Calendar

September 2010

Island Audubon Field Trip
Saturday, September 11, 8-10 am
Meet at Park & Ride at Ober Park
You don't have to be a member or an experienced birder to participate and no reservations are necessary -- just come down to Ober Park at 8:00 o'clock and join us for a fun visit to hot birding spots around the Island. 
Each bird walk is led by highly experienced birders.
More Info

Island Audubon Program
Martha Jordan presents The White Swans of Winter
Wednesday, September 15, 7 pm
Vashon Maury Island Land Trust Building
The evening is free and all are welcome to attend.

Did you know that Trumpeter Swans occur ONLY in North America and that they are our largest native waterfowl? Although most populations are increasing from near extinction levels, they are still one of our least abundant native birds with about 35,000 Trumpeter swans on the entire continent. About 70% of North America's Trumpeters summer in Alaska and winter in the Pacific Northwest! This information is quoted from the Trumpeter Swan Society website: swansociety.org.

Come, share and learn the facts, myths, and legends of Washington’s white birds of winter at our September 15th program. Martha Jordan is a well-known wildlife biologist and is impassioned about swans. She will present a program about our native trumpeter and tundra swans and also shed some light on the problems and controversies these birds face on their wintering grounds, as well as how we can insure their future. She will talk about the continuing lead poisoning die-off and other survival issues swans face in Washington State as well as other parts of the country. Jordan writes : "The swans and their beauty and grace instill in people a sense of awe that makes us want to save them and their habitats. Swans are ambassadors, bringing people together when other aspects of an issue would divide them."

Martha Jordan has a degree in wildlife science from Oregon State University. Her interest in swans began in the late 1970s and she has been a major contributor of information to state and federal agencies on the status of Trumpeter Swans in the state of Washington, including work on the first swan management plan. Jordan has been a board member of The Trumpeter Swan Society from 1985-2009 and currently chairs the Washington Swan Working Group.

Upcoming Events

Ebb Tide Ecology Beach Walk
Saturday, December 4, 8 - 10 pm
Tramp Harbor Beach
Night Time Beach Exploration
Vashon Beach Naturalists will point out marine animals who live on the upper beach, those who like the middle zone, and those who prefer the lower beach where they are usually under water.
More Info

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Long-tailed Sylph (Hummingbird)
photo by Nate Chappell