From the Andes to Antarctica: Exploring the Scotia Arc General Membership Meeting

General Membership Meeting Tuesday, February 23rd, 7:00PM Old City Hall, Whatcom Museumwith Lynne Givler and Keith CarpenterFrom the Andes to Antarctica: Exploring the Scotia ArcThe Scotia Arc is a narrow chain of islands in the Southern Ocean linking the southernmost Andes and the Antarctic Peninsula.  Join Audubon members Lynne Givler and Keith Carpenter as they share their experience exploring this remarkable region aboard Quark Expedition’s Sea Spirit. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and venture onward to the South Sandwich Islands, perhaps one of the least visited areas on the planet. Circling back towards the Antarctic Peninsula come ashore at Elephant Island where 22 members of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition survived for 135 days. And finally step foot on the southernmost continent itself.  See photos ranging from penguins to icebergs and old whaling stations to southern right whales selected from the hundreds posted by all of the travelers on the ship.Lynne Givler’s passion for natural history began peering into tidepools while pursuing a degree in marine sciences. Only later, working as a marine naturalist, did it strike her that marine birds were just as captivating as marine invertebrates.  Keith Carpenter’s fascination with the sea led him from surfing in sunny California to salmon fishing in Alaska. Today he remains in cold water, active in the local reefnet salmon fishery.

February Board Meeting Minutes

North Cascades Audubon SocietyBoard of Directors Meeting Minutes February 1, 2016 Present: Ken Salzman, Carol Roberts, Paul Woodcock, Pam Borso, Steven Harper, Sue Parrott, Owen Bamford, Steve Irving, Twink Coffman. Absent: Judy Kreiger, Kelly Palmer-McGee. Guests: Jamie and Nicole Huson. 

• Approval of January Minutes – Approved by the Board

• Treasurer’s Report –Sue explained the highlights of the January Treasurer’s Report.

• Communications & Input

Cherry Point Survey Class – Wendy Steffenson is leaving ReSources and the new contact for the survey is Eleanor Hines. New counters are continuing to be trained.Syre Museum - A number of board members made presentations or were present during the time the museum was open in January.Whatcom Museum- The museum will conduct and pay for the background checks on any Audubon members wanting to work with children at the Museum.Other presentations - Ken presented at the Parkway Chateau and Adult Day Health in January and is scheduled to present at Summit Place in February. He will also be teaching a Community Ed. course on birdwatching and photography.Climate Change Work Group - The 15 people that signed up will be doodle polled and a meeting scheduled.Wings over Water – A number of people are volunteering as field trip leaders for the 3 days of the festival and Paul is looking for more viewing station volunteers.New Member Postcards - Owen will follow up with designing and sending out welcome postcards for new members.Scholarships - Paul will initiate the scholarship process with Don Burgess at WWU.WDFW Private Lands Initiative – Steven and Paul, along with Eric Carabba from Whatcom Land Trust, will meet with Cole Caldwell to give input regarding potential wildlife viewing stations on private lands. 

• Old Business:

Ann has followed through and made the change to a new web service provider.Lois and George Garlick memorial – Paul presented his idea to provide funding to taxidermy a trumpeter swan for placement in the Syre Museum in their honor. Another idea is to do an annual award to a deserving person that exemplifies their spirit. Paul made a motion to allocate up to $1000 for the taxidermy of a trumpeter swan along with a plaque and to raise money for the effort in the community. Motion passed.Pam will be attending the Sound Waters 2016 conference in February.

• New Business

Upper North Fork Sustainable Road Public Meetings – USFS needs help with setting up the meetings. Meetings are Feb. 8 in Kendall and Feb. 11 at Bellingham Public Library.Sue requested that a link be added to the website resource page to the Audubon Climate Report.Jamie and Nicole suggested using Twitter and Instagram to give more publicity to local chapter, state, and national Audubon efforts and volunteered to set up accounts. They will work with Twink.Syre Museum will again be open May 19 - June 4.

• Upcoming Programs

February 23 - From the Andes to Antarctica: Exploring the Scotia Arc with Lynne Givler and Keith CarpenterMarch 22 - Understanding Shorebirds, the Miracle of Migration with Tim BoyerApril 26 - “The Salish Sea” Jewel of the Pacific Northwest with Joseph GaydosMay 24 - Shrinking Summits: The Impact of Climate Change and Wildfire on a High Elevation Flower in Western North America with Trevor Bloom  Adjourn - Next Meeting; March 7, 2016  7 PM WECU Ed Ctr311 Holly St, Bellingham, WA

Swan Watch!

Please join the Friends of Tenant Lake and Hovander Park for their annual Swan Watch.

