AUDUBON SOCIETY of PORTLAND
NOVEMBER 2009
Volume 73 Number 11
In this issue...
Warbler
2-for-1 Coupon for
Wild Arts Festival
See page 12
2009
Wild
Arts
Festival
Opens November 21st
by Bob Wilson, Wild Arts Festival Committee
O ne of the most eagerly awaited events on the
Audubon calendar, and certainly the most festive,
is fast approaching. The Wild Arts Festival — the
Northwest’s premier show and sale celebrating nature in
art and writing — has for 29 years been a significant event
for the city of Portland. But the event is also meaningful
for the Audubon community, as it offers a once-a-year
opportunity to get together with a broad array of members
and volunteers… the people that make Audubon Society
of Portland what it is. This 29th running of the Wild Arts
Festival as always offers an exciting blend of the
fresh and the familiar, and makes a wonderful
launch of the holiday season.
This year’s Wild Arts will take place
Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22,
at Montgomery Park (2701 NW Vaughn).
Saturday hours are 10am to 6pm;
Sunday hours are 11am to 5pm.
Admission to the event (both days) is $5
and free for those 16 and under;
a 2-for-1 coupon is included in this newsletter.
More details at www.wildartsfestival.org.
Time to Get Serious About Restoring
the Willamette River
Audubon Urges Portland City Council to Adopt North Reach River Plan
by Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director
T
he Willamette River runs 187 miles from its
headwaters in the Cascade and Coast Range
Mountains south of Eugene to its confluence with
the Columbia River in the north. The Willamette and its
tributaries drain more than 11,500 square miles. Hundreds
of millions of dollars have been spent restoring this river
system — our river system — to recover salmon, steelhead,
and other declining wildlife populations.
Those efforts, however, are compromised by the dismal
state of the Willamette’s final 11 miles as the river passes
Christmas Bird Count is Coming! See page 10.
Audubon Society
of Portland
5151 NW Cornell Road
Portland, Oregon 97210
Winter Camp
Schedule
See page 7
Prepare Your
Backyard for Winter
See page 5
Deal
Alexander
ART
A centerpiece of the Festival
is the Art Fair, a marvelous
spectacle composed of the work
of over 80 of the Northwest’s
most accomplished artists
and craftspeople. The work
in the show represents nature
or demonstrates aspects of
environmental sustainability. Savides Beyer
Working in media from painting — marvelously imaginative and
watercolor, oil, and acrylic — to sculpture, affordable small-scale canvases
to photography, from ceramic to glass and (each is 6 inches by 6 inches),
jewelry and more, all artists will be present all with a bird theme. They are
throughout the weekend to discuss and sell rendered by an assortment of
their work. At the Art Fair will be Susan artists, established and aspiring. Fulkerson
Bourdet, Tanya Harvey, Otterbear This section is a good “first stop” on your Wild Arts meander.
Studios, Sue Allen, Diane Archer, Robert
Schlegel, Dave and Boni Deal, Lori Back this year is the Sabin School Booth, where students
Presthus, Wendy Thompson, and many at this Portland public K-8 school have teamed up to create
more Festival favorites. a variety of wonderful — sometimes surprising — images.
We’re eager to see what they have prepared for this year’s
Complementing the Art Fair is the 6x6 Wild Festival with their theme of crows,
Reed
Art Project, an eclectic collection of beautiful, ravens, and owls.
BOOKS
For the literary arts fans, there is the
Book Fair’s display of the works of
nearly 30 of the Northwest’s most
popular authors who write about
nature and the outdoors (or have
a large place in their hearts for the
natural world). All of the authors
will be present at various times
through Portland’s industrial harbor on its way to joining during the weekend to sign their books. Among the authors
with the Columbia, an area known as the North Reach. represented are some of our region’s most beloved writers,
These 11 miles are a virtual toxic soup where habitat many of them nominees or winners of awards such as
patches are few and far between and the river’s once shallow the Burroughs Medal, Oregon Book Award, the Hugo and
and braided shorelines have been hardened beneath Nebula, the Spur Award and National Book Award.
cement and rip-rap. The North Reach has been designated
as a federal Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Continued on page 12
Agency because of toxic contaminants that have been
released into the environment. Every salmon and steelhead
in the Willamette River system must run this gauntlet on its Inside this issue
journey to and from the sea.
Continued on page 4 Page 2 ......................From the Director
...................................... Free Trips
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 and Volunteers
Page 10 ........................Birding Weekends
............................New Members
Page 11 ........................ IBA of the Month
Page 12 ................. Map/Hours/Sponsors
From the Executive Director
Marine Reserves Are Milestones
T his summer, our state’s ocean
protection took a step forward.
After years of tireless effort
from you and other Oregonians,
House Bill 3013 passed into law,
creating Oregon’s first two marine
reserves and establishing community
groups of diverse ocean users to
evaluate four other study sites for
Meryl Redisch possible future protections.
There has been a considerable amount of controversy
around this issue for nearly a decade. Given that, I view the
passage of HB 3013 as a good sign that Oregon’s highest
policy-makers recognized the seriousness of protecting this
shared resource for its environmental, social, and economic
benefits. The bill received a unanimous vote in the Oregon
House and a 23–3 majority in the Senate. Thanks are in
Field Trips
November 14 (Sat.), 8am–11am
Ridgefield NWR, Washington
Join us on a walk on the Oaks to Wetlands Trail looking for
waterfowl and wintering sparrows. The trail can be muddy
so bring appropriate hiking shoes. Meet at the trailhead
parking lot on the Carty Unit located 1 mile north of the
intersection of Pioneer and Main Streets in downtown
Ridgefield, WA. Call Ron Escano (502-771-3454) if you
need more information.
November 22 (Sun.),
8:30am–11am
Tualatin River NWR, Sherwood
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 8:30am at the refuge
Wild in the City
Exploring The Intertwine: Wild in the City field tours will introduce you to some of the region’s most scenic and
wildlife-rich natural areas and the ever-growing network of regional trails and parks. Registration for these free trips
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.112 to register. For all bicycle and paddle trips, bring your own equipment —
helmets and life jackets are required. Directions and other details will be sent to registrants. Participants will be
limited in number, so sign up early!
Note: Trip locations, including maps, are highlighted in the recently re-released Wild in the City: A Guide to Portland’s
Natural Areas, available in local bookstores and Portland Audubon’s Nature Store. For more information about The
Intertwine, see article on next page and visit www.TheIntertwine.org.
Sat., November 14th, 1pm–4pm
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Join Mike Houck on a bird sight and song walk around
160-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The walk is a
gentle two-mile stroll on a combination of paved and
uneven dirt paths, with two moderate hills. More than
100 species of birds have been seen in Oaks Bottom,
Portland’s first official urban wildlife refuge.
Sun., November 15th, Noon–3pm
Ross Island Paddle
Late fall is the most peaceful time of year to paddle Ross
Island, when the jet skis and water skiers aren’t out, for
2 NOVEMBER 2009
order for legislators from the coastal caucus, without whose
support we never would have achieved victory. While victory
is sweet, it’s short-lived, and your help is still needed.
We have known for some time that our ocean is in trouble
from overfishing, climate change, pollution, and a myriad
of human impacts. Along with other conservation
efforts, marine reserves are a scientifically proven tool
for restoring depleted sea life and overall ecosystem
health, making these reserves good for seabirds,
marine mammals, and fish.
The goal of Oregon’s marine reserve process is to bring
science, industry, and local interests together and create an
ocean protection plan that works for everyone — and, most
importantly, restores marine waters for long-term health
and productivity. With input from the community and a
shared commitment to good stewardship, we can ensure an
No registration required — show up at time
and place given. Call first if indicated.
parking lot located at 19255 SW Pacific Hwy (99W) near
Sherwood. It is west of Cipole Road and north of Tualatin-
Sherwood Road. The refuge is also accessible by the #12
TriMet bus. Bring binoculars and dress for weather.
Beginners welcome!
November 29 (Sun.),
8:30am–11am
Dawson Creek Corporate Park
Join Max Smith for a tour of this Hillsboro park with
great views of waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and Acorn
Woodpeckers. Directions from Portland: take Hwy. 26 west
to the Shute Road exit and drive south on Shute Road. After
crossing Evergreen Parkway, continue straight as Shute
Road becomes Brookwood Parkway, cross Dawson Creek
Drive, and turn left into the new Hillsboro Library parking
lot. Meet at 8:30am at the north end of the parking lot near
the bicycle racks. Dress for the weather, beginners welcome!
Exploring The Intertwine
a relaxing paddle down the quiet Holgate Channel and
around the four-island archipelago with leader Mike
Houck. The paddle, suitable for families, will explore the
Holgate Channel and Ross Island Lagoon. You’ll learn
why Portland Audubon, Urban Greenspaces Institute,
and Willamette Riverkeeper are working with the City of
Portland Parks and Recreation on restoration of its 45-acre
ownership of Ross Island — and why they petitioned the
Oregon Marine Board to establish a no-wake zone for the
Holgate Channel and Ross Island Lagoon.
Paddling the downstream tip of Ross Island. © Mike Houck
abundant future along the coast, and create a lasting legacy
of ocean conservation for future generations.
Our new marine reserves have been designated at Otter
Rock (near Depoe Bay) and Redfish Rocks (near Port
Orford). Please join me in celebrating this accomplishment
— and consider submitting a comment in support of our
new and future marine reserves to the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife at odfw.marinereserves@state.
or.us before December 11th. For more information
about submitting comments, contact Paul Engelmeyer at
pengelmeyer@peak.org.
The Audubon Society of Portland is a member of
Earth Share of Oregon. For more information,
contact Earth Share of Oregon at
503-223-9015 or on the web at
www.earthshare-oregon.org.
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.
Crystal Springs
November 12 (Thurs.),
9am–Noon
Meet in the Crystal Springs parking lot on SE 28th across
from Reed College. We will bird the rhododendron
gardens and Reed Canyon and finish by noon. For
information call Marilynn Burke at 503-228-0598.
Ridgefield NWR, Oaks
to Wetlands Trail
November 23 (Mon.), 9am–2pm
Join leader Juergen Mueller for a walk through the
refuge. We will scope the lakes for waterfowl and look
for passerines in the woods. Meet at 9am in the parking
lot of the Carty Unit. 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 new $3 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.
Sat., November 21st,
8am–11am
(& Noon–3pm)
Oaks Bottom Walk
(& Wild Arts Festival
Book Signing)
Explore Oaks Bottom
Wildlife Refuge from 8am
to 11am — then, between
noon and 3pm, attend
signing of Wild in the
City: A Guide to Portland’s
Natural Areas at the Wild
Arts Festival.
First, come on a stroll with Mike Houck around the 160-
acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Learn about the history
of Oaks Bottom being designated as Portland’s first official
urban wildlife refuge. We’ll discuss current efforts to
restore fish and wildlife habitat throughout the refuge while
observing the great array of wildlife that call the Bottoms
home. This trip is appropriate for families. The walk is a
two-mile loop on both paved and uneven dirt paths, with
two moderate hills.
Afterward, from noon to 3pm, Mike Houck and M J Cody
— co-editors of Wild in the City: A Guide to Portland’s
Natural Areas — will be at the Wild Arts Festival (www.
wildartsfestival.org) to sign newly released copies of this
guide, which includes more than 100 nature sites and trails
in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region.
www.audubonportland.org
 NOVEMBER Calendar of Events
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
Beginning Birding II 25 26 Celebrate Teddy 27 28 29 30 Beginning Birding II 31
Field Trip, 8am Roosevelt’s 151st Field Trip, 8am
(Oct.Warbler) birthday at the Nature (Oct.Warbler)
Store (Oct.Warbler)

