascosa, Santa Ana, and Bentsen Rio-Grande to seek them
out. There’s plenty to search for, as nearly 50 species of tropical birds winter in this part of the
country. Only here do birds like the Great Kiskadee, the Plain Chachalaca, and the beautiful
Green Jay cross the border and come north from Mexico. We will also make a special excursion
north to the wintering grounds of the endangered Whooping Crane. February is an ideal
time of the year to see the many species that winter in southern Texas. The region’s climate in
February is usually very mild, providing a comfortable birding experience for all. This gateway to
the neotropics is sure to impress the most avid birder and beginner alike!
What is included: All lodging, ground transportation from McAllen, Texas, all meals except
dinners, all 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 Texas.
Fee: $1,495 members / $1,695 non-members (based on double occupancy)
Deposit: $750
Group size: 14 participants
Leaders: Dan van den Broek, Master Birder Coordinator, and Scott Lukens
(owner of Backyard Bird Shops and former Audubon board member)
6 NOVEMBER 2008
These trips are popular. We recommend
that you book early.
Polar Bear in Svalbard © Ralph Lee Hopkins
Land of the
Ice Bears
July 31–August 10, 2009
J
oin Portland Audubon’s Steve Engel on an incredible journey to the land
of the midnight sun — a landscape rich in the glaciers, ice floes, and Arctic
wildlife you have dreamed about. Svalbard is a remote archipelago situated
just over 350 miles north of Norway’s North Cape. It is a place of deep fjords,
mountains, and massive sheets of ice that cover 60% of the land’s surface.
During summer, when the sun never sets, the tundra experiences a warm
awakening and soon becomes carpeted with wildflowers. Ice-peppered fjords
ring with the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. Walrus raise
their sleepy heads to observe us and everyone holds their breath when a Polar
Bear is spotted and cameras click wildly. Seabirds are abundant with nesting
Atlantic Puffin, Dovekie, Pomarine Jaeger, Thick-billed Murre, Black-
legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, and Arctic Tern. Ivory Gulls are often
seen, especially in the vicinity of Polar Bears hunting the Bearded and Ringed
Seal. 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.
Experience nature in its purest form in the High Arctic. This is as far north as
it is possible to travel without an icebreaker. With our fully stabilized ice-class
expedition ship, we are able to probe the ice in search of wildlife. This voyage
is undertaken in the spirit of discovery: Nature is full of wonderful surprises
and we will be guided by her. Our pace will be unhurried and our options many.
During our six full days at sea, we will explore both sides of the archipelago
and possibly even circumnavigate it if ice conditions allow. Daily activities can
include landings via Zodiac craft to experience the tundra and visits to sites rich
in history from days of whaling, fur trapping, and Arctic exploration, as well as
opportunities to kayak in the Arctic wilderness.
Our adventure takes place on the National Geographic Explorer, a state-of-
the-art vessel operated by Lindblad Expeditions, offering guests an intimate,
educational environment. 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: Begins at $6,920. For details and additional information, contact
Steve Engel as soon as possible. Early booking savings of $250!
Zodiac cruise among icebergs. © Stewart Cohen
Upcoming Trips
The Netherlands
Tentative dates: May 30–June 7, 2009
Alaska — to Nome and Back!
June 2009
Call Steve Engel at 971-222-6119 for details
or to sign up early.
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.

NOVEMBER Beginning Field Birding and Sauvie

Island Exploration with Greg Baker
Saturdays, 8am–Noon • February 7, March 7, April 4
Gulls of the Pacific Northwest
November 18 (Tuesday), 7pm–9pm in
Heron Hall 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
Another great class with — continue with Greg Baker! This field class series is perfect for those interested in
Harry Nehls, author of developing and sharpening their birding skills under a variety of conditions with the Cinnamon Teal © Paul Buescher
Familiar Birds of the Pacific tutelage of an expert birder. Explore different habitats on the island, learn bird calls, and search for waterfowl, songbirds,
Northwest, Birds of the and raptors. This workshop is limited to 15 people and signups are for all three days. Carpooling is encouraged.
Willamette Valley Region, and Fee: $50 members / $60 non-members • Enrollment limited: 15 participants
his newest book, Birds of the Pre-registration required – participants register for all three days.
Inland Northwest and Northern
Rockies, as well as the voice of Glaucous-winged Gull
the Rare Bird Alert — Harry © Jim Cruce
knows it all! From the dainty Bonaparte’s Gull to the
Winter Break Camp 2008 All camps run from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
No camp on December 25 & 26
burly Western Gull, the dozen-plus species of Northwest at the Audubon Society of Portland and January 1.
gulls are entertaining to watch and confusing to identify.
Tonight, Harry will provide insight on the identification and Please visit us at www.audubonportland.org for registration information.
distribution of our local gulls. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 No Camp December 25 or 26

‘Let’s Wing It’ Bird Art
Fee: $10 members / $15 non-members
1st-3rd grade
No class size limit. Pre-registration is required. Hike along forest trails
winding through woodpecker,
Cartooning Animals Jr. Wildlife Vet 101,
2nd-3rd grade session 1
Bring your imagination, 1st-3rd grade
inventiveness, and hiking See description for JWV 102

JANuary
owl, and songbird habitat.