It will be held at Tenant Lake on February 13, 2016 from 7 to 10:30 AM.

They will start in the tower to watch these magnificent birds lift off of the lake as they go to their daily feeding grounds. After they leave, there will be a short program and refreshments in the Tenant Lake Interpretive Center.

February 2016 Newsletter and Events are Online

February 2016 Newsletter is OnlineGo to www.northcascadesaudubon.org to download the PDF. (Click "Newsletter" in the menu.)February Events and Field Trips Are OnlineVisit our website to see what's coming up next month. (Upcoming events are listed on the home page as well as on the Calendar.)General Membership Meeting with Lynne Givler and Keith CarpenterNext month's exciting membership meeting! Mark your calendar. See below for date, time, and location.From the Andes to Antarctica: Exploring the Scotia Arc. The Scotia Arc is a narrow chain of islands in the Southern Ocean linking the southernmost Andes and the Antarctic Peninsula. Join Audubon members Lynne Givler and Keith Carpenter as they share their experience exploring this remarkable region aboard Quark Expedition’s Sea Spirit. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and venture onward to the South Sandwich Islands, perhaps one of the least visited areas on the planet. Circling back towards the Antarctic Peninsula come ashore at Elephant Island where 22 members of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition survived for 135 days. And finally step foot on the southernmost continent itself. See photos ranging from penguins to icebergs and old whaling stations to southern right whales selected from the hundreds posted by all of the travelers on the ship.Lynne Givler’s passion for natural history began peering into tidepools while pursuing a degree in marine sciences. Only later, working as a marine naturalist, did it strike her that marine birds were just as captivating as marine invertebrates. Keith Carpenter’s fascination with the sea led him from surfing in sunny California to salmon fishing in Alaska. Today he remains in cold water, active in the local reefnet salmon fishery.Always on the 4th Tuesday of the month:February 23, 7pm at the Whatcom Museum,** free & open to the public!**in the Rotunda Room of the Old City Hall building

NCAS January Board Retreat Minutes

North Cascades Audubon SocietyBoard of Directors Meeting and Retreat Minutes 1/4/2016Members Present: Ken Salzman, Carol Roberts, Paul Woodcock, Pam Borso, Steven Harper, Sue Parrott, Owen Bamford, Steve Irving, Rae Edwards, Kelley Palmer-McGee.  Absent: Twink Coffman, Judy Krieger. Guests: Chris Brewer1)    Approval of December Minutes – The board approved the minutes as written.2)    Treasurer’s Report –Sue explained the highlights of the 2015 budget. Donations were much higher than usual so our reserve increased. Membership contributions and expenditures were down slightly. Report was approved as presented.3)    Communications & InputCherry Point Survey Class – Class was very successful. Good turnout and 8 people were qualified to train as spotters or counters.Christmas Bird Count - The number of species sighted was down slightly but it was successful considering the weather. Potluck was fun but the number of people staying is decreasing possibly because people are getting older and are more tired at the end of a long day of birding. Paul is considering structuring it differently next year, especially because we will be honoring a long time participant for his 50 years of participation.  Being the 50th anniversary of the Bellingham CBC, a celebration is in order. January 2017 was suggested as a good time.  Paul is also considering a special training for new people as expectations for the count need to be laid out clearly. The San Juan Ferry count had 12 people and we currently pay for 8.  Paul would like us to approve 10 people for the count next year and the budget has been adjusted to allow for this. There may be an educational rate on the Ferry.Syre Museum – The Syre exhibit will be open from Jan. 7  through early Feb.  Paul, Pam and Ken are doing presentations. Owen and Steve will also be present during open hours for 2 of the days.Ken is presenting at the Parkway Chateau and Adult Day Health in January.4)    New BusinessDomain Renewal – Renewal of our Domain address and a new provider is required this spring and Pam presented different scenarios for accomplishing the renewal.  The board decided to have Ann (Web Consultant) process the renewal.5)    RetreatBoard Accomplishments - Pam presented the accomplishments and the board added to the list of the accomplishments for the year. It was also decided to post these on the web page.  Sue and Steven will format the list for the newsletter.Membership programs - The board would like to continue to have a diversity of programs for the membership meetings as we have had the last year.  Membership seems to appreciate the diversity.  The board decided to increase PR for the January meeting because of the topic of Climate Change and its Effects on Birds (see Conservation below).Conservation - Pam made suggestions that the chapter continue to increase our focus on conservation. Climate Change is a large part of that but we need more volunteers to help us increase our efforts.  The board decided to ask for volunteers at the Jan. membership meeting after the presentation.  A committee was formed consisting of Pam, Sue, Owen and Steve to work on this initiative.  In response to a question, Pam noted that as Chapter President she is more than willing to be the person that signs the letters and makes contact with WA State Audubon on conservation issues.Education - Chris Brewer shared information on three upcoming Museum activities appropriate for Audubon involvement.  One, an exhibition called Endangered Species: Artists on the Front Line of Biodiversity scheduled for Fall of 2018.  Two, plans to move some of the Syre collection of birds to the Old City Hall with specific themes around threats to birds, success stories and other possible themes related to the Pacific Flyway.  Three, in April 4-10 the Museum will conduct a spring break mini bird camp for kids and families. The board discussed setting up field trips or advance Museum field trips for kids. Background checks are probably needed for any people running field trips with kids. Wild Whatcom was noted as an organization we should tie in with as they already have an extensive education program with hundreds of kids.  Rae can be a contact to Wild Whatcom as she works closely with them. Ken and Pam will also follow up with Jamie and Nicole Huson to explore their interests in working in this area.Membership – Membership and revenue have been stable over the last 6 years. The board discussed ways to make new and current members feel more welcome. The board will continue to send thank you letters to people renewing at the 75 dollar level, send postcards to new members thanking and welcoming them, and redesign the renewal postcards.  Annual accomplishment lists will be added to the web page and we will explore a survey of members requesting feedback on current activities and perhaps adding a suggestion box at membership meetings.Budget for 2016- The board adjusted and approved the proposed 2016 budget in accordance with retreat objectives.Adjourn and Next Meeting; February 1, 2016, 7 PM WECU Ed Ctr, 311 Holly St, Bellingham, WA