HALLOWEEN

Bluegrass Live 1 2 Birders’ Night 3 4 5 Digiscoping 6 6x6 Wild Art Projects 7

Music Jam 7:30pm Heron Hall Lecture, 7pm due (Oct.Warbler)
12:30pm Heron Hall (p.8)
Digiscoping Field Trip
(p.8)

Birding Weekend (p.10)

ELECTION DAY
Digiscoping Field Trip 8 9 Nature Night: 10 Willamette Week’s 11 Magpies visit Crystal 12 13 Field Trip to Ridgefield 14
(p.8) Tillamook Estuaries Give!Guide fundraiser Springs, 9am (p.2) NWR, 8am (p.2)
Partnership, 7pm begins — support
Visit Oregon’s Condor
Birding Weekend Heron Hall (p.3) Portland Audubon! Recovery Program, 10am
(p.10) (p.11) (p.6)

Oaks Bottom Walk, 1pm
(p.2)
Ross Island Paddle, 15 16 Winter Waterfowl 17 18 Board Meeting 19 20 Oaks Bottom Walk, 21
Noon (p.2) Class, 7pm (p.7) 7pm Heron Hall 8am (p.2)

WILD ARTS FESTIVAL,

10am–6pm (p.1)

Field Trip to Tualatin 22 Magpies visit
River NWR, 8:30am
(p.2)
WILD ARTS FESTIVAL,
11am–5pm (p.1)
Field Trip to Dawson 29
Creek Corporate
Park, 8:30am (p.2)
23
Ridgefield NWR,
9am (p.2)
30 Birders’ Night
7:30pm Heron Hall
24 25 Nature Store and 26 27 Winter Waterfowl 28
Admin Office closed and Raptors of
Ridgefield NWR and
La Center Bottoms,
9am (p.3)
THANKSGIVING
1 2 3 4 TogetherGreen 5
Volunteer Event,
10am–4pm (p.8)

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

Sat., November 28th, 9am–2pm Nature Night

Winter Waterfowl and Raptors of Second Tuesday of the month from September to May. Free and open
Ridgefield NWR and La Center Bottoms (Clark to the public. If you have a suggestion for a Nature Night presentation, contact
County, Wash.) Catherine at chalpin@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855 ext.129.
Mike Houck will lead this trip around Ridgefield’s Oaks to
Wetlands Trail, followed by a walk at La Center Bottoms — two of
the best winter birding locations in Clark County. Tundra Swans, Tillamook Estuaries
Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, and winter waterfowl will highlight
the trip. The two-mile walk at Ridgefield NWR’s Carty Unit takes
Partnership
us through Oregon white oak and Douglas fir forest, past lakes, Tuesday, November 10th
and over exposed basalt outcrops where we’ll get fabulous views
of Tundra Swan and other waterfowl. 7pm Heron Hall
Sun., December 6th, Noon–3pm
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Join Mike Houck on a bird sight and song walk around 160-
acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The walk is a gentle two-mile
T illamook Bay is rich with fish, wildlife, crabs, clams, and birds. The
scenery is stunning, providing many photographic moments. It is
not only a recreational mecca but also has economic, social, cultural,
and historic significance for this rural county. However, buried within these
treasures are very real water quality issues and habitat needs.
stroll on a combination of paved and uneven dirt paths, with two
moderate hills. More than 100 species of birds have been seen in Great Blue Heron beside
Oaks Bottom, Portland’s first official urban wildlife refuge. Willamette River. © Mike Houck Please join us for an evening with the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
(TEP). The TEP is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the conservation and
What is “The Intertwine”? restoration of the five Tillamook County
You’ve used it to walk, bike, bird, explore, commute, and play — and now it has estuaries and their associated watersheds.
a name. The Intertwine is our connected network of trails, parks, and natural
areas in the Portland-Vancouver region. Audubon Society of Portland is a partner Lisa Phipps, Executive Director, will give
in The Intertwine Alliance, a collaboration of public and private organizations a brief overview of TEP’s history and the
and businesses working to create and manage The Intertwine. The vision for The unique landscape they work to conserve,
Intertwine is creation of “an exceptional, multi-jurisdictional, interconnected including some of their successes and
system of neighborhood, community, and regional parks plus natural areas, trails, open spaces, current projects. Claudine Rehn and Julie
and recreation opportunities distributed equitably throughout the region.” Chick will discuss the Water Trail that has
been developed for Nehalem Bay, as well
From city parks in Oregon City to Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove to walk/bike paths in as the development of a Water Trail for
Vancouver, Washington — clean air to breathe and clean water to enjoy… nature nearby… a network Tillamook Bay. This is an exciting project
of trails to explore and parks to play in — that’s The Intertwine. The wealth of nature that exists at for recreational users of the bays and
the heart of The Intertwine reflects the promise of one of the greatest trail, park, and natural area watersheds! If time allows, we will also have
networks in the world. Visit www.TheIntertwine.org and read about experiences that residents in the opportunity for a fun and interactive
the Portland metropolitan region are having hiking, kayaking, and cycling The Intertwine. group activity. We hope you will join us.
Brown Pelican © Don Baccus

www.audubonportland.org NOVEMBER 2009 3

Conservation News
Time to Get Serious About Restoring
the Willamette River
Continued from page 1

Over the past two years, Audubon has worked with the Commission made to industry, but overall it
City of Portland and other stakeholders to develop a new kept the integrity of the River Plan intact. City
plan to address economic, environmental, and recreational Council should do the same.
issues in the North Reach. The North Reach Plan will finally
make its way to Portland City Council in early December. A full analysis of various issues that have been
The decisions that City Council makes on the North Reach raised about the River Plan can be found on
Plan will determine whether we set the final 11 miles of Audubon’s website, but it is worth addressing
the Willamette River on a course toward ecological health four issues that have received extensive
or continue the longstanding trends of degradation and coverage in the local media.
decline. These decisions will have implications not only for
Potential restoration site at Balch Creek Cove. © Bob Sallinger
Is it unreasonable to ask industry to mitigate
the health of this stretch of river, but also for the efficacy of
all the restoration work that has been occurring upstream. for the full cost of significant natural resources that are
We urge City Council to adopt the plan in its entirety. lost in the course of industrial development? Does the River Plan ignore the needs of the Working
The policy choice that the City Harbor?
The environmental portion of the plan is faces on this issue is stark. The The River Plan promises $586 million in public funding
Concerns among all for road and other infrastructure improvements to
relatively simple. It creates a system of 21 North Reach is already the most
permanently protected natural areas spaced stakeholders are best heavily degraded stretch of river in support industrial landowners, $441 million of which is
approximately 1/4 mile apart. This is the addressed… through Oregon. Allowing industry to avoid “expected to be funded in the next 10 years.” In six months
bare minimum which the National Marine mitigating for the environmental of hearings before the Planning Commission, industry
Fisheries Service says that federally listed
on-the-ground impacts it causes will require that never once recognized this massive subsidy, not a single
salmon and steelhead need to effectively implementation those costs either be passed onto time. The plan increases flexibility for development on
industrial sites, streamlines environmental permitting, and
traverse this stretch of river as they make coupled with a the taxpayers or that the river be
adds new protections to prevent conversion of industrial
their way to the sea. Some of these sites also allowed to degrade even further.
provide increased connectivity to natural
schedule for review lands.
areas such as Forest Park and Smith & and revision as the Should industry be given a break
Bybee Lakes, which have long been cut off plan’s true strengths on the River Plan because it The bottom line is that the North Reach of the Willamette
from the river. Outside of these sites, the already faces significant liability River remains a degraded toxic soup unfit for humans or
plan calls for environmental zoning for the and weaknesses are under Superfund? wildlife, the most degraded stretch of river in the state of
highest-value existing natural resources revealed. Superfund is the federal Oregon, and one of the most degraded stretches of river
throughout the North Reach. Property government’s program to clean in the United States. The River Plan is far from perfect. We
owners could still develop on these sites, up and remediate uncontrolled have reservations about several elements, most notably
but they would have to try to avoid and minimize loss of hazardous waste sites. The fact that an industry is being the relatively small contribution that the plan requires of
natural function as much as possible and mitigate for any held liable for polluting the environment should in no industry toward river restoration objectives. However, we
loss that does occur. way exempt it from participating in other environmental also recognize that a plan of this scope and complexity will
programs. never achieve perfection or consensus straight out of the
Taken together, these two provisions will allow for starting gate.
significant ecological improvement in the North Reach Is the City duplicating federal agencies by regulating
while still allowing property owners flexibility to develop natural resources below the ordinary high-water line? It is time to take this plan, several years in the making and
on their sites. The system has been described as a “String No. In fact, the City has always regulated below ordinary six months under review before the Planning Commission,
of Pearls,” with the permanently protected restoration high water specifically because it has interests that are out for a test drive. Concerns among all stakeholders are
sites serving as the pearls and the zoning as the string that not addressed by other agencies. What is new in the River best addressed not by perpetual public debate, but rather
connects them. Both elements are essential to restoring the Plan is that the City is proposing a streamlining process through on-the-ground implementation coupled with a
ecology of the North Reach. that will ensure that its mandates are coordinated and schedule for review and revision as the plan’s true strengths
complementary to state and federal and weaknesses are revealed. It is
The City Council’s decision will not be easy. The Working mandates. A letter to the City dated time to move forward on restoring
Waterfront Coalition, a joint effort of the Port of Portland April 1, 2009 from Kim Kratz, the the Willamette River in Portland,
and waterfront industries, has launched a full-scale assault Oregon Director of the National our river.
on the environmental portion of the plan. Their position Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
is a grab-bag of stock complaints laced with not-so-subtle stated the following: We will need your help to
threats that industrial property owners will eventually “…the City’s jurisdiction below make sure that this plan is
look to other ports with lower environmental standards ordinary high water protects fish adopted by Portland City
if the River Plan is adopted. The City should not allow and wildlife resources that are not Council with its environmental
itself and the health of our river to be held hostage to protected through other federal or provisions intact. For more
these types of tactics — it should look closely at the state programs. This may prevent information, please contact
contents of the River Plan and make its decision based new species from being added to the Audubon Conservation Director
on the facts rather than the rhetoric. Endangered Species Act list.… NMFS Bob Sallinger at bsallinger@
encourages the City to retain this audubonportland.org.
To its credit, the Portland Planning Commission did just jurisdiction for multiple reasons…” Yellow Warbler © Don Baccus. During some portion
that, spending six months carefully reviewing the River of their lifecycle, 90% of our native bird species use
riparian corridors. More than 25% of our native bird
Plan before forwarding the plan to City Council. We species are experiencing significant long-term declines.
disagreed with some of the concessions that the Planning

