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Calliope CrierThe Yakima Valley Audubon Society is people dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation ofthe natural world. Through birding, education and conservation activities in our community, weraise awareness and promote the cause of global environmental protection.Volume 44, Number 01A Chapter of the National Audubon SocietyJANUARY PROGRAMBILL DRENGUISWild Horses—Hooves and HabitatA Yakama Nation DilemmaWithJim StephensonAccording to the Yakama NationWildlife webpage, their oral history“tells of the cultural and traditionalvalue this prized animal has amongthe Yakama people.”How many "wild" horses are there?What is their impact on the land?How much does it cost to managethem?Yakima Audubon is pleased to bring Jim Stephenson back. Jim is alarge animal biologist who has worked with the Yakama Nation andwas on the advisory board for the Bureau of Land Management.Last May he gave YVAS a program about the reintroduction ofpronghorns to the Yakama Reservation.Jim will be discussing the impact of feral horses. The magnitude ofthis issue escapes most. From habitat disturbance to the disruptionof other species including birds, achieving a balance is a challenge.Please join us for what will be an educational, thought-provokingpresentation.Mark your calendar for Thursday, January 22,at 7:00 pm to see this presentation at theYakima Area ArboretumTHIS MONTH’S YVASCALENDARJan 22Feb 10Audubon Chapter Meeting at the Yakima AreaArboretum at 7:00 pm.Board Meeting at Vera Backstrom’s house ( 9770 USHighway 12) at 7:00 pm.January 2015PRESIDENT’S COLUMNANDY STEPNIEWSKIThe Christmas Banquet was well attended and enjoyed by all! Following our yummy dinner, we weretreated to a wonderful tour to Costa Rica by GeorgeVlahakis. George shared gorgeous images of not onlythe many colorful and exotic birds, but also the landscape, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and evensome of the stunning insects. After our incredible vicarious tour to Costa Rica, I’m certain this countrywill be on the “bucket list” for of many more of us. Itsure is for Ellen and me! Not only were dinner andthe program a success, but we had a very successfulSilent Auction raising over 1500. A heartfelt “ThankYou” to all who donated!Read in this Crier details on the Toppenish Christmas Bird Count held December 20 and organized byLuke Safford. Rain was in the forecast but thankfullyit held off for most of the day. Twenty-two observerscanvassed the Toppenish area finding a respectable 79species, about the average for this count over its 32year run. Once again, “Thank You” Luke for organizing and compiling this count. And, again, our bestwishes for you and your family in Tucson.Also in this Crier read about the January 3 YakimaValley Christmas Bird Count, organized by DennyGranstrand. A near-record 94 species were observedincluding two species never before tallied on thiscount!By the time you read this article, the Field TripCommittee will have met and roughed in a schedulefor 2015. I look forward to another season of populartrips to many of the local areas we cherish and perhaps a few to far-flung corners of the Pacific Northwest.President’s Column (continued on page 2)Visit the Yakima Valley Audubon Society’s website at: http://www.yakimaaudubon.org
Page 2January 2015President’s Column (continued on page 2)In March, those participating in the “SagebrushSongbirds,” a project co-sponsored by the Washington Audubon and the Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife will be heading to Wenatchee fortraining. This will be Year 2 of this project that focuses on censusing key species in the beleagueredshrub-steppe ecosystem. Our chapter received agrant of 650 from WA Audubon to purchase GPSunits to assist in these surveys.Speaking of contributions, our chapter received 1000 from National Audubon, about the usualamount we receive from our parent organizationannually.The Education Committee, chaired by Ellen Stepniewski, will be meeting soon to organize theirevents for the first part of 2015. We look forward tohearing of their plans to inspire and educate folks inour region in “The