Safeguarding Birds of Washington in a Changing Climate

SAFEGUARDING BIRDS OF WASHINGTON IN A CHANGING CLIMATE WITH TRINA BAYARD; TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 7 PMAudubon Washington’s Trina Bayard, Director of Bird Conservation, and Jennifer Syrowitz, Chapter Conservation Director, present dramatic information on what climate change projections mean for our region’s bird life and how you can take action at local and state levels to safeguard birds and their habitats. The presentation is based on The Audubon Birds and Climate Change Report, a first-of-its-kind study predicting how climate change could affect ranges of 588 North American birds.  Old City Hall.

October Minutes

Minutes of the NCAS Board MeetingOctober 6, 2014WECU Ed Center on Holly The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by President Pam Borso. Present: Pam, Paul Woodcock, Steven Harper, Judy Krieger, Rae Edwards, Ken Salzman, Carol Roberts, Owen Bamford, Kelley Palmer-McCarty. Absent: Steve Irving, Twink Coffman. Guest: Andy Ross.Andy Ross presented material to support the possible NCAS endorsement and/or support of the Environmental Caucus (E-Caucus) with the WRIA 1 planning unit (statement appended to Secretary’s copy of minutes).Secretary’s Report: minutes of the September meeting were approved as amended.Treasurer’s ReportCommunications and InputWe discussed the E-Caucus proposal. Pam entertained a motion to endorse the Environmental Caucus of the WRIA-1 Program. Ken proposed, Rae seconded a motion to endorse, the motion passed and we will revisit support at another time.Arbor Day: Pam was there as was Rae. They agreed it was a good day with good participation.Birding Workshop for Chums of Terrell Creek: Pam and Paul made a species list of birds of the Terrell Creek watershed. This is the Kelsey Unit of Whatcom Land Trust and WW area north of where Terrell Creek comes out of the lake, and will be surveyed once a month.Christmas Bird Count Maps: Paul and Tim Wahl are working on digitizing them. Tim will look for a volunteer but it may take money – up to $200-$300 to get the job done. Paul moved to approve up to $300.00 for these maps. Discussion followed. The motion passed unanimously.Pickford Event – Pelican Dreams: Steven reported that he, Paul, Pam and Judy and the Audubon Table were at the event. Good publicity and the association with the Pickford is excellent. A chickadee house was donated to the producer-presenter of the film.Scholarship Presentations: summaries of the projects will be presented to the Board in November and/or December.Website: Pam and Ken have posted on it. Ken is organizing the galleries. Rare birds and bird alert can be linked. We have had good feedback. Send the names of books for the site to Paul.Wings over Water is happy to have Audubon representation. Paul will take care of the viewing stations (4?). Volunteers for the stations are needed. Judy will get International Migratory Bird Day info to Paul and Ken as this would be a good association with W o W.Bird Surveys – Wendy wants to do training sessions. Ken, Paul, Pam, Judy will help. Paul has requested the protocol, it’s with Wendy. John Bower is the key person per protocol.Classes: Ken will be doing Birding 101 and Photo class at the Community College winter quarter. There was a short discussion of possible scholarship help.ACOW: Pam, Paul and Steven attended the meetings. There was a climate change focus. The Northwest Region – NCAS, Whidbey, Pilchuck and Skagit groups – will host next year. Bids are being solicited for the site.Announcements for the November/December newsletter should be emailed to Kelley by October 10 (15 latest).Potluck: Kelley will mail postcards right after Thanksgiving (text to be figured out).Treasure Hunt at Museum prizes will be awarded at the next member meeting. We decided to pick the winners ahead of time and announce the names at the meeting. There are about 75 tickets, 20 prizes.Wendy Steffensen wants about 5 minutes at the next member meeting to introduce the Survey meeting on October 22.New BusinessDean Kahn Herald proposal: The Herald will have a quarterly Whatcom Magazine in 2015. We have been asked if we’d like to participate by introducing 4 birds per year to non-birding people. Deadlines will be ends of December 2014, March, June and September 2015. Owen moved that we do this and prepare the text and pictures for the Whatcom magazine, Carol seconded, after some discussion (Pam and Judy volunteered to work on text) the motion passed.Jan 17 program possibilities include Mitch Friedman, Lee Furst on cleanup sites in Bellingham Bay or bluebird reintroduction (Paul has info on this.)The meeting was adjourned at 9:00.Next meeting will be November 3, WECU Ed Center, 7:00. Submitted byJudy Krieger 