Get Involved!

W e’re looking for people who want to help preserve our environment for future generations! This is a great way
to have fun, learn about the natural world, and make a difference for wildlife. All you need is a desire to learn
and a love of the natural world.

FAUNA ACT
Friends and Advocates of Urban Natural Areas Our Audubon Conservation Team (ACT) specifically
(FAUNA) is an informal group of individuals and local focuses on conservation of IBAs, protection of oceans,
grassroots organizations dedicated to protecting and and recovery of Threatened and Endangered species. If
restoring urban watersheds for fish, wildlife, and people. you care about protecting
We strive to more fully integrate the built and natural state and federal forests,
environments in the Portland metropolitan area. marine wildlife and habitat,
and Important Bird Areas,
Join FAUNA and you will receive regular updates and please sign up for ACT at
action alerts on how to be involved in conserving and www.audubonportland.org/
restoring our urban watersheds and greenspaces. To issues/get-involved.
become a member, go to www.audubonportland.org/ Join the team!
issues/get-involved. Help protect and enhance nature
Degraded riparian habitat in the North Reach of the
near the places where you live, work, and play! Marbled Murrelet at sea.
Willamette River. © Bob Sallinger Photo: Thomas Hamer

4 NOVEMBER 2009 www.audubonportland.org


Varied Thrush © Jim Cruce
Backyard Wildlife
and Habitat:
Preparing Your
Backyard for Winter!
by Karen Munday,
Urban Wildlife Specialist
F
all is here and winter is almost upon us. All of the
wildlife that stays in our area during the winter is
here because they are well adapted to our climate
and can survive our winters, but there are some things
you can do to help during these cold months.
Take a look at your yard from the viewpoint of an animal
seeking shelter and food. Are there safe hiding spots in
which to find shelter; is there food such as seeds, cones,
and berries that persist into late winter; is there a source
of water?
Don’t Be Too Tidy
You can start providing natural food and shelter by
going easy on fall cleanup. Many native flowering plants
can go to seed and provide food for birds. There’s no
need to be super neat and tidy — wildlife appreciates
things a little on the wild side. Those fallen leaves that
are starting to pile up, or those unclipped flowers you
meant to get to, can benefit birds and other wildlife.
Flowers that have faded will still produce seeds and
many birds will take advantage of them.
Leaving plant material, especially leaves, on the ground
provides a great source of organic material for your soil.
It also provides crawling spaces for reptiles, amphibians,
and insects. In the winter many ground-feeding birds
like towhees and robins will thank you for those extra
sources of insects. If you have had a trimming project,
collect branches and debris and make a brush pile in a
corner of your yard. This provides a wonderful source of
shelter for many birds and wildlife on cold winter days.
Feeding Songbirds
You may choose to feed songbirds throughout the
winter. Feeding songbirds is okay, but Audubon
recommends against feeding of both wild mammals and
waterfowl even in the winter. Feeding of mammals and
waterfowl can quickly lead to problems associated with
habituation, and ultimately does more harm than good.
Songbird feeding can be enjoyable all winter long. Many
year-round and winter residents will still visit your
feeders throughout the winter months. Just remember
that birdfeeders are supplemental food for birds and
they are not relying on any one feeder to get them
through the winter — and you still have to keep your
feeders clean and dry.
Wildlife Needs Water
Water is necessary for survival of wildlife, and finding it
in the winter isn’t always easy. Provide a source of clean
water for drinking and bathing this winter. It is a great
way to get additional birds into your yard. You can use a
birdbath, pond, or a simple shallow flat-bottomed bowl.
Want additional help? If you live in Portland, check
out our Backyard Habitat Certification Program
at www.audubonportland.org/backyardwildlife/
backyardhabitat or call
Karen Munday at
503-292-6855 ext.122.
www.audubonportland.org
Wildlife Care Center
Fledgling Kestrels Brought to Care Center
by Deb Sheaffer and Kari Jones, Wildlife Care Center Staff
O n a Saturday morning in mid-September, two
fledgling American Kestrels were brought into the
Wildlife Care Center by a man who found them in
a box left on his doorstep. He knew something was wrong
when they couldn’t fly, so he brought them to our Care
Center.
Kari Jones, WCC Assistant Manager, opened the box to
find a male and a female Kestrel with severe problems.
Both had malformed skulls and soft beaks. The male also
had rubbery, twisted legs and was unable to grasp or stand
on his feet. The female had more normally developed legs,
but was unable to stand upright. Her jaw was soft and
there was at least one fracture on the lower mandible. They
were both dehydrated and weak. The brother and sister
were completely imprinted on people and started begging
immediately.
The deformities and soft
bones the birds had are
classic signs of Metabolic
Bone Disease, or Rickets,
a condition young
animals develop if raised
on an inappropriate diet
deficient in calcium.
This diagnosis was
supported by x-rays and
blood calcium levels
(the male had a calcium
level of 4.0 mg/dL, less
than half what it should
Two fledgling American Kestrels in
WCC with Rickets. © Kari Jones
Oregon Marine Board Establishes
No-Wake Zone in Ross Island Lagoon!
by Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director
I n mid-October, the Oregon State Marine Board revisited
the Ross Island No-Wake Zone issue and voted 4 to 1
to establish a 5 mph No-Wake Zone in the Ross Island
Lagoon. They also set up a task force which will include
Marine Board staff to consider a No-Wake Zone in the
Holgate Channel as well as other options to protect natural
resources and increase boater safety in the channel. The
task force is to report back to the Marine Board with a
recommendation for the Holgate Channel in time for their
January meeting.
Establishing a No-Wake Zone at Ross Island has long been
an objective of Portland Audubon, Willamette Riverkeeper,
and Urban Greenspaces Institute. The three organizations
worked together for more than a year to do community
outreach and bring a petition forward to the Marine Board.
The outpouring of public support to the Marine Board was
tremendous, with submission of several hundred letters
from citizens, community groups, paddling and rowing
clubs, and local neighborhood associations — and people
lining up to testify late into the night at a swelteringly hot
Marine Board hearing. The Portland City Council weighed
in with a unanimous resolution supporting a No-Wake
Zone. Portland Parks Director Zari Santner, Portland City
Commissioner Nick Fish, Senator Jackie Dingfelder, and
the Governor’s Office all took leadership roles to protect
this special place. Those calls grew even stronger after the
Marine Board initially rejected the No-Wake Zone proposal
in July.
The incredible public outpouring of
support for a No-Wake Zone at Ross
Island speaks to the importance of
this natural area to the community.
The No-Wake Zone in the Ross Island
Lagoon will reduce erosion along the
banks, protect emergent wetlands
that are being restored at the north
and south ends of the lagoon, and
reduce disturbance of local wildlife
populations. Equally important, it
will provide a safe place for people to Ross Island Lagoon No-Wake
paddle and experience nature. Zone and Holgate Channel
study area.
NOVEMBER 2009
be). Unfortunately, once
the bone deformities are
present, there is little
chance of reversing the
damage and the birds are
permanently crippled.
In the case of the male
Kestrel, the deformities
were so severe the bird
had to be euthanized.
The female has been
treated with calcium Male Kestrel with leg deformities
supplementation and caused by Rickets. © Kari Jones
other nutritional support
and will likely survive, but will have to spend her life in
captivity due to her malformed beak.
While we don’t know the story of how they came to be on
that doorstep, we do know that they were raised by humans
without the appropriate care, diet, and treatment that
would allow them to remain wild.
Sadly, if these birds had been left with their parents or
raised on an appropriate diet, they could be flying free right
now. The rehabilitation of a wild animal is a complicated
process. There are many crucial steps in the fostering
and rearing of any wild animal, including providing
an appropriate diet and nutrition. Injured or orphaned
wildlife should always be taken quickly to a licensed wildlife
rehabilitation center. Human interference, even with the
best intentions, is often deadly to wild creatures.
As of January 1, 2010, the Ross Island Lagoon will be a much safer
place to paddle and enjoy nature! © Bob Sallinger
The work is far from over, however. Portland Audubon,
Willamette Riverkeeper, and Urban Greenspaces Institute
will all be actively involved in the task force looking at the
Holgate Channel, and will push hard for the Marine Board
to extend the No-Wake Zone to the Holgate Channel at
their January meeting. The narrowness of the channel and
limited sight lines, especially in the Upper Holgate Channel,
make the mixture of high-speed boaters and human-
powered craft a tragedy waiting to happen. We will also be
working with Portland City Council to pass a resolution
declaring Ross Island a noise reduction area, ensuring
that Ross Island remains a place where you can expect to
hear the birds rather than the blare of amped-up onboard
stereos. Finally, starting next spring we will be expanding
our collaborative restoration and monitoring efforts on the
Island with Portland Parks.
The No-Wake Zone in the Ross Island Lagoon will go
into effect on January 1, 2010. Please plan to join us
on New Year’s Day for a celebratory paddle around
Ross Island to welcome in this new era. Watch our
website and the December Warbler for details about
this celebration.
To join the Friends of Ross Island (a joint effort
of Audubon, Willamette Riverkeeper, Urban
Greenspaces Institute, and Portland Parks) and
receive email updates on opportunities to get
involved with ongoing efforts to protect and
restore Ross Island, please contact Bob Sallinger at
bsallinger@audubonportland.org.
5
Educational Trips & Tours These trips are popular. We recommend
that you book early.

