BLACK HILLS AUDUBON SOCIETY 
(BHAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, representing Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties in the state of Washington. It is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization whose 1,300+ members share interests in birds and other wildlife, their habitats, and natural history. Our goals are to promote environmental education and recreation and to maintain and protect our ecosystems for future generations. We work with the state Audubon office (Audubon Washington). 
Live HD nest-cams and other interesting bird videos.

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Next Monthly Program Meeting is
September 12th
(Thurs.). 

 

REMINDER: No BHAS program meetings in July or August.

We hope you have an amazing and safe summer!

 

 

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BHAS Program meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of the month (exceptions: no March, July, or August meetings). 

Meeting Location (exception is the June picnic):

First Christian Church
701 Franklin Street SE
Olympia, WA 98507

Arrive at 7:00 pm to socialize – the program will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.

 

 

Current issue of the Echo newsletter:  May-June 2013 Echo  (395 kb PDF)

The next deadline for submitting articles will be August 1, 2013 (for the September-October Echo). 


The Great Washington State Birding Trail maps.  Seven maps are now available from Audubon Washington, including the newest and final map, Puget Loop.


Upcoming Field Trips and Events
 in 2013

(Everyone is welcome to participate with Field Trips and Events...
you don't have to be a member!)

(Details on each field trip or event can also be found on the
 Field Trips and Events Details Web page.)

 
Regular/Recurring Field Trips:
  • Every Wednesday, 8:00 am 11:00 am, Phil Kelley leads a bird-watching walk at Nisqually NWR.  Meet at the Nisqually Visitor Center.

  • First Saturday Birding and Breakfast - First Saturday of each month, different location each time within Lewis, Mason, or Thurston County.
    For more information, contact Leslie Lynam at 360- 402-9513 or Deb Nickerson at 360-754-5397.

  • Third Thursday of each month: Field Trip:

    Eagle’s Pride Golf
    Course
    at JBLM

    We’re planning on making this a monthly nature/bird watching trip on the 3rd Thursday of each month throughout the year. This trip will be from 1-3 miles long on relatively level ground. It will explore forest, water, and open area species.
    No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.  See details, below

--  2013  ---
June 17 (Mon.)

4:30 pm

BHAS Event:   Birds and Beer NEW!
                   
 - 4:30 pm on the Third Monday of the
                          Month at Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia


Gather with other birders and discuss recent findings and topics of interest at the Fish Tale Brew Pub at 4:30pm on the third Monday of each month. This is a new offering so ideas are welcome and will be discussed at the May and June gatherings. If enough interest is garnered, the meetings will continue in the fall.

On June 17th, we will again share favorite birding spots and adventures and also discuss what we can offer during this time frame and develop some presentations appropriate for the venue, group size, and time period.

Location:  The Fish Tale Brew Pub
               515 Jefferson St SE
               Olympia, WA 98501

We will have a sign directing you to the couches in the back where we will gather. Hope to see you there.

June 20 (Thurs.)
Third Thursday of each month.

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Field Trip:    Eagle’s Pride Golf Course
                
at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Leaders:   David Wienecke, Denis DeSilvis, and/or Valerie Elliott

The Eagles Pride Golf Course at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) covers 431 acres, 55% of which is native or naturalized Douglas Fir-Hemlock woodland forest with five bodies of water. One-half mile from Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, the golf course attracts many species of birds and other wildlife. It is worth a visit.

Meet at the Driving Range Tee Building #1514 at 8:00 am, dressed for the weather. We will walk on open gravel roads and paths. Possible birds include Wilson's Warbler, Red Crossbill, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and many others.

No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.

Location: Exit 116 (Mounts Road), turn north, turn right into Eagle’s Pride Golf Course clubhouse parking area, go down ramp and make an immediate, hard left onto driving range access road (narrow road). Proceed to driving range parking area.

For more information contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or 253-964-0341 (office) or 760- 828-8788 (mobile).

June 30 (Sun.)

5 pm
Meeting:    BHAS Education Committee's
                            Annual Meeting

On June 30th at 5pm, BHAS members and interested parties will meet at Deb Nickerson's house for a dinner meeting to review the year's offerings and schedule classes and programs for next year.

Please contact Shelley Horn or Deb Nickerson by June 23rd if you wish to attend.

July 12-15 
(Fri. - Tues)
Event 2013 National Audubon Convention

“Taking Flight Together”

Location: Skamania Lodge, 45 minutes east of Portland, Oregon, near Stevenson, Washington in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.

Come celebrate the Audubon network and share your energy and passion for conserving birds throughout the flyways with leaders from across the country!

For more information, and to register, visit: www.audubonconvention.org 

July 13 ( Sat)

7:30 pm to Dusk

Event:    Birds and Bats Picnic Dinner
Location: Woodard Bay

Come join BHAS for an evening of birds and bats while socializing over dinner. Bring a chair, your dinner, a flashlight, and your binoculars.