December Minutes

NORTH CASCADES AUDUBON SOCIETYBoard Meeting MinutesDecember 7, 2015 The meeting was called to order by President Pam Borso at 7:00 pm at the WECU education center on Holly Street.Board Members Present: Pam Borso, Steven Harper, Sue Parrott, Ken Salzman, Carol Roberts. Steve Irving, Paul Woodcock, Twink Coffman: Absent: Rae Edwards, Owen Bamford, Kelley Palmer-McGee. Secretary’s Report: The November report was approved as submitted. Follow-ups will be added to the minutes.Treasurer’s Report: Sue presented the treasurer’s report for November along with an updated spread sheet of donations and scholarships given by NCAS through the past years. Communications and Input

• Twink suggested that we provide welcome information for new members, especially if receiving the electronic version of the newsletter. More discussion of what we should do for members will be discussed at the retreat.
• Twink noted that there seems to be a problem with email notification of new issues of the newsletter.
• A group of us will move the Purple Martin houses on Clark Point because of creosote piling removal.
• The Cherry Point Survey identification class is going well with approx. 40 participants. Sandy Point is again one of the sites as we have obtained beach access to the site through a neighbor’s property.
• Paul continues to coordinate the upcoming CBC and there are plenty of people to fill all of the required areas.
• The Syrie opens in January and Paul, Pam, Owen and Ken will be presenting programs. Steve Irving will also be participating.
• Ken has presentations scheduled at Adult Day Health and the Parkway Chateau in 2016.

Unfinished Business

• Carol reported that everything is ready for the holiday party on Dec. 8. Centerpieces for the tables have been purchased for approx. $50 and Paul has 7 great prizes for the bird trivia contest.

New Business

• Trevor Bloom will come to our board meeting in February to present his results, partially funded by a scholarship from NCAS. He will also be asked to present at the May membership meeting.
• The board suggested exerting extra effort to advertise the January general membership program as Trina and Jen from Washington State Audubon will do a presentation on climate change and the effect on birds. This is an important topic and it would be good to have more people notified of the opportunity.
• Ideas were discussed for the upcoming yearly retreat on January 4. The board decided to prioritize long range planning for the organization along with reviewing the budget for 2016, discussing our membership’s needs, reviewing programing needs, and prioritizing next year’s goals and objectives. Chris Brewer from the Whatcom Museum will be invited to attend in recognition of our strong collaborative efforts with the Museum.       Potential new board members, Jamie and Nicole Huson, will also be invited to sit in. Pizza will be provided.

Follow-ups

• Pam will put together the agenda for the retreat and all board members are welcome to provide additional suggestions for the retreat.
• Ken will purchase 2 or 3 large pizzas for the Retreat depending on the number of participants.
• Steven will contact Trevor Bloom to ask that he present at the May membership meeting and to ask him to come to the February board meeting to give a brief presentation.
• Membership number data will be compiled by Sue and Owen for the retreat.
• Sue will develop the 2016 budget.
• Twink will explore increasing our advertising by contacting Cascadia Weekly, Entertainment NW and the Bellingham Herald Take Five.