Use your observations of
birds and their habitat to
create boldly colorful, wildly
imaginative drawings and
sculptures using oil pastel,
graphite, colored pencils, and
Song Sparrow © Jim Cruce
shoes to this art and nature
camp. We’ll hike forest trails,
keeping our sharp detective
eyes on the lookout for
animals to use as potential
cartoon characters. Use
forest, creek, and pond
(Dec. 22). Fee: $60
Cookin’ at the Cabin
4th-8th grade
The holiday season lends itself
to treats and sweets. Prepare
your stomachs as we head to

clay. Fee: $60 habitats as background Portland Audubon’s Marmot

settings for your cartoons and Cabin for a day of Cookin’
Junior Wildlife Vet 102 comic strips. Fee: $60 at the Cabin. We will learn
4th-5th grade different fire building techniques in order to explore various
Join other animal lovers for Junior Wildlife Vet 103 cooking methods on an open fire. Orange cakes, cookies,
a day devoted to learning 6th-8th grade western hemlock tea, and bannock (bread on a stick!) anyone?
about the care of injured See description for JWV 102 Fee: $65
and orphaned wildlife. We’ll (Dec. 22). Fee: $60
go behind the scenes with
Sparrows and Other wildlife rehabilitators and find
out what this exciting job is
‘LBJs’ in Winter all about. Fee: $60
January 15 (Thursday), 7pm–9pm: Class in
Heron Hall Snowshoe and Hot Cocoa Adventure
January 17 (Saturday), 9am–Noon: Field Trip 12/22 for 6th-8th grade — 12/23 for 4th-5th grade
Venture onto the snow-covered slopes of Mt. Hood on
‘LBJs’ are those Little Brown Jobbers that abound in the snowshoes. We’ll snowshoe the White River Canyon, an
brush and fields during our Willamette Valley winter. Many incredible wilderness area, in search of Snowshoe Hare,
of them are sparrows of one kind or another, some of Bobcat, and Coyote. Along the way, we’ll nestle down under
them are wrens, and some just can’t be identified! Or can the trees and warm up with some hot cocoa. Fee includes
snowshoe rental. Fee: $70
they? John Rakestraw, author of numerous articles and
the Falcon Guide to Birding Oregon, will help you tackle how MONDAY, DECEMBER 29 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 Friday, January 2
to identify the birds in that flitting flock in the field with a
Jr. Raptor Road Trip 1 Winter Treasure Hunt Who’s New at the Zoo? Jr. Wildlife Vet 101,
Thursday evening class and a Saturday field trip.
2nd-3rd grade 2nd-3rd grade 2nd-3rd grade session 2
Grab your binos, we’ll bring Hidden animal tracks. Elusive Winter is a great time to find 1st-3rd grade
Fee: $25 members /$35 non-members the scope and treats! Join us birds. Squirrel nests. We’ll a baby Elephant, as long as you See description for JWV 102
Enrollment limited: 15 participants for a road trip through Sauvie search for all of these and know where to look. We’ll (Dec. 22). Fee: $60
Island as we trace the path more as we travel to natural head to the Oregon Zoo

February
of the annual Raptor Road
Trip put on by Audubon and
other groups. We’ll search
for magnificent Bald Eagles,
Beginning Birding I Hawks, and Falcons that
February 9 (Monday), spend the winter here. Learn
7pm–9pm: Class in Heron Hall
the route and all the cool
February 15 & 22 (Sundays),
things that raptors have to
8:30am–11:30am: Field Trips
teach us, so you can lead your
family on the official road trip
If you’ve always wanted to give birding in February! Fee: $65
a try and would like to learn some
basics, this class is for you. Designed Wolves
Black-capped Chickadee
especially for beginners, topics include © Jim Cruce 4th-8th grade
finding birds, tips for looking at birds, recognizing behavior Come experience the magical
world of Wolves as we travel
and habitats, and identifying bird sounds. Take concepts
in a pack to the Wolf Haven
from the evening program and apply them on two Portland- Sanctuary. With Portland
area field trips. Your instructor will be Laura Whittemore. Audubon as your Alpha Wolf,
Sign up early, as Laura’s classes fill quickly! you will learn about these
majestic predators in an up-
Fee: $35 members / $50 non-members close and personal way. We’re
Enrollment limited: 14 participants sure to have a howlin’ good
time! Fee: $65
Pre-registration is required.
areas around Portland to find
all the things that make winter
in the Pacific Northwest
special. Later, we’ll celebrate
our success with a special
treat … if we can find it.
Fee: $65
Elk Extravaganza
4th-8th grade
Jump on board for an old-
fashioned hayride as we study
the Roosevelt Elk at Jewell
Meadows Wildlife Preserve.
Learn to track as we follow
Elk trails through the woods
and meadows of the coast
range. Participate in an Elk-
feeding program and safely
see these marvelous mammals
up close. Fee: $65
to find native northwestern
animals like Cougars and
Black Bears, as well as exotic
ones like Warty Pigs, fruit bats
and, of course, Sam the baby
Elephant. Fee: $65
Jr. Raptor Road Trip 2
4th-6th grade
See description for Jr. Raptor
Road Trip 1 (Dec. 29).
Fee: $65
Knitting Nature
4th-8th grade
We’ll take a forest hike, learn
the basics of knitting, and start
a fun project.You can make a
bookmark, an ear-warmer, or
a scarf. Once you learn the
basics, the possibilities are
endless! We’ll make our own
knitting needles to take home.