Birding Costa Rica Brown Violet-ear © Mike Liskay,

geneguy.smugmug.com

March 28 – April 10, 2010

J oin naturalists from Audubon Society of Portland on an incredible trip

through the lush lowland rainforests, volcanoes, mountain forests, and
coastal wetlands of Costa Rica. More than 800 species of birds have been seen
within the borders of this small country. To protect this diversity Costa Rica has
preserved almost 30% of its land in the form of National Parks and Reserves,
helping to make sure that it will be protected for many generations to come. We’ll
explore these habitats as we search for the Keel-billed Toucan, Blue-crowned
Motmot, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and Bare-throated Tiger-Heron,
to name a few. One of the highlights will be our search for the Resplendent
Quetzal, considered by many as the most beautiful bird in the world.
We’ll visit the cloud forest slopes of the
dormant Tenorio Volcano and walk along
the incredibly blue Rio Celeste where
warblers and tanagers abound. At
the Poas Volcano, we will peer into the
crater lake and enjoy the cool mountain
air. We’ll seek out mixed-species flocks
including cotingas, saltators, and
woodcreeper at the La Selva Biological
station, and hike the lowland rainforest
of this famous research station. In
Tortuguero, “the Amazon of Costa Rica,”
Roadside Hawk © Mike Liskay, geneguy.smugmug.com
we’ll see herons and egrets by boat while parrots fly
over and howler monkeys roar in the distance. In the
mountains, we’ll visit the temperate Savegre River valley
where highland tropical birds forage in the oaks and
alders with familiar birds such as Acorn Woodpeckers.
Our final destination is the Pacific Coast, where we will
take a trip through the estuary and mangroves of the
Rio Tarcoles, and look for Scarlet Macaws in the Carara
Biological Reserve.
We expect to see well over 200 species of strange and
colorful birds on this trip, along with a number of amazing
mammals, colorful butterflies, and bizarre reptiles.
What is included: All ground transportation within Costa Rica, 13 nights lodging, breakfasts, lunches, some
dinners, local guide fees, entrance fees, excursions, and the services of your skilled leaders. A portion of your fee is a
tax-deductible contribution to the Audubon Society of Portland. Airfare to Costa Rica is not included.
Fee (double occupancy): $3295 members /
$3395 non-members
Deposit: $1600 required to secure your place on the trip
Group size: 14
Leader: Dan van den Broek
Contact Dan van den Broek at dvandenbroek@audubonportland.org or 971-222-6105.

California Condors and Big Sur Coast Condor Companion

Class
April 19–23, 2010 Visit Oregon’s

J oin us to view North America’s largest bird, the California
Condor, in the wild! Thanks to recovery efforts made by a
host of dedicated partners (including the Oregon Zoo),
the population of free-flying Condors is now at 180 birds.
The central California coast and inland areas offer excellent
opportunities to see these majestic birds as well as a wide
variety of other species. We’ll begin our search in the Pinnacles
National Monument, a unique volcanic landscape home to
Condors, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, Yellow-billed
Magpies, and Acorn Woodpeckers. Lush canyons of Live Oak
and Chaparral alive with Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Lazuli
Bunting lead us toward the High Peaks where Condors are
frequently seen.
Next we travel to the
stunning Big Sur coast
south of Monterey
where coastal hills of
forest and grassland
plunge into the sea. The
scenery is breathtaking
and the chances of seeing
Condors at roost or
California Condor
© David Moen
soaring above the
Condor Recovery
rugged coastline Program
November 14 (Sat.), 10am–2pm
are very good. We’ll
also look seaward Three Condors soar over the sea.
© Ventana Wilderness Society Join us on a trip to the Jonsson Center
for migrating
for Wildlife Conservation, where the
loons, scoters, and California Gray Whales, and we’ll take
Oregon Zoo operates a captive-breeding
walks in beautiful state parks. We’ll visit the world-famous
program as part of the California Condor
Monterey Bay Aquarium and take in the sights of Old Town
Recovery Program. One of only four such
Monterey during our two nights there. On our final day we
facilities in existence, condors raised here
explore our way back to the Bay Area in search of migrating
from hatching are eventually released
shorebirds, Red-shouldered Hawks, and White-tailed
into the wild. This is a rare opportunity
Kites.
to see these magnificent birds up close
and learn about the science involved
What is included: All lodging, land transportation, entrance fees, all
in this and similar endangered species
meals except dinners, and the services of your leader. A portion of your fee
recovery programs. Half of your fee is a
is a tax-deductible gift to the Audubon Society of Portland. Airfare is not
contribution to the Oregon Zoo California
included.
Condor Recovery Program.
Fee: $795 members / $995 non-members
Fee: $75 (members only)
Deposit: $400
Free for those with a deposit for our
Group size: 9 participants
April 2010 Condor trip.
Leader: Steve Engel
Limited to 15 participants.
Contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonportland.org
Pre-registration is required.
or 971-222-6119.

Sign up early!
In 2010, we’re gearing up for some
incredible birding adventures. Audubon
Society of Portland will lead trips across
four continents, on exotic islands, and to the
natural wonders of our own incomparable
Pacific Northwest.

Check our website and watch the Warbler Red and Green Macaws at clay lick. © Dan van den Broek Frigate Bird chick. © Dan van den Broek
for your chance to broaden your horizons
and see the birds of the world. Peru Galapagos
Dates and fee: Dates and fee:
Here are two of our September 18–30, 2010 September 30–October 6, 2010
planned trips next year… ($2995) ($3295)

6 NOVEMBER 2009 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.

Winter Waterfowl
November 17 (Tues.), 7pm–9pm
in Heron Hall
Introducing the NEW Portland Audubon
Beginning and intermediate birders welcome! School of Birding!
E ach season will include 6 field trips (one overnight) Seasonal topics include:
Another great class with Harry Nehls, local bird expert
and 6 classes. We’ll explore the coast, Willamette SPRING (full–wait list):.... Spring migration, bird songs.
and author of numerous field guides and the Warbler’s
Valley, mountains, and high desert in search of
“Field Notes” column (see page 9), as well as the voice of the SUMMER (2 spaces available):...... Breeding bird ID and
seabirds, shorebirds, birds of prey, and songbirds.
Rare Bird Alert. This evening program will cover the wide vocalizations, birds of the mountains and high desert.
variety of waterfowl that arrive in the Northwest in fall and Discover the birds of every season and build your birding
What is included: Teaching and guiding by Dan van den
winter: wigeon, teal, geese, swans, and more! Learn the skills as we cover:
Broek and guest speakers, transportation in 15-passenger
differences between these birds and how to pick them out • How to identify birds using field marks, size, and shape
vans, 6 field trips, one overnight trip with stay in a hotel, and
in a crowd. — we’ll look at plumage characteristics, bill types,
6 classes in Heron Hall.
overall shape, and styles of flight to help identify birds.
Fee: $10 members / $15 non-members • Birding by ear — a focus on identifying birds by songs Fee: $360 for each session
This class is FREE for volunteers. and calls. Class size is limited to 14 participants.
Pre-registration is required. • The natural history of Oregon birds — we’ll discuss For more information or to enroll, contact Dan van den
when and where to find birds in Oregon as well as any Broek at dvandenbroek@audubonportland.org or
Gulls in Winter interesting behaviors. 971-222-6105.
January 20 (Wed.), 7pm–9pm:
Class in Heron Hall
January 23 (Sat.), 9am–5pm: Field Trip
Winter Break Camp 2009 at the Audubon Society of Portland
Do you typically take a “pass” on identifying those gulls To register, call Sarah Swanson at 971-222-6120 to reserve a space, and then send in your registration form with
when you are out birding? If you feel it is time to take payment. Spaces will only be held for two weeks without payment. All camps run from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
the plunge and learn some tricks for figuring out what MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
kind of gull that is, then join John Rakestraw, author of
numerous articles and the Falcon Guide to Birding Oregon, Winter Forest Animals Winter Birds of the Junior Wildlife Vet 101 Jr. Raptor Road Trip 2
for a Wednesday evening class on gull identification and Art Forest Art session 1 2nd-3rd grade
1st-3rd grade 2nd-3rd grade 2nd-3rd grade See description for Jr. Raptor
natural history. On Saturday we travel to the coast by van
Create wildly imaginative Create wildly colorful, See description for Junior Road Trip 1 (December 23).
(provided by Audubon) and put our newfound knowledge Fee: $65member/
animal masks and clay terrifically textural drawings Wildlife Vet 101 session
to the test as we look for the dozen or so species that winter sculptures inspired by forest and paintings of birds and 2 (December 31). Fee: $75non-member
along our coast. animals that live in the their forest habitat in the $55member/$65non-member
Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Audubon Sanctuary.You’ll
Jr. Raptor Road Trip 1 4th-8th grade
Fee: $65 members / $80 non-members winter. Learn some techniques also visit the Wildlife Care
Grab your binoculars, we’ll bring the scopes and treats!! Join
Class only: $10 members / $15 non-members for shaping 3-dimensional Center and Interpretive
us for a road trip through Sauvie Island as we trace the path
Field Trip limited to 12 participants. animals, their homes and Center to be inspired by
of the annual Raptor Road Trip put on by Portland Audubon
habitat in clay. Class includes real animals.You can hand-
Pre-registration is required. and other organizations. Our trip explores all of the Road
a hike exploring some of the print some colorful wrapping
Trip’s sites in search of the magnificent Bald Eagles, hawks, and
Sanctuary’s forested trails, paper and go home with a
falcons that spend the winter in the Portland area. Learn the
Beginning Birding a visit to the Wildlife Care gift of your art to share. Fee:
route and all the cool things that raptors have to teach us so
January 25 (Mon.), 7pm–9pm: Center, and art instruction $55member/$65non-member
you can lead your family on the official Raptor Road Trip in
Class in Heron Hall with artist Susan Leeb. Fee:
Cookin’ at the Cabin February! Fee: $65member/$75non-member
January 31 & February 7 (Sun.), 9am–11:30am: $55member/$65non-member
Field Trips 4th-8th grade
Snowshoe and The holiday season lends itself to treats and sweets. Prepare your stomachs as we head to
Hot Cocoa Adventure Portland Audubon’s Marmot Cabin for a day of Cookin’ at the Cabin. We will learn different
If you’ve always wanted to give birding a try and would fire-building techniques in order to explore various cooking methods on an open fire. Anyone
4th-8th grade
like to learn some basics, this class is for you. Designed for orange cakes, cookies, western hemlock tea, and bannock (bread on a stick!)?
Venture onto the snow-
especially for beginners, topics include finding birds, tips covered slopes of Fee: $65member/$75non-member
for looking at birds, recognizing behavior and habitats, and Mt. Hood on snowshoes.
identifying bird sounds. Take concepts from the evening We’ll snowshoe the White River Canyon, an incredible wilderness area, searching for tracks Download a
program and apply them on two Portland-area field trips. of Snowshoe Hare, Bobcat, and Coyote. Along the way, we’ll nestle down under the trees and registration form
Your instructor will be Laura Whittemore. Laura’s classes warm up with some hot cocoa. Fee includes snowshoe rental. Fee: $65member/$75non-member on our website!
always fill quickly, so sign up now! If you miss this one, then
look for a repeat of Beginning Birding in February MONDAY, DECEMBER 28 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31

