Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Birdwatching Outing

On April 8, our first joint outing with Rainier Audubon was a great, if soggy, success! We took advantage of the covered viewing area by the visitor center to watch Common and Hooded mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Buffleheads. Led by Carol Schulz (Rainier Audubon) and Dorothy Johnston (Sierra Club South King County), the group then headed across the refuge to McAllister Creek. More Bufflehads, an American Wigeon, and Northern Shovelers were in the shallow ponds while the Green-winged Teal preferred the mud. A wet Northern Harrier (marsh hawk) was sitting in a field, while Violet-green, Tree, and one Cliff swallow soared for insects. Yellow-rumped Warblers inspected the willows, and Marsh Wrens scolded from the reeds. Around the corner toward the Sound, we couldn't see any eagles on a distant nest, but did find two tiny Bushtits tending their sock-like nest.

We returned to the visitor center to warm up and dry off a little. Birdwatching from the comfort of padded chairs in front of the huge picture window was rewarded with a pair of Wood Ducks, the male in his elegant breeding plumage.

Then we headed along the boardwalk toward the twin barns. There were more Wood Duck pairs and a small flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows. Several Great Blue Herons were seen west of the barns, and a huge flock of Canada Geese landed in a field. A Rufous Hummingbird whizzed overhead. We heard Winter Wrens along the way toward the Nisqually River. Near the junction of the barns and river trails, sharp eyes spotted a bedraggled Great Horned Owl hunkered down in the crotch of a huge maple near a white-washed nest tree. As we turned back along the river trail, a yellow goldfinch was singing, a fitting finale for a great outing! We look foward to more joint ventures with Rainier Audubon.

Group Completes Third Year at Soos Creek Park

On May 6th, the South King County Group, in cooperation with Friends of Soos Creek and King County Parks, held its sixth semiannual service outing at Soos Creek Park. Located on Kent's East Hill, the park protects a vital ribbon of wildlife habitat and provides low impact recreational opportunities to the public. Thanks to all who turned out for this outing! With your help, we were able to finish clearing Scotch Broom from an area we first tackled last spring. The site is now ready for replanting, which will likely be the focus of our restoration outing there this fall.

Before we began the project, several areas of the park were significantly impacted by invasive plant species such as English Ivy, Scotch Broom, Himalayan Blackberry, etc. We are now three years into our efforts to restore the park's various habitats. Areas we've addressed are now cleared, some replanted, and all are on the road to recovery.

Call for Executive Committee Candidates

The five-member South King County Group's Executive Committee (Ex-Com) has three positions to be filled this year. The ExCom helps plan all Group activities and oversees its committees. If you are interested in serving your fellow South King County members, please submit your name, street address, email address, and a brief description of why you wish to be an ExCom member to our Nominating Committee at sierraclubsouthking@yahoo.com.

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