Beginners are welcome. Yarn
and needles included. Fee: $60

www.audubonportland.org NOVEMBER 2008 7

Sanctuaries
Volunteers Put in Big Effort
for Our Sanctuaries
by Tom Costello, Sanctuaries Director
W e recently received a “TogetherGreen” grant
from National Audubon and Toyota to organize
six volunteer projects in our sanctuaries in the
coming year. Project goals include restoring some well-
seasoned sections of trail, installing some new fencing
along sensitive areas of Balch Creek, removing
invasive ivy, and tree plantings.
September 13th marked the first
TogetherGreen Volunteer Day at our
sanctuaries. Including an EnviroCorps team
from the Northwest Service Academy, 21
volunteers were on hand to restore some
severely eroded sections of the Founders’ trail.
The trail was originally cut into the hillside
25 years ago, and in some places time had not
been kind, reducing the tread to a mere six
inches wide. With Pulaskis and mattocks in
hand, the volunteers set out with Sanctuaries
Assistant Greg Kurtz and me to try to repair some of the
worst sections of the trail. By lunch it was apparent that
we would not only fix some of the truly bad sections of
trail, but that we might actually rework the entire mile
of the Uhtoff trail. Sure enough, even with a long, cozy
break for pizza, we were able to
restore the entire length of trail, pick
up garbage, and still head home a
little early.
Perhaps more inspiring than all the
work accomplished was the fact that
many of the volunteers were new to
Portland Audubon, and some of the
experienced Audubon volunteers
on hand were new to the down-
and-dirty fun of being a sanctuaries
Nature Store Highlights
by Sally Loomis & Nancy Mattson, Nature Store Staff
New Titles
The short days and long nights of November are great
for leisure reading, and the Nature Store has some newly
published books that are perfect page-turners for the
season. Listed here are some purely fun reads, along with
gorgeous new works by a popular wildlife artist.
Fans of the wacky road trip genre will enjoy
A Supremely Bad Idea: Three Mad Birders
and Their Quest to See It All, Luke Dempsey’s
saga of a cross-country trip full of birds and
the humans who pursue them. Another sort
of pursuit is featured in the true-
crime story, The Lizard King:
The True Crimes and Passions of the World’s
Greatest Reptile Smugglers, by Bryan Christy.
It’s a fascinating mixture of thriller and serious
depiction of the ecological dangers of the exotic
pet market.
The wonderful wildlife artist Charley
Harper died in June 2007, but not
before enjoying a resurgence of
interest, spearheaded by designer
Todd Oldham. There are a number
of new works coming out this winter
that feature Harper’s whimsically elegant designs, including
children’s items such as a wooden puzzle, counting book,
coloring book, and memory game. For adults, we are
stocking a wall calendar (see below), and the re‑issue of
his 1974 print collection, Birds and Words. Also available
by special order is the 2007 definitive
collection of his works, Charley
Harper: An Illustrated Life. Please
contact the Nature Store for more
details about this title.
8 NOVEMBER 2008
volunteer. Several weeks later I still find it hard to
believe we got all of that work done, as it seems we
spent a good deal of our time eating muffins and
pizza, drinking coffee, socializing, and hanging
out with two of our education birds, Finnegan and
Aristophanes.
With dark clouds overhead and soggy
ground underfoot, we resumed the
fun with another TogetherGreen work
party on October 4. Though the rain Photos © Portland Audubon
dissuaded some, 15 die-hard volunteers were
on hand to help install some split-rail cedar Dates are currently being decided for the next two
fencing down along Balch Creek. Thankfully, TogetherGreen Volunteer Days, which are tentatively slated
another EnviroCorps team from the for the end of January and the end of February — stay
Northwest Service Academy was on hand with tuned for details. Both work parties will focus on restoring
some post-hole diggers to wildlife habitat through native plantings.
join in the festivities.
By day’s end, 120 feet of Audubon Society of Portland
fencing was installed,
gratefully acknowledges these
securing two areas along
the creek that are prone to thoughtful gifts:
erosion. The fencing also
serves as a safety barrier In Honor
for our younger visitors,
Ginnie Ross
keeping them away from the creek bank and a cold, Jeanne Beyer
wet fall. With time to spare we also closed off a steep
and eroded section of the creek trail and installed more
fencing between the mews and the Pittock trail. This In Memory
fencing will hopefully discourage uninvited exploration
Joe Blower
of the mews by sanctuaries visitors and will also serve
Eloise Branch
to protect some of the native plantings we will be doing
behind Julio’s new enclosure this winter. The entire Robert Barnum
fencing project was made possible by a grant from Jane Dolbeer
Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services and the Mary Fuller
Watershed Investment Fund. Francine Case-Shore and Jon and Sweetness
Jacki and Colin Norton
Philip Thompson
Margaret Bolger
Joan and Paul Sher
Jackson Pollock
The Cote Girls
Calendars and You can honor a special person with a gift to Audubon
Engagement Books Society of Portland. Your gift will help fund a future
for 2009 of inspiring people to love and protect nature.
They have arrived! We have a wide You can make an Honor or Memorial gift online
selection of Audubon Calendars at www.audubonportland.org or by calling
including Wildflowers, Birding Trails, and John 971-222-6129. A songbird card acknowledging your
James Audubon’s watercolors for The Birds thoughtful gift will be sent to the honoree or family.
of America. The Audubon, Sierra Club, and
Sibley Engagement Calendars are here, as
well as a Sibley Page‑a‑Day desktop on
an adjustable easel that features over 300
Wish List & Thank you’s
full-color illustrations, range maps, and
detailed species identification notes. New Thank you to:
for this year is a calendar highlighting the
• Food Front Cooperative Grocery for providing snacks
“minimal realist” art of Charley Harper.
for a Portland Audubon event.