 Meeting Adjourned: 8:30 pmNext Meeting: January 4, 2015 6pm – 9pm yearly retreat at the WECU Education Center, 311 Holly Street, Bellingham. Steven Harper, Secretary

November Minutes

NORTH CASCADES AUDUBON SOCIETYBoard Meeting MinutesNovember 2, 2015 The meeting was called to order by President Pam Borso at 7:00 pm at the WECU Education Center on Holly Street.Board Members Present: Pam Borso, Steven Harper, Sue Parrott, Ken Salzman, Carol Roberts, Steve Irving, Owen Bamford, Kelley Palmer-McGee and Judy Kreiger. Absent: Rae Edwards, Paul Woodcock, Twink Coffman. Secretary’s Report: The September report was approved as submitted.Treasurer’s Report: Sue presented the updated treasurer’s report for September and October. Communications and Input

• Postcards were sent to all members advising them of the option of receiving the newsletter electronically, by mail, or both. Hopefully we will be able to reduce the amount of newsletters sent out by mail.
• Sue presented a table of all of the scholarships and donations that have be given out by NCAS over the past 4 years. This will prove helpful when deciding upon future donations and scholarships.
• Postcards will be sent out advertising the holiday potluck on Dec. 8 at Lairmont Manor.
• Pam signed scoping letters written by Washington Audubon expressing concerns with the expansion of the rail terminal at the Shell Oil refinery in Anacortes and with the development of a Grays Harbor Oil Terminal.
• Paul reported that for the time being Sandy Point has been removed from the Cherry Point Study Project because of no trespassing signs being placed on the property. Lyle Anderson is attempting to obtain permission from the owners to allow continued use as a survey sight.
• Judy reported that she has submitted the last 2 years of NCAS materials to the State Archives at WWU.

Unfinished Business

• Ken reported that because of scheduling changes made by NSEA he was unable to assist with the NSEA eagle presentation previously scheduled on Oct. 3.
• Paul was asked and accepted an invitation to be the official representative for NCAS on the Whatcom County Wildlife Committee established by the County Council.
• Steven and Pam reported on the ACOW meeting held in Burlington. Steven, Pam, Paul and Sue attended. The focus of ACOW this year was efforts local chapters can lead to prepare for future climate change. Presentations on effective lobbying, proposed carbon tax initiatives proposed for the State of Washington, potential effects of climate change and National Audubon’s effort to establish birding tourism in Columbia were heard.
• The Syre Bird Exhibit will be open from approximately Jan. 4 through early February. Board members have volunteered to lead a number of educational programs during this time.

New Business

• The board voted to allocate $100 for center pieces for the December Holiday Event, scheduled for Dec. 8 at the Lairmont Manor. Carol has procured table cloths and Doug Brown will be presenting slides of the Pearrygin Lake Campout.
• The board voted to allocate $500 for the 2016 Whatcom Museum Birding Summer Camp for youth to be spent at the discretion of the Whatcom Museum.
• Chris Brewer from the Whatcom Museum presented a list of ideas for spring break educational efforts for youth and families related to birds and for the Whatcom Museum Birding Summer Camp for youth. She asked people for feedback on her ideas and for volunteers interested in participating in any of the programs.
• Steven provided information on the upcoming presentations for the membership meetings.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 pmNext Meeting: December 7, 2015 7:00pm at the WECU Education Center, 311 Holly Street, Bellingham. Steven Harper, Secretary

January Newsletter and Events are Online

January 2016 Newsletter is Online

     Go to www.northcascadesaudubon.org to download the PDF. (Click "Newsletter" in the menu.)

January Events and Field Trips Are Online

    Visit our website to see what's coming up this month. (Upcoming events are listed on the home page as well as on the Calendar.)

Happy New Year

     Thank you, members, for your continued support of our Audubon chapter.

North Cascades Audubon Society would like to extend a warm thanks to each and every member for being a part of our organization in 2015. We recently held our annual holiday potluck at the Lairmont Manor in Fairhaven to provide an opportunity for members to socialize and share their experiences. We also participated in the Christmas Bird Count on December 20 for Whatcom County. The results will be coming in the next newsletter. If you didn’t catch us then, we hope to see you soon.

General Membership Meeting with Audubon Washington's Trina Bayard and Jennifer Syrowitz

     This month's exciting membership meeting! Mark your calendar. See below for date, time, and location.