World of Birds.”Calliope CrierMEMBERSHIPJOY MCKINNEYWelcome New YVAS Members!Yakima: Chandra AndersonYakima/Talkeetna AK: Kevin FitzGeraldThank you for renewing your YVAS Membership!Naches: Thomas ThrushRichland: Connie EstepSeattle: Martha TaylorSelah: Helen and Norb JohnYakima: Grace Anderson, Robert Bisschoff, Rosemary Jones,Terry Shelton, Diana Bailey and Stan Belsher,Vera Backstrom and Dotty Armstrong,G. Ann Duncan, Eileen Gavin, Denny Granstrand,Pam and John Henderson, Kathy Hennessy,Larry Hook, Stan and Lori Isley, Ken Meier, John andElaine Pigion, Tom Elliott and Katrina Strathmann,Ellen and Andy StepniewskiYouth Environmental SummitIn November The Yakima County Solid Waste Division ate a “garbage patch” in the ocean. There are now five ofpresented the 4th Annual Youth Environmental Summit these garbage patches in the world’s oceans. Dr. Eriksen(Y.E.S.) at the Yakima Convention Center in recognition of sailed from Los Angeles to Hawaii on a craft made fromAmerica Recycles Day. This year the Summit empowered 15,000 plastic bottles to call attention to plastics in ouroceans.over 700 middle, junior and senior high students and school staffThe event also featured exto be environmental advocates inhibits from 21 local environtheir schools, homes and commumental organizations includingnities.the Yakima Valley AudubonThe Youth EnvironmentalSociety. Our exhibit coveredSummit featured two guest speakplastic related risk to birds –ers. Author Beth Terry told herwith a display board showingstory of living her life withoutfishing line and twine entangleplastics, and has dedicated her lifements encountered by Osprey,to researching plastic-free alternaand another display showing thetives for everyday items. Dr. Marhazards encountered by seabirdscus Eriksen is Executive Director Ellen Stepniewski talks about plastics to students. from ingesting plastic. The exand Co-Founder of The 5Gyres Institute, www.5gyres.org, anorganization who conducts research about the global impactof plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. Gyres are circularocean currents that draw trash and debris consisting mostly ofplastic which breaks into smaller and smaller pieces that cre-hibit was well received by the students, and our AudubonVolunteers enjoyed our interactions with the students. Thanksto our Audubon Volunteers, Ellen Stepniewski, AprilAdamson, Susan Paolella, and Dan Kinney.— Dan Kinney —The Yakima Valley Audubon Society meets on the fourth Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, August,September, and October at 7 pm at the Yakima Area Arboretum, located at 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima, WA.Guests are welcome at these meetings. The Annual Meeting of the Society is held the first Thursday of December at6 pm. The Board of Directors meets each month except December at 7 pm at locations announced in the Calliope Crier.Members may attend Board meetings; however, please notify the host because of possible space restrictions.
Page 3January 2015Calliope CrierA Promising Step Toward Improving Power GridThis article by the Yakima Herald Republic editorial board appeared in the January 7, 201 edition.In a classic case of what was old is new again, officialsseem to have plugged into a northerly route for a muchneeded Pacific Power transmission line that would serve theYakima Valley. If so, that is good news for a proposal thathas been around since 2008 and has been too long in comingto fruition.The federal Bureau of Land Management announced lastweek that it will consider a route across the Yakima TrainingCenter for the 230-kilovolt transmission line, which wouldconnect Pacific Power’s Pomona Heights substation east ofSelah to the Bonneville Power Administration’s substation inVantage. It would be the first new transmission line to servethe Yakima Valley since the mid-1970s.That route may sound familiar. Call it Plan A; it was proposed more than six years ago, but it ran into opposition fromthe Army and raised concerns about its impact on sagegrouse habitat. Then came Plan B, which would take theroute south through Grant County, then follow a course alongmostly private land east of Moxee.Plan B