And for fun, try our Origami Fold-a-
• Grand Central Bakery for baked goods served at
Day calendar. Who needs a Zen garden
Portland Audubon workshops.
when you can meditate while folding hundreds of birds,
wildflowers, animals, and holiday ornaments?
Our Wish List:
Support the
For Education:
Klamath Bird
Observatory Laptop computer
What’s a fun way to For Sanctuary:
support two great Loppers • Hand saws • Work gloves
birding conservation Watering wand hose attachment
groups at one time? Buy a bar of Bowerbird & Company™
natural, eco-friendly soap at the Nature Store and they’ll For Wildlife Care Center:
Science Diet Kitten Growth
make a 5% Feather Fund™ donation to the Klamath Bird
Observatory. Bowerbird & Company™ is an ecologically Aquariums • Kiddie Pools
Dawn Dishwashing Detergent
committed business that voluntarily contributes a
portion of their profits to help support and sustain bird Welding Gloves
Camper/Trailer
populations, rehabilitate and preserve bird habitat, and
improve and repair our shared ecosystem. And of course, Untreated Wood: 2x4, 4x4, 4x8
100% of the Nature Store’s profits directly support Portland
If you can donate these items, please first
Audubon programs. So, with more Bird-Friendly bang-for- contact Audubon Society of Portland at
your-buck, who wouldn’t enjoy sudsing up with these great 503-292-6855 ext.102, Mon–Fri, to arrange
natural soaps? a time for delivery/pick-up.
www.audubonportland.org
Fall Migration Roosting Sites
of Barn Swallows
T he Barn Swallow is the most
common and widespread swallow
in North America. They winter
primarily throughout Central and South
America. Recently a few pairs have been
found nesting in southern South America
where they are supposed to be wintering.
Small numbers occur in winter as far
north as the United States, including
Oregon and Washington. In recent
years there has been a small but distinct
northward movement during January
and February. The main spring migration
occurs from late March through April,
with late birds to mid‑May.
Barn Swallow © Ron LeValley/ levalleyphoto.com
During the spring migration Barn Swallows are seen in
small- to medium-sized widely scattered flocks with few
concentrations. They migrate by day, feeding as they go.
When pushed they can fly up to 600 miles a day, but usually
cover about 250 miles.
Barn Swallows nest two or three times a year and have a
long nesting period, beginning in April and often with
young still in the nest during early September. When the
young are strong enough, the birds gather into large flocks
and wander over the countryside looking for insects. Some
begin moving southward.
Sightings
September is the main migration month of the fall. Most
of the smaller birds seem to drift away or are occasionally
spotted in small flocks working through the woodlands.
Some movements, however, are conspicuous and often
spectacular.
The Vaux’s Swifts at Chapman School seemed to have
peaked at about 20,000 birds during late September.
Jay Withgott reported that the first main movement of
Swainson’s Thrushes passed over Portland September 5
and 8. When Paulette Fitz checked the Grand Island Barn
Swallow roost September 4 she noticed several Purple
Martins. On September 11 Mark Hamm saw 200 Martins
in the area.
On September 23 Jeff Marks counted 156 Turkey Vultures
in a large ‘kettle’ over SE Portland. A major movement
September 27 brought hundreds over Portland, with many
large kettles reported in many parts of the city.
Northern waterfowl began arriving in the Portland area
during September. Andy Frank and David Mandell spotted
an early Tundra Swan September 17 at the Vanport
Wetlands. On September 20 and 21 a major flight of
White-fronted Geese passed over Portland. The first
flocks of Cackling and Snow Geese were seen about the
same time. On September 21 Roger Windemuth saw a flock
of 12 Brant at Ridgefield NWR.
Shorebird migrations were rather poor in the Portland area
this fall, but as the water began falling in September several
In Remembrance
Joan Anderson
O n October 2nd, Portland Audubon lost a 20-
year volunteer, supporter, and friend. Volunteer
Receptionist Joan Anderson was a tireless
Audubon advocate, often fielding phone calls at the front
desk several days a week.
As OMSI’s Curator of Living Exhibits in the 1970s, Joan
turned to the Wildlife Care Center when she found
herself fielding calls about injured wildlife. She quickly
became a part of the Audubon family. A bird-lover,
naturalist, and regular customer in the Nature Store, she
loved to explore the desert and Columbia River Gorge.
Joan was a strong-willed advocate for wildlife, and she
managed the physical challenges her Multiple Sclerosis
presented with courage and grace.
www.audubonportland.org
The main fall migration
occurs from mid-August into
October. Large numbers are
often seen well scattered
over farm fields or resting on
overhead power lines. The fall
movement appears to be slow
and leisurely with a southerly
movement hardly noticeable.
Toward evening the flocks
gather to spend the night at a
roosting site.
Barn Swallows roost in grain
fields, cattail marshes, or other
thick vegetation. They have a
preference for cornfields, which
are usually plentiful in the Willamette Valley. They often must
select a different field each night as the crops are harvested.
Roosts of up to 5,000 Barn Swallows are not unusual and
are well scattered throughout the state. Roosts are often
seen on Sauvie Island, in the Tualatin Valley, and elsewhere
in the Willamette Valley. Roosts on Sauvie Island usually
contain about 3,000 birds.