(2/22 = class, 2/28 & 3/7 = field trips). Singing and Searching
in the Sanctuary
Fee: $35 members / $50 non-members 2nd-3rd grade
Limited to 14 participants. Get ready for a fun-filled
Pre-registration is required. day at the Audubon Wildlife
Sanctuary! We will go on a
scavenger hunt, find our own
Trees in Winter — Back by natural instruments, and sing
Poplar Demand! some science and nature
January 31 (Sun.), 9:30am–3:30pm songs along the way! We’ll
even make up our own special
Are you feeling like a stranger amongst the many tree song and track one of the
naturalists through the forest
species that make up our world- famous forests? Then it’s
using our eyes and our ears!
time to be introduced! Spend a day learning fun facts about Fee: $55member/
common and not-so-common native Northwest trees. We’ll $65non-member
learn many different identifying clues — from their bark
to their berries and where they are growing. Knowing your Wolves
trees is a great way to feel connected to where you live and, 4th-8th grade
Experience the world of
for birdwatchers, a very useful tool for describing where
Wolves as we travel as a pack
a bird is to your companions. We’ll spend the morning in to the Wolf Haven Sanctuary
Heron Hall and then venture outside into the Audubon near Tenino, Washington.
Sanctuary after lunch (bring your own sack lunch). With a Portland Audubon
Instructor is Steve Engel, Adult Education Coordinator. Naturalist as your Alpha Wolf,
you will learn about these
majestic predators and have
Fee: $25 members / $35 non-members
a howlin’ good time! Fee:
Limited to 15 participants.
$65member/$75non-member
Pre-registration is required.
Bounty of Bats
2nd-3rd grade
Experience these mysterious
mammals of the night up-
close and personal as we
study bats from all over the
world. We will have hands-on
experience with specimens of
some of the more common
bats of Oregon and learn
more about the myths and
legends that these flying
mammals have inspired. Fee:
$55member/$65non-member
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 all about
these animals as well as the
other cool critters we will
see along the way! Participate
in an Elk feeding program and
safely see these marvelous
mammals up close. Fee:
$65member/$75non-member
Winter Waterfowl Junior Wildlife Vet 101
Adventure session 2
2nd-3rd grade 1st-3rd grade
We’ll search some local hot Join other animal lovers
spots for birds that only visit for a day devoted to
Portland in the winter months. learning about the care
Equipped with binoculars, of injured and orphaned
bird books, and hand-warmers, wildlife. We’ll go behind
we will spend the morning in the scenes of Audubon’s
search of our feathered Wildlife Care Center
friends! Then we will wind with wildlife rehabilitators
up the day back at Audubon and find out what this
with games, bird crafts, and a exciting job is all about. Fee:
special snack! $55member/$65non-member
Fee: $65member/
$75non-member
Junior Wildlife Vet 102 4th-5th grade
See description for Junior Wildlife Vet 101 session 2
(December 31). Fee: $55member/$65non-member
Field Techniques of Animal Tracking 6th-9th grade
Learn to cast tracks using a variety of materials, then keep the
tracks you make to start your own collection! Steve Engel and
Steve Robertson, Audubon staff and lifelong trackers, will show
you the tricks of the trade to ensure every track you cast is a
work of art! Fee: $60member/$70non-member
Visit us at www.audubonportland.org
for more information!

www.audubonportland.org NOVEMBER 2009 7

Sanctuaries News
Flowing With the Seasons
by Tom Costello, Sanctuaries Director
A s I sit here at my desk the signs of fall are
unmistakable — the brisk cool air, yellow and
brown leaves scattered on the ground, mushrooms
of all sorts popping up, and of course the squirrels running
about gathering and storing their caches of nuts. And
as I look at my to-do list I feel a certain kinship with the
squirrels. I do not have any big projects happening right
now, certainly nothing exciting enough to warrant a
Warbler article. Right now the bulk of my work is busy work
preparing for the winter season: tuning up the furnaces,
cleaning out the gutters, upgrading
the outdoor lighting, that sort of
thing. As I scurry up and down the
ladders and back and forth to the
hardware store I am reminded of my
furry little friends running up and
down the trunks of trees, jumping
from branch to branch, frantically
trying to get everything in order
before the winter weather hits full
on.
And as my fuzzy pals are building Lepiota rachodes © Tammi Miller gathering data and assembling
their caches for the winter, so too am
I filling my clipboard with plans for
winter projects. Restoration season
is almost upon us, and we have some
exciting projects coming up. Our
second TogetherGreen volunteer
event of the season will be held on
Saturday, December 5th, 10am–
4pm, with a focus on invasives
removal in the Uhtoff Sanctuary.
The following day, Sunday,
December 6th, will mark the first
of many planned restoration tree Douglas Squirrel. Photo: Franco Folini, Northwest.
plantings in the Collins Sanctuary
as part of a new partnership with Metro and the Friends
of Trees Gift Tree Program. Go to www.audubonportland.
org/about/events/togreen for more information about
these events.
Walking Our Talk — walk with us!
Warbler issues reduce while opportunities to stay in touch increase!
I t is important to us that we use all mechanisms to
stay in touch with you, to keep you informed about
issues, events, and trips! It is equally important that
we work to reduce our impact on the planet. Please walk
with us in these efforts by signing up for our enewsletter
(the BirdWord) at our website, by becoming a Facebook
fan at www.facebook.com/PortlandAudubon, and by
following us @PortlandAudubon at www.twitter.com/
PortlandAudubon.
Nature Store Highlights
by Sally Loomis, Nature Store Book Buyer
New Book Roundup
The new fall book releases are pouring into the Nature Store!
Drop by and take a look at these featured titles, and many
more too numerous to list. Or if you see a title that you
would like to order by telephone, please give us a call during
business hours (503-292-9453, 10-6 M-Sat, 10-5 Sun) and
we’ll be happy to make arrangements to mail it to you.
Is there room on your shelf for another
birding field guide? Check out the new Birds
of Western North America: A Photographic
Guide by Paul Sterry and Brian Small
(Princeton University Press, $18.95). The
book includes vividly colored photos
with examples of juvenile, seasonal,
and sexual plumage variations,
range maps, and brief descriptions
of key behavioral and habitat issues.
There is also a companion guide to Eastern species.
The Sibley Guide to Trees, written and illustrated
by David Allen Sibley (Knopf, $39.95), is a stunning
8 NOVEMBER 2009
Also coming up on Saturday, January 30th is our third
TogetherGreen volunteer event, scheduled in conjunction
with Tu BiSh’vat, a Jewish holiday that
“marks the ‘New Year of the Trees’. Tu Bishvat is one of
four ‘New Years’ mentioned in the Mishnah. Customs
include planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts,
especially figs, dates, raisins, carob, and almonds. In Israel,
the flowering of the almond tree, which grows wild around
the country, coincides with Tu Bishvat.”
— from Wikipedia.org
In keeping with tradition, our
volunteers will be planting native
trees in the sanctuaries as part of
our ongoing restoration activities.
And we will have lots of traditional
snacks on hand to keep our energy
up and our bodies warm as we take
on this mid-winter planning.
Some big facilities projects are
also on the horizon. We are busy
plans for a major upgrade to our
septic system, which is quickly
approaching its service capacity.
I am also drawing up plans to
rebuild the tables in Heron Hall,
which have effectively reached the
end of their functional life. Finally,
I am beginning a feasibility study
for upgrading and expanding the
facilities at Marmot Cabin with
the goal of creating the premier
outdoor education facility in the
Wikimedia Commons
With all this busy work, planning, and preparation, I feel
very attuned to the energies of the fall and the cycles of
the season. For me it is a time to gather resources and plan
for the winter season and the new year ahead. I thank my
squirrel friends for the inspiration.
Starting January 2010, we will be reducing the number
of Warbler issues from ten to eight: January/February,
March, April/May, June, July/August, September,
October/November, and December. But, don’t fret,
while we are working to save those trees, everything
you need will be a click away at our website,
www.audubonportland.org.
new work with the meticulous eye for detail that Sibley
is known for. It includes both native North American
species and lots of horticultural species, so you’ll have
lots of identification clues for the trees you find in the
forest or while walking down a woodsy block in town.
For Sibley fans, please also note that a newly revised
edition of his Bird Life and Behavior has just been
released as well (also Knopf, $39.95).
Handbook of Oregon Birds by
Hendrik Herlyn and Alan Contreras
(Oregon State University Press,
$22.95) is a must-have title for
Oregon birders, taking the wealth
of information found in Dave
Marshall’s weighty Birds of Oregon
and condensing it down to a
handy field guide size. Status and
distribution information is included
for each species listed, including seasonal variability,
and helpful ID tidbits.
Violet-green Swallow preening. © Clay Taylor
Swarovski
Digiscoping
Weekend
D
igiscoping is the art of taking photographs with
a digital camera through a spotting scope. It is
often called “super-telephotography” because
it allows a huge magnification range: up to five times
the focal length that can be achieved with commercially
available telephoto camera lenses!
The Audubon Nature Store is pleased to announce
that Clay Taylor, the Naturalist Market Manager
for Swarovski Optik, will present a special Swarovski
Digiscoping Weekend on November 6th–8th for
Portland Audubon. All events are free to the public,
but require pre-registration. The event kicks off with
a Friday evening lecture in Heron Hall from 7pm
to 9pm. Clay will discuss how to select and match
equipment, basic digiscoping techniques, and tricks for
achieving consistently successful results.
For participants interested in getting some photographic
field experience, there will be an opportunity to sign
up for either a Saturday or Sunday field trip. These
morning to early afternoon field trips will wrap up
with a late-afternoon session of photo viewing back at
Heron Hall.
Any spotting scope and camera combination may be
brought to the sessions; Swarovski Optik equipment
is not required. However, since many point-and-shoot
digital cameras are not well suited for digiscoping, it’s a
good idea to make sure, in advance, that your equipment
is compatible. Potential attendees may contact Clay at
clay.taylor@swarovskioptik.us to check their camera/
scope set-up — or to get recommendations so they
can purchase the correct combinations before the
workshops.
For more information about digiscoping and
Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year competition, visit
www.swarovskioptik.com or come to the Nature Store to
see Swarovski scopes and equipment in person!
To register for the Swarovski Digiscoping Weekend,
call Nancy Mattson at 503-292-9453 or email
nmattson@audubonportland.org.
Fat of the Land: Adventures of a 21st Century
Forager by Seattle writer Langdon Cook
(Skipstone, $26.95) is an entertaining and
delicious story of learning to eat foods gathered
from the wild, with recipes. Cook is both a
witty and intrepid adventurer, and his yarns of
harvesting razor clams, stinging nettles, and other
natural foods make for an engaging read. The book
is also a reminder of what a rich landscape we live
in here in the Northwest.
Our members who like to travel near and far for birding
adventures should know that we now carry the complete line
of Travellers’ Wildlife Guides from Interlink Press. These
are great basic wildlife guides to a dozen different states or
countries, including Florida, Peru, Brazil, and Australia. If
you just have room in your luggage for one wildlife guide,
you’ll find these to be a perfect compact compendium of
nature information.
One last note: the 2010 Chinook Books ($20.00) are in!
www.audubonportland.org
 Field Notes by Harry Nehls
Brown Creepers Excel at Hide-and-Seek