Safeguarding Birds of Washington in a Changing Climate. Can you imagine winter in the Skagit Valley without trumpeter swans, or summers in Minnesota without common loons? According to a first-of-its kind study by National Audubon Society, climate change threatens nearly half the bird species in the continental United States and Canada, including dozens of iconic birds like the common loon, Baltimore oriole and brown pelican. At a local level, the data pinpoint 113 “climate-endangered” bird species that occur in Washington State that may lose 50% or more of their existing range by 2050, according to the projections. Washington species such as the rufous hummingbird, bald eagle and even the currently abundant mallard could lose as much as 75% of their existing range, threatening their long-term survival.To understand the links between where birds live and the climatic conditions that support them, Audubon scientists analyzed 30 years of North American climate data and tens of thousands of historical bird observations from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and U.S. Geological Survey’s North American Breeding Bird Survey. Understanding those links allows scientists to project where birds are likely to be able to survive – and not survive – in the future. The study, which was funded in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has numerous implications for conservation, public policy and further research, and provides a call to action for all of us who care about birds.Come join Audubon Washington’s Director of Bird Conservation, Trina Bayard, and Chapter Conservation Manager, Jennifer Syrowitz, to learn more about what climate change projections mean for the bird life of our region and how you can take action to protect the places on the ground that we know birds will need today and in the future, and work together to reduce the severity of global warming. Together we can build a roadmap to a better future for birds and for ourselves.

Always on the 4th Tuesday of the month:January 26, 7pm at the Whatcom Museum,** free & open to the public!

**in the Rotunda Room of the Old City Hall building

SYRE – OPEN FOR BIRDING!

SYRE – OPEN FOR BIRDING!January 7 - February 5, 2016, 12 to 5 PM Thursday through SundayYou’ll see birds from every corner of Whatcom County in our well-loved exhibit that lets you get a good look at our local birds. Want to know more about them? Come by for some of our special birding programs offered by our North Cascades Audubon Society and museum Education staff! 

Holiday Potluck

Don’t Miss Our Holiday Potluck on Tuesday, December 8 at the Lairmont Manor in Fairhaven6:00 - 9:00 pmCome join us for a delicious potluck with your fellow North Cascades Audubon members!Bring a dish to share, a plate, utensils, and a glass. There will be live music and singing,Doug Brown will be presenting photos from our 2015 annual campout,and we will be playing a few rounds of bird trivia for prizes!

Nov/Dec Events and Field Trips

Nov/Dec 2015 Newsletter is OnlineGo to www.northcascadesaudubon.org to download the PDF. (Click "Newsletter" in the menu.)Nov/Dec Events and Field Trips Are OnlineVisit our website to see what's coming up this month. (Upcoming events are listed on the home page as well as on the Calendar.)NCAS Holiday PotluckDecember 8 at the Lairmont Manor in Fairhaven, 6:00 - 9:00 pmCome join us for a delicious potluck with your fellow North Cascades Audubon members! Bring a dish to share, a plate, utensils, and a glass. There will be live music and singing,Doug Brown will be presenting photos from our 2015 annual campout, and we will be playing a few rounds of bird trivia for prizes!2015 Christmas Bird CountCheck out our Nov/Dec newsletter for details. Mark your calendars:December 19 (San Juan Ferry Count)If you are interested in participating in the San Juan Ferry CBC please contact Clayton or Linda Snider at 360-738-2232 or Paul Woodcock at vp@northcascadesaudubon.org, 360-380-3356.December 20 (Whatcom County Count)If you are interested in participating in the Bellingham CBC please contact Paul Woodcock at vp@northcascadesaudubon.org, 360-380-3356.General Membership Meeting with Mel WatersThis month's exciting membership meeting! Mark your calendar. See below for date, time, and location.Protecting Our Birds in Flight. For over forty years Mel Walters has helped keep birds safe from structures and electrical facilities. As an environmental biologist and consultant he provides expertise in wildlife and wetland mitigation, endangered species, osprey habitat, erosion control, and avian protection. Currently he manages Puget Sound Energy’s Avian Protection Program - responding to all avian power line incidents and prioritizing areas of concern and actions needed to proactively prevent electrocutions and collisions and improve system reliability. The Avian Protection Program promotes a consistent avian-safe system across PSE’s entire service area. Installation of osprey nests in isolated areas away from power lines, installation of bird guards and installation of flight diverter devices are a few of the techniques used to reduce the impact of the electrical system on bird mortality. Come and find out more about what PSE is doing to protect birds near electrical transmission lines.For more info go to: pse.com/aboutpse/PseNewsroom/MediaKit/4483_Avian_program_brochure.pdfAlways on the 4th Tuesday of the month:November 24th, 7pm at the Whatcom Museum,** free & open to the public!**in the Rotunda Room of the Old City Hall building

Collaborating with The Pickford to show The Messenger

The Messenger 

Su Rynard’s wide-ranging and contemplative documentary THE MESSENGER explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own. Moving from the northern reaches of the Boreal Forest to the base of Mount Ararat in Turkey to the streets of New York, THE MESSENGER brings us face-to-face with a remarkable variety of human-made perils that have devastated thrushes, warblers, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks and many other airborne music-makers.