During the evening of September 3, 1986, Jeff Dorsey
found a large number of Barn Swallows arriving at a roost
site on Grand Island, south of Dayton. He estimated over
500,000 birds flying into a nearby cornfield. It was not until
September 21, 1997, that Floyd Schrock relocated this roost
good birds were seen. On September 14 John Gatchet
found two Sanderlings on Sauvie Island. Bob Flores saw
a Long-billed Curlew at Ridgefield NWR September 13,
and found a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper there September
27. On September 26 Erik Gauger photographed a Buff-
breasted Sandpiper at the Tualatin River NWR.
On September 13 Mike Marsh reported 24 Common
Yellowthroats at Jackson Bottom in Hillsboro.
Pamela Johnston saw two Lewis’s Woodpeckers near
McMinnville September 14, and Mike Skinner saw one at
the Tualatin River NWR September 21. John Gatchet found
a Long-eared Owl above Scappoose September 20 while
doing the North American Migration Count.
By September 8 flocks of American Goldfinches and a
few Evening Grosbeaks began showing up at residential
feeders. Sandy Leaptrott photographed a Calliope
Hummingbird at her NE Portland feeders September 8. Jay
Withgott’s feeders in SW Portland attracted a Clay-colored
Sparrow September 24. Roy Korpi spotted an early
Golden-crowned Sparrow in Vancouver September 9.
Gerard Lillie reports that a White-throated Sparrow
remained all summer at his feeders near Mt. Tabor.
Spike Selby’s feeders in NE Portland held a Mountain
Chickadee throughout September. On September 10
Mark Nebeker saw a Black-and-white Warbler on Sauvie
Island.
Audubon staff members remember Joan for the chocolate
treats she brought each Friday morning, as well as her
good humor, dedication, knowledge of natural history,
and radiant smile. She sponsored us for Birdathon, took
care of the volunteers at the Wild Arts Festival, brought
produce for the critters at the Care Center, and found joy
in feeding her neighborhood crows. She will be missed.
NOVEMBER 2008
Field Notes
by Harry Nehls
and again noted 500,000 birds. Since then it has been watched
yearly, with similar numbers regularly seen. The peak number
reported was 550,000 that Don Albright saw on September
15, 2007. The Grand Island roost is probably the largest and
most consistent Barn Swallow roost in the Northwest.
Other large roosts reported were 20,000 at Fern Ridge
Reservoir on August 18, 2003, and 25,000 near Vancouver
Lake on September 4, 2007. The Grand Island roost and
the other large roosts have been seen on local radar screens.
More roosts will probably be found as radar blips are more
closely studied.
Volunteer of the Month:
Bob Thompson
by Molly McAllister,
WCC Assistant Manager
P
ortland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center receives
15,000 phone calls each year, many regarding
injured or orphaned native wildlife. The Care
Center staff generally depends on the public to bring
these animals to us, where our staff and volunteers can
then provide care, but we try to facilitate transport in
cases where the caller is not able to do so themselves.
Earlier this spring, we recruited a few dedicated
volunteers to act as a transport service, able to go pick
up an animal already contained in a box and bring it
to the Care Center. The first person to sign up was Bob
Thompson, an
Audubon member
who had not
previously had any
experience in the
Wildlife Care Center.
Bob signed on during
the springtime — the
start of the busiest
season in the Care
Center. Soon we
were calling him
numerous times a
week, sometimes
multiple times a day,
and he became a
regular sight in our
hospital carrying
in the latest animal
needing treatment.
When we offered a
Barn Owlets with rescuer Bob
field rescue class, Thompson in the Wildlife Care
Bob was there, and Center. © Portland Audubon
he graduated from
picking up boxes to catching sick crows, returning
baby birds to their nests, and cornering injured Great
Horned Owls when callers were not able to do so
themselves. Soon he could walk through the Care
Center and point out multiple animals that came to us
through his efforts. Along with his willingness to help
us with transportation, Bob has offered his expertise
in construction of Kestrel boxes and to work on Julio’s
new cage. He also helped move another flight cage to
accommodate a cage for our newest education bird,
Aristophanes the Raven.
Not only does he willingly pick up birds near his home,
but Bob’s rescues have ranged from Rainier to Newberg
and Oregon City to North Plains, and he seems always
amenable to a drive when he’s needed. His species rescue
list is becoming quite extensive, encompassing many of
our native species including Robin, Jay, and Crow; Red-
tailed and Cooper’s Hawk and Northern Harrier; Barn,
Western Screech- and Great Horned Owl; and even a
Peregrine Falcon.
Bob has been a great resource since his start here at
Audubon and he has quickly become a skilled field
rescuer and source that we rely on weekly. The staff of
the Wildlife Care Center greatly appreciates the fact that
Bob’s efforts have allowed us to reach out to more people
and more animals by providing transport to those who
do not have access to it, thereby expanding our capacity
to mitigate human effects on wildlife. Thank you, Bob!
9
Audubon Camps Are Always Hands‑on!
Join us in December for Winter Break Camp!
Build Your Legacy of Conservation
with a Charitable Gift
P lanned Giving with the Audubon
Society of Portland can provide
benefits for you and your family, as
well as helping fulfill your philanthropic
goals. You can plan your gifts to benefit
Portland Audubon now while protecting
your assets, or to benefit yourself or a loved
one now and Portland Audubon later. A
variety of planned giving vehicles offer you
tax benefits that fit your lifestyle and your Western Screech-Owlets at and into the future, joining a long and
current and future needs. the Wildlife Care Center. vital tradition of protecting wildlife and
© Portland Audubon habitat right here where we live.