W hile the more flamboyant species get all the

attention, many other birds go about their sedate
lives without a great deal of notoriety. The Brown
Creeper is one of these unassuming species. Seldom do you
see much about them in print.
This close relative of the nuthatches is designed for retrieving
small insect life from the bark and crevices of trees. Its bill
is fairly long, slender, and slightly down-curved, perfect for
picking off insects from crevices. The Brown Creeper’s fairly
long tail feathers, like swifts and woodpeckers, are equipped
with stiff vanes to help support the bird as it works over the
tree trunks. Its toes have long sharp claws built for grasping
rough vertical surfaces. Its plumage camouflages the bird so
that it is regularly overlooked.
The Brown Creeper is primarily a bird of the coniferous
forest during the breeding season, but a few pairs do not
read the books and might nest in any woodlot. The female
builds the nest behind a loose chunk of bark or some other
similar crevice on the side of a tree. The nest is shaped like a
hammock, with the two ends built up higher than the rest of
the nest. They will use specially prepared artificial nest boxes
when available.
During the breeding season they scatter out into any type
of forest or woodlot, moving primarily to lower elevations.
Brown Creepers are loners for the most part — seldom is
more than one seen at a time. Occasionally, however, a loose
flock of 15–20 will be seen that may be migrants, as some
birds move southward in the fall.
At times during the spring movement, these flocks become
quite noisy. The thin, high-pitched songs and calls of the
Brown Creeper are often overlooked or misidentified. To
many, its notes are too high to be heard.
The creeper appears to be completely at ease and seldom gets
excited. When it feels threatened it stiffens, sits close to the
trunk, and allows its plumage to protect it. It shows little or
no interest in humans and seems to ignore them entirely. It is
up to you to locate the bird as it seldom attracts attention.
Audubon Society of Portland
gratefully acknowledges these
thoughtful gifts:
It habitually flies to the base of one
tree, spirals upward along the trunk
to the main branches, then flies to the
base of the next tree and continues
the search for insects. It often forages
along the underside of horizontal
branches, leaving the upper side for the
other insect gleaners. This compulsive
habit of landing low and climbing
up contrasts with the similar habit of
the nuthatches to land high and work
downward.
There are several subspecies of the
Brown Creeper in North America,
three of them in Oregon. The birds Brown Creeper. © LeValleyPhoto.com treecreepers, and all are very similar in physical
east of the Cascades are noticeably
Sightings
Mild, stable weather this fall has allowed migrants to migrate
without hesitation. For birders this has meant mostly slow
birding. There have been many exceptions, though, some
quite spectacular.
Birders that were outside in the early hours before daylight
often heard flocks of migrant Swainson’s Thrushes calling
back and forth as they passed overhead. The movement
occurs between mid-August and mid-October with two peaks.
The first movement is usually the most conspicuous; the
second in early October is often overlooked. This fall the first
peak occurred during the night of September 8–9.
On September 24 the first main flight of White-fronted and
Cackling Geese arrived in the Portland area along with a
number of Sandhill Cranes.
On August 30 Floyd Schrock checked out the Barn
Swallow night roost on Grand Island, south of Dayton. The
spectacular swirling mass dropping into the cornfield was
later estimated by Paul Sullivan and Carol Karlen at 60,000
birds. On September 24 Linda Neumann reported several
Volunteer of the Month:
lighter colored than those to the west, and an
intermediate-plumaged race lives in southcentral
Oregon. The paler eastern race occasionally
visits western Oregon in winter. Their brighter
plumages are quite noticeable at that time.
The Brown Creeper is not a creeper at all but is
a member of the treecreeper family (Certhiidae).
Up to a few years ago it was thought to be a
subspecies of the Eurasian Treecreeper. The
only apparent difference is its voice, which
apparently is enough to consider it a full species.
Actually, in many respects the western American
birds are closer to the Asian species, the Short-
toed Treecreeper. There are six species of
characteristics.
thousand swallows swirling over a much
closer roost in Northeast Portland. Here
they dropped into trees in a wetland
near I-84 and 238th Street.
Steve Nord reported that a Tundra
Swan summered at Fernhill Wetlands
in Forest Grove. On September 19 John Juvenile Sabine’s
Gull. Photo: Dominic
Gatchet found a lone Sandhill Crane Sherony on Flickr
there. On September 19 John Rakestraw
with an Audubon group saw a young Sabine’s Gull in the
wetlands. It remained for several days, allowing many birders
to check it out. A flock of 13 White Pelicans remained at
Fernhill throughout the fall.
On September 2 Stefan Schlick spotted an American Redstart
in Jones Farm Park in Hillsboro. Karen Jones held a hawkwatch
at Council Crest September 27; not many hawks but a good
kettle of Turkey Vultures. She did record an unexpected
Broad-winged Hawk. Also unexpected was the Rock Wren
Jennifer Jones saw working over some rip-rap along the
Willamette River in midtown Portland September 22.

In Memory
Martha Gannett
Marjorie Sue Derek Hendry
by Meryl Redisch, Executive Director
Abramovitz Barbara & Marvin

S
Marshall Goldberg Ferenstein erving as chair of our Wild Arts Festival for a third
and final year, Martha Gannett continues to bring
Esther Enyart Jean S. Hunt
Sue Skinner
fresh ideas and creative enthusiasm to an event that
Carolyn Ryan
& Reva Leeman
has been a mainstay of ours for nearly three decades.
Suzanne Tamiesie Heidi Ann Munro After taking a break three years ago to evaluate the
Barbara Roberts Anna F. Jamison Festival’s goals and financial impact, Martha stepped up
and assumed a leadership role. As a professional graphics
Donald Pete Harry Jackson Shrum designer, she was counted on to develop and produce all of
William Posey Oregon Tilth the Festival’s creative pieces. These were always elegant and Photo © Bob Gandolfi
Jessie Harry captured the spirit of the Festival beautifully. Not only has
Betty Harry Leslie Wheary she continued doing this work, she has also brought a new support Audubon’s bottom line and sustain our region’s
Patrick Wheary
level of professionalism to the weekend’s program that is creative class. The revenue from 40 Friends will help
evident as soon as you step inside the venue. Audubon advance our vision of building a region where
In Honor people and native wildlife flourish together.
Steve Engel & Robert Seelig While this multifaceted Festival serves as one of Portland
Scott Lukens Florence Seelig Audubon’s annual fundraisers, it also carries out a much Knowing Martha from her long tenure as a Director on
Fenella Robinson larger purpose. From its humble beginnings on Cornell Audubon’s Board, I am sure that she would be the first to
Ann Chilcote Lucas & Leslie Road, it’s been a grand ‘friendraiser,’ volunteer magnet, share the spotlight with the wonderful team of volunteer
Stiff Arm and community-building opportunity. For some of the committee members who have already given triple-digit
Dr. Robert Grimm & Patrick Wheary
200 volunteers who donate their time to Audubon once hours of their time to this effort. I am positive that she
Dr. Nancy Grimm
Bruce Blank Kristin Wheary a year, this “weekend reunion” gives them a chance would also give tons of kudos to Bob Gandolfi, a terrific
Patrick Wheary to support their favorite artists, catch up with their events consultant and supporter of ours. And no doubt
Francis Hunter favorite people, and sustain their favorite nonprofit! The she would praise the Audubon staff for helping to make
Suzanne Wilson Kayla Wildman atmosphere is upbeat and light, and the Montgomery this event possible.
Gene Kuechmann Park venue has plenty of places to enjoy the art and the
Ginnie Ross deep green backdrop of Forest Park. All of that is true. But it has truly been Martha’s
Jeanne Beyer commitment to the arts community and to Portland
In addition, Martha has a lot more than 40 Friends! As Audubon that has catapulted this Festival forward.
You can honor a special person with a gift to Audubon
Society of Portland. Your gift will help fund a future
the chair of Portland Audubon’s Wild Arts Festival, Thank you, Martha, from your artist, author, and
of inspiring people to love and protect nature.
Martha’s “friends” will number in the hundreds during Audubon friends!
the two-day program that spotlights many of our region’s
You can make an Honor or Memorial gift online
at www.audubonportland.org or by calling
prominent artists and authors. New for this year is the (There is still time to become one of the 40 Friends and have
971-222-6129. A songbird card acknowledging your
40 Friends sponsorship package. With a contribution of your business recognized as a supporter of Portland Audubon.
thoughtful gift will be sent to the honoree or family.
just $250 dollars, individuals and small businesses can Please contact Ann Takamoto at 503-292-6855.)