On one level, THE MESSENGER is an engaging, visually stunning, emotional journey, one that mixes its elegiac message with hopeful notes and unique glances into the influence of songbirds on our own expressions of the soul. On another level, THE MESSENGER is the artful story about the mass depletion of songbirds on multiple continents, and about those who are working to turn the tide.

In ancient times humans looked to the flight and songs of birds to protect the future. Today once again, birds have something to tell us.

The Pickford is showing The Messenger on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00pm.

Here’s the website link for The Messenger: http://www.pickfordfilmcenter.org/programs/pickford/the-messenger/

Here’s the full Doctober lineup for The Pickford Theatre: (The Messenger is on page 2): http://www.pickfordfilmcenter.org/tag/doctober

New Cherry Point Bird Survey Class

Calling New and Seasoned Birders alike:November 3, 10, 17, Dec 1, 15, 6-8pmRE Sources Main Room (2nd floor, above the RE Store), 2309 Meridian St.Join us for the third annual birding identification series, featuring 15 common marine birds. This course is specifically designed so that you can take part in our ongoing citizen science census of Cherry Point birds, sponsored by the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee, North Cascades Audubon Society, and RE Sources North Sound Baykeeper. Instructors include Pam Borso, Paul Woodcock, and John Bower. There is no fee. Registration is encouraged; e-mail Lyle Anderson at lyleand2@comcast.net to register.Find the 2014 Cherry Point bird report here: http://www.re-sources.org/programs/cleanwater/whatcom-and-skagit-county-aquatic-reserves

October Newsletter and Events Are Online

October 2015 Newsletter is Online

     Click "Newsletter" in the menu.

October Events and Field Trips Are Online

    Upcoming events are listed on the home page as well as on the Calendar.

NCAS Holiday Potluck

     December 8 at the Lairmont Manor.

More information will be coming soon.

General Membership Meeting with Larry Schwitters

     This month's exciting membership meeting! Mark your calendar. See below for date, time, and location.

Vaux's Happening. Vaux’s Happening is an ongoing citizen science project, launched nine years ago by local Audubon chapters in the Seattle area to gather the data necessary to make a compelling case for preserving the chimney at the Frank Wagner Elementary School in Monroe. This site has proven to be one of the most significant Vaux’s swift communal migratory roost sites in North America. Vaux’s Happening quickly expanded into an attempt to locate, raise awareness of, and hopefully preserve the important roost sites used by this species all along their migratory path.  In the last fifteen migrations the project has documented over seven million Vaux’s swift roosting events from San Diego to the Yukon. Join Larry Schwitters, one of the projects founders and coordinators, who will share images and information captured by the project’s chimney surveillance cameras and precision temperature recorders.Larry Schwitters holds a Master’s of Science degree and spent 30 years in the trenches of public education, mostly as a middle school science teacher and coach in the Seattle area.  He spent four years tracking down black swifts at Washington State’s waterfalls for the American Bird Conservancy before his involvement with Audubon’s Vaux’s Happening project. The Vaux’s Happening project was featured in the online issue of the Smithsonian Magazine (www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/The-Disappearing-Habitats-of-the-Vauxs-Swifts.html) and in High Country News (www.hcn.org/issues/44.12/save-a-chimney-save-a-swift).

Always on the 4th Tuesday of the month:October 27th, 7pm at the Whatcom Museum,** free & open to the public!

**in the Rotunda Room of the Old City Hall building

September Board Meeting Minutes

NORTH CASCADES AUDUBON SOCIETYBoard Meeting MinutesSeptember 7, 2015 The meeting was called to order by President Pam Borso at 6:30 pm in the meeting room of Woods Coffee on Bay Street.Board Members Present: Pam Borso, Paul Woodcock, Steven Harper, Twink Coffman, Sue Parrott, Ken Salzman, Carol Roberts. Absent: Rae Edwards, Owen Bamford, Steve Irving, Kelley Palmer-McCarty Secretary’s Report: The August report was approved as submitted.Treasurer’s Report: Sue presented the updated treasurer’s report. Questions were raised regarding how to characterize large donations submitted as memberships. It was decided to designate anything over $100 as a donation. Sue noted that $150 in scholarship donations were given to Whatcom Museum for children participating in the summer birding classes. Communications and Input

• Pam reported that she signed on to letters supporting opposition to Army helicopter training flight proposals in North Cascades wilderness areas submitted by Washington State Audubon and Washington Wild.
• The concern by a member regarding links not working on our website turned out to be a non-issue as the member later had no issue with the links.