Charitable gift annuities, trusts, gifts of real estate,
retirement accounts, securities, or stocks can help you
leverage your assets while managing tax liabilities.
Portland Audubon does not offer financial or legal advice.
Backyard Habitat Certification Program
to Start in the New Year
C onservation of birds and other wildlife begins in our own backyards. More than 200 species of birds pass through the
Portland metropolitan region each year. Many of these species are experiencing long-term population declines, and
you can help these birds by providing them with habitat in your backyard. On an increasingly developed landscape,
these small pockets of habitat may be critical to their survival.
Portland Audubon is teaming up with Three Rivers Land Conservancy to create a Backyard Habitat Certification Program.
Starting in the New Year we will launch this new program that will work with private property owners to remove invasive
species, naturescape with native plants, increase wildlife habitat, and manage stormwater.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Karen Munday at kmunday@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.116.
Save the Dates!
Portland Area
Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, January 3,
2009
A sampling of other Bird Counts
in the region:
Lyle, Wash. Sunday, Dec. 14 (2008)
Salem Saturday, Dec. 20
Tillamook Bay Saturday, Dec. 20
Sauvie Island Sunday, Dec. 21
Hood River Sunday, Dec. 28
Watch for the December Warbler and visit our
website for complete information about the 109th
Annual Christmas Bird Count.Volunteers are
needed to drive, keep track of numbers, and count
birds.You can find out more about Christmas Bird
Counts at www.audubonportland.org/
local-birding/xmas-count-faq.
10
Audubon Birding
© Alice Froehlich
Weekends 2008 —
a portal to birding
Oregon
© Chris Edmonds
his popular program will
continue for another year.
As before, it intends to bring
birders together from around the state
to enjoy birds, see new locations, and
maybe add to their lists. We aim to
help everyone see most of the birds.
The pace is moderate, and corny jokes
may happen from time to time.
Paul Sullivan
What you can expect
About 10 days before each trip, I will provide a letter
to registered participants that will give motel options,
schedule, possible birds, and the meeting place. I will
also help with arranging carpooling. We meet for
© Tammi Miller Saturday breakfast and carpool from there. Participants
are responsible for their own transportation, food,
and lodging. Participants are also responsible for their
own comfort: snacks, warm clothing, rain gear, insect
repellant, sunscreen, etc. Participants should get gas and
lunches ahead of time.
We encourage you to get professional
assistance from a financial planner or an
attorney.
If you include the Audubon Society of
Registration
Registration for Audubon Birding Weekends is
$35 per person for each weekend. Separate checks
are preferred. Please make your check payable to the
Audubon Society of Portland.
Portland in your estate plans, please let
us know! By joining the Audubon Society You must register by the Tuesday before the weekend you
of Portland’s Legacy Club, you will be plan to attend. The following registration information is
supporting our important work now needed for each weekend you wish to attend: • name
• address • phone • email • trip you wish to join
• number of attendees • amount enclosed.
Please send the registration to:
Paul T. Sullivan
For more information on planned giving options at
4470 SW Murray Blvd. #26
Portland Audubon, please call Ann Takamoto at
Beaverton, OR 97005
971-222-6117.
Questions?
Contact Paul at ptsulliv@spiritone.com or 503-646-7889,
or go to www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-
camps/adult (click on Birding Weekends).
Upcoming Audubon Birding
Weekends 2008
November 8–9 — Central Cascades
We will spend our days at Haystack Reservoir, Hatfield
Lake, Wickiup Reservoir, and other high lakes of the
Cascades, looking for fall waterfowl. We’ll also seek
Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers in burns
near Bend. Base: Bend.
(No trip in December)
Welcome, New Members!
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 joining our vibrant and growing community!
Chris Andrews Helen Daltoso Margery Lee Phillip Scamahorn
Michael Babbitt Elizabeth Domike Natasha Lipai Bob Schmitt
Eugenia Becker Susan Dubickas Kristin McHenry Josh Schneider
Suzanne Rinehart Bishop Joshua Faber-Hammond Gary Michaelis Susan and Richard Schubert
Ellie Bolas Tana Feichtinger Laura Miller Anne Marie Smith
Linda Bonotto Charles Froman Christy Molina Judy Smoker
Jeff Boyce Richard Gallehr Issac Moreno Scott and Angela Smorra
Andrea Brahms Suzanne Gearhart Melissa Murphy Jennifer Snyder
Jody Brassfeld Wendy and Tristan Gorski Scott Neish and Curt Saterlee Judith and Peter Stevens
Toni Brezina Sherry Hall John Notis Kevin Stewart
Ian and Ward Bruner Kevin Hanny Karen O’Connor Kruse Keri Thomas
Pasha Ceniceros Larry Hanover Bryce Olson Carlos Velez
Adriana Chimaras Kylee Hartman The Poehler-Miller Family Barbara Vick
Katherine Clark Ann Heffner Edward Post Alex Wilson
Daleesa Cole David Hellings Heather Riddle David Young
Rhonda Coleman Stephen and Jennifer King Viola Rose
Janal Cummings Steve Korol Emery Rowland
If you would like to join us or have any questions about membership, please contact Catherine at
chalpin@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855.