www.audubonportland.org NOVEMBER 2009 9

Birdathon 2010… Already?!! Audubon Birding
Weekends 2009
T he planning process for Birdathon begins very
quietly every October. We don’t make much
mention of it except to begin gathering together the
planning committee, still worn out from the previous years’
opportunity for you or your business to participate through
Event Sponsorship. You’ll gain extended visibility to
thousands of people through our web pages, in Birdathon
literature, and in the Warbler.
– A Portal to Birding Oregon

Birdathon that was completed only four months ago.
Well, this upcoming year will be entirely different.
Birdathon will be turning 30 years old!
And, did you know that in the last 10 years alone,
Portland Audubon’s premier birding event raised
a staggering ONE MILLION DOLLARS?! Thanks to
you, our members, these are accomplishments no other
Audubon chapter in the nation can boast about!
To celebrate these milestones, we’ll be putting together an
extra-special event in 2010, and we want to provide an early
In addition, we can help you form a Birdathon team of
your own, assisted by expert leaders provided by the
Audubon Society of Portland.
For information about becoming a 30th Anniversary
Event Sponsor, or creating your own Birdathon team,
please contact Gary Slone at gary.audubon@gmail.com, or
Ann Takamoto at atakamoto@audubonportland.org.
Birdathon 2010 promises to be a
real celebration!
T
hese popular trips fill early and
there is often a waiting list. About
10 days before the trip, I send a
letter giving details like lodging options,
meeting place, schedule, possible
birds, etc. You are responsible for your
transportation, food, and lodging, and I
try to help arrange carpooling. We stay in
Paul Sullivan
the same lodging two nights. We meet for
breakfast on Saturday, carpool and bird all day, and bird
half of Sunday.
Registration is $35 per person for each weekend. Please
make your separate checks payable to the Audubon
Society of Portland. Register by Tuesday before the
weekend you plan to attend.

Driven to Extinction Include the following registration information for each

weekend you wish to attend:
The Lost Bird Project — What is Missing Matters Your name(s), address, phone, email, number of
by Ann Takamoto, Development Director attendees, trip you wish to join, and amount enclosed.

W
hat do the Passenger Pigeon, Carolina Parakeet,
Labrador Duck, Great Auk, and Heath Hen
have in common? They are all bird species that
no longer exist because their populations were obliterated
by the impact of humans. Habitat destruction, massive
hunting, and extermination sent them on their paths to
extinction, and while they are no longer here, their story
serves an important purpose today.
The Audubon Society of Portland has a unique
opportunity to present the story of these five species,
linking their past loss to our need to act today. With 25%
of Oregon’s bird species threatened and 11% of them
Save the Date:
Portland Christmas Bird Count is January 2, 2010!
endangered, it is only through the
impact of humans that a change in this
path can be made.
The Lost Bird Project, a group of
five 5- to 7-foot-tall bronze sculptures,
is coming to a West Coast launch at Stuffed extinct
Waterfront Park in June 2010. The Heath Hen.
installation draws stark attention to the Photo: C.Horwitz
tragedy of extinction while shedding light
on Oregon’s own threatened species. Watch and
participate as Portland Audubon melds conservation
education, action, and social networking with visual arts.
Send the registration to Paul Sullivan,
4470 SW Murray Blvd #26, Beaverton, OR 97005.
Questions? Email Paul at ptsulliv@spiritone.com or call
503-646-7889. Detailed registration information can be
found in the Dec.08–Jan.09 Warbler, and see a complete
2009 schedule at www.audubonportland.org/
trips-classes-camps/adult/weekends.
UPCOMING BIRDING WEEKENDS
November 7–8 — Klamath Basin
We will check out the wintering waterfowl, shorebirds,
and raptors in the Klamath Basin. This is a prime place
to see large numbers of Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese,
swans, and a variety of forest species as well.
Base: Klamath Falls.
(No Birding Weekend trip in December)

T he 110th Christmas Bird Count season will be here before you know it. Each year, birders all over North and Central
America gather to count all the birds in a 15-mile-diameter circle on a given day. In Oregon and SW Washington
there will be about 50 such counts, each held on one day within the three-week period between December 14,
2009 and January 5, 2010. The data from these continent-wide counts have been collected for over a century now, and are
used to track population trends along with range expansions and contractions. Oh, and by the way, it’s a heckuva lot of fun!
Wish List & Thank you’s
Thank you to:
• David P. Collins for a Pioneer 50" HD plasma TV
Last year on the Portland Count, 130 field observers and 43 feeder-watchers of all skill
• Tom Shreve for a Panasonic 50" HD plasma TV
levels found a count record 120 species. This year, on January 2, 2010, not only do we
• Fred Meyer Stadium location for Swift Watch supplies
hope to break the species record again, we’d love to have even more participants.
• Christine Nelson for a large box of towels and
washcloths for the Wildlife Care Center
Watch for details in the December Warbler, and check www.audubonportland.org, to
• Susan Nolte for a kayak, 2 paddles, and a life jacket
find out when a Christmas Bird Count is “coming to your area.”
• REI for 30 keychain thermometers for our Citizen
Science programs
• Ginnie Ross for kitten chow and apples, as well as
materials and refreshments for a Wildlife Care Center
Welcome, New Members! workshop

P
• Donna Tooze for a 50-lb bag of cracked corn for the
ortland Audubon is a force in conservation thanks to its strength in membership, standing together since 1902. Wildlife Care Center
We appreciate each and every one of our members and celebrate our membership by welcoming our new • Kruger’s Farm Market for 30 pumpkins for Night
members monthly. Thank you for joining our vibrant and growing community! Flight event
Dan Armour Richard Hawkes Alice Nayak Katherine Stewart & • Clackamas Costco for Night Flight event volunteer
Susan Asam Gretchen M. Helfrich Dennis Nick & Brian Wolf Christopher Wallace refreshments
Hoa Azer Allison Hess Mark Nixon Jonathan Sutton • Aloha Costco for Night Flight event supplies and guest
Michael Balcer Beth Hiller Oregon Lithoprint, Inc. Judith Swinney
refreshments
• Reuben Rich for 6 bales of straw for Night Flight
Mary Jean Benefiel Ivey, Jacobson & Sam Orm Ann Symons
David Carter Company, LLC Steve Robertson Aaron Terteling
Rosemary Coello & Family David Joyal Denise Schafte & Logan Hickey Our Wish List:
Bruce Coorpender Debra Kate Kris Schamp Ann Tibbels
Mark Correia Terry Kerr Jeremy Sells & Steve Banton For Education:
Bill & Debbie Cruise Vicki King Evonne Serpa Carol Valleroy Laptop computer • Powerpoint Projector
Sheila Fagan Annette & Jerry Knott Kathleen N. Shafer Edward VandenBiesen For Sanctuary:
Madeleine & Tom Faller Susan Leo MaryAnn Sheehan Kathryn Walter Loppers • Hand saws •Work gloves
Anthony J. Favazza Marcus Lester Rebecca Smith Cherry Williams Watering wand hose attachment
Joyce & James Friedman Tara Lilley & Family Matthew Snyder Diane Winn
Melissa & John Givens Patricia Lloyd Somes Schwinghammer Gary Witt For Wildlife Care Center:
Science Diet Kitten Growth • Aquariums • Kiddie Pools
Carol Grace Mila Maskell Karen & Michael Sorbel Nathan Young
Dawn Dishwashing Detergent • Welding Gloves
Robert & R. E. Mason John Zuberbuehler
Camper/Trailer • Untreated Wood: 2x4, 4x4, 4x8
Suzanne Greenberg Susan Mason
Mary Hanlon Tara Miller If you would like to join us or have any questions about If you can donate these items, please first
Susanne Hashim & Gina Marie Munster-Moore membership, please contact Catherine at contact Audubon Society of Portland at
Thomas Manley Jeanne Myhre chalpin@audubonportland.org or 503-292-6855. 503-292-6855 ext.102, Mon–Fri, to arrange
a time for delivery/pick-up.