also had issues related to its impact on privatelandowners and agricultural interests. Meanwhile, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council changed some of itsstandards, a development that would allow construction on areduced footprint through the training center. So Plan A isback in the picture.The training center route still has its challenges; while theroute is shorter, it also traverses very hilly terrain and stillwould pass through sage grouse habitat - parts of the transmission line may have to go underground to allay those environmental concerns. Both plans will be the topic of a publichearing from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Selah Civic Center.As noted above, the Valley is operating on a mid-’70s eratransmission line. Obviously, the need for power has onlyincreased in the past 40 years; population has grown, an increasingly wired world places new demands on power facilities, and the proliferation of wind and solar power generatingfacilities in Central Washington puts a heavier load on theexisting grid.People tend not to appreciate the ease and convenience ofour power-supply system until something disrupts it - a windstorm, for example - and our lights go out and computer/cellphone batteries run low. The new line’s increased carryingcapacity will assure that the lights stay on and the batteriesremain charged in the Yakima Valley. The BLM’s move isone hopeful sign that a necessary infrastructure enhancementwill come to pass.Plans for the project may be viewed at www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans/vph230FIELD TRIPSSCOTT DOWNESJan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 - Thursday Morning Bird Walk - Weather permitting! Meet the group at the new PoppoffTrail/Jewett Pathway parking lot at the east end of Valley Mall Blvd., at the north side of the easternmost roundabout at 8:30 am. These walks now include a sparrow feeding area and a fourth pond with diving ducks. ContactKaren if you have questions – gadzooks7@charter.netJan 31McNary NWR and Tri-Cities - The first field trip of the year will be to the McNary Wildlife Refuge near the TriCities. (Why are they called the Tri Cities? Because they try to be cities!) The goal is to search for waterfowl.Are you crazy? It is going to be freezing and there are no birds now! Actually there are often large flocks ofducks at this time of year. And unlike the other birds around, many are already in their brilliant breeding plumage, making them easier to identify. So dress warm, and bring your scopes and books. Oh yeah, bring lunch andbeverages. We will be stopping at several spots with toilet facilities. We are going to leave the BiMart parkinglot (on 40th) at 8am on Saturday the 31st. (The day before the Super Bowl). Carpooling is encouraged. The goalis to be back by 4:30. Of course if you need to leave early, it’s no problem. Although the leader believes there isonly one species of gull, we may stop to look for these. Some people claim that it is a great spot to see them. Formore information, contact trip leader Bill Drenguis (bdrenguis@gmail.com)Feb 13-16 Great Backyard Bird Count - On Your Own. For details see www.birdsource.org/gbbc.Feb 14Yakima Area Arboretum – Meet leader Richard Repp at the gravel parking area north of the main building at8:30 am. A tour of the grounds including the feeding area at the bird blind and perhaps a quick scan of BuchananLake. A low key intro to basic sparrow identification and a primer on GBBC participation. For details, contactRichard –rich712@aol.comFeb 22Raptors and more! A trip through the Yakima River Canyon to the Kittitas Valley where calving season attracts dozens of eagles. More details in the Feb Crier. Save the date. Contact is Scott Downes atdowness@charter.net