NOVEMBER 2008 www.audubonportland.org

Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
T he wetlands of western Oregon provide important
habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl in
addition to birding opportunities for humans with
‘cabin fever.’ Many species of ducks depend on lakes,
ponds, and streams to forage for aquatic vegetation and
invertebrate prey. These bodies of water also provide
nighttime roosting sites safe from predators that are
unwilling to swim for a meal. Each fall, thousands of ducks
descend on our wetlands, and Northern Pintails form some
of the largest and most spectacular of these flocks. This
declining species is popular among birders and hunters,
but many groups must to work together to ensure survival
of its populations.
Identification
From late fall to summer, the 26‑inch male Pintails are
easily identified by their striking plumage and namesake
long, pointed tail feathers that are tipped up into the air
while dabbling. Males in breeding plumage have a dark
brown head, a long white stripe extending up the side of
the neck, bright green wing patches called speculums, a
gray back, and white belly. Both sexes have long, slender
necks and gray bills. From late summer to early fall, the
drab plumage of males resembles that of the 20‑inch
females. Males communicate with a distinctive two-note
whistle while females produce a hoarse quack.
Distribution
This widespread species nests from the southern Great
Plains to the northern tip of Alaska. The greatest
concentrations of nesting Pintails are found in the
Canadian prairies and the Prairie Pothole region of North
Dakota. Flocks migrate and winter from the west and east
coasts down to northern South America, but at least half
of all North American Pintails spend their winter in the
Central Valley of California.
Swift Watch 2008 Report:
Vaux’s Swifts and Audubon Society of Portland Migrate Together!
I t’s definitely feeling like fall — the chill in the air, the
changing colors of trees, the rain… For us at Portland
Audubon, and for many NW Portlanders, the Vaux’s
Swifts herald the coming of autumn; they know when it’s
time to make their way down south and they signal us with
one of our area’s most treasured natural events.
At its peak around
September 17, there were about
20,000 swifts funneling into
the chimney and hundreds of
people gathering each night
with their families and picnics,
oohs and aahs. A big Thank
You to our Swift Watch
volunteers for representing
Audubon Society of Portland
at Chapman School each night
during the month of September.
This year, we were pleased
to offer two additional
celebrations to this community
phenomenon: the 1st Annual
Swift Watch Migration and the
premiere of the documentary,
On The Wing.
The Annual Migration*
In true fall fashion, the 1st Annual Migration
was threatened by cool temperatures and
impending rainfall. In true Portland fashion,
over 60 people braved the threat of inclement
weather to mimic the movement of the swifts
through the Chapman School neighborhood. It
was a leisurely stroll following the path of swift
silhouettes marked on the sidewalks, spiraling
from Montgomery Park to roost at Fall Fest NW
in Wallace Park. Audubon Society of Portland’s
education birds and bird handlers were there
to greet the migrators, along with music from
Portland’s own Chapman Swifts band. It was
www.audubonportland.org
Bird of the Month
Breeding Biology
Pintails nest in grassland and tundra habitats, usually
near shallow bodies of water. These birds share much of
their nesting habitat with other types of ducks, but begin
nesting much earlier than other species. Males and females
form pair bonds in fall and winter, and arrive on breeding
grounds in the spring. Like other dabbling ducks, Pintails
nest on the ground in areas with sparse groundcover.
These habitats include natural areas such as grasslands and
tundra, as well as agricultural areas such as stubble fields.
Nest survival is often low in agricultural areas, however,
due to high levels of nest predation and plowing of stubble
fields. Females incubate clutches of six to nine eggs for
25 days. Males leave the females to care for the young on
their own soon after incubation is initiated. Ducklings
can walk out of the nest on hatch day and find their own
food. Females care for ducklings until they are capable of
flight, about two months later. Duckling survival is low in
dry years when shallow ponds, required for foraging and
protection from predators, are in short supply.
References
• Birds of Oregon: A General Reference (Marshall, Hunter,
and Contreras)
• The Sibley Guide to Birds (David Allen Sibley)
fun for the whole family — there was even one “flock”
of four generations. Migrators were invited to a special
sneak preview of On The Wing and then to the main event
on the lawn of Chapman. Special thanks to Montgomery
Park Event Management, Chapman School, the Nob Hill
Business Association, and Euro RSCG EDGE in Portland for
the “I Count” Campaign.
On The Wing — the
Story and Spectacle of
Portland’s Chapman
Swifts
On The Wing premiered to a sold-out crowd
of nearly 500 at Cinema 21 on Thursday,
October 2, in a benefit for Portland
Audubon. The film is truly a celebration of
what can happen when people choose to
coexist with nature, and everyone attending
caught the “swift” fervor. The first feature-
length film for Real Earl Productions and
filmmaker Dan Viens, On The Wing was
very favorably reviewed in The Oregonian
and Willamette Week, and
generated so much demand that
additional shows were added the
following two weekends. The
Audubon Society of Portland
had a mighty presence in the
film, for without us and our
membership, there would be
no Chapman School Swifts
phenomenon! Watch for news
and additional screenings at
www.swiftsmovie.com. Thank
you to Tom Ranieri and the
Cinema 21 team, to Yoshida
Foods International for the
refreshing Crater Lake Root Beer
— and very special thanks to
Dan Viens, for his incredible film
and tireless energy.
NOVEMBER 2008
by Max Smith
Northern Pintails © Don Baccus
Conservation Status
Pintail populations have historically fluctuated with the
amount of water available in breeding areas. In the 1990s,
however, North American populations declined by as
much as 75% of their 1950s numbers. This decline has
been attributed to loss of wetlands, conversion of native
habitat to agriculture, and hunting pressure. In recent
years, managers restricted hunting and have restored much
of the wintering habitat in the Central Valley, resulting in
some growth of western populations. During winter, flocks
move between coastal areas and inland wetlands in search
of productive feeding grounds.