Unfinished Business

• 150 newsletters were sent out as first class postage and 12 newsletters were given to Wild Bird Chalet to hand out. A new endorsement will be added to the newsletter to request address information on forwarded newsletters.
• The night migration event proposed for John Bower’s home will be put off until next year because of potential family travel issues.
• Ken continues to work on the NSEA eagle presentation on Oct. 3.
• The Pearrygin Lake campout has been firmly scheduled for June 2-5, 2016.
• The December Holiday Event has been firmly scheduled for Dec. 8 at the Lairmont Manor. Carol will coordinate table cloth procurement and other details for the event.

New Business

• Steven asked whether board minutes should be in the newsletter and it was noted that it was past policy that this should be happening. Steven will submit minutes for publication beginning this month.
• The board discussed having a “kids group” participate in the Christmas bird count. Ken will follow up to see if this can be arranged.
• The Syrie Bird Exhibit will be open from approximately Jan. 4 through early February.
• Board agreed to pledge $1000 to Washington State Audubon for 2016.
• ACOW will be in Burlington on October 24. Board members are encouraged to attend. Pam will investigate whether they need volunteers.
• Whatcom County Council has established a Wildlife Advisory Committee and is looking for members. 7 of the 11 members must have technical expertise related to wildlife.
• The Cherry Point Bird Survey training has been scheduled for Tuesdays from Nov. 3 – December 15 with the exception of Nov. 24 and Dec. 8.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 pmNext Meeting: October 5, 2015 7:00pm at the WECU Education Center, 311 Holly Street, Bellingham. Steven Harper, Secretary

GARDEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

GARDEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:  Sept. 22 – Oct 8; Tuesdays & Thursdays; 9 am – 2 pm.WSU Extension’s Gardening Green sustainable landscaping class will help you create a beautiful environmentally friendly landscape.  Practical information, simple actions, a native plant walk, bird watching walk, and sustainable landscape tours will all help you develop your own oasis that is full of life and birdsong.  Visit WSU Extension’s website watcom.wsu.edu for more information or contact Sue Taylor at sl-taylor@comcast.net  or 360-671-3891.  Class size is limited.  Pre-registration required.

Paul Bannick Pre-Lecture tour of his exhibit

Just Added! Seattle Author and Photographer Paul Bannick Offers Pre-Lecture Tour of His Exhibition The Whatcom Museum is excited to announce a just-added feature to the Paul Bannick event next Tuesday, August 11th. Bannick has offered to lead a pre-event tour of his exhibition, The Owl & The Woodpecker, in Old City Hall at 6pm. Don't miss this unique chance to see the exhibition, and hear personal stories behind the photos from the artist himself. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about the 25 photographs in the exhibition and ask questions. After the tour, follow Bannick upstairs to the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall, as he shares new program photos and stories from his latest work in the field at 7pm. Tickets are $10 General admission/$5 Museum members and are on sale through August 10 at BrownPaperTickets.com (event # 1381965) or by calling (800) 838-3006 ext. 1. You may also purchase tickets directly at Whatcom Museum reception desks. All seats are general seating. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets soon, as Paul's previous events at the Museum have been sold out, standing-room-only! Come early to get the seat of your choice; doors open at 5:30pm and any unsold tickets will be sold at the door. Books will be available for sale at the event. This event is co-sponsored by the  North Cascades Institute and the North Cascades Audubon Society.

Paul Bannick at the Whatcom Museum!!

Seattle Author and Photographer Paul Bannick Shares Striking New Images and Stories in "The Owl & The Woodpecker Revisited"

The Whatcom Museum, North Cascades Institute and North Cascades Audubon Society present author and photographer Paul Bannick for a slideshow and lecture in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall on Tues., Aug. 11, 7pm for "The Owl & the Woodpecker Revisited." Bannick brings the inter-relationships between these two birds into fresh focus with dozens of new images and stories, including many never presented before.

Bannick will share striking new images, videos and stories that provide fresh illumination to the themes of his book and the exhibit. Find out the latest discoveries since the release of his highly acclaimed book, as well as information from his newest title, Woodpeckers of North America. Doors open at 5:30pm, so come early to see Bannick’s exhibition by the same name on display in Old City Hall. The exhibition features 25-large format color photographs, exhibiting some of the most important species of owls and woodpeckers in North America. Books will be available for sale at the event.  This event is co-sponsored by the North Cascades Institute and the North Cascades Audubon Society.

Tickets are $10 General admission/$5 Museum members and are on sale through August 10 at BrownPaperTickets.com(event # 1381965) or by calling (800) 838-3006 ext. 1. You may also purchase tickets directly at Whatcom Museum reception desks. All seats are general seating. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets soon, as Paul's previous events at the museum have been sold out, standing-room-only! Come early to get the seat of your choice; doors open at 5:30pm.