MAY MEETING AND PROGRAM

Seeking Swifts
By Larry Schwitters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012
7:00 Social; 7:30 Program
Padilla Bay Interpretive Center
10441 Bayview-Edison Road
Mount Vernon, Washington

Five years ago Larry Schwitters, in conjunction with Pilchuck Audubon, started the Vaux's Happening project to learn more about the migratory Vaux’s Swift and document its important roost sites. During the last eight migrations, over 100 volunteer observers have noted nearly 3.5 million Vaux's Swift roostings at more than 100 suspected roost sites in 5 states and Canada.

Larry initiated counts at the very busy Old Northern State Hospital roost site in Sedro-Woolley and led the way in saving the very significant roost at the Monroe Wagner Elementary School. Cameras mounted inside this chimney have recorded and live streamed the secret lives of these fascinating birds.
Larry will talk about Vaux's Happening and share what has been learned about this very interesting bird (vauxhappening.org).

Larry Schwitters holds a Masters of Science degree and spent 30 years in public education, mostly as a middle school science teacher and coach. Over the last 10 years he has become Washington's Swift Expert. His current Audubon Vaux's Happening project has brought public awareness and preservation efforts to these special little birds all across Western North America.

 

Welcome New National Audubon Members

The Skagit Audubon Society welcomes new National Audubon Society members by sending complimentary copies of our newsletter for 3 months. Join us at our monthly programs on the second Tuesday of the month.

National dues do not cover the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter, so if you’d like to receive
The Skagit Flyer after the complementary 3 issues, please join The Skagit Audubon Society.

 

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE WENAS CAMPOUT,

May 25-28, 2012

For four decades Audubon families have spent Memorial Day weekend at the Wenas Creek Campground. Named the Hazel Wolf Wenas Creek Bird Sanctuary, it's located SW of Ellensburg, in an "Important Bird Area" and has been assured protective status by the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources. The "primitive" campground along the north fork of Wenas Creek has exceptional opportunities for birding, botanizing and enjoying spring in the eastern foothills of the Cascades. Wonderful field trips are scheduled, and there will be an old-fashioned campfire in our "approved" firepit device each evening. We do story telling and recapping the sightings of the day.

Visit WebmasterMichael Hobbs' beautiful Wenas Website, www.wenasaudubon.org, to see lots of downloadable information. There are bird & wildflower checklists, field trip & program descriptions, and more.

Every vehicle will be required to have a "Discover Pass."

Doris Johnson, dellenj@comcast.net; Helen Engle, hengle@iinet.com

 

9th AnnualCascades Banding Camp, Field - Based Bird Banding Training For Teens and Adults

Learn how to band birds in Washington's Cascade Mountains with trainers Dan Froehlich and Don Norman. This field camp features riparian and mountain birding and banding, with opportunities to see and handle a wide variety of Northwest birds.
The training focuses on the basics of net lacement, extraction and handling, ageing, and sexing, with
special emphasis on the use of molt to age birds.

Beginners welcome!
Banding experience not required

See flyer (click here)

Teen Training (ages 15-18)
August 6-10, 2012
5 days
Cost: $500 +
$50 materials fee
$450 for PSBO members

Adult Training
August 12-18, 2012
7 days
Cost: $750 +
$50 materials fee
$700 for PSBO Members

Family Weekend
August 24-26, 2012
Cost: $15pp/pn ($10 for PSBO Members).

 

PSBO’s Banding Training programs follow NABC banding guidelines and materials

Download registration forms at: www.pugetsoundbirds.org
For more information, contact Emily@pugetsoundbirds.org

 

20 Ways to Conserve Birds

From International Migratory Bird Day 2012
http://birdday.org/birdday/themes/2012-twenty-years-of-imbd/20-ways-to-conserve-birds
Below are some of the suggestions from “20 Ways to Conserve Birds”

It's easy to get involved in bird conservation, and like anything, some of your most helpful actions begin at home. Environment for the Americas surveyed biologists, educators, conservationists, birdwatchers, and bird enthusiasts to get their best ideas for getting involved in bird conservation. In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day's 20th Anniversary, we selected 20 issues and simple solutions. Imagine how many birds you can help finish their migratory journey, have a successful nesting season, raise young, survive the winter, if you just....

1. Prevent Bird Collisions with Your Windows Collisions are one of the most frequent causes of bird deaths. Birds see nature reflected in the window or mistake houseplants inside the building for outdoor plants and fly into the glass. Putting up curtains or window decals helps make the window visible to birds.
2. Protect Birds From Pets Unleashed dogs and outdoor cats can harm birds by disturbing, chasing, and even killing them. Keeping your cat indoors and your dog from straying saves millions of birds each year.
3. Clean Your Bird Feeders Dirty feeders can spread disease. Disinfect and clean out old seed from feeders frequently and put fresh water in your bird bath every day.
4. Use Cloth Grocery Bags and Reusable Bottles Birds that mistakenly eat plastic trash can become ill or even die. Avoiding plastic bags and bottles reduces plastic pollution and conserves resources.
5. Recycle Anything you recycle reduces litter and saves resources. Get creative! You can make a bag from used juice containers and bird feeders from old dishes and plastic bottles.
6. Restore Natural Habitat in Your Community Birds need a place to live and many bird habitats are disappearing. City parks and open spaces are natural places for birds. Work with your community to recreate the habitat that once existed in your area.
7. Keep Your Distance Birds need space for feeding, nesting, and other daily activities. Approaching too closely may cause them to become nervous and deplete much-needed energy reserves. During the nesting season, it may even result in loss of eggs or young to predators.
8. Leave Fledglings Where You Find Them Fledglings may spend several days on the ground after they leave the nest before they are able to fly. You can help by keeping people and pets away, so their parents can continue to care for them. If you think a bird is truly an orphan, call a rehabilitator for instructions. .
9. Plant Native Native plants provide food, nest sites, and cover for birds.

 

 

YouTube bird video of the month

Humming birds - David Attenborough - BBC wildlife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujN4osRD22E