10 NOVEMBER 2009 www.audubonportland.org

 Important Bird Area of the Month
Saddle Mountain
N orth of Highway 26 and just east of U.S. 101, a
double-peaked saddle of pillow basalt rises 3,283
feet out of the surrounding forest to form the
highest peak in the north Coast Range and the highest
in NW Oregon. Saddle Mountain was named for its
conspicuous geologic formation in 1841 by a U.S. Navy
lieutenant, but had been previously known to Native
Americans as Swallalhoost in honor of a slain chief who
legendarily became an eagle and conjured both thunder
and lightning on this very peak.
The peak itself is a registered
Oregon Natural Heritage Site,
and the surrounding Saddle
Mountain State Natural Area
has been designated a state
Important Bird Area (IBA)
for both Marbled Murrelet
and Sooty Grouse (formerly
Blue Grouse). A rigorous
2.5-mile hike draws visitors
through forests of vine maple,
red alder, huckleberry, and
Oregon grape into a coniferous
zone of western hemlock and
Douglas fir, and ultimately
through mountain meadows of
both rare and endangered plant species. The exposed basalt
peak was formed by the eruption of a sea-floor volcano
20 million years ago, later providing Ice Age refuge to a
now-rare plant community that persists there today. This
ecologically isolated rise hosts Saddle Mountain bittercress,
frigid shooting star, saxifrage, alpine lily, pink fawn-lily,
fritillaria, Indian paintbrush, and larkspur, making it a
favorite destination for botanists and for the enjoyment of
spectacular wildflower meadows in May and June.
’Tis Almost the Season!
Help native animals and support Portland Audubon through Willamette
Week’s Give!Guide — and tell your friends, relatives, and business associates!
T he Audubon Society of Portland has been selected
by Willamette Week to participate in their 2009
Give!Guide. The sixth annual Give!Guide is
a holiday fundraiser that serves as a unique vehicle
for generating donations for Portland area nonprofit
organizations.
The goals of the Give!Guide are threefold:
• To encourage people age 18–35 to get involved in
philanthropy;
• To attract new donors and/or volunteers to these
causes; and
• To provide publicity and exposure to a variety of
local nonprofits.
Members Receive a 10% Discount at the Nature Store!
T he new 2010 calendars have arrived! Stop in to see
our full selection of wall, engagement, and desktop
page-a-day calendars. All your favorites are here,
from Audubon to Sibley to Charley Harper and more!
Hummingbird Supplies
What’s the good word? Lower prices! Yes, prices are
coming down on our basic stock of Best One and
Aspects Hummingbird Feeders, brushes, and Easy Mix
Nectar. Since our Anna’s Hummingbirds are wintering
here in greater numbers each year, now is the perfect
time to start supplementing their fall
and winter food supply. Don’t forget,
the Nature Store has heaters available
to keep nectar bottles from freezing
during winter cold snaps.
Zeiss is here!
The Nature Store proudly announces
our selection as the newest Carl Zeiss
Portland Audubon’s Nature Store
5151 NW Cornell Road • Portland, OR 97210
503-292-9453 • store@audubonportland.org
www.audubonportland.org
by Mary Coolidge, Assistant Conservation Director
The elevation gain of 1,650 feet to the viewing area affords
sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St.
Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and on a clear day, the
Olympics in the distance to the north. It is a spectacular
nearly 360-degree view, and we were treated to the antics of
barrel-rolling Ravens who broke from their play to mob a
soaring Red-tailed Hawk. Sitting atop the 35-million-year-
old coast ridgeline, the foreground is a mosaic of industrial
logging clearcuts scattered across the forest below. After
the ascent through State Park–owned intact forest, the
viewshed provides an
unnaturally geometric
reminder of our
extraction economy land
management policies.
Northern Spotted Owl
and Marbled Murrelet,
both Endangered
Species Act–listed
species, rely on this
very habitat.
To endure the effects
of habitat loss, global
climate change, and
Saddle Mountain © Dennis Stilwell a myriad of other
anthropogenic stressors,
these species will require responsible management of
our remaining forests and conscientious preservation
of a global network of significant parcels to support
healthy bird populations. The IBA program makes a
major contribution to retaining landscape and ecological
complexity, but cannot alone ensure the survival of species
in peril. Populations of both the Spotted Owl and Marbled
Murrelet continue to be in precipitous decline, and
beyond that, The State of the Birds, U.S.A., 2009 report
The organizations included in the Give!Guide represent
a cross-section of nonprofits across the following sectors:
Animals, Arts, Community, Education, Environment,
Social Action, Wellness, and Youth. Last year this
community fundraiser brought in more than $806,000 for
55 local nonprofits.
The Give!Guide’s goal is to develop new donors for
organizations like ours, and it provides all sorts of
incentives to help bring this about.
Donors can make contributions online via the Give!Guide
website at www.wweek.com/giveguide. Donations
will be accepted from Wednesday, November 11 through
midnight December 31st.
Sports Optics dealer on
the West Coast. We are now
carrying their premier product,
the Victory FL Binoculars.
These exceptional optics have all
the features you’ve come to expect
from state-of-the-art European
manufacturers: fluoride objective
lenses, rugged rubber-armored
Victory Compact 10x25
housings, multi-coatings on all
air-to-glass surfaces, and their own unique LotuTec®
coating that repels water, dirt, and grime for bright,
sharp images even in the worst weather conditions.
Zeiss’ groundbreaking optical engineering called the
FL Concept sets them apart from the competition by
extending visibility at twilight for those birders who
refuse to call it a day when the sun goes down. Read
more about the Victory FL series at zeiss.com/VFL.
And stop in the Nature Store to try them for yourself!
Victory 8x42
Open 10am–6pm Monday through Saturday
10am–5pm Sunday
NOVEMBER 2009
(U.S. Department of Interior) estimated that roughly
1/3 of forest-breeding bird species are in decline, with
nearly 20% of them being either species of conservation
concern or ESA-listed species. Such findings underscore
the importance of conservation measures which the IBA
program endeavors to leverage both in our state and
around the world.
Species of Ornithological
Significance
Saddle Mountain was nominated
and accepted as an Important Bird
Area based on occupied Marbled
Murrelet territories, breeding
Sooty Grouse (a Yellow WatchList
species), Hammond’s Flycatcher,
and Hermit Warbler, as well as
Northern Spotted Owl. Calliope
Hummingbird is a suspected
breeding species here as well.
Female Sooty Grouse.
If You Go Photo: Walter Siegmund,
From Portland, take Highway 26 Wikimedia Commons
west for 66 miles to the Saddle
Mountain State Park sign. Turn north (right) onto the
paved but bumpy Civilian Conservation Corps road for
about 7 miles to the parking lot and trailhead. Bring plenty
of water, good shoes, and layers of clothing. We found a
stockpile of hiking sticks left at the trailhead, portending
of the climb ahead. The ascent is varied, at times rather
mild in the cover of forest, at times steep and exposed —
and though the upper areas of trail have been improved to
make the scree scramble less treacherous, care should still
be taken, as the footing can be irregular. For both safety and
habitat preservation, please stay on trail.
Coot with young © Jim Cruce
Build Your Legacy of
Conservation with a
Charitable Gift
Planned 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 current and future needs.
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. We encourage you to get
professional assistance from a financial planner or
an attorney.
If you include the Audubon Society of Portland in
your estate plans, please let us know! By joining
the Audubon Society of Portland’s Legacy Club,
you will be supporting our important work
now and into the future, joining a long and vital
tradition of protecting wildlife and habitat right
here where we live.
For more information on planned giving
options at Portland Audubon, please call
Ann Takamoto at 971-222-6117.
11
2009
Wild Saturday,
November 21, And here are just a few unique items from our Silent Auction:

Arts
10am to 6pm
Sunday,
November 22,
11am to 5pm

Festival Montgomery Park

(2701 NW Vaughn)

Continued from page 1

A few of the authors who will be present during the weekend are John
Daniel, James Davis, Jane Kirkpatrick, Ursula K. Le Guin, Robert
Michael Pyle, and William Sullivan. For a complete schedule of See, Shop, SUPPORT!
signings, visit our website, www.wildartsfestival.org.
From the Silent Auction to the unique pieces of regionally crafted artwork, the Wild
AUCTION Arts Festival is a great opportunity to find gifts during the holiday season while also
A Silent Auction rounds out the Festival. Opening at 10am Saturday supporting local artisans. Autographed books, breathtaking pottery, and handmade
and closing at 3pm Sunday, this is a great opportunity to pick up some crafts let you give one-of-a-kind gifts to the special people in your habitat!
wonderful items and values. There will be artwork, vacation packages, jewelry, services, field
trips, and more available for bidding. Come on up and make your best offer. It always proves
to be a lively atmosphere.

Throughout the Festival, members of the Audubon Society of ART | BOOKS | AUCTION
SIL ENT

Portland board and staff will be present to talk and answer

questions, and there will also be opportunities to meet Audubon’s
education birds. This will be an opportunity to see the best the November 21 & 22, 2009
Society has to offer, and a wonderful place to spend an hour… or a Saturday 10 – 6, Sunday 11– 5
weekend.
Montgomery Park
Use the coupon at right for a Two-for-One Admission Coupon to 2701 NW Vaughn
the Festival. More details about the event can be found at Admission $5 (youth 16 and under free)
www.wildartsfestival.org or by calling 503-292-6855.
Tuck Archer Stacey Reimnitz www.wildartsfestival.org
(503) 292-6855

TWO for ONE Admission for two for the price of one
�

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.............................................................................. Wink Gross would like to become a business member, please
Treasurer...................................................................................Ken Ivey contact our Development Department
at 971-222-6117.
Inspiring people to love and protect nature since 1902 Board Members Business Benefactor Business Guarantors
Josh Cerra Kristina Gifford Claire Puchy NW Natural Backyard Bird Shop
Audubon Society of Portland promotes the enjoyment, understanding, Nancy Jane Cushing John Hammerstad Lee Savinar Portland General Electric
and protection of native birds and other wildlife and their habitats. Tony DeFalco Barb Hill Ron Spencer Business Partners
BridgePort Brewing Company Business Friends
We focus on our local community and the Pacific Northwest. Katy Ehrlich Bob Liddell Bob’s Red Mill
Columbia Sportswear
John Fitchen Karen O’Connor Kruse Forest Park Federal Carton Service, Inc.
Administration Offices Board Member Emeritus - Dave Marshall Credit Union Duggan, Schlotfeldt and
Welch PLLC
5151 NW Cornell Rd • Portland, OR 97210 Business Supporters Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc.
503-292-6855 • Fax: 503-292-1021 Committee Chairs Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
ShoreBank Pacific
9am to 5pm, Mon. - Fri. Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynn Herring Vernier Software & Technology
NatureBake &
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant Dave’s Killer Bread
Sanctuaries Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Paquet Portland Audubon Nature Store
Dawn to dusk every day Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Ivey
Membership & Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Jane Cushing
Nature Store Sanctuaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Littlewood
503-292-9453
10am to 6pm, Mon. - Sat. • 10am to 5pm on Sunday Staff
Interpretive Center & Library Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meryl Redisch
Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tammi Miller
Same hours as store Development Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Takamoto
Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill Hartzell
Wildlife Care Center Birdathon Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Slone
503-292-0304 Membership Development Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine Halpin
9am to 5pm every day Education Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Robertson
Adult Education Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Engel
rare bird alert Camp Director/Onsite Programs Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Swanson
503-292-6855 • www.audubonportland.org Master Birder/Adult Trip Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan van den Broek
Environmental Educator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Abraham
Environmental Educator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Donner
Urban Naturalist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Houck
Conservation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Sallinger
Assistant Conservation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Coolidge
Conservation Program Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Longanecker
Urban Wildlife Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Munday A world-class car rental company with homegrown roots.
Ten Mile Sanctuary Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Engelmeyer www.enterprise.com
Volunteer Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deanna Sawtelle
Wildlife Care Center Operations Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deb Sheaffer
Audubon Wildlife Care Center Assistant Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kari Jones Visit the Audubon Society of Portland
Nature Store Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Mattson
Nature Store Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marilyn O’Grady
Nature store
Shady Trails Birding Optics
Nature Store Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sally Loomis Nature Books Toys and Gifts
Sanctuaries Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Costello Hiking Guides
Sanctuaries Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Kurtz
5151 NW Cornell Rd, Portland OR
Backyard Habitat Certification Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Mishaga 503-292-9453 www.audubonportland.org
Minutes from downtown in Forest Park