The Audubon Society of Portland is working to protect
a system of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) across the state
that will benefit Pintails and other species. If private
landowners, government agencies, and conservation
organizations continue to work together to protect
wetlands and native prairie breeding habitat, birders in
western Oregon can continue to look forward to the annual
return of huge Pintail flocks.
• The Birder’s Handbook (Ehrlich, Dobkin, and Wheye)
• Pintail Action Group (www.siu.edu/~wildlife/pac)
• Journal of Wildlife Management (Fleskes et al. 2007)
Photos © Portland Audubon
*We celebrate the 1st Annual Migration in memory
of Desha Beamer, Art Director at Euro RSCG Edge in
Portland, designer of the migration t‑shirts and co-designer
of the “I Count” Campaign.
Columbia
Sportswear
Gets Swift
C
olumbia Sportswear Gets Swift big time this
year, promoting Audubon Society of Portland
at the Columbia Flagship Store in downtown
Portland. The promotion included donating 3%
of all September Flagship Store sales to Portland
Audubon, showcasing the movie premiere of On The
Wing, raffling off a complete Titanium outfit and set
of Malheur binoculars, offering a 20% discount to all
Portland Audubon members, and holding two optics
seminars with Portland Audubon birding experts. This
“flurry” of activity not only mimicked our Chapman
Swifts themselves, but also highlights the wonderful
partnership between Portland Audubon and Columbia
Sportswear. Thank you for a Very Swift Month, Columbia
Sportswear. (And the lucky winner of the complete
Titanium birding outfit is Bob Lockett!)
11
Wild Arts Festival Members Receive a
continued from page 1
Discount at the
Silent Auction Treasures… Nature Store!
As in the past, the Festival will also feature a Silent Auction

A
with a range of art, books, and collectibles that is sure udubon Society of Portland’s
to pique the interest of collectors, bargain-hunters, and Nature Store is the headquarters
holiday shoppers alike. Many of the Festival’s artists for naturalists in the Portland-Vancouver
have donated auction items, too, so you’ll want to make metro area. We feature nature books, hiking & field Nikon EDG
a visit to the Atrium’s Sky Bridge to view the selection and guides, birding software, CDs, DVDs, binoculars and
8x42
sign up to win one of the exciting door prizes. spotting scopes, birdfeeders and seed, plus gifts & toys for
adults & children, all with a nature theme. Portland Audubon
Among the treasure to be found at the Silent Auction are members receive a 10% discount off regular prices.
a Robert Bateman eagle print, Charley Harper “Bittern
Suite” print, seven old bird prints (1897–99) by Ridgeway, Nikon EDG Arrives!
wonderful woodblock prints from Alaska by Dale The Nature Store is pleased to receive the first all-new Nikon EDG
DeArmond, the first three Oregon State duck stamp prints binocular to arrive in the Pacific Northwest! We have a ‘preview’
by Michael Sieve, and many other unique items. Auction pair (8x42) model that our members can test and compare against
bidding closes Sunday at 3:00 pm. Whelan the other fine brands we carry like Leica and Swarovski. However,
after one look, you may think these new Nikons are in a class by
…and More! themselves!
Food from Bridges Café, entertainment, information
Nikon’s exclusive extra-low dispersion glass and dielectric
about the programs and work of Portland Audubon, close
coated prisms offer an absolutely brilliant image, virtually
encounters with some of Audubon’s Education Birds,
free of all chromatic aberration. These wonderful new
and other surprises will round out the Wild Arts Festival
optics are ergonomically designed with an open bridge, and a
experience.
dual-phase focus knob with locking diopter adjustment. A
noticeably wider field of view adds to your enjoyment.
For more information, go to www.wildartsfestival.org.
✁ We hope to receive our first order in December, just before the
holidays. Reserve a pair soon if you want to be among the first
satisfied owners of these state-of-the-art Nikon optics.
Binos for Kids
Affordable and comfortably sized binoculars for kids can be a
challenge to find. At $19.99, our new 7x22 roof prism Columbia
Sportswear Companions are just the right size and price for
introducing little nature lovers to observation optics. At that
price, you might even want an extra pair for yourself.
Portland Audubon’s Nature Store
5151 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503-292-9453
Email: store@audubonportland.org
Hours: 10am–6pm Monday through Saturday,
10am–5pm Sunday
Schlegel

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, Nancy Jane Cushing Wink Gross Karen O’Connor Bob’s Red Mill
Business Guarantors Carton Service, Inc.
and protection of native birds and other wildlife and their habitats. John Fitchen John Hammerstad Kruse Backyard Bird Shop Duggan, Schlotfeldt and
We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest. Martha Gannett Barb Hill Claire Puchy Portland General Electric Welch PLLC
Kristina Gifford Terry Kem 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
9am to 5pm, Mon. - Fri. Nike Vernier Software & Technology
Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynn Herring Washman LLC
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Kem Business Supporters Winter’s Hill Vineyard
Sanctuaries Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Paquet
Dawn to dusk every day Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Ivey Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
Portland Audubon
Membership & Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Jane Cushing Nature Store
Nature Store Sanctuaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Littlewood The Standard
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
Education Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Robertson
rare bird alert 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
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 A world-class car rental company with homegrown roots.
Sanctuaries Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Kurtz
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