We will meet at Woodard Bay at 7:30 p.m. Sunset is at 9:00 p.m. and the bats should start flying at about 9:20. BHAS Environmental Educator of the year, Greg Falxa, has been invited.

Carpooling highly recommended, parking limited. Discover passes required for all cars. Break-ins are frequent if valuables are visible. Call Tina Peterson at 360-459-7661 to sign up and to coordinate carpooling.

July 18 (Thurs)

8:00 - 11:00 a.m. or so

Field Trip: Eagles Pride Golf Course, Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Leaders: Denis Desilvis and David Wienecke

The Eagles Pride Golf Course covers 431 acres, 55% of which is native or naturalized Douglas Fir-Hemlock woodland forest with five bodies of water. One-half mile from Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, the golf course attracts many species of birds and other wildlife. It is worth a visit.

Meet at the Driving Range Tee Building #1514 at 8:00, dressed for the weather. We will walk open gravel roads and paths. Possible birds include Wilson's Warbler, Red Crossbill, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and many others.

To reach Eagles Pride, use exit 116 off of I-5 North. Turn left off the ramp and proceed straight into the Golf Course. Park at the driving range or in the clubhouse main parking lot.

No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.

For more information contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or 253-964-0341 (office) or 760- 828-8788 (mobile).

August 1 (Thurs.)

6:30 a.m. - late afternoon
 

Field Trip:   Mt. Rainier:  Wildflowers
                 and Casual Birding

Leaders: Jan Sharkey and Kristin Stewart

Join us for a Mt. Rainier wildflowers trip - on a Thursday, so we can avoid the weekend crowds. However, the date for this trip may change depending on snow and flower conditions at Paradise. We will go for a relatively easy and slow hike and enjoy the views, the flowers, and any birds we happen upon. We plan to hike a fair distance, but at a leisurely pace. Be aware, we will start our walk at Paradise at 5100 ' and climb up to 6000'. Folks who do not want to hike too far are welcome to join us for as long as they wish; they may stop along the way. As is usual on the mountain, be prepared for all weather conditions. Bring food and water. If you have FRS radios, they might also be useful.

Meet at the Martin Way Park and Ride at about 6:15 a.m., to leave by 6:30 a.m. Call Jan Sharkey at (360) 943-8786 or Kristin Stewart at (360) 456-5098 to sign up.

Aug. 15 (Thurs)

Third Thursday of each month.

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Field Trip:    Eagle’s Pride Golf Course
                
at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Leaders:   David Wienecke, Denis DeSilvis, and/or Valerie Elliott

The Eagles Pride Golf Course at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) covers 431 acres, 55% of which is native or naturalized Douglas Fir-Hemlock woodland forest with five bodies of water. One-half mile from Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, the golf course attracts many species of birds and other wildlife. It is worth a visit.

Meet at the Driving Range Tee Building #1514 at 8:00 am, dressed for the weather. We will walk on open gravel roads and paths. Possible birds include Wilson's Warbler, Red Crossbill, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and many others.

No security passes are required. Trip starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course driving range parking lot.

Location: Exit 116 (Mounts Road), turn north, turn right into Eagle’s Pride Golf Course clubhouse parking area, go down ramp and make an immediate, hard left onto driving range access road (narrow road). Proceed to driving range parking area.

For more information contact David Wienecke at david.l.wienecke.naf@mail.mil or 253-964-0341 (office) or 760- 828-8788 (mobile).

August 22-25 Event: WFO-WOS Joint Conference

Save the date! From August 22 to 25, Black Hills Audubon Society (BHAS) will host the first joint conference of the Western Field Ornithologists (WFO) and the Washington Ornithology Society (WOS) at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia. The conference will feature over 20 field trips in addition to workshops, science sessions, and panels.  See flyer.

Plan to attend, even if just for part of the conference. Some of the panel discussions and presentations will be delightful and informative as world experts form teams to take on quiz show type challenges. The bird vocalization and bird photo identification challenges have become sessions of legend. Seating for these events will be at a premium. Other presentations, offered by researchers, authors, and experts in their field, provide insight into little known species or aspects of bird life.

All-day field trips will be held Thursday, August 22 and Sunday, August 25. Half-day (early morning until about noon) field trips will be on Friday and Saturday, August 23 and 24. Friday and Saturday afternoons will feature workshops, presentations, and a dinner with keynote speaker.

WFO is an organization promoting the study, appreciation, and protection of birds in western North America. Amateur and professional field ornithologists are invited to join. Members include many of the foremost birders, authors, professional ornithologists, nature photographers, artists, and guides.