Page 4January 2015Calliope CrierToppenish NWR Christmas Bird Count 2014 finds 77 speciesOn December 20th 22 birders left the Branding Iron Restau- increased our count of Eurasian Collared Doves, proving theirrant with the goal of counting every single bird in the 15 mile continued expansion throughout the Yakima Valley. The mostdiameter circle known as the Toppenish Christmas Bird Count notable species seen was a Northern Pygmy Owl discovered onthe upper Dry Creek route by Stan andarea. Hopes were high for beginning andLori Isley and Ryan Munes. This wasexperienced birders alike; there are fewonly the second sighting of this small owlother birding experiences that combine scion the Toppenish CBC, the first being inentific research, camaraderie, and unabashed1990. Another great sighting was a‘ticking’ together quite like the ChristmasNorthern Goshawk seen by two differentBird Counts.teams south of Wapato.We ended up with a total of 14,428 inI want to give a big thank you to Andydividual birds counted, which is a signifiand Ellen Stepniewski for opening upcantly lower number than our averagetheir house for the post-count recap and(20,435) for this yearly count. Our total ofdinner. Andy began this CBC in 198379 species is in line with our average overand we thank him for his continued inthe past 32 years but relatively low comvolvement and expertise. 2015 will markpared to more recent years. The mildthe 33rd year of counting within the Topweather and large amounts of open waterpenish circle and we hope to see you parmay have contributed to the decreased speticipating with us this December. I encies and individual counts this year. We didcourage you to go to http://have higher waterfowl numbers than lastNorthern Pygmy-Owlyear but missed on Bufflehead, Commonbirds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-countPhoto by Denny GranstrandGoldeneye, and Common Merganser. Theto learn more about the value of conductmiss on Bufflehead was interesting becauseing Christmas Bird Counts.we had an all-time high of 25 last year. This year we had highcounts of Bald Eagles (10), Eurasian Collared Dove (378), and— Luke Safford —Savannah Sparrow (68). For four consecutive years we have2014 Yakima Valley Christmas Bird Count tallies 94 speciesThe birders on the 2014 Yakima Valley Christmas Bird our area.A Greater Yellowlegs and two Spotted Sandpipers wereCount, which was done on Jan. 3, 2015, accomplished something that seems quite difficult for a count in its 45th year—we seen along the Yakima River, the first found on the count sincesaw two species that have never been seen on a Yakima Valley 2004 and 2006, respectively.count before! A Mountain Bluebird, which is common inThe Tahoma Cemetery seems to be a hotspot for sapYakima County in breeding season but rare in winter, was seen suckers. This year a Red-naped Sapsucker was seen in sprucein the grassland north of the Terrace Heights Cemetery, and a trees along the east entry road. A Red-breasted Sapsucker wasseen at the Garretson Mansion on NachesLesser Goldfinch, a much rarer species inYakima County, was seen at Scott DowHeights, the second time that species hasnes’s feeder, which it had been visitingbeen seen there.for a week or so.Count-week birds (seen three daysThe two new species brings the allbefore or after the count but not on counttime total species count to 151 for theday) were also a highlight. A Say’sYakima Valley CBC.Phoebe was found north of the TerraceWe had 27 participants who spent aHeights Cemetery, making that specieschilly but dry day scouring their routesfirst appearance on our CBC list. Savantrying to find every bird out there. This isnah Sparrows were found the day afterabout the average number of participantsthe count, the third time in the last fivefor the last ten years.years they have been a count week bird.Stan and Lori Isley deserve theThe only time one was seen on the count“CBC Heroes” award for their effort thiswas in 1979!year. Car trouble stranded them on VaBewick’s Wrens found on the YakimaFemale Lesser Goldfinchshon Island the day before the count.Valley CBC are an interesting study. ForThey rode to Yakima with a friend, then Photo taken through a window the first 11 years of the count (1970rushed out to their route midway through1980), they were seen every year. For theby Sierra Downesthe afternoon, a Bureau of Reclamationnext 14 years (1981-1994), they wereproperty south of Hwy 24 and east of the Yakima River. They seen only twice, with 2 one year and 1 the other. For the last 20were able to spend several hours hurrying through the prop- years, they have been seen every year in generally increasingerty, walking the entire distance. And they found some great numbers.birds, including an American Tree Sparrow, a rare species in— Denny Granstrand —
Page 5January 2015Calliope CrierThe Data — The Christmas Bird Counts Species by SpeciesYakimaToppCACKLING GOOSE5CANADA GOOSE1291TUNDRA SWANWOOD DUCK73GADWALL25AMERICAN WIGEON86MALLARD1402NORTHERN SHOVELER25NORTHERN PINTAIL2GREEN-WINGED TEAL29RING-NECKED DUCK38LESSER SCAUP3COMMON GOLDENEYE52BARROW’S GOLDENEYE3BUFFLEHEAD49HOODED MERGANSER91COMMON MERGANSER125DUCK, SPECIESCALIFORNIA QUAIL555RING-NECKED PHEASANT4PIED-BILLED GREBE9DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT2GREAT BLUE HERON35GREAT EGRET3BALD EAGLE17NORTHERN HARRIER16SHARP-SHINNED HAWK14COOPER'S HAWK19NORTHERN GOSHAWKACCIPTER, SPECIESRED-TAILED HAWK129HARLAN’S RED-TAILED HAWK1ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKGOLDEN EAGLE2AMERICAN KESTREL84MERLIN7PEREGRINE FALCONPRAIRIE FALCON2VIRGINIA RAIL4AMERICAN COOT20KILLDEER4SPOTTED SANDPIPER2GREATER YELLOWLEGS1WILSON’S SNIPE4ROCK PIGEON539EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE712HMOURNING DOVE263BARN OWL2WESTERN SCREECH-OWL1GREAT HORNED OWL12NORTHERN PYGMY-OWLNORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD8HBELTED KINGFISHER25RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER1RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER1DOWNY WOODPECKER47NO. (RED-SHAFTED) FLICKER219NO. (YELLLOW-SHAFTED) FLICKER1SAY’S PHOEBECWNORTHERN LER’S JAYWESTERN SCRUB-JAYBLACK-BILLED MAGPIEAMERICAN CROWCOMMON RAVENHORNED LARKBLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEEMOUNTAIN CHICKADEERED-BREASTED NUTHATCHWHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHBROWN CREEPERROCK WRENCANYON WRENBEWICK'S WRENPACIFIC WRENMARSH WRENGOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETRUBY-CROWNED KINGLETMOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDTOWNSEND’S SOLITAIREHERMIT THRUSHAMERICAN ROBINVARIED THRUSHEUROPEAN STARLINGBOHEMIAN WAXWINGCEDAR WAXWINGORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERYEL.-RU. (MYRTLE) WARBLERYEL.-RU. (AUDUBON'S) WARBLERSPOTTED TOWHEEAMERICAN TREE SPARROWSAVANNAH SPARROWFOX SPARROWSONG SPARROWLINCOLN'S SPARROWSWAMP SPARROWWHITE-THROATED SPARROWHARRIS’S SPARROWWHITE-CROWNED SPARROWGOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWDARK-EYED (SLATE-COLORED) JUNCODARK-EYED (OREGON) JUNCORED-WINGED BLACKBIRDWESTERN MEADOWLARKBREWER'S BLACKBIRDBROWN-HEADED COWBIRDPINE GROSBEAKPURPLE FINCHHOUSE FINCHPINE SISKINLESSER GOLDFINCHAMERICAN GOLDFINCHHOUSE SPARROWTOTAL INDIVIDUALSTOTAL SPECIESCOUNT WEEK 289477 2 FORMS 0 FORMS7TOTAL SPECIES SEEN ON BOTH COUNTS4ToppN — New species or subspecies for the countH — All-time high for individuals of that species102
Page 6January 2015Luke’s Last Poppoff WalkCalliope CrierJean Bradley ChottApril 1, 1927 - December 9, 2014A group of eight with Luke.Photo by Karen ZookEight of us joined Luke Safford for his last BirdWalk on the Poppoff Trail on December 18. Westarted with donuts and the presentation of a RabbitRemembrance (a little Poppoff walk humor), then weenjoyed birding together. Luke and his family movedto Tucson after Christmas. We are thankful for hisleadership and camaraderie for the last few years, andwish him all the best in his future endeavors.I first became aware of Jean Chott when I assumed the taskof coordinating monitors for the Vredenburgh Bluebird Trail.My predecessor mentioned that Jean would likely contact me tovolunteer her “team” for a week.Having never met Jean, I queered about how I would recognize her. I don’t recall the exact description given me, but Iequated it with regal and sophisticated. Upon first contact, Iwas reminded of the aura of celebrities of the recent past . . .Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, Princess Diana and, more contemporary, Kate Middleton. All seemingly flawless and above reproach.However, when one did talk to Jean, her eyes, smile anddemeanor immediately put you at ease. She listened intently,valuing your words and giving the impression that you wereenriching her. Charisma.Jean wrote, “I want to be remembered as one who loved thesnowy mountains and the hills in the spring when the snows gooff and the wildflowers come.” So it will be. I will see Jean inthe fresh pedals of the Grass Widow and Buttercup, in thebright plumage of returning bluebirds.I envision Jean hiking, akin to a panther sleek, poised, andconfident, with long smooth strides.— Richard Repp —Yakima Valley Audubon SocietyVolunteers in 2014Thank You All! You Make it Happen!April AdamsonLiz AnglandDotty ArmstrongVera BackstromCrookson BeecherMary BelzerMarissa & Jim Benavente-FlynnElizabeth BohnGreg BohnHannah & Nancy BornDorothy BrinkRon & Debie BrownJean ChottJim ChristensenBill DrenguisScott DownesMartha FlemingJan & Judy GanoMichele GilbertDenny Granstrand and Chris ReidDean HarringtonJohn HebertEric HeiseyJim HertelConnie HughesLori and Stan IsleyPhil KellyKelly KindelspireDan KinneyLinda Knutson and Ron SellJeff KozmaTeresa LorenzKevin LucasNancy LustJoy McKinneyLamont McLachlanSusan PaolellaMike PepeGus & Mary PoolerJustine Repp-FaithRichard ReppMike RoperLuke SaffordCourtney, Doug & Brooke SchurmanGilbert SmithAndy and Ellen StepniewskiPat SteblingEllen Stevenson & FamilyLinda SummerKen TolenenGeorge and Susan VlahakisKerry TurleyJoe & Karen Zook
Page 7January 2015Calliope CrierYakima Valley Audubon Society MembershipRenew my annual membership to the Yakima Valley Audubon Society to receive 10 issues of the Calliope Crierand all chapter benefits. National Audubon membership and Audubon Magazine are not included.Yakima Valley Audubon Membership . . . 25.00 per householdYakima Valley Audubon Senior (62 ) OR Student Membership . . 15.00 per household(please circle which apply)Yakima Valley Audubon Society Life Membership . . 500.00 per householdI do not want to receive any solicitations or communications from NAS (please check if applicable)I prefer to read the Crier online and not receive my copy by mail (please check if applicable)Please make any corrections to your contact information as needed.NAME PHONEADDRESSCITY STATE ZIPEmail addressPlease return this form and your check payable to: YVAS.Send the form and your check to:YVAS MembershipP. O. Box 2823Yakima, WA 98907* If you have any questions on membership, please call Joy McKinney at 698-41102 0 1 5 YAKIMA VALLEY AUDUBON OFFICERSPresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerDirectors:Andy Stepniewski877-6639(steppie@nwinfo.net)vacantVera Backstrom731-2103(vback47@gmail.com)Karen Zook225-9494(gadzooks7@charter.net)Ken Tolonen965-4584(7rivard@gmail.com)April Adamson248-6944(read2learn@aol.com)Denny Granstrand453-2500(dgranstrand@gmail.com)Standing (Voting) Committee Chairs:Hoeger PreserveJan Gano966-4539(gano12@earthlink.net)Refuge KeeperKerry Turley837-6930(kdturley@embarqmail.com)Bluebird TrailRichard Repp965-1134(rich712@aol.com)ConservationGreg Bohn901-1882(gsanpdro@charter.net)EducationEllen Stepniewski877-6639(steppie@nwinfo.net)Environment Science Teresa Lorenz731-5226(lore5748@vandals.uidaho.edu)Field TripsScott etter EditorProgramsFund RaisingANDBOARDJoy abeth Bohn(elizabethannbohn@yahoo.com)Bill Drenguis965-5808(bdrenguis@gmail.com)452-3260Dan Kinney(insur3@charter.net)Special Committees:Bird RehabilitatorConnie Hughes457-5661(chbirdlady@gmail.com)453-2500Bird ReportsDenny Granstrand(dgranstrand@gmail.com)Bluebird TrailRichard Repp965-1134(rich712@aol.com)Important Bird Areas John ocialVacantVolunteer Rec.VacantWebmasterJohn aaudubon.orgToppenish CBCEric Heisey(magicman32@rocketmail.com)Yakima Valley CBC Denny Granstrand453-2500(dgranstrand@gmail.com)YVAS Email(birds@yakimaaudubon.org)
Yakima Valley Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 2823Yakima, WA 98907Return Service RequestedHarrier By Dayprinted on 100% post-consumer recycled paperNon-profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidYakima, WAPermit No. 38
The Yakima Valley Audubon Society meets on the fourth Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, August, September, and October at 7 pm at the Yakima Area Arboretum, located at 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima, WA. Guests are welcome at these meetings. The Annual Meeting of the Society