To learn more about WFO and register for the conference visit: http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org

WOS provides a place for birders to meet and share information on bird identification, biology, populations, and birding sites. Many of Washington’s most skilled and avid birders are active in WOS. Learn more at: http://www.wos.org/aboutwos.html.

For further information or to volunteer at the conference, contact: Whittier Johnson at 360-866-8156.

 

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How to Contact Us:


Mailing Address
:

Black Hills Audubon Society
PO Box 2524
Olympia, WA 98507

Phone: (360) 352-7299
Messages are welcome!

Contact information and BHAS Board Members for fiscal year June 1, 2012 - May 31, 2013: 

General BHAS Information

Elected Officers:

BHAS President,

    Deb Nickerson............................ 360-754-5397
                                pres@blackhills-audubon.org                                         

Vice-President:
    Whittier Johnson......................... 360-866-8156
                          vice-pres@blackhills-audubon.org

Treasurer:
    Susan Markey..............................360-438-5663
                           treasurer@blackhills-audubon.org
Secretary:
    Tracey Scalici....secretary@blackhills-audubon.org

 

Members at Large:

Deb Jaqua, Craig Merkel, Sam Merrill, Elizabeth Rodrick, Kristin Stewart, Meagan Thorn, and Anne Van Sweringen

Committee Chairs (may be on the board):

Conservation Chair:
    Sam Merrill.................................360-866-8839

Education Chair:
    Shelley Horn................... shelleysmail@me.com

Field Trips Chair:
    Bonnie Wood................ bwood2800@g.mail.com

Membership Chair:

    Margery Beeler............................360-352-5437
                                         mswampcat@aol.com

Hospitality/Outreach Chair:
    Leslie Lynam...............................360-402-9513

Programs Chair:
    Kris Schoyen.............................. 360-754-1710

Publications Chair & Webmaster:
    Deb Jaqua ................................ 360-491-3325
                                                       Webmaster

 

Other Volunteers:

BHAS Webmaster, Debra Jaqua

Echo Editor, Anne Van Sweringen

Sign up for BHAS Alerts by sending an email to the Webmaster. We will then send you an invitation that you will need to confirm (so that someone else doesn't "accidentally" sign you up!)

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Conservation

Local Conservation efforts in Lewis, Mason, or Thurston counties.  (See also the Jack Davis Conservationist of the Year Award.)

State Conservation efforts.  Read about issues involving birds, other wildlife, and their habitats at the state level. 

National Action Alerts.  The National Audubon Society has set up this special Web site to give you an easy and convenient way to communicate with your lawmakers and newspapers on national conservation issues that impact birds, wildlife and our shared environment. Remember, your letters will make a difference -- so take action today!

Jack Davis Conservationist of the Year Award.  The Jack Davis Conservationist of the Year Award is normally presented yearly.

 

Education Programs

The Education Committee has been busy creating well-attendedAnimated crane picture birding classes, helping schools get students out into nature with the Board the Bus grant, and promoting Audubon Adventures.

In 2009, BHAS awarded its first Dave McNett Environmental Educator of the Year Award., honoring long-time volunteer Dave McNett.

Learn more....

 

Book Store

Black Hills Audubon Society receives 4% of every purchase from this page to support our conservation program and other goals. Our prices are exactly the same as Amazon.com! All purchases are managed by Amazon.com. Use the search link below to make all of your Amazon.com purchases, or go to our book store page for selected items.

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"Beautiful River" Prayer Flags

Honor the Black River in western Thurston County, the Deschutes, the Nisqually, other Pacific Northwest rivers, or rivers around the world with this special creation.  
 

 Wildlife Checklists

Butterflies in Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties (30Kb Word file).

Wildlife and Habitat info for Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, including:

  • Bird species list - link temporarily not working.

  • Reptile species list - link temporarily not working.

  • Mammal species list - link temporarily not working.

  • Fish species list - link temporarily not working.

 

COASST  


Ever see a dead bird on a beach and wonder why it succumbed?  Would you like to help scientists find out why?

COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team) is a citizen science project based at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences in partnership with local community and environmental organizations, and state and federal agencies. COASST volunteers collect data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds on a monthly basis to establish the baseline, or 'normal' pattern of beached bird mortality on North Pacific beaches. Baselines are crucial for assessing the impacts of oil spills, fisheries, and climate change. Data collection by COASST volunteers helps address important marine conservation issues and protects marine resources.

Lists of COASST trainings and more information about COASST are posted on their website at http://www.coasst.org.  From the main page, click on What's New. Then click on the Training Sessions tab.

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For questions about BHAS, please send email to: Information
For comments or questions about this Web site, please send email to: Webmaster.

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Mailing Address:  PO Box 2524
Olympia, WA 98507
------------
(360) 352-7299
Messages are